Tonks' delight for 'top man' Mark
WHUFC.com
James Tomkins followed Mark Noble through the Academy of Football and has played first-team football with his friend for the past eight years…
It is brilliant for Mark to get the recognition he deserves for his time playing for the Club. The years he's been at the Club and the commitment he's shown, with the number of games that he's played, are there for everyone to see so he's done very well for himself. He's been through ups and downs with the team but this season he's progressed even further. I know he looks old, but he is still actually quite young, so he's getting better as he's getting older! I remember as a kid playing in the FA Youth Cup scoring an own goal at Gillingham, putting it right in the top corner of my own net. But Mark bailed me out from nowhere, as we were going to lose that game until he scored a screamer from about 25 yards. It went to extra-time and he scored again I think, so he bailed me out big time. I've bailed him out ever since! He helped me grow up when I first came into the team and he was a big reason why I settled there.
Nobes loves a joke around the place – that's him all over – and he's not happy unless he's bantering someone. He's good like that and he's excellent with the youngsters coming through. Everyone looks up to him as they have all seen him do it before. Not only all that, but he's a superb footballer. He's knocking on that England door at the moment and, like I said, he might look about 45 but he is still young! He's got years of learning left in him. Mark's a proud Dad and he's always been very mature in that way, too.
The ground is sold out and that shows that he's held in high esteem by everyone involved with West Ham. His Testimonial couldn't have worked out in a better way for him I don't think, so he'll love that he's saying farewell to the Boleyn with today's game too. We've had our highlights, and us arguing on the pitch at Everton was one of those for me! Also the Play-Off final was brilliant, and the next day I went on his stag-do, which was a great time for us. Mark – you're a top man and you fully deserve this.
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Big Sam hails 'outstanding' Noble
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce managed West Ham United for four seasons between 2011 and 2015, guiding the Hammers back to the Barclays Premier League in 2012. During his tenure, he picked Mark Noble 150 times…
The big thing for me when I arrived in 2011 was to keep the big players at the Club after they got relegated. I don't know whether Mark ever wanted to leave or not, but he probably thought about it and the good thing was that he didn't!
Mark is one of a dying breed today in that he's spent the whole of his career, from a boy to a man and a great footballer, at West Ham and obviously his commitment to the Club is outstanding for me.
I've always had a huge amount of respect for him in that he gives everything that he's got, he's a great professional and he's a very, very good player and probably the only thing missing now is an international cap, which is a great shame.
But he can't have done anything more, certainly in the last three years, to earn that cap.
Mark's Testimonial will be a great day for him and the fans have obviously sold the ground out for him as he's one of their own.
Like I said, he's not just a really good footballer but a great man as well. I had a great four years with him. He taught me how to speak the Cockney language, which was pretty funny, trying to get to grips with it! But he gave me some good lessons so I could converse with him very well in the end.
Mark would have been captain if Kevin Nolan hadn't come to the Club. I could see a lot captaincy material in Nobes, and he picked up more of that from Kevin during the four years they played together.
He's not frightened about saying what he thinks and that's one of the problems in this modern age; Players don't verbally express themselves enough but Mark has an opinion and his opinion is valid. That's what makes him a good captain too.
He's knowledgeable about the game and he's got a lot of experience. He made his debut at a very young age and he's managed to sustain his playing days and he's one of the longest-serving players West Ham are ever going to have I think by the time he's finished and I think that all those qualities are things that he'll need to carry on going into the new stadium.
There's a next level coming now and that's going to demand a lot more from everyone at the Club, but Mark has the capability and the desire to rise to whatever level is expect of him.
I would like to wish Mark, his family and the fans a very successful Testimonial match.
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From the Terraces
WHUFC.com
Maltese Hammers member Naomi Galea pays tribute to Monday's Testimonial recipient and West Ham United hero Mark Noble…
It seems like nowadays a lot of fans, pundits, former players and neutrals are seeing the hard work and effort Mark Noble puts in. He is getting recognised by everyone and so he should be.
A lot ask the question why he hasn't yet been chosen to play for the England side and it baffles me why Roy Hodgson hasn't given him a chance yet.
Firstly, his recent performances and statistics all show that he is probably one of the best, if not the best English player in his position. Secondly, I still remember very clearly when he captained the England Under-21 team to the European Championship final. His performance that day was outstanding and at a young age already showed signs of what a good captain he can be!
Although England lost on penalties they gave Germany a very tough job. From that German team, nine players now play for the senior squad regularly and all went to win the World Cup. Just James Milner gets picked from that English team which just shows where England, in my opinion, get it wrong! If Noble gets picked it's not by luck but by hard work and consistency in his performances for the Hammers!
I started following Mark right from when Alan Pardew gave him his debut. For some reason something told me he is going to do big things for us and I'm getting proven right!
My first memory of Nobes is at the Play-Off final against Preston in 2005. When Bobby Zamora scored he was warming up by the touchline and he was the first one to go celebrate by jumping on the back of Bobby, there and then he became my favourite player and nothing has changed ever since!
When first meeting him in 2008, I then knew what a nice guy he really is and you could see clearly the love he has for West Ham! That clearly came out in the Great Escape season! The passion he showed was incredible and I think there is nothing wrong when he cried against Tottenham when we lost 3-4.
I think that when your team is going through a tough time everyone can get a bit emotional and that day the West Ham fan in Mark Noble came out and in the last game of the season too when I saw him celebrate and cry at the end I couldn't help but get emotional myself!
As far as goals go, I can't pick a favourite because I like them all but if I had to choose three I would go for his first wonder goal versus Spurs, the one against Wolves and the stunning strike this year versus Norwich.
There is no need for me to tell you how good he is at taking penalties. He just steps up and does the job calmly and confidently. My favourite has to be the one against Liverpool at home in the dying minutes where we went on to win 1-0!
These last eleven years I always gave my Hammer of the Year vote to him not only because he's my favourite but purely because I think he deserves it! Now we are seeing the greatness of Mark!
He masters the dirty work, clears his lines and what can I say about the Mark and Dimi partnership? I just love it!
But it's not just that he's giving. He's doing his job in being a true leader and a good captain. He teaches the kids, makes new players settle in very quickly and keeps the team united and in my opinion a lot of the success we are having this season is partly because of the work Mark puts in on and off the pitch!
Meeting him back in Malta, my country, last year was just the cherry on the cake and just proved again what a great man he is!
So I think it's only deserving for him to have this Testimonial, as today not a lot of players reach such an important milestone, for the Club he plays and loves so much! I'm so pleased and happy that my favourite player is going to be the last ever captain to walk out a team at the Boleyn and the first one and the new Stadium!
Pride, passion, hard-working, consistency, loyalty and legend are all the words that spring to mind when I think of Mark Noble and West Ham are lucky to have found a player like him who plays for the badge and gives his all for the Club he loves!
Let's hope there are many more years of Mark in the famous Claret and Blue!
Come On You Irons! ⚒
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Slav rates this striker so shouldn't that be enough?
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 27, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H
Have to admit it came as something of a shock to me when discovering that less than one per cent of the 1700 plus who voted in a recent ClaretandHugh poll wanted Christian Benteke as the club's summer signing. Ok, he hasn't shown himself to be he striker he was at Villa a couple of seasons ago when grabbing 25 goals or indeed when he managed 11 from 28 in 2013-14. The following year it was up to 16 from 38 whilst under Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool – which by the striker's own admission has been a 'mare – he's managed just eight from 36. There's reasons for that which he mentioned himself recently: "When your coach says he wanted to take you to Dortmund and a little later you sit at the same club and he ignores you it is hard to understand."
Benteke's apparent unsuitability for Klopp's intensive, high-pressing tactics has been debated for some time but the player rejects accusations he cannot fit in. "I find it bizarre, I do not understand why people say that," he added. "I can play pressing and moving a lot. It is not that we play in the Barcelona style. "In January I didn't want to leave and it's still my desire to do well here. We'll see at the end of the season."
Personally, I don't believe players at his age – 25 -with a track record of scoring plenty of goals – suddenly go bad. Life ain't like that.
There may be better options around but I don't know enough about the alternatives being mentioned to make a genuinely valuable judgement. What I do know is that Benteke has scored a lot of Premier League goals and that Slaven Bilic is an admirer as are several others in the West Ham hierachy. And that – given Slav's first season record with this club – really should be enough to convince us shouldn't it?
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Gold joins Mooro campaign
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 27, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H
David Gold has thrown his weight behind moves to make Bobby Moore' Sir Bobby Moore.' With MPs from across all parties trying to make it happen on the 50th anniversary of England's wonderful World Cup victory, the co chairman has denied that this should be an impossibility. Currently the law doesn't allow posthumous awards but MPs are planning moves aimed at making it happen to honour the nation's greatest captain in a year when the achievement will be immortalised in a new film. A twitter follower, questioning the situation said in a tweet to Gold: "Massive fan of Bobby and he deserves every accolade, but as knighthood is just for life not sure if they could do this."
However, Gold, surely echoed the view of many when making it clear that there should defintely be a way of changing things. He said: "There are many deceased people that on reflection deserved a Knighthood its not beyond us to find a way. Dg
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Chief Scout showdown: Henry v Glover
Posted by Sean Whetstone on March 27, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H
Former Head of West Ham recruitment, Martyn Glover appears to be going head to head with the new head of West Ham recruitment Tony Henry over their mutual interest in a Toulouse player. Glover left the Hammers to join Leeds in a similar role last summer following Allardyce's departure but he was quickly reunited with Big Sam earlier this year when he was appointed Head of recruitment at Sunderland with his old buddy. A story in the Daily Mail this morning suggests both West Ham and Sunderland are among a number of clubs showing interest in Toulouse forward Martin Braithwaite. The Premier League sides will be represented by scouts in the stands at Hampden Park on Tuesday when Braithwaite is expected to line up for Denmark against Scotland. The 24-year-old has been playing on the wing for Toulouse this season and has scored ten goals but his preferred position is as a central striker. Braithwaithe has one year left on his contract and wants the chance to play in the Premier League. It is said that Toulouse will listen to offers of around £4million.
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One to watch - Ousmane Dembele
March 27, 2016
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
RJTHEGAME
OUSMANE DEMBELE
Age: 18 years
Nationality: French
Current Team: Rennes
This week we have one of the most exciting prospects in Europe right now.
At the young age of just 18 years old.... Ousmane Dembele has taken Ligue 1 by storm....putting in some exceptional performances against top clubs. He is a left winger who is always exploiting the spaces and running with the ball at speed. Most recently this was evident against Marseille away where Rennes won 5-2.
Ousmane looks to have it all so far! He has incredible pace and ball control. His ability to jink past players like they are not there and his composure in front of goal is what makes him such a major threat to any team. He seems to be adept at using either foot, is clever and knows how to hurt the opposition.
If he's this good now you have to think he is going to go from strength to strength and I'd be very surprised if a club doesn't move for him this summer. He is similar to Cristano Ronaldo, as in he is extremely direct and confident and his attributes give him that major edge when he gets on the ball. He makes really good decisions for a player for his age. Plays the game like a veteran already. Technically he looks very good, scoring some great goals, loves a shot and shouldn't be discouraged not too with his ability. He is one of the hottest prospects in the world right now and it would be a major coup for any club who signs Ousmane Dembele in the future! Personally of course hope he signs for West Ham but the competition would be huge, Bayern Munich and Barcelona seem to be leading the way for his signature at present.
STRENGTHS Acceleration - Pace - Dribbling - Composure - Agility - Technique
WEAKNESSES : Aerial duels
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Sheringham - Bilic has Hammers playing with a swagger
March 27, 2016
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
BKHammer
Former West Ham United striker Teddy Sheringham has told The Mirror that he loves what he's seen from the Hammers this season. Sheringham, now 47, recently lost his job as manager of League Two strugglers Stevenage, and has looked back at his former club West Ham. The former England international striker hit 30 goals in 87 games during his time at Upton Park, and established himself as a fan favourite even after two spells with rivals Tottenham Hotspur. Now, Sheringham has spoken to The Mirror about West Ham's current state, given that they are enjoying one of their finest Premier League seasons to date. Led by former Hammers defender Slaven Bilic, West Ham are currently up in fifth place in the Premier League table, and sit just one point adrift of the top four, with Champions League qualification a very real prospect under Bilic. Playmaker Dimitri Payet has taken most of the plaudits, but the truth is that many West Ham players are impressing right now, with Aaron Cresswell, Mark Noble, Cheikhou Kouyate, Michail Antonio and Manuel Lanzini all deservedly earning praise.
Now, Sheringham has admitted that he 'loves' what he's seen from West Ham's performances this season, and highlighted the influence of Croatian manager Bilic, who has got the Hammers 'playing with a swagger' according to the former striker. "I love what they are doing and the way they are playing," said Sheringham. "Slaven Bilic has them playing with a swagger. They have done so well," he added.
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Bilic wants Gokhan Tore at West Ham?
March 27, 2016
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
BKHammer
West Ham boss Slaven Bilic has revealed that he wants to sign Besiktas star Gokhan Tore. Speaking to Turkish sports newspaper Fanatik in a recent interview Bilic said: "Everyone knows how much I like Tore he is an excellent player and I want him at West Ham." Bilic also stated that the Hammers are not currently in talks with Besiktas over the transfer of Tore. The former Besiktas manager did however, say that West Ham are not in direct talks which raises the question of whether negotiations are being being carried out through intermediaries. We are not in direct talks with Tore," he added. Tore is currently in Germany recovering from injury and is expected to return after the international break. The former Chelsea youngster excelled under the stewardship of Bilic who coached Besiktas for the past two seasons establishing himself as one of the most highly sought after players in the league. West Ham were linked with Tore over the summer but talks stalled after Besiktas ruled out selling the Turkish international winger. Tore still has another three years remanning on his contract but Besiktas president Fikret Orman has confirmed that the club will listen to offers at the end of the season.
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France coach Didier Deschamps offers West Ham star Dimitri Payet further hope of Euro 2016 call-up
JAMES BENGE
Evening Standard
France coach Didier Deschamps has suggested Dimitri Payet will go to Euro 2016 if he continues his current run of form. The West Ham playmaker has enjoyed a remarkable debut season in the Premier League, contributing eight goals and as many assists as Slaven Bilic's side battle with the Manchester giants to claim a spot in the Champions League. Having been out of France contention since June 2015 Deschamps rewarded Payet's form with a callup and starting role in his side's 3-2 victory over the Netherlands in Amsterdam. Payet impressed from the off, hitting the post on the hour mark and offering enough to convince his international manager that he is worthy of consideration.
Payet will return from France duty 'a little taller', says Bilic. "If I take Payet, it is because I am sure he can bring something," Deschamps told Telefoot. "He has a unique ability and knows how to bring others into the game. "If he maintains the level he showed, the question of whether or not we take him to the Euros will no longer be asked."
A win away to Holland only served to enhance France's belief ahead of the European Championships, which they will host this summer. Along with Spain and Germany France are the favourites for the tournament but Deschamps warned both his team and his country not to get carried away with pre-tournament expectation. "I know the quality of each of the players and, when I have to make choices in this context, it is important that players have more playing time. "For Euro 2016, we must remain humble, but we have the ambition to go as far as possible. "I believe we have a competitive team. With the support of all our fans, we have to be stronger than our opponents."
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Mark Noble: West Ham was like a circus before David Gold and David Sullivan bought the club
JAMES BENGE
Evening Standard
Mark Noble has praised the influence of West Ham co-chairmen David Gold and David Sullivan in turning the club into a stable organisation. When the former Birmingham City owners acquired their stake in West Ham in January 2010 the club was in crisis on and off the field, with a Icelandic consortium having struggled to offer any investment in the club as their country was caught in the midst of a financial crisis. West Ham were to be relegated the following season, finishing bottom of the 2010/11 Premier League, but bounced back immediately and established themselves as a top flight force under Sam Allardyce.
In his first season at the club Slaven Bilic has taken the Hammers to even greater heights; they are now competing for Champions League football and seem well-placed for their move to the Olympic Stadium next summer Noble believes that the recent success at the club is largely down to its current owners and hailed the influence they and vice-chairman Karren Brady have had at Upton Park. "The key word is stability," said the club captain. "In a way, the club was run like a circus in some stages over the last 10 or 20 years. "They have brought in good players and put in money and that was what was needed. That is why the club is moving the way it is. "We have had a tough ten years. We had the different people in charge, five or six different managers. Now it seems like the chairman and Karren Brady have done a great job of settling the club down – running it properly and that gives you a platform from which to move on, to progress. "They have brought in a great manager and, together, they have brought in great players. That is the way it should be done."
The 29-year-old Noble will celebrate his 10 years in the West Ham first-team with a testimonial match at the Boleyn Ground on Monday, where club legends including Paolo di Canio, Rio Ferdinand and Michael Carrick are set to appear.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Monday, March 28
Sunday, March 27
Daily WHUFC News - 27th March 2016
International round-up
WHUFC.com
West Ham United mifdielder Cheikhou Kouyate was part of the Senegal side
that beat Niger 2-0 in African Cup of Nations qualifying on Saturday
evening. Kouyate's men took the lead through Hull City man Mo Diame before
Everton striker Oumar Niasse grabbed the second.
Elsewhere, Hammers goalkeeper Sam Howes was an unused substitute for England
U19s as they were held 1-1 at home to Greece in their Euro Elite qualifying
campaign. The side had previously beaten Georgia 2-1 on Thursday.
On Friday, Dimitri Payet played 90 minutes as France beat Holland 3-2. In an
enthralling encounter at the Amsterdam ArenA, the Hammers' French superstar
helped Les Blues gain an early two-goal lead through Antoine Greizmann and
Arsenal forward Olivier Giroud. The Netherlands pegged the visitors back
though and squared the game up in the 86th minute, before France's Blaise
Matuidi grabbed the winner a minute later. Payet – who was recalled to the
squad by boss Didier Deschamps after such impressive performances in claret
and blue – will hope to be involved again on Tuesday as his side host
Russia.
Also on Friday, Hammers stopper Darren Randolph was on a winning side as he
kept a clean sheet to record a 1-0 win for the Republic of Ireland over
Switzerland. Aston Villa defender Ciaran Clark scored the game's only goal
as Randolph played all 90 minutes in the international friendly. Slovakia,
who visit on Tuesday, are Martin O'Neill's side's next opponents.
Victor Moses' Nigeria could not, however, make it a clean sweep for Hammers
stars on Friday, as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Egypt.
And there was a defeat for young midfielder Martin Samuelsen, who made his
Norway U21 debut in a 1-0 defeat against Holland.
Back on Thursday, West Ham and Ecuador striker Enner Valencia was on target
as he scored the opener in a 2-2 draw against Paraguay.
The draw means that Valencia's nation stay top of their tricky World Cup
qualifying group which contains both Brazil and Argentina.
In action on Wednesday evening was 17-year-old defender Reece Oxford, as he
played 90 minutes in England U18s' 3-2 victory over Austria. The Young Lions
twice came from behind to down the hosts.
Finally, West Ham's Bradford City loan pair Reece Burke and Josh Cullen are
with England U20s and the Republic of Ireland U21s respectively for matches
later on this week.
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Sakho pays tribute to 'idol' Noble
WHUFC.com
Diafra Sakho has been a West Ham United player for two years and has become
a huge fan of Mark Noble in that time. The Senegal striker could hardly
speak a word of English on his arrival from French club Metz in summer 2014,
but the captain quickly made him feel welcome in east London.
Now a fluent English speaker and a fully-fledged member of the Hammers
squad, Sakho paid tribute to his captain ahead of Noble's Testimonial match
at the Boleyn Ground. "Mark Noble is West Ham's son, and he's an idol here,"
said the No15, who has recently returned from injury and is expected to play
in the Easter Monday showcase. "People today like players to have emotion
when playing for your team, and that's what Mark has. Today Mark Noble is a
very good Hammers son. "Every player who comes to West Ham needs to respect
Mark Noble. He is a very good guy. He doesn't always talk so much in the
dressing room – he only talks to you when he needs to. "Mark is here for
every player – for help, on the pitch or in the dressing room. I'm very
happy when I came to West Ham as Mark Noble and Kevin Nolan were the same to
me – very good guys. "I hope the fans come in on Monday to show Mark how
much we love him. "Today, I'm so happy that I speak some English. When I
signed, Mark helped me with everything, and asked me 'Do you need this?' or
'Do you need this?'"
While he has been a West Ham player for over a decade, Sakho says Noble is
far from finished, adding that he expects the captain to be playing another
ten years' time. "I hope that he plays until he's 36 or 38 like Ryan Giggs.
He's West Ham's Ryan Giggs!" the forward smiled. "Mark – enjoy your day!
After ten years, you deserve it."
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Upson - Nobes is a true Hammer
WHUFC.com
Mark Noble represents everything that West Ham United stands for, according
to former Hammer and teammate Matt Upson. The defender, who now plays for MK
Dons, lined-up alongside the current club captain for four years between
2007 and 2011. And ahead of Noble's Testimonial match at the Boleyn Ground
on Monday, Upson praised the midfielder for the passion he has shown
throughout his career in claret and blue. "He epitomises everything that
West Ham is about, really. His commitment and tenacity over the years,
playing in the middle of the park, stands out. "His passion for the Club
does too, and that really filters into his game. "He's a great lad as a
person too, and when you first join the Club, he's one of the first to
welcome you in. He's a local player and he's been there his whole career, so
he knows the Club inside out. "He's such a warming, welcoming character,
especially when you first sign."
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WHAT UNSETTLES ME ABOUT HODGSON'S ENGLAND SELECTIONS!
By S J Chandos 26 Mar 2016 at 08:00
WTID
Most of the controversy on social media has been concerning the
non-selection of Mark Noble in the latest England squad. Goodness knows, the
statistics clearly indicate that Noble should be selected totally on merit,
because his performance is vastly superior to other midfielders in the
squad. If it was a case of an England Manager not fancying a particular
player, I could just about accept it. However, what concerns me is the
apparent blanket ban on all English West Ham players, who are both currently
in top form and, indeed, out-performing players included in the squad.
Can anyone please tell me how Bertrand is selected ahead of Cresswell? There
really is no comparison. Then you have Antonio, who is a player who has had
a massive positive impact since forcing his way in to the West Ham side. Is
anyone seriously arguing that the likes of Milner are better qualified to
represent England? Even Andy Carroll has largely been excluded from England
Squads since he joined West Ham. Yes, he has been injured a lot of his time
at the club, but there have been occasions (like now) when he could have
been selected and has been excluded. In fact, in retrospect, has Hodgson
actually selected Carroll for England since he left Liverpool?
This whole situation feels totally wrong to me. It just smacks of
discrimination. There appears to be an apparent blanket ban on all players
from a single club (regardless of how well they perform!). What else can you
call it? It would seem that West Ham are the only club in the top 6 without
a player selected in the England squad. The FA and PL bang on about
anti-discrimination, yet apparently the current England Manager has carte
blanche to exercise discrimination against the players of a club that he
appears to objects to. Should that situation be allowed to go unchallenged?
Hodgson can drivel on about Mark Noble being akin to Grant Holt, but we all
know that is nonsense. The FA and PL – in time honoured fashion – will close
ranks and defend Hodgson's selections, but he better hope that his squad
performs for him in the two upcoming friendlies against Germany and Holland.
Otherwise, people will really start to ask serious questions about his
management. Personally, I can never wish defeat on England, but perhaps two
defeats would make England reconsider their current selection policy? I just
have this terrible feeling that England are heading for another
disappointing performance in a major tournament. And anything that helps
avert that should be welcomed.
I know that Hammers fans are very pissed off about Hodgson's selections and
it is virtually impossible to defend him in the face of such blatant
unfairness. Presumably if Hodgson had been England Manager in 1966, Norman
Hunter, Jimmy Greaves and John Connelly would have started ahead of Bobby
Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters (if the latter triumvirate got selected
in the first place). And I think we all know how that would have ended up.
Thank goodness for Sir Alf Ramsey, that is what I say!
SJ. Chandos.
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West Ham chief David Sullivan warns the big boys the top 4 may never be the
same again 22:30, 22 MAR 2016 BY DARREN LEWIS Leicester are five points
clear at the top and the Hammers are pushing for the Champions League — and
the Prem's riches mean this season may not be a blip The Mirror
David Sullivan has warned the Premier League's richest clubs not to assume
they will get their top-four places back next season. West Ham co-chairman
Sullivan – whose own club is trying to beat Manchester giants City and
United to the fourth and final Champions League spot for next season –
remains convinced that the established top-flight order is over. Chelsea and
the two Manchester clubs are set for huge summer spending sprees in a bid to
return to the top. Liverpool too are expected to invest heavily. Sullivan,
however, will also plunge back into the transfer market to ensure West Ham
do not rest on their laurels after an impressive campaign. He sees the
success of leaders Leicester - five points clear of Spurs with seven games
to play – as a much-needed boost for a league that had been in danger of
becoming predictable. "It was getting like Scotland, where Celtic win it
every year." he said. "It's been the same top four teams, plus or minus one,
for a decade. "So every club outside of the big four or five is egging on
Leicester, even if they don't win it."
Sullivan has dismissed the idea that clubs should be worried about the
empire striking back by splashing the cash. "Will that make them better?" he
asked. "They might buy a pile of players that make them worse. Look at Man
United, two years in a row they have spent a fortune and either only got
into fourth or didn't make it at all. "It's possible that next year will be
the same as this year. That the order has changed for ever. There is more
money lower down. You've got Stoke taking an £18million player (Giannelli
Imbula). You've got West Brom taking £12m players (Salomon Rondon)." "Then
you've got being in London. With 60-70 per cent of players, it is a major
advantage. We know about clubs up north signing players and telling them,
'We're only an hour from London' — but they leave out the fact that that's
[if you travel] by private jet or helicopter!"
Sullivan is delighted with Claudio Ranieri's success at Leicester for a
specific reason. "It takes the pressure off us!" he said. "If they weren't
there, we'd be the sole topic of conversation: 'Are West Ham going to make
top four? Will they do it?' "So it really pleases me that we are slipping
through under the Leicester umbrella." Sullivan admitted the Irons - also
facing an FA Cup quarter-final replay with Manchester United at Upton Park
next month - are already far exceeding their expectations for the current
campaign. "We budgeted for tenth this season." he said. "Anything above
helps our budget. "Fourth for us would be beyond our wildest dreams. I'm
glad City have got [their Champions League quarter-final against Paris
Saint-Germain] as a distraction. We have the FA Cup, but it is not two
legs."
Sullivan has his own hands full with the DVD release of his second movie,
The Fall Of The Krays, on Easter Monday. He explained: "Our first film, The
Rise Of The Krays, was the biggest selling film that went straight to DVD in
four years. So The Fall is the natural follow-up. It's actually a better
film. "With Tom Hardy's film (about the Krays, called Legend) doing so well,
the Krays are very hot in the movie world. Ours is a smashing British film."
Another smash hit this season has been £10.75million buy Dimitri Payet,
whose outstanding performances have already earned him a new deal and a
recall to the France squad for the first time in nearly a year. But Sullivan
revealed he nearly scrapped the Hammers' interest in the playmaker last
summer, with Marseille asking for too much money. He went on: "There was a
point where me and the club were close to giving up. It was the club
(Marseille) we couldn't do a deal with. "But the player wanted out, because
as he got older they reduced his salary. "He was also at a stage of his
career when the overseas challenge appealed to him." Completing that
challenge could help the Hammers pull off their biggest-ever Premier League
achievement.
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West Ham skipper Mark Noble declares "stability" the key behind the Hammers'
recent rise 22:30, 26 MAR 2016 BY STEVE STAMMERS Co-owners David Gold and
David Sullivan took charge at Upton Park in 2010 and Noble believes they
have reinvigorated the club in the last six years The Mirror
Mark Noble has no hesitation in pinpointing the crucial factor in the West
Ham success story this season. His team have a fighting chance of reaching
the semi-finals of the FA Cup and they are contesting a top four finish in
the Premier League which will mean Champions League football to the new home
in the Olympic Stadium next season. And Noble is convinced that it is the
philosophy brought to West Ham by owners David Gold and David Sullivan since
they took over in 2010 that has changed the thinking at the club. "The key
word is stability," said Noble. "In a way, the club was run like a circus in
some stages over the last ten or 20 years. "They have brought in good
players and put in money and that was what was needed. That is why the club
is moving the way it is. "We have had a tough ten years. We had the
different people in charge, five or six different managers. "Now it seems
like the chairman and Karren Brady have done a great job of settling the
club down – running it properly and that gives you a platform from which to
move on, to progress."
And it was the current board who had the vision to appoint Slaven Bilic as
manager at the start of the season – an inspired choice according to Noble
whose service to the club he joined as a schoolboy will be rewarded with a
sell-out testimonial match at Upton Park tomorrow night. "They have brought
in a great manager and, together, they have brought in great players. That
is the way it should be done."
Noble is immensely proud to be the club captain of the club he supported as
a boy. There were chances to leave – both Newcastle and Everton were keen on
the midfield player when West Ham were relegated from the Premier League in
2011. But he stayed loyal, helped the club win a dramatic play-off against
Blackpool to return to the top flight and a year ago signed a new five-year
contract which means his best years will have been at West Ham. He is now
reaping the benefits of that commitment under the Bilic regime. "The boss
has a really good way about him," said Noble. " It is the way he explains
things. "With West Ham fans, they hold on to a tradition. The boss has
played at the club, he knows what they are like and he was a fans' favourite
here. He knows what it means to them. He knows the club inside out. "There
are still people working at West Ham from when he was a player. It really is
just like one big family."
The feel-good factor may be back at West Ham. But gone is the fear factor
that has blighted the club for years. Come the high-profile matches and West
Ham would traditionally buckle. Now, with the likes of Dimitri Payet, Manuel
Lanzini, Diafra Sakho, Michail Antonio and Cheikhou Kouyate, West Ham have
no such complex. "It is right to say it was rare to see a West Ham team play
without fear," said Noble. "The club is losing that fear of going into
matches against the big teams. We went to Chelsea last Saturday and we went
to Old Trafford the week before and played like a proper team. We took the
game to them. We should have won both games. "We don't accept any more that
we are going to lose to the big teams and accepting that a draw is a great
result. We want to win now and that is the way it should be."
Leicester – another club with limited financial resources compared to those
of the elite – are an example of what can be achieved and Noble has nothing
but admiration for the league leaders. "What they have done this season is
unbelievable," he said.Tomorrow there will be a carnival atmosphere at Upton
Park. The days of the circus, however, are long gone.
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West Ham icon Trevor Brooking believes Slaven Bilic is desperate to
celebrate Upton Park with FA Cup success 22:30, 26 MAR 2016 BY ANTHONY
CLAVANE The Hammers face Manchester United in an FA Cup quarter-final replay
as they aim for a place at Wembley against Everton in the last four The
Mirror
West Ham legend Trevor Brooking believes Slaven Bilic is desperate to win
the FA Cup to mark the Hammers' last season at Upton Park. Brooking, who
scored the famous winning goal when West Ham last won the Cup in 1980,
insists his old club can triumph in this year's competition. If Bilic's team
overcome Manchester United in the quarter-final replay next month they will
travel to Wembley again for a last four clash with Everton.
And Brooking said: "I fancy West Ham for the Cup. You've only got to watch
them and how they play. "Slaven wants it and the players want it. He knows
how much in our last season at the Boleyn it will mean for our fans if we
win it. "The FA Cup is obviously special for me. It has lost a little bit of
its glamour – but not for Slaven."
The Londoners are the last team to win the Cup from outside the top flight
with their victory over Arsenal 26 years ago coming via a rare Brooking
header. "It's a long time ago now," he said, "but not one week goes by
without someone mentioning it. It might be a cabbie or somebody I meet when
I'm out. "It's been such a special part of my life that for somebody to say
the FA Cup no longer has any significance is nonsense. "I hope they get
through to the final. Then my goal will probably get a few more airings!"
The Hammers have also been in excellent league form. They are fifth in the
Premier League – within one point of the top four with eight games left to
play. Brooking added: "Beating teams like Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City
will give them confidence to beat United in the replay.
"Slaven's produced a good, technical side. Hopefully the board will give him
the support in the summer to get three or four players. That could it make
it quite exciting at the new stadium."
Billy Bonds has challenged Dimitri Payet to become a West Ham legend when
the club go to the Olympic stadium, writes Rob Maul. An Upton Park hero
himself, Bonds is part of the club's history, with a record 799 appearances
over 21 years. And Bonzo says that, to be truly appreciated, £10.7million
summer signing Payet has to do the business over a number of seasons. Bonds,
69, said: "Payet is a very good player, but this is only one year in which
he has done it at the club. "I've watched stars such as Trevor Brooking,
Alan Devonshire, Bobby Moore, Martin Peters, Bryan Robson and Paolo Di Canio
– all absolutely fabulous players – and they all did it for the Hammers,
year in, year out. "Let's hope Payet stays at the club and becomes a real
West Ham legend, too."
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West Ham will not bank £1billion from OS move Posted by Sean Whetstone on
March 27, 2016 in Sean's Blogs, Whispers
C and H
A badly researched article by Colin Mafham on the Daily Express claims that
West Ham are set to earn one billion pounds from their move to the Olympic
stadium suggesting they would have one billion in the kitty to play with by
2021!
Wishful thinking on the part of the Express and plainly wrong I am afraid!
The first clue to the credibility of the article comes when the story claims
West Ham have agreed to pay the LLDC £15m per year in rent for the stadium.
In reality, West Ham will pay £15m upfront towards the conversion costs and
around £2.5m in rent per year for the former Olympic Stadium.
OSThe next falsehood is the claim that West Ham will earn an extra £54m
every year in match day sales with the Olympic Stadium sold out. Currently,
the club receive around £20m per season from match day receipts at the
Boleyn ground for a capacity of 35,000. Although we have increased the
capacity to 60,000 at the new stadium the club has heavily discounted season
tickets meaning most ticket holders are paying less than this season. Over
8,000 of the expected 50,000 season tickets at the Olympic Stadium are under
16's paying just £99 each raising less than £800,000 in annual revenue and
another 8,000 seats have been sold at £289 per season raising another £2.3m
per year.
os south behind goal.2JPGThe truth is our match day receipts will grow by a
more modest £10m-£15m per season next season and not the £34m jump the
Express suggests in their article.
The Express also points to the £100m minimum per club per season from the
new TV deal but that is a level playing field for all Premier League clubs
as everyone will get this and it has got nothing whatsoever to do with our
move to the Olympic Stadium so I fail to see the relevance.
OS2West Ham posted a turnover just over £120m in 2015 which included £76m
from TV rights income and that is set to slightly increase in 2016 after a
good FA cup run and sell out crowds & events for the last season at the
Boleyn Ground.
When we look forward at the first season at the Olympic Stadium ending in
May 2017 I personally estimate an increase of TV money at around £35m per
season and extra match receipts of around £15m plus another £5m in
additional retail sales and sponsorship deals. A turnover of £175m seems
very possible but many of our fellow premier league competitors will see
significant jumps in turnover also next season.
gb2-lounge2okEven if we earn £175m in turnover over the next five years
totaling £875m, Colin at the Express is completely missing the point that
this is not money in the bank available to spend or share with the owners as
most of it goes straight out the door again. The majority of our turnover
and most other Premier League clubs for that matter gets spent on players
wages and the increase in TV money is likely to bring massive hikes in the
top players wages accordingly. Sad but true.
Sorry Colin, Nice try, No cigar!
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Elliot Lee curls in a beauty in for Colchester Posted by Sean Whetstone on
March 26, 2016 in Videos, Whispers C and H
Colchester United beat Doncaster Rovers 4-1 on Good Friday in League One,
and the goal of the game belonged to West Ham loanee Elliot Lee. 21-year-old
Lee found the target with a special curled strike in the 71st minute.
The Hammers forward put the hosts 2-1 ahead with a 25-yard right footed
effort that arrowed into the far top corner.
Lee tweeted after the match "That goal was for my boy Leo Chambers, come
along way with this guy and I love him like a brother"
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West Ham legends to manage Hammers
Posted by Sean Whetstone on March 26, 2016 in News, Whispers C and H
Former West Ham managers Billy Bonds and Sir Trevor Brooking will manage
West Ham teams one last time on Easter Monday. Mark Noble revealed the news
on Thursday. Nobes tweeted "True legends, Billy bonds and Sir Trevor
Brooking will be honorary managers on Monday afternoon!!"
Billy Bonds was was appointed West Ham manager on 23 February 1990.The
Club's all-time record appearance-maker, two-time FA Cup-winning captain and
four-time Hammer of the Year, Bonds had retired from playing in 1988 and
served as a youth Bondscoach under John Lyall. After guiding West Ham to
seventh in Division Two in his first few months in charge, Bonds led the
Hammers back to the top flight via the runners-up spot and an FA Cup
semi-final defeat by Nottingham Forest in 1990/91.
Unfortunately, West Ham were relegated again in 1992 after finishing bottom
of Division One but Bonds won a second promotion in three seasons the
following year, with old team-mate Harry Redknapp serving as his assistant.
In 1993/94, Bonds led West Ham to the safety of 13th position in their first
season in the Premier League but Bonds was replaced by Redknapp, turning
down the offer of the newly-created role of Director of Football. In all,
Bonds won 82 and lost just 59 of his 194 matches in charge of the Hammers.
Bonds had a win ratio of 43.61%
Brooking had two spells as caretaker manager, replacing Glen Roeder after
his collapse with a brain tumour and again after he was sacked. In his 14
matches in charge, he won nine, drew four and lost just one game against
Gillingham 2-0 in the league after Jermain Defoe was sent off. He is
sometimes referred to as "the best manager that West Ham never had". He has
an impressive win ratio fo 64.29% which is never likely to be broken.
Unconfirmed rumours suggest current West Ham manager Slaven Bilic might pull
on his boots for a cameo role at Mark Noble's testimonial on Monday.
Slaven's win ratio is 45.24%.
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Hammers scouts watch Silva
Posted by Sean Whetstone on March 26, 2016 in News, Whispers C and H
According to football website Sport Witness , West Ham scouts were spotted
at the International match between Portugal and Bulgaria on Good Friday.
The report claims the Irons scout was there to watch Rafa Silva, which they
say 'just so happens to be a player West Ham have been watching at SC Braga
this season'.
The article claims the Hammers Portugal scouting network was originally
set-up by Sam Allardyce but Slaven Bilic has been keen to continue it since
taking over in the summer. West Ham is one of a number of Premier league
clubs attending Portuguese league matches on a regular basis this season.
The Portugal international is considered one of the brightest prospects in
the Primeira Liga and he's been heavily scouted by Manchester United in the
last 18 months.
Jose Mourinho is said to have 'reserved' an option on the 22-year-old if he
takes charge at Old Trafford this summer with the 52-year-old believed to be
a firm admirer of the winger. However, Silva says he is happy in Portugal
saying "I've received some offers but I preferred to stay here. My goal is
to give everything for this club."
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Hammer Henry struggles as right back
Posted by Sean Whetstone on March 26, 2016 in News, Whispers C and H
West Ham's, Doneil Henry very struggled last night as a right back for
Canada against Mexico in a World Cup qualifier match. The 22 year old
centre-back struggled in an un-natural position as his side went 3-0 down in
Vancouver.
Henry himself came in for a lot of criticism from Canadian supporters who
couldn't understand why he had been chosen to play in the right back
position. His critics said he looked rusty, off the pace and afraid to go
forward as a full back. One Candiadan fan said "Henry is embarrassing. What
did West Ham see in him?"
Maybe it is slightly unfair criticism considering his lack of first team
action at West Ham but the Hammers seem to have plenty of other players who
can step into the right back role with ease after Carl Jenkinson
season-wrecking injury. Centre-back James Tomkins took to the role with ease
and looked like a natural before his own injury and more recently Michail
Antonio has shown he can play as a decent right back too. Slaven Bilic
please take note, don't ever Henry in the right back position, you may
regret it.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
West Ham United mifdielder Cheikhou Kouyate was part of the Senegal side
that beat Niger 2-0 in African Cup of Nations qualifying on Saturday
evening. Kouyate's men took the lead through Hull City man Mo Diame before
Everton striker Oumar Niasse grabbed the second.
Elsewhere, Hammers goalkeeper Sam Howes was an unused substitute for England
U19s as they were held 1-1 at home to Greece in their Euro Elite qualifying
campaign. The side had previously beaten Georgia 2-1 on Thursday.
On Friday, Dimitri Payet played 90 minutes as France beat Holland 3-2. In an
enthralling encounter at the Amsterdam ArenA, the Hammers' French superstar
helped Les Blues gain an early two-goal lead through Antoine Greizmann and
Arsenal forward Olivier Giroud. The Netherlands pegged the visitors back
though and squared the game up in the 86th minute, before France's Blaise
Matuidi grabbed the winner a minute later. Payet – who was recalled to the
squad by boss Didier Deschamps after such impressive performances in claret
and blue – will hope to be involved again on Tuesday as his side host
Russia.
Also on Friday, Hammers stopper Darren Randolph was on a winning side as he
kept a clean sheet to record a 1-0 win for the Republic of Ireland over
Switzerland. Aston Villa defender Ciaran Clark scored the game's only goal
as Randolph played all 90 minutes in the international friendly. Slovakia,
who visit on Tuesday, are Martin O'Neill's side's next opponents.
Victor Moses' Nigeria could not, however, make it a clean sweep for Hammers
stars on Friday, as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Egypt.
And there was a defeat for young midfielder Martin Samuelsen, who made his
Norway U21 debut in a 1-0 defeat against Holland.
Back on Thursday, West Ham and Ecuador striker Enner Valencia was on target
as he scored the opener in a 2-2 draw against Paraguay.
The draw means that Valencia's nation stay top of their tricky World Cup
qualifying group which contains both Brazil and Argentina.
In action on Wednesday evening was 17-year-old defender Reece Oxford, as he
played 90 minutes in England U18s' 3-2 victory over Austria. The Young Lions
twice came from behind to down the hosts.
Finally, West Ham's Bradford City loan pair Reece Burke and Josh Cullen are
with England U20s and the Republic of Ireland U21s respectively for matches
later on this week.
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Sakho pays tribute to 'idol' Noble
WHUFC.com
Diafra Sakho has been a West Ham United player for two years and has become
a huge fan of Mark Noble in that time. The Senegal striker could hardly
speak a word of English on his arrival from French club Metz in summer 2014,
but the captain quickly made him feel welcome in east London.
Now a fluent English speaker and a fully-fledged member of the Hammers
squad, Sakho paid tribute to his captain ahead of Noble's Testimonial match
at the Boleyn Ground. "Mark Noble is West Ham's son, and he's an idol here,"
said the No15, who has recently returned from injury and is expected to play
in the Easter Monday showcase. "People today like players to have emotion
when playing for your team, and that's what Mark has. Today Mark Noble is a
very good Hammers son. "Every player who comes to West Ham needs to respect
Mark Noble. He is a very good guy. He doesn't always talk so much in the
dressing room – he only talks to you when he needs to. "Mark is here for
every player – for help, on the pitch or in the dressing room. I'm very
happy when I came to West Ham as Mark Noble and Kevin Nolan were the same to
me – very good guys. "I hope the fans come in on Monday to show Mark how
much we love him. "Today, I'm so happy that I speak some English. When I
signed, Mark helped me with everything, and asked me 'Do you need this?' or
'Do you need this?'"
While he has been a West Ham player for over a decade, Sakho says Noble is
far from finished, adding that he expects the captain to be playing another
ten years' time. "I hope that he plays until he's 36 or 38 like Ryan Giggs.
He's West Ham's Ryan Giggs!" the forward smiled. "Mark – enjoy your day!
After ten years, you deserve it."
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Upson - Nobes is a true Hammer
WHUFC.com
Mark Noble represents everything that West Ham United stands for, according
to former Hammer and teammate Matt Upson. The defender, who now plays for MK
Dons, lined-up alongside the current club captain for four years between
2007 and 2011. And ahead of Noble's Testimonial match at the Boleyn Ground
on Monday, Upson praised the midfielder for the passion he has shown
throughout his career in claret and blue. "He epitomises everything that
West Ham is about, really. His commitment and tenacity over the years,
playing in the middle of the park, stands out. "His passion for the Club
does too, and that really filters into his game. "He's a great lad as a
person too, and when you first join the Club, he's one of the first to
welcome you in. He's a local player and he's been there his whole career, so
he knows the Club inside out. "He's such a warming, welcoming character,
especially when you first sign."
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WHAT UNSETTLES ME ABOUT HODGSON'S ENGLAND SELECTIONS!
By S J Chandos 26 Mar 2016 at 08:00
WTID
Most of the controversy on social media has been concerning the
non-selection of Mark Noble in the latest England squad. Goodness knows, the
statistics clearly indicate that Noble should be selected totally on merit,
because his performance is vastly superior to other midfielders in the
squad. If it was a case of an England Manager not fancying a particular
player, I could just about accept it. However, what concerns me is the
apparent blanket ban on all English West Ham players, who are both currently
in top form and, indeed, out-performing players included in the squad.
Can anyone please tell me how Bertrand is selected ahead of Cresswell? There
really is no comparison. Then you have Antonio, who is a player who has had
a massive positive impact since forcing his way in to the West Ham side. Is
anyone seriously arguing that the likes of Milner are better qualified to
represent England? Even Andy Carroll has largely been excluded from England
Squads since he joined West Ham. Yes, he has been injured a lot of his time
at the club, but there have been occasions (like now) when he could have
been selected and has been excluded. In fact, in retrospect, has Hodgson
actually selected Carroll for England since he left Liverpool?
This whole situation feels totally wrong to me. It just smacks of
discrimination. There appears to be an apparent blanket ban on all players
from a single club (regardless of how well they perform!). What else can you
call it? It would seem that West Ham are the only club in the top 6 without
a player selected in the England squad. The FA and PL bang on about
anti-discrimination, yet apparently the current England Manager has carte
blanche to exercise discrimination against the players of a club that he
appears to objects to. Should that situation be allowed to go unchallenged?
Hodgson can drivel on about Mark Noble being akin to Grant Holt, but we all
know that is nonsense. The FA and PL – in time honoured fashion – will close
ranks and defend Hodgson's selections, but he better hope that his squad
performs for him in the two upcoming friendlies against Germany and Holland.
Otherwise, people will really start to ask serious questions about his
management. Personally, I can never wish defeat on England, but perhaps two
defeats would make England reconsider their current selection policy? I just
have this terrible feeling that England are heading for another
disappointing performance in a major tournament. And anything that helps
avert that should be welcomed.
I know that Hammers fans are very pissed off about Hodgson's selections and
it is virtually impossible to defend him in the face of such blatant
unfairness. Presumably if Hodgson had been England Manager in 1966, Norman
Hunter, Jimmy Greaves and John Connelly would have started ahead of Bobby
Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters (if the latter triumvirate got selected
in the first place). And I think we all know how that would have ended up.
Thank goodness for Sir Alf Ramsey, that is what I say!
SJ. Chandos.
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West Ham chief David Sullivan warns the big boys the top 4 may never be the
same again 22:30, 22 MAR 2016 BY DARREN LEWIS Leicester are five points
clear at the top and the Hammers are pushing for the Champions League — and
the Prem's riches mean this season may not be a blip The Mirror
David Sullivan has warned the Premier League's richest clubs not to assume
they will get their top-four places back next season. West Ham co-chairman
Sullivan – whose own club is trying to beat Manchester giants City and
United to the fourth and final Champions League spot for next season –
remains convinced that the established top-flight order is over. Chelsea and
the two Manchester clubs are set for huge summer spending sprees in a bid to
return to the top. Liverpool too are expected to invest heavily. Sullivan,
however, will also plunge back into the transfer market to ensure West Ham
do not rest on their laurels after an impressive campaign. He sees the
success of leaders Leicester - five points clear of Spurs with seven games
to play – as a much-needed boost for a league that had been in danger of
becoming predictable. "It was getting like Scotland, where Celtic win it
every year." he said. "It's been the same top four teams, plus or minus one,
for a decade. "So every club outside of the big four or five is egging on
Leicester, even if they don't win it."
Sullivan has dismissed the idea that clubs should be worried about the
empire striking back by splashing the cash. "Will that make them better?" he
asked. "They might buy a pile of players that make them worse. Look at Man
United, two years in a row they have spent a fortune and either only got
into fourth or didn't make it at all. "It's possible that next year will be
the same as this year. That the order has changed for ever. There is more
money lower down. You've got Stoke taking an £18million player (Giannelli
Imbula). You've got West Brom taking £12m players (Salomon Rondon)." "Then
you've got being in London. With 60-70 per cent of players, it is a major
advantage. We know about clubs up north signing players and telling them,
'We're only an hour from London' — but they leave out the fact that that's
[if you travel] by private jet or helicopter!"
Sullivan is delighted with Claudio Ranieri's success at Leicester for a
specific reason. "It takes the pressure off us!" he said. "If they weren't
there, we'd be the sole topic of conversation: 'Are West Ham going to make
top four? Will they do it?' "So it really pleases me that we are slipping
through under the Leicester umbrella." Sullivan admitted the Irons - also
facing an FA Cup quarter-final replay with Manchester United at Upton Park
next month - are already far exceeding their expectations for the current
campaign. "We budgeted for tenth this season." he said. "Anything above
helps our budget. "Fourth for us would be beyond our wildest dreams. I'm
glad City have got [their Champions League quarter-final against Paris
Saint-Germain] as a distraction. We have the FA Cup, but it is not two
legs."
Sullivan has his own hands full with the DVD release of his second movie,
The Fall Of The Krays, on Easter Monday. He explained: "Our first film, The
Rise Of The Krays, was the biggest selling film that went straight to DVD in
four years. So The Fall is the natural follow-up. It's actually a better
film. "With Tom Hardy's film (about the Krays, called Legend) doing so well,
the Krays are very hot in the movie world. Ours is a smashing British film."
Another smash hit this season has been £10.75million buy Dimitri Payet,
whose outstanding performances have already earned him a new deal and a
recall to the France squad for the first time in nearly a year. But Sullivan
revealed he nearly scrapped the Hammers' interest in the playmaker last
summer, with Marseille asking for too much money. He went on: "There was a
point where me and the club were close to giving up. It was the club
(Marseille) we couldn't do a deal with. "But the player wanted out, because
as he got older they reduced his salary. "He was also at a stage of his
career when the overseas challenge appealed to him." Completing that
challenge could help the Hammers pull off their biggest-ever Premier League
achievement.
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West Ham skipper Mark Noble declares "stability" the key behind the Hammers'
recent rise 22:30, 26 MAR 2016 BY STEVE STAMMERS Co-owners David Gold and
David Sullivan took charge at Upton Park in 2010 and Noble believes they
have reinvigorated the club in the last six years The Mirror
Mark Noble has no hesitation in pinpointing the crucial factor in the West
Ham success story this season. His team have a fighting chance of reaching
the semi-finals of the FA Cup and they are contesting a top four finish in
the Premier League which will mean Champions League football to the new home
in the Olympic Stadium next season. And Noble is convinced that it is the
philosophy brought to West Ham by owners David Gold and David Sullivan since
they took over in 2010 that has changed the thinking at the club. "The key
word is stability," said Noble. "In a way, the club was run like a circus in
some stages over the last ten or 20 years. "They have brought in good
players and put in money and that was what was needed. That is why the club
is moving the way it is. "We have had a tough ten years. We had the
different people in charge, five or six different managers. "Now it seems
like the chairman and Karren Brady have done a great job of settling the
club down – running it properly and that gives you a platform from which to
move on, to progress."
And it was the current board who had the vision to appoint Slaven Bilic as
manager at the start of the season – an inspired choice according to Noble
whose service to the club he joined as a schoolboy will be rewarded with a
sell-out testimonial match at Upton Park tomorrow night. "They have brought
in a great manager and, together, they have brought in great players. That
is the way it should be done."
Noble is immensely proud to be the club captain of the club he supported as
a boy. There were chances to leave – both Newcastle and Everton were keen on
the midfield player when West Ham were relegated from the Premier League in
2011. But he stayed loyal, helped the club win a dramatic play-off against
Blackpool to return to the top flight and a year ago signed a new five-year
contract which means his best years will have been at West Ham. He is now
reaping the benefits of that commitment under the Bilic regime. "The boss
has a really good way about him," said Noble. " It is the way he explains
things. "With West Ham fans, they hold on to a tradition. The boss has
played at the club, he knows what they are like and he was a fans' favourite
here. He knows what it means to them. He knows the club inside out. "There
are still people working at West Ham from when he was a player. It really is
just like one big family."
The feel-good factor may be back at West Ham. But gone is the fear factor
that has blighted the club for years. Come the high-profile matches and West
Ham would traditionally buckle. Now, with the likes of Dimitri Payet, Manuel
Lanzini, Diafra Sakho, Michail Antonio and Cheikhou Kouyate, West Ham have
no such complex. "It is right to say it was rare to see a West Ham team play
without fear," said Noble. "The club is losing that fear of going into
matches against the big teams. We went to Chelsea last Saturday and we went
to Old Trafford the week before and played like a proper team. We took the
game to them. We should have won both games. "We don't accept any more that
we are going to lose to the big teams and accepting that a draw is a great
result. We want to win now and that is the way it should be."
Leicester – another club with limited financial resources compared to those
of the elite – are an example of what can be achieved and Noble has nothing
but admiration for the league leaders. "What they have done this season is
unbelievable," he said.Tomorrow there will be a carnival atmosphere at Upton
Park. The days of the circus, however, are long gone.
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West Ham icon Trevor Brooking believes Slaven Bilic is desperate to
celebrate Upton Park with FA Cup success 22:30, 26 MAR 2016 BY ANTHONY
CLAVANE The Hammers face Manchester United in an FA Cup quarter-final replay
as they aim for a place at Wembley against Everton in the last four The
Mirror
West Ham legend Trevor Brooking believes Slaven Bilic is desperate to win
the FA Cup to mark the Hammers' last season at Upton Park. Brooking, who
scored the famous winning goal when West Ham last won the Cup in 1980,
insists his old club can triumph in this year's competition. If Bilic's team
overcome Manchester United in the quarter-final replay next month they will
travel to Wembley again for a last four clash with Everton.
And Brooking said: "I fancy West Ham for the Cup. You've only got to watch
them and how they play. "Slaven wants it and the players want it. He knows
how much in our last season at the Boleyn it will mean for our fans if we
win it. "The FA Cup is obviously special for me. It has lost a little bit of
its glamour – but not for Slaven."
The Londoners are the last team to win the Cup from outside the top flight
with their victory over Arsenal 26 years ago coming via a rare Brooking
header. "It's a long time ago now," he said, "but not one week goes by
without someone mentioning it. It might be a cabbie or somebody I meet when
I'm out. "It's been such a special part of my life that for somebody to say
the FA Cup no longer has any significance is nonsense. "I hope they get
through to the final. Then my goal will probably get a few more airings!"
The Hammers have also been in excellent league form. They are fifth in the
Premier League – within one point of the top four with eight games left to
play. Brooking added: "Beating teams like Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City
will give them confidence to beat United in the replay.
"Slaven's produced a good, technical side. Hopefully the board will give him
the support in the summer to get three or four players. That could it make
it quite exciting at the new stadium."
Billy Bonds has challenged Dimitri Payet to become a West Ham legend when
the club go to the Olympic stadium, writes Rob Maul. An Upton Park hero
himself, Bonds is part of the club's history, with a record 799 appearances
over 21 years. And Bonzo says that, to be truly appreciated, £10.7million
summer signing Payet has to do the business over a number of seasons. Bonds,
69, said: "Payet is a very good player, but this is only one year in which
he has done it at the club. "I've watched stars such as Trevor Brooking,
Alan Devonshire, Bobby Moore, Martin Peters, Bryan Robson and Paolo Di Canio
– all absolutely fabulous players – and they all did it for the Hammers,
year in, year out. "Let's hope Payet stays at the club and becomes a real
West Ham legend, too."
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West Ham will not bank £1billion from OS move Posted by Sean Whetstone on
March 27, 2016 in Sean's Blogs, Whispers
C and H
A badly researched article by Colin Mafham on the Daily Express claims that
West Ham are set to earn one billion pounds from their move to the Olympic
stadium suggesting they would have one billion in the kitty to play with by
2021!
Wishful thinking on the part of the Express and plainly wrong I am afraid!
The first clue to the credibility of the article comes when the story claims
West Ham have agreed to pay the LLDC £15m per year in rent for the stadium.
In reality, West Ham will pay £15m upfront towards the conversion costs and
around £2.5m in rent per year for the former Olympic Stadium.
OSThe next falsehood is the claim that West Ham will earn an extra £54m
every year in match day sales with the Olympic Stadium sold out. Currently,
the club receive around £20m per season from match day receipts at the
Boleyn ground for a capacity of 35,000. Although we have increased the
capacity to 60,000 at the new stadium the club has heavily discounted season
tickets meaning most ticket holders are paying less than this season. Over
8,000 of the expected 50,000 season tickets at the Olympic Stadium are under
16's paying just £99 each raising less than £800,000 in annual revenue and
another 8,000 seats have been sold at £289 per season raising another £2.3m
per year.
os south behind goal.2JPGThe truth is our match day receipts will grow by a
more modest £10m-£15m per season next season and not the £34m jump the
Express suggests in their article.
The Express also points to the £100m minimum per club per season from the
new TV deal but that is a level playing field for all Premier League clubs
as everyone will get this and it has got nothing whatsoever to do with our
move to the Olympic Stadium so I fail to see the relevance.
OS2West Ham posted a turnover just over £120m in 2015 which included £76m
from TV rights income and that is set to slightly increase in 2016 after a
good FA cup run and sell out crowds & events for the last season at the
Boleyn Ground.
When we look forward at the first season at the Olympic Stadium ending in
May 2017 I personally estimate an increase of TV money at around £35m per
season and extra match receipts of around £15m plus another £5m in
additional retail sales and sponsorship deals. A turnover of £175m seems
very possible but many of our fellow premier league competitors will see
significant jumps in turnover also next season.
gb2-lounge2okEven if we earn £175m in turnover over the next five years
totaling £875m, Colin at the Express is completely missing the point that
this is not money in the bank available to spend or share with the owners as
most of it goes straight out the door again. The majority of our turnover
and most other Premier League clubs for that matter gets spent on players
wages and the increase in TV money is likely to bring massive hikes in the
top players wages accordingly. Sad but true.
Sorry Colin, Nice try, No cigar!
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Elliot Lee curls in a beauty in for Colchester Posted by Sean Whetstone on
March 26, 2016 in Videos, Whispers C and H
Colchester United beat Doncaster Rovers 4-1 on Good Friday in League One,
and the goal of the game belonged to West Ham loanee Elliot Lee. 21-year-old
Lee found the target with a special curled strike in the 71st minute.
The Hammers forward put the hosts 2-1 ahead with a 25-yard right footed
effort that arrowed into the far top corner.
Lee tweeted after the match "That goal was for my boy Leo Chambers, come
along way with this guy and I love him like a brother"
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West Ham legends to manage Hammers
Posted by Sean Whetstone on March 26, 2016 in News, Whispers C and H
Former West Ham managers Billy Bonds and Sir Trevor Brooking will manage
West Ham teams one last time on Easter Monday. Mark Noble revealed the news
on Thursday. Nobes tweeted "True legends, Billy bonds and Sir Trevor
Brooking will be honorary managers on Monday afternoon!!"
Billy Bonds was was appointed West Ham manager on 23 February 1990.The
Club's all-time record appearance-maker, two-time FA Cup-winning captain and
four-time Hammer of the Year, Bonds had retired from playing in 1988 and
served as a youth Bondscoach under John Lyall. After guiding West Ham to
seventh in Division Two in his first few months in charge, Bonds led the
Hammers back to the top flight via the runners-up spot and an FA Cup
semi-final defeat by Nottingham Forest in 1990/91.
Unfortunately, West Ham were relegated again in 1992 after finishing bottom
of Division One but Bonds won a second promotion in three seasons the
following year, with old team-mate Harry Redknapp serving as his assistant.
In 1993/94, Bonds led West Ham to the safety of 13th position in their first
season in the Premier League but Bonds was replaced by Redknapp, turning
down the offer of the newly-created role of Director of Football. In all,
Bonds won 82 and lost just 59 of his 194 matches in charge of the Hammers.
Bonds had a win ratio of 43.61%
Brooking had two spells as caretaker manager, replacing Glen Roeder after
his collapse with a brain tumour and again after he was sacked. In his 14
matches in charge, he won nine, drew four and lost just one game against
Gillingham 2-0 in the league after Jermain Defoe was sent off. He is
sometimes referred to as "the best manager that West Ham never had". He has
an impressive win ratio fo 64.29% which is never likely to be broken.
Unconfirmed rumours suggest current West Ham manager Slaven Bilic might pull
on his boots for a cameo role at Mark Noble's testimonial on Monday.
Slaven's win ratio is 45.24%.
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Hammers scouts watch Silva
Posted by Sean Whetstone on March 26, 2016 in News, Whispers C and H
According to football website Sport Witness , West Ham scouts were spotted
at the International match between Portugal and Bulgaria on Good Friday.
The report claims the Irons scout was there to watch Rafa Silva, which they
say 'just so happens to be a player West Ham have been watching at SC Braga
this season'.
The article claims the Hammers Portugal scouting network was originally
set-up by Sam Allardyce but Slaven Bilic has been keen to continue it since
taking over in the summer. West Ham is one of a number of Premier league
clubs attending Portuguese league matches on a regular basis this season.
The Portugal international is considered one of the brightest prospects in
the Primeira Liga and he's been heavily scouted by Manchester United in the
last 18 months.
Jose Mourinho is said to have 'reserved' an option on the 22-year-old if he
takes charge at Old Trafford this summer with the 52-year-old believed to be
a firm admirer of the winger. However, Silva says he is happy in Portugal
saying "I've received some offers but I preferred to stay here. My goal is
to give everything for this club."
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Hammer Henry struggles as right back
Posted by Sean Whetstone on March 26, 2016 in News, Whispers C and H
West Ham's, Doneil Henry very struggled last night as a right back for
Canada against Mexico in a World Cup qualifier match. The 22 year old
centre-back struggled in an un-natural position as his side went 3-0 down in
Vancouver.
Henry himself came in for a lot of criticism from Canadian supporters who
couldn't understand why he had been chosen to play in the right back
position. His critics said he looked rusty, off the pace and afraid to go
forward as a full back. One Candiadan fan said "Henry is embarrassing. What
did West Ham see in him?"
Maybe it is slightly unfair criticism considering his lack of first team
action at West Ham but the Hammers seem to have plenty of other players who
can step into the right back role with ease after Carl Jenkinson
season-wrecking injury. Centre-back James Tomkins took to the role with ease
and looked like a natural before his own injury and more recently Michail
Antonio has shown he can play as a decent right back too. Slaven Bilic
please take note, don't ever Henry in the right back position, you may
regret it.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Daily WHUFC News - 27th March 2016
International round-up
WHUFC.com
West Ham United mifdielder Cheikhou Kouyate was part of the Senegal side that beat Niger 2-0 in African Cup of Nations qualifying on Saturday evening. Kouyate's men took the lead through Hull City man Mo Diame before Everton striker Oumar Niasse grabbed the second.
Elsewhere, Hammers goalkeeper Sam Howes was an unused substitute for England U19s as they were held 1-1 at home to Greece in their Euro Elite qualifying campaign. The side had previously beaten Georgia 2-1 on Thursday.
On Friday, Dimitri Payet played 90 minutes as France beat Holland 3-2. In an enthralling encounter at the Amsterdam ArenA, the Hammers' French superstar helped Les Blues gain an early two-goal lead through Antoine Greizmann and Arsenal forward Olivier Giroud. The Netherlands pegged the visitors back though and squared the game up in the 86th minute, before France's Blaise Matuidi grabbed the winner a minute later. Payet - who was recalled to the squad by boss Didier Deschamps after such impressive performances in claret and blue - will hope to be involved again on Tuesday as his side host Russia.
Also on Friday, Hammers stopper Darren Randolph was on a winning side as he kept a clean sheet to record a 1-0 win for the Republic of Ireland over Switzerland. Aston Villa defender Ciaran Clark scored the game's only goal as Randolph played all 90 minutes in the international friendly. Slovakia, who visit on Tuesday, are Martin O'Neill's side's next opponents.
Victor Moses' Nigeria could not, however, make it a clean sweep for Hammers stars on Friday, as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Egypt.
And there was a defeat for young midfielder Martin Samuelsen, who made his Norway U21 debut in a 1-0 defeat against Holland.
Back on Thursday, West Ham and Ecuador striker Enner Valencia was on target as he scored the opener in a 2-2 draw against Paraguay.
The draw means that Valencia's nation stay top of their tricky World Cup qualifying group which contains both Brazil and Argentina.
In action on Wednesday evening was 17-year-old defender Reece Oxford, as he played 90 minutes in England U18s' 3-2 victory over Austria. The Young Lions twice came from behind to down the hosts.
Finally, West Ham's Bradford City loan pair Reece Burke and Josh Cullen are with England U20s and the Republic of Ireland U21s respectively for matches later on this week.
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Sakho pays tribute to 'idol' Noble
WHUFC.com
Diafra Sakho has been a West Ham United player for two years and has become a huge fan of Mark Noble in that time. The Senegal striker could hardly speak a word of English on his arrival from French club Metz in summer 2014, but the captain quickly made him feel welcome in east London.
Now a fluent English speaker and a fully-fledged member of the Hammers squad, Sakho paid tribute to his captain ahead of Noble's Testimonial match at the Boleyn Ground. "Mark Noble is West Ham's son, and he's an idol here," said the No15, who has recently returned from injury and is expected to play in the Easter Monday showcase. "People today like players to have emotion when playing for your team, and that's what Mark has. Today Mark Noble is a very good Hammers son. "Every player who comes to West Ham needs to respect Mark Noble. He is a very good guy. He doesn't always talk so much in the dressing room - he only talks to you when he needs to. "Mark is here for every player - for help, on the pitch or in the dressing room. I'm very happy when I came to West Ham as Mark Noble and Kevin Nolan were the same to me - very good guys. "I hope the fans come in on Monday to show Mark how much we love him. "Today, I'm so happy that I speak some English. When I signed, Mark helped me with everything, and asked me 'Do you need this?' or 'Do you need this?'"
While he has been a West Ham player for over a decade, Sakho says Noble is far from finished, adding that he expects the captain to be playing another ten years' time. "I hope that he plays until he's 36 or 38 like Ryan Giggs. He's West Ham's Ryan Giggs!" the forward smiled. "Mark - enjoy your day! After ten years, you deserve it."
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Upson - Nobes is a true Hammer
WHUFC.com
Mark Noble represents everything that West Ham United stands for, according to former Hammer and teammate Matt Upson. The defender, who now plays for MK Dons, lined-up alongside the current club captain for four years between 2007 and 2011. And ahead of Noble's Testimonial match at the Boleyn Ground on Monday, Upson praised the midfielder for the passion he has shown throughout his career in claret and blue. "He epitomises everything that West Ham is about, really. His commitment and tenacity over the years, playing in the middle of the park, stands out. "His passion for the Club does too, and that really filters into his game. "He's a great lad as a person too, and when you first join the Club, he's one of the first to welcome you in. He's a local player and he's been there his whole career, so he knows the Club inside out. "He's such a warming, welcoming character, especially when you first sign."
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WHAT UNSETTLES ME ABOUT HODGSON'S ENGLAND SELECTIONS!
By S J Chandos 26 Mar 2016 at 08:00
WTID
Most of the controversy on social media has been concerning the non-selection of Mark Noble in the latest England squad. Goodness knows, the statistics clearly indicate that Noble should be selected totally on merit, because his performance is vastly superior to other midfielders in the squad. If it was a case of an England Manager not fancying a particular player, I could just about accept it. However, what concerns me is the apparent blanket ban on all English West Ham players, who are both currently in top form and, indeed, out-performing players included in the squad.
Can anyone please tell me how Bertrand is selected ahead of Cresswell? There really is no comparison. Then you have Antonio, who is a player who has had a massive positive impact since forcing his way in to the West Ham side. Is anyone seriously arguing that the likes of Milner are better qualified to represent England? Even Andy Carroll has largely been excluded from England Squads since he joined West Ham. Yes, he has been injured a lot of his time at the club, but there have been occasions (like now) when he could have been selected and has been excluded. In fact, in retrospect, has Hodgson actually selected Carroll for England since he left Liverpool?
This whole situation feels totally wrong to me. It just smacks of discrimination. There appears to be an apparent blanket ban on all players from a single club (regardless of how well they perform!). What else can you call it? It would seem that West Ham are the only club in the top 6 without a player selected in the England squad. The FA and PL bang on about anti-discrimination, yet apparently the current England Manager has carte blanche to exercise discrimination against the players of a club that he appears to objects to. Should that situation be allowed to go unchallenged?
Hodgson can drivel on about Mark Noble being akin to Grant Holt, but we all know that is nonsense. The FA and PL - in time honoured fashion - will close ranks and defend Hodgson's selections, but he better hope that his squad performs for him in the two upcoming friendlies against Germany and Holland. Otherwise, people will really start to ask serious questions about his management. Personally, I can never wish defeat on England, but perhaps two defeats would make England reconsider their current selection policy? I just have this terrible feeling that England are heading for another disappointing performance in a major tournament. And anything that helps avert that should be welcomed.
I know that Hammers fans are very pissed off about Hodgson's selections and it is virtually impossible to defend him in the face of such blatant unfairness. Presumably if Hodgson had been England Manager in 1966, Norman Hunter, Jimmy Greaves and John Connelly would have started ahead of Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters (if the latter triumvirate got selected in the first place). And I think we all know how that would have ended up.
Thank goodness for Sir Alf Ramsey, that is what I say!
SJ. Chandos.
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West Ham chief David Sullivan warns the big boys the top 4 may never be the same again
22:30, 22 MAR 2016
BY DARREN LEWIS
Leicester are five points clear at the top and the Hammers are pushing for the Champions League - and the Prem's riches mean this season may not be a blip
The Mirror
David Sullivan has warned the Premier League's richest clubs not to assume they will get their top-four places back next season. West Ham co-chairman Sullivan - whose own club is trying to beat Manchester giants City and United to the fourth and final Champions League spot for next season - remains convinced that the established top-flight order is over. Chelsea and the two Manchester clubs are set for huge summer spending sprees in a bid to return to the top. Liverpool too are expected to invest heavily. Sullivan, however, will also plunge back into the transfer market to ensure West Ham do not rest on their laurels after an impressive campaign. He sees the success of leaders Leicester - five points clear of Spurs with seven games to play - as a much-needed boost for a league that had been in danger of becoming predictable. "It was getting like Scotland, where Celtic win it every year." he said. "It's been the same top four teams, plus or minus one, for a decade. "So every club outside of the big four or five is egging on Leicester, even if they don't win it."
Sullivan has dismissed the idea that clubs should be worried about the empire striking back by splashing the cash. "Will that make them better?" he asked. "They might buy a pile of players that make them worse. Look at Man United, two years in a row they have spent a fortune and either only got into fourth or didn't make it at all. "It's possible that next year will be the same as this year. That the order has changed for ever. There is more money lower down. You've got Stoke taking an £18million player (Giannelli Imbula). You've got West Brom taking £12m players (Salomon Rondon)." "Then you've got being in London. With 60-70 per cent of players, it is a major advantage. We know about clubs up north signing players and telling them, 'We're only an hour from London' - but they leave out the fact that that's [if you travel] by private jet or helicopter!"
Sullivan is delighted with Claudio Ranieri's success at Leicester for a specific reason. "It takes the pressure off us!" he said. "If they weren't there, we'd be the sole topic of conversation: 'Are West Ham going to make top four? Will they do it?' "So it really pleases me that we are slipping through under the Leicester umbrella." Sullivan admitted the Irons - also facing an FA Cup quarter-final replay with Manchester United at Upton Park next month - are already far exceeding their expectations for the current campaign. "We budgeted for tenth this season." he said. "Anything above helps our budget. "Fourth for us would be beyond our wildest dreams. I'm glad City have got [their Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain] as a distraction. We have the FA Cup, but it is not two legs."
Sullivan has his own hands full with the DVD release of his second movie, The Fall Of The Krays, on Easter Monday. He explained: "Our first film, The Rise Of The Krays, was the biggest selling film that went straight to DVD in four years. So The Fall is the natural follow-up. It's actually a better film. "With Tom Hardy's film (about the Krays, called Legend) doing so well, the Krays are very hot in the movie world. Ours is a smashing British film."
Another smash hit this season has been £10.75million buy Dimitri Payet, whose outstanding performances have already earned him a new deal and a recall to the France squad for the first time in nearly a year. But Sullivan revealed he nearly scrapped the Hammers' interest in the playmaker last summer, with Marseille asking for too much money. He went on: "There was a point where me and the club were close to giving up. It was the club (Marseille) we couldn't do a deal with. "But the player wanted out, because as he got older they reduced his salary. "He was also at a stage of his career when the overseas challenge appealed to him." Completing that challenge could help the Hammers pull off their biggest-ever Premier League achievement.
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West Ham skipper Mark Noble declares "stability" the key behind the Hammers' recent rise
22:30, 26 MAR 2016
BY STEVE STAMMERS
Co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan took charge at Upton Park in 2010 and Noble believes they have reinvigorated the club in the last six years
The Mirror
Mark Noble has no hesitation in pinpointing the crucial factor in the West Ham success story this season. His team have a fighting chance of reaching the semi-finals of the FA Cup and they are contesting a top four finish in the Premier League which will mean Champions League football to the new home in the Olympic Stadium next season. And Noble is convinced that it is the philosophy brought to West Ham by owners David Gold and David Sullivan since they took over in 2010 that has changed the thinking at the club. "The key word is stability," said Noble. "In a way, the club was run like a circus in some stages over the last ten or 20 years. "They have brought in good players and put in money and that was what was needed. That is why the club is moving the way it is. "We have had a tough ten years. We had the different people in charge, five or six different managers. "Now it seems like the chairman and Karren Brady have done a great job of settling the club down - running it properly and that gives you a platform from which to move on, to progress."
And it was the current board who had the vision to appoint Slaven Bilic as manager at the start of the season - an inspired choice according to Noble whose service to the club he joined as a schoolboy will be rewarded with a sell-out testimonial match at Upton Park tomorrow night. "They have brought in a great manager and, together, they have brought in great players. That is the way it should be done."
Noble is immensely proud to be the club captain of the club he supported as a boy. There were chances to leave - both Newcastle and Everton were keen on the midfield player when West Ham were relegated from the Premier League in 2011. But he stayed loyal, helped the club win a dramatic play-off against Blackpool to return to the top flight and a year ago signed a new five-year contract which means his best years will have been at West Ham. He is now reaping the benefits of that commitment under the Bilic regime. "The boss has a really good way about him," said Noble. " It is the way he explains things. "With West Ham fans, they hold on to a tradition. The boss has played at the club, he knows what they are like and he was a fans' favourite here. He knows what it means to them. He knows the club inside out. "There are still people working at West Ham from when he was a player. It really is just like one big family."
The feel-good factor may be back at West Ham. But gone is the fear factor that has blighted the club for years. Come the high-profile matches and West Ham would traditionally buckle. Now, with the likes of Dimitri Payet, Manuel Lanzini, Diafra Sakho, Michail Antonio and Cheikhou Kouyate, West Ham have no such complex. "It is right to say it was rare to see a West Ham team play without fear," said Noble. "The club is losing that fear of going into matches against the big teams. We went to Chelsea last Saturday and we went to Old Trafford the week before and played like a proper team. We took the game to them. We should have won both games. "We don't accept any more that we are going to lose to the big teams and accepting that a draw is a great result. We want to win now and that is the way it should be."
Leicester - another club with limited financial resources compared to those of the elite - are an example of what can be achieved and Noble has nothing but admiration for the league leaders. "What they have done this season is unbelievable," he said.Tomorrow there will be a carnival atmosphere at Upton Park. The days of the circus, however, are long gone.
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West Ham icon Trevor Brooking believes Slaven Bilic is desperate to celebrate Upton Park with FA Cup success
22:30, 26 MAR 2016
BY ANTHONY CLAVANE
The Hammers face Manchester United in an FA Cup quarter-final replay as they aim for a place at Wembley against Everton in the last four
The Mirror
West Ham legend Trevor Brooking believes Slaven Bilic is desperate to win the FA Cup to mark the Hammers' last season at Upton Park. Brooking, who scored the famous winning goal when West Ham last won the Cup in 1980, insists his old club can triumph in this year's competition. If Bilic's team overcome Manchester United in the quarter-final replay next month they will travel to Wembley again for a last four clash with Everton.
And Brooking said: "I fancy West Ham for the Cup. You've only got to watch them and how they play. "Slaven wants it and the players want it. He knows how much in our last season at the Boleyn it will mean for our fans if we win it. "The FA Cup is obviously special for me. It has lost a little bit of its glamour - but not for Slaven."
The Londoners are the last team to win the Cup from outside the top flight with their victory over Arsenal 26 years ago coming via a rare Brooking header. "It's a long time ago now," he said, "but not one week goes by without someone mentioning it. It might be a cabbie or somebody I meet when I'm out. "It's been such a special part of my life that for somebody to say the FA Cup no longer has any significance is nonsense. "I hope they get through to the final. Then my goal will probably get a few more airings!"
The Hammers have also been in excellent league form. They are fifth in the Premier League - within one point of the top four with eight games left to play. Brooking added: "Beating teams like Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City will give them confidence to beat United in the replay.
"Slaven's produced a good, technical side. Hopefully the board will give him the support in the summer to get three or four players. That could it make it quite exciting at the new stadium."
Billy Bonds has challenged Dimitri Payet to become a West Ham legend when the club go to the Olympic stadium, writes Rob Maul. An Upton Park hero himself, Bonds is part of the club's history, with a record 799 appearances over 21 years. And Bonzo says that, to be truly appreciated, £10.7million summer signing Payet has to do the business over a number of seasons. Bonds, 69, said: "Payet is a very good player, but this is only one year in which he has done it at the club. "I've watched stars such as Trevor Brooking, Alan Devonshire, Bobby Moore, Martin Peters, Bryan Robson and Paolo Di Canio - all absolutely fabulous players - and they all did it for the Hammers, year in, year out. "Let's hope Payet stays at the club and becomes a real West Ham legend, too."
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West Ham will not bank £1billion from OS move
Posted by Sean Whetstone on March 27, 2016 in Sean's Blogs, Whispers
C and H
A badly researched article by Colin Mafham on the Daily Express claims that West Ham are set to earn one billion pounds from their move to the Olympic stadium suggesting they would have one billion in the kitty to play with by 2021!
Wishful thinking on the part of the Express and plainly wrong I am afraid! The first clue to the credibility of the article comes when the story claims West Ham have agreed to pay the LLDC £15m per year in rent for the stadium. In reality, West Ham will pay £15m upfront towards the conversion costs and around £2.5m in rent per year for the former Olympic Stadium.
OSThe next falsehood is the claim that West Ham will earn an extra £54m every year in match day sales with the Olympic Stadium sold out. Currently, the club receive around £20m per season from match day receipts at the Boleyn ground for a capacity of 35,000. Although we have increased the capacity to 60,000 at the new stadium the club has heavily discounted season tickets meaning most ticket holders are paying less than this season. Over 8,000 of the expected 50,000 season tickets at the Olympic Stadium are under 16's paying just £99 each raising less than £800,000 in annual revenue and another 8,000 seats have been sold at £289 per season raising another £2.3m per year.
os south behind goal.2JPGThe truth is our match day receipts will grow by a more modest £10m-£15m per season next season and not the £34m jump the Express suggests in their article.
The Express also points to the £100m minimum per club per season from the new TV deal but that is a level playing field for all Premier League clubs as everyone will get this and it has got nothing whatsoever to do with our move to the Olympic Stadium so I fail to see the relevance.
OS2West Ham posted a turnover just over £120m in 2015 which included £76m from TV rights income and that is set to slightly increase in 2016 after a good FA cup run and sell out crowds & events for the last season at the Boleyn Ground.
When we look forward at the first season at the Olympic Stadium ending in May 2017 I personally estimate an increase of TV money at around £35m per season and extra match receipts of around £15m plus another £5m in additional retail sales and sponsorship deals. A turnover of £175m seems very possible but many of our fellow premier league competitors will see significant jumps in turnover also next season.
gb2-lounge2okEven if we earn £175m in turnover over the next five years totaling £875m, Colin at the Express is completely missing the point that this is not money in the bank available to spend or share with the owners as most of it goes straight out the door again. The majority of our turnover and most other Premier League clubs for that matter gets spent on players wages and the increase in TV money is likely to bring massive hikes in the top players wages accordingly. Sad but true.
Sorry Colin, Nice try, No cigar!
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Elliot Lee curls in a beauty in for Colchester
Posted by Sean Whetstone on March 26, 2016 in Videos, Whispers
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Colchester United beat Doncaster Rovers 4-1 on Good Friday in League One, and the goal of the game belonged to West Ham loanee Elliot Lee. 21-year-old Lee found the target with a special curled strike in the 71st minute.
The Hammers forward put the hosts 2-1 ahead with a 25-yard right footed effort that arrowed into the far top corner.
Lee tweeted after the match "That goal was for my boy Leo Chambers, come along way with this guy and I love him like a brother"
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West Ham legends to manage Hammers
Posted by Sean Whetstone on March 26, 2016 in News, Whispers
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Former West Ham managers Billy Bonds and Sir Trevor Brooking will manage West Ham teams one last time on Easter Monday. Mark Noble revealed the news on Thursday. Nobes tweeted "True legends, Billy bonds and Sir Trevor Brooking will be honorary managers on Monday afternoon!!"
Billy Bonds was was appointed West Ham manager on 23 February 1990.The Club's all-time record appearance-maker, two-time FA Cup-winning captain and four-time Hammer of the Year, Bonds had retired from playing in 1988 and served as a youth Bondscoach under John Lyall. After guiding West Ham to seventh in Division Two in his first few months in charge, Bonds led the Hammers back to the top flight via the runners-up spot and an FA Cup semi-final defeat by Nottingham Forest in 1990/91.
Unfortunately, West Ham were relegated again in 1992 after finishing bottom of Division One but Bonds won a second promotion in three seasons the following year, with old team-mate Harry Redknapp serving as his assistant.
In 1993/94, Bonds led West Ham to the safety of 13th position in their first season in the Premier League but Bonds was replaced by Redknapp, turning down the offer of the newly-created role of Director of Football. In all, Bonds won 82 and lost just 59 of his 194 matches in charge of the Hammers. Bonds had a win ratio of 43.61%
Brooking had two spells as caretaker manager, replacing Glen Roeder after his collapse with a brain tumour and again after he was sacked. In his 14 matches in charge, he won nine, drew four and lost just one game against Gillingham 2-0 in the league after Jermain Defoe was sent off. He is sometimes referred to as "the best manager that West Ham never had". He has an impressive win ratio fo 64.29% which is never likely to be broken.
Unconfirmed rumours suggest current West Ham manager Slaven Bilic might pull on his boots for a cameo role at Mark Noble's testimonial on Monday. Slaven's win ratio is 45.24%.
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Hammers scouts watch Silva
Posted by Sean Whetstone on March 26, 2016 in News, Whispers
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According to football website Sport Witness , West Ham scouts were spotted at the International match between Portugal and Bulgaria on Good Friday.
The report claims the Irons scout was there to watch Rafa Silva, which they say 'just so happens to be a player West Ham have been watching at SC Braga this season'.
The article claims the Hammers Portugal scouting network was originally set-up by Sam Allardyce but Slaven Bilic has been keen to continue it since taking over in the summer. West Ham is one of a number of Premier league clubs attending Portuguese league matches on a regular basis this season.
The Portugal international is considered one of the brightest prospects in the Primeira Liga and he's been heavily scouted by Manchester United in the last 18 months.
Jose Mourinho is said to have 'reserved' an option on the 22-year-old if he takes charge at Old Trafford this summer with the 52-year-old believed to be a firm admirer of the winger. However, Silva says he is happy in Portugal saying "I've received some offers but I preferred to stay here. My goal is to give everything for this club."
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Hammer Henry struggles as right back
Posted by Sean Whetstone on March 26, 2016 in News, Whispers
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West Ham's, Doneil Henry very struggled last night as a right back for Canada against Mexico in a World Cup qualifier match. The 22 year old centre-back struggled in an un-natural position as his side went 3-0 down in Vancouver.
Henry himself came in for a lot of criticism from Canadian supporters who couldn't understand why he had been chosen to play in the right back position. His critics said he looked rusty, off the pace and afraid to go forward as a full back. One Candiadan fan said "Henry is embarrassing. What did West Ham see in him?"
Maybe it is slightly unfair criticism considering his lack of first team action at West Ham but the Hammers seem to have plenty of other players who can step into the right back role with ease after Carl Jenkinson season-wrecking injury. Centre-back James Tomkins took to the role with ease and looked like a natural before his own injury and more recently Michail Antonio has shown he can play as a decent right back too. Slaven Bilic please take note, don't ever Henry in the right back position, you may regret it.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
West Ham United mifdielder Cheikhou Kouyate was part of the Senegal side that beat Niger 2-0 in African Cup of Nations qualifying on Saturday evening. Kouyate's men took the lead through Hull City man Mo Diame before Everton striker Oumar Niasse grabbed the second.
Elsewhere, Hammers goalkeeper Sam Howes was an unused substitute for England U19s as they were held 1-1 at home to Greece in their Euro Elite qualifying campaign. The side had previously beaten Georgia 2-1 on Thursday.
On Friday, Dimitri Payet played 90 minutes as France beat Holland 3-2. In an enthralling encounter at the Amsterdam ArenA, the Hammers' French superstar helped Les Blues gain an early two-goal lead through Antoine Greizmann and Arsenal forward Olivier Giroud. The Netherlands pegged the visitors back though and squared the game up in the 86th minute, before France's Blaise Matuidi grabbed the winner a minute later. Payet - who was recalled to the squad by boss Didier Deschamps after such impressive performances in claret and blue - will hope to be involved again on Tuesday as his side host Russia.
Also on Friday, Hammers stopper Darren Randolph was on a winning side as he kept a clean sheet to record a 1-0 win for the Republic of Ireland over Switzerland. Aston Villa defender Ciaran Clark scored the game's only goal as Randolph played all 90 minutes in the international friendly. Slovakia, who visit on Tuesday, are Martin O'Neill's side's next opponents.
Victor Moses' Nigeria could not, however, make it a clean sweep for Hammers stars on Friday, as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Egypt.
And there was a defeat for young midfielder Martin Samuelsen, who made his Norway U21 debut in a 1-0 defeat against Holland.
Back on Thursday, West Ham and Ecuador striker Enner Valencia was on target as he scored the opener in a 2-2 draw against Paraguay.
The draw means that Valencia's nation stay top of their tricky World Cup qualifying group which contains both Brazil and Argentina.
In action on Wednesday evening was 17-year-old defender Reece Oxford, as he played 90 minutes in England U18s' 3-2 victory over Austria. The Young Lions twice came from behind to down the hosts.
Finally, West Ham's Bradford City loan pair Reece Burke and Josh Cullen are with England U20s and the Republic of Ireland U21s respectively for matches later on this week.
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Sakho pays tribute to 'idol' Noble
WHUFC.com
Diafra Sakho has been a West Ham United player for two years and has become a huge fan of Mark Noble in that time. The Senegal striker could hardly speak a word of English on his arrival from French club Metz in summer 2014, but the captain quickly made him feel welcome in east London.
Now a fluent English speaker and a fully-fledged member of the Hammers squad, Sakho paid tribute to his captain ahead of Noble's Testimonial match at the Boleyn Ground. "Mark Noble is West Ham's son, and he's an idol here," said the No15, who has recently returned from injury and is expected to play in the Easter Monday showcase. "People today like players to have emotion when playing for your team, and that's what Mark has. Today Mark Noble is a very good Hammers son. "Every player who comes to West Ham needs to respect Mark Noble. He is a very good guy. He doesn't always talk so much in the dressing room - he only talks to you when he needs to. "Mark is here for every player - for help, on the pitch or in the dressing room. I'm very happy when I came to West Ham as Mark Noble and Kevin Nolan were the same to me - very good guys. "I hope the fans come in on Monday to show Mark how much we love him. "Today, I'm so happy that I speak some English. When I signed, Mark helped me with everything, and asked me 'Do you need this?' or 'Do you need this?'"
While he has been a West Ham player for over a decade, Sakho says Noble is far from finished, adding that he expects the captain to be playing another ten years' time. "I hope that he plays until he's 36 or 38 like Ryan Giggs. He's West Ham's Ryan Giggs!" the forward smiled. "Mark - enjoy your day! After ten years, you deserve it."
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Upson - Nobes is a true Hammer
WHUFC.com
Mark Noble represents everything that West Ham United stands for, according to former Hammer and teammate Matt Upson. The defender, who now plays for MK Dons, lined-up alongside the current club captain for four years between 2007 and 2011. And ahead of Noble's Testimonial match at the Boleyn Ground on Monday, Upson praised the midfielder for the passion he has shown throughout his career in claret and blue. "He epitomises everything that West Ham is about, really. His commitment and tenacity over the years, playing in the middle of the park, stands out. "His passion for the Club does too, and that really filters into his game. "He's a great lad as a person too, and when you first join the Club, he's one of the first to welcome you in. He's a local player and he's been there his whole career, so he knows the Club inside out. "He's such a warming, welcoming character, especially when you first sign."
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WHAT UNSETTLES ME ABOUT HODGSON'S ENGLAND SELECTIONS!
By S J Chandos 26 Mar 2016 at 08:00
WTID
Most of the controversy on social media has been concerning the non-selection of Mark Noble in the latest England squad. Goodness knows, the statistics clearly indicate that Noble should be selected totally on merit, because his performance is vastly superior to other midfielders in the squad. If it was a case of an England Manager not fancying a particular player, I could just about accept it. However, what concerns me is the apparent blanket ban on all English West Ham players, who are both currently in top form and, indeed, out-performing players included in the squad.
Can anyone please tell me how Bertrand is selected ahead of Cresswell? There really is no comparison. Then you have Antonio, who is a player who has had a massive positive impact since forcing his way in to the West Ham side. Is anyone seriously arguing that the likes of Milner are better qualified to represent England? Even Andy Carroll has largely been excluded from England Squads since he joined West Ham. Yes, he has been injured a lot of his time at the club, but there have been occasions (like now) when he could have been selected and has been excluded. In fact, in retrospect, has Hodgson actually selected Carroll for England since he left Liverpool?
This whole situation feels totally wrong to me. It just smacks of discrimination. There appears to be an apparent blanket ban on all players from a single club (regardless of how well they perform!). What else can you call it? It would seem that West Ham are the only club in the top 6 without a player selected in the England squad. The FA and PL bang on about anti-discrimination, yet apparently the current England Manager has carte blanche to exercise discrimination against the players of a club that he appears to objects to. Should that situation be allowed to go unchallenged?
Hodgson can drivel on about Mark Noble being akin to Grant Holt, but we all know that is nonsense. The FA and PL - in time honoured fashion - will close ranks and defend Hodgson's selections, but he better hope that his squad performs for him in the two upcoming friendlies against Germany and Holland. Otherwise, people will really start to ask serious questions about his management. Personally, I can never wish defeat on England, but perhaps two defeats would make England reconsider their current selection policy? I just have this terrible feeling that England are heading for another disappointing performance in a major tournament. And anything that helps avert that should be welcomed.
I know that Hammers fans are very pissed off about Hodgson's selections and it is virtually impossible to defend him in the face of such blatant unfairness. Presumably if Hodgson had been England Manager in 1966, Norman Hunter, Jimmy Greaves and John Connelly would have started ahead of Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters (if the latter triumvirate got selected in the first place). And I think we all know how that would have ended up.
Thank goodness for Sir Alf Ramsey, that is what I say!
SJ. Chandos.
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West Ham chief David Sullivan warns the big boys the top 4 may never be the same again
22:30, 22 MAR 2016
BY DARREN LEWIS
Leicester are five points clear at the top and the Hammers are pushing for the Champions League - and the Prem's riches mean this season may not be a blip
The Mirror
David Sullivan has warned the Premier League's richest clubs not to assume they will get their top-four places back next season. West Ham co-chairman Sullivan - whose own club is trying to beat Manchester giants City and United to the fourth and final Champions League spot for next season - remains convinced that the established top-flight order is over. Chelsea and the two Manchester clubs are set for huge summer spending sprees in a bid to return to the top. Liverpool too are expected to invest heavily. Sullivan, however, will also plunge back into the transfer market to ensure West Ham do not rest on their laurels after an impressive campaign. He sees the success of leaders Leicester - five points clear of Spurs with seven games to play - as a much-needed boost for a league that had been in danger of becoming predictable. "It was getting like Scotland, where Celtic win it every year." he said. "It's been the same top four teams, plus or minus one, for a decade. "So every club outside of the big four or five is egging on Leicester, even if they don't win it."
Sullivan has dismissed the idea that clubs should be worried about the empire striking back by splashing the cash. "Will that make them better?" he asked. "They might buy a pile of players that make them worse. Look at Man United, two years in a row they have spent a fortune and either only got into fourth or didn't make it at all. "It's possible that next year will be the same as this year. That the order has changed for ever. There is more money lower down. You've got Stoke taking an £18million player (Giannelli Imbula). You've got West Brom taking £12m players (Salomon Rondon)." "Then you've got being in London. With 60-70 per cent of players, it is a major advantage. We know about clubs up north signing players and telling them, 'We're only an hour from London' - but they leave out the fact that that's [if you travel] by private jet or helicopter!"
Sullivan is delighted with Claudio Ranieri's success at Leicester for a specific reason. "It takes the pressure off us!" he said. "If they weren't there, we'd be the sole topic of conversation: 'Are West Ham going to make top four? Will they do it?' "So it really pleases me that we are slipping through under the Leicester umbrella." Sullivan admitted the Irons - also facing an FA Cup quarter-final replay with Manchester United at Upton Park next month - are already far exceeding their expectations for the current campaign. "We budgeted for tenth this season." he said. "Anything above helps our budget. "Fourth for us would be beyond our wildest dreams. I'm glad City have got [their Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain] as a distraction. We have the FA Cup, but it is not two legs."
Sullivan has his own hands full with the DVD release of his second movie, The Fall Of The Krays, on Easter Monday. He explained: "Our first film, The Rise Of The Krays, was the biggest selling film that went straight to DVD in four years. So The Fall is the natural follow-up. It's actually a better film. "With Tom Hardy's film (about the Krays, called Legend) doing so well, the Krays are very hot in the movie world. Ours is a smashing British film."
Another smash hit this season has been £10.75million buy Dimitri Payet, whose outstanding performances have already earned him a new deal and a recall to the France squad for the first time in nearly a year. But Sullivan revealed he nearly scrapped the Hammers' interest in the playmaker last summer, with Marseille asking for too much money. He went on: "There was a point where me and the club were close to giving up. It was the club (Marseille) we couldn't do a deal with. "But the player wanted out, because as he got older they reduced his salary. "He was also at a stage of his career when the overseas challenge appealed to him." Completing that challenge could help the Hammers pull off their biggest-ever Premier League achievement.
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West Ham skipper Mark Noble declares "stability" the key behind the Hammers' recent rise
22:30, 26 MAR 2016
BY STEVE STAMMERS
Co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan took charge at Upton Park in 2010 and Noble believes they have reinvigorated the club in the last six years
The Mirror
Mark Noble has no hesitation in pinpointing the crucial factor in the West Ham success story this season. His team have a fighting chance of reaching the semi-finals of the FA Cup and they are contesting a top four finish in the Premier League which will mean Champions League football to the new home in the Olympic Stadium next season. And Noble is convinced that it is the philosophy brought to West Ham by owners David Gold and David Sullivan since they took over in 2010 that has changed the thinking at the club. "The key word is stability," said Noble. "In a way, the club was run like a circus in some stages over the last ten or 20 years. "They have brought in good players and put in money and that was what was needed. That is why the club is moving the way it is. "We have had a tough ten years. We had the different people in charge, five or six different managers. "Now it seems like the chairman and Karren Brady have done a great job of settling the club down - running it properly and that gives you a platform from which to move on, to progress."
And it was the current board who had the vision to appoint Slaven Bilic as manager at the start of the season - an inspired choice according to Noble whose service to the club he joined as a schoolboy will be rewarded with a sell-out testimonial match at Upton Park tomorrow night. "They have brought in a great manager and, together, they have brought in great players. That is the way it should be done."
Noble is immensely proud to be the club captain of the club he supported as a boy. There were chances to leave - both Newcastle and Everton were keen on the midfield player when West Ham were relegated from the Premier League in 2011. But he stayed loyal, helped the club win a dramatic play-off against Blackpool to return to the top flight and a year ago signed a new five-year contract which means his best years will have been at West Ham. He is now reaping the benefits of that commitment under the Bilic regime. "The boss has a really good way about him," said Noble. " It is the way he explains things. "With West Ham fans, they hold on to a tradition. The boss has played at the club, he knows what they are like and he was a fans' favourite here. He knows what it means to them. He knows the club inside out. "There are still people working at West Ham from when he was a player. It really is just like one big family."
The feel-good factor may be back at West Ham. But gone is the fear factor that has blighted the club for years. Come the high-profile matches and West Ham would traditionally buckle. Now, with the likes of Dimitri Payet, Manuel Lanzini, Diafra Sakho, Michail Antonio and Cheikhou Kouyate, West Ham have no such complex. "It is right to say it was rare to see a West Ham team play without fear," said Noble. "The club is losing that fear of going into matches against the big teams. We went to Chelsea last Saturday and we went to Old Trafford the week before and played like a proper team. We took the game to them. We should have won both games. "We don't accept any more that we are going to lose to the big teams and accepting that a draw is a great result. We want to win now and that is the way it should be."
Leicester - another club with limited financial resources compared to those of the elite - are an example of what can be achieved and Noble has nothing but admiration for the league leaders. "What they have done this season is unbelievable," he said.Tomorrow there will be a carnival atmosphere at Upton Park. The days of the circus, however, are long gone.
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West Ham icon Trevor Brooking believes Slaven Bilic is desperate to celebrate Upton Park with FA Cup success
22:30, 26 MAR 2016
BY ANTHONY CLAVANE
The Hammers face Manchester United in an FA Cup quarter-final replay as they aim for a place at Wembley against Everton in the last four
The Mirror
West Ham legend Trevor Brooking believes Slaven Bilic is desperate to win the FA Cup to mark the Hammers' last season at Upton Park. Brooking, who scored the famous winning goal when West Ham last won the Cup in 1980, insists his old club can triumph in this year's competition. If Bilic's team overcome Manchester United in the quarter-final replay next month they will travel to Wembley again for a last four clash with Everton.
And Brooking said: "I fancy West Ham for the Cup. You've only got to watch them and how they play. "Slaven wants it and the players want it. He knows how much in our last season at the Boleyn it will mean for our fans if we win it. "The FA Cup is obviously special for me. It has lost a little bit of its glamour - but not for Slaven."
The Londoners are the last team to win the Cup from outside the top flight with their victory over Arsenal 26 years ago coming via a rare Brooking header. "It's a long time ago now," he said, "but not one week goes by without someone mentioning it. It might be a cabbie or somebody I meet when I'm out. "It's been such a special part of my life that for somebody to say the FA Cup no longer has any significance is nonsense. "I hope they get through to the final. Then my goal will probably get a few more airings!"
The Hammers have also been in excellent league form. They are fifth in the Premier League - within one point of the top four with eight games left to play. Brooking added: "Beating teams like Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City will give them confidence to beat United in the replay.
"Slaven's produced a good, technical side. Hopefully the board will give him the support in the summer to get three or four players. That could it make it quite exciting at the new stadium."
Billy Bonds has challenged Dimitri Payet to become a West Ham legend when the club go to the Olympic stadium, writes Rob Maul. An Upton Park hero himself, Bonds is part of the club's history, with a record 799 appearances over 21 years. And Bonzo says that, to be truly appreciated, £10.7million summer signing Payet has to do the business over a number of seasons. Bonds, 69, said: "Payet is a very good player, but this is only one year in which he has done it at the club. "I've watched stars such as Trevor Brooking, Alan Devonshire, Bobby Moore, Martin Peters, Bryan Robson and Paolo Di Canio - all absolutely fabulous players - and they all did it for the Hammers, year in, year out. "Let's hope Payet stays at the club and becomes a real West Ham legend, too."
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West Ham will not bank £1billion from OS move
Posted by Sean Whetstone on March 27, 2016 in Sean's Blogs, Whispers
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A badly researched article by Colin Mafham on the Daily Express claims that West Ham are set to earn one billion pounds from their move to the Olympic stadium suggesting they would have one billion in the kitty to play with by 2021!
Wishful thinking on the part of the Express and plainly wrong I am afraid! The first clue to the credibility of the article comes when the story claims West Ham have agreed to pay the LLDC £15m per year in rent for the stadium. In reality, West Ham will pay £15m upfront towards the conversion costs and around £2.5m in rent per year for the former Olympic Stadium.
OSThe next falsehood is the claim that West Ham will earn an extra £54m every year in match day sales with the Olympic Stadium sold out. Currently, the club receive around £20m per season from match day receipts at the Boleyn ground for a capacity of 35,000. Although we have increased the capacity to 60,000 at the new stadium the club has heavily discounted season tickets meaning most ticket holders are paying less than this season. Over 8,000 of the expected 50,000 season tickets at the Olympic Stadium are under 16's paying just £99 each raising less than £800,000 in annual revenue and another 8,000 seats have been sold at £289 per season raising another £2.3m per year.
os south behind goal.2JPGThe truth is our match day receipts will grow by a more modest £10m-£15m per season next season and not the £34m jump the Express suggests in their article.
The Express also points to the £100m minimum per club per season from the new TV deal but that is a level playing field for all Premier League clubs as everyone will get this and it has got nothing whatsoever to do with our move to the Olympic Stadium so I fail to see the relevance.
OS2West Ham posted a turnover just over £120m in 2015 which included £76m from TV rights income and that is set to slightly increase in 2016 after a good FA cup run and sell out crowds & events for the last season at the Boleyn Ground.
When we look forward at the first season at the Olympic Stadium ending in May 2017 I personally estimate an increase of TV money at around £35m per season and extra match receipts of around £15m plus another £5m in additional retail sales and sponsorship deals. A turnover of £175m seems very possible but many of our fellow premier league competitors will see significant jumps in turnover also next season.
gb2-lounge2okEven if we earn £175m in turnover over the next five years totaling £875m, Colin at the Express is completely missing the point that this is not money in the bank available to spend or share with the owners as most of it goes straight out the door again. The majority of our turnover and most other Premier League clubs for that matter gets spent on players wages and the increase in TV money is likely to bring massive hikes in the top players wages accordingly. Sad but true.
Sorry Colin, Nice try, No cigar!
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Elliot Lee curls in a beauty in for Colchester
Posted by Sean Whetstone on March 26, 2016 in Videos, Whispers
C and H
Colchester United beat Doncaster Rovers 4-1 on Good Friday in League One, and the goal of the game belonged to West Ham loanee Elliot Lee. 21-year-old Lee found the target with a special curled strike in the 71st minute.
The Hammers forward put the hosts 2-1 ahead with a 25-yard right footed effort that arrowed into the far top corner.
Lee tweeted after the match "That goal was for my boy Leo Chambers, come along way with this guy and I love him like a brother"
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West Ham legends to manage Hammers
Posted by Sean Whetstone on March 26, 2016 in News, Whispers
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Former West Ham managers Billy Bonds and Sir Trevor Brooking will manage West Ham teams one last time on Easter Monday. Mark Noble revealed the news on Thursday. Nobes tweeted "True legends, Billy bonds and Sir Trevor Brooking will be honorary managers on Monday afternoon!!"
Billy Bonds was was appointed West Ham manager on 23 February 1990.The Club's all-time record appearance-maker, two-time FA Cup-winning captain and four-time Hammer of the Year, Bonds had retired from playing in 1988 and served as a youth Bondscoach under John Lyall. After guiding West Ham to seventh in Division Two in his first few months in charge, Bonds led the Hammers back to the top flight via the runners-up spot and an FA Cup semi-final defeat by Nottingham Forest in 1990/91.
Unfortunately, West Ham were relegated again in 1992 after finishing bottom of Division One but Bonds won a second promotion in three seasons the following year, with old team-mate Harry Redknapp serving as his assistant.
In 1993/94, Bonds led West Ham to the safety of 13th position in their first season in the Premier League but Bonds was replaced by Redknapp, turning down the offer of the newly-created role of Director of Football. In all, Bonds won 82 and lost just 59 of his 194 matches in charge of the Hammers. Bonds had a win ratio of 43.61%
Brooking had two spells as caretaker manager, replacing Glen Roeder after his collapse with a brain tumour and again after he was sacked. In his 14 matches in charge, he won nine, drew four and lost just one game against Gillingham 2-0 in the league after Jermain Defoe was sent off. He is sometimes referred to as "the best manager that West Ham never had". He has an impressive win ratio fo 64.29% which is never likely to be broken.
Unconfirmed rumours suggest current West Ham manager Slaven Bilic might pull on his boots for a cameo role at Mark Noble's testimonial on Monday. Slaven's win ratio is 45.24%.
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Hammers scouts watch Silva
Posted by Sean Whetstone on March 26, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H
According to football website Sport Witness , West Ham scouts were spotted at the International match between Portugal and Bulgaria on Good Friday.
The report claims the Irons scout was there to watch Rafa Silva, which they say 'just so happens to be a player West Ham have been watching at SC Braga this season'.
The article claims the Hammers Portugal scouting network was originally set-up by Sam Allardyce but Slaven Bilic has been keen to continue it since taking over in the summer. West Ham is one of a number of Premier league clubs attending Portuguese league matches on a regular basis this season.
The Portugal international is considered one of the brightest prospects in the Primeira Liga and he's been heavily scouted by Manchester United in the last 18 months.
Jose Mourinho is said to have 'reserved' an option on the 22-year-old if he takes charge at Old Trafford this summer with the 52-year-old believed to be a firm admirer of the winger. However, Silva says he is happy in Portugal saying "I've received some offers but I preferred to stay here. My goal is to give everything for this club."
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Hammer Henry struggles as right back
Posted by Sean Whetstone on March 26, 2016 in News, Whispers
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West Ham's, Doneil Henry very struggled last night as a right back for Canada against Mexico in a World Cup qualifier match. The 22 year old centre-back struggled in an un-natural position as his side went 3-0 down in Vancouver.
Henry himself came in for a lot of criticism from Canadian supporters who couldn't understand why he had been chosen to play in the right back position. His critics said he looked rusty, off the pace and afraid to go forward as a full back. One Candiadan fan said "Henry is embarrassing. What did West Ham see in him?"
Maybe it is slightly unfair criticism considering his lack of first team action at West Ham but the Hammers seem to have plenty of other players who can step into the right back role with ease after Carl Jenkinson season-wrecking injury. Centre-back James Tomkins took to the role with ease and looked like a natural before his own injury and more recently Michail Antonio has shown he can play as a decent right back too. Slaven Bilic please take note, don't ever Henry in the right back position, you may regret it.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Saturday, March 26
Daily WHUFC News - 26th March 2016
From the Boardroom - David Gold
WHUFC.com
I am delighted that Manuel Lanzini has become the latest big name in our squad to agree a new contract with the Club. It demonstrates our commitment to securing the best players and it is fantastic news. He is not just a player who excites us but he has a great character which is so important in the dressing room. I am so pleased for him that the deal has now been finalised and he is the perfect fit for our football Club.
The goal he scored against Chelsea last weekend shows what a quality player he is and he can produce that kind of skill on a regular basis. We are showing that we want our best players to stay with the Club and it is so important that the likes of Lanzini and Payet remain with us for a long time. It is a statement that the board are making and we realise that we have this wonderful opportunity. We also have many talented young players like Antonio, Cresswell and Byram who want to be here with us and be part of our new adventure when we move into the new Stadium. It is fantastic news that we have announced that the new Stadium will be increasing to 60,000 and it once again shows the fantastic support that we have at West Ham United. We have it all to play for in the final part of the season and the key will be the injuries. We look as if we are coming out of that now and we could have a virtually fully fit squad if James Tomkins and James Collins are able to make a return after the international break. I am also thrilled to see the likes of Andy Carroll coming on and making such an impact like he did against Chelsea.
There is real competition for places and we will be raring to go for the final part of the campaign when we face so many key games in both the Premier League and FA Cup.
We now switch our attentions to Mark Noble's Testimonial on Monday and it is going to be special day for Mark and all the fans. You don't get the tag 'Mr West Ham' for nothing and I would say he is following in the footsteps of some of the biggest names to have played for this great club like Billy Bonds, Sir Trevor Brooking, Alan Devonshire who showed such amazing loyalty and were loved by the fans. I am really looking forward to the game and seeing some of the old legends come back to play. It is a fitting way for Mark to have this game in the final ever season at the Boleyn Ground. I know the fans will be excited at the prospect of seeing Paolo Di Canio back in a claret and blue shirt and he was a genius during his time at the Club. I expect him to have some fun with the referee !! But on a serious note it will be great to see him back on the Boleyn Ground pitch. I hope everyone has a memorable day and I am sure it will be a day that Mark will never forget.
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James - I can't wait
WHUFC.com
Ex-West Ham United goalkeeper David James says he is looking forward to turning out in front of a sell-out crowd at the Boleyn Ground on Monday for Mark Noble's Testimonial. The former stopper has been preparing at the Club's training ground this week and will be part of the All Stars side, which contains a host of Hammers legends, up against the current squad. And James – who played for the Club just before Noble made his first team debut against Southend United in 2004 – cannot wait for the occasion. He said: "It's nice to be back here and throw myself about with the keepers. It's going to be a special day and I'm delighted that Nobes has allowed me to play. "He's a top geezer to start with. Player-wise, he's had the season of his life and likewise have West Ham. I think he's been an intrinsic part of the success they've been having this season.
"I think going back to when I was here, he was a youngster and he's a terrific bloke. I was so delighted when he said I could play in this game because the West Ham fans have already bought all the tickets. "They see Mark as a local hero so I'm delighted for him."
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Chadwell Chatter
WHUFC.com
Hello everyone,
I'm back to Dublin, back home in the Republic of Ireland, and we've got two games to look forward to against Switzerland and Slovakia, so hopefully I'll get a chance to play in what is a mini warm-up for the Euros. We're feeling really optimistic, especially with the way we finished the qualifying campaign by beating Germany and the way we qualified by overcoming Bosnia and Herzegovina in a two-legged Play-Off, so it's good to go away with the squad. Obviously there will be pressure in the games, but we know we've qualified and we know we're on the plane and going to France, so it'll be good to see everyone and continue with some of the good work we've put in over the last few months.
I was listening to some of the boys booking flights for a short holiday to somewhere hot while I'm back to sunny Dublin! No, seriously, it'll be good to get some game-time, so I don't mind as long as we win and play well. It's good to see so many of the boys going away on international duty, and it's a compliment to all the good work we've put in at the Club this year. Everyone is being rewarded by their countries and that's definitely a good sign for the Club.
After the break, I'll be back at Chadwell Heath to prepare for a busy few weeks ahead in the Barclays Premier League and the Emirates FA Cup.
If the manager keeps to what he has done in the previous rounds, then hopefully I'll start the sixth-round replay against Manchester United – the final FA Cup tie at the Boleyn Ground. The first game was disappointing not to win, particularly as I felt I was blocked off for their equaliser at Old Trafford. Hopefully I won't be that busy in the replay, because as long as we win and get through, I don't mind how the game goes!
I'll get these couple of international games out of the way first, then switch back onto that when I come back. The international break means I'll miss Mark Noble's Testimonial on Monday, which is a shame. I first played against Mark when I was at Charlton in the Academy, and Mark was just starting off at West Ham.
That was probably about 12 years ago now. I had a rough idea of what he was like before I arrived at the Club in the summer, about what kind of character he is, but when I came into the building I've seen how he is around the place and what he's like on the training pitch, and I took to him even more.
On the pitch, he's definitely a leader. His work ethic is superb. I didn't realise the amount of ground he covers until I read the stats on a Monday or Tuesday. He doesn't really give the ball away either, in games or in training. He's got everything.
There are a lot of stories and things that I could probably say about Mark…but I won't! It's best to keep some of those quiet, but suffice to say that off the pitch he's a big voice in the changing room.
Monday is a well-deserved day for Mark.
Enjoy your long weekends, and don't forget to tune in and watch Ireland's matches and the Testimonial on TV!
Darren
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International round-up
WHUFC.com
West Ham United midfielder Dimitri Payet played 90 minutes as France beat Holland 3-2 on Friday night. In an enthralling encounter at the Amsterdam ArenA, the Hammers' French superstar helped Les Blues gain an early two-goal lead through Antoine Greizmann and Arsenal forward Olivier Giroud. The Netherlands pegged the visitors back though and squared the game up in the 86th minute, before France's Blaise Matuidi grabbed the winner a minute later. Payet – who was recalled to the squad by boss Didier Deschamps after such impressive performances in claret and blue – will hope to be involved again on Tuesday as his side host Russia.
Elsewhere, Hammers stopper Darren Randolph was also on a winning side as he kept a clean sheet to record a 1-0 win for the Republic of Ireland over Switzerland. Aston Villa defender Ciaran Clark scored the game's only goal as Randolph played all 90 minutes in the international friendly. Slovakia, who visit on Tuesday, are Martin O'Neill's side's next opponents.
Victor Moses' Nigeria could not, however, make it a clean sweep for Hammers stars on Friday, as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Egypt.
There was a defeat, however, for young midfielder Martin Samuelsen, who made his Norway U21 debut in a 1-0 defeat against Holland.
On Thursday, there was a goal for West Ham striker Enner Valencia as he scored the opener in a 2-2 draw against Paraguay. The draw means that Valencia's nation stay top of their tricky World Cup qualifying group which contains both Brazil and Argentina.
Also on Thursday, England U19s were victorious, as they began their Euro 2016 Elite qualifying campaign with a 2-1 win over Georgia. Hammers goalkeeper Sam Howes, however, was an unused substitute.
In action on Wednesday evening was 17-year-old defender Reece Oxford, as he played 90 minutes in England U18s' 3-2 victory over Austria. The Young Lions twice came from behind to down the hosts.
Finally, West Ham's Bradford City loan pair Reece Burke and Josh Cullen are with England U20s and the Republic of Ireland U21s respectively for matches later on this week.
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New Contract For Bilic - Eventually
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 25th March 2016
By: Staff Writer No.3
Co-chairman David Sullivan has spoken of his desire to offer Slaven Bilic a new deal. However, the manager will have to wait....
With the Irons currently sitting in 5th place and an FA Cup Quarter Final replay to come, the club is experiencing one of its best seasons for many a year. Sullivan however, has suggested that he would be unwilling to open talks regarding a new deal for the Croatian coach until January 2017 at the earliesy.
Sullivan explained: "I just want to make sure that he's not a 'one season wonder' adding "I'm sure he's not but we'll open contract talks either next January or before the end of the season".
Bilic's current deal is due to expire in the summer of 2017
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Hammers will wait to offer Slaven Bilic a new deal
By Peter Gilbert
Last Updated: 25/03/16 9:46am
SSN
Slaven Bilic will be offered a new contract by West Ham in January after he has proved he is not a "one-season wonder." Bilic has impressed at Upton Park since taking over from Sam Allardyce in June, guiding the Hammers to fifth place in the Premier League with eight games to go and through to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. The former Croatia boss, 47, signed a three-year contract when he joined the Hammers but is set to be handed a new deal in 2017 - providing he proves this season was not just a flash in the pan. West Ham joint-chairman David Sullivan said in The Mirror: "I will give Slaven a new deal in January. "I just want to see that he is not a one-season wonder. I'm sure he is not, but we will talk next January - or at the end of next season. "I have to tell you that he is interested in the project, not money. "He stayed at Croatia on £2,000 a week for five years when he would have had bundles of offers. He is not really into money. He is more interested in getting the best players for the club than the best money for himself." Sullivan has admitted it was a risk to hand their former defender his first managerial job in England, but believes it is a gamble that has paid off "several times this season." "We took a gamble to change managers, we went away from safety, chasing a dream," Sullivan added in The Daily Express. "We took someone with no track record in England, with a pretty good track record abroad but it was still perceived as a gamble by most pundits. He has proved himself several times this season."
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Harry Redknapp accuses West Ham of betraying club legend Bobby Moore
14:49, 25 MAR 2016 UPDATED 14:51, 25 MAR 2016
BY JOHN CROSS
Redknapp says Moore was treated poorly after he retired and was even once asked to leave the stadium after turning up with the wrong ticket
The Mirror
England legend Bobby Moore was betrayed by West Ham, a new film claims. Former West Ham defender Moore led England to their finest hour when he lifted the World Cup 50 years ago this summer. But ex-Hammers boss Harry Redknapp is one of several big names to talk up in the new film "Bobby" about the way he was treated by his former club after he retired. Moore, who tragically died in 1993, was even once asked to leave Upton Park because he did not have the right ticket and Redknapp claims the FA and football did not give him a proper chance as a manager. Redknapp, who says the current West Ham ownership are not to blame, said: "Others didn't make him as welcome as they should have. It was criminal really.
"West Ham should have brought him in as an ambassador. He is the greatest icon in the game at that time, he should have been in the front row of the directors box."
Moore became a pundit for radio station Capital Gold alongside highly respected BBC commentator Jonathan Pearce who also takes part in the film.
"Bobby" premieres with a special screening on the pitch at Wembley on May 25th as a tribute to the 1966 World Cup triumph.
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Gold clears up OS issues
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 25, 2016 in News, Whispers
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David Gold has cleared up any issues surrounding the Olympic Stadium capacity and hinted that that the club may eventually go for a 66k capacity.
With the waiting list growing to around 50k the co chairman has revealed that the 66,000 is the ultimate limit at the club's new home
With the subject under keen discussion both on Claret and Hugh and across social media, Gold declared: "It is possible to eventually go to 66,000 but that would be the maximum capacity. "
And he has made it clear that just 5,000 of the 6,000 available from the increased capacity recently to receive planning approval would go to applicants.
He said: "Of the 6000 new seats approximately 5000 will go to the priority members and the balance to match day. dg."
Under Premier League rules clubs have to ensure that a percentage of all tickets are made available to the general public on a walk up on the day basis.
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Official: Spurs are not a big club!
Posted by Sean Whetstone on March 25, 2016 in News, Whispers
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Of course, we have known this fact for many years but the London Evening Standard confirmed it so it must be true! right? The Evening standard published a table of West Ham results this season against the big clubs. They included Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal and bizarrely Everton but omitted Spurs from the list. West Ham has won seven games including a treble over Liverpool against these so called 'big clubs' this season and drawn six games but importantly we have not lost a single game against them. If we include the smaller clubs in the division we lost one and won one against Tottenham Hotspur this season.
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Bilic invited back to Besiktas
Posted by Sean Whetstone on March 25, 2016 in News, Whispers
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Besiktas president Fikret Orman has revealed that the club have invited Slaven Bilic to the Vodafone Arena inauguration ceremony. Speaking at the pre-inauguration press conference president said: "We will be inviting Bilic, Daum, Toshack, Milne, Lucescu and former players to the ceremony as well."
Bilic coached Besiktas over two seasons before joining West Ham last summer. The Croatian coach is largely credited with being the architect of the current side despite winning no silverware at the club. The Istanbul club are on the verge of completing the construction of the 41,903 seater Vodafone Arena stadium which is situated just a stones throw from the Bosphorus next to the Dolmabahce stadium. The stadium will replace the old Ä°nönü and is being constructed on the same land as the previous venue. Bilic never actually got to play a single home game during his stint at Besiktas as the stadium reconstruction project lasted over two years.
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Roy Hodgson defends West Ham captain Mark Noble's England exclusion: Last time it was Grant Holt!
JAMES BENGE 13 hours ago2 comments
Evening Standard
Roy Hodgson has warned West Ham captain Mark Noble his chances of being called up to the England squad are slim, comparing his chances of making Euro 2016 to those of then-Norwich striker Grant Holt two years ago. Noble, 28, has never received an England cap despite having made over 200 Premier League appearances for West Ham over 12 years at his local club. The club captain has enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career under Slaven Bilic but, after being left out of Hodgson's most recent squad, has reluctantly accepted that he will likely never be given a chance to pull on an England shirt. "I'd love to [play for England] but I think especially with the squad announcement, if I'm honest with myself, the chances are very slim," he said. "Once the squad got announced, I just put it to the back of my mind "There are some great players in that England squad and a lot of people, and West Ham fans thought I should have been in it but I'm not that sort of person."
Hodgson has today justified his decision to exclude Noble, explaining: "Before the World Cup it was Grant Holt, so I can't cap everyone having a good season." The England manager was actually referring to Euro 2012, when a record of 15 goals in 36 Premier League goals saw clamours for Norwich striker Holt to be included in the squad. Hodgson selected Andy Carroll, Jermain Defoe and Danny Welbeck ahead of the then-31-year-old.
Tottenham pair Eric Dier and Dele Alli could be in line for appearances against Germany on Saturday night, whilst Leicester's Danny Drinkwater is set to make his England debut in either of the two friendly matches against Joachim Low's side and the Netherlands. Instead of appearing for England Noble will appear at Upton Park on Monday in front of a near-capacity crowd for his testimonial match. The likes of Paolo di Canio, Michael Carrick and Teddy Sheringham are set to feature in an 'All-Stars' side to take on the current West Ham squad.
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Exclusive Boleyn Informer: Lanzini the truth! Are the Benteke rumours for real?!
March 25, 2016
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Boleyn Insider
Hello and welcome to my first ever Boleyn Informer column on the West Ham Way.
I am really excited to join the team as such an exciting time for West Ham. Like EXWHUEmployee, I have chosen to remain anonymous so I can't really go into my connection with West Ham. I have agreed to write occasionally for this site when I think there is something worth while to say or reveal but I won't be writing anything that could potentially damage the club.
So let's start with Lanzini. The club finally confirmed the deal we already knew about. Jack had already confirmed it is a four year deal with a two year extension option. I am told he get's around a £20,000 per week pay rise in his pay packet and the club will fork out around 12 million Euros in total for his services from July.
Despite media stories all week confirming much of this information above you might be asking yourself why the club's official website has failed to confirm the permanent capture until today. The truth is rather mundane, Manuel was/is still owed a considerable amount of money from parent UAE Club, Al Jazira and the player quite rightly wanted to settle this outstanding issue before his permanent transfer was made official.
Looking forward, we know from Mr Sullivan that our main priority is a twenty goal per season striker this summer and some names keep on cropping up over and over again. If we ignore our friends over at the Brentwood Gazette then the credible names are Michy Batshuayi, Alexandre Lacazette and Cristian Benteke. The first two have been regularly scouted by the club as recently as last weekend but before you get too excited you need to understand that like any big club the Hammers have a vast network of scouts across Europe and we often scout dozens of players at any one time so it doesn't mean that much. The problem is most other big European clubs have exactly the same idea and it can get crowed at these games as everyone looks for the next Payet in Ligue 1. Both Batshuayi and Lacazette are likely to be highly desirable across Europe and West Ham are unlikely to pay an inflated price in a bidding war, it is not Sullivan's way.
When I first heard of the Benteke link I thought I had been duped by another Brentwood Gazette headline but actually I am starting to warm to the idea. Sullivan has said recently Benteke is a player the club admire but no club could afford his £120,000 per week wages. Sounds like a good fashioned negotiating ploy to me from Mr Sullivan. West Ham has budgeted £25m in the transfer kitty for a prolific striker in the summer and that might be enough to tempt Liverpool to take a £7m loss. His wage demands would need to drop to a more reasonable level but with Alex Song and Victor Moses off the wage bill next season that should be achievable to balance the books.
Benteke just wants to be loved and believed in by a manager again. If he is played in the right position and to his strengths I believe he can re-capture the form he had in a less than average Aston Villa side to score twenty plus goals again per season. I don't think this necessarily means the end for Andy Carroll though.
That's all from me for now. Enjoy the four games in a row at the Boleyn Ground if you are going which starts on Easter Monday with Nobes testimonial.
Come on you irons
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Payet performance thrills Deschamps
442.com
Didier Deschamps had positive words for Dimitri Payet after his display in France's win over Netherlands. France boss Didier Deschamps praised the performance of Dimitri Payet after their dramatic 3-2 win over Netherlands in Amsterdam on Friday. The West Ham playmaker produced an eye-catching display in what was his first international appearance in nine months. He hit the post with a second-half shot and created six chances – more than double any other player on the pitch as well as having the most touches (89) of either side. It was Antoine Griezmann, Olivier Giroud and Blaise Matuidi who scored the goals for France as they recorded a sixth victory in seven games, with their hosting duties at Euro 2016 getting closer, but Payet, 28, still did enough to earn positive words from his head coach. "He was very good," Deschamps was quoted as saying by L'Equipe. "He responded well whenever he had to touch the ball. He had an enormous quality on set pieces and made a lot of effort. "He confirmed with us what he has been doing with his club - he is in top form." Deschamps was relieved to come out of the match with a victory, but rued his team losing their two-goal half-time lead, with captain Matuidi's winner coming with only three minutes remaining. "The first Dutch goal [by Luuk de Jong] was scored with a hand but we lacked concentration on the second goal and we must avoid that," he said. "We went out and played a very good first half, but the second was worse. We ended up snatching victory and the scenario was favourable to us, but we must be more focused. "We controlled the match and it could still have ended 2-2. We had seven or eight chances and must be able to manage the game better than that."
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Roy Hodgson compared Mark Noble to Grant Holt and managed to annoy just about everyone
IrishExaminer.com
Friday, March 25, 2016 - 06:52 pm
West Ham fans enjoy nothing more than being outraged about Mark Noble not being in the England squad. So Roy Hodgson's explanation for why the Hammers midfielder was still not getting selected – and looks unlikely to go to Euro 2016 – did not go down well. The England boss said: "We have only got 23 places, 20 outfield players, we can't unfortunately cap every player who has had a good season for his club. Before the World Cup it was Grant Holt, so there is always somebody." The England boss is seldom the most popular figure in the game, but he outdid himself this time.
Obviously West Ham fans – and a lot of football supporters in general – were annoyed.
John Cross ✔ @johncrossmirror
Hodgson bizarre reasoning for not picking Noble. Says he's flavour of month now, Grant Holt was last time. Er, don't think so...
4:01 PM - 25 Mar 2016
Pranay @pranaystrikes
Hodgson compares Mark Noble to Grant Holt. He should be knowing that Noble ain't a one season wonder in the Premier League.
4:43 PM - 25 Mar 2016
Sam @AVFCSfan
Disgusting comments from Roy Hodgson re: Mark Noble. Very disrespectful in my opinion comparing him to Grant Holt one season wonder
4:20 PM - 25 Mar 2016
Jonny Williams @jonnycanary
Grant Holt taking pelters from East laandon geezers getting all bent out of shape over Mark Noble,difference is Holt should have got a cap.
5:09 PM - 25 Mar 2016
Steve Belsham @StevenBelsham
Imagine being Mark Noble right now and having your hopes of a call up compared to Grant Holt's 😂
5:00 PM - 25 Mar 2016
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
I am delighted that Manuel Lanzini has become the latest big name in our squad to agree a new contract with the Club. It demonstrates our commitment to securing the best players and it is fantastic news. He is not just a player who excites us but he has a great character which is so important in the dressing room. I am so pleased for him that the deal has now been finalised and he is the perfect fit for our football Club.
The goal he scored against Chelsea last weekend shows what a quality player he is and he can produce that kind of skill on a regular basis. We are showing that we want our best players to stay with the Club and it is so important that the likes of Lanzini and Payet remain with us for a long time. It is a statement that the board are making and we realise that we have this wonderful opportunity. We also have many talented young players like Antonio, Cresswell and Byram who want to be here with us and be part of our new adventure when we move into the new Stadium. It is fantastic news that we have announced that the new Stadium will be increasing to 60,000 and it once again shows the fantastic support that we have at West Ham United. We have it all to play for in the final part of the season and the key will be the injuries. We look as if we are coming out of that now and we could have a virtually fully fit squad if James Tomkins and James Collins are able to make a return after the international break. I am also thrilled to see the likes of Andy Carroll coming on and making such an impact like he did against Chelsea.
There is real competition for places and we will be raring to go for the final part of the campaign when we face so many key games in both the Premier League and FA Cup.
We now switch our attentions to Mark Noble's Testimonial on Monday and it is going to be special day for Mark and all the fans. You don't get the tag 'Mr West Ham' for nothing and I would say he is following in the footsteps of some of the biggest names to have played for this great club like Billy Bonds, Sir Trevor Brooking, Alan Devonshire who showed such amazing loyalty and were loved by the fans. I am really looking forward to the game and seeing some of the old legends come back to play. It is a fitting way for Mark to have this game in the final ever season at the Boleyn Ground. I know the fans will be excited at the prospect of seeing Paolo Di Canio back in a claret and blue shirt and he was a genius during his time at the Club. I expect him to have some fun with the referee !! But on a serious note it will be great to see him back on the Boleyn Ground pitch. I hope everyone has a memorable day and I am sure it will be a day that Mark will never forget.
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James - I can't wait
WHUFC.com
Ex-West Ham United goalkeeper David James says he is looking forward to turning out in front of a sell-out crowd at the Boleyn Ground on Monday for Mark Noble's Testimonial. The former stopper has been preparing at the Club's training ground this week and will be part of the All Stars side, which contains a host of Hammers legends, up against the current squad. And James – who played for the Club just before Noble made his first team debut against Southend United in 2004 – cannot wait for the occasion. He said: "It's nice to be back here and throw myself about with the keepers. It's going to be a special day and I'm delighted that Nobes has allowed me to play. "He's a top geezer to start with. Player-wise, he's had the season of his life and likewise have West Ham. I think he's been an intrinsic part of the success they've been having this season.
"I think going back to when I was here, he was a youngster and he's a terrific bloke. I was so delighted when he said I could play in this game because the West Ham fans have already bought all the tickets. "They see Mark as a local hero so I'm delighted for him."
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Chadwell Chatter
WHUFC.com
Hello everyone,
I'm back to Dublin, back home in the Republic of Ireland, and we've got two games to look forward to against Switzerland and Slovakia, so hopefully I'll get a chance to play in what is a mini warm-up for the Euros. We're feeling really optimistic, especially with the way we finished the qualifying campaign by beating Germany and the way we qualified by overcoming Bosnia and Herzegovina in a two-legged Play-Off, so it's good to go away with the squad. Obviously there will be pressure in the games, but we know we've qualified and we know we're on the plane and going to France, so it'll be good to see everyone and continue with some of the good work we've put in over the last few months.
I was listening to some of the boys booking flights for a short holiday to somewhere hot while I'm back to sunny Dublin! No, seriously, it'll be good to get some game-time, so I don't mind as long as we win and play well. It's good to see so many of the boys going away on international duty, and it's a compliment to all the good work we've put in at the Club this year. Everyone is being rewarded by their countries and that's definitely a good sign for the Club.
After the break, I'll be back at Chadwell Heath to prepare for a busy few weeks ahead in the Barclays Premier League and the Emirates FA Cup.
If the manager keeps to what he has done in the previous rounds, then hopefully I'll start the sixth-round replay against Manchester United – the final FA Cup tie at the Boleyn Ground. The first game was disappointing not to win, particularly as I felt I was blocked off for their equaliser at Old Trafford. Hopefully I won't be that busy in the replay, because as long as we win and get through, I don't mind how the game goes!
I'll get these couple of international games out of the way first, then switch back onto that when I come back. The international break means I'll miss Mark Noble's Testimonial on Monday, which is a shame. I first played against Mark when I was at Charlton in the Academy, and Mark was just starting off at West Ham.
That was probably about 12 years ago now. I had a rough idea of what he was like before I arrived at the Club in the summer, about what kind of character he is, but when I came into the building I've seen how he is around the place and what he's like on the training pitch, and I took to him even more.
On the pitch, he's definitely a leader. His work ethic is superb. I didn't realise the amount of ground he covers until I read the stats on a Monday or Tuesday. He doesn't really give the ball away either, in games or in training. He's got everything.
There are a lot of stories and things that I could probably say about Mark…but I won't! It's best to keep some of those quiet, but suffice to say that off the pitch he's a big voice in the changing room.
Monday is a well-deserved day for Mark.
Enjoy your long weekends, and don't forget to tune in and watch Ireland's matches and the Testimonial on TV!
Darren
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International round-up
WHUFC.com
West Ham United midfielder Dimitri Payet played 90 minutes as France beat Holland 3-2 on Friday night. In an enthralling encounter at the Amsterdam ArenA, the Hammers' French superstar helped Les Blues gain an early two-goal lead through Antoine Greizmann and Arsenal forward Olivier Giroud. The Netherlands pegged the visitors back though and squared the game up in the 86th minute, before France's Blaise Matuidi grabbed the winner a minute later. Payet – who was recalled to the squad by boss Didier Deschamps after such impressive performances in claret and blue – will hope to be involved again on Tuesday as his side host Russia.
Elsewhere, Hammers stopper Darren Randolph was also on a winning side as he kept a clean sheet to record a 1-0 win for the Republic of Ireland over Switzerland. Aston Villa defender Ciaran Clark scored the game's only goal as Randolph played all 90 minutes in the international friendly. Slovakia, who visit on Tuesday, are Martin O'Neill's side's next opponents.
Victor Moses' Nigeria could not, however, make it a clean sweep for Hammers stars on Friday, as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Egypt.
There was a defeat, however, for young midfielder Martin Samuelsen, who made his Norway U21 debut in a 1-0 defeat against Holland.
On Thursday, there was a goal for West Ham striker Enner Valencia as he scored the opener in a 2-2 draw against Paraguay. The draw means that Valencia's nation stay top of their tricky World Cup qualifying group which contains both Brazil and Argentina.
Also on Thursday, England U19s were victorious, as they began their Euro 2016 Elite qualifying campaign with a 2-1 win over Georgia. Hammers goalkeeper Sam Howes, however, was an unused substitute.
In action on Wednesday evening was 17-year-old defender Reece Oxford, as he played 90 minutes in England U18s' 3-2 victory over Austria. The Young Lions twice came from behind to down the hosts.
Finally, West Ham's Bradford City loan pair Reece Burke and Josh Cullen are with England U20s and the Republic of Ireland U21s respectively for matches later on this week.
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New Contract For Bilic - Eventually
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 25th March 2016
By: Staff Writer No.3
Co-chairman David Sullivan has spoken of his desire to offer Slaven Bilic a new deal. However, the manager will have to wait....
With the Irons currently sitting in 5th place and an FA Cup Quarter Final replay to come, the club is experiencing one of its best seasons for many a year. Sullivan however, has suggested that he would be unwilling to open talks regarding a new deal for the Croatian coach until January 2017 at the earliesy.
Sullivan explained: "I just want to make sure that he's not a 'one season wonder' adding "I'm sure he's not but we'll open contract talks either next January or before the end of the season".
Bilic's current deal is due to expire in the summer of 2017
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Hammers will wait to offer Slaven Bilic a new deal
By Peter Gilbert
Last Updated: 25/03/16 9:46am
SSN
Slaven Bilic will be offered a new contract by West Ham in January after he has proved he is not a "one-season wonder." Bilic has impressed at Upton Park since taking over from Sam Allardyce in June, guiding the Hammers to fifth place in the Premier League with eight games to go and through to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. The former Croatia boss, 47, signed a three-year contract when he joined the Hammers but is set to be handed a new deal in 2017 - providing he proves this season was not just a flash in the pan. West Ham joint-chairman David Sullivan said in The Mirror: "I will give Slaven a new deal in January. "I just want to see that he is not a one-season wonder. I'm sure he is not, but we will talk next January - or at the end of next season. "I have to tell you that he is interested in the project, not money. "He stayed at Croatia on £2,000 a week for five years when he would have had bundles of offers. He is not really into money. He is more interested in getting the best players for the club than the best money for himself." Sullivan has admitted it was a risk to hand their former defender his first managerial job in England, but believes it is a gamble that has paid off "several times this season." "We took a gamble to change managers, we went away from safety, chasing a dream," Sullivan added in The Daily Express. "We took someone with no track record in England, with a pretty good track record abroad but it was still perceived as a gamble by most pundits. He has proved himself several times this season."
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Harry Redknapp accuses West Ham of betraying club legend Bobby Moore
14:49, 25 MAR 2016 UPDATED 14:51, 25 MAR 2016
BY JOHN CROSS
Redknapp says Moore was treated poorly after he retired and was even once asked to leave the stadium after turning up with the wrong ticket
The Mirror
England legend Bobby Moore was betrayed by West Ham, a new film claims. Former West Ham defender Moore led England to their finest hour when he lifted the World Cup 50 years ago this summer. But ex-Hammers boss Harry Redknapp is one of several big names to talk up in the new film "Bobby" about the way he was treated by his former club after he retired. Moore, who tragically died in 1993, was even once asked to leave Upton Park because he did not have the right ticket and Redknapp claims the FA and football did not give him a proper chance as a manager. Redknapp, who says the current West Ham ownership are not to blame, said: "Others didn't make him as welcome as they should have. It was criminal really.
"West Ham should have brought him in as an ambassador. He is the greatest icon in the game at that time, he should have been in the front row of the directors box."
Moore became a pundit for radio station Capital Gold alongside highly respected BBC commentator Jonathan Pearce who also takes part in the film.
"Bobby" premieres with a special screening on the pitch at Wembley on May 25th as a tribute to the 1966 World Cup triumph.
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Gold clears up OS issues
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 25, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H
David Gold has cleared up any issues surrounding the Olympic Stadium capacity and hinted that that the club may eventually go for a 66k capacity.
With the waiting list growing to around 50k the co chairman has revealed that the 66,000 is the ultimate limit at the club's new home
With the subject under keen discussion both on Claret and Hugh and across social media, Gold declared: "It is possible to eventually go to 66,000 but that would be the maximum capacity. "
And he has made it clear that just 5,000 of the 6,000 available from the increased capacity recently to receive planning approval would go to applicants.
He said: "Of the 6000 new seats approximately 5000 will go to the priority members and the balance to match day. dg."
Under Premier League rules clubs have to ensure that a percentage of all tickets are made available to the general public on a walk up on the day basis.
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Official: Spurs are not a big club!
Posted by Sean Whetstone on March 25, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H
Of course, we have known this fact for many years but the London Evening Standard confirmed it so it must be true! right? The Evening standard published a table of West Ham results this season against the big clubs. They included Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal and bizarrely Everton but omitted Spurs from the list. West Ham has won seven games including a treble over Liverpool against these so called 'big clubs' this season and drawn six games but importantly we have not lost a single game against them. If we include the smaller clubs in the division we lost one and won one against Tottenham Hotspur this season.
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Bilic invited back to Besiktas
Posted by Sean Whetstone on March 25, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H
Besiktas president Fikret Orman has revealed that the club have invited Slaven Bilic to the Vodafone Arena inauguration ceremony. Speaking at the pre-inauguration press conference president said: "We will be inviting Bilic, Daum, Toshack, Milne, Lucescu and former players to the ceremony as well."
Bilic coached Besiktas over two seasons before joining West Ham last summer. The Croatian coach is largely credited with being the architect of the current side despite winning no silverware at the club. The Istanbul club are on the verge of completing the construction of the 41,903 seater Vodafone Arena stadium which is situated just a stones throw from the Bosphorus next to the Dolmabahce stadium. The stadium will replace the old Ä°nönü and is being constructed on the same land as the previous venue. Bilic never actually got to play a single home game during his stint at Besiktas as the stadium reconstruction project lasted over two years.
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Roy Hodgson defends West Ham captain Mark Noble's England exclusion: Last time it was Grant Holt!
JAMES BENGE 13 hours ago2 comments
Evening Standard
Roy Hodgson has warned West Ham captain Mark Noble his chances of being called up to the England squad are slim, comparing his chances of making Euro 2016 to those of then-Norwich striker Grant Holt two years ago. Noble, 28, has never received an England cap despite having made over 200 Premier League appearances for West Ham over 12 years at his local club. The club captain has enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career under Slaven Bilic but, after being left out of Hodgson's most recent squad, has reluctantly accepted that he will likely never be given a chance to pull on an England shirt. "I'd love to [play for England] but I think especially with the squad announcement, if I'm honest with myself, the chances are very slim," he said. "Once the squad got announced, I just put it to the back of my mind "There are some great players in that England squad and a lot of people, and West Ham fans thought I should have been in it but I'm not that sort of person."
Hodgson has today justified his decision to exclude Noble, explaining: "Before the World Cup it was Grant Holt, so I can't cap everyone having a good season." The England manager was actually referring to Euro 2012, when a record of 15 goals in 36 Premier League goals saw clamours for Norwich striker Holt to be included in the squad. Hodgson selected Andy Carroll, Jermain Defoe and Danny Welbeck ahead of the then-31-year-old.
Tottenham pair Eric Dier and Dele Alli could be in line for appearances against Germany on Saturday night, whilst Leicester's Danny Drinkwater is set to make his England debut in either of the two friendly matches against Joachim Low's side and the Netherlands. Instead of appearing for England Noble will appear at Upton Park on Monday in front of a near-capacity crowd for his testimonial match. The likes of Paolo di Canio, Michael Carrick and Teddy Sheringham are set to feature in an 'All-Stars' side to take on the current West Ham squad.
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Exclusive Boleyn Informer: Lanzini the truth! Are the Benteke rumours for real?!
March 25, 2016
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Boleyn Insider
Hello and welcome to my first ever Boleyn Informer column on the West Ham Way.
I am really excited to join the team as such an exciting time for West Ham. Like EXWHUEmployee, I have chosen to remain anonymous so I can't really go into my connection with West Ham. I have agreed to write occasionally for this site when I think there is something worth while to say or reveal but I won't be writing anything that could potentially damage the club.
So let's start with Lanzini. The club finally confirmed the deal we already knew about. Jack had already confirmed it is a four year deal with a two year extension option. I am told he get's around a £20,000 per week pay rise in his pay packet and the club will fork out around 12 million Euros in total for his services from July.
Despite media stories all week confirming much of this information above you might be asking yourself why the club's official website has failed to confirm the permanent capture until today. The truth is rather mundane, Manuel was/is still owed a considerable amount of money from parent UAE Club, Al Jazira and the player quite rightly wanted to settle this outstanding issue before his permanent transfer was made official.
Looking forward, we know from Mr Sullivan that our main priority is a twenty goal per season striker this summer and some names keep on cropping up over and over again. If we ignore our friends over at the Brentwood Gazette then the credible names are Michy Batshuayi, Alexandre Lacazette and Cristian Benteke. The first two have been regularly scouted by the club as recently as last weekend but before you get too excited you need to understand that like any big club the Hammers have a vast network of scouts across Europe and we often scout dozens of players at any one time so it doesn't mean that much. The problem is most other big European clubs have exactly the same idea and it can get crowed at these games as everyone looks for the next Payet in Ligue 1. Both Batshuayi and Lacazette are likely to be highly desirable across Europe and West Ham are unlikely to pay an inflated price in a bidding war, it is not Sullivan's way.
When I first heard of the Benteke link I thought I had been duped by another Brentwood Gazette headline but actually I am starting to warm to the idea. Sullivan has said recently Benteke is a player the club admire but no club could afford his £120,000 per week wages. Sounds like a good fashioned negotiating ploy to me from Mr Sullivan. West Ham has budgeted £25m in the transfer kitty for a prolific striker in the summer and that might be enough to tempt Liverpool to take a £7m loss. His wage demands would need to drop to a more reasonable level but with Alex Song and Victor Moses off the wage bill next season that should be achievable to balance the books.
Benteke just wants to be loved and believed in by a manager again. If he is played in the right position and to his strengths I believe he can re-capture the form he had in a less than average Aston Villa side to score twenty plus goals again per season. I don't think this necessarily means the end for Andy Carroll though.
That's all from me for now. Enjoy the four games in a row at the Boleyn Ground if you are going which starts on Easter Monday with Nobes testimonial.
Come on you irons
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Payet performance thrills Deschamps
442.com
Didier Deschamps had positive words for Dimitri Payet after his display in France's win over Netherlands. France boss Didier Deschamps praised the performance of Dimitri Payet after their dramatic 3-2 win over Netherlands in Amsterdam on Friday. The West Ham playmaker produced an eye-catching display in what was his first international appearance in nine months. He hit the post with a second-half shot and created six chances – more than double any other player on the pitch as well as having the most touches (89) of either side. It was Antoine Griezmann, Olivier Giroud and Blaise Matuidi who scored the goals for France as they recorded a sixth victory in seven games, with their hosting duties at Euro 2016 getting closer, but Payet, 28, still did enough to earn positive words from his head coach. "He was very good," Deschamps was quoted as saying by L'Equipe. "He responded well whenever he had to touch the ball. He had an enormous quality on set pieces and made a lot of effort. "He confirmed with us what he has been doing with his club - he is in top form." Deschamps was relieved to come out of the match with a victory, but rued his team losing their two-goal half-time lead, with captain Matuidi's winner coming with only three minutes remaining. "The first Dutch goal [by Luuk de Jong] was scored with a hand but we lacked concentration on the second goal and we must avoid that," he said. "We went out and played a very good first half, but the second was worse. We ended up snatching victory and the scenario was favourable to us, but we must be more focused. "We controlled the match and it could still have ended 2-2. We had seven or eight chances and must be able to manage the game better than that."
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Roy Hodgson compared Mark Noble to Grant Holt and managed to annoy just about everyone
IrishExaminer.com
Friday, March 25, 2016 - 06:52 pm
West Ham fans enjoy nothing more than being outraged about Mark Noble not being in the England squad. So Roy Hodgson's explanation for why the Hammers midfielder was still not getting selected – and looks unlikely to go to Euro 2016 – did not go down well. The England boss said: "We have only got 23 places, 20 outfield players, we can't unfortunately cap every player who has had a good season for his club. Before the World Cup it was Grant Holt, so there is always somebody." The England boss is seldom the most popular figure in the game, but he outdid himself this time.
Obviously West Ham fans – and a lot of football supporters in general – were annoyed.
John Cross ✔ @johncrossmirror
Hodgson bizarre reasoning for not picking Noble. Says he's flavour of month now, Grant Holt was last time. Er, don't think so...
4:01 PM - 25 Mar 2016
Pranay @pranaystrikes
Hodgson compares Mark Noble to Grant Holt. He should be knowing that Noble ain't a one season wonder in the Premier League.
4:43 PM - 25 Mar 2016
Sam @AVFCSfan
Disgusting comments from Roy Hodgson re: Mark Noble. Very disrespectful in my opinion comparing him to Grant Holt one season wonder
4:20 PM - 25 Mar 2016
Jonny Williams @jonnycanary
Grant Holt taking pelters from East laandon geezers getting all bent out of shape over Mark Noble,difference is Holt should have got a cap.
5:09 PM - 25 Mar 2016
Steve Belsham @StevenBelsham
Imagine being Mark Noble right now and having your hopes of a call up compared to Grant Holt's 😂
5:00 PM - 25 Mar 2016
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