Safety and security update ahead of Southampton fixture
WHUFC.com
A series of measures have been implemented to ensure the safety of supporters attending Saturday's Premier League game against Southampton at London Stadium.
In light of the regrettable actions of a small minority of individuals during West Ham's fixture with Burnley, the Club has worked closely alongside stadium operators LS185, E20, the Metropolitan Police, London Borough of Newham and fans - via the Supporter Advisory Board – to implement a number of proactive steps with the safety and security of everyone coming to the game our foremost priority. Heightened measures will include a significantly enhanced number of police officers and security personnel at London Stadium, as well a dynamic pitch response team.
To assist with creating the safest environment possible for all and following direction from the Safety Advisory Group, several security gates will also be in operation throughout the Stadium both on the bridges within the lower tier and on the internal concourses, which will restrict fans' migration around the stadium. With these new measures in place, supporters are advised to allow extra time to take their seats before the 3pm kick-off. The Club are, as always, committed to providing fans with the best matchday experience possible, with these procedures only in place for the safety and security of all inside London Stadium.
Every ticket holder is an ambassador for this Club and we would like to remind those coming to London Stadium on Saturday of their responsibilities to themselves, their fellow supporters, the team and everyone associated with the Club to support West Ham United in a passionate, respectful manner. Lifetime bans were issued to individuals who crossed safety barriers to enter the field of play during the Burnley fixture, while a number of others were banned for life for violently throwing coins or objects with intent to injure or harm on the bridge directly in front of the Directors' Box. As part of an ongoing thorough investigation, the Club expect additional bans to be confirmed imminently. During the second half of that Burnley game, we witnessed scenes that none of us would like to see repeated and this Saturday we encourage you all to join us in backing the team in a hugely important fixture and make us all feel proud of West Ham United again.
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West Ham United hold emergency SAB meeting
WHUFC.com
West Ham United have met with the Supporter Advisory Board (SAB) in an emergency meeting at London Stadium. With the Club and stakeholders committed to ensuring the safety, comfort and securing of all supporters attending matches at London Stadium, following the events which marred the Premier League fixture with Burnley on Saturday 10 March, SAB members were invited to discuss the situation in detail. Representatives from across the Club's wide and diverse fanbase sat down with Vice-Chairman Karren Brady, Sir Trevor Brooking, members of the senior management team and stakeholders for a positive two-hour meeting focused on the key issues. Summarising, the Vice-Chairman said: "The scenes we saw at the Burnley game were very sad for all of us and for any supporter of West Ham United. "The objective of the meeting was to offer reassurance to our supporters in terms of the plans in place to ensure that London Stadium will be safe and secure for Saturday's match against Southampton and beyond. "The most important thing on Saturday is that all supporters attending feel safe and comfortable, and that our players have an environment that enables them to perform at their very best in what is a hugely important match."
The Vice-Chairman continued by telling the SAB that the Board accept the unhappiness and frustration of some fans and how they are absolutely committed to putting things right, on and off the pitch. She confirmed that the Club's number-one priority will always be the security of supporters inside London Stadium and explained the remedial actions taken to that end, including the imposition of life bans and introduction of enhanced safety measures at future matches. The Vice-Chairman also revealed the positive news that West Ham United has received the Premier League Equality Standard, showing the Hammers' commitment to achieving and promoting equality and diversity across all areas of the Club. SAB members were then invited to ask questions to the panel, with topics including stewarding, communications, safety and security for accessibility supporters, the Club's relationship with London Stadium stakeholders, enhancing the matchday experience and plans for improved supporter consultation.
Sir Trevor Brooking spoke passionately about his love for the Club and asked supporters to get behind the team and the Club for the remainder of the season and that, once Premier League safety is assured, the issues can be tackled. He stated his view that without Premier League status many of the things supporters wish to see happen would prove impossible to deliver so that must be the focus for everyone associated with the Club. The meeting closed with members being asked to provide ideas for potential themes for future matchdays at London Stadium, which the wider fanbase will vote on ahead of Saturday's fixture with Southampton.
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Carlton Cole calls for West Ham fans to get behind team as he hangs up his boots
WHUFC.com
If there is one person who knows the qualities needed to battle through adversity and tough times at West Ham United, it is Carlton Cole. The former Hammers striker, who made a total of 293 appearances for the Club in two separate spells between 2006 and 2015, experienced plenty of ups and downs in almost a decade in Claret and Blue. A member of the side that pulled off the Great Escape in 2007, he suffered the pain of relegation in 2011 and then played a key role in helping the Hammers to bounce back at the first attempt. In 2013, he was released but, having fought to prove his fitness and worth, was re-signed just months later and went on to make a valuable contribution over the next two years, cementing his reputation as a true hero among the fanbase.
In an exclusive interview with West Ham TV, he had a message of solidarity and strength for anyone who has Claret and Blue in their hearts. "The scenes I saw a few weeks ago at the Burnley game were upsetting, for me and my family, and I had a lot of people asking me what was going on," he said. "It's now time to come together and push in the same direction. Any qualms the fans have – let's just leave that until the end of the season and first make sure we are safe. In the summer, we can assess everything, but now is not the time. For now, the fans have got to get behind the team. "One thing every player must do is give 100 per cent every time he steps out on the pitch. You need to have strength of character when the pressure is on. West Ham definitely have the players who can lead the team to success, but they need the fans with them. "The support of the fans is vital right now and I hope they can see that. It's a massive game on Saturday, for both teams, and it is not going to be easy. We've got to go out there, put our battle gear on, and get the result we need."
Carlton, who until recently had been training with AFC Wimbledon following spells in Scotland, the United States and Indonesia, also revealed to West Ham TV that, after an illustrious 16-year playing career that began at Chelsea and also stopped off at Wolverhampton Wanderers, Charlton Athletic and Aston Villa, he has now turned his focus to developing the next generation of talented youngsters in his native London. "This is a bit of an exclusive actually!" he laughed. "I'm still getting offers to play, but the fact is that I feel I am in a different space right now and I want to move on with my life and help others. "I have been mentoring a few kids who are aspiring to play football and I've set up my own consultancy business aimed at youngsters – aimed at grass roots level, getting them off the streets and hopefully giving them better opportunities to make it at the top level. "It is something I am very passionate and serious about and I want to give it my full focus now."
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West Ham's Mr Versatile is willing to do anything to keep the Hammers up
WHUFC.com
Aaron Cresswell has been West Ham United's Mr Versatile this season, and the No3 has insisted he will do whatever it takes to keep the Hammers in the Premier League. The Liverpool-born star has been an important figure for West Ham this season, at both ends of the pitch. Not only has he played 13 times as a centre-half, but he has also registered a team-high six Premier League assists and delivered 32 key passes for his grateful teammates. Cresswell has been committed, reliable and flexible, but he is experienced enough to know he cannot win games on his own. "To be honest, as long as we get three points or we get a result, I couldn't care less who scores, who sets the goals up or what position I play in," he told Saturday's Official Programme for the vital Premier League visit of Southampton. "For me, it's all about the team and if someone had said to me I'd play that many games as a centre-half this season last summer, I'd have probably laughed, but the circumstances we've had this season and the injuries we've had, I've happily played there and we've had some good games and results. "It's not just about individuals, though, and I know all the lads would put the team and winning games before themselves."
The Hammers kick-off the eight-match run-in with the visit of Southampton and, with the Saints sitting two points and one place below West Ham in the table, Cresswell says the hosts will need to be fully focused on the job in hand. "It's extremely tight at the bottom of the table and I think there are at least six or seven teams who are still right in it. "If you're asking me how many points will keep us up, I'd say another three wins and nine points should do it, especially if we win the big, important games against the likes of Southampton and Stoke. If we win those two games, that will take us a few points clear of them. "It's easy saying that, but we need to go out there and get those three-point hauls. We've got eight cup finals left and we've got to win a few of them, at least."
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West Ham United publish Gender Pay Report
WHUFC.com
Under government rules introduced last year - the Equality Act 2010 (Gender Pay Gap Information) Regulations 2017 - as a company with 250 or more employees, West Ham United are requested to annually disclose figures comparing men and women's average pay on 14 data points across the organisation.
West Ham United have conducted a review of its remuneration and employment procedures and, for the first time, today publish its figures on gender pay disparity. These numbers are solely for West Ham United and do not include West Ham United Ladies or West Ham United Foundation.
The findings as of 5 April 2017 show:
Across the organisation the mean gender pay gap currently stands at 87.4%
But when male first team players, management and coaches are removed, the gap currently stands at -9.76%
Breakdown
The mean pay gap of 87.4% for the whole workforce, including the male playing staff, is not a true representation of the gender pay gap because the highly-paid male football players and male football management salaries dominate the workforce and distort the figures. When male first-team players, management and coaches are removed, the gap stands at -9.76% - this reflects favourably on West Ham with a national pay gap at 18.4%. Over three quarters of the wage bill is spent on less than 15% of the core workforce which are all male first-team players.
Similarly, the mean bonus figure is also distorted by the male football-related staff whom make up 64% of the workforce receiving bonuses and they take over 50% of the total bonus payments.
Men and Women in each quartile
Women are under-represented in each quartile and only account for the third of the workforce, however, females represent 14% of the workforce in the first and second quartiles combined.
There are more males in the fourth quartile than expected because male scouts and male coaches are part-time, more than most workforces, and males make up almost half of the match day casual workforce.
It is important to note that the Club pays equal pay for men and women performing equal jobs. Categorically, men and women doing the same job are paid the same rate of pay.
What the Club has done so far
The Board has worked very hard in the last six years to address the gender issues faced in football. This has been achieved through the promotion and development of existing staff and positive action in external recruitment. We are now at a point where 50% of the Vice-Chairman's direct reports are female and two women sit on the Board. The Club undertakes equality audits on HR policies and procedures to promote equality of opportunity and eliminate discrimination.
The Club is also very supportive of its female workforce who have children; 80% of female employees who have been on maternity leave in the past two years have returned to the Club and all flexible working requests have been granted.
Additionally, West Ham United FC has paid the equivalent of London Living Wage to all full-time and part-time permanent members of staff since June 2015 and became an accredited London Living Wage Employer in December 2017.
And, to recognise the good work West Ham United is currently undertaking, the Club was awarded the Premier League Equality Standard (preliminary level) in 2016 and the intermediate level in March 2018.
What West Ham United will do next
The Club will to continue to encourage women in its recruitment activities to increase the number of women working in the Club, particularly at management level. The Club already monitors recruitment data for applicants to ascertain where women are falling out of the process and we will take action to encourage more female applicants.
Over the next 18 months the Club will also work to achieve its advance Premier League Equality Standard. And, through the West Ham Skills School, the Club will continue to provide diversity and unconscious bias training to staff and focus on developing underrepresented groups within the workforce. The Club always values feedback and will reach out to the female workforce to assess gender inclusivity in the workplace.
Commenting on the report, West Ham United Vice-Chairman Karren Brady said: "As a woman working in football, I am of course pleased to see this report published and I would like to put on the record my thanks to all the highly dedicated and committed staff at the Club who work so hard to eradicate pay disparity.
"West Ham United believe that remuneration should always be based on merit and on individuals' talent and should never be a reflection of their gender. Of course, at a professional male football club the numbers will always be skewed, but West Ham can categorically state that men and women doing the same job will always receive the same rate of pay while working at the Club.
"When male first team players, management and coaching staff are removed from the figures, West Ham United's pay gap stand at -9.76%. With a national average of 18.4%, I believe this reflects favourably on West Ham and its current employment procedures.
"West Ham already has a proud record of internal promotion and development of existing female staff - we have two female Board members, 50% of my direct reports are women and we will work even harder to get more women into senior management positions over the coming year. I am also proud that all flexible working requests have been granted during my time at the Club.
"We know we cannot be complacent when there is so much more to do be done but we are proud of the work we have done off the pitch and we will continue to build on those good practices to make sure all those working at West Ham achieve their fullest potential."
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West Ham v Southampton: Extra security for London Stadium game to cost taxpayers £60,000
By Simon Stone
BBC Sport
About £60,000 of taxpayers' money will be used to pay for increased security at West Ham's home Premier League match against Southampton on Saturday.
The match will be the first at London Stadium since trouble flared at the 3-0 defeat by Burnley on 10 March. Twenty fans were given life bans, including four for invading the pitch. A substantially increased security presence includes measures to stop fans getting in front of the directors' box as occurred during the Burnley game. Under the terms of the Hammers' 99-year lease at the former Olympic Stadium, security is paid for by the centrally funded body that runs the venue. London Mayor Sadiq Khan wants West Ham to make a financial contribution for similar security arrangements at the club's remaining home matches this season.
The Safety Advisory Group, the body responsible for supplying the safety certificate to allow the game to proceed, has warned any repeat of the trouble will result in matches being played behind closed doors. Khan said: "The safety of all supporters and visitors to London Stadium is of paramount importance. Nobody wants to witness scenes like those during the last home game, which were caused by a small minority."
In a statement, West Ham reminded fans of "their responsibilities to themselves, their fellow supporters, the team and everyone associated with the club". Every ticket holder is an ambassador for this club," it read. "We encourage you all to join us in backing the team in a hugely important fixture and make us all feel proud of West Ham United again."
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Only one disabled fan moved, say West Ham
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 29th March 2018
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United say that just ONE supporter has been moved to make room for additional security measures. Earlier this week a member of the KUMB Forum, who is also a disabled season ticket holder at West Ham, was informed that he was being re-seated with immediate effect in order to make way for the installation of new security gates by the Directors' Box at the Olympic Stadium. However a club source told KUMB the supporter in question is the ONLY season ticket holder to have been moved as a result of the stadium upgrades, which are understood to have been suggested by a Safety Advisory Group panel that met in response to the disturbances witnessed during the recent match against Burnley.
The source stated that it had been necessary to move the fan in question as "the gates has been installed too closely" to his seat - adding that the supporter has since accepted a seat in the Corporate area as an alternative. In additional to the new gates that have been installed around the Directors' Box ahead of Saturday's Premier League meeting with Southampton, several segregation gates have been added around the stadium to prevent the free movement of fans around the arena.
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'Moyes effect' results in small improvement
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 29th March 2018
By: Staff Writer
David Moyes' first 19 Premier League games in charge of West Ham have resulted in a minor improvement to West Ham United's form since parting company with Slaven Bilic. West Ham's 3-0 defeat at home to Burnley in their most recent Premeir League outing meant that Moyes had been in charge for 19 league meetings since succeeding the Croat - exactly half-a-season in terms of divisional fixtures. During that period his team has managed to secure an average of just 1.11 points per game - which represents a minor improvement to the 0.89 points per game Bilic secured during his final 19 Premier League fixtures.
However that form replicated over the course of an entire season would leave the Hammers on just 42 points (the number with which the club were relegated at the end of the 2002/03 season) and fighting relegation - as is the case now. The forme Everton and Manchester United boss, who is working on a short-term contract has achieved Premier League wins over just five teams so far since joining the Hammers - those being Chelsea, Stoke City, West Bromwich Albion, Huddersfield and Watford. A sixth win - a 1-0 defeat of League One Shrewsbury in an FA Cup third round replay - was achieved in extra time at the Olympic Stadium thanks to youngster Reece Burke's very late winner. Additionally Moyes' average points per game figure falls slightly when taking into account all fixtures, including EFL and FA Cup dates. In total he has taken charge of 23 matches, with an equivalent average points tally of 1.09.
David Moyes: first 19 Premier League fixtures (half-a-season)
Won: 5
Drawn: 6
Lost: 8
Points: 21
Average Points Per Game: 1.11
Slaven Bilic: last 19 Premier League fixtures (half-a-season)
Won: 4
Drawn: 5
Lost: 10
Points: 17
Average Points Per Game: 0.89
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Smolov seeking West Ham move
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 29th March 2018
By: Staff Writer
Sources in Russia say that Fyodor Smolov wants to secure a move to West Ham before the World Cup commences this June. The 28-year-old striker, who currently features for Krasnodar and has been repeatedly linked with a move to east London this season is reported to have told associates that he wants to complete his on/off move as soon as possible. However much will depend on the Hammers being willing to meet his asking price, said to be in the region of £12-£15million. West Ham were first linked with a move for the Russian captain, who already speaks fluent English, a matter of days after David Moyes was installed as the club's latest manager last November. Smolov is said to be particularly keen to move to London despite having also been linked with clubs such as Schalke and Bayer Leverkusen in recent months.
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Moyes wants players to 'instigate' positive mood
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 29th March 2018
By: Staff Writer
David Moyes has challenged his players to be the "instigators" of a positive atmosphere at the Olympic Stadium this weekend. The Hammers boss, speaking in his latest weekly piece for the Evening Standard called for the fans to get behind the team against Southampton this Saturday - but has also ordered his players to give the crowd something to cheer. Some sections of the 50,000+ crowd turned on the Board immediately after Burnley scored their first goal in the recent 3-0 defeat, leading the chaotic scenes and a number of frustrated fans invading the pitch.
And Moyes admits his team simply can't afford the same situation to arise this weekend. "My message to the players is we have to be the instigators," he said. "We need to be the ones to start things off, set the mood and give the supporters something on which they can focus their support. "I can tell our fans that the players are really together. They've been hard on themselves since the Burnley defeat and they are ready for the remaining eight games of this season. It will make our job so much easier if everyone is behind us on Saturday — and I'm sure they will be. "The problems which occurred against Burnley didn't help us. After the first goal there was a long break because of the issues on the pitch and the players' statistics dropped off dramatically. That proves the importance of the support — and if that can happen so spectacularly when things go wrong, then the opposite is true if we feel that unified support."
Moyes also welcomed the return of Arthur Masuaku, whose trickery and guile have been badly missed during the six matches for which he has been suspended. "Arthur gives us some balance on the left-hand side of the team and he has that pace which worries the opposition," he added. "The FA Cup tie at Wigan a couple of months ago was a big negative for us, not only because we lost but also due to Arthur's own stupidity and a nasty knee injury to Pedro Obiang, who we have really missed in midfield. "We've been patching up since then, and it's great to have Arthur back for the business end of the season."
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Carroll to return before end of season
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 29th March 2018
By: Staff Writer
David Moyes has revealed that he expects Andy Carroll to return to first team action earlier than previously predicted. The 29-year-old striker, who was linked with a loan move to Chelsea shortly before being sidelined was expected to miss the rest of the campaign with his latest injury, an ankle problem, sustained back in January. However manager Moyes has confirmed that the former England international is expected to return to first team action within the next few weeks - meaning that he should be able to play a role in West Ham's last "four or five" games this season. "Andy Carroll is still a very important member of our squad and I hope he will be available for the final four or five games, even if it is off the bench at times," Moyes told the Standard. "Before his injury, Andy scored two unbelievably good goals against West Brom in a really important victory for us and I wanted him in Miami to see how I work on a trip like that and also what I expect of him. He is ahead of schedule in terms of his recovery and I am positive that the trip helped him." Carroll has featured just 14 times for West Ham thus far this season, scoring twice and being booked on six occasions.
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West Ham United v Southampton
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 29th March 2018
By: Preview Percy
Preview Percy's back and he's not happy. And he has calmed down a hellova lot during the Cup/International break. Not that it shows. Here's his take on this weekend's visit of Southampton.....
And so, after what appears to have been a break that lasted a long as a close season without a World Cup or Euros to fill the gap, we return to action. Kick-off is 3pm and our visitors will be Southampton. Had the "most successful stadium move in the world, ever, it really was, honest" (Copyright K. Brady) not resulted in our home ground being unavailable at the start of the season this game would have been played on the south coast. It wasn't so here we are.
Trains are their usual shambles in and out of Liverpool Street and you can add some diversions into the mix on the C2C where there is nothing between Grays and Rainham. So if you have ever fancied a visit to Ockendon this weekend would be a good time to try it. Oh and if you happen to be coming up from Southampton RMT have called another one of their strikes but I don't expect anyone will notice the difference.
So Southampton then. They currently occupy the final relegation spot with 28 points from the 30 played so far. Which is 3 points and one place behind us. They've won 1 drawn 3 and lost 2 of their last 6 in the league, a run of form that saw them dispense with services of Pellegrino and turn to the oh so subtle talents of Mark Hughes. The general impression one gets of the appointment is that Hughes wouldn't have been the average Saints fan's first choice to take the helm but needs must when the devil vomits in your kettle as it was so eloquently put in one of the Blackadder series.
Hughes got off to a winning start with a 2-0 win at Wigan in the Cup with the home side finally having run out of referees willing to give penalties like the one they got against us. However, the vagaries of the international break system mean that this will be Hughes' first league match in charge so, having had a free pass for his first game it's from here where the real work starts.
A quick look at the transfer window courtesy of the work experience kid of as yet to be determined gender wearing a hoodie who seems only able to communicate with some strange grunting noises might suggest that the departure of Virgil Van Dijk (imagine Thunderbird 2 piloted by a chimney sweep with a dodgy cockney accent) to Liverpool (where else?) might have led to a slump in form. However, the player effectively left for Liverpool back in the summer when yet again the Scousers got caught red handed breaching every transfer rule in the book. In fact the Dutch defender played only 12 times in the league this season and his last match in Saints colours was as early as 13 December. Just after Christmas it was announced that the player would officially be a Liverpool player with effect from 1 January. There were dark mutterings that the £75m fee contained some sort of premium in Southampton's favour in return for leaving the player out of their December squads and for not taking the transfer rule breaches any further. Let's put it this way, it wouldn't have been the first time Liverpool have paid off rival clubs to avoid trouble with the authorities – eh Tottenham?
The £75m received for Van Dijk didn't send Pellegrino rushing out to the shops, though they did break their transfer record in spending a reported £19m on Monaco's Argentinian striker Guido Carillo. Carillo netted 21 times in 95 appearances in all competitions in the principality. Prior to Monaco Carillo plied his trade at Estudiantes, an Argentinian club that those of us of a certain age will remember getting involved in a brutal Intercontinental Cop tie with Man Utd back in 1968. The Estudiantes side contained a number of players from the Argentinian squad labelled as "animals" by Sir Alf Ramsey in the 1966 World Cup and their conduct two years later did little to counter that description. All of which has nothing to do with this weekend's game but hey it was an amusing diversion down memory lane nonetheless. Back here in Blighty Carillo has yet to open his account in a Southampton shirt which probably only means one thing…..
Top goalscorer at present is Charlie Austin who has 6 in 16 league appearances. Austin was, of course, the subject of one of those "public relations disasters" that never take place according to the Baroness, when David Sullivan opened his gob and proved once again why he should leave the running of a football club to someone who might know what they are doing. George out of Rainbow, for example, wouldn't have done anything as stupid as claiming another club's player was shot as Sullivan did with Austin who, understandably, had slightly different views on the matter. The aftermath was that Sullivan ended up having to issue another of those apologies for a public relations disaster of the sort that never take place according to the Baroness. Worryingly, it seems that Austin is winning his battle against a thigh injury and has, at the time of writing, a 50-50 chance of appearing at the weekend, which probably means only one thing…….
Another who is likely to be fit is full-back Ryan Bertrand. Bertrand withdrew from the England squad for the recent friendlies against The Netherlands and Italy suffering from a back problem though the withdrawal seems to have been "precautionary" in nature, though not as precautionary as Man Utd's constant withdrawal of fully fit players from international friendlies as a precaution against them possibly getting injured over the years. Now that Giggs is managing Wales I do so hope managers start treating him in the same way as he treated Wales managers over the years – what was it one friendly in 9 years?
But I digress.
So what has happened since last we met? Well every time I think this club can't get any lower it does. Let's look at Burnley then. Now as a very old supporter who was brought up on the promise of a thick ear from my Dad if I so much as thought about running onto the pitch, I can't condone incursions of the nature we saw at Burnley. However, I sure as hell understand the sentiment behind them. And there has been a complete load of utter twaddle spoken about the situation much of it from people who know the square root of sod all about football in general and our club in particular.
Take Mayor Khan for example. According to him the crowd unrest was "planned and co-ordinated". Now I don't know who is feeding him such b*llocks but as a senior elected politician really he ought to know better than to open his gob on stuff he knows nothing about. Apparently the evidence for the "planned and co-ordinated" trouble was that it all kicked off at the same time. Clearly Khan and his info suppliers have never tried to make a mobile call within the confines of the stadium. Remember last year even the old bill couldn't get their radios to work in the place. The only communications system that would really work would be a series of tin cans linked with string and I didn't see too many of those about did you?
No, unrest had been building up over a number of weeks culminating in the cancellation of the march that had been due to take place that day. By all accounts the club had been going out of its way to try and ensure that the march didn't take place. If that was the case it was a plan that blew up in their faces in the most spectacular manner with the pitch incursions (and please let's not pander to the gutter press by referring to them as "invasions") and the protests in front of the directors' seats garnering infinitely more publicity than the march ever would have done.
The fact that unrest started simultaneously had more to do with the fact that it had Burnley's first goal as a trigger. Or do they think we ring each other up on those rare occasions we actually score a goal and say "ready to cheer in 3,2,1……."?. So yet another public relations disaster of the sort that we never have according to the Baroness then.
As mentioned column miles have been written about the protests, some wise some less so. A number of columnists have made great play about David Gold's age. Now rightly or wrongly Gold is portrayed as the junior partner of the ruling junta and maybe there is some truth in the notion that his involvement is far less than Sullivan's. Gold's public utterances are certainly less "foot in mouth" than those of his co-chair or his vice-chair. He usually shoehorns in the fact that he lived opposite the Boleyn much in the same way as dodgy Dave Whelan mentions that he broke his leg in a cup final, but that's about it. However, the idea that his age somehow exempts him from criticism is a bit ageist. I do believe that the chap isn't in the rudest of health – and I sincerely wish him no ill in that respect – but football matches always take place in something of a confrontational atmosphere and directors up and down the country know that. Given that, outside some video channels and the occasional other website or blog, only three people in the world think our club is actually well-run, if the criticism is too much for someone of advanced years wouldn't it be a good idea to plan for a comfy retirement? How about a word with that woman who was putting together a group to buy Newcastle until she got fed up with Ashley messing her about? We would probably cost more than the Geordies but on the up side we are in London – I know this because it says so on the bloody badge.
I 'spose I ought to talk about football at some stage (please – Ed). The injury list looks like this:
1) Andy Carroll – broken foot – estimated return possibly Arsenal if they can make their bloody minds up when it's being played
2) Sam Byram – ankle – looks like he's out for the season
3) Pedro Obiang – knee ligaments – he's definitely out for the season
4) Manuel Lanzini – "knock" – picked up a worryingly vague mystery spot of "muscular discomfort" on international duty and is rated 50-50 for this one
5) Cheikh Kouyate – sick – apparently he's been under the weather with an attack of the vapours or some such. Nothing too serious and is 75% likely to play
6) Winston Reid – knee ligaments – out for the season
7) James Collins – hamstring – as predicted Collins' hamstring flared up after the Burnley game and he his rated with only a 25% chance of playing.
On the brighter side Fernandes' ankle has healed enough for him to be in contention. Masuaku is available for selection having a) served out his deserved suspension and b) emerged unscathed from the international break having joined three other players in walking out from the DR Congo squad in a Roy Keane stylie due to a "complete lack of organisation". A spokesman for DR Congo said "We thought he was missing West Ham. We were only trying to make him feel at home" I expect.
With Arthur having decided that the delights of playing for a country hitherto famous only for its appearance as a pointless answer on that quiz show that I can't remember the name of are not for him, and Ogbonna thankfully not being thrown on for the England Italy match, we came away from the international break relatively clear of injury – assuming Lanzini's "knock" isn't too serious. We are struggling at the moment for numbers in defence with Collins' advancing years meaning that he will take a while to recover and Reid's ligaments being horrifyingly knackered pro-tem. With Byram also having an early summer holiday to avoid school holiday time you can expect to see a lot more of young Rice in the starting XI. By the way congrats are due to the lad for his full international debut for Ireland during the break.
Arnie looked in good nick in midweek. On Saturday he should be reminded of a few things and wound up and told to channel his anger at beating this weekend's opponents in the same way he vented his spleen at Stoke away this season. Just remind him of the elbows to the face he took down at their place only to be punished for retaliation. With Mark Hughes now pitch side tell him it's Stoke again, there's the goal now get on with it. Incidentally Hughes's foul-mouth tirade at Arnie when the player was subbed at Stoke this season saw no action from the authorities. Odd that.
So prediction time. Up to now the crowd have been content to boo when the performances have been sub-standard. Burnley changed all that. Although the protests were rightly aimed at the board, the pent-up rage they contained should have brought home to the players just how dissatisfied we all are at the moment infinitely more than half a season's worth of booing has done. So that will have gone down one of two ways. Either we get a reaction which involves sleeves rolled up, teeth gritted and some sheer bloody-mindedness and a determination to win. If we get that Burnley will turn out to have been the low point and the catalyst and kick up the backside that was needed to get something out of the players. If we don't get that reaction Burnley will just turn out to have been a yet another stopping off point en route to the inevitable.
The latter option doesn't bear thinking about and whilst I don't think I will be right I am going to predict a nervy home win on the grounds that I really want to be proved wrong so it's off to Winstone's I will go with the £2.50 I was going to chip in to the club's coffers for a new corner flag (every little helps) and place it on a nervy 2-1 win to us.
Enjoy the game!
When last we met at the Olympic: Lost 0-3 (Premier League 2016)
Remember how we rolled over against a mediocre Brighton side at home this season? It was like that with different coloured stripes.
Referee: Jon Moss
Won his place having successfully completed the phrase "I think I should be a referee because" on the coupon cut out from the side of cornflakes packet. Spent the rest of the week hoovering up cornflakes that had fallen out of the hole in the packet as a result. Incidentally it was confirmed this week that no English referees wold take part at the World Cup. Nice one Riley.
Danger Man: Charlie Austin
Inevitable, isn't it.
Percy's poser:
Last time out we asked you why the good burghers of Burnley are getting in a tizzy about something called "Pexit" as well as the "now in it's 30th year" matter of "Brexit". Thanks are due to Mrs Juliette Disgruntled of Great Baddow who was first out of the digital hat with the answer that "Pexit" is the name given to the plan by a number of East Lancashire's local authorities to leave Lancashire and set up their own unitary authority as a reaction to being "ruled by Preston". Quite what they are going to do with the Yorkshire border remains to be see, Well done Juliette.
For this week's poser we look at the world of public transport. We're not big fans of buses here at the Avram Grant Olympic Rest Home For The Bewildered – too many poor people from council estates all in one place for our liking. However, we do have to slum it once in a while and we are very quick to fill out the compensation forms whenever our journey is delayed or otherwise interrupted. So this week we ask you what happened on a Southampton bus this week that would have had us demanding eye-watering levels of compo? Clue: It involved some horrific crimes against music – and Southampton has produced enough of those for you to be getting on with….
First prize will be a set of ear plugs.
Good luck!
Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, nor should be attributed to, KUMB.com.
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Russia striker Fyodor Smolov wants to join West Ham before the World Cup
By Sky Sports News
Last Updated: 29/03/18 11:51am
SSN
Russia striker Fyodor Smolov wants to join West Ham before the World Cup starts this summer, Sky Sports News understands. A source close to the player says West Ham "can end the Cold War" by signing the Krasnodar striker. The 28-year-old scored for Russia in their 3-1 loss to France in St Petersburg on Tuesday. He also scored twice in a friendly against Spain in November 2017. Smolov is valued at between £10m and £13m by Krasnodar and Sky Sports News understands he is expected to leave the Russian club this summer. West Ham were in talks to sign him last summer but manager David Moyes was not convinced that he was strong enough to play in the Premier League. Ligue 1 side Marseille are also interested in a deal for Smolov but the player himself would prefer to move to London. Smolov has scored 50 goals in 67 games for Krasnodar and 12 times in 30 games for Russia.
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BUILDING A FORTRESS
By Blind Hammer 29 Mar 2018 at 08:00
WTID
Blind Hammer argues for proudly building atmosphere.
We are entering the business end of a campaign which could define our future for the next decade. In an extraordinary season all sections of the Club, from Board, management, Players and finally , some supporters, have lurched towards pressing a self-destruct button. This year will mark my 50th anniversary of my first visit to Upton Park. With the possible exception of the Bond Scheme, I have never known a time in during which we have shot ourselves in the foot not once but regularly in a weird kind of masochistic frenzy.
The determination for self-annihilation has at times astonished me. Despite what people think I am not blind to issues. We can, at the end of the Season, reflect on multiple areas. In future THE Board should refrain from denigration of players still on our Wage bill. Tony Henry's surreal RACIST assertion to, of all people, an agent of a Cameroon player, that West Ham would not recruit African players defies not only decency but basic intelligence. The inexplicable continuation of playing Antonio by successive Managers in anything but his strongest position defies logic. Throughout the season we have suffered from various acts of avoidable player madness, the lowlight of which was Masuaku losing his discipline if not his mind by spitting at Wigan's Nick Powell. No I am not blind to these issues but they most definitely need parking.
What we can do from now until the end of the season is provide the best environment in which our players can perform. It is often said that a Football Club is not defined by its Board, not its Manager, or its Players. All these move on. The constant is its supporters. I will add one more condition; a club is also not defined by its Ground. I loved going to Upton Park but I am a West Ham United and not an Upton Park supporter. Football clubs move. My Father lived through the transition from the Memorial Ground to Upton Park. I am living through the transition from Upton Park to the London Stadium. All Football clubs will, over time, change and move on. West Ham will carry on at the LS just as they carried on after leaving the memorial Ground. Yet the sadness I felt at departing Upton Park is now overwhelmed by despair at the destructive futile negativity from those, even now, determined to create a feel bad climate about the London stadium. Quite how they feel this helps our club in its current predicament bewilders me. Even with Upton Park demolished, some are still loudly branding the LS as a "soulless Athletics Bowl". I respect the right to free speech but I am genuinely puzzled by how anybody can think how this helps our team?
It is also manifestly untrue. Last season, hours before the Spurs game , the Guardian ran its normal lazy and gleeful anti- West Ham article declaring how West Ham were now playing under the handicap of a Stadium with no atmosphere. On the night my sighted guide was a Sheffield Wednesday supporter. He was awestruck by the atmosphere both during and after this memorable victory. He described it as the loudest game he had ever attended. Paul has returned to guide me this season. Although West Ham is gradually becoming his second team he remains essentially neutral and has no axe to grind. He recently attended Arsenal's Emirates Stadium and was amazed at the lack of atmosphere despite their 4-1 victory. He is convinced that comparatively there is far more atmosphere at the LS. If West Ham were winning 4-1 there would have been scenes of delirious excitement.
He is not alone in this assessment. Another Guide, actually an Ipswich town supporter, compared the LS with his attendance at Chelsea, his nearest club. He found criticism of our atmosphere odd. He not only believes the Stadium is far superior to Stamford Bridge, but also that atmosphere exceeds what he experiences at Chelsea.
It is a myth that we are disadvantaged amongst rival cauldrons of positive atmosphere in the Premiership. The atmosphere at grounds with traditionally loyal supporters like West Brom and Stoke has been described as toxic this season. Atmosphere is an issue even for successful clubs like Manchester United. Despite their huge 75,000 capacity, Mourinho has consistently criticised their quietness. Last week the BBC reported United's efforts to wake up their sepulchral crowd with plans for cheerleaders with megaphones and the distribution of Song Sheets. Imagine the field day the Guardian would have had if this was an idea emanating from West Ham.
This is not a problem limited to the united side of Manchester. Over the last 12 months Guardiola and city players have complained about the quiet Etihad atmosphere. In response the City Fan group 1894 launched a campaign to try and rectify this.
This is also not a phenomenon restricted to new Stadia. Only a few months ago Paul Merson was commenting on how quiet it was at Everton's Goodison Park compared to years gone by.
Now of course atmosphere when we are playing badly at the LS is poor. Despite what people say this was also true for Upton Park. It is also clear that when we play well, especially against the best teams, we can make the Stadium rock. The atmosphere early in the season, when we beat Chelsea, was fantastic.
So negative whining about a soulless athletics bowl is precisely that. It is negative and self-defeating. We have nothing to be ashamed of. Our atmosphere can be as good as and probably better than the majority of clubs in the league. It is our job to deliver this in the crucial weeks ahead.
COYI
David Griffith
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WEST HAM FACE STRONG COMPETITION FOR SOUTH AMERICAN MIDFIELDER
ELLIOTT CUFF @CuffWrites
ReadWestHam
West Ham are keen on signing Argentine midfielder Rodrigo Battaglia this summer, according to Portuguese sources. The Hammers have made signing a new midfielder one of their highest priorities, and the Sporting Lisbon enforcer is the latest man to be linked with a switch to the English capital. Portuguese outlet O Jogo, as reported by Sport Witness, claim that several clubs are interested in signing the 26-year old this summer, one of whom are West Ham. Reportedly, West Ham attempted to sign Battaglia in the January transfer window but were unsuccessful. The Lions expect an offer of €30million to begin talks, whereas David Moyes' side only offered €20million, which was rejected. The London Stadium outfit are still pursuing the midfielder, although they haven't yet made another offer. Meanwhile, Italian trio Roma, Napoli and Inter Milan are all said to be interested. Sporting are expected to make a decision on Battaglia's future next month, and given the amount of interest in his services, could well demand more money if they decide to sell.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Friday, March 30
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