Preview - Everton
WHUFC.com
The background
West Ham United will look to return to winning ways this Saturday when they
play host to Roberto Martinez's Everton side.
The Hammers tasted defeat for the first time in eight matches last week when
an Odion Ighalo double downed Slaven Bilic's men at Watford.
It brought to an end a fine run which had seen the east Londoners rise up to
third in the Barclays Premier League table, so Bilic will be hoping to put
it behind him as soon as possible.
Everton arrive in E13 on the back of a thumping 6-2 victory over struggling
Sunderland, in which Arouna Kone notched a hat-trick.
That halted a run of two successive defeats to Manchester United and Arsenal
and took them to ninth in the table with 16 points – four less than the
Hammers.
The history
West Ham's record against the Toffees is notoriously poor, so after ending
lengthy waits for victories against Liverpool and Arsenal this term, the
Hammers will want to add Everton to the list on Saturday.
The teams have met 132 times, with Everton holding the edge with 67
victories. The Hammers have triumphed 37 times, with 28 draws on the record
books.
West Ham have not defeated Everton in the league for eight years, with 14
matches passing since Bobby Zamora secured a 1-0 victory in April 2007.
The Hammers did enjoy an FA Cup success over Everton last term, when
Adrian's winning penalty ended an epic shootout in a third round Boleyn
Ground replay.
Hammers boss Slaven Bilic played for both sides in his playing career,
turning out in 49 league games for the Hammers and 28 for Saturday's
visitors.
The match
Team news
West Ham United
West Ham will again be without striker Diafra Sakho, who was confirmed in
the manager's press conference to have suffered a small tear to his thigh.
However, Enner Valencia is closing in on full match fitness, while Alex Song
has resumed training with the first team.
James Collins serves the first game of a three-match suspension, so Winston
Reid or Angelo Ogbonna will come back into the reckoning.
Everton
Costa Rican Bryan Oviedo could miss up to three weeks of football after
suffering a hamstring injury in last weekend's win over Sunderland.
Leighton Baines is still not ready to return from his ankle problem, but
midfielder Tom Cleverley is in line for a return after being out since
August.
Match info
Saturday's referee is Paul Tierney. The official is new to the Barclays
Premier League and will be taking the whistle for the first time in a
Hammers fixture. He will be assisted by Dave Bryan and Adam Nunn, while the
fourth official is Martin Atkinson.
West Ham have lost just one of their last eight league games (W5 D2).
The Hammers are unbeaten in their last three home games (W2 D1), although
they have not won back-to-back home Premier League games since December last
year.
West Ham have scored at least two goals in nine of their eleven league games
this term.
All 19 of Everton's goals this season have been scored in open play.
Romelu Lukaku has been involved in seven goals in his last five appearances
(four goals, three assists), while he has scored in all six of his Everton
games against West Ham.
Ticket, travel, coverage and other info
Tickets for this game have SOLD OUT. However, they may become available
online as Season Ticket holders relist on Ticket Trader.
There are no closures planned on the eastern branches of the District and
Hammersmith & City lines serving Upton Park. However, supporters who use the
London Overground Barking-Gospel Oak line should note that replacement buses
will be operating on this route. Click here for full details on TfL services
and here for National Rail.
A rainy day is anticipated on Saturday, although temperatures are set to be
mild with 17C (63F) predicted for kick-off.
If you're not heading to the match, make sure you follow all the action on
our digital channels. Our live match centre will carry live audio commentary
and text updates, in-running stats, photos and more. Meanwhile, you can get
involved in the conversation on social using the hashtag #WHUEVE
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Everton betting preview with Betway
WHUFC.com
A victory over Everton will produce 23 points from West Ham United's first
12 matches of this Premier League season. That will equal the club record
for the start to a top-flight campaign, achieved back in 1983/84. Slaven
Bilic's team need to bounce back from a disappointing defeat at Watford last
weekend. A home win is priced at 6/4. The Toffees arrive at the Boleyn
Ground off the back of a thrilling win over Sunderland last weekend and
their price is just 7/4 to follow that up. A draw is offered at 5/2.
There might be Hammers fans with a deep sense of fear whenever a fixture
against Everton comes up. It's fair to say that the team from the blue half
of Merseyside have been on top in these clashes for a very long time. In the
last 64 league matches between the two sides a West Ham United win features
just 10 times. Roberto Martinez brings his team to East London on the back
of a 14 match unbeaten league run against this weekend's opponents. The
bright spot for the Hammers in this historical list is the FA Cup victory
(via a penalty shoot-out) last season.
The last league win for the home team came on 21 April 2007 by a 1-0
scoreline, Bobby Zamora finding the net. A 1-0 win for West Ham United this
weekend is offered at 17/2 on our 'Correct Score' market. Both sides have a
higher than average 'total goals' figure this season, reflected in a price
of 8/11 for 'Over 2.5 Goals' in this game. Bilic's team have kept just one
clean-sheet at home this season while Everton have had better defensive
performances on their travels – three clean-sheets away, compared to none at
home. 'Both Teams to Score' is 3/5.
Andy Carroll scored a fantastic winner against Chelsea in the last game at
the Boleyn and he is 11/2 to score the first goal of this game and 6/4 to
find the net at any time in the match. The 'First Goalscorer' market also
has hat-trick hero from last Sunday, Arouna Kone, at 6/1 to break the
deadlock. Dimitri Payet is always popular with Irons' punters on their
Betway accounts and we expect to take plenty of money on him to score first
at 15/2.
At Betway we have over 100 markets on Saturday's game and those throughout
the Barclays Premier League.
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Tactically Speaking - Everton
WHUFC.com
As you might expect for a club with such a versatile-looking squad, Everton
play a balanced, possession-based game.
While some teams are pigeonholed for using a particular style, the Toffees
are seemingly able to adapt their approach dependent on the opposition they
are facing, or the situation of the game they are contesting.
Roberto Martinez makes no secret of the fact that he likes his team to keep
the ball and pass their way through their opponents, if possible, but that
philosophy saw Everton struggle for consistency last season.
Too often, Everton passed the ball aimlessly around at the back, inviting
pressure on themselves and making a number of mistakes that led directly to
goals being conceded.
This season, the Blues have instead adopted a more direct style based
heavily on getting the ball into, and playing off, centre forward Romelu
Lukaku.
The big Belgian, so often the scourge of West Ham United, has become a vital
figure in Everton's game-plan as a focal point for balls forward from
goalkeeper Tim Howard, the back four or the two deep-lying midfielders.
This does not necessarily mean Everton play aimless long balls forward.
While this still occurs on occasion, the Toffees more often than not try to
draw the opposition out before knocking the ball into Lukaku's feet or chest
and asking him to bring others into play in the space created.
When Lukaku is able to take possession, he has a wealth of options
supporting him in attack. Ross Barkley, Gerard Deulofeu and Arouna Kone all
backed up their striker superbly in last weekend's 6-2 victory over
Sunderland at Goodison Park, combining to score five of their team's six
goals.
All four are capable of collecting the ball and running at the defence at
pace, while each has his own individual qualities to cause problems. Lukaku
is tall and powerful, Deulofeu is small and skilful, Kone is quick and
elusive, while Barkley has an outstanding range of talents at his disposal.
West Ham will be eager to stop Barkley picking the ball up deep in pockets
of space, preventing him from using his pace and dribbling ability to draw
defenders and create shooting chances for either himself or his teammates.
Alongside him, James McCarthy is an underrated yet important member of the
Everton starting XI. Energetic and hard-working, the Irishman seldom gives
the ball away.
The flip side to Everton's preferred approach is that when Lukaku is off his
game, Everton's means of getting the ball into the final third can dry up
somewhat. West Ham, therefore, will be keen to cut off the No10's supply
line.
Defensively, Everton play a high line and can leave space in behind for the
opposition to exploit, particularly in the full-back positions.
Seamus Coleman and whoever fills the left-back position will be encouraged
to get forward and support the attack whenever possible, leaving
opportunities for the Hammers to counter-attack – arguably one of the
strengths of Slaven Bilic's side this season.
In the centre, England starlet John Stones has ability and composure that
bely his tender age – 21 – but alongside him Argentina international Ramiro
Funes Mori is new to the Barclays Premier League and has yet to fully settle
in.
Another sign of Everton's versatility is the strength of their substitutes'
bench. Steven Naismith has a hat-trick against Chelsea to his name and is
adept at popping up in dangerous positions, while Belgium winger Kevin
Mirallas is sharp and never afraid to shoot.
Saturday's teams have combined to score 41 goals and concede 30 in their
combined 22 league matches this season, so one can expect an open,
goal-filled game if those statistics are anything to go by!
Possible starting XI: Howard, Coleman, Stones, Funes Mori, Galloway,
McCarthy, Barry, Barkley, Deulofeu, Kone, Lukaku
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Boris Johnson - West Ham have been brilliant
WHUFC.com
Mayor of London Boris Johnson paid tribute to the pivotal part West Ham
United are playing in delivering the legacy promise of the 2012 Olympic and
Paralympic Games.
Speaking at a special event at the former Olympic Stadium on Thursday night
to mark ten years since London was awarded the Games in Singapore, the Mayor
said the Hammers have become a key player in Europe's biggest socio-economic
regeneration project.
And while West Ham will have to wait until August to take up residence of
their new home, the Mayor insists the 'magic' of the Stadium's
transformation is already there for all to see.
He exclusively told West Ham TV: "West Ham have been brilliant and they're
an integral part of delivering a massive social and economic legacy from the
Olympic and Paralympic Games here in east London.
"We're working with them on all sorts of projects for literacy, for helping
young kids, apprenticeships in the neighbourhood and really driving
aspiration in this part of London.
"It's changing so fast, you can see the magic happening already and so I
want to thank Karren Brady and everybody at West Ham for their
participation."
"This is just the beginning. I think people will look back, everyone
involved with West Ham, everyone who supports West Ham, I think they will be
very proud, actually, that they are part of something that is the biggest
economic social regeneration project anywhere in Europe.
"I think West Ham fans are part of something that is going to change the
face of London, bring the two halves of London closer together. The East and
West of London are converging in a way that we haven't seen for hundreds of
years maybe.
"The biggest decision I had to make when I became Mayor was what are we
going to do about this Stadium, because if you remember the plan was to have
an athletics Stadium, take down the top tiers and have a 25,000-seater bowl,
which basically would have been a dust bowl for most of the year, because
not enough people go to watch athletics.
"Or to knock it down completely, which would have been a complete waste of
about £400million or to spend some more money, £272million to be exact, on
the biggest cantilevered roof anywhere in the world and to turn it into a
truly world class Stadium.
The Mayor says he will be cheering on the Hammers when they play at the new
Stadium next season and is looking forward to seeing a new chapter in the
Club's history.
"I will be cheering West Ham in so far as it's good news for the Olympic
Stadium and the Olympic Park, otherwise I levitate, I support all London
teams."
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West Ham win prestigious Football Business Award
WHUFC.com
At Thursday's prestigious Football Business Awards, West Ham United won the
competition for 'Best Marketing of a Football Club', one of the premier
awards at the annual ceremony.
The awards, hosted at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge stadium, are open to clubs
from all across Britain, and recognise the work that is done off the pitch
by each football club, ranging from their community engagement to their use
of online technology.
The 'Best Marketing of a Football Club' award, recognised the fact that West
Ham have faced a huge challenge in the past year ensuring that the move to
the Club's new Stadium is a success, planning a fitting farewell to the
Boleyn Ground, and continuing to expand West Ham's global reach.
Individual successes were highlighted, such as the popularity of the Final
Season home kit, the successful launch and subsequent sell out Club London
hospitality packages within the new Stadium, and the pricing strategy and
surrounding campaign that meant West Ham could offer the lowest Season
Ticket prices in the Premier League next year.
West Ham also won praise for the improved interactive features on the Club's
new website, the use of cutting edge virtual venue technology to help fans
choose their seats at the New Stadium Reservation Centre, and the release of
CGI images to show fans what the new Stadium will look like.
Whereas many other football clubs outsource their marketing activities to
expensive external agencies, it was noted that West Ham had managed all this
work over the past year through a small, in-house marketing team.
Tara Warren, West Ham's Executive Director of Marketing and Communications,
said she was proud of her team and their achievement: "We are delighted to
have won the 'Best Marketing of a Football Club' award, it's a wonderful
recognition for the team.
"I find it easy to talk every day about just how great West Ham United is
because I truly believe in the vision of our Joint-Chairmen and
Vice-Chairman and the exciting direction this great club is heading in under
their stewardship.
"I would like to thank them and Karren in particular for allowing creativity
and innovation to flourish at the Club.
"Success in our activity off the pitch is crucial as it produces the revenue
that is required to generate success on it.
"Our Board re-invest every penny we generate back into the playing squad and
into keeping ticket prices as low as possible for our fans. And we are now
reaping the benefits of that strategy, turning two consecutive annual
profits and boasting arguably the best playing squad in recent memory thanks
to their prudent investments.
"We run a tight ship and do not utilise external marketing agencies,
preferring instead to focus on employing the best people and investing in
their development.
"What gives us the most satisfaction from our work is that we get to serve
the West Ham United fans, who are the best in the country and provide a
constant source of inspiration
"We now have an incredible two years coming up, but the most exciting thing
of all is that the best is yet to come."
The Football Business Awards are recognised as the premier event within the
British football world to celebrate clubs' off-pitch activities. The
34-person judging panel for last night's awards included seven CEOs of
English football clubs, representatives from the Football League and
Scottish Premier League, and several other senior figures from the worlds of
business and sport.
The awards were hosted by former Liverpool star and BBC football pundit,
Mark Lawrenson, and chief football reporter for BT Sport, Ray Stubbs.
West Ham were also named as finalists at the awards in the categories for
'Best Marketing Initiative' for the Club's delivery of the Farewell Boleyn
campaign, and 'Best Corporate Social Responsibility' for the work of the
West Ham United Foundation.
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Valencia relishing Boleyn return
WHUFC.com
Having made his return to first team action against Watford last weekend,
sharp-shooting Enner Valencia is relishing his return to the Boleyn Ground
later this afternoon.
On an otherwise day to forget for the Hammers, the Ecuadorean forward made
his present felt almost immediately at Vicarage Road as he hit the post
after coming on in the second half.
Reflecting on his return to top flight action, Valencia said: "Last week, I
was very happy to be back on the pitch. Obviously losing the game was very
disappointing but now, I hope to be part of the team for a long time.
"I've had two very bad injuries in my time here which is very frustrating.
The last one was very difficult to take, but thank God I have been able to
make my return last week."
Having enjoyed his first taste of Premier League football, Valencia is
pushing for his first League start.
While his time on the pitch has been limited of late, the striker said his
time in east London so far could only be seen as wholly positive.
"I've settled in very well and that's thanks to the wonderful people that
run the club and the fantastic supporters. West Ham is a marvellous club and
I am really enjoying myself, everything is going well."
Looking ahead to today's encounter with Roberto Martinez's Everton, Valencia
is hoping to pick up from where he left off last time he took to the Boleyn
Ground turf.
It took the forward just 23 minutes to score his first goal of the season, a
close range header, and the 26-year-old, who celebrated his birthday on
Wednesday, is hoping to mark his return with another goal.
"Everton are tough opponents, they are full of confidence after such a big
win last weekend. Today is a huge game for both sides.
"My free-kicks are definitely something I want to improve on. I've been
practising a lot with Mauro Zarate, Manuel Lanzini and Dimitri Payet, we
often stay behind to practise. I scored a few good ones; I hope to score in
a match soon!
"I celebrated my birthday by going out for dinner with my friends and
family. This age I am now is usually the best years for a footballer, I hope
that is the case for me. I am on the right path and I want to keep on
improving."
Following the Hammers' impressive start to the season, Valencia praised
manager Slaven Bilic.
While the pair have worked closely on the training pitches at Chadwell
Heath, the Ecuadorean is looking forward to putting that practise into
action on a regular basis.
"Slaven Bilic is a fabulous coach, he is ideal for this club because of his
style. I am fit and ready to go and help the team as much as I can.
"He is a coach who instils his ideas from the very first day, he is a winner
who likes playing attacking football. You can see that from the number of
chances we've created.
"To reach the Champions League is definitely in our heads. We would really
like to qualify for Europe, but if not the Champions League than the Europa
League is a great competition too."
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From the Boardroom - David Gold
WHUFC.com
We have been on an incredible run this season, but unfortunately that came
to an end against Watford last weekend. Every team is going to lose games
and the skill is how to bounce back.
We will be looking to win the game against Everton on Saturday and I am
confident that Slaven will be determined to get straight back on the winning
trail and put another three points on the board.
We have got off to a fantastic start and should still be thrilled with 20
points from 11 games.
I know everyone was disappointed with the defeat at Vicarage Road, but I
cannot stress how refreshing it is to see how honest Slaven was after the
game.
Even the top coaches in the world can make excuses when their team suffers a
defeat, but Slaven is honest and tells it how it is and I like that in a
manager because we all want to know the truth.
We have had some great games against Everton over the years and one of the
most memorable was under the lights at the Boleyn Ground in the FA Cup in
January when Adrian scored the winning penalty in dramatic style.
I know Everton have an impressive record when they play us, but we have a
much better team and a much better squad now than all the encounters I have
seen since we took over the football club.
The difference now is that we have confidence, the fans have great
enthusiasm and we have enjoyed an impressive start to the season.
We had some disappointments earlier in the campaign and managed to bounce
back and we have got to do the same again. Everton will be tough opponents
and they are a good side so we will have to be at our best to come away with
a victory.
I am thrilled that Alex Song is back in training because he is a key member
of our squad. We have got every confidence in Alex and we believe he will be
the player that produced such great form in the first half of last season.
If he does manage to do that and performs at that level for the rest of the
season, we have got a serious player who will contribute enormously to the
team.
I just want to clear up something that happened with Michail Antonio on my
Twitter site this week.
I was reading my tweets late at night and I try and read as many as
possible. I will re-tweet a number, particularly ones about people who are
raising money for good causes and tweets of interest.
I remember re-tweeting about four or five for charities and even a missing
dog! It is part of what I do to try to help people.
I read a tweet about someone who had a friend missing and I immediately
wanted to do something about it, but initially didn't realise it was about
Michail Antonio as I did it so quickly.
I have spoken to Michail and he was not troubled by it. People have said I
don't recognise him but that is nonsense.
It was an error and the bottom line is that Michail is fine about it and he
didn't for one minute believe I didn't recognise him. I see him on a regular
basis.
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From the Newsroom
WHUFC.com
It was great to see Slaven again as I have not been down at West Ham to see
him since he took charge back in the summer.
I interviewed him quite a few times when he was Croatia manager and also
during the World Cup in South Africa.
I always found him very nice to deal with and he is just a nice guy. This
was a good press conference for me to cover as he was facing his former Club
and was good on facing Everton.
He provided us with good team news but it is obviously a blow that Diafra
Sakho will be missing once again. But there was better news on Winston Reid
and Alex Song.
It is amazing that everyone says he is a big guy, but has this small voice.
But he will always give you a long answer to a question and even when you
think he is finished, he will carry on saying something.
The difficulty with that is you get to ask fewer questions in a press
conference but at least you get a full answer!
Slaven believes the defeat against Watford was just a bad performance by the
team. They have looked at it this week and he believes the confidence is
there for them to get back playing to the way they have been in the opening
ten games of the season.
It has been an amazing start for West Ham and I know David Sullivan has been
saying they could possibly get into the Champions League, but why shouldn't
they aim high.
It will be difficult for them against Everton on Saturday as they have a
great record against the Hammers in recent years.
They will have to stop Romelu Lukaku who enjoys scoring against West Ham,
but Slaven said they have already stopped some of the best strikers in the
league this season, but I'm sure he has got a way of stopping him.
It is amazing to see what West Ham have done so far and with players like
Alex Song coming back and Andy Carroll fit again, they could finish in the
top four.
At the moment Leicester are there, but can you see them staying there? You
would not rule it out as David Sullivan has said and Slaven says they need
to aim high, so why can't they achieve that.
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West Ham: Karren Brady lauds Olympic Stadium possibilities
BBC.co.uk
The Olympic Stadium will be "one of the greatest arenas in world football",
according to West Ham United vice-chairman Karren Brady. The Hammers will
leave Upton Park and move in to the new stadium for the start of next
season. "The Olympic Stadium offers enormous commercial and brand
opportunities," added Brady. In August, BBC Sport revealed that West Ham
will have many of the running costs for the stadium met by the taxpayer. In
effect, it means the Premier League club will get their new £700m home -
which was built for the London 2012 Olympics - virtually rent free as a
large number of "facilities and services" will be paid for by the
publicly-funded London Legacy Development Corporation.
These include the cost of stadium utilities, maintaining the pitch, and the
goalposts and corner flags.
Other items - outlined in the agreement made public on Thursday - which the
Hammers will not have to fund are:
Undersoil heating and floodlighting
Ticket office and turnstiles
Drug testing and medical facilities
Concession areas cleared of snow and ice as required
Team changing rooms, plus changing rooms for ball persons and officials
Security, cleaning, pest control
Stadium Tannoy, generator, CCTV surveillance system and monitors
LED pitch-side signage, scoreboards and jumbo video screens at each end of
the pitch
West Ham's annual report revealed a profit after tax of just under £3m for
the 2014-15 season, while turnover was £120.7m, up from £114.8m. The wage
bill rose by £8.8m to £72.7m. In comparison, Manchester United showed a
turnover of £395.2m in their last report - the highest in the Premier League
- followed by Manchester City with £351.8m. West Ham are currently sixth in
the Premier League. "Retention of our Premier League status in the 2015-16
season is an absolute necessity for the future well-being of the club,"
added Brady. "The Olympic Stadium offers enormous commercial and brand
opportunities and we have a strategy in place to deliver sell-out crowds and
enter the stadium with a team that are befitting of such an amazing, iconic
venue. "As plans take shape it becomes even more apparent that our new home
will be one of the greatest arenas in world football and a platform to
transform the future of our great club."
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West Ham v Everton
KO 15:00
6 November 2015
Last updated at 11:19
Barclays Premier League
Venue: Upton Park Date: Saturday, 7 November
TEAM NEWS
West Ham will be without striker Diafra Sakho for a second successive league
game because of a thigh strain. Defender James Collins is suspended but the
Hammers have Winston Reid and Angelo Ogbonna back from injury.
Everton defender Bryan Oviedo could miss up to three weeks after suffering a
hamstring injury last weekend. Leighton Baines is still not ready to return
after ankle surgery, but Tom Cleverley could be involved for the first time
since August.
MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES
Alan Green: "Speaking to him for Match of the Day, how refreshing it was to
hear the honest appraisal by Slaven Bilic of his side's display at Watford.
Essentially, West Ham had been second-best all over the pitch. "All the more
reason for them to show against Everton that they're not ready to settle
amongst the also-rans in the Premier League. Why shouldn't the Hammers think
of European qualification? "But in their demolition of Sunderland, albeit
helped by some ragged defending, Roberto Martinez's Everton showed ambitions
of their own. "It's always nice going to a game being wholly uncertain of
the outcome. This is one of them."
WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic: "Is it a special game for me? On one hand
yes, on the other no. "Every game is special for different reasons. Everton
are a great side, big club with good players. "It's a great test for us and
I am looking forward to it, definitely yes."
Everton manager Roberto Martinez: "Slaven plays in a very different way to
the one West Ham used to play. "As an ex-Evertonian, we know he is a
competitive man. He gained invaluable experience when managing Croatia and
his teams are always ready to compete. "From a psychological point of view,
to go to places like Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea and win shows they
have a fantastic mentality."
LAWRO'S PREDICTION
The quality of Everton's goals last weekend was just outstanding. That was
just what the Toffees needed because, before then, they had been on a losing
run having played some of the top teams. In contrast, West Ham had a really
bad day at Watford and I just wonder what effect that will have on the way
they approach this game.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
Everton are aiming for their seventh successive league victory over West Ham
this weekend.
However, West Ham did win their FA Cup third round tie with the Toffees last
January, courtesy of a penalty shoot-out.
The Hammers' last victory came in April 2007 when Bobby Zamora scored the
only goal at Upton Park.
West Ham
West Ham have lost just one of their last eight league games (W5, D2).
The Hammers are unbeaten in their last three (W2, D1) home matches, although
they haven't won back-to-back league games at Upton Park since December
2014.
They haven't kept a clean sheet for six Premier League matches.
Slaven Bilic's side have received a league-high four red cards this season.
The Hammers have scored at least two goals in nine of their 11 league games
so far in this campaign.
Everton
Everton have lost just two of their last nine Premier League away games (W4,
D3).
Their only league defeat in five games away from home this season came
against Arsenal (W2, D2).
All 19 of Everton's Premier League goals this season have been scored in
open play.
Romelu Lukaku has been involved in seven goals in his last five league
appearances (four goals, three assists), while he has also scored in all six
of his appearances against West Ham for the Toffees.
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Andy Carroll's a Bilic fan!
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 6th November 2015
By: Staff Writer
Andy Carroll has hailed the Bilic factor as he dares to think big about West
Ham United.
The big striker was speaking to Sky Sports' Bianca Westwood last month and
she has reflected on her interview with the England international for this
month's Blowing Bubbles.
"The biggest thing I took away from my interview with Andy was that whenever
he spoke about Slaven, it was clear that he really has this likeability
factor about him," she wrote.
"He said the players respect him and they did so instantly. He has this aura
about him and he is a manager they all look up to because of what he has
achieved."
Elsewhere in the November issue of the magazine, there are interviews with
Tony Cottee and Frank McAvennie as Blowing Bubbles celebrates the 30th
anniversary of the Boys of 86.
And in his column for the monthly magazine George Parris also explains why
their partnership was so special.
"They just had one of those seasons where everything clicked. So much so
they could've scored with their backsides!", he wrote. "Every time we walked
out to play, you just felt one of them was going to score. Even if they only
got one chance, you just knew they'd take it."
He later wrote: "I think it will be very tough for West Ham to match our
third place finish. Winning the FA Cup would be just as good a feeling
though."
Meanwhile, Blowing Bubbles has a moving piece by the Yellow Advertiser's
reporter Brian Jeeves on his father's West Ham passion.
They've also got a report from a Bradford City fan on how they've fallen in
love with Reece Burke and how great he has been for them this season.
"Even at this relatively early stage in the season, it's probably not
hyperbolic to cast him among the front-runners for the Player of the Year
award, he's been that good," Katie Whyatt writes.
Blowing Bubbles' writers also give their views on Morgan Amalfitano's exit,
this summer's Saido Berahino sage ahead of our game against West Brom, and
ponder whether Big Sam can get Sunderland out of relegation trouble.
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West Ham United v Everton
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 5th November 2015
By: Preview Percy
Hello and welcome to the only match preview you will read this weekend than
mentions squirrels. Preview Percy hasn't actually lost the plot. It's just
that he never had it in the first place...
Next up we play host to Everton. Kick-off is 3pm on Saturday. Don't get used
to it though. Travel news is that the Gospel Oak to Barking line will be
shut with replacement buses the order of the day. Other than that the trains
and tubes all seem to be free of burly gentlemen digging holes in things in
the East London/Essex area. Well on the railways anyway.
So Everton then. They're currently 9th in the league with 16 points from 11
matches. Which is 4 behind us in terms of points and 3 in terms of places.
They have a goal difference of plus 4 which arises from their last match, a
6-2 win against hapless Sunderland. The Mackems, despite the heavy nature of
the defeat at Goodison last weekend, still gave the home side a few things
to think about to the extent that the opening goal for the Toffees was said
to have come "much against the run of play". They even managed to level
things at 2-2 before Sunderland remembered that they were, in fact,
Sunderland and therefore not actually any good. At this point Everton also
realised that their opponents were, in fact, Sunderland and therefore not
actually any good and went about their business scoring a further four
without response. Apart from that it's been something of a curate's egg of a
season with, including last weekend, them having won 4, drawn 4 and lost 3
this season.
One of those wins came against Chelsea where their 3-0 victory was assisted
in no small part by the fact that they are the only club in the known
universe who haven't signed anyone on loan from Chelsea and therefore can
chose from a full squad when they play them. In fact, if the work experience
kid with the Harry Potter spectacles is to be believed – and why wouldn't
you – they haven't got a single player in on loan at all at the moment. A
number have gone out, yes but all their summer arrivals seem to have been
permanent deals.
Out of the £16m or so that left the club bank account during the last
window, the biggest single amount was the £9.5m paid to River Plate for
Argentine international defender Ramiro Funes Mori. RFM, as nobody calls
him, is looking at an extended run in the side following an injury to Phil
Jagielka, whose knee ligaments will keep him out for a good couple of
months.
Although they haven't taken advantage of the loan system this time around, a
couple of the permanent new boys have a past in that respect. Winger Gerard
Deulofeu was previously on loan from Barcelona during the 2013-14 season. He
returned to Barcelona at the end of that season having been assured that
there was a role for him at the Nou Camp. That role turned out to be that of
"player we're going to send out on loan to Sevilla". A season there wasn't
the greatest - he turned up in one Spanish paper's "worst team of the year"
listing - so he was probably one of the few people ever to be pleased to
return to Merseyside whe the Toffees came in for him this summer.
Then there was Aaron Lennon who arived having fallen out of favour at White
Hart Lane – which is something of a badge of honour when you think about
it.He originally pitched up at Goodison Park on loan last term. At the
completion of the loan he returned to Spurs where, if he hadn't already got
the message as to how much he was loved there, he was left in no doubt when
they were told to go and train with all the other kids and reserves with no
squad number. An undisclosed fee believed (to be something like £4m) changed
hands and his Tottenham nightmare was over.
With all the ins and outs that took place over the summer, the big headlines
went to a player who, in the end, went nowhere. Chelsea tried every trick in
the book to unsettle John Stones, making ever increasing bids culminating in
a £30m offer which, like the others, was rejected out of hand. Head duly
turned, Stones handed in a transfer request which was treated in the same
manner as Chelsea's bids had been. Stones has been capped 6 times at full
level by England, which, in these days of "home-grown player" regulations,
is the reason a reasonable but unremarkable defender is apparently worth
£30m.
On the injury front it will be a week too soon for Leighton Baines who has
returned to first team training having been missing all season so far. A
midweek behind-closed-doors job has been arranged for him during the
forthcoming (and rather pointless) international break. He's been another
boil on the bum for us in the past, especially with dead balls from
free-kicks awarded just outside the box. His accomplice in this regard is
often Ross Barkley who is as fond of a dive as Steve Gerrard was over the
other side of Stanley Park. Must be a scouse thing.
In the absence of Baines, England U19 cap Brendan Galloway has had an
earlier run in the side than he might have anticipated, especially as
Baines' went lame just after they sent Luke Garbutt on loan to Fulham.
Galloway arrived in the UK from his native Zimbabwe as a six year-old in
2006 and became the youngest player in the history of Milton Keynes Dons
when making his debut in an FA Cup tie at the age of 15, at which point he
was still probably older than the club he played for. He made the switch to
Goodison Park in August 2014 and can either play for England or, should he
feel the need to play for a country run by the sort of murderous dictator
who would be getting bombed by all and sundry if his country actually had
any oil, he also qualifies for Zimbabwe.
Of course no talk of the visitors would be complete without mentioning
Romelu Lukaku who, no matter how bad he or his team are playing, always
seems to score against us. Git.
So what's been happening in the wide world of football of late? Well
Mourinho has finally got himself a stadium ban, and it is believed that
30,000 Chelsea season ticket holders have asked if they can be banned too.
Poor old Johan Cruyff is recovering in hospital from major heart surgery –
the world of football wishes him a speedy one of course. And of course the
FIFA-gate scandal rumbles on with the major surprise being that anyone is
surprised when each new revelation appears, it being common knowledge that
the whole thing has been bent from the moment Havelange took over from Rous
in the 70's. Ker-chingggg.
And then there's us. I've put it off for long enough and now I have to
revisit the horrors of last week. Well I suppose if we have to lose to a
small club that raises its game against its betters I'd rather it be Watford
than Spurs.
The fact is that far too many had off days last weekend. Worst 'mare of the
week was that suffered by Andy Carroll whose attempted Cruyff turn in his
own box is not something he'll be putting on the compilation DVD for the
grandkids. Much more of that and we'll be looking at a somewhat different
definition of the word "unplayable".
Carroll's selection caused problems in itself. Actually, to be fair to him,
the problems were caused more by the absence of Sakho than his own presence
in the ranks. Sakho is a willing runner from the middle to the outside
meaning that Cresswell and Jenkinson have an "out" ball down the wings. Even
if Sakho doesn't actually get on the end of the ball, more often than not
he'll force the defender into a throw-in or better. Contrast this with
Carroll, who is someone you look to play the ball to with back to goal, to
hold it up and to bring others into play. Nothing wrong with that but if you
concentrate on playing through your target man in that manner you run the
risk of losing width. As we saw on Saturday.
On the injury front it is to be hoped that Winston Reid's hip or thigh has
recovered from celebrating his country's egg chasing win last week. I wasn't
that fussed to be honest – though as ever we at the Avram Grant Olympic Rest
Home For The Bewildered invoked the clause in our rental agreements that
means the management have to provide free beers for us to celebrate the
defeat of the Aussies in any sport. Reid's return will be even more
necessary in view of Ginge's enforced absence which followed his sending off
at Watford. I'm sure the FA have actually fined Watford for surrounding the
ref last weekend and have just forgotten to publicise it.
Elsewhere, Sakho is out, his thigh muscle injury no doubt being exacerbated
by his leap for joy on hearing the news that he will face no charges over
the arrests he suffered back in August over a "domestic".
That leaves Song as the only long term absentee. Whenever I check on his
likely availability he seems to be perennially two weeks away but, like
Baines he has a behind-closed-doors job coming up to look forward to during
the week.
Well the one good thing about last weekend's result is that, when I make a
prediction from now on, I don't have to worry about jinxing a possible win
by predicting one. That particular superstition got a good kicking up at
Watford so I'm now free to predict whatever I like.
However, having said that this weekend's opponents have a habit of reverting
to scouse stereotype and stealing the points even when we've controlled the
game. Of course the FA Cup last season was the exception that proves the
rule but even then we went behind in a match we were looking comfortable in.
The match provided one of the old ground's memorable moments when Adrian
ditched his gloves in his run-up to take the deciding penalty in the
shootout which, had he missed, would probably still be going on.
I know "bogey team" runs come to an end eventually – and maybe after last
week it'll turn out that Everton is Allardyce's nemesis rather than ours per
se. However I still have this nagging feeling that they'll get something out
of this match even if it depends on a goal deflected in off a squirrel or
something. So with that in mind, I'll be off to Winstones The Turf
Accountants and placing the £2.50 that we at the Avram Grant Rest Home For
The Bewildered had collected to buy a bag of hazelnuts on a 1-1 draw.
Enjoy the game!
When Last We Met At The Boleyn: Lost 1-2 May 2015. Last home game of the
season. 1-0 up? Of course we didn't win. Osman and Lukaku with the statutory
late late goal saw them nick all three once again. It was the sort of
desultory afternoon where the biggest cheers of the day went to opponents
being given yellow cards, with the fair play league also being on Everton's
mind at the time. It turned out to be Allardyce's last home game in charge,
much to nobody's surprise.
Danger Man: Romelu Lukaku He's been a thorn in the side for a few years now.
No matter how much we look on top he'll get some rub of the green and score
against us
Referee: Paul Tierney For the second week running we have a non-"select"
group referee. Unlike last weekend at least this one hasn't already been
demoted from the mafia once already. Hopefully Tierney is being looked at
because of impressive performances at lower levels rather than, as is
normally the case, because they have mates in low places. He managed to
annoy Neil Lennon earlier this season but, there again Mother Theresa would
probably have been able to annoy Lennon had they ever met. He once
interrupted a QPR v Leicester match due to a squirrel on the pitch. Most
observers questioned his judgement in dealing with the situation and said
that he should have sent the players off because the squirrel was more
entertaining than anything else out there that day. Spurs later had a £10m
bid for the squirrel turned down and, with Chris Ramsey just sacked, the
bookies have "Tufty" down at 3/1 to take over as manager at Loftus Road.
Irritating Celebrity Supporter Of The Week: Freddie Starr. Although the
hamster eating thing turned out to be yet another Max Clifford invention
(great headline though), and all investigations into some very unsavoury
allegations of a sexual nature were dropped by the CPS due to lack of
evidence, Starr is still guilty of one of the greatest crimes of all: like
just about every scouse comedian ever born he's not funny. Remember laughing
at his "Hitler wearing welly boots" impression? No. Of course you don't.
Nobody does. In fact, he is so unfunny that he even beat Tom O'Connor into
second place in this category.
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West Ham United v Everton preview: Hammers look to bounce back
Last Updated: 06/11/15 4:05pm
SSN
West Ham host Everton on Saturday looking to bounce back from their first
loss in seven games against Watford last weekend. The Hammers are sixth in
the Premier League after 11 games, and could go as high as third with a
victory at Upton Park. Everton, who beat Sunderland 6-2 last time out, are
four points behind in ninth place, and go in search of their third away
success of the campaign. The Toffees won both fixtures last season by a 2-1
scoreline, but were defeated in the FA Cup third round on penalties at Upton
Park.
Team news
West Ham striker Diafra Sakho will miss the visit of Everton due to a thigh
injury. Defenders Winston Reid (knee) and Angelo Ogbonna (hamstring) are fit
after spells out, and one of them will replace the suspended James Collins
at centre-back. Midfielder Alex Song will not be involved, but he has been
pencilled in for a friendly next week to build up his match-fitness
following a summer ankle operation.
Bryan Oviedo will have to come out of Everton's starting line-up against
West Ham, but Leighton Baines is not yet fit enough to replace him. The
Costa Rica international strained his hamstring in the first half of
Sunday's 6-2 win over Sunderland and could miss up to three weeks, meaning
19-year-old Brendan Galloway may have to fill in at left-back once more.
Baines, who is yet to play this season following ankle surgery, is back in
full training, along with Tom Cleverley (ankle) and Muhamed Besic
(hamstring), but his return will come in a behind-closed-doors friendly over
the international break. Steven Pienaar (hamstring) and Tony Hibbert (knee)
should also be back in the mix later this month.
Opta stats
West Ham United haven't won back to back home Premier League games since
December 2014.
Everton have lost just two of their last nine Barclays Premier League away
games (W4 D3 L2).
Romelu Lukaku has scored in all six of his appearances for Everton against
West Ham (in all competitions), netting in four PL games and two FA Cup
fixtures.
Mauro Zarate has scored in both of his Premier League appearances against
Everton.
Everton have won 10 and lost none of the last 14 Premier League matches
against the Hammers (D4).
There have been three red cards in the last three Premier League meetings
between West Ham and Everton at the Boleyn Ground.
The Toffees have won six and lost none of their last seven league visits to
the Boleyn Ground.
Arouna Kone has scored five goals from just seven shots on target in the
Premier League this season.
Merson's prediction
There will be goals in this one. Both teams will have a go but they'll also
be open at the back. It makes for an entertaining game. I'm sure West Ham
won't present Everton with as many chances as Sunderland did, but the
Toffees are still a threat regardless. West Ham aren't the same side when
they start with Andy Carroll. He hasn't got the pace Sakho has to get in
behind and I think he's better suited as an impact player from the bench.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-2 (Sky Bet odds 12/1)
West Ham striker Andy Carroll
West Ham striker Andy Carroll
Betting
West Ham are Sky Bet's marginal favourites for the victory at 7/5, with
Everton 7/4 for the win and 13/5 to share the spoils. Lukaku and Sakho share
favouritism in the first goalscorer betting, while Kone is 125/1 for a
repeat of his hat-trick heroics against Sunderland.
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Slaven Bilic likens Andy Carroll to Duncan Ferguson and says big number
nines are back in fashion
22:30, 6 NOV 2015
BY NEIL MCLEMAN
The Croatian believes Carroll and weekend opponent Romelu Lukaku have helped
update the traditional target man's role
The Mirror
Slaven Bilic reckons Romelu Lukaku and Andy Carroll are following in the
huge footsteps of his former Everton team-mate Duncan Ferguson now that big
No9s are back in style. The Belgium striker has scored six times in his last
six games against West Ham, including a 93rd-minute winner in the East End
in May. And Bilic has backed Carroll to win back his England place if he
retains his form and fitness. Ferguson, now back on the Goodison coaching
staff, always could cause chaos on and off the pitch. But the Hammers boss
believes the two modern centre-forwards have helped update the traditional
target man's role before they collide at Upton Park on Saturday. "Those
strikers were like very popular when we played, then they were not so
popular, now they are back in business," said Croatian Bilic. "Everybody
loves to have a big No9 because the midfield is so thick and so closed that
it is very difficult to go through there by passing. "But they can't be the
one-dimensional players that they were 30 or 40 years ago. "Now, they have
to be versatile. They can't be static. They have to be basically complete
players like Drogba and Ibrahimovic. "They are only old-fashioned because of
their size. They are very quick and very mobile players for that size. "That
is why it is so hard to find them."
Bilic signed for Everton from West Ham for a British record £4.5m fee for a
defender in 1997 before Scot Ferguson left for Newcastle the following year.
"He was really underestimated," Bilic recalled. "All right, he said he
wasn't interested in playing for the national team and he was his own worst
enemy.
"He's an Everton legend, but he could have achieved a lot, lot more. "I
remember him and I can't wait to see him. "I remember him as a really,
really good friend and he helped me a lot when I came to Everton. "I am
looking forward to the match. I didn't play for 10 clubs here, I played for
two – and one was Everton."
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Band 4 OS season ticket details revealed
Posted by Sean Whetstone on November 7, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
Information has finally started to emerge from appointments about Band 4
season tickets in the Olympic Stadium for next season. Earlier this week,
band 3 season ticket appointments were concluded and band 4 season ticket
holders attended the Stratford reservation centre starting Wednesday 4th
November.
We understand the policy continues to be that the priority order of
appointments within band 4 starts at the centre of each stand and works
outwards and backwards. Early feedback from those who have chosen their
seats this week has been interesting.
They claim if you are currently in a band 4 lower tier seat then you can get
chose from lower tier or upper tier options but if you're currently in an
upper tier position at the Boleyn Ground you can only chose an upper tier
seat in the Olympic Stadium.
If you currently have a first row seat in the upper tier then you aren't
guaranteed front row upper tier at the OS as there are currently more first
row band 4's at the Boleyn Ground, however you will be guaranteed a second
row seat though.
If you or one of your group wants bring a new person along they will not be
able to take a seat in the lower tier so if you wanted to sit with him you
would have to move to the upper tier also, as all lower tier are reserved
for existing season ticket holders only.
Sections reportedly offered to Band 4 season tickets so far this week have
included 231, 232 sand 233 230, 244 and 250.
If you have been for your appointment since Wednesday and know any other
sections or other information on offer please let us know by emailing me
mrwesthamfootball@gmail.com.
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Hammers borrow £30m from pay day lenders
Posted by Sean Whetstone on November 6, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
West Ham financial accounts released earlier this week show that the Hammers
have borrowed £30.1m from 'Pay Day lenders' James Grant Funding (JGF).
The cash has been borrowed against future TV money and is paid directly by
the Premier League to the mysterious British Virgin Islands lender.
The sole director of JGF is called Jonathan McMorrow as recorded on the West
Ham loan paperwork filed with companies house, who was an employee of the
James Grant Group until April 2015 which is chaired by Spurs Chairman Daniel
Levy. Both companies shared the same registered address at companies house
until earlier this year when JGF moved changed to a P.O box.
However a West Ham insider told Claret and Hugh that "JG Funding Limited
confirmed to both WHU and the FAPL that it is not in any way connected,
affiliated or associated with the James Grant Sports Agency."
Just a complete coincidence then, the source of the investor or investors
behind JGF are unknown but they also recently lent money to Everton. Irons
financial accounts also reveal that joint Chairman David Gold and David
Sullivan injected none of their personal wealth in the previous financial
year after injecting over £49m over the previous 4 years in shareholder
loans.
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100,000 Free OS tickets – how it will work
Posted by Sean Whetstone on November 6, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
ClaretandHugh has discovered how the 100,000 free OS tickets will be
distributed.
Many readers have been in touch with us asking how the system will work and
today Newham Council explained exclusively how they will operate the
process.
We were told: "The intention is the tickets are used to reward residents for
being active and resilient members of the community."
Fears had been raised that it would prove very difficult to police the
distribution of these tickets to ensure there is no abuse such as the resale
of tickets.
A Newham Council spokesperson replying to ClaretandHugh Exclusively said:
"The original stadium deal includes 100,000 free tickets for stadium matches
every year from 2016.
The intention is the tickets are used to reward residents for being active
and resilient members of the community.
Lead councillors for each of our community neighbourhoods will have a role
in managing these rewards, and settling the criteria for distributing
tickets to their residents who are making a contribution to their community.
Anyone who is given a ticket will be made aware that it is non transferable.
We will monitor the use of the tickets to ensure the individuals nominated
to receive tickets are attending."
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Irons to remain "family affair" for years to come
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 6, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
West Ham United is set to remain in Sullivan and Gold hands long after the
present owners have gone to the great football stadium in the sky.
There are no plans to sell the club although the co owners would both
welcome further investors in the club to take it on to the next level.
Following the publication of the accounts to May 2015 where the club showed
a profit David Gold declared himself happy and claimed the future was in
good hands.
He told ClaretandHugh: "I've said many times that we have no desire to sell.
The children of the two families are all major fans of West ham United.
"My daughter Vanessa (pictured left) would sooner come with me to Watford
last weekend than go out with the friends and the Sullivan boys passion is
well know.
jacks-300x225"West Ham is our legacy to the children and both my daughters
are top businesswomen whilst the two boys have had a perfect background and
will be fine as club owners.
"Yes we would like more investment nothing has changed on that front but
there is no way I would want a a buy-out."
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AC look Slav's likely lad
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 6, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
Andy Carroll looks set to start in tomorrow's clash against Everton.
The cub's record signing is currently being seen as the most realistic line
leader despite his less than impressive run out against Watford last
weekend.
Training ground sources have revealed that the centre forward has been
lining up with the probables against the possibles this weekend and is
likely to start with Enner Valencia taking his place on the bench.
Slaven Bilic made it clear in his press conference yesterday that Valencia
may not be 100 per cent up to speed although he will make no final selection
until later today.
Defenders Winston Reid (knee) and Angelo Ogbonna (hamstring) are fit after
spells out, and one – probably Reid – will replace the suspended James
Collins at centre-back.
Midfielder Alex Song will not be involved, but he has been pencilled in for
a friendly next week to build up his match-fitness following a summer ankle
operation.
Provisional squad: Adrian, Randolph, Tomkins, Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell,
Jenkinson, Noble, Kouyate, Payet, Antonio, Moses, Lanzini, Zarate, Valencia,
Carroll, Jelavic.
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Bilic set to tame Lukaku threat
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 6, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
Hammers boss Slaven Bilic is very well aware that the Irons must end Romelu
Lukaku's amazing goalscoring streak against them if they are to break their
Everton hoodoo. The Hammers have beaten Everton just once in their last 17
meetings, and that victory came on penalties following a 2-2 draw in the FA
Cup last season. Lukaku, who has scored in each of the last six meetings
between the teams, has been a pain in our butt for too long and a big double
over the two merseyside teams would be a massive tonic. . And the Upton Park
boss believes they can halt their drought against Everton – as long as they
keep the Belgium striker quiet. He said: That is more important than 17
(since we last beat Everton). He scored in six games out of six against us.
But that only proves how good he is as a player. "They have some great
players with experience, legs, width, pace, imagination – the likes of Ross
Barkley. But if you have to take one player out, then I wouldn't like to
play against Lukaku because he is a top striker and gets assists, and that's
why they paid 30-odd million for him. "But we have great defenders and we've
already stopped some of the great names this season with the help of the
other guys in front of them. "I didn't know it was that long since we beat
them the last time, but that only shows what we are facing; a big club with
the mentality of a club that has had its ups and down over the years. "I
didn't know it had been eight years. But that doesn't mean a lot. It's a new
game. We beat so many big teams this season but that didn't mean a lot when
we lost against Watford last week."
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Song heads for warm-up match
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 5, 2015 in News
C and H
Alex Song will return to Hammers action after the international break. But
in the meantime the midfielder is set to play in a 'get fit' friendly
against Chelsea next week against Charlton.
Manager Slaven Bilic revealed: "Song started training before Watford and
he's been with us for one week now." "He's okay, there's no problem
whatsoever, he's injury-free and now it's a matter of fitness and
match-fitness. "We have a friendly game on Wednesday which he will play in
and hopefully he's going to be fit soon."
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West Ham midfielder Alex Song set to face Charlton in behind-closed-doors
friendly as he closes in on his second Hammers debut
Alex Song signed for West Ham on a season-long loan deal this summer
Song also spent last season on loan at the club from La Liga Barcelona
However, the former Cameroon international is yet to feature this season
Song will face Charlton next week as he closes in on his second debut
By OLIVER TODD FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 11:13, 5 November 2015 | UPDATED: 15:13, 5 November 2015
Slaven Bilic will hand Alex Song a behind-closed-doors comeback against
Charlton Athletic next week as West Ham's summer signing nears full fitness.
Song is yet to make his second Hammers debut with knee and ankle injuries
hampering his loan return to Upton Park from parent club Barcelona. But
while the 28-year-old won't be ready to give Bilic a midfield boost in
Saturday's Barclays Premier League clash against Everton, he will start in a
training ground friendly on Wednesday next week. 'He's just started training
with us, he's been with us for one week now,' Bilic said. 'His injury with
his knee and especially his ankle that was operated on is OK. He has no
problem with it whatsoever. 'Now it's just a matter of fitness and match
fitness. His first game for us after a long period is going to be a friendly
on Wednesday and he's going to be that. 'Hopefully, he is naturally fit guy,
he should be back soon but not tomorrow or in one week because he had a long
break.' Bilic welcomes back Winston Reid for the visit of the manager's
former club Everton after a knee injury lay-off of his own. Reid had been
mooted for a first-team return last month but the centre back is now ready
to step up in place of suspended James Collins. Diafra Sakho will be back
after the international break with Bilic labelling his thigh strain 'nothing
major'. The boss added: 'Unfortunately it is a small tear, a rupture in his
thigh. The prognosis is that he will be back for the game after the
international break.
'It's a set-back as he is a very important player to us. He dictates the
rhythm of the game a lot, with his pace, quality and determination and it's
a blow for sure. But it's not a major set-back. On Reid, Bilic said:
'Winston will be in the squad, he's back. Again, it's nothing major so now
he's back in training for a whole week and we're glad as he's very important
on and off the pitch for us.' The injury issues and a 2-0 defeat by Watford
last weekend have done nothing to dampen West Ham's confidence though.
Co-chairman David Sullivan has made it clear that a top four finish is in
their sights. Sullivan hopes to see Champions League football when West Ham
move into the Olympic Stadium next season, and Bilic is doing nothing to
dampen the dream. While most managers are wary of inspiring over-confidence
and arrogance in their side the former Besiktas boss is happy to keep up the
top-four talk. 'There's nothing wrong with being optimistic and thinking
about something that looks a little bit far away,' he said. 'When the
chairman talked it was in a positive way. We have to work hard and as long
as you work hard and stay with plan and philosophy there's nothing wrong
with that.'
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Andy Carroll can return for England IF he starts showing consistency for
West Ham, according to boss Slaven Bilic
Striker Andy Carroll has not played for England since a friendly in 2012
The 26-year-old was not included in Roy Hodgson's latest squad
Carroll scored the winner against champions Chelsea last month
It was his first goal in 10 months following an injury plagued year
By OLIVER TODD FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 22:41, 5 November 2015 | UPDATED: 22:41, 5 November 2015
Slaven Bilic says Andy Carroll can only end his three-year international
exile if he starts showing consistency with West Ham. Carroll was left out
of Roy Hodgson's latest England squad on Thursday despite netting the winner
against champions Chelsea last month – his first goal in 10 months. The
26-year-old followed that up with a horror show in the 2-0 defeat at Watford
last weekend and Bilic believes his forward's patchiness does him no favours
in Hodgson's thinking. Ahead of the squad announcement nine-cap Carroll
spoke about his desire to get back into the England ranks but he was left
disappointed by Thursday's Wembley roll call. And Bilic reckons his
£15million man has what it takes to be a Euro 2016 option, but says he must
show regular quality in the day job first. 'It is very simple,' the former
Croatia national boss said. 'If he continues to play, and continues to play
as he did against Chelsea when he came on or against Crystal Palace or
Norwich, then he has got every chance to go there. Carroll played the last
17 minutes after replacing Wayne Rooney. 'So it is up to him. He has got a
chance. His manager is there, he is in the shop window. He has got to
perform.' There is no doubt that some Barclays Premier League managers would
rather see their players left out of the upcoming friendlies with Spain and
France, but Bilic is not one. Hodgson has not called on any Hammers players
– but their boss would have no problem in seeing more claret and blue
representation in future international breaks. Carroll, in particular, has
suffered with injuries and fitness worries but there are no qualms about the
work Hodgson would put his charges through. 'I know with Roy Hodgson they
are doing some quality work,' Bilic said. 'They are not going somewhere to
have a holiday. 'If it was the last international break, I would rather have
him (Carroll) here. But now he is fit. You can put him in a category with
all the other fit and ready players - players who are ready to go.'
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Saturday, November 7
Friday, November 6
Daily WHUFC News - 6th November 2015
West Ham United Statement
WHUFC.com
West Ham United are pleased to release their accounts for the year ended 31 May 2015
The accounts show another record-breaking year for the Club as all areas of income increased, creating total additional revenue of £6m. Turnover was up to £120.7m from £114.8m last year and this helped deliver a second consecutive group operating profit of £3m.
The profit was delivered alongside an expansive and hugely successful £32.5m recruitment drive last summer that delivered nine new players including the likes of Hammer of the Year Aaron Cresswell, top scorer Diafra Sakho and internationals Cheikhou Kouyate, Enner Valencia Alex Song and Carl Jenkinson.
Away from the pitch, there was a 13.7% increase in retail sales, achieving a club record high in turnover of £7.3m, while commercial and sponsorship increased by 6.5%, achieving £14.6m of revenue - another Club record.
West Ham United Joint-Chairman David Sullivan said: "My Board and I are again satisfied with the achievements we have made this season (2014/15). The highlights for us being:
• Retaining our Premier League status in what was a very competitive year;
• Making huge progress in our preparation for our move to the Olympic Stadium for the 2016/17 season;
• Our fantastic support despite a disappointing second half of the season.
• Our recruitment of a new First Team Management team, led by Slaven Bilic. We would like to thank Sam Allardyce and his staff for their work at the Club over the last four years.
"At the start of the season we invested a net total of £32.5m and bought Mauro Zarate, Enner Valencia, Aaron Cresswell, Cheikhou Kouyate, Diafra Sakho, Diego Poyet and Morgan Amalfitano, and also took Carl Jenkinson and Alex Song on loan from Arsenal and Barcelona respectively. The new players all had a positive impact, particularly in the first half of the season.
"Subsequent to the year end, we have further invested in the playing staff for the 2015/16 season with the significant investment into the purchases of Pedro Obiang, Dimitri Payet, Angelo Ogbonna, Michail Antonio, Nikica Jelavic, Stephen Hendrie and Darren Randolph. We have also taken Carl Jenkinson, Manuel Lanzini, Victor Moses and Alex Song on loan, and extended the contracts of some key players; Diafra Sakho, Aaron Cresswell and Winston Reid.
"This was truly a season of two halves, with a scintillating and uplifting start and then a disappointing period after Christmas. Hopefully we will, in the 2015/16 season, have more results like the first half of 2014/15.
"Once again, this season, our last at the Boleyn Ground after 112 years of playing here, will bring its own challenges, but we continue to believe we will deliver both on and off the pitch by investing in the team, the brand and managing the business well. We all hope it will be one of our best seasons ever."
West Ham United Vice-Chairman Karren Brady said: "2014/15 was another satisfactory year for the club both on and off the pitch as we once again retained our Premier League status and improved our position in the table. We were officially recognised as one of the world's leading football brands by Brandfinance, placing us in the top eight most valuable brands in Premier League clubs and 16th overall in the world's top 50 most valuable football brands for 2015. We increased our revenues again and made an operating profit of £8.5m.
"Through the hard work of a fantastic, dedicated, loyal and determined team both on and off the pitch the club has grown in size, revenue and in stature this season. The management team off the pitch were able to capitalise and maximise on all the opportunities the Manager and the team delivered on the pitch for half of the season, and to this end I would like to offer my thanks to Sam Allardyce and his team and wish them well for the future.
"The Olympic Stadium offers enormous commercial and brand opportunities, and we have a strategy to deliver sell-out crowds and enter that stadium with a team that are befitting of such an amazing iconic venue.
"Finally, we know that we have set a level of expectation amongst our supporters this year, our last at the Boleyn Ground, our home for the last 112 years, and I, my Board and all the staff on and off the pitch relish the opportunity to enjoy a wonderful and successful farewell this year and believe we have both the strategy and people to deliver much more in years to come."
[Peter R ] I have attached the accounts - not sure if Google will remove them :)
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Slaven Speaks - Everton
WHUFC.com
Ahead of the Hammers' fixture with Everton, manager Slaven Bilic faced the media. The boss answered a variety of questions from team news, facing his former club Everton and how bouncing back from the Watford defeat.
Good morning Slaven, can we start with Saturday's team news?
SB: "Diafra Sakho is still out, it is nothing major, he did normal training on Thursday last week but then felt something in his thigh. Unfortunately it is a small tear and he is out for Saturday's game. He should be back for our first game after the international break. "It's a set back because he's a very important player for us, he does a lot for the team and the way we are playing. He has energy, he is impulsive and he dictates the rhythm of the game."
How about Alex Song?
SB: "He has just started training with the team, his first session was just before the Watford game, he's been with us for one week and he has no problems now. Now I is just a matter of fitness and regaining match fitness. He will play in the friendly game on Wednesday; he is a naturally fit guy so hopefully he will back ready soon."
And Winston Reid?
SB: "He is OK, he picked up an injury against Sunderland, but now has recovered well. He is very important for us so we are happy to have him back."
Is facing Everton a special game for you?
SB: "Yes, on one hand yes, on the other no. Every game is special for different reasons. Everton are a great side, big club with good players. It's a great test for us and I am looking forward to it, definitely yes."
I don't if you are aware but West Ham have one win against Everton in 17 games, how important is that?
SB: "That is a lot, it must be eight years or so. I didn't know that to be fair, but it shows how difficult Saturday's game will be. It's a bit of a surprise to me but it doesn't worry me too much because those games are in the past. It will only affect us if we allow it to, if we think about it too much then it might have an impact on confidence, but we should be able to deal with that. "Every game is different, and you have to go and prove yourself from the first whistle every time."
And is Enner Valencia getting closer to starting a match?
SB: "Yes he is, we've got options at the moment. From a fitness perspective he is in a good way, he just needs to get his match fitness up. He is very close to being ready, but it depends which game that'll be. We will make a decision either today or tomorrow about who starts."
Everton will be very confident after winning 6-2, you're obviously coming off the back of a defeat, how import could that be?
SB: "Everton played very well against Sunderland, deserved to win the game, so they will be confident and they have the momentum. They were a bit shaky for a home performance, 2-0 up to then being 2-2, but came through it and then dominated, every attack they had looked dangerous. Our game against Watford was strange, not for the Premier League, but for us. We weren't near to our usual levels but overall we look dangerous too, we are scoring quite a lot.
"We lost at Watford, but we know why we lost and we can learn from that and make sure it doesn't happen again."
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View on the Opposition - Everton
WHUFC.com
The Independent's football writer Simon Hart gives us the lowdown on Saturday's visitors.
Everton are currently ninth in the league table, what have you made of their start to the season?
"Away from home they've looked really dangerous, and they look like they can really hurt teams. At home, they've had more of a challenging fixture list, they've played the two Manchester clubs, Liverpool and Chelsea. Whereas away, they hadn't lost an away game until they played Arsenal two weeks ago, even in that game they showed what a good attacking threat they have."
Last season, Roberto Martinez came under a bit of pressure, what's his standing with the Everton fans now?
"He was under pressure after last season's disappointment. With the difficult fixture list he knew they needed to start well, it hasn't been spectacular but it's been pretty solid overall. There have definitely been more positives then minuses. An additional source of optimism is their League Cup run which makes a nice change given their record in recent years.
"The win against Sunderland was very important because they'd won just one win before that game. They really needed to demonstrate to the home supporters what they can do; winning 6-2 certainly did that."
Romelu Lukaku always seems to score against West Ham, who else has caught the eye this season?
"Let's hope he keeps his tradition going! He played extremely well against Sunderland and he's clearly enjoying the developing partnership with Arouna Kone. Kone has been a bit of a revelation, there were a few boos when he came on against Watford, but he helped turn that game and scored the equalising goal. He looks fit finally after a series of injuries; you can now see why Martinez wants him in the first team.
"Ross Barkley has looked a more confident player, he's still learning but there have been some good signs from him. Gareth Barry has had some very good games and Phil Jagielka was in superb form until the injury. I don't think he gets the credit he deserves.
"The other revelation is Brendan Galloway, with Baines being injured, which was a huge blow, the inexperienced Galloway has come in and done really, really well. He's not been daunted by the games he's played in at all. He's grown in confidence and looks like a really exciting prospect."
Today's game is the first time Slaven Bilic faces Everton as a Premier League manager, how do you think he's coped since arriving in the summer?
"Looking at some of the results I think he's done well. He's always been a colourful character with his law degree and personality. He's certainly not your average manager.
"As a player at Everton, he didn't really get the chance to show what he could do as he was injured for a large part. It was also a difficult time at the club as they managed to avoid relegation. I haven't seen any West Ham games live yet; from the highlights I've seen I've been very impressed."
What is your prediction for Saturday's score?
"Lukaku hat-trick for sure! Hopefully Adrian won't score this time though, that was a great cup tie and what the FA Cup is all about. Evertonians will certainly miss coming to Upton Park, it's a great place to watch football, but they have a freakishly good record here compared to other London clubs!"
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From the Treatment Room
WHUFC.com
Hello everyone,
They say that a week is a long time in politics, and the same can certainly be said to be the case in football!
In my column last week, I said we hoped to have a full squad for the game at Watford, but unfortunately we lost Diafra Sakho and Pedro Obiang to quadriceps – thigh – injuries suffered in training and they missed the match at Vicarage Road.
Meanwhile, we have positive news about Winston Reid, who has been training with the squad for two weeks now and is getting stronger every day. He has got a good number of training days under his belt and was also boosted by seeing his fellow New Zealanders win the Rugby World Cup!
Alex Song and Doneil Henry returned to training with the squad at the end of last week and are now ready for the busy winter period.
West Ham United were one of eight clubs to take part in a recent research study with University College London into the oral health of players.
Bad hygiene, eating and drinking the wrong foods and drinks can cause painful issues and affect performance, so the Club has proactively introduced screening for the players to avoid these problems. You can read about this here.
Stijn Vandenbroucke
Head of Medical and Sports Science
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West Ham announce record turnover in 2015 accounts
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 5th November 2015
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United have announced a record turnover of £121million, in the latest annual accounts released today.
The club increased last season's figure - a record in itself - by £6million following a season in which the club finished 12th in the Premier League and qualified for European competition for the first time since 2007. However the actual profit for the year was down from £10.3million in 2014 to just under £3million this year.
That West Ham United FC continue to make a profit was largely the result of increased TV revenue, which accounted for £79million last season compared to £75million in 2013/14. Match receipts (£20million) and commercial activities (£14.5million) were similar to the numbers recorded in last year's accounts, as were retail and merchandising results (up from £6.3million to £7.3million).
However the trend of reducing the club's wages to turnover ratio was well and truly bucked, with 2015's figure of 60 per cent up on 2014's ratio of 55.6 per cent (although any figure lower than 70 per cent is generally considered to be healthy). The club's overall wage bill increased from £63.9million last year to £72.7million.
With view to non-player salaries, the Board's wages accounted for £907,000, up by £78,000; the highest paid Director, believed to be vice chair Karren Brady earned £646,000 - a rise of £10,000 on last year (1.5%).
Co-chairman David Sullivan said: "My Board and I are again satisfied with the achievements we have made this season (2014/15). At the start of the season we invested a net total of £32.5million. The new players all had a positive impact, particularly in the first half of the season.
"This was truly a season of two halves, with a scintillating and uplifting start and then a disappointing period after Christmas. Hopefully we will, in the 2015/16 season, have more results like the first half of 2014/15."
Vice chair Karren Brady added: "2014/15 was another satisfactory year for the club both on and off the pitch as we once again retained our Premier League status and improved our position in the table. We increased our revenues again and made an operating profit of £8.5m.
"Through the hard work of a fantastic, dedicated, loyal and determined team both on and off the pitch the club has grown in size, revenue and in stature this season. The Olympic Stadium offers enormous commercial and brand opportunities, and we have a strategy to deliver sell-out crowds and enter that stadium with a team that are befitting of such an amazing iconic venue."
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Diafra Sakho out of Everton clash
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 5th November 2015
By: Staff Writer
Diafra Sakho is out of Saturday's clash with Everton having failed to recover from the injury sustained in training last week. The 25-year-old striker was a surprise omission from the team that was beaten 2-0 at Watford last Saturday - an absence later explained as a muscle injury. And Slaven Bilic confirmed this morning that the Senegal international will this week's fixture with the manager's former club, whom he joined after leaving West Ham as a player in 1997. "It is nothing major, he go injured during training," explained Bilic. "He trained normally last Thursday before the Watford game but then he felt something and unfortunately, it was a small tear. "It is a rupture in his thigh and he is out for Saturday's game, but the prognosis is that he should be fit for the game after the international break, which is against Spurs. "It is a setback for us as he is a very important player, the way he plays means he is important for the team and the way we are playing. He has energy, he is impulsive and he dictates the rhythm of the game with his pace, quality and determination. "It is a blow for us and of course he was in good form, but it's not a major setback."
Sakho has scored five goals for West Ham already this season in his first 12 appearances (three in the Premier League from 10 matches). The goalscorer was in the news earlier this week after it was confirmed that charges against him relating to a double arrest back in August had been dropped by Police.
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West Ham will challenge for Europe, says Martinez
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 5th November 2015
By: Staff Writer
Everton boss Robert Martinez insists that Slaven Bilic's West Ham will challenge for a place in the top five of the Premier League this season following an excellent start to the campaign.
Martinez's side go into the game in the best possible shape themselves, having thrashed Sunderland 6-2 at home last weekend. However the Spanish manager admitted that he was wary of Bilic's side, who he believes are a different proposition to any West Ham teams he may have faced in the past. "I think it's going to be a really tough game, because the biggest strength of this West Ham side is that they play with an incredible belief and confidence," he told the media this lunchtime. "The results they've had show the benefit of having the belief that you can beat those sides, to get the results that they've had away from home. It's very impressive. On top of that, they've had new players come in and a new manager playing a very different way to how they used to. I think it's going to be a terrific challenge. "They're clearly going to be a team challenging for the top five positions in the league, that's how impressive they've been. We've got to make sure that we're ready to face them. In my eyes, they've been the most impressive side this season along with Leicester."
And with regards to how both teams fared last weekend, Martinez dismissed a suggestion that West Ham's 2-0 defeat at Watford means they will go into this Saturday's clash at the Boleyn lacking in confidence. "Watford are a team that people probably don't understand how difficult it is to play against," he insisted. "They're very strong and well organised. West Ham probably weren't at their best on the day in terms of the goals that they conceded, but they still had chances and the result could have been very different. "Even though they lost they were still in the game. You get those sort of results over the course of the season - but over the course of all 11 games, West Ham have been very impressive and they deserve they points they have. "They've been unfortunate in a couple of games from which they probably should have got better results, but the wins they have were not lucky in any shape or form. "The game against Sunderland gives us a real sense of confidence in terms of what we can do going forward. We know we have to improve in certain aspects, but you will always take confidence from scoring six goals from open play. "We see the West Ham game as one of the games of the season for many reasons. The main reason is that West Ham have beaten the best teams in the opening few weeks of the campaign and we want to be at our best against a team that is in form and a team that has surprised many opposing teams."
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Still no West Ham players, Roy?
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 5th November 2015
By: Staff Writer
West Ham's English contingent have once again been entirely overlooked by England manager Roy Hodgson. Hodgson, who was present at the Boleyn Ground to watch West Ham's most recent home game - the 2-1 win over current Premier League champions Chelsea - has once again failed to include a single Hammer in his squad for the forthcoming games against Spain and France.
However 21-year-old Tottenham midfielder Eric Dier has been included for the first time ever - as is team mate Dele Alli, who was called up to the squad for the first time last month after featuring in just four Premier League matches.
Defenders James Tomkins and Aaron Cresswell, both of whom have been in good form of late lose out to the likes of Kieran Gibbs and Ryan Bertrand, whilst Andy Carroll - who was an outside bet for a recall - loses out as Hodgson has only named three strikers in his 23-man group.
England are scheduled to face Spain in Alicante on Friday, 13 November before hosting the French at Wembley on Tuesday, 17 November. The full squad is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Jack Butland (Stoke City), Joe Hart (Manchester City), Tom Heaton (Burnley)
Defenders: Ryan Bertrand (Southampton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Nathaniel Clyne (Liverpool), Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), John Stones (Everton), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur)
Midfielders: Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Ross Barkley (Everton), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Fabian Delph (Manchester City), Adam Lallana (Liverpool), James Milner (Liverpool), Jonjo Shelvey (Swansea City), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)
Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Jamie Vardy (Leicester City).
There was however slightly better news for West Ham's youngsters, with both goalkeeper Sam Howes and defender Reece Oxford being named in Aidy Boothroyd's 21-man under 19 squad for the forthcoming matches with the Netherlands and Japan. Oxford, who has made three Premier League appearances this season and who previously captained England's under 17s receives the nod from Boothroyd for the first time.
Goalkeepers: Freddie Woodman (Newcastle United), Sam Howes (West Ham United).
Defenders: Jonjoe Kenny (Everton), Callum Connolly (Everton), Tafari Moore (Arsenal), Tosin Adarabioyo (Manchester City), Jake Clarke-Salter (Chelsea), Dael Fry (Middlesbrough), Kyle Walker-Peters (Tottenham Hotspur), Taylor Moore (RC Lens), Reece Oxford (West Ham United).
Midfielders: Ryan Ledson (Everton), Lewis Cook (Leeds United), Josh Onomah (Tottenham Hotspur), Ainsley Maitland-Niles (Ipswich Town, loan from Arsenal), Dan Crowley (Arsenal).
Forwards: Sheyi Ojo (Wolverhampton Wanderers, loan from Arsenal), Patrick Roberts (Manchester City), Adam Armstrong (Coventry City, loan from Newcastle United), Tammy Abraham (Chelsea), Izzy Brown (Vitesse Arnhem, loan from Chelsea).
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West Ham put Premier League safety first ahead of Olympic Stadium move
Last Updated: 05/11/15 5:36pm
SSN
West Ham's vice-chairman Karren Brady says the Olympic Stadium will be "one of the greatest arenas in world football" but admits it is an "absolute necessity" the club retain their Premier League status. The Hammers will relocate to the Olympic Stadium for the 2016/17 season and Brady revealed in West Ham's annual report the new venue will open up "enormous" commercial opportunities. "Retention of our [Premier League] status in the 2015/16 season is an absolute necessity for the future well-being of the club, as we will be moving to our new home in the 2016/17 season and a new improved broadcast deal will be in place," said Brady. "The Olympic Stadium offers enormous commercial and brand opportunities and we have a strategy in place to deliver sell-out crowds and enter the stadium with a team that are befitting of such an amazing iconic venue. "As plans take shape it becomes even more apparent that our new home will be one of the greatest arenas in world football and a platform to transform the future of our great club."
Brady said the new roof, retractable seating and turnstiles had all been completed and the dressing rooms were nearly finished. Brady also revealed there had been a "phenomenal demand" for corporate hospitality, with only 200 of the 3,700 luxury seats in the 54,000-capacity stadium remaining unsold up until last month. The move should also help the club close the financial gap on their rivals. West Ham's matchday revenue stood at only £20m last season. Manchester United and Arsenal both generate more than £100m per game, while Tottenham, who are also moving stadium, take around £40m on a matchday. West Ham's annual report also revealed a profit after tax of just under £3m for the 2014/15 season. The annual accounts show West Ham's turnover was £120.7m for last season, up from £114.8m, while the wage bill rose £8.8m to £72.7m, 60 per cent of turnover. The club's overall gross debt is £89.1m with £49.2m owed to shareholders David Sullivan and David Gold.
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Slaven Bilic tells West Ham to forget poor Everton record
Last Updated: 05/11/15 1:11pm
SSN
Slaven Bilic says West Ham's poor record against Everton should count for nothing when the sides meet on Saturday. The Hammers have won just one of the clubs' past 17 meetings, and that was a penalty shoot-out success in last season's FA Cup. But Bilic is preparing for just another game despite his own links with Everton, where he spent three years as a player, and he wants his squad to have the same attitude. "That is a lot," the West Ham boss said when he was asked about the recent run of results. "It must be eight years or so. I didn't know that to be fair, but it shows how difficult Saturday's game will be. "It's a bit of a surprise to me, but it doesn't worry me too much because those games are in the past. It will only affect us if we allow it to. If we think about it too much then it might have an impact on confidence, but we should be able to deal with that. "Every game is different, and you have to go and prove yourself from the first whistle every time."
Bilic left West Ham for Everton in the summer of 1997 and, asked whether a game against his old club was special, he said: "On one hand yes, on the other no. Every game is special for different reasons. "Everton are a great side, big club with good players. It's a great test for us and I am looking forward to it, definitely yes."
West Ham are still without Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia this weekend, while Alex Song will build up his fitness with an appearance in a friendly match next week, but Winston Reid is available.
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IT'S NOT HOW BIG IT IS, IT'S HOW YOU USE IT
By Iain Dale 5 Nov 2015 at 18:00 121 comments
WTID
Guest Post by Terence Bates
IT'S NOT HOW BIG YOU ARE… IT'S HOW YOU USE IT
One of the best players in the world is some would say the diminutive yet undoubtedly talented, Lionel Messi. He stands at 1.70 metres (which is around 5' 6"). Peter Crouch on the other hand is 2.03 metres (a whopping 6' 8"). Who would you rather have had in your team? It's surely a no brainer of course.
West Ham United have found an absolute gem in Messi's Argentine compatriot Manuel Lanzini who is virtually the same height as Lionel Messi. Andy Carroll in contrast is 1.91 metres (around 6' 3"). Different players yes who bring a contrast to the game, but who of those two brings you more pleasure?
There is good reason as to why I am bringing up the subject of size. Over the last ten years, I have coached children's community football right up to U16's. During that time, I have witnessed all manner of things… the good, the bad and the downright ugly. I am passionate about the development of the game at grass roots level and have often commented on the size-ist attitude we have, particularly in kid's community and youth football.
I was for example once told that the Fulham scouts were only looking for 'big' athletic boys to take into their academies, the bigger the better. This to me at least seemed to be played out by many of the scouts scouring the playing fields, the flats and marshes for football talent, they often didn't see what I did. I am sure this mode of thinking of the bigger the better was part of Sam Allardyce's thinking, or perhaps that's unfair?
The team I managed and coached was based in Hackney and in essence are the closest club to the Olympic stadium, the Hammers new home. We were moderately successful despite chronic lack of funding and my somewhat 'holistic' coaching ways and we were always competing at the top of the league, reaching cup finals and a couple of years back we won our league, we had some really good players. 'Hoof ball' was often prevalent with the more successful kids teams especially on an 11 a side pitch and this was where the bigger more athletic kids often prevailed.
Many of the boys that were in our team literally started as 6 year olds and I worked with them until last season, until ill health encouraged me to take a sabbatical. Players came and went to professional academies, but there is one boy who stuck out for a myriad of reasons.
I obviously can't name him (yet). His ethnic background was an exotic mix of Indian and Irish. I bring this specifically up because of the lack of Indian or indeed Asian players in professional football, which from a West Ham perspective considering the cultural make up close to Upton Park, is quite surprising. But there is a far more pertinent reason I write this.
This boy like most kids is footie mad, he would practice and practice, particularly ball skills and juggling. I took great pride in watching him develop and also became frustrated as he was overlooked. I could see what he had in abundance. The district team incredibly in my view didn't and failed to select him for district level preferring other players we had. The Premier League scouts took him in for assessment at London clubs and essentially spat him out at an early age. It really disappointed me, god knows what it was doing to him or to other kids in that situation whose hopes get raised at too early an age and are then deflated a year or so later.
I am certain the reason he was not selected was essentially his size. He was a very small lad with matchstick thin legs, he looked like he would get buried under the stronger bigger boys and end up in the back of an ambulance. But here is the rub, his ball skills and dribbling were often unreal.
I had a simple theory to his skillset, the closer to the ground the brain is, the better the control on the feet, fuse into this that he was always playing against bigger boys then the brain develops more creatively in order to find ways of beating opponents who were always bigger than him. Small keeps the ball, was the indelible impression he has given me.
When he was 13 we won our league, much of the success was down to him as we won 18 games on the trot. In one game I had to rub my eyes in disbelief as I watched him receive the ball with his back to two big midfield players, he swivelled his hips and lifted the ball over both player's heads leaving them standing as he sauntered past, he was then faced with two defenders and in that same move, he had flicked the ball over their heads and circumnavigated them… the whole double movement was executed in under five seconds. It was magic, I was salivating watching this, indeed at the time I said I would have paid to see that piece of skill. Upton Park or any other professional would have erupted at witnessing this.
Still he wasn't 'scouted' that was until…. we played a friendly match ironically against a community club with ties to West Ham.
We played one Saturday morning and the coach from this side had arranged for various scouts to come and watch the game. He had disappointedly boasted to one of our other coaches that they were coming to look at his players and that they would probably win by ten goals or more, such was the quality in their team, some of whom were involved with West Ham, as he kept reminding us.
However… the game didn't pan out that way. Our team were 2-1 down at half time and in a storming second half finish we won 7-3, The boys had smashed the opposition leaving the opposing coach with his shaking head in his hands. Cue the QPR scout to come up to me enquiring about our star player asking for the lad's parents to contact him.
A year later and now 14, he signed some provisional agreement with QPR. He hasn't quite made it yet, but I am really hoping he does. My only regret with this lad is he wasn't signed by West Ham…. but I live in hope!
Due to this experience and observations over many seasons of kid's football, I have always cited that Lionel Messi or for that matter Manuel Lanzini would get overlooked by our club's, football scouts and coaches. It is a predictable systemic approach that I saw over a ten-year period, but one I really hope is changing. Asian boys in particular can be on the smaller side and I have seen from my regular visits to India some of the raw skill and confidence on the ball they possess.
The talent is out there even in small packages.
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Brady awards herself a 10K pay rise
Posted by Sean Whetstone on November 5, 2015 in News, Sean's Blogs, Whispers
C and H
West Ham Vice Chairman, Karren Brady awarded herself a £10,000 pay rise last year. The increase has been revealed in West Ham financial accounts which were released earlier today. The accounts show that the 'highest paid director' at West Ham, understood to be Baroness Brady, awarded herself the 1.6% increase which means her salary package was increased from £636,000 to £646,000 per annum in the financial year ending 31st May 2015. The rise is worth around £100 extra per week to her after tax. The news comes a week after the House of Lords Tory peer backed the call for cuts in tax credits during a defeated vote. She earns £300 per day each time she turns up at the House of Lords in that role. Baroness Karren Brady of Knightsbridge CBE is also a Senior Non-Executive Director on the boards of Syco Entertainment and retail multinational Arcadia Group. She is also the UK government's Small Business Ambassador. She stars in the BBC Apprentice along fellow House of Lords peer Lord Sugar and is believed to worth in excess of £82 million.
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Irons OS critics flattened by £20m plus answer!
Posted by Sean Whetstone on November 5, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
Hard core critics of the deal which has seen the Hammers land the Olympic Stadium as their new home face a reality check. For already – before a single game of football has been played in the Stadium – around £20 million has been harvested from other sporting events. The Rugby World Cup finished with 307,255 Rugby fans visiting the Olympic Stadium either for the warm up game or one of the five contested at the venue.
This came on top of an estimated 100,000 athletics fans who attended the Great Newham Run or the three days of the Sainsburys Anniversary games back in July. If you average a very conservative £50 per ticket across the estimated 407,000 tickets the Olympic Stadium sold this year you get a sum in excess of £20m.
Precisely how much of this is shared with the Stadium owners E20 Stadium LLP we can't be sure but it would be a sizeable chunk. This Saturday there is a Rugby Union match at the OS with The Race of Champions motor event following on the November 20. These events are likely sell out and add another 110,000 visitors to the Stadium and another £5.5m of ticket revenue.
These OS attendance figures and ticket revenue show clearly that the Olympic Stadium is a multi purpose Stadium which can generate revenue and income outside of football and was not merely converted for West Ham's benefit.
Rugby Attendances at the Olympic Stadium
2015-08-29 Barbarians v Samoa – 41,039
2015-09-23 France v Romania – 50,626
2015-09-24 New Zealand v Namibia – 51,820
2015-10-04 Ireland v Italy – 53,187
2015-10-07 South Africa v USA – 54,658
2015-10-30 South Africa v Argentina – 55,925
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Howzat! Cricket at the OS
Posted by Sean Whetstone on November 5, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
The chance of Cricket being played at the Olympic Stadium next year moved a step closer today. Former cricketers Ronnie Irani and Graham Gooch together with Forhad Hussain were pictured at the Olympic Stadium. Forhad Hussain posted "Great conversations about Cricket today with friends from @EssexCricket @EssexCCB – at the Olympic Stadium"
Irani and Gooch both spent their entire careers at Essex, both captaining the club. Irani is the club's Cricket Committee Chairman and Gooch the club's Ambassador. Hussain is a Newham councillor as well as a member of the Essex cricket board. Last year a deal was agreed "in principle" for Essex to play Twenty20 cricket at the London Olympic Stadium from 2016. Essex chief executive Derek Bowden said at the time that Kent and Middlesex are also interested in plans to host a T20 festival at the venue.
"In principle, there is an agreement that a two-week festival of T20-type cricket could be played at the Olympic Park from 2016," he told BBC Essex "Ourselves, Kent and Middlesex have all expressed interest in playing there."
Essex first revealed a desire to play cricket at the Olympic Park back in 2010 and in March 2012 launched a failed to bid to become a tenant of the stadium.
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Defender faces exit door
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 5, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
James Collins is now highly unlikely to get a new contract offer from West Ham at the end of the campaign. The club see Reece Burke as their fourth defender and – as we reported yesterday – he could be back at the club by as early as January should we receive an offer for Collins in the winter window. With Winston Reid, James Tomkins, Angelo Ogbonna, Burke and Doniel Henry available it now looks certain the Irons will move Ginge on for a small fee or part company with the 32 year old on a free in the summer.
We have been told exclusively by a club source that whilst there has been no interest from elsewhere at this stage it would be more than feasible for a struggling Premier League club or top of the table Championship outfit to be interested. And that raises the interesting scenario of a bid from the Sam Allardyce-managed Sunderland who have all sorts of defensive worries. Collins had the opportunity of a loan move to QPR in the summer but chose to take his chance in Slaven Bilic's new set up. A source told us: "We will listen to offers for James in the window. We have a strong group of central defenders. He's been a great servant and we will do what's right."
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Gold appeals for missing Antonio
Posted by Sean Whetstone on November 5, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
West Ham Chairman David Gold has been duped once again on twitter into appealing for a missing person which in reality is a West Ham player. One Hammers fan who only goes by the name 'RepsaJ' messaged the 79 year old Chairman last night to ask "David Gold please RT trying to raise awareness for my mate who went missing in Manchester a few weeks ago"
The message was accompanied with a photo of West Ham winger Michail Antonio who the Irons signed from Nottingham Forest in the Summer for £7m. The photo in question was previously tweeted by the player himself back on 18th October saying "Finally got my Young Britannia stuff" that same day he tweeted "I knew it wasn't going to be easy to break in to the premier league especially at a club sitting In 3rd place"
Antonio has made just one Premier League appearance, coming on in the sixtieth minute for Victor Moses at the Etihad when West Ham beat Manchester City 2-1.
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Slav warms up for Everton re-wind
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 5, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
Nobody associated with West Ham has more reason to see off Everton on Saturday than manager Slaven Bilic. For after 18 years, the boss meets the club he joined from the Irons back in 1997 and now catches up with them as Irons boss!. He made just 28 appearances for Everton in three seasons after being regularly troubled by a nagging groin strain that required rest and treatment. After missing the first quarter of the season, Bilic was left wondering if he would get back into the Walter Smth – managed Everton side. He was released in July 1999. Slaven has taken stick from a certain sector of supporters for the move but players have little choice in these matters once a club decides to sell. And a victory over the Toffees first time around since taking over as boss would be tremendous for him and us given we have failed to beat the Merseysiders since 2007 thanks to Bobby Zamora. The all-time record shows us beating them 37 times, drawn 28 and lost a staggering 67 times! That's bad!
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Reid and Valencia update
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 5, 2015 in News
C and H
Slaven Bilic has given the strongest indication yet that Winston Reid is set for a recall against Everton. He told the media this morning: "He is OK, he picked up an injury against Sunderland, but now has recovered well. He is very important for us so we are happy to have him back." And he also described his own feelings ahead of the game against his former club declaring: "On one hand yes (it's important) on the other no. Every game is special for different reasons. Everton are a great side, big club with good players. It's a great test for us and I am looking forward to it, definitely yes."
And commenting on a record which shows one Irons League win over The Toffees in eight years he added: "That is a lot, it shows how difficult Saturday's game will be. It's a bit of a surprise to me but it doesn't worry me too much because those games are in the past. It will only affect us if we allow it to, if we think about it too much then it might have an impact on confidence, but we should be able to deal with that. "Every game is different, and you have to go and prove yourself from the first whistle every time." He explained the team will be decided later today or tomorrow and of Enner Valencia said: "From a fitness perspective he is in a good way, he just needs to get his match fitness up. He is very close to being ready, but it depends which game that'll be.
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West Ham manager Slaven Bilic has embarrassing accident during press conference
18:53, 5 NOV 2015 UPDATED 19:06, 5 NOV 2015
BY WILL MAGEE
The guy who prepares the West Ham press room will be blushing bright red right now...
The Mirror
We've seen a lot of embarrassing moments in managerial press conferences over the years.
Whether someone has made an outlandish claim (John Carver dubbing himself "the best coach in the Premier League", for example), lost their temper or simply failed to give proper answers (Jose Mourinho, we're looking at you), the press room is often an awkward place to be.
However, we've never seen a moment of slapstick silliness quite like this before. West Ham boss Slaven Bilic had his midweek press conference interrupted earlier today - all because the table he was leaning on completely collapsed.
As he faced the media ahead of the Hammers weekend clash with Everton, the cool Croatian briefly lost his air of composure as he brushed against the flimsy furniture - only to have it crumple underneath him. He and the journalists in attendance laughed heartily while a host of staff tried frantically to fix things, fumbling over the great jumble of microphones which had slid off the slanting surface.
Slaven certainly saw the funny side. We hope whoever helped to set the room up isn't too embarrassed.
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Stephen Hendrie slams Celtic display on Twitter, months after they wanted him
HITC
Tim Poole
The West Ham left back has been understandably critical of the Scottish champions. West Ham United defender Stephen Hendrie took to Twitter to brand Celtic a 'shambles' after their 2-1 defeat to Molde at Parkhead on Thursday night. Celtic had already lost 3-1 to Molde during their Europa League clash in Norway and delivered another poor performance this time around. And Hendrie, who joined West Ham despite the Daily Record reporting that the Bhoys were interested in signing him several months ago, took to social media after the loss. Indeed, the defender didn't need to use more than four words to sum Celtic's European campaign up after further disappointment - this time at Parkhead.
Stephen Hendrie @HendrieStephen Celtic are a shambles😑
As well as being a previous transfer target for Celtic, of course, the 20-year-old is a Bhoys fan, which means he is privy to how other Celtic supporters feel right now. The disappointment is palpable among the Hoops faithful as, despite their domestic superiority right now, Celtic's European campaign has indeed been an absolute 'shambles.' As for Hendrie, the defender will continue trying to make an impact at West Ham, with the Hammers due to host Everton on Saturday afternoon.
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David Gold sends heartfelt message to West Ham's Michail Antonio
HITC
Billy Hawkins
Antonio has struggled for game time with West Ham this season. Michail Antonio has struggled at West Ham since moving from Nottingham Forest over the summer, but David Gold sent him a heartfelt message on Twitter praising his attitude. Antonio arrived at the Boleyn Ground with the reputation as one of the best players in the Championship, but has struggled to have an impact with the Hammers due to the great form of the players ahead of him.
Victor Moses, Dimitri Payet and Manuel Lanzini have all excelled this term in the attacking midfield positions, meaning Antonio has played just 30 minutes of Premier League action. He has appeared for West Ham's Under-21s, but he has had to sit on the sidelines waiting for senior action that Slaven Bilic has yet to hand to him.
David Gold ✔ @davidgold
Great attitude Michail. Your time will come. Good luck. dg https://twitter.com/michailantonio/status/655758930505781250 …
4:05 PM - 5 Nov 2015
The 25-year-old has undoubted talent, but it is clear that Bilic does not believe he is yet ready to make an impact in the top flight, and it is hard to imagine Antonio being given a chance any time soon. However, Antonio has continued to work hard in training and look to impress Bilic, and co-chairman David Gold has praised the winger for his attitude and the work ethic he has shown in recent months. If Antonio continues work hard in training, there is hope that he will be given a chance to impress in the first-team in the coming weeks.
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BILIC MUST SHOW ADAPTABILITY TO END WEST HAM'S EVERTON CURSE
news.ladbrokes.com
Slaven Bilic's reign at West Ham has undoubtedly started with a flyer, but after succumbing tamely to Watford last weekend, a visit of Everton on Saturday will be the true acid test of his credentials. To say the Toffees were a bogey team for the Londoners would be somewhat of an understatement. The last time the Hammers bagged three league points against the Merseyside outfit was way back in 2007 when Bobby Zamora nabbed the only goal of the game. Only James Collins and Mark Noble from the West Ham squad that day are still Irons players, and they have seen plenty of suffering at the hands of Everton since. Of the 14 subsequent league encounters, four have been drawn while the points have headed north west on 10 occasions. One man that has been instrumental in that misery has been Romelu Lukaku, who has netted in all six of his Everton appearances against the Upton Park outfit, and is 7/4 to find the net once again. For the man in the home dug-out though, he will not be hoping for a continuation of the performance in Hertfordshire last week. While the Hornets were excellent, Bilic's side were poor, with individual mistakes capping a muddled team performance that has been rare this term. The Croat has devised a counter-attacking philosophy since arriving in the East End in the summer, and that has worked to an extent with victories over Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool on the road. However, there comes a time and a place when things need to be switched up. Quique Sanchez Flores reacted to the visitor's preferred style perfectly, not allowing them to get a hold of the game at Vicarage Road. West Ham could be best served to coming at Everton on Saturday, with the Toffees boasting a penchant for conceding first. In fact in their last 20 away games, Roberto Martinez's men have opened the scoring on just five occasions. Get that early goal by pushing forward and seizing the initiative, and then Bilic can resort to allowing their visitors to come at them and hitting them on the break.
Personnel changes are also likely after the Watford defeat. The omission of Diafra Sakho forced a change in approach, or at least it should have done, as Andy Carroll filled the lone striker role, with support coming from the wings. At times last weekend, ignoring his defensive clangers, Carroll looked isolated on his own up top. And with Sakho set to sit this game out, the former Newcastle man is likely to be given the nod once again, but whether he is given a strike partner in front of the Bobby Moore Stand could be key. Working alongside Kevin Nolan in the past, the Geordie was able to provide countless knockdowns for goal after goal after goal. Pair Carroll in attack with Enner Valencia or Mauro Zarate, two men who won't be afraid to take a pop from a distance, and the big man could have the perfect foil to send the Upton Park crowd into raptures. A better performance will be needed if Bilic is to keep West Ham on the charge for a European place, and if he can show that he is more than a counter-attack-king then the 6/4 on the Hammers taking three points and ending their Toffee hoodoo could prove fruitful.
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West Ham midfielder Alex Song set to face Charlton in behind-closed-doors friendly as he closes in on his second Hammers debut
Alex Song signed for West Ham on a season-long loan deal this summer
Song also spent last season on loan at the club from La Liga Barcelona
However, the former Cameroon international is yet to feature this season
Song will face Charlton next week as he closes in on his second debut
By OLIVER TODD FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 11:13, 5 November 2015 | UPDATED: 11:56, 5 November 2015
Slaven Bilic will hand Alex Song a behind-closed-doors comeback against Charlton Athletic next week as West Ham's summer signing nears full fitness. Song is yet to make his second Hammers debut with knee and ankle injuries hampering his loan return to Upton Park from parent club Barcelona. But while the 28-year-old won't be ready to give Bilic a midfield boost in Saturday's Barclays Premier League clash against Everton, he will start in a training ground friendly on Wednesday next week. 'He's just started training with us, he's been with us for one week now,' Bilic said. 'His injury with his knee and especially his ankle that was operated on is OK. He has no problem with it whatsoever. 'Now it's just a matter of fitness and match fitness. His first game for us after a long period is going to be a friendly on Wednesday and he's going to be that. 'Hopefully, he is naturally fit guy, he should be back soon but not tomorrow or in one week because he had a long break.'
Bilic welcomes back Winston Reid for the visit of the manager's former club Everton after a knee injury lay-off of his own. Reid had been mooted for a first-team return last month but the centre back is now ready to step up in place of suspended James Collins. Diafra Sakho will be back after the international break with Bilic labelling his thigh strain 'nothing major'.
The boss added: 'Unfortunately it is a small tear, a rupture in his thigh. The prognosis is that he will be back for the game after the international break. 'It's a set-back as he is a very important player to us. He dictates the rhythm of the game a lot, with his pace, quality and determination and it's a blow for sure. But it's not a major set-back. On Reid, Bilic said: 'Winston will be in the squad, he's back. Again, it's nothing major so now he's back in training for a whole week and we're glad as he's very important on and off the pitch for us.'
The injury issues and a 2-0 defeat by Watford last weekend have done nothing to dampen West Ham's confidence though. Co-chairman David Sullivan has made it clear that a top four finish is in their sights. Sullivan hopes to see Champions League football when West Ham move into the Olympic Stadium next season, and Bilic is doing nothing to dampen the dream. While most managers are wary of inspiring over-confidence and arrogance in their side the former Besiktas boss is happy to keep up the top-four talk. 'There's nothing wrong with being optimistic and thinking about something that looks a little bit far away,' he said. 'When the chairman talked it was in a positive way. We have to work hard and as long as you work hard and stay with plan and philosophy there's nothing wrong with that.'
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West Ham Have Made Me Better Goalkeeper Admits Adrian
inside futbol.com
West Ham goalkeeper Adrian believes that the club have helped him to grow as a footballer because he has been a regular ever since he joined the Premier League outfit. The shot-stopper joined the east London side from Real Betis in the summer of 2013 and since then he has established himself as the club's first choice goalkeeper. Despite a managerial change ahead of the new season, Adrian has remained the club's number one and he admits that he is grateful towards Slaven Bilic for continuing to put his faith in him. The 28-year-old was also the first choice under Sam Allardyce and he believes that being a regular at West Ham has helped him to grow as a footballer as he has only got better since joining the club two years back.
The Spaniard told AS: "I have been fortunate enough to enjoy the trust of the new coach, Slaven Bilic, like last year with Sam Allardyce. "I attempt to respond to their trust with my performances on the pitch. Since I have arrived in England I have been a permanent fixture and that makes me happy. "More games give you experience and I am at my best because of that."
Adrian is a youth product of Real Betis and played 32 times for the club before the Hammers took him to east London in 2013. He already has 80 appearances under his belt at West Ham and is expected to remain a key part of their squad for the next few seasons.
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West Ham's Diafra Sakho to miss Everton clash as Slaven Bilic confirms striker's thigh injury
11:47, 5 NOV 2015
BY NEIL MCLEMAN
Sakho was ruled out of last weekend's trip to Watford – and the Hammers lost on the road for the first time this season when Andy Carroll started up front
The Mirror
Diafra Sakho will miss West Ham 's match against Everton's after Slaven Bilic revealed the Senegal striker has suffered a "rupture" to his thigh. Sakho was ruled out of last weekend's trip to Watford – and the Hammers lost on the road for the first time this season when Andy Carroll started up front. Now the Hammers boss has ruled out Sakho until after the international break.
"It is set-back as he is very important player to us," Bilic said ."He did not get injured in training and reported after training before the Watford game when he felt something. "Unfortunately it is a small tear, a rupture in his thigh. Prognosis is he will be back for the game after in break. It is a blow for us. He harrasses the defence. He dictates the rhythm of the game a lot, with his pace, quality and determination. But it's not a major set-back."
Winston Reid is back in the squad while Alex Song, who has not played this season after undergoing a summer ankle operation, is close to a return and will play a friendly against Charlton next week. "Song just started training with us," Bilic said. "He started training before Watford and he's been with us for one week now. He's ok, there's no problem whatsoever and now a matter of fitness and match fitness. We have a friendly game now on Wednesday and hopefully he's going to be fit soon."
West Ham's only victory over Bilic's former club Everton in their last 17 matches was a penalty shootout win in the FA Cup last season. And Roberto Martinez's arrive at Upton Park on the back of the 6-2 thrashing of Sam Allardyce's Sunderland. But Bilic said: "They are confident but so are we. In our last home game we beat the champios (Chelsea). Obviously in our last game we played badly and lost at Watford but we know why we lost that game."
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West Ham to produce 'war-time design' match programme for Remembrance Day fixture against Everton
JAMES BENGE 1 hour ago0 comments
Evening Standard
West Ham will honour its Remembrance Day fixture by producing a match programme donning a 'war-time design', the club has confirmed. With their impending move to the Olympic Stadium, the Hammers have celebrated each home game at the Boleyn Ground with a different retro programme design, to commemorate their final season at the stadium. "The cover is a modern take on a Football League Regional Competition programme produced for fixtures during the 1939/40 season," the club confirmed to Standard Sport. Co-owner David Gold, and Everton chairman Bill Kenwright, will lay wreath on the pitch before kick-off, accompanied by a guard of honour provided by the 7th Battalion Rifles, who are based at the Territorial Army Centre in West Ham.
Both sets of shirts – that will carry the now customary poppy emblem - will be auctioned after the match to raise funds for the Royal British Legion charity. The Boleyn Ground was hit by a V-1 flying bomb in August 1944, with the Hammers having to play several wartime fixtures away from their spiritual home as a result. Earlier in the Second World War West Ham had won the 1940 Football League War Cup, a competition that took place in the absence of regular competitive football during the period. Slaven Bilic's side sit in sixth place in the Premier League after a bright start to their final season at Upton Park. Victory over Everton would take them above local rivals Tottenham, who play Arsenal the following day.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
West Ham United are pleased to release their accounts for the year ended 31 May 2015
The accounts show another record-breaking year for the Club as all areas of income increased, creating total additional revenue of £6m. Turnover was up to £120.7m from £114.8m last year and this helped deliver a second consecutive group operating profit of £3m.
The profit was delivered alongside an expansive and hugely successful £32.5m recruitment drive last summer that delivered nine new players including the likes of Hammer of the Year Aaron Cresswell, top scorer Diafra Sakho and internationals Cheikhou Kouyate, Enner Valencia Alex Song and Carl Jenkinson.
Away from the pitch, there was a 13.7% increase in retail sales, achieving a club record high in turnover of £7.3m, while commercial and sponsorship increased by 6.5%, achieving £14.6m of revenue - another Club record.
West Ham United Joint-Chairman David Sullivan said: "My Board and I are again satisfied with the achievements we have made this season (2014/15). The highlights for us being:
• Retaining our Premier League status in what was a very competitive year;
• Making huge progress in our preparation for our move to the Olympic Stadium for the 2016/17 season;
• Our fantastic support despite a disappointing second half of the season.
• Our recruitment of a new First Team Management team, led by Slaven Bilic. We would like to thank Sam Allardyce and his staff for their work at the Club over the last four years.
"At the start of the season we invested a net total of £32.5m and bought Mauro Zarate, Enner Valencia, Aaron Cresswell, Cheikhou Kouyate, Diafra Sakho, Diego Poyet and Morgan Amalfitano, and also took Carl Jenkinson and Alex Song on loan from Arsenal and Barcelona respectively. The new players all had a positive impact, particularly in the first half of the season.
"Subsequent to the year end, we have further invested in the playing staff for the 2015/16 season with the significant investment into the purchases of Pedro Obiang, Dimitri Payet, Angelo Ogbonna, Michail Antonio, Nikica Jelavic, Stephen Hendrie and Darren Randolph. We have also taken Carl Jenkinson, Manuel Lanzini, Victor Moses and Alex Song on loan, and extended the contracts of some key players; Diafra Sakho, Aaron Cresswell and Winston Reid.
"This was truly a season of two halves, with a scintillating and uplifting start and then a disappointing period after Christmas. Hopefully we will, in the 2015/16 season, have more results like the first half of 2014/15.
"Once again, this season, our last at the Boleyn Ground after 112 years of playing here, will bring its own challenges, but we continue to believe we will deliver both on and off the pitch by investing in the team, the brand and managing the business well. We all hope it will be one of our best seasons ever."
West Ham United Vice-Chairman Karren Brady said: "2014/15 was another satisfactory year for the club both on and off the pitch as we once again retained our Premier League status and improved our position in the table. We were officially recognised as one of the world's leading football brands by Brandfinance, placing us in the top eight most valuable brands in Premier League clubs and 16th overall in the world's top 50 most valuable football brands for 2015. We increased our revenues again and made an operating profit of £8.5m.
"Through the hard work of a fantastic, dedicated, loyal and determined team both on and off the pitch the club has grown in size, revenue and in stature this season. The management team off the pitch were able to capitalise and maximise on all the opportunities the Manager and the team delivered on the pitch for half of the season, and to this end I would like to offer my thanks to Sam Allardyce and his team and wish them well for the future.
"The Olympic Stadium offers enormous commercial and brand opportunities, and we have a strategy to deliver sell-out crowds and enter that stadium with a team that are befitting of such an amazing iconic venue.
"Finally, we know that we have set a level of expectation amongst our supporters this year, our last at the Boleyn Ground, our home for the last 112 years, and I, my Board and all the staff on and off the pitch relish the opportunity to enjoy a wonderful and successful farewell this year and believe we have both the strategy and people to deliver much more in years to come."
[Peter R ] I have attached the accounts - not sure if Google will remove them :)
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Slaven Speaks - Everton
WHUFC.com
Ahead of the Hammers' fixture with Everton, manager Slaven Bilic faced the media. The boss answered a variety of questions from team news, facing his former club Everton and how bouncing back from the Watford defeat.
Good morning Slaven, can we start with Saturday's team news?
SB: "Diafra Sakho is still out, it is nothing major, he did normal training on Thursday last week but then felt something in his thigh. Unfortunately it is a small tear and he is out for Saturday's game. He should be back for our first game after the international break. "It's a set back because he's a very important player for us, he does a lot for the team and the way we are playing. He has energy, he is impulsive and he dictates the rhythm of the game."
How about Alex Song?
SB: "He has just started training with the team, his first session was just before the Watford game, he's been with us for one week and he has no problems now. Now I is just a matter of fitness and regaining match fitness. He will play in the friendly game on Wednesday; he is a naturally fit guy so hopefully he will back ready soon."
And Winston Reid?
SB: "He is OK, he picked up an injury against Sunderland, but now has recovered well. He is very important for us so we are happy to have him back."
Is facing Everton a special game for you?
SB: "Yes, on one hand yes, on the other no. Every game is special for different reasons. Everton are a great side, big club with good players. It's a great test for us and I am looking forward to it, definitely yes."
I don't if you are aware but West Ham have one win against Everton in 17 games, how important is that?
SB: "That is a lot, it must be eight years or so. I didn't know that to be fair, but it shows how difficult Saturday's game will be. It's a bit of a surprise to me but it doesn't worry me too much because those games are in the past. It will only affect us if we allow it to, if we think about it too much then it might have an impact on confidence, but we should be able to deal with that. "Every game is different, and you have to go and prove yourself from the first whistle every time."
And is Enner Valencia getting closer to starting a match?
SB: "Yes he is, we've got options at the moment. From a fitness perspective he is in a good way, he just needs to get his match fitness up. He is very close to being ready, but it depends which game that'll be. We will make a decision either today or tomorrow about who starts."
Everton will be very confident after winning 6-2, you're obviously coming off the back of a defeat, how import could that be?
SB: "Everton played very well against Sunderland, deserved to win the game, so they will be confident and they have the momentum. They were a bit shaky for a home performance, 2-0 up to then being 2-2, but came through it and then dominated, every attack they had looked dangerous. Our game against Watford was strange, not for the Premier League, but for us. We weren't near to our usual levels but overall we look dangerous too, we are scoring quite a lot.
"We lost at Watford, but we know why we lost and we can learn from that and make sure it doesn't happen again."
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View on the Opposition - Everton
WHUFC.com
The Independent's football writer Simon Hart gives us the lowdown on Saturday's visitors.
Everton are currently ninth in the league table, what have you made of their start to the season?
"Away from home they've looked really dangerous, and they look like they can really hurt teams. At home, they've had more of a challenging fixture list, they've played the two Manchester clubs, Liverpool and Chelsea. Whereas away, they hadn't lost an away game until they played Arsenal two weeks ago, even in that game they showed what a good attacking threat they have."
Last season, Roberto Martinez came under a bit of pressure, what's his standing with the Everton fans now?
"He was under pressure after last season's disappointment. With the difficult fixture list he knew they needed to start well, it hasn't been spectacular but it's been pretty solid overall. There have definitely been more positives then minuses. An additional source of optimism is their League Cup run which makes a nice change given their record in recent years.
"The win against Sunderland was very important because they'd won just one win before that game. They really needed to demonstrate to the home supporters what they can do; winning 6-2 certainly did that."
Romelu Lukaku always seems to score against West Ham, who else has caught the eye this season?
"Let's hope he keeps his tradition going! He played extremely well against Sunderland and he's clearly enjoying the developing partnership with Arouna Kone. Kone has been a bit of a revelation, there were a few boos when he came on against Watford, but he helped turn that game and scored the equalising goal. He looks fit finally after a series of injuries; you can now see why Martinez wants him in the first team.
"Ross Barkley has looked a more confident player, he's still learning but there have been some good signs from him. Gareth Barry has had some very good games and Phil Jagielka was in superb form until the injury. I don't think he gets the credit he deserves.
"The other revelation is Brendan Galloway, with Baines being injured, which was a huge blow, the inexperienced Galloway has come in and done really, really well. He's not been daunted by the games he's played in at all. He's grown in confidence and looks like a really exciting prospect."
Today's game is the first time Slaven Bilic faces Everton as a Premier League manager, how do you think he's coped since arriving in the summer?
"Looking at some of the results I think he's done well. He's always been a colourful character with his law degree and personality. He's certainly not your average manager.
"As a player at Everton, he didn't really get the chance to show what he could do as he was injured for a large part. It was also a difficult time at the club as they managed to avoid relegation. I haven't seen any West Ham games live yet; from the highlights I've seen I've been very impressed."
What is your prediction for Saturday's score?
"Lukaku hat-trick for sure! Hopefully Adrian won't score this time though, that was a great cup tie and what the FA Cup is all about. Evertonians will certainly miss coming to Upton Park, it's a great place to watch football, but they have a freakishly good record here compared to other London clubs!"
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From the Treatment Room
WHUFC.com
Hello everyone,
They say that a week is a long time in politics, and the same can certainly be said to be the case in football!
In my column last week, I said we hoped to have a full squad for the game at Watford, but unfortunately we lost Diafra Sakho and Pedro Obiang to quadriceps – thigh – injuries suffered in training and they missed the match at Vicarage Road.
Meanwhile, we have positive news about Winston Reid, who has been training with the squad for two weeks now and is getting stronger every day. He has got a good number of training days under his belt and was also boosted by seeing his fellow New Zealanders win the Rugby World Cup!
Alex Song and Doneil Henry returned to training with the squad at the end of last week and are now ready for the busy winter period.
West Ham United were one of eight clubs to take part in a recent research study with University College London into the oral health of players.
Bad hygiene, eating and drinking the wrong foods and drinks can cause painful issues and affect performance, so the Club has proactively introduced screening for the players to avoid these problems. You can read about this here.
Stijn Vandenbroucke
Head of Medical and Sports Science
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West Ham announce record turnover in 2015 accounts
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 5th November 2015
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United have announced a record turnover of £121million, in the latest annual accounts released today.
The club increased last season's figure - a record in itself - by £6million following a season in which the club finished 12th in the Premier League and qualified for European competition for the first time since 2007. However the actual profit for the year was down from £10.3million in 2014 to just under £3million this year.
That West Ham United FC continue to make a profit was largely the result of increased TV revenue, which accounted for £79million last season compared to £75million in 2013/14. Match receipts (£20million) and commercial activities (£14.5million) were similar to the numbers recorded in last year's accounts, as were retail and merchandising results (up from £6.3million to £7.3million).
However the trend of reducing the club's wages to turnover ratio was well and truly bucked, with 2015's figure of 60 per cent up on 2014's ratio of 55.6 per cent (although any figure lower than 70 per cent is generally considered to be healthy). The club's overall wage bill increased from £63.9million last year to £72.7million.
With view to non-player salaries, the Board's wages accounted for £907,000, up by £78,000; the highest paid Director, believed to be vice chair Karren Brady earned £646,000 - a rise of £10,000 on last year (1.5%).
Co-chairman David Sullivan said: "My Board and I are again satisfied with the achievements we have made this season (2014/15). At the start of the season we invested a net total of £32.5million. The new players all had a positive impact, particularly in the first half of the season.
"This was truly a season of two halves, with a scintillating and uplifting start and then a disappointing period after Christmas. Hopefully we will, in the 2015/16 season, have more results like the first half of 2014/15."
Vice chair Karren Brady added: "2014/15 was another satisfactory year for the club both on and off the pitch as we once again retained our Premier League status and improved our position in the table. We increased our revenues again and made an operating profit of £8.5m.
"Through the hard work of a fantastic, dedicated, loyal and determined team both on and off the pitch the club has grown in size, revenue and in stature this season. The Olympic Stadium offers enormous commercial and brand opportunities, and we have a strategy to deliver sell-out crowds and enter that stadium with a team that are befitting of such an amazing iconic venue."
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Diafra Sakho out of Everton clash
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 5th November 2015
By: Staff Writer
Diafra Sakho is out of Saturday's clash with Everton having failed to recover from the injury sustained in training last week. The 25-year-old striker was a surprise omission from the team that was beaten 2-0 at Watford last Saturday - an absence later explained as a muscle injury. And Slaven Bilic confirmed this morning that the Senegal international will this week's fixture with the manager's former club, whom he joined after leaving West Ham as a player in 1997. "It is nothing major, he go injured during training," explained Bilic. "He trained normally last Thursday before the Watford game but then he felt something and unfortunately, it was a small tear. "It is a rupture in his thigh and he is out for Saturday's game, but the prognosis is that he should be fit for the game after the international break, which is against Spurs. "It is a setback for us as he is a very important player, the way he plays means he is important for the team and the way we are playing. He has energy, he is impulsive and he dictates the rhythm of the game with his pace, quality and determination. "It is a blow for us and of course he was in good form, but it's not a major setback."
Sakho has scored five goals for West Ham already this season in his first 12 appearances (three in the Premier League from 10 matches). The goalscorer was in the news earlier this week after it was confirmed that charges against him relating to a double arrest back in August had been dropped by Police.
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West Ham will challenge for Europe, says Martinez
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 5th November 2015
By: Staff Writer
Everton boss Robert Martinez insists that Slaven Bilic's West Ham will challenge for a place in the top five of the Premier League this season following an excellent start to the campaign.
Martinez's side go into the game in the best possible shape themselves, having thrashed Sunderland 6-2 at home last weekend. However the Spanish manager admitted that he was wary of Bilic's side, who he believes are a different proposition to any West Ham teams he may have faced in the past. "I think it's going to be a really tough game, because the biggest strength of this West Ham side is that they play with an incredible belief and confidence," he told the media this lunchtime. "The results they've had show the benefit of having the belief that you can beat those sides, to get the results that they've had away from home. It's very impressive. On top of that, they've had new players come in and a new manager playing a very different way to how they used to. I think it's going to be a terrific challenge. "They're clearly going to be a team challenging for the top five positions in the league, that's how impressive they've been. We've got to make sure that we're ready to face them. In my eyes, they've been the most impressive side this season along with Leicester."
And with regards to how both teams fared last weekend, Martinez dismissed a suggestion that West Ham's 2-0 defeat at Watford means they will go into this Saturday's clash at the Boleyn lacking in confidence. "Watford are a team that people probably don't understand how difficult it is to play against," he insisted. "They're very strong and well organised. West Ham probably weren't at their best on the day in terms of the goals that they conceded, but they still had chances and the result could have been very different. "Even though they lost they were still in the game. You get those sort of results over the course of the season - but over the course of all 11 games, West Ham have been very impressive and they deserve they points they have. "They've been unfortunate in a couple of games from which they probably should have got better results, but the wins they have were not lucky in any shape or form. "The game against Sunderland gives us a real sense of confidence in terms of what we can do going forward. We know we have to improve in certain aspects, but you will always take confidence from scoring six goals from open play. "We see the West Ham game as one of the games of the season for many reasons. The main reason is that West Ham have beaten the best teams in the opening few weeks of the campaign and we want to be at our best against a team that is in form and a team that has surprised many opposing teams."
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Still no West Ham players, Roy?
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 5th November 2015
By: Staff Writer
West Ham's English contingent have once again been entirely overlooked by England manager Roy Hodgson. Hodgson, who was present at the Boleyn Ground to watch West Ham's most recent home game - the 2-1 win over current Premier League champions Chelsea - has once again failed to include a single Hammer in his squad for the forthcoming games against Spain and France.
However 21-year-old Tottenham midfielder Eric Dier has been included for the first time ever - as is team mate Dele Alli, who was called up to the squad for the first time last month after featuring in just four Premier League matches.
Defenders James Tomkins and Aaron Cresswell, both of whom have been in good form of late lose out to the likes of Kieran Gibbs and Ryan Bertrand, whilst Andy Carroll - who was an outside bet for a recall - loses out as Hodgson has only named three strikers in his 23-man group.
England are scheduled to face Spain in Alicante on Friday, 13 November before hosting the French at Wembley on Tuesday, 17 November. The full squad is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Jack Butland (Stoke City), Joe Hart (Manchester City), Tom Heaton (Burnley)
Defenders: Ryan Bertrand (Southampton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Nathaniel Clyne (Liverpool), Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), John Stones (Everton), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur)
Midfielders: Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Ross Barkley (Everton), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Fabian Delph (Manchester City), Adam Lallana (Liverpool), James Milner (Liverpool), Jonjo Shelvey (Swansea City), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)
Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Jamie Vardy (Leicester City).
There was however slightly better news for West Ham's youngsters, with both goalkeeper Sam Howes and defender Reece Oxford being named in Aidy Boothroyd's 21-man under 19 squad for the forthcoming matches with the Netherlands and Japan. Oxford, who has made three Premier League appearances this season and who previously captained England's under 17s receives the nod from Boothroyd for the first time.
Goalkeepers: Freddie Woodman (Newcastle United), Sam Howes (West Ham United).
Defenders: Jonjoe Kenny (Everton), Callum Connolly (Everton), Tafari Moore (Arsenal), Tosin Adarabioyo (Manchester City), Jake Clarke-Salter (Chelsea), Dael Fry (Middlesbrough), Kyle Walker-Peters (Tottenham Hotspur), Taylor Moore (RC Lens), Reece Oxford (West Ham United).
Midfielders: Ryan Ledson (Everton), Lewis Cook (Leeds United), Josh Onomah (Tottenham Hotspur), Ainsley Maitland-Niles (Ipswich Town, loan from Arsenal), Dan Crowley (Arsenal).
Forwards: Sheyi Ojo (Wolverhampton Wanderers, loan from Arsenal), Patrick Roberts (Manchester City), Adam Armstrong (Coventry City, loan from Newcastle United), Tammy Abraham (Chelsea), Izzy Brown (Vitesse Arnhem, loan from Chelsea).
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West Ham put Premier League safety first ahead of Olympic Stadium move
Last Updated: 05/11/15 5:36pm
SSN
West Ham's vice-chairman Karren Brady says the Olympic Stadium will be "one of the greatest arenas in world football" but admits it is an "absolute necessity" the club retain their Premier League status. The Hammers will relocate to the Olympic Stadium for the 2016/17 season and Brady revealed in West Ham's annual report the new venue will open up "enormous" commercial opportunities. "Retention of our [Premier League] status in the 2015/16 season is an absolute necessity for the future well-being of the club, as we will be moving to our new home in the 2016/17 season and a new improved broadcast deal will be in place," said Brady. "The Olympic Stadium offers enormous commercial and brand opportunities and we have a strategy in place to deliver sell-out crowds and enter the stadium with a team that are befitting of such an amazing iconic venue. "As plans take shape it becomes even more apparent that our new home will be one of the greatest arenas in world football and a platform to transform the future of our great club."
Brady said the new roof, retractable seating and turnstiles had all been completed and the dressing rooms were nearly finished. Brady also revealed there had been a "phenomenal demand" for corporate hospitality, with only 200 of the 3,700 luxury seats in the 54,000-capacity stadium remaining unsold up until last month. The move should also help the club close the financial gap on their rivals. West Ham's matchday revenue stood at only £20m last season. Manchester United and Arsenal both generate more than £100m per game, while Tottenham, who are also moving stadium, take around £40m on a matchday. West Ham's annual report also revealed a profit after tax of just under £3m for the 2014/15 season. The annual accounts show West Ham's turnover was £120.7m for last season, up from £114.8m, while the wage bill rose £8.8m to £72.7m, 60 per cent of turnover. The club's overall gross debt is £89.1m with £49.2m owed to shareholders David Sullivan and David Gold.
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Slaven Bilic tells West Ham to forget poor Everton record
Last Updated: 05/11/15 1:11pm
SSN
Slaven Bilic says West Ham's poor record against Everton should count for nothing when the sides meet on Saturday. The Hammers have won just one of the clubs' past 17 meetings, and that was a penalty shoot-out success in last season's FA Cup. But Bilic is preparing for just another game despite his own links with Everton, where he spent three years as a player, and he wants his squad to have the same attitude. "That is a lot," the West Ham boss said when he was asked about the recent run of results. "It must be eight years or so. I didn't know that to be fair, but it shows how difficult Saturday's game will be. "It's a bit of a surprise to me, but it doesn't worry me too much because those games are in the past. It will only affect us if we allow it to. If we think about it too much then it might have an impact on confidence, but we should be able to deal with that. "Every game is different, and you have to go and prove yourself from the first whistle every time."
Bilic left West Ham for Everton in the summer of 1997 and, asked whether a game against his old club was special, he said: "On one hand yes, on the other no. Every game is special for different reasons. "Everton are a great side, big club with good players. It's a great test for us and I am looking forward to it, definitely yes."
West Ham are still without Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia this weekend, while Alex Song will build up his fitness with an appearance in a friendly match next week, but Winston Reid is available.
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IT'S NOT HOW BIG IT IS, IT'S HOW YOU USE IT
By Iain Dale 5 Nov 2015 at 18:00 121 comments
WTID
Guest Post by Terence Bates
IT'S NOT HOW BIG YOU ARE… IT'S HOW YOU USE IT
One of the best players in the world is some would say the diminutive yet undoubtedly talented, Lionel Messi. He stands at 1.70 metres (which is around 5' 6"). Peter Crouch on the other hand is 2.03 metres (a whopping 6' 8"). Who would you rather have had in your team? It's surely a no brainer of course.
West Ham United have found an absolute gem in Messi's Argentine compatriot Manuel Lanzini who is virtually the same height as Lionel Messi. Andy Carroll in contrast is 1.91 metres (around 6' 3"). Different players yes who bring a contrast to the game, but who of those two brings you more pleasure?
There is good reason as to why I am bringing up the subject of size. Over the last ten years, I have coached children's community football right up to U16's. During that time, I have witnessed all manner of things… the good, the bad and the downright ugly. I am passionate about the development of the game at grass roots level and have often commented on the size-ist attitude we have, particularly in kid's community and youth football.
I was for example once told that the Fulham scouts were only looking for 'big' athletic boys to take into their academies, the bigger the better. This to me at least seemed to be played out by many of the scouts scouring the playing fields, the flats and marshes for football talent, they often didn't see what I did. I am sure this mode of thinking of the bigger the better was part of Sam Allardyce's thinking, or perhaps that's unfair?
The team I managed and coached was based in Hackney and in essence are the closest club to the Olympic stadium, the Hammers new home. We were moderately successful despite chronic lack of funding and my somewhat 'holistic' coaching ways and we were always competing at the top of the league, reaching cup finals and a couple of years back we won our league, we had some really good players. 'Hoof ball' was often prevalent with the more successful kids teams especially on an 11 a side pitch and this was where the bigger more athletic kids often prevailed.
Many of the boys that were in our team literally started as 6 year olds and I worked with them until last season, until ill health encouraged me to take a sabbatical. Players came and went to professional academies, but there is one boy who stuck out for a myriad of reasons.
I obviously can't name him (yet). His ethnic background was an exotic mix of Indian and Irish. I bring this specifically up because of the lack of Indian or indeed Asian players in professional football, which from a West Ham perspective considering the cultural make up close to Upton Park, is quite surprising. But there is a far more pertinent reason I write this.
This boy like most kids is footie mad, he would practice and practice, particularly ball skills and juggling. I took great pride in watching him develop and also became frustrated as he was overlooked. I could see what he had in abundance. The district team incredibly in my view didn't and failed to select him for district level preferring other players we had. The Premier League scouts took him in for assessment at London clubs and essentially spat him out at an early age. It really disappointed me, god knows what it was doing to him or to other kids in that situation whose hopes get raised at too early an age and are then deflated a year or so later.
I am certain the reason he was not selected was essentially his size. He was a very small lad with matchstick thin legs, he looked like he would get buried under the stronger bigger boys and end up in the back of an ambulance. But here is the rub, his ball skills and dribbling were often unreal.
I had a simple theory to his skillset, the closer to the ground the brain is, the better the control on the feet, fuse into this that he was always playing against bigger boys then the brain develops more creatively in order to find ways of beating opponents who were always bigger than him. Small keeps the ball, was the indelible impression he has given me.
When he was 13 we won our league, much of the success was down to him as we won 18 games on the trot. In one game I had to rub my eyes in disbelief as I watched him receive the ball with his back to two big midfield players, he swivelled his hips and lifted the ball over both player's heads leaving them standing as he sauntered past, he was then faced with two defenders and in that same move, he had flicked the ball over their heads and circumnavigated them… the whole double movement was executed in under five seconds. It was magic, I was salivating watching this, indeed at the time I said I would have paid to see that piece of skill. Upton Park or any other professional would have erupted at witnessing this.
Still he wasn't 'scouted' that was until…. we played a friendly match ironically against a community club with ties to West Ham.
We played one Saturday morning and the coach from this side had arranged for various scouts to come and watch the game. He had disappointedly boasted to one of our other coaches that they were coming to look at his players and that they would probably win by ten goals or more, such was the quality in their team, some of whom were involved with West Ham, as he kept reminding us.
However… the game didn't pan out that way. Our team were 2-1 down at half time and in a storming second half finish we won 7-3, The boys had smashed the opposition leaving the opposing coach with his shaking head in his hands. Cue the QPR scout to come up to me enquiring about our star player asking for the lad's parents to contact him.
A year later and now 14, he signed some provisional agreement with QPR. He hasn't quite made it yet, but I am really hoping he does. My only regret with this lad is he wasn't signed by West Ham…. but I live in hope!
Due to this experience and observations over many seasons of kid's football, I have always cited that Lionel Messi or for that matter Manuel Lanzini would get overlooked by our club's, football scouts and coaches. It is a predictable systemic approach that I saw over a ten-year period, but one I really hope is changing. Asian boys in particular can be on the smaller side and I have seen from my regular visits to India some of the raw skill and confidence on the ball they possess.
The talent is out there even in small packages.
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Brady awards herself a 10K pay rise
Posted by Sean Whetstone on November 5, 2015 in News, Sean's Blogs, Whispers
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West Ham Vice Chairman, Karren Brady awarded herself a £10,000 pay rise last year. The increase has been revealed in West Ham financial accounts which were released earlier today. The accounts show that the 'highest paid director' at West Ham, understood to be Baroness Brady, awarded herself the 1.6% increase which means her salary package was increased from £636,000 to £646,000 per annum in the financial year ending 31st May 2015. The rise is worth around £100 extra per week to her after tax. The news comes a week after the House of Lords Tory peer backed the call for cuts in tax credits during a defeated vote. She earns £300 per day each time she turns up at the House of Lords in that role. Baroness Karren Brady of Knightsbridge CBE is also a Senior Non-Executive Director on the boards of Syco Entertainment and retail multinational Arcadia Group. She is also the UK government's Small Business Ambassador. She stars in the BBC Apprentice along fellow House of Lords peer Lord Sugar and is believed to worth in excess of £82 million.
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Irons OS critics flattened by £20m plus answer!
Posted by Sean Whetstone on November 5, 2015 in News, Whispers
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Hard core critics of the deal which has seen the Hammers land the Olympic Stadium as their new home face a reality check. For already – before a single game of football has been played in the Stadium – around £20 million has been harvested from other sporting events. The Rugby World Cup finished with 307,255 Rugby fans visiting the Olympic Stadium either for the warm up game or one of the five contested at the venue.
This came on top of an estimated 100,000 athletics fans who attended the Great Newham Run or the three days of the Sainsburys Anniversary games back in July. If you average a very conservative £50 per ticket across the estimated 407,000 tickets the Olympic Stadium sold this year you get a sum in excess of £20m.
Precisely how much of this is shared with the Stadium owners E20 Stadium LLP we can't be sure but it would be a sizeable chunk. This Saturday there is a Rugby Union match at the OS with The Race of Champions motor event following on the November 20. These events are likely sell out and add another 110,000 visitors to the Stadium and another £5.5m of ticket revenue.
These OS attendance figures and ticket revenue show clearly that the Olympic Stadium is a multi purpose Stadium which can generate revenue and income outside of football and was not merely converted for West Ham's benefit.
Rugby Attendances at the Olympic Stadium
2015-08-29 Barbarians v Samoa – 41,039
2015-09-23 France v Romania – 50,626
2015-09-24 New Zealand v Namibia – 51,820
2015-10-04 Ireland v Italy – 53,187
2015-10-07 South Africa v USA – 54,658
2015-10-30 South Africa v Argentina – 55,925
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Howzat! Cricket at the OS
Posted by Sean Whetstone on November 5, 2015 in News, Whispers
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The chance of Cricket being played at the Olympic Stadium next year moved a step closer today. Former cricketers Ronnie Irani and Graham Gooch together with Forhad Hussain were pictured at the Olympic Stadium. Forhad Hussain posted "Great conversations about Cricket today with friends from @EssexCricket @EssexCCB – at the Olympic Stadium"
Irani and Gooch both spent their entire careers at Essex, both captaining the club. Irani is the club's Cricket Committee Chairman and Gooch the club's Ambassador. Hussain is a Newham councillor as well as a member of the Essex cricket board. Last year a deal was agreed "in principle" for Essex to play Twenty20 cricket at the London Olympic Stadium from 2016. Essex chief executive Derek Bowden said at the time that Kent and Middlesex are also interested in plans to host a T20 festival at the venue.
"In principle, there is an agreement that a two-week festival of T20-type cricket could be played at the Olympic Park from 2016," he told BBC Essex "Ourselves, Kent and Middlesex have all expressed interest in playing there."
Essex first revealed a desire to play cricket at the Olympic Park back in 2010 and in March 2012 launched a failed to bid to become a tenant of the stadium.
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Defender faces exit door
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 5, 2015 in News, Whispers
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James Collins is now highly unlikely to get a new contract offer from West Ham at the end of the campaign. The club see Reece Burke as their fourth defender and – as we reported yesterday – he could be back at the club by as early as January should we receive an offer for Collins in the winter window. With Winston Reid, James Tomkins, Angelo Ogbonna, Burke and Doniel Henry available it now looks certain the Irons will move Ginge on for a small fee or part company with the 32 year old on a free in the summer.
We have been told exclusively by a club source that whilst there has been no interest from elsewhere at this stage it would be more than feasible for a struggling Premier League club or top of the table Championship outfit to be interested. And that raises the interesting scenario of a bid from the Sam Allardyce-managed Sunderland who have all sorts of defensive worries. Collins had the opportunity of a loan move to QPR in the summer but chose to take his chance in Slaven Bilic's new set up. A source told us: "We will listen to offers for James in the window. We have a strong group of central defenders. He's been a great servant and we will do what's right."
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Gold appeals for missing Antonio
Posted by Sean Whetstone on November 5, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
West Ham Chairman David Gold has been duped once again on twitter into appealing for a missing person which in reality is a West Ham player. One Hammers fan who only goes by the name 'RepsaJ' messaged the 79 year old Chairman last night to ask "David Gold please RT trying to raise awareness for my mate who went missing in Manchester a few weeks ago"
The message was accompanied with a photo of West Ham winger Michail Antonio who the Irons signed from Nottingham Forest in the Summer for £7m. The photo in question was previously tweeted by the player himself back on 18th October saying "Finally got my Young Britannia stuff" that same day he tweeted "I knew it wasn't going to be easy to break in to the premier league especially at a club sitting In 3rd place"
Antonio has made just one Premier League appearance, coming on in the sixtieth minute for Victor Moses at the Etihad when West Ham beat Manchester City 2-1.
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Slav warms up for Everton re-wind
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 5, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
Nobody associated with West Ham has more reason to see off Everton on Saturday than manager Slaven Bilic. For after 18 years, the boss meets the club he joined from the Irons back in 1997 and now catches up with them as Irons boss!. He made just 28 appearances for Everton in three seasons after being regularly troubled by a nagging groin strain that required rest and treatment. After missing the first quarter of the season, Bilic was left wondering if he would get back into the Walter Smth – managed Everton side. He was released in July 1999. Slaven has taken stick from a certain sector of supporters for the move but players have little choice in these matters once a club decides to sell. And a victory over the Toffees first time around since taking over as boss would be tremendous for him and us given we have failed to beat the Merseysiders since 2007 thanks to Bobby Zamora. The all-time record shows us beating them 37 times, drawn 28 and lost a staggering 67 times! That's bad!
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Reid and Valencia update
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 5, 2015 in News
C and H
Slaven Bilic has given the strongest indication yet that Winston Reid is set for a recall against Everton. He told the media this morning: "He is OK, he picked up an injury against Sunderland, but now has recovered well. He is very important for us so we are happy to have him back." And he also described his own feelings ahead of the game against his former club declaring: "On one hand yes (it's important) on the other no. Every game is special for different reasons. Everton are a great side, big club with good players. It's a great test for us and I am looking forward to it, definitely yes."
And commenting on a record which shows one Irons League win over The Toffees in eight years he added: "That is a lot, it shows how difficult Saturday's game will be. It's a bit of a surprise to me but it doesn't worry me too much because those games are in the past. It will only affect us if we allow it to, if we think about it too much then it might have an impact on confidence, but we should be able to deal with that. "Every game is different, and you have to go and prove yourself from the first whistle every time." He explained the team will be decided later today or tomorrow and of Enner Valencia said: "From a fitness perspective he is in a good way, he just needs to get his match fitness up. He is very close to being ready, but it depends which game that'll be.
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West Ham manager Slaven Bilic has embarrassing accident during press conference
18:53, 5 NOV 2015 UPDATED 19:06, 5 NOV 2015
BY WILL MAGEE
The guy who prepares the West Ham press room will be blushing bright red right now...
The Mirror
We've seen a lot of embarrassing moments in managerial press conferences over the years.
Whether someone has made an outlandish claim (John Carver dubbing himself "the best coach in the Premier League", for example), lost their temper or simply failed to give proper answers (Jose Mourinho, we're looking at you), the press room is often an awkward place to be.
However, we've never seen a moment of slapstick silliness quite like this before. West Ham boss Slaven Bilic had his midweek press conference interrupted earlier today - all because the table he was leaning on completely collapsed.
As he faced the media ahead of the Hammers weekend clash with Everton, the cool Croatian briefly lost his air of composure as he brushed against the flimsy furniture - only to have it crumple underneath him. He and the journalists in attendance laughed heartily while a host of staff tried frantically to fix things, fumbling over the great jumble of microphones which had slid off the slanting surface.
Slaven certainly saw the funny side. We hope whoever helped to set the room up isn't too embarrassed.
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Stephen Hendrie slams Celtic display on Twitter, months after they wanted him
HITC
Tim Poole
The West Ham left back has been understandably critical of the Scottish champions. West Ham United defender Stephen Hendrie took to Twitter to brand Celtic a 'shambles' after their 2-1 defeat to Molde at Parkhead on Thursday night. Celtic had already lost 3-1 to Molde during their Europa League clash in Norway and delivered another poor performance this time around. And Hendrie, who joined West Ham despite the Daily Record reporting that the Bhoys were interested in signing him several months ago, took to social media after the loss. Indeed, the defender didn't need to use more than four words to sum Celtic's European campaign up after further disappointment - this time at Parkhead.
Stephen Hendrie @HendrieStephen Celtic are a shambles😑
As well as being a previous transfer target for Celtic, of course, the 20-year-old is a Bhoys fan, which means he is privy to how other Celtic supporters feel right now. The disappointment is palpable among the Hoops faithful as, despite their domestic superiority right now, Celtic's European campaign has indeed been an absolute 'shambles.' As for Hendrie, the defender will continue trying to make an impact at West Ham, with the Hammers due to host Everton on Saturday afternoon.
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David Gold sends heartfelt message to West Ham's Michail Antonio
HITC
Billy Hawkins
Antonio has struggled for game time with West Ham this season. Michail Antonio has struggled at West Ham since moving from Nottingham Forest over the summer, but David Gold sent him a heartfelt message on Twitter praising his attitude. Antonio arrived at the Boleyn Ground with the reputation as one of the best players in the Championship, but has struggled to have an impact with the Hammers due to the great form of the players ahead of him.
Victor Moses, Dimitri Payet and Manuel Lanzini have all excelled this term in the attacking midfield positions, meaning Antonio has played just 30 minutes of Premier League action. He has appeared for West Ham's Under-21s, but he has had to sit on the sidelines waiting for senior action that Slaven Bilic has yet to hand to him.
David Gold ✔ @davidgold
Great attitude Michail. Your time will come. Good luck. dg https://twitter.com/michailantonio/status/655758930505781250 …
4:05 PM - 5 Nov 2015
The 25-year-old has undoubted talent, but it is clear that Bilic does not believe he is yet ready to make an impact in the top flight, and it is hard to imagine Antonio being given a chance any time soon. However, Antonio has continued to work hard in training and look to impress Bilic, and co-chairman David Gold has praised the winger for his attitude and the work ethic he has shown in recent months. If Antonio continues work hard in training, there is hope that he will be given a chance to impress in the first-team in the coming weeks.
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BILIC MUST SHOW ADAPTABILITY TO END WEST HAM'S EVERTON CURSE
news.ladbrokes.com
Slaven Bilic's reign at West Ham has undoubtedly started with a flyer, but after succumbing tamely to Watford last weekend, a visit of Everton on Saturday will be the true acid test of his credentials. To say the Toffees were a bogey team for the Londoners would be somewhat of an understatement. The last time the Hammers bagged three league points against the Merseyside outfit was way back in 2007 when Bobby Zamora nabbed the only goal of the game. Only James Collins and Mark Noble from the West Ham squad that day are still Irons players, and they have seen plenty of suffering at the hands of Everton since. Of the 14 subsequent league encounters, four have been drawn while the points have headed north west on 10 occasions. One man that has been instrumental in that misery has been Romelu Lukaku, who has netted in all six of his Everton appearances against the Upton Park outfit, and is 7/4 to find the net once again. For the man in the home dug-out though, he will not be hoping for a continuation of the performance in Hertfordshire last week. While the Hornets were excellent, Bilic's side were poor, with individual mistakes capping a muddled team performance that has been rare this term. The Croat has devised a counter-attacking philosophy since arriving in the East End in the summer, and that has worked to an extent with victories over Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool on the road. However, there comes a time and a place when things need to be switched up. Quique Sanchez Flores reacted to the visitor's preferred style perfectly, not allowing them to get a hold of the game at Vicarage Road. West Ham could be best served to coming at Everton on Saturday, with the Toffees boasting a penchant for conceding first. In fact in their last 20 away games, Roberto Martinez's men have opened the scoring on just five occasions. Get that early goal by pushing forward and seizing the initiative, and then Bilic can resort to allowing their visitors to come at them and hitting them on the break.
Personnel changes are also likely after the Watford defeat. The omission of Diafra Sakho forced a change in approach, or at least it should have done, as Andy Carroll filled the lone striker role, with support coming from the wings. At times last weekend, ignoring his defensive clangers, Carroll looked isolated on his own up top. And with Sakho set to sit this game out, the former Newcastle man is likely to be given the nod once again, but whether he is given a strike partner in front of the Bobby Moore Stand could be key. Working alongside Kevin Nolan in the past, the Geordie was able to provide countless knockdowns for goal after goal after goal. Pair Carroll in attack with Enner Valencia or Mauro Zarate, two men who won't be afraid to take a pop from a distance, and the big man could have the perfect foil to send the Upton Park crowd into raptures. A better performance will be needed if Bilic is to keep West Ham on the charge for a European place, and if he can show that he is more than a counter-attack-king then the 6/4 on the Hammers taking three points and ending their Toffee hoodoo could prove fruitful.
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West Ham midfielder Alex Song set to face Charlton in behind-closed-doors friendly as he closes in on his second Hammers debut
Alex Song signed for West Ham on a season-long loan deal this summer
Song also spent last season on loan at the club from La Liga Barcelona
However, the former Cameroon international is yet to feature this season
Song will face Charlton next week as he closes in on his second debut
By OLIVER TODD FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 11:13, 5 November 2015 | UPDATED: 11:56, 5 November 2015
Slaven Bilic will hand Alex Song a behind-closed-doors comeback against Charlton Athletic next week as West Ham's summer signing nears full fitness. Song is yet to make his second Hammers debut with knee and ankle injuries hampering his loan return to Upton Park from parent club Barcelona. But while the 28-year-old won't be ready to give Bilic a midfield boost in Saturday's Barclays Premier League clash against Everton, he will start in a training ground friendly on Wednesday next week. 'He's just started training with us, he's been with us for one week now,' Bilic said. 'His injury with his knee and especially his ankle that was operated on is OK. He has no problem with it whatsoever. 'Now it's just a matter of fitness and match fitness. His first game for us after a long period is going to be a friendly on Wednesday and he's going to be that. 'Hopefully, he is naturally fit guy, he should be back soon but not tomorrow or in one week because he had a long break.'
Bilic welcomes back Winston Reid for the visit of the manager's former club Everton after a knee injury lay-off of his own. Reid had been mooted for a first-team return last month but the centre back is now ready to step up in place of suspended James Collins. Diafra Sakho will be back after the international break with Bilic labelling his thigh strain 'nothing major'.
The boss added: 'Unfortunately it is a small tear, a rupture in his thigh. The prognosis is that he will be back for the game after the international break. 'It's a set-back as he is a very important player to us. He dictates the rhythm of the game a lot, with his pace, quality and determination and it's a blow for sure. But it's not a major set-back. On Reid, Bilic said: 'Winston will be in the squad, he's back. Again, it's nothing major so now he's back in training for a whole week and we're glad as he's very important on and off the pitch for us.'
The injury issues and a 2-0 defeat by Watford last weekend have done nothing to dampen West Ham's confidence though. Co-chairman David Sullivan has made it clear that a top four finish is in their sights. Sullivan hopes to see Champions League football when West Ham move into the Olympic Stadium next season, and Bilic is doing nothing to dampen the dream. While most managers are wary of inspiring over-confidence and arrogance in their side the former Besiktas boss is happy to keep up the top-four talk. 'There's nothing wrong with being optimistic and thinking about something that looks a little bit far away,' he said. 'When the chairman talked it was in a positive way. We have to work hard and as long as you work hard and stay with plan and philosophy there's nothing wrong with that.'
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West Ham Have Made Me Better Goalkeeper Admits Adrian
inside futbol.com
West Ham goalkeeper Adrian believes that the club have helped him to grow as a footballer because he has been a regular ever since he joined the Premier League outfit. The shot-stopper joined the east London side from Real Betis in the summer of 2013 and since then he has established himself as the club's first choice goalkeeper. Despite a managerial change ahead of the new season, Adrian has remained the club's number one and he admits that he is grateful towards Slaven Bilic for continuing to put his faith in him. The 28-year-old was also the first choice under Sam Allardyce and he believes that being a regular at West Ham has helped him to grow as a footballer as he has only got better since joining the club two years back.
The Spaniard told AS: "I have been fortunate enough to enjoy the trust of the new coach, Slaven Bilic, like last year with Sam Allardyce. "I attempt to respond to their trust with my performances on the pitch. Since I have arrived in England I have been a permanent fixture and that makes me happy. "More games give you experience and I am at my best because of that."
Adrian is a youth product of Real Betis and played 32 times for the club before the Hammers took him to east London in 2013. He already has 80 appearances under his belt at West Ham and is expected to remain a key part of their squad for the next few seasons.
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West Ham's Diafra Sakho to miss Everton clash as Slaven Bilic confirms striker's thigh injury
11:47, 5 NOV 2015
BY NEIL MCLEMAN
Sakho was ruled out of last weekend's trip to Watford – and the Hammers lost on the road for the first time this season when Andy Carroll started up front
The Mirror
Diafra Sakho will miss West Ham 's match against Everton's after Slaven Bilic revealed the Senegal striker has suffered a "rupture" to his thigh. Sakho was ruled out of last weekend's trip to Watford – and the Hammers lost on the road for the first time this season when Andy Carroll started up front. Now the Hammers boss has ruled out Sakho until after the international break.
"It is set-back as he is very important player to us," Bilic said ."He did not get injured in training and reported after training before the Watford game when he felt something. "Unfortunately it is a small tear, a rupture in his thigh. Prognosis is he will be back for the game after in break. It is a blow for us. He harrasses the defence. He dictates the rhythm of the game a lot, with his pace, quality and determination. But it's not a major set-back."
Winston Reid is back in the squad while Alex Song, who has not played this season after undergoing a summer ankle operation, is close to a return and will play a friendly against Charlton next week. "Song just started training with us," Bilic said. "He started training before Watford and he's been with us for one week now. He's ok, there's no problem whatsoever and now a matter of fitness and match fitness. We have a friendly game now on Wednesday and hopefully he's going to be fit soon."
West Ham's only victory over Bilic's former club Everton in their last 17 matches was a penalty shootout win in the FA Cup last season. And Roberto Martinez's arrive at Upton Park on the back of the 6-2 thrashing of Sam Allardyce's Sunderland. But Bilic said: "They are confident but so are we. In our last home game we beat the champios (Chelsea). Obviously in our last game we played badly and lost at Watford but we know why we lost that game."
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West Ham to produce 'war-time design' match programme for Remembrance Day fixture against Everton
JAMES BENGE 1 hour ago0 comments
Evening Standard
West Ham will honour its Remembrance Day fixture by producing a match programme donning a 'war-time design', the club has confirmed. With their impending move to the Olympic Stadium, the Hammers have celebrated each home game at the Boleyn Ground with a different retro programme design, to commemorate their final season at the stadium. "The cover is a modern take on a Football League Regional Competition programme produced for fixtures during the 1939/40 season," the club confirmed to Standard Sport. Co-owner David Gold, and Everton chairman Bill Kenwright, will lay wreath on the pitch before kick-off, accompanied by a guard of honour provided by the 7th Battalion Rifles, who are based at the Territorial Army Centre in West Ham.
Both sets of shirts – that will carry the now customary poppy emblem - will be auctioned after the match to raise funds for the Royal British Legion charity. The Boleyn Ground was hit by a V-1 flying bomb in August 1944, with the Hammers having to play several wartime fixtures away from their spiritual home as a result. Earlier in the Second World War West Ham had won the 1940 Football League War Cup, a competition that took place in the absence of regular competitive football during the period. Slaven Bilic's side sit in sixth place in the Premier League after a bright start to their final season at Upton Park. Victory over Everton would take them above local rivals Tottenham, who play Arsenal the following day.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Thursday, November 5
Daily WHUFC News - 5th November 2015
Scudamore - West Ham United are leading the way
WHUFC.com
Premier League Executive Chairman Richard Scudamore believes the power of
the West Ham United badge makes them one of the best in the country when it
comes to their work with the local community. The Premier League help fund
161 Clubs throughout the leagues going right down to the Conference. But
Scudamore is adamant that the Hammers are one of the best Clubs in the
country for creating the best schemes for youngsters and has nothing but
praise for the work that the West Ham United Foundation have done over the
last 25-years. Scudamore, speaking in his speech at the Houses of
Parliament, said: "Some of their schemes are leading the way among the 161
clubs. "That's the power of football, it's the power of the West Ham badge.
It's the power of the Foundation, it's the power of those schemes. "It does
go on like this across the whole country and there a lot of other clubs
doing the same, but I don't think there's any single club I could name that
does it to the depth and to the breadth and with the real commitment that
West Ham do it. I commend it to you. "The work they do with schools – 35 of
which are being touched by West Ham's foundation and 3000 people in a year
are being touched by one club. It is about changing people's lives."
West Ham TV spoke exclusively with Scudamore at the Foundation anniversary
this week at the Houses of Parliament and had nothing but praise for the
amazing job they are doing with the local community. Scudamore added: "We
fund 161 clubs but you always feel with the central money that comes West
Ham's way, they leverage it more and make the most of it. "These are not
simple schemes but because West Ham means so much to them and engages them,
it makes such a difference to their lives. "It is about all ages, both men
and women in equal numbers and it crosses all social divides. It will expand
when they move to the new Stadium and more people in London are positively
impacted by the work. "I think they will achieve even more than what they
have achieved already. What they have achieved already is remarkable and
commendable."
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Boleyn Memories - Bobby Zamora
WHUFC.com
While Carlos Tevez stole most of the headlines during West Ham United's
'Great Escape' from relegation in 2006/07, another striker played arguable
as bigger role in the Hammers' amazing late-season renaissance. Bobby
Zamora scored five goals in West Ham's final ten Premier League matches,
including vital winners at Blackburn Rovers and Arsenal and at home to
Everton. Speaking to West Ham TV ahead of Saturday's visit of the Toffees,
the Brighton & Hove Albion forward joked that he and not Tevez should have
been crowned Hammer of the Year at the season's end. "We had a strong team
and with the team that we had certainly should have done better, and it was
only when we came under pressure when we showed what we were all about with
our run at the end of the season," the 34-year-old recalled. "We took a lot
of good scalps and put in a lot of good performances." "How Tevez got
Player of the Year, with the number of goals I got, I don't know! No,
seriously, Tevs done brilliant and he was a pleasure to play alongside as
well!"
Zamora scored eleven goals in total as Alan Curbishley's side used a run of
seven victories in their final nine league matches to stave off relegation
in unforgettable style. Eight years on and the striker is still banging in
the goals, having returned to first club Brighton this summer, and helped
the Seagulls climb into the midst of the Championship promotion race. That
is familiar ground for the Barking-born Zamora, who fired West Ham back to
the Premier League through a Play-Off final winner against Preston North End
in 2005. "I don't think we ever thought we were going to lose. I really
thought that and had confidence and belief in the lads and that continued
through both legs of the semi-final and the final," he explained. "It was
instinct, really. It wasn't a clean hit but those are the ones that go in!
It done the 'keeper and ended up in the back of the net. It was then about
holding on and hanging on and we never had any doubts about the lads at the
back."
He repeated the trick for Queens Park Rangers in 2014 and is now hoping to
make it a hat-trick of promotions under the management of another former
Hammer, Chris Hughton, with Brighton. The scorer of 40 goals in 152 Claret
and Blue appearances, Zamora remains a popular figure at the Boleyn Ground –
the stadium he visited as a childhood Hammers fan. "I used to play for the
team I support and it was strange on my home debut, playing out on bthe
pitch and 'Bubbles' being sung," he told West Ham TV. "It was nice and to
score was great. It started well and I absolutely loved my time there."
Looking forward, Zamora believes West Ham's move to the former Olympic
Stadium in Stratford will be beneficial to the team he has supported all his
life. "I think the Club is going to grow, I really think so" he concluded.
"There is a lot of tradition at Upton Park, but if they keep going the way
they are, they are going to fill out the stadium. "The more the merrier,
really. The more West Ham fans we can get in there, the better, and
hopefully we can get some Champions League football in there."
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Ladies face Albion challenge
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 4th November 2015
By: Staff Writer
West Ham Ladies are hoping for a healthy crowd when they face Brighton &
Hove Albion at Hornchurch FC this weekend. The Hammers play host to one of
the league's in-form sides and will feature their three new Italian stars -
Erika Campesi, Romina Pinna and international midfielder Giulia Ferrandi,
who will be making her return from suspension. A win for WHL - who have
taken four points from their last two FA Women's Premier League Southern
Division outings - would propel the team back towards mid-table following a
difficult start to the campaign. The game kicks off at 2pm this Sunday, 8
November; tickets are priced at just £5 for adults and £1 for children. Hot
food and a large bar will be available to supporters, meaning fans may watch
the entire match in cosy surroundings, should temperatures drop this
weekend! Half time entertainment will be supplied as usual by the
Haverettes All Girl Marching Band.
* In other women's football news, former West Ham Ladies duo Stacey Little
and Kayleigh Xidhas have joined Southern League rivals C&K Basildon LFC. The
pair made their debuts for their new club in a 3-2 defeat against Lewes LFC
last weekend.
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Young Hammer nominated for monthly award
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 4th November 2015
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United's rising star Reece Burke has been shortlisted for October's
League One Player of the Month award. 19-year-old Burke, who is currently on
loan at Bradford City helped the Bantams to two clean sheets last month and
played in each of their five league outings, winning three and drawing two.
The 11 points gained by the Valley Parade side during October lifted them to
within three points of the League One play-off zone. Burke is up against
Coventry City striker Adam Armstrong, Millwall attacker Aiden O'Brien and
Peterborough United's Jon Taylor. Burke was injured during last weekend's
meeting with Blackpool, but still received praise from his manager Phil
Parkinson. "He did great to go out and start the second half," he said. "We
are delighted with his contribution and the fact that he put himself up for
playing in the second half, unfortunately he couldn't quite see the game
through."
There was further good news for Bradford with the news that manager
Parkinson has also been nominated for a monthly award; he faces competition
from Gary Caldwell of Wigan Athletic, Chesterfield's Dean Saunders and
Scunthorpe United manager Mark Robins. The winner of both awards will be
made this Friday, 6th November.
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Andy Carroll keen to reignite England career with West Ham goals
Last Updated: 04/11/15 10:09am
SSN
Andy Carroll says he knows staying fit and scoring goals for West Ham is the
only way to reignite his England career after two years of injury problems.
The 26-year-old took great relief in scoring his first goal for 10 months
against Chelsea as West Ham beat the Blues 2-1 at Upton Park last month.
Previously Slaven Bilic's side had impressed in away wins against Manchester
City, Arsenal and Liverpool this season but struggled for consistency at
home. Carroll came off the bench to head the winner against Jose Mourinho's
side and is hoping he has put his injury worries behind him. "It was really
important, the home record wasn't the best before then and beating Chelsea
at home, it's a great feeling, and for me personally to get a goal again
it's great," Carroll told Sky Sports News HQ. "It was tough, it was hard
[being out injured]. I just had to concentrate on getting back and I had my
friends and family there to help me and support me. "It was a nightmare, a
tough time but I'm over it now and want to move on and keep myself healthy."
Carroll has scored twice in nine appearances for England. On his chances of
an England recall, Carroll added: "That's obviously in the back of my head
but I think at the moment I'm concentrating on being fit and scoring goals
at West Ham and that's the only thing that will lead me there." The striker
also promised West Ham fans that he will not make any more defensive errors
like the one that led to Watford's opener in their 2-0 win last weekend. He
failed to clear inside his own penalty area when he tried to turn Nathan
Aké, but was dispossessed before Odion Ighalo finished from close range.
"Terrible decision from me," Carroll said. "Obviously I'm there to do a job
and I didn't do the job which I should have done and got rid of the ball and
it is a mistake that won't happen again."
Elsewhere, the striker believes Steve McClaren is the man to lead Newcastle
to safety after a poor start to the season. Carroll, who left Newcastle to
join Liverpool for £35m in 2011, thinks his former club will stay up this
season. He said: "I think they will. It's tough; they haven't been getting
the results that they need but I think the manager will turn it around."
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Major Irons midfield selection scrap on cards
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 4, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
Exclusive
Alex Song has been training with the first team since Sunday and is hopeful
he will make a return to the West Ham bench for the game against Everton at
the weekend. The Hammers are very keen to see the midfield ace back in
action as quickly as possible ahead of a summer decision on whether his loan
deal is to be made permanent. We were told this morning that it would be a
"disappointment" if the player wasn't on the bench as he has been training
with the first team all week. The question of who makes way of course has
occupied fans' minds for sometime and it begins to look as though that
player will be captain Mark Noble. Mark has been subbed during the last five
games and looks the most vulnerable of those who may be forced to make way.
We were told: "On the face of it that looks how it's likely to work out but
it's a brave man who would call Slaven's team selection. "It's important
Alex gets games as the club has to make a decision on whether he gets a
permanent deal for next season and the sooner he is up to speed the better."
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Hammers unhappy with Collins challenge
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 4, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
Exclusive
James Collins will not face an internal inquiry over his dismissal from the
Watford match on Saturday but has left club insiders very unhappy. Collins
charged into the back of Hornets striker Ighalo in reckless fashion and was
immediately red-carded in the second half. Given the state of the game with
the Irons at 2-0 down it was the final nail in the team's coffin and it has
not gone down well. A key insider told ClaretandHugh: "It's not the first
time this year – we had a not entirely different situation in Europe when he
was sent off for two yellow cards against Astra Giurgiu. "It wasn't just
frustration against Watford. The fact is he lost his rag, as he is prone to.
He's worked hard to make his presence felt and played well when it arrived
he took his chance but that was a bad challenge. "He won't find any kind of
disciplinary action from the club but he's let himself down and he has now
moved down the line again. It was not good and very counter-productive after
all his hard work."
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Slav looks set to ring changes
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 4, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
Slaven Bilic could return to what is his know preferred central defensive
partnership this week with Winston Reid again teamed up with £8 million
signing Angelo Ogbonna. Nether has featured over recent games because of
injury with Reid suffering a hip/thigh injury and Ogbonna suffering a
hamstring injury. But with James Collins blotting his copybook big style
against Watford and James Tomkins seeing his performance dip against
Watford, the Reid/Ogbonna pairing could now be renewed. ClaretandHugh was
given an update on the pair by a top insider this morning and we were told:
"Slaven has total faith in his medical staff and simply won't risk players
if there is any danger of a recurrence of injury. "Both players have been
training with the firs team squad this season and could both be involved on
Saturday. "James has done little wrong apart from the mistake which led to
the second goal last week but I think it's fair to say that Reid and Ogbonna
have always been the No 1 partnership in Slaven's mind. "If the medics give
them both the thumbs up then I'd expect them both to play.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers set to recall loan "colossus"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 4, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
West Ham may be set to recall Reece Burke from his Bradford City loan spell
in January. The 19 year old has been hailed as a 'colossus' for the League
One club on various Bantams forums having signed three monthly loan deals
since arriving. The Irons have been regularly monitoring his progress and
are thrilled with that they are seeing from him who made his West Ham first
team debut in the League last season. Although the Irons are well placed at
central defence the youngster is seen as a key part of the club's future and
could be brought back as a fourth choice central defender behind Winston
Reid, Angelo Ogbonna and James Tomkins. A West Ham insider told
ClaretandHugh: "Eveything we have seen and been told is very promising for
Reece. He's had a tremendous season for them so far. These youngsters often
leave their parent club as boys and return as men. "We will see what happens
with players as the transfer window approaches but it's quite likely we will
recall Reece."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sakho Everton fitness update
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 4, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
Diafra Sakho has still not been handed the all-clear for the match against
Everton this weekend. The striker – having learned that police will take no
action against him after a recent arrest – will be given until Saturday
morning to show he has fully recovered from the hip "tweak" he felt in
training he felt before the game against Watford. And should he not make it
then Enner Valencia looks certain to take his place as the striker putting
in the hard miles aimed at stretching the Everton defence. And that in turn
will mean Andy Carroll will return to the bench after a disappointing 90
minutes against Watford at Vicarage Rad on Saturday. ClaretandHugh learned
this morning that the chances of Sakho's involvement are around 60/40 in his
favour as the hip issue has "not entirely gone way." A source told us: "He
has a real chance which is encouraging because at one stage it looked like a
definite two game absence. "Enner Valencia – having had a decent run-out on
Saturday is now virtually match fit and more similar in style to Sakho so
may get a shout to do that job if it's required."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Spurs, West Ham battle for Islam Slimani, despite astronomical release
clause
HITC
Olly Dawes
Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United are reportedly pursuing Sporting
Lisbon ace Islam Slimani. According to Algerian newspaper Le Buteur,
Tottenham and West Ham are both looking to sign Sporting Lisbon striker
Islam Slimani. Slimani, 27, starred in his native Algeria with CR
Belouizdad, before moving on to Portugal with Sporting Lisbon back in 2013 -
and he hasn't looked back since. The 6ft 2in striker scored ten goals in his
first season for the Sporting, and followed that up with 15 goals in all
competitions last season, making a big improvement. Now under new manager
Jorge Jesus, Slimani has started the season in superb form, scoring eight
goals in 19 appearances - and his exploits are seemingly attracting
interest. Algerian newspaper Le Buteur report that Tottenham and West Ham,
two teams who have had a long-standing interest in Slimani, are once again
looking to sign him during the transfer window, as they look to improve
their attacking options. However, it's stated that Slimani has a €40m
(£28.4m) release clause in his contract, and Sporting will refuse to sell
for anything below that figure. That's an astronomical fee for a 27-year-old
striker who is unproven outside of Algeria or Portugal, meaning both Spurs
and West Ham may have to look elsewhere. The Hammers don't necessarily need
attacking reinforcements given that Slaven Bilic has the likes of Diafra
Sakho, Enner Valencia, Mauro Zarate, Andy Carroll and Nikica Jelavic at his
disposal, but Slimani could be a top target if any of those players were to
leave or suffer an injury. Meanwhile, Spurs clearly still need a striker to
help ease the burden on Harry Kane, and an experienced forward like Slimani,
who boasts impressive aerial ability, would be a potentially ideal player to
come off the bench and offer something different to Mauricio Pochettino's
attack. Either club would have to stump up big money though, and many fans
would argue that spending money on QPR's Charlie Austin would be a better
move, considering his proven Premier League record.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Premier League Executive Chairman Richard Scudamore believes the power of
the West Ham United badge makes them one of the best in the country when it
comes to their work with the local community. The Premier League help fund
161 Clubs throughout the leagues going right down to the Conference. But
Scudamore is adamant that the Hammers are one of the best Clubs in the
country for creating the best schemes for youngsters and has nothing but
praise for the work that the West Ham United Foundation have done over the
last 25-years. Scudamore, speaking in his speech at the Houses of
Parliament, said: "Some of their schemes are leading the way among the 161
clubs. "That's the power of football, it's the power of the West Ham badge.
It's the power of the Foundation, it's the power of those schemes. "It does
go on like this across the whole country and there a lot of other clubs
doing the same, but I don't think there's any single club I could name that
does it to the depth and to the breadth and with the real commitment that
West Ham do it. I commend it to you. "The work they do with schools – 35 of
which are being touched by West Ham's foundation and 3000 people in a year
are being touched by one club. It is about changing people's lives."
West Ham TV spoke exclusively with Scudamore at the Foundation anniversary
this week at the Houses of Parliament and had nothing but praise for the
amazing job they are doing with the local community. Scudamore added: "We
fund 161 clubs but you always feel with the central money that comes West
Ham's way, they leverage it more and make the most of it. "These are not
simple schemes but because West Ham means so much to them and engages them,
it makes such a difference to their lives. "It is about all ages, both men
and women in equal numbers and it crosses all social divides. It will expand
when they move to the new Stadium and more people in London are positively
impacted by the work. "I think they will achieve even more than what they
have achieved already. What they have achieved already is remarkable and
commendable."
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Boleyn Memories - Bobby Zamora
WHUFC.com
While Carlos Tevez stole most of the headlines during West Ham United's
'Great Escape' from relegation in 2006/07, another striker played arguable
as bigger role in the Hammers' amazing late-season renaissance. Bobby
Zamora scored five goals in West Ham's final ten Premier League matches,
including vital winners at Blackburn Rovers and Arsenal and at home to
Everton. Speaking to West Ham TV ahead of Saturday's visit of the Toffees,
the Brighton & Hove Albion forward joked that he and not Tevez should have
been crowned Hammer of the Year at the season's end. "We had a strong team
and with the team that we had certainly should have done better, and it was
only when we came under pressure when we showed what we were all about with
our run at the end of the season," the 34-year-old recalled. "We took a lot
of good scalps and put in a lot of good performances." "How Tevez got
Player of the Year, with the number of goals I got, I don't know! No,
seriously, Tevs done brilliant and he was a pleasure to play alongside as
well!"
Zamora scored eleven goals in total as Alan Curbishley's side used a run of
seven victories in their final nine league matches to stave off relegation
in unforgettable style. Eight years on and the striker is still banging in
the goals, having returned to first club Brighton this summer, and helped
the Seagulls climb into the midst of the Championship promotion race. That
is familiar ground for the Barking-born Zamora, who fired West Ham back to
the Premier League through a Play-Off final winner against Preston North End
in 2005. "I don't think we ever thought we were going to lose. I really
thought that and had confidence and belief in the lads and that continued
through both legs of the semi-final and the final," he explained. "It was
instinct, really. It wasn't a clean hit but those are the ones that go in!
It done the 'keeper and ended up in the back of the net. It was then about
holding on and hanging on and we never had any doubts about the lads at the
back."
He repeated the trick for Queens Park Rangers in 2014 and is now hoping to
make it a hat-trick of promotions under the management of another former
Hammer, Chris Hughton, with Brighton. The scorer of 40 goals in 152 Claret
and Blue appearances, Zamora remains a popular figure at the Boleyn Ground –
the stadium he visited as a childhood Hammers fan. "I used to play for the
team I support and it was strange on my home debut, playing out on bthe
pitch and 'Bubbles' being sung," he told West Ham TV. "It was nice and to
score was great. It started well and I absolutely loved my time there."
Looking forward, Zamora believes West Ham's move to the former Olympic
Stadium in Stratford will be beneficial to the team he has supported all his
life. "I think the Club is going to grow, I really think so" he concluded.
"There is a lot of tradition at Upton Park, but if they keep going the way
they are, they are going to fill out the stadium. "The more the merrier,
really. The more West Ham fans we can get in there, the better, and
hopefully we can get some Champions League football in there."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ladies face Albion challenge
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 4th November 2015
By: Staff Writer
West Ham Ladies are hoping for a healthy crowd when they face Brighton &
Hove Albion at Hornchurch FC this weekend. The Hammers play host to one of
the league's in-form sides and will feature their three new Italian stars -
Erika Campesi, Romina Pinna and international midfielder Giulia Ferrandi,
who will be making her return from suspension. A win for WHL - who have
taken four points from their last two FA Women's Premier League Southern
Division outings - would propel the team back towards mid-table following a
difficult start to the campaign. The game kicks off at 2pm this Sunday, 8
November; tickets are priced at just £5 for adults and £1 for children. Hot
food and a large bar will be available to supporters, meaning fans may watch
the entire match in cosy surroundings, should temperatures drop this
weekend! Half time entertainment will be supplied as usual by the
Haverettes All Girl Marching Band.
* In other women's football news, former West Ham Ladies duo Stacey Little
and Kayleigh Xidhas have joined Southern League rivals C&K Basildon LFC. The
pair made their debuts for their new club in a 3-2 defeat against Lewes LFC
last weekend.
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Young Hammer nominated for monthly award
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 4th November 2015
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United's rising star Reece Burke has been shortlisted for October's
League One Player of the Month award. 19-year-old Burke, who is currently on
loan at Bradford City helped the Bantams to two clean sheets last month and
played in each of their five league outings, winning three and drawing two.
The 11 points gained by the Valley Parade side during October lifted them to
within three points of the League One play-off zone. Burke is up against
Coventry City striker Adam Armstrong, Millwall attacker Aiden O'Brien and
Peterborough United's Jon Taylor. Burke was injured during last weekend's
meeting with Blackpool, but still received praise from his manager Phil
Parkinson. "He did great to go out and start the second half," he said. "We
are delighted with his contribution and the fact that he put himself up for
playing in the second half, unfortunately he couldn't quite see the game
through."
There was further good news for Bradford with the news that manager
Parkinson has also been nominated for a monthly award; he faces competition
from Gary Caldwell of Wigan Athletic, Chesterfield's Dean Saunders and
Scunthorpe United manager Mark Robins. The winner of both awards will be
made this Friday, 6th November.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Andy Carroll keen to reignite England career with West Ham goals
Last Updated: 04/11/15 10:09am
SSN
Andy Carroll says he knows staying fit and scoring goals for West Ham is the
only way to reignite his England career after two years of injury problems.
The 26-year-old took great relief in scoring his first goal for 10 months
against Chelsea as West Ham beat the Blues 2-1 at Upton Park last month.
Previously Slaven Bilic's side had impressed in away wins against Manchester
City, Arsenal and Liverpool this season but struggled for consistency at
home. Carroll came off the bench to head the winner against Jose Mourinho's
side and is hoping he has put his injury worries behind him. "It was really
important, the home record wasn't the best before then and beating Chelsea
at home, it's a great feeling, and for me personally to get a goal again
it's great," Carroll told Sky Sports News HQ. "It was tough, it was hard
[being out injured]. I just had to concentrate on getting back and I had my
friends and family there to help me and support me. "It was a nightmare, a
tough time but I'm over it now and want to move on and keep myself healthy."
Carroll has scored twice in nine appearances for England. On his chances of
an England recall, Carroll added: "That's obviously in the back of my head
but I think at the moment I'm concentrating on being fit and scoring goals
at West Ham and that's the only thing that will lead me there." The striker
also promised West Ham fans that he will not make any more defensive errors
like the one that led to Watford's opener in their 2-0 win last weekend. He
failed to clear inside his own penalty area when he tried to turn Nathan
Aké, but was dispossessed before Odion Ighalo finished from close range.
"Terrible decision from me," Carroll said. "Obviously I'm there to do a job
and I didn't do the job which I should have done and got rid of the ball and
it is a mistake that won't happen again."
Elsewhere, the striker believes Steve McClaren is the man to lead Newcastle
to safety after a poor start to the season. Carroll, who left Newcastle to
join Liverpool for £35m in 2011, thinks his former club will stay up this
season. He said: "I think they will. It's tough; they haven't been getting
the results that they need but I think the manager will turn it around."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Major Irons midfield selection scrap on cards
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 4, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
Exclusive
Alex Song has been training with the first team since Sunday and is hopeful
he will make a return to the West Ham bench for the game against Everton at
the weekend. The Hammers are very keen to see the midfield ace back in
action as quickly as possible ahead of a summer decision on whether his loan
deal is to be made permanent. We were told this morning that it would be a
"disappointment" if the player wasn't on the bench as he has been training
with the first team all week. The question of who makes way of course has
occupied fans' minds for sometime and it begins to look as though that
player will be captain Mark Noble. Mark has been subbed during the last five
games and looks the most vulnerable of those who may be forced to make way.
We were told: "On the face of it that looks how it's likely to work out but
it's a brave man who would call Slaven's team selection. "It's important
Alex gets games as the club has to make a decision on whether he gets a
permanent deal for next season and the sooner he is up to speed the better."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers unhappy with Collins challenge
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 4, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
Exclusive
James Collins will not face an internal inquiry over his dismissal from the
Watford match on Saturday but has left club insiders very unhappy. Collins
charged into the back of Hornets striker Ighalo in reckless fashion and was
immediately red-carded in the second half. Given the state of the game with
the Irons at 2-0 down it was the final nail in the team's coffin and it has
not gone down well. A key insider told ClaretandHugh: "It's not the first
time this year – we had a not entirely different situation in Europe when he
was sent off for two yellow cards against Astra Giurgiu. "It wasn't just
frustration against Watford. The fact is he lost his rag, as he is prone to.
He's worked hard to make his presence felt and played well when it arrived
he took his chance but that was a bad challenge. "He won't find any kind of
disciplinary action from the club but he's let himself down and he has now
moved down the line again. It was not good and very counter-productive after
all his hard work."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Slav looks set to ring changes
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 4, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
Slaven Bilic could return to what is his know preferred central defensive
partnership this week with Winston Reid again teamed up with £8 million
signing Angelo Ogbonna. Nether has featured over recent games because of
injury with Reid suffering a hip/thigh injury and Ogbonna suffering a
hamstring injury. But with James Collins blotting his copybook big style
against Watford and James Tomkins seeing his performance dip against
Watford, the Reid/Ogbonna pairing could now be renewed. ClaretandHugh was
given an update on the pair by a top insider this morning and we were told:
"Slaven has total faith in his medical staff and simply won't risk players
if there is any danger of a recurrence of injury. "Both players have been
training with the firs team squad this season and could both be involved on
Saturday. "James has done little wrong apart from the mistake which led to
the second goal last week but I think it's fair to say that Reid and Ogbonna
have always been the No 1 partnership in Slaven's mind. "If the medics give
them both the thumbs up then I'd expect them both to play.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers set to recall loan "colossus"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 4, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
West Ham may be set to recall Reece Burke from his Bradford City loan spell
in January. The 19 year old has been hailed as a 'colossus' for the League
One club on various Bantams forums having signed three monthly loan deals
since arriving. The Irons have been regularly monitoring his progress and
are thrilled with that they are seeing from him who made his West Ham first
team debut in the League last season. Although the Irons are well placed at
central defence the youngster is seen as a key part of the club's future and
could be brought back as a fourth choice central defender behind Winston
Reid, Angelo Ogbonna and James Tomkins. A West Ham insider told
ClaretandHugh: "Eveything we have seen and been told is very promising for
Reece. He's had a tremendous season for them so far. These youngsters often
leave their parent club as boys and return as men. "We will see what happens
with players as the transfer window approaches but it's quite likely we will
recall Reece."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sakho Everton fitness update
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 4, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
Diafra Sakho has still not been handed the all-clear for the match against
Everton this weekend. The striker – having learned that police will take no
action against him after a recent arrest – will be given until Saturday
morning to show he has fully recovered from the hip "tweak" he felt in
training he felt before the game against Watford. And should he not make it
then Enner Valencia looks certain to take his place as the striker putting
in the hard miles aimed at stretching the Everton defence. And that in turn
will mean Andy Carroll will return to the bench after a disappointing 90
minutes against Watford at Vicarage Rad on Saturday. ClaretandHugh learned
this morning that the chances of Sakho's involvement are around 60/40 in his
favour as the hip issue has "not entirely gone way." A source told us: "He
has a real chance which is encouraging because at one stage it looked like a
definite two game absence. "Enner Valencia – having had a decent run-out on
Saturday is now virtually match fit and more similar in style to Sakho so
may get a shout to do that job if it's required."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Spurs, West Ham battle for Islam Slimani, despite astronomical release
clause
HITC
Olly Dawes
Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United are reportedly pursuing Sporting
Lisbon ace Islam Slimani. According to Algerian newspaper Le Buteur,
Tottenham and West Ham are both looking to sign Sporting Lisbon striker
Islam Slimani. Slimani, 27, starred in his native Algeria with CR
Belouizdad, before moving on to Portugal with Sporting Lisbon back in 2013 -
and he hasn't looked back since. The 6ft 2in striker scored ten goals in his
first season for the Sporting, and followed that up with 15 goals in all
competitions last season, making a big improvement. Now under new manager
Jorge Jesus, Slimani has started the season in superb form, scoring eight
goals in 19 appearances - and his exploits are seemingly attracting
interest. Algerian newspaper Le Buteur report that Tottenham and West Ham,
two teams who have had a long-standing interest in Slimani, are once again
looking to sign him during the transfer window, as they look to improve
their attacking options. However, it's stated that Slimani has a €40m
(£28.4m) release clause in his contract, and Sporting will refuse to sell
for anything below that figure. That's an astronomical fee for a 27-year-old
striker who is unproven outside of Algeria or Portugal, meaning both Spurs
and West Ham may have to look elsewhere. The Hammers don't necessarily need
attacking reinforcements given that Slaven Bilic has the likes of Diafra
Sakho, Enner Valencia, Mauro Zarate, Andy Carroll and Nikica Jelavic at his
disposal, but Slimani could be a top target if any of those players were to
leave or suffer an injury. Meanwhile, Spurs clearly still need a striker to
help ease the burden on Harry Kane, and an experienced forward like Slimani,
who boasts impressive aerial ability, would be a potentially ideal player to
come off the bench and offer something different to Mauricio Pochettino's
attack. Either club would have to stump up big money though, and many fans
would argue that spending money on QPR's Charlie Austin would be a better
move, considering his proven Premier League record.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
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