Friday, February 12

Daily WHUFC News - 12th February 2016

'We've got Payet' until 2021!
WHUFC.com

Dimitri Payet has committed his future to West Ham United

West Ham United are delighted to announce that Dimitri Payet has signed a new long-term contract with the Club.

The outstanding France playmaker, who has made a huge impact in Claret and Blue since arriving from Marseille last summer, has penned a deal until the summer of 2021.

The 28-year-old, who has scored six Barclays Premier League goals, chalked up six assists and averages a formidable 3.7 key passes per game, is delighted to have pledged his long-term future to the Club.

"For me it's a big step, an enormous show of faith, particularly from the Chairman [David] Sullivan and from the manager," said the popular No27. "I thank them for that, and I am proud and I'm happy to prolong the adventure with West Ham.

"I've said it several times, I feel good here, everyone's done all that they can to make me feel good. I want to help West Ham grow and, once again, this new contract shows my desire and motivation to fulfil those objectives."

Payet has become an instant fans' favourite since joining the Hammers in June 2015, earning widespread praise and respect and becoming the subject of English football's newest and best terrace chant!

After assisting Enner Valencia's goal on his debut in the UEFA Europa League draw with Romanians Astra Giurgiu at the Boleyn Ground on 30 July, the Reunion-born attacking midfielder quickly took the Barclays Premier League by storm.

On the opening weekend, his free-kick provided Cheikhou Kouyate's goal in the stunning 2-0 win at Arsenal.

A fine first goal arrived against Leicester City on 15 August, followed by two more attention-grabbing strikes in the home win over Newcastle United in September.

After assisting in West Ham's next two games, Payet bagged two more goals to secure a draw at Sunderland and clinch a 3-1 win at Crystal Palace.

That series of magnificent performances saw the 15-times capped player linked with a return to international action, and Payet will hope to force his way into Les Bleus squad for Euro 2016 over the closing months of his first season in Claret and Blue.

The No27 was unfortunately side-lined by a late challenge in the home draw with Everton in mid-November, but returned to fitness and form with a truly magnificent free-kick and another assist for Valencia in the 3-1 win at AFC Bournemouth last month.

Having laid on yet another important goal as Angelo Ogbonna nodded the Hammers into the Emirates FA Cup fifth round at Liverpool's expense on Tuesday evening, Payet has signed a new deal that will see him inspire West Ham into their new Stadium and beyond.

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Sullivan welcomes Payet deal
WHUFc.com

Hello everyone,

It goes without saying that I, David Gold, Karren Brady and everyone associated with West Ham United are delighted that Dimitri Payet has signed a new long-term contract.

In line with our normal policy, we review the contracts of players who are doing exceptionally well for the Club and reward and extend them when the opportunity arises.

Up to now, Dimitri has been our star player this season and to reward him and to show the supporters our unwavering commitment to building a team we can all be immensely proud of, the Board has awarded him and improved and extended contract until 2021.

Like you all, I have been so excited by watching 'Dimi', as he is now affectionately known to all of us Hammers, this season.

His technical ability, his ball skills, his strength, his goals, his assists and his attitude have all combined to give us one of the most exhilarating players I have seen in a West Ham shirt in many, many years.

I have been watching West Ham since the early 1960s and have seen some fantastic footballers in Claret and Blue – Trevor Brooking, Alan Devonshire, Paolo Di Canio, Carlos Tevez among them – and Dimi has the talent to be considered among the very best.

Of course, even more exciting is that Dimi's best in a West Ham shirt is still to come. Just imagine what we can achieve, with him in the team and the Club moving into a fantastic new 54,000-capacity Stadium in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park this summer.

Before then, we have 13 Barclays Premier League games to play and are in a good position, sixth in the table and with a chance of qualifying for Europe.

Today's news means Mark Noble, Winston Reid, Diafra Sakho, Aaron Cresswell, James Tomkins, Adrian, James Collins and now Dimi have all signed new long-term contracts in the past year – all confirmation that we want to keep our best players here for as long as possible.

In line with our policy, a few other key players might be similarly rewarded in the next six months, so keep an eye on whufc.com and our social media channels for the big announcements!

Come on you Irons!

David Sullivan
Joint-Chairman

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Chadwell Chatter - Mark Noble
WHUFc.com

Hello everyone,

Two days on from our epic win over Liverpool on Tuesday evening and I'm still buzzing about it! It was pretty special wasn't it?

After the match I was saying to lads in the dressing that that was one of the best feelings I've ever had at the Boleyn, for sure. We put so much into the game so to come away with the win was fantastic.

Judging from the reaction from our fans in the stand it must have been an exciting one to watch!

It's definitely up there as one of the best moments I can remember in a West Ham shirt. Especially as it was against Liverpool, their history is phenomenal, they are a massive club. That noise that you hear when the ball hits the back of the net is fantastic; it's a great, great feeling.

Angelo is a pretty laid back guy and I'm just so pleased for him. He'll never ever forget that goal, at home in front of the fans. To get us through to the next round of the FA cup is great. If he didn't quite know about the FA Cup before, he sure does now!

When someone pops up with a last minute winner, you can't beat that feeling. It's one of those beautiful moments that only football can really give you.

I saw Dimi over the ball and I looked into the box and I thought 'Please someone score', penalties is fantastic for the punters, the crowd and TV but someone has to be the villain at some point and it's not nice for anyone.

At the end of the day Tuesday showed why we love the FA Cup so much.

Obviously, we are 100% focused on our game with Norwich City this Saturday and it'll be another game.

On a personal level I'm looking forward to coming up against former teammates and good friends Gary O'Neil and Matt Jarvis, they are both great lads so it will be good to catch up.

You can't help but think about the Blackburn Rovers game in the next round. We know it's going to be tough, that's for sure. They are a good side but we've got a lot of belief about us. We are in a great position in the league to give the cup a right good go. If we beat Blackburn away then it gets interesting.

Having said that, we want to carry on doing well in the league, and finish as high as we possibly can.
But we're in a position where we can really; really go for the FA Cup. We're in a fantastic position and we have a good squad.

It's looking like we have a lot to look forward to over the next few months!

COYI!

Nobes

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Cullen joins Bradford City on loan
WHUFc.com

Cullen could feature for Bradford this weekend

West Ham United's highly rated midfielder Josh Cullen has joined League One side Bradford City on loan initially until Saturday 12 March.

The 19-year-old Hammer, who can play as a holding midfielder as well as a number 10, joins West Ham teammate Reece Burke in West Yorkshire.

The Republic of Ireland U21 international has enjoyed a breakthrough season having made his first team debut during the club's Europa League qualification campaign before making his Premier League debut in the historic 3-0 win away at Liverpool at Anfield.

Since then, Cullen has established himself as regular in the first team matchday squad, being named on the bench multiple times while his all action performances for the Development Squad have caught the eye.

Having signed for Phil Parkinson's side, Cullen is expected to go straight into the Bradford squad for Saturday's game away at Peterborough United, where he could line up against Hammers' teammate Martin Samuelsen.

Alongside Burke and Samuelsen, Cullen joins a number of exciting young players out on loan gaining valuable first team experience which includes Diego Poyet, Lewis Page, Stephen Hendrie, Kyle Knoyle, Elliot Lee, Tim Brown, Sam Westley, Clarke Bogard and Ross Elsom.

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First and Last - Sam Byram
WHUFc.com

Rodolph Austin would not last long on The X-Factor!

As West Ham United continue the final season at the Boleyn Ground, we've asked the players for some memorable firsts and lasts from their careers and lives. Today, Sam Byram goes under the spotlight…

FIRSTS

First car you owned?

It was a proper old Renault Clio given to me by my brother. It was really old and I when I finished with it, I gave it to my best mate and then it packed up!

First CD you bought?

It was probably an album by Eminem but I cannot remember the name of it.

First professional goal you scored?

It was a volley from a corner against Preston in my first season for Leeds during the pre-season.

Who is the first player you would call up for a pub quiz?

If we are talking out of anyone, I would say Matt Smith who I played with at Leeds. He did a degree and is pretty bright so I would probably give him a call.

Who is the first player you would vote off on the X-Factor?

Rodolph Austin from Leeds United. He was my room-mate when we used to travel and his voice was awful! He could not sing.


Alex Song has got some rascal gear!

LASTS

What is the last concert you went to?

Ed Sheeran at the O2 in Manchester. I went to see him with a few mates. One of them managed to sort a box out and it was really good.

Who is the last person you would take fashion advice from in the team?

I would have to say Alex Song. He has got some rascal gear. Some of it is okay but some of it you would not see me wearing.

What is the last book you read?

I am not a big reader but I got Duncan Bannatyne's book two years ago.

What would be the last thing you would want to hear from a manager after the game?

The last thing I would want to hear is that he is battering me after a poor performance!

What was the last holiday you went on?

I went to Dubai with my brother for a week which was really good. It was very relaxing.

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From the Newsroom
WHUFC.com
Neil McLeman

The Daily Mirror's Neil McLeman looks ahead to West Ham United's trip to relegation-threatened Norwich City...

It was a fantastic night at Upton Park on Tuesday and Slaven will be hoping West Ham carry the momentum of knocking Liverpool out of the FA Cup into this game, but Norwich City are fighting for their Premier League lives.

Norwich have been on a really bad run and if they are going to stay up this season, they've got to win their home games.

They have lost five on the trot, so if they are going to stay up, this is the sort of game Norwich have got to win, so they'll be looking to take advantage of any fatigue or injury list that West Ham are suffering at the moment.

Carrow Road is a super ground and there is an excellent atmosphere, with a really good home crowd, so Norwich will be looking to start well. Alex Neil will be saying 'let's get into them from the first whistle' and they'll be looking for an early goal and to get the momentum.

They need to change the fortunes of their season, so West Ham need to be aware of that from the kick-off.

Slaven Bilic is without a few players at present, so I see Michail Antonio as an important player on Saturday. He has come in and done really, really well.

Antonio is a player who spoke to the press at the start of the season and we were all impressed with the way he spoke. He has got a really good story, having come up from non-league and everything.

Just because West Ham were playing so well, he didn't get a chance earlier in the season, but he has come in and scored goals and has looked really lively as well. He's the type of player you need in your squad at this time of the season, when you're in the FA Cup and have heavy ground and are going to pick up injuries.

Antonio is the sort of player you need to have because he has come in and been ready to go and has been a vital squad player. He's got to the point now where he is saying 'keep me in the team' when the likes of Manuel Lanzini come back.

There are plenty of links between West Ham and Norwich historically and the two clubs also have similar footballing philosophies, as Norwich like to play football as well.

Norwich have always played good football and are still trying to do that in their current situation. They've got Wes Hoolahan, who I think is a super player, and they like to get the ball on the ground and knock it around – Alex Neil encourages them to do that. It should be a good, entertaining game.

This is a test for Alex, who came in last season and did really well, bringing up a squad that wasn't far off the one which was relegated from the Premier League the previous year.

They are looking for that x-factor to keep them up. They brought in Diomerci Mbokani up front, who looks good, and the winger Nathan Redmond has a few goals.

The problem they have is that they don't have a regular goalscorer like the other relegation candidates – Sunderland have Jermain Defoe and Swansea have Andre Ayew who can get you eight or ten goals. Norwich don't have a go-to goalscorer, but rely on the whole team contributing.

The other side is that their defence is pretty leaky and they do let in too many goals, so I think there will be goals on Saturday.

I see it being a draw. Norwich will be keen to end their losing run, but West Ham should enough to get a point.

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Payet signs two-year contract extension <http://www.kumb.com/news_archive.php>
Filed: Thursday, 11th February 2016
By: Staff Writer
KUMB.com

Dimitri Payet has signed a lucrative new contract with West Ham United, tying him to the club until the summer of 2021.
Payed, 29 next month is now set to remain at West Ham until the age of 34 after agreeing the new deal - just seven months after arriving at the Boleyn Ground in a £10.5million move from Marseille.

News of the contract extension - widely expected throughout the day - was confirmed by the club this evening.

"West Ham United are delighted to announce that Dimitri Payet has signed a new long-term contract with the club," read a statement on the club's website. "The outstanding France playmaker, who has made a huge impact in Claret and Blue since arriving from Marseille last summer, has penned a deal until the summer of 2021.

"The 28-year-old, who has scored six Barclays Premier League goals, chalked up six assists and averages a formidable 3.7 key passes per game, is delighted to have pledged his long-term future to the club."

Payet arrived in England last July having signed a four-year contract. Due to end in 2019, he will now remain with the Hammers for an additional two years.

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Manuel Lanzini and Diafra Sakho close to return, says Slaven Bilic
By Katie Falkingham
Last Updated: 11/02/16 11:38am
SSN

Manuel Lanzini limps off against Liverpool on Tuesday night

Slaven Bilic has revealed that long-term injury absentees Manuel Lanzini and Diafra Sakho are close to making their return to action for West Ham, but admits James Tomkins' injury is a big blow to his squad.
Tomkins has been ruled out for five weeks after sustaining a calf injury against Southampton last weekend, and the Hammers will also be without Cheikhou Kouyate as they travel to Norwich on Saturday after he suffered mild concussion during Tuesday night's dramatic 2-1 FA Cup win over Liverpool.
But Bilic's team will be boosted as midfielder Lanzini, who suffered a thigh injury against Liverpool in January, returns to full training again this weekend, while Senegalese international Sakho will rejoin the first-team set up later this month after recovering from a muscle strain.

"On Sunday Lanzini will start training with the team again, which is a big boost for us," he said. "Sakho will be back maybe five days after.
"Kouyate is doing well, but because of the rules he cannot play in the game because he was unconscious on the pitch.
"But we have enough players to put a very strong team out on Saturday."
West Ham will face a Norwich side on Saturday who are looking for their first Premier League win since the start of January as they struggle to escape the relegation zone.

Defenders Winston Reid and Joey O'Brien are unlikely to feature at Carrow Road after both limping off with hamstring injuries on Tuesday, but Bilic remains optimistic despite his lack of options in defence.
"Winston Reid and Joey O'Brien have hamstring injuries," Bilic continued. "They will have scans today and then we'll know how long it will take for them.
"James Tomkins is out for five weeks after the Southampton game, so that's three defenders out.
"In that department it's not a very great situation for us, but I think the knocks will be ok."

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Arsenal lining up £8million summer transfer window move for West Ham wonderkid Reece Oxford
* 07:52, 12 FEB 2016
* BY JOHN CROSS
www.mirror.co.uk

The Gunners boss and chief scout Steve Rowley are big fans of the 17-year-old and are looking to pip Man United and Man City to his signature
Arsenal chief scout Steve Rowley is a big admirer of the 17-year-old and is keeping close tabs on developments.
It highlights Arsenal's determination to snap up some of the Premier League's best young talent to bolster their squad.
They made moves for Leicester's teenage full back Ben Chilwell in January and Fulham wonderkid Ryan Sessegnon as well as agreeing a deal for Nigerian wonderkids Kelechi Nwakali and Samuel Chukwueze
Oxford, who was outstanding for West Ham in their opening day win at Arsenal, is further down the line in his development and Gunners boss Wenger regards him as a huge prospect.

And he could be wearing red in the future - if West Ham agree to cash inArsenal looked at Oxford before he signed a contract at West Ham and now they head a queue of big clubs who are keen.
Rowley has scouted him regularly while Manchester United and Manchester City have also been watching him.
Oxford, whose contract expires in 2018, can play centre half or central midfield and Arsenal like his composure on the ball.

West Ham blocked Oxford from going to the Under-17s World Cup in Chile - he was captain of England's team - in October and since then he has not started a Premier League game.
That has given clubs encouragement that a deal might be able to be done this summer.

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