Daily WHUFC News - 7th September 2017

International round-up: Arnautovic and Kouyate feature in draws
WHUFC.com

West Ham United pair Marko Arnautovic and Cheikhou Kouyate both played 90 minutes as Austria and Senegal both picked up draws in their latest FIFA World Cup qualifiers on Tuesday night.

Arnautovic's Austria came from behind to claim a share of the spoils against Georgia in European qualifying Group D. The Georgians led through Valeriane Gvilla's early opener, until Austria's Louis Schaub levelled two minutes before the break. A final scoreline of 1-1 means Austria have now drawn three of their eight qualifiers and now sit five points adrift of James' Collins Wales, who occupy second place behind Serbia.

Meanwhile, in Ouagadougou, Kouyate started in midfield for Senegal, who first came from behind and were then pegged back by Burkina Faso in their 2-2 draw.
Ismaila Sarr and Sadio Mane were on target for Senegal, but a last gasp own goal by Papa Seydou N'Diaye means they remain a point off top spot in Africa's Group D.

James Collins, Andre Ayew and Arthur Masuaku were not involved as Wales defeated Moldova, Ghana beat Congo and DR Congo drew with Tunisia respectively.

There was more success for West Ham's Irish U21 contingent, as Josh Cullen and Declan Rice started in the Boys In Green's 3-1 UEFA U21 Championship qualifying victory in Azerbaijan. Ireland, captained by Cullen, now top Group 5 with two wins from two, although tougher tests against the likes of Germany and Israel await.

Finally, Dan Kemp was on the bench as England U19s were defeated 3-1 by Germany. The Hammers youngster played a key role in the Young Lions' 7-1 victory against Poland last week, providing two assists.

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Cresswell: England experiences have boosted my confidence
WHUFC.com

Aaron Cresswell is eager to bring his positive England experiences back to West Ham United. The Hammers left-back was part of the Three Lions squad for the recent victories over Malta and Slovakia – the third time he has been called-up by his country – which left Gareth Southgate's side just two points from securing their place at the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals. And while Cresswell was an unused substitute for both successes, he confirmed that being part of both wins was good for his confidence after a challenging start to the Premier League season. "At the minute, it's not going great at West Ham with three defeats in our first three Premier League games," confirmed the No3. "But I'm looking forward to getting back in with the lads, as I'm sure Joe [Hart] is as well, getting back on the training pitch and working hard to do what we have to do to beat Huddersfield on Monday. "I'm also looking forward to getting back to London Stadium and hopefully we can give something back to the fans, get those three points and kick-start our season."

Should Cresswell produce the goods in Claret and Blue, he will also boost his chances of securing a place in England's squad for Russia 2018, should they qualify.
However, with fierce competition for places in his position – Southampton's Ryan Bertrand started both games, while Tottenham Hotspur's Danny Rose, Everton's Leighton Baines, Manchester United's Luke Shaw and West Bromwich Albion new boy Kieran Gibbs have all been capped – Cresswell knows he will need to play consistently well to stay in Southgate's thoughts. "We're two points from the World Cup and for me personally it's a good experience to be part of it with the boys," the No3, who has two caps, told whufc.com. "Of course, I'd have liked to have got on and played some part, but the lads have done well over the two games and got the two wins, which are the most important thing. We're two points from qualifying, which is massive. "The main aim for me is to play well this season and go to the World Cup. It's an ambition of every footballer to go to the best tournament in the world, so hopefully I can have a good year and we'll see where we are come the end of the season. "For me, playing for your country is the pinnacle of your career. It's nice to be involved in games like we've had recently and play in stadiums like Wembley and the Stade de France. I'm delighted that we won the two games and with the experience of being part of it."

Reflecting on Monday's come-from-behind 2-1 win over Slovakia, Cresswell was pleased with how his England squad-mates handled a potentially tricky situation after falling behind inside three minutes. "Obviously they scored first very early on and it showed great character to come from behind, get into the lead," he observed. "The main thing for us was to get the three points and move away from Slovakia in the group, which we've done. "We're only two points away from qualifying and we all believe we will get the job done in the next international break."

England complete their Group F campaign by hosting Slovenia at Wembley on 5 October before travelling to Lithuania three days later. Cresswell and company go into those games five points clear of second-place Slovakia with a superior goal difference, knowing one victory or two draws will be enough to take them to a 15th World Cup finals.

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Rice reflects on proud moment in Ireland shirt
WHUFC.com

Declan Rice labelled Tuesday night a "proud moment" as he helped the Republic of Ireland's U21s to a win on his competitive debut. The teenager started and completed 90 minutes in the Boys in Green's 3-1 UEFA European Championship qualifying victory over Azerbaijan. Noel King's side now top their qualifying group after they added Tuesday's three points to their win over Kosovo in March ahead of the 2019 tournament to be held in Italy and San Marino. Rice has been involved in all four of the Hammers' matches so far this campaign, impressing in a central midfield role, and could make his London Stadium debut on Monday against Huddersfield Town should he be selected by manager Slaven Bilic. The 18-year-old reflected on a moment to remember representing his country and looked ahead to the vital Premier League fixture. "It was a very proud moment for me and my family, to make my competitive debut for the U21s," the youngster said. "The start I've had to the season has been great and it's another part that I will always remember. "It would be a dream come true to play at London Stadium for the first time in a first team game if I get that opportunity on Monday. I'm very grateful to have been involved in every game so far, so I hope that can continue. "With Ireland, we couldn't have asked for a better start to qualifying, as a group. Two wins from two games is all that we wanted and it's what we've got.
Declan Rice represented Ireland's U21s"We need to take this into the next two games, now. We controlled the whole game in Azerbaijan. We always looked comfortable and they had a man sent off, so that helped us. "It was still up to us to beat what was in front of us, though. When you go all the way to a place like that and win, it's great to take the points home. It would have been so disappointing if we hadn't."

Rice – who skippered West Ham's U23s last season as a centre-back – played in midfield alongside fellow Hammer Josh Cullen, who is currently on loan at Bolton Wanderers. And the 18-year-old enjoyed teaming up with Cullen once again in his new, more advanced, role. "You know what you're going to get with Josh, and he's a fantastic player," Rice continued. "He's had a couple of good years on loan and will be hoping to do it again in the Championship. He's great to play alongside. "To be honest, I'm really liking playing there [in midfield], and I can show off more of my ability there, in the middle of the park. "But wherever any manager wants me to play, I'll always play there and put in 100 per cent."

Bilic's men return to action on Monday after more than a fortnight without a game due to the international break when Huddersfield Town visit east London.
And despite the Terriers' promising early form and the Hammers' disappointment, Rice believes his team has it in them to turn things around. "We just have to stay positive and keep working hard," he explained. "We have have to try and make things right. "For me personally, I feel like I can take back a lot of confidence from the international break having made my debut and a lot of the other boys won too. "That's definitely going to help us going back into Monday's game."

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WHERE DID THINGS GO WRONG?
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 5 SEPTEMBER 2017 AT 9:06PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by @farehamhammer

Many are now saying what the likes of Brother Enfield and myself have said for years regarding G&S.

They are spin merchants supreme. Masters of launching phantom 'bids' they know full well the selling Club won't accept. Another trick they have been known for, and I believe they still do, is not being able to agree personal terms for a player they are 'attempting' to sign. In other words, using every trick in the book to make sure a 'bid' is not concluded. Every summer transfer window, before season ticket renewal time, leak after leak about launching 'stunning 'bids' for this star or that appears in the media. They certainly know every trick in the book on how to manipulate the media, thanks to their years owning The Daily Sport. Hammers fans everywhere are tired of the constant bullshit, and as a result there is plenty of anti-Board sentiment and David Sullivan has copped most of it. The Sporting Lisbon Director, Nuno Saraiva, called him "A lying parasite and an 'intellectual' pornographer".

It's Sullivan Fareham!

Good old Nuno gave him the kicking he fully deserves. Sorry Nuno, but you were just covering your own arse. I will explain why in a bit. No, I have not had it all right regarding G&S. Neither has anyone else.

Let's have a look at things closely, trying to separate the truth from fiction. This transfer window was always going to be a tough ask, having to get rid of the dross brought to The Club last summer. The Board and Slaven have taken big stick over this. The question on my lips is why has the chief scout, Tony Henry, been allowed to escape any flak? We actually did well to shift most of them this summer. I'm afraid I do not believe that we made good money on the likes of Randolph and Fletcher. I think that was just positive spin, when in reality I think we made very little profit on the players we shifted. The thing that puzzles me about the transfer window is this. For 75% of the window we had been doing so well! Not a word from Sullivan or young Jack. In came Zabaleta, Hart, Arnautovic and Hernandez. I, like many of you, were on top of the world. Indeed supporters from other clubs had told me that we had done very impressive business. All seemed well, most were happy, and there was no talk of net spend then. Indeed many were saying "Its brilliant business not spending much money, and bringing these four in". Slaven could not stop singing The Board's praises.

Now it feels like we had spent months trying to reach the summit of Mount Everest, yet 500 yards from the summit we turned round and came back. Why? I think as per normal, The Chairman sat down with Slaven to discuss transfer targets and finances. I also think at about the same time Liverpool made contact about buying Manuel Lanzini, thinking that Coutinho would be off to Barcelona. Bilic would have been informed, and he would have had to sanction any potential move. Not the Chairman. I have an inkling the manager gave the nod for the player to be sold, providing he could spend the funds. Bilic would then have identified potential targets and discussed possible fan backlash with The Board. This is where William Carvalho comes in. I don't think that he was on the original list of transfer targets, agreed to by Slaven and The Board. I think that the talks must of escalated to the stage that a fee was agreed in principle regarding the sale of Lanzini. I think if Lanzini had been sold we would have brought in Carvalho and two more quality additions.

At the same time, despite what Nuno says, a similar scenario was unfolding between West Ham and Sporting. Almost like putting an offer on a house pending the sale of yours. Hence Carvalho, dropping out of Sporting matches with mysterious injuries. Likewise Lanzini at ours. Even to the point that Lanzini, dropped out of Argentina's match with a knee injury just before transfer deadline day. Yet just after deadline day, The Jewel made a miraculous recovery.

Funny that.

I like many spent the whole transfer window worrying that we would sell Lanzini, but the simple fact is every single Club is a selling Club. You have to be prepared to sell any player and have replacements in mind you can swoop for should you have to sell. The likes of Southampton and Spurs are experts at this, and it has not affected their on the field performances that much. While expecting three more faces to arrive we started trimming the squad to make way for Carvalho and the rest.

Tick, Tock the clock went on. No sale on Coutinho, no sale of Lanzini, budget already spent. No money for Carvalho and one or two others.

This was about two weeks before the window shut. It seems as though round about that time Bilic adopted the attitude of Lanzini gone or not he still wanted Carvalho. Hence the public courting of the player and constant talk of net spend from Bilic. No doubt this would not have gone down well with David Sullivan.

Right up to deadline day people everywhere were expecting Coutinho to be sold to Barcelona, which would have led to a catalogue of events transfer wise. Which I'm convinced would have led to William Carvalho playing his football in Claret and Blue this season. Unfortunately this has led to us having an unbalanced squad, lacking in pace and depth, without the available funds to conclude the last few deals. Still, it's by no means a terrible squad. It's pretty clear that the relationship between Bilic and Sullivan is toxic as a fallout over the Carvalho affair, which has resulted in Sullivan throwing Bilic under the bus. Just like Grant, Allardyce, and Zola it seems as though The Board are so tight fisted that they want to force Slaven to quit and thus avoid compensation. Sorry, but that is the behaviour of yobs! Do you think any decent manager would want to work in such a set up? Not on your life!

As for our manager, I like the charismatic Croat, but let's not pretend he is St Peter and all that. He couldn't wait to leave the Club for Everton after one season. On the pitch itself, while playing for Croatia in the World Cup semi-final against France, while jostling for a corner he got the faintest of touches against Lauren Blanc, dived and got Blanc sent off. So just like any human being he has his flaws. Who knows what goes on behind the scenes? Maybe Sullivan feels he got thrown under the bus first, hence the statement on the Official site last night. Who knows the truth about that one? Is Sullivan telling porkies or did Bilic really turn down Renato Sanches and Grzegorz krchowiak? I find that difficult to believe. Or is there the remote possibility that Bilic threw a massive sulk because he never got Carvalho and indeed did turn them down? A bit like a child wanting Nike trainer's and been giving a cheaper brand, them binning them in vindictive spite.

What I do know is this. At just past eleven when the transfer window closed, I poured myself a double Jack Daniels and Coke Zero, ran a bath and soaked myself. Then just like that I let out a LOUD FART! BUBBLES EVERYWHERE! Then I belted out Bubbles, had a good laugh, shook my head, and shouted West Ham!

I'm ready to go to war for OUR great Club as always. Bring on Huddersfield. Let's get those three points. Like the desert needs the rain, West Ham (not G&S) needs YOU! Now more than ever, we desperately need to hold our nerve and really get behind the team. We CANNOT afford not too! A toxic atmosphere is just going to lead to disaster, on and off the pitch. What decent player will want to join us if we are in the bottom three come January? Or what decent manager will come to us at the end of the season if we've been relegated? We CANNOT afford relegation at any cost. If we did get relegated we could end up like Coventry. As for The Board, it's not been all bad under them. One only has to look at the squad from five years ago and compare it to today, and one must acknowledge progress has been made. It's just the lies, lies, sweet little lies that piss everybody off.

As for Jack Sullivan, good luck in learning the ropes at the club. David Sullivan JNR, with whom I have had sporadic communication with, I will only say he's a top lad! Your Mum and Dad MUST be doing something right!

While spreading the love, a message to our manager! Christ Slav! We want you to do well! But please remember Noble can't play as a striker and Hernandez can't play as a right back. To all fellow Hammers, have a great week! WEST HAM!! F… the rest!

We are more than a football club, we're a way of life!

COYI!!

Farehamhammer!!

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FORTUNES WILL ALWAYS BE HIDING……
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 5 SEPTEMBER 2017 AT 8:55PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by @jasoninge

With the transfer now closed, I feel this is the perfect opportunity to access where the club is in terms of progression and discuss what I believe our the fundamental issues with how the club is run.

After an underwhelming first season at our new home, I went into the summer hoping that the owners would learn from the poor recruitment that took place both in the summer and January, by purchasing players that would take this club onto the next level. We were promised that they would be playing their cards closer to the chest this time around, but through Director of Recruitment, Tony Henry, stated we were looking at bringing in quality over quantity with a maximum of three players coming in. I was immediately concerned by this statement because I felt that was simply just bringing the players to fill in the gapping gaps in the team and not looking to improve in every position with better players.

The beginning of the window saw us finally fill our problematic right back position for many of a year with Pablo Zabaleta joining, adding much needed experience and leadership to the squad. After a frustrating month in June, where fans alike began to panic that we would not bring in a top class striker, eventually deals for Marco Arnautovic and Javier Hernandez were concluded. Arnautovic has all the makings to be a top quality player but has blown hot and cold at Inter Milan, Werder Bremen and Stoke. However the general conscientious was that he would take away a huge burden on Manuel Lanzini to create chances and go some way at attempting to replace Dimitri Payet. Hernandez whose goals to minute's ratio at football's elite clubs speaks for itself and with West Ham strikers failing to reach double figures for goals for over a decade, can only be considered a superb bit of business. England's number one, Joe Hart also joined on a year's long loan deal. It is fair to say that in the recent couple of seasons, the goalkeepers highly rated reputation has fallen, but I do feel that if he can regain some form he is certainly an upgrade on both Adrian and the departing Randolph, who both had mistake ridden campaigns. The final signing of the window saw what has become commonplace as the 'one for the future signing' in Sead Haksabanovic. Like Edimilson Fernandes, I expect Sead to be in and around the first team, making the odd appearance from the bench.

The transfer window, we have also seen sixteen players depart, with all the permanent ones proving that they were simply not good enough for a club that is supposed to be progressing to the next level and we did make very good money on the majority of these departures.

Overall, I feel that the signings have been able to plug much needed gaps in the starting 11, but we simply haven't done anywhere near enough business to strengthen an already stretched squad that consistently suffers injuries to key personnel. I feel we needed to buy at least one more top level striker, as in Carroll and Sakho, it's the case of how many games we can get out of them, rather than relying on them week in week out. Plus with Sakho's latest display of unprofessionalism, I hope he rots in the reserves. We have also seen three strikers depart and only brought one in, which simply leaves us short once again. Furthermore, I feel Hernandez is far more effective playing with a striker, than up top by himself.

I also feel that we need to bring in an additional creative wide player to replace both Feghouli and Snodgrass, as we really do lack creativity and players that can beat a man since Payet departed. In addition, we needed to bring in a top class defensive midfielder, to protect our shaky defence, as well as someone who is far more comfortable with the ball under pressure than our current midfielders. Finally I feel that we needed to bring in a new centre back, as without Reid, the other three defenders lack pace, concentration and composure with the ball.

So now assessing where the club is and where it is supposed to be progressing too, I am simply left disillusioned by the following two areas.

The Owners

Back in 2010, David Sullivan and David Gold set out a plan to take the club to the next level, which saw an ambition proposal of the Champions League by 2017. Since then, we've obviously had a major rebuild and period of stabilisation, which was much needed. We also secured the former Olympic Stadium, which had been portrayed as a key ingredient to this club growing in stature, allowing us to purchase better players and ultimately become a side that can compete in Europe on a regular basis. Unfortunately this has turned out to nothing but a pipe dream. Now, I'm not disputing that David Sullivan works tirelessly in the transfer market, but ultimately he doesn't have the finances to go out and purchase what is required to take this club forward. Only last night he put out a ludicrous statement on the official website, defending the transfer policy. It was claimed that a deal could have been done for the defensive midfielder that the team has been crying out for and the manager desperately wanted, William Carvalho. However we apparently ran out of time to conclude the deal due to not being able to complete a medical, with the player being away on International duty. Simply that is nonsense, as Leicester City have shown with Adrien Silva, who was also with the Portugal squad, the medical could have been completed after the window, providing the relevant paperwork for the signing was completed. Had we desperately wanted to get Carvalho over the line we would have.

Unfortunately with the owners, there is always an excuse and some form of justification for the not sealing the very best signings. David Gold, spoke on Talksport about having to find the money to do deals, which is frankly alarming for a club that is trying to progress. Karren Brady spoke on Sky Sports' The Debate show about the club having to do sensible business deals, citing disdain at the likes of Manchester City for being able to just splash the cash on anyone and everyone. The reality is though, in order for this club to go to the next level, we need further investment. We simply do not have owners that have the finances to compete with the now top seven clubs and as a result our stagnating, with the hope of finishing 8th at best. To have an outgoing expenditure lower than Watford and Leicester and barely above Brighton and Huddersfield is a sad indictment on the ambition that we have shown. Man City and Chelsea have proven that the only way you become a big team is by financial wealth. With Everton, now securing a takeover, it going to become even harder for us to progress and I am left envious at them with the transfer business they have done in compared to ours. Make no mistake about this is just the start of something great for that club and my fear is we're getting left behind. Now I'm not suggesting we need to riot and force them to sell the club, but I hope sooner rather than later, that the owners accept they cannot take the club any further forward and we attract a huge takeover opportunity that will give us what us fans deserve which is success.

The Manager Situation

Like all West Ham fans I am extremely disappointed with the start of the campaign. The Manchester United game was always going to be an extremely difficult game. They have brought very well in their quest to get back to the top and we had key personnel missing through injury. When you play against the top six sides, you've got to be at your best and they've got to be below bar in order to get a result. Unfortunately, after Obiang's mistake we fell apart. The Southampton game, Slaven rightly made changes and frustratingly the players that came in, didn't take their chance with fundamentally bad mistakes costing us goals once again. Even with that we showed great character and had it not been for poor officiating, we would have got the point our 2nd half performance deserved. The Newcastle game, we were just simply outclassed but fans need to realise that West Ham throughout our history have often produced dreadful performances, so it's nothing new. As a result however, a lot of pressure is now at Slaven Bilic's door, with a vocal minority now demanding he be sacked, with the belief he is a huge issue in this club going forward.

Now, I am a huge Slaven Bilic fan, he was my number one choice to replace Sam Allardyce, due to his connection with the club and also because you could tell he's well liked by his players which is important to any clubs long-term success. Now two seasons on and a lot of criticism is being labelled at his tactics, playing players out of position and training methods. This has left me slightly disillusioned. In my opinion West Ham, really is a difficult club to manage. It is almost as bad as managing England. You have fans that think our team is better than it actually is and a chairman that is far too involved with the transfer business. However, I can acknowledge and accept that Slaven has made a great deal of mistakes over the past season in particular. I agree that not sorting out the right back position until this summer has caused major problems and has been completely exploited by the opposition, but hopefully now Zabaleta has signed, things will improve.

The criticism of style of play, again in my opinion, I feel it's harsh. He's no doubt tried to implement a far more expansive style of football since taking over. However, it's pretty apparent that losing Dimitri Payet has had a major impact on the teams confidence and belief in the style of football that the manager wants to play. The efficiency of passing the ball has dropped significantly and now certain limitations of players is being shown on a regular basis, hence why we concede a great deal of goals from individual mistakes. This again is why I desperately wanted us to sign William Carvalho, as he has strength and composure in abundance.

The training methods, have well documented in the media with criticism over its intensity. Personally, I do take that with a pinch of salt to some degree. It came off the back of Slaven's own comments after the Arsenal game last season, when he openly and honestly criticised the players. However anyone with a bit of nous would know it was to get a reaction of out his players which he did. Slaven is also faced with a great deal of injury problems to his team on a regular basis and I remember in the first season, it was believed he was training the players too hard, with double sessions and that was causing injuries. He has openly said previously that it is a catch-22 situation with training because he fears a lot of key personnel getting injured, so he is merely trying to find a middle ground. It has been mentioned before about the facilities at previously Chadwell Heath and now Rush Green not being up to scratch in comparison to the likes of Manchester City and Tottenham. For me, I think we missed a great opportunity to build a training complex around the London Stadium, where we could have had our first team and youth teams under one roof, but again is something that would cost a great deal of money that the owners simply don't have. However, hopefully with the appointment of Gary Lewin, we will see some sort of improvement in keeping players off the treatment table, which therefore can increase the intensity of training.

I know we find ourselves in a dire situation at present and I know they'll still be fans that want Slaven Bilic gone and replaced with ideally Rafa Benitez, but it's far too early in the season to be making such a rash decision. Common sense says, see where we are after 10 games and ultimately it's a results business so should things not pick up, the manager as always bites the bullet. My personal opinion though is that with the current personnel available, even the likes of Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola, wouldn't be able to break the top six and until either a takeover occurs or investment comes on board, it is a pointless change anyway. I genuinely do believe Slav and the players will turn things around this season, starting with finally our first home game of the season against Huddersfield. It's vital we get behind the team a week on Monday!

Come on you Irons!

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Manuel Lanzini blow adds to West Ham woes as Slaven Bilic faces injury crisis
KEN DYER
ES Sport

Under-pressure West Ham manager Slaven Bilic is facing an injury crisis ahead of Monday night's crucial Premier League clash against Huddersfield. The Hammers boss, whose team have yet to pick up a point after three matches, saw playmaker Manuel Lanzini pull out of Argentina's squad for last night's World Cup clash against Venezuela with a recurrence of the knee injury that affected his pre-season. Midfielder Edimilson Fernandes, who has featured in all three League matches so far, sprained an ankle playing for Switzerland Under-21s, while striker Andre Ayew injured a thigh with Ghana. In addition to the injured trio, summer signing Marko Arnautovic will be missing as he completes his three-match ban after being sent off against Southampton. The beleaguered Bilic has been plagued by a long injury list for some months but was finally looking forward to fielding almost his first-choice starting line-up against a Huddersfield side that have yet to concede a League goal. Despite the latest blow to Bilic, there was better news over injury-plagued striker Andy Carroll, who is expected to be fit to play, probably from the bench, while New Zealand captain Winston Reid should have recovered from a calf strain in time to face the top-flight newcomers.

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West Ham's Joe Hart ready for 'fight' to remain England's No.1 goalkeeper
SIMON JOHNSON
ES Sport

West Ham goalkeeper Joe Hart is determined to retain his place as England's No.1 ahead of the 2018 World Cup. Hart, who is on loan from Manchester City, is coming under increasing pressure from Jack Butland, Tom Heaton and Jordan Pickford, while Fraser Forster is also still in contention. The 30-year-old started both of England's World Cup qualifiers - against Malta and Slovakia - but manager Gareth Southgate has confirmed that Hart's position was under threat. Hart faced criticism for the manner of Slovakia's opening goal on Monday night before the Three Lions fought back to win 2-1 at Wembley, with Stanislav Lobotka slipping a deft volley underneath the keeper's armpit from close range. But Hart, who has won 73 caps, says the challenge of retaining the No.1 kersey is inspiring rather than intimidating him. "I'm representing my country and, as long as I'm fit and ready, I'm going to fight to play for my country," he said. "There are five keepers playing in the Premier League, people who are more than good enough to wear the No1 jersey. I'm not stupid, I know that. But it's a great buzz to be around these keepers and be around this competition. "I can't speak highly enough of how Jack and Tom were during the time with England and Jordan (who had to pull out with injury). "All those three names are good enough to play. But they put aside their disappointment that they weren't playing and we pulled together as a group. "When the whistle starts for every England game, it is a big moment for me. Whether I play or don't play, I will be trying my best for England."

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Payet 'legend' t-shirts on sale
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 6th September 2017
By: Staff Writer

T-shirts depicting Dimitri Payet as a club legend are on sale in West Ham's web store. Payet, who effectively went on strike before engineering a return to Marseille back in January is one of four Hammers referred to on the legends item, which is for sale as part of a '2 for £20' offer in West Ham's online shop.
Trevor Brooking (600+ appearances), Bobby Moore (550+) and Paolo Di Canio (150+) are the three bona fide legends whose names are unfortunately and inexplicably linked to the Gallic grizzler on the shirt, which is now only available in women's size having disappeared from the men's pages earlier today.

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Seek proof, says Carvalho
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 6th September 2017
By: Staff Writer

Sporting President Bruno de Carvalho has urged David Sullivan to provide evidence of West Ham's bid for William Carvalho. The 45-year-old, speaking on Sporting TV challenged Hammers fans to force Sullivan to provide documentary proof of a purported bid - which Sporting say failed to materialise, despite the West Ham co-owner's insistence. And the outspoken Carvalho was in no mood to tone down the belligerent rhetoric started by fellow director Nuno Saraiva, who called Sullivan a "liar" following West Ham's claims that they were offered the player on transfer deadline day. "Where is it? The proof?" Carvalho blasted. "These messengers, these offended virgins, the president of West Ham - we must tell the truth!"
President Carvalho also claimed that the player's father, who doubles as his agent insisted that he received no proposal from West Ham in transfer deadline day.
Sullivan had previously claimed, in a statement posted on whufc.com, that "Sporting Lisbon made contact [on deadline day] to accept the original offer, but unfortunately it was just too late in the day."

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West Ham vs Huddersfield: Premier League prediction, team news, line-ups, start time, live, TV, head to head, odds
ES Sport

Slaven Bilic is under huge pressure to turn things around as West Ham host Huddersfield Town on Monday night. Bilic's future is in doubt following the Hammers' poor start to the new Premier League season, with three consecutive away defeats leaving the club rooted to the foot of the table. Roberto Mancini has emerged as a front runner to replace Bilic should results not improve, and David Wagner's unbeaten Terriers are perfectly placed to inflict more misery in east London.
The match is also West Ham's first at home this season after the London Stadium was re-configured following the World Athletics Championships, and Bilic needs a result to avoid more speculation.

Start time

West Ham host Huddersfield Town at the London Stadium on Monday, September 11, with kick-off scheduled for 20:00 BST.

TV and live online coverage

The game will be televised in the UK on the Sky Sports Main Events and Premier League channels, with coverage from 19:00 BST. Alternatively, follow the action with Standard Sport's live blog.

Team news

Bilic is facing an injury crisis after Manuel Lanzini pulled out of Argentina's squad for Monday's World Cup clash against Venezuela with a recurrence of the knee injury that affected his pre-season.

Midfielder Edimilson Fernandes, who has featured in all three League matches so far, sprained an ankle playing for Switzerland Under-21s, while striker Andre Ayew injured a thigh with Ghana.

Neither are expected to have recovered in time to make Bilic's squad. In addition to the injured trio, summer signing Marko Arnautovic will be missing as he completes his three-match ban after being sent off against Southampton.

There was better news over injury-plagued striker Andy Carroll, who is expected to be fit to play - probably from the bench - while New Zealand captain Winston Reid should have recovered from a calf strain in time to face the top-flight newcomers.

Predicted West Ham XI: Hart, Zabaleta, Reid, Ogbonna, Antonio, Rice, Noble, Kouyate, Cresswell, Hernandez, Carroll

Predicted Huddersfield XI: Lossl, Smith, Jorgensen, Schindler, Lowe, Mooy, Billing, Kachunga, Ince, Van Le Parra, Mounie

Prediction
Bettings odds (via 888Sport)
West Ham to win: 41/50
Draw: 13/5
Huddersfield to win: 18/5

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EMAILS CONFIRM WEST HAM MADE CARVALHO OFFER
DANIEL EMERY @DanielEmeryRS
ReadWestHam

Sky Sports have released two emails that appear to confirm that West Ham made offers for Sporting Lisbon midfielder William Carvalho. The emails appear to show that West Ham chairman David Sullivan did send an offer to Sporting, which was valued at £23m – in three instalments. The email also shows that West Ham offered a 10% clause in the contract allowing Sporting to profit if West Ham ever decided to sell him in the future. This all comes after Sporting claimed Sullivan was lying when he released a statement claiming Sporting had accepted an offer. Sullivan said on the West Ham website that Sporting had accepted an offer on deadline day but there was not enough time to complete a deal. Sporting then hit back, claiming that West Ham did not make an offer for the midfielder – with their sporting director calling David Gold and David Sullivan "the Dildo brothers".

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West Ham lightyears away from David Sullivan's blueprint set out in first interview
HITC
Damien Lucas

West Ham United are a million miles from where their under fire owners envisioned them being this season. "The imbalance in the squad and the crazy wages the Icelandics were paying that brought the club to its knees." "We believe in our managers and give them the time and support they need." "We have a seven-year plan to get them into the Champions League." "Over the next seven years we will spend a lot of money."
Those were just some of the bold statements made by David Sullivan when he and fellow co-owner David Gold completed their takeover of West Ham in January 2010. That interview - as reported at the time by the Guardian - gave West Ham fans new hope after the doomed Icelandic regime. But now seven years on West Ham are in complete disarray at the bottom of the Premier League with no points and a minus eight goal difference. It is still early days in the new season but the stark reality is West Ham look a million miles from the Champions League side Sullivan pledged they would be by now. And much of that is down to the board failing to deliver the big money signings promised when the club left their Boleyn Ground home of 112 years for the former Olympic Stadium last summer.
A net spend of just £10million in the transfer market this summer has given rise to a groundswell of anger and vitriol from supporters who plan protests at their first home game of the season against Huddersfield on Monday night. The owners had done a good job of stabilising West Ham of that there is no doubt.
But they are equally guilty of destabilising them with broken promises over the move to the London Stadium, lack of net investment and their very public way of doing business. "We are deeply and passionately involved in West Ham. It is where I have wanted to be for 20 years," Sullivan told BBC Five Live back in 2010, as reported by the Guardian. That was two years before the London Olympics and it was clear then the stadium was at the forefront of the owners' future plans.
"It is the natural home for West Ham," he added. "We hope to persuade the government to let us move into the new Olympic Stadium and I believe the people of east London would support that move."
A general view during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur at the London Stadium on May 5, 2017 in Stratford, England.
Support it they did, selling out 52,000 season tickets in each of the first two seasons. But West Ham fans do not take kindly to being taken for granted.
And a brief flirtation with the Champions League places in Bilic's first season in charge is the closest they are likely to get to the Champions League anytime soon.

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Will West Ham struggles make Marko Arnautovic regret snubbing Everton opportunity?
HITC
Danny Owen

West Ham won the race to sign Marko Arnautovic from Stoke City this summer - 12 months after he turned down Everton. Everton fans could be forgiven for laughing spitefully from afar as Marko Arnautovic's West Ham career got off to the worst possible start. An anonymous showing in the opening weekend's 4-0 battering at Manchester United was followed up by a disastrous trip to Southampton, in which the player once labelled 'unmanageable' by Jose Mourinho (The National) during their time at Inter Milan managed to get himself sent off after 33 minutes for a stupid elbow on Saints defender Jack Stephens. It's fair to say West Ham are yet to see a return in their club-record £23 million investment, as reported by The Standard. Yet, Arnautovic too could be forgiven for wondering what he's let himself in for. West Ham have lost each of their opening three Premier League games, their big-name signings look past their best, the future of manager Slaven Bilic is under more pressure than ever and the relationship between fans and owners remains strained. Meanwhile, Everton, the club Arnautovic admitted to snubbing in 2016 despite personal pleas from Toffees boss Ronald Koeman (The Sun), are embarking upon the most exciting era in the club's recent history. They spent more money than ever before in the transfer window, bringing in proven Premier League talent in Wayne Rooney and Gylfi Sigurdsson not to mention youngsters with vast potential a la Sandro Ramirez, Jordan Pickford, Davy Klaassen and Michael Keane. While The Hammers look set for another season of mid-table struggle at best, Everton are better placed than ever to challenge for a European place. You wonder whether Arnautovic would be a little more receptive to Koeman's pleas if he could turn back the clock.

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Kouyate & Sakho included - how West Ham could line up against Huddersfield without Lanzini & Ayew
The Hammers have more injury problems ahead of their return to action
Football London
BYSAM INKERSOLE
16:00, 6 SEP 2017

Beleaguered Slaven Bilic had been looking forward to having a fully fit squad for West Ham to bring to the London Stadium on Monday for the visit of Huddersfield but that's unlikely to be the case. Injured trio Edimilson Fernandes, Andre Ayew and Manuel Lanzini are all unlikely to feature as the Premier League returns to Stratford, while Marko Arnautovic is suspended. There is some good news though as Andy Carroll could take a place on the bench after another long injury lay-off, while Winston Reid is also pushing for inclusion after recovering from a calf problem he picked up in the warm-up down at Southampton. With two attack minded players seemingly ruled out of Monday's visit of the Terriers, Bilic will have to delve deep into his reserves to make up the numbers with his thin squad already stretched. It's a chance for Diafra Sakho to prove himself after his meeting with Bilic following the striker going AWOL on the final day of the transfer window as he pushed a move through to Rennes which never materialised. Michail Antonio also continues his comeback from injury but there is no place for Declan Rice, who makes way for Cheikhou Kouyate after the Senegalese midfielder completed 90 minutes for country in midweek.

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West Ham refuse to be drawn into war of words with Sporting CP after 'dildo brothers' slur
Sporting president Bruno de Carvalho urged West Ham fans to call David Sullivan and his brother 'the Dildo Brothers' as the debate over William Carvalho rumbles on
The Independent Sport

West Ham United have refused to be drawn further into the escalating war of words with Sporting CP after their president, Bruno de Carvalho, referred to the Hammers' owners as the 'Dildo Brothers'. West Ham and Sporting have been in dispute over whether West Ham submitted a formal transfer bid for Portuguese midfielder William Carvalho before the end of the transfer window. Co-owner David Sullivan said that West Ham did lodge a bid - comments later described by Sporting director Nuno Saraiva as "intellectual pornography" better suited to "the set of an adult film". West Ham have already said that they will take legal action, with David Sullivan Junior describing those comments as "nonsense" and "serious libel". But Sporting president Carvalho raised the stakes yesterday, urging West Ham fans to "call David Sullivan and his brother 'the Dildo Brothers'", in pursuit of the truth about the Carvalho bid. West Ham later confirmed to The Independent they would be making no further comment at this time.

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Andy Carroll will be on the bench for West Ham against Huddersfield as striker provides Slaven Bilic a boost
West Ham's head of medical services Gary Lewin said the England striker will be back on bench to face Huddersfield on Monday night
The Mirror
BYNEIL MCLEMAN
15:07, 6 SEP 2017UPDATED15:14, 6 SEP 2017

Slaven Bilic has been given a needed boost with Andy Carroll ready to return for West Ham's first home game of the season. The Croatian manager is under growing pressure after losing the first three Premier League games of the season – all away from the London Stadium . Carroll has been out since April with a groin strain – and last week gave court evidence after an attempted armed robbery against him. And head of medical services Gary Lewin said the England striker will be back on bench to face Huddersfield on Monday night. "He has been training for just over two weeks and with the international break it will be even more by the time we get to Huddersfield, so he will be ready to start playing," said the former England physio. "When he does come back, it will be a gradual thing, you can't just throw him in at the deep end. We did it with Diafra Sakho, he played for 20 minutes, then half an hour and then an hour. "Andy will be the same, if we don't do that then he will break down."
Former Manchester City boss Mancini, who is now at Zenit St Petersburg, is joint favourite to replace Bilic along with former target Rafa Benitez. Former Hammers defender Danny Gabbidon said: "I look at Slaven at the moment and he looks a shadow of his former self. "From what I hear Slaven had pretty much thrown the towel in with the words he spoke in the dressing room to the players after the Newcastle defeat. He really is on borrowed time now."

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Bilic should give Toni Martinez his West Ham debut in EFL Cup clash against Bolton
HITC
Vincent Ralph

The West Ham United youngster is the real deal and deserves a chance to prove that. West Ham United fans have been keen to see Spanish striker Toni Martinez in action for the first-team for quite some time, and this month could finally see the 20-year-old make his senior bow. The Hammers take on Bolton Wanderers in the third round of the EFL Cup on 19 September and West Ham boss Slaven Bilic would be wise to throw Martinez into the starting line-up and see what he can do.
After all, the youngster wasted little time impressing for West Ham's under-23 side following his arrival from Valencia, scoring 16 goals in just 17 matches.
A loan spell at Oxford United last time out also proved his worth, with Martinez scoring three goals and providing two assists, including FA Cup strikes against both Newcastle United and Middlesbrough. While West Ham now have additional goal-scoring options in the form of Javier Hernandez and Marko Arnautovic, the EFL Cup gives Bilic the perfect chance to blood his youngsters.
West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic is seen during the Premier League match between Burnley and West Ham United at Turf Moor on May 21, 2017 in Burnley, England. It has been a long time coming, with the Hammers possessing some of the best academy players in the country, and now should be the time that Bilic finally puts his trust in them. Martinez has all the attributes to excel long-term at the London Stadium, yet as with so many of the club's prospects, he is only going to develop if he gets game time in the years ahead. Now is the time for his debut and it will be interesting to see just how many of West Ham's next generation get the nod later this month.

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Fernandes and Lanzini injuries stretching West Ham to breaking point
HITC
Tom Seymour

The Huddersfield match this weekend is a must win for West Ham but they may have to do it without the injured Edimilson Fernandes and Manuel Lanzini. As if Slaven Bilic didn't have enough to contend with ahead of the Premier League clash against Huddersfield Town this weekend, the West Ham United manager now also has a selection headache. That is because football.london reports that both Edimilson Fernandes and Manuel Lanzini are major doubts for the game against the Terriers with ankle and knee injuries respectively. It is believed that Fernandes' issue is a sprain, although currently it is not known how severe it is, while Lanzini pulled out of Argentina's latest squad with a knee problem. With Winston Reid already out, Andy Carroll and Andre Ayew also doubts and Marko Arnautovic serving the second match of his three-game suspension, Bilic's options are being stretched to breaking point. Central midfield is becoming a major issue with Fernandes and Lanzini both now expected to be absent, with captain Mark Noble, youngster Declan Rice, Pedro Obiang and Cheikhou Kouyate having all been used there at some point this season - all to little or no effect with the Hammers having fallen to three defeats.
It makes the East London club's inability to complete a deal for Sporting Lisbon's William Carvalho, as outlined by Sky Sports, now seem all the more costly as Bilic struggles to find a solution in the middle. It feels like anything but a victory against Huddersfield at the London Stadium will cost the Croatian his job, but first he needs to work out who is playing and where.

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West Ham news: Co-owners Sullivan & Gold called "Dildo Brothers" by Sporting Lisbon chief
WEST HAM fans have been told to seek the truth from the "Dildo Brothers" about the failed transfer of William Carvalho.
By UCHE AMAKO
PUBLISHED: 13:25, Wed, Sep 6, 2017 | UPDATED: 13:26, Wed, Sep 6, 2017
Express.co.uk

The Hammers were strongly linked with a move for the Portuguese midfielder, who has been a transfer target for Arsenal in the past. But the deal failed to materialise and West Ham co-owner David Sullivan was called a "liar" and a "parasite" by Sporting director Nuno Saraiva for claiming it failed because they did not have time for a medical And Sporting president Bruno de Carvalho has now given his opinion on the situation and set a challenge to Hammers fans.
Carvalho, speaking to Sporting TV in Portugal, said: "Where is it? Proof? Now, approaches, for sure. "I've had them for almost the whole squad: West Ham supporters call Mr. David Sullivan and his brother, the Dildo Brothers… "These messengers, these offended virgins, the president of West Ham… We must tell the truth!"
Despite missing out on Carvalho, Grzegorz Krychowiak and Renato Sanches, Sullivan insisted recently manager Slaven Bilic was happy with their transfer business.
"Grzegorz Krychowiak and Renato Sanches were both offered to the manager before their switches elsewhere, but he told us that he is happy with the squad he has," Sullivan said. "As a Board we are behind Slaven, and he believes he has the tools to turn around our form and rectify our disappointing start to the season."

Sullivan is already set to launch legal proceedings against Sporting Lisbon after been branded a liar and a parasite. Saraiva said: "David Sullivan lies. At Sporting Clube de Portugal, as has already been said by its president, no proposal has been made for the player William Carvalho. The football industry is not the set of an adult film in which all obscenities are allowed. So the boss of a club demands a lot more than this intellectual pornography. "Mr David Sullivan has a duty to prove what he says. That is why Sporting Clube de Portugal challenges him to publicly show the proposals he claims to have been made as well as the evidence that Sporting CP received them. "One thing is certain: Sporting CP, as has already been said, does not cut the legs off its players. But we have nothing to do with the performance of entrepreneurs or relatives who live at the expense of players and who are offering them to clubs as if they were cheap supermarket merchandise.
"It creates regrettable situations that have already forced the sporting club of Portugal to take drastic measures to defend itself from these characters who parasitise the lives of some players."

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Why a return to home comforts could be exactly what West Ham need to kick-start their sorry season
The hammers currently sit bottom of the Premier League, but haven't had a home fixture yet
Football London
COMMENTS
BYADAM JONES
07:00, 6 SEP 2017

Let's not lie to ourselves - West Ham's start to the Premier League season thus far has been pretty dismal. The Hammers don't have a bottom-of-the-league squad, but that's exactly where they find themselves after three matches of the campaign - and that's not good enough. There's a lot of fingers to be pointed whenever a side is in a poor run of form, and this situation is absolutely no different, as many will already be aware. The board, Slaven Bilic, a poor transfer window - they've all been blamed recently by West Ham fans desperate to see their side perform and get results on the pitch. That's all they're asking.
However, it must be remembered that the Hammers haven't yet played at home thanks to the IAAF World Athletics Championships being hosted at the London Stadium at the end of the summer. And a return to home comforts could be exactly what West Ham as a club need right now. For the fans, for some of the fans at least, it will be a chance to get their strong feelings off their chest directly in front of the players - with protests planned by some of the most disheartened of supporters in the fanbase. Each to their own, and if those fans want to protest they have a right to - but regardless the vast majority inside the stadium won't be.
But, even so, there will be an immense pressure on these West Ham players to put in a performance in front of their home fans for the first time this season - at the very least to put in a hard day's work. Against a newly-promoted Huddersfield side the Hammers support won't be accepting anything less than a win at home, despite the visitors having a strong start to their first campaign in the Premier League. The West Ham players will either crumble under that pressure - or galvanise themselves to put in a performance akin to something the quality of the squad shows they should be producing. The players have a chance to prove to the rest of the league why they should be competing much higher up the table, a chance to prove to the fans why they were so excited about this season earlier in the transfer window. Playing at home again should be exactly what's needed to see what this squad of players, and the manager in fact, are really made of.

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West Ham legend Alvin Martin issues impassioned rallying cry ahead of crucial Huddersfield clash
HITC
Damien Lucas

West Ham United are at rock bottom and in need of some inspiration ahead of their crucial clash against Huddersfield. The Hammers are propping up the Premier League table after defeat in each of their opening three games. No points, a minus eight goal difference and a lack of signings before the transfer window slammed shut has left everyone connected with the club feeling frustrated. According to reports Slaven Bilic's job is on the line and supporters are planning protests against co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold at their first home game of the season against Huddersfield on Monday night. The unrest could play straight into the plucky Terriers' hands. But Hammers legend Alvin Martin has issued a rallying cry to the club's supporters ahead of the crucial match. "Calling West Ham fans, Monday 8pm our season starts, create the atmosphere and then leave it to them, Slaven/team come on let's do it together," Martin said on Twitter. "It's OUR club no individual will be bigger (Payet) we all want the same! So let's all pull in same direction, kick arse. "It's early to judge (the team's defending), not going to single out individuals not to late to correct and push on, problems can be solved Slaven can sort. "I'm not cheerleading just trying to bring perspective to the proceedings, early but not too late? And I feel a bit of COME ON."

alvin martin @alvinmartin58
Calling WHUFC fans ,Monday 8pm our season starts,,create the atmosphere & then leave it to them,,,Slaven/Team Come on let's do it together ⚒ 8:25 PM - Sep 5, 2017
14 14 Replies 58 58 Retweets 172 172 likes

alvin martin @alvinmartin58
Ok get that ,,but it's OUR club no individual will be bigger (Payet) we all want the same !
So let's all pull in same direction,,kick arse ⚒ https://twitter.com/thedman77/status/905150276415479810 …
8:57 PM - Sep 5, 2017
4 4 Replies 4 4 Retweets 35 35 likes

alvin martin @alvinmartin58
It's early to judge mate,,not going to single out individuals not to late to correct & push on ,,problems can be solved Slavin can sort ! https://twitter.com/drwatts1962/status/905162288101031938 …
9:22 PM - Sep 5, 2017
6 6 Replies Retweets 12 12 likes

alvin martin @alvinmartin58
Mick I'm not cheerleading just trying to bring perspective to the proceedings,,early but not too late? & I feel a bit of COME ON ⚒⚒⚒ https://twitter.com/michael40301481/status/905164108303097856 …
9:26 PM - Sep 5, 2017
6 6 Replies 1 1 Retweet 15 15 likes


Bilic should have close to a fully fit squad to choose from although Marko Arnautovic is suspended and Andre Ayew has been injured on international duty.
Andy Carroll and Manuel Lanzini should be fit while Michail Antonio and Cheikhou Kouyate will be stronger after getting another two weeks of training under their belts. Reports claim defeat to Huddersfield could be the final straw for Bilic.

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