Daily WHUFC News - 8th June 2016

Ogbonna features in Azzurri win
WHUFC.com

Hammers defender Angelo Ogbonna earned his eleventh Italy cap on Monday night as a substitute in a 2-0 win over Finland. The Azzurri completed the victory thanks to goals from Antonio Candreva – from the penalty spot – and Daniele De Rossi. Ogbonna played the final five minutes of the fixture in Verona, replacing Leonardo Bonucci – the Juventus defender, who will head to the Hammers' new Stadium on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park for the Betway Cup tie against West Ham on 7 August. It was Ogbonna's first appearance for Italy in 20 months, having last appeared in his national strip against Malta in a UEFA Euro 2016 qualifier in October 2014. Monday's fixture was Antonio Conte's side's final warm-up friendly prior to their Euro 2016 campaign, which begins on 13 June against Belgium in Lyon. Sweden are their next opponents in Toulouse four days later, before Ogbonna could potentially face West Ham teammate and Republic of Ireland stopper Darren Randolph in Lille on 22 June. Elsewhere, young Hammers stopper Sam Howes was in action for England U19s in Mexico on Monday night as the Three Lions were beaten in their final European Championship warm-up friendly. In the 1-0 defeat, Howes was brought into the match for England at half time, replacing Reading keeper Luke Southwood between the sticks. Despite a good England performance, their central American opponents netted a late header to take the win when it looked as if a stalemate was on the cards. It was the second defeat in the double header just outside Mexico City, after Aidy Boothroyd's men went down 2-0 in the first fixture on Saturday. Finally, Doneil Henry's Canada take on Uzbekistan at Bad Waltersdorf in Austria at 3pm on Tuesday in a FIFA World Cup 2018 qualifying preparation fixture.
The Reds were held to a 1-1 draw by Azerbaijan on Friday, with defender Henry playing 90 minutes.

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Hammers issue Retained List
WHUFC.com

West Ham United have issued the Club's Retained List of players at the end of the 2015/16 season.

Joey O'Brien's contract expires on 30 June after five years as a Hammer, during which time the 29-year-old helped the Club win promotion and re-establish itself in the Premier League. The full-back joined on a free transfer in summer 2011 and helped West Ham gain promotion via the Championship Play-Offs in May 2012. The following season, 2012/13, he made 33 Premier League appearances as West Ham finished ninth in the top flight. A reliable and committed player, 30-year-old O'Brien earned a recall to the Republic of Ireland senior squad in 2012 and went on to make 105 first-team appearances in Claret and Blue, scoring three goals.

Young professionals Elliot Lee, Leo Chambers, Amos Nasha, Nathan Mavila and Jordan Brown will also depart the Boleyn Ground after not being offered new contracts. Strikers Lee and Jordan Brown, defender Chambers and Nasha all appeared for the first team after graduating from the Academy of Football, while Mavilla also reached the matchday squad on one occasion. Lee, 21, made his Premier League debut against Stoke City in August 2013 and went on to make six senior appearances, scoring in the UEFA Europa League first qualifying round win against FC Lusitans in Andorra in July 2015. Nasha, 20, also made his first-team debut in the same game. Chambers, 20, made three appearances for the Hammers in the Football League Cup in autumn 2013. Jordan Brown, 19, made his sole appearance in the UEFA Europa League third qualifying round tie against Astra Giurgiu in Romania last August and has since joined German Bundesliga 2 club Hannover 96. Scholars Tim Brown, 19, and Clark Bogard and Ross Elsom, both 18, have also been released.

The Club would like to thank all those named above for their efforts and wish them well in their future careers.

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The Big Interview - Darren Randolph
WHUFC.com

The European Championship Finals get underway on Friday June 10 and for one man in particular, this promises to be a summer that he will never forget. Darren Randolph has enjoyed a memorable first full season in the Premier League with West Ham United following his move from Birmingham last summer. The 29-year-old played a major role in helping the Hammers reach the quarter finals of the FA Cup and showed his quality when he was called upon to play in the Premier League. Randolph was also instrumental in helping the Republic of Ireland qualify for the Euro Finals in France when he replaced Shay Given against Germany and helped set up the only goal of the game when his long kick picked out Shane Long and he produced a sublime finish to help his country record a famous victory and reach the play-offs where they beat Bosnia-Herzegovina. The talented keeper is now making his final preparations ahead of Ireland's opening game against Sweden on June 13 and hopes to reach the latter stages of the competition....

Darren, this is one of the biggest summers of your career. How excited are you at the prospect of playing at the Euro Finals and participating in such a showpiece event?

DR: "The tournament has certainly crept up on us but I am really looking forward to the tournament and cannot wait for it to get underway."


It was obviously a memorable qualifying campaign. Do you still watch back the famous victory over Germany and realise the amazing job you have achieved?

DR: "I still get sent little clips and links to the Germany game and the play-off win over Bosnia.

"I have watched them a few time – especially the Germany game. We should all take a lot of pride from the way we performed that night.

"We were fourth in the group with four games to go and everybody had written us off. But we managed to come back and qualified through the play-offs so we should all be proud of what we achieved."


You have been drawn in the same group as Sweden, Belgium and Italy. It could certainly have been a lot easier for you but how do you view the three games and what you will need to qualify

DR: "It is a very tough group. But you want to go to these tournaments and play against the best teams.

"Of course you would prefer not to have play them all in the group stages but it will be a good test for us.

"We play Sweden in the first game and if we can come away with a good result then anything is possible after that. We should all be looking forward to it."


Do you fancy your chances of making it past the group stages?

DR: "Why not. We have to be confident and it is one of the competitions that any player wants to be a part of.

"Considering I missed out on the last one I cannot wait to experience the whole tournament and look forward to seeing all the Ireland fans out in France."


Do you see similarities between the West Ham team and the Republic of Ireland team in terms of the team spirit?

DR: "I see a lot of similarities. We can have a good laugh together but when it comes to the serious stuff and we train and play, everyone gets their head down and we are hard working group and everyone gets their head down."


We have also got James Collins going away with Wales and Dimitri Payet being part of the France squad. Will you keep a close eye on how your team-mates are getting on during the tournament?

DR: "I will definitely keep an eye on what they are doing. I am not sure how far away they are staying but all three of us will be busy and I will try and keep in close contact with them.

"I will certainly be watching their progress but I hope we can go further than everyone and can have something to brag about!"

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Hammers at the Euros
WHUFC.com

Hammers quartet Dimitri Payet, Angelo Ogbonna, James Collins and Darren Randolph have become the ninth, tenth, eleventh and twelfth West Ham players to be included in UEFA European Championship squads.

The four, who will be representing France, Italy, Wales and the Republic of Ireland in this summer's competition respectively, have joined up with their nations ahead of the tournament which kicks-off on 10 June in France.

It marks the first time that four West Ham players have been chosen to represent their countries in the same European Championship.

In 1968, three were selected for the tournament; Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters all travelled to Italy fresh off the back of their World Cup victory as hosts two years' previous.

The tournament consisted of just four teams back then, and England came up against Yugoslavia in the semi-final as the Italians hosted the Soviet Union.

The Three Lions were beaten by a Dragan Dzajic goal, however, and were therefore left to contest the third place play-off against the Soviet Union, who were on the wrong end of a coin toss match-deciding decision against Italy.

Hurst, who had been left out in the semi-final, returned to the starting XI and scored the second in a 2-0 win for England to land third place, while Moore and Peters played both matches in the campaign.

The Hammers would have to wait another 12 years until one of their stars next represented the Club at a Euros, as Trevor Brooking went with England's squad once again to Italy.

The Irons legend was involved in the first match as Belgium held the Three Lions to a 1-1 draw, however he was not in the line-up as Italy were 1-0 winners three days later.

Brooking made a scoring return to the team in the final match though, firing home the first in a 2-1 win against Spain, before England – managed by former Hammers boss Ron Greenwood – were knocked out of the tournament having finished third in the group.

There were no West Ham players involved in the next three European Championships, however two played at the tournament in '96 – one being the current Hammers boss, Croatian Slaven Bilic.

The defender started and finished all three games as his side qualified for a place in the quarter-finals, but Germany were 2-1 winners in the contest at Old Trafford.

Left-back Mark Rieper was the other Hammer involved, playing in all of holding champions Denmark's three group games before they were eliminated at the first stage.

With no West Ham representatives at Euro 2000 or 2004, Freddie Ljungberg became the next when he went to Austria and Switzerland as captain of Sweden's Euro 2008 squad.

After beating the previous tournament's winners Greece 2-0 in their first outing, Ljungberg's side lost in fixtures against Spain and Russia and were knocked out in the group stages.

Finally, former West Ham stopper Rob Green was part of Roy Hodgson's England squad which travelled to Poland and Ukraine in 2012, but as backup to Joe Hart, he did not feature for the Three Lions.

Hammers star Payet, on the back of a superb debut season in Claret and Blue, is part of hosts France's plans and he will be keen to play a part in Les Bleus' group matches against Romania, Albania and Switzerland.

Collins, of course, is set to face England in the group stages for Wales, while Russia and Slovakia are the other opponents for the Dragons.

Randolph's Republic of Ireland will take on Ogbonna's Italy team in their final group game, as part of a tricky Group E; Belgium and Sweden are the other two opponents.

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2015/16 in review: September & October
KUMB,com
Filed: Tuesday, 7th June 2016
By: Graeme Howlett

Join us as we take a look back at the 2015/16 season through the eyes of KUMB Editor Graeme Howlett, who penned a weekly column for the Echo newspaper throughout the campaign.

Today we look back at September and October 2015 in the second part of our review...

20 September

Only at West Ham could you best Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City in successive away games - and yet still fail to record the biggest sporting headline of the weekend.

Thanks to a group of plucky Japanese rugby players, West Ham's mighty achievement at the City of Manchester Stadium was demoted to second spot come Sunday morning's sporting news headlines.

And whilst history was being made down at the Brighton Community Centre by the eggchasers from the Far East, Slaven Bilic's new-look West Ham team were making history of their own by winning away to all three of the aforementioned for the first time ever in the same season.

It was no surprise when pundits and the media alike declared West Ham's 2-0 win at The Emirates on the opening day of the season to be an anomaly. After all it's virtually unheard of for the Irons to win away to Arsenal, right?

However having followed that achievement with a 3-0 win at Anfield - West Ham's first on the red side of Stanley Park since 1963 - and subsequently ending Manchester City's unbeaten league record with a stunning 2-1 success at the City of Manchester Stadium, those same pundits are finally beginning to give Bilic's boys the credit they deserve.

Make no mistake, not one of those three wins was in any way lucky. West Ham outplayed both Arsenal and Liverpool and having gained a two-goal advantage at Man City on Saturday (through Victor Moses and Diafra Sakho), fought like lions to preserve their advantage despite being predictably battered after the break.

Once again, Dimitri Payet was instrumental in a win that lifted West Ham into second spot in the Premier League. The French international played a key role in Moses' opening goal, whilst his all-round vision and awareness could have led to even more.

But even Payet's performance was eclipsed by that of centre half Winston Reid, who was absolutely immense at the heart of West Ham's defence.

The Kiwi's 21 clearances during the game was a new Premier League record and his appearance left Match of the Day commentator Steve Wilson drooling over what he described as "one of the best individual defensive displays I have ever seen".

Even more encouraging for Hammers fans is that Bilic had to make do without Angelo Ogbonna and Cheikhou Kouyate on Saturday, both of whom were ruled out through injury. Not to mention that Alex Song is yet to kick a ball this season - Enner Valencia neither - whilst Andy Carroll has managed just five minutes of action thus far.

"All we need is Slav", sang happy Hammers fans on Saturday night after the incredible win at Man City. That might not be strictly true, but the new manager's positivity is certainly paying off right now.

Long may it continue.


4 October

To those of us who have been watching West Ham for some considerable time, it was perhaps no surprise to see Dick Advocaat's Sunderland - a team without a Premier League win all season - surge into a two-goal lead after just 22 minutes at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

Having already beaten Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City on their own patch it was typical of West Ham to fall behind to a team that most pundits - with the exception of the irksome Mark Lawrenson - expected them to beat. Less emblematic was the fashion in which Slaven Bilic's side responded - by scoring twice thereafter to rescue a point.

Those goals - from Carl Jenkinson on the stroke of half time and Dimitri Payet, two minutes after Jeremain Lens had been dismissed by fussy referee Neil Swarbrick for a second bookable offence - ensured the Hammers remain unbeaten away from home in the Premier League this season.

And they also signalled a fresh, new resolve amongst Bilic's squad - an attitude typified by goalscorer Payet's obvious disappointment at the final whistle, after West Ham had battered the ten-man Black Cats for the duration of the second half without managing to find a winning goal.

On the pitch, whilst Bilic has no immediate concerns going forward the defensive lapses are beginning to mount up. The previous weekend against Norwich, Mark Noble's first half hospital pass that led to Robbie Brady's opening goal effectively cost the Hammers two points.

And at Sunderland on Saturday, West Ham only had themselves to blame for dropping points again after Jenkinson conceded a needless free kick that led to Sunderland's opener and Payet's loose pass to Winston Reid gave Lens the opportunity to score the second. At least both atoned for their errors by responding at the opposite end.

But if West Ham wish to be a real force in the Premier League this season (and beyond), they'll need to cut out these avoidable errors than have cost the team four points in the last fortnight.

Elsewhere in the Premier League this weekend Sergio Aguero scored five goals in 20 minutes (the 42nd, 49th, 50th, 60th and 62nd) as Manchester City thrashed Newcastle 6-1 at the Etihad Stadium. It was touted as the fastest five-goal haul in Premier League history.

And whilst that may be true, Aguero's achievement only equalled the top flight record set 50 years ago by West Ham United's Brian Dear, who also scored five in 20 minutes against West Brom in a 6-1 Division One win at the Boleyn Ground in April 1965 (the 44th, 53rd, 56th, 59th and 64th minute).

Further, I believe Dear's record remains unbroken as Man City and Newcastle played three minutes added-on time at the end of the first half - whereas there was hardly any added-on time played in the mid-1960s!

11 October

Darren Randolph was the unlikely hero for Ireland in Dublin last weekend as the substitute goalkeeper's assist kept his nation's hopes of qualifying for next summer's European Championships alive.

Rather closer to home, Roy Hodgson's England were playing out a dead-rubber against Estonia at Wembley on Friday night. But if you were hoping to see any of West Ham United's exciting young English players feature, you'd be in for a major disappointment.

Despite being third in the Premier League at the time the squad was announced, once again Hodgson completely overlooked West Ham's home grown contingent in favour of players featuring for the usual suspects.

Aaron Cresswell was named as West Ham's Player of the Year for 2014/15 and linked with a £25million summer move to Chelsea, but he is yet to receive a single international call-up. His place was taken by Ryan Bertrand - who had made just two Premier League starts this season - and Kieron Gibbs (Arsenal), also with only two league starts to his name.

Meanwhile Mark Noble may have captained the Under 21s in a European Championship final during his younger years, but the combative midfielder has never been named in a senior squad - despite having more than 250 top flight appearances under his belt.

On this occasion Hodgson chose instead to go with Spurs' Dele Alli, who has the grand total of 12 Premier League appearances to his name, and the workmanlike (former Liverpool midfielder) Jonjo Shelvey instead of giving West Ham' captain the chance he craves.

Elsewhere the likes of James Tomkins and Carl Jenkinson may have been part of a strong Hammers defence but they too were overlooked in favour of players such as Kyle Walker (Spurs), Nat Clyne (Liverpool) and Phil Jones (Man Utd) - the latter of whom can't get in his club side on a regular basis, but is still deemed good enough to represent his country.

And even though West Ham destroyed Liverpool 3-0 at Anfield a few weeks ago, three of the players featuring for the losing team that day started in Hodgson's latest England team - the aforementioned Clyne plus Adam Lallana and James Milner.

Unfortunately the current manager has fallen into the same trap as his predecessors, favouring the selection of players from the league's wealthiest clubs. Of England's starting XI on Friday night, only two players came from clubs outside the established top five or six - Ross Barkley of Everton and Ryan Bertrand of Southampton (who moved from Chelsea in the summer).

That said, many Hammers fans are only too happy to see Slaven Bilic's players ignored once again.

For it wasn't so long ago that Dean Ashton's career was prematurely ended by a Shaun Wright-Phillips tackle during an England training session - and the reliable Rob Green dubbed as a dodgy 'keeper for making one (admittedly glaring) mistake against the USA in the 2010 World Cup Finals.


18 October

In Italy, contrary to the rest of Western civilisation, the number 13 is widely considered to be lucky. The expression 'fare tredici' - which loosely translates as 'to 13' - also means 'to hit the jackpot', which many West Ham fans could be excused for thinking they had after Slaven Bilic's side secured a fourth away win of the season at Selhurst Park on Saturday.

Those four wins at Crystal Palace, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City - added to the draw secured at Sunderland the week before - mean that Bilic's side have collected 13 points from a possible 15 away from home so far this season, scoring 12 goals and conceding just four.

So it's fair to say that few Hammers will be suffering from triskaidekaphobia right now!

Key to this stunning start to the campaign is the pace and power West Ham employ on the counter. With players such as Dimitri Payet and "our itsy-bitsy teeny-weeny little Argentine Lanzini" (that particular gem courtesy of the KUMB Forum's 'thejackhammer'), the Irons have the firepower to threaten any defence in the country - as has been illustrated to devastating effect already.

Importantly, all areas of the team are chipping in with goals too. Right-back Carl Jenkinson scored his second in successive matches yesterday, whilst the two aforementioned midfielders both scored late on to secure all three points against Palace's ten men - Payet's being an exquisite finish, drawing the 'keeper in before coolly lifting the ball over him into an empty net.

It's fair to say that Slaven and his squad have got the hang of playing away from home; the key now is to translate those performances to the Boleyn Ground, where West Ham's form has been patchy at best. Just four points from four games, including defeats to Leicester City and Bournemouth is almost relegation form - which must be incredibly frustrating for the manager and his staff.

The next chance to resolve that particular shortcoming is next weekend, when Chelsea are the visitors. Much has been made of their poor start to the season, yet Jose Mourinho's team are still a formidable opponent and it should prove to be a thoroughly engaging London derby.

Until then, Hammers fans can enjoy looking down at the rest of the Premier League from a lofty fourth place - which, interestingly perhaps, is exactly where they were at this same stage last season (albeit with one point less).

Post-Christmas the wheels fell off for Sam Allardyce – now embroiled in a relegation battle at Sunderland - and whilst the same could yet happen to Bilic, there seems to be considerably more confidence amongst the fanbase that that particular slump will not be repeated.

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West Ham eye (another) Lyon star
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 7th June 2016
By: Staff Writer

West Ham have been linked with yet another star of the Lyon side that finished runners-up in last season's Ligue 1. Following speculation linking Lyon stars Alexandre Lacazette, Samuel Umtiti, Henri Bedimo and Rachid Ghezzal with moves to east London, attacking midfielder Nabil Fekir has mow been suggested as a possible target. A tabloid reports this morning that West Ham are prepared to offer up to €25million to land the 22-year-old, who made his debut for Didier Deschamps' France in March 2015 but missed much of last season with a cruciate injury. Despite being sidelined between September and April having sustained the injury during a 1-0 win against Portugal, the young forward - who made his first team debut for Lyon in 2013 and who can also count French champions PSG amongst his list of admirers - ended the season as an integral part of Bruno Génésio's side. Prior to sustaining the injury Fekir had begun the 2015/16 campaign in superb fashion, scoring four times in his opening four games of the season including a hat-trick against Caen back in August.

* West Ham are still being considered as one of the favourites to sign Nice's out-of-contract winger Jeremy Pied. The 27-year-old has also been linked with a move to Saint Etienne, Bordeaux and Sunderland in recent weeks.

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Bilic meets Modric
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 7th June 2016
By: Staff Writer

Slaven Bilic met up with his favourite player again last night - to hand over his fourth consecutive Croatian Player of the Year award. Real Madrid star Luka Modric was handed the award by West Ham manager Bilic during the ceremony, which was staged in Zagreb. But despite being linked with a string of his fellow countrymen in recent weeks and months, the Hammers boss is unlikely to be able to persuade the 30-year-old - who he has often cited as one of his favourite players - to leave the Bernabeu Stadium for the Olympic Stadium.
Currently valued at close to €40million by Transfer Markt, Modric thanked all those who had voted for him. "I can only express my gratitude to all my Croatian colleagues and coaches who awarded me this prestigious award again," he said. "But if the award went to Ivan Rakitic or Ivan Perisic, who were both nominated, it would be fully deserved, because they both had a great season too."
The award for Young Croatian Player of the Year (under 21s) went to Ante Coric, who is currently being linked with a move to West Ham. "I thank everyone for the award," said Coric during his acceptance speech. "I debuted for the national team [last season] and I am very happy because of that. Now all I am thinking of is Dinamo and the Euros in France."

The full list of winners from last night's awards was as follows:
Player of the Year – Luka Modric (Real Madrid)
League Player of the Year – Marko Pjaca (Dinamo Zagreb)
Young Player of the Year – Marko Pjaca (Dinamo Zagreb)
Goalkeeper of the Year – Lovre Kalinic (Hajduk Split)
Coach of the Year – Zoran Mamic (Dinamo Zagreb)
Referee of the Year – Bruno Maric
Spirit of Football Award – Davor Vugrinec
First Division Team of the Year –Livakovic, Tomecak, Leškovic, Mitrovic, Leovac, Ademi, Pavicic, Coric, Pjaca, Henriquez, Radonjic

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Goodbye, Joey
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 7th June 2016
By: Staff Writer

Joey O'Brien will leave West Ham at the end of the month, it has been confirmed. The popular full back signed for West Ham in August 2011 as part of Sam Allardyce's Championship revamp and went on to make 105 appearances in a West Ham shirt, scoring three goals. However he featured on just seven occasions in his final season at the club, five of which came in the early rounds of the Europa League (and the other two against Liverpool in the FA Cup). O'Brien receives KUMB's 2013/14 Most Memorable Match award on behalf of the team
Also departing the club having failed to be offered a new contract are Elliot Lee, Leo Chambers, Amos Nasha, Nathan Mavila and striker Jordan Brown, who has already agreed to join 2. Bundesliga outfit Hannover. Meanwhile Academy members Tim Brown, Clark Bogard and Ross Elsom have also left the club following the completion of their scholarships.

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Gignac praises Payet ahead of Euro 16 opener
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 7th June 2016
By: Staff Writer

French striker and former West Ham transfer target Andre-Pierre Gignac has been speaking in praise of his international team mate, Dimitri Payet. Gignac, who was on United's radar last summer and during the winter transfer window lauded Payet for an exceptional season in the Premier League, when he became a firm favourite with Hammers fans. Talking about Payet's strengths in an interview with Le Figaro, Gignac said: "His foresight in the game, his performance at set pieces, the assists and goals with direct kicks - he brought it all. "If he continues like this, he could take us far [in Euro 16]. Dimitri has been very efficient. I know a little more than some as I knew him for two years at Marseille when he provided me with a lot! "When you have great technically gifted players like Antoine [Griezmann], Dimitri or Paul [Pogba] behind you, it makes it a little easier."
And in terms of France's chances of winning Euro 16, which commences later this week, Gignac added: "The last two occasions that France organized a tournament we won, so we are favourites. "It will depend on small details between the great teams which are Spain - who have incredible players, Germany and France. But I have a feeling France will win."

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West Ham confirm Joey O'Brien will depart the club this summer
By PA Sport
Last Updated: 07/06/16 5:42pm
SSN

West Ham have confirmed defender Joey O'Brien will leave the club after five years when his contract expires at the end of June.

The Irons issued their retained list on Tuesday, with Alex Song set to return to his parent club Barcelona following the end of his season-long loan spell, while winger Victor Moses goes back to Chelsea and Emmanuel Emenike to Fenerbahce.

O'Brien, 30, joined West Ham on a free transfer from Bolton in June 2011, helping the east London club win promotion back to the Premier League via the 2012 Championship play-off final at Wembley.

However, last season the Republic of Ireland full-back made just seven first-team appearances, five of those coming in the Europa League qualifiers and two in the FA Cup, taking his total tally to 105 with three goals.

West Ham also revealed 21-year-old striker Elliot Lee, who had a loan spell at Colchester last season, is one of several youngsters who will be released as manager Slaven Bilic prepares his squad for life at the Olympic Stadium.

The Hammers brought in Norway international Havard Nordtveit earlier in the summer, but have seen reported interest in Carlos Bacca, Alexandre Lacazette and Callum Wilson fail to materialise.

However, co-chairman David Sullivan confirmed earlier this week that five bids have been tabled for new players as the club aims for signings with "good value" in a "potty" market, having been apparently priced out of any interest in Leicester striker Jamie Vardy.

Out-of-contract Nice winger Jeremy Pied is said to be one reported target along with Lacazette's Lyon strike partner Nabil Fekir.

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Irons security boss leads redundancy exit
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 7, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

West Ham have made a round of redundancies as part of the re-location from the Boleyn Ground to the Olympic Stadium.

The Hammers will no longer be responsible for stadium maintenance and safety, pitch maintenance, stewarding or security at their new home.

And Claret and Hugh understand a number of staff in those areas have been under going redundancy consultations.

One of the highest profile personalities to leave is West Ham's Head of Security, Simon Sutton but there are several others. When we contacted Mr Sutton on social media he confirmed "I am being made redundant as of the 30th June"

In an addition to the downsizing the number of West Ham permanent, part-time and temporary staff, catering and hotel staff employed by Elior UK will also lose their jobs at the Boleyn Ground as their contract has ended.

West Ham reported a total of 609 staff in their 2015 financial accounts of which 100 are playing staff and coaches and 373 were part-time, most likely match day staff. This is likely to drastically reduce when the 2016/2017 accounts are released in 2018.

Claret and Hugh recently revealed that 138 stewards from West Ham are registered to work over at the new Stadium, 53 of whom are already working at the new Stadium but many more have decided not to apply after being told they could be manning lifts or directing crowds through Westfield shopping centre.

West Ham Vice Chairman, Karren Brady was recently quoted as saying "Our presence will also create more than 700 jobs" but many of these jobs will be working for Stewarding company OCS, French stadium operators, London Stadium 185 or US catering company Delaware North.

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West Ham release a dozen players
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 7, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

West Ham United have issued the Club's official retained List of players at the end of the 2015/16 season. As expected, Joey O'Brien will be released when his contract expires on 30th June after five years as a loyal Hammer. The full-back joined on a free transfer in summer 2011 under former manager Sam Allardyce. The following season, 2012/13, he made 33 Premier League appearances. 30-year-old O'Brien earned a recall to the Republic of Ireland senior squad in 2012 and went on to make 105 first-team appearances in Claret and Blue, scoring three goals.
Loanees Victor Moses, Emmanuel Emenike and Alex Song will also return to their parent clubs at the end of their season-long loan deals. Young Academy professionals Elliot Lee, Leo Chambers, Amos Nasha, Nathan Mavila and Jordan Brown will also depart the Boleyn Ground after not being offered new contracts. Hammer Scholars Tim Brown, 19, and Clark Bogard and Ross Elsom, both 18, have also been released.

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Irons monitor Reds midfielder
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 7, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

West Ham are monitoring Juan Mata's position following Jose Mourinho's arrival at Manchester United. The former Chesea boss axed the midfielder when he was at Stamfrd Bridge and is being widely tipped to do so again since arriving at Old Tafford. ClaretandHugh reported yesterday that West Ham were aware that a top Euro 2016 Finals from Dimi Payet could bring offers from the world's major clubs. Regardless of that however, we understand that West Ham are indeed watching the Spaniard with a souce explaining: "He is a very good player who would interest us were he to become available."
Meanwhile, the Hammers have a price tag of between £50m – £60 m on Payet and our source repeated this morning: "There is absolutely no intention of doing anything other than ensuring as far as we can that Dimi stays at this club. "We are confident he will be playing his football at the Olympic Stadium next season. He's on a fabulous deal and there have been no offers or enquiries for him or any other player at West Ham United."

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Sakho saga takes new twist
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 7, 2016 in News
C and H

West Ham will only listen to offerf for Diafra Sakho should they start at around the £15 million mark. And with the club also being ready to allow Enner Valencia to move on they could be looking for two strikers this summer rather than the one. Sakho is highly regarded by Slaven Bilic but the manager is aware of posible offers and could allow the Senegal striker to move on if the bidding starts at £15 milion. Thus far contact has only been made through agents but it would be no surprise were one or two to take on real substance over the summer. There have been no 'firm' inquiries for any Hammers player according to ClaretandHugh sources but bids will also be entertained for Valencia. We were told: "Nobody will leave until we have what we consider better replacements but it's realistic to assume that the pack will be shaken up this summer." David Sullivan admitted on the official club site yesterday: "We're working 24 hours a day, seven days a week and with five bids in for players at the moment, we are hopeful that we can bring you some exciting news soon."

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Hammers linked to the next Van Nistelrooy
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 7, 2016 in News, Whispers
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Dutch striker Vicent Janssen, who has been likened to Ruud van Nistelrooy Alkmaarhas been linked to the Hammers and part of our ever increasing potential striker list. The 21 year old enjoyed a prolific season for AZ Alkmaar, scoring 27 goals in 34 appearances for the Dutch side. He also forced his way into the Dutch national set-up, and those performances have apparently alerted a number of Premier League clubs including West Ham, Manchester United, Liverpool, Spurs and Arsenal. He formerly played in the Feyenoord youth team, winning the national title in 2013, and for the Eerste Divisie team Almere City. In 2015 he moved to Eredivisie side AZ Alkmaar. Following Holland's 2-0 win over Austria he told Dutch outlet Fox Sports: "I want to make a step, that is clear. But there is no white smoke just now. England? We will see. Maybe something will happen in the holidays. I will take my phone with me anyway."

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Hammers Nice Striker Plea
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 7, 2016 in News, Whispers
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According to French Media West Ham are reportedly weighing up a move for Ligue 1 striker Alassane Plea. French newspaper Le10Sport claims the Hammers are tracking the 23-year-old who scored twice in the first three games for Nice. Despite having ruptured cruciate ligament which ruled him out of action for four months, the French player managed six goals and four assists in 19 appearances. He can also play on the wing. French newspaper L'Équipe makes a similar claim saying both Villarreal and West Ham are interested in securing the services of the OGC Nice striker. He has a €40m (£31m) release clause and a contract that currently runs until 2019. Pléa holds dual Malian and French nationality; he's been a French youth international. Last month, Plea struck twice as Nice finished in fourth place in Ligue 1 with a 3-2 victory over Guingamp at the Stade du Roudourou to book his team's place in the Europa League next season. One Villarreal blog says "No way we would pay anywhere close to that–I suspect €8m plus variables would be as high as we would go, maybe?"

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West Ham transfer news: Slaven Bilic targeting £10m deal for Croatian starlet Ante Coric
By talkSPORT - @talkSPORT
Tuesday, June 7, 2016

West Ham have made a bid for Dinamo Zagreb wonderkid Ante Coric, according to reports in his native Croatia. The 19-year-old has already made 52 appearances in his country's top flight and is the only teenager to have been included in Croatia's Euro 2016 squad. According to Vecernji List, Slaven Bilic has now launched an ambitious move to lure his compatriot to east London ahead of the finals. It has been suggested that Zagreb will hold out until after the Euros in the hope that his value will grow should he make a good impression in France. Inter Milan and Benfica have both been credited with an interest in Coric but the Hammers are hoping to jump straight to the front of the queue with an offer reported to be worth around £10m. It has been suggested that the Zagreb-born starlet may favour a switch to West Ham so he can work under Bilic but also because of their history of giving young players a chance.

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