Tuesday, September 6

Daily WHUFC News - 6th September 2016

Loan round up
WHUFC.com

Due to the international break, only two Hammers were in loan action this
weekend
First, Lewis Page played for Coventry City but they were defeated in League
One by Fleetwood Town
Josh Pask was involved in Gillingham's 2-1 defeat to Sheffield United on
Sunday

As England's top two tiers enjoyed a break due to international football,
only Lewis Page and Josh Pask were in loan action this weekend in the EFL.
Neither Hammer could help their side add points to their League One tally
though, as first Page's Coventry City went down 2-0 at the hands of
Fleetwood Town. The Sky Blues travelled to Highbury Stadium following on
from their midweek 4-2 Checkatrade Trophy victory over West Ham United's
youngsters, though Page was ineligible for Tuesday's tie. Short of
confidence in the league and sitting in the relegation zone however, Tony
Mowbray's men suffered a poor second half in Lancashire to concede two goals
and three points.

Chris Long, on loan himself from Premier League Burnley, collected a long,
diagonal pass from Kyle Dempsey and, composing himself in the penalty area,
slotted coolly under the keeper to break the deadlock after 58 minutes. And
with 19 minutes remaining, the result was put beyond Page – who played the
full 90 minutes for City – and Coventry, as substitute Martyn Woolford
crashed in at the near post to make it 2-0. The west Midlands outfit next
face Millwall, who this weekend recorded a 1-1 draw with Bradford City. Josh
Cullen, though, was not involved this week for the Bantams.

On Sunday, Josh Pask's Gillingham faced Sheffield United at home live on Sky
Sports, but were cruelly beaten as the Blades stole the points in injury
time. Bradley Dack's first half free-kick put Justin Edinburgh's men in
control, but Kieron Freeman turned home from close range in the 65th minute
to spark a second half comeback. The hosts looked to have held out for the
point until, one minute into time added on, West Ham centre-back Pask
handled a cross inside the area and Billy Sharp tucked away the penalty to
seal the win for United. Pask could face one of his parent Club teammates in
Cullen next weekend as Bradford travel to Priestfield in League One.
Recently loaned out Hammers Reece Burke, Enner Valencia, Doneil Henry and
Luka Belic will wait for debuts at their respective sides Wigan Athletic,
Everton, AC Horsens and Motherwell.

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Adrian aims to seize Spain chance
WHUFC.com

Adrian is relishing every moment he spends with the Spanish national team
after earning his first call-up for La Rioja. The West Ham United goalkeeper
was rewarded for two-and-a-half seasons of consistently impressive
performances by receiving a call from new Spain manager – and fellow
goalkeeper – Julen Lopetegui. The 29-year-old has spent the past week
training alongside David de Gea, Pepe Reina and Spain's star-studded
outfield squad, and was on the bench for the 2-0 friendly win over Belgium
in Brussels on Thursday. Adrian looks set to be among the substitutes again
when Lopetegui's side kick-off their 2018 FIFA World Cup Group G qualifying
campaign against Liechtenstein in Leon on Monday evening, but the
Seville-born stopper is not in the mood to let not making his senior
international debut get him down. "I had to go abroad to find myself, and
through a lot of sacrifice and hard work, I've gotten the [national team]
call-up," he told Spanish newspaper Marca. "It is twice as hard to make it
into the national team if you play abroad, especially if you aren't playing
for one of the big clubs where there is a lot more scrutiny. "When you play
in a large club [in Spain] you have more impact. If you play abroad the
effort you need to make to be noticed is twice as big. In these three
seasons in the Premier I have been at a high level and produced some good
performances, so I was hoping that this moment would come sooner or later."

Unlike many international footballers, Adrian did not spend his formative
years playing age-group football for his country. Instead, he worked his way
steadily through the ranks at Real Betis Balompie, playing for the C and B
teams before making his first-team debut at the age of 25 in September 2012.
A year later, he was on his way to east London, and the ever-smiling
Spaniard has since become fans' favourite for his penchant for making
spectacular saves, and scoring an FA Cup shootout-winning penalty against
Everton in January 2015. "I am very pleased and happy," he confirmed. "It's
been a long journey from my debut at Betis to coming to England three years
ago. My name has always been there in the limelight and now Lopetegui has
given me the opportunity. "I want to seize it and vindicate it every minute
I have on the pitch."

When he returns to Rush Green later this week, Adrian will find the Club's
Spanish-speaking contingent has grown in his absence. The former Real Madrid
and Spain full-back and 2010 World Cup winner Alvaro Arbeloa has joined the
Hammers on a one-year contract – a move the goalkeeper has warmly welcomed.
"It is good to have another Spaniard at the Club and I'm sure he'll
contribute to us having a phenomenal season," Adrian observed. "I don't know
him personally and haven't spoken to him yet, but I'm happy to have another
Spanish teammate here!"

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Cresswell - He looks a very good signing
WHUFC.com

Cresswell has been impressed with new signing Arthur Masuaku
The talented full-back believes Slaven Bilic will welcome the competition
for places
Cresswell is confident the squad can get back on the winning trail

Aaron Cresswell says he is relishing the fierce competition for places when
he makes a return to first-team action and has been impressed with the new
signings who arrived this summer.

Cresswell has been forced to miss the start of the season after suffering a
knee ligament injury during pre-season, but is making good progress and
hopes to step up his recovery over the next few weeks.

The talented full-back knows he faces a battle to win back his place in the
side after Slaven Bilic brought in Arthur Masuaku from Olympiacos during the
summer.

Masuaku has certainly impressed in his first three games for the Club and
Cresswell is pleased to see quality players being brought in to strengthen
the squad and take them onto the next level.

Cresswell said: "I hadn't heard too much of Arthur but I think he's done
very well.

"He's been one of the most consistent players of ours over the three games
we've played and he looks a very good signing.

"The gaffer has done very well this transfer window with the signings he's
made. Hopefully when we're all back together and fit and well, I'm sure it
will give the gaffer a headache, but I'm sure he'll like that headache to
pick from the squad we've got.

"I've been very impressed with the new signings. There have been quite a lot
of injuries to them though, and that's never nice for them personally coming
to a new Club.

"The first and foremost thing you want to do is impress, and for them to
come and be injured is frustrating but looking at the pre-season, you can
see they're very good players and I'm excited to see them play.

"The break has given us a two-week period to get some players back, though
obviously all of us won't be. I'm sure the gaffer and the team will be
delighted with the lads coming back in. It's what we're all looking forward
to and to get out there and train with each other and help the team."

Cresswell is hoping the Hammers can get straight back on the winning trail
against Watford on Saturday.

Slaven Bilic's side were always facing a tough start to the campaign with
away games against Chelsea and Manchester City, but despite the two defeats,
the West Ham full-back is convinced they can turn their season around,
starting with another home win at the weekend.

Cresswell added: "I don't think we could have asked for a much tougher start
and of course there was expectation, moving to the new ground and with new
training facilities and everything else.

"But as the gaffer said, just because we have a new Stadium, that doesn't
put points on the board.

"We knew as players that we won't take anything for granted. We want to work
hard and work for everything we get and I'm sure that's what we'll be doing
throughout this season."

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Five Talking Points - International Break
WHUFC.com

The big subjects for discussion during the September international break as
West Ham United prepare to host Watford in the Premier League on Saturday...

A valuable experience
He may have tweeted his disappointment after not appearing against Slovakia
on Sunday, but when Michail Antonio looks back on his first England squad
experience, he should consider it a positive one. A year ago, Antonio had
yet to make a Premier League appearance for West Ham United following his
deadline day move from Nottingham Forest. Less than a year later, he has
established himself at the Hammers and earned his first senior England
call-up, spending a week working and living alongside the country's best
players. He may not have played, but Antonio will have learned a lot from
the experience alone, and that can only benefit him and his Club.

Adrian's chance?
An article similar to this one published on the Spanish National Team's
Official website has speculated that Adrian may be handed a Spain debut in
Monday's opening 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier with Liechtenstein. Like
Antonio, the West Ham United goalkeeper was pleasantly surprised to be
called-up by his country for the first time. Now, new Spain coach Julen
Lopetegui has suggested the No1 spot is up for grabs, and Adrian may be
given a chance to stake his claim for it in Leon.

Competition for places
Saturday's Premier League visit of Watford will offer manager Slaven Bilic
plenty of food for thought when it comes to team selection. The arrivals of
Simone Zaza and Alvaro Arbeloa and the returns from injury of Manuel
Lanzini, Dimitri Payet and Sofiane Feghouli mean competition for places is
at a seasonal high. Does Bilic go with Arbeloa or Sam Byram at right-back?
Does he stick with Havard Nordtveit or go with a more attacking central
midfield pairing? Does he put Lanzini, Payet and/or Feghouli back in the
starting XI and, if so, where? It all adds up to an eagerly-anticipated team
announcement come 2pm on Saturday!

Edimilson on target
On signing for West Ham United, new boy Edimilson Fernandes told how he is
'a player capable of getting the game going and adding excitement to the
action on the pitch'. One view of his thumping goal for Switzerland U21s in
their 3-0 European Championship qualifying win over Kazakhstan on Friday
evening confirmed that self-assessment! Fernandes may be just 20, but he has
the experience and all-round game to make his mark in the Premier League. If
he scores goals like his 25-yard rocket for his country, that mark could be
made sooner rather than later.

Zaza-zoom
Judging by the reports coming out of Rush Green, and the video clips which
have been posted on social media in recent days, Simone Zaza is looking
sharp!
The Italy international was not named in the Azzurri squad for the current
round of international fixtures, having featured at Euro 2016. For that
reason, along with an eagerness to make his mark at his new club, Zaza could
well zoom out of the blocks at the former Olympic Stadium this weekend.

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Mixed Sunday for internationals
WHUFC.com

West Ham United players had a mixed Sunday on the international scene.

Youngster Declan Rice was the only winner among the four Hammers in action,
playing the full 90 minutes as Republic of Ireland U19 defeated Austria 1-0
in a friendly in Tallaght.

Elsewhere, midfielder Havard Nordtveit started Norway's 3-0 defeat by
Germany in Oslo, earning his 29 senior cap and finishing the 2018 FIFA World
Cup Group C qualifier with the captain's armband. Club-mate Martin Samuelsen
was an unused substitute at Ullevaal Stadium.

Michail Antonio was handed the No21 shirt and a watching brief for England
as Sam Allardyce's reign began with a hard-fought 1-0 Group F victory in
Trnava. The Hammers winger was named in a senior England squad for the first
time for the fixture, which England won courtesy of Adam Lallana's
95th-minute winner.

Finally, Reece Oxford started England U20s' 2-1 defeat by Brazil in
Kidderminster, making his first appearance at that level.

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From the Terraces
WHUFC.com

Fan blogger Joe Difford analyses another successful transfer window for the
Hammers…

It is officially over. The long, often stressful, sometimes exciting summer
transfer window has come to an end and for the second year in a row, Hammers
fans are celebrating some truly brilliant business.

Even after our best Premier League season on record, it was clear that we
needed to bring in a few faces to strengthen the side and push on as we
entered our new home at the London Stadium.

First up was to bring in the impressive Manuel Lanzini on a permanent basis
after a stunning first season in claret and blue.

A number of young players have been brought in for the future, including the
exciting Toni Martinez, Domingos Quina and Edimilson Fernandes.

Others have been brought in to make a difference straight away, and we
smashed our transfer record with the signing of Andre Ayew from Swansea. The
attacker has played with Dimitri Payet before at Marseille and is proven in
the Premier League, so will hopefully make a huge impact when he returns
from injury in a few months.

Despite our midfield being one of the strongest areas of our side last
season, Havard Nordtveit has provided competition for the likes of Mark
Noble and Cheikhou Kouyate, and has been impressive already this season.

Sofiane Feghouli may go down as one of the best pieces of business in the
window across the league, coming in from Valencia on a free transfer and
already scoring a brilliant goal against Domzale in the Europa League. Like
Ayew, the winger has suffered an early injury setback, but will be fit and
raring to go very soon.

Jonathan Calleri, Gokhan Tore and Ashley Fletcher have all come in and given
us one of the most threatening attacking lines in the division, soon to be
led by Simone Zaza, one of the few players to have already scored at our new
home when Juventus visited in pre season.

Arthur Masuaku was brought in due to an injury to Aaron Cresswell, but the
way the new left back has started, it might be tough for Cresswell to get
back into the side, and competition is never a bad thing in the Premier
League.

When you look at how much we have spent this window compared to the quality
and quantity of players we have brought in, we must be up there with some of
the best in terms of how well the transfer window went. The icing on the
cake was the free signing of Alvaro Arbeloa on deadline day, who will do a
job on the pitch and be a great role model for the young Sam Byram.

All of the attention will be on these new individuals as they make their
debuts in claret and blue, but arguably one of the most significant pieces
of business this summer was keeping Dimitri Payet at the club.

When you look at how impressive the Frenchman was in the Euros this summer,
it is a sign of how far West Ham United have come that he wants to stay and
take us to the next level in the new era for our great football club.

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

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily of
West Ham United

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WEST HAM TO LOSE YOUNG PROSPECT IDRIS KANU?
BY JOE DORAN ON 5 SEPTEMBER 2016 AT 2:21PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk

West Ham academy player Idris Kanu has spent this week on loan at Manchester
United, where he is being considered for a permanent deal. The 16-year-old
is very highly rated by West Ham and it is easy to see why, as the young
forward bagged 2 goals in a 63-minute cameo for the Manchester United U-18
side against Middlesbrough. The striker twice found himself in good
positions to profit from the hard work of his team mates, demonstrating an
instinct that is so key to success at the top level.

It is thought that West Ham will do all they can to hold on to their player,
whom they view as one of the top prospects in their ranks. However, Kanu,
who made 17 appearances for the West Ham youth teams last season, seems to
be keen to fight for a move to Manchester. This would come as a frustrating
news to the Hammers, who have put real emphasis on their youth academy this
season and would wish to hold on to their own prodigies, as well as signing
them from other sides.

On the other hand, it is not yet a done deal, and Irons' fans with a good
memory will recall that the club once found itself in a similar position
with regards to young winger Oscar Borg. Borg had seemed destined to head
north to Manchester, before being convinced to stay. The club will hope they
can convince Kanu, like Borg (who eventually departed for Aston Villa), that
his route to success lies at the Olympic Stadium, and not further afield.

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EXWHUEMPLOYEE EXCLUSIVE COLUMN: TRANSFER, INJURIES AND AWARDS
BY EXWHUEMPLOYEE ON 5 SEPTEMBER 2016 AT 12:15PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk

It has been a week since I last wrote one of these and now that the dust has
settled on another window I felt like I should reflect upon what has been a
busy window.

So we got our right back in the end in Spanish World Cup winner Arbeloa. He
signed a one year deal with an option at the end of it. He is on £30k a week
and as Jack confirmed in our radio interview with him he turned down a
number of clubs to join us from different countries and even paid for his
own flight over here. I think this is a great signing because he provides
experience and this will benefit Sam Byram hugely. We had made enquires for
Iorfa of Wolves on loan but his club naturally didn't want to loan him and
would only sell him if they received a large transfer fee. We also went for
Micah Richards on loan but again Aston Villa demanded a huge loan fee plus
extra payments when he had paid a certain amount of games. So in the end we
move for Arbeloa as it had always been between those three to join the club.

Those of you who follow me on twitter will know I had been saying for weeks
and weeks that Payet would not leave. We set out stance at the start of the
window that we would not sell and we stuck to our word. The only club to
have enquired were PSG as I mouthed on air to the Sullivan lads but they
couldn't confirm on our transfer deadline show but agreed that was the club.
PSG got as far as speaking to David Sullivan and being told the price and it
went no further. No other club enquired despite reports in the press that
suggest otherwise. Payet had trained all week but the club decided not to
risk him at the weekend. In situations like this the club cannot really
win. Andy Carroll picked up a knock against Chelsea and then played at
Astra in the Europa League and hasn't played since, the club didn't want to
take the same risk with Payet. Payet went to France international duty
because it was believed that a week later he would be ready for France.

On transfer deadline day we actually received a loan offer for Valencia from
Everton which came as a surprise as it was thought that Everton were looking
at other targets and they emerged quite late. We had actually agreed to
sell Valencia and that fell through the day before, much to the club's
annoyance as they had lined up another forward to come in.

Bony was a forward that we were heavily linked with through out the window.
We originally nearly signed him before we got Andy Carroll but Sam opted to
sign the big man instead. The reason for not signing him this window was
that we had originally thought he was going to China for big money and we
decided that his heart may not be in it. It is now thought he will go to
China at the end of the season having signed the season loan with Stoke. It
was also thought that he may not have the desire still and that his career
and fitness is actually on the decline. We had also received the news that
Ayew and Carroll may not be out for as long as we first thought. So with
them three plus Calleri, Martinez and Fletcher that we had enough anyway.

In terms of injuries it looks like we will have a number of players back for
the Watford game. With only three injuries now (as opposed to the 10 we had
at one point) in Carroll (who is very close), Cresswell and Ayew. Lets hope
that it can stay this way. Sakho is not injured but isn't at match fitness
yet having missed the whole of the pre season matches, whilst he may feature
if injuries occur, the plan is to sell him in January.

Unfortunately it looks like we will be losing Idris Kanu, a very talented
youngster, to Manchester United. The club want to keep him but whether they
will be able to persuade him to stay I am not sure. We are also set to
lose Sakho (although he may have left by then), Kouyate, Feghouli and Ayew
to the African nations as their home countries have all qualified.

We play Watford next Saturday and this will be a real test of our team as we
cannot blame injuries now. I am extremely excited to see Zaza play. He has
apparently been on fire in training and the players have been very impressed
with him.

I would like to take this moment to say thank you for all the positive
comments that I, the site and the radio show received during the transfer
window. It is times like that when you can forget all the "haters" that
like to show their face and sit back and think that we are glad to have
provided a quality service. Last year I was nominated for the best social
media account at the football blogging awards. I got down to the final six
but lost out on the day to "Deluded Brendan". I was delighted to have got
that far but I would like to go one further. This year you can vote for me
in the best social account, the website in the best new blog and the radio
show in the best podcast. If we could get down to the final three I would
be over the moon as an acknowledgment for all the hard work that has gone in
over this summer window and beyond. Competition is a strange thing and a
couple of other "big" West Ham sites have instructed their writers not to
ever mention me or quote the site. This has been feed back to me by their
writers. It is frustrating at times but this would go along way to making
it seem all worthwhile. Also, for however many of the competitions we get
shortlisted for, I will do that many giveaways and Ill try to make them good
ones like you expect from the site!

Anyway enough of that, here is how to vote. To vote for me in the best
social media account. Simply copy this message word for word (including the
hashtag) and tweet it: I am voting in @TheFBAs for @ExWHUEmployee as the
Best #Social Football Account or click here: http://ctt.ec/kHeuU

The website will be going for the best new blog site. I think it would be a
great testament to all the writers, Tv presenters and producers, forum
admins and bloggers who put so much time into the site with no payment. To
vote for the site. Please copy these words into a tweet and tweet it or
click the link. I am voting in @TheFBAs for @WestHamWaycouk as the Best
#New Football Blog or click here: http://ctt.ec/4em0d

Finally, we will be entering our radio show into the best podcast category.
Of course we expect to lose the brilliant and established KUMB podcast but
the estimated 30k+ listeners we had on transfer deadline day may mean some
of you appreciate what we do too. To vote for the radio show as the best
podcast please copy the following into your tweet and post or click the
link. I am voting in @TheFBAs for @WestHamWaycouk as the Best #Football
Podcast or click here: http://ctt.ec/bu4d3

Tune into the show this week for further transfer exclusives. Thanks for
your continued support.

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International round-up
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 5th September 2016
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United's Michail Antonio was an unused substitute as Sam
Allardyce's England scraped a narrow win in Slovakia. The uncapped Hammer
remained on the bench for the duration of the game which was won 1-0 by
England, thanks to Adam Lallana's strike in the FIFTH minute of added-on
time.

* Edimilson Fernandes was on the scoresheet for Switzerland's Under 21s as
they beat Kazakhstan 3-0 in Biel. Yet to kick a ball for West Ham following
his move from Sion last month, the 20-year-old scored his team's final goal
of the day - a belter from 22 yards which you may see here.

* Josh Cullen played a full 90 minutes as the Republic of Ireland beat
Slovenia 2-0 in Dublin on Friday night. Currently on a season-long loan at
Bradford, the Southend-born midfielder created the opening Irish goal three
minutes from time - to which former Hammer Sean Maguire added a second two
minutes later.

* Enner Valencia's Ecuador were beaten by new Olympic champions Brazil at
home for the first time since 1983 on Saturday night. Manchester City's
Gabriel Jesus scored twice and Neymar added a third as the visitors ran out
3-0 winners in Quito (see highlights below).

* Reece Oxford was on the losing side as England's Under 20s fell to a 2-1
defeat against Brazil in Kidderminster on Sunday afternoon.

Lucas Paqueta opened the scoring for the visitors in the first half before
Newcastle United's Adam Armstrong missed the chance to equalise from the
penalty spot. Malcolm extended Brazil's lead after an error by Cameron
Borthwick-Jackson before Everton's Dominic Calvert-Lewin grabbed a late
consolation for England.

* Havard Nordtveit also tasted defeat as Norway were soundly beaten 3-0 by
Germany at the Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo. Bayern Munich forward Thomas Muller
grabbed the first and third goals for his country whilst having a hand in
their second, scored by Joshua Kimmich. The midfielder played for the
entire 90 minutes; fellow Hammer Martin Samuelsen, currently on a
season-long loan at Blackburn Rovers was an unused substitute.

* Darren Randolph's Republic of Ireland face Serbia in Belgrade later
tonight. The match can be seen live on live on RTÉ2 from 7:45pm. Elsewhere
James Collins' Wales take on Moldova at the Cardiff City Stadium.

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Fans blamed for capacity cap
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 5th September 2016
By: Staff Writer

Co-owner David Gold has told fans that West Ham's failure to secure a safety
certificate for an increased stadium capacity is the result of persistent
standing. Gold, speaking via the club's website and social media this
weekend suggested that the standing issue, which has caused numerous
problems at the Olympic Stadium already, was responsible for the Safety
Advisory Group's decision to refuse an application to extend the OS'
capacity to 60,000. However a number of supporters have since questioned
whether Gold's summary is entirely accurate - including KUMB Forum member
The Boleyn Hound. "We've had people without tickets coming in at half
time," he said. "We've had no segregation between home and away fans. "We've
had stewards straight out of college looking after 57,000 people, with
seemingly no experience whatsoever. There's not been a police officer in
sight at any of the four games I've attended and bags are not being checked
upon entry. "Yet we're supposed to believe that standing up is the thing
that is making the stadium unsafe?"

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International round-up
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 5th September 2016
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United's Michail Antonio was an unused substitute as Sam
Allardyce's England scraped a narrow win in Slovakia.

The uncapped Hammer remained on the bench for the duration of the game which
was won 1-0 by England, thanks to Adam Lallana's strike in the FIFTH minute
of added-on time.

* Edimilson Fernandes was on the scoresheet for Switzerland's Under 21s as
they beat Kazakhstan 3-0 in Biel. Yet to kick a ball for West Ham following
his move from Sion last month, the 20-year-old scored his team's final goal
of the day - a belter from 22 yards which you may see here.

* Josh Cullen played a full 90 minutes as the Republic of Ireland beat
Slovenia 2-0 in Dublin on Friday night. Currently on a season-long loan at
Bradford, the Southend-born midfielder created the opening Irish goal three
minutes from time - to which former Hammer Sean Maguire added a second two
minutes later.

* Enner Valencia's Ecuador were beaten by new Olympic champions Brazil at
home for the first time since 1983 on Saturday night. Manchester City's
Gabriel Jesus scored twice and Neymar added a third as the visitors ran out
3-0 winners in Quito (see highlights below).

* Reece Oxford was on the losing side as England's Under 20s fell to a 2-1
defeat against Brazil in Kidderminster on Sunday afternoon.

Lucas Paqueta opened the scoring for the visitors in the first half before
Newcastle United's Adam Armstrong missed the chance to equalise from the
penalty spot. Malcolm extended Brazil's lead after an error by Cameron
Borthwick-Jackson before Everton's Dominic Calvert-Lewin grabbed a late
consolation for England.

* Havard Nordtveit also tasted defeat as Norway were soundly beaten 3-0 by
Germany at the Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo. Bayern Munich forward Thomas Muller
grabbed the first and third goals for his country whilst having a hand in
their second, scored by Joshua Kimmich.

The midfielder played for the entire 90 minutes; fellow Hammer Martin
Samuelsen, currently on a season-long loan at Blackburn Rovers was an unused
substitute.

* Dimitri Payet played 45 minutes for France as they easily beat Italy 3-1.
The reigning KUMB Player of the Year replaced Manchester United's Anthony
Martial at half time with the French already 2-1 up through goals from
Martial and Arsenal's Olivier Giroud; PSG's Layvin Kurzawa added a third for
the French with nine minutes of normal time remaining.

* Darren Randolph's Republic of Ireland face Serbia in Belgrade later
tonight. The match can be seen live on live on RTÉ2 from 7:45pm. Elsewhere
James Collins' Wales take on Moldova at the Cardiff City Stadium.

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Bilic backs Payet to replicate Euro form
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 5th September 2016
By: Staff Writer

Slaven Bilic believes the return of Dimitri Payet will prove to be a huge
boost for the rest of his squad.

Bilic, speaking via West Ham's website this weekend admitted that his team
has been missing their talisman but insisted that Payet is ready for the
challenge of a second season at the club - despite rumours linking him with
some of Europe's other top clubs.

"He's key to the team," said Bilic. "He can change a game and has the
qualities that the best players have. They influence their team-mates and
opponents - and that's what he does.

"He makes the team play better and the individuals around him are
benefiting. The team recognised that last year and that's why it was a
really good combination and a good season for us.

"It's crucial that he comes back as fit as he was last year and produces the
same football. He has to influence the games for us as he did last year,
with the help of everybody else.

"Last year he didn't do everything himself, but he was the cherry on top of
the cake.

"During the Euros he was one of two or three players - along with Antoine
Griezmann and Cristiano Ronaldo - that the world was talking about. And he
deserved it all.

"Like everybody else he still has to work hard as it won't come by default,
but I have no worries. He's playing well, he's matured and currently he's
sky-high in terms of recognition."

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Dimitri Payet raring to go when West Ham play Watford, says Slaven Bilic
By James Kilpatrick
Last Updated: 05/09/16 2:32pm
SSN

Dimitri Payet's return to the first team will give West Ham United a major
boost, says manager Slaven Bilic. The 29-year-old had an impressive debut
season in England, scoring 12 goals in all competitions since joining from
Olympique Marseille in June last year. Payet, who has made just one
appearance in the league this season, was also joint second-top scorer at
Euro 2016 with three goals and was named in the team of the tournament after
helpin France reach the final. And after struggling with injury, Payet is
now set to play in Saturday's Premier League clash with Watford. Bilic
believes Payet's return will help improve West Ham's overall quality on the
pitch. "It is key for us if he can produce his best form again. He has the
qualities that the best players have and can help change a game. They are
influencing their team mates and opponents," Bilic told the club's website.
"He makes the team play better and everyone around him is benefiting. The
team recognised that last season." West Ham, who failed to make the Europa
League group stage for the second year in a row after being eliminated by
Astra Giurgiu last month, have managed only three points from their opening
three Premier League games.

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Not scared of anyone: West Ham's Michail Antonio believes his fearless
approach earned him England shot
Michail Antonio was handed his first England call up by Sam Allardyce
The winger signed for West Ham United from Nottingham Forest in 2015
'I don't feel any full-back can handle me,' says Antonio
By DANNY GALLAGHER FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 11:55, 5 September 2016 | UPDATED: 11:57, 5 September 2016

Michail Antonio believes he was deserving of his first England call up, and
admits he does not fear any defenders in the Premier League. ntonio, 26, was
given his first glimpse of the international stage after new England manager
Sam Allardyce included him in his first squad. The West Ham winger was a
surprise inclusion in the Three Lions set up, with only one season of
Premier League football under his belt. Antonio was an unused substitute in
England's late 1-0 victory over Slovakia on Sunday, but the forward believes
he has earned his international chance. Speaking to Goal, Antonio said: 'Why
not? If you go off my stats I've scored around once in every three games so
far. There's a strong competition for those England spots right now because
people who are outside the top four are starting to turn up and starting to
perform.' The 26-year-old also believes players from teams outside of the
traditional top four are now being more closely looked at for England
positions. 'It's easy just to put people from the top four into the squad
but there are now players from Leicester, Spurs, West Ham, who are not
necessarily regulars at England but are showing that we have the sufficient
quality so the England manager should be looking at these players.
'I don't feel that any full-back can handle me if I do it constantly because
I know I've got the ability to beat them. 'This is because if I don't beat
them for pace then I can beat them for strength, if I can't beat them for
strength then I'll beat them for pace,' said Antonio.

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Dimitri Payet makes West Ham play better and it's crucial he produces his
best again, says Slaven Bilic
STANDARD SPORT
Evening Standard

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic was delighted to keep hold of Dimitri Payet
during the summer transfer window and believes his return to the first team
will give the whole team a boost.
The Hammers refused to entertain offers for the Frenchman during the
transfer window, slapping a prohibitive £100m pricetag on the man they
bought from Marseille for £10m a year earlier.
The France international has made just one Premier League appearance this
term following a minor injury in West Ham's opener against Chelsea, but the
club expect him to be fit for Watford's visit on Saturday. "It is key for
us if he can produce his best form again," Bilic told West Ham's official
website. "He has the qualities that the best players have and can help
change a game. They are influencing their team-mates and opponents. West Ham
team news: David Gold hopeful over Dimitri Payet and Manuel Lanzini returns
"He makes the team play better and everyone around him is benefitting. The
team recognised that last season." "It is crucial that he stayed. It's
crucial that he comes back fit and that he tries to produce what he was
doing last year." While Payet stayed, West Ham spent more than £40million on
additions - a combined fee that could rise if loan signing Simone Zaza
triggers a £20million permanent move by making a certain number of league
appearances. And Bilic believes the inflated market is crazy. He added:
"It's a bit too crazy especially if you watch television and you go like how
many minutes to go, how many seconds to go, if we break one billion and all
that. It's all crazy but you can't stop it.

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Millwall boss "fed up" at speculation after defender linked with West Ham
By Richard Cawley - September 5, 2016

Millwall boss Neil Harris has chosen not to react to a press report
yesterday claiming West Ham United are interested in Mahlon Romeo. The
20-year-old right-back is a £2million target for the Premier League side,
according to the Sunday edition of The Sun. When asked about the link to
Romeo, Harris told the South London Press: "I've got no comment. I'm fed up
of commenting on paper speculation." Romeo signed a new long-term contract
with the Lions last season and still has two-and-a-half years to run on his
terms. He has proved to be a shrewd signing by Millwall after being released
by Gillingham. Romeo broke into the Lions first-team in the second half of
last season but missed the play-off fixtures after being sent off against
the Gills at the start of May. He has made eight appearances for Millwall
this season.

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