Daily WHUFC News - 1st December 2015

Loan round up
WHUFC.com

Martin Samuelsen made his Football League debut in Peterborough United's 4-0
away win at Scunthorpe United on Saturday. Posh striker Conor Washington
netted a hat-trick to help Graham Westley's side to an emphatic win, while
Michael Bostwick converted his penalty kick. Samuelsen came on in the 67th
minute with the score at 2-0, replacing Lee Angol.

Elliot Lee, meanwhile, made his first appearance for Blackpool since
joining them on loan last week, coming on as a second-half substitute. The
striker got off to a winning start as Nathan Pond's own goal gave the
Tangerines a 1-0 win over Fleetwood Town. Lee came on at half-time to
replace Bright Osayi-Samuel. Blackpool are 22nd in League One.

Clarke Bogard put in an assured performance as Tilbury secured a convincing
3-0 win over Bishop Stortford. The goalkeeper made a string of saves to keep
a clean sheet in a shock FA Trophy third qualifying round win. Goals from
Joe Nightingill, Kurt Smith and Harry Cook secured the win over the National
League South side.

Diego Poyet's MK Dons secured a valuable away point with a 0-0 draw with
Wolves. The midfielder played the full game in a match that saw the hosts
enjoy the majority of chances and possession. The point sees the Dons rise
to 19th in the Championship.

Doneil Henry came on as a late substitute in Blackburn Rover's 2-2 draw with
Sheffield Wednesday at Ewood Park. The hosts took the lead after just five
minutes thanks to Hope Akpom, however Modou Sougou equalised from close
range before Corry Evans re-established their lead just before half-time.
Substitute Lucas Joao equalised for the Owls with just six minutes
remaining, Henry replaced Grant Hanley in the 87th minute.

Josh Pask was an unused substitute in Dagenham and Redbridge's 1-1 draw with
Plymouth Argyle. The Daggers led through Joss Labadie's strike however they
conceded a stoppage-time leveller through Ryan Brunt.

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Cult Heroes back at the Boleyn Ground
WHUFC.com

Some of the biggest Cult Heroes in the Club's history made an emotional
return for the West Brom game on Sunday. There have been a number of fans
favourites going back through the decades and with the final Premier League
match taking place at the Boleyn Ground against Swansea in May, the Club
were thrilled to see 18 of the most popular names back in the East End of
London. Former captain Ian Bishop flew over from America, while Trevor
Morley jetted in from Norway and Ludek Miklosko arrived from the Czech
Republic. Bill Lansdowne, 80, was part of the Hammers team who won the
Division Two title back in 1958 and he was joined by a number of other
legends including Peter Brabrook, Brian Dear, Alan Devonshire, John Moncur,
Steve Lomas and Jimmy Walker. The Cult Heroes were introduced to the crowd
at half-time and received a great reception from the Upton Park faithful who
still idolise a number of these great players.

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Agents fees
Payments to Agents - 2014/15
WHUFC.com

The total amount paid to Agents/Intermediaries during the period 1 ‎October
2014 to 30 September 2015: £7,049,001.18. This included two new signings in
January and February 2015 and twelve arrivals during the summer.

Explanatory Note

The amount shown is the aggregate of all payments made to
Agents/Intermediaries during the reporting period for agency activity,
including payments made by the Club on behalf of Players.

The total amount paid to Agents for 2013/14 was £6,380,339.31.

The new FA Regulations on Working with Intermediaries came into force on 1
April 2015.

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From the Terraces - Joe Difford
WHUFC.com

Fan blogger Joe Difford looks back at Sunday's 1-1 draw with West Bromwich
Albion...
It was a bizarre game on Sunday at the Boleyn Ground, as despite a dominant
first half and an extraordinary goal, the boys in claret and blue left with
just a point to show for their efforts. Slaven Bilic made a couple of
alterations from last week's defeat to Spurs, bringing in Mauro Zarate, who
was phenomenal up until he was substituted. Manuel Lanzini forced Boaz
Myhill into a couple of good saves, and Cheikhou Kouyate could and should
have netted from a header. Diafra Sakho was lively as ever, creating
problems for the West Brom back line, but failing to finish a close-ranged
effort of his own, that was blocked by the leg of Jonas Olsson.
The biggest talking point from the first half, however, was the opening
goal, 17 minutes in. Mauro Zarate, who has now scored in three of his four
starts this season, curled a free kick beautifully over the wall and into
the top left. If it had been any further in the corner it would have crashed
against the bar, and his sublime effort is now the eighth direct free kick
scored in the Premier League this season.

The early second half goal changed the outcome of the game though. Former
Liverpool man Rickie Lambert unleashed a powerful strike that deflected off
Winston Reid, who could do nothing but watch the ball land in the back of
the net, with Adrian having dived the wrong way. It was a goal that sums up
our luck as of late and gave Tony Pulis' side something to fight for.
Despite the additions of Nikica Jelavic, Andy Carroll and Michail Antonio,
we simply couldn't find that cutting edge that we've shown before this
season.

After such an excellent start to the campaign, a rough patch is to be
expected, but after four games without a win, it is crucial that we go into
next week's game against Manchester United, knowing that we are capable of
taking all three points. We have brushed aside Arsenal, Liverpool,
Manchester City and Chelsea this season, so a win at the weekend could find
its way into the history books. Diafra Sakho was forced off with an injury,
and whilst we hope to see him back in action as soon as possible, Mauro
Zarate may now get the chance he deserves. Sunday's performance wasn't
flawless by a long shot, but if we take our chances and hope for a stroke of
luck, our fortunes could be turned around against United.

For more West Ham fan views or to join the conversation visit www.90min.com

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Swansea City U21 0-1 Dev Squad
WHUFC.com

The West Ham United Development Squad continued their fantastic run of
form with a 1-0 away against Swansea City. Jordan Brown's strike just after
the hour mark proved to be the difference between the two sides, after Sam
Howes had saved a penalty early on. In a blustery day in South Wales,
conditions were nearly unplayable yet both sides ploughed on manly fully.
Terry Westley made several changes to the side that beat Derby County last
week. Luka Belic made his first start for the Hammers since signing in the
summer while youngsters Noha Sylvestre and Vashon Neufville made the step up
from the U18s. It was the hosts Swansea who made the most of the early
exchanges going close after just two minutes. It got better for the Swans
when they were awarded a penalty for a trip on the edge of the box.
Upstepped Henry Jones yet Sam Howes read it and got quickly down to his
right to make a great save. his seemed to act as a wakeup call for the Dev
Squad who looked to create a number of chances of their own. Jordan Brown
was a willing runner while Belic looked to add a touch of glass acting as a
number 10.

Despite the conditions, both sides played remarkably well. Sylvestre's shot
on the turn was deflected narrowly wide while Neufville delivered an
excellent cross which Tremmel collected well. Just before half-time, the
Hammers had a strong shout for a penalty of their own after Belic was hauled
down, however the referee was unmoved. The second half started much like the
first, with plenty of hard work and attrition but little to show for their
efforts. Amos Nasha tested Tremmel's reflexes with a free-kick from 25-yards
before Jordan Brown fired narrowly wide from the edge of the box. Having had
a sight on goal, Brown made no mistake with his next chance just minutes
later. The powerful forward did well, at an awkward height to steer it back
past Tremmel following superb work from Alex Pike. With seemingly little on,
the right-back beat his man before bursting into the box and cutting it back
to Brown. In an effort to see the game out, Westley bought on Kyle Knoyle in
place of the impressive Luka Belic while Lewis Page replaced the impressive
16-year-old Vashon Neufville. The Swans rallied late on but could not find
the all-important equaliser as the Hammers held on to secure their fourth
win in five games. The Dev Squad now face a quick turnaround as they play
Exeter City in the Barclays U21 Premier League Cup on Wednesday.

Swansea City U21: Tremmel, Shephard (c), Hanley, Jones, Rodon, Kingsley,
Jones, Maric, Biabi, James, Hedges
Subs: Copp, Zabret, Gogic, Dyson, Davies

West Ham United U21: Howes, Pike, Neufville (Page 81), Nasha, Onariase,
Hendrie, Sylvestre, Makasi, Brown, Belic (Knoyle 76), Mavila
Subs: T.Brown, Dobson, Gordon

Goal: J.Brown 59

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Adrian bemoans bad luck
WHUFC.com

West Ham United stopper Adrian bemoaned the Hammers' ill fortune after
Rickie Lambert's deflected drive denied the hosts all three Barclays Premier
League points against West Bromwich Albion on Sunday. The Spaniard had
absolutely no chance with Winston Reid's 50th minute own goal, as the ball
cannoned off the New Zealander's arm and into the opposite corner. But
Adrian would still have a major say in proceedings as he pulled off a
stunning reaction stop to repel Salomon Rondon's header from six yards. The
Hammers have now gone eight league outings without keeping a clean sheet and
Adrian hopes Lady Luck will soon be smiling on his side once again.
Speaking of his crucial stop from Rondon, a typically modest Adrian said:
"It was a good save, but we were unlucky with the goal because we wanted to
get the three points. "I try to help the team with my saves and this time I
helped the team to keep one more point. We need to keep working to get the
three points in the next game. "It's difficult to keep a clean sheet in the
Premier League because the other teams that you play are good also and they
create opportunities."

Adrian felt the Hammers were on course for victory until Reid's inadvertent
intervention and the 28-year-old said it would have been nothing more than
West Ham deserved, had they departed the Boleyn Ground with all three
points. "Until the goal, we played very well, we kept the ball, we control
the game but we were a little bit unlucky with the goal," he continued. "It
was deflection, off the elbow, I think, off Reidy and it ended up in the
other side of the goal. This is football, sometimes you need a little bit of
luck to win. "It's one more point, one more point to keep us in the top
eight of the table, but we always want to get the three points and also
here, playing at home, we deserved to win. The fans deserved another win and
at the end, we get one more point but nobody is happy with this."

Like many an onlooker, Adrian is baffled by the Hammers' comparatively
disappointing results against the league's so-called smaller sides, and sees
no reason why Slaven Bilic's men cannot spring yet another surprise at Old
Trafford on Saturday. "We need to concentrate and show the same performance
against every team, and we have another good opportunity next week away
against Manchester United. I think we can play a great game there and, of
course, to get the three points.
"We need to work this week to get the result there and just to concentrate
and give our best level. We have a good team, a good squad, but sometimes
you have to also have a little bit of luck to win. This time against West
Brom we didn't have it, but we hope to get it at Manchester United next
time."

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From the Boardroom - David Sullivan
WHUFC.com

The 1-1 draw with West Brom on Sunday was a game that could have gone either
way but we deserved to win and we lost two points through a deflected goal.
You only need to look at the stats to see how we should come away with a
victory. We had 61 per cent possession, 17 shots (six on target) to their
seven with three on target. We also had five corners to their two. We played
good football in the first half, but it wasn't our best of the season as we
only scored one goal and that was from a set piece. It was a great free-kick
from Mauro Zarate to put us into the lead. When I bought Zarate I knew he
was and is a top player and he is very important to us. It was disappointing
to see Diafra Sakho come off injured in the second half and he will be a
huge loss, but the squad is stronger this season and we have players who are
ready to come into the side. We will know more from the scans in the next 48
hours. I know Slaven is unhappy that we are not keeping clean sheets and he
will be looking to put that right. It's a tall order to get something at
Manchester United in our next game at Old Trafford on Saturday, but not
impossible.

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Carroll cleans up after Betway defeat
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 30th November 2015
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United striker Andy Carroll has paid the price for losing Betway's
#Baizeofglory snooker challenge – he's cleaning Carl Jenkinson's boots all
week.
The Hammers team mates put their friendship to one side as they faced each
other in a frame of snooker earlier in the month to launch the 2015 Betway
UK Championship, which enters the third round today and reaches its climax
this weekend.

World champion Stuart Bingham and 2012 UK Championship winner Judd Trump,
Betway's 5/1 joint favourite to land this year's title, were on hand to
coach the Premier League stars. The loser's forfeit was to clean his
conqueror's boots for a week, and Carroll has been at West Ham's training
ground with his scrubbing brush at the ready.
Andy Carroll said: "It was a close match but Jenks beat me fair and square,
and now I've got to face the consequences. Luckily neither of us plays our
snooker for a living, so we're enjoying watching the professionals show us
how it's done at the Betway UK Championship." Carl Jenkinson said: "I told
Andy I want to see my face in those boots and, to be fair to him, they've
never been cleaner. If he's looking for a career after his playing days, I
think he's found his calling!" The 2015 Betway UK Championship is currently
underway at the York Barbican, with the final to be played on December 6.
Alan Alger of Betway, sponsor of West Ham and the prestigious Triple Crown
tournament, said: "Andy and Carl have been great sports and we've had some
fun supporting the 2015 Betway UK Championship. "We're now into the serious
competition and Betway fancies 2012 champion Judd Trump to lift the trophy
following the final on 6 December."

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Exclusive: Sakho sidelined for two months
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 30th November 2015
By: Staff Writer

Diafra Sakho has been ruled out for a minimum of two months after sustaining
a thigh muscle injury in yesterday's 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion. The
Senegal international requested immediate assistance after pulling up in
Albion's penalty area 73 minutes into yesterday's match, in which the
Hammers threw away a half-time lead. And KUMB has learned this morning that
Sakho expects to be out for around 10 weeks after his injury was assessed by
medics this morning. Sakho is this third Hammer to be ruled out for some
considerable time in recent weeks, following the injuries to Dimitri Payet
and Enner Valencia. And like his two team mates, he is unlikely to see first
team action again until February 2016 at the earliest. Speaking to the media
after yesterday's game, manager Slaven Bilic admitted that he feared the
worst. "The specialist will see him to give an opinion. It looks like a
muscle injury and the first news is not the best. It is a big blow," he
said. "You can see injuries in every club and to be fair the number who are
missing is not a lot, but the ones missing are key players who play in the
same position. It is very hard to replace them."

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Slaven Bilic expresses concern over Diafra Sakho injury
Last Updated: 30/11/15 8:20am
SSN

Slaven Bilic has confessed his concern over West Ham's growing injury list
after seeing striker Diafra Sakho limp off against West Brom. Sakho, who has
scored five times for the Hammers this season, appeared to injure his left
leg during his side's 1-1 draw at Upton Park on Sunday. The 25 year-old
Senegal international had to be helped off the field with twenty minutes to
go and is now a doubt for Saturday's game against Manchester United at Old
Trafford. "That worries me more than the result," Bilic said. "It's still
too early before the scan to give a diagnosis but it looks like a muscle
injury. It's a big blow for us, he's a key player. "After losing Valencia
and Payet it's a bit too much if I'm honest."

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West Ham injury crisis worsens as Diafra Sakho joins stars on sideline ahead
of busy festive period
22:30, 29 NOV 2015
BY ROB MAUL
Slaven Bilic has watched one injury after another disrupt a promising season
with Dimitri Payet and Enner Valencia still out
The Mirror

Whatever awaits Slaven Bilic in his stocking next month, he could do worse
than to ask for a large ball of cotton wool to wrap around his star players.
The West Ham boss has watched one injury after another disrupt a promising
season. French playmaker Dimitri Payet is currently ruled out for three
months, Ecuadorian forward Enner Valencia is still not match-fit and, of
course, we all know that Andy Carroll has a chequered injury record. And
with the congested festive period fast approaching, Diafra Sakho is the
latest visitor to an already busy physio room after the Senegal
international injured his left thigh muscle while shooting on 71 minutes.
Bilic was far from optimistic with the diagnosis. He said: "We're still
waiting until the specialists see him. But it doesn't look good. It's a
muscle injury, a big blow for us. "He's our key player. We have lost players
in those positions and they are hard to replace. As a result we have to
change the system. "But moaning or commenting isn't going to help us at all.
We have to continue to pick up the points."
After their disastrous derby day demolition, a 4-1 defeat at Tottenham last
weekend, Bilic had demanded considerable improvement against West Bromwich
Albion and watched his side draw 1-1. His players were on message in the
opening stages with Manuel Lanzini and Mauro Zarate in particular showcasing
their box of clever tricks. On 17 minutes, Zarate delivered a Beckham-esque
free-kick that zipped up and over the defensive wall and comfortably beat
Albion goalkeeper Boaz Myhill.
It was a stunning goal, Zarate's fifth of the season, but it was a rare
moment of excitement amid one of the dullest first-half atmospheres
experienced at Upton Park for a while. Besides a viciously struck drive from
Salomon Rondon which flew inches past the post, Albion were toothless and
insipid in the first half, a complete contrast to their 2-1 win over
Arsenal. Changes at half-time were inevitable and the introduction of
Rickie Lambert for the ineffectual Stephane Sessegnon – as well as a change
from 4-5-1 to 4-4-2 – worked wonders, giving the visitors a lifeline on 50
minutes. After good work from captain Darren Fletcher, Lambert latched on to
the loose ball and smashed it goal-bound. The shot cannoned off the right
hand of Winston Reid, wickedly changing direction to deceive Hammers
goalkeeper Adrian.
To concede an own goal like that was cruel on the home side – and it means
they have not kept a clean sheet in 10 matches in all competitions. Not long
after conceding in such manner, Adrian pulled off an excellent save which
deprived Albion of a victory. The Spanish goalkeeper palmed away a
point-blank Rondon header inside the six-yard box when the Venezuelan
striker appeared certain to score. Afterwards Tony Pulis, the Albion
manager, felt his side were fortunate to be only 1-0 goal behind at
half-time but praised in particular the efforts of defender Jonny Evans, who
played through the pain barrier. Pulis said: "Evans hasn't trained all week
and played with an injury. "He had an injection at the bottom of his foot
and didn't react well. He played in a lot of pain today but was
exceptional."

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Hammers refuse to join Sakho media panic
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 30, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

West Ham were tonight refusing to panic-stricken media reports that Diafra
Sakho could be missing for up to 10 weeks. ClaretandHugh was told by two
separate top level insiders that nobody has a clue how bad the injury
problem is until he's been scanned and diagnosed. Although the medical staff
have given bleak early reports they are clearly – as is always the case
-refusing to raise false hope – it's called covering their backs! Outlining
various scenarios we were told: "There's absolutely nothing we can do before
January anyway by which time it's possible we could have Enner Valencia
back. "Sakho's problem is not one we can discuss until we have the diagnosis
but the media is responding as if it already knows the score. We don't so
I'm not sure how they can!"

Sakho has suffered either a thigh strain or quadriceps strain which is a
tear in one of the quadriceps muscles at the front of the thigh. It can
range from a mild discomfort to a full blown tear of most of the muscle
resulting in severe pain and inability to walk. Thigh strains are graded 1
to 3 depending on how bad the injury is with a grade 1 being mild and a
grade 3 involving a complete or near complete tear of the muscle. Our source
said: "WE hope for the best and plan for the worst but it's best to avoid
scare stories at this stage because nobody knows.""

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Bilic: Change of system on the cards
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 30, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

Slaven Bilic has made it clear that a "change of system" is on the way after
another devastating injury blow – this time to Diafra Sakho. Although the
extent of his injury is unknown at this stage, the manager is worried that a
long absence may be on the cards. He said: ""We're still waiting until the
specialists see him. But it doesn't look good. It's a muscle injury, a big
blow for us. "He's our key player. We have lost players in those positions
and they are hard to replace. As a result we have to change the system. "But
moaning or commenting isn't going to help us at all. We have to continue to
pick up the points." It's a massive blow with both Dimi Payet and Enner
Valencis injured and Andy Carroll now has a major role to play over the
next few weeks.

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Carlton Cole scores bizarre debut goal
Posted by Sean Whetstone on November 30, 2015 in Videos, Whispers
C and H

Former Hammer Carlton Cole hasn't lost his touch in front of goal. Cole
scored a scrappy and slight bizarre goal for Celtic on his debut as a
substitute even though record books will record it as an own goal after he
fell over trying to score and the ball trickled over the line. "It would be
hard to stop Carlton from claiming that goal," claimed Calum McGregor, "The
boys were all delighted for Carlton because he's a lovely big guy.Even
without playing, he's been a massive help to the boys in his short spell
here."
The ball came off the boot of Inverness defender Danny Devine last after
Cole fell on his backside trying to turn it in from eight yards.
Embarrassment, as much as pain, forced his teammates to haul the striker
back to his feet nursing a seriously bruised ego.

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Hammers went in for Drogba
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 30, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

Didier Drogba has revealed that West Ham tried to sign him before his 2004
arrival at Chelsea. He had spent the 2002/03 season with Guingamp before
joining Marseille and then Chelsea but in different circumstances could have
been at Upton Park. Speaking to Goals on Sunday the forward explained how
the Hammers came to his home for transfer talks. He said"I was in Guingamp
at that time," he said. "I'd just arrived at the club and they came to my
house and spoke, but it didn't happen. I wasn't ready to go."

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Hammers linked with 'the Portuguese Hazard'
Posted by Sean Whetstone on November 30, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

The Hammers are interested in SC Braga winger, Rafa Silva according to
football website Bola.com The 22 year old is also wanted by Manchester
United, who have been scouting him in Braga games for some time. Silva has
played 15 matches this season scoring four goals and making five assists so
far. His buyout clause is believed to be around 20 million euros. He has
been a key part of Braga's unexpected rise to the Premiera Liga top-four,
and has been likened to Eden Hazard and former Chelsea midfielder Deco with
some dubbing him 'the Portuguese Hazard'. Liverpool are also thought to have
watched the 22-year-old in action. Any deal to bring him to the Premier
League is likely to cost in the region of £15 million. As we have said
before, and we will say it again, there is no official budget for the
January transfer window for West Ham and we have been told that funds will
only be available in the unlikely scenario a player is sold in January.
Should that happen there many more positions in need of strengthening than
bringing in another winger so we are going to take this rumour with a large
pinch of salt.

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Leroy's verdict on the WBA issues
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 30, 2015 in Leroy's Blogs, News,
Whispers
C and H

Tony Pulis took as by surprise by going 4-4-2 at the start of the second
half and we didn't handle it because nobody would have imagined he'd do such
a thing. Pulis is a crafty old dog but let's be honest West Brom still
needed a massive piece of luck to get back into the game and Winston Reid
was desperately unlucky to get that deflection into his own net.

After the way we had controlled things in the first half it was all so
bitterly disappointing. Like all of you I feel flat, disappointed and let
down and now we have to grind out a win – somehow, somewhere – we have to
break this cycle. Some of the problems we are suffering remain
self-inflicted because we are losing the ball in good positions. Having said
all that there were good things to admire. The goal of course was
sensational and in the first 45 minutes Lanzini and Zarate as a pair looked
as good as it gets. I was also delighted that there had been no hangover
from the Spurs defeat which there quite easily could have been.

There will be criticism of our performance – there always is when so much
more looks possible – but we are being hit with some colossal bad luck such
as that Albion goal but far more importantly the loss of Diafra Sakho. I
have always seen him as the key player in this team and Slaven said the same
in his post-match press conference which is why I was surprised when he
played him down the right previously.

We now have a major problem on our hands and I have to put my hands up and
say I'm not sure how the manager will sort things out. At a club like ours
to lose one important player makes life difficult – to lose three of them is
a real problem. I have a great deal of faith in the manager and every
passing week sees Payet and Valencia on the way back. I'm sure the boss will
work things between the likes of Lanzini, Zarate, Carroll and Jelavic but
we'll need to see the extent of the Sakho injury before exploring the
various options available.

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A right back is a priority-ExWHUEmployee Column
November 29, 2015
ExWHUEmployee

Well what a frustrating game that was. We totally dominated the first half
and really should have been about 3-0 up. Some of the football that Lanzini
and Zarate were playing was beautiful to watch with lovely flicks and
successful dribbling.

Sakho was playing superbly too and his running into the channels and his
brilliant hold up play really showed us why he has to be our number one
forward. The injury he suffered is a massive worry. Having looked at it I
cant help but feel he will be out for at least a month with that injury but
lets hope it isn't the case. The West Ham Way partner Jack Sullivan has
promised to try and bring our readers the injury news as soon as he has it.

I thought that Ogbonna looked solid and played well. He has pace and it is
good that he is left footed too. He won a number of battles in the air. I
thought Obiang looked composed and played some nice passes during the time
he was on the pitch and I felt the substitution to bring Carroll on for him
was bizarre. We were playing well and after he went off, obviously due to
lack of match fitness, we lost all structure and we drifted out of the game.
I would have brought Song on or even Cullen so that we kept that shape. It
seemed like the forwards and wingers didn't know what they were meant to be
doing or where they should be after that.

If it wasn't for an amazing save from Adrian we really could have lost that
game. For me I would make at least two changes to that starting 11 for the
Manchester United game. I would take out Jenkinson who seems to be really
lacking in confidence and form at the moment and put Tomkins at right back.
I would also take out Moses who I think hasn't been on his game recently and
give Antonio a chance. With Sakho likely to be out for the Manchester
United game, I am really unsure what is best to do in his absence. The
obvious decision would be to put Carroll in again but he really hasn't
performed this year. You could give Jelavic a chance to start a game which
he hasn't done yet and has already been written off by most fans, or play
Zarate or even Moses up top. It's a sad state of affairs that our 15m
forward isn't the obvious choice but unfortunately I am not sure whether he
can ever fit into our new system. Perhaps he needs more game time? It
really is a tough one to call! I think what is obvious now is that we need
another forward in January which I didn't think I would say.

We are also very keen on a right back because Jenkinson has been massively
off form and Arsenal will not sell him to us anyway. In my last column I
mentioned some of the targets and during the week we brought you the news
that D'ambrosio of Inter is now a potential signing too, we had been linked
with him in the past but I am not sure whether there is anything concrete
here. What is true is that we will not have any money to spend without
players moving on so it is likely to be a loan move from abroad.

Well done to the ladies team who won 2-0 at Plymouth this week with a
forward promoted from the youth team grabbing both goals. Marc Nurse the
manager will be writing on this during the week. We have some excited
columns coming during the week with both Jack and Dave Sullivan writing
revealing and interesting pieces. Kenny Brown has been at the match today
and on the pitch at half time and he will be telling us all about the day.
We will also hopefully get Matthew Etherington's first piece this week as
well and it should contain some interesting information from his time at the
club. Please make sure you look out for another promotion that we are
running and this is a really exciting one thanks to Jack Sullivan.

Congratulations to Uber West Ham who won our promotion with the Ribman. He
was the lucky winner of a free rib burger and a Holy FucK sauce which he
described as "making his eyes" water when he tried it at home. This
promotion will run with The Ribman every home game but we are withdrawing
the 50th person to say the website element. There will be a random and
unknown number each week. So make sure you visit him and mentioned the
site and you could win at the next home game!

I hope you are enjoying the website any feedback would be greatly received.
COYI

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Chelsea and West Ham join race for Genoa's Rolando Mandragora - Monday's top
transfer stories
VAISHALI BHARDWAJ 15 minutes ago0 comments
Evening Standard

With the winter transfer window little more than a month away, the gossip
rumour mill is in full swing as several Premier League clubs look to
strengthen their squads in January.
Standard Sport brings you the best of the transfer gossip from today's
papers in England and beyond... First up on Monday, Chelsea and West Ham are
being reported to be interested in Genoa's young midfielder Rolando
Mandragora. The 18-year-old is currently on loan at Italian side Pescara,
where he has played 12 games since joining on a season-long deal, but is
being tracked by the Premier League duo as well as a host of Serie A clubs.
It is thought the player, whose best position is just in front of the
defence, will be available for about £7million - although Inter Milan are
being touted as being favourites to sign the 18-year-old after Mandragora
recently admitted playing at the San Siro would be "special".

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