Daily WHUFC News - 26th September 2015

Preview - Norwich City
WHUFC.com

Norwich have started the season strongly
The Background

West Ham United return to Barclays Premier League action on Saturday looking to extend their winning run of games in the League to four matches.

The Hammers entertain newly promoted Norwich City, who have defied expectations so far. The Canaries are currently eleventh with eight points from their opening six games.

Alex Neil's men recorded impressive wins over AFC Bournemouth and Sunderland, and go into Saturday's game full of confidence following their 1-1 draw away at Liverpool.

They continued their run of form with a resounding 3-0 win over West Bromiwch Albion in midweek – West Ham loanee Matt Jarvis, scoring his second goal for the Norfolk side in just three appearances.

Meanwhile the Hammers maintained their 100% away record with a third historic win over table toppers Manchester City. If results go the Hammers' way, they could go top of the league by Saturday afternoon.


The History

West Ham United have officially faced Norwich City just 50 times in the Football League, Premier League and domestic cup competitions. The Hammers have won 19, Norwich 16 and 15 matches have ended in draws.

The first-ever meeting between the two sides came on 6 October 1934, with John James Foreman and Hugh Mills scoring in a 2-1 West Ham win at The Nest in Division Two.

West Ham were the first club to visit Norwich's present Carrow Road home, losing a Division Two fixture 4-3 on 31 August 1935. The Hammers visited again in pre-season to mark the 80th anniversary of the stadium, winning 1-0 through Harry Toffolo's own-goal.

The last competitive game between the two sides, in February 2014, resulted in a 2-0 win for West Ham. James Collins and Mo Diame scored in the last six minutes to secure the Hammers three valuable points.

Andy Carroll started against Leicester City in midweek
Match Info

Team News

West Ham United

Despite the Hammers' busy schedule, Slaven Bilic has a relatively healthy squad to select from.

Diafra Sakho missed the trip to the King Power Stadium however he should be available. Andy Carroll made his first start in seven months against the Foxes while Mauro Zarate scored on his return, giving Bilic several different options up front.

Having missed the victory over Manchester City through injury, Cheikhou Kouyate is back in contention to play on Saturday.

Angelo Ogbonna (hamstring), Joey O'Brien (calf), Alex Song (foot) and Enner Valencia (knee) are all unavailable but are making good progress in their recoveries.

Norwich City

Canaries' boss Alen Neil has a near full strength team to play with as the only absentees are Gary Hooper (ankle) and Youssef Mulumbu (metartarsal).

Matt Jarvis is ineligible to play against his parent club.

Match facts

Saturday's referee is Mike Dean. He will be assisted by Simon Long and Stuart Burt. The fourth official is Kevin Friend.

West Ham have lost only one of their last nine league and cup matches against Norwich (W4, D4).

The Canaries are without a win at West Ham in 26 years since a 2-0 win in March 1989.

West Ham have scored eight goals from open play – the second highest in the league, behind Manchester City. Norwich City are in eighth place with six goals from open play.

The Hammers have hit 79 long balls this season – joint top with Watford. Norwich are tenth having hit just 67.

Tickets, coverage, weather and other info

Tickets have sold out for the game, but may become available online as Season Ticket Holders relist on Ticket Trader.

You can follow the matchday live on our official Twitter and Facebook pages, as well as in our live match centre here on whufc.com. Get involved with the conversation on Twitter using #WHUNOR.

Saturday is looking like a cloudy day, although there should be bursts on sunshine. Temperature is predicted to be 17C (63F) at kick-off.

The District and Hammersmith & City lines serving Upton Park station are scheduled to run as normal on Saturday. Check tfl.gov.uk for up-to-the-minute reports.

The latest news on National Rail services can be found here, while information on the roads is here.

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Westley pens new Hammers deal
WHUFC.com

West Ham United are delighted to announce that Academy Manager & Head of Player Development Coaching Terry Westley has signed a new five-year contract with the Club.

Having joined the Hammers in July 2014, Westley has overseen the development of the next generation of Hammers stars, with many of his charges being given a first team opportunity at the start of the 2015/16 season.

Reece Oxford and Josh Cullen have both made their Barclays Premier League debuts already this year, while a further six Academy products made their debuts in the Club's UEFA Europa League campaign.

Hammers Vice-Chairman Karren Brady says Westley's new contract is just reward for an impressive first year at the Club.

Ms Brady said: "We are pleased to have agreed a new long-term contract with Terry, who has brought fresh ideas and impetus to the Academy since he joined the Club last year.

"This Club has an outstanding reputation for nurturing homegrown talent, so we have been thrilled to see the impact our youngsters have had in the first team this year.

"Terry's dedication and drive to keep the Academy moving forward has impressed us all and we're looking forward to working with him across the next five years and I'm sure we will continue to see young players coming through to establish themselves at West Ham United."

Westley added: "I want to say a big thank-you to the Board and to Karren for the new deal. I would also like to thank all of my staff since I have arrived here for the work they have done.

"I think it cements the idea that we are going to try and put something in place over the next five-years. Like Slaven, we want a long-term strategy and philosophy.

"Can we build something at the football club when we move into the new stadium with the young players being a part of that? Can we get 30 per cent of the team home-grown and produce the right type of players? All of that takes time but we have made a start.

"This now gives us a chance to establish that strategy and philosophy and I am delighted that I am going to be here for a long time."

Westley's oversees the Hammers' Academy teams from U21 downwards and before arriving in East London, worked to develop young players at the likes of Ipswich Town, Luton Town, Derby County and Birmingham City before moving to a senior role at the Premier League.

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Young Hammers set for double header
WHUFC.com

Having picked up there first point of the season with a 2-2 draw on Monday, the Development Squad make a fast return to action as they travel to play Stoke City on Saturday 26 September.

The young Hammers took an early lead through Jordan Brown's fine finish after just four minutes but were pegged back by goals from Ivan Toney and Callum Roberts.

However, with just seconds remaining, Martin Samuelsen confidently tucked away his spot-kick to rescue his side a point.

Saturday's hosts Stoke City on the other hand have found points difficult to come by of late, after a strong start to the campaign.

Having drawn with Aston Villa on the opening day, they beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0. Since then, they've scored once in three games, slipping to defeats to Swansea City, Fulham, Brighton and Hove Albion.

Should Terry Westley's men get all three points, they could climb up the Barclays U21 Premier League second division table to eighth, leapfrogging the Potters in the process.

Meanwhile, the West Ham United U18s are also in action on a busy Saturday for the Hammers.
On the back of beating league leaders' Chelsea 2-0 last weekend, the young Irons travel to the South Coast to play Southampton.

After six games, the Saints, on six points, are just a point ahead of their east London rivals with five.

The Development Squad play Stoke City at Macclesfield Town's Moss Rose stadium, kick off is 2pm while the U18s' game at Southampton's Staplewood Training Ground. Make sure you follow @whufc_official and whufc.com for updates, match reports and reaction.

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West Ham boss Slaven Bilic says even fans of other clubs are getting behind his happy Hammers
0 COMMENTS 22:30, 25 SEP 2015
BY NEIL MCLEMAN
West Ham were booed by their own fans under Sam Allardyce but an incredible hat-trick of away wins under Bilic has made them the neutrals' favourite again
The Mirror

Slaven Bilic has revealed that even fans at other clubs have congratulated him on West Ham's stunning start to the season. The Hammers were booed by their own supporters under Sam Allardyce last season. But after an incredible hat-trick of away wins at Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City, the Croat has rediscovered the attractive West Ham way – and made the East End club the neutrals' favourite again.
"We have an army of fans, but it is not only our fans, it is other clubs' fans – football fans – who are ­congratulating me," Bilic said. "West Ham fans are delighted, but other fans say, 'Well done' and all that. Getting praise from football fans is the best. It's a great feeling."
West Ham sit in third as London's top club before Saturday's visit of fellow away-day specialists Norwich. And after a similarly strong start last season, Bilic reckons has told everyone at the club to enjoy the success while it lasts. "Everything goes really quickly in football and in life," he reasoned. I'm not denying that, there is no point not enjoying the good spells. I said to my staff the other day, 'We've done good, why shouldn't we enjoy it a little bit because when the bad days come we won't enjoy it?' "There's no reasons we could not be confident or proud. But the one condition is they stay on the ground and be even more motivated. "If you're going to win, you need some magic, but most of the game is about fighting and battling. "When you say fighting, you think anyone can do it and it is down to your attitude, but it is quality defending. It doesn't only require will and strong character, but also brains and quality on the pitch."

Norwich defender Sebastien Bassong is targeting a hat-trick of wins against West Ham when his team visit. The big Cameroon international centre-half said: "I have won there with Newcastle and Spurs in the Premier League. But I haven't won there with Norwich yet, so hopefully I can put that right this time."

Bassong is not bothered one bit either about playing in front of the fanatical Hammers support. He said: "I have never found it to be a particularly intimidating place in the past. It's no different to any other Premier League ground. You just have to go there and handle the pressure."

West Ham have had memorable success on the road so far this season. But Bassong warned the Hammers they will have to change their game plan at Upton Park. He said: "Away from home they can sit back and just play counter attacking football. But against us at home they will have to come out and ttack more to keep the fans happy. "So I think it will be a little bit different for them in the way they set up to play."

The Canaries were pre-season favourites for relegation, but are currently sitting in 11th position in the Premier League. And Bassong admits he enjoyed Norwich being above big teams like Chelsea and Liverpool in the table. He said: "We have made a good start and it's definitely better than struggling from the start. "We are in a really good position at present and the team is looking very competitive."

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West Ham v Norwich
KO 15:00
Only once in Premier League history have West Ham had more points at this stage - 13 points in 1999-2000.
25 September 2015
Last updated at 12:57

Barclays Premier League
Venue: Upton Park Date: Saturday, 26 September

TEAM NEWS

West Ham striker Andy Carroll played 63 minutes in the League Cup on Tuesday but is unlikely to make his first league start since January. Angelo Ogbonna is a major injury doubt but there could be first starts for deadline day signings Nikica Jelavic and Michail Antonio.
Norwich midfielder Alex Tettey is available after a ban, but on-loan winger Matt Jarvis is ineligible to face his parent club. Gary Hooper (ankle) again misses out.

MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES

Alistair Mann: "It's highly likely that only West Ham will end the current campaign with victories at Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool. They are, after all, only the fourth side in Premier League history to ever achieve that feat in a single season. "They'll probably be thinking, 'if only we'd been as impressive at Upton Park'. "Home defeats by Leicester and Bournemouth have blotted their stunning start. "You have to go back to March 1989 for Norwich's last success at the Hammers. The hosts will be determined, therefore, not to suffer an 'after the Lord Mayor's Show' performance." Twitter: @alistairmann01

WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic: "Norwich are a really good team. They defend as a unit and are very solid. "They are not a spectacular team but they have everything - pace, ability, size. Their last game at Anfield, maybe Liverpool had just one or two chances. "You can't beat them by being predictable."

LAWRO'S PREDICTION

West Ham have had three fantastic away performances - against Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal - that they could only have dreamt of. But I think it will be harder for them at home, firstly because Norwich will not come forward in numbers to allow the Hammers to counter-attack, and also because Slaven Bilic's side are now a real scalp.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head
West Ham have lost only one of their last nine league and cup matches against Norwich (W4, D4).
The Canaries are without a win at West Ham in 26 years since a 2-0 win in March 1989.
Six of the last 10 league encounters have been drawn.
West Ham United
West Ham have 12 points from their opening six games. It is their best Premier League start since 1999-2000, when they had 13 points.
They and Leicester are the division's joint-leading scorers with 13 goals.
Slaven Bilic has used 24 players in the Premier League this season, two more than any other side.
Dimitri Payet has had a hand in 12 goals (four goals, eight assists) in his last 14 league appearances for either West Ham or Marseille.
Diafra Sakho has scored in four of his five Premier League appearances in the month of September.
Norwich City
Norwich's league results this season have followed the same pattern: lost, won drawn, lost, won, drawn.
The Canaries have scored just four goals in their last seven away Premier League games, failing to find the net in five of them.
Only Sunderland and Chelsea have let in more than the 10 goals conceded by Alex Neil's men.
Russell Martin has scored three goals in his last five Premier League games, as many as he did in his previous 86 top-flight appearances.
Martin is the Premier League's top scoring defender, one ahead of both Vincent Kompany and Joel Ward.
Wes Hoolahan has scored or supplied five goals in his last five league appearances for Norwich (one goal, four assists).

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Exclusive Belic Interview
Posted by Sean Whetstone on September 25, 2015 in News, Whispers

He helped the team to draw, when in last minutes he won a penalty for the Irons which youngster Martin Samuelsen converted in to a goal.

And in his first interview he said: "I am not to satisfied, I have could done better and we had to win.

He told the Balkan Hammers:"I'm satisfied that I helped to the team to win a point."

He said he is thrilled with his transfer to England, as it was his dream to play in the Premier league and was delighted with the"wonderful reception" he received from his team mates after joining the Hammers.

He said: "Luka BelićIt was better then I imagined, I have a lot of good friends, but Djair (Parfitt-Williams) is my best friend and he has already been involved in the senior squad in qualification matches in European League and we do individual practice together.

The former player of OFK Belgrade also praised the organisation of West Ham.

"Everything is great and on really high level. The pitch is perfect, training conditions are phenomenal like our are coaches too, " he said"

Belić added there was a big difference in the work of West Ham coaches compared to those of his former club.

The young Serbian has been labeled as a big talent with some experts saying that with proper work under coaches at the Academy, he could get a senior squad debut by the end of the season.

Luka-BelićThe youngster said: "That is my goal and aim,I want to score goals and assist for U21's and I hope I will by the end of season get a debut for senior squad even if it was in April"

In his match against Newcastle he played together with Michail Antonio. and said: "Yes, Antonio played with us, and our best player in my opinion is Diego Payet" Bilić said with a smile.

At the end of his conversation he told the Bakan Hammers, that he owes big gratitude to his father who was biggest supporter and also to Savo Milošević and Mitar Mrklela (both former Serbian footballers now part of the management setup at OFK Beograde)

Our thanks at Claret and Hugh goes to the Balkan Hammers for obtaining this interview and translating it for us.

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Cressie would cost Man United £20 million plus
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on September 25, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and hH

West Ham wouldn't consider selling Aaron Creswell to Manchester United or any other top four club for less than £25 million.The Old Trafford club have been reported as being interested in the left back in the next transfer window with Luke Shaw having suffered a horror injury in the Champions League. ClaretandHugh has been told there has been no contact from United but made it clear that were here to be an any interest a fee of around £25 million would be the norm! Prior to the United speculation, Chelsea and Manchester City were both reportedly interested in last season's Hammer of the Year at around £15m but Upton Park insiders have told ClaretandHugh that wildly undervalues the former player in top four terms. We were told exclusively that the price generally accepted as reflecting a player's REAL value doesn't exist when the likes of United, City, Chelsea or Arsenal move in. A high level source explained: "The top clubs know there's absolutely no point in putting in a 'value' bid and should they want and need a player they will need to go in very high.
"There's been no contact and we don't expec t there to be but as far as the top four is concerned Cressie's price would be £25 million plus to Manchester United or a club like it."

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West Ham v Norwich preview: Hammers aim to maintain impressive start to season
Last Updated: 25/09/15 2:28pm
SSN

West Ham United entertain Norwich City at Upton Park on Saturday afternoon, looking to continue their excellent start to the campaign. Slaven Bilic's side go into this match in third place in the Premier League and with wins at Arsenal, Liverpool and last time out leaders Manchester City already under their belts. However, West Ham's home form has been less impressive, with the club suffering surprise defeats against Leicester City and Bournemouth to begin the campaign at the Boleyn Ground. Meanwhile, mid-table Norwich arrive in east London boosted by a 1-1 draw at Liverpool last Sunday, although the Canaries have not won on any of their last 13 top-flight visits to the capital. Alex Neil's men have also struggled to find the back of the net on the road of late, scoring just four times in their previous seven away games in the Premier League, five of which they drew a blank in.

Team news

West Ham boss Bilic has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the visit of Norwich on Saturday. The Hammers could hand first starts to deadline day arrivals Nikica Jelavic and Michail Antonio after both were cup-tied for the Capital One Cup third round extra-time defeat at Leicester on Tuesday night. Andy Carroll could make his first league start since January, but is likely to be on the bench with Diafra Sakho recalled in attack, while Angelo Ogbonna [hamstring] is a major doubt with Alex Song [ankle] and Enner Valencia [knee] definitely out.

Norwich will have midfielder Alex Tettey back from a one-match suspension, but on-loan winger Matt Jarvis is not eligible to face his parent club. Striker Gary Hooper [ankle] remains sidelined, but Kyle Lafferty could be involved after the Northern Ireland international scored in the midweek Capital One Cup win over West Brom. Midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu continues his recovery from a fractured metatarsal.

Opta stats

The Hammers have an unbeaten Premier League record against the Canaries at Upton Park (W2 D2).
West Ham have used 24 different players in the Premier League this season, two more than any other side.
Norwich City have not won any of their last 13 Premier League away games in London (D5 L8).
Dimitri Payet has had a hand in 12 goals (four goals, eight assists) in his last 14 league appearances (Premier League and Ligue 1 combined).
Wes Hoolahan has had a hand in five goals in his last five Premier League appearances for Norwich (one goal, four assists).
The Canaries have scored just four goals in their last seven away Premier League games, failing to find the net in five of these.

Merson's prediction

West Ham have been really good over the last month, and I think they'll win this comfortably. Norwich have a go wherever they are, and they look solid too, but I don't see them living with Slaven Bilic's side. Dimitri Payet has been absolutely superb for West Ham. Outstanding. He does everything, and everyone in that West Ham team are bouncing off him. Managers across the Premier League are thinking 'why didn't we sign him?'.

PAUL PREDICTS: 3-1 (Sky Bet odds 16/1)

Betting

Third-placed West Ham are Sky Bet's 6/5 favourites ahead of the visit of 11/5 shots Norwich with the draw available at 12/5. Despite their start to the campaign, the Hammers are still as big as 8/1 to secure a top-six finish under Slaven Bilic, while Norwich are 1/4 to stay up after some impressive displays.

West Ham have won the last two meetings at Upton Park, scoring exactly two goals on both occasions and can be backed at 5/2 to score two goals in the match. Soccer Saturday pundits Phil Thompson, Matt Le Tissier and Charlie Nicholas are all backing a home win with Diafra Sakho netting the opening goal at 5/1.

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Hammers looking strong for Norwich clash
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on September 25, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

Injury-free West Ham will be back to full strength tomorrow – with the exception of Angelo Ogbonna – after the Leicester City defeat in midweek. Cheik Kouyate has recovered from a small knock and is expected to take his place alongside Mark Noble in front of the back four. And that looks certain to ensure that fit again Andy Carroll will be back on the bench as Diafra Sakho again does his amazing job of leading the line. The Senegal striker – despite having the threat of legal action hanging over him – has been in brilliant form moving defenders around this season to create space for the likes of Dimitri Payet and Manuel Lanzini. The Argentine playmaker looks likely to hold onto his place as the manager again goes with the team that beat Manchester City. Carroll looks likely to remain the back up line leader to Sakho with one source telling us that the manager is obviously reluctant to change a formation that is working so well. He said: "The fact that Slaven singled Diafra out for special praise after the City game tells you everything so it seems AC will have to wait for circumstances to intervene to get his chance." Matt Jarvis – who has scored twice for Norwich City this season – will be missing from the Caaries line up as part of the loan deal arrangement
Hammers likely line-up: Adrian; Jenkinson, Reid, Tomkins, Cresswell; Noble, Kouyate; Obiang, Payet, Lanzini, Sakho.

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Bilic: "TV helps big clubs get decisions"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on September 25, 2015 in News
C and H

Outspoken Slaven Bilic reckons top clubs receive more big decisions because they are always on Match of the Day earlier. He claims that with the key calls are analysed in a prime-time slot thus putting pressure on officials, while the smaller clubs have to settle for their decisions being on television "at midnight". The Irons boss also wants more TV technology to help officials make the correct calls. Bilic is reported in The Mirror as claiming Europe-wide favouring of big clubs is due to external pressures on referees. He said: "The big clubs are always getting decisions. I don't think it is deliberate. But it is the same in Croatia, Spain, Germany and Turkey. "Besiktas [who he managed last season] was a big club, but I was not happy. And the clubs lower than us were moaning. Kayserispor went down to the second division because something like 20 major decisions went against them. "And I was moaning all the time because of the treatment of, say, Fenerbahce [one of Besiktas' Istanbul neighbours and rivals]. "The biggest clubs also have the biggest press. If they are not given a penalty, it is a big scandal. If a small club is not given one, it is shown at midnight on television, not prime time. "Everything is connected. That's why they are big clubs." The manager saw Mark Noble's Anfield red-card later struck off, complained: "We have been denied two penalties and the goal on Tuesday against Leicester was clearly offside. "I don't feel it was like a major issue on television, but when a big club does it it becomes major."

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Merson predicts another Hammers win
Posted by Sean Whetstone on September 25, 2015 in News
C and H

Sky Sports Soccer Saturday pundit Paul Merson predicts another Irons victory. Merson told the Sky Sports website "West Ham have been really good over the last month, and I think they'll win this comfortably. Norwich have a go wherever they are, and they look solid too, but I don't see them living with Slaven Bilic's side." "Dimitri Payet has been absolutely superb for West Ham. Outstanding. He does everything, and everyone in that West Ham team are bouncing off him. Managers across the Premier League are thinking 'why didn't we sign him?'." Paul Merson predicts a 3-1 win for the mighty Hammers.

Meanwhile BBC pundit Mark Lawrenson still can't bring himself to predict a West Ham win suggesting a 1-1 draw. "Norwich got a really good point at Anfield last weekend although I felt they only played well until they got into the final third. The Canaries only really made two opportunities, scoring from one and then forcing Simon Mignolet into a great save with the other." said Lawrenson on the BBC Sport website. "West Ham have had three fantastic away performances – against Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City – that they could only have dreamt of. But I think it will be harder for them at home, firstly because Norwich will not come forward in numbers to allow the Hammers to counter-attack, and also because Slaven Bilic's side are now a real scalp."

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Irons ready to talk a deal on winger
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on September 25, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

Matt Jarvis' absence from the Norwich City team to face the Irons at the Boleyn tomorrow has brought talk of a long term switch to the Canaries onto the agenda again. And with Canaries boss Alex Neil regularly speaking of his admiration for the player both clubs will be hoping they can put a deal together by the end of the campaign. Jarvis has had an impressive start in the green and yellow and the Hammers are following the winger's progress very closely. Manager Alex Neil said of the player recently: "I had a good chat with him before he came here and what I need is hungry players who have a point to prove. "There is no use coming here to pick up their last pay cheque because that is no good to me. We are going to be a hungry group who are going to fight for every point." Neil is understood to be keen to put a deal for the former Wolves man who cost the Irons around £10 million during Sam Allardyce's time in charge.
And the Irons – despite his lack of form and first team action at Upton Park – are in no mood to "give the player away for silly money." A Hammers source said: "He's started well and it may well be that simply needs a change. The better he performs the better for everybody but that's bound to push the price up. "If Norwich want to talk we are ready to listen at any stage of the season but nether they or anyone else will be nicking him on the cheap."

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West Ham manager Slaven Bilic blames Match of the Day for referees favouring top clubs
The Independent
The Croatian says small clubs are disadvantaged when shown "at midnight"
MARK CRITCHLEY Author Biography Friday 25 September 2015

Slaven Bilic thinks the Premier League's top clubs benefit from more favourable refereeing decisions because they appear on Match of the Day earlier. The West Ham United manager believes that by having key calls analysed in relatively long prime-time slots leads to more pressure falling on those officiating big clubs to get their decisions right. Bilic, who wants more technology to be implemented to help referees make the right calls, believes that smaller clubs are at a disadvantage because their decisions are only aired "at midnight". "The big clubs are always getting decisions," said the former Croatia boss. "I don't think it is deliberate. But it is the same in Croatia, Spain, Germany and Turkey. "The biggest clubs also have the biggest press. If they are not given a penalty, it is a big scandal. If a small club is not given one, it is shown at midnight on television, not prime time. "Everything is connected. That's why they are big clubs."

Despite their impressive start to the season, which has seen them pick up wins away against Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City, Bilic is unhappy with his side's treatment at the hands of officials. "We have been denied two penalties and the goal on Tuesday night (in the club's League Cup defeat against Leicester) was clearly offside," he said. "I don't feel it was like a major issue on television, but when a big club does it it becomes major."

Mike Dean will take charge of the Hammers' meeting with Norwich City at Upton Park on Saturday having been roundly criticised for his performance during Chelsea and Arsenal's hot-blooded London derby last weekend. If Dean's officiating should spark controversy again, it seems Bilic will not be afraid to take him to task. "I don't understand the managers when they say, 'I will not comment about the referee'. Why?" the former Besiktas manager asked. "How can I not comment about something that influences everything - on me and the whole club's jobs?"

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WEST HAM TO SNUB TOTTENHAM GROUND-SHARE PROPOSAL
By Michael Oliver
readwestham.com

West Ham will reject any proposal from Tottenham over a possible ground share of the Olympic Stadium in the 2017/18 season. Spurs are in the process of constructing a new 58,000-seater stadium as they prepare to leave White Hart Lane in the summer of 2017. However, there have been delays to the completion of the new stadium project until 2018, which leaves Tottenham effectively homeless for a season. Many contingency plans have been suggested for Tottenham, such as using Wembley Stadium for their home games that season, but that's unlikely to be sanctioned as Chelsea are poised to pen a three-year tenancy from the 2017/18 season onwards. Spurs held preliminary talks with the London Legacy Development Company over 18 months ago, say the Daily Mail, over a one-year tenancy alongside primary tenants West Ham, despite the then-ongoing legal investigation into the awarding of the Olympic Stadium to the Hammers.

The Daily Mail go on to state that they understand West Ham no veto in the situation, despite West Ham saying otherwise this time last year when the proposal was last suggested. Speaking in the Guardian, vice-chairwoman Karren Brady stated that a possible one-year ground share with any club was possible, but only with their say-so. In reality they probably could – but only with our permission. No-one has asked us for our permission and if they did we would probably say no, depending on who it is – if you get my drift. If you want to read between the lines and make your own inference of the situation, Brady suggests that West Ham wouldn't want to share the Olympic Stadium with certain clubs.

You could suggest that Tottenham are ruled out based on the tension between the opposing fanbases, their persistent enquiries into the awarding process of the tenancy rights, and the difficulties between the two clubs in recent transfer windows, most notably regarding striker Emmanuel Adebayor.
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West Ham's Dimitri Payet and Slaven Bilic earn praise from Winston Reid
ESPN

ESPN FC's Craig Burley dissects another amazing away-day performance from West Ham, inflicting Man City's first Premier League defeat of the season. West Ham defender Winston Reid has praised the effect Slaven Bilic has had at the club, and hailed Dimitri Payet as a "special player". Formerly a fans' favourite during an 18-month spell as a player at Upton Park, Bilic replaced Sam Allardyce in the summer and is already enjoying a positive relationship with a supporter base who, on the whole, never warmed to his predecessor. Successive away league wins at Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City have done Bilic's popularity no harm, despite an early exit in Europa League qualification and home defeats to Leicester and Bournemouth.

A maiden home league victory against struggling Newcastle followed up by a hard-fought 2-1 win at City has left West Ham third in the Premier League ahead of Saturday's visit of Norwich.
With Bilic looking to maintain the momentum of recent weeks -- despite an extra time loss to Leicester in the Capital One Cup in midweek -- Reid has been impressed by what he has seen from the former Besiktas boss. "A huge amount of credit, deservedly, has gone to the manager. He has been first-class ever since he started," the New Zealand international said. "Slaven is a very relaxed guy and he's good to the players. He clearly hasn't forgotten what it's like to be a footballer himself, which is a crucial characteristic. "We had a slightly unusual preseason where we were getting used to his new ideas but also trying to qualify for the Europa League. Unfortunately we didn't quite manage that, but afterwards we had a team meeting and we said we need to focus on the Premier League. "Most importantly, the new manager came in with new ideas that are easily understood. He's a great communicator. He likes to get hands-on in training which is good. He's very engaging and the players like working for him."

Bilic has also received widespread praise for West Ham's transfer dealings, with Dimitri Payet arguably one of the most impressive summer arrivals into the Premier League. While his manager has said the attacking midfielder has "magic in his boots," Reid has also seen plenty from the France international and is glad to see record signing Andy Carroll back playing after another long injury setback. Dimiri Payet has set the Premier League alight after joining from Marseille. "Another hot topic at the moment is Dimitri Payet," added Reid. "I don't need to say much as he lets his football do the talking. He's obviously a special player and he's a joy to play alongside. He's also very personable and easy to get along with. "On Tuesday, it was great to have Andy back, it's always hard when you're injured but he's done well to keep coming back from injury. He's a great player and we're delighted to have him back. We all know what he can bring to the team when he's on form. "We've also got Enner Valencia and Alex Song to come back too, so there's plenty of positivity around the training ground."

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West Ham and Slaven Bilic a perfect mix before Olympic move
Slaven Bilic was popular as a West Ham player because he represented something progressive. As manager, he is proving popular for similar reasons
Thursday 24 September 2015 18.00 BST Last modified on Friday 25 September 2015 00.02 BST
The Guardian

Euphoric, a little bedraggled, flashing around his rock star's poetic licence (he is after all still a guitar player in the progressive metal band Rawbau) Slaven Bilic just about got away with describing beating Manchester City at the Etihad last weekend as like walking into "a pub full of girls". It may, however, be worth taking a deep breath before describing his feelings if results once again fall Bilic's way on Saturday.

Another defeat for City at Tottenham Hotspur combined with a win for West Ham United at home to Norwich City could leave the Hammers top of the league for the first time since August 2005, and for the first time this deep into the season since Trevor Brooking was in the team. Like Bilic's all-female pub of the imagination, this is in itself a slightly improbable scenario given West Ham have also lost to Bournemouth and Leicester City at home, added 12 new players over the summer and spent the second half of last season displaying all the raw competitive zeal of a house brick.

These are changing times though and once again Bilic appears to have arrived at Upton Park at both the start and the end of something. The victories at Liverpool, Arsenal and City were brilliantly executed by a team set up to play at speed on the break. But they also chimed with the aspirational qualities of this mid-gentrification West Ham, a club facing perhaps the most profound change of gear in its professional history in the next few years.

On Thursday Bilic was able to play down the likelihood Andy Carroll would be fit to play much of a part against Norwich this weekend. "Andy can't be doing more in training," Bilic said "He is working so hard … but after seven months, these things take time." Carroll is of course still West Ham's record signing, as Bilic himself once was, having joined from Karlsruher in 1995 for £1.3m. If he is unlikely to be rushed back this is in part because Bilic currently has at his disposal four of West Ham's all-time most expensive signings.

This is not just the costliest squad in the club's history, but arguably one with even more depth than the last really upwardly mobile West Ham of the early Harry Redknapp years, when some energetic transfer activity, buttressed by Frank Lampard and Rio Ferdinand, led to a fifth-placed Premier League finish in 1999.

Bilic was long gone by then. Indeed there has been a degree of myth-making about his time at the club as a player, a spell of 18 months, 54 games and one runner-up spot to Julian Dicks as Hammer of the Year that has led to him being described now and then as "a club legend". And yet Bilic's time at West Ham was undeniably intriguing, an echo of the present perhaps with its rash of bolt-on overseas stars: Florin Raducioiu, Hugo Porfírio and the great Paulo Futre, who played nine games before abruptly retiring.

Bilic the player was popular as much for his obvious charisma and the fact he seemed to represent something progressive and forward-looking. As perhaps he does now as the club counts down to signing off on the Boleyn Ground and a leap into the long-lease unknown. The manager is still a very potent figure at a club that has only ever had 15 of them. If Bilic feels reassuringly West Ham, there is also something reassuringly personable about him, not to mention at times reassuringly chaotic.

If the meat-and-potatoes stability of the Sam Allardyce years offended the West Ham sensibilities, the onset of Bilicism has at the very least been eventful. So far the season has brought six red cards, one drawn match in 13, and 34 players used across three competitions. The positives through this have been obvious enough. Mark Noble is perfectly cast as West Ham captain. Winston Reid and James Tomkins have been rugged in defence. The new signings have largely been hits, most obviously Dimitri Payet, who plays a slightly different role but has already stirred memories of Carlos Tevez with his swagger and his upright, muscular creative style. "He is special," Bilic said this week. "This is why we signed him."

Of course, nobody realistically expects West Ham to keep this up without a hitch. The Bilic bounce is based to a degree on the fact their season started in early July, giving them a running start on the rest. Other teams will now be forewarned of that pacey, counterattacking style away from home, of Payet's influence, and of some possible weaknesses behind the first choice full-backs when West Ham attack in numbers at home. Plus of course Allardyce's team were also fourth at Christmas last year before packing up for summer five months early.

If this season feels different then this is, after all, a rare moment in the club's history. For now at least this Stratford-bound West Ham, with a ground to fill and a brand to sell, seem to have found a manager with just the right amount of homespun pizzazz.

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