Fernandes: West Ham's confidence is growing
WHUFC.com
Edimilson Fernandes says confidence is returning to the West Ham United team after a run of three games undefeated dragged them six points clear of the drop zone. Fernandes, who has missed the majority of the 2017/18 campaign through injury, returned in the 3-0 victory over Southampton at the end of March, before starting in the two 1-1 draws – against Chelsea and Stoke City – which followed. With Arsenal at Emirates Stadium next up on Sunday, the young Swiss international is convinced his team will take heart from their recent form as they look to secure their Premier League status as quickly as possible. "Our confidence is high at the moment," Fernandes said. "We eant to keep it up and do well as a team. "One point against Stoke was still good but it could have been better. We did have the chances to win the game but we didn't take them. Having said that our recovery from going behind to get a point was a good result. "We are not safe just yet. We are taking it game by game and trying to win each game as they come. "Arsenal is certainly a game we can get something out of. We will work hard and give everything to get a result. "Of course they will want to bounce back after their defeat to Newcastle last week but I think we can get something there and will give everything to do just that."
From a personal point of view, Fernandes is delighted to be back amongst it following a frustrating period out with an ankle injury. He added: "When I came on against Southampton, to be honest I wasn't completely ready to come back so early in the game as it was only eight minutes into it! I was personally surprised I was able to manage to finish the game. But I felt fit and when I was I out I was just completely focusing on coming back as soon as I could. "Of course injuries haven't helped me this season and I do get a bit down when I'm injured and luckily I have my cousins around to help me. It was all down to working hard to get back as quickly as possible. "I have felt at home here for quite a while now. I am one of the younger players in the team and it's more like a family now. My English is improving and I can get by now and hope things continue to go well for me."
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West Ham opens doors to refugees for skills and training session
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's Foundation are set to host a morning of footballing activities for local refuges and asylum seekers, as part of Amnesty International's Football Welcomes initiative. For the second successive year, 12 Premier League clubs, including West Ham United, will celebrate the contributions made to football by players of a refugee background by participating in the Amnesty International-led programme, which seeks to create more opportunities for footballers from a refugee background to become involved in the game. The Hammers will welcome refugees and asylum seekers from the local area to the Foundation's state-of-the-art facilities in Beckton on Saturday, where they will be invited to take part in a morning of football-related activities, with the aim of increasing participation in the sport. The scheme has been backed by West Ham fan, actress, and Amnesty International activist Keira Knightley, who is thrilled the Club she supports has shown a commitment to promoting both integration and female involvement in football. "I'm over the over the moon that the Hammers are joining so many other clubs to say 'Refugees Welcome' this weekend," said Knightley. "It can be much more difficult for girls and women to access and participate in sport and this sends a clear and important message that football is for everyone."
Football Welcomes is part of Amnesty International's 'I Welcome' campaign, which works to provide a better international response to the global refugee crisis. Local communities are encouraged to work together to build a more welcoming environment for those forced to flee from conflict or persecution.
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Haksabanovic keen to end season on a high
WHUFC.com
Summer signing Sead Haksabanovic is keen to end West Ham United's U23 season on a high when they take on London rivals Arsenal at London Stadium on Friday evening. The Montenegrin's side face the Gunners, who are top of Premier League 2 Division 1 and will be desperate to claim three points to ensure their campaign finishes with them as champions. But the Hammers, following defeat to Derby County on Monday, are looking to get back to winning ways and will not roll over for their opponents, claims Haksabanovic. He said: "It is the last game for us in Premier League 2 and it's a big scene at the Stadium, so everybody is looking forward to it. "Arsenal are trying to win the league we are in so they will need to win on Friday, so it will make it a very interesting game for everyone. "It will be hard but it's also a London derby so it makes it a great game for everyone to be involved in and we will be looking to get the three points."
West Ham's U23s were promoted to Division 1 last season and have performed impressively all campaign given it is their first term at this level. Rarely dropping into the bottom half, Terry Westley's men are on course for a top-five finish in the 12-team league, something Haksabanovic believes the squad should be proud of. "The season has been really good for us," he declared. "We maybe should have won some more games than we have this year but that's how football goes.
"There have been times when we have been unlucky and have had chances but not been able to win games, and that happened against Derby on Monday.
"But overall, I think the season has been good and hopefully we can finish it on a high against Arsenal in front of the fans on Friday."
Please note that if travelling to the game on Friday, Pudding Mill Lane station will not be in use due to the DLR strike that day. Supporters are advised to use alternative routes. Supporters who are Season Ticket Holders and/or Claret Members can attend Friday's Premier League 2 match, which kicks off at 7pm, for free. Click here to book your seat. Otherwise, tickets are priced at £5 and £3 for adults and concessions respectively. Click here to book your seat.
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London derby defeat for U23s
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's U23s succumbed to a London derby defeat on Friday night as opponents Arsenal secured the Premier League 2 Division 1 title with a 3-1 victory. The Gunners, who claimed the three points thanks to a Reiss Nelson strike and Eddie Nketiah double before Domingos Quina scored a late consolation, looked dangerous from the outset as they went in search of silverware. First goalscorer Nelson, who has played for Arsenal's senior team this campaign, almost gave his side the lead six minutes in when fellow forward Nketiah flicked through for the No10 on the counter. But with Hammers goalkeeper Nathan Trott rushing off his goalline, he could only slide wide of the far post. The hosts, finding their feet in the game, then had the chance to themselves open the scoring. First, Nathan Holland cut in off the left-hand-side but fired an effort at goalkeeper Joao Virginia, before Domingos Quina, laid-off by Marcus Browne, curled over the top.
A Sead Haksabanovic drive was deflected wide soon after, but Steve Gatting's Arsenal did find the back of the net on 21 minutes. Tolaji Bola charged down the left flank for the visitors, crossed into Nelson who was able to control the ball, swivel and fire past Trott smartly to make it 1-0.And things got worse for Terry Westley's Hammers six minutes later. This time it was Jordi Osei-Tutu the creator, as he crossed low for Nketiah to tap home from close range. With just five minutes to play in the half, Oladapo Afolayan – still awaiting his first West Ham goal – did draw a smart stop of of Virginia between the sticks, but it was the north Londoners who held a two-goal advantage at the break.
The hosts started the second half in much sharper fashion, and after a succession of corners and good-looking attacks, were piling on the pressure. However, it was the champions-elect who grabbed their third and the game's next goal. Once again, Nelson and Nketiah combined – the former, down the left, entered beautifully for Nketiah, who – like in the first half – could not miss from four yards. With a quarter-of-an-hour left on the clock, West Ham's best opportunity of the second half from which they did not score came when Holland found space to cross on the left, but substitute Joe Powell on the end of the ball in could not direct his header goalwards. There was something to cheer for the 1,600-strong crowd inside London Stadium late on – Quina, with eight minutes left, played a smart one-two with Browne who delivered beautifully into the box for the Portuguese youth international to smash home with power. And 3-1 was how the game finished, with Arsenal celebrating a title-winning campaign, and though disappointed after defeat at London Stadium, West Ham mulling over what has been a terrific first season at Division 1 level.
West Ham United: Trott, Johnson, Akinola, Wells, Neufville, Coventry (Lewis 70), Quina, Haksabanovic (Scully 56 (Powell 65)), Browne, Holland, Afolayan.
Subs not used: Anang, Mingi.
Goals: Quina 82
Bookings: Akinola 42, Neufville 90+3
Arsenal: Virginia, Osei-Tutu, Bola, Da Silva, Olowu, Medley, Dragomir (Gilmour 58), Willock, Nketiah, Nelson (John Jules 86), Smith Rowe (Amaechi 86).
Subs not used: Keto, Ballard.
Goals: Nelson 21, Nketiah 27, 68
Booking: Da Silva 45+1
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Moyes: Our focus on securing safety, the great belief within the team and having options from the bench
WHUFC.com
David Moyes says his only focus is on ensuring West Ham United secure their Premier League safety as quickly as possible as he prepares his team for a Sunday lunchtime trip to Arsenal. West Ham head to Emirates Stadium protecting a three-match unbeaten run following Monday's last-minute rescue of a point against Stoke City – a sequence which has yielded five points and help grow belief in the team. When facing the press on Friday, Moyes spoke of that growing confidence, the luxury of having options from the bench, Arsene Wenger's decision to step down in May and more…
I'm only focused on ensuring we secure our Premier League safety…
"[On my future] I've always said that at the end of the season we will see how it goes and make sure that we are a Premier Lague team. I've not gone into any discussions before then, me or the chairman. We speak regularly but we are both more than happy to wait until the end of the season and then start talks. "I'm enjoying it. There's a lot of confidence around the camp with the players. We want to make sure we are a Premier League team and we believe we can be. So let's get that bit of the job done and then we can work out the other bits later."
The team has great belief going into Sunday's game
"We have good belief as a team. I think we feel as though we played well in the game against Stoke but we just didn't score the goals. Good performances do lead to good results and I do hope we can continue. We are on a decent run at the moment. "I'm trying to get a level of consistency to our play and to not be so up and down all the time. So really that's the message I'm trying to get out and what we hope to do. The first part would be to try and go unbeaten for the rest of the season, which isn't an easy task but it is a target that we have to set for ourselves."
It's good to have options from the bench with Andy Carroll and Manuel Lanzini back from injury...
"Certainly since I've been here we haven't had a great deal of options off the bench at different times during the season. But it was good the other night and it gave us a lift and got us a point which was really important. Same with the week before. So I think when you've got those players they can really help you and change the game and make a difference."
On Arsene Wenger announcing his decision to step down as Arsenal boss at the end of the season…
"I think he's been a great competitor, he's been a terrific manager. Over the years I think he's one of the best managers that has certainly graced the Premier League that's for sure. "I think that real football people appreciate what he's done, I think that he lives and breathes it, he's dedicated to his job, he's been dedicated to the sport. I've got to know him a little bit at different times, at the Euros and different functions - he's a real proper football man and he's worked really hard to obtain what he has done. "I thought I'd done quite well doing eleven years at one club, so to do 22 years is an incredible achievement as it was for Sir Alex at Manchester United. At Arsenal he created a great team and good players and they had a style, and I think over the years Wenger is one of the coaches who has changed the style of football. "I probably wish it hadn't been announced this weekend that's for sure. I think most people appreciate Arsene Wenger for what he's done and what he's achieved in football and I respect him for how good a football man he is and how hard he's had to work."
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Team news – Carroll & Lanzini continue comebacks, Collins out, Obiang update
WHUFC.com
David Moyes is likely to have the same squad of players available for Sunday's trip to Arsenal as he had at his disposal for this week's 1-1 draw against Stoke City.
Andy Carroll and Manuel Lanzini, who both came off the bench against the Potters, will continue their comebacks, but James Collins remains sidelined with a hamstring injury. The boss, did, however, have a positive update as Pedro Obiang battles back from a knee problem. "We had a few back for the Stoke game – Andy Carroll came back, and Manuel Lanzini came off the bench with him too," Moyes said. "James Collins isn't ready yet, so probably we've got for Sunday what we had back for Monday's game against Stoke. "I have to say Pedro Obiang is making really progress and there's a chance he could maybe make it back before the end of the season, he's doing that well."
Asked whether he had a choice to make over who would start in goal against the Gunners, Moyes preferred to look back at Joe Hart's Man of the Match performance against Chelsea in the Hammers' previous game. "I have a decision, but I have to say Joe played really well against Chelsea," Moyes added. "He did remarkably well, he made some really fine saves, and obviously he's disappointed with the goal we conceded against Stoke in midweek. That's the life of goalkeepers and that's what they have to do. "It's good to get Andy Carroll back too. He gives us an option. We're trying to get him up to maximum fitness, he's been out for nearly 12 weeks, but Andy will be ready [to play some part]. Is he available for 90 minutes? I'd probably say no.
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Arsenal v West Ham United
SUN 22 APR 2018PREMIER LEAGUE
13:30
Venue: Emirates Stadium
TEAM NEWS
Departing Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says he will use this game to prepare for Thursday's Europa League semi-final, meaning cup-tied forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could be left out. Aaron Ramsey is available after a shin injury but Jack Wilshere could be sidelined with an ankle knock.
West Ham manager David Moyes has questioned the form of goalkeeper Joe Hart, and so Adrian could be preferred. Angelo Ogbonna is a slight doubt with tendinitis in his knee. James Collins is not ready to return from a hamstring strain, but midfielder Pedro Obiang could make a surprise return despite initially being ruled out for the season with a knee injury.
MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES
Conor McNamara: "West Ham were expecting to face a side distracted by next week's Europa League semi-final, a side that appeared to down tools at Newcastle last weekend, but now the atmosphere at The Emirates will be laced with nostalgia instead. "Amid the discontent and the falling attendances, even the most disgruntled Arsenal fan has no longer any need for the 'Wenger Out' banners. It has become a time to celebrate the overall achievements of Arsene Wenger rather than moan about his recent decline. "Most interesting of all will be how the Arsenal players react. Can they raise their game for one last month to end Wenger's tenure with a trophy?"
Twitter: @ConorMcNamaraIE
WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger: "After careful consideration and following discussions with the club, I feel it is the right time for me to step down at the end of the season. "I am grateful for having had the privilege to serve the club for so many memorable years. I managed the club with full commitment and integrity.
"I want to thank the staff, the players, the directors and the fans who make this club so special. I urge our fans to stand behind the team to finish on a high."
West Ham manager David Moyes on Arsene Wenger: "It's been an incredible achievement for him to be in the job that long - as it was for Sir Alex Ferguson. I thought I did well with 11 years at Everton. "Real football people appreciate what he's done. He is a proper football man, he lives and breathes it, he's dedicated to his job and his sport. "I'd probably wish it hadn't been announced before this weekend but most people appreciate Arsene and what he has done in football."
LAWRO'S PREDICTION
It is a big ask for West Ham to go to the Emirates Stadium and get anything there - on home form alone, Arsenal are third in the table, just two points behind Manchester City.
Prediction: 2-0
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
Arsenal have lost just once to West Ham in their last 21 meetings in all competitions (W16, D4).
However, West Ham's last two league wins over Arsenal have both come away from home: 2-0 in 2015 and 1-0 in 2007.
West Ham's tally of five Premier League victories at Arsenal is bettered only by Manchester United, with eight, and Liverpool, with seven.
Arsenal
Arsenal have lost 11 Premier League games this season, equalling their highest tally of league defeats under Arsene Wenger set in 2005-06.
However, they have scored at least three goals in each of their last five home games in all competitions - the last time they scored three or more goals in six consecutive home games was in October 1958.
Arsenal have only failed to score in one of their last 31 home league games - a 3-0 defeat by Manchester City in March.
If they fail to win this match, Arsenal will finish below Tottenham in the top flight in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1982-83.
This will be Arsene Wenger's 527th Premier League game in charge of Arsenal, the most of any manager in the competition.
Alexandre Lacazette's goal against Newcastle was the 100th that Arsenal have scored in all competitions this season.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has scored six goals in his opening eight Premier League games for Arsenal.
West Ham United
West Ham are on a three-game unbeaten run in the league (W1, D2).
Defeat on Sunday would be their 1,000th in the top flight.
They have scored in each of their last nine away league games, their joint-longest run in a single Premier League season since 1999-00.
The Hammers have failed to win a single away game against teams above them in the league this season (D4, L7).
West Ham have drawn all three of their away London derbies in the league this season. The last time they avoided defeat in all of their top-flight away derby games was in 1983-84.
David Moyes is winless in 17 away matches as a manager against Arsenal in all competitions (D4, L13).
Andy Carroll has scored three goals in his last three Premier League appearances.
Javier Hernandez is yet to score in four Premier League appearances against Arsenal.
SAM's verdict
Most probable score: 2-0 Probability of draw: 20%
Probability of home win: 68% Probability of away win: 12%
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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Moving in the right direction?
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 20th April 2018
By: Paul Walker
No such thing as a quiet week in downtown Stratford, is there? Is David Moyes going to be employed by us next season, will he even consider working with a director of football, or is it all a nasty myth?
Is David Sullivan trying to pull the wool over a lot of eyes again, he has form. And of course none of us really understand the murky intricacies of the transfers market, do we,silly me, so Sully has put us right again.
And of course there is the on-going debate on whether our fan base really want Moyes at all…and Arsene Wenger is now available. Seems like we will be walking into a farewell party at the Emirates on Sunday, not sure whether that's a good or bad thing for our brittle darlings.
OK, first things first. We scramble a draw with Stoke, Andy Carroll comes up trumps, if only he could stay fit, keep off the booze and burgers and play a complete season. Some hopes. I missed the goal, I was already on the train home from Stratford International, and before I get the usual dogs abuse, I have no choice really for 8.00pm kick offs or I miss my last train back to the frozen north from Euston.
Such is the lot of the long distance fan, with the joys of a bus transfers from Stoke I was not home until 3am.
We should have won, were much the better side and despite all the brain-dead rubbish about Cheikhou Kouyate, I felt he had a pretty good game, working his socks off.
Right, so Moyes picked a conservative side (nothing to do with Lady Brady's politics) with the clear intent of not allowing Stoke to get any closer to us. You could see the pain in Peter Crouch's face to know that the Potters were gutted. Carroll was all smiles.
With the amount of injuries and the glaring fluctuations of form, maybe Moyes doesn't trust the inadequate squad he inherited to show any level of consistency. We are not safe from relegation by a long way, so his policy can only be judged when all the action has finally stopped.
Southampton's draw at Leicester means they need two wins and a draw from four games to overtake us. Stoke, with an inferior goal difference, need to win three of four. What could go wrong?
Since then it has all been about Moyes, who if you have been paying attention, has been quietly but firmly getting his feet under the table. New scouting network, constant viewing of targets by himself and Alan Irvine, and serious planning for next season.
Then we hear there will be no director of football, that Moyes will have compete control of the transfer budget and that they will just replace the sacked Tony Henry with a recruitment director, no doubt of Moyes' choosing. That all came from a Times exclusive by Matt Hughes, neither are prone to invention.
Predictably, those who doubt every word Sullivan says (I wonder why) reckoned that was going back on previous promises. Actually it does not bother me that much, directors of football are not that common in the Premier League, not really our style. Wenger famously last season asked what exactly directing football meant, seemingly something he and most British managers think they can do very well on their own, thank you.
Now I know I have rattled on here previously about the need for a D of F, not because I much like the expensive dilution of power and decision making, but because it was the only way I could see to get Sullivan well away from all that transfer stuff he thinks he does well, but we all think is a basket case.
Frankly, anything to get Sullivan away from all that. So we are told Moyes has laid down the law, no D of F but a recruitment director instead, in effect the replacement for Henry.
I don't know about you, but I always find the day after an exclusive very amusing. Everyone else is trying to knock it down, while the club call it all a myth and suggest no talks have taken place. If you believe that then you also believe Everton fans will give big Sam a 10 out of 10 vote of confidence.
Of course there have been talks, of course Moyes has laid out his plans for scrutiny. It would be amazing, surely, if Moyes' representatives had not had some sort of discussion with West Ham. Not sure who though these days, Moyes has been represented by his agent brother Kenny, who certainly brokering the deal that took him to Manchester United.
Since then Kenny has been banned for five years from being a company director after losing a £300m tax fraud case with HMRC. (shut up at the back, the person suggesting Sullivan and Kenny Moyes could have an interesting chat about HMRC.)
Moyes, though, probably feels his actions have done the talking for him. We were relegation dead meat on nine points when he took over a Slaven Bilic side that had not the faintest idea how to defend. Moyes has, in my view, overcome and united a squad riddled by injuries and ill-discipline.
They do have horror shows just around the corner. Brighton, Burnley, Wigan, Swansea spring easily to mind, so it's been a struggle. But having been told, we are led to believe, that if he keeps us in the Premier League he will get an extended contract, it would be disingenuous of our board to backtrack on that.
The sort of players, the best in the Championship, Moyes seems to be scouting is just the sort of player we should be looking at. Moyes had a good reputation for such buys at Everton, and maybe we could do with some consistency, some structure, some common sense in the transfer market. I know some disagree, but Moyes deserves that chance and maybe Sullivan needs a quiet life with a sensible, organised manager at the helm.
And as for a director of football, they come these days with differing names - at Chelsea it's a technical director, at Southampton an executive director of football. Elsewhere the titles differ, so let's just appoint someone to work with Moyes and see how it goes regardless of the label on the tin.
Sullivan, of course, has seen fit to have another pop about the transfer dealings, he always seems to me to be a little annoyed that he is doubted and that he does not get the gratitude he feels he deserves from the mass ranks. He should be so lucky.
This time he has tried to explain away the suggestions that the net spend on transfers is not what it seems, that we have spent so, so much more. The little tirade in Monday's programme informed us all that when there are free transfers, Bosmans and the like, then there is shed loads of cash that go the way of agents, players, hangers on etc. Well you don't say!
What Sullivan doesn't get is that the fans' beef with him is that the club do not spend enough, do not make the right choices and end up with a squad that looks like it has been assembled from the back of a fag packet.
When Sullivan said he would step aside, he maintained that there would be considerable money made available to boost our technical side, research and analysis of players and transfer targets. As if this was something new to him.
Well that's just up Moyes' street. There's an interesting book by Michael Calvin, "The Nowhere Men: the unknown story of footballs' true talent spotters" which came out in 2013 just as Moyes was about to join Manchester United.
There was an interesting section on Everton, and the four rooms at their Finch Farm training ground occupied by IT experts, with walls covered from top to bottom with charts and lists of thousands of players worldwide. It was Moyes' forte, and I doubt something we have ever invested in properly.
Our analysis seems to revolve around Sullivan's kitchen table and the chats he has with his two sons. My view is pretty obvious by now, let's give a serious, experienced manager his head.
Yes, he may be boring and conservative in his approach, and there have been some bad moments since he left Everton, but you can hardly blame Sunderland on him, they were a shambles long before he arrived. Manchester United was just too big to handle after Fergie left and Real Sociadad is a complex, difficult club to manage.
So, as long as we stay up, our board should give him a crack, give him the money and let him revamp the squad. Few doubt it is needed.
* Elsewhere I see the ICF old timers have kissed and made up. I'm sure we are all gratified by that, but that hasn't stopped the social media stick handed out by some sections of our fan base. Some things never change.
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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Moyes admits "I have a decision to make"
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 20th April 2018
By: Staff Writer
David Moyes say that he is yet to decide who will keep goal for the Hammers when they make the short trip across London this weekend to face Arsenal. The current imcumbent, Joe Hart, was heavily criticised last week for the howler that allowed Peter Crouch to score what could have been a disastrous goal to concede, but for Andy Carroll's late equaliser that save the Hammers a point. And as a result of Hart's latest ricket, Moyes says he now has a decision to make with regards to who to play in goal against Arsenal - which leaves the ENgland jhopeful facing being dropped for a second time since December. "Joe made a mistake for Stoke's goal and now I have a decision to make," Moyes said in his column for the Evening Standard. "Adrian was left out following a slight dip in form and I have good competition in the goalkeeping department. "Joe played really well at Chelsea a couple of weeks ago and that inclines me to think that yes, we can all make mistakes. We have to try and win the games, though, and I have to ensure I am picking the right players. "I've not made a decision on it yet. I'll have a look at everyone in the remaining two training sessions before Sunday's match at Arsenal and then decide."
The manager also revealed why he chose to leave the club's second top goalscorer, Javier Hernandez, on the bench once again - in a game in which many supporters felt the onus was on West Ham to provide the attacking impetus. "Our form in the previous two games, against Southampton and then Chelsea, had been good with one striker," explained Moyes. "My concern was that we needed creative players to make the chances. "On the night, Stoke did a pretty effective job on Marko [Arnautovic] and Arthur Masuaku and that nullified what we were trying to do a bit. When Chicharito did come on he looked lively while Andy and Manuel Lanzini also made a positive difference when they were introduced.
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Arsenal v West Ham preview: Joe Hart place under threat
Last Updated: 20/04/18 3:35pm
SSN
Arsene Wenger takes charge of Arsenal for the first time since revealing he's set to leave in the summer as West Ham visit on Super Sunday. Wenger, 68, will leave a year before his existing contract was due to expire having led the club to three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups during a 22-year reign. His final season in the Premier League is petering out with one more defeat meaning they'll have lost 12 games in one season for the first time under Wenger. However, Arsenal have won 41 of their 54 points at home (76%) this season which is the highest proportion of points at home in the Premier League this season. West Ham are currently stuttering towards Premier League survival having won just one of their last six games but they are six points clear of the drop zone. Ahead of this weekend, The Hammers require nine points to make certain of a Premier League place next season but four more points look likely to be enough.
Team news
Wenger is expected to freshen up his squad as he did in last week's defeat to Newcastle, with a Europa League semi-final next up against Atletico Madrid. Arsenal have doubts over the fitness of Jack Wilshere. The midfielder missed last weekend's defeat at Newcastle with an ankle injury that could again leave him on the sidelines against David Moyes' men, but Aaron Ramsey is available after suffering a deep gash to his calf against CSKA Moscow on April 12. Manager Arsene Wenger has promised to name a strong side despite the upcoming Europa League semi-final clash with Atletico Madrid, but Henrikh Mkhitaryan (knee) and Santi Cazorla (Achilles) remain out.
Joe Hart could pay for his latest mistake as Moyes could bring in Adrian. The goalkeeper's blunder gifted Stoke a goal in Monday's 1-1 draw and boss Moyes admits he has a decision to make, with Adrian waiting in the wings. James Collins is not ready to return from his hamstring injury, while Winston Reid, Michail Antonio, Sam Byram and Pedro Obiang are long-term absentees.
Opta stats
Arsenal have lost just one of their last 19 Premier League meetings with West Ham (W14 D4), with that defeat coming at the Emirates in August 2015 (0-2).
Only Manchester United (8) and Liverpool (7) have won more away Premier League games against Arsenal than West Ham (5, level with Chelsea and Aston Villa).
There have been four hat-tricks scored in Premier League meetings between these sides (Sylvain Wiltord, Thierry Henry, Andy Carroll and Alexis Sanchez) - only Arsenal vs Liverpool (5) has seen more in the competition.
Arsenal have only failed to score in one of their last 31 home league games, in a 0-3 defeat against Manchester City in March.
West Ham have drawn all three of their away London derbies in the league this season. The last time they avoided defeat in all of their away London derby games in a single top-flight campaign was in 1983-84 (W1 D2 L0).
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been involved in eight goals in his opening eight Premier League games for Arsenal (6 goals, 2 assists). Only Andrey Arshavin (6 goals, 3 assists) was involved in more in a player's first eight for the club in the competition.
Merson's prediction
West Ham have 35 points - meaning Southampton have to win three of their last five, that's the way I'm looking at it. That's a big ask. Southampton need back-to-back wins to make teams like West Ham nervous. It would bring a lot of teams back into the relegation mix. I would expect Arsenal to win this. There's the prospect of Burnley finishing above Arsenal - no disrespect but if you're Arsenal you don't want to be finishing a 38-game season behind Burnley. Not in this day and age - maybe in the 1920s! You can understand finishing below the top five, but not Burnley.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 (15/2 with Sky Bet)
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David Moyes admits 'inklings' over new West Ham contract
Last Updated: 20/04/18 3:36pm
SSN
West Ham manager David Moyes says he has had 'inklings' over a potential new contract at the club, but insisted he would only confirm his future at the end of the season. West Ham have previously "categorically refuted" claims Moyes is unlikely to remain at the club next season even if they stay in the Premier League. The club issued a statement in February after reports that they were already thinking about a long-term replacement for Moyes, who took over from Slaven Bilic in November 2017, signing a six-month deal until the end of the season. Moyes hinted at a potential new deal on Friday but reiterated he will only begin talks with West Ham once the club's top-flight status was secure.
Speaking ahead of Sunday's game against Arsenal, live on Sky Sports Premier League, Moyes said: "I've always said that I will wait until the end of the season.
"We have to make sure we are still a Premier League team. I'm not going to have any discussions before then. I get on with the chairman and we speak regularly but we are both more than happy to wait until the end of the season. "I've had inklings, yeah. But I'm going to wait until right until the end of the season and make my decision then. I'm enjoying it because there is a lot of confidence around the camp now. The players believe we can be a Premier League team next season so let us get that part of the job done and we'll get onto the other stuff later."
West Ham take on Arsenal on Sunday following Arsene Wenger's announcement on Friday confirming he will step down at the end of the season after 22 years in charge. Moyes paid tribute to the influence the Frenchman has had on English football over the last two decades but admitted he wishes he had delayed the announcement until after Sunday's game. He continued: "He's been a great competitor and he's been a terrific manager. Over the years he is certainly one of the best managers to grace the Premier League. That's for sure. "Real football people will appreciate what he has done. He's a proper football man, he lives and breathes it. He has been dedicated to this sport. "I've got to know him a little bit at different times, at the Euros and at various functions. He has worked really hard to attain what he has. "Over the years Arsene is one of the coaches who has changed the style of the football club. "It's never easy following great managers at clubs. It will be difficult for whoever takes it. "I probably wish it wasn't announced this weekend, that's for sure."
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David Moyes says West Ham star Pedro Obiang could be back this season
HITC
Subhankar Mondal
West Ham United midfielder Pedro Obiang could be back this season, says manager David Moyes. West Ham United manager David Moyes has written in The London Evening Standard that Pedro Obiang could be back before the end of the season. Obiang was initially expected to be on the sidelines for the remainder of the 2018-19 campaign after undergoing an operation on his right knee, according to a report on BBC Sport in February 2018. Moyes has claimed that the 26-year-old fomer Spain Under-21 midfielder could play again this season. The former Everton boss wrote in The London Evening Standard: "The good news also is that Obiang could just be back before the end of the season. "We thought initially, following his knee operation, that he would be out for the rest of the campaign but he has responded very well."
Huge boost
Obiang is one of the best midfielders on the books of West Ham at the moment and is key in keeping the Hammers solid at the back. The 26-year-old is happy to sit in front of the defence and do the dirty work in midfield. With the Hammers still not entirely safe from relegation to the Championship at the end of the season, the return to action of Obiang would be welcome boost to the London club's chances of retaining their Premier League status for the 2018-19 campaign. Obiang has been on the books of West Ham since the summer of 2015 when he joined from Sampdoria for a transfer fee reported by The London Evening Standard to be worth £4.3 million.
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WE'RE SO FICKLE
By Goatygav 20 Apr 2018 at 08:00
WTID
I remember signing the above words, to the tune of 'let's all do the conga' but with an unrepeatable between 'So' & 'Fickle', on the terraces of the North Bank back in the '80's. One minute we're hailing players as the new Messiah, the next they're "Not the Messiah – they're a very naughty boy!"
Embed from Getty Images
Don't get me wrong – some players deserve the stick. I know he's probably going to be the HOTY but I was just a little bit vexed at Arnie for his lax stroll towards the ball, in an off-side position, for Fernandes' excellent strike. Sometimes his attitude is all wrong for me but his overall contribution to the team, this season, has been superb.
When it comes to players some are class and some show form. There's no doubt that Arnie is class but, frankly, he's not the only one. There are others, who've already won the coveted HOTY title, who deserve better support.
Matchdays are a hotbed of emotion at the best of times – entirely bellicose at others. The WHTID forum is no different. All those powerful feelings pulling your insides around like the churning of your matchday shirt and lucky undies in the washing machine. Words, and no doubt, gestures just seem to emerge without invitation. Just pop up with the irrepressibility of weeds in spring (like most of my garden at the moment). It's a release which does show that we have passion and care but I do wonder, sometimes, whether the same words would appear on threads at other times.
We're all guilty of it. Whilst we have our favourite players we also have those that we don't fancy so much. It's human nature. Earlier this season I, regretfully, suggested that Mark Noble looked past it. How wrong I was and extremely happy about it I am. Egg on my face bigtime. Although not everyone agreed I thought the skipper was superb on Monday night. Another who has come in for a lot of stick this season has been Kouyate. Ok, so box to box midfielders are becoming old hat in the modern game, but he's definitely one with class and a temporary dip in form. The injuries haven't helped. Like Antonio I really don't think he has deserved the stick he's received. I'd like nothing more than for Nobes, Chek and Michail to have the seasons of their lives in '18-'19. Perhaps less work on endorsements might help…….
Only joshin'. We know where the hamstring problems have come from and the look on Michail's face when it went after 9 mins of the Southampton game said it all for me. Gutted for him. Personally I'd like to see some science, or at least stats, behind the amount of injuries that occur at teams who play on larger pitches compared to smaller ones.
When I found myself venting my spleen at a particular player I've often come to regret it later on. At matches I now prefer to stay tight lipped if I think any of the lads on the pitch are below par or, in the worst case, a liability. In our minds we're all there, on the pitch, kicking each ball and making each run which is why so many of us vociferously express our exasperation.
In the current squad there isn't a single player who the fans attending games have 'turned on'. In the odd game, here and there, and, possibly, over the course of 3-4 matches there are first teamers who've been getting a bit of grief but, thankfully, nothing too nasty or sustained.
After my praise for the club last week I, unfortunately, have to report that the flag for the coffin at today's (tomorrow as I write) funeral of Alan Thurston didn't arrive on time. A real shame. I've no idea why this was as Debs, Alan's sister, has been trying to find out what's happened to it since Tuesday. Debs has told me that she thinks she's managed to get hold of one but I'll be taking one of mine as backup just in case.
As for our hopes of staying up now I'm optimistic. Not counting chickens but I expect us to put some points on the board which will make it very difficult for Stoke and Southampton to catch us. Of the two Stoke look more up for the fight. Yes, they could win 3 games, but I really don't think they'll manage it. Palace will, at least, get a draw and Burnley are simply too good for them. That leaves Liverpool and Swansea making it a big ask. Then you've got the others between us and the bottom 3 as well. This is West Ham, however, so it would be unwise to think we're 'safe' just yet.
I'll be at the Arsenal game on Sunday where I hope we get something. Definitely not beyond the realms of possibility with the Gunners having one eye on their big Semi Final against Athletico Madrid. A point there and things will look even better. Dare I dream we take all 3?
COYI!
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Saturday, April 21
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