Daily WHUFC News -

Boleyn Memories - Alan Pardew
WHUFC.com

West Ham United travel to Crystal Palace on Saturday, where they will come
up against a man with fond memories of the Boleyn Ground. Eagles manager
Alan Pardew spent more than three seasons as Hammers boss between October
2003 and December 2006, leading the east London side through a largely
successful period. Under Pards, West Ham reached two Play-Off finals, gained
promotion to the Premier League and reached the FA Cup final. During the
same period, Pardew's Hammers also produced some outstanding performances at
the Club's historic home. Among them were an unforgettable Play-Off
semi-final victory over Ipswich Town in 2004, and outstanding Premier League
wins over Aston Villa, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur during the
2005/06 season. Pardew's passionate character also saw him become embroiled
in a memorable touchline spat with Arsene Wenger during the 2-1 home win
over Arsenal in November 2006. The man himself told West Ham TV that the
atmosphere at the Boleyn Ground was among the best he has experienced
anywhere during his 30-year career in the game. "Certainly, for me, the
atmosphere on a number of occasions was unbelievable and the Ipswich one
really was something special," said Pardew. "I had a few here where the
hairs on the back of your neck stand up and I'm sure you hear that many
times in reference to this place. They are great memories and I'll treasure
them forever. "You can't help but get wrapped up in it sometimes and jumping
in the crowd or whatever I was doing, dancing, it was all part of it."

Pardew paid tribute to the Claret and Blue Army, whose vociferous support no
doubt inspired him and his players to greater heights during his three years
in charge. Among those players were the likes of Teddy Sheringham, Yossi
Benayoun, Bobby Zamora, Marlon Harewood and Tomas Repka, who all became firm
favourites among the Boleyn Ground faithful. "This is a great stage for
players, it always has been," he enthused. "There have been some greats here
and I was lucky to manage one or two of them. "I'll always be indebted to
the West Ham fans and whenever I see them they thank me for the cup run and
I thank them for their support. It goes hand in hand. "It is a special
place. It's special because the memories linger here and you're constantly
reminded, in a nice way, of the greats who have played here. For me, the
memories are a bit more personal."

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Slaven Speaks - Crystal Palace
WHUFC.com

Ahead of the Hammers' trip to south London to face Crystal Palace, Slaven
Bilic faced the media. During his pre-match press conference, the boss
answered a range of questions on team news, the Eagles and maintaining the
Hammers' unbeaten run...

Good morning Slaven, what's the team news ahead of the London derby with
Crystal Palace, there were some good news about Enner Valencia, Angelo
Ogbonna and Andy Carroll?

SB: "Of course I am very pleased, they are very important players.
Thankfully Andy's injury wasn't too bad, we didn't risk him against
Sunderland but he's back now. The other two have been out for longer so we
needed to be more patient but they are back in training and looking good.

"Enner played 20 minutes in the friendly against Reading and looked really
good, he's been out for a while so he still needs a few weeks. But when I
see him in training he does things that make you think 'maybe he could 10
minutes on Saturday', but I think it'll be two weeks until he's fully
ready."

Any news on Alex Song, how long do you expect him to be out for?

SB: "Two weeks maybe, maximum three. He's working hard and we're looking
forward to having him back, he's a fantastic player."

And Aaron Cresswell and Winston Reid?

SB: "They're not too serious thank God, but we will have to wait. We will
assess them in training today and tomorrow and then make a decision if
they're available for the Palace game."

Sam Allardyce has spoken about the West Ham Way, do you feel under pressure
to play a certain style?

SB: "As a West Ham player and West Ham manager the fans always want us to
play good football. They were always clapping when we did well and really
got behind us. We went through a bad run in 1996/97 and got some stick but
that is the same from all fans.

"Now I feel that they are really behind us, they are really with us. We feel
them home and away, they are great fans, of course."

Sam Allardyce this week has been critical of Andy Carroll work ethic, what
do you make of Carroll's effort since you arrived?

SB: "I heard what he said, when I arrived Andy was injured but he's been
working unbelievably hard to get fit. He's a great professional, it's hard
when you're working on your own every day but he did it. Since I've been
here, in training and during his rehabilitation, he's been top class."

Dimitri Payet has been vocal about French manager Didier Deschamps, do you
think he should be in the national team?

SB: "It's hard when you don't know the full situation. I know as a national
manager, that it can be hard to select everyone. France have a wide pool to
choose from, a lot of quality players. If you ask me do they have many
players like Dimitri, then maybe not. There aren't many players like him and
I think he could fit into any national side in the world.

"Not only his quality on the pitch but off it too. He's a quiet guy and
quite shy but everyone likes working with him and he's a great guy."

Where are Crystal Palace's main threats going to come from?

SB: "They are good in every department, they are compact but also great on
the counter attack. They have great players who can make an impact
instantly, out of nothing, so we need to aware of that. They have a good
squad depth, and every player likes to get on the ball and get behind the
defence. Great credit to Alan Pardew, he's done a great job and Palace are
now a very dangerous and difficult team to play. I'm sure it'll be a great
game and a very difficult test for us."

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Duo shortlisted for awards!
WHUFC.com

West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic and playmaker Dimitri Payet have been
shortlisted for two prestigious Barclays Premier League awards. Bilic is one
of four bosses battling for the Manager of the Month award for September,
having guided the Hammers to victories at home to Newcastle United and at
Manchester City, and a 2-2 Boleyn Ground draw with Norwich City.
The Croatian is one of four managers shortlisted, alongside Manchester
United's Louis van Gaal, Everton's Roberto Martinez and Tottenham Hotspur
boss Mauricio Pochettino. Should he win, Bilic would emulate the
achievements of predecessors Harry Redknapp, Alan Pardew – who he faces at
Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon – and newly-appointed Sunderland
manager Sam Allardyce in winning the trophy. Payet, meanwhile, is up against
Leicester City's England striker Jamie Vardy, Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper
Hugo Lloris, Watford forward Odion Ighalo and Manchester United pair Anthony
Martial and Daley Blind. The Frenchman scored two goals and recorded two
assists in September, helping the Hammers to maintain their position in the
Barclays Premier League's top six. Should he win, Payet would follow in the
footsteps of Stuart Pearce, Anton Ferdinand and Scott Parker, who have
previously won the award. Everyone at the Club would like to congratulate
the gaffer and Dimitri and wish them good luck!

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Chadwell Chatter - Andy Carroll
WHUFC.com

Hello,

I am feeling great at the moment and have been on the pitch most days
throughout the week. Getting ninety minutes under my belt against Reading
last week was a great feeling. I have been training now for a few weeks, but
you don't get fully fit by just training. Playing in the game last Friday
gives you a lot more match fitness and I feel good after it. There were no
niggles and I felt really good throughout the game. In the past maybe I came
back too soon from my previous injuries, but this time I have had a long
break and it has been nine months since I had the operation.

I have been working hard over the summer and stayed at the Club. I didn't
get a break and have been in every day. It was about a month to six weeks
before I really got involved with the lads so the pre-season I have done has
been really hard, but also really good.
It has been a while since I have played for England and if I didn't have
injuries I think I would have been in a few of the squads. If I can get
goals and games under my belt hopefully I can get back in there.

I don't think about it (the Euro Finals) because it will take away my focus
on West Ham and that is the most important thing at the moment. If I do well
now hopefully it will happen. The depth of our squad is good and everyone is
getting back to full fitness. The lads who have come in have been fantastic
and they have slotted in nicely.

Dimitri Payet has been a fantastic signing and he could go on to become one
of the best signings that the Club has seen for years. The quality he has
got is fantastic. In training he is different class and he can pick you out
from any area of the pitch. He gets the ball and you know he is going to
pick someone out.

Everyone wants to be in the starting XI and it is obviously hard when the
lads are doing so well which is a great thing to have in the team. There is
a lot of competition and there are only a few places that can be taken. So I
just need to keep working hard, keeping fit and getting into the starting
line-up. We know we are in for a tough game on Saturday and we cannot expect
any team to be a turnover.
We need to go to Palace and keep working hard like we have done throughout
the season and carry on getting points. They have got pace and power and it
will be end to end. Hopefully we can come away with the three points.

Away from the pitch, I am enjoying life as a father and he has been
brilliant. We managed to have a little break last weekend and took him away
for the first time. Everything is going well. We also got a new rabbit this
week.We went into the shop to get some dog food and the rabbit had been
abandoned by it's previous owners so I had to rescue it and bring it home.
It has settled in well and found a little spot with the underfloor heating
and chilling out on the floor.

The dogs were not too keen but they will be alright!

AC

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Enner Valencia: West Ham striker nearing return after injury
BBC.co.uk

West Ham striker Enner Valencia is "a couple of weeks" away from returning
to full fitness, says Hammers boss Slaven Bilic. The Ecuadorian damaged his
right fibula in a Europa League qualifying tie in July. Valencia, 25, scored
four goals in 32 Premier League games last season. Midfielder Alex Song, 28,
who is yet to make an appearance this season because of an ankle injury, is
"a maximum of three weeks away", according to Bilic. Valencia apologised to
the club and its medical staff in August after claiming he had been
"forgotten" by the Hammers in a radio interview after his injury. Striker
Andy Carroll, 26, and defender Angelo Ogbonna, 27, are available for
Saturday's trip to Crystal Palace (15:00 BST) after recovering from
injuries. Left-back Aaron Cresswell, 25, and defender Winston Reid, 27, have
minor knocks and are rated at 50/50 for Saturday.

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Envious Pardew tips West Ham for Euro spot
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 15th October 2015
By: Staff Writer

Former West Ham boss Alan Pardew believes West Ham are contenders for a top
six spot this season - along with his current club, Crystal Palace. Pardew,
speaking ahead of this weekend's London derby at Selhurst Park admitted that
he had been impressed by the work done by Slaven Bilic since arriving in
east London during the summer. And he admitted the Eagles would have to be
very wary of West Ham's pace and power on Saturday afternoon, particularly
when counter-attacking. "I think he [Bilic] knows the culture of the club
and he's started very well," Pardew said whilst addressing the media in his
pre-match press conference this afternoon. "Their results against the best
teams have been very strong and he's got a very good squad of players. "With
them going to the Olympic Stadium at the end of the season, they needed to
be strong - and they are. I think they've got a fantastic chance of securing
a European place. "They're very good on the counter so we need to protect
ourselves when we [attack]. I expect us to get a grasp of the game like we
did against West Brom and dictate proceedings. "But knowing that isn't going
to stop West Ham from winning the game. We need to be very organised in our
attacks and possession, otherwise they'll counter us really quickly and
we'll find ourselves behind in the game."

Pardew also admitted that he was "envious" of West Ham's forthcoming move to
Stratford - but delighted for the club's supporters, with whom he enjoyed a
largely positive relationship during his time at the Boleyn Ground. "We're
envious, I guess - we would love a stadium of that magnitude," he admitted.
"We're going to have to work towards it in a different way. I'm very pleased
for the West Ham fans, it's a massive bonus for them and the Board has done
particularly well to secure it."

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Song and Valencia close as Bilic eyes full fit squad
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 15th October 2015
By: Staff Writer

Slaven Bilic has revealed that he expects to be able to call upon both Enner
Valencia and Alex Song within a fortnight. Neither player has kicked a ball
in the Premier League this season but both are set to be available for
selection imminently according to Bilic, who addressed the press this
morning ahead of Saturday's trip to Crystal Palace. "We needed to be more
patient but they are back in training and looking good," he said. "Enner
played 20 minutes in the friendly [last weekend] against Reading and looked
really good. He's been out for a while so he still needs a few weeks. "When
I see him in training he does things that make you think maybe he could do
10 minutes on Saturday - but I think it'll be two weeks until he's fully
ready."

And on Song, he added: "Two weeks maybe, maximum three. He's working hard
and we're looking forward to having him back as he's a fantastic player."
There was also good news regarding Andy Carroll, who missed West Ham's last
outing - the 2-2 draw at Sunderland - after sustaining a knock. "Thankfully
Andy's injury wasn't too bad, we didn't risk him against Sunderland but he's
back now," added Bilic. "He's been working unbelievably hard to get fit.
He's a great professional. It's hard when you're working on your own every
day but he did it. Since I've been here, in training and during his
rehabilitation, he's been top class."

With Angelo Ogbonna also back from injury, Bilic is close to having a full
squad to select from once again - although both Aaron Cresswell and Winston
Reid are nursing minor knocks.
"They're not too serious thank God, but we will have to wait," confirmed
Bilic. "We will assess them in training today and tomorrow and then make a
decision if they're available for the Palace game."

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The price we pay
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 15th October 2015
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United's Category A match day ticket is the second costliest in the
Premier League, a new survey has discovered. Non-season ticket holders have
to pay a budget-breaking £95 to watch Category A matches against the likes
of Chelsea and Manchester United at the Boleyn Ground this season - way
above the average of £56.63 for top-price Premier League tickets. And only
Arsenal fans will have to pay more to watch Premier League football during
the 2015/16 season, with the costliest match day ticket at the Emirates
weighing in at a whacking £97.
In stark contrast Leicester City offer the cheapest match day ticket at just
£22 - almost two-thirds cheaper than West Ham's cheapest at £60. West Ham's
plans for 'affordable football' look even more unlikely when taking into
consideration costs to season ticket holders too. The cheapest West Ham
United season ticket is 20 per cent higher than the Premier League average -
whilst the most expensive West Ham United season ticket is 8 per cent above
the league average. West Ham's proposed £299 season ticket for the Olympic
Stadium - which will be available to just a small percentage of the planned
54,000 capacity - comes into effect from next season.

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Bilic and Payet in contention for monthly accolade
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 15th October 2015
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United's Slaven Bilic and Dimitri Payet have been shortlisted for
the Premier League Manager of the Month and Player of the Month awards
respectively. Bilic has been nominated for the award having led his side to
two league wins - against Newcastle United and Manchester City - and a draw
against Norwich during the month of September. Meanwhile Payet - who was
named last week by Alan Smith as one of his top five players in the Premier
League so far this season - is one of six players shortlisted for the award
having scored two goals and provided two assists during September. The
French midfielder has been nominated alongside Jamie Vardy (Leicester City),
Hugo Lloris (Tottenham Hotspur), Daley Blind, Anthony Martial (both
Manchester United) and Odion Ighalo (Watford). Meanwhile Bilic - who is
currently preparing his team for this weekend's tricky trip to Crystal
Palace - is up against Roberto Martinez (Everton), Luis Van Gaal (Manchester
United) and Tottenham's Mauricio Pochettino. The winners of both awards will
be announced tomorrow morning (Friday).

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West Ham boss Slaven Bilic pleased to welcome back key players
Last Updated: 15/10/15 12:53pm
SSN

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic is delighted to have Andy Carroll and other
key players returning to fitness after the international break. Carroll is
available for Saturday's London derby with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park
after recovering from an ankle injury - the latest in a series of setbacks
that have blighted his career. The England international has also faced
criticism from former Hammers boss Sam Allardyce who believes the striker
does not have the "right attitude". But Bilic has defended Carroll,
insisting the former Newcastle and Liverpool player has worked hard and
shown an impressive attitude in the time the Croatian has been at the club.
"I have to make comments on what I see. Everyday training, rehabilitation,
especially in period was top class. That's why we are expecting to have big
time benefits from that because he was taken care of," said Bilic. Angelo
Ogbonna is also available for selection having overcome a hamstring problem,
while Enner Valencia and Alex Song are closing on returns to first team
action. "I'm pleased with how Enner, Angelo and Andy have recovered and it's
good to have them back [in training]," said Bilic. "Valencia is one of our
biggest weapons. He has been with us one week now, on and off - not every
day. He still needs a couple of weeks. "Alex Song is a maximum of three
weeks away. [Aaron] Cresswell has a minor injury and we'll see how he is.
Reidy [Winston Reid] is not a big one and again we'll see if one, both or
neither of them will be involved in the game on Saturday."
France international Dimitri Payet has made an immediate impression with
four goals in 10 games since joining from Marseille over the summer, which
comes as no surprise to Bilic and, he suspects, the opposition. "I think
teams have given Payet attention already. Maybe he was unknown to some of
the fans, but everybody involved in football knew Dimitri Payet before he
came to West Ham," said Bilic.
"He plays in a position where you have to close that space, whoever plays
there. I have no worries that there'll be extra attention on him. He's got
the quality that teams are trying to mark him."

As for Saturday's opponents Palace, Bilic admits his players will need to be
at their best to maintain an excellent start to the season that sees them in
sixth place. "Palace are a good team - good in defending and great on
counter-attacks. Every one of their attackers runs behind without the ball,"
said Bilic. "Big credit to him [Alan Pardew] because he's doing a great job.
Add to that Yohan Cabaye, who can do special things. He's a top class
playmaker. We're looking forward to the game. It will be a difficult test
for us."

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Andy Carroll does not possess correct attitude, says Sam Allardyce
Last Updated: 15/10/15 11:09am
SSN

Sam Allardyce says Andy Carroll has the ability to become a first-choice
striker for England but "does not possess the correct attitude". Writing in
his new autobiography 'Big Sam', the former West Ham boss says Carroll
"treats life a bit too casually."
Allardyce, who has recently taken over as manager of relegation-threatened
Sunderland, said in an exclusive serialisation in The Sun: "Andy could be an
even better player if he pushed himself and put the work in. "He needs to be
more responsible and realise that a football career passes in the blink of
an eye. He gets himself into situations off the pitch which a manager can do
without. "He treats life a bit too casually. He also gets himself into
situations off the pitch which a manager can do without - and so can he. "He
doesn't really like watching football and isn't interested in the history of
the game. But, when fit, he should be England's regular centre-forward."

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Ravel Morrison spent Christmas in Manchester to dodge West Ham's relegation
fight, claims Sam Allardyce
0 COMMENTS 16:57, 15 OCT 2015 UPDATED 16:58, 15 OCT 2015
BY JAMES WHALING
The new Sunderland boss takes a swipe at his former player in his
autobiography, Big Sam, which is currently being serialised
The Mirror

Former West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has alleged that Ravel Morrison spent
Christmas 2013 in Manchester in order to miss the club's relegation battle.
The Hammers were involved in a dogfight over the festive period, following
their defeat at Old Trafford on December 21. Morrison then apparently stayed
up north, missing defeats to Arsenal and Fulham and a draw with West Brom.
In a serialisation of his autobiography, Big Sam, published in The Sun,
Allardyce said: "The end came after we'd played at Manchester United. "Rav
stayed up north to see his family and didn't come back. He wasn't injured,
he just didn't fancy getting involved in our festive relegation battle. We
couldn't get hold of him until the lads saw a picture of him on Facebook
enjoying Christmas lunch with his family while they were preparing for our
Boxing Day game. "Rav was potentially a £50million player but he has blown
his career and it's unlikely to happen for him now." Sir Alex Ferguson had
warned Allardyce about Morrison when he sold the player to West Ham. The
22-year-old is now on the books at Serie A club Lazio.

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Rush Green to receive further investment
Posted by Sean Whetstone on October 15, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

The Rush Green training facility will continue to receive investment to
gradually make it a state of the art facility fit for the Hammers first
team. Yesterday Jack Sullivan revealed Chadwell Heath would be kept and not
sold off but our sources say the club will continue to invest in Rush Green.

Claret and Hugh's most senior source told us this afternoon:

"We've spent £2.5m so far, it needs another £10m. Rightly or wrongly we've
spent our money on players, but GRADUALLY we will upgrade Rush Green"

West Ham purchased the freehold interest in the 29 acre Rush Green Ford
Sports Ground from the Ford Motor Company in 2009 for £1.4m with plans to
transform it into the a state of the art training complex.

rushgreenWe remain some way behind our London Premier League rivals even
after we invest £12.5m.

Spurs built a new training centre at their 77 Acre Bulls Cross site at a net
cost of £30m. They have 15 grass pitches across the site including four
dedicated solely for First Team Training and one and a half artificial
outdoor pitches with floodlighting. It also has a pool and hydrotherapy
complex, altitude room, large-scale gymnasium and specialist sports
rehabilitation suites

The Arsenal Training Centre covers an area of 143 acres with ten full-size
pitches which was build in 1999.

rg2Chelsea's training centre in Cobham, Surrey is based on a 140 acre site
and houses all of the club's football activities, from the first team to the
academy, reserve and women's teams. It features the latest in training,
rehabilitation, medical, pitch and media technology and includes 30 football
pitches (three with undersoil heating and six to Premier League standard),
an indoor artificial pitch, a media centre, a medical centre, gyms, cold
immersion pools, a sauna, a steam room, a HydroWorx pool and a 56 ft
hydrotherapy pool.

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Leroy: "Sam has ridiculed West Ham's history"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 15, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

I know Sam Allardyce and I've always believed him to be an okay guy who
knows the game of football inside out and backwards.

But after reading some of the stuff he's come out with in his book this week
I need to get things off my chest because he's out of order.

He was paid a fabulous wage by West Ham, did a job for them, and apparently
left amicably having decided himself he wanted to call it a day.

Yet from the way he's been carrying on you would have though he'd been
given the sack and it really isn't good enough to say: "Oh he has a book to
sell."

He has again been mocking the "West Ham Way" and is still claiming he
doesn't know what it is which is ridiculous. Of course he does. It's about
playing with style and panache, getting the ball down, moving it quickly
through midfield and getting an end product.

Sam knows the West Ham way of playing as well as anybody else. "

It's the way the West Ham Academy down the years has brought players up to
play, as described above. We all know the "Sam Allardyce Way" and that we
didn't want much more of it.

But look how upset he gets when people criticise his way of playing. If he
doesn't want criticism of that he shouldn't hand it out on ours!

When he keeps on as he has been he is simply ridiculing the club and its
history and I find that very disappointing. Add into that his decision to
call our fans "delusional" and it's easy to understand why many, probably
most, wanted him to move on.

He has a new job and he'd be better off concentrating on that. He really
hasn't helped himself this week with the serialisation.

He needs to move on. Everybody else has! I haven't a clue why he's decided
to unload like this but it hasn't been good at all!

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Pardew : Irons bigger and stronger than us
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 15, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

Alan Pardew is extremely wary of the Irons and believes that even though
Palace may dictate at Selhurst Park this weekend they could easily finish up
beaten.

It's the counter attacking game that concerns the former Irons boss who
declares: "They're very good on the counter."

He explained: "I expect us to get a grasp of the game like we did against
West Brom and dictate proceedings but that's not going to stop West Ham from
winning the game. We need to be organised in our possession otherwise they
will counter us really quickly and we'll find ourselves in the game.

"West Ham have a bigger and stronger squad than us. But if we can stay clear
of injuries and keep this group together, we can compete with them and
that's what we've got to hope to do."

"It is a top-of-the-table encounter," he added.

"That is good for two teams who weren't predicted to be there at this stage
of the season. We're coming off a good performance and West Ham will be
aware of that. I am sure they will be looking to upset our rhythm and what
we do really well."

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Hammers high on expensive ticket tables
Posted by Sean Whetstone on October 14, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

A BBC study on the price of football has revealed although no Premier League
ticket is above £100, Arsenal's most expensive ticket is £97 and West Ham
follow closely with a £95 match ticket against an average across the whole
Premier League of £56.63. West Ham sell the most expensive away ticket in
the Premier League at £70 which is £6 more than Arsenal as the second most
expensive club for away supporters. But West Ham's cheapest away ticket is
priced at £25 which is significantly less than Chelsea charge at £47. In the
top flight, 11 clubs put the price of this season's tickets up, contributing
to a 6.54% year-on-year rise. It now averages £30.68, up from £28.80. In the
season ticket category, both the cheapest and most expensive rose about 1%
to £513.95 and £886.21 respectively. West Ham's rose by 5% That works out at
£27.05 and £46.64 a game.
The study, which also gathers prices for pies, programmes, tea and away
tickets across the UK, found replica shirt prices rose 4.8% year on year.
Premier League clubs released 50 outfield strips this summer and a home
jersey bought in a club shop will now cost an average £49.68. But more than
a third of the clubs sell a match-day ticket for £25 or less during the
course of a season, with Leicester City's £22 offering the cheapest.

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Slav was in two minds over Nolan
Posted by Sean Whetstone on October 15, 2015 in News
C and H

Former Hammer Don Hutchison has told the Chronicle that Kevin Nolan is a
good fit for Sunderland and his Georgie roots wouldn't stop him. He also
reveals that Bilic was in two minds whether to keep him or not. "I think Sam
is inheriting a team in Sunderland who are probably not equipped to play the
way he wants at the moment, so the job is to get through until January and
have another look then," Hutchison wrote in the Chronicle. "Kevin Nolan
lives not far away from me in Essex and I'd heard from a pretty reliable
source that he might be going to Sunderland, which is a move that I think
would be a good one from Sam and for the Black Cats. Hutch"It would add some
serious spice to the derby game and I know that Newcastle United fans'
opinions of Nolan will change overnight but it's just business as a
footballer. I was born a Newcastle fan and my old man was the same, but if
you get an opportunity to play at a big club then you have to take it.
"Kevin's been training with Leyton Orient recently. Believe me, if you're
down there in League One or League Two it's very, very tough. I had it when
I was at Luton – you've played at the top for so long, it's difficult to
really motivate yourself to play at that level. "Everything is different. If
you get the chance to play at Premier League club under a manager who trusts
you, can you say no? "Kevin isn't a Geordie lad, he doesn't live there any
more, he's in Essex and I don't think he'll settle in Newcastle when his
playing career is over. You have to be realistic – it's a very good
opportunity if it comes along." My approach would be to offer him quite a
low basic wage but with a heavily incentivised contract. I think that way it
suits both parties – Sunderland won't want to be landed with another big
earner and Kevin probably has to accept he's not quite at that level
anymore,"

"But can he do a job? He definitely can. I was actually at the training
ground at West Ham in pre-season and I went into speak to Slaven Bilic and
he was raving about Kevin. He spoke for 20 minutes about him being the
fittest, the best trainer and beating all of the other lads hands-down in
the running and the fitness tests. "He was in two minds about keeping him –
it was just a case of looking for something a bit more dynamic and a bit
more fluid in midfield. If he couldn't guarantee Kevin game time – and he
couldn't – he didn't think it was worth keeping him. It was probably a
budget thing more than anything. "But he said he was a terrific influence on
the dressing room, a very popular guy who would do well at the next club he
went to – exactly what Sunderland need."

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Gold defends money grabbing claim
Posted by Sean Whetstone on October 15, 2015 in Sean's Blogs, Whispers
C and H

David Gold was forced to defend himself by declaring "David Sullivan and
myself care passionately about the club and have not received a penny in our
6 years tenure" after one Hammers fan tweeted him saying "the board didn't
care about the club or fans – only the money."

David Gold and David Sullivan do not receive a salary or claim expenses from
the club since joining in 2010.

The highest paid director thought to be a Lady in the House of Lords has
received £2.95m in salary and bonuses in the first four years as an employee
of West Ham. £1m of that is believed to be a bonus for winning the Olympic
Stadium bid which is paid over 5 years. She is thought to earn a basic
salary £636,000 so the total amount is over £3.5m when the last financial
year is included although financial accounts have yet to be released in
January.

Gold and Sullivan have personally lent the club over £49.2m in share holder
loans over those years and that is lightly to increase this year with claims
they have gone £17m in the red to fund the summer transfer spree.

They do claim interest on those share holder loans which amounted to £2.88m
in the last published accounts for 2014, but this is accrued in the accounts
and as David claims they haven't received a penny of it. Previously they
have claimed they were advised to charge interest for tax reasons and it may
never be paid.

In 2013 David Sullivan also acted as a bank to the club loan a further £3.8m
as part of a deal to refinance bank debt. This loan needs to be repaid by
31st December 2016. He is thought to receive interest repayments on this
loan but it is fair to say this would have been paid to bank and Sullivan
only stepped in when no only bank could not be found to fill a 15% short
fall.

Sullivan and Gold also own interests in a telecoms company called Telecom2
Limited which provides £46,757 worth of services to the club. Whether they
indirectly benefit from that arrangement through their shareholding is
unknown.

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Hammers to sell Boleyn Turf?
Posted by Sean Whetstone on October 15, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

Is there a secret plan to sell the hallowed Boleyn Ground turf to West Ham
fans at the end of this season? Jack Sullivan, son of West Ham Chairman
David Sullivan might have let the cat out of the bag with the Hammers plans.

15 year old Jack was asked on social media "Will the club sell bits of the
pitch next season, in those little glass cubes?"

Sullivan replied on twitter "I'm not sure if I'm allowed to say" with
several winks and smiley faces.

However some West Ham season ticket holders might have their own ideas of
keeping their own mementos after the final whistle of the last match of this
season. It is unclear what would happen if there is a pitch invasion after
the last game of the season but technically each and every fan identified
could receive a life ban.

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Bilic sends France boss a message on Payet
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 15, 2015 in News
C and H

Slaven Bilic believes Dimitri Payet could fit into any international side in
the world despite him being ignored by France. Didier Deschamps continues to
give the Irons star the cold shoulder and questioned in his presser this
morning Bilic claimed :"I think he could fit into any international team in
the world." He added: "It's hard when you don't know the full situation. I
know as a national manager, that it can be hard to select everyone. "France
have a wide pool to choose from, a lot of quality players. If you ask me do
they have many players like Dimitri, then maybe not. There aren't many
players like him and I think he could fit into any national side in the
world. "Not only his quality on the pitch but off it too. He's a quiet guy
and quite shy but everyone likes working with him and he's a great guy."

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Grays Athletic boss Mark Bentley welcomes West Ham United's rumoured
interest in Dumebi Dumaka
thurrockGazette.co.uk

GRAYS Athletic manager Mark Bentley says he welcomes speculation surrounding
his star players after Blues were handed a tough final hurdle in their bid
to reach the FA Cup first round.
Grays will host Welling United, of the National League, over the weekend of
October 24/25 as they bid to reach the first round of the competition for
the first time since 2008. Dumebi Dumaka scored an injury time penalty to
see Grays into the fourth qualifying round, adding to a first half strike
from Jay Leader at the lower-ranked Hanwell Town. The lethal striker, who
has netted 13 times in all competitions this season, was linked with a move
to West Ham United last week, with local scouts reportedly keen on inviting
the forward to Chadwell Heath's training HQ. Midfielder Nathan Ferguson has
also been linked with a move away and Bentley says he has no problems with
the rumours, as it puts the club in the public eye. "I always want players
to go on and become professionals," he said. "There have been some rumours
surrounding our players in recent weeks but I don't know any more about that
than anyone else to be honest.
"DD (Dumaka) is doing really well at the moment and is scoring some
important goals for us but I don't know anything about West Ham interest.
Nathan has been linked with Burton Albion in recent weeks as well but it's
news to me. They both have agents so maybe it is their doing. But it is good
publicity for the club and the players so it is fine with me."

The Welling clash will see Grays assistant manager Glen Little come up
against the side he left a year ago, after former Grays boss Jody Brown was
sacked by the Kent team. And Bentley says the match is a great chance for
his players to make a name for themselves. "We would have liked a lower
ranked team but it wasn't to be and we head into the match with nothing to
fear," said Bentley. "We know a bit about them and we won't be favourites
which will be slightly strange for us as we are often expected to win the
matches we play, but that might work in our favour. "We are on our own pitch
and that will help us so we just have to make sure we exploit their
weaknesses and play our game. "It is a chance for the young players to
potentially experience the likes of playing at a Portsmouth or Sheffield
United and that is exciting for anyone. The boys are excited about the draw
and so am I. "It was a good game Saturday and I was pleased to get through
it in the end and now we are so close to the first round we are all
desperate to be there." Bentley added a first round appearance and more
prize money wouldn't do the club's chances of a move back to Grays any harm.
The club is working with Thurrock Council as it bids to return to the town,
and Bentley says the more money the club can accumulate the better. "This
club needs a home," he said. "Getting into the first round would bring in
even more money and that can only help. Hanwell Town have a lovely little
set-up so a club like Grays, historically a big non-league club, needs a
home as well. But the squad is good and we will try and push on in the
league and beyond."

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Crystal Palace v West Ham: Wickham and Ward set to miss out for Pardew's men
GIUSEPPE MURO
Evening Standard

Crystal Palace will be without the injured Connor Wickham and Joel Ward
against West Ham on Saturday. Alan Pardew had hoped Wickham (calf) and Ward
(knee) would be fit to return after the international break. But they have
not recovered in time and will miss the game at Selhurst Park. Palace, who
are fourth in the Premier League, have been boosted by the return of Damien
Delaney, Mile Jedinak, Jordan Mutch and Lee Chung-Yong. Pardew was pleased
all of his players returned from the international fixtures fully fit and
was delighted to see Joe Ledley and Wayne Hennessey help Wales qualify for
Euro 2016. "It was really pleasing for them because they have been an
integral part of the qualifying campaign," said Pardew. "A lot of heart and
effort went into that. They will very good about it so that is very good for
me." Palace host West Ham looking for their third straight win. Pardew said:
"It is very difficult to win home games in the Premier League. It was
fantastic for our fans last time because everything fell into place against
West Brom and it was our best performance of the season. We are coming off
the back of a really good performance and West Ham will be doing everything
to upset our rhythm."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss Slaven Bilic can only praise Andy Carroll's professionalism
after Allardyce claims
ANDY SIMS 54 minutes ago0 comments
Evening Standard

Slaven Bilic has brushed off Sam Allardyce's criticism of Andy Carroll and
claims the striker is totally focused on getting fit this season. In his
autobiography, being serialised in The Sun, former West Ham boss Allardyce
questioned Carroll's dedication during his injury-hit spell at Upton Park.
Current Hammers chief Bilic, who replaced Allardyce in the summer, admitted
he was aware of Carroll's reputation before taking over in east London. But
Bilic insists the 26-year-old, who has made three appearances since finally
overcoming a long-term ankle injury, has been a model professional this
term. "I did not have to become West Ham manager to know about Andy
Carroll," said Bilic. "I heard about that before, that sometimes he got
injured because he was not totally dedicated to being a footballer. "From my
first day, he was injured. But the way he was working - in six to eight
weeks of struggle that was boring and not ideal and not fun - he did it as a
great professional and now we are expecting big benefits out of that. "Those
stories are definite, there is something behind them, they are true. It is
very rare that people are making up stories. "There is something there, but
it looks much worse. I don't want to comment on the stories. "He's been out
a few times, but his rehabilitation and training, especially in that period,
was top class."

Bilic made Carroll undergo his own mini pre-season, rather than rush him
back into the team, in a bid to avoid the frontman breaking down again. "We
tried to explain to him that he needed to work for six weeks and have a
pre-season, not to train for 10 days, roll up his sleeves and play the
game," he added. "He did his time and we should all benefit from that."
Carroll has shaken off the knock which kept him out of the 2-2 draw at
Sunderland a fortnight ago and is fit to face Crystal Palace on Saturday. He
could be joined in the squad by fellow forward Enner Valencia, who was
injured during the Europa League tie against Astra Giurgiu in July, and
defender Angelo Ogbonna following a hamstring injury.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce's opinions have little value, says Real Madrid boss Rafa
Benitez
Evening STandard

Rafael Benitez has hit back at claims from Sam Allardyce that he had nothing
to do with Liverpool's 2005 Champions League success. In a wide-ranging
interview with Spanish radio station Onda Cero, former Liverpool boss
Benitez also revealed he was interested in signing Gareth Bale during his
time at Anfield. And he insisted there are no problems between Bale and
Cristiano Ronaldo at his current club Real Madrid, expressing confidence his
side would win La Liga. Allardyce, now the Sunderland manager, has a
long-running feud with Benitez dating back mainly to his time in charge at
Bolton and Blackburn, which coincided with the Spaniard's stint at Liverpool
from 2004-10. Benitez oversaw a stunning Champions League victory at
Liverpool, with his side recovering from 3-0 down against AC Milan in the
final in Istanbul. "Do you know who Sam Allardyce is? Do you know how many
trophies he has won? Well that's my answer"

But Allardyce, in his new autobiography 'Big Sam', wrote: "Of course he can
say he won the Champions League with Liverpool, which is something I never
did. But it was nowt to do with him.
"I don't blame Benitez for claiming credit but as managers we know the
truth. It's like when you make a substitution in desperation and it comes
off. You get all the credit for your tactical brilliance when it's often
just luck."
Benitez dismissed this remark, saying: "Do you know who Sam Allardyce is? Do
you know how many trophies he has won? Well that's my answer. It is what
happens when someone has a book to sell. His opinion does not have a lot of
value."

Benitez inherited a squad that includes world-record £85million signing Bale
when he took over at the Bernabeu in the summer. He has been a long-term
admirer of the Welshman but rubbished claims from former Liverpool defender
Jamie Carragher that he did not sign him for the Reds because he rated John
Arne Riise better. Benitez said: "Back in 2006 I went to see
Bolton-Southampton. We transferred a player to Southampton but they wouldn't
give us Bale. "Then when we tried to buy him, we couldn't. I've known for a
long time he was a great player.
"Carragher has made the mistake of saying I preferred Riise when it wasn't
like that."

Benitez now has to deal with Bale on a daily basis and a perceived clash of
egos with star player Ronaldo. He insists there is no such thing and
suggested such stories are spun by agents.
He said: "Coaches have to control a group of professionals but not what
their agents say. I talk to the players and when there's a conflict, it's
solved. There's no problem between Bale and Cristiano. "Everything is
magnified in Madrid. Sometimes it's out of jealousy or to attack. I am
surprised." Under Benitez, Real have made a strong start to the season and
are currently unbeaten, just a point off the top of the Primera Division. He
has no doubt about the credentials of his squad. Benitez said: "I told my
wife that I'm sure this Real Madrid team are going to win the league."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ravel Morrison stayed in Manchester because he didn't want to get involved
in West Ham relegation battle... now he's blown his career says Sam
Allardyce
Former West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has lifted the lid on the breakdown in
relationship between the club and Ravel Morrison
Allardyce claims that Morrison refused to play for West Ham during a crucial
run of fixtures back in the 2013-14 season
He alleges that Morrison was not injured, but simply unwilling
Allardyce believes Morrison, who now plays for Lazio, has 'blown his career'

By TOM BELLWOOD FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 13:21, 15 October 2015 | UPDATED: 13:21, 15 October 2015

Sam Allardyce has revealed that Ravel Morrison spent Christmas in Manchester
rather than returning to London for a busy festive period in which the club
were fighting a relegation battle.
Morrison emerged as a highly promising youngster at Manchester United but
was released by Sir Alex Ferguson, who warned Allardyce of the problems he
faced trying to rein in the gifted attacker. After a failed spell at Upton
Park, Morrison is now plying his trade in Italy with Lazio and the former
West Ham boss has lifted the lid on how the relationship between club and
player began to break down. Morrison missed three matches over the Christmas
period during the 2013-14 season which followed the 3-1 loss to Manchester
United, the 3-1 home defeat by Arsenal, the 3-3 draw with West Brom and the
2-1 loss to Fulham on New Year's Day. He was then involved in the
embarrassing 5-0 FA Cup defeat by Nottingham Forest.
In a serialisation of his autobiography 'Big Sam' published in The Sun,
Allardyce said: 'The end came after we'd played at Manchester United. 'Rav
stayed up north to see his family and didn't come back. He wasn't injured,
he just didn't fancy getting involved in our festive relegation battle. 'We
couldn't get hold of him until the lads saw a picture of him on Facebook
enjoying Christmas lunch with his family while they were preparing for our
Boxing Day game. 'Rav was potentially a £50million player but he has blown
his career and it's unlikely to happen for him now'.

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com




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