Daily WHUFC News - 27th March 2016

International round-up
WHUFC.com

West Ham United mifdielder Cheikhou Kouyate was part of the Senegal side that beat Niger 2-0 in African Cup of Nations qualifying on Saturday evening. Kouyate's men took the lead through Hull City man Mo Diame before Everton striker Oumar Niasse grabbed the second.

Elsewhere, Hammers goalkeeper Sam Howes was an unused substitute for England U19s as they were held 1-1 at home to Greece in their Euro Elite qualifying campaign. The side had previously beaten Georgia 2-1 on Thursday.

On Friday, Dimitri Payet played 90 minutes as France beat Holland 3-2. In an enthralling encounter at the Amsterdam ArenA, the Hammers' French superstar helped Les Blues gain an early two-goal lead through Antoine Greizmann and Arsenal forward Olivier Giroud. The Netherlands pegged the visitors back though and squared the game up in the 86th minute, before France's Blaise Matuidi grabbed the winner a minute later. Payet - who was recalled to the squad by boss Didier Deschamps after such impressive performances in claret and blue - will hope to be involved again on Tuesday as his side host Russia.

Also on Friday, Hammers stopper Darren Randolph was on a winning side as he kept a clean sheet to record a 1-0 win for the Republic of Ireland over Switzerland. Aston Villa defender Ciaran Clark scored the game's only goal as Randolph played all 90 minutes in the international friendly. Slovakia, who visit on Tuesday, are Martin O'Neill's side's next opponents.

Victor Moses' Nigeria could not, however, make it a clean sweep for Hammers stars on Friday, as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Egypt.

And there was a defeat for young midfielder Martin Samuelsen, who made his Norway U21 debut in a 1-0 defeat against Holland.

Back on Thursday, West Ham and Ecuador striker Enner Valencia was on target as he scored the opener in a 2-2 draw against Paraguay.

The draw means that Valencia's nation stay top of their tricky World Cup qualifying group which contains both Brazil and Argentina.

In action on Wednesday evening was 17-year-old defender Reece Oxford, as he played 90 minutes in England U18s' 3-2 victory over Austria. The Young Lions twice came from behind to down the hosts.

Finally, West Ham's Bradford City loan pair Reece Burke and Josh Cullen are with England U20s and the Republic of Ireland U21s respectively for matches later on this week.

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Sakho pays tribute to 'idol' Noble
WHUFC.com

Diafra Sakho has been a West Ham United player for two years and has become a huge fan of Mark Noble in that time. The Senegal striker could hardly speak a word of English on his arrival from French club Metz in summer 2014, but the captain quickly made him feel welcome in east London.
Now a fluent English speaker and a fully-fledged member of the Hammers squad, Sakho paid tribute to his captain ahead of Noble's Testimonial match at the Boleyn Ground. "Mark Noble is West Ham's son, and he's an idol here," said the No15, who has recently returned from injury and is expected to play in the Easter Monday showcase. "People today like players to have emotion when playing for your team, and that's what Mark has. Today Mark Noble is a very good Hammers son. "Every player who comes to West Ham needs to respect Mark Noble. He is a very good guy. He doesn't always talk so much in the dressing room - he only talks to you when he needs to. "Mark is here for every player - for help, on the pitch or in the dressing room. I'm very happy when I came to West Ham as Mark Noble and Kevin Nolan were the same to me - very good guys. "I hope the fans come in on Monday to show Mark how much we love him. "Today, I'm so happy that I speak some English. When I signed, Mark helped me with everything, and asked me 'Do you need this?' or 'Do you need this?'"

While he has been a West Ham player for over a decade, Sakho says Noble is far from finished, adding that he expects the captain to be playing another ten years' time. "I hope that he plays until he's 36 or 38 like Ryan Giggs. He's West Ham's Ryan Giggs!" the forward smiled. "Mark - enjoy your day! After ten years, you deserve it."

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Upson - Nobes is a true Hammer
WHUFC.com

Mark Noble represents everything that West Ham United stands for, according to former Hammer and teammate Matt Upson. The defender, who now plays for MK Dons, lined-up alongside the current club captain for four years between 2007 and 2011. And ahead of Noble's Testimonial match at the Boleyn Ground on Monday, Upson praised the midfielder for the passion he has shown throughout his career in claret and blue. "He epitomises everything that West Ham is about, really. His commitment and tenacity over the years, playing in the middle of the park, stands out. "His passion for the Club does too, and that really filters into his game. "He's a great lad as a person too, and when you first join the Club, he's one of the first to welcome you in. He's a local player and he's been there his whole career, so he knows the Club inside out. "He's such a warming, welcoming character, especially when you first sign."

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WHAT UNSETTLES ME ABOUT HODGSON'S ENGLAND SELECTIONS!
By S J Chandos 26 Mar 2016 at 08:00
WTID

Most of the controversy on social media has been concerning the non-selection of Mark Noble in the latest England squad. Goodness knows, the statistics clearly indicate that Noble should be selected totally on merit, because his performance is vastly superior to other midfielders in the squad. If it was a case of an England Manager not fancying a particular player, I could just about accept it. However, what concerns me is the apparent blanket ban on all English West Ham players, who are both currently in top form and, indeed, out-performing players included in the squad.

Can anyone please tell me how Bertrand is selected ahead of Cresswell? There really is no comparison. Then you have Antonio, who is a player who has had a massive positive impact since forcing his way in to the West Ham side. Is anyone seriously arguing that the likes of Milner are better qualified to represent England? Even Andy Carroll has largely been excluded from England Squads since he joined West Ham. Yes, he has been injured a lot of his time at the club, but there have been occasions (like now) when he could have been selected and has been excluded. In fact, in retrospect, has Hodgson actually selected Carroll for England since he left Liverpool?

This whole situation feels totally wrong to me. It just smacks of discrimination. There appears to be an apparent blanket ban on all players from a single club (regardless of how well they perform!). What else can you call it? It would seem that West Ham are the only club in the top 6 without a player selected in the England squad. The FA and PL bang on about anti-discrimination, yet apparently the current England Manager has carte blanche to exercise discrimination against the players of a club that he appears to objects to. Should that situation be allowed to go unchallenged?

Hodgson can drivel on about Mark Noble being akin to Grant Holt, but we all know that is nonsense. The FA and PL - in time honoured fashion - will close ranks and defend Hodgson's selections, but he better hope that his squad performs for him in the two upcoming friendlies against Germany and Holland. Otherwise, people will really start to ask serious questions about his management. Personally, I can never wish defeat on England, but perhaps two defeats would make England reconsider their current selection policy? I just have this terrible feeling that England are heading for another disappointing performance in a major tournament. And anything that helps avert that should be welcomed.

I know that Hammers fans are very pissed off about Hodgson's selections and it is virtually impossible to defend him in the face of such blatant unfairness. Presumably if Hodgson had been England Manager in 1966, Norman Hunter, Jimmy Greaves and John Connelly would have started ahead of Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters (if the latter triumvirate got selected in the first place). And I think we all know how that would have ended up.

Thank goodness for Sir Alf Ramsey, that is what I say!

SJ. Chandos.

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West Ham chief David Sullivan warns the big boys the top 4 may never be the same again
22:30, 22 MAR 2016
BY DARREN LEWIS
Leicester are five points clear at the top and the Hammers are pushing for the Champions League - and the Prem's riches mean this season may not be a blip
The Mirror

David Sullivan has warned the Premier League's richest clubs not to assume they will get their top-four places back next season. West Ham co-chairman Sullivan - whose own club is trying to beat Manchester giants City and United to the fourth and final Champions League spot for next season - remains convinced that the established top-flight order is over. Chelsea and the two Manchester clubs are set for huge summer spending sprees in a bid to return to the top. Liverpool too are expected to invest heavily. Sullivan, however, will also plunge back into the transfer market to ensure West Ham do not rest on their laurels after an impressive campaign. He sees the success of leaders Leicester - five points clear of Spurs with seven games to play - as a much-needed boost for a league that had been in danger of becoming predictable. "It was getting like Scotland, where Celtic win it every year." he said. "It's been the same top four teams, plus or minus one, for a decade. "So every club outside of the big four or five is egging on Leicester, even if they don't win it."

Sullivan has dismissed the idea that clubs should be worried about the empire striking back by splashing the cash. "Will that make them better?" he asked. "They might buy a pile of players that make them worse. Look at Man United, two years in a row they have spent a fortune and either only got into fourth or didn't make it at all. "It's possible that next year will be the same as this year. That the order has changed for ever. There is more money lower down. You've got Stoke taking an £18million player (Giannelli Imbula). You've got West Brom taking £12m players (Salomon Rondon)." "Then you've got being in London. With 60-70 per cent of players, it is a major advantage. We know about clubs up north signing players and telling them, 'We're only an hour from London' - but they leave out the fact that that's [if you travel] by private jet or helicopter!"

Sullivan is delighted with Claudio Ranieri's success at Leicester for a specific reason. "It takes the pressure off us!" he said. "If they weren't there, we'd be the sole topic of conversation: 'Are West Ham going to make top four? Will they do it?' "So it really pleases me that we are slipping through under the Leicester umbrella." Sullivan admitted the Irons - also facing an FA Cup quarter-final replay with Manchester United at Upton Park next month - are already far exceeding their expectations for the current campaign. "We budgeted for tenth this season." he said. "Anything above helps our budget. "Fourth for us would be beyond our wildest dreams. I'm glad City have got [their Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain] as a distraction. We have the FA Cup, but it is not two legs."

Sullivan has his own hands full with the DVD release of his second movie, The Fall Of The Krays, on Easter Monday. He explained: "Our first film, The Rise Of The Krays, was the biggest selling film that went straight to DVD in four years. So The Fall is the natural follow-up. It's actually a better film. "With Tom Hardy's film (about the Krays, called Legend) doing so well, the Krays are very hot in the movie world. Ours is a smashing British film."

Another smash hit this season has been £10.75million buy Dimitri Payet, whose outstanding performances have already earned him a new deal and a recall to the France squad for the first time in nearly a year. But Sullivan revealed he nearly scrapped the Hammers' interest in the playmaker last summer, with Marseille asking for too much money. He went on: "There was a point where me and the club were close to giving up. It was the club (Marseille) we couldn't do a deal with. "But the player wanted out, because as he got older they reduced his salary. "He was also at a stage of his career when the overseas challenge appealed to him." Completing that challenge could help the Hammers pull off their biggest-ever Premier League achievement.

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West Ham skipper Mark Noble declares "stability" the key behind the Hammers' recent rise
22:30, 26 MAR 2016
BY STEVE STAMMERS
Co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan took charge at Upton Park in 2010 and Noble believes they have reinvigorated the club in the last six years
The Mirror

Mark Noble has no hesitation in pinpointing the crucial factor in the West Ham success story this season. His team have a fighting chance of reaching the semi-finals of the FA Cup and they are contesting a top four finish in the Premier League which will mean Champions League football to the new home in the Olympic Stadium next season. And Noble is convinced that it is the philosophy brought to West Ham by owners David Gold and David Sullivan since they took over in 2010 that has changed the thinking at the club. "The key word is stability," said Noble. "In a way, the club was run like a circus in some stages over the last ten or 20 years. "They have brought in good players and put in money and that was what was needed. That is why the club is moving the way it is. "We have had a tough ten years. We had the different people in charge, five or six different managers. "Now it seems like the chairman and Karren Brady have done a great job of settling the club down - running it properly and that gives you a platform from which to move on, to progress."

And it was the current board who had the vision to appoint Slaven Bilic as manager at the start of the season - an inspired choice according to Noble whose service to the club he joined as a schoolboy will be rewarded with a sell-out testimonial match at Upton Park tomorrow night. "They have brought in a great manager and, together, they have brought in great players. That is the way it should be done."

Noble is immensely proud to be the club captain of the club he supported as a boy. There were chances to leave - both Newcastle and Everton were keen on the midfield player when West Ham were relegated from the Premier League in 2011. But he stayed loyal, helped the club win a dramatic play-off against Blackpool to return to the top flight and a year ago signed a new five-year contract which means his best years will have been at West Ham. He is now reaping the benefits of that commitment under the Bilic regime. "The boss has a really good way about him," said Noble. " It is the way he explains things. "With West Ham fans, they hold on to a tradition. The boss has played at the club, he knows what they are like and he was a fans' favourite here. He knows what it means to them. He knows the club inside out. "There are still people working at West Ham from when he was a player. It really is just like one big family."

The feel-good factor may be back at West Ham. But gone is the fear factor that has blighted the club for years. Come the high-profile matches and West Ham would traditionally buckle. Now, with the likes of Dimitri Payet, Manuel Lanzini, Diafra Sakho, Michail Antonio and Cheikhou Kouyate, West Ham have no such complex. "It is right to say it was rare to see a West Ham team play without fear," said Noble. "The club is losing that fear of going into matches against the big teams. We went to Chelsea last Saturday and we went to Old Trafford the week before and played like a proper team. We took the game to them. We should have won both games. "We don't accept any more that we are going to lose to the big teams and accepting that a draw is a great result. We want to win now and that is the way it should be."

Leicester - another club with limited financial resources compared to those of the elite - are an example of what can be achieved and Noble has nothing but admiration for the league leaders. "What they have done this season is unbelievable," he said.Tomorrow there will be a carnival atmosphere at Upton Park. The days of the circus, however, are long gone.

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West Ham icon Trevor Brooking believes Slaven Bilic is desperate to celebrate Upton Park with FA Cup success
22:30, 26 MAR 2016
BY ANTHONY CLAVANE
The Hammers face Manchester United in an FA Cup quarter-final replay as they aim for a place at Wembley against Everton in the last four
The Mirror

West Ham legend Trevor Brooking believes Slaven Bilic is desperate to win the FA Cup to mark the Hammers' last season at Upton Park. Brooking, who scored the famous winning goal when West Ham last won the Cup in 1980, insists his old club can triumph in this year's competition. If Bilic's team overcome Manchester United in the quarter-final replay next month they will travel to Wembley again for a last four clash with Everton.
And Brooking said: "I fancy West Ham for the Cup. You've only got to watch them and how they play. "Slaven wants it and the players want it. He knows how much in our last season at the Boleyn it will mean for our fans if we win it. "The FA Cup is obviously special for me. It has lost a little bit of its glamour - but not for Slaven."

The Londoners are the last team to win the Cup from outside the top flight with their victory over Arsenal 26 years ago coming via a rare Brooking header. "It's a long time ago now," he said, "but not one week goes by without someone mentioning it. It might be a cabbie or somebody I meet when I'm out. "It's been such a special part of my life that for somebody to say the FA Cup no longer has any significance is nonsense. "I hope they get through to the final. Then my goal will probably get a few more airings!"

The Hammers have also been in excellent league form. They are fifth in the Premier League - within one point of the top four with eight games left to play. Brooking added: "Beating teams like Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City will give them confidence to beat United in the replay.
"Slaven's produced a good, technical side. Hopefully the board will give him the support in the summer to get three or four players. That could it make it quite exciting at the new stadium."

Billy Bonds has challenged Dimitri Payet to become a West Ham legend when the club go to the Olympic stadium, writes Rob Maul. An Upton Park hero himself, Bonds is part of the club's history, with a record 799 appearances over 21 years. And Bonzo says that, to be truly appreciated, £10.7million summer signing Payet has to do the business over a number of seasons. Bonds, 69, said: "Payet is a very good player, but this is only one year in which he has done it at the club. "I've watched stars such as Trevor Brooking, Alan Devonshire, Bobby Moore, Martin Peters, Bryan Robson and Paolo Di Canio - all absolutely fabulous players - and they all did it for the Hammers, year in, year out. "Let's hope Payet stays at the club and becomes a real West Ham legend, too."

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West Ham will not bank £1billion from OS move
Posted by Sean Whetstone on March 27, 2016 in Sean's Blogs, Whispers

C and H

A badly researched article by Colin Mafham on the Daily Express claims that West Ham are set to earn one billion pounds from their move to the Olympic stadium suggesting they would have one billion in the kitty to play with by 2021!

Wishful thinking on the part of the Express and plainly wrong I am afraid! The first clue to the credibility of the article comes when the story claims West Ham have agreed to pay the LLDC £15m per year in rent for the stadium. In reality, West Ham will pay £15m upfront towards the conversion costs and around £2.5m in rent per year for the former Olympic Stadium.

OSThe next falsehood is the claim that West Ham will earn an extra £54m every year in match day sales with the Olympic Stadium sold out. Currently, the club receive around £20m per season from match day receipts at the Boleyn ground for a capacity of 35,000. Although we have increased the capacity to 60,000 at the new stadium the club has heavily discounted season tickets meaning most ticket holders are paying less than this season. Over 8,000 of the expected 50,000 season tickets at the Olympic Stadium are under 16's paying just £99 each raising less than £800,000 in annual revenue and another 8,000 seats have been sold at £289 per season raising another £2.3m per year.

os south behind goal.2JPGThe truth is our match day receipts will grow by a more modest £10m-£15m per season next season and not the £34m jump the Express suggests in their article.

The Express also points to the £100m minimum per club per season from the new TV deal but that is a level playing field for all Premier League clubs as everyone will get this and it has got nothing whatsoever to do with our move to the Olympic Stadium so I fail to see the relevance.

OS2West Ham posted a turnover just over £120m in 2015 which included £76m from TV rights income and that is set to slightly increase in 2016 after a good FA cup run and sell out crowds & events for the last season at the Boleyn Ground.

When we look forward at the first season at the Olympic Stadium ending in May 2017 I personally estimate an increase of TV money at around £35m per season and extra match receipts of around £15m plus another £5m in additional retail sales and sponsorship deals. A turnover of £175m seems very possible but many of our fellow premier league competitors will see significant jumps in turnover also next season.

gb2-lounge2okEven if we earn £175m in turnover over the next five years totaling £875m, Colin at the Express is completely missing the point that this is not money in the bank available to spend or share with the owners as most of it goes straight out the door again. The majority of our turnover and most other Premier League clubs for that matter gets spent on players wages and the increase in TV money is likely to bring massive hikes in the top players wages accordingly. Sad but true.

Sorry Colin, Nice try, No cigar!

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Elliot Lee curls in a beauty in for Colchester
Posted by Sean Whetstone on March 26, 2016 in Videos, Whispers
C and H

Colchester United beat Doncaster Rovers 4-1 on Good Friday in League One, and the goal of the game belonged to West Ham loanee Elliot Lee. 21-year-old Lee found the target with a special curled strike in the 71st minute.

The Hammers forward put the hosts 2-1 ahead with a 25-yard right footed effort that arrowed into the far top corner.

Lee tweeted after the match "That goal was for my boy Leo Chambers, come along way with this guy and I love him like a brother"

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West Ham legends to manage Hammers
Posted by Sean Whetstone on March 26, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

Former West Ham managers Billy Bonds and Sir Trevor Brooking will manage West Ham teams one last time on Easter Monday. Mark Noble revealed the news on Thursday. Nobes tweeted "True legends, Billy bonds and Sir Trevor Brooking will be honorary managers on Monday afternoon!!"

Billy Bonds was was appointed West Ham manager on 23 February 1990.The Club's all-time record appearance-maker, two-time FA Cup-winning captain and four-time Hammer of the Year, Bonds had retired from playing in 1988 and served as a youth Bondscoach under John Lyall. After guiding West Ham to seventh in Division Two in his first few months in charge, Bonds led the Hammers back to the top flight via the runners-up spot and an FA Cup semi-final defeat by Nottingham Forest in 1990/91.

Unfortunately, West Ham were relegated again in 1992 after finishing bottom of Division One but Bonds won a second promotion in three seasons the following year, with old team-mate Harry Redknapp serving as his assistant.

In 1993/94, Bonds led West Ham to the safety of 13th position in their first season in the Premier League but Bonds was replaced by Redknapp, turning down the offer of the newly-created role of Director of Football. In all, Bonds won 82 and lost just 59 of his 194 matches in charge of the Hammers. Bonds had a win ratio of 43.61%

Brooking had two spells as caretaker manager, replacing Glen Roeder after his collapse with a brain tumour and again after he was sacked. In his 14 matches in charge, he won nine, drew four and lost just one game against Gillingham 2-0 in the league after Jermain Defoe was sent off. He is sometimes referred to as "the best manager that West Ham never had". He has an impressive win ratio fo 64.29% which is never likely to be broken.

Unconfirmed rumours suggest current West Ham manager Slaven Bilic might pull on his boots for a cameo role at Mark Noble's testimonial on Monday. Slaven's win ratio is 45.24%.

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Hammers scouts watch Silva
Posted by Sean Whetstone on March 26, 2016 in News, Whispers
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According to football website Sport Witness , West Ham scouts were spotted at the International match between Portugal and Bulgaria on Good Friday.

The report claims the Irons scout was there to watch Rafa Silva, which they say 'just so happens to be a player West Ham have been watching at SC Braga this season'.

The article claims the Hammers Portugal scouting network was originally set-up by Sam Allardyce but Slaven Bilic has been keen to continue it since taking over in the summer. West Ham is one of a number of Premier league clubs attending Portuguese league matches on a regular basis this season.

The Portugal international is considered one of the brightest prospects in the Primeira Liga and he's been heavily scouted by Manchester United in the last 18 months.

Jose Mourinho is said to have 'reserved' an option on the 22-year-old if he takes charge at Old Trafford this summer with the 52-year-old believed to be a firm admirer of the winger. However, Silva says he is happy in Portugal saying "I've received some offers but I preferred to stay here. My goal is to give everything for this club."

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Hammer Henry struggles as right back
Posted by Sean Whetstone on March 26, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

West Ham's, Doneil Henry very struggled last night as a right back for Canada against Mexico in a World Cup qualifier match. The 22 year old centre-back struggled in an un-natural position as his side went 3-0 down in Vancouver.

Henry himself came in for a lot of criticism from Canadian supporters who couldn't understand why he had been chosen to play in the right back position. His critics said he looked rusty, off the pace and afraid to go forward as a full back. One Candiadan fan said "Henry is embarrassing. What did West Ham see in him?"

Maybe it is slightly unfair criticism considering his lack of first team action at West Ham but the Hammers seem to have plenty of other players who can step into the right back role with ease after Carl Jenkinson season-wrecking injury. Centre-back James Tomkins took to the role with ease and looked like a natural before his own injury and more recently Michail Antonio has shown he can play as a decent right back too. Slaven Bilic please take note, don't ever Henry in the right back position, you may regret it.

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