Daily WHUFC News - 23rd August 2017

Cheltenham Town v West Ham United: All you need to know
WHUFC.com

West Ham United take their first break from Premier League action on Wednesday as Slaven Bilic's side face Cheltenham Town in the Carabao Cup. The Hammers will be eager for a first win of the season in a match that could start a successful run in the tournament, towards Wembley and silverware.

Here's all you need to know about this week's match with Cheltenham Town, including team news, how to get there and the player to watch...

Where and when?

Cheltenham Town v West Ham United will be played at the LCI Rail Stadium on Wednesday 23 August 2017, at 7:45pm BST. The address for the ground is Whaddon Rd, Cheltenham GL52 5NA, although West Ham United fans should bear in mind that parking at the stadium is not available. Information on travel for this fixture can be found in the 'how to get there' section of this preview.

How to follow

West Ham United's second round Carabao Cup contest with Cheltenham Town has been selected for live broadcast by Sky Sports. Coverage will begin at 7:30pm and the match will be shown on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Mix. You can also follow the game live via our Matchday Blog on whufc.com, with updates also available on Twitter throughout the evening. You can also follow the match on social media on our official Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat channels! Radio coverage will also be provided by BBC Radio Gloucestershire.

Team news

Slaven Bilic is likely to hand first team opportunities to a number of players yet to start in the Premier League this season for West Ham United. There could be a first chance with the senior side for summer signing Sead Haksabanovic, who did not play for the U23s in their contest with Tottenham Hotspur on Monday.

Match officials

Referee: Oliver Langford
Assistant Referees: Mark Russell and Robert Merchant
Fourth Official: Referee: Brett Huxtable

Meet the opposition

Wednesday's opponents Cheltenham Town haven't experienced an amazing start to the season in League Two. The Robins have won just one of their opening three league fixtures, and lost 3-0 to Carlisle last time out.

Cheltenham endured a difficult campaign last season in League Two, narrowly avoiding relegation out of the division and into the National Leagues, and are looking for improvement this season under Gary Johnson.

Player to watch

It will be almost four years to the day that West Ham played Cheltenham Town last, and on that day Spanish goalkeeper Adrian made his debut for the Hammers.
Having been on the bench for the Hammers' first two matchers this campaign Adrian is likely to have the chance to remind manager Bilic of his ability on Wednesday. The shot-stopper is immensely popular with the West Ham United faithful and will be looking to stake his claim to the starting XI position on a regular basis in this Carabao Cup contest.

Head-to-head

West Ham United and Cheltenham Town have only met once in their respective histories, in a match that was played on 27 August 2013 at the Boleyn Ground.
That fixture was also a League Cup match - then known as the Capital One Cup - with the two sides again meeting in the second round. The Irons won that match 2-1 thanks to a free-kick from Ricardo Vaz Te and a cool finish by Ravel Morrison. Besting Cheltenham Town seemed to be a good omen for the Irons as the side reached the semi-finals of the competition that season.

Did you know?

Five players have played for both West Ham and Cheltenham Town:
Grant McCann played well over 200 games there in two loan spells and a permanent stay between 2003-07. He then played and coached alongside Jack Collison at Peterborough
Josh Payne was loaned to Cheltenham in 2008, aged 17. He is now with Crawley Town.
Emmanuel Onariase played the second half of last season on loan at Cheltenham. He's now with Brentford.
Holmar Orn Eyjofsson went there on loan in 2009. He never played for West Ham's first team, but went on to win the Norwegian title twice with Rosenborg and is now with Maccabi Haifa in Israel.
Academy right-back Alex Pike went on loan to the Robins last season.

How to get there

By car: West Ham United fans should note that a park-and-ride system has been implemented by Cheltenham Town for Wednesday evening's Carabao Cup fixture.

Supporters attending the match by car should park at Cheltenham racecourse where two coaches will ferry fans to the stadium.

These coaches will run pick-ups from the race course at 6:20pm, 6:40pm, 7:00pm and 7:20pm BST.

Returns to the race course will run from the stadium at 21:45, 22:05 and 22:25 BST. These return journeys are subject to change if the match goes to extra-time, and an announcement will be made over the stadium tannoy if required.

To get to Cheltenham racecourse follow the M40 and leave this road at junction 8, taking the A40 exit towards Oxford/Cheltenham.

Follow the A40 before joining merging onto London Rd/A435. Turn right at Hewlett Road and then turn right at Evesham Road/A435. The racecourse is just past the roundabout along this road.

By train: Cheltenham Railway Station is situated two miles away from the LCI Rail Stadium and Bus Service D will take supporters to the town centre, from where the stadium is just a short walk.

Otherwise fans should allow 45 minutes to walk from the station to the stadium.

Ticket information

All tickets for West Ham's trip to Cheltenham Town have sold out.

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Important travel information for West Ham supporters heading to Cheltenham
WHUFC.com

West Ham United travelling to Cheltenham Town by car on Wednesday should note that a park-and-ride system has been implemented for the Carabao Cup fixture. Supporters attending the match by car should park at Cheltenham Racecourse where coaches will ferry fans to the stadium. These coaches will run pick-ups from the race course at 6.20pm, 6.40pm, 7pm and 7.20pm BST. Returns to the race course will run from the stadium at 9.45pm, 10.05pm and 10.25pm BST. These return journeys are subject to change if the match goes to extra-time, and an announcement will be made over the stadium tannoy if required.

To get to Cheltenham racecourse follow the M40 and leave this road at junction 8, taking the A40 exit towards Oxford/Cheltenham. Follow the A40 before joining merging onto London Rd/A435. Turn right at Hewlett Road and then turn right at Evesham Road/A435. The racecourse is just past the roundabout along this road.

Supporters should also note that there is no space at the LCI Rail Stadium to accommodate flags or drums, so you are asked not to take them to the game.

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Holland: We showed character in Tottenham turnaround
WHUFC.com

Nathan Holland praised the character and desire shown by West Ham United's PL2 side as they overcame a two-goal deficit to beat Tottenham 3-2 on Monday afternoon. West Ham trailed 2-0 at half time, before goals from Dan Kemp, Josh Pask and an outstanding 25-yard curler from Holland completed the comeback, extending West Ham's unbeaten start to the season. "It shows our character and desire." Holland explained after the game. "Terry [Westley] didn't need to say much at half-time. "We all knew that wasn't the standards that Terry expects from us. Liam [Manning] and Terry expect much more from us and we wanted to show everyone what we are really about. "All of the lads did that, we dug deep and we got the win in the end."

West Ham came flying out of the traps after the restart, with Dan Kemp poking home Vashon Neufville's low cross on 49 minutes, before Holland's equaliser just six minutes later. In fact, Kemp and Holland were a constant threat to the Spurs defenders, especially in the second period. Their aggressive, direct running with the ball opened up the hosts on multiple occasions; a tactic that West Ham looked to exploit whenever the opportunity was presented. "We knew that the way they like to play is very open so if we could nick it and counter-attack, play very wide, then we can hurt them and that's exactly what happened in the second half," the former Everton man continued. "Obviously it's paid off with the goals."

The match was truly lit up on 55 minutes when Holland and Grady Diangana combined on the left flank. The Hammers' January signing eventually picked it up 25-yards out, on the corner of the penalty area, took a touch and then unleashed a stunning curling effort past Brandon Austin in the Spurs goal. As soon as it left his boot, there was nowhere else it was heading except the top corner. Not a bad way to open the account for 2017/18…

The West Ham winger is not new to scoring the odd screamer though, having already done something similar against Fulham and West Bromwich Albion last season. "When I came inside, I went for the far corner and as soon as I connected with it, I had a good feeling it was going in – luckily it did!" he laughed.
The win ensured West Ham preserved their unbeaten start to the new campaign, having already beaten Swindon Town and been held at home by Everton, but Holland is not getting carried away. "We've done very well so far" he admitted. "All the players have stuck to the task, worked hard and hopefully we can keep that going, starting on Sunday against Swansea."

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Antonio relishing Carabao Cup return to Cheltenham Town
WHUFC.com

Michail Antonio is relishing a return to the club which handed him his senior professional debut on Wednesday evening. The West Ham United star was just 18 when he joined struggling League One side Cheltenham Town on loan from Reading in February 2009. Despite Antonio's presence, and that of former Hammer Martin Allen in the Whaddon Road dugout, the Robins were unable to avoid relegation, but the winger will never forget what he learned during his three months in Gloucestershire. "They were in League One when I went there and we got relegated that season," recalled Antonio, whose Hammers tackle Cheltenham in the Carabao Cup second round this week. "I had come to Reading from non-league a few months before and then went back on loan to [my former club] Tooting & Mitcham and people were trying to smash me. "I went back to Reading and the very next day I went on loan to Cheltenham, so I literally went from grassroots football to Cheltenham. It was definitely better technically and stuff like that but it was hustle and bustle, hard challenges and everybody down there is fighting for everything and trying to get better."

Antonio himself fought and got better, impressing for Reading and Southampton before breakthrough spells with Championship clubs Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest propelled him to the Premier League two years ago. While he is now a top-flight regular, a household name and close to an England debut, the No30 will always relish the experiences he enjoyed – and endured – in the three months he spent with Cheltenham eight-and-a-half years ago. "When I went to Cheltenham on loan, my very first game was at Elland Road and I played for 12 minutes, got challenged by Patrick Kisnorbo and I injured three ligaments in my ankle, but because it was my debut I played on for 15 minutes and then had to call it a day," he said, grimacing as he remembers the pain of the injury he suffered at Leeds United. "I've never been back since I left, so it will definitely be nice to go back and see how the club is doing and meet the same people who were there when I was there all those years ago."

While Cheltenham will always have a special place in Antonio's heart, the 27-year-old will have no sentiment when he takes to the pitch in front of a capacity 7,000 crowd at Whaddon Road. Every West Ham fan would no doubt love a run in the Carabao Cup, but the powerful wideman says the tournament and opposition are irrelevant – he just wants to win football matches. "To be honest, the ambition of this Club has to be to win as many games as possible, in every competition," he said. "We're not focusing on the Premier League or on the Carabao Cup, we're only focusing on winning, that's the key."

Wednesday's tie will be screened live in the UK by Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Mix from 7.30pm. Alternatively, you can follow our Live blog on whufc.com from 6pm.

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Swansea tickets now on sale to Claret Members
WHUFC.com

Tickets for our London Stadium Premier League clash with Swansea City are now sale to Claret Members.

The Hammers saw off Paul Clement's Swans with a vital 1-0 home victory towards the end of last season when Cheikhou Kouyate struck a sweet winner from outside the box and you could be there when we go for another win against the South Wales side on Saturday 30 September.

As one of only three scheduled Saturday 3pm home kick-offs before Christmas, tickets for this match are expected to sell out quickly, so sign up for Membership now to ensure you can secure your seat!

Claret Membership benefits include:

Ticket priority on Premier League and Cup fixtures
Access to the Ticket Exchange – once a fixture is sold out, you can purchase seats which have been relisted by Season Ticket Holders
£5 discount on official away coach travel
Exclusive Claret Member access card
Additional merchandise discounts and offers
NEW: Exclusive monthly competitions – prize draws for signed shirts, memorabilia and money-can't-buy experiences
NEW: Invite to Junior Hammers party for Claret Kids
NEW: Attend PL2 matches at London Stadium for free
NEW: Attend West Ham Ladies home matches for free
Claret Members will also receive an FREE West Ham branded portable phone charger with Claret Kids receiving a FREE gift pack including face paint sticks, a bedroom wall poster and an exclusive Claret Kids scarf which you can't get anywhere else!
Claret Membership costs £40 for Adults and £25 for Kids, with International Membership subject to an additional £5 to cover shipping.

If you are on the Season Ticket Waiting List, you can take advantage of a £10 discount on Membership if you sign up before 8 September.

Meanwhile, just a handful of tickets for the derby with Tottenham remain for Claret Members. Click here to buy for this game or access the Ticket Exchange for Huddersfield now!

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Team news: Bilic to field strong Carabao Cup side
WHUFC.com

Slaven Bilic has insisted he will field a strong starting XI as his West Ham United side travel to Cheltenham Town for their Carabao Cup second round fixture on Wednesday night. With Michail Antonio playing his first minutes of the season against Southampton on Saturday and the likes of Manuel Lanzini and Robert Snodgrass only just returning to training, they may miss out. However, the Hammers boss is confident the team he puts out at Whaddon Road can win the game and secure a spot in the third round of the competition.

He said: "We will take a strong squad to Cheltenham. Maybe a few players will stay and obviously the players still not fit will not come. "Only with the players like Antonio – who came back after a long injury and played on Saturday – will we be thinking about Newcastle game. "Some of them are only in their first few days of training like Lanzini. But if it stays like that we have a really strong squad. "Today in training, for instance, we had all the other players available for training. They were fit and on the pitch without restrictions. Some of them are suspended – [Marko] Arnautovic – some it was their first training, like Snodgrass. "For tomorrow's game, there are only a couple of players that we won't take to travel. We have options and we want to give some a rest. We will see tomorrow which team we will put out but it will be a strong team because we want to win the game of course. "Winston Reid will not be fit but it's not a bad injury. He should be fit for the Huddersfield game after the international break."

New signing Joe Hart has started both games between the sticks in the Premier League so far, therefore Spanish stopper Adrian may be hoping for a chance to impress on Wednesday. There could be more minutes for Diafra Sakho, who has been introduced as a substitute twice so far this campaign, while Declan Rice will be keen to continue his fine form after his first senior start on the south coast.

West Ham suffered late heartbreak at St. Mary's on Saturday, conceding a stoppage time penalty in a 3-2 defeat to the Saints. But Bilic believes this early in the season, although the games are coming thick and fast, there is plenty of time to field a strong lineup at Cheltenham and still be in good shape for Newcastle United at the weekend. "It's not a big thing for others to play – it's the beginning of the season. There is an international break after the Newcastle game, so it's OK for them to play. "Wednesday until Saturday is enough time to recover. If we make changes it's because we have a good squad and can do that, although we will have a little bit of an eye on Newcastle but we will put a strong team out."

Wednesday's tie will be screened live in the UK by Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Mix from 7.30pm. Alternatively, you can follow our Live blog on whufc.com from 6pm.

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World Cup qualifying: Austria pick two new caps in squad to face Wales
BBC.co.uk

West Ham midfielder Marko Arnautovic is included in Austria's squad to face Wales in their World Cup qualifier at Cardiff City Stadium on 2 September. Arnautovic, who joined from Stoke for £24m in July, scored twice in the 2-2 draw in Vienna last October. Defenders Moritz Bauer of Rubin Kazan and SK Rapid's Maximilian Wober earn first call-ups from Marcel Koller. That sees Tottenham defender Kevin Wimmer left out, although the £15m West Brom target remains on standby.
Wales coach Chris Coleman will announce his squad on Friday, 25 August to face Austria and then Moldova in Chisinau three days later.

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Cole set for Ferdinand reunion?
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 22nd August 2017
By: Staff Writer

Former Hammer Carlton is on trial with League One side Southend United. The Shrimpers - who are captained by Cole's friend and fellow ex-Hammer Anton Ferdinand - have taken the 33-year-old striker on trial with view to offering a permanent deal. "We've got Carlton in at the moment after a recommendation from Sam Allardyce," Blues boss Phil Brown, Allardyce's former assistant manager at Bolton told The Echo. "He will train with the first team. "He's returned from Indonesia and we all know what he's done in his career, so we'll be having a look at him and see where we go from there."

Cole is available on a free transfer having recently departed Indonesian club Persib Bandung, who he left after just six months when the club terminated his ten-month contract early. Speaking earlier this month, prior to the termination of Cole's contract, Bandung manager Umuh Muchtar slammed the former Hammer for what he perceived to be below-par performances. "He plays very badly compared to the other (foreign players) who have joined Persib," he moaned. "He had the worst performances."
And that prompted an angry response via social media from Cole, who wrote: "This direct attack on me for the whole season must stop. Look at yourself first before you point fingers at good people. "I was very surprised and disappointed what came out of Umuh Muchtar's mouth on Sky Sports News in England. And I would like to clarify I have a great relationship with Persib and everyone connected to the team. "But this manipulation of the media has to stop somewhere because when you intentionally try to damage my career that I have worked so hard for it starts to get personal."

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Desperately seeking Snodgrass
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 22nd August 2017
By: Staff Writer

Sunderland are still keen to try and lure Robert Snodgrass to the Stadium of Light ahead of the transfer deadline. However any bid from the Black Cats will be on a loan basis, according to manager Simon Grayson. "I can tell you now that we won't be buying Robert Snodgrass because of the fee and the wages that come with it," he said. "The only way we could get him is through a loan deal, or something like that. "There won't be too many clubs in the Championship who would be able to afford to buy Robert Snodgrass, and if they do then they have some serious money. "He's a player that I like and, like a lot of other managers, we will ask the question about his availability but it will be dictated by finances. "If someone in the Championship takes him, I don't think they will be able to afford his full wages."

West Ham are seeking to offload the former Hull winger before the transfer window closes - just seven months after signing him from Hull in a £10million deal.
Fellow Championship club Aston Villa have also expressed interest in signing the Scottish international.

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Sead Haksabanovic and the West Ham players likely to be involved at Cheltenham Town
Here's the players likely to make an appearance in the domestic cup tie
Football London
BYROB GUEST
20:03, 22 AUG 2017

Slaven Bilic could make a number of changes to his West Ham team as they travel to Cheltenham Town in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening. While the manager is expected to rotate some of his squad, the Hammers will still put out a strong side as they want to go far in the competition this season. After impressing for the club's youngsters in the Checkatrade Trophy win at Swindon Town last week, new signing Sead Haksabanovic could be handed his first-team debut at Whaddon Road. The attacking midfielder has yet to be involved in the first-team squad so far this campaign but it looks like he will be handed his opportunity in the cup. Diafra Sakho is another player that could also be given an opportunity from kick-off against the League Two side following his return from injury. The Senegalese striker, who spent the vast majority of last season on the sidelines, has featured off the bench in his side's defeats at Manchester United and Southampton. Given Andy Carroll is still missing through injury, Bilic could opt to rest Javier Hernandez and start with Sakho upfront. Michail Antonio could well start again after his return from injury, while Edimilson Fernandes will more than likely come back into the starting XI. There may also be a number of changes in defence with Bilic having plenty of options at the back.

Sam Byram could be handed a first start of the season in place of Pablo Zabaleta, with Arthur Masuaku handed a recall on the opposite flank after his disappointing display against Manchester United. James Collins may well come into defence, while Adrian could take Joe Hart's place in goal.

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Cheltenham v West Ham preview: Carabao Cup clash live on Sky Sports Football
Last Updated: 22/08/17 4:41pm
SSN

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic has confirmed he is unlikely to risk winger Michail Antonio in the Carabao Cup tie at Sky Bet League Two side Cheltenham on Wednesday night. Antonio underwent a hamstring operation over the summer and made his first start in the Premier League match at Southampton before going off in the second half. The Hammers have lost their opening two games of the season, going down 4-0 at Manchester United and 3-2 at Southampton, and head to Whaddon Road for the clash, live on Sky Sports Football, targeting a first win of the season.
Cheltenham, meanwhile, haven't had the best start themselves and currently sit 20th in the League Two table after a win and two defeats. Versatile Irishman Kevin Dawson could make his first Cheltenham start after joining the Robins from Yeovil in the summer, but his debut was delayed following a thigh injury.
Cheltenham will have a clean bill of health if on-loan midfielder Jerell Sellars recovers from a knock which has forced him to miss the last two games.

Austria forward Marko Arnautovic is suspended after his red card on Saturday and defender Winston Reid (calf) continues to be assessed. Midfielder Manuel Lanzini is back in training after his knee problem, as is striker Andy Carroll (thigh) and Cheikhou Kouyate (knee).

This will be Cheltenham's fourth League Cup tie with Premier League opposition - they've lost all three in the second round, including most recently against West Ham in August 2013. The Hammers haven't been eliminated from the League Cup by a side in the fourth tier as a top-flight side since October 1972, when Stockport County won 2-1 at Edgeley Park. The Robins have never gone beyond the second round of the League Cup in their history. West Ham were last eliminated by fourth-tier opposition in the League Cup in August 2011, when Aldershot Town won 2-1 at the Boleyn Ground in a first-round match.


Prutton's prediction

I'll be at this game on Wednesday and I'm thoroughly looking forward to it! West Ham could use a victory after their poor start to the season in the Premier League, and anything but a win here will only heap more pressure on Slaven Bilic. Cheltenham have not had the best start to the season themselves in League Two and, while I don't think West Ham will run away with it, they should get the win.

Prutton predicts: 1-3 with Diafra Sakho to score first (30/1 with Sky Bet)

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Slaven Bilic: West Ham are 'ready' for transfers amid William Carvalho talks
JACK ROSSER
ES Sport

Slaven Bilic says West Ham are ready to both sell and buy players before the summer transfer window shuts. The Hammers have already brought in Javier Hernandez, Joe Hart, Marko Arnautovic and Sead Haksabanovic this summer, but are without a point in their opening two Premier League games. Bilic insists that while he is happy with his squad following defeats to Manchester United and Southampton, he is looking to bring in one more player. William Carvalho is a target and talks are ongoing between the two clubs, but Bilic is still waiting on news regarding a potential deal. "We are still waiting for that," Bilic told Sky Sports News.
"We will wait and see what happens in the last week of the transfer window to see if somebody is going to leave or go out, or if somebody is going to come in.
"There is a week in front of us and, like most of the clubs, we are ready to do something both ways, in case something good comes on a plate."
Last season's January signing Robert Snodgrass has been linked with a move away from the club having not scored a single goal since making the move from Hull, though Bilic insists that he is no problems with the make-up of his squad. "I am happy with the squad now," he added. "I said that I would like to have one more and then after that if somebody leaves we have to fill that gap because we don't have a big, big squad. "This is our squad for the season, or at least until January."

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Bookies make West Ham second favourites to sign Carlos Tevez this summer - but could striker's return really happen?
HITC
Aiden Cusick

Tevez spent a season at West Ham United earlier in his career. The ambition shown by West Ham United during this summer's transfer window cannot be called into question, with established stars Javier Hernandez, Mark Arnautovic, Joe Hart and Pablo Zabaleta all arriving at the London Stadium. And based on Bet Victor's latest odds things could get better yet, with the Hammers second favourites to sign their former striker Carlos Tevez from Shanghai Shenhua before 3 September.
Only Barcelona (6/1) are currently more fancied than Slaven Bilic's side (8/1), but could the Argentine really return to West Ham?

Why it might happen?

Tevez has so far struggling to live up to expectation in China, scoring two goals and providing four assists in his 11 Shanghai appearances. Homesickness could be a factor, with the 33-year-old finding it hard to get on board with Oriental cuisine and having returned to Argentina during the league's ongoing hiatus (Sky Sports). Indeed, Shanghai's fear that Tevez could go AWOL was evidenced by their insistence he promised not to - in writing. Having kept the club in the Premier League a decade ago, he continues to be held in high regard by West Ham supporters.

Why it might not?

The same report claims the Argentine earns £650,000 a week in China, more than four times that of West Ham's highest paid player. And it would likely require a somewhat un-Tevez-like sacrifice for the London side to afford him. Besides, given his age, and the fact their priorities perhaps lie in other positions since signing Hernandez, the Hammers might not be that bothered anyway.

Verdict:

Unless another financial carrot is dangled, there are two likely outcomes here: Either Tevez sticks things out in Shanghai as promised, or returns for a third spell at Boca Juniors, having already admitted he misses the club and would go back 'for the fans'. Even if the latter doesn't happen this summer - Bet Victor are offering 12/1 on him signing for any South American club, by the way - one suspects it's a near certainty at some stage.

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BILIC NOT UNDER THREAT DESPITE EXIT RUMOURSFeatured Image
Date: 22nd August 2017 at 9:00pm
Written by: Forever Westham

West Ham are not looking to replace manager Slaven Bilic despite recent rumours over the safety of his job at the London Stadium, says sources at TalkSport.
Bilic has been with the East London club since the summer of 2015, and enjoyed a terrific first campaign in charge of the Hammers, guiding them to their best placed top flight finish in almost 15 years. In his second season in charge however, the Croatian found his side involved in relegation battle for much of the year, and having had a tough pre-season and start to the Premier League season with back-to-back defeats, rumours have circulated that Bilic could be on borrowed time at the London Stadium. The Hammers have lost both of their opening games of the new campaign, being humbled 4-0 by Manchester United in their opening fixture, before losing 3-2 to Mauricio Pellgerino's Southampton this Saturday. Despite the rumours of Bilic's future however, sources at the club have called such whispers "total rubbish", suggesting the Croat's job at the London Stadium is still very much safe.

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All Whites skipper Winston Reid misses fourth consecutive international football window
Last updated 09:23 23/08/2017
HANNAH MCKAY

Winston Reid is treated after injuring his calf during while warming up for a Premier League clash at Southampton last weekend. All Whites skipper Winston Reid will miss another international window through injury. New Zealand Football said on Wednesday that Reid will not be available for a pair of World Cup qualifiers against the Solomon Islands early next month. The 29-year-old West Ham United centre-back injured his ankle while warming up for an English Premier League game against Southampton last weekend. All Whites coach Anthony Hudson said it was once again very disappointing to not have the services of Reid, who has not been present for the last three international windows because of injury. "He's been through a tough period with regards to injury and I know he's incredibly frustrated not to be playing for his club and for his country. But we wish him a quick recovery and hope to see him back with us in our next games."
A replacement for Reid in the squad would be announced this week and Chris Wood will again lead the team, NZ Football said. The leading contenders to replace Reid were Sunderland under-23 defender Sam Brotherton and South Melbourne's Luke Adams. Brotherton was in the squad for the Confederations Cup, but did not play, while Adams played in the 2016 OFC Nations Cup win. West Ham also confirmed the news, manager Slaven Bilic saying Reid would not be fit for their English League Cup clash against Cheltenham Town on Wednesday (Thursday NZ time). Bilic added Reid is likely to return for a Premier League clash on September 11, their first match after the international break. "Winston Reid will not be fit, but it's not a bad injury," the Croatian in charge of the Hammers said. "He should be fit for the Huddersfield game after the international break."

The first leg of New Zealand's tie with the Solomon Islands will be played at North Harbour Stadium next Friday, September 1, with the return leg in Honiara four days later. The winner of the tie advances to an intercontinental playoff in November against the fifth-placed team from South American qualifying for a berth at next year's World Cup in Russia. Reid was carried off on a stretcher during the warm-ups before West Ham's Premier League clash with Southampton and the defender, who signed a six-year contract extension last week, was sorely missed as the his team crashed to a 3-2 defeat. After the match, Bilic was hopeful the injury would not sideline the Kiwi centre-back for long. "It was like irony, when I was talking to one of the physios," Bilic told reporters at Southampton's St Mary's Stadium. "On Monday, we were expecting the whole team to be fit, every player which hasn't been the case for the last five years. "And while we are talking in the dressing room, the other physio comes and he say, 'Winston hurt his Achilles.' And in the end, it wasn't the Achilles. It was the calf. "They say it's nothing serious, but we will see how things have to go with this. "At least it wasn't a rupture, at least we hope."

- Stuff

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BILL GREEN 1950-2017
By Dan Coker 22 Aug 2017 at 17:00
WTID

Former West Ham United centre-back Bill Green has passed away at the age of 66.

Bill Green was born in Newcastle on the 22nd December 1950 and attended St Mary's RC Boys' Technical School. He joined Hartlepool from school before making his debut as an 18-year-old on 15th September 1969 in a 1-1 Fourth Division draw at Newport. He made 131 appearances for Pools, scoring nine goals. He joined Carlisle in the summer of 1973 for £15,000 and captained the Cumbrians for the only top flight campaign in their history in 1974/75.

Bill signed for West Ham United at the age of 25 in June 1976 for a fee of £75,000. He made his debut on 21st August 1976 in a 4-0 defeat at Aston Villa in the First Division and scored his only goal for the Hammers in a 3-1 home win over Chelsea on the 25th March 1978. Blues forward Tommy Langley was in goal as John Phillips had been forced off through injury – Bill's strike gave the Hammers a 2-1 lead after David Cross had equalised, Pat Holland sealing the points with the third. Despite this victory, the Irons would be relegated at the end of the 1977/78 campaign and, after 40 appearances in claret and blue, Bill was on the move to Peterborough to become their record signing.

After a season at London Road, Bill would go on to captain Chesterfield, making 160 appearances between 1979 and 1983 before ending his playing career at Doncaster. He managed Scunthorpe from 1991 to 1993 and had a spell in charge at Buxton between 1994 and 1996. He had one game as caretaker manager at Sheffield Wednesday in 2002 and worked as Chief European Scout at Wigan and Derby. For the past six years he had been Senior Recruitment Officer at Southampton.

Bill Green passed away on Monday 21st August at the age of 66. I am sure all WHTID readers will join me in sending condolences and best wishes to Bill's family and friends at this sad time.

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We need to play 'like it is the last game of our lives' says West Ham boss Slaven Bilic ahead of Carabao Cup tie against Cheltenham
By talkSPORT - @talkSPORT
Tuesday, August 22, 2017

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic has called on his team to play "like it is the last game of our lives" and kick-start the season with a Carabao Cup win at League Two Cheltenham. The Irons have lost both of their Premier League fixtures so far, going down first 4-0 to Manchester United and then 3-2 at Southampton, where they had fought back following the sending off of Marko Arnautovic only to concede a last-minute penalty. The future of the Hammers boss was in question this morning, according to reports, but talkSPORT sources have said their are no plans to replace Bilic. However, the Croatian is confident his players can come through at Whaddon Road to give themselves the perfect tonic going into Saturday's trip to Newcastle ahead of the international break. Bilic said at a press conference: "We need a win to get that boost, but it was a completely different feeling after the defeat at Manchester United and at Southampton, because there were a lot of positives on Saturday when we came back from 2-0 down with 10 men to equaliser. But of course we have zero points. "If we do some changes it is because we have a good squad and okay, with a little bit of an eye towards the Newcastle game, but we will of course put a strong team out."

The Croatian added: "We are a Premier League side, we are all professionals, it is part of our job to feel the pressure, it is always there. "We know it is going to be a difficult game, but it is up to us to make it less difficult with our performance. "We know they will play almost like a cup final, but there is only one thing we have to do to stop that and it is to play the game like it is the last game of our lives. "Only with that approach are we going to reduce their chances. "Normally we have a better team, but the (team on) paper means nothing when the game starts. "After a good performance against Southampton, now there is a platform for us before Newcastle to boost our confidence with a win, which means a lot in the club."

Bilic also confirmed he would still like to add another body before the transfer window closes, with Sporting Lisbon midfielder William Carvalho one reported target while Scotland winger Robert Snodgrass looks set for a loan move to Aston Vila. "Like most of the clubs we are ready to do something both ways in case something good comes, so that is a maybe," he said.

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Bilic dismisses reports Carroll could rejoin Newcastle
BY LONDON FOOTBALL NEWS 22/08/2017

Slaven Bilic has dismissed reports linking West Ham striker Andy Carroll with a return to Newcastle. The Magpies have been linked with a pre-deadline move for the injury-plagued Carroll, who they sold to Liverpool in 2011. But Hammers boss Bilic, whose team play Newcastle this weekend, suggested the reports are mere speculation. Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday, Bilic said: "He's always a very interesting character to be in the papers for whatever reason. "I think it's because we play Newcastle, he's from Newcastle, he's on the verge of coming back and you have to fill the papers."

Bilic added that he has been working to improve his team's defending following their poor start to the season. They have lost both their opening matches and conceded seven goals in the process, going down 4-0 at Manchester United on the opening day and then 3-2 against Southampton. "It is a thing that we are talking about," Bilic admitted. "Those three goals we conceded (against Southampton) came from individual mistakes and the players are very frustrated. "You can very easily stop these kind of situations, like the first goal against Southampton when it was obvious what they were going to do. "We are analysing it and encouraging the players to do what they have to do – and they will do it.

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Aston Villa lead race for Robert Snodgrass loan deal as West Ham put winger on market just seven months after £10m transfer
Aston Villa are unable to take Robert Snodgrass permanently due to FFP
Steve Bruce's side are keen to secure deal for Scotland international on loan
Championship side Sunderland are also interested in taking Snodgrass
Bruce has already suceeded in bold moves for John Terry and Josh Onomah
By Laurie Whitwell for MailOnline
PUBLISHED: 13:42, 22 August 2017 | UPDATED: 13:42, 22 August 2017

Aston Villa have moved ahead of rivals in pursuit of signing Robert Snodgrass on loan. West Ham made the winger available for transfer just seven months after paying Hull £10million in the winter window, and Steve Bruce has made an ambitious bid. Bruce is unable to take Snodgrass to Villa Park on a permanent basis due to Financial Fair Play regulations but the club have proposed an attractive loan arrangement to West Ham. A number of clubs are tracking Snodgrass, including Sunderland, whose manager Simon Grayson worked with the Scotland international at Leeds United. But Bruce, who signed Snodgrass for Hull in June 2014, is said to be using his personal persuasion to win over the 29-year-old. Bruce has already succeeded this summer in bold moves for John Terry and Tottenham's Josh Onomah and views Snodgrass as an ideal recruit to add quality on the wing. Snodgrass missed the entirety of the 2014-15 season under Bruce through a serious knee injury but returned to help Hull to promotion the following campaign. He starred in the first half of last season, scoring six Premier League goals and providing a number of assists despite playing in a team at the bottom of the table, and Slaven Bilic committed a large chunk of his budget in his transfer. But West Ham have now decided Snodgrass is surplus to requirements, giving Bruce opportunity to add to his squad ahead of a planned promotion push.

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Carvalho to sign and Lanzini to stay - West Ham's transfer window: A look at the best and worst case scenario
A look at what could happen for the Hammers in the remaining days of the transfer window
Football London
BYROB GUEST
12:14, 22 AUG 2017

With just over a week until the transfer window slams shut, West Ham are expected to be busy in the transfer market over the coming days. Sporting Lisbon's William Carvalho is dominating talk in east London at present, while there will also be one or two outgoings at the London Stadium. The club have enjoyed a successful transfer window so far following the arrivals of Joe Hart, Pablo Zabaleta, Marko Arnautovic and Javier Hernandez, yet they have suffered two successive defeats in the league. Slaven Bilic was busy in the final week of transfer market last year and, once again, that looks like it will be the case this time around.

Here we take a look at the best and worst case scenarios for the club over the next week.

Best case scenario

William Carvalho

The best case scenario for the Hammers would see them finally complete the signing of Carvalho from Sporting Lisbon. The Portuguese international, who has reportedly agreed a five-year contract with the club, is set on moving to the capital, although a fee is the only thing holding up the transfer at present. Given that the Primeira Liga side want as close to £40million as possible for their prized asset, it looks like the clubs will have to compromise on a fee. Carvalho, who would help strengthen the team's midfield, would be an exceptional signing for the Hammers and Bilic will have his fingers crossed that the club can seal a deal. As well as incomings in east London, there will be movement going out of the club over the next week.

Manuel Lanzini

Manuel Lanzini and Diafra Sakho are two players that have been linked with a move away from the club, yet Bilic will be doing all he can to keep them in the capital. Following the news that Philippe Coutinho's move to Barcelona will not be going through, the club's supporters will be very pleased as that means Liverpool won't be launching a move for Lanzini.

Diafra Sakho

Reports emerging from France also suggest that Lazio and Bordeaux are interested in a potential move for Sakho before the transfer deadline. The Senegalese striker, who has only come back from a nightmare spell on the sidelines, has featured in both of the club's two opening Premier League games. Sakho is definitely part of Bilic's plan and the club need to make sure they keep hold of the forward.

Robert Snodgrass

While the club will be doing all they can to keep Sakho, Robert Snodgrass is one player that definitely looks like he will be departing the club. Bilic confirmed last week that the Scotland international is deemed surplus to requirements and that he is free to find another team. Sunderland and Aston Villa have been heavily linked with the player, while a number of Premier League and Championship teams are said to be keeping tabs on the winger. Having Carvalho, Lanzini and Sakho in a claret and blue shirt come the start of September, as well as Snodgrass moving on, would be the best case scenario for the club.

Worst case scenario

The worst case scenario for the Hammers is that they are unable to complete a deal for Carvalho. Although the move is believed to be edging closer, there is a risk that the transfer could potentially drag on into the closing stages of the window. The Euro 2016 winner would be a major coup for the club and David Gold and David Sullivan need to ensure it gets over the line. The Hammers can't afford to miss out on Carvalho, particularly given it is well-documented how many big-name players they missed out on last campaign. The danger for the club is they will dip into the loan market for a player if Carvalho doesn't sign. After missing out on some big players one year ago, Gokhan Tore, Jonathan Calleri and Simone Zaza all sealed loan moves to east London. Everyone knows how well those players did for the Hammers…

As well as potentially losing out on Carvalho, West Ham fans will be praying that the club don't finish the window with their current squad. While the Hammers have done extremely well in the transfer window, it's evident that the club still need a couple of additions here and there. It's going to be an interesting week coming up at the London Stadium.

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THE FINEST OF MARGINS
By Tony Hanna 22 Aug 2017 at 08:00
WTID

On Saturday the disaster that is Optus Sports (from last season the provider of Premier League games in Australia), decided to go into melt down mode and show no games at all. No warning, no refund and no apology. Unable to find a stream that would work and in the knowledge that we were down to ten men and one goal down I shrunk off to bed at half past midnight. I woke the next morning and Optus was up and running again and so promptly watched the 90 second goal package they provided for our game. I just shook my head as the events unfolded and my wife disappeared somewhere else to find something for me to kick. The next hour or so I tuned into WHTID to read the comments as they appeared and there was a lot of disagreement on how we performed. I wondered what side I might be agreeing with once I had watched the full game myself? I kept from commenting on the site as to be honest I didn't feel I was qualified not having watched more than a minute and a half of the game.

After watching the ninety second highlights package my main emotion was grievance. Bloody ref, stupid Arnie and how slow is Fonte? Typical West Ham! Why always us? After watching the full game later my overwhelming emotion was pride. I came away proud of our team and proud of our supporters. These games are so often decided by the finest of margins and had the match finished a minute earlier than it did we would all be talking about what a fantastic team effort that was to come from two down with only ten men. It doesn't stop me thinking Arnie was stupid or how slow is Fonte, but I do think the referees decisions were correct with the two penalties awarded and the sending off. However, the finest of margins came into play with the decisions the referee didn't give us and the fact that the ones he did give against us often go unpunished at so many other times. Put it this way. If Southampton had been playing at the Theatre of Moans they would never have got all three of those crucial decisions, however right they may have been. I might be wrong, but I do think we will finish above Southampton this season.

As for Slaven? I have always been an old fashioned supporter who wants to see whoever our manager is do well, a hope that in bad times he will turn things around rather than just get sacked. I still had splinters in the bum long after most West Ham fans had jumped the fence for Big Sam to go. You may all recall just how divisive that topic was, especially on the forums. It wasn't because I liked his style of football, it was because at that time he was West Ham's manager. I found Roeder's weakness irritating and I disliked Zola for his inverted wingers. I never wanted them sacked though. I just wanted them to learn from their mistakes and improve. I have disagreed about some of Bilic's tactics for some while now and even the players he picks and formations. It does not make me right though, I have no history of managing at the top level, so as long as he is boss he gets my support providing I think he is not totally inept or it is blatant that the players have stopped playing for him. I remember back in the 60's – the banners in the old Chicken Run calling for Greenwood to go? As a young supporter then I wondered why? Ron was West Ham. The lack of success did not bother me as I just loved our club for better or worse. When I started going to Upton Park I was watching a club that had been playing for over 60 years and we were only on our 4th manager! Whatever people think about our defending, Bilic has still got us to 7th and 11th in the past two seasons and it is far too early to start getting twitchy after just two games this season. If we are in trouble in December then a change may be what we need, but we are not Robinson Crusoe there – many other clubs will be taking the same course of action if expectations are not being met. If we were to change manager now who would / could we get and what real difference would it make? We would still have players that perform poorly at times, there will always be players that will be whipping boys and we will always have players that make mistakes? Any new manager going to fix all that up? Doubt it! But feel free to comment.

We have less than two weeks to go now before the transfer window is closed. The ongoing situation regarding potential signing William Carvalho has not changed. The bookies have him priced at 1-5 (83%) to join the Hammers with no money for any other outcome than him staying at Sporting Lisbon or signing for us. As I wrote in my article last week this one could go either way. It is a good sign that his odds are holding firm despite the talk of problems in the negotiations, but I would be much more confident if the odds were a bit shorter. There has been further money for Adrian to stay and his odds are now 4/7 (63%) to remain a Hammer with only Crystal Palace and Newcastle tipped as alternative destinations. With the possible arrival of Carvalho, the prices on Jack Wishere and Jota signing have both eased – Wilshere is a 9/2 (18%) chance and Jota is now 5/2 (28%). I am pleased to report that there has been more money for Manuel Lanzini to stay with his odds/chances firming to 2-9 (81%). Robert Snodgrass looks certain to be on his way as the bookies price him up at 10/1 (9%) to stay at the club with Newcastle, Sunderland, Villa and Celtic amongst the clubs showing an interest. I am sure we will be trying to sell the player rather than loan so this one might drag out until the last day.

Elsewhere, the Coutinho saga continues but it has always been my belief (by just reading the way they have been framing the market), that the toss of the coin that it is he will probably stay at Liverpool rather than move to Spain. This is reflected in the firming of the prices for Lanzini to stay at West Ham. The chances of Zlatan Ibrahimovic spending another year with the Moaners look good and with the arrival of Sanchez at Spurs, there has been good money for Kevin Wimmer to move to West Brom. There has also been late money to indicate that Chelsea might be looking at Leicester's Riyad Mahrez. The bookies updates have given us a good heads up on what has been happening in this transfer window. They don't get it right all the time but for me they normally provide better information than many ITK's. However, as I alluded to in one of the earlier articles, as the final days approach the markets will become much more volatile and in many ways unreliable. There are going to be some clubs that miss out on their targets and when desperation sets in anything can happen.

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West Ham striker set to leave with Lazio and Bordeaux interested
West Ham transfer news includes an update on the forward
Football London


Despite just making his first-team comeback, Diafra Sakho could potentially be about to leave West Ham. According to France Football, Bordeaux and Lazio are both interested in striking a deal with the Hammers for the Senegalese forward. Following an outstanding first season at Upton Park, where he scored 12 goals in 26 games for the club, Sakho has struggled with injuries over the past two years. The 27-year-old only managed four appearances for Slaven Bilic's team last season, with a combination of a hamstring injury and back injury keeping him on the sidelines for the majority of the campaign. After stepping up his recovery over the summer, Sakho has appeared as a substitute in both of West Ham's league games so far this season. The player may have doubts over the amount of game time he will get following Javier Hernandez's arrival in east London, but it looks like he will definitely be utilised by Bilic. Lazio have contacted the Hammers to register their interest in a potential deal for Sakho, while Ligue 1 side Bordeaux are keen on taking the player back to France. Given Lazio have Europa League football to offer, they could well hold an advantage over Bordeaux if the Hammers decide to allow Sakho to depart after three years in east London.

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