Daily WHUFC News - 31st March 2018

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

West Ham United next play Southampton in the Premier League, after a three-week break without a competitive fixture.
Read on for all the information you need ahead of this weekend's contest.
Where and when?

The Hammers will welcome Southampton to London Stadium on Saturday 31 March 2018.
The contest is scheduled for a 3pm kick-off.

How to follow:
This match is not being broadcast live in the UK, however supporters overseas may be able to watch on television. Click here for broadcast details in your territory.
Live match updates will be provided through the official West Ham Twitter account.
You can also follow the game live via our Matchday Blog on whufc.com.
You can also follow the match on our official Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat channels.

Safety and security update:

A series of measures have been implemented to ensure the safety of supporters attending Saturday's Premier League game against Southampton at London Stadium.
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.

For more information, see the full article here.

Team news:

West Ham United will be able to call on Arthur Masuaku for this fixture after the pace left-sided player completed a six-match suspension.
Pedro Obiang, Winston Reid and Sam Byram remain unavailable for the Hammers.
Manager David Moyes will offer more insight into his available team during his pre-match press-conference on Friday afternoon.

What they say: "We're out of the bottom three at the moment and we have a massive game coming against Southampton, they're on 28 and we're on 30 points. We have to go and win the match." Declan Rice

Match Officials:
Referee: Jonathan Moss
Assistant Referees: Simon Bennett and Andrew Halliday
Fourth Official: Graham Scott

Last five meetings:

How to get there:

There are four stations that supporters should utilise to reach London Stadium: Stratford Station, Stratford International, Hackney Wick and Pudding Mill Lane.

Fans are advised that:

Southend Victoria / Southminster services will have a Rail Replacement Bus service to Newbury Park connecting into the Central line toward London.
Ipswich, Clacton-on-Sea, Colchester and Norwich services will terminate at Ingatestone with a Rail Replacement Bus service to Newbury Park connecting into the Central line toward London.
Cambridge, Stansted Airport, Bishops & Hertford East services will be diverted via Stratford.

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Moyes: The supporters will be right behind West Ham on Saturday
WHUFC.com

David Moyes sat down with the media on Good Friday afternoon to discuss this weekend's Premier League fixture with Southampton at London Stadium. The West Ham United manager says team spirit is high after a productive three-week break from competitive action and the players will be fully prepared for a 'must-win' game against the Saints. Moyes also backed the Claret and Blue Army to have a positive impact on Saturday's match and challenged his players to give the supporters plenty to cheer…

We're very together and will work hard to win for each other We had five days together in Miami and I thought it was really good. I thought it was the right time, we certainly had good weather and, with the way things went after the Burnley game, I thought it was a good time to take the players away as well. All in all, it gave us time to get the players together and train. It was nothing to do with it being a defeat or a win in our final game before the international break, but because it was the right time to go away. We had three weeks off and we thought it was the best time to try and take a few days away. I think, in most cases, we'd have wanted to get back out there and play another game, but there was nothing we could do about it. We were out of the FA Cup, so there was nothing we could do about that, so we thought it was the best chance and, after the way things went, it was good to get away and let the dust settle. The players are very together and it's given us a chance to emphasise the importance not only of being in the Premier League, but the importance of being good teammates and working together. They've been tough on themselves, because they know we've got to do better.

It is a vital game, but I've had vital games since day one. They're getting more vital, if I can say that, as we're running out of games as well. But we're positive. When I took over, we were in the bottom three and we've had some brilliant results, so that's what we're looking to do again. We've used the time to emphasise to the players that that's what we've got to get back to and, by hook or by crook, we'll get those wins. I think we're all quite relaxed and we certainly know what we've got to do and that's perform well. If we get good performances, we'll get good results, and for long periods of our last game we performed really well.

What we need to do is do that again and take our chances and hopefully we'll get the points. I'm hoping we can pick up points from every game we play, but I think you can look at Southampton and Stoke at home as must-win games, which they are, but I think we have a chance of picking up points from all the other games as well. Southampton is one of eight games we've got between now and the end of the season which we must win. I don't think there is anything between the bottom ten clubs and on their day, one can beat another, so I think it will go right to the end, until the last week or two of the season.

West Ham supporters have an important role to play on Saturday I think the role of the crowd has been important, not just at West Ham but, wherever you go, you want the crowd behind you If you're playing well, the crowd will always get behind you and when you're not, they're maybe not as good, wherever you go.
West Ham have got such a strong following and such a powerful support base that, when it's good it's really good, but when you're not doing well they let you know. That's part of West Ham. I think the supporters will be right behind West Ham. They know the importance of the game and the importance of all the games and let's make sure they help the team. The team will give everything to give them something to shout about, so we'll try and play our part, so we want them to make sure they play their part. I think the atmosphere will be great, as it has apart from one occasion since I've been here. I've got no worries about the supporters, that's for sure, as they'll be right behind the team and I think they'll show that as well.

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Team news: Masuaku returns, Lanzini's fitness race, Carroll nearing comeback
WHUFC.com

David Moyes will welcome Arthur Masuaku and Edimilson Fernandes back into his matchday squad for Saturday's Premier League fixture with Southampton. West Ham United host the Saints at London Stadium in what the manager has termed a 'must-win' game, and his hand has been strengthened by the return of the winger from suspension and the midfielder from a long-term ankle injury. Moyes also conceded that Manuel Lanzini will be a game-time decision after suffering a minor knee injury in Argentina's friendly win over Italy, while James Collins is also facing a race against time to recover from the hamstring problem he suffered at Dagenham & Redbridge. "We've got a problem with Lanzini, who took a knock and didn't play in the second game for Argentina [in Spain]," he revealed. "He's got a problem with his knee so we're assessing it. He's done a good bit of running, so we're hoping he's got a chance. "Ginge had a bit of a hamstring injury and we're going to have to assess it as well. After that, people are improving. Andy Carroll is improving and getting closer to being ready to play, so we've got one or two coming back. "Edi Fernandes is back and Arthur is back after it seems like the eternity of his ban, but he deserved it. He's back now. We've got a couple back and are getting closer to having two more back."

When asked to expand on the potential return of England centre forward Carroll, the manager believes the No9 could have a big part to play over the closing weeks of the season. "I think he's got a chance, Andy. He's really improved, he's running, he's doing a lot of changing of direction. "So, can we get him fit for 90 minutes? I'm not sure we can get him fit for 90 minutes, but if I can get him fit to play between 20 and 30 minutes in games between now and the end of the season, I think it'll be really good."

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Easter Bunny Evra surprises young patients at Newham Hospital
WHUFC.com

Easter Bunny Patrice Evra hopped down to Newham University Hospital to wish young patients a happy Easter! The West Ham United defender dressed up in a rabbit costume to hand out chocolate eggs, high-five and dance with children at the hospital in Plaistow, east London. Evra, who has four million followers on the social media platform Instagram, later posted a heart-warming 60-second video showcasing his surprise visit. "So guys, Easter Bunny, I love this game, I have a job to do so see you later guys. Don't forget – I love this game!" he said in the opening of the video. Following his visit, Evra posted on Instagram: "What a day... 😁I just want to say thanks to the kids and staff at hospital who do incredible work. ♥️🙏🏼Easter is for #happiness, #family , #sharing and chocolate. I love this bunny and I always love this game!"

Evra, who could make his home debut for West Ham in Saturday's Premier League fixture with Southampton at London Stadium, is a prolific and popular user of social media, with his videos regularly attracting hundreds of thousands of views.

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'When you put the shirt on, you are playing for all the people who come to watch the game'
WHUFC.com

Patrice Evra has vowed to use all his experience to help West Ham United to Premier League safety. The full-back joined the Hammers in February on a short-term deal until the end of the season, and is determined to make sure his stay in east London is a happy one. And, with 275 Premier League appearances – just 46 of which ended in defeat – five titles and 81 international caps under his belt, Evra is hoping his winning mentality will rub off when West Ham host Southampton on Saturday. "I've only been here for a month or so and I didn't play at home yet, but I can say that when I saw the 50,000 fans from the bench against Watford and Burnley, I was like 'Wow! Those West Ham fans love their team," he told whufc.com. "When we perform, they will be behind us, so I understand their frustration and we have talked enough. We need to perform for them on the pitch. "I won't ask them to sing for us, because just the fact that they come to the stadium, 50,000 people, is enough for us to understand and we have to respect them. I can't wait for Saturday. This has been my mentality throughout this three-week break "We have to perform. It's easy for us to say that, but talk is not enough. We must do it. Nobody can hide from this situation. "We need to thrive on the pressure, because there will be a lot of pressure, and the senior players need to take responsibility and perform and realise how lucky we are. While he may not have played in front of the Claret and Blue Army at London Stadium as yet, Evra is proud to be part of a Club which he has always had a huge amount of respect for. "Playing for West Ham is an honour and I always used to remember how hard it was to play against this Club when I was with Manchester United. "West Ham is a really popular club and I love this kind of club because, when you put the shirt on, you are playing for all the people who come to watch the game, who have sacrificed other things to buy their ticket. We should all think about that when we start the game. "I want them to be happy, to see me fighting for their shirt and playing well. That's my message."

On Saturday, Evra will come up against another former Manchester United star in the shape of Southampton manager Mark Hughes, who will take charge of the Saints for the first time in the Premier League. "When a new manager comes in, all the team react well for the first three or four games so it's going to be tough, because they know they have to win because they are behind us. "We should be excited to play under that kind of pressure, in that kind of game. Don't hide, ask for the ball and play without putting pressure on yourself, because otherwise you are playing with ten kilos on your back and you can't do anything. "Don't play the game before the game. When the referee blows the whistle for kick-off, be ready. That's it."

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West Ham United v Southampton
SAT 31 MAR 2018PREMIER LEAGUE
15:00
Venue: London Stadium

TEAM NEWS
Arthur Masuaku returns for West Ham after completing a six-game ban and Edimilson Fernandes is fit again. The Hammers will assess the players involved in international duty, including Manuel Lanzini, who suffered a knock whilst representing Argentina.
Southampton striker Charlie Austin is back in contention after three months out with a hamstring injury. Steven Davis may return after missing five games with a similar problem. Ryan Bertrand is expected to play, having withdrawn from England duty as a precaution because of hamstring tightness.

MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES
John Motson: "West Ham have had three weeks to deal with the fall-out from their home defeat by Burnley, which was overshadowed by pitch invasions and protests in front of the directors' box. "There will be a bigger police presence on Saturday but amid the backdrop of security concerns it should not be forgotten that this is a huge game for West Ham, who would drop below Saints - and probably into the relegation zone - if they lose. "Five of the Hammers' remaining eight matches are at the London Stadium, but that won't prove much of an advantage if the atmosphere remains toxic. "Southampton made a winning start under Mark Hughes by beating Wigan in the FA Cup, but this will be his first league match, and their record of one win in 17 top-flight games means that Premier League survival - rather than cup success - is his immediate priority."

WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY
West Ham manager David Moyes: "We have got such a strong and powerful support base that when it's good, it's good but when it's not, they let you know.
"We have to make sure that we are in the game, we've got to make sure we don't let anything alter our mindset. I think the players are in a different mindset now. They are prepared."

Southampton manager Mark Hughes: "This is a key game for both sides. At this end of the season you can damage your rivals' prospects while enhancing your own. "This is a great club with some exceptional people and we've got the tools to get the job done in this eight weeks."

LAWRO'S PREDICTION
This is a massive game for both teams, and it is very tricky to call. I am sure Mark Hughes will see his Southampton side get the bounce that most new managers get, with improved performances as well as results - but he might have to wait for it.

Prediction: 2-1

MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head

Southampton have won three of the last four meetings.
They could complete a league double against the Hammers for the first time since the 1997-98 season.
The last three meetings between these sides have produced a total of 12 goals - including five when Saints beat the Hammers 3-2 in August's reverse fixture.
West Ham United

West Ham have lost three league games in a row by a margin of three or more goals for the first time since March 2008.
The last English top-flight side to lose four matches in a row by such a margin were Nottingham Forest in 1968.
If they lose, the Hammers will become the 16th club to suffer 1,000 defeats in the English top flight.
West Ham could fail to score in consecutive home league games for the first time since November 2013.
Marko Arnautovic has not scored or provided an assist in any of his last three Premier League appearances. He had contributed seven goals and three assists in his previous nine games in the division.
Southampton

Saints have won only two away games in the Premier League this season, which both came against the side who were bottom of the table at the time: Crystal Palace in September and West Brom in February.
Southampton have won just once in their last 17 league fixtures (D9, L7).
Mark Hughes will become only the second person to manage six different clubs in the Premier League. Sam Allardyce has been in charge of seven.
Hughes has not won his first league match in charge of a club since September 2004 at Blackburn - in his four subsequent jobs he has drawn once (with Fulham) and lost three (with Manchester City, QPR and Stoke).
Saints' last seven managers in the Premier League have failed to win their opening top-flight game since Paul Sturrock oversaw a 2-0 victory against Liverpool on 14 March 2004.

SAM's verdict
Most probable score: 1-1 Probability of draw: 28%
Probability of home win: 37% Probability of away win: 35%
SAM (Sports Analytics Machine) is a super-computer created by @ProfIanMcHale at the University of Liverpool that is used to predict the outcome of football matches.

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Late fitness test for Lanzini
KUMB.cm
Filed: Friday, 30th March 2018
By: Staff Writer

Manuel Lanzini is considered 50/50 for tomorrow's vital Premier League clash against Southampton. The Argentine international missed his nation's 6-1 thrashing at the hands of Spain in midweek as a result of a knee injury sustained in an earlier friendly against Italy, a week ago today. However David Moyes will wait until the last possible minute before making a decision on whether or not to include the 25-year-old in his match day squad; prior to this morning, Lanzini hadn't trained since returning from international duty. There was however a more positive update on the injury front for Moyes with the news that James Collins - who pulled up during the first half of West Ham's 3-1 friendly win at Dagenham & Redbridge last week - has passed a fitness test and is expected to feature against The Saints.

And forgotten man Edimilson Fernandes - who has been out of action for four months with an ankle injury - is also expected to be named in the 18-man match day squad having featured for Switzerland's Under 21s on Tuesday.

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FSF blast Mayor's false report
WHUFC.com
Filed: Friday, 30th March 2018
By: Staff Writer

The Football Supporters' Federation have responded to reports that incorrectly reported the number of arrests and incidents which occurred during the recent West Ham v Burnley match. Following the match and a subsequent meeting of the local Safety Advisory Board (SAB), London Mayor Sadiq Khan falsely claimed that there has been "150 incidents of trouble". He also insisted that the disruptions during the game were part of an organised plot by "a known group of individuals" - even though it is virtually impossible for most supporters to receive a phone signal inside the stadium.
Following Khan's wild and unsubstantiated claims, both the Met police and West Ham United confirmed that the details had not been supplied them - whilst representatives of stadium operators LS185 refused to comment. And police have since confirmed that there were actually a total of 41 recorded incidents on the day, incidents that included the releasing of balloons and a missing child; considerably less than the figure given to Khan.

Posting on twitter this morning in response to Khan's comments, the FSF's Amanda Jacks hit out at the unnamed sources who provided the false figures. "The shift from 150 incidents at the West Ham v Burnley game including 40 assaults and accusations of conspiracy that were publicly condemned by London's Mayor, to a police-recognised 41 incidents including the release of black balloons and a missing child is really quite something," she wrote. West Ham face Southampton at the Olympic Stadium tomorrow, the first time the arena has been used to host football since the Burnley clash. Supporters are planning at least two anti-Board demonstrations before the game.

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David Moyes says West Ham players will be 'mentally stronger'
By Richard Cooke
Last Updated: 30/03/18 3:49pm
SSN

David Moyes says his West Ham players will be "mentally stronger" when they play Southampton at the London Stadium on Saturday, adding the home support will be "right behind the team". It is West Ham's first home match since the shameful scenes which marred their game against Burnley three weeks ago, when supporters invaded the pitch on several occasions as Moyes' side conceded three second-half goals. However, Moyes expects a more positive atmosphere against Southampton, with 17th-placed West Ham two points clear and one spot above Mark Hughes' side ahead of the match. "I think the atmosphere will be great at our stadium," Moyes said. "It has been great, with the exception of one occasion, since I've been here. I've got no worries about the supporters. "The supporters are right behind the team here and I still think they are right behind the team and I think they will show it as well."

"Our first-half performance [against Burnley] was really good, but I've got to say Nick Pope made two fantastic saves which probably altered the game. "Burnley started the second half better, got the goal and then things changed. It was a dramatic change not just because of the goal but because of the whole atmosphere which the players didn't enjoy. "But we're prepared now, the players are prepared. If it happens again and we get in that situation we'll be much better, we'll be mentally stronger and hopefully do the right things."

West Ham will implement "heightened" security measures for the match which will cost the taxpayer in London £60,000, according to Sky sources. lmost 20 fans have been issued with lifetime bans following the trouble on March 10, but Moyes says the players can do their bit to ensure the atmosphere is less volatile this time. "Wherever you go, you want the crowd behind you," he added. "If you perform well, you'll have the crowd behind you. "When it's good, it's really good. When you're not doing well, they let you know. That's part of West Ham, who have a really passionate fan base. "We've got to make sure, if we go a goal behind, we come from behind like we did against West Brom. "We played well in the game against Burnley, so we've got to make sure that we don't let any disruptions affect our minds. "I think the supporters will be right behind West Ham. They know the importance of the game. We'll try to do our part, so I'd ask the fans to do their part, too."

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West Ham v Southampton preview: Hammers look for much-needed win
Last Updated: 30/03/18 2:23pm
SSN

West Ham will be hoping to lift the mood at the London Stadium when they face Southampton on Saturday. West Ham's last home game, a 3-0 defeat by Burnley, was marred by pitch invasions and protests against owners David Sullivan and David Gold. The Hammers are set to implement "heightened" security measures this weekend in a bid to avoid similar troubles. West Ham have lost four of their last five Premier League matches and are 17th in the table, two points above Southampton, who occupy the final spot in the relegation zone. Mark Hughes will be taking charge of his first league match as Southampton manager, having started with an FA Cup quarter-final win over Wigan. "It's a key game for both sides," he said. "West Ham have their own problems to deal with, it seems, with their home games so we have got to take the opportunity, if it presents itself, to be able to exert pressure on them and maybe affect the atmosphere in the ground and what seemed to occur against Burnley. "We've got to affect the confidence of their group. Clearly there is some anxiety surrounding the club at the moment.
"That's a negative and it certainly affected them in the last game, going by what some of their players talked about afterwards."

Team news
Charlie Austin is in contention for Southampton after recovering from the hamstring injury which had kept him out since Christmas. Captain Steven Davis is also close to returning from his hamstring problem.

Edimilson Fernandes is available again for West Ham after four months out with an ankle injury. Arthur Masuaku is also back after completing a six-match ban.
However, Manuel Lanzini is a doubt with a knee injury and James Collins faces a late fitness test.

Opta stats
West Ham haven't lost back to back home league matches against Southampton since April 1992 - they lost 3-0 at London Stadium last season. The Saints haven't completed a league double over the Hammers since the 1997-98 campaign. Since winning 3-0 at London Stadium last season, Southampton have lost five of their six Premier League trips to London (W1). West Ham have lost their last three league games, each by a margin of at least three goals. The last English top-flight side to lose four in a row by such a margin were Nottingham Forest back in April 1968.

Saints have won only two away games in the Premier League this season, with both of those wins coming against the side who were bottom of the table at the time (Crystal Palace in September and West Brom in February). Mark Hughes will take charge of his sixth different Premier League club in this match, making him only the second person to manage six different clubs in the competition (after Sam Allardyce with seven).

Merson's prediction
I think this is a 30-minute football match. If West Ham aren't winning after 30 minutes, I can't see how they win this with how it is at the stadium, I think it will be toxic. West Ham got well beat last time out against Burnley, who aren't even free scoring, but won 3-0 and slaughtered them. I'm worried for West Ham and the fans are good at reuniting and getting right behind their team, but it's an ageing side with not a lot of pace so I worry about them.

For Southampton, I like Mark Hughes and he's a good manager. He's one of those that can win six out of nine or lose eight out of eight and I think here, they have to make sure they don't lose this game. Like I said, it's a 30-minute football match and if they're not losing after half an hour, I can't see how Southampton don't get a result.

PAUL PREDICTS: 1-2 (9/1 with Sky Bet)

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MATCH PREVIEW: WEST HAM V SOUTHAMPTON
By Dan Coker 30 Mar 2018 at 08:00
WTID

Blast from the past

Allow me to take you back 45 years, to another Good Friday, 20th April 1973. Edward Heath was Prime Minister, Tony Orlando and Dawn were number one with 'Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Ole Oak Tree' and the Ringo Starr-directed Born To Boogie starring T-Rex and Elton John was in UK cinemas.


An 11am kick-off saw West Ham United take on Southampton in front of 33,039 at The Boleyn Ground – it was to be a particularly good Friday for the Hammers and a great one for Bryan 'Pop' Robson as the Sunderland-born striker netted a hat-trick to lead West Ham to a 4-3 win over the Saints in the old First Division. Two goals in four minutes early on from Robson put the Hammers in a commanding position but, rather typically, the lead had been thrown away by half-time as Paul Gilchrist scored a brace of his own to level the match.

Robson completed his hat-trick in the 66th minute, leaping high to head in a Trevor Brooking cross and restore the hosts' lead. Brooking turned from goal-maker to goal-taker to effectively clinch the game for the Irons in the 83rd minute, but there was still time for Mick Channon to net a further consolation for the visitors in this seven-goal thriller.

The win put West Ham level with Ipswich in joint-fourth place, with three matches to play. It was to prove the Hammers' final victory of 1972/73 however, as we closed the campaign with two draws and a defeat. In doing so, West Ham equalled their (at the time) highest-ever position of sixth in a campaign that saw Bobby Moore overtake Jimmy Ruffell's record number of league appearances for the club, a record that had stood unbeaten since 1936. Southampton finished 13th, Liverpool won the league and Sunderland won the FA Cup.


'Pop' Robson, the hat-trick hero against the Saints (pictured with the matchball from the game), finished 1972/73 as the leading goal-scorer in England's top four divisions, with twenty-eight goals from forty-two appearances, winning him the Adidas-sponsored Golden Boot award. Twenty-six of these goals were from open play, with only two from the penalty spot. He was also, unsurprisingly, that season's recipient of the Hammer of the Year award, with Brooking runner-up.

West Ham United: Peter Grotier, John McDowell (Bertie Lutton), Kevin Lock, Bobby Moore, Frank Lampard, Billy Bonds, Pat Holland, Trevor Brooking, Clyde Best, Bryan 'Pop' Robson, Ted McDougall.

Southampton: Eric Martin, Jim Steele (Billy Beaney), Dave Walker, Paul Bennett, Joe Kirkup, Brian O'Neil, Wayne Talkes, Hugh Fisher, Terry Paine, Mick Channon, Paul Gilchrist.

Club Connections

Michail Antonio welcomes his former club. An array of West Ham United's good, bad and ugly have also turned out for Southampton:

Goalkeepers: Richard Wright, George Kitchen.

Defenders: Richard Hall, Christian Dailly, Joe Kirkup, Wayne Bridge, Neil Ruddock, Jose Fonte, Bill Adams, Darren Powell, Albie Roles, Horace Glover, Calum Davenport.

Midfielders: Jimmy Carr, Bobby Weale, Luis Boa Morte, Nigel Quashie, Eyal Berkovic, Robbie Slater, Peter Cowper, Paul Allen.

Strikers: Vic Watson, Justin Fashanu, David Speedie, David Connolly, Iain Dowie, Ted MacDougall, Henri Camara, Alex McDonald, Frank Costello, Fred Harrison, Walter Pollard, Arthur Wilson, Jimmy Harris, Jack Foster.

In addition, George Kay played for the Hammers and managed the Saints while Harry Redknapp and Alan Pardew have managed both clubs.

Today's focus is on a defender who enjoyed six and a half years with West Ham before later spending a brief loan spell at Southampton. Ian Pearce was born in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk on 7th May 1974. He started his career at Oxted & District before signing for Chelsea during the 1991/92 season. Pearce was part of the England Under-20 team that came third in the 1993 FIFA World Youth Championship in Australia, playing in all six matches and scoring one goal. He was capped three times for England at Under-21 level in the mid-1990s but would never make the senior side. Pearce moved to Blackburn in October 1993, scoring the winning goal for Rovers in a 2-1 win at West Ham in April 1994 before winning the Premier League title the following season.

The 23-year-old Pearce joined Harry Redknapp's upwardly-mobile West Ham United for a fee of £2.3m in September 1997. He made his Hammers debut in a 1-0 home defeat to Newcastle on 20th September 1997 and quickly forged a young, promising central defensive trio alongside Rio Ferdinand and fellow new boy David Unsworth. Pearce scored his first goal for his boyhood club in a 1-1 FA Cup quarter-final draw at eventual Double winners Arsenal on 8th March 1998. He scored his first league goal in claret and blue, and his first at Upton Park, in a 3-0 win over Leeds twenty years ago today, on 30th March 1998, a match which saw Pearce playing at right wing-back. Pearce made 39 appearances in 1997/98 as the Hammers finished eighth (their highest position for 12 years) and reached the quarter-finals in both cup competitions.

Pearce made 36 appearances and was runner-up to Shaka Hislop in the Hammer of the Year voting in 1998/99 as the Irons finished fifth and qualified for the InterToto Cup. He scored in a 2-1 home win over Nottingham Forest on 13th February 1999 and bagged his second of the campaign in his next home game, a 2-0 win over former club Blackburn two weeks later. Pearce played in both legs of the InterToto Cup semi-final against Heerenveen in the summer of 1999 before injuring knee ligaments 37 minutes into the opening day of the Premier League season in a 1-0 win over Tottenham – he was to be ruled out for 14 months.

Making his comeback in October 2000 in a 1-0 home win over Newcastle, Pearce made 17 appearances in 2000/01, scoring his only goal of the season in a 4-1 home win over Manchester City on 11th November 2000. He was injured again in April 2001 and would be out for ten months, making only nine appearances under new manager Glenn Roeder in 2001/02 – he did, however, score a stunning and dramatic last-minute equaliser at White Hart Lane on 13th April 2002, lashing home a left-footed piledriver from distance. His second goal of the campaign was the final act of the campaign, a late winner in a 2-1 home triumph against Bolton on the final day of the season.

Pearce made 33 appearances in 2002/03 as the Hammers were ultimately relegated from the top flight. He was sent off in a 3-2 defeat at Tottenham on 15th September 2002 for a professional foul on future Hammer Robbie Keane and was forced to play as an emergency striker in a winter which saw the Hammers deprived of Paolo Di Canio and Frederic Kanoute. He scored two goals during his stint up front, in a 2-2 draw at Middlesbrough on 7th December 2002 and in a 1-1 home draw with Bolton two weeks later. Pearce was red carded for the second time in a crucial and infamous 1-0 defeat at Bolton on 19th April 2003 – his late tackle on Pierre-Yves Andre led to a melee and, minutes later when the match had ended, a subsequent fracas in the tunnel.

The first half of the 2003/04 First Division campaign saw Pearce make 26 appearances under three different managers – Roeder, caretaker Trevor Brooking and Alan Pardew. His final goal for the club was the winner in a 3-2 home win over Sunderland on 13th December 2003, completing a Hammers comeback from 2-0 down. He made his last appearance in claret and blue in a 2-1 home defeat to Preston on 10th January 2004 – after scoring ten goals in 163 appearances for West Ham United, the 29-year-old Pearce returned to the Premier League, signing for Fulham with £1m and Andy Melville heading the other way to east London. All of Pearce's ten goals in claret and blue can be viewed in my video below:



After just over four years with the Cottagers, the 33-year-old Pearce joined Championship side Southampton on a month's loan in February 2008. His time at St Mary's was disrupted by injury and his sole appearance for the club under new manager Nigel Pearson came in a 1-1 draw at Scunthorpe on 22nd February 2008 – Pearce conceded the penalty from which Scunthorpe scored.

Pearce returned to the club where it all began for him, Oxted & District, in the Surrey South Eastern Combination League in August 2008. He signed for Isthmian League Premier Division outfit Kingstonian in August 2009 but joined Lincoln as player-assistant manager to former Blackburn team-mate Chris Sutton two months later. He left when Sutton resigned in September 2010 and returned to Kingstonian in March 2011; he also played for Surrey-based Lingfield later that year. Pearce, now 43, joined Brighton as a scout in 2014.

Referee

The referee on Saturday will be Jonathan Moss. The Yorkshire-based official has sent off a player in six of his last ten appointments involving the Hammers – the 4-3 defeat to Bournemouth in August 2015 saw Carl Jenkinson sent off, while the 2-1 win over Chelsea last October saw Nemanja Matic dismissed (then-Blues manager Jose Mourinho was also sent to the stands). Moss issued a red card to Jordan Ayew of Aston Villa in February with the Hammers going on to win 2-0 while, going further back, Burnley's Michael Duff was also sent off by Moss in our 1-0 home win over the Clarets in May 2015.

Moss also issued a red card to Cheikhou Kouyate in the 5-1 FA Cup fifth round win at Blackburn in February, although this was later rescinded. Arguably the 47-year-old's most controversial Hammers appointment was the 2-2 draw at Leicester in April 2016 when he sent off Jamie Vardy and awarded two penalties, the second arriving deep into stoppage time as the Foxes rescued a precious point. Moss took charge of the corresponding fixture last season when Southampton won 3-0 in east London. Moss' most recent matches in charge of the Hammers were December's goalless draw with Arsenal at London Stadium and our 4-1 win at Huddersfield in January.

Possible line-ups

David Moyes is without Sam Byram, James Collins, Winston Reid, Pedro Obiang and Andy Carroll, while Manuel Lanzini is a doubt. Arthur Masuaku returns from his six-match suspension for spitting at an opponent, while Cheikhou Kouyate is expected to recover from illness.

New Southampton manager Mark Hughes is likely to have Ryan Bertand, Steven Davis and Charlie Austin available, with no expected injury concerns.

Possible West Ham United XI: Hart; Zabaleta, Rice, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Masuaku; Kouyate, Noble, Mario; Antonio, Arnautovic.

Possible Southampton XI: McCarthy; Soares, Hoedt, Stephens, Bertrand; Redmond, Lemina, Davis, Boufal; Carrillo, Gabbiadini.

Enjoy the game – Come On You Irons!

Please check back after the match for the results.

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Police release images of 15 West Ham fans they want to speak to over London Stadium disorder
The 3-0 defeat against Burnley was marred by violent clashes between fans, the players and the club owners in the director's box
Jack de Menezes @JackdeMenezes
The Independent Sport

Police are seeking 15 people believed to be West Ham fans in connection to the events that unfolded at the London Stadium during the Premier League defeat by Burnley two weeks ago.

Metropolitan Police issued a statement on Friday along with images of 14 men and one woman who they wish to speak to, and asked for members of the public to assist in identifying them.

The 3-0 defeat for David Moyes' side triggered an angry reaction from large sections of the home support, with some fans running onto the pitch to confront the players as emotions boiled over. West Ham co-owner David Sullivan, who was sat in the directors' box, was struck by a coin thrown from the home support, while protests against him and David Gold were chanted throughout the match.

Around 30 coins were believed to have been thrown at the 81-year-old, who was in tears as he left the game.

West Ham are also conducting an internal investigation into the incidents on the 10 March, which saw captain Mark Noble clash with one supporter after he ran onto the pitch to berate the players for their first-half performance.

"People have got to realise we are footballers and we are targets, but we have got to protect ourselves," Noble said after the defeat that leaves the club two points above the Premier League relegation zone in 17th place.

"Obviously there were a number of fans that got on the pitch and a lot of them were running over to where the chairmen were sat.

"But if someone approaches me personally, I'm going to protect myself, for sure."

Police has asked anyone with information about the 15 sought-after individuals to contact the Public Order investigation team on 020 8246 9386, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org, quoting the image reference number.

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It's make or break for West Ham and Mark Noble will step up, says Danny Murphy
DANNY MURPHY
ES Sport

If West Ham lose at home to Southampton then I would really fear for them. Win and I think they will be all right but lose and they are in big trouble. That is how important this game is for them. It is the biggest game of the season by a long way. You could argue the atmosphere is already toxic but if you do not get a positive result against another struggling team that could send it down another notch. A Hammers win could make the difference because it will take the pressure off. They will feel they can nick a few more points and just stay clear of trouble. On top of giving them some breathing space, it will also help the stability of the club and ease the discontent that was so evident in their last home game. The pressure on West Ham when they play at home is becoming so big now that if Southampton start the game well and score first you do not see West Ham having the confidence to come back. They capitulated against Burnley when they went a goal down.
West Ham showed when they first played under David Moyes they can dig in to nick a point here and there, but more recently they have been shipping goals and they look like a team devoid of confidence. They need their best players to stand up and be counted and get on the ball under pressure. If after 20 minutes Southampton are doing well and the fans are turning, you need players who are going to get you out of it. West Ham have good attacking players but who is going to get the ball to them? Manuel Lanzini may have to come deeper for possession but Mark Noble is the one who has got the pressure on him. He is the only one who has the capability to get on the ball and get them out. Noble is never going to hide. If you are a West Ham supporter, he would be the one player you want in the trenches with you because he takes responsibility.

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