Daily WHUFC News - 1st May 2016

WBA 0-3 West Ham United
WHUFC.com

West Bromwich Albion 0-3 West Ham United
Barclays Premier League

West Ham United kept their bid for European qualification on track with a
comprehensive 3-0 victory at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday. A second
double in successive games from Mark Noble added to Cheikhou Kouyate's
header and ensured the Hammers would break a Club record for most Premier
League points gained in a season. They had to weather a spell of early West
Brom pressure, but once Kouyate converted Dimitri Payet's cross with 34
minutes played, there was only one winner. Noble soon doubled the advantage,
and then sealed the three points with a fine volley near the end.
The Hammers were unchanged from their victory over Watford elven days
previously, but it was the Baggies who had the first chance to strike when
17-year-old full debutant Jonathan Leko got in down the right hand side. He
cut back to Craig Gardner, whose shot towards the far post was blocked on
the line by Angelo Ogbonna. The ball rebounded to Gardner, and his second
effort found the foot of Adrian. It was a huge let-off for the Hammers, and
with 12 minutes on the clock Gardner went desperately close again when his
curler towards the left-hand corner was flicked behind by Adrian's
outstretched hand. All the early chances were falling to Gardner, and midway
through the opening period he directed a header wide of the near post after
Adrian was forced to beat a dangerous Leko cross away. West Ham's threat in
the opening exchanges was sporadic, but Cheikhou Kouyate was only inches
away from connecting with Aaron Cresswell's low cross when any touch would
surely have resulted in a goal. With 34 minutes on the clock there was no
stopping Kouyate, however, as the Hammers moved into the lead. West Brom
managed to get a Payet corner clear, but the danger was not over as Winston
Reid won possession back, sending the ball spinning to the Frenchman, who
took a touch, looked up and crossed for Kouyate to guide a header home. It
got even better for the visitors on the stroke of half time as Kouyate
turned provider, streaking clear down the left to knock square for Noble,
who rolled past a helpless Ben Foster.

At 2-0 the Hammers were in a commanding position at the break, and it
remained that way when, just two minutes after entering the fray as a
substiture, Saido Berahino fired just wide of Adrian's right hand post from
15 yards. A goal at that point, just after the hour, would have given the
Baggies real hope, but that hope was looking even more forlorn when Sandro
also shot off target. Then, with eleven minutes left to play, the Hammmers
sealed victory with a goal of the highest quality. Payet got the move
started, running from midfield before feeding Andy Carroll in the left
channel. His cross was directed to the far post, when Noble was waiting to
thump a volley home.

West Bromwich Albion: Foster; Dawson, McAuley, Olsson, Evans; Yacob (Sandro
61), Fletcher; Leko, Gardner (Sessegnon 77), McClean (Berahino 61); Rondon
Subs: Myhill (GK), Chester, Lambert, Roberts

West Ham United: Adrian; Antonio, Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Lanzini (Oxford
87), Noble, Kouyate, Payet (Moses 81); Carroll, Sakho (Emenike 66)
Subs: Randolph (GK), Tomkins, Collins, Moses, Byram
Goals: Kouyate 34, Noble 45+2, 79

Referee: Lee Mason

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Bilic - It's great to win in style
WHUFC.com

Slaven Bilic was delighted with the application of his team after they
overcame a sticky first 25 minutes to convincingly defeat West Bromwich
Albion on Saturday. The Hammers withstood a spell of early pressure before
putting their stamp on the game and easing away from their opponents with a
Cheikhou Kouyate header and Mark Noble's double. The 3-0 victory took West
Ham to 59 points - already the most they have ever achieved in a Premier
League season - and left the boss proud of their afternoon's efforts. He
beamed: "It is a great performance to come here and win, anyhow, but to do
it in style like we did on Saturday makes us pleased and proud, "We did the
job. We weren't in the game the way we wanted to be in the first 20 minutes
and you have to give them credit - they are a physical side who can become
dangerous with men in the box. "We were second best and were on the back
foot. It wasn't good [at that stage], but we defended well and after 25
minutes we began to play the way we wanted to from the start. "The goals
helped, but it was not only the goals - the way we played with and without
the ball; was quite magnificent in some moments, so all credit to the boys
and with three games to go we are very confident and very hungry to finish
on a high."

The goals may have come from a less likely source in the form of Kouyate and
Noble, but Bilic explained that was a marker of a quality performance. He
explained: "When you have two of your holding midfielders scoring the three
goals it shows you are playing good football.
"They weren't set play goals either, they were there because we kept the
composure, we kept the ball until they came to the box. The opponents were
more and more occupied with Andy or Sakho, so we gave them a little more of
a gap for them to come. They came and the delivery was really good. "It's
great for Cheikhou, he had an excellent game, and of course for Mark his
whole season has been exceptional. He is a real skipper, a real leader of
the team, not only in the games but in every training session too. It's a
great privilege for me to have him."

This West Ham team might already have created history, but there is no time
to reflect with three massive games still ahead and Bilic says there is
plenty to play for. "There are still nine points to play for and we are not
big headed, but we have to say now that the realistic target for us is a
European spot," he added. "It's going to be hard because there are still a
few teams who want the same and the gap is not big. "All we can do is
prepare ourselves for the next game and try to beat Swansea, then the next
one and the next one. "We are going to do everything we can."

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Noble - We don't want the season to end
WHUFC.com

Mark Noble was at the double again as West Ham United set a Barclays Premier
League single-season points record with a 3-0 win at West Bromwich Albion.
Slaven Bilic's side made it ten top-flight games unbeaten to go above
Manchester United into fifth place on 59 points - two more than Harry
Redknapp's squad achieved in finishing fifth in 1998/99. On Saturday, the
Hammers recovered from a slow start - during which they were indebted to
Adrian for two fine saves from Craig Gardner - to go ahead when Cheikhou
Kouyate expertly headed in Dimitri Payet's cross after Winston Reid had won
back possession with a thunderous tackle. The skipper then scored twice,
prodding in West Ham's second on the stroke of half-time before completing
the victory with a thumping volley from Andy Carroll's left-wing cross
eleven minutes from the end. "We didn't start well, to be honest, and West
Brom had a few chances, but then we got into our rhythm and Cheik scored a
great goal with a header and I managed to get one just before half-time and
that settled the nerves a little bit," said the No16. "We managed to get a
clean sheet and another three points, which is nice! "I'm obviously just
enjoying my football at the minute. I got two penalties last week and two
more today, which is always nice from open play as I don't get many from
open play! I'm just enjoying it. "There's three games left and we don't want
the season to finish, to be honest."

Having started the 2015/16 season campaign with the singular aim of avoiding
a relegation battle in the final campaign at the Boleyn Ground, the captain
now doesn't want it to end! Having lost just six of their 35 Premier League
matches, West Ham will also smash the previous record low of 13 defeats set
in 1998/99 and 1999/00. We've put ourselves under pressure now for next
season!" Noble, who now has a career-best seven Premier League goals to his
name this term, smiled. "We've used the whole squad when we've needed to and
we've just gelled this year. "Especially in the second half, that was a
really encouraging performance from us. That's back-to-back wins and another
two home games to come. "I think we feel confident every time we play. We've
got good players. Obviously Dimi, for our third goal, made an incredible run
and laid Andy in and he put in a great ball to the back stick and I managed
to get the third. That's the sort of players we've got at the minute and
times are looking up for us."

So, with three games to go, starting with home matches with Swansea City and
Manchester United and ending with a trip to mid-table Stoke City, can the
Hammers somehow end a fairytale campaign by gate-crashing the top four?
"We're just going to keep trying to win games," he concluded. "We've got
Swansea next weekend and then the farewell Boleyn game against Manchester
United and then a trip to Stoke. "The way we're playing at the minute, we
feel confident against anyone. Don't get me wrong, this West Brom team were
great against Tottenham in the week and we had to work hard for our win."

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Ballots completed for final two games
WHUFC.com

The ballots for tickets for the final two games at the Boleyn Ground have
been completed.

All successful applicants for the matches against Swansea City and
Manchester United have been informed by email, with applications from
Academy and Youth Academy Members exceeding the number of available tickets.

In the event an email has not been received or has been blocked by spam
filters, please log in to your account at whufcboxoffice.com, where your
purchase details will confirm success or seat details.

All successful applicants will have their Membership Access Card activated
as standard.

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West Bromwich Albion 0-3 West Ham United
By Caroline Chapman
BBC Sport

Mark Noble scored twice as West Ham eased past West Brom to reclaim fifth
place in the Premier League table. The hosts had the best opportunities in
the opening 15 minutes, but the Hammers soon took control. Cheikhou
Kouyate's header opened the scoring and the midfielder then set up Mark
Noble, whose scuffed effort made it 2-0 before the break. And Noble grabbed
a second - his fourth goal in two games - when he volleyed home from Andy
Carroll's ball in. The Hammers, now unbeaten in 10 league matches, leapfrog
Manchester United, who play leaders Leicester on Sunday. And they have now
reached their highest ever points haul in the Premier League with 59. But
the result leaves Tony Pulis' Baggies without a win in seven games.

Pivotal Payet

West Ham have not lost a league game since their 1-0 defeat by Southampton
in February and they look well set for a top-six finish - and a Europa
League place. Against a poor West Brom side, Dimitri Payet was impressive
once again for the Hammers and he played a big part in two of the three
goals. The Frenchman had just switched to the right wing when he collected
the ball and sent in an accurate cross for Kouyate to head in on 34 minutes.
Kouyate then turned provider when he raced forward unopposed and fed Noble,
who managed to poke past Ben Foster on the stroke of half-time. And it was
Payet's weaving run which led to West Ham's third. The 29-year-old found
Carroll out on the left, and the England striker's looping ball over the top
was drilled in with force by Noble.

Leko: born in 1999

With West Brom's top-flight status all-but secure, Pulis handed a starting
berth to 17-year-old Jonathan Leko - and he became the first player born in
1999 to start a Premier League match. The young winger made an immediate
impact, too, as he glided through the West Brom defence and supplied Craig
Gardner, who saw two efforts kept out. Leko then tricked his way forward
again, but Gardner could only head wide of the target.
As the teenager's impact faded, and the Hammers took the lead, West Brom
rarely looked a threat. Striker Salomon Rondon had only four touches in the
box all game, and their best effort in the second half was sent wide of the
post by substitute Saido Berahino.

Man of the match - Dimitri Payet
Dimitri Payet
He did not manage to get on the scoresheet but Dimitri Payet made two
assists and provided a game-high eight crosses for West Ham

What the managers said

West Brom manager Tony Pulis: "I thought we dominated the first 25 minutes
but we had to take chances. You know they're going to get opportunities, and
we've not had the breaks. "We went 2-0 down when they had three shots. They
had four shots, three goals. We had five or six opportunities and we've not
scored. "We've got a lot of talent in the academy and Jonathan [Leko] has
got raw talent. He needs to be out playing against men. Under-21 football
isn't enough. We have to get these kids out. He's got unbelievable talent."

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic: "We totally deserved it. They are physical
and organised. They have a good home record against big teams and they were
better in the first 25 minutes. We were on the back foot but then we started
to stretch them. "The goals helped - the first and second before the break.
We scored magnificent goals from open play and it's a great win."

The stats you need to know

Dimitri Payet is the fourth West Ham player to assist 10 goals in a Premier
League season, following Matt Holmes (10, 1993-94), Eyal Berkovic (10 in
1997-98 and 11 in 1998-99) and Paolo di Canio (13 in 1999-2000).
Only Southampton (14) have scored more headed goals than the Hammers (13) in
the Premier League this season.
Mark Noble has scored more Premier League goals this season (seven) than in
his previous two seasons combined (five).
Noble has scored four goals in his last two Premier League games, as many as
he managed in his previous 57.
What next?

West Ham face Swansea at home on 7 May, while West Brom travel to
Bournemouth on the same day.

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Noble: I don't want this season to finish
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 30th April 2016
By: Staff Writer

Two-goal hero Mark Noble says he is enjoying every minute of playing for
West Ham - and wishes the 2015/16 season could carry on indefinitely.

And Noble, whose brace helped Slaven Bilic's side to a 3-0 win against West
Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns this afternoon - predicted a bright future
for the Hammers who looked a class above the Baggies.

"We didn't start that well and West Brom had a few chances, but then we got
into our rhythm," said Noble, speaking after the game. "Cheikhou scored a
great goal, a header, and I just managed to get one befopre the end of the
half which settles the nerves a little bit.
"Then we managed to get three goals and a clean sheet; it was nice.

"I'm just enjoying my football," he added. "Two penalties last week and
another two today from open play which is nice, as I don't get many from
open play! So I'm just enjoying it at the minute. There's only three games
left and I don't want this season to finish."

The win moves West Ham above Manchester United on goal difference into fifth
spot in the Premier League, albeit having played a game more. Yet Noble
believes he is part of a squad that can continue to break records.

"We've got good players," he insisted. "DImi, for my second goal today,
makes an incredible run and lays Andy in. Andy played a great ball to the
back stick from where I managed to get the third and seal it.

"They're the sort of players we've got at the moment; we can take Manuel
Lanzini off and we've got Victor Moses and Emenike. Don't forget we've still
got Big Ginge and James Tomkins on the bench. So things are looking up for
us.

"We've used the whole squad, we've needed to and we've just gelled this
year. Today, especially the second half was really encouraging for us.
That's back-to-back wins now with another home game to come."

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West Brom 0-3 West Ham: Hammers stay on course for European qualification
By Oliver Yew
Last Updated: 30/04/16 6:11pm
SSN

Mark Noble scored twice as West Ham continued their push for European
football next season with a comfortable 3-0 Premier League win at West Brom
on Saturday. West Brom started the brighter of the two sides but they were
made to pay for missed chances when Cheikhou Kouyate headed Dimitri Payet's
inch-perfect cross past Ben Foster in the 34th minute. The visitors doubled
their advantage in injury time of the first half as Kouyate's pass found
Noble in the penalty area and the Hammers skipper showed good composure to
find the far corner with his right-footed shot. After the break, West Ham
extended their advantage and it was Noble again, volleying Andy Carroll's
cross into the roof of the net to score his fourth goal in two games.
Victory moves Slaven Bilic's side, who are unbeaten in 10 matches the
league, above Manchester United into fifth, but Louis van Gaal's side will
reclaim fifth spot if they avoid defeat against title-chasing Leicester on
Super Sunday.

West Brom handed a first Premier League start to Jonathan Leko, who became
the first player born in 1999 to start a top-flight game. The 17-year-old
made an early impact, bursting past Aaron Cresswell before pulling the ball
back for Craig Gardner, whose first-time effort was blocked by Winston Reid.
The midfielder latched onto the rebound but was denied again, this time by a
smart save from Adrian. West Brom had the better of the opening exchanges
and in the 14th minute they created another opening for Gardner, who curled
a shot towards the far corner. The ball looked destined for the back of the
net until Michail Antonio intervened to deflect the ball wide. Leko was
again in involved in the 23rd minute, leaving Cresswell behind again before
firing a dangerous, low cross in the penalty area, forcing Adrian into a
block at his near post. The ball fell to Gardner but this time he failed to
hit the target, heading wide at the back post. And Tony Pulis' side were
made to pay for their missed chances in the 34th minute as the ball broke to
Payet on the right flank after Reid's tackle, and the France international
picked out the perfect cross to find Kouyate, who headed the ball back
across goal and into the bottom corner. Their lead was extended in added
time and Kouyate was involved again, racing into the area to tee up Noble,
who survived a poor first touch to stab the ball into the corner.

Pulis attempted to turn things around with Saido Berahino and Sandro
replacing James McClean and Claudio Yacob, but the hosts continued to miss
chances. Salomon Rondon's weak header was easily gathered by Adrian, before
Berahino missed a glorious chance on 64 minutes after being teed up by his
strike partner. Berahino had been on the pitch for less than 90 seconds when
Rondon cushioned a cross into his path, but he could only drag his effort
wide from 15 yards. Fellow substitute Sandro shot wide but West Ham wrapped
up the victory with 11 minutes remaining when Noble scored his second. Payet
ran at the heart of the West Brom defence before releasing Carroll to cross
for Noble, who adjusted his body to smash a 10-yard volley into the roof of
the net to ensure West Ham continue their charge towards European
qualification next season.

Soccer Saturday verdict - Phil Thompson

I think 3-0 was maybe a bit harsh on West Brom. In the first 25 minutes it
was all West Brom and West Ham couldn't get into the game. Young Jonathan
Leko - remember his name - was giving Aaron Cresswell an absolute nightmare.
But in the end it was a very, very good win.

Player ratings

West Brom: Foster (6), Olsson (6), Yacob (6), Evans (6), Gardner (7),
McClean (6), McAuley (6), Fletcher (6), Dawson (6), Rondon (6), Leko (7).
Subs: Berahino (6), Sessegnon (6), Sandro (6).

West Ham: Adrian (7), Antonio (7), Reid (7), Ogbonna (7), Cresswell (7),
Kouyate (8), Noble (9), Sakho (7), Lanzini (7), Payet (7), Carroll (7).
Subs: Moses (6), Emenike (6), Oxford (6).

Man of the Match: Mark Noble

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Mark Noble most important player for West Ham, says Slaven Bilic
By Oliver Yew
Last Updated: 30/04/16 8:31pm
SSN

Slaven Bilic hailed Mark Noble as his side's most important player after his
two goals helped West Ham to a 2-0 victory at West Brom. The Hammers captain
scored either side of half-time after Cheikhou Kouyate opened the scoring as
the they moved above Manchester United into fifth spot in the Premier
League. "He [Noble] is our most important player," Bilic told Sky Sports.
"He's the captain. He loves it and he's a West Ham boy.
"Nowadays, with players moving a lot, you get the captains that become the
leaders after just one season at the club because they are the best players,
but Mark is the real captain of our team. "It's great for me because he is
the coach on the pitch and not only is he a great captain, he's a great
player as well." With three games left to play Europa League qualification
is now in West Ham's hands and there is an outside chance of reaching the
Champions League, if Arsenal and Manchester City slip up. And Bilic is
confident his side will be playing European football at the Olympic Stadium
next season. "There are three games to go and we are in a good position"
Bilic said. "We are still in a position where we can catch maybe one team.
"It's still very open with Manchester United but with Arsenal and Manchester
City it's not very likely. "Our target to qualify for Europe is now
realistic and all we can do is go game-by-game," he added. "We need to try
to get something out of every game because it's all in our hands. "We have
three games left, two at home. One of them is Manchester United in the last
game ever to be played at our stadium. It's magnificent. It's going to be a
great occasion and we have a full squad back. "We are confident and we can't
wait for the next game."

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West Brom 0-3 West Ham: Mark Noble doubles up as Irons punish sleepy hosts -
5 things we learned
17:11, 30 APR 2016 UPDATED 17:12, 30 APR 2016
BY JAMES NURSEY
The central midfielder continued his fine recent form, netting a brace in a
commanding win for Slaven Bilic's side
The Mirror

West Ham breathed fresh impetus into their bid for Europa League
qualification with a comfortable victory at West Brom as captain Mark Noble
bagged a fine brace. First half goals from Cheikhou Kouyate and midfielder
Noble put Slaven Bilic's side in the driving seat after weathering a bright
Albion start. Kouyate headed in Dimitri Payet's cross in the 34th minute to
open the scoring. Then Noble poked the ball in from Kouyate's rapid break
and cross in first half stoppage time. Albion gave a debut to 17-year-old
Jonathan Leko but were booed off by fans at the break.
The Hammers made it 3-0 late on when Noble volleyed in Andy Carroll's cross
for a fine goal in front of the delighted away fans who sang: "Noble for
England".

Here are five things we learned:

1. Jonathan Leko has a bright future
The England U17 striker made his full debut and looked lively from the off.
Albion fans were soon singing: "Jonathan Leko he is one of our own." On this
evidence, the enigmatic Saido Berahino , who started on the bench, will soon
be surplus to requirements and not worth the hassle compared to Leko, aged
17 and six days.

2. Antonio continues to impress in defence
The winger has been used at right-back since thriving at Blackburn in the FA
Cup as an emergency defender in early February. He made two vital goalline
clearances early on here as Albion started strongly.

3. Slaven Bilic is more sporting these days
Who can forget Slaven Bilic's play-acting for Croatia at the 1998 World Cup
when he shamelessly got Laurent Blanc sent off. These days he kindly urged
his side to put the ball out of play when breaking at 1-0 with youngster
Leko down injured.

4. Carroll looking sharp
The striker didn't manage to add to his recent six goals in his last six
games but the fit-again targetman was a constant threat for Albion's defence
as he occupied them and teed up Noble to make it 3-0.

5. Payet's hot form continues
Payet's assist for the visitors' opener means he has now contributed
directly to 19 of the Hammers' 59 Premier League goals with nine goals and
10 assists.

Player ratings
West Brom

Foster 6 - Hammers' clinical finishing gave him little chance
Dawson 6 - Caught out of position for the visitors' second
McAuley 6 - Not a good day for the Albion defence
Olsson 6 - Andy Carroll won their personal duel
Evans 6 - Former Manchester United ace wasted at left-back
Leko 7 - The talented teenager showed real promise
Fletcher 6 - Albion overrun in midfield by the Hammers
Yacob 6 - Subbed as Albion chased the game after the break
McClean 6 - Also hauled off early in the second half
Gardner 6 - Unlucky not to score early on with several decent efforts
Rondon 5 - Poor game isolated upfront on his own
Subs : Berahino 6 (McClean 61), Sandro 6 (Yacob 62), Sessegnon 6 (Gardner
78)


West Ham

Adrian 7 - Kept a clean sheet and punched well at set pieces
Antonio 7 - The winger continues to impress as an attacking right-back
Reid 8 - Commanding performance at the back from the New Zealander
Ogbonna 7 - Solid display in defence by the stopper
Cresswell 7 - Good shift at left-back from the defender
Payet 7 - The Hammers' dangerman delivered inch-perfect cross for the opener
Kouyate 8 - Scored one and made one in the first half
Noble 9 (MOTM) - An impressive brace to leave fans urging England call up
Lanzini 7 - Efficient display in the Hammers' engine room
Sakho 7 - Carried a threat on the break with his pace
Carroll 8 - Led line well and crossed for Noble to make it 3-0
Subs : Emenike 6 (Sakho 61), Moses 6 (Payet 81), Oxford 6 (Lanzini 87)

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Gold braves pouring rain to salute Irons fans
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 30, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

Co-chairman David Gold made a walk men half his age would have rejected as
he strolled around the the Hawthorns at the end of the Irons' 3-0 win over
West Bromwich Albion.

DG received an astonishing reception as he walked from his seat and - as the
rain poured down - walked the entire circumference of the pitch before
stopping in front of our supporters, applauding them and making the sign of
the crossed Hammers.

It was an incredible display of passion from a man who has made the club his
life and the fans could hardly have appreciated it more.

Among the supporters who witnessed DG's walk of pride was ClaretandHugh's
Sean Whetstone who said: "It was incredible. The moment was so special. It
was incredibly moving."

"Men of half his age wouldn't have done that but if anybody has any doubt
about his passion and love for the club they should have been here this
afternoon."

"What a man to have as our chairman - it was a fantastic moment I'll always
remember - what a remarkable bloke DG is."

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Irons sign new clutch of youngsters
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 30, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

West Ham may be on their way to the showpiece stadium of British sport as a
new home and sitting in a lofty sixth place in the Premier League but they
haven't forgotten their roots.

For last week a new clutch of highly promising youngsters were signed as the
club strengthened from the bottom up.

Co-chairman David Gold told ClaretandHugh: "I was at the training ground
when the youngsters were signed up - some as young as 16, all excited and
ready to prove themselves.

"We are all excited about the immediate future but we will continue to
plough funds into the academy and bring in the brightest prospects we can
find.

"We already have some fabulous young players knocking on the door - their
chances are increasing of breaking through and we want competition at all
levels as we aim to become a truly big club.

"It's great to see these youngsters signing up - we are developing at all
levels."

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DG claims it's all about pride not money
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 30, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

David Gold sees a Europa League campaign as a great opportunity to blood
some of the clubs best young prospects at the top level.

But first he wants another big away win at West Brom declaring: "It's always
going to be tough and competitive against a Tony Pulis side but we have to
fancy ourselves."

He said: "I've said it before but this season I fancy us in every game we
play and I'd be very disappointed to see us come away from the Midlands with
nothing and I believe we will win."

That would be the first brick in a four game wall towards achieving the
European dream and although the Champions League is now surely out of reach,
the Europa League would be more than acceptable.

The early stages of such an adventure could see the likes of Reece Oxford
and Martin Samuelsen continue their development although loan deals remain
possible for such players.

DG admitted: "It's very early to be discussing these things but it would be
wonderful to give our fans another little taste of Europe.

"It was obvious last summer how much they enjoyed those early stages and
there was real disappointment when we went out so we want to be involved.

"It would be brilliant if we could somehow reach the top four but the Europa
League would be very acceptable - we have a strong squad and we will be
bringing in more players.

It's not about money. it's about pride and a great way to start life at the
Olympic Stadium."

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