From the Treatment Room
WHUFC.com
The latest update from the Treatment Room in association with Spire Roding
Hospital
Hello everyone,
We're in the middle of an international break. This week gives us the
opportunity to train hard and rest well, a balance that will protect the
team in the busy winter ahead. From the treatment room, we have some
positive news as Enner Valencia, Angelo Ogbonna and Andy Carroll have been
training all week. Alex Song is working hard on his comeback and can see the
light at the end of the tunnel. Doneil Henry is recovering from a groin
injury. Finally Winston Reid has been struggling for a while with a minor
injury. Winston came off in the game against Sunderland, but we are positive
for a recovery for the next game.
Stijn Vandenbroucke
Head of Medical and Sport Science
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Eight in international action
WHUFC.com
Eight West Ham United players have jetted off to foreign climes to represent
their countries during the current international break.
At senior level, James Collins will hope to feature as Wales go in search of
the win they need to secure a historic place at Euro 2016.
Chris Coleman's squad travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina on Saturday 10
October knowing victory in Zenica will see them reach their first major
tournament since the 1958 FIFA World Cup – and just the second in Wales'
history.
The Red Dragons are top of Group B with two games remaining, a point ahead
of Belgium and five clear of third-place Israel. Should Wales lose on
Saturday, they have the insurance of a home tie with pointless Andorra to
secure the three points they need in Cardiff on the evening of Tuesday 13
October.
Elsewhere, Darren Randolph's Republic of Ireland face a stern task to join
England at Euro 2016. The Boys in Green are currently third in Group D, two
points behind Poland and four behind Germany, and will go into the play-offs
as things stand.
However, Martin O'Neill's men could force their way into an automatic
qualifying spot if they can beat Germany in Dublin on Thursday 8 October,
and follow that up with a positive result against Poland in Warsaw on Sunday
11 October.
Cheikhou Kouyate and Diafra Sakho have added to their Air Miles by
travelling to North Africa, where they will hope to play a part for Senegal
in an international friendly with Algeria in Algiers on Tuesday 13 October.
Of the younger players, Josh Cullen has two important UEFA European U21
Championship qualifiers to contest with Ireland. The midfielder and his
compatriots have won two out of two in Group 2, but need to keep up the good
work when they take on bottom side Lithuania in Waterford on Friday 9
October and Italy in Vicenza on Tuesday 13 October.
Reece Burke is away with England U20s at the Mercedes-Benz Elite Cup
tournament in Germany. The on-loan Bradford City defender was an unused
substitute as England kicked-off with a 3-0 win over the Netherlands in
Heidenheim on Wednesday 7 October. Burke will hope to be involved when the
Young Lions face Turkey in Ulm on Saturday 10 October, and again when they
tackle the host nation in Heidenheim on Tuesday 13 October.
At U19 level, Sam Howes has the UEFA European U19 Championship Qualifying
Round on his mind with England. The goalkeeper will hope to pull on his
gloves in the mini-group fixtures with hosts Macedona on Thursday 8 October,
Finland on Saturday 10 October and Italy on Tuesday 13 October.
Last but not least, Martin Samuelsen has travelled to Latvia with Norway
U18s, where the Scandinavians face a friendly double-header in Daugava on
Thursday 8 October and Saturday 10 October.
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New dates or times for Swansea, Southampton & Liverpool
WHUFC.com
Three of West Ham United's games in December and early January have new
dates or kick-off times. The game at Swansea City will now be played on
Sunday 20 December with a 4pm kick-off. Meanwhile, the home game with
Southampton will kick-off at 5.30pm on Monday 28 December rather than the
original time of 3pm, and the visit of Liverpool on Saturday 2 January will
now kick-off at 12.45pm. Please note the game against Southampton has been
moved due to their televised match with Arsenal two days earlier.
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The Big Interview - Victor Moses
WHUFC.com
Victor Moses has been a revelation since joining the Club from Chelsea on a
season-long loan deal and hopes to achieve big things with West Ham United
this season.
Moses made a stunning impact on his Premier League debut for the Hammers
when he played a major role in the 2-0 win over Newcastle and should have
got on the scoresheet when his shot hit the bar and Dimitri Payet converted
the rebound.
But the 24-year-old didn't have to wait much longer before getting on the
scoresheet as he netted the first goal for the Club during a memorable 2-1
away win over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
Moses has relished the opportunity to play alongside Payet, Manuel Lanzini
and Diafra Sakho in the Hammers attack and feels these are exciting times
for the east London Club.
We are eight games into the season now and are sixth in the league. How
excited have you been by West Ham's start?
VM: "I have been very impressed by the start we have made and very excited
as well. We have got a good manager here and everyone wants to play for him.
We are looking forward to every game.
"We know where the Club finished last year and if we can do even better this
year it will be a massive bonus for everyone."
One of the biggest victories since you arrived here was our memorable 2-1
away win over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. Did that performance
tell you something about the squad of players that we have got here?
VM: "I wouldn't say that the victory surprised me. We went there with a game
plan and stuck to it. I thought the players worked hard and I thought we
deserved the three points.
"I know they had their chances but we managed to keep them out and I thought
we did exceptionally well."
We obviously set the benchmark very high with the victory over Manchester
City. Does it make it a bit more disappointing that the Club have only taken
two points from the last two games against Norwich and Sunderland?
"Norwich have only just come into the Premier League and they want to prove
a lot of people wrong. Credit to them and they played well in the game. We
did well to get a draw and fought hard.
"There was a bit of disappointment after the Sunderland game and I felt we
should have won.
"We showed a lot of character in the second half, especially with the
situation that Sunderland are in at the moment and they did everything to
win.
"But we believe in the quality of players that we have both collectively and
individually and we just need to keep working hard in every game."
Has the international break come at a good or bad time for the Club?
VM: "I think it has come at a good time. It gives us the chance to work hard
in training and when the other international players come back we are
refreshed and can get ready for the Crystal Palace game."
You must be so happy with scoring your first goal for the Club against
Manchester City – especially after you came so close to scoring on your
debut against Newcastle.
VM: "I wanted to score on my debut for the Club, but it wasn't meant to be.
Thankfully Dimitri was in the right place to knock the rebound into the back
of the net.
"It was a good goal for me at City. I saw Joe Hart was not on his line
properly and I wanted to make sure that I hit a low shot and I was delighted
with the outcome."
A lot of people will look at how many assists you will make for the Hammers
forwards this season, but you clearly want to get among the goals as well?
VM: "I want to let my football do the talking. We have got quality players
here like Payet, Lanzini and Sakho upfront.
"Diafra holds the ball well for us and lets us do our runs. We are enjoying
our football at the moment and I think I have got goals in me, as well as
setting up chances as well."
You have obviously played with some big name players during your time at
Liverpool and Chelsea. How do the West Ham players compare to some of the
squads you have been part of?
VM: "The quality of the players we have got in the forward line are
definitely going to help us.
"Sakho will get us goals and Payet and Lanzini are quality. If you look at
the quality they have it is unbelievable and they are good lads as well.
"We just want to keep working hard together as a team and keep scoring
goals."
With Enner Valencia and Andy Carroll set to make a return to first-team
action in the near future, the competition for places is going to be even
more fierce. How much do you enjoy that challenge?
"That is good and we want everyone back fit. That can only be good for the
Club and we want to finish high in the league this season."
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Morrison: I didn't want to leave West Ham
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 8th October 2015
By: Staff Writer
Former Hammer Ravel Morrison insists he is happy with life in Italy - but
claims he didn't want to leave West Ham United. The 22-year-old attacking
midfielder was released by West Ham earlier this year following a series of
problems both on and off the pitch. However he believes his move to Serie A
will eventually prove to be an enormous success - even though he is yet to
start a single league match for new club Lazio. "It makes me laugh when I
hear some people say I've made a backwards step coming here," he told the
Sun. "Lazio is arguably, with no disrespect intended, a bigger club than
West Ham."
And Morrison maintains that he could have made a success of his time at the
Boleyn Ground - had he not been bombed out by the club, who he insisted
failed to give him sufficient playing time. "It was very hard. It really
messed with my head," he complained. "At times I wanted to stop playing
because I felt I had done everything right to be playing in the team. "I
started to dislike the sport because it seemed it did not matter how hard I
worked, I wasn't wanted in the team. I had sorted myself out from the past,
I was on time every day for training. I trained hard, I wasn't putting a
foot wrong. "Right up almost to the time I went to QPR, I was playing
regularly - so I was confused. The manager went on record as saying my
attitude was good and I had sorted myself out. "Cardiff is a great club but
I didn't really want to go out on loan. I wanted to stay at West Ham and be
in the Premier League. My heart was not in it. The situation had become
unbearable. I really wanted to be a success at West Ham - but it was clear I
had to leave and find a new challenge." Since moving to Italy in the summer,
Morrison has made just three appearances for his new club - all as
substitute.
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A Christmas reshuffle
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 8th October 2015
By: Staff Writer
Three of West Ham's games during the forthcoming holiday season have been
switched to alternative times. United's trip to Swansea - previously
scheduled for Saturday, 19th December - has been moved to the following day
(Sunday, 20th December) at 4:00pm. This match will be shown live on Sky
Sports. Additionally the home fixture with Southampton on Monday, 28th
December has changed from a 3:00pm start to a 5.30pm kick off. Finally the
visit of Liverpool - in which West Ham will be hoping to complete the double
over the red half of Merseyside - has been brought forward to 12.45pm. This
match is being broadcast live on BT Sport.
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I HAVE SEEN THE FUTURE - AND IT WILL WORK.
By Tony McNulty 8 Oct 2015 at 08:00
WTID
Football is a funny old game and being a football fan is a funny old
pastime, hobby or lifestyle. It is very hard to resist the herd mentality,
the hope or the apparently irresistible groupthink. Of course, because we
have not only beat Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City away, but, in each
case, we have done so with some style, it stands to reason that we should
win every single game away from home. This is our season – and it seems
strange when we don't win, and win well, away from home.
In any other season, the team would get a hearty slap on the back and the
gratitude of the entire West Ham fan base, for turning a 2-0 deficit at
Sunderland's Stadium of Light into a 2-2 draw. It would have been seen as a
point salvaged rather than otherwise. Yet the reaction this season is one of
instant disappointment and frustration. How on earth can we beat the
Gooners, the Reds and Man City and almost lose to the club that is slap
bottom in the league and in real trouble? We should also wish Advocaat well
too.
Bilic hugging Advocaat - good luck Dick
We should not have to temper our ambitions just because we are doing well.
Bilic is right to say it was a 'good point' – it was – but only from the
perspective of being 2-0 in the first place. We should not have been. It is
almost as though we are frightened by our very success at the same time as
now expecting the moon – or three points every time we turn up for a game –
home or away. Perhaps we should all take a deep breath, be very grateful for
how the season has unfolded so far and then revert back to the West Ham
mentality that we should all be used to by now. That is, take each and every
game one at a time. Celebrate the ones that we win, commiserate with the
team when we lose and pat them on the back when that mount an escape and
snatch a point from defeat.
We may have earned the right to think beyond looking at the table at saying
that we are still 16-21 points away from safety. We have certainly earned
the right to carry on dreaming and be ambitious for our team. But, it might
not yet be quite the time to assume that every time we play away, three
points are guaranteed. We should treat every other team with respect and
ensure that we stay full-square behind the team.
Why? Well, because that is what West Ham fans do. And, more importantly
because I have seen the future – and it will work. And it is is worth all
the support, dreams, ambitions and hope that we can muster. On Sunday, I
went to the Olympic Stadium to watch Ireland versus Italy in the Rugby World
Cup.
The less said about the rugby, the better. The Irish team did enough and was
very lucky to escape with a win. In fact, they reminded me of my entire
'career' as a West Ham fan. Throughout the World Cup so far, the Irish team
has been full of wonder and promise, sometimes playing fantastic rugby,
sometimes flattering to deceive. It feels as though they might go all the
way – or wilt against France next week and then get smashed by the All
Blacks. Being an Irish rugby fan is very like being a West Ham fan – it the
hope and dream that will kill you. It is the dreams that fade and die. But,
every now and then, the magic happens.
Anyway, I did not mean to write about the rugby, but the stadium. From the
moment I arrived at Stratford station, I imagined going to my first West Ham
game in the stadium – and it is a really exciting prospect. It is quite a
walk to the ground – certainly further than Upton Park station to the
Boleyn, but it is a very comfortable walk in spacious surroundings. Bearing
in mind that the Irish game was a full sell-out and some 54,000 were there,
it was always comfortable. I know it will be different when we take it over,
but you certainly got a sense of just how great it is going to be.
Getting in and out of the ground was excellent. We were able to walk around
from our seats for the rugby game – behind one of posts – to the area where
next year's seats will be – and the views will be quite stunning. I know
that others have said that it might be difficult to get an atmosphere going
in the ground, but it felt like that would not be a problem. I say it 'felt
like' because, to be honest, the Irish team never gave the crowd that much
to sing about. It certainly seemed to me that it had more potential for
crowd atmosphere than either Man City or Man United, or indeed the library
at Highbury.
Better think of our future
The whole area surrounding the ground is not finished yet so it is not clear
how smooth exiting the stadium and getting off home via Stratford would be.
On Sunday it was a messy, stilted and very crowded walk back to the station
– but no more than say somewhere like Chelsea with everyone trying to
squeeze into Fulham Broadway, although with a much longer walk. To be fair,
once in the station, the crowds dispersed quite rapidly given the choice of
lines and destinations. I remain very optimistic that the journey out of the
stadium will be fine and efficiently organised.
Doubtless there will also be plenty of time to explore whether it is worth
looking at the walk to West Ham or Hackney Wick – who knows.
The one thing I do know is that I sat in my seat staring round the ground
and was beaming with pride that next year I will be watching my team playing
in one of the finest stadia in the country. All we have to do this year is
make sure that we have a season that leaves us in a position where we have
earned the step up that the Olympic Stadium implies.
Don't get me wrong – I have loved going to the Boleyn Ground and, like
everyone else, have a range of memories – good and bad – and emotions – up
and down – from every ball kicked there. But we are moving home next year.
And our new home should fit every ounce of home, ambition and dreams for
every fan – dreams that won't fade and die.
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Nolan huge help to Irons youngster
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 8, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
West Ham youngster Martin Samuelsen has spoken about how former Irons
skipper Kevin Nolan took time out to help him after his arrival at Upton
Park. In an exclusive interview @
http://www.blowing-bubbles.co.uk/read-our-latest-issue.html>, it appears
that Hammers fans could owe the former Bolton and Newcastle midfielder a
major debt of thanks if the 18-year-old becomes the next big name to play in
claret and blue. He said: 'I always try to get as much input on my game as I
can, and obviously the senior players with their experience can teach me a
lot. The one who taught me the most before he left was Kevin Nolan.' Blowing
Bubbles also midfielder Cheikou Kouyate who said the team need to start
quicker and be more ruthless if they want to replicate their superb away
form. He said: We always improve in the second half, but we need to play the
whole game at that same level, like we did against Newcastle, when we were
focused and played hard from the start. We want to win the games, just like
the fans do.' Blowing Bubbles also asks whether Victor Moses will finally
live up to the hype, if Andy Carroll is now drinking in the very last chance
saloon and if James Tomkins has done enough to become our main right back.
The latest issue of Blowing Bubbles Monthly is now available to read for
FREE on your computer, tablet or mobile phone.
Link: http://www.blowing-bubbles.co.uk/read-our-latest-issue.html
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Lanzini deal on the cards
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 8, 2015 in News, Whispers
C And H
David Gold has confirmed the Manuel Lanzini loan deal confirming that the
club has an option to buy at the end of the season. And ClaretandHugh has
learned that even the fee has been arranged with his parent club Al Jazira
and is believed to be in the region of £5-£6 million. We were told: "He
looks a real player and the fee is agreed should we take up the option. He's
looking the part and a deal could now be on." Slaven Bilic has declared his
admiration for the player explaining that he has made a real impact and that
he and Dimi Payet are a real force. And Gold – in his latest 'From the
Boardoom ' piece on the official site at www.whufc.com declared: "We have
an option on him at the end of the season and you need to see him over the
whole year and see someone perform at this level on a consistent basis. But
if he keeps putting in the displays that we are seeing at the moment, then
the manager will keep picking him."
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LLDC publish West Ham OS agreement
Posted by Sean Whetstone on October 8, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
Today the London Legacy Development Corporation have published a new version
of the Olympic Stadium Agreement with West Ham United with more details
revealed for the first time.
You can read all 207 pages of this agreement at this link below
http://t.co/QDY0b8lHS3
The first new information to stand out is additional fees to be paid by West
Ham if the Hammers finish 10th or above in the Premier League. In fact there
appears to be a clause to pay further money in addition to £2.5m per year
rent for each Premier League place from 10th up to 1st place. The actual
figures have been blacked out.
West Ham will also pay extra if they win the FA Cup, Europa League or the
Champions league. Extra cash is also due if the Hammers qualify for Europa
League or Champions League also which could be worth millions extra..
The stadium naming rights partner will be able to buy West Ham tickets at
face value before the tickets go on general sale to the public.
Access to events at the Stadium for residents of the London Borough of
Newham, both as spectators and attending community events, including the
provision to Newham Legacy Investments for distribution to Newham residents
of up to 100,000 tickets to be provided by Stadium users. Such tickets must
be for professional sport or music events taking place at the Stadium. This
means not all 100,000 free tickets will be for West Ham games as originally
thought.
West Ham will be able to play two youth matches and two friendly matches at
the Stadium but will need to pay more if they want to play additional
friendlies or youth games beyond that.
West Ham only have permission to name the South and North stands so a Billy
Bonds stand or naming of the East stand appears to be out of their control.
West Ham have the right to have the words WEST HAM UNITED illuminated on the
outside of the stadium up to 2 metres high.
West Ham will keep an undefined percentage of the pitch side LED advertising
for West Ham games.
West Ham have no right of veto to another football club , although the club
can complain if it believes any other event (including football) gets in the
way of its events.
The clause says "The Grantor (Stadium Owners E20 LLP) acknowledges and
agrees that, during the Football Season, any Other Concessionaires (such as
another football club) use of the Pitch for sporting activities (such as,
but not limited to, the playing of Football or rugby or gridiron football)
must not adversely affect the use of the pitch by the Concessionaire (West
Ham United) for the staging of events
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Morrison moans…Lanzini performs – NEXT!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 8, 2015 in Hugh's Blogs, News, Whispers
C and H
A few of you may have noticed that the West Ham flop, former so called bad
boy ( I prefer, nuisance) and injury stricken midfielder has been giving it
large to The Sun over the last couple of days.
It will come as no surprise to you to begin to understand why the management
of that publication is currently offering to deliver it FREE to your door!
Ravel – unlike another midfielder named Manuel Lanzini who is the same 22
years old – has been moaning this morning about West Ham messing with his
head.
He whined: "At times I wanted to stop playing because I felt I had done
everything right to be playing in the team. I started to dislike the sport
because it didn't matter how hard I worked, I wasn't in the team"
Get the violins out!
Interestingly, he is not in the Lazio team either, a situation apparently
down to injury but he adds in defence of himself that whilst in the UK he'd
only ever wanted to play for West Ham and had sorted his attitude out but
still wan't in the first team.
Happens to loads of players mate – they tend to get on with it. No one has a
divine right to a first team place.
Of the loan move to Cardiff he added: "Cardiff is a great club but I didn't
really want to go out on loan. I wanted to play at West Ham and be in the
Premier League. My heart was not in it"
Heart wasn't in it? He's a professional footballer for goodness sake. Again…
just get on with it son.
In fairness we should mention that there were alleged problems between
himself and the former manager but many have suffered the same and stuck it
out until things change!
Compare Ravel's approach to Lanzini's – and I'm not making a direct
comparison in playing style although there are similarities.
This lad has arrived from halfway across the world, has produced a series of
fine performances and is on his way to becoming a major Irons talent.
Apart from his arrival interview he has had nothing to say to the media and
allowed us to judge him purely on performance.
Ravel -watch and learn. Pointless interviews get you nowhere.
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Slaven Bilic was always 'onto a winner' at West Ham says James Collins as
cult hero boosts popularity further in the dugout
Ex-West Ham defender Slaven Bilic has enjoyed a fine start as manager of the
club, leading them to sixth in the Premier League table after eight games
Current Irons centre-back James Collins has hailed Bilic's impact and
positivity around the training ground
Bilic is hoping to achieve a strong league finish ahead of the move to the
Olympic Stadium next season
By JACK GAUGHAN FOR MAIL ONLINE
PUBLISHED: 00:53, 8 October 2015 | UPDATED: 00:58, 8 October 2015
Slaven Bilic's aura and ease with which he could unite West Ham players,
staff and supporters meant he was never going to fail as manager. That's the
view of James Collins, who lauded the Croatian after a stylish start to his
first season in English football. Bilic spent a fruitful year as a player at
Upton Park and his appointment as Sam Allardyce's successor in the summer
was heralded as the club's chance to narrow the gap between themselves and
the Premier League's top six before next year's move to the Olympic Stadium.
That has certainly proven to be the case thus far, West Ham lying fourth and
with miraculous victories at Arsenal, Liverpool and - most impressively -
Manchester City already in the bag. They are significant strings to Bilic's
bow, although the unity in east London is perhaps even more pertinent. 'He's
spot on, the gaffer - the boys have really reacted to him. The board made
some tremendous signings in the summer, and they've all settled in straight
away,' Collins said. 'The fans loved him from the off because he was such a
good player here. He was onto a winner straight away. If the West Ham fans
like you you're halfway there. 'His tactics, training sessions and the
coaches he's got with him are spot on. The lads are really enjoying training
and the gaffer's methods.
'The fans like good football and the players working hard.' It is a far cry
from the four years under Allardyce, which will be remembered for the shower
of boos often raining down after uninspiring afternoons. While there has
been dissatisfaction after home defeats by Bournemouth and Leicester City,
Collins believes they can comfortably rid themselves of the problems
contributing to those surprising results. 'We've spoken about it,' he added.
'Certainly at Sunderland we weren't at the races. The gaffer has put his
point across to the lads that he wasn't happy at half-time. 'We performed
second half and got a point. But we've done that in the home games too, we
haven't started right. He's spoken about that. 'It's something we're looking
to sort out - we're scoring goals but at the minute we're conceding a few
too. 'The point is that we can't keep giving teams goals and starting
slowly. You can be two, three goals down within the first 15 minutes. 'It's
more about mentality and coming out of the blocks firing.' Collins is aiming
for European qualification this term, not out of their reach with Dimitri
Payet in their midst, but did concede that failing to progress in the Europa
League should actually help achieve that. Taking advantage of the Premier
League's early unpredictability could hold the key. 'It's been a funny old
season - most teams winning away. Strange,' Collins said. 'I can't remember
a season like it to be honest, there's been some crazy results. Years gone
by you'd have the teams pushing for the title up the top straight away and
you look at it now and ourselves are up there. It's very open.'
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Ravel Morrison: Atletico Madrid were interested before I signed for Lazio…
and West Ham hell almost made me quit
Lazio midfielder Ravel Morrison is glad he left West Ham
The 22-year-old had offers from a whole host of top European clubs
Morrison says that his lack of first-team football at Upton Park made him
consider quitting football altogether
He thinks that Lazio is a bigger club than West Ham
By ROHAN BANERJEE FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 01:19, 8 October 2015 | UPDATED: 01:19, 8 October 2015
Lazio midfielder Ravel Morrison has revealed that a whole host of top
European clubs were interested in signing him when he left West Ham and said
that his frustrating experiences at Upton Park almost led him to quit
football altogether. The 22-year-old, who is a product of Manchester
United's academy, is rated as a budding talent but has been criticised
several times about discipline in his short career so far. Morrison told The
Sun: 'Fiorentina, Napoli, Sporting Lisbon and Atletico Madrid were all
interested and talking to my agent.' Morrison signed a pre-contract
agreement with Lazio in January last season, before making the move to Serie
A for the start of the 2015-16 campaign. He impressed in pre-season,
scoring a goal and assisting two others in a 14-0 rout over C.S. Auronzo.
Morrison found first-team opportunities difficult to come by towards the end
of his spell in East London and was twice shipped out on loan to QPR and
Cardiff City. The former England Under 21 international soon grew to feel
undervalued and has admitted contemplating early retirement. He said: 'At
times I wanted to stop playing because I felt I had done everything right to
be playing in the team. 'I started to dislike the sport because it seemed it
did not matter how hard I worked, I wasn't in the side.' While some fans
have questioned Morrison's decision to trade the Premier League for Serie A,
the youngster has stuck by guns. 'It makes me laugh when I hear some people
saying I've made a backward step coming here,' he added. 'Lazio is arguably,
with no disrespect intended, a bigger club than West Ham'
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Friday, October 9
Thursday, October 8
Daily WHUFC News - 8th October 2015
From the Boardroom - David Gold
WHUFC.com
It is never easy against a team in the Premier League to go two goals down away from home, especially when they are struggling at the bottom and still get something from the game. So in that respect it was very satisfying to come away with a point against Sunderland. Of course we were all disappointed that we could not make the extra man count in the second half and go on to win the game, but I know that Slaven tried everything he could to help the team come away with a victory. I know he would have been disappointed with the early goals that we conceded and they were both individual mistakes that could have been avoided. There have been a few of those already this season and surely this will have to stop at some point and once it is sorted out, I am convinced we will win a lot more games. I was pleased to see Carl Jenkinson get his first goal for the Club and I'm sure all the fans who travelled up to the Stadium of Light would have been impressed once again with the performance by Manuel Lanzini. I know he is nicknamed 'The Jewell' and to say he is a gem is very appropriate at the moment! He has incredible skills, but has a lot more to his game as well. He can tackle, pass the ball and has already shown that he can score goals. We have an option on him at the end of the season and you need to see him over the whole year and see someone perform at this level on a consistent basis. But if he keeps putting in the displays that we are seeing at the moment, then the manager will keep picking him.
I said before the Sunderland game that we would have a much clearer reflection of how the team has fared when everyone in the league has played eight games – four at home and four away.
We are now sixth in the table and are ahead of other London Clubs like Tottenham so I'm sure the supporters will be extremely happy with how we have started the season. We have played three of the top teams in the top flight away from home and come away with three victories and our away form has been sensational. We are still unbeaten on our travels. We obviously need to improve our home form and I'm sure we will get things right at the Boleyn Ground.
I have said it before but these are exciting times for the football Club and when you look at our squad and see we have got the likes of Enner Valencia, Alex Song and Angelo Ogbonna to come back into the side, we are only going to get stronger in the coming weeks. These are serious players who will challenge for a starting place in the first-team. I am thrilled that the Club were able to announce that fans favourite Adrian has signed a new contract to stay with us. We are showing that we want to keep our best players and he is an exceptional goalkeeper.
He has a love for the game and is desperate to win. He shows so much passion and has a good grasp of English. The relationship he has with the Hammers fans is very special. How can we ever forget his winning penalty against Everton in the FA Cup last season? He would probably get into any other European national team, but Spain are blessed with quality keepers. However, if he keeps performing the way he has so far this season, he stands every chance of getting a late call-up for the Euro Finals.
I would like to finish by saying how saddened I was by the tragic airplane crash that took place at the weekend before the Sunderland game. We knew the pilot and it is very painful. Our hearts go out to their families and friends and we send our condolences to everyone at the LEA.
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Collins ready to make history
WHUFC.com
James Collins is hoping to be a part of history this week when Wales bid to end their 58-year wait for an appearance at a major championship. Wales last qualified for a tournament in 1958 when they made it to the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals, but now they are just a point away from putting that unwanted record to bed. With two games to play, they head up Group B of the European Qualifiers, having gone through their first eight games unbeaten and at the cost of just two goals conceded. Now, with an away game at Bosnia-Herzegovina and a Cardiff City Stadium meeting with Andorra to come, Wales stand on the brink of writing a new chapter for themselves. Hammers defender Collins is part of Chris Coleman's squad for the double header and is itching to do his bit – both in the week ahead and in France next summer should his country finish the job. He said: "I've got to think about France at the end of the season as I'd be bitterly disappointed if I missed out on that. It's a long time away yet and there's a lot of football to be played before then. "We've got Bosnia away and Andorra at home, so if we don't qualify it will be our own doing. It's an exciting time, the Welsh team are flying and it's great to be part of it."
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Pedro learns the lingo
WHUFC.com
West Ham TV has gone behind the scenes with new signing Pedro Obiang and visited his riverside apartment as he looks to improve his English ahead of a busy first season at the Boleyn Ground. Obiang has wasted no time settling into his new surroundings in east London and has already shown why he arrived with such a big pedigree from Serie A with some outstanding performances at the heart of the Hammers midfield. The 23-year-old was brought up in Madrid and then moved to Genoa when he was just 16 when he signed for Sampdoria. Obiang jumped at the chance to sign for the Hammers during the summer and is now coming to terms with yet another new language, but he is relishing the chance to live in the capital. West Ham TV managed to get exclusive content with Obiang away from the training ground and find out how his English is coming along, just four months after his arrival in England.
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First and Last - James Collins
WHUFC.com
As West Ham United get their final season at the Boleyn Ground underway, we've asked our players for some memorable lasts from their careers and lives, as well as some firsts. James Collins is the latest name to go under the spotlight…
FIRSTS
What was the first car you ever owned?
The first car I owned was a Peugeot 309 Calypso. I would have been 17 at the time so I bought it 15-years ago.
What was the first CD you ever bought?
I have no idea what CD I bought first, but I remember the first tape was Michael Jackson's Bad!
Tell us about your first goal in professional football?
It was for Cardiff City when I played as a striker against Colchester United in November 2001. I remember we drew 1-1 and I scored the first goal. We were 1-0 up until the final few minutes and they equalised right at the death at Ninian Park. I played upfront with Leo Fortune-West.
Who would be the first person you would call up for a pub quiz?
I would be struggling with the squad we have got here now! But I would have to say Joey O'Brien, as he is a very knowledgeable man.
Who would be the first player voted off the X-Factor?
There are a few and it could actually be all of us. I would have to say Mark Noble. He has a go at singing but he is not the best.
LASTS
What was the last concert you went to?
The Irish band The Coronas about three months ago. It was a very good concert.
Which of your team-mates is the last you would want to be stuck in a lift with?
It is going to have be James Tomkins with his breath. You would not want to be stuck in a lift with him for a long time.
Who is the last player you would take fashion advice from?
Again there is a few of them in dressing room I could consider, but I would have to go with Adrian who wears typical Spanish gear.
Tell us about the last goal you scored?
It was against Everton in the FA Cup last season at Goodison Park. We were 1-0 up and should have won it but Lukaku scored late on to take us to a replay and then Adrian scored the winning penalty.
Who is the last out of the dressing room?
Alex Song. We all have seen what he wears so it takes him a while to get into it.
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West Ham Ladies: Stacey Little 'quits' over 'disgusting' treatment
BBC.co.uk
West Ham Ladies captain Stacey Little says she has left the club after being "treated disgustingly". The 28-year-old midfielder claimed on Twitter that she was suspended for "having an opinion as captain" and had decided to leave. However, chairman Stephen Hunt said manager Marc Nurse had deemed Little "surplus to requirements".
Nurse replaced former West Ham defender Julian Dicks as manager of the Women's Premier League South side in July. Little added: "Tonight I am absolutely devastated and heartbroken to be leaving the club I love and have done so much for. "When they say blood, sweat and tears that's exactly what I have given and so much more."
Hunt told BBC Sport: "A meeting was called by the manager for Tuesday evening to announce his decision to release a number of senior players, including Stacey Little, whom he deemed surplus to requirements. "The club is focusing its future on its main players such as Aditi Chauhan, the Indian international, and Giulia Ferrandi from Italy. "We also have a number of new signings being discussed, including players from Women's Super League teams."
Kelley Blanchflower, Lily Mellors, Emma Sherwood, Kerry Stimson and Kayleigh Xidhas are also leaving West Ham. Forward Blanchflower, 22, tweeted: "No words will ever explain what happened today, still in shock". Midfielder Mellors, 23, said: "Clueless clueless clueless people! All I can do is laugh!"
West Ham, who finished sixth in Premier League South - the level below Women's Super League - last season before Dicks took a coaching role with the men's first team, are set to make a further statement on Wednesday. Nurse told the BBC in August that he was aiming to win the division within two years.
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Cole ban stands despite plea of innocence
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 7th October 2015
By: Staff Writer
Former West Ham striker Carlton Cole has lost his fight against a two-year driving ban.
Cole, who left West Ham after nine years at the club last May was banned from driving for two years in September after failing to attend court - a decision that was upheld today.
In a fresh hearing this afternoon, his barrister claimed that Cole - who is currently on trial with reigning Scottish Premier League champions Celtic - failed to attend court as he was unaware he had been summoned to appear.
Asam Khan, representing the former England international told City of London Magistrates: "When someone does not know the date they were to turn up, it is in the interests of justice for that person to be given the opportunity for the bench to hear their circumstances.
"One question I asked Mr Cole today was what education he has. Someone who does not have GCSEs would not be as au fait with dealing with letters as someone who has had a university education."
Khan - who insisted that his client has a right to a fair trial under Article Six of the Human Rights Act - claimed Cole had requested that his former representative write to the court to seek an adjournment of the case as he was in the USA at the time of the trial.
Annie Allum, Chair of the bench told Cole: "You pleaded not guilty by post and due to your disorganisation or an inability to deal with your affairs, were unable to attend a hearing.
"There is no denial of notice, but due to disorganisation you didn't follow through. We do not think this gives us significant grounds to set aside or reopen the case."
Cole's latest ban is the third he has received in the last three years. He was also arrested in 2008 after failing a breath test when stopped for driving erratically on the Victoria Embankment at 4am.
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SIX quit in West Ham Ladies manager row
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 6th October 2015
By: Staff Writer
West Ham Ladies captain Stacey Little and five fellow players have walked out of the club following a row over new manager Mark Nurse. The six first players declared their intention to quit the team via social media tonight after Little revealed she had been suspended in the wake of comments she expressed over the suitability of current manager Nurse to the role. The other five players - Emma Sherwood, Lily Mellors, Kelley Blanchflower, Kayleigh Xidhas and Kerry Stimson - are believed to have announced their intention to join Little in support of the popular captain, who had helped raise the profile of the club in recent months. Announcing her decision to leave West Ham via twitter tonight, Little - who has guested on the KUMB Podcast on two occasions - wrote: "I am absolutely devastated and heartbroken to be leaving the club I love and have done so much for. "When they say blood, sweat and tears, that's exactly what I have given and so much more! I was the proudest captain and would have run through brick walls for my team. It was a very hard decision to make but there's only so much you can take. "I have been driven out of this club by two individuals for having a voice! I can't thank everyone enough for the support you have given me every single week and how you continue to do so tonight. It means so much. "You truly are THE BEST fans in the world and will always be my #westhamfamily."
The joint chairmen of the ladies - brothers Stephen and John Hunt - have promised to release a statement clarifying the situation tomorrow (Wednesday). However a claim on the West Ham Ladies twitter account that suggested Little and her fellow players have been released by the club was dismissed by Little, who countered: "We walked!!! We did not get released!" The players are understood to have turned on Nurse, who replaced Julian Dicks as manager in the summer, after the team's dreadful start to the 2015/16 campaign that saw them lose four of their opening five league matches.
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One million Hammers can't be wrong
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 7th October 2015
By: Staff Writer
David Gold insists West Ham United will have one million followers on Twitter within twelve months' time. West Ham's co-owner, who was speaking at the Leaders Sports Business Summit in London this morning made the bold claim in a speech focusing on the club's impending move to Stratford. West Ham's twitter account currently boasts approximately 500,000 followers - a figure Gold believes will be doubled by the time the 2016/17 season commences at the Olympic Stadium, largely as a result of the move. The 79-year-old also insisted that many of the new supporters attending matches at the Olympic Stadium from next season will be female - although his reasoning has already caused something of a stir. "We're right on the edge of a shopping centre," he said. "So we hope that's going to increase the female fanbase." During his speech, Gold also suggested that America's Major League Soccer could overtake the Premier League with regards to wages offered to top players in the near future. "I can see where America could start to pay more money to these players," he said. "I could see it usurping the Premier League."
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A TALE OF TWO MIDFIELDERS!
By S J Chandos 7 Oct 2015 at 10:00
WTID
It has been reported that the club have parted company with French midfielder Morgan Amalfitano by mutual consent. This development has occurred after Amalfitano had a well publicised spat with Slaven Bilic over some internal disciplinary issue(s), the midfielder being relegated to train with the U-21 squad in the interests of 'squad unity.' There had been some hope that a resolution of the situation was possible, when Bilic subsequently named Amalfitano in his 25 player squad for the 2015-16 season.
However, that obviously was not the case and it appears that the club have now reached a financial settlement with the player to leave. These events are something of a surprise when one considers the positive role that Amalfitano played last season, in Sam Allardyce's squad, and the club's subsequent offer of a new two year contract. Nevertheless, this settlement sees Amalfitano leave as a free agent and there will presumably be no shortage of Bosman offers forthcoming as a result. And it does demonstrate that Slaven Bilic has an aspect of iron to his management and appears not to be a coach to be crossed.
Elsewhere, it has been widely reported that former midfielder, Ravel Morrison, has stated his regrets at leaving Man Utd to join West Ham Utd in the 2011 January transfer window. Perhaps, but it ignores the fact that Morrison was effectively off-loaded by Man Utd, a club that had run out of patience with the player's alleged indiscipline. In that sense, the move to West Ham was a new chapter and an opportunity to make a fresh start. An opportunity that Morrison briefly looked like grasping, but ultimately let slip through the advent of a number of widely reported further disciplinary issues.
As a result, Morrison wasted the opportunity offered by West Ham, ended up on a secession of pointless loan moves and ultimately got off-loaded yet again. It does beg the question whether Slaven Bilic could have had more success than Sam Allardyce in getting the best out of Morrison? Perhaps, but the Amalfitano incident shows that Bilic does not mess around on the disciplinary front! Maybe the truth is that Big Sam was probably more patient with the player than Bilic would have been? I guess we will never know now?
Regardless, Morrison is well advised to stop 'racking over the coals' of lost opportunities and concentrate on being a success at Lazio. He has yet another great opportunity and he should ensure that he does not waste this one. Or there will inevitably be a conclusion drawn that there is something of a recurring pattern of indiscipline and wasted talent undermining his promising career.
SJ. Chandos.
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Song return brings dilemma closer
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 7, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
Well if David Gold is tight there's a big decision looming for Slaven Bilic. The co chairman has been predicting regularly that Alex Song is on his way back and the Chelsea match at the Boleyn on October 24 is his target. Speaking through his Twitter account DG declared: "Alex Song is targeting a return to first-team duties against Chelsea on the 24 October. dg " Many have been awaiting the calm and creative presence of Song in front of the back four as precisely what the team require at this moment. However, it brings with it a big 'but' and that refers to who makes way for the Cameroonian . It's a discussion that has been held on and off since the season started and the prime candidate in many people's mind is the skipper Mark Noble. It's a difficult one for the manager but demonstrated just how far we have come over the summer and the various options that are now available to the manager. Cheik Kouyate looks impossible to drop so that appears to limit to the options down to the captain and one souce said: "The situation looks clear cut when Alex is fully match fit but it's a sign of the new 'rotatable' West Ham this year!
Interesting times ahead
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Spurs & Orient prevented Irons from owning OS
Posted by Sean Whetstone on October 7, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
West Ham Chairman David Gold is speaking on a panel at the Leaders 15 event at Stamford Bridge today. At The Sport Business Summit in London David Gold recalls his earliest memories bunking into Upton Park for free aged 7. 'Karren Brady actually wants me to pay for those tickets.' Gold told delegates. Gold speaking about Olympic Stadium move. Says he was initially against the switch like "80%" of fans. 'We won the bid to purchase it. The government had to reneige on the sale deal and pursue a lease deal.'
Gold blames Spurs & Leyton Orient for preventing West Ham buying the Olympic Stadium outright. 'Issues were raised by Spurs & Barry Hearn.' Gold thinks more women will watch them play at the Olympic Stadium "as it's next door to a shopping centre" Gold also said how great the Olympic stadium is now with retractable seats David Gold believes the club's official twitter account will have 'a million' followers on Twitter in a year's time. He also says 'Way to become a millionaire is become a billionaire then own a football club – you quickly become a millionaire.'
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Former Hammer opens pie & mash shop
Posted by Sean Whetstone on October 7, 2015 in News
C and H
Former Hammer Paul Konchesky has opened his own pie-and-mash shop in Brentwood, Essex. Konchesky talked mum Carol into running Konch's Kafe. She has worked in catering for 30 years and agreed to leave the Royal Oak in nearby Stapleford Abbotts to take control in her son's kitchen. West Ham and pie and mash were two threads of East End culture embraced by the Konchesky family when Paul's grandfather settled in London after arriving from Poland during the Second World War. In Konch's Kafe, Paul helps out making the tea and coffee. Adorning the walls are a West Ham No 3 shirt, once worn by the proprietor, a signed sketch of his boyhood hero Julian Dicks, a framed England shirt and a photograph of Konchesky in action with Teddy Sheringham. There are also a pair of boxing gloves signed by Nicky Cook, an old school friend from Dagenham who became a WBO featherweight champion. 'We'll put a few more things up,' said Konchesky. The 34 year is currently playing for QPR but made 112 appearances for West Ham between 2005-2007 scoring two goals.
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Davids back tough guy Slav on pay-off
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 6, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
West Ham tonight showed their total support for Hammers boss Slaven Bilic when paying off Morgan Amalfitano's contract and waving the Frenchman goodbye. The Irons board acted quickly this evening to back their boss after Bilic made it clear there was no way back into the club for the player under his management. ClaretandHugh was told exclusively by a high level source: "The club decided to pay him an undisclosed sum which whilst costing them has released cash off the wage bill for deals in the January window." Bilic banished Amalfitano to the Development Squad soon after the squad returned from the summer break after the player had missed a team meeting. Bilic later claimed the player had given him "attitude." With the stand-off continuing between the pair, ClaretandHugh was told: "There was no way back for him. Slaven wanted him out and that was that. He would not back off and the board supported him
"Amalfitano was paid off. There is no other club involved. Slav was not budging on it."
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This Iron's rating is so wrong
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 7, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
Ok it's the international break and these are relatively slow news days but I can't allow this to pass. Normally I really wouldn't bother to comment on a set of ratings but I was incensed when I opened my eyes and saw this one. The usually vry reliable London24.com has rated the Irons summer signings on their site this morning with, unsurprisingly, Dimi Payet at the top with nine. Fair enough of course. Manuel Lanzini gets an eight, Angelo Ogbonna a five and amazingly, despite not making a Premier League start, Michail Antonio rates one point above him. Not sure what that's all about. Victor Moses gets an eight, Carl Jenkinson a six, Nikicia Jelavic a five and Pedro Obiang a five, all of which seems about right. However, they then hand Darren Randolph – despite three fine games in Adrian's absence a FOUR – justified by the claim that he looked dodgy on numerous occasion. He looked more like a seven to me. Surely there's not many who would argue that the keeper did a fine job in the No 1's absence despite some reservations over the Europa Cup clashes. I know that ratings are a very subjective business but that really does seem ….well, just WRONG!
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West Ham tried to buy Olympic Stadium outright until Tottenham and Leyton Orient forced us to rent, insists David Gold
West Ham agreed a 99-year lease with government to rent Olympic Stadium
Critics have said taxpayers will have to foot running costs at new venue
David Gold insists his side were keen on purchasing stadium outright
By SAM CUNNINGHAM FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 16:22, 7 October 2015 | UPDATED: 16:24, 7 October 2015
David Gold insists that West Ham initially tried to buy the Olympic Stadium outright — and blames Tottenham and Leyton Orient for forcing the government to agree to rent it out instead. West Ham and the government have been widely criticised for negotiating a 99-year lease, with detractors arguing that the taxpayers will foot the majority of the running costs. But West Ham's co-chairman defended his club and argued that they were on the verge of buying the stadium until their rivals Tottenham and Leyton Orient complained. 'It was a difficult process as a lot of people are aware of,' Gold said, at the Leaders in Sport conference. 'When it became available it became available for sale, the idea was with Newham Council we were going to purchase it, we won that bid. 'But because the government wanted to guarantee the stadium for the Rugby World Cup and some athletics, because there were issues raised by other football clubs, Tottenham Hotspur and of course Barry Hearn from Leyton Orient, the government had to renege on a sale deal and pursue a lease deal.' The majority of West Ham supporters were opposed to the move away from their beloved Boleyn Stadium — still fondly known as Upton Park — to the Olympic Park. But Gold is confident they have slowly turned the fans to favour the move. 'Slowly but surely, over the last two, two-and-a-half-years, we've won those fans over, with promising to make the stadium like the home of West Ham,' he added. 'It was very important for the fans, it was important they knew it was their home and not a rented facility. They were worried about the running tracking — a running track around football stadium doesn't work — but we've got retractable seating in. 'The fans were absolutely against, 80 per cent were totally against it, including me to some extent. I'm thinking, "I don't want to leave my beloved Upton Park, it's where my earliest memories are of bunking in to West Ham when no-one was looking, at seven-years-of-age. Karren Brady actually wants me to pay for those tickets.'
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Mark Noble & the curiosity of his England absence
By Seb Stafford-Bloor
Posted on October 7, 2015
swquaka.com
It's a common complaint that England caps are handed out too easily. As the physical requirement of the sport has grown, so has the need for bigger squads and so, with the decline of the traditional "starting XI", has come a determination from international managers to be more broadly aware of their options than ever before. England exemplify this as well as any side. As recently as the 1990s, there was something special about watching a player make his debut. He would leave that set-back substitutes' bench, walk to the side of the Wembley pitch and, as a spectator, it would feel as if you were watching the elevation of a career.
Now, not so much. England selection seems more like a process than ever before, and like something which just happens once a player reaches an arbitrary club appearance landmark. Beyond a certain point, a domestic player featuring in the Premier League will just default to the international level. It's determined by a culture of needing to "find out what someone can do" rather than the product of a genuine merit system. Leave a player in the wilderness for long enough and, through our curiosity and because of our perpetual need to find a solution to a long-standing problem, someone will ask: "What about him – why isn't he given a chance?"
Mark Noble scored two goals in 28 Premier League appearances last season. It's strange then that West Ham's Mark Noble has never ridden that movement, and is still yet to win an international cap. Detractors may scoff and query what the Londoner would really have been able to add to a generation which has boasted, amongst others, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Michael Carrick, Jordan Henderson, Jack Wilshere and Gareth Barry, but beneath that headline talent lies an underbelly of players who are, at best, Noble's equals. Tottenham's Ryan Mason was immediately elevated into Roy Hodgson's squad after half a season of top-flight football, Jack Colback was initially included last year before having to withdraw, Jake Livermore was capped in 2012 and Tom Huddlestone's obvious defensive shortcomings were ignored to indulge his passing range between 2009 and 2012.
It's peculiar. Noble may be a superficially unremarkable footballer, but – having been capped by every England age-group team from the U16s upwards – his repeated omission from the senior squad is a mild anomaly. He's a very rounded player. While not equipped with any outstanding individual attributes, his basic skill package has an obvious value to an international side who have lacked proper balance for the best part of a decade.
Currently, Roy Hodgson appears to prefer a midfield three comprising – when possible – Fabian Delph, Henderson and Wilshere. Statistically, Noble compares very favourably to all of them.
In the 2014/15 Premier League season, he averaged more successful tackles-per-90 minutes than any of those players, and also made more interceptions. Additionally, while often bracketed as a sideways passing, high-percentage midfielder, he made more key passes-per-90 minutes than either Henderson or Delph, whilst still maintaining a superior completion rate to all three.
That sounds like the beginning of something fanciful and the start of a contrary argument which claims that Noble should be starting for England. It's not. But on the basis that the national team have repeatedly struggled to retain possession and control the temperament of games, and because they're without a traditional ball-winner, it's peculiar that Noble – a player who repeatedly scores so highly in those specific areas – hasn't even been given as much as a training session to show that he could have some theoretical international merit.
His club supporters are equally baffled, as West Ham blogger Liam Spencer – from IronViews.com – describes: "All fans believe their team should be given greater international representation for England, and West Ham fans aren't working under the premise that he should be a regular international, but for him not to have a single cap is ridiculous. He was captain of the U21 side, has more Premier League appearances than any other player in our club's history, and is a model of consistency. For him to at least have parity with players like Jack Colback and Jake Livermore – who wouldn't displace Noble in the West Ham starting eleven – is very hard to justify."
It's easy to attribute that to the blurring forces of tribalism, but it's really a fair assessment. Hodgson's coaching style is predicated on organisation and disciplined positioning within the defensive zones. Noble is a stylistic fit for that approach, at least as a secondary or tertiary option, and yet he's repeatedly been slapped away – particularly galling given that, in March against Italy, Hodgson chose to plug Phil Jones into the holding-midfield role in Turin.
A friendly game against an elite opponent in front of an away crowd: that kind of fixture exists for the sake of useful experimentation. Imagine being Noble and watching that game on television – what would you think? It was a borderline form of disrespect and, as such, it's of little wonder that he's contemplating making himself available to Martin O'Neil and the Republic of Ireland. There's no definitive conclusion here. There's no magic answer which explains why, at 28, a seasoned Premier League performer is still kicking his heels in the international wilderness. Maybe he's suffered by association with the sometimes flimsy Upton Park cast? Maybe he's been a victim of the tactical anachronisms that Sam Allardyce surrounded him with? Or maybe his omission is symptomatic of that old, familiar problem which continues to linger around the England side. Maybe Noble has always been too creative a solution to a chemistry problem which is always plastered over with names and reputations? It would be contrary to claim this as a significant reason behind England's repeated failure, because that's just not true. What it does – alarmingly – suggest however, is that there's still an absence of creativity within the England selection process, and there continues to be a reticence towards any solution which isn't safe and obvious.
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West Ham join race for £15m Arsenal target
Posted by Emre Sarigul October 7, 2015
TurkishFootball.com
West Ham have joined the race for Beşiktaş midfielder Oğuzhan Özyakup according to Fanatik. The report claims that the Hammers have joined an ever growing number of clubs keeping close tabs on the Turkish international. West Ham boss Slaven Bilic is of course more familiar than most with the 22-year-old having coached him for two-years during his time at Beşiktaş. Bilic maintains close ties with Özyakup but could face competition from another club that knows the midfielder all too well. Arsenal have shown an interest in their former rising star according to Talksport and Turkish sports newspaper Fanatik report that the Gunners have been keeping close tabs on the their former youth player. The Turkish international played a major role in Arsenal's Under-18s side that won the Premier Academy League title in 2009 and made a few appearances in cup competitions for the Gunners before joining Beşiktaş in 2012 for a fee of €500,000.
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Disappointment for West Ham defender Carl Jenkinson as England boss calls up Tottenham man Kyle Walker
HITC
Damien Luca
West Ham United defender Carl Jenkinson, on loan from Arsenal, is not even England's fifth choice right back. That's based on Roy Hodgson's latest decision to call up Tottenham Hotspur right back Kyle Walker to his latest England squad as a replacement for the injured John Stones, as confirmed by the FA's official website. Walker has not played for England since the 1-1 draw in Italy in March and joins Spurs teammate Andros Townsend in earning a recall to the national side. The decision comes as a real slap in the face for Jenkinson who now faces the reality that, in Hodgson's eyes at least, he is not even England's fifth choice right back. That is despite playing a starring role for West Ham all of last season and turning in a man of the match performance at Sunderland on Saturday where he also scored a fine goal. He has represented England Under 17s and Under 21s and earned a senior cap while playing for the Gunners, but Jenkinson was recently demoted back to the Under 21s and finds himself behind Nathaniel Clyne, Walker, Callum Chambers and even centre backs who can also operate at right back like Stones, Chris Smailing and Phil Jones. The decision is made all the more difficult to take for Jenkinson as England have already qualified for the Euro 2016 tournament in France after winning all eight of their matches so far and take on Estonia and Lithuania in dead rubber games. But while many might see it as the perfect time to experiment and give players like Jenkinson – who was clocked as the fastest player in the Premier League last season – a chance to show what they can do, Hodgson clearly has his favourite clubs. It will not come as a shock in East London, though. Players, staff and fans at West Ham are long since used to the fact Hodgson seemingly does not pick West Ham players for the national side. West Ham and England have always enjoyed a special relationship. Indeed whenever England play away matches, West Ham fans have historically made up a large section of the support. Hammers fans' patience has been well and truly tested by Hodgson, though, who since taking over has been reluctant to include players plying their trade in the famous claret and blue. The 68-year-old has been in charge since 2012 and since that time has only ever called up two players from West Ham - Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing. He has again ignored West Ham's core of Englishmen this season with not a single call-up between them despite Slaven Bilic's side impressing everyone with their fantastic start to the season that sees them sitting in sixth place after eight games.
Why Jenkinson has been ignored by England since making his debut is something of a mystery and must surely be making the player regret choosing to represent the Three Lions over Finland, the country of his mother. He is a classy defender who gets up and down like a wing-back and offers superb supply to the strikers from the flank and playing week in, week out. And it is not as if Jenkinson has been loaned out by Arsenal because Arsene Wenger does not rate him. The club offered him a new long-term deal which he signed before rejoining the Hammers on loan for a second season. But it looks like he and his Hammers teammates still have it all to do to prove to the England boss they can cut it at international level.
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I'm not trouble, just misunderstood, insists Ravel Morrison as former Manchester United youngster admits Sir Alex Ferguson gave him too many chances
Ravel Morrison is looking to rebuild his career with Serie A side Lazio
Morrison has bad boy reputation but wants people to focus on his game
The midfielder admits Manchester United gave him a number of chances
Morrison left Old Trafford for West Ham before leaving for Italy
By ELLIOTT BRETLAND FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 00:20, 7 October 2015 | UPDATED: 07:20, 7 October 2015
Ravel Morrison admits Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United gave him too many chances but insists he is not trouble. The midfielder, who came through the ranks at Old Trafford, has developed a 'bad boy' reputation but, now attempting to rebuild his career in Italy with Lazio, claims he is simply misunderstood. Speaking to The Sun, the 22-year-old said: 'I'm not trouble. I'm just misunderstood. When people think of my name, they think, "He's young and trouble". That is what's labelled over my name - trouble.' Morrison, yet to start for the Lazio first-team, was convicted of intimidating two witnesses of a knife-point mugging at the age of 17 but is desperate for people to let him move on from his troubled past and focus on his football. 'I truly regret what I did but people won't let me move on. They don't talk about my football but focus on my past problems.' Morrison, who failed to make the grade with Manchester United before leaving the Red Devils for West Ham in 2012, admits he was handed plenty of chances by his first club. Asked if United let him leave too soon, Morrison admitted: 'No, I have to be honest about this. Manchester United and Alex Ferguson gave me too many chances. I don't think they would have given any other player the amount of opportunities they gave me. I can only blame myself and not look for excuses. The former England Under 21 international conceded he was not focused and dedicated enough to break into the first-team and said: 'A lot of the things I did wrong at United was silly stuff. It wasn't because I was involved in robberies. 'It was more messing about playing computer games and hanging out too much with my friends when I should have been more dedicated to training.'
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West Ham hero Paolo di Canio slams Chelsea trio after horror start
London 24
07:44 07 October 2015 Jack Green
Former West Ham striker Paolo di Canio has given his verdict on Chelsea's poor start to the season. 7 The Blues have failed to hit the heights they reached in their title-winning 2014/15 campaign, with four losses already this season from just eight games. Jose Mourinho's side were beaten at home by Southampton at the weekend, leaving them 16th in the table with eight points. Several of the club's most high-profile players have struggled with attacking stars like Eden Hazard, Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas all below par up to this point. But it is at the back that the Blues have looked truly out of sorts, and Di Cano believes it is not going to get any better for the likes of John Terry, Gary Cahill and Branislav Ivanovic. "Terry and Cahill are done as players. Ivanovic seems stunned," Di Canio told Italian radio station Sports Radio 24. "I can not remember a decline as rapid as that of Chelsea under Mourinho. They play like a team in the relegation zone."
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Ravel Morrison claims Rene Meulensteen urged him to snub West Ham, regrets decision
HITC
Olly Dawes
Ravel Morrison claims Rene Meulensteen tried to convince him to reject a move to West Ham. Ravel Morrison has told The Sun that if he had the chance again, he would reject West Ham in order to stay at Manchester United. Morrison, 22, is currently playing in Italy with Lazio after a controversial time in England, with a move abroad seen as the way for him to rebuild his career. Whilst the playmaker was highly rated at Manchester United, a spate of off-field problems curtailed his career at Old Trafford, despite being tipped for stardom. In January 2012, after just three appearances for United, Morrison decided that his time under Sir Alex Ferguson was up, and he made the move to West Ham United. The Hammers were in the Championship at the time, and Morrison made just one appearance as Sam Allardyce guided the club back to the Premier League at the first time of asking - and whilst Morrison impressed in the top flight at the start of the 2013-14 season, his great form eventually fizzled out, leading to that move to Lazio this summer. Now though, Morrison has admitted to The Sun that then-Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen urged him not to leave United for Upton Park, as he wouldn't be able to make it back to the level of United again - and admitted that if he could relive the scenario again, he wouldn't have signed for West Ham at all. "I remember my coach, Rene Meulensteen, trying to advise me not to leave when West Ham came in for me," said Morrison. "He said, 'If you leave the club, it'll be hard to get back'. But I was young and wanted to play football." "I would have done things differently if I was in that situation now. But it's done now and there's no going back. All I can do is look forward," he added. Morrison's time in Italy hasn't been a roaring success so far, and many assume that he will end up back in English football at some point soon - though it's unlikely to be with Manchester United or West Ham.
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Manager reveals why he snubbed West Ham star Dimitri Payet
London 24
08:56 07 October 2015 Jack Green
France manager Didier Deschamps says his options in the attacking positions led him to drop Dimitri Payet. 1 West Ham playmaker Payet has been in stunning form in his first season in English football. ADVERTISING The Frenchman has set the Premier League alight with four goals and three assists in his first eight games, leading the Hammers to an impressive sixth place in the table. Payet has 15 France caps to his name, but when his national team's most recent squad was announced his name was left off the list. Les Bleus manager Deschamps hopes Payet's form continues, but he says the strength of options in his squad meant the West Ham man had to be left out. "He scored last weekend, good, hope he continues," he said in a press conference. But there are also others who have scored and they are here. "At the moment, in the attacking sector of the pitch, I have a choice." While Payet is not in the squad, there was room for other players from London clubs. Arsenal's Olivier Giroud, Crystal Palace's Yohan Cabaye, Tottenham's Hugo Lloris and Chelsea's Kurt Zouma were all selected.
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WHUFC.com
It is never easy against a team in the Premier League to go two goals down away from home, especially when they are struggling at the bottom and still get something from the game. So in that respect it was very satisfying to come away with a point against Sunderland. Of course we were all disappointed that we could not make the extra man count in the second half and go on to win the game, but I know that Slaven tried everything he could to help the team come away with a victory. I know he would have been disappointed with the early goals that we conceded and they were both individual mistakes that could have been avoided. There have been a few of those already this season and surely this will have to stop at some point and once it is sorted out, I am convinced we will win a lot more games. I was pleased to see Carl Jenkinson get his first goal for the Club and I'm sure all the fans who travelled up to the Stadium of Light would have been impressed once again with the performance by Manuel Lanzini. I know he is nicknamed 'The Jewell' and to say he is a gem is very appropriate at the moment! He has incredible skills, but has a lot more to his game as well. He can tackle, pass the ball and has already shown that he can score goals. We have an option on him at the end of the season and you need to see him over the whole year and see someone perform at this level on a consistent basis. But if he keeps putting in the displays that we are seeing at the moment, then the manager will keep picking him.
I said before the Sunderland game that we would have a much clearer reflection of how the team has fared when everyone in the league has played eight games – four at home and four away.
We are now sixth in the table and are ahead of other London Clubs like Tottenham so I'm sure the supporters will be extremely happy with how we have started the season. We have played three of the top teams in the top flight away from home and come away with three victories and our away form has been sensational. We are still unbeaten on our travels. We obviously need to improve our home form and I'm sure we will get things right at the Boleyn Ground.
I have said it before but these are exciting times for the football Club and when you look at our squad and see we have got the likes of Enner Valencia, Alex Song and Angelo Ogbonna to come back into the side, we are only going to get stronger in the coming weeks. These are serious players who will challenge for a starting place in the first-team. I am thrilled that the Club were able to announce that fans favourite Adrian has signed a new contract to stay with us. We are showing that we want to keep our best players and he is an exceptional goalkeeper.
He has a love for the game and is desperate to win. He shows so much passion and has a good grasp of English. The relationship he has with the Hammers fans is very special. How can we ever forget his winning penalty against Everton in the FA Cup last season? He would probably get into any other European national team, but Spain are blessed with quality keepers. However, if he keeps performing the way he has so far this season, he stands every chance of getting a late call-up for the Euro Finals.
I would like to finish by saying how saddened I was by the tragic airplane crash that took place at the weekend before the Sunderland game. We knew the pilot and it is very painful. Our hearts go out to their families and friends and we send our condolences to everyone at the LEA.
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Collins ready to make history
WHUFC.com
James Collins is hoping to be a part of history this week when Wales bid to end their 58-year wait for an appearance at a major championship. Wales last qualified for a tournament in 1958 when they made it to the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals, but now they are just a point away from putting that unwanted record to bed. With two games to play, they head up Group B of the European Qualifiers, having gone through their first eight games unbeaten and at the cost of just two goals conceded. Now, with an away game at Bosnia-Herzegovina and a Cardiff City Stadium meeting with Andorra to come, Wales stand on the brink of writing a new chapter for themselves. Hammers defender Collins is part of Chris Coleman's squad for the double header and is itching to do his bit – both in the week ahead and in France next summer should his country finish the job. He said: "I've got to think about France at the end of the season as I'd be bitterly disappointed if I missed out on that. It's a long time away yet and there's a lot of football to be played before then. "We've got Bosnia away and Andorra at home, so if we don't qualify it will be our own doing. It's an exciting time, the Welsh team are flying and it's great to be part of it."
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Pedro learns the lingo
WHUFC.com
West Ham TV has gone behind the scenes with new signing Pedro Obiang and visited his riverside apartment as he looks to improve his English ahead of a busy first season at the Boleyn Ground. Obiang has wasted no time settling into his new surroundings in east London and has already shown why he arrived with such a big pedigree from Serie A with some outstanding performances at the heart of the Hammers midfield. The 23-year-old was brought up in Madrid and then moved to Genoa when he was just 16 when he signed for Sampdoria. Obiang jumped at the chance to sign for the Hammers during the summer and is now coming to terms with yet another new language, but he is relishing the chance to live in the capital. West Ham TV managed to get exclusive content with Obiang away from the training ground and find out how his English is coming along, just four months after his arrival in England.
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First and Last - James Collins
WHUFC.com
As West Ham United get their final season at the Boleyn Ground underway, we've asked our players for some memorable lasts from their careers and lives, as well as some firsts. James Collins is the latest name to go under the spotlight…
FIRSTS
What was the first car you ever owned?
The first car I owned was a Peugeot 309 Calypso. I would have been 17 at the time so I bought it 15-years ago.
What was the first CD you ever bought?
I have no idea what CD I bought first, but I remember the first tape was Michael Jackson's Bad!
Tell us about your first goal in professional football?
It was for Cardiff City when I played as a striker against Colchester United in November 2001. I remember we drew 1-1 and I scored the first goal. We were 1-0 up until the final few minutes and they equalised right at the death at Ninian Park. I played upfront with Leo Fortune-West.
Who would be the first person you would call up for a pub quiz?
I would be struggling with the squad we have got here now! But I would have to say Joey O'Brien, as he is a very knowledgeable man.
Who would be the first player voted off the X-Factor?
There are a few and it could actually be all of us. I would have to say Mark Noble. He has a go at singing but he is not the best.
LASTS
What was the last concert you went to?
The Irish band The Coronas about three months ago. It was a very good concert.
Which of your team-mates is the last you would want to be stuck in a lift with?
It is going to have be James Tomkins with his breath. You would not want to be stuck in a lift with him for a long time.
Who is the last player you would take fashion advice from?
Again there is a few of them in dressing room I could consider, but I would have to go with Adrian who wears typical Spanish gear.
Tell us about the last goal you scored?
It was against Everton in the FA Cup last season at Goodison Park. We were 1-0 up and should have won it but Lukaku scored late on to take us to a replay and then Adrian scored the winning penalty.
Who is the last out of the dressing room?
Alex Song. We all have seen what he wears so it takes him a while to get into it.
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West Ham Ladies: Stacey Little 'quits' over 'disgusting' treatment
BBC.co.uk
West Ham Ladies captain Stacey Little says she has left the club after being "treated disgustingly". The 28-year-old midfielder claimed on Twitter that she was suspended for "having an opinion as captain" and had decided to leave. However, chairman Stephen Hunt said manager Marc Nurse had deemed Little "surplus to requirements".
Nurse replaced former West Ham defender Julian Dicks as manager of the Women's Premier League South side in July. Little added: "Tonight I am absolutely devastated and heartbroken to be leaving the club I love and have done so much for. "When they say blood, sweat and tears that's exactly what I have given and so much more."
Hunt told BBC Sport: "A meeting was called by the manager for Tuesday evening to announce his decision to release a number of senior players, including Stacey Little, whom he deemed surplus to requirements. "The club is focusing its future on its main players such as Aditi Chauhan, the Indian international, and Giulia Ferrandi from Italy. "We also have a number of new signings being discussed, including players from Women's Super League teams."
Kelley Blanchflower, Lily Mellors, Emma Sherwood, Kerry Stimson and Kayleigh Xidhas are also leaving West Ham. Forward Blanchflower, 22, tweeted: "No words will ever explain what happened today, still in shock". Midfielder Mellors, 23, said: "Clueless clueless clueless people! All I can do is laugh!"
West Ham, who finished sixth in Premier League South - the level below Women's Super League - last season before Dicks took a coaching role with the men's first team, are set to make a further statement on Wednesday. Nurse told the BBC in August that he was aiming to win the division within two years.
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Cole ban stands despite plea of innocence
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 7th October 2015
By: Staff Writer
Former West Ham striker Carlton Cole has lost his fight against a two-year driving ban.
Cole, who left West Ham after nine years at the club last May was banned from driving for two years in September after failing to attend court - a decision that was upheld today.
In a fresh hearing this afternoon, his barrister claimed that Cole - who is currently on trial with reigning Scottish Premier League champions Celtic - failed to attend court as he was unaware he had been summoned to appear.
Asam Khan, representing the former England international told City of London Magistrates: "When someone does not know the date they were to turn up, it is in the interests of justice for that person to be given the opportunity for the bench to hear their circumstances.
"One question I asked Mr Cole today was what education he has. Someone who does not have GCSEs would not be as au fait with dealing with letters as someone who has had a university education."
Khan - who insisted that his client has a right to a fair trial under Article Six of the Human Rights Act - claimed Cole had requested that his former representative write to the court to seek an adjournment of the case as he was in the USA at the time of the trial.
Annie Allum, Chair of the bench told Cole: "You pleaded not guilty by post and due to your disorganisation or an inability to deal with your affairs, were unable to attend a hearing.
"There is no denial of notice, but due to disorganisation you didn't follow through. We do not think this gives us significant grounds to set aside or reopen the case."
Cole's latest ban is the third he has received in the last three years. He was also arrested in 2008 after failing a breath test when stopped for driving erratically on the Victoria Embankment at 4am.
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SIX quit in West Ham Ladies manager row
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 6th October 2015
By: Staff Writer
West Ham Ladies captain Stacey Little and five fellow players have walked out of the club following a row over new manager Mark Nurse. The six first players declared their intention to quit the team via social media tonight after Little revealed she had been suspended in the wake of comments she expressed over the suitability of current manager Nurse to the role. The other five players - Emma Sherwood, Lily Mellors, Kelley Blanchflower, Kayleigh Xidhas and Kerry Stimson - are believed to have announced their intention to join Little in support of the popular captain, who had helped raise the profile of the club in recent months. Announcing her decision to leave West Ham via twitter tonight, Little - who has guested on the KUMB Podcast on two occasions - wrote: "I am absolutely devastated and heartbroken to be leaving the club I love and have done so much for. "When they say blood, sweat and tears, that's exactly what I have given and so much more! I was the proudest captain and would have run through brick walls for my team. It was a very hard decision to make but there's only so much you can take. "I have been driven out of this club by two individuals for having a voice! I can't thank everyone enough for the support you have given me every single week and how you continue to do so tonight. It means so much. "You truly are THE BEST fans in the world and will always be my #westhamfamily."
The joint chairmen of the ladies - brothers Stephen and John Hunt - have promised to release a statement clarifying the situation tomorrow (Wednesday). However a claim on the West Ham Ladies twitter account that suggested Little and her fellow players have been released by the club was dismissed by Little, who countered: "We walked!!! We did not get released!" The players are understood to have turned on Nurse, who replaced Julian Dicks as manager in the summer, after the team's dreadful start to the 2015/16 campaign that saw them lose four of their opening five league matches.
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One million Hammers can't be wrong
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 7th October 2015
By: Staff Writer
David Gold insists West Ham United will have one million followers on Twitter within twelve months' time. West Ham's co-owner, who was speaking at the Leaders Sports Business Summit in London this morning made the bold claim in a speech focusing on the club's impending move to Stratford. West Ham's twitter account currently boasts approximately 500,000 followers - a figure Gold believes will be doubled by the time the 2016/17 season commences at the Olympic Stadium, largely as a result of the move. The 79-year-old also insisted that many of the new supporters attending matches at the Olympic Stadium from next season will be female - although his reasoning has already caused something of a stir. "We're right on the edge of a shopping centre," he said. "So we hope that's going to increase the female fanbase." During his speech, Gold also suggested that America's Major League Soccer could overtake the Premier League with regards to wages offered to top players in the near future. "I can see where America could start to pay more money to these players," he said. "I could see it usurping the Premier League."
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A TALE OF TWO MIDFIELDERS!
By S J Chandos 7 Oct 2015 at 10:00
WTID
It has been reported that the club have parted company with French midfielder Morgan Amalfitano by mutual consent. This development has occurred after Amalfitano had a well publicised spat with Slaven Bilic over some internal disciplinary issue(s), the midfielder being relegated to train with the U-21 squad in the interests of 'squad unity.' There had been some hope that a resolution of the situation was possible, when Bilic subsequently named Amalfitano in his 25 player squad for the 2015-16 season.
However, that obviously was not the case and it appears that the club have now reached a financial settlement with the player to leave. These events are something of a surprise when one considers the positive role that Amalfitano played last season, in Sam Allardyce's squad, and the club's subsequent offer of a new two year contract. Nevertheless, this settlement sees Amalfitano leave as a free agent and there will presumably be no shortage of Bosman offers forthcoming as a result. And it does demonstrate that Slaven Bilic has an aspect of iron to his management and appears not to be a coach to be crossed.
Elsewhere, it has been widely reported that former midfielder, Ravel Morrison, has stated his regrets at leaving Man Utd to join West Ham Utd in the 2011 January transfer window. Perhaps, but it ignores the fact that Morrison was effectively off-loaded by Man Utd, a club that had run out of patience with the player's alleged indiscipline. In that sense, the move to West Ham was a new chapter and an opportunity to make a fresh start. An opportunity that Morrison briefly looked like grasping, but ultimately let slip through the advent of a number of widely reported further disciplinary issues.
As a result, Morrison wasted the opportunity offered by West Ham, ended up on a secession of pointless loan moves and ultimately got off-loaded yet again. It does beg the question whether Slaven Bilic could have had more success than Sam Allardyce in getting the best out of Morrison? Perhaps, but the Amalfitano incident shows that Bilic does not mess around on the disciplinary front! Maybe the truth is that Big Sam was probably more patient with the player than Bilic would have been? I guess we will never know now?
Regardless, Morrison is well advised to stop 'racking over the coals' of lost opportunities and concentrate on being a success at Lazio. He has yet another great opportunity and he should ensure that he does not waste this one. Or there will inevitably be a conclusion drawn that there is something of a recurring pattern of indiscipline and wasted talent undermining his promising career.
SJ. Chandos.
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Song return brings dilemma closer
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 7, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
Well if David Gold is tight there's a big decision looming for Slaven Bilic. The co chairman has been predicting regularly that Alex Song is on his way back and the Chelsea match at the Boleyn on October 24 is his target. Speaking through his Twitter account DG declared: "Alex Song is targeting a return to first-team duties against Chelsea on the 24 October. dg " Many have been awaiting the calm and creative presence of Song in front of the back four as precisely what the team require at this moment. However, it brings with it a big 'but' and that refers to who makes way for the Cameroonian . It's a discussion that has been held on and off since the season started and the prime candidate in many people's mind is the skipper Mark Noble. It's a difficult one for the manager but demonstrated just how far we have come over the summer and the various options that are now available to the manager. Cheik Kouyate looks impossible to drop so that appears to limit to the options down to the captain and one souce said: "The situation looks clear cut when Alex is fully match fit but it's a sign of the new 'rotatable' West Ham this year!
Interesting times ahead
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Spurs & Orient prevented Irons from owning OS
Posted by Sean Whetstone on October 7, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
West Ham Chairman David Gold is speaking on a panel at the Leaders 15 event at Stamford Bridge today. At The Sport Business Summit in London David Gold recalls his earliest memories bunking into Upton Park for free aged 7. 'Karren Brady actually wants me to pay for those tickets.' Gold told delegates. Gold speaking about Olympic Stadium move. Says he was initially against the switch like "80%" of fans. 'We won the bid to purchase it. The government had to reneige on the sale deal and pursue a lease deal.'
Gold blames Spurs & Leyton Orient for preventing West Ham buying the Olympic Stadium outright. 'Issues were raised by Spurs & Barry Hearn.' Gold thinks more women will watch them play at the Olympic Stadium "as it's next door to a shopping centre" Gold also said how great the Olympic stadium is now with retractable seats David Gold believes the club's official twitter account will have 'a million' followers on Twitter in a year's time. He also says 'Way to become a millionaire is become a billionaire then own a football club – you quickly become a millionaire.'
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Former Hammer opens pie & mash shop
Posted by Sean Whetstone on October 7, 2015 in News
C and H
Former Hammer Paul Konchesky has opened his own pie-and-mash shop in Brentwood, Essex. Konchesky talked mum Carol into running Konch's Kafe. She has worked in catering for 30 years and agreed to leave the Royal Oak in nearby Stapleford Abbotts to take control in her son's kitchen. West Ham and pie and mash were two threads of East End culture embraced by the Konchesky family when Paul's grandfather settled in London after arriving from Poland during the Second World War. In Konch's Kafe, Paul helps out making the tea and coffee. Adorning the walls are a West Ham No 3 shirt, once worn by the proprietor, a signed sketch of his boyhood hero Julian Dicks, a framed England shirt and a photograph of Konchesky in action with Teddy Sheringham. There are also a pair of boxing gloves signed by Nicky Cook, an old school friend from Dagenham who became a WBO featherweight champion. 'We'll put a few more things up,' said Konchesky. The 34 year is currently playing for QPR but made 112 appearances for West Ham between 2005-2007 scoring two goals.
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Davids back tough guy Slav on pay-off
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 6, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
West Ham tonight showed their total support for Hammers boss Slaven Bilic when paying off Morgan Amalfitano's contract and waving the Frenchman goodbye. The Irons board acted quickly this evening to back their boss after Bilic made it clear there was no way back into the club for the player under his management. ClaretandHugh was told exclusively by a high level source: "The club decided to pay him an undisclosed sum which whilst costing them has released cash off the wage bill for deals in the January window." Bilic banished Amalfitano to the Development Squad soon after the squad returned from the summer break after the player had missed a team meeting. Bilic later claimed the player had given him "attitude." With the stand-off continuing between the pair, ClaretandHugh was told: "There was no way back for him. Slaven wanted him out and that was that. He would not back off and the board supported him
"Amalfitano was paid off. There is no other club involved. Slav was not budging on it."
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This Iron's rating is so wrong
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 7, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
Ok it's the international break and these are relatively slow news days but I can't allow this to pass. Normally I really wouldn't bother to comment on a set of ratings but I was incensed when I opened my eyes and saw this one. The usually vry reliable London24.com has rated the Irons summer signings on their site this morning with, unsurprisingly, Dimi Payet at the top with nine. Fair enough of course. Manuel Lanzini gets an eight, Angelo Ogbonna a five and amazingly, despite not making a Premier League start, Michail Antonio rates one point above him. Not sure what that's all about. Victor Moses gets an eight, Carl Jenkinson a six, Nikicia Jelavic a five and Pedro Obiang a five, all of which seems about right. However, they then hand Darren Randolph – despite three fine games in Adrian's absence a FOUR – justified by the claim that he looked dodgy on numerous occasion. He looked more like a seven to me. Surely there's not many who would argue that the keeper did a fine job in the No 1's absence despite some reservations over the Europa Cup clashes. I know that ratings are a very subjective business but that really does seem ….well, just WRONG!
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West Ham tried to buy Olympic Stadium outright until Tottenham and Leyton Orient forced us to rent, insists David Gold
West Ham agreed a 99-year lease with government to rent Olympic Stadium
Critics have said taxpayers will have to foot running costs at new venue
David Gold insists his side were keen on purchasing stadium outright
By SAM CUNNINGHAM FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 16:22, 7 October 2015 | UPDATED: 16:24, 7 October 2015
David Gold insists that West Ham initially tried to buy the Olympic Stadium outright — and blames Tottenham and Leyton Orient for forcing the government to agree to rent it out instead. West Ham and the government have been widely criticised for negotiating a 99-year lease, with detractors arguing that the taxpayers will foot the majority of the running costs. But West Ham's co-chairman defended his club and argued that they were on the verge of buying the stadium until their rivals Tottenham and Leyton Orient complained. 'It was a difficult process as a lot of people are aware of,' Gold said, at the Leaders in Sport conference. 'When it became available it became available for sale, the idea was with Newham Council we were going to purchase it, we won that bid. 'But because the government wanted to guarantee the stadium for the Rugby World Cup and some athletics, because there were issues raised by other football clubs, Tottenham Hotspur and of course Barry Hearn from Leyton Orient, the government had to renege on a sale deal and pursue a lease deal.' The majority of West Ham supporters were opposed to the move away from their beloved Boleyn Stadium — still fondly known as Upton Park — to the Olympic Park. But Gold is confident they have slowly turned the fans to favour the move. 'Slowly but surely, over the last two, two-and-a-half-years, we've won those fans over, with promising to make the stadium like the home of West Ham,' he added. 'It was very important for the fans, it was important they knew it was their home and not a rented facility. They were worried about the running tracking — a running track around football stadium doesn't work — but we've got retractable seating in. 'The fans were absolutely against, 80 per cent were totally against it, including me to some extent. I'm thinking, "I don't want to leave my beloved Upton Park, it's where my earliest memories are of bunking in to West Ham when no-one was looking, at seven-years-of-age. Karren Brady actually wants me to pay for those tickets.'
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Mark Noble & the curiosity of his England absence
By Seb Stafford-Bloor
Posted on October 7, 2015
swquaka.com
It's a common complaint that England caps are handed out too easily. As the physical requirement of the sport has grown, so has the need for bigger squads and so, with the decline of the traditional "starting XI", has come a determination from international managers to be more broadly aware of their options than ever before. England exemplify this as well as any side. As recently as the 1990s, there was something special about watching a player make his debut. He would leave that set-back substitutes' bench, walk to the side of the Wembley pitch and, as a spectator, it would feel as if you were watching the elevation of a career.
Now, not so much. England selection seems more like a process than ever before, and like something which just happens once a player reaches an arbitrary club appearance landmark. Beyond a certain point, a domestic player featuring in the Premier League will just default to the international level. It's determined by a culture of needing to "find out what someone can do" rather than the product of a genuine merit system. Leave a player in the wilderness for long enough and, through our curiosity and because of our perpetual need to find a solution to a long-standing problem, someone will ask: "What about him – why isn't he given a chance?"
Mark Noble scored two goals in 28 Premier League appearances last season. It's strange then that West Ham's Mark Noble has never ridden that movement, and is still yet to win an international cap. Detractors may scoff and query what the Londoner would really have been able to add to a generation which has boasted, amongst others, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Michael Carrick, Jordan Henderson, Jack Wilshere and Gareth Barry, but beneath that headline talent lies an underbelly of players who are, at best, Noble's equals. Tottenham's Ryan Mason was immediately elevated into Roy Hodgson's squad after half a season of top-flight football, Jack Colback was initially included last year before having to withdraw, Jake Livermore was capped in 2012 and Tom Huddlestone's obvious defensive shortcomings were ignored to indulge his passing range between 2009 and 2012.
It's peculiar. Noble may be a superficially unremarkable footballer, but – having been capped by every England age-group team from the U16s upwards – his repeated omission from the senior squad is a mild anomaly. He's a very rounded player. While not equipped with any outstanding individual attributes, his basic skill package has an obvious value to an international side who have lacked proper balance for the best part of a decade.
Currently, Roy Hodgson appears to prefer a midfield three comprising – when possible – Fabian Delph, Henderson and Wilshere. Statistically, Noble compares very favourably to all of them.
In the 2014/15 Premier League season, he averaged more successful tackles-per-90 minutes than any of those players, and also made more interceptions. Additionally, while often bracketed as a sideways passing, high-percentage midfielder, he made more key passes-per-90 minutes than either Henderson or Delph, whilst still maintaining a superior completion rate to all three.
That sounds like the beginning of something fanciful and the start of a contrary argument which claims that Noble should be starting for England. It's not. But on the basis that the national team have repeatedly struggled to retain possession and control the temperament of games, and because they're without a traditional ball-winner, it's peculiar that Noble – a player who repeatedly scores so highly in those specific areas – hasn't even been given as much as a training session to show that he could have some theoretical international merit.
His club supporters are equally baffled, as West Ham blogger Liam Spencer – from IronViews.com – describes: "All fans believe their team should be given greater international representation for England, and West Ham fans aren't working under the premise that he should be a regular international, but for him not to have a single cap is ridiculous. He was captain of the U21 side, has more Premier League appearances than any other player in our club's history, and is a model of consistency. For him to at least have parity with players like Jack Colback and Jake Livermore – who wouldn't displace Noble in the West Ham starting eleven – is very hard to justify."
It's easy to attribute that to the blurring forces of tribalism, but it's really a fair assessment. Hodgson's coaching style is predicated on organisation and disciplined positioning within the defensive zones. Noble is a stylistic fit for that approach, at least as a secondary or tertiary option, and yet he's repeatedly been slapped away – particularly galling given that, in March against Italy, Hodgson chose to plug Phil Jones into the holding-midfield role in Turin.
A friendly game against an elite opponent in front of an away crowd: that kind of fixture exists for the sake of useful experimentation. Imagine being Noble and watching that game on television – what would you think? It was a borderline form of disrespect and, as such, it's of little wonder that he's contemplating making himself available to Martin O'Neil and the Republic of Ireland. There's no definitive conclusion here. There's no magic answer which explains why, at 28, a seasoned Premier League performer is still kicking his heels in the international wilderness. Maybe he's suffered by association with the sometimes flimsy Upton Park cast? Maybe he's been a victim of the tactical anachronisms that Sam Allardyce surrounded him with? Or maybe his omission is symptomatic of that old, familiar problem which continues to linger around the England side. Maybe Noble has always been too creative a solution to a chemistry problem which is always plastered over with names and reputations? It would be contrary to claim this as a significant reason behind England's repeated failure, because that's just not true. What it does – alarmingly – suggest however, is that there's still an absence of creativity within the England selection process, and there continues to be a reticence towards any solution which isn't safe and obvious.
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West Ham join race for £15m Arsenal target
Posted by Emre Sarigul October 7, 2015
TurkishFootball.com
West Ham have joined the race for Beşiktaş midfielder Oğuzhan Özyakup according to Fanatik. The report claims that the Hammers have joined an ever growing number of clubs keeping close tabs on the Turkish international. West Ham boss Slaven Bilic is of course more familiar than most with the 22-year-old having coached him for two-years during his time at Beşiktaş. Bilic maintains close ties with Özyakup but could face competition from another club that knows the midfielder all too well. Arsenal have shown an interest in their former rising star according to Talksport and Turkish sports newspaper Fanatik report that the Gunners have been keeping close tabs on the their former youth player. The Turkish international played a major role in Arsenal's Under-18s side that won the Premier Academy League title in 2009 and made a few appearances in cup competitions for the Gunners before joining Beşiktaş in 2012 for a fee of €500,000.
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Disappointment for West Ham defender Carl Jenkinson as England boss calls up Tottenham man Kyle Walker
HITC
Damien Luca
West Ham United defender Carl Jenkinson, on loan from Arsenal, is not even England's fifth choice right back. That's based on Roy Hodgson's latest decision to call up Tottenham Hotspur right back Kyle Walker to his latest England squad as a replacement for the injured John Stones, as confirmed by the FA's official website. Walker has not played for England since the 1-1 draw in Italy in March and joins Spurs teammate Andros Townsend in earning a recall to the national side. The decision comes as a real slap in the face for Jenkinson who now faces the reality that, in Hodgson's eyes at least, he is not even England's fifth choice right back. That is despite playing a starring role for West Ham all of last season and turning in a man of the match performance at Sunderland on Saturday where he also scored a fine goal. He has represented England Under 17s and Under 21s and earned a senior cap while playing for the Gunners, but Jenkinson was recently demoted back to the Under 21s and finds himself behind Nathaniel Clyne, Walker, Callum Chambers and even centre backs who can also operate at right back like Stones, Chris Smailing and Phil Jones. The decision is made all the more difficult to take for Jenkinson as England have already qualified for the Euro 2016 tournament in France after winning all eight of their matches so far and take on Estonia and Lithuania in dead rubber games. But while many might see it as the perfect time to experiment and give players like Jenkinson – who was clocked as the fastest player in the Premier League last season – a chance to show what they can do, Hodgson clearly has his favourite clubs. It will not come as a shock in East London, though. Players, staff and fans at West Ham are long since used to the fact Hodgson seemingly does not pick West Ham players for the national side. West Ham and England have always enjoyed a special relationship. Indeed whenever England play away matches, West Ham fans have historically made up a large section of the support. Hammers fans' patience has been well and truly tested by Hodgson, though, who since taking over has been reluctant to include players plying their trade in the famous claret and blue. The 68-year-old has been in charge since 2012 and since that time has only ever called up two players from West Ham - Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing. He has again ignored West Ham's core of Englishmen this season with not a single call-up between them despite Slaven Bilic's side impressing everyone with their fantastic start to the season that sees them sitting in sixth place after eight games.
Why Jenkinson has been ignored by England since making his debut is something of a mystery and must surely be making the player regret choosing to represent the Three Lions over Finland, the country of his mother. He is a classy defender who gets up and down like a wing-back and offers superb supply to the strikers from the flank and playing week in, week out. And it is not as if Jenkinson has been loaned out by Arsenal because Arsene Wenger does not rate him. The club offered him a new long-term deal which he signed before rejoining the Hammers on loan for a second season. But it looks like he and his Hammers teammates still have it all to do to prove to the England boss they can cut it at international level.
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I'm not trouble, just misunderstood, insists Ravel Morrison as former Manchester United youngster admits Sir Alex Ferguson gave him too many chances
Ravel Morrison is looking to rebuild his career with Serie A side Lazio
Morrison has bad boy reputation but wants people to focus on his game
The midfielder admits Manchester United gave him a number of chances
Morrison left Old Trafford for West Ham before leaving for Italy
By ELLIOTT BRETLAND FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 00:20, 7 October 2015 | UPDATED: 07:20, 7 October 2015
Ravel Morrison admits Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United gave him too many chances but insists he is not trouble. The midfielder, who came through the ranks at Old Trafford, has developed a 'bad boy' reputation but, now attempting to rebuild his career in Italy with Lazio, claims he is simply misunderstood. Speaking to The Sun, the 22-year-old said: 'I'm not trouble. I'm just misunderstood. When people think of my name, they think, "He's young and trouble". That is what's labelled over my name - trouble.' Morrison, yet to start for the Lazio first-team, was convicted of intimidating two witnesses of a knife-point mugging at the age of 17 but is desperate for people to let him move on from his troubled past and focus on his football. 'I truly regret what I did but people won't let me move on. They don't talk about my football but focus on my past problems.' Morrison, who failed to make the grade with Manchester United before leaving the Red Devils for West Ham in 2012, admits he was handed plenty of chances by his first club. Asked if United let him leave too soon, Morrison admitted: 'No, I have to be honest about this. Manchester United and Alex Ferguson gave me too many chances. I don't think they would have given any other player the amount of opportunities they gave me. I can only blame myself and not look for excuses. The former England Under 21 international conceded he was not focused and dedicated enough to break into the first-team and said: 'A lot of the things I did wrong at United was silly stuff. It wasn't because I was involved in robberies. 'It was more messing about playing computer games and hanging out too much with my friends when I should have been more dedicated to training.'
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West Ham hero Paolo di Canio slams Chelsea trio after horror start
London 24
07:44 07 October 2015 Jack Green
Former West Ham striker Paolo di Canio has given his verdict on Chelsea's poor start to the season. 7 The Blues have failed to hit the heights they reached in their title-winning 2014/15 campaign, with four losses already this season from just eight games. Jose Mourinho's side were beaten at home by Southampton at the weekend, leaving them 16th in the table with eight points. Several of the club's most high-profile players have struggled with attacking stars like Eden Hazard, Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas all below par up to this point. But it is at the back that the Blues have looked truly out of sorts, and Di Cano believes it is not going to get any better for the likes of John Terry, Gary Cahill and Branislav Ivanovic. "Terry and Cahill are done as players. Ivanovic seems stunned," Di Canio told Italian radio station Sports Radio 24. "I can not remember a decline as rapid as that of Chelsea under Mourinho. They play like a team in the relegation zone."
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Ravel Morrison claims Rene Meulensteen urged him to snub West Ham, regrets decision
HITC
Olly Dawes
Ravel Morrison claims Rene Meulensteen tried to convince him to reject a move to West Ham. Ravel Morrison has told The Sun that if he had the chance again, he would reject West Ham in order to stay at Manchester United. Morrison, 22, is currently playing in Italy with Lazio after a controversial time in England, with a move abroad seen as the way for him to rebuild his career. Whilst the playmaker was highly rated at Manchester United, a spate of off-field problems curtailed his career at Old Trafford, despite being tipped for stardom. In January 2012, after just three appearances for United, Morrison decided that his time under Sir Alex Ferguson was up, and he made the move to West Ham United. The Hammers were in the Championship at the time, and Morrison made just one appearance as Sam Allardyce guided the club back to the Premier League at the first time of asking - and whilst Morrison impressed in the top flight at the start of the 2013-14 season, his great form eventually fizzled out, leading to that move to Lazio this summer. Now though, Morrison has admitted to The Sun that then-Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen urged him not to leave United for Upton Park, as he wouldn't be able to make it back to the level of United again - and admitted that if he could relive the scenario again, he wouldn't have signed for West Ham at all. "I remember my coach, Rene Meulensteen, trying to advise me not to leave when West Ham came in for me," said Morrison. "He said, 'If you leave the club, it'll be hard to get back'. But I was young and wanted to play football." "I would have done things differently if I was in that situation now. But it's done now and there's no going back. All I can do is look forward," he added. Morrison's time in Italy hasn't been a roaring success so far, and many assume that he will end up back in English football at some point soon - though it's unlikely to be with Manchester United or West Ham.
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Manager reveals why he snubbed West Ham star Dimitri Payet
London 24
08:56 07 October 2015 Jack Green
France manager Didier Deschamps says his options in the attacking positions led him to drop Dimitri Payet. 1 West Ham playmaker Payet has been in stunning form in his first season in English football. ADVERTISING The Frenchman has set the Premier League alight with four goals and three assists in his first eight games, leading the Hammers to an impressive sixth place in the table. Payet has 15 France caps to his name, but when his national team's most recent squad was announced his name was left off the list. Les Bleus manager Deschamps hopes Payet's form continues, but he says the strength of options in his squad meant the West Ham man had to be left out. "He scored last weekend, good, hope he continues," he said in a press conference. But there are also others who have scored and they are here. "At the moment, in the attacking sector of the pitch, I have a choice." While Payet is not in the squad, there was room for other players from London clubs. Arsenal's Olivier Giroud, Crystal Palace's Yohan Cabaye, Tottenham's Hugo Lloris and Chelsea's Kurt Zouma were all selected.
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Wednesday, October 7
Daily WHUFC News - 7th October 2015
Hammers set for international action
WHUFC.com
Several West Ham United players will be involved in international action
over the next week as the battle to qualify for Euro 2016 hots up.
James Collins' Wales will book their spot in France if they pick up a point
from one of their final two qualifiers, away at Bosnia-Herzegovina or at
home to Andorra. Collins will travel to Zenica for the first game on
Saturday, before returning to Cardiff on Tuesday for what should be a
celebratory evening against the group's bottom side Andorra.
Also involved in European qualifiers is goalkeeper Darren Randolph, who has
been called into the Republic of Ireland squad for their games against
Germany in Dublin on Thursday and Poland in Warsaw on Sunday.
Ireland are currently third in the group and will be hoping to seal at least
a play-off slot come the end of the double-header.
Elsewhere, Cheikhou Kouyate and Diafra Sakho are both in the Senegal squad
for their international friendly away In Algeria next Tuesday.
Josh Cullen will link up with Ireland U21s for their UEFA 2017 U21
Championship qualifiers against Lithuania on Friday and Italy on Tuesday.
Reece Burke and England U20 take on Netherlands, Turkey and hosts Germany in
the U20 Elite Cup from Wednesday through to Tuesday.
Sam Howes is involved in UEFA U19 Championship qualifiers with England
against Macedonia, Finland and Italy in Finland, while Martin Samuelsen's
Norway U19s face a double header of friendlies against Latvia, on Thursday
and Saturday.
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Amalfitano departs
WHUFC.com
West Ham United can confirm that Morgan Amalfitano has left the Club by
mutual consent. The 30-year-old midfielder has departed the Club after 13
months at the Boleyn Ground, in which he made 32 appearances and scored
three goals. The Hammers would like to thank Morgan for his efforts during
his time with the Club and wish him well in his future career.
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Page delighted to be back in action
WHUFC.com
Nineteen-year-old defender Lewis Page said he is delighted to be back in
action after recovering from a lengthy injury sustained in the Hammers'
Europa League tie in Romania. Page completed his first 90 minutes in a
friendly against AFC Hornchurch, a 1-0 win, on the weekend after being
side-lined by a rash challenge sustained in the first-half against Astra
Giurgiu. Having come through his first full game on Saturday unscathed, Page
said: "It's been about nine weeks since the game in Romania; I was out for
seven weeks, I've been in training for two weeks. "I've been involved in two
games now, so it's good to get minutes up. I was struggling at first and was
getting pretty out of breath but I can feel my fitness coming back. I'm
about 80% there."
The left-back enjoyed a fantastic breakthrough pre-season, making his
first-team debut against FC Lusitans before impressing in the return leg and
away in Romania. Reflecting on his Hammers' debut, he beamed: "I've got only
good memories from pre-season; making my debut was definitely the best thing
I've done in football. The experience of it was great, then the other first
team games in Andorra and Romania was also positive. "I just want to get
back to the level I was at then; the injury came at possible the worst time
possible. I was making progress and beginning to show what I can do;
hopefully I can get back to that level, if not better."
After the international break, the Development Squad host Wolverhampton
Wanderers on Monday 19 October at Rush Green, a game Page is aiming to make
his first competitive start of the campaign: "It's good that I've got time
before our next game, I should be ready for the Wolves' game and hopefully
get another 90 minutes. "After the international break I should be back to
full training with the first team. The aim now is hopefully to get my
Premier League debut at some point this season. I can't wait to be back
involved in the first team squad again. "We've got a great squad now;
players like Dimitri Payet are special. To be able to train with him and all
the other new players we have is something I've enjoyed so far and can't
wait to get back into it."
After eight games, the Hammers sit proud in sixth following a terrific run
of five unbeaten games. For Page, a West Ham fan as well as a player,
believes his teammates are in for special season: "We've picked up some
unbelievable results against top teams this season, and then some not so
good results at home but I'm sure that'll turn soon. "I really think we're
on for a top seven finish, I don't see why not. That would be a great way to
finish the final season at the Boleyn; we haven't finished that high in the
league for a long time. It would be a great send off." "The manager and all
the staff are very welcoming, they make you feel part of the group and
training has been really good. It's all positive."
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Adrian - We need to start stronger
WHUFC.com
Adrian believes the season will only get stronger for West Ham United if
they manage to cut out the early mistakes they are making in some games and
hopes to see his side get straight back on the winning trail when they face
Crystal Palace. West Ham United showed all their fighting qualities as they
came from two goals down to salvage a point against Sunderland on Saturday.
But with the the north east club being reduced to ten-men in the second
half, the players were disappointed not to have come away with a victory.
The Hammers have suffered bad starts against Leicester, Bournemouth and now
Sunderland and have been behind five times out of the opening nine games
this season.
Adrian says he cannot put a finger on why the Club have not been able to
start strongly in every game but says it is something they will work on over
the international break and hopes to put things right before they travel to
Selhurst Park on October 17. Adrian said: "The mentality must be to go for
it from the start, not waiting for the other team to start playing. "Always
we need to work on things, like starting well but we are scoring goals and
winning games and that has to be a good start. Now we need to keep it going
until the end.
"All games in the Premier League are difficult. It was difficult to play
against Sunderland because they are fighting for their lives.
"So I think we started really bad, we were sleeping and we can't afford to
concede two goals in the first half. "But after we scored our first goal,
they had to change their mentality. It was a good point for us after going
two goals down, it was a good game and a good point."
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The REAL beauty of the Payet deal
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 6, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
Dimitri Payet has become the player West Ham have craved for years and
years. Even the younger members of the Irons family recognise this as being
a player in the tradition of ball playing craftsmen traditionally associated
with the club. Indeed, chairman's son Jack Sullivan has paid him the
ultimate 2015 tribute dubbing him a "baller" – a word used to describe the
most elite players in the game for the uninitiated. Using his favoured
Twitter, he points out the Frenchman has thus played eight games, scored
four goals, made three assists and created 33 chances followed by the
hashtag #baller."
It's early days but young Sullivan is right to describe the player in such
glowing terms and the real beauty is that at 28 Payet will not become a
player whom the big clubs are clambering over as generally speaking big fees
are paid for younger players. And unless the Hammers receive the mother and
father of all offers – unlikely – the player will be going nowhere. It
really was a great piece of business from every point of view.
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Song aiming for derby day return
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 6th October 2015
By: Staff Writer
Alex Song is hoping to make his first appearance of the season against
Chelsea in three weeks' time. The former Cameroon international has
pencilled in the visit of Chelsea to the Boleyn Ground on Saturday, 24th
October as his target date for a return to first team football, having been
sidelined with injury since the end of the last campaign, according to fresh
reports.
And although West Ham face fellow high-flyers Crystal Palace in the Premier
League before then, Song is unlikely to recover in time to face the Eagles
who are third in the Premier League, having risen above the Hammers last
weekend. Speaking last week, Song revealed that he was close to making a
comeback. "I'm getting better and don't want anything to hurt my foot," he
told whufc.com. "It's very hard seeing your team-mates play, you want to be
with them and help them but I can't at the moment. It's about getting my
treatment done properly and then coming back to help the team."
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Amalfitano departs 'by mutual consent'
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 6th October 2015
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United have confirmed that French winger Morgan Amalfitano has left
the club by mutual consent - just seven months after signing a new two-year
contract. The 30-year-old former Marseille star fell out with Slaven Bilic
shortly after the current manager arrived at the club in the summer and has
been training with the development squad ever since. And West Ham announced
this evening that Amalfitano had agreed to move on, having reached a
mutually-satisfactory arrangement regarding the remain 17 months of his
current contract. "West Ham United can confirm that Morgan Amalfitano has
left the Club by mutual consent," read a brief statement posted on
whufc.com. "The 30-year-old midfielder has departed the Club after 13 months
at the Boleyn Ground, in which he made 32 appearances and scored three
goals. "The Hammers would like to thank Morgan for his efforts during his
time with the Club and wish him well in his future career."
Amalfitano became Sam Allardyce's ninth signing of a busy 2014 summer
transfer window when signing a one-year contract on transfer deadline day,
just hours ahead of the end of the window. In March of this year he signed a
new two-year contract - to the surprise of many Hammers fans who felt he was
excess to requirements. And just five months later he fell out with Bilic in
a disagreement over his timekeeping - a situation that led to the end of his
time at the club.
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New Di Canio TV show airs
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 6th October 2015
By: Staff Writer
Paolo Di Canio has made the move from dressing room to TV studio - in a new
weekly show being aired on Fox Sports. Former Hammer Di Canio is hosting a
new show entitled 'The House of Football' on Fox Sports every Monday at 8pm,
having rejected the opportunity to return to management in favour of
building a career in the media - for now, at least. The former fans'
favourite, 47, was linked with the vacant post at Rotherham last week after
the Championship club parted company with former boss Steve Evans. However
his representatives insisted that no contact was ever made. "I turned down
several offers in Italy and in the Premier League," claimed Di Canio,
"because I want to think only on television now." The House of Football
first aired on Monday, 28 September. In it, Di Canio examines the weekend's
Premier League results alongside studio guests - which have included former
England manager Fabio Capello. Fox Sports may be found on Sky channel 204.
The next one-hour show is due to broadcast on Monday, 12 October.
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Payet loses out in PFA award
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 6th October 2015
By: Staff Writer
Dimitri Payet has narrowly lost out on winning the PFA Fans' Player of the
Month award for September. The 28-year-old French international has hit the
ground running since moving to east London in the summer, since when he has
scored four times and registered three assists in the Premier League in West
Ham's opening eight matches. But despite being placed on a shortlist of
three alongside Manchester United's Anthony Martial and Leicester City's
Riyad Mahrez, Payet lost out to the Red Devils' 19-year-old forward who
claimed the first award of the 2015/16 season. The three contenders were
drawn from an initial shortlist of 11 players that also included Bafetimbi
Gomis (Swansea), Odion Ighalo (Watford), Vincent Kompany (Man City),
Graziano Pelle (Southampton), David Silva (Man City), Jamie Vardy
(Leicester), Callum Wilson (Bournemouth) and Ashley Williams (Swansea).
Every month, throughout the course of the season, fans have the opportunity
to vote for who they think has been the best player in each of the Barclays
Premier League, Sky Bet Championship, Sky Bet League One and Sky Bet League
Two.
The competition is run in conjunction with the The PFA and Sky Sports.
Payet's Premier League performance
August
Arsenal (a) - one assist
Leicester City (h) - one goal
September
Newcastle United (h) - two goals
Manchester City (a) - one assist
Norwich City (h) - one assist
Sunderland (a) - one goal
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Payet edged out
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 6, 2015 in News
C and H
West Ham star man Dimitri Payet has lost out to Manchester United youngster
Anthony Martial in the PFA Fans' Player of the Month September award. The
28-year-old was on the short list of three with the 19 year old and
Leicester City's Riyad Mahrez, Payet but sadly missed out. The original
contenders included Bafetimbi Gomis (Swansea), Odion Ighalo (Watford),
Vincent Kompany (Man City), Graziano Pelle (Southampton), David Silva (Man
City), Jamie Vardy (Leicester), Callum Wilson (Bournemouth) and Ashley
Williams (Swansea). The award gives fans have the chance to vote for the
best Premier League player and those in the Football League. and is run in
conjunction with the The PFA and Sky Sports.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Payet and Lanzini explode a huge myth
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 6, 2015 in Hugh's Blogs, News, Whispers
C and H
Dimitri Payet's incredible contribution to the West Ham cause from the
pre-season onwards has exploded one of football's biggest myths – that
players need time to adjust to a new club in a new country. I've never
believed it and never will. If a bloke can't come to the UK and earn his
£50k or 60k a week from Day One then it's a pretty poor reflection on his
abilities. How on earth arriving in a new country and meeting new people
affects the ability to play football is something I just don't get. And Dimi
– not to mention Manuel Lanzini – have shown emphatically that the
"adjustment period" argument is nothing but a load of old tosh spouted by
managers and chairmen who may simply have made a bad buy or three. Talent is
talent, gifting is gifting and living in Chigwell rather than some French or
Saudi Arabian city is neither here nor there as has been shown quite
clearly. Football is full of excuses for failure but this one can be thrown
in the dustbin right now as Dimi and Manuel have demonstrated very ably this
season.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
---
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WHUFC.com
Several West Ham United players will be involved in international action
over the next week as the battle to qualify for Euro 2016 hots up.
James Collins' Wales will book their spot in France if they pick up a point
from one of their final two qualifiers, away at Bosnia-Herzegovina or at
home to Andorra. Collins will travel to Zenica for the first game on
Saturday, before returning to Cardiff on Tuesday for what should be a
celebratory evening against the group's bottom side Andorra.
Also involved in European qualifiers is goalkeeper Darren Randolph, who has
been called into the Republic of Ireland squad for their games against
Germany in Dublin on Thursday and Poland in Warsaw on Sunday.
Ireland are currently third in the group and will be hoping to seal at least
a play-off slot come the end of the double-header.
Elsewhere, Cheikhou Kouyate and Diafra Sakho are both in the Senegal squad
for their international friendly away In Algeria next Tuesday.
Josh Cullen will link up with Ireland U21s for their UEFA 2017 U21
Championship qualifiers against Lithuania on Friday and Italy on Tuesday.
Reece Burke and England U20 take on Netherlands, Turkey and hosts Germany in
the U20 Elite Cup from Wednesday through to Tuesday.
Sam Howes is involved in UEFA U19 Championship qualifiers with England
against Macedonia, Finland and Italy in Finland, while Martin Samuelsen's
Norway U19s face a double header of friendlies against Latvia, on Thursday
and Saturday.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Amalfitano departs
WHUFC.com
West Ham United can confirm that Morgan Amalfitano has left the Club by
mutual consent. The 30-year-old midfielder has departed the Club after 13
months at the Boleyn Ground, in which he made 32 appearances and scored
three goals. The Hammers would like to thank Morgan for his efforts during
his time with the Club and wish him well in his future career.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Page delighted to be back in action
WHUFC.com
Nineteen-year-old defender Lewis Page said he is delighted to be back in
action after recovering from a lengthy injury sustained in the Hammers'
Europa League tie in Romania. Page completed his first 90 minutes in a
friendly against AFC Hornchurch, a 1-0 win, on the weekend after being
side-lined by a rash challenge sustained in the first-half against Astra
Giurgiu. Having come through his first full game on Saturday unscathed, Page
said: "It's been about nine weeks since the game in Romania; I was out for
seven weeks, I've been in training for two weeks. "I've been involved in two
games now, so it's good to get minutes up. I was struggling at first and was
getting pretty out of breath but I can feel my fitness coming back. I'm
about 80% there."
The left-back enjoyed a fantastic breakthrough pre-season, making his
first-team debut against FC Lusitans before impressing in the return leg and
away in Romania. Reflecting on his Hammers' debut, he beamed: "I've got only
good memories from pre-season; making my debut was definitely the best thing
I've done in football. The experience of it was great, then the other first
team games in Andorra and Romania was also positive. "I just want to get
back to the level I was at then; the injury came at possible the worst time
possible. I was making progress and beginning to show what I can do;
hopefully I can get back to that level, if not better."
After the international break, the Development Squad host Wolverhampton
Wanderers on Monday 19 October at Rush Green, a game Page is aiming to make
his first competitive start of the campaign: "It's good that I've got time
before our next game, I should be ready for the Wolves' game and hopefully
get another 90 minutes. "After the international break I should be back to
full training with the first team. The aim now is hopefully to get my
Premier League debut at some point this season. I can't wait to be back
involved in the first team squad again. "We've got a great squad now;
players like Dimitri Payet are special. To be able to train with him and all
the other new players we have is something I've enjoyed so far and can't
wait to get back into it."
After eight games, the Hammers sit proud in sixth following a terrific run
of five unbeaten games. For Page, a West Ham fan as well as a player,
believes his teammates are in for special season: "We've picked up some
unbelievable results against top teams this season, and then some not so
good results at home but I'm sure that'll turn soon. "I really think we're
on for a top seven finish, I don't see why not. That would be a great way to
finish the final season at the Boleyn; we haven't finished that high in the
league for a long time. It would be a great send off." "The manager and all
the staff are very welcoming, they make you feel part of the group and
training has been really good. It's all positive."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Adrian - We need to start stronger
WHUFC.com
Adrian believes the season will only get stronger for West Ham United if
they manage to cut out the early mistakes they are making in some games and
hopes to see his side get straight back on the winning trail when they face
Crystal Palace. West Ham United showed all their fighting qualities as they
came from two goals down to salvage a point against Sunderland on Saturday.
But with the the north east club being reduced to ten-men in the second
half, the players were disappointed not to have come away with a victory.
The Hammers have suffered bad starts against Leicester, Bournemouth and now
Sunderland and have been behind five times out of the opening nine games
this season.
Adrian says he cannot put a finger on why the Club have not been able to
start strongly in every game but says it is something they will work on over
the international break and hopes to put things right before they travel to
Selhurst Park on October 17. Adrian said: "The mentality must be to go for
it from the start, not waiting for the other team to start playing. "Always
we need to work on things, like starting well but we are scoring goals and
winning games and that has to be a good start. Now we need to keep it going
until the end.
"All games in the Premier League are difficult. It was difficult to play
against Sunderland because they are fighting for their lives.
"So I think we started really bad, we were sleeping and we can't afford to
concede two goals in the first half. "But after we scored our first goal,
they had to change their mentality. It was a good point for us after going
two goals down, it was a good game and a good point."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The REAL beauty of the Payet deal
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 6, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
Dimitri Payet has become the player West Ham have craved for years and
years. Even the younger members of the Irons family recognise this as being
a player in the tradition of ball playing craftsmen traditionally associated
with the club. Indeed, chairman's son Jack Sullivan has paid him the
ultimate 2015 tribute dubbing him a "baller" – a word used to describe the
most elite players in the game for the uninitiated. Using his favoured
Twitter, he points out the Frenchman has thus played eight games, scored
four goals, made three assists and created 33 chances followed by the
hashtag #baller."
It's early days but young Sullivan is right to describe the player in such
glowing terms and the real beauty is that at 28 Payet will not become a
player whom the big clubs are clambering over as generally speaking big fees
are paid for younger players. And unless the Hammers receive the mother and
father of all offers – unlikely – the player will be going nowhere. It
really was a great piece of business from every point of view.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Song aiming for derby day return
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 6th October 2015
By: Staff Writer
Alex Song is hoping to make his first appearance of the season against
Chelsea in three weeks' time. The former Cameroon international has
pencilled in the visit of Chelsea to the Boleyn Ground on Saturday, 24th
October as his target date for a return to first team football, having been
sidelined with injury since the end of the last campaign, according to fresh
reports.
And although West Ham face fellow high-flyers Crystal Palace in the Premier
League before then, Song is unlikely to recover in time to face the Eagles
who are third in the Premier League, having risen above the Hammers last
weekend. Speaking last week, Song revealed that he was close to making a
comeback. "I'm getting better and don't want anything to hurt my foot," he
told whufc.com. "It's very hard seeing your team-mates play, you want to be
with them and help them but I can't at the moment. It's about getting my
treatment done properly and then coming back to help the team."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Amalfitano departs 'by mutual consent'
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 6th October 2015
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United have confirmed that French winger Morgan Amalfitano has left
the club by mutual consent - just seven months after signing a new two-year
contract. The 30-year-old former Marseille star fell out with Slaven Bilic
shortly after the current manager arrived at the club in the summer and has
been training with the development squad ever since. And West Ham announced
this evening that Amalfitano had agreed to move on, having reached a
mutually-satisfactory arrangement regarding the remain 17 months of his
current contract. "West Ham United can confirm that Morgan Amalfitano has
left the Club by mutual consent," read a brief statement posted on
whufc.com. "The 30-year-old midfielder has departed the Club after 13 months
at the Boleyn Ground, in which he made 32 appearances and scored three
goals. "The Hammers would like to thank Morgan for his efforts during his
time with the Club and wish him well in his future career."
Amalfitano became Sam Allardyce's ninth signing of a busy 2014 summer
transfer window when signing a one-year contract on transfer deadline day,
just hours ahead of the end of the window. In March of this year he signed a
new two-year contract - to the surprise of many Hammers fans who felt he was
excess to requirements. And just five months later he fell out with Bilic in
a disagreement over his timekeeping - a situation that led to the end of his
time at the club.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
New Di Canio TV show airs
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 6th October 2015
By: Staff Writer
Paolo Di Canio has made the move from dressing room to TV studio - in a new
weekly show being aired on Fox Sports. Former Hammer Di Canio is hosting a
new show entitled 'The House of Football' on Fox Sports every Monday at 8pm,
having rejected the opportunity to return to management in favour of
building a career in the media - for now, at least. The former fans'
favourite, 47, was linked with the vacant post at Rotherham last week after
the Championship club parted company with former boss Steve Evans. However
his representatives insisted that no contact was ever made. "I turned down
several offers in Italy and in the Premier League," claimed Di Canio,
"because I want to think only on television now." The House of Football
first aired on Monday, 28 September. In it, Di Canio examines the weekend's
Premier League results alongside studio guests - which have included former
England manager Fabio Capello. Fox Sports may be found on Sky channel 204.
The next one-hour show is due to broadcast on Monday, 12 October.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Payet loses out in PFA award
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 6th October 2015
By: Staff Writer
Dimitri Payet has narrowly lost out on winning the PFA Fans' Player of the
Month award for September. The 28-year-old French international has hit the
ground running since moving to east London in the summer, since when he has
scored four times and registered three assists in the Premier League in West
Ham's opening eight matches. But despite being placed on a shortlist of
three alongside Manchester United's Anthony Martial and Leicester City's
Riyad Mahrez, Payet lost out to the Red Devils' 19-year-old forward who
claimed the first award of the 2015/16 season. The three contenders were
drawn from an initial shortlist of 11 players that also included Bafetimbi
Gomis (Swansea), Odion Ighalo (Watford), Vincent Kompany (Man City),
Graziano Pelle (Southampton), David Silva (Man City), Jamie Vardy
(Leicester), Callum Wilson (Bournemouth) and Ashley Williams (Swansea).
Every month, throughout the course of the season, fans have the opportunity
to vote for who they think has been the best player in each of the Barclays
Premier League, Sky Bet Championship, Sky Bet League One and Sky Bet League
Two.
The competition is run in conjunction with the The PFA and Sky Sports.
Payet's Premier League performance
August
Arsenal (a) - one assist
Leicester City (h) - one goal
September
Newcastle United (h) - two goals
Manchester City (a) - one assist
Norwich City (h) - one assist
Sunderland (a) - one goal
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Payet edged out
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 6, 2015 in News
C and H
West Ham star man Dimitri Payet has lost out to Manchester United youngster
Anthony Martial in the PFA Fans' Player of the Month September award. The
28-year-old was on the short list of three with the 19 year old and
Leicester City's Riyad Mahrez, Payet but sadly missed out. The original
contenders included Bafetimbi Gomis (Swansea), Odion Ighalo (Watford),
Vincent Kompany (Man City), Graziano Pelle (Southampton), David Silva (Man
City), Jamie Vardy (Leicester), Callum Wilson (Bournemouth) and Ashley
Williams (Swansea). The award gives fans have the chance to vote for the
best Premier League player and those in the Football League. and is run in
conjunction with the The PFA and Sky Sports.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Payet and Lanzini explode a huge myth
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 6, 2015 in Hugh's Blogs, News, Whispers
C and H
Dimitri Payet's incredible contribution to the West Ham cause from the
pre-season onwards has exploded one of football's biggest myths – that
players need time to adjust to a new club in a new country. I've never
believed it and never will. If a bloke can't come to the UK and earn his
£50k or 60k a week from Day One then it's a pretty poor reflection on his
abilities. How on earth arriving in a new country and meeting new people
affects the ability to play football is something I just don't get. And Dimi
– not to mention Manuel Lanzini – have shown emphatically that the
"adjustment period" argument is nothing but a load of old tosh spouted by
managers and chairmen who may simply have made a bad buy or three. Talent is
talent, gifting is gifting and living in Chigwell rather than some French or
Saudi Arabian city is neither here nor there as has been shown quite
clearly. Football is full of excuses for failure but this one can be thrown
in the dustbin right now as Dimi and Manuel have demonstrated very ably this
season.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
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Tuesday, October 6
Daily WHUFC News - 6th October 2015
Loan round up
WHUFC.com
Reece Burke played the full game as Bradford City secured a superb 3-1 win
over high-flying Rochdale. The Bantams took the lead through Lee Evans as he
scored from close range before Peter Vincenti's sixth goal of the season
levelled the proceedings. Striker Devante Cole restored Bradford's lead and
Olly Lancashire's own goal two minutes later put the game out of reach. The
win lifts Bradford to 16th in League Two with 13 points from their opening
11 games.
Midfielder Diego Poyet played the full 90 minutes as MK Dons scored in the
last minute to secure a valuable away draw with Bristol City. Jonathan
Kodjia gave City an early lead at Ashton Gate however Daniel Powell earned
Dons' a draw as he curled a shot past the outstretched arm of Frank
Fielding. The point sees Karl Robinson's side climb to 19th in the
Championship with eight points from ten games.
Matt Jarvis played just under an hour for Norwich City in their 2-1 home
defeat to Leicester City. The Foxes maintained their excellent start to the
season first through Jamie Vardy's penalty and Jeffrey Schupp's fine finish.
The Canaries got themselves back into the game as Dieumerci Mbokani,
Jarvis's replacement, scored to half the deficit, however it proved to be
too little too late. Norwich are currently 13th in the Premier League table.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Noble - Away record is down to hard work
WHUFC.com
Mark Noble insists the secret to West Ham United's supreme away form is
simply hard work and togetherness. The Hammers have won more points and
scored more goals than any other Barclays Premier League side on their
travels this term, with Saturday's 2-2 draw at Sunderland preserving their
unbeaten away day record. After falling two behind inside 22 minutes at the
Stadium of Light, the visitors had to dig deep to claw themselves back into
the contest and Noble felt it was a spirited response in testing
circumstances. "It's down to hard work, simple as," he explained. "We've
got the ability to score goals in the team now, but it's hard work and
togetherness as a team. We're all in it together and that's the main thing.
That's why we're getting results away from home. "I think you could say
it's a point gained, after going in at 2-1 down. They scored a couple of
really good goals, I know the second one was a mistake, but the first one
was a really well worked free-kick. "They started really brightly but we
knew that was going to happen because of the pressure they're under. In
spells they were really sharp and when you're fighting for your life, you
know what it's like. "We're still learning, we've got players who are
learning how to play in this league, but we showed a lot of character to
come back from where we were and probably, in the end, should have won it."
When asked why the Hammers were transformed after the break, Noble, quite
rightly, pointed to Carl Jenkinson's strike as the catalyst. It paved the
way for Dimitri Payet's second-half leveller and though a winner would prove
elusive, the midfielder knows that a five-match unbeaten league run is not
to be sniffed at, far from it. "I think Jenko's goal was massive before
half-time. You're going in at 2-1 then and they start to feel the nerves a
little bit. "We made another mistake for a goal, I made a mistake last week
and Dimi's made one this week, but we've bailed each other out, we got a
result a last week and this week as well. "We keep the unbeaten run going,
that's the most important thing. We've got Palace away and then Chelsea at
home, so a couple of tough games coming up."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Manager on Monday
WHUFC.com
Following West Ham United's 2-2 draw away at Sunderland, manager Slaven
Bilic praised his counterpart Dick Advocaat, before his resignation was
announced on Sunday afternoon. A slow start from the Hammers cost them as
Steven Fletcher and Jeremain Lens gave the hosts a deserved lead. However a
much improved second half performance saw the Irons rescue a point to extend
their unbeaten league form to five games. When asked about Advocaat, Bilic
had nothing but praise for the experienced Dutchman: "He is a man of
knowledge, and his experience at different clubs in different countries and
at international level is unbelievable. "I told him I would like to stay,
you saw on the touchline he is a man full of energy and passion. The Premier
League will be worse off without him. "But it's his decision, only he knows
what he feels. For a man of his experience, he's basically done everything
in different countries, at international level. Only he knows but I rate him
so much, there aren't many managers like him."
While the pressures of being a manager in the Premier League are evident,
Bilic continued to say only those in the hot seat can truly attest to the
magnitude of the job. Despite this, four months into the job at West Ham,
the Croatian said he is loving every minute. His passion was clearly
detectable when he beamed: "I love the job, I love everything about it. I
love training, I love boots, I love the smell of grass, all that. "I love
working with a team that is improving, matchdays, everything about football.
It is the best sport by far."
When asked if he could see himself still in management at Dick Advocaat's
sixty-eight years of age, he joked: "Who knows? I don't think so. I don't
know if I'm going to live to 68! I'd be happy if I was alive!"
On a more serious note, Bilic vowed that his side would be concentrating
especially hard over the international break to cut out the defensive errors
that have hampered his side's start to games. Bilic said: "I wouldn't have
taken a point yesterday, but when you are 2-0 down with them having chances
to score a third, you have to be happy with a point. It's a good run for us,
another away game unbeaten. "On the other hand we can't defend like we did
in the first half, we can't afford to make those mistakes or sloppy starts.
"We can talk about being happy with our reaction and determination, spirit
and winning the second balls but we need to do that from the start. The
quality doesn't always have to be there, sometimes you have to do what is
necessary. But some of the basic things we are doing wrong, I am nowhere
being OK with some of our mistakes. "I'm not only talking about some of the
goals we conceded but dealing with their throw ins and long balls.
"Mistakes happen in football; sometimes you can't do anything about it.
Tactically and physically we are fine, but hopefully we will sort out our
problems in time for the Crystal Palace game."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ladies suffer cup defeat
WHUFC.com
West Ham Ladies crashed out of the FA Women's Premier League Cup with a 1-0
defeat away to C&K Basildon on Sunday afternoon. Having already beaten C&K
Basildon 3-2 away in the league just last week, Marc Nurse's side were
pitched against their local rivals in the first round after beating Crystal
Palace in the cup's determining round earlier this season. The game was won
midway through the second half when Basildon striker Maegen Doyle beat the
offside trap and finished confidently past Indian international goalkeeper
Aditi Chauhan.
After Wednesday's 8-0 Boux Avenue Ryman Women's Cup First Round victory at
Burgess Hill Town Ladies, Nurse made two changes to the starting eleven.
Development Squad defender Danielle Sillitoe returned back to normal duties
and was replaced by Kayleigh Xidhas in defence, whilst winger Kelley
Blanchflower dropped to the bench to allow Italian star Giulia Ferrandi to
return to the side.
In the early stages of the game, the Hammers looked confident from their
midweek Ryman Cup victory and were passing the ball round the pitch
extremely well. There were a lack of chances for both teams during the
opening half, although striker Emma Sherwood did find room from 18 yards
from Xidhas' cross but the shot only found the Basildon keeper.
In the second half, winger Whitney Locke got in behind the hosts defensive
line but she failed to keep her shot from flying high over the bar. The only
goal of the game came just after the hour mark when a stray shot from the
Basildon midfield found Doyle through on goal and as soon as she realised
there was no offside flag against her, she confidently finished low past
Chauhan into the corner. Nurse's side tried to fight back into the game, but
Steve Tilson's Basildon side held on well and progressed to the second round
of the cup.
West Ham return to FA Women's Premier League South duty with an away trip to
Charlton Athletic Women on Sunday 11 October, with kick-off at Sporting Club
Thamesmead scheduled for 2pm.
Ladies: Chauhan, Bottom, Wheeler, Stimson, Xidhas (Abela), Little (c),
Miller (Pinna), Ferrandi, Locke, Mellors (Blanchflower), Sherwood. Subs not
used: Campesi.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cole - This is going to be a great year
WHUFC.com
West Ham United legend Joe Cole believes his former Club are on the brink of
competing with the top teams in England and feels the next five-years are
going to be something special. Cole, who made 187 appearances during his
memorable time at the Boleyn Ground, has been impressed with the Club's
business in the transfer window during the summer and feels the squad will
only grow stronger as they prepare to move into the new Stadium next year.
Cole, who is now playing for Aston Villa, could already see the hard work
going on behind the scenes during his second spell back at the Club and
feels the new players including Dimitri Payet have given them even more
quality in the forward line this season and they can be a match for any
team. Cole said: "I think it is going to be a great year for West Ham. All
credit to the owners and the people upstairs and they keep backing the
managers. "When I was here last year I said it was an exiting time for the
Club and West Ham are on the brink of being right up there with the top
teams in the country. When I say brink, I mean the next five-years –
especially when they move into the new Stadium. "I know a few of the new
signings they have brought in like Dimitri Payet and he is an excellent
player. The fans are going to love watching him play."
Cole knows everything about Payet having played alongside him for Lille and
has no doubts that he will maintain his superb run of form and become a
major star for the Hammers. Cole added: "He is an exceptional player and
technically very gifted. I'm not surprised how well he has settled in. "He
is coming to the Club at a good age at 28 and West Ham have got his peak
years. He is a French international and the fans will be really excited
about watching him. "I know the football has flowed this year and there have
been plenty of goals and he will definitely get on the scoresheet and give
the final pass as well."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tony on the move again
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 5th October 2015
By: Staff Writer
Former West Ham youngster Tony Stokes is on the move again having joined
Ryman League side Canvey Island. Stokes, 28, has made the switch from fellow
islanders Concord Rangers - with whom he has been since 2010 - to join the
Gulls. "I'm impressed with the squad that Danny [Heale] has put together
this season and I'm looking forward to being a part of it," he told the
club's website. "I know a lot of the squad from playing with or against
them over the years and work with John Easterford, who has said lots of good
things about the club. I'm 28 years old and in the prime of my playing
career, and after nearly joining in the summer I can't wait to start playing
and scoring goals for Canvey."
The London-born Stokes grew up alongside current Hammers captain Mark Noble
but left West Ham in 2009 after four years as a pro to join Hungarian side
Ujpest FC (along with Ashley Miller, who joined the Gulls in 2012). He
returned to England a year later after agreeing a mutual termination of his
two-year contract, having failed to settle in Budapest. And bar a brief
spell with his new club Canvey in 2013, Stoked has remained at Concord ever
since.
Canvey manager Danny Heale added: "Tony is a proven goalscorer at this
league and at the level above, so I'm really excited to have been able to
bring him to Canvey. "Things are going well here at the moment and I feel
that bringing in somebody with Tony's ability will help to build on the
positive atmosphere around the club."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sullivan sends his condolences
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 5th October 2015
By: Staff Writer
West Ham co-owner David Sullivan has expressed his sympathies to the
families of two pilots killed in Essex on Saturday. An eight-seater plane
that had previously been used by Sullivan and partner David Gold to fly to
away matches crashed in Chigwell on Saturday afternoon, killing the two
pilots on board. And Sullivan, who flew to the North East last weekend on an
alternative flight admitted that the accident "really put everything into
perspective". "David Gold and I were due to fly to Sunderland with our usual
company, London Executive, on Saturday morning," he told whufc.com. "There
are two King Air planes at Stapleford Airport that we regularly use and one
of those was the one that crashed. I would say we've flown on that plane
about 50 times. "On Saturday we were due to fly on the other plane but our
flight was abandoned after the first plane crashed. "Although the team did
fantastically to maintain our unbeaten away form, our overriding thoughts
were for the two people killed. It was simply down to Lady Luck that we were
not on that plane as well."
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Mark Noble praises West Ham work ethic as unbeaten away run continues
Last Updated: 05/10/15 11:00am
SSN
Mark Noble says simple hard work is behind West Ham's unbeaten start to the
season away from Upton Park. Slaven Bilic's side have been impressive on the
road, recording wins over Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City before
coming from 2-0 down to draw at Sunderland on Saturday. Noble told the
club's website: "It's down to hard work, simple as [that]. We've got the
ability to score goals in the team now, but it's hard work and togetherness
as a team. "We're all in it together and that's the main thing. That's why
we're getting results away from home."
That spirit helped West Ham recover and earn a point at the Stadium of Light
and even left skipper Noble to lament the fact they didn't nick the win.
"We're still learning, we've got players who are learning how to play in
this league, but we showed a lot of character to come back from where we
were and probably, in the end, should have won it. "We keep the unbeaten run
going, that's the most important thing. We've got [Crystal] Palace away and
then Chelsea at home, so a couple of tough games coming up."
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Former striker claims victory over gambling
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 5, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
Former striker John Hartson has known some battles in his time and has come
clean on a victory over the gambling bug. The big Welshman will always hold
a special place in the hearts of all Hammers after his exploits back in the
90s when grabbing 24 goals from 60 games between 1997-99. He also of course
had a memorable set to with Israeli midfielder Eyal Berkovic on the training
ground before staging a heroic battle against cancer when diagnosed in 2009.
Now the former striker has gone public on Twitter to claim a four year
victory over a major demon in his life – gambling. The former Arsenal
striker who, with Paul Kitson, rescued the Irons from a perilous 18th place
on his arrival at the club to help them to 12th has thanked everybody who
helped him beat the the addiction. He tweeted: "Today I am 4 years clean of
Gambling.. Oct 5th 2011 was my last Bet.. Thankyou to everyone who has
helped me along.. You know who you are.
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Ogbonna gives Slav a headache
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 5, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
Angelo Ogbonna is due back from injury for the clash against Crystal Palace
on March 17 and that will give Slaven Bilic another selection headache. A
recent bulletin from the club's medical staff made it clear that after
sustaining an injury against Newcastle he is set for a possible return
against Crystal Palace having made good progress from a hamstring problem.
Ogbonna has been in top form since arriving from Juventus and is desperate
to reclaim his place at the heart of defence alongside Winston Reid. But
such has been the form of James Tomkins that Bilic will find it incredibly
difficult to drop him and may compromise by switching him to right back for
Saturday's goalscorer Carl Jenkinson. The Arsenal loanee – valuable goal
aside – hasn't looked our best defensive option at right back this term and
To,kins has been impressive both there and in central defence. The manager
is determined to tighten things at the back and could decide to leave
Jenkinson on the bench given the attacking impetus down that side is
supplied by Manuel Lanzini. Jenkinson cost the club £1.5 milion loan fee
and is believed to be on wages of close to £60k a week.
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Confirmation: Two on way back
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 5, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
David Gold has confirmed that Andy Carroll's injury is unlikely to keep him
out of the action once club football returns from the international break.
ClaretandHugh revealed last week that club insiders had explained the injury
was only minor but Gold has today tweeted that the player will be back after
the international break. We had explained that the player had bruising on an
ankle following a challenge in the Norwich City game and this morning the co
chairman confirmed the player is ok for a comeback if required. And he added
that Enner Valencia is not far behind him and will use the international
break to hopefully reach full fitness in time for the match against Chelea
on the 24th of the month. Gold revealed both pieces of news on Twitter
although Slaven Bilic has made it clear he won't be rushing Carroll back to
action. Valencia on the other hand has also been out since the start of
pre-season with a knee injury but is now back in training. Carroll should
be fit to face Crystal Palace in just under two weeks.
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Moses withdrawn from International duty
Posted by Sean Whetstone on October 4, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
West Ham Loanee Victor Moses has withdrawn from Nigeria's friendlies against
Cameroon and Congo scheduled for next week in Belgium. He was due to play in
Belgium on 8 October and 11 October to prepare for upcoming qualifiers.
The Nigeria Football Federation revealed on their Twitter account late on
Sunday night that Moses had withdrawn, but gave no further details.
Completesportsnigeria.com claim that Moses wrote to the NFF explaining that
he was taking a precautionary step to avoid aggravating an injury he picked
up while playing for West Ham over the weekend.
Moses played on Saturday in West Ham's 2-2 Premier League draw with
Sunderland, setting up one of his side's goals. He was taken off early in
the second half, after picking up a small
knock it is claimed.
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'Gentleman Slav' pay tribute to Advocaat
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 5, 2015 in News
C and H
Slaven Bilic paid a huge compliment to "I quit" Sunderland boss Dick
Advocaat as the Dutchman walked away from the Stadium of Light. The hugely
articulate Bilic decared: " "For a gentleman who has just done about
everything in his managerial life, in different countries, with
international and club football, maybe he thinks 'I don't need this now'."
After the 2-2 draw he added: "It's hard, especially when you are struggling,
hard to cope with the amount of pressure that you are getting from basically
everyone. Apart from your family, everybody is criticising you. A lot of
times it's not in a polite way. "I rate him so much. He would be missed in
the Premier League. He is 68. Seriously. I love the job. I love training, I
love boots, I love the smell of the grass and all that. Match days,
everything about football is the best game by far. "But 68, you know! I
don't know if I'm going to live to 68, never mind still be doing the job. I
would be happy if I was alive!"
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bilic giving Irons a face of human decency
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 5, 2015 in Hugh's Blogs, News, Whispers
C and H
OK everybody knows by now…I'm a huge fan of Slaven Bilic's! I love the brand
of football he is trying to introduce at this club illustrated by the
arrival of players like Dimi Payet and Manuel Lanzini and despite the
difficulties we sometimes encounter in getting onto the front foot I believe
we are a top six team! There ya go. I've said it. If wrong you can't fault
my dreams and optimism. But there's far more than that to look at when
discussing this man who has the dignity, charm, kindness and generosity of
spirit which which is sweeping through our club and into the wider football
community like a warm summer breeze. This guy is pure quality. Ok, forgive
this one below the belt jab. Slaven Bilic is not a man I can ever imagine
will cup an ear to the crowd of things are not going well. This little
eulogy has been prompted by his comments on Dick Advocaat and the warm
embrace everybody watching on TV saw him give the Dutchman following the
game. Maybe you have to be of a certain age to appreciate such sincere
gestures but it runs against everything that football has become down the
years – self centred, greedy, cynical and often ugly.
Slav turned all that on its head when he declared: "For a gentleman who has
just done about everything in his managerial life, in different countries,
with international and club football, maybe he thinks 'I don't need this
now'." "It's hard, especially when you are struggling, hard to cope with the
amount of pressure that you are getting from basically everyone. Apart from
your family, everybody is criticising you. A lot of times it's not in a
polite way. "I rate him so much. He would be missed in the Premier League.
He is 68. "Seriously. I love the job. I love training, I love boots, I love
the smell of the grass and all that. Match days, everything about football
is the best game by far. "But 68, you know! I don't know if I'm going to
live to 68, never mind still be doing the job. I would be happy if I was
alive!"
He didn't need to say that, he had no need to say anything other that "top
manager, he'll be missed" but the Bilic way isn't the way of most in this
game. He speaks from the heart, he's very bright, he holds to certain
beliefs and creeds we don't need to mention here but which are clearly of
huge importance to him and he will give West Ham United a face we have
wanted for years …one of human decency, tolerance, understanding and care.
Our players have much to look forward to under his management because along
with all of his natural virtues he is going to make them much better
footballers and have them playing a brand of football in which they and us
can take great pride. In the meantime very well done Slav – they were great
words!
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Irons chiefs study Lanzini option
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 4, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
West Ham won't be rushed into making Manuel Lanzini's loan move to the club
permanent but will judge the player's performance over the season. A fee has
been agreed with Al Jazira Club for the midfielder who has made a big
impression over the early games of the season. And Slaven Bilic singled him
out for special praise after the game against Sunderland saying: "I like him
a lot as a player and he is a big asset for us. "He is the one that gives
Payet a breather and the opportunities to get the ball when he is not
marked. The two of them are really good together."
The Irons brought the player to the club on a year's loan and a well placed
club source explained exclusively to ClaretandHugh this evening (Sun): "He's
definitely caught the eye and that's led to fans claiming we should make the
deal permanent before anyone else comes in for him. "But that's not the way
things work. A fee has been agreed should we decide to buy him. It's quite
high as are his wages without them being silly. "We will watch him over the
season and make our decision at the end but we are comfortable with the
arrangement we have in place. There's certainly no reason to rush a
decision."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's Nobes: Sending me off would have been laughable
London 24
12:00 05 October 2015 Dave Evans, West Ham Correspondent
Hammers captain insists he was never worried at the prospect of a second
yellow card on Saturday at Sunderland 6 West Ham United's Dimitri Payet
(centre) is congratulated by teammates after scoring his side's second goal
of the game during the Barclays Premier League match at the Stadium of
Light, Sunderland. West Ham skipper Mark Noble described the prospect of
being sent off at Sunderland on Saturday as 'laughable' as the Hammers came
from behind to draw 2-2 with a Black Cat side reduced to 10 men. Noble was
booked right at the start of the game by card-happy referee Neil Swarbrick,
who seemed to create a rod for his own back by booking so many players in
the first half. Noble was yellow-carded after just two minutes for what
looked a pretty innocuous challenge on half way and after Jeremain Lens
received a second yellow after the break to reduce the home side to 10-men,
there then appeared a golden chance for the referee to even things up when
Fabio Borini crashed into Noble. The skipper, who is now one booking away
from a suspension, insisted he was never worried about the prospect of going
off. Mark Noble, West Ham United. "No chance," smiled the Canning Town-born
Hammer. "He made a good decision. Borini had lost control and just ran into
me, it would have been a bit harsh if he had sent me off for that." At the
time, Noble was perhaps not so sure as he put his hands on his head, before
pleading his case with Swarbrick. He had been sent off for two yellows at
Liverpool earlier in the season, but this time he was spared it. "It is
happening a lot lately, but even with the first yellow, the lad has cut
across me and dived on the floor and I haven't touched him. "For this one,
it wasn't really a heart in the mouth moment as it would have been a
completely laughable decision, so I wasn't worried at all." Of course not!
Noble was full of praise for the way the team dug themselves out of trouble
at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, aided by Carl Jenkinson's first goal
for the club. "'Jenko's' goal was massive," he said. "It was 2-1 then and
obviously Sunderland start to feel the nerves. "But we made another mistake
for a goal. I made one last week which cost a goal and 'Dimi' has made one
this week, but we have dug each other out. "Sunderland did surprise me a
little, in spells they were very sharp. That is what happens when you are
fighting for your life, I have been there many times. "We are still
learning, we still have players who are learning how to play in this league,
but we showed a lot of character to come back from 2-0 down and in the end
we are disappointed that we didn't win it."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham chief reveals they can snap up eye-catching midfielder
London 24
10:40 05 October 2015 Pete Evans
West Ham have publically confirmed they have an option to buy Manuel
Lanzini from Al Jazira Club at the end of this season. The 22-year-old was
picked out for praise by boss Slaven Bilic after Saturday's 2-2 draw in
Sunderland in what was his eighth competitive appearance for the Hammers
since he was borrowed from the United Arab Emirates. Hammers fans have been
impressed with his start to life in a claret and blue shirt and were asking
chairman David Gold on Twitter whether Lanzini can just return back to his
parent club come May. And Gold revealed there is an option in place should
they decide to take it up. "Yes we do have an option to buy Lanzini at the
end of the season," Gold tweeted late on Sunday evening. Lanzini, who opened
his account for West Ham in their 3-0 win over Liverpool, looks likely to
keep his place for their next game at Crystal Palace.
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WHUFC.com
Reece Burke played the full game as Bradford City secured a superb 3-1 win
over high-flying Rochdale. The Bantams took the lead through Lee Evans as he
scored from close range before Peter Vincenti's sixth goal of the season
levelled the proceedings. Striker Devante Cole restored Bradford's lead and
Olly Lancashire's own goal two minutes later put the game out of reach. The
win lifts Bradford to 16th in League Two with 13 points from their opening
11 games.
Midfielder Diego Poyet played the full 90 minutes as MK Dons scored in the
last minute to secure a valuable away draw with Bristol City. Jonathan
Kodjia gave City an early lead at Ashton Gate however Daniel Powell earned
Dons' a draw as he curled a shot past the outstretched arm of Frank
Fielding. The point sees Karl Robinson's side climb to 19th in the
Championship with eight points from ten games.
Matt Jarvis played just under an hour for Norwich City in their 2-1 home
defeat to Leicester City. The Foxes maintained their excellent start to the
season first through Jamie Vardy's penalty and Jeffrey Schupp's fine finish.
The Canaries got themselves back into the game as Dieumerci Mbokani,
Jarvis's replacement, scored to half the deficit, however it proved to be
too little too late. Norwich are currently 13th in the Premier League table.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Noble - Away record is down to hard work
WHUFC.com
Mark Noble insists the secret to West Ham United's supreme away form is
simply hard work and togetherness. The Hammers have won more points and
scored more goals than any other Barclays Premier League side on their
travels this term, with Saturday's 2-2 draw at Sunderland preserving their
unbeaten away day record. After falling two behind inside 22 minutes at the
Stadium of Light, the visitors had to dig deep to claw themselves back into
the contest and Noble felt it was a spirited response in testing
circumstances. "It's down to hard work, simple as," he explained. "We've
got the ability to score goals in the team now, but it's hard work and
togetherness as a team. We're all in it together and that's the main thing.
That's why we're getting results away from home. "I think you could say
it's a point gained, after going in at 2-1 down. They scored a couple of
really good goals, I know the second one was a mistake, but the first one
was a really well worked free-kick. "They started really brightly but we
knew that was going to happen because of the pressure they're under. In
spells they were really sharp and when you're fighting for your life, you
know what it's like. "We're still learning, we've got players who are
learning how to play in this league, but we showed a lot of character to
come back from where we were and probably, in the end, should have won it."
When asked why the Hammers were transformed after the break, Noble, quite
rightly, pointed to Carl Jenkinson's strike as the catalyst. It paved the
way for Dimitri Payet's second-half leveller and though a winner would prove
elusive, the midfielder knows that a five-match unbeaten league run is not
to be sniffed at, far from it. "I think Jenko's goal was massive before
half-time. You're going in at 2-1 then and they start to feel the nerves a
little bit. "We made another mistake for a goal, I made a mistake last week
and Dimi's made one this week, but we've bailed each other out, we got a
result a last week and this week as well. "We keep the unbeaten run going,
that's the most important thing. We've got Palace away and then Chelsea at
home, so a couple of tough games coming up."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Manager on Monday
WHUFC.com
Following West Ham United's 2-2 draw away at Sunderland, manager Slaven
Bilic praised his counterpart Dick Advocaat, before his resignation was
announced on Sunday afternoon. A slow start from the Hammers cost them as
Steven Fletcher and Jeremain Lens gave the hosts a deserved lead. However a
much improved second half performance saw the Irons rescue a point to extend
their unbeaten league form to five games. When asked about Advocaat, Bilic
had nothing but praise for the experienced Dutchman: "He is a man of
knowledge, and his experience at different clubs in different countries and
at international level is unbelievable. "I told him I would like to stay,
you saw on the touchline he is a man full of energy and passion. The Premier
League will be worse off without him. "But it's his decision, only he knows
what he feels. For a man of his experience, he's basically done everything
in different countries, at international level. Only he knows but I rate him
so much, there aren't many managers like him."
While the pressures of being a manager in the Premier League are evident,
Bilic continued to say only those in the hot seat can truly attest to the
magnitude of the job. Despite this, four months into the job at West Ham,
the Croatian said he is loving every minute. His passion was clearly
detectable when he beamed: "I love the job, I love everything about it. I
love training, I love boots, I love the smell of grass, all that. "I love
working with a team that is improving, matchdays, everything about football.
It is the best sport by far."
When asked if he could see himself still in management at Dick Advocaat's
sixty-eight years of age, he joked: "Who knows? I don't think so. I don't
know if I'm going to live to 68! I'd be happy if I was alive!"
On a more serious note, Bilic vowed that his side would be concentrating
especially hard over the international break to cut out the defensive errors
that have hampered his side's start to games. Bilic said: "I wouldn't have
taken a point yesterday, but when you are 2-0 down with them having chances
to score a third, you have to be happy with a point. It's a good run for us,
another away game unbeaten. "On the other hand we can't defend like we did
in the first half, we can't afford to make those mistakes or sloppy starts.
"We can talk about being happy with our reaction and determination, spirit
and winning the second balls but we need to do that from the start. The
quality doesn't always have to be there, sometimes you have to do what is
necessary. But some of the basic things we are doing wrong, I am nowhere
being OK with some of our mistakes. "I'm not only talking about some of the
goals we conceded but dealing with their throw ins and long balls.
"Mistakes happen in football; sometimes you can't do anything about it.
Tactically and physically we are fine, but hopefully we will sort out our
problems in time for the Crystal Palace game."
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Ladies suffer cup defeat
WHUFC.com
West Ham Ladies crashed out of the FA Women's Premier League Cup with a 1-0
defeat away to C&K Basildon on Sunday afternoon. Having already beaten C&K
Basildon 3-2 away in the league just last week, Marc Nurse's side were
pitched against their local rivals in the first round after beating Crystal
Palace in the cup's determining round earlier this season. The game was won
midway through the second half when Basildon striker Maegen Doyle beat the
offside trap and finished confidently past Indian international goalkeeper
Aditi Chauhan.
After Wednesday's 8-0 Boux Avenue Ryman Women's Cup First Round victory at
Burgess Hill Town Ladies, Nurse made two changes to the starting eleven.
Development Squad defender Danielle Sillitoe returned back to normal duties
and was replaced by Kayleigh Xidhas in defence, whilst winger Kelley
Blanchflower dropped to the bench to allow Italian star Giulia Ferrandi to
return to the side.
In the early stages of the game, the Hammers looked confident from their
midweek Ryman Cup victory and were passing the ball round the pitch
extremely well. There were a lack of chances for both teams during the
opening half, although striker Emma Sherwood did find room from 18 yards
from Xidhas' cross but the shot only found the Basildon keeper.
In the second half, winger Whitney Locke got in behind the hosts defensive
line but she failed to keep her shot from flying high over the bar. The only
goal of the game came just after the hour mark when a stray shot from the
Basildon midfield found Doyle through on goal and as soon as she realised
there was no offside flag against her, she confidently finished low past
Chauhan into the corner. Nurse's side tried to fight back into the game, but
Steve Tilson's Basildon side held on well and progressed to the second round
of the cup.
West Ham return to FA Women's Premier League South duty with an away trip to
Charlton Athletic Women on Sunday 11 October, with kick-off at Sporting Club
Thamesmead scheduled for 2pm.
Ladies: Chauhan, Bottom, Wheeler, Stimson, Xidhas (Abela), Little (c),
Miller (Pinna), Ferrandi, Locke, Mellors (Blanchflower), Sherwood. Subs not
used: Campesi.
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Cole - This is going to be a great year
WHUFC.com
West Ham United legend Joe Cole believes his former Club are on the brink of
competing with the top teams in England and feels the next five-years are
going to be something special. Cole, who made 187 appearances during his
memorable time at the Boleyn Ground, has been impressed with the Club's
business in the transfer window during the summer and feels the squad will
only grow stronger as they prepare to move into the new Stadium next year.
Cole, who is now playing for Aston Villa, could already see the hard work
going on behind the scenes during his second spell back at the Club and
feels the new players including Dimitri Payet have given them even more
quality in the forward line this season and they can be a match for any
team. Cole said: "I think it is going to be a great year for West Ham. All
credit to the owners and the people upstairs and they keep backing the
managers. "When I was here last year I said it was an exiting time for the
Club and West Ham are on the brink of being right up there with the top
teams in the country. When I say brink, I mean the next five-years –
especially when they move into the new Stadium. "I know a few of the new
signings they have brought in like Dimitri Payet and he is an excellent
player. The fans are going to love watching him play."
Cole knows everything about Payet having played alongside him for Lille and
has no doubts that he will maintain his superb run of form and become a
major star for the Hammers. Cole added: "He is an exceptional player and
technically very gifted. I'm not surprised how well he has settled in. "He
is coming to the Club at a good age at 28 and West Ham have got his peak
years. He is a French international and the fans will be really excited
about watching him. "I know the football has flowed this year and there have
been plenty of goals and he will definitely get on the scoresheet and give
the final pass as well."
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Tony on the move again
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 5th October 2015
By: Staff Writer
Former West Ham youngster Tony Stokes is on the move again having joined
Ryman League side Canvey Island. Stokes, 28, has made the switch from fellow
islanders Concord Rangers - with whom he has been since 2010 - to join the
Gulls. "I'm impressed with the squad that Danny [Heale] has put together
this season and I'm looking forward to being a part of it," he told the
club's website. "I know a lot of the squad from playing with or against
them over the years and work with John Easterford, who has said lots of good
things about the club. I'm 28 years old and in the prime of my playing
career, and after nearly joining in the summer I can't wait to start playing
and scoring goals for Canvey."
The London-born Stokes grew up alongside current Hammers captain Mark Noble
but left West Ham in 2009 after four years as a pro to join Hungarian side
Ujpest FC (along with Ashley Miller, who joined the Gulls in 2012). He
returned to England a year later after agreeing a mutual termination of his
two-year contract, having failed to settle in Budapest. And bar a brief
spell with his new club Canvey in 2013, Stoked has remained at Concord ever
since.
Canvey manager Danny Heale added: "Tony is a proven goalscorer at this
league and at the level above, so I'm really excited to have been able to
bring him to Canvey. "Things are going well here at the moment and I feel
that bringing in somebody with Tony's ability will help to build on the
positive atmosphere around the club."
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Sullivan sends his condolences
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 5th October 2015
By: Staff Writer
West Ham co-owner David Sullivan has expressed his sympathies to the
families of two pilots killed in Essex on Saturday. An eight-seater plane
that had previously been used by Sullivan and partner David Gold to fly to
away matches crashed in Chigwell on Saturday afternoon, killing the two
pilots on board. And Sullivan, who flew to the North East last weekend on an
alternative flight admitted that the accident "really put everything into
perspective". "David Gold and I were due to fly to Sunderland with our usual
company, London Executive, on Saturday morning," he told whufc.com. "There
are two King Air planes at Stapleford Airport that we regularly use and one
of those was the one that crashed. I would say we've flown on that plane
about 50 times. "On Saturday we were due to fly on the other plane but our
flight was abandoned after the first plane crashed. "Although the team did
fantastically to maintain our unbeaten away form, our overriding thoughts
were for the two people killed. It was simply down to Lady Luck that we were
not on that plane as well."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Mark Noble praises West Ham work ethic as unbeaten away run continues
Last Updated: 05/10/15 11:00am
SSN
Mark Noble says simple hard work is behind West Ham's unbeaten start to the
season away from Upton Park. Slaven Bilic's side have been impressive on the
road, recording wins over Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City before
coming from 2-0 down to draw at Sunderland on Saturday. Noble told the
club's website: "It's down to hard work, simple as [that]. We've got the
ability to score goals in the team now, but it's hard work and togetherness
as a team. "We're all in it together and that's the main thing. That's why
we're getting results away from home."
That spirit helped West Ham recover and earn a point at the Stadium of Light
and even left skipper Noble to lament the fact they didn't nick the win.
"We're still learning, we've got players who are learning how to play in
this league, but we showed a lot of character to come back from where we
were and probably, in the end, should have won it. "We keep the unbeaten run
going, that's the most important thing. We've got [Crystal] Palace away and
then Chelsea at home, so a couple of tough games coming up."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Former striker claims victory over gambling
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 5, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
Former striker John Hartson has known some battles in his time and has come
clean on a victory over the gambling bug. The big Welshman will always hold
a special place in the hearts of all Hammers after his exploits back in the
90s when grabbing 24 goals from 60 games between 1997-99. He also of course
had a memorable set to with Israeli midfielder Eyal Berkovic on the training
ground before staging a heroic battle against cancer when diagnosed in 2009.
Now the former striker has gone public on Twitter to claim a four year
victory over a major demon in his life – gambling. The former Arsenal
striker who, with Paul Kitson, rescued the Irons from a perilous 18th place
on his arrival at the club to help them to 12th has thanked everybody who
helped him beat the the addiction. He tweeted: "Today I am 4 years clean of
Gambling.. Oct 5th 2011 was my last Bet.. Thankyou to everyone who has
helped me along.. You know who you are.
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Ogbonna gives Slav a headache
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 5, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
Angelo Ogbonna is due back from injury for the clash against Crystal Palace
on March 17 and that will give Slaven Bilic another selection headache. A
recent bulletin from the club's medical staff made it clear that after
sustaining an injury against Newcastle he is set for a possible return
against Crystal Palace having made good progress from a hamstring problem.
Ogbonna has been in top form since arriving from Juventus and is desperate
to reclaim his place at the heart of defence alongside Winston Reid. But
such has been the form of James Tomkins that Bilic will find it incredibly
difficult to drop him and may compromise by switching him to right back for
Saturday's goalscorer Carl Jenkinson. The Arsenal loanee – valuable goal
aside – hasn't looked our best defensive option at right back this term and
To,kins has been impressive both there and in central defence. The manager
is determined to tighten things at the back and could decide to leave
Jenkinson on the bench given the attacking impetus down that side is
supplied by Manuel Lanzini. Jenkinson cost the club £1.5 milion loan fee
and is believed to be on wages of close to £60k a week.
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Confirmation: Two on way back
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 5, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
David Gold has confirmed that Andy Carroll's injury is unlikely to keep him
out of the action once club football returns from the international break.
ClaretandHugh revealed last week that club insiders had explained the injury
was only minor but Gold has today tweeted that the player will be back after
the international break. We had explained that the player had bruising on an
ankle following a challenge in the Norwich City game and this morning the co
chairman confirmed the player is ok for a comeback if required. And he added
that Enner Valencia is not far behind him and will use the international
break to hopefully reach full fitness in time for the match against Chelea
on the 24th of the month. Gold revealed both pieces of news on Twitter
although Slaven Bilic has made it clear he won't be rushing Carroll back to
action. Valencia on the other hand has also been out since the start of
pre-season with a knee injury but is now back in training. Carroll should
be fit to face Crystal Palace in just under two weeks.
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Moses withdrawn from International duty
Posted by Sean Whetstone on October 4, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
West Ham Loanee Victor Moses has withdrawn from Nigeria's friendlies against
Cameroon and Congo scheduled for next week in Belgium. He was due to play in
Belgium on 8 October and 11 October to prepare for upcoming qualifiers.
The Nigeria Football Federation revealed on their Twitter account late on
Sunday night that Moses had withdrawn, but gave no further details.
Completesportsnigeria.com claim that Moses wrote to the NFF explaining that
he was taking a precautionary step to avoid aggravating an injury he picked
up while playing for West Ham over the weekend.
Moses played on Saturday in West Ham's 2-2 Premier League draw with
Sunderland, setting up one of his side's goals. He was taken off early in
the second half, after picking up a small
knock it is claimed.
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'Gentleman Slav' pay tribute to Advocaat
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 5, 2015 in News
C and H
Slaven Bilic paid a huge compliment to "I quit" Sunderland boss Dick
Advocaat as the Dutchman walked away from the Stadium of Light. The hugely
articulate Bilic decared: " "For a gentleman who has just done about
everything in his managerial life, in different countries, with
international and club football, maybe he thinks 'I don't need this now'."
After the 2-2 draw he added: "It's hard, especially when you are struggling,
hard to cope with the amount of pressure that you are getting from basically
everyone. Apart from your family, everybody is criticising you. A lot of
times it's not in a polite way. "I rate him so much. He would be missed in
the Premier League. He is 68. Seriously. I love the job. I love training, I
love boots, I love the smell of the grass and all that. Match days,
everything about football is the best game by far. "But 68, you know! I
don't know if I'm going to live to 68, never mind still be doing the job. I
would be happy if I was alive!"
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Bilic giving Irons a face of human decency
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 5, 2015 in Hugh's Blogs, News, Whispers
C and H
OK everybody knows by now…I'm a huge fan of Slaven Bilic's! I love the brand
of football he is trying to introduce at this club illustrated by the
arrival of players like Dimi Payet and Manuel Lanzini and despite the
difficulties we sometimes encounter in getting onto the front foot I believe
we are a top six team! There ya go. I've said it. If wrong you can't fault
my dreams and optimism. But there's far more than that to look at when
discussing this man who has the dignity, charm, kindness and generosity of
spirit which which is sweeping through our club and into the wider football
community like a warm summer breeze. This guy is pure quality. Ok, forgive
this one below the belt jab. Slaven Bilic is not a man I can ever imagine
will cup an ear to the crowd of things are not going well. This little
eulogy has been prompted by his comments on Dick Advocaat and the warm
embrace everybody watching on TV saw him give the Dutchman following the
game. Maybe you have to be of a certain age to appreciate such sincere
gestures but it runs against everything that football has become down the
years – self centred, greedy, cynical and often ugly.
Slav turned all that on its head when he declared: "For a gentleman who has
just done about everything in his managerial life, in different countries,
with international and club football, maybe he thinks 'I don't need this
now'." "It's hard, especially when you are struggling, hard to cope with the
amount of pressure that you are getting from basically everyone. Apart from
your family, everybody is criticising you. A lot of times it's not in a
polite way. "I rate him so much. He would be missed in the Premier League.
He is 68. "Seriously. I love the job. I love training, I love boots, I love
the smell of the grass and all that. Match days, everything about football
is the best game by far. "But 68, you know! I don't know if I'm going to
live to 68, never mind still be doing the job. I would be happy if I was
alive!"
He didn't need to say that, he had no need to say anything other that "top
manager, he'll be missed" but the Bilic way isn't the way of most in this
game. He speaks from the heart, he's very bright, he holds to certain
beliefs and creeds we don't need to mention here but which are clearly of
huge importance to him and he will give West Ham United a face we have
wanted for years …one of human decency, tolerance, understanding and care.
Our players have much to look forward to under his management because along
with all of his natural virtues he is going to make them much better
footballers and have them playing a brand of football in which they and us
can take great pride. In the meantime very well done Slav – they were great
words!
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Irons chiefs study Lanzini option
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 4, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
West Ham won't be rushed into making Manuel Lanzini's loan move to the club
permanent but will judge the player's performance over the season. A fee has
been agreed with Al Jazira Club for the midfielder who has made a big
impression over the early games of the season. And Slaven Bilic singled him
out for special praise after the game against Sunderland saying: "I like him
a lot as a player and he is a big asset for us. "He is the one that gives
Payet a breather and the opportunities to get the ball when he is not
marked. The two of them are really good together."
The Irons brought the player to the club on a year's loan and a well placed
club source explained exclusively to ClaretandHugh this evening (Sun): "He's
definitely caught the eye and that's led to fans claiming we should make the
deal permanent before anyone else comes in for him. "But that's not the way
things work. A fee has been agreed should we decide to buy him. It's quite
high as are his wages without them being silly. "We will watch him over the
season and make our decision at the end but we are comfortable with the
arrangement we have in place. There's certainly no reason to rush a
decision."
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West Ham's Nobes: Sending me off would have been laughable
London 24
12:00 05 October 2015 Dave Evans, West Ham Correspondent
Hammers captain insists he was never worried at the prospect of a second
yellow card on Saturday at Sunderland 6 West Ham United's Dimitri Payet
(centre) is congratulated by teammates after scoring his side's second goal
of the game during the Barclays Premier League match at the Stadium of
Light, Sunderland. West Ham skipper Mark Noble described the prospect of
being sent off at Sunderland on Saturday as 'laughable' as the Hammers came
from behind to draw 2-2 with a Black Cat side reduced to 10 men. Noble was
booked right at the start of the game by card-happy referee Neil Swarbrick,
who seemed to create a rod for his own back by booking so many players in
the first half. Noble was yellow-carded after just two minutes for what
looked a pretty innocuous challenge on half way and after Jeremain Lens
received a second yellow after the break to reduce the home side to 10-men,
there then appeared a golden chance for the referee to even things up when
Fabio Borini crashed into Noble. The skipper, who is now one booking away
from a suspension, insisted he was never worried about the prospect of going
off. Mark Noble, West Ham United. "No chance," smiled the Canning Town-born
Hammer. "He made a good decision. Borini had lost control and just ran into
me, it would have been a bit harsh if he had sent me off for that." At the
time, Noble was perhaps not so sure as he put his hands on his head, before
pleading his case with Swarbrick. He had been sent off for two yellows at
Liverpool earlier in the season, but this time he was spared it. "It is
happening a lot lately, but even with the first yellow, the lad has cut
across me and dived on the floor and I haven't touched him. "For this one,
it wasn't really a heart in the mouth moment as it would have been a
completely laughable decision, so I wasn't worried at all." Of course not!
Noble was full of praise for the way the team dug themselves out of trouble
at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, aided by Carl Jenkinson's first goal
for the club. "'Jenko's' goal was massive," he said. "It was 2-1 then and
obviously Sunderland start to feel the nerves. "But we made another mistake
for a goal. I made one last week which cost a goal and 'Dimi' has made one
this week, but we have dug each other out. "Sunderland did surprise me a
little, in spells they were very sharp. That is what happens when you are
fighting for your life, I have been there many times. "We are still
learning, we still have players who are learning how to play in this league,
but we showed a lot of character to come back from 2-0 down and in the end
we are disappointed that we didn't win it."
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West Ham chief reveals they can snap up eye-catching midfielder
London 24
10:40 05 October 2015 Pete Evans
West Ham have publically confirmed they have an option to buy Manuel
Lanzini from Al Jazira Club at the end of this season. The 22-year-old was
picked out for praise by boss Slaven Bilic after Saturday's 2-2 draw in
Sunderland in what was his eighth competitive appearance for the Hammers
since he was borrowed from the United Arab Emirates. Hammers fans have been
impressed with his start to life in a claret and blue shirt and were asking
chairman David Gold on Twitter whether Lanzini can just return back to his
parent club come May. And Gold revealed there is an option in place should
they decide to take it up. "Yes we do have an option to buy Lanzini at the
end of the season," Gold tweeted late on Sunday evening. Lanzini, who opened
his account for West Ham in their 3-0 win over Liverpool, looks likely to
keep his place for their next game at Crystal Palace.
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