Alese plays full match in England U17s' Brazil loss
WHUFC.com
West Ham United youngster Ajibola Alese played the full contest in England's
U17's 1-0 friendly defeat against Brazil at the Pinatar Arena. Despite the
result, the Irons centre-back has spoken of his enjoyment to be playing for
Steve Cooper's England and the invaluable experience that comes with it.
Alese is no stranger to international football, having previously been
capped at U15 and U16 levels. He made his debut for the U17s earlier this
year, when he was called up to feature for the Three Lions in the Algarve
Tournament. He told whufc.com: "I am enjoying the international experience
a lot. Playing with different players that you're used to at club football
is always good, especially off the pitch to create new relationships.
"Despite losing the game I feel the team put in a good performance, and I'm
satisfied with how I did as well. It was really hot conditions, so it wasn't
easy to play in, but I'm happy with how we played."
A third cap at U17 international level for Alese is the latest step in his
comeback from injury, with the youngster missing a large portion of the
early campaign.
Having played in the first Premier League 2 match of the season, Alese has
now made four appearances at U23s level for the Hammers this season. And
the young defender is ready to maximise what he has learnt from
international football when he returns to club football with West Ham. "In
international football, if you concede first, it's so hard to come back from
a goal down. The standard of the game at this level is impressive. What I
can definitely take back from playing for England is a stronger defensive
mentality and understanding of a different type of football."
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Hugill off the mark and taking aim at 'massive' Southampton game
WHUFC.com
Jordan Hugill is aiming to play a part in West Ham United's 'massive'
Premier League meeting with Southampton after scoring his first goal for the
Club. The centre forward netted West Ham's third in in Wednesday's 3-1
friendly win at Dagenham & Redbridge, confidently slamming home Ben
Johnson's right-wing cross with three minutes remaining. Hugill had spoken
before the game about catching manager David Moyes' eye and he was delighted
to cap a committed performance with a goal, and now hopes to be given the
opportunity to find the net again when the Saints visit London Stadium on 31
March. "I'd like to think I gave a good account of myself," said the No12,
who has featured twice as a Premier League substitute since his January move
from Championship club Preston North End. "Obviously, the goal was good for
me and good for the team and the 90 minutes I played and the hard work I put
in should put me in the manager's mind. "But, at the end of the day it's
down to the manager and not down to me and it's one of those things where
I'll keep plugging away and plugging away and, when my time comes, I'll be
ready for it. "I'm really excited for the Southampton game, which is a
massive game for the Club and one that, if I play my part in it, I'd be
delighted. It's a massive game so hopefully we can come out on top."
Hugill showed many of the characteristics that made him such a popular
figure at Preston against the Daggers, holding the ball up, battling with
defenders, running in behind and popping up in dangerous positions inside
the Dagenham penalty area. The 25-year-old saw two shots blocked in the
opening 45 minutes and had a second-half strike ruled out for offside, so
when his reward finally came late on, the striker was naturally pleased. "It
was a good run out and I think we did well in the end. The score-line was
good for us and I was obviously delighted to get on the scoresheet. "At the
end of the day, the main thing for me was to get 90 minutes under my belt
and get that work in that I've been missing out on recently, so that was the
main thing for me. "Their lads got a few blocks on my shots on the six-yard
line, so it was a bit disappointing in the first half for me as I felt I
should have had two goals, but I kept working hard and got my reward in the
end.
"I was delighted with the finish in the end but the main thing for me, as I
said, was to get the 90 minutes."
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Trott and Cullen both taste international victory
WHUFC.com
Young Hammers Nathan Trott and Josh Cullen both enjoyed international
victories on Thursday evening, for England U20 and Republic of Ireland U21
respectively.
Trott played the 90 minutes in goal for the Young Lions in Poland, who
overcame the handicap of having Crystal Palace defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka
sent off by securing a late winner. Aston Villa striker Kienan Davis was the
man on target, scoring with just three minutes left to record a valuable
friendly victory ahead of next week's game against Portugal. Cullen,
meanwhile, skippered Ireland to victory over Iceland, as they warmed up for
a UEFA Euro U21 qualifier against Azerbaijan in the best possible way.
Ireland's Hale brothers, Ronan and Rory, scored either side of Ryan
Manning's goal to secure an impressive 3-1 win.
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Austin: Ladies must not underestimate Swindon Town test
WHUFC.com
Chenise Austin has warned her West Ham United Ladies teammates not to
underestimate this weekend's opponents, her former club Swindon Town.
Sunday's fixture with Swindon is an opportunity for the Ladies to continue
their unbeaten run in 2018, with the Irons without a loss in their last
eight matches in all competitions. The Hammers take on a Swindon side that
have endured a difficult campaign in the Premier League Southern Division
this season, former Town defender Austin has cautioned her teammates against
complacency in Sunday's fixture. The centre-back has good memories of her
time at Swindon, which included a title win in her second season, but is
fully focused on securing the three points for the Hammers. "I joined
Swindon in 2014 and had three good years there," Austin recalled to
whufc.com. "We missed out on winning the league by three points in my first
season, but lifting the trophy in my second year is one of the highlights of
my career. "I really enjoyed my time with Swindon, and despite where they
are in the league we can't afford to underestimate them this weekend. They
will be up for the match and, although they've gone through a bit of a
rebuild, they are still a dangerous opponent. I really enjoyed my time there
and still speak to some of the girls I played alongside, but this Sunday is
all about us getting another three points and pushing up the league table."
This Sunday's match is a rearranged fixture and Austin is ready to finally
play against her former team. "Admittedly it's a little infuriating when a
game is called off," she continued. "But, there's not a lot we can do about
it, obviously. We live for our training sessions and then that hard work is
put into practice on a Sunday during a match, so when that match doesn't
happen it is a bit frustrating. If we can keep up our tempo and our pace
from training though, we will be okay going into any game on any Sunday."
Karen Ray's side have the opportunity to make it nine games unbeaten this
weekend and Austin believes this excellent run has been a vital factor in a
positive mood spreading through the camp. With two cup finals to look
forward to, Austin insists that, while the side is anticipating those
matches, the Ladies have their eyes firmly set on Sunday's fixture with
Swindon. She added: "The girls are all buzzing. It's great to be on this
winning streak. The atmosphere around training and during matches is really
positive at the moment. We're looking forward to the Isthmian League Cup and
WPL Plate finals, but we're fully focused on the Swindon game this week.
"We've got to take each game as they come. We want to push up the league
and, right now, this weekend's match is the most important game for us."
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Argentina star Lanzini 'loves' playing for West Ham United
WHUFC.com
Manuel Lanzini has asked the Claret and Blue Army to stick behind the West
Ham United team as they fight for their Premier League lives. The popular
No10 had warm words for the supporters who regularly sing his name, praising
them for giving the players confidence whenever they step onto the pitch.
With five of the Hammers' remaining eight matches at London Stadium, that
support could play a big part in helping the team secure their top-flight
future. "We have a fantastic group of supporters who follow us everywhere,"
said Lanzini, who is currently with the Argentina national team preparing
for a friendly meeting with Italy in Manchester on Friday evening. "We're
really lucky to have this amazing, fanatical support that we do and my
message to them would be 'Have hope, please keep on supporting us and help
us'. "It's always nice to play at home as the supporters are there and you
feel them, so you get more confidence. You also feel you have a
responsibility to them to do as well as you can and, if we can keep playing
and getting results, that will see us safe. "I want to say thank you for
your support in every game. Keep going like this. We are fighting with you
and we need to stay all together."
Lanzini himself is approaching the end of his third season in east London
and should pass the 100-appearance mark for the Club before the end of the
campaign.
An influential member of the team, the attacking midfielder is regularly
linked with moves away from West Ham, but insists he is thoroughly enjoying
life a Claret and Blue shirt. "I've always said I am very happy at the Club
and it's a Club where I feel very comfortable and I really enjoy working
with this group of players. I've been here for three years now and I get on
well with a lot of people. We have a lot of big personalities here and big
players here and I truly get on well with everyone at the Club. I always
give 100 per cent to the Club. I don't know what will happen in the future,
but today I am very, very happy and I love playing here."
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WWE star Seth Rollins reveals support for West Ham United
WHUFC.com
WWE Superstar Seth Rollins discovered his love for West Ham United through
playing FIFA 18. The two-time WWE Champion tells all about how he
discovered the Hammers, which other WWE Superstars play FIFA 18, and which
Iron would make the best tag-team partner…
Seth, we've heard you're a big fan of FIFA 18, especially playing as West
Ham United. What is it about the Hammers that makes them such an appealing
side to use?
To be honest, before I found West Ham, I sucked. I sucked at FIFA 18. I was
getting my butt kicked by all the Europeans in the locker room and I was
getting laughed at because of how bad I was. I kept trying a bunch of teams,
but I wasn't a big soccer guy, so I found it difficult to find a side that
suited me. I ended up playing with the Hammers one time, and I just fell in
love. I just started winning and, once you start winning, you can't stop. I
wasn't going to stop either. West Ham became my team.
Who are your top guys on FIFA 18 for West Ham United?
I like Chicharito. I like Lanzini. Those are my guys - Lanzini and
Chicharito. They are always my top goalscorers. I like all the big names and
I felt like I could get the job done with those guys better than any other
team. I've also got to give credit where it's due to Joe Hart. He's my
starting goalkeeper and he has won me a lot of games. Defensively, I'm far
from being the best FIFA player. The Hammers are a good defensive team, but
me personally not so much, so Hart has been the glue that holds it together
for me.
Has playing as West Ham on FIFA 18 made you a supporter of the Club?
I suppose it has, yeah. I don't follow the Premier League really closely but
I do enjoy hearing the stories from our European guys. They tell me about
the results now and when something happens with West Ham. It's really cool
and it was also really awesome that, when the Club found out I was a fan,
they sent me a kit with my name on. That was sweet!
Who else on the WWE roster likes playing FIFA 18?
It's a big thing for our European guys. You've got Cesaro. You've got
Sheamus and Finn Balor. Then you've also got Apollo Crews. Kalisto and Gran
Metalik play as well. We've got a well-versed array of WWE Superstars who
get into the FIFA competition. It's been a lot of fun and it's really easy
to pick up and go with on the road. For me, there's nothing better than
whooping some European butt on FIFA 18. I feel pretty proud of myself after
a win.
Who's the best in the locker room?
That's a tough one. It kind of goes all over the place. Apollo is really
good but Gran Metalik is also really good as well. It's a really tough one
to answer. I fancy myself as a player that's getting better and better
every day. I'm constantly improving and finding new tactics to use as West
Ham. I've beaten Apollo and Gran Metalik but they've also beaten me. It's a
very close group of players in that regard.
Which member of our team would make the best WWE Superstar, and would you
welcome that individual into your tag-team, The Shield?
I would have to say Marko Arnautovic. I'm not sure he would be able to get
into The Shield, mind you. That's a pretty exclusive team. But Arnautovic is
my guy.
I think he would cross over very well into the WWE. He's a big lad with
strong legs and a great attitude. I have no doubt he would make a great
character for WWE to have.
Do you have a message for the West Ham players?
Go out there, work hard and hope for some luck. West Ham is a traditional
Club that always puts their best foot forward and I hope the team can climb
up the table.
Watch Seth Rollins and all your favourite WWE Superstars LIVE when WWE Raw
and WWE SmackDown come to the O2 Arena on Monday, 14 May and Tuesday, 15
May. Tickets available from Ticketmaster.co.uk
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers set for Hong Kong dates
KUMb.com
Filed: Friday, 23rd March 2018
By: Staff Writer
West Ham will be returning to the Hong Kong Football Club this May for the
2018 Soccer Sevens. The Hammers, who have been taking part in the event, now
in it's 19th year, for a number of years will be accompanied this year by
fellow Premier League clubs Newcastle United and, for the first time,
Brighton & Hove Albion.
Meanwhile reigning champions Leicester City and last year's beaten
finalists, Aston Villa, are also set to feature.
The Soccer Sevens is one the world's most popular seven-a-side football
tournaments, where fans can see the stars of tomorrow and some of the
legends of the game in one exciting event. The 2017 tournament featured
teams from nine countries including newcomers from France, Germany and
Italy. This year there will be representation from England, Europe and Asia
once again. This years sevens takes place at the Hong Kong Football Club in
Happy Valley between 18-20 May, with West Ham once again preparing to send a
team from the Academy to represent the club. Tickets for the event are now
available from ticketflap.com, prices at 160HKD for Saturday or Sunday of
300HKD for a weekend pass.
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Bring on the Saints!
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 23rd March 2018
By: Staff Writer
West Ham striker Jordan Hugill is hoping to be involved in next weekend's
vital Premier League clash against Southampton. The former Preston striker,
an 'under the radar' £8million capture during the January transfer window is
yet to start a competitive fixture for United since moving from the
Championship in January.
The 25-year-old's comtribution to the first team thus far has amounted to a
total of 12 minutes of football, following late substitute appearances
against Brighton and Watford. However having grabbed his first goal for the
club earlier this week, in the 3-1 friendly win at National League Dagenham
& Redbridge on Wednesday, Hugill is hoping that he may be able to force his
way into David Moyes' plans for the home clash with the Saints. "The goal
was good for me and good for the team, and the 90 minutes I played and the
hard work I put in should put me in the manager's mind," he told whufc.com.
"But, at the end of the day it's down to the manager. "It's one of those
things where I'll keep plugging away and, when my time comes, I'll be ready
for it. I'm really excited for the Southampton game, which is a massive game
for the Club and one I'd be delighted to play my part in. "It's a massive
game so hopefully we can come out on top."
Hugill, who had endured a difficult night for scant reward prior to notching
his 87th-minute effort at Victoria Road was also delighted to get his first
90m inutes under his belt - albeit in a friendly against weaker opposition.
"It was a good run out and I think we did well in the end," he added. "I was
delighted to get on the scoresheet. The main thing for me was to get 90
minutes under my belt and get that work in that I've been missing out on
recently. "Their lads got a few blocks on my shots on the six-yard line, so
it was a bit disappointing in the first half for me as I felt I should have
had two goals, but I kept working hard and got my reward in the end."
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Emergency meeting postponed
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 23rd March 2018
By: Staff Writer
An emergency meeting to determine whether the West Ham Supporters Club
should be save has been postponed. The gathering, which had been scheduled
for this Sunday has been cancelled at the last minute due to concerns over
the number of new members being signed up by existing committee members.
However members who are fighting to keep the club in business are still
urging supporters to attend the Boleyn on the corner of Green Street and
Barking Road on Sunday evening in order to deliver a vote of no confidence
in the club's existing committee.
Last year club members voted in favour of dissolving the club, winning a
poll by 17 votes to 10. However an emergency meeting was subsequently set up
for this weekend - 25 March - although that has now been postponed. One of
the key issues for those who wish to keep the Supporters Club in business is
that anyone who has been a member for longer than eight years stands -
thought to equate to around 720 members - stand to land a share of its
assets upon the club's dissolution. And as a result, each member can expect
to land a windfall of around £6,500 due to a rule in the club's constitution
that states all proceeds from the club's sale will be shared equally amongst
its long-term members.
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Police to meet fan groups ahead of protests
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 23rd March 2018
By: Staff Writer
The Met Police are to stage a conference with West Ham supporter groups
ahead of next weekend's latest round of proposed anti-Board protests. At
least two separate demonstrations are being planned to take place before the
vital Premier league clash with Southampton on Saturday, 31 March. And as a
result, Police have called upon a number of prominent West Ham websites
including KUMB.com and social media groups to discuss "any areas of concern"
supporters may have regarding the policing of the events. One of the two
planned demonstrations is set to follow a similar path to that which a few
hundred supporters took from Stratford Park to the Olympic Stadium ahead of
the Burnley match earlier this month. Meanwhile a second anti-Board
demonstration is set to begin at Stratford Station at 1pm, with participants
also set to make their way towards the stadium.
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The return of Reo-Coker
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 23rd March 2018
By: Staff Writer
West Ham's captain in the 2006 FA Cup Final has returned to England after
five years in the football wilderness. Nigel Reo-Coker, who in May 2006
became West Ham's youngest captain to lead the club into a major Final has
signed for League One side MK Dons, having been playing abroad since 2013.
"I'm very happy to get the deal over the line," he told mkdons.com. "This a
great opportunity for me and I'm thankful to Dan [Micciche] for giving me
this opportunity. "I feel good and I feel like I have good foundations to
build upon. I've enjoyed my time here so far. The atmosphere of the club
makes it so easy to settle in and everyone has been great since I've been
here – from the backroom staff to the supporters. "
Now 33, Reo-Coker joined West Ham from Wimbledon in a double swoop involving
Adam Nowland in 2004. Having led West Ham to the FA Cup Final in 2006 under
the tutelege of Alan Pardew, he joined Aston Villa the following season in
an £8.5million transfer.
After four years at Villa, the Southwark-born midfielder moved to Bolton on
a free transfer, but he stayed only one year after the Trotters were
relegated from the Premier League in his first season at the Reebok Stadium.
And a brief spell followed with Ipswich Town in the Championship, before he
opted to move abroad in order to join MLS club Vancouver Whitecaps. However
that too proved to be a short stay, with Reo-Coker being traded to fellow
MLS side Chivas in August 2014 and then to Montreal Impact a matter of weeks
later where he remained until January 2016 when his contract was cancelled
by mutual consent.
After a spell without a contract Reo-Coker landed in Spain, signing a
season-long deal with La Liga club Granada. Having failed to be offered a
contract extension he then joined Norwegian first division outfit Start in
May 2017, but hs contract was terminated the following month. Having been
out of the game since last summer, Reo-Coker has been keeping himself busy
with punditry work. However having proved his fitness to MK Dons manager
Micciche, he finds himself back where he started - in the lower echelons of
the Football League.
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PHIL PARKES: "I THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO SAVE OUR SEASON THIS MONTH - NOT
DESTROY IT!"
By DavidBlackmore 23 Mar 2018 at 17:00
WTID
As a two-time FA Cup winner and member of the Boys of 86, legendary Irons
goalkeeper Phil Parkes knows all about having plenty to play for at the end
of the season – but he fears that this is what could happen to the class of
2018 as well, but not in a good way.
Writing exclusively for "Blowing Bubbles
magazine":http://www.blowing-bubbles.co.uk/ , Parkes admits he is worried by
the club's current predicament, and that the fixture list may not have done
them any favours this month.
"At the start of March, I felt three more wins would be enough to keep us up
but now it's going to be tight. Fighting for your lives to stay in the
league is a horrible position to be in."
Parkes has strong opinions about the current strained relationship between
fans and the club's owners, which he does not shy away from sharing, and
says everything else should take a backseat to ensure the team stays in the
Premier League.
As well as Parkes' views, former team-mate George Parris gives his take on
the current state of things at the London Stadium in his regular column, and
Blowing Bubbles' team of reporters bring you the latest news on all things
claret and blue, including an assessment of this winter's transfer comings
and goings – or the lack of them – the future of the Bobby Moore statue, how
to repair the damage of the Tony Henry scandal, and how Michail Antonio can
recover the form that has made him such a big success in recent years.
All of this and a brutally honest interview with former Irons midfielder
Keiron Dyer – and why he thinks he will go down as the worst signing in club
history – can be found in the latest edition of Blowing Bubbles magazine,
"Out now":http://www.blowing-bubbles.co.uk/
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A TALE OF TWO KEEPERS
By Goatygav 23 Mar 2018 at 08:00
WTID
Keepers don't just command areas, stop shots and distribute the ball. Their
effect on a team is far reaching way beyond the direct physical
contribution. They can pull a defence together. Give confidence to their
centre backs which filters out to the full backs and midfield. Their
communication is a huge contributor to shape, organisation, awareness and
interplay.
Swapping keepers is generally not a good thing. In this season of ups and,
mostly, downs there's been an element of uncertainty about who should, and
has been, between the sticks.
In the pre-season friendlies Joe Hart played most of the games. Cast your
mind back before the '17-'18 campaign kicked off the dandruff-less one could
be easily heard barking commands and information to the back line. Once the
season started this character vanished and a far quieter, less confident,
version of Joe seemed to take the place of the former Manchester City
loanee.
More recently Joe's promotion from the bench has been, in my opinion, a
knee-jerk reaction to the 4 goals conceded in both of the previous two
matches against, the free scoring, Liverpool and resurgent Swansea. If
you're being extremely critical then you might find fault in a couple of
those 8 goals but I believe that it was little fault of Adrian and far more
the overall performance of the team.
Without question Joe was not fully match sharp against Burnley. The third
goal was a clear indication of this fact.
Please don't get me wrong. It really isn't that I don't like Joe Hart. I do.
He has been a hugely positive influence in and around the squad. His human
qualities are up there with the best of them and I was impressed by the way
he quickly jumped in to separate Mark Noble from the pitch invading
protestor a week ago last Saturday. When Joe arrived at the club I was
hopeful that he could put all of his trials and tribulations behind him and
have a great season with us. Not just for West Ham's sakes but for his too –
such was my sentiment towards the player. It's just that since David Moyes
took over and gave Adrian his chance he's grasped it with both hands. For
some time after DM's arrival he was consistently good with his focus and
concentration well 'in the zone'. Apart from all of that it's been quite
tough for Joe Hart knowing that Adrian is something of a talisman of the
club to boot.
I don't propose to know more than the coaching staff. I definitely don't see
everything that they see away from games in training and coaching but I
can't get away from the overriding fact that switching and swapping has done
significant damage to confidence at the back.
For me David Moyes needs to make a decision and stick by it. Perhaps
dropping Adrian has given him a reminder that his concentration levels can't
be allowed to wane and we'll see the same keeper as the one that the Scot
gave a chance to back in December in that memorable performance against
Manchester City which was followed up by the clean sheet against Chelski. If
he goes with Hart then I don't want to see another change in 2 to 3 games
time further disrupting the balance and understanding within the team. My
preference is for Adrian to play in all the remaining fixtures but I'm sure
that those who don't agree will go in to detail about their reasons to
differ and I'm really interested to hear what you have to say.
Worth considering, in the cold light of day, are the stats which bear out
Adrian's claim. The comparison is fair with both players having played 15
Premier League games each this season. Adrian has 4 clean sheets to Joe's 3.
The Spaniard has conceded 24 compared to Hart's 33 with 0 errors leading to
goals vs 3 errors leading to goals respectively. San Miguel has made 50
saves, none from the penalty spot, with 6 punches, 6 high claims, 13 sweeper
clearances and 2 catches. Joe compares with 39 saves, 1 from the penalty
spot, 3 high claims, 6 sweeper clearances and 4 catches. Adrian is
definitely coming and claiming more than Hart as well as making more saves,
letting in less goals and making less mistakes leading to goals. Those
numbers make a contribution to my opinion that Adrian is the better choice
but I genuinely believe that his relationship with the defence is more fully
developed and that back line look more comfortable, and confident, with San
Miguel behind them. Either way I believe it's decision time for David Moyes.
COYI!
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West Ham's loan army - how are Snodgrass, Oxford, Martinez and co getting
on?
There's a few players out on loan at the moment from east London
Football London
BySam Inkersole
West Ham Correspondent
16:52, 23 MAR 2018
Reece Oxford
Oxford is currently back in Germany - if he ever really wanted to come back
to London in January is up for debate - for a second loan spell of the
campaign at Borussia Monchengladbach. The defender made only three
appearances in his first stint on the continent before he was recalled by
David Moyes to come back to Rush Green, when he subsequently got injured but
made three further apeparances. Back off to Germany he went and Oxford is
currently injured again but has doubled his Bundesliga appearances tally to
six, plus an appearance in the German Cup. He's currently suffering from a
muscle fibre injury and is not expected back in action until April 12.
Sporting director at Gladbach Max Eberl is a fan of Oxford, so much so that
the club tabled a bid for him in January and so did RB Leipzig. If they come
back in again this summer, Oxford could well make his move to Germany
permanent.
Robert Snodgrass
Well, well, well. Who couldn't have predicted this? The Scotsman has had
excellent season in the Championship with Aston Villa. Some might say that's
his level but he has clearly demonstrated he still has something that
convinced West Ham to shell out £10.2m on him last January. Snodgrass has
played in 33 games for the Villains this season, bagging 12 assists and also
scoring eight goals as the club mount an automatic promotion charge on the
Championship and returning to the Premier League. Snodgrass was criticised
by both Karren Brady and David Sullivan after he left on loan so whether he
even wants to return to the Hammers remains to be seen, despite David Moyes'
best efforts to do so in January. By some distance, he has had the most
successful loan spell away from the club of anyone.
Toni Martinez
The Spanish striker scored a bucket load of goals for the U23s but has found
the step up to senior football a real struggle not only when he amde some
first team appearances for the Hammers, but on-loan as well. Martinez is
currently back in his homeland - probably the best place for him with what's
going on at the London Stadium at the moment - but while he's further away
from West Ham, he's also very far away from a first team chance. He's made
just one start on loaned at Segunda Division side Real Valladolid since he
arrived there in January. Just two other substitute appearance is the total
of his exertions. He does have a 100 per cent record in those three
appearances though - he's picked up a yellow card in every one of them.
Reece Burke
Another player who started the season away on loan, came back to West Ham
for a few games and then went back on loan again for the rest of the season.
The centre back, who scored the winner for West Ham in their FA Cup third
round replay win over Shrewsbury, returned to Bolton in January, having
started the season there as well. He struggled to get in the team for a
period just before Christmas before he returned to the Hammers but has
played well sine returning to the Macron and has made 21 appearances in all
for the Championship outfit this season, helping himself to a solitary goal
as well in the division. With West Ham short of centre backs, Burke could
have been a useful option at the moment but as it is, he's not with the club
but the talk is that he still has a future at the Hammers - if he wants it.
Moses Makasi
The Hammers midfielder joined Plymouth Argyle on loan for the remainder of
the season on transfer deadline day and to be fair to him, has done pretty
well so far.
He's scored one goal and it was an important one as well to help earn Argyle
a point against Plymouth and has been getting rave reviews from his new
teammates in the west country. Skipper Jamie Ness said: "He has done really
well, the two games he has come in. He has not played league football
before, so that's obviously a massive step up from reserve level." He's
started the last two games on the bounce as well and looks to be making the
most of his first team opportunity.
Martin Samuelsen
Sigh, another frustrating loan spell for the Norwegian youngster away from
West Ham. It was supposed to be different this time and he has started off
well at Burton Albion in his latest adventure not in east London but in
recent weeks has really struggled with injury. He's currently sidelined with
an illness which forced him to miss the last two Brewers games and also
having to withdraw from the Norway U21s squad for their upcoming friendlies.
It's yet another loan spell filled with rotten luck for the youngster, who
has has spells away with Blackburn and Peterborough go the same way.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Manuel Lanzini dismisses West Ham summer exit amid Liverpool transfer
speculation as he says: 'I am very, very happy and love playing here'
Manuel Lanzini committed his future to the club beyond the summer
The Argentine has been the subject of repeated speculation over his future
Despite recent problems, he also praised the club's 'amazing, fanatical
support'
By Patrick Boyland For Mailonline
PUBLISHED: 16:42, 23 March 2018 | UPDATED: 16:51, 23 March 2018
Manuel Lanzini has played down talk of a summer move away from West Ham,
saying he is 'very, very happy' at the London Stadium. A key performer in an
otherwise disappointing season for the Hammers, Lanzini has been the subject
of consistent speculation over his future in recent months, with the likes
of Liverpool linked with a move for his signature. But in the clearest
indication yet that he is expecting to stay with West Ham beyond this
summer, the talented midfielder has reaffirmed his commitment to the East
End club. 'I've always said I am very happy at the club and it's a club
where I feel very comfortable and I really enjoy working with this group of
players,' he told West Ham's official website. 'I've been here for three
years now and I get on well with a lot of people. We have a lot of big
personalities here and big players here and I truly get on well with
everyone at the club. 'I always give 100 per cent for the club. I don't know
what will happen in the future, but today I am very, very happy and I love
playing here.'
Tensions have been high at the London Stadium of late, with several fans
invading the pitch during the recent Premier League game against Burnley and
a series of negative chants aimed towards the directors' box by a section of
the crowd. However, Lanzini instead chose to praise the club's supporters
for their continued backing in difficult circumstances. He added: 'We're
really lucky to have this amazing, fanatical support that we do and my
message to them would be "Have hope, please keep on supporting us and help
us." 'It's always nice to play at home as the supporters are there and you
feel them, so you get more confidence. You also feel you have a
responsibility to them to do as well as you can and, if we can keep playing
and getting results, that will see us safe.'
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Hammers Drop Huge Hint As To Whether Manager Moyes Will Stay Beyond Season's
End
West Ham United
POSTED BY: LUKE GLANVILLE 23/03/2018
MooreThanJustaClub
West Ham United have hinted about the future of manager David Moyes whose
six-month contract runs out at the end of the 2017/2018 season, in an
Interview with the Scotsman on their Official Website WHUFC.com.
The Hammers are currently in the midst of a three-week break from
competitive action which culminates in the first International break of the
year and this is what the man who took over from Slaven Bilic last November
proclaimed he will be up to when the Internationals are in action.
"I'm actually going to use the end of the week and over the weekend to go
and visit the pre-season sites for where we're going to pre-season, so I'll
try and go and get that done correctly.
"On route, I'll take in a game or two and see if I can see some of the
players play in international games," announced the former Manchester United
gaffer.
"I want to do it myself and make sure that we get things right. There are
things that I'm doing that I've done in the past and I've got to go and see
two or three training sites and I'm going to spend this weekend going and
looking at pre-season camps and getting everything in place for the start of
next season, really."
With several of his first-team away on International duty with their
respective nations, including the likes of defender Angelo Ogbonna and
midfielder Manuel Lanzini, Moyes is taking the opportunity to put plans in
place for the summer.
Since taking over at London Stadium, the 54-year-old has led a revival of
the Hammers team which included an impressive run of form between the start
of December and the start of February where they only lost one Premier
League match.
Off the back of a frustrating January Transfer Window, however, rumours did
circulate about Moyes' possible departure at the conclusion of the term,
thigh they were quickly quashed by the club.
The boss' International break activities will help to put negative
speculation about his future to rest for now, although it must be noted that
the terms of his contract include an end of season discussion to decide his
possible future at the club.
The last month has seen the Irons slip back into relegation trouble with
three defeats on the spin in the English Top-Flight, meaning a rapid fall
down the bottom half to 17th and a mere two points above the bottom three.
But with nine matches remaining to turn things around once again for West
Ham and with the clear backing of the board and Hammers legends such as Tony
Cottee, not many are predicting Moyes side to drop down to the Sky Bet
Championship.
The ex-Everton leader of 11 years, should he keep the East Londoners in the
PL, will be hoping to stabilise the club much like he was able to do to the
Toffees during his highly-successful spell at Goodison Park.
The Easy London outfit have flirted with relegation in their first two
seasons since moving from the Boleyn Ground to the London Stadium now and
the sooner they get to the magic 40 points mark, the better.
Moyes and assistant Alan Irvine both flew out to Europe on Thursday, while
the players that featured in Wednesday night's #SaveTheDaggers friendly
victory over Dagenham & Redbridge recovered at Rush Green under the guidance
of Stuart Pearce and Billy McKinlay.
Moyes is in Austria viewing various different training camps, where West Ham
have journeyed in the two previous pre-seasons and is expected to catch up
with Marko Arnautovic and the Austria squad at some point.
Whereas, Irvine is viewing German locations, where the Irons have also
visited frequently in the last few summers, here is what Moyes had to say
about how his players will be training over the weekend.
"We're training with a smaller group of eight or nine players and we'll also
use it to bring up some of the young players and give them a chance to show
what they can do at the training ground as well."
When he returns to East London on Monday, the manager will be readying his
players for a relegation six-pointer with Southampton on the final day of
March at London Stadium.
Mark Hughes' Saints are a position below in 18th and it's clear to see that
whether Moyes will remain in the hot seat at the club beyond May will have a
lot to do with the upcoming clash, a defeat could see the Hammers fall into
the relegation zone with just a month-and-a-half of the season remaining,
while three points could propel them away from danger.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham fans split over future of Supporters Club as vote to decide its
fate is postponed
KEN DYER
ES Sport
A row is raging over the potential closure of the long-standing West Ham
United Supporters Club, although the vote to decide its fate has been
postponed. Formed in 1947, the group is the oldest supporters association
linked to West Ham but some of its 720 members want it dissolved and the
assets shared. The supporters club meet in their new headquarters at Stour
Place, near the London Stadium, after their previous base in Castle Street,
near the Boleyn Stadium, was closed on health and safety grounds last year.
Rule 32 of the group's constitution states should the club be dissolved, the
assets are split between those who have been members for more than eight
years. The club's assets include two properties plus the building in Castle
Street and there are thought to be between 40-50 people who would therefore
stand to receive around £6,500 each.
An Emergency General Meeting was held several months ago, when a vote ended
17-10 in favour of dissolving the club. This was followed, in January, by a
meeting of the five-strong club committee which voted unanimously against
the action. Since then, another emergency meeting voted 17-10 to arrange a
Special General Meeting at the Boleyn pub in Barking Road on Sunday. This
meeting was today postponed due to questions over members signed up by new
members of the committee. West Ham have committed around £20,000 to pay for
all hire costs of the club's headquarters at Stour Place site until the end
of this season.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Saturday, March 24
Friday, March 23
Daily WHUFC News - 23rd March 2018
West Ham United Statement
WHUFC.com
West Ham United can confirm that swift and decisive action has been taken
against a number of spectators who breached stadium regulations or were
found to have committed acts of severe violence and physical aggression at
our recent Premier League match against Burnley.
Lifetime bans from all West Ham United matches, both home and away, have
today been issued to five individuals who crossed safety barriers to enter
the field of play – a criminal offence that is a severe breach of stadium
safety regulations - while a number of individuals have also been banned for
life for violently throwing coins or objects with intent to injure or harm
on the bridge directly in front of the Directors' Box.
Furthermore, a number of additional incidents, including attempted pitch
incursions and acts of violence, are currently being investigated in
collaboration with stadium operators LS185 and the police. The Club expect
to issue further bans based on witness statements and the high quality CCTV
footage available, prior to our next home match against Southampton on 31
March.
West Ham United would like to reiterate that the safety and security of our
supporters, players and staff remains our absolute priority at London
Stadium. We take a zero tolerance approach to any form of violence that
endangers the welfare of others, and we are committed to ensuring a safe and
comfortable environment for all spectators.
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Antonio: Positive vibes are spreading through the West Ham United camp
WHUFC.com
Michail Antonio says 'positive vibes' are spreading through the West Ham
United camp after a team-bonding trip to Miami and a positive 3-1 friendly
win at Dagenham & Redbridge. The No30, who continued his fine scoring form
with two more goals in Wednesday's fundraising match at Chigwell
Construction Stadium, believes the squad's visit to Florida was just what
was needed after three disappointing Premier League defeats. And Antonio
believes the Claret and Blue Army will see the effects of that when they
kick-off a vital eight-match run-in at home to Southampton a week on
Saturday. "Going away got the boys to gel together and kind of bond," he
revealed. "Every day you come to training, you can come in and not really
speak to players and there was be a bad vibe going around as we're not
winning games. "The gaffer thought to take us away and change the mood, get
a bit of sun into our systems and play a couple of bonding games and then we
could come back and kick forward. "The atmosphere is good. We went out there
and we've come back in a good place. All the boys are enjoying and hopefully
we can go out there and show what we can do."
The forward, who netted in the recent defeats at Liverpool and Swansea City,
also implored the Club's supporters to get behind the players as they fight
to keep West Ham in the Premier League. "The message is 'Don't give up on
us' as in the situation we're in, we're going to need them. It's not just us
or just them in this situation, we're all in this situation together so
we'll keep fighting and keep pushing together."
Antonio is arguably in his best form of a season that has been affected by a
succession of niggly injuries, having found the net four times in his last
four appearances, including Wednesday's win at east London neighbours
Dagenham & Redbridge. The hosts' competitive approach made for a good
workout for David Moyes' men on a night when the cash-strapped National
League side raised much-needed revenue. The 28-year-old said every West Ham
player would have benefitted from the game, too. "To be honest, it was a
decent game. They turned up and they tried to play a bit of football, so it
was all positive, there was a nice vibe and we enjoyed it. "I hate to see
other football clubs struggling, especially with me coming from non-league,
so it's just one of those things where any way we could help, we can. "I
feel I've got the goals in me to keep West Ham up. I've got nine goals in
each of the last two seasons and this season hasn't been going well for me
as I've had quite a few injuries, but I've come back now and scored two
goals in the league and got a couple today, so hopefully I can keep pushing
forward."
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Lewis 'delighted' with debut win against Dagenham
WHUFC.com
Alfie Lewis could not contain his delight at playing a large role in West
Ham United's 3-1 friendly win against neighbours Dagenham & Redbridge. The
18-year-old was given the nod by manager David Moyes to play in midfield in
Wednesday's contest, marking his first appearance for the senior side at the
Club. Lewis would play the full 90 minutes in the fundraising friendly
against the Daggers, earning praise for a mature performance in the centre
of the park. "I'm delighted," Lewis confirmed to whufc.com: "It was a good
experience for me tonight, to play with the likes of Patrice Evra, and Mark
Noble in midfield. It was a good challenge and a good test for us as well,
and I think I did well." The youngster's appearance for Moyes's senior team
comes after Lewis spent a lengthy period on the sidelines in 2017 with a
knee injury, with the midfielder out of action for almost eight months.
Lewis returned to playing in December and, after two appearances in Premier
League 2 for the U23s and seven outings at U18s level this campaign, the
teenager admits he was thrilled to get the nod in Wednesday's match. The
youngster was also happy with his side's overall performance in the contest,
with a pair of finishes from Michail Antonio and Jordan Hugill's first goal
for the Irons securing the 3-1 win. Lewis continued: "I got told yesterday I
would be playing, and yeah I was really excited. I've been thinking about
it. I was given a chance and hopefully I took it. "I think we moved the
ball quite well on the pitch. We stopped them, especially during their
aerial duels in the box. We stopped them and we took our chances as well. It
was a good performance."
Despite impressing on his first outing for the first team, Lewis is
concentrating on becoming a regular in Terry Westley's U23s side first
before contemplating a competitive appearance for West Ham this season. "I
just want to play for the U23s really and train with the first team a few
times. I'm not sure about a competitive first team appearance yet. I'm not
the one to answer that but we will see."
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Moyes to use international break for European scouting trip
WHUFC.com
David Moyes revealed he will spend part of the international break on a
European scouting trip. While Stuart Pearce and Alan Irvine oversaw a
recovery session at Rush Green on Thursday morning, the West Ham United
manager and assistant Alan Irvine flew out to inspect prospective venues for
the Hammers' pre-season training camp this coming summer. Irvine will spend
two days in Germany, while Moyes will take in a selection of prospective
sites in Austria. From there, the manager will head to his native Glasgow to
watch Scotland take on Costa Rica in an international friendly at Hampden
Park on Friday evening. "I'm actually going to use the end of the week and
over the weekend to go and visit the pre-season sites for where we're going
to pre-season, so I'll try and go and get that done correctly," he
confirmed. "On route, I'll take in a game or two and see if I can see some
of the players play in international games. "I want to do it myself and make
sure that we get things right. There are things that I'm doing that I've
done in the past and I've got to go and see two or three training sites and
I'm going to spend this weekend going and looking at pre-season camps and
getting everything in place for the start of next season, really."
On his return to Rush Green on Monday, Moyes will likely bolster his
training group with a number of young professionals, who will join the squad
prior to the return of the Club's full internationals throughout the week.
The likes of Nathan Holland, Alfie Lewis and Josh Pask all featured in
Wednesday's 3-1 friendly victory at Dagenham & Redbridge and could all be
given further opportunities to impress in training in the early part of next
week. The thinking behind that is twofold – not only will it give the
youngsters a chance to impress, but their presence will also enable the Scot
to hold full-scale sessions ahead of the return to Premier League action at
home to Southampton on Saturday afternoon. "We're training with a smaller
group of eight or nine players and we'll also use it to bring up some of the
young players and give them a chance to show what they can do at the
training ground as well."
West Ham return to Premier League action with a home game against
Southampton on Saturday 31 March.
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New date for Arsenal away
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's Premier League trip to Arsenal will now be played on
Sunday 22 April, with a 1.30pm kick-off. The Hammers were originally due to
make the short journey to Emirates Stadium a day later for the Sky
Sports-televised game, but the London derby has now been rescheduled.
Meanwhile, the Hammers' home match against Manchester City will remain on
Sunday 29 April at 2.15pm, unless Pep Guardiola's side qualify for the UEFA
Champions League semi-finals. In that scenario, the game would be played on
Saturday 28 April with a 12.30pm kick-off. The game would still be broadcast
live on Sky Sports.
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West Ham youngsters Quina and Belic star in international victories
WHUFC.com
Domingos Quina played a central role as Portugal kicked-off their UEFA
European U19 Championship Elite Round Qualification challenge with a
thumping 5-0 win over Kosovo. Wearing the No10 shirt, the West Ham United
teenager grabbed an assist for his country's fifth and final goal in a
comprehensive victory at Boavista's Estadio do Bessa XXI in Porto. Group 5
hosts Portugal welcome Slovakia to Pacos de Ferreira's A Mata Real stadium
on Saturday before tackling Republic of Ireland at Cidade de Barcelos on
Tuesday, with both matches kicking-off at 5pm local time. Portugal, who were
runners-up to England at the 2018 staging of the tournament, sit top of the
table after the Slovakians and Irish drew 1-1 on Wednesday.
West Ham had interest in that game, too, as midfielder Conor Coventry played
for the opening 67 minutes at Sports Center CF Fao, receiving a yellow card
for a foul on Slovakia's goal-scorer Michal Tomic before being replaced.
Coventry and Ireland will return to action on Saturday, when they take on
Kosovo in at Rio Ave in Vila do Conde.
Finally, Academy midfielder Kristijan Belic played the full 80 minutes as
Serbia defeated Group 1 hosts Czech Republic 2-0 in their opening UEFA U17
Elite Round Qualification match at the Ander Stadium in Oloumouc. With
Ukraine and Spain drawing 1-1 in the other opening round match, Serbia can
put themselves in full control of the group with victory Ukraine in Postejov
on Saturday afternoon. Belic and his compatriots will then hope to clinch
qualification for the finals when they take on Spain in the same venue next
Tuesday.
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West Ham give lifetime bans to pitch invaders at Burnley game
BBC.co.uk
West Ham United have given lifetime bans to five supporters who invaded the
pitch during the team's 3-0 defeat by Burnley at London Stadium. Several
fans have also been banned for life for throwing coins or objects "with
intent to injure or harm". Hammers joint-owner David Sullivan was hit by a
coin as fans protested in front of the directors' box. The club said it had
taken "swift and decisive action" after acts of "severe violence and
physical aggression".
It expects to issue further bans for attempted pitch invasions and violence
before the next home game against fellow Premier League strugglers
Southampton on 31 March. Vice-chairman Karren Brady apologised for the
events on 10 March, calling it "one of the most painful days" in the club's
history. "We take a zero tolerance approach to any form of violence that
endangers the welfare of others, and we are committed to ensuring a safe and
comfortable environment for all spectators," said the Premier League club in
a statement. The Hammers have struggled since moving from Upton Park to the
former Olympic Stadium in August 2016, winning 12 and losing 13 of their 33
home league matches there.
David Moyes' team are two points and one place above the relegation zone.
Tighter safety and security measures, including an increased police
presence, will be in operation for the visit of Southampton. London
Stadium's Safety Advisory Group (SAG), which includes representatives from
the club, police, Newham council, and stadium owners and operators,
announced the decision after an emergency meeting last week. It also warned
that future trouble could lead to closures.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The price of a pitch invasion
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 22nd March 2018
By: Staff Writer
Five supporters who entered the field of play during the Premier League
meeting with Burnley have been banned from the Olympic Stadium for life. And
a number of other supporters who are said to have been captured on CCTV
throwing objects towards the Directors' Box have also been told not to
return to the Olympic Stadium.
"West Ham United can confirm that swift and decisive action has been taken
against a number of spectators who breached stadium regulations or were
found to have committed acts of severe violence and physical aggression at
our recent Premier League match against Burnley," read statement, published
on Thursday.
"Lifetime bans from all West Ham United matches, both home and away, have
today been issued to five individuals who crossed safety barriers to enter
the field of play – a criminal offence that is a severe breach of stadium
safety regulations - while a number of individuals have also been banned for
life for violently throwing coins or objects with intent to injure or harm
on the bridge directly in front of the Directors' Box. "Furthermore, a
number of additional incidents, including attempted pitch incursions and
acts of violence, are currently being investigated in collaboration with
stadium operators LS185 and the police. The Club expect to issue further
bans based on witness statements and the high quality CCTV footage
available, prior to our next home match against Southampton on 31 March.
"West Ham United would like to reiterate that the safety and security of our
supporters, players and staff remains our absolute priority at London
Stadium. We take a zero tolerance approach to any form of violence that
endangers the welfare of others, and we are committed to ensuring a safe and
comfortable environment for all spectators."
Co-owner David Sullivan claimed to have been hit in the face by a coin
during the fracas, although no video evidence is yet to have emerged.
However a season ticket holder who was sitting close to the chairman told
KUMB that he very little very little being thrown in their direction. I was
sat directly behind the Directors' box and had a pretty good of the entirety
of the demonstrations," said the unnamed fan. "When Sullivan et al got up to
leave it looked like there was a couple of things thrown, but it wasn't easy
to see. It could well have been coins. I wouldn't describe it as 'quite a
few' though. "I did not see any 'severe violence' nor did I see any pitch
invasion attempts 'thwarted', although after the first bloke ran on the
pitch and was pushed over by Noble there were a few in the North/East corner
that seemed to make a half-arsed attempt to enter the pitch, and were
'dissuaded' by a steward."
One of the supporters to have been issued with a lifetime ban is corner
flag-carrying Paul Colborne, 61, who has been following the club for 49
years.
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IS A DIRECTOR OF FOOTBALL THE ANSWER?
By Blind Hammer 22 Mar 2018 at 08:00
WTID
Blind Hammer looks at the director of Football Debate.
It looks certain now that West Ham will appoint a Director of football at
the conclusion of this season. David Sullivan is reported as seeking to
scale down his involvement. There is also a gap in recruitment following the
departure of tony Henry. David Gold has also indicated that they are
interested in appointing a Director of Football with previous PL experience.
Speculation has already begun that former Arsenal director of football Dick
Lawis is in prime position to take on this new role.
However there has long been a debate about the usefulness of a Director of
Football. Ex-Hammer John Hartson immediately criticised West Ham's apparent
new strategy. He queried this on Twitter.
"Top managers won't always work with a director of football. If your head is
on the block then why would you want someone else bringing the players in?
Never got it!"
Hartson's tweet went to the heart of the Director of Football debate. Who
should have the final say in transfers? The two longest standing managers in
Premier League history, Wenger and Ferguson, would never have conceded power
to effect key transfer decisions. On the face of it Hartson's tweet has
considerable force. Why don't clubs simply leave transfer dealing to the
Team manager? The Manager is, after all, the man who has to, in the end,
pick the team. Such a structure gives clear lines of responsibility and
accountability. The team Manager could assemble a recruitment team to
support him in this strategy. Scouts as well as coaches can feed into player
identification. The time consuming process of negotiating with Agents over
contractual issues simply requires a Commercial Business Manager with a
legal background rather than anybody in the Director of Football role.
Negotiating contracts is an entirely separate skill to player
identification.
So why would West Ham even consider restricting the hand of their Manager
with player recruitment? The fact is that something has to change. As I
reported some weeks ago West Ham have, in fact, been amongst the highest net
investors outside of the traditional top six when looked at over 5 years.
However they have equally been amongst the poorest performers in player
resale value. They have a dreadful record in achieving any income when
players depart the club. The stats point to a historic and long term problem
with player recruitment. Putting it bluntly we recruit too many duds.
There is a valid argument that Team managers may have priorities for
Transfer Recruitment which is not in the longer term interest of a club.
Nowadays it seems rare for a Manager, even at a top club, to survive more
than 2 to 3 years. It is not surprising then if a manager has his eyes
firmly fixed on the next 6 months rather than the next 5 years. There is a
risk that Recruitment can be skewed to short termism, rather than
progressive squad development. Arguably the quantity rather than quality
recruitment in Bilic's second summer, where we ineffectually tried to
prepare for a Europa League challenge fell into this mistake.
A way forward may be for a Director of Football to have this longer term
perspective and responsibility for recruitment. In a more secure role the
director of Football will not feel so pressured to take the short term fix
but instead focus on a more extended term, directing investment in younger
players with potential, possibly then harnessing greater rewards. This will
imply a split recruitment strategy. A shorter term strategy focussed on
immediate squad weaknesses would have to be led by the team manager.
Logically a Director of Football may then be more focussed on the Academy
development rather than the squad members pressing now for inclusion in the
first 11. Such a split strategy does beg the question though, why should a
person focussed on the Academy have such a Senior role within the club?
A Director of Football will come because what went before has not worked.
There is little evidence, though, that such a role will be any immediate
panacea for West Ham. In the end recruiting the right person with the right
skill, who can assimilate and work positively with the existing team is
probably more important than any formal Job description. Moyes has made the
right noises to indicate he recognises the dangers of short term investment,
even if it is his heads which is ultimately on the block. Gold insisted in
his recent interview it was Moyes and not the Board who led the decision to
not invest in poor value available in January.
Despite the noises about a director of Football the key role in any club
will remain the team Manager. Everybody knows this, including the Media who
point the spotlight that way. A Director of Football should be providing, at
best then, the supporting infrastructure.
COYI
David Griffith
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WHAT HAS 'LEADER' PATRICE EVRA BROUGHT TO WEST HAM SO FAR? CAN HE REALLY
HELP GUIDE WEST HAM TO PREMIER LEAGUE SURVIVAL AS THE GOING GETS TOUGH?
By DavidBlackmore 22 Mar 2018 at 17:00
WTID
One observation many fans have made of West Ham in recent times is the lack
of leaders on the field.
Mark Noble wears both the armband and his heart on his sleeve and certainly
does plenty of shouting and geeing up, but beyond that, the team seems
somewhat lacking in leadership.
So to bring in someone who has played at the World Cup, Euros, captined his
country and two of the biggest teams in Europe, won the league in two
countries and played in five Champions League finals should remedy that
problem. And in Patrice Evra, that is what West Ham have got.
But the former Manchester United, Juventus, Marseille and France star is 36
now, so aside from that, what is he bringing to the team?
In the latest edition of Blowing Bubbles , Greg Richardson runs the rule
over Evra
"It is safe to say he is probably one of the most decorated players to pull
on the West Ham shirt in recent memory. And that experience and winning
mentality brings with it other desirable qualities. Behind the smile and
joker image on social media is a man who hates to lose. He is a consummate
professional.
"His positive outlook, experience and his acute professionalism likewise
make him a good role model for our other French left back. Arthur Masuaku,
before his ban, was one of the bright sparks of another thus far dull
season.
"Under the tutelage of Evra, he could learn to add defensive solidity to his
evident attacking qualities and blossom into a player truly worthy of his
King Arthur nickname. But then, we have had older players before, whose
expertise was meant to help bring on younger players.
"Alvaro Arbeloa, and to a lesser degree Pablo Zabaleta, were signed with
half an eye on mentoring and improving Sam Byram. There is little evidence
either had any success in doing so. An additional downside to signing a
player of such vast experience is the age that comes with the wisdom.
"Evra is 36 years old, and similarly to his fellow full back Pablo Zabaleta
– whilst the qualities remain, the pace that is so desperately needed in the
modern game is gone. Evra has the further issue of having not played any
football for over three months following his ban for an altercation with a
fan."
To find out more about Evra and what he offers West Ham, pick up a copy of
the new edition of Blowing Bubbles, out now. In it, you will find exclusive
columns from former Irons greats Phil Parkes and George Parris, giving their
views on what is passed in the transfer window, what is present, and what
lies ahead on the end of season run-in.
There is a look at what the club can do to restore its reputation after the
Tony Henry scandal and amid increasingly ill-tempered relations between fans
and the board, the Pub Talk team pick over the comings and goings of the
transfer window, and in a startlingly honest interview, Kieron Dyer talks
about his unfulfilled ambitions after his injury-ravaged four year stint at
West Ham – and passes his own verdict on how history will judge him.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Should West Ham trigger Rafa Benitez's £6m release clause this summer?
HITC
Jordan Harris
West Ham United should consider a move for Newcastle United boss Rafa
Benitez at the end of the season. With the relationship between the West Ham
fans and board at a real low point, the Hammers hierarchy undoubtedly need
to pull something out of the bag at the end of the season which sends a real
statement that the club's big plans are not as crazy as they currently
sound. David Moyes' men need to maintain their Premier League status first
before thoughts turn to the summer, and that is certainly no guarantee and
their battle to beat the drop looks set to go right down to the wire. As
soon as the campaign ends however, the pressure will be back on the board.
Moyes is currently on a contract until the end of the season, according to
The Telegraph, and if he keeps the Irons in the top flight, keeping him on
may be a tempting option. But perhaps it would be the wrong move with the
Scotsman's tenure not exactly capturing the imagination barring a few
fantastic results.
Instead, they should perhaps make sure that they try and take advantage of
the uncertainty at one of their Premier League rivals by triggering the
release clause and offering the control that may tempt Rafa Benitez away
from Newcastle. The Telegraph reported in February that Benitez is one of
the names that the West Ham board have their eye on, and the Chronicle is
now suggesting that the Spaniard has a £6 million release clause in his
contract that is set to expire at the end of next season at St James' Park.
The Chronicle adds that talks over a new deal at Newcastle are likely to
begin in the middle of May at the earliest, so perhaps the opportunity is
there for West Ham to swoop in if Benitez has concerns over the Magpies'
long-term vision - the Chronicle suggested that he has been disappointed
with the club's last three windows.
Benitez staying with Newcastle this far, despite all of the apparent
complications, hints that he would be extremely reluctant to move on at the
end of the campaign. But if Mike Ashley does not give him some of the
answers that he is looking for, then West Ham undoubtedly need to make a
move and offer him the platform and control he has been waiting for at St
James'.
After such a disappointing time for the club, West Ham fans will generally
not want to hear about potential seven-figure deals and will want the board
to show some real ambition in the market. But perhaps one more seven-figure
deal should be considered by the West Ham hierarchy - as long as it involves
spending £6 million on luring a heavyweight-calibre manager away from a
rival.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
West Ham United can confirm that swift and decisive action has been taken
against a number of spectators who breached stadium regulations or were
found to have committed acts of severe violence and physical aggression at
our recent Premier League match against Burnley.
Lifetime bans from all West Ham United matches, both home and away, have
today been issued to five individuals who crossed safety barriers to enter
the field of play – a criminal offence that is a severe breach of stadium
safety regulations - while a number of individuals have also been banned for
life for violently throwing coins or objects with intent to injure or harm
on the bridge directly in front of the Directors' Box.
Furthermore, a number of additional incidents, including attempted pitch
incursions and acts of violence, are currently being investigated in
collaboration with stadium operators LS185 and the police. The Club expect
to issue further bans based on witness statements and the high quality CCTV
footage available, prior to our next home match against Southampton on 31
March.
West Ham United would like to reiterate that the safety and security of our
supporters, players and staff remains our absolute priority at London
Stadium. We take a zero tolerance approach to any form of violence that
endangers the welfare of others, and we are committed to ensuring a safe and
comfortable environment for all spectators.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Antonio: Positive vibes are spreading through the West Ham United camp
WHUFC.com
Michail Antonio says 'positive vibes' are spreading through the West Ham
United camp after a team-bonding trip to Miami and a positive 3-1 friendly
win at Dagenham & Redbridge. The No30, who continued his fine scoring form
with two more goals in Wednesday's fundraising match at Chigwell
Construction Stadium, believes the squad's visit to Florida was just what
was needed after three disappointing Premier League defeats. And Antonio
believes the Claret and Blue Army will see the effects of that when they
kick-off a vital eight-match run-in at home to Southampton a week on
Saturday. "Going away got the boys to gel together and kind of bond," he
revealed. "Every day you come to training, you can come in and not really
speak to players and there was be a bad vibe going around as we're not
winning games. "The gaffer thought to take us away and change the mood, get
a bit of sun into our systems and play a couple of bonding games and then we
could come back and kick forward. "The atmosphere is good. We went out there
and we've come back in a good place. All the boys are enjoying and hopefully
we can go out there and show what we can do."
The forward, who netted in the recent defeats at Liverpool and Swansea City,
also implored the Club's supporters to get behind the players as they fight
to keep West Ham in the Premier League. "The message is 'Don't give up on
us' as in the situation we're in, we're going to need them. It's not just us
or just them in this situation, we're all in this situation together so
we'll keep fighting and keep pushing together."
Antonio is arguably in his best form of a season that has been affected by a
succession of niggly injuries, having found the net four times in his last
four appearances, including Wednesday's win at east London neighbours
Dagenham & Redbridge. The hosts' competitive approach made for a good
workout for David Moyes' men on a night when the cash-strapped National
League side raised much-needed revenue. The 28-year-old said every West Ham
player would have benefitted from the game, too. "To be honest, it was a
decent game. They turned up and they tried to play a bit of football, so it
was all positive, there was a nice vibe and we enjoyed it. "I hate to see
other football clubs struggling, especially with me coming from non-league,
so it's just one of those things where any way we could help, we can. "I
feel I've got the goals in me to keep West Ham up. I've got nine goals in
each of the last two seasons and this season hasn't been going well for me
as I've had quite a few injuries, but I've come back now and scored two
goals in the league and got a couple today, so hopefully I can keep pushing
forward."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Lewis 'delighted' with debut win against Dagenham
WHUFC.com
Alfie Lewis could not contain his delight at playing a large role in West
Ham United's 3-1 friendly win against neighbours Dagenham & Redbridge. The
18-year-old was given the nod by manager David Moyes to play in midfield in
Wednesday's contest, marking his first appearance for the senior side at the
Club. Lewis would play the full 90 minutes in the fundraising friendly
against the Daggers, earning praise for a mature performance in the centre
of the park. "I'm delighted," Lewis confirmed to whufc.com: "It was a good
experience for me tonight, to play with the likes of Patrice Evra, and Mark
Noble in midfield. It was a good challenge and a good test for us as well,
and I think I did well." The youngster's appearance for Moyes's senior team
comes after Lewis spent a lengthy period on the sidelines in 2017 with a
knee injury, with the midfielder out of action for almost eight months.
Lewis returned to playing in December and, after two appearances in Premier
League 2 for the U23s and seven outings at U18s level this campaign, the
teenager admits he was thrilled to get the nod in Wednesday's match. The
youngster was also happy with his side's overall performance in the contest,
with a pair of finishes from Michail Antonio and Jordan Hugill's first goal
for the Irons securing the 3-1 win. Lewis continued: "I got told yesterday I
would be playing, and yeah I was really excited. I've been thinking about
it. I was given a chance and hopefully I took it. "I think we moved the
ball quite well on the pitch. We stopped them, especially during their
aerial duels in the box. We stopped them and we took our chances as well. It
was a good performance."
Despite impressing on his first outing for the first team, Lewis is
concentrating on becoming a regular in Terry Westley's U23s side first
before contemplating a competitive appearance for West Ham this season. "I
just want to play for the U23s really and train with the first team a few
times. I'm not sure about a competitive first team appearance yet. I'm not
the one to answer that but we will see."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Moyes to use international break for European scouting trip
WHUFC.com
David Moyes revealed he will spend part of the international break on a
European scouting trip. While Stuart Pearce and Alan Irvine oversaw a
recovery session at Rush Green on Thursday morning, the West Ham United
manager and assistant Alan Irvine flew out to inspect prospective venues for
the Hammers' pre-season training camp this coming summer. Irvine will spend
two days in Germany, while Moyes will take in a selection of prospective
sites in Austria. From there, the manager will head to his native Glasgow to
watch Scotland take on Costa Rica in an international friendly at Hampden
Park on Friday evening. "I'm actually going to use the end of the week and
over the weekend to go and visit the pre-season sites for where we're going
to pre-season, so I'll try and go and get that done correctly," he
confirmed. "On route, I'll take in a game or two and see if I can see some
of the players play in international games. "I want to do it myself and make
sure that we get things right. There are things that I'm doing that I've
done in the past and I've got to go and see two or three training sites and
I'm going to spend this weekend going and looking at pre-season camps and
getting everything in place for the start of next season, really."
On his return to Rush Green on Monday, Moyes will likely bolster his
training group with a number of young professionals, who will join the squad
prior to the return of the Club's full internationals throughout the week.
The likes of Nathan Holland, Alfie Lewis and Josh Pask all featured in
Wednesday's 3-1 friendly victory at Dagenham & Redbridge and could all be
given further opportunities to impress in training in the early part of next
week. The thinking behind that is twofold – not only will it give the
youngsters a chance to impress, but their presence will also enable the Scot
to hold full-scale sessions ahead of the return to Premier League action at
home to Southampton on Saturday afternoon. "We're training with a smaller
group of eight or nine players and we'll also use it to bring up some of the
young players and give them a chance to show what they can do at the
training ground as well."
West Ham return to Premier League action with a home game against
Southampton on Saturday 31 March.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
New date for Arsenal away
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's Premier League trip to Arsenal will now be played on
Sunday 22 April, with a 1.30pm kick-off. The Hammers were originally due to
make the short journey to Emirates Stadium a day later for the Sky
Sports-televised game, but the London derby has now been rescheduled.
Meanwhile, the Hammers' home match against Manchester City will remain on
Sunday 29 April at 2.15pm, unless Pep Guardiola's side qualify for the UEFA
Champions League semi-finals. In that scenario, the game would be played on
Saturday 28 April with a 12.30pm kick-off. The game would still be broadcast
live on Sky Sports.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham youngsters Quina and Belic star in international victories
WHUFC.com
Domingos Quina played a central role as Portugal kicked-off their UEFA
European U19 Championship Elite Round Qualification challenge with a
thumping 5-0 win over Kosovo. Wearing the No10 shirt, the West Ham United
teenager grabbed an assist for his country's fifth and final goal in a
comprehensive victory at Boavista's Estadio do Bessa XXI in Porto. Group 5
hosts Portugal welcome Slovakia to Pacos de Ferreira's A Mata Real stadium
on Saturday before tackling Republic of Ireland at Cidade de Barcelos on
Tuesday, with both matches kicking-off at 5pm local time. Portugal, who were
runners-up to England at the 2018 staging of the tournament, sit top of the
table after the Slovakians and Irish drew 1-1 on Wednesday.
West Ham had interest in that game, too, as midfielder Conor Coventry played
for the opening 67 minutes at Sports Center CF Fao, receiving a yellow card
for a foul on Slovakia's goal-scorer Michal Tomic before being replaced.
Coventry and Ireland will return to action on Saturday, when they take on
Kosovo in at Rio Ave in Vila do Conde.
Finally, Academy midfielder Kristijan Belic played the full 80 minutes as
Serbia defeated Group 1 hosts Czech Republic 2-0 in their opening UEFA U17
Elite Round Qualification match at the Ander Stadium in Oloumouc. With
Ukraine and Spain drawing 1-1 in the other opening round match, Serbia can
put themselves in full control of the group with victory Ukraine in Postejov
on Saturday afternoon. Belic and his compatriots will then hope to clinch
qualification for the finals when they take on Spain in the same venue next
Tuesday.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham give lifetime bans to pitch invaders at Burnley game
BBC.co.uk
West Ham United have given lifetime bans to five supporters who invaded the
pitch during the team's 3-0 defeat by Burnley at London Stadium. Several
fans have also been banned for life for throwing coins or objects "with
intent to injure or harm". Hammers joint-owner David Sullivan was hit by a
coin as fans protested in front of the directors' box. The club said it had
taken "swift and decisive action" after acts of "severe violence and
physical aggression".
It expects to issue further bans for attempted pitch invasions and violence
before the next home game against fellow Premier League strugglers
Southampton on 31 March. Vice-chairman Karren Brady apologised for the
events on 10 March, calling it "one of the most painful days" in the club's
history. "We take a zero tolerance approach to any form of violence that
endangers the welfare of others, and we are committed to ensuring a safe and
comfortable environment for all spectators," said the Premier League club in
a statement. The Hammers have struggled since moving from Upton Park to the
former Olympic Stadium in August 2016, winning 12 and losing 13 of their 33
home league matches there.
David Moyes' team are two points and one place above the relegation zone.
Tighter safety and security measures, including an increased police
presence, will be in operation for the visit of Southampton. London
Stadium's Safety Advisory Group (SAG), which includes representatives from
the club, police, Newham council, and stadium owners and operators,
announced the decision after an emergency meeting last week. It also warned
that future trouble could lead to closures.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The price of a pitch invasion
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 22nd March 2018
By: Staff Writer
Five supporters who entered the field of play during the Premier League
meeting with Burnley have been banned from the Olympic Stadium for life. And
a number of other supporters who are said to have been captured on CCTV
throwing objects towards the Directors' Box have also been told not to
return to the Olympic Stadium.
"West Ham United can confirm that swift and decisive action has been taken
against a number of spectators who breached stadium regulations or were
found to have committed acts of severe violence and physical aggression at
our recent Premier League match against Burnley," read statement, published
on Thursday.
"Lifetime bans from all West Ham United matches, both home and away, have
today been issued to five individuals who crossed safety barriers to enter
the field of play – a criminal offence that is a severe breach of stadium
safety regulations - while a number of individuals have also been banned for
life for violently throwing coins or objects with intent to injure or harm
on the bridge directly in front of the Directors' Box. "Furthermore, a
number of additional incidents, including attempted pitch incursions and
acts of violence, are currently being investigated in collaboration with
stadium operators LS185 and the police. The Club expect to issue further
bans based on witness statements and the high quality CCTV footage
available, prior to our next home match against Southampton on 31 March.
"West Ham United would like to reiterate that the safety and security of our
supporters, players and staff remains our absolute priority at London
Stadium. We take a zero tolerance approach to any form of violence that
endangers the welfare of others, and we are committed to ensuring a safe and
comfortable environment for all spectators."
Co-owner David Sullivan claimed to have been hit in the face by a coin
during the fracas, although no video evidence is yet to have emerged.
However a season ticket holder who was sitting close to the chairman told
KUMB that he very little very little being thrown in their direction. I was
sat directly behind the Directors' box and had a pretty good of the entirety
of the demonstrations," said the unnamed fan. "When Sullivan et al got up to
leave it looked like there was a couple of things thrown, but it wasn't easy
to see. It could well have been coins. I wouldn't describe it as 'quite a
few' though. "I did not see any 'severe violence' nor did I see any pitch
invasion attempts 'thwarted', although after the first bloke ran on the
pitch and was pushed over by Noble there were a few in the North/East corner
that seemed to make a half-arsed attempt to enter the pitch, and were
'dissuaded' by a steward."
One of the supporters to have been issued with a lifetime ban is corner
flag-carrying Paul Colborne, 61, who has been following the club for 49
years.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
IS A DIRECTOR OF FOOTBALL THE ANSWER?
By Blind Hammer 22 Mar 2018 at 08:00
WTID
Blind Hammer looks at the director of Football Debate.
It looks certain now that West Ham will appoint a Director of football at
the conclusion of this season. David Sullivan is reported as seeking to
scale down his involvement. There is also a gap in recruitment following the
departure of tony Henry. David Gold has also indicated that they are
interested in appointing a Director of Football with previous PL experience.
Speculation has already begun that former Arsenal director of football Dick
Lawis is in prime position to take on this new role.
However there has long been a debate about the usefulness of a Director of
Football. Ex-Hammer John Hartson immediately criticised West Ham's apparent
new strategy. He queried this on Twitter.
"Top managers won't always work with a director of football. If your head is
on the block then why would you want someone else bringing the players in?
Never got it!"
Hartson's tweet went to the heart of the Director of Football debate. Who
should have the final say in transfers? The two longest standing managers in
Premier League history, Wenger and Ferguson, would never have conceded power
to effect key transfer decisions. On the face of it Hartson's tweet has
considerable force. Why don't clubs simply leave transfer dealing to the
Team manager? The Manager is, after all, the man who has to, in the end,
pick the team. Such a structure gives clear lines of responsibility and
accountability. The team Manager could assemble a recruitment team to
support him in this strategy. Scouts as well as coaches can feed into player
identification. The time consuming process of negotiating with Agents over
contractual issues simply requires a Commercial Business Manager with a
legal background rather than anybody in the Director of Football role.
Negotiating contracts is an entirely separate skill to player
identification.
So why would West Ham even consider restricting the hand of their Manager
with player recruitment? The fact is that something has to change. As I
reported some weeks ago West Ham have, in fact, been amongst the highest net
investors outside of the traditional top six when looked at over 5 years.
However they have equally been amongst the poorest performers in player
resale value. They have a dreadful record in achieving any income when
players depart the club. The stats point to a historic and long term problem
with player recruitment. Putting it bluntly we recruit too many duds.
There is a valid argument that Team managers may have priorities for
Transfer Recruitment which is not in the longer term interest of a club.
Nowadays it seems rare for a Manager, even at a top club, to survive more
than 2 to 3 years. It is not surprising then if a manager has his eyes
firmly fixed on the next 6 months rather than the next 5 years. There is a
risk that Recruitment can be skewed to short termism, rather than
progressive squad development. Arguably the quantity rather than quality
recruitment in Bilic's second summer, where we ineffectually tried to
prepare for a Europa League challenge fell into this mistake.
A way forward may be for a Director of Football to have this longer term
perspective and responsibility for recruitment. In a more secure role the
director of Football will not feel so pressured to take the short term fix
but instead focus on a more extended term, directing investment in younger
players with potential, possibly then harnessing greater rewards. This will
imply a split recruitment strategy. A shorter term strategy focussed on
immediate squad weaknesses would have to be led by the team manager.
Logically a Director of Football may then be more focussed on the Academy
development rather than the squad members pressing now for inclusion in the
first 11. Such a split strategy does beg the question though, why should a
person focussed on the Academy have such a Senior role within the club?
A Director of Football will come because what went before has not worked.
There is little evidence, though, that such a role will be any immediate
panacea for West Ham. In the end recruiting the right person with the right
skill, who can assimilate and work positively with the existing team is
probably more important than any formal Job description. Moyes has made the
right noises to indicate he recognises the dangers of short term investment,
even if it is his heads which is ultimately on the block. Gold insisted in
his recent interview it was Moyes and not the Board who led the decision to
not invest in poor value available in January.
Despite the noises about a director of Football the key role in any club
will remain the team Manager. Everybody knows this, including the Media who
point the spotlight that way. A Director of Football should be providing, at
best then, the supporting infrastructure.
COYI
David Griffith
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
WHAT HAS 'LEADER' PATRICE EVRA BROUGHT TO WEST HAM SO FAR? CAN HE REALLY
HELP GUIDE WEST HAM TO PREMIER LEAGUE SURVIVAL AS THE GOING GETS TOUGH?
By DavidBlackmore 22 Mar 2018 at 17:00
WTID
One observation many fans have made of West Ham in recent times is the lack
of leaders on the field.
Mark Noble wears both the armband and his heart on his sleeve and certainly
does plenty of shouting and geeing up, but beyond that, the team seems
somewhat lacking in leadership.
So to bring in someone who has played at the World Cup, Euros, captined his
country and two of the biggest teams in Europe, won the league in two
countries and played in five Champions League finals should remedy that
problem. And in Patrice Evra, that is what West Ham have got.
But the former Manchester United, Juventus, Marseille and France star is 36
now, so aside from that, what is he bringing to the team?
In the latest edition of Blowing Bubbles , Greg Richardson runs the rule
over Evra
"It is safe to say he is probably one of the most decorated players to pull
on the West Ham shirt in recent memory. And that experience and winning
mentality brings with it other desirable qualities. Behind the smile and
joker image on social media is a man who hates to lose. He is a consummate
professional.
"His positive outlook, experience and his acute professionalism likewise
make him a good role model for our other French left back. Arthur Masuaku,
before his ban, was one of the bright sparks of another thus far dull
season.
"Under the tutelage of Evra, he could learn to add defensive solidity to his
evident attacking qualities and blossom into a player truly worthy of his
King Arthur nickname. But then, we have had older players before, whose
expertise was meant to help bring on younger players.
"Alvaro Arbeloa, and to a lesser degree Pablo Zabaleta, were signed with
half an eye on mentoring and improving Sam Byram. There is little evidence
either had any success in doing so. An additional downside to signing a
player of such vast experience is the age that comes with the wisdom.
"Evra is 36 years old, and similarly to his fellow full back Pablo Zabaleta
– whilst the qualities remain, the pace that is so desperately needed in the
modern game is gone. Evra has the further issue of having not played any
football for over three months following his ban for an altercation with a
fan."
To find out more about Evra and what he offers West Ham, pick up a copy of
the new edition of Blowing Bubbles, out now. In it, you will find exclusive
columns from former Irons greats Phil Parkes and George Parris, giving their
views on what is passed in the transfer window, what is present, and what
lies ahead on the end of season run-in.
There is a look at what the club can do to restore its reputation after the
Tony Henry scandal and amid increasingly ill-tempered relations between fans
and the board, the Pub Talk team pick over the comings and goings of the
transfer window, and in a startlingly honest interview, Kieron Dyer talks
about his unfulfilled ambitions after his injury-ravaged four year stint at
West Ham – and passes his own verdict on how history will judge him.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Should West Ham trigger Rafa Benitez's £6m release clause this summer?
HITC
Jordan Harris
West Ham United should consider a move for Newcastle United boss Rafa
Benitez at the end of the season. With the relationship between the West Ham
fans and board at a real low point, the Hammers hierarchy undoubtedly need
to pull something out of the bag at the end of the season which sends a real
statement that the club's big plans are not as crazy as they currently
sound. David Moyes' men need to maintain their Premier League status first
before thoughts turn to the summer, and that is certainly no guarantee and
their battle to beat the drop looks set to go right down to the wire. As
soon as the campaign ends however, the pressure will be back on the board.
Moyes is currently on a contract until the end of the season, according to
The Telegraph, and if he keeps the Irons in the top flight, keeping him on
may be a tempting option. But perhaps it would be the wrong move with the
Scotsman's tenure not exactly capturing the imagination barring a few
fantastic results.
Instead, they should perhaps make sure that they try and take advantage of
the uncertainty at one of their Premier League rivals by triggering the
release clause and offering the control that may tempt Rafa Benitez away
from Newcastle. The Telegraph reported in February that Benitez is one of
the names that the West Ham board have their eye on, and the Chronicle is
now suggesting that the Spaniard has a £6 million release clause in his
contract that is set to expire at the end of next season at St James' Park.
The Chronicle adds that talks over a new deal at Newcastle are likely to
begin in the middle of May at the earliest, so perhaps the opportunity is
there for West Ham to swoop in if Benitez has concerns over the Magpies'
long-term vision - the Chronicle suggested that he has been disappointed
with the club's last three windows.
Benitez staying with Newcastle this far, despite all of the apparent
complications, hints that he would be extremely reluctant to move on at the
end of the campaign. But if Mike Ashley does not give him some of the
answers that he is looking for, then West Ham undoubtedly need to make a
move and offer him the platform and control he has been waiting for at St
James'.
After such a disappointing time for the club, West Ham fans will generally
not want to hear about potential seven-figure deals and will want the board
to show some real ambition in the market. But perhaps one more seven-figure
deal should be considered by the West Ham hierarchy - as long as it involves
spending £6 million on luring a heavyweight-calibre manager away from a
rival.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Thursday, March 22
Daily WHUFC News - 22nd March 2018
Moyes: West Ham are together, stronger and better after Miami trip
WHUFC.com
West Ham United have returned 'together, stronger and better' from a beneficial week of warm-weather training, manager David Moyes believes. The Hammers spent six days in Florida, where Moyes laid on a timetable of gruelling training sessions, team-bonding get-togethers and valuable downtime, all of which were enthusiastically received by his players and backroom staff. The manager believes the trip has had a positive effect on the group which will be felt when the Hammers return to Premier League action a week on Saturday. "It was a really good week," Moyes confirmed. "Obviously, we left on the disappointment of the result against Burnley, but I have to say it was the right time for us. We've come through a really long winter, so I just felt it was the right time to give the players some time away, with some good time together. We trained well in some good weather so, all in all, it went very well. "The good thing was that we pulled together and we've talked about it and how we're going to come back stronger and be much better if we can be. "We trained hard, the players will tell you they worked hard on the days we had [sessions] and they had a bit of time in the afternoons, so some played golf and some went fishing and some sat at the pool so, all in all, it was good."
Moyes says he also sensed a renewed sense of purpose among the group as they prepare for their final eight Premier League fixtures. "We know what the task is ahead of us and I also think it was a chance for bring the players, management and staff together. "Overall, I just think [it was good] to see them together and hopefully coming back stronger and understanding how important the games are."
Before West Ham return to Premier League action against Southampton on 31 March, Moyes takes his squad to financially-stricken National League neighbours Dagenham & Redbridge for a friendly on Wednesday evening. The manager believes the fixture has twin benefits, raising much-needed funds for the Daggers, while also giving his non-international players valuable pitch-time. "They're our closest neighbours and in the football community you sometimes have to give a little bit back as well. With us being 'big brother', if you want to call it that, and nearby, I felt that we should go to Dagenham and try to help them out financially.
"If they can get a bit of a crowd and some money from it, great, otherwise we may have taken a game somewhere else, so it's actually fitted in quite nicely for us because, with having no game for three weeks, it means we'll go there and give some players some minutes. "All the players who are not on international duty will play some time in the game, so we'll try and give them a run around for a little while."
As someone who began his career with Glaswegian club Drumchapel Amatuers and played lower-division football with Cambridge United, Shrewsbury Town and Preston North End, Moyes is acutely aware of the need for Premier League clubs to look after their local neighbours. "So many players, over the years, have come through lower-league clubs, and so many young talents get chances with lower clubs and then they get picked up by the bigger clubs. "In this area, as well, in the East End of London, it's really important that we support the teams around us and obviously, with Dagenham being very close to us, we felt it was right to go and give them our backing. "When they asked us about six or seven weeks ago, we had no hesitation to do it."
*Tickets for Wednesday's fundraising friendly at Dagenham & Redbridge, which kicks-off at 7.30pm, will be available on the night at Chigwell Construction Stadium.
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Hart determined to repay England manager Southgate's loyalty
WHUFC.com
Joe Hart is planning to repay Gareth Southgate's loyalty after being included in the England manager's 27-man squad for the upcoming internationals with the Netherlands and Italy. The West Ham United goalkeeper, who was recalled to the Hammers' starting XI for their most-recent Premier League fixture with Burnley, has 75 caps to his name and has started 12 of Southgate's 14 matches in charge of the national team. However, Hart's position as England's No1 may now be under threat, with Everton's Jordan Pickford, Stoke City's Jack Butland and Burnley's Nick Pope also named by Southgate for the first two of four pre-FIFA World Cup finals friendlies. Hart himself has vowed to pay no attention to any speculation over his place in the squad, instead focusing on performing well for a manager who has always supported him, both publicly and behind the scenes. "Since Gareth has been in charge he's always said I've performed really well for him," said the 30-year-old. "He seems like a loyal guy but the shirt is up for grabs. There are three goalkeeper places [in the World Cup squad] and there are some people performing well in the Premier League. "Hopefully I've got my place back now [at West Ham] and we'll see where we go with that. "For now, I'm just focused on this camp and being a part of a squad that I've been a big part of for a long time now."
Hart has a strong and determined character honed from making his senior breakthrough at Shrewsbury Town at 17, playing for and winning Premier League titles at Manchester City and appearing in three major tournaments for England. So, while the debate over his place in the Three Lions squad may rage on externally, the No25 is not about to let anything outside the England camp get to him. And as for the competition posed by the likes of Pickford, Butland and Pope, Hart relishes it. I'm not going to let that ever affect me. The position I'm in, if you let confidence dip it's going to affect you badly. "I'm me, I'm going to keep working hard, I've worked hard every day of my life and I'll continue to do that whether I'm playing or not. "It (the competition for places) is no different to any moment that I've been playing football. Even when I was trying to get into my Sunday league team, it was the same script: people want to play football. That's no different to the one here. "I am not here to answer critics. I am here to play football, enjoy what I do and try and help my team the best way I can."
Hart joined squad-mates Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Ashley Young and representatives from other England teams in planting trees in remembrance of 14 internationals who served in the First World War at St George's Park on Tuesday morning. The 14 players who paid the ultimate sacrifice during the Great War were Sam Hardy, Frank Buckley, Albert Colclough, George Elliott, Harold Fleming, Harry Hampton, Edwin Latheron, Joe McCall, Harry Martin, Edwin Mosscrop, Joe Smith, Fanny Walden, Charles Wallace and Richard Watson.
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Noble: My precision strike at Blackburn even got Scott Parker excited!
WHUFC.com
Mark Noble has scored exactly 50 goals for West Ham United, but few were more memorable than the outstanding one he netted at Blackburn Rovers on 21 March 2009. The home-grown midfielder was making his 100th appearance in Claret and Blue at Ewood Park, where Gianfranco Zola's seventh-place Hammers were seeking to extend their unbeaten Premier League run to four games.
With Robert Green protected superbly by a back four of Lucas Neill, James Tomkins, Jonathan Spector and Herita Ilunga, and Noble partnered in midfield by the outstanding Scott Parker and diligent Radoslav Kovac, West Ham travelled to Lancashire having kept clean sheets in their previous three matches. While that run ended when Keith Andrews beat Green six minutes after half-time, the Irishman's goal was only enough to earn Sam Allardyce's Rovers a draw, as Noble had earlier put the visitors in front with a truly superb goal. Then just 21, Noble started and finished the move himself, running 30 yards before finding Luis Boa Morte. The Portuguese winger found striker Diego Tristan inside the penalty area and the Spaniard laid the ball off for Noble, who steered a pinpoint shot inside the far post with the outside of his right foot.
Reflecting on the goal nine years on, the 30-year-old says will always be one of his favourites. "I love this goal, against Paul Robinson again, as I also scored my first Premier League goal for West Ham against him when he was at Spurs!" Noble smiled. "I don't know how it went in, really, as I didn't even strike it that well! It was with the outside of the boot. "Do you know what I remember about this goal as well? It's mad because Scotty Parker always used to run back to the centre of the pitch and never really used to celebrate goals. I don't know why. It wasn't that he wasn't happy, but maybe he just wanted to get back into shape quickly. I remember he ran over and celebrated that one because I think he appreciated the outside of the right peg! "I still can't believe it went in really, as I didn't catch it that well, but that's precision, you see!"
West Ham went on to finish ninth in the Premier League table, while Noble ended the 2008/09 campaign with five goals to his name – three of them penalties – in 34 appearances.
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West Ham United's March internationals: All you need to know
WHUFC.com
International football returns for the first time in 2018 this week, and a number of Hammers have headed off to represent their countries around the world. From the nations who are fine tuning their preparations for this summer's FIFA World Cup in Russia, to those who are already focusing on their next qualifying campaign, we've got it all covered in our handy guide here.
Which Hammers have been called up for senior international duty?
A total of eight Hammers have been called-up to represent their countries at senior level this month. The eight are Manuel Lanzini (Argentina), Marko Arnautovic (Austria), Joe Hart (England), Angelo Ogbonna (Italy), Chicharito (Mexico), Joao Mario (Portugal), Declan Rice (Republic of Ireland) and Cheikhou Kouyate (Senegal).
Could any of the Hammers play against each other?
Yes! Two matches this month could see West Ham teammates come up against each other. First of all Manuel Lanzini will aim to earn his third Argentina cap when the South Americans take on Angelo Ogbonna's Italy at Manchester City's Etihad Stadium on Friday evening. Then, on Tuesday, Ogbonna could be up another of his clubmates when the Azzurri head to Wembley Stadium to take on England and Joe Hart. Ogbonna has happy memories of Wembley this season, of course, having headed the winner in October's Carabao Cup tie against Tottenham Hotspur there.
Any potential international debutants in the mix?
Declan Rice has been called up to the senior Republic of Ireland squad for the first time following a real breakthrough 12 months with the Hammers. Martin O'Neill's side play Turkey in an away friendly on Friday before the young defender will join up with the U21 squad for their UEFA Euro U21 qualifier against Azerbaijan on Tuesday.
Can any of our players reach a milestone?
They certainly can. Chicharito currently has 99 Mexico caps and will become the 14th man from his country to reach three figures should he feature in either of their friendly matches against Iceland or Croatia in the United States. The striker already has the most goals in the Mexico national team's history, with 49.
What's the full list of fixtures for the West Ham players involved in this month's internationals?
Friday 23 March
Cheikhou Kouyate, Uzbekistan v Senegal, Casablanca, Morroco, 4pm
Declan Rice, Turkey v Republic of Ireland, Antalya, 5.30pm
Angelo Ogbonna, Argentina v Italy, Manchester, England, 7.45pm
Manuel Lanzini, Argentina v Italy, Manchester, England, 7.45pm
Joe Hart, Netherlands v England, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 7.45pm
Joao Mario, Portugal v Egypt, Zurich, Switzerland, 7.45pm
Marko Arnautovic, Austria v Slovenia, Klagenfurt, Austria, 7.45pm
Saturday 24 March
Chicharito, Mexico v Iceland, San Francisco, USA, 2am
Monday 26 March
Joao Mario, Portugal v Netherlands, Geneva, Switzerland, 7.30pm
Tuesday 27 March
Cheikhou Kouyate, Senegal v Bosnia-Herzegovina, Le Havre, France, 7pm
Marko Arnautovic, Luxembourg v Austria, Luxembourg, 7.30pm
Joe Hart, England v Italy, London, England, 8pm
Angelo Ogbonna, England v Italy, London, England, 8pm
Manuel Lanzini, Spain v Argentina, Madrid, Spain, 8.30pm
Wednesday 28 March
Chicharito, Mexico v Croatia, Arlington, USA, 2.30am
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All you need to know about the Academy's internationals
WHUFC.com
As West Ham enter their second week without a Premier League fixture, a number of young West Ham United talents from the Club's Academy have headed off to represent their countries around the world at youth level.
Here's the lowdown of which players will be playing in a mixture of international friendlies and qualifying fixtures…
Which young Hammers have been called up?
In total, 12 youngsters have been called upon to represent their countries at youth level. They are:
Edimilson Fernandes (Switzerland U21), Declan Rice (above) and Josh Cullen (Republic of Ireland U21), Martin Samuelsen (Norway U21), Nathan Trott (England U20), Domingos Quina (Portugal U19), Rihards Matrevics (Latvia U19), Conor Coventry (Republic of Ireland U19), Ajibola Alese (England U17), Kristijan Belic (Serbia U17), Serine Sanneh and Daniel Jinadu (England U16).
There are also four players from the Academy of Football on standby for their nations. They are:
Anthony Scully (Republic of Ireland U19), Josh Okotcha (England U17), Ben Wells (Republic of Ireland U18) and Joshua Wilson-Esbrand (England U16).
Who is involved in qualifying campaigns?
Four of the 12 called-up have important U21 European Championship Qualifying matches this international period ahead of the 2019 tournament in Italy.
Josh Cullen (above) and Declan Rice (who is also in the Republic of Ireland's senior squad) host Azerbaijan after a friendly with Iceland as they look to stay in touch with leaders Germany at the top of their Group 5 qualifying game.
Edimilson Fernandes' Switzerland – who are in need of three points in Group 8 – take on Portugal at home, a side on the same number of points as the Swiss (seven to be exact, five points behind runaway group leaders Romania).
Finally, Martin Samuelsen's Norway travel to Israel in European Championship qualifying. They are in Ireland's group and are currently two points behind the Boys in Green.
Meanwhile, Domingos Quina (Portugal), Rihards Matrevics (Latvia) and Conor Coventry (Republic of Ireland) are all involved in U19 Elite Round qualifying matches for the 2018 European Championships.
Portugal face Kosovo, Slovakia and Coventry's Ireland; Latvia take on Macedonia, England and Hungary while Ireland also play Slovakia and Kosovo before the Portugal clash.
Kristijan Belic's Serbia have fixtures in the U17 Elite Round of the European Championship's qualifying – against Czech Republic, Ukraine and Spain.
What about the other internationals?
Centre-back Aji Alese's England U17s have two friendly fixtures, both against Brazil in Spain, while goalkeepers Serine Sanneh and Daniel Jinadu are part of the Three Lions' U16 squad for their Montaigu Tournament in France.
The young side face Russia, Cameroon and Brazil in the group stages throughout the rest of this month.
What is the full list of fixtures involving West Ham United youth players this March?
(All times GMT)
Wednesday 21 March
Domingos Quina, Portugal U19 v Kosovo U19, UEFA U19 Elite Round Qualification, 5pm
Rihards Matrevics, Latvia U19 v FYR Macedonia U19, UEFA U19 Elite Round Qualification, 1pm
Conor Coventry, Republic of Ireland U19 v Slovakia U19, UEFA U19 Elite Round Qualification, 3pm
Kristijan Belic, Serbia U17 v Czech Republic U17, UEFA U17 Elite Round Qualification, 4pm
Thursday 22 March
Declan Rice & Josh Cullen, Republic of Ireland U21 v Iceland U21, International Friendly, 7:30pm
Martin Samuelsen, Italy U21 v Norway U21, International Friendly, 6:30pm
Nathan Trott, Poland U20 v England U20, International Friendly, 6pm
Friday 23 March
Ajibola Alese, Brazil U17 v England U17, International Friendly, 1pm
Saturday 24 March
Domingos Quina, Portugal U19 v Slovakia U19, UEFA U19 Elite Round Qualification, 5pm
Rihards Matrevics, Latvia U19 v England U19, UEFA U19 Elite Round Qualification, 1pm
Conor Coventry, Republic of Ireland U19 v Kosovo U19, UEFA U19 Elite Round Qualification, 3pm
Kristijan Belic, Serbia U17 v Ukraine U17, UEFA U17 Elite Round Qualification, 1:30pm
Monday 26 March
Ajibola Alese, Brazil U17 v England U17, International Friendly, 3pm
Tuesday 27 March
Declan Rice & Josh Cullen, Republic of Ireland U21 v Azerbaijan U21, UEFA U21 Qualification Round Group 5, 7:30pm
Edimilson Fernandes, Switzerland U21 v Portugal U19, UEFA U21 Qualification Round Group 8, 5pm
Martin Samuelsen, Israel U21 v Norway U21, UEFA U21 Qualification Round Group 5, 6:45pm
Domingos Quina, Portugal U19 v Republic of Ireland U19, UEFA U19 Elite Round Qualification, 5pm
Nathan Trott, England U20 v Portugal U20, International Friendly, 7pm
Rihards Matrevics, Latvia U19 v Hungary U19, UEFA U19 Elite Round Qualification, 1pm
Conor Coventry, Portugal U19 v Republic of Ireland U19, UEFA U19 Elite Round Qualification, 5pm
Kristijan Belic, Spain U17 v Serbia U17, UEFA U17 Elite Round Qualification, 1:30pm
Serine Sanneh & Daniel Jinadu, England U16 v Russia U16, Montaigu Tournament, 6:15pm
Thursday 26 March
Serine Sanneh & Daniel Jinadu, England U16 v Cameroon U16, Montaigu Tournament, 6:15pm
Saturday 31 March
Serine Sanneh & Daniel Jinadu, England U16 v Brazil U16, Montaigu Tournament, 6pm
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Antonio double secures friendly win at Dagenham & Redbridge
WHUFC.com
West Ham United edged the #SaveTheDaggers fundraising match at neighbours Dagenham & Redbridge 3-1 through two goals from Michail Antonio and a late strike from Jordan Hugill. The Hammers edged a competitive friendly organised in aid of the National League side, who are in dire financial straits after their main benefactor withdrew future funding in February. Antonio continued his recent hot streak with a goal in each half in front of a 4,515-strong crowd at Chigwell Construction Stadium. The powerful Mason Bloomfield got Dagenham back in it on the hour-mark before Hugill marked his first start with the clincher three minutes from the end. An entertaining opening 90 minutes could easily have produced more than four goals, with both sets of players giving their all in a match that far from resembled a friendly. West Ham, unsurprisingly, controlled possession for the majority of the opening half, but the identity of their standout performer would certainly have been a shock to the thousands of Hammers fans inside the ground – Alfie Lewis. The teenager was hugely impressive alongside Mark Noble in central midfield, making himself available to receive the ball, playing with his head up and passing and carrying it forward with confidence.
Alongside him, Arthur Masuaku was his usual direct and athletic self down the left wing, and it was the winger who went closest to opening the deadlock in the opening half-hour, seeing one cross hit the crossbar and a long-range shot tipped wide by goalkeeper Mark Cousins. Hugill led the line with physicality and fired one effort over the top, before Antonio did likewise. Dagenham & Redbridge played with purpose themselves and threatened on more than one occasion. First, Adrian had to be alert to block a low shot from Luke Howell, then giant centre forward Mason Bloomfield powered close-range a header a yard too high after a fine run and cross from Jake Howells. The opening goal finally arrived on 42 minutes, albeit in slightly fortunate circumstances. Hugill was denied by a last-ditch challenge from Ben Nunn, only for left-back Luke Pennell's clearance to hit Nathan Holland ricochet into the path of Antonio, who coolly converted. And it was the same player who doubled West Ham's lead eleven minutes into the second half, running onto Josh Pask's through ball before holding off former Hammer Bondz N'Gala and sliding the ball under Cousins and into the back of the net. Three minutes later, Dagenham were back in it when, after the visitors had miraculously blocked at least three goal-bound efforts in the space of a few seconds, Bloomfield smashed home Dan Sparkes' low cross. Sparkes himself came closest to equalising for the fifth-tier side, but his low shot was well held by Adrian before the Spaniard showed superb reactions to keep out efforts from Robinson and Sparkes in the space of a few seconds. And, having held off Dagenham's charge, Hugill put the game beyond doubt three minutes from full-time, converting substitute Anthony Scully's right-wing cross to end a special night in east London with a welcome goal.
West Ham United XI: Adrian, Zabaleta (Johnson 63), Collins (Pask 29), Cresswell (Powell 63), Evra (Akinola 90), Holland (Scully 77), Noble © (Barrett 63), Lewis, Masuaku, Antonio (Rosa 90), Hugill
Subs not used: Anang (GK), Longelo-Mbule
Referee: Tim Robinson
Attendance: 4,515
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West Ham in £6m legal row with London Stadium owners
By Simon Stone
BBC Sport
A West Ham source said "we have bought a new house but it doesn't feel like a home''
West Ham are in the middle of a £6m legal row with their landlords over who should pay to make the London Stadium more supporter friendly. The Hammers pay the London Legacy Development Corporation £2.5m a year to use the stadium as part of a 99-year lease, a sum that will halve should they get relegated to the Championship. However, they have identified a number of areas - including the sale of draught beer and availability of Sky TV - that do not meet their requirements. The two parties, who are already in one legal dispute over the capacity of the London Stadium, are going to have the fresh case heard by a mutually agreed independent legal expert, who will make a decision both sides have agreed to abide by.
News of the legal wrangle comes before a meeting on Monday between West Ham's vice-chairman Karren Brady and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan over the future of the stadium and its financial viability - it is currently set to lose £140m over the next 10 years. In December, Khan said he was taking direct control of the stadium "in order to renegotiate deals and minimise ongoing losses" after publication of a damning report about the financial planning around the London Stadium.
What are the issues?
For their £2.5m annual payment, West Ham believe the LLDC should meet all the running costs of the stadium, including stewarding, catering and policing.
The LLDC counters that the payment actually only covers what could be regarded as a 'bronze' level of service and that West Ham should pay for the 'platinum' option being demanded.
West Ham's demands include:
The sale of draught beer at all bars, currently impossible because of the lack of pumps
Sky TV on all televisions at the ground. West Ham pay for the licence but the London Stadium has adverts on some screens
That the LLDC, not the club, should pay for hospitality staff who work in the corporate boxes at the stadium
While these sums on an individual basis are quite small, it is estimated that over the length of a 99-year lease they would exceed £100m, which is why they are being contested by the LLDC.
The joint cost of the current legal dispute is expected to be £6m.
Police officers pitchside at The London Stadium
Changing the colour of the carpet behind the goal could cost an estimated £140,000
Behind the goals
There has been an ongoing dispute between the club and the LLDC over the carpeted area behind each goal.
It is presently green. West Ham want it changed to claret, so it is more in keeping with the club's colours, and have their crest on it. They say they are willing to meet the estimated £140,000 cost.
The LLDC is resistant because it feels this would impact on other events. A West Ham source has told the BBC the LLDC wants an additional £150,000 to agree to the change of colour, and claims the carpet will need changing soon anyway because it is starting to become worn.
Security
The one area of agreement is that a repeat of the scenes witnessed at West Ham's last home game against Burnley should be avoided at all costs.
A number of fans invaded the pitch, supporters unhappy with the club's board protested in front of the directors' box and joint owner David Sullivan was hit by a coin.
A West Ham source has said the stewarding for that game, and others, was "inadequate", a view shared by many fans.
The LLDC believes it has fulfilled its requirements in terms of stewarding. A safety advisory group report specifically into the trouble at the Burnley game said the level of disorder "would have been almost impossible for any security team to manage".
However, the group has warned the stadium could be closed if there is a repeat and additional police and stewards will be present for West Ham's Premier League game against Southampton on 31 March.
West Ham are currently 17th in the Premier League, one place and two points above Southampton and the relegation zone.
What they say
A LLDC spokesman said: "We believe West Ham is claiming rights under the concession agreement that are not theirs. West Ham has initiated all of the legal action but we would much prefer to resolve these matters through negotiation. There is great value in these rights over the lifetime of the agreement and we have a duty to defend our rights in order to protect the public purse."
A senior West Ham source said: "We have bought a new house but it doesn't feel like a home yet because we can't get all our stuff in it and get it the way we want it. Also, if you buy a house and agree a price, you don't expect to start getting charged more once you have moved in."
There are a number of different West Ham fans groups but in a recent survey by the West Ham United Independent Supporters Association, only 19.79% of respondents said their match tickets were better value for money, taking into account stadium experience and transportation issues, than they had been at West Ham's former home Upton Park.
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Assembly discuss stadium handover
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 21st March 2018
By: Staff Writer
The London Assembly have mooted the idea of West Ham United taking full operational control of the Olympic Stadium.
The 25-strong panel gathered this afternoon in order to cross-examine former LLDC members (ex Chairman) David Edmonds and Neale Coleman, the former Deputy Chairman regarding the spiralling costs behind the stadium as part of Mayor Khan's investigation announced last November.
Conservative member Keith Prince, the assembly's representative for Havering and Redbridge put it to the panel that the venue may perhaps be better handled and more financially viable if controlled by those with experience of running football stadia.
"There is a certain irony that one of the partners is very experienced in running a stadium, the operation and the stewarding, " he said. "And that's West Ham."
To which Coleman replied: "Clearly there is an option that could be done whereby West Ham would operate the stadium. That could be an option. It would require a fundamental renegotiation of all the agreements. "I'm not necessarily saying that would be a bad thing. It would be essential in any such process that both parties benefited from that renegotiation."
And when asked whether he could envisage a situation whereby the LLDC would "pay West Ham to run the stadium", Coleman said:"Again, you would have to renegotiate the contractual arrangements and there would be issues about who decides what other events went on there, about all the decisions that would have to be made around it. "But it would be possible to do it like that, absolutely."
During the meeting a whole host of subjects relating to the stadium were discussed; these included naming rights, the terms of the tenancy agreement and adding further (non-football related) events to the calendar.
We'll bring you a full round-up of the meeting later...
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I wouldn't sign for West Ham again
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 21st March 2018
By: Staff Writer
In the world of media trained footballers, it is a refreshing change to come across one who speaks his mind – and Kieron Dyer is someone who does just that.
The former Newcastle and England midfielder's career at West Ham lasted four seasons but scarcely 20 matches, as injuries wrecked his time at the club, ultimately bringing about a premature end to his career.
What should have been the dawning of a brave new world for both club and player ended up crashing and burning in spectacular fashion, and in an interview with Blowing Bubbles magazine, Dyer does not hold back in his opinions.
"When [manager Alan Curbishley] came to see me and sold the club to me, it really felt like the club was going to push on and find themselves battling at the top of the league, and would go on to win things…. I don't think if I were 28 again and West Ham came in for me now that I would join," he said.
"I'm not sure you see the same calibre of playing that I was seeing when I joined….. West Ham are not too far away from beating the likes of Everton to be 'best of the rest' but when you look at the amount of money the two Manchester clubs are spending, I don't think Sullivan and Gold can compete."
Dyer lifts the lid on how he should not even have been playing in the game where he picked up the injury that wrecked his career – 'there's not a day that goes by where I don't regret that decision' – his own estimation of how he fared – 'I will probably go down as the worst signing ever for West Ham' – and his admiration for the supporters who backed him, no matter what happened.
To read more about this, as well as exclusive columns from ex-Irons legends Phil Parkes and George Parris, fans' views on the club's recent transfer ins and outs, what the future may hold for Michail Antonio and James Collins, the fall-out of the Tony Henry scandal, and the latest from the simmering stand-off between West Ham fans and the club's owners, pick up a copy of the new edition of Blowing Bubbles magazine – out now.
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West Ham defender James Collins faces tough task to be fit for crucial game against Southampton as he pulls up in friendly win over Dagenham
West Ham beat non-league side Dagenham 3-1 in a friendly fundraising game
But the jovial atmosphere soured when James Collins limped off for West Ham
David Moyes sat in the stands as Michail Antonio and Jordan Hugill scored
By Kieran Gill for the Daily Mail
PUBLISHED: 21:39, 21 March 2018 | UPDATED: 21:39, 21 March 2018
James Collins faces a fight to be fit for West Ham's Premier League showdown with Southampton after pulling up with a hamstring injury in their fundraising friendly on Wednesday night. The Hammers were facing cash-strapped Dagenham & Redbridge at the Chigwell Construction Stadium and Collins limped down the tunnel after only 27 minutes. David Moyes sat in the stands as West Ham won 3-1 thanks to a brace by Michail Antonio and a third by Jordan Hugill, while Mason Bloomfield scored for Dagenham. Collins' injury risks leaving West Ham light in defence ahead of crucial upcoming fixtures. They are already without Winston Reid for the rest of the season and recently sold Jose Fonte to Chinese Super League side Dalian Yifeng. West Ham are preparing to play Southampton in a relegation six-pointer on March 31 and Moyes named a strong team that included Mark Noble, Patrice Evra, Pablo Zabaleta and Antonio against Dagenham. This was their first fixture since losing 3-0 to Burnley in the Premier League at the London Stadium when pitch invaders and protests overshadowed the match. All the money made from Wednesday night's match went to Dagenham. As reported by Sportsmail, co-owner David Sullivan did not turn up despite organising the friendly following animosity towards him from fans.
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West Ham stadium contract needs simplifying, says former London Legacy Development Corporation heads
West Ham are currently at loggerheads with the LLDC, their landlords, and E20, the company set up to run the former Olympic Stadium
The Independent Sport
West Ham's contract with the owners of the London Stadium needs simplifying to put an end to the ongoing 'tension' surrounding their tenancy, according to the former heads of the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC). West Ham are currently at loggerheads with the LLDC, their landlords, and E20, the company set up to run the former Olympic Stadium. The club's move to Stratford from Upton Park in 2016 has been beset by problems, culminating in pitch invasions and anti-board protests by fans at the recent match against Burnley. But behind the scenes West Ham are locked in a legal battle with the LLDC over the club's wish to increase the ground's capacity, while a report in The Times on Wednesday morning revealed a further legal dispute involving such minutiae as who should foot the bill to provide draught beer and Sky TV on a match day. The decisions which led to the current malaise were laid bare by the London Assembly Budget Monitoring Sub-Committee on Wednesday afternoon as it discussed the recent report commissioned by London Mayor Sadiq Khan into the spiralling cost of running the stadium.
Neale Coleman, the former deputy chairman of the LLDC and one of the key decision makers during the process which made West Ham the anchor tenants, said: "It's regrettable and it's a fundamental issue that needs to be addressed. "The problem is complexity of the arrangements, if they could be simplified that would help. "There's no reason why these arrangements shouldn't work. They work in Germany quite commonly, where you have a stadium owner, an anchor tenant and an operator. "But we did end up in this position with the concession agreement whereby the costs fell on the LLDC rather than West Ham, and that creates a tension. "We have seen that in the recent days and weeks around the stewarding issues, control and cost."
Even West Ham's desire to change the colour of the carpeted area around the pitch to their claret colours, which they are willing to pay for, has been blocked by the LLDC. David Edmonds, the former LLDC chairman, revealed: "West Ham were very tough, very hard negotiators. If you only have one person to take the deal or not you tend to make compromises. "That gives people on the other side of the table the ability to question whether you are fulfilling your side of the contract.
"I recall many conversations with (West Ham vice-chairman) Karren Brady about the 'look and feel' of the stadium. "In the contract we promised to give the stadium the look and feel of their old stadium. But the interpretation of look and feel can be quite different. "That allowed a lot of dissention to arise thereafter. With hindsight I'd have gone with a partnership and not this strong, legalistic contractual deal."
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West Ham in new London Stadium dispute
March 21, 2018
Relations between West Ham and the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) seem to have deteriorated since the Moore Stephens report, commissioned by London mayor Sadiq Khan, which predicted a £140m loss over ten years. Sadiq Khan is clearly unhappy with the deal reached by Boris Johnson.
The club are already involved in a lengthy court cause with the LLDC over expanding stadium capacity, but now there is a new dispute over services they say were promised to them.
The club have asked for draught beer to be provided in all stadium bars, but the LLDC insist that West Ham should pay for the pumps. West Ham pay the £150,000 licence fee to show Sky Sports on televisions inside the stadium, but some of the screens carry LLDC adverts. The LLDC wants compensation if they are displaced. West Ham say the LLDC should pay for the hosts/hostesses in the directors' and corporate boxes, but the LLDC say the club should pay.
West Ham want to replace the green cover that goes over the running track with a claret coloured one, showing the club's logo. The LLDC says this would impact on the appearance of the stadium for other events and there are issues over who owns the branding rights.
West Ham insist that the cost over-runs in developing the stadium are not its fault: 'If the landlord cannot operate the stadium to its own budget, then we are not responsible. They want us to pay more for less.' The LLDC says that it is determined to minimize costs to the London taxpayer. The lawyers are going to be kept busy.
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Meeting between West Ham United Independent Supporters Association (WHUISA) & CoChairman
of West Ham United Football Club, David Sullivan
Tuesday 20th March 2018
https://whuisa.org/news/2018/3/21/meeting-between-whuisa-david-sullivan
David Sullivan approached WHUISA and invited them to a meeting after events leading up to and including the Burnley match on 10th March. We accepted his offer since it would give WHUISA members the opportunity to start having their issues addressed directly by Mr Sullivan. To ascertain what our members more pressing questions were and appreciating the meeting would be time limited, we circulated a list of questions to our members asking them to vote for their preferred options. 1,176 responses were received and a breakdown of these results of the survey may be found at the end of the minutes of this report (footnote iv)
Minutes of meeting between WHUISA and David Sullivan
Present were - David Sullivan (DS), Jack Sullivan (JS) Representing WHUISA: Mark Walker (MW) Paul Turner (PT) and Amanda Jacks (AJ) from the Football Supporters Federation
After formal introductions, ground rules of the meeting were established. It was agreed that prior to publication of these notes, we would gain Mr Sullivan's agreement that they were a fair and accurate reflection of our discussions prior to distribution among our members.
Given that it is the ideal of virtually all supporter organisations to have representation at Board level, MW asked DS for his views on this. DS was immediately agreeable to exploring this idea although offered a compromise solution of co-opting a former WHU player accountable to supporters. MW suggested that the selection of a player could well be an alternative, however experience of playing for WHU is a dramatically different one than being a supporter, and that an elected accountable supporter would be a better solution. DS did not disagree although made it clear that any Board member would have fiscal and legal responsibilities and cautioned us to get professional legal advice in this regard.
ACTION It was agreed that WHUISA research the proposal of a Fan on the Board in more detail and consult with our members (including the option of having a player instead). AJ suggested it would be sensible to seek clarification on exactly what Board members responsibilities were and potential financial & legal implications for them.
We then moved on to questions;
How will we bridge the gap from where we are, to where you've said before you want the club to be, and what is your timetable?
DS started by saying he is massively disappointed with what has happened this season. He starts each season with ambition to win the league, hopes to have a a miracle season like Leicester but always sets the realistic ambition to be finishing in the top 8 and nudging the top 4. However he stated that he has given himself 5-6 years to turn it around and if not will then step aside.
What does success look like to you with regards footballing matters? Define it and quantify it?
DS said we need to buy better, giving the example of Dele Alli of Spurs, but also said that we need to sell better. He stressed his disappointment of the Payet situation, comparing it to Mahrez at Leicester and wanting to hold on to him until the Summer. DS said he was desperately disappointed with the cup form, adding we have been unlucky with the away draws (drawing Man Utd after beating Liverpool in 15/16) and that the odd cup final would be success.
PT put to DS statements made by David Moyes and his assistants before the Shrewsbury and Wigan cup matches that seemed to indicate that WHUFC did not prioritise winning or competing in cup competitions properly. DS responded by stating that David Moyes put out "the strongest side possible" in trying to beat Wigan and reiterated that he wants to see WHUFC win a cup.
Do you feel that the relationship between you and the supports is reconcilable?
DS said that he hoped that it was. That it's a small minority that want him removed but fully accepts that it's a results business. It was noted that DS grasped that WHUISA were potentially in a position to assist in bridging the gap, hence offering us a meeting.
Is there a realistic prospect of material changes to the stadium, if so what are the timescales?
DS referred us to an answer prepared by "the club" which is at the end of these minutes (footnote i). However he did elaborate on some points including a desire to move the seats closer to the pitch but was aware that the Sports Grounds Safety Authority Green Guide advises that it is not considered good to have seats that are exposed to the elements. It was agreed that the stadium has generated a good atmosphere at times. DS raised that Spurs were close to securing the stadium. PT pointed out this was seen as many as a bargaining chip used by Tottenham with Haringey Council but DS said that Spurs were "gutted" not to secure the stadium. He added had we not won the bid for the OS, it would have been Spurs. The thought of having Spurs in our Borough, with a new stadium, just 2 miles from Upton Park was unthinkable to the board. I still believe it was the correct decision to move, please be the judge in ten years. There really is no going back and we have to make it work.
MW said that a major issue of what is missing was the intimidation factor that was generated at times at the Boleyn Ground, recognised by opposition players and fans alike. That this atmosphere, due to the distance between the pitch and stands, is now missing is a source of real discontent among fans. DS said we would not resort to generating an artificial atmosphere with clappers and JS stressed the same about a drum. However DS said that he was open minded to a formally recognised singing section and a family section, was prepared to listen to our suggestions but that we'd have to move very quickly in this regard.
ACTION: WHUISA would consult on this with our members & feedback the outcome to DS.
There are ongoing issues with the stewarding at the London stadium, what steps have the club taken to assist the stadium operators get a better solution?
DS referred us to an answer prepared by "the club" detailed at the end of these minutes (footnote ii.). AJ raised the potential issues ahead of the Southampton fixture and suggested that more needs to be done to address the attitude of stewards as an already tense atmosphere could be added to by over zealous policing and stewarding. DS immediately checked with the club and was reassured that two additional training sessions where in place for the fixture. DS recognised the benefits of having regular stewards working regularly in the same areas. He regretted that this was not possible at the London Stadium, and that stewarding in the stadium had been below a commercially acceptable standard.
PT raised the issue of privately hired security personnel who'd filmed blocks of supporters previously and who wore stab proof vests at the Stoke City match (2016/17 season) who apparently were directing stadium security to eject people from the stadium. PT asked if those private security people had been hired by WHUFC or LS185/E20. DS clarified that the private security teams had not been hired by WHUFC and WHUFC had only hired staff for directly underneath the director's box. AJ asked for reassurance that there would be no 'snatch squads' in place for the Southampton game.
DS said no snatch squads were planned and that it was vital that the game went off incident free otherwise we would be playing games behind closed doors. MW explained that WHUISA has met with resistance from Newham Safety Advisory Group to their being able to have a seat at the SAG meetings. He explained the merits of having a member of WHUISA at these meetings and pointed out that supporters sat on, among others, SAGs with Haringey Council, Liverpool City Council (among other examples) as per recommending Sports Ground Safety Authority and FSF best practice. DS asked what the barriers to attending these meetings were. AJ explained that many SAGs were resistant to the notion of supporter representation citing concerns around breaches of confidentiality and not knowing which supporter to ask. DS finished by saying whilst we'll support a fan's representative being on it, the ultimate decision is Newham councils not ours, But I would like to lobby & progress this point. I think it's an important and constructive point that you have made.
ACTION: DS recognised that a supporter could give a unique and valuable insight to SAG meetings and appreciated that they could make a helpful all round contribution to these meetings. MW will write to DS about the SAG so that the process can be started.
Have interviews been held for the DOF position and what is the scope of the role?
DS said that the club have hired a top, global sports headhunting company to identify possible candidates but it's not possible to place someone at the moment and expand the role, as we don't know what division we will be in next season. But even that appointment might not be a miracle cure and that player recruitment can be difficult. He gave some examples of players that have failed to settle in the Premier League citing luck as a contributory factor.
Is there a recognition that the current Chairmen need to take a step back and for a full time experienced CEO to be appointed to work alongside a DOF and Manager?
DS touched upon the points again that he gave to his previous answer. Adding again there is always an element of luck with any appointment. He said that he would take a step back over the summer; he pointed to his track record at Birmingham and that the side he left went on to win a cup. DS also stressed that he didn't like failure and genuinely wanted the club to succeed.
Are you aware of the embarrassment many supporters feel at reading unprofessional comments from either yourself, your children, your Co-Chairman and your Vice Chair on social media or national newspapers with regards to matters concerning the club?
DS accepted that not all the press interviews he had made were helpful and that both his sons had more or less stopped tweeting about the football club. PT raised some of the retweets of David Gold and it was agreed these were unfortunate. DS said that he no longer will give interviews to the press. He stated that Karren Brady has a contract with the Sun, independent of her contract with the football club, and that Karren's contract with the football club allows her to write her weekly columns for The Sun.
Will you formally recognise WHUISA as the club's FSF affiliated body and build a stronger two way relationship?
DS had a formal answer from the club (footnote iii) but stressed his keenness to meet and engage with WHUISA. MW explained that we are not a Facebook Group or Forum and that we work with all stakeholders including the Premier League, Police and other supporters associations and that we wanted to be a critical friend of the club. Our £1 membership fee sets an affordable distinction band and helps people feel more engaged with what WHUISA does. MW also stressed that there is no formal agenda as such and that we are the equivalent of a work place union for supporters. Our aims evolve in accordance with our members priorities. That the entire board of WHUISA stands annually for re-election motivates us. DS recognised the benefits of our structure and understood that that is what makes us unique in a crowded market place of fans 'groups'.
JS raised the Supporters Advisory Board and MW made the point that it's no longer elected in any way, which DS agreed needed to be looked at. AJ pointed out the fact that many members of the SAB have no formal mechanism to gather the views of the supporters they are supposed to represent and it wasn't unreasonable to suggest that the fan base were cynical about the SAB thanks to its undemocratic structure. DS agreed to a point suggesting that he preferred a previous incarnation of the SAB where fans got the opportunity to vote for representatives.
It appears there are still approximately £45m in shareholder loans owed by the club. Are you and other shareholders prepared to cancel those loans, converting them to equity and thereby demonstrating a long term commitment to the club?
We have recently seen a majority shareholder at Everton FC do just that DS stressed there was no pressure on the club to pay off the loans and debts. That the extra money was first used to pay off the Icelandic debts but they (DS and David Gold) don't have £45 million since they are asset rich and cash poor. He wanted the affordable family tag at West Ham and that the £289/£99 tickets where bad in the short term for the club. He also made clear that the money invested in West Ham is from his investment company and directly his. That company has a responsibility to its own employees etc.
Meeting with the Mayor (Sadiq Khan) was going to be an important step as the expansion of the London Stadium to full capacity will help. It was suggested by MW that DS should attend that meeting with the Mayor on the 26th March and that it would also be wise to reach out to Rokhsana Fiaz who will likely become the new Mayor of Newham in May. DS raised that the new Spurs stadium will be super but would West Ham fans be willing to pay the prices that Spurs have just announced? DS concluded that he and David Gold were British Tax Payers and that they were not drawing dividends from the club.
Would you sacrifice your ultimate controlling interest should a new investor appear on the scene and offer you a fair price for some of your shares?
DS reinstated he had no desire to sell the club but referred back to his stated timetable of 5-6 years for improvements. He highlighted the fact that the difference between finishing 7th and 17th is £22 million. However he would step aside if the King of Saudi Arabia wanted to buy the club. He finished by saying the winner never quits and a quitter never wins. DS finished by saying that it was vitally important that every supporter got behind the team in the remaining 5 games. Please protest, if you still feel it's necessary, at the end of the season and not now and never inside the stadium when a match it being played as it does impact upon the players. That he was pleased to have met WHUISA and was happy to keep an open channel of communication between us and work on the agreed actions. He had no issue with trust with WHUISA or any committee member. MW agreed he would email DS separately on each of the points agreed.
Footnotes
Footnote i
In answer to - Is there a realistic prospect of material changes to the stadium, if so what are the timescales?
A great deal of work was put into the transformation of the Stadium to begin with within the scope of the existing infrastructure. The seats were brought closer to the pitch as promised and had a roof that covered them. There are no restricted views and all seats have a clear view of play. We were and remain committed to constantly improving the Stadium where possible. Unfortunately we had problems with our landlords which has meant we must take them to court to seek a
resolution to the impasse. I cannot discuss the details, but we are pushing for a host of changes that we are entitled to under our agreement with them. They have ignored our claims but we are hopeful things will move forward now the mayor has offered to step in.
You ask about timescales. The court case will be in the autumn and should we win we are hopeful we can instigate some clear improvements immediately. We hope that this process will also mean we can build a relationship with them going forward to our mutual benefit. We have announced we will commission architects to make some positive recommendations on what can be done to improve the stadium for us and E20, our landlords. E20 are also commissioning studies in this regard and we have suggested that this would be better if we worked together. This has been put to them and again we await their response. WE have made clear to them that doing so in silo does not make sense when changes that would benefit that Club could also benefit E20 through shared investment in making them happen. However as you are already aware as it was requested by the supporter groups at the meeting which you attended either way we have committed to commission a study into what is possible in terms of the improving the seating this season.
It's findings will dictate next steps. In reality the Club can commission studies to better understand what is possible but our landlord must work with us to implement our contractual rights and to discuss changes that can benefit us both which is why it is so important that Mayor has finally agreed to engage with us.
Even at the time of the agreement we did envisage that with the benefit of the platform the Stadium gives us to generate additional revenue over time that increased budget to re-invest would enable us to make some further changes. It is for this reason that our contract has a clause within it around our ability to make improvements and alterations to the Stadium.
We are always working with E20 to explore improvements that can be made to enhance the supporter experience. Many of the improvements our supporters would like to see also benefit E20 as they benefit all spectator pitch sports. For example we were already exploring some changes to improve some seats behind the goals.
Secondly, in terms of supporters raising the issue of material change, this was raised for the first time at the meeting of the West Ham Groups United and has not previously been put to the Club in correspondence or in meetings including those held directly with WHUISA – either the previous or existing committee -it this has clearly moved up the agenda. We have also been pursuing the delivery of changes which will further enhance the look and feel of the Stadium as our home ground along with other improvements, all of which are covered in our contract with our landlord.
Their failure to deliver these so far has forced us to pursue a legal route. In terms of changes Karren's letter to the West Ham Groups United is clear on what we have committed to and the matters that will require our landlord to engage with us.
• There are ongoing issues with the stewarding at the London stadium, what steps have the club taken to assist the stadium operators get a better solution?
Footnote ii
In answer to: There are ongoing issues with the stewarding at the London stadium, what steps have the club taken to assist the stadium operators get a better solution?
This was covered in my/ Karren's letter to the fan groups which you were included within as has been extensively covered at the SAB which you attend and is summarised below
• The ground has upwards of 1,000 stewards per PL game whose roles are divided between the bridges, turnstiles, stewarding inner bowl and on ingress and egress routes.
• We have progressed from using only one stewarding provider (OCS) to four to increase competition, assist with performance monitoring and provided us with a broader scope to attract better quality stewards to London Stadium
• Of the four quadrant managers, two are ex-Boleyn stewards and both have been promoted to senior positions.
• A new Head of Safety and Security is in post, Dave Sadler.
• Additional new Deputy Safety Officer, Andrew Bracken.
• We have previously written to all former Boleyn stewards to ask if they would like to return and this offer remains very much open - we would welcome them back.
• The Club have directly employed 40 SLOs to provide directional assistance and take care of any supporter feedback, enquiries or complaints on matchday and to work with stewards and to observe and report back to the Club.
• Two former Boleyn stewards are SLOs and we will be happy to speak to any others that would like to apply for a role.
• Boleyn Stewards were actively encouraged to make the move to the Stadium on several occasions. And West Ham United and LS185 offered to pay for the necessary NVQ training for them.
• Those that joined us were re-deployed to key areas.
• The Club has worked collaboratively with LS185 on a number of initiatives to educate Stewards on the rich history and heritage of West Ham United and the importance of serving our fanbase and keeping them safe on a matchday including introducing a West Ham United section in the steward briefing notes and verbal briefing.
• Ben Illingworth, Head of Matchday Operations for West Ham United attends the senior manager and supervisor briefings to provide updates and discusses the importance of their role at West Ham United.
• Yours and your fellow supporters' experience on a matchday is of paramount importance to us. In the event supporters wish to report an incident or experience relating to stewarding we do want to hear directly – if possible straight away. SLOs are on hand on the day or you can email et. The majority of supporter report that this service is efficient. We can only act on the information we have but we assure you that if there is inadequate service, we will work with LS185 and are very much able to ensure that these individuals do not return.
Ultimately though we do not control the operation of the Stadium. We offered to buy the Stadium outright initially but that was refused. We have done everything in our power to improve the Stadiums operation. When the issues occurred last season – it was West Ham's suggestions that ultimately addressed the issues. WE have offered help, advice and input at every juncture having successfully operated a Stadia for over 25 years, six of those at the Boleyn Ground and we feed into
the SAG. We are working closely with all of the London Stadium Stakeholders as our primary focus is on ensuring that anyone attending London Stadium can do so safely. There will be additional security and police at the Southampton fixture.
Footnote iii
In answer to : Will you formally recognise WHUISA as the club's FSF affiliated body and build a stronger two way relationship?
WE already recognise WHIUISA formally as such you have a seat on the SAB. Next Monday's SAB will look at the structure and format of the SAB as you yourself suggested to ensure it can grow to be more effective forum but it must remain the inclusive forum that we engage with. WHUISA are important to us but we cannot engage with one group only we must recognise the views of all supporters and supporter groups but are certainly keen to build a stronger two way relationship.
Replies from the club have been reproduced exactly to allow members to make up their own mind on the responses.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
West Ham United have returned 'together, stronger and better' from a beneficial week of warm-weather training, manager David Moyes believes. The Hammers spent six days in Florida, where Moyes laid on a timetable of gruelling training sessions, team-bonding get-togethers and valuable downtime, all of which were enthusiastically received by his players and backroom staff. The manager believes the trip has had a positive effect on the group which will be felt when the Hammers return to Premier League action a week on Saturday. "It was a really good week," Moyes confirmed. "Obviously, we left on the disappointment of the result against Burnley, but I have to say it was the right time for us. We've come through a really long winter, so I just felt it was the right time to give the players some time away, with some good time together. We trained well in some good weather so, all in all, it went very well. "The good thing was that we pulled together and we've talked about it and how we're going to come back stronger and be much better if we can be. "We trained hard, the players will tell you they worked hard on the days we had [sessions] and they had a bit of time in the afternoons, so some played golf and some went fishing and some sat at the pool so, all in all, it was good."
Moyes says he also sensed a renewed sense of purpose among the group as they prepare for their final eight Premier League fixtures. "We know what the task is ahead of us and I also think it was a chance for bring the players, management and staff together. "Overall, I just think [it was good] to see them together and hopefully coming back stronger and understanding how important the games are."
Before West Ham return to Premier League action against Southampton on 31 March, Moyes takes his squad to financially-stricken National League neighbours Dagenham & Redbridge for a friendly on Wednesday evening. The manager believes the fixture has twin benefits, raising much-needed funds for the Daggers, while also giving his non-international players valuable pitch-time. "They're our closest neighbours and in the football community you sometimes have to give a little bit back as well. With us being 'big brother', if you want to call it that, and nearby, I felt that we should go to Dagenham and try to help them out financially.
"If they can get a bit of a crowd and some money from it, great, otherwise we may have taken a game somewhere else, so it's actually fitted in quite nicely for us because, with having no game for three weeks, it means we'll go there and give some players some minutes. "All the players who are not on international duty will play some time in the game, so we'll try and give them a run around for a little while."
As someone who began his career with Glaswegian club Drumchapel Amatuers and played lower-division football with Cambridge United, Shrewsbury Town and Preston North End, Moyes is acutely aware of the need for Premier League clubs to look after their local neighbours. "So many players, over the years, have come through lower-league clubs, and so many young talents get chances with lower clubs and then they get picked up by the bigger clubs. "In this area, as well, in the East End of London, it's really important that we support the teams around us and obviously, with Dagenham being very close to us, we felt it was right to go and give them our backing. "When they asked us about six or seven weeks ago, we had no hesitation to do it."
*Tickets for Wednesday's fundraising friendly at Dagenham & Redbridge, which kicks-off at 7.30pm, will be available on the night at Chigwell Construction Stadium.
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Hart determined to repay England manager Southgate's loyalty
WHUFC.com
Joe Hart is planning to repay Gareth Southgate's loyalty after being included in the England manager's 27-man squad for the upcoming internationals with the Netherlands and Italy. The West Ham United goalkeeper, who was recalled to the Hammers' starting XI for their most-recent Premier League fixture with Burnley, has 75 caps to his name and has started 12 of Southgate's 14 matches in charge of the national team. However, Hart's position as England's No1 may now be under threat, with Everton's Jordan Pickford, Stoke City's Jack Butland and Burnley's Nick Pope also named by Southgate for the first two of four pre-FIFA World Cup finals friendlies. Hart himself has vowed to pay no attention to any speculation over his place in the squad, instead focusing on performing well for a manager who has always supported him, both publicly and behind the scenes. "Since Gareth has been in charge he's always said I've performed really well for him," said the 30-year-old. "He seems like a loyal guy but the shirt is up for grabs. There are three goalkeeper places [in the World Cup squad] and there are some people performing well in the Premier League. "Hopefully I've got my place back now [at West Ham] and we'll see where we go with that. "For now, I'm just focused on this camp and being a part of a squad that I've been a big part of for a long time now."
Hart has a strong and determined character honed from making his senior breakthrough at Shrewsbury Town at 17, playing for and winning Premier League titles at Manchester City and appearing in three major tournaments for England. So, while the debate over his place in the Three Lions squad may rage on externally, the No25 is not about to let anything outside the England camp get to him. And as for the competition posed by the likes of Pickford, Butland and Pope, Hart relishes it. I'm not going to let that ever affect me. The position I'm in, if you let confidence dip it's going to affect you badly. "I'm me, I'm going to keep working hard, I've worked hard every day of my life and I'll continue to do that whether I'm playing or not. "It (the competition for places) is no different to any moment that I've been playing football. Even when I was trying to get into my Sunday league team, it was the same script: people want to play football. That's no different to the one here. "I am not here to answer critics. I am here to play football, enjoy what I do and try and help my team the best way I can."
Hart joined squad-mates Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Ashley Young and representatives from other England teams in planting trees in remembrance of 14 internationals who served in the First World War at St George's Park on Tuesday morning. The 14 players who paid the ultimate sacrifice during the Great War were Sam Hardy, Frank Buckley, Albert Colclough, George Elliott, Harold Fleming, Harry Hampton, Edwin Latheron, Joe McCall, Harry Martin, Edwin Mosscrop, Joe Smith, Fanny Walden, Charles Wallace and Richard Watson.
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Noble: My precision strike at Blackburn even got Scott Parker excited!
WHUFC.com
Mark Noble has scored exactly 50 goals for West Ham United, but few were more memorable than the outstanding one he netted at Blackburn Rovers on 21 March 2009. The home-grown midfielder was making his 100th appearance in Claret and Blue at Ewood Park, where Gianfranco Zola's seventh-place Hammers were seeking to extend their unbeaten Premier League run to four games.
With Robert Green protected superbly by a back four of Lucas Neill, James Tomkins, Jonathan Spector and Herita Ilunga, and Noble partnered in midfield by the outstanding Scott Parker and diligent Radoslav Kovac, West Ham travelled to Lancashire having kept clean sheets in their previous three matches. While that run ended when Keith Andrews beat Green six minutes after half-time, the Irishman's goal was only enough to earn Sam Allardyce's Rovers a draw, as Noble had earlier put the visitors in front with a truly superb goal. Then just 21, Noble started and finished the move himself, running 30 yards before finding Luis Boa Morte. The Portuguese winger found striker Diego Tristan inside the penalty area and the Spaniard laid the ball off for Noble, who steered a pinpoint shot inside the far post with the outside of his right foot.
Reflecting on the goal nine years on, the 30-year-old says will always be one of his favourites. "I love this goal, against Paul Robinson again, as I also scored my first Premier League goal for West Ham against him when he was at Spurs!" Noble smiled. "I don't know how it went in, really, as I didn't even strike it that well! It was with the outside of the boot. "Do you know what I remember about this goal as well? It's mad because Scotty Parker always used to run back to the centre of the pitch and never really used to celebrate goals. I don't know why. It wasn't that he wasn't happy, but maybe he just wanted to get back into shape quickly. I remember he ran over and celebrated that one because I think he appreciated the outside of the right peg! "I still can't believe it went in really, as I didn't catch it that well, but that's precision, you see!"
West Ham went on to finish ninth in the Premier League table, while Noble ended the 2008/09 campaign with five goals to his name – three of them penalties – in 34 appearances.
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West Ham United's March internationals: All you need to know
WHUFC.com
International football returns for the first time in 2018 this week, and a number of Hammers have headed off to represent their countries around the world. From the nations who are fine tuning their preparations for this summer's FIFA World Cup in Russia, to those who are already focusing on their next qualifying campaign, we've got it all covered in our handy guide here.
Which Hammers have been called up for senior international duty?
A total of eight Hammers have been called-up to represent their countries at senior level this month. The eight are Manuel Lanzini (Argentina), Marko Arnautovic (Austria), Joe Hart (England), Angelo Ogbonna (Italy), Chicharito (Mexico), Joao Mario (Portugal), Declan Rice (Republic of Ireland) and Cheikhou Kouyate (Senegal).
Could any of the Hammers play against each other?
Yes! Two matches this month could see West Ham teammates come up against each other. First of all Manuel Lanzini will aim to earn his third Argentina cap when the South Americans take on Angelo Ogbonna's Italy at Manchester City's Etihad Stadium on Friday evening. Then, on Tuesday, Ogbonna could be up another of his clubmates when the Azzurri head to Wembley Stadium to take on England and Joe Hart. Ogbonna has happy memories of Wembley this season, of course, having headed the winner in October's Carabao Cup tie against Tottenham Hotspur there.
Any potential international debutants in the mix?
Declan Rice has been called up to the senior Republic of Ireland squad for the first time following a real breakthrough 12 months with the Hammers. Martin O'Neill's side play Turkey in an away friendly on Friday before the young defender will join up with the U21 squad for their UEFA Euro U21 qualifier against Azerbaijan on Tuesday.
Can any of our players reach a milestone?
They certainly can. Chicharito currently has 99 Mexico caps and will become the 14th man from his country to reach three figures should he feature in either of their friendly matches against Iceland or Croatia in the United States. The striker already has the most goals in the Mexico national team's history, with 49.
What's the full list of fixtures for the West Ham players involved in this month's internationals?
Friday 23 March
Cheikhou Kouyate, Uzbekistan v Senegal, Casablanca, Morroco, 4pm
Declan Rice, Turkey v Republic of Ireland, Antalya, 5.30pm
Angelo Ogbonna, Argentina v Italy, Manchester, England, 7.45pm
Manuel Lanzini, Argentina v Italy, Manchester, England, 7.45pm
Joe Hart, Netherlands v England, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 7.45pm
Joao Mario, Portugal v Egypt, Zurich, Switzerland, 7.45pm
Marko Arnautovic, Austria v Slovenia, Klagenfurt, Austria, 7.45pm
Saturday 24 March
Chicharito, Mexico v Iceland, San Francisco, USA, 2am
Monday 26 March
Joao Mario, Portugal v Netherlands, Geneva, Switzerland, 7.30pm
Tuesday 27 March
Cheikhou Kouyate, Senegal v Bosnia-Herzegovina, Le Havre, France, 7pm
Marko Arnautovic, Luxembourg v Austria, Luxembourg, 7.30pm
Joe Hart, England v Italy, London, England, 8pm
Angelo Ogbonna, England v Italy, London, England, 8pm
Manuel Lanzini, Spain v Argentina, Madrid, Spain, 8.30pm
Wednesday 28 March
Chicharito, Mexico v Croatia, Arlington, USA, 2.30am
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All you need to know about the Academy's internationals
WHUFC.com
As West Ham enter their second week without a Premier League fixture, a number of young West Ham United talents from the Club's Academy have headed off to represent their countries around the world at youth level.
Here's the lowdown of which players will be playing in a mixture of international friendlies and qualifying fixtures…
Which young Hammers have been called up?
In total, 12 youngsters have been called upon to represent their countries at youth level. They are:
Edimilson Fernandes (Switzerland U21), Declan Rice (above) and Josh Cullen (Republic of Ireland U21), Martin Samuelsen (Norway U21), Nathan Trott (England U20), Domingos Quina (Portugal U19), Rihards Matrevics (Latvia U19), Conor Coventry (Republic of Ireland U19), Ajibola Alese (England U17), Kristijan Belic (Serbia U17), Serine Sanneh and Daniel Jinadu (England U16).
There are also four players from the Academy of Football on standby for their nations. They are:
Anthony Scully (Republic of Ireland U19), Josh Okotcha (England U17), Ben Wells (Republic of Ireland U18) and Joshua Wilson-Esbrand (England U16).
Who is involved in qualifying campaigns?
Four of the 12 called-up have important U21 European Championship Qualifying matches this international period ahead of the 2019 tournament in Italy.
Josh Cullen (above) and Declan Rice (who is also in the Republic of Ireland's senior squad) host Azerbaijan after a friendly with Iceland as they look to stay in touch with leaders Germany at the top of their Group 5 qualifying game.
Edimilson Fernandes' Switzerland – who are in need of three points in Group 8 – take on Portugal at home, a side on the same number of points as the Swiss (seven to be exact, five points behind runaway group leaders Romania).
Finally, Martin Samuelsen's Norway travel to Israel in European Championship qualifying. They are in Ireland's group and are currently two points behind the Boys in Green.
Meanwhile, Domingos Quina (Portugal), Rihards Matrevics (Latvia) and Conor Coventry (Republic of Ireland) are all involved in U19 Elite Round qualifying matches for the 2018 European Championships.
Portugal face Kosovo, Slovakia and Coventry's Ireland; Latvia take on Macedonia, England and Hungary while Ireland also play Slovakia and Kosovo before the Portugal clash.
Kristijan Belic's Serbia have fixtures in the U17 Elite Round of the European Championship's qualifying – against Czech Republic, Ukraine and Spain.
What about the other internationals?
Centre-back Aji Alese's England U17s have two friendly fixtures, both against Brazil in Spain, while goalkeepers Serine Sanneh and Daniel Jinadu are part of the Three Lions' U16 squad for their Montaigu Tournament in France.
The young side face Russia, Cameroon and Brazil in the group stages throughout the rest of this month.
What is the full list of fixtures involving West Ham United youth players this March?
(All times GMT)
Wednesday 21 March
Domingos Quina, Portugal U19 v Kosovo U19, UEFA U19 Elite Round Qualification, 5pm
Rihards Matrevics, Latvia U19 v FYR Macedonia U19, UEFA U19 Elite Round Qualification, 1pm
Conor Coventry, Republic of Ireland U19 v Slovakia U19, UEFA U19 Elite Round Qualification, 3pm
Kristijan Belic, Serbia U17 v Czech Republic U17, UEFA U17 Elite Round Qualification, 4pm
Thursday 22 March
Declan Rice & Josh Cullen, Republic of Ireland U21 v Iceland U21, International Friendly, 7:30pm
Martin Samuelsen, Italy U21 v Norway U21, International Friendly, 6:30pm
Nathan Trott, Poland U20 v England U20, International Friendly, 6pm
Friday 23 March
Ajibola Alese, Brazil U17 v England U17, International Friendly, 1pm
Saturday 24 March
Domingos Quina, Portugal U19 v Slovakia U19, UEFA U19 Elite Round Qualification, 5pm
Rihards Matrevics, Latvia U19 v England U19, UEFA U19 Elite Round Qualification, 1pm
Conor Coventry, Republic of Ireland U19 v Kosovo U19, UEFA U19 Elite Round Qualification, 3pm
Kristijan Belic, Serbia U17 v Ukraine U17, UEFA U17 Elite Round Qualification, 1:30pm
Monday 26 March
Ajibola Alese, Brazil U17 v England U17, International Friendly, 3pm
Tuesday 27 March
Declan Rice & Josh Cullen, Republic of Ireland U21 v Azerbaijan U21, UEFA U21 Qualification Round Group 5, 7:30pm
Edimilson Fernandes, Switzerland U21 v Portugal U19, UEFA U21 Qualification Round Group 8, 5pm
Martin Samuelsen, Israel U21 v Norway U21, UEFA U21 Qualification Round Group 5, 6:45pm
Domingos Quina, Portugal U19 v Republic of Ireland U19, UEFA U19 Elite Round Qualification, 5pm
Nathan Trott, England U20 v Portugal U20, International Friendly, 7pm
Rihards Matrevics, Latvia U19 v Hungary U19, UEFA U19 Elite Round Qualification, 1pm
Conor Coventry, Portugal U19 v Republic of Ireland U19, UEFA U19 Elite Round Qualification, 5pm
Kristijan Belic, Spain U17 v Serbia U17, UEFA U17 Elite Round Qualification, 1:30pm
Serine Sanneh & Daniel Jinadu, England U16 v Russia U16, Montaigu Tournament, 6:15pm
Thursday 26 March
Serine Sanneh & Daniel Jinadu, England U16 v Cameroon U16, Montaigu Tournament, 6:15pm
Saturday 31 March
Serine Sanneh & Daniel Jinadu, England U16 v Brazil U16, Montaigu Tournament, 6pm
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Antonio double secures friendly win at Dagenham & Redbridge
WHUFC.com
West Ham United edged the #SaveTheDaggers fundraising match at neighbours Dagenham & Redbridge 3-1 through two goals from Michail Antonio and a late strike from Jordan Hugill. The Hammers edged a competitive friendly organised in aid of the National League side, who are in dire financial straits after their main benefactor withdrew future funding in February. Antonio continued his recent hot streak with a goal in each half in front of a 4,515-strong crowd at Chigwell Construction Stadium. The powerful Mason Bloomfield got Dagenham back in it on the hour-mark before Hugill marked his first start with the clincher three minutes from the end. An entertaining opening 90 minutes could easily have produced more than four goals, with both sets of players giving their all in a match that far from resembled a friendly. West Ham, unsurprisingly, controlled possession for the majority of the opening half, but the identity of their standout performer would certainly have been a shock to the thousands of Hammers fans inside the ground – Alfie Lewis. The teenager was hugely impressive alongside Mark Noble in central midfield, making himself available to receive the ball, playing with his head up and passing and carrying it forward with confidence.
Alongside him, Arthur Masuaku was his usual direct and athletic self down the left wing, and it was the winger who went closest to opening the deadlock in the opening half-hour, seeing one cross hit the crossbar and a long-range shot tipped wide by goalkeeper Mark Cousins. Hugill led the line with physicality and fired one effort over the top, before Antonio did likewise. Dagenham & Redbridge played with purpose themselves and threatened on more than one occasion. First, Adrian had to be alert to block a low shot from Luke Howell, then giant centre forward Mason Bloomfield powered close-range a header a yard too high after a fine run and cross from Jake Howells. The opening goal finally arrived on 42 minutes, albeit in slightly fortunate circumstances. Hugill was denied by a last-ditch challenge from Ben Nunn, only for left-back Luke Pennell's clearance to hit Nathan Holland ricochet into the path of Antonio, who coolly converted. And it was the same player who doubled West Ham's lead eleven minutes into the second half, running onto Josh Pask's through ball before holding off former Hammer Bondz N'Gala and sliding the ball under Cousins and into the back of the net. Three minutes later, Dagenham were back in it when, after the visitors had miraculously blocked at least three goal-bound efforts in the space of a few seconds, Bloomfield smashed home Dan Sparkes' low cross. Sparkes himself came closest to equalising for the fifth-tier side, but his low shot was well held by Adrian before the Spaniard showed superb reactions to keep out efforts from Robinson and Sparkes in the space of a few seconds. And, having held off Dagenham's charge, Hugill put the game beyond doubt three minutes from full-time, converting substitute Anthony Scully's right-wing cross to end a special night in east London with a welcome goal.
West Ham United XI: Adrian, Zabaleta (Johnson 63), Collins (Pask 29), Cresswell (Powell 63), Evra (Akinola 90), Holland (Scully 77), Noble © (Barrett 63), Lewis, Masuaku, Antonio (Rosa 90), Hugill
Subs not used: Anang (GK), Longelo-Mbule
Referee: Tim Robinson
Attendance: 4,515
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West Ham in £6m legal row with London Stadium owners
By Simon Stone
BBC Sport
A West Ham source said "we have bought a new house but it doesn't feel like a home''
West Ham are in the middle of a £6m legal row with their landlords over who should pay to make the London Stadium more supporter friendly. The Hammers pay the London Legacy Development Corporation £2.5m a year to use the stadium as part of a 99-year lease, a sum that will halve should they get relegated to the Championship. However, they have identified a number of areas - including the sale of draught beer and availability of Sky TV - that do not meet their requirements. The two parties, who are already in one legal dispute over the capacity of the London Stadium, are going to have the fresh case heard by a mutually agreed independent legal expert, who will make a decision both sides have agreed to abide by.
News of the legal wrangle comes before a meeting on Monday between West Ham's vice-chairman Karren Brady and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan over the future of the stadium and its financial viability - it is currently set to lose £140m over the next 10 years. In December, Khan said he was taking direct control of the stadium "in order to renegotiate deals and minimise ongoing losses" after publication of a damning report about the financial planning around the London Stadium.
What are the issues?
For their £2.5m annual payment, West Ham believe the LLDC should meet all the running costs of the stadium, including stewarding, catering and policing.
The LLDC counters that the payment actually only covers what could be regarded as a 'bronze' level of service and that West Ham should pay for the 'platinum' option being demanded.
West Ham's demands include:
The sale of draught beer at all bars, currently impossible because of the lack of pumps
Sky TV on all televisions at the ground. West Ham pay for the licence but the London Stadium has adverts on some screens
That the LLDC, not the club, should pay for hospitality staff who work in the corporate boxes at the stadium
While these sums on an individual basis are quite small, it is estimated that over the length of a 99-year lease they would exceed £100m, which is why they are being contested by the LLDC.
The joint cost of the current legal dispute is expected to be £6m.
Police officers pitchside at The London Stadium
Changing the colour of the carpet behind the goal could cost an estimated £140,000
Behind the goals
There has been an ongoing dispute between the club and the LLDC over the carpeted area behind each goal.
It is presently green. West Ham want it changed to claret, so it is more in keeping with the club's colours, and have their crest on it. They say they are willing to meet the estimated £140,000 cost.
The LLDC is resistant because it feels this would impact on other events. A West Ham source has told the BBC the LLDC wants an additional £150,000 to agree to the change of colour, and claims the carpet will need changing soon anyway because it is starting to become worn.
Security
The one area of agreement is that a repeat of the scenes witnessed at West Ham's last home game against Burnley should be avoided at all costs.
A number of fans invaded the pitch, supporters unhappy with the club's board protested in front of the directors' box and joint owner David Sullivan was hit by a coin.
A West Ham source has said the stewarding for that game, and others, was "inadequate", a view shared by many fans.
The LLDC believes it has fulfilled its requirements in terms of stewarding. A safety advisory group report specifically into the trouble at the Burnley game said the level of disorder "would have been almost impossible for any security team to manage".
However, the group has warned the stadium could be closed if there is a repeat and additional police and stewards will be present for West Ham's Premier League game against Southampton on 31 March.
West Ham are currently 17th in the Premier League, one place and two points above Southampton and the relegation zone.
What they say
A LLDC spokesman said: "We believe West Ham is claiming rights under the concession agreement that are not theirs. West Ham has initiated all of the legal action but we would much prefer to resolve these matters through negotiation. There is great value in these rights over the lifetime of the agreement and we have a duty to defend our rights in order to protect the public purse."
A senior West Ham source said: "We have bought a new house but it doesn't feel like a home yet because we can't get all our stuff in it and get it the way we want it. Also, if you buy a house and agree a price, you don't expect to start getting charged more once you have moved in."
There are a number of different West Ham fans groups but in a recent survey by the West Ham United Independent Supporters Association, only 19.79% of respondents said their match tickets were better value for money, taking into account stadium experience and transportation issues, than they had been at West Ham's former home Upton Park.
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Assembly discuss stadium handover
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 21st March 2018
By: Staff Writer
The London Assembly have mooted the idea of West Ham United taking full operational control of the Olympic Stadium.
The 25-strong panel gathered this afternoon in order to cross-examine former LLDC members (ex Chairman) David Edmonds and Neale Coleman, the former Deputy Chairman regarding the spiralling costs behind the stadium as part of Mayor Khan's investigation announced last November.
Conservative member Keith Prince, the assembly's representative for Havering and Redbridge put it to the panel that the venue may perhaps be better handled and more financially viable if controlled by those with experience of running football stadia.
"There is a certain irony that one of the partners is very experienced in running a stadium, the operation and the stewarding, " he said. "And that's West Ham."
To which Coleman replied: "Clearly there is an option that could be done whereby West Ham would operate the stadium. That could be an option. It would require a fundamental renegotiation of all the agreements. "I'm not necessarily saying that would be a bad thing. It would be essential in any such process that both parties benefited from that renegotiation."
And when asked whether he could envisage a situation whereby the LLDC would "pay West Ham to run the stadium", Coleman said:"Again, you would have to renegotiate the contractual arrangements and there would be issues about who decides what other events went on there, about all the decisions that would have to be made around it. "But it would be possible to do it like that, absolutely."
During the meeting a whole host of subjects relating to the stadium were discussed; these included naming rights, the terms of the tenancy agreement and adding further (non-football related) events to the calendar.
We'll bring you a full round-up of the meeting later...
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I wouldn't sign for West Ham again
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 21st March 2018
By: Staff Writer
In the world of media trained footballers, it is a refreshing change to come across one who speaks his mind – and Kieron Dyer is someone who does just that.
The former Newcastle and England midfielder's career at West Ham lasted four seasons but scarcely 20 matches, as injuries wrecked his time at the club, ultimately bringing about a premature end to his career.
What should have been the dawning of a brave new world for both club and player ended up crashing and burning in spectacular fashion, and in an interview with Blowing Bubbles magazine, Dyer does not hold back in his opinions.
"When [manager Alan Curbishley] came to see me and sold the club to me, it really felt like the club was going to push on and find themselves battling at the top of the league, and would go on to win things…. I don't think if I were 28 again and West Ham came in for me now that I would join," he said.
"I'm not sure you see the same calibre of playing that I was seeing when I joined….. West Ham are not too far away from beating the likes of Everton to be 'best of the rest' but when you look at the amount of money the two Manchester clubs are spending, I don't think Sullivan and Gold can compete."
Dyer lifts the lid on how he should not even have been playing in the game where he picked up the injury that wrecked his career – 'there's not a day that goes by where I don't regret that decision' – his own estimation of how he fared – 'I will probably go down as the worst signing ever for West Ham' – and his admiration for the supporters who backed him, no matter what happened.
To read more about this, as well as exclusive columns from ex-Irons legends Phil Parkes and George Parris, fans' views on the club's recent transfer ins and outs, what the future may hold for Michail Antonio and James Collins, the fall-out of the Tony Henry scandal, and the latest from the simmering stand-off between West Ham fans and the club's owners, pick up a copy of the new edition of Blowing Bubbles magazine – out now.
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West Ham defender James Collins faces tough task to be fit for crucial game against Southampton as he pulls up in friendly win over Dagenham
West Ham beat non-league side Dagenham 3-1 in a friendly fundraising game
But the jovial atmosphere soured when James Collins limped off for West Ham
David Moyes sat in the stands as Michail Antonio and Jordan Hugill scored
By Kieran Gill for the Daily Mail
PUBLISHED: 21:39, 21 March 2018 | UPDATED: 21:39, 21 March 2018
James Collins faces a fight to be fit for West Ham's Premier League showdown with Southampton after pulling up with a hamstring injury in their fundraising friendly on Wednesday night. The Hammers were facing cash-strapped Dagenham & Redbridge at the Chigwell Construction Stadium and Collins limped down the tunnel after only 27 minutes. David Moyes sat in the stands as West Ham won 3-1 thanks to a brace by Michail Antonio and a third by Jordan Hugill, while Mason Bloomfield scored for Dagenham. Collins' injury risks leaving West Ham light in defence ahead of crucial upcoming fixtures. They are already without Winston Reid for the rest of the season and recently sold Jose Fonte to Chinese Super League side Dalian Yifeng. West Ham are preparing to play Southampton in a relegation six-pointer on March 31 and Moyes named a strong team that included Mark Noble, Patrice Evra, Pablo Zabaleta and Antonio against Dagenham. This was their first fixture since losing 3-0 to Burnley in the Premier League at the London Stadium when pitch invaders and protests overshadowed the match. All the money made from Wednesday night's match went to Dagenham. As reported by Sportsmail, co-owner David Sullivan did not turn up despite organising the friendly following animosity towards him from fans.
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West Ham stadium contract needs simplifying, says former London Legacy Development Corporation heads
West Ham are currently at loggerheads with the LLDC, their landlords, and E20, the company set up to run the former Olympic Stadium
The Independent Sport
West Ham's contract with the owners of the London Stadium needs simplifying to put an end to the ongoing 'tension' surrounding their tenancy, according to the former heads of the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC). West Ham are currently at loggerheads with the LLDC, their landlords, and E20, the company set up to run the former Olympic Stadium. The club's move to Stratford from Upton Park in 2016 has been beset by problems, culminating in pitch invasions and anti-board protests by fans at the recent match against Burnley. But behind the scenes West Ham are locked in a legal battle with the LLDC over the club's wish to increase the ground's capacity, while a report in The Times on Wednesday morning revealed a further legal dispute involving such minutiae as who should foot the bill to provide draught beer and Sky TV on a match day. The decisions which led to the current malaise were laid bare by the London Assembly Budget Monitoring Sub-Committee on Wednesday afternoon as it discussed the recent report commissioned by London Mayor Sadiq Khan into the spiralling cost of running the stadium.
Neale Coleman, the former deputy chairman of the LLDC and one of the key decision makers during the process which made West Ham the anchor tenants, said: "It's regrettable and it's a fundamental issue that needs to be addressed. "The problem is complexity of the arrangements, if they could be simplified that would help. "There's no reason why these arrangements shouldn't work. They work in Germany quite commonly, where you have a stadium owner, an anchor tenant and an operator. "But we did end up in this position with the concession agreement whereby the costs fell on the LLDC rather than West Ham, and that creates a tension. "We have seen that in the recent days and weeks around the stewarding issues, control and cost."
Even West Ham's desire to change the colour of the carpeted area around the pitch to their claret colours, which they are willing to pay for, has been blocked by the LLDC. David Edmonds, the former LLDC chairman, revealed: "West Ham were very tough, very hard negotiators. If you only have one person to take the deal or not you tend to make compromises. "That gives people on the other side of the table the ability to question whether you are fulfilling your side of the contract.
"I recall many conversations with (West Ham vice-chairman) Karren Brady about the 'look and feel' of the stadium. "In the contract we promised to give the stadium the look and feel of their old stadium. But the interpretation of look and feel can be quite different. "That allowed a lot of dissention to arise thereafter. With hindsight I'd have gone with a partnership and not this strong, legalistic contractual deal."
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West Ham in new London Stadium dispute
March 21, 2018
Relations between West Ham and the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) seem to have deteriorated since the Moore Stephens report, commissioned by London mayor Sadiq Khan, which predicted a £140m loss over ten years. Sadiq Khan is clearly unhappy with the deal reached by Boris Johnson.
The club are already involved in a lengthy court cause with the LLDC over expanding stadium capacity, but now there is a new dispute over services they say were promised to them.
The club have asked for draught beer to be provided in all stadium bars, but the LLDC insist that West Ham should pay for the pumps. West Ham pay the £150,000 licence fee to show Sky Sports on televisions inside the stadium, but some of the screens carry LLDC adverts. The LLDC wants compensation if they are displaced. West Ham say the LLDC should pay for the hosts/hostesses in the directors' and corporate boxes, but the LLDC say the club should pay.
West Ham want to replace the green cover that goes over the running track with a claret coloured one, showing the club's logo. The LLDC says this would impact on the appearance of the stadium for other events and there are issues over who owns the branding rights.
West Ham insist that the cost over-runs in developing the stadium are not its fault: 'If the landlord cannot operate the stadium to its own budget, then we are not responsible. They want us to pay more for less.' The LLDC says that it is determined to minimize costs to the London taxpayer. The lawyers are going to be kept busy.
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Meeting between West Ham United Independent Supporters Association (WHUISA) & CoChairman
of West Ham United Football Club, David Sullivan
Tuesday 20th March 2018
https://whuisa.org/news/2018/3/21/meeting-between-whuisa-david-sullivan
David Sullivan approached WHUISA and invited them to a meeting after events leading up to and including the Burnley match on 10th March. We accepted his offer since it would give WHUISA members the opportunity to start having their issues addressed directly by Mr Sullivan. To ascertain what our members more pressing questions were and appreciating the meeting would be time limited, we circulated a list of questions to our members asking them to vote for their preferred options. 1,176 responses were received and a breakdown of these results of the survey may be found at the end of the minutes of this report (footnote iv)
Minutes of meeting between WHUISA and David Sullivan
Present were - David Sullivan (DS), Jack Sullivan (JS) Representing WHUISA: Mark Walker (MW) Paul Turner (PT) and Amanda Jacks (AJ) from the Football Supporters Federation
After formal introductions, ground rules of the meeting were established. It was agreed that prior to publication of these notes, we would gain Mr Sullivan's agreement that they were a fair and accurate reflection of our discussions prior to distribution among our members.
Given that it is the ideal of virtually all supporter organisations to have representation at Board level, MW asked DS for his views on this. DS was immediately agreeable to exploring this idea although offered a compromise solution of co-opting a former WHU player accountable to supporters. MW suggested that the selection of a player could well be an alternative, however experience of playing for WHU is a dramatically different one than being a supporter, and that an elected accountable supporter would be a better solution. DS did not disagree although made it clear that any Board member would have fiscal and legal responsibilities and cautioned us to get professional legal advice in this regard.
ACTION It was agreed that WHUISA research the proposal of a Fan on the Board in more detail and consult with our members (including the option of having a player instead). AJ suggested it would be sensible to seek clarification on exactly what Board members responsibilities were and potential financial & legal implications for them.
We then moved on to questions;
How will we bridge the gap from where we are, to where you've said before you want the club to be, and what is your timetable?
DS started by saying he is massively disappointed with what has happened this season. He starts each season with ambition to win the league, hopes to have a a miracle season like Leicester but always sets the realistic ambition to be finishing in the top 8 and nudging the top 4. However he stated that he has given himself 5-6 years to turn it around and if not will then step aside.
What does success look like to you with regards footballing matters? Define it and quantify it?
DS said we need to buy better, giving the example of Dele Alli of Spurs, but also said that we need to sell better. He stressed his disappointment of the Payet situation, comparing it to Mahrez at Leicester and wanting to hold on to him until the Summer. DS said he was desperately disappointed with the cup form, adding we have been unlucky with the away draws (drawing Man Utd after beating Liverpool in 15/16) and that the odd cup final would be success.
PT put to DS statements made by David Moyes and his assistants before the Shrewsbury and Wigan cup matches that seemed to indicate that WHUFC did not prioritise winning or competing in cup competitions properly. DS responded by stating that David Moyes put out "the strongest side possible" in trying to beat Wigan and reiterated that he wants to see WHUFC win a cup.
Do you feel that the relationship between you and the supports is reconcilable?
DS said that he hoped that it was. That it's a small minority that want him removed but fully accepts that it's a results business. It was noted that DS grasped that WHUISA were potentially in a position to assist in bridging the gap, hence offering us a meeting.
Is there a realistic prospect of material changes to the stadium, if so what are the timescales?
DS referred us to an answer prepared by "the club" which is at the end of these minutes (footnote i). However he did elaborate on some points including a desire to move the seats closer to the pitch but was aware that the Sports Grounds Safety Authority Green Guide advises that it is not considered good to have seats that are exposed to the elements. It was agreed that the stadium has generated a good atmosphere at times. DS raised that Spurs were close to securing the stadium. PT pointed out this was seen as many as a bargaining chip used by Tottenham with Haringey Council but DS said that Spurs were "gutted" not to secure the stadium. He added had we not won the bid for the OS, it would have been Spurs. The thought of having Spurs in our Borough, with a new stadium, just 2 miles from Upton Park was unthinkable to the board. I still believe it was the correct decision to move, please be the judge in ten years. There really is no going back and we have to make it work.
MW said that a major issue of what is missing was the intimidation factor that was generated at times at the Boleyn Ground, recognised by opposition players and fans alike. That this atmosphere, due to the distance between the pitch and stands, is now missing is a source of real discontent among fans. DS said we would not resort to generating an artificial atmosphere with clappers and JS stressed the same about a drum. However DS said that he was open minded to a formally recognised singing section and a family section, was prepared to listen to our suggestions but that we'd have to move very quickly in this regard.
ACTION: WHUISA would consult on this with our members & feedback the outcome to DS.
There are ongoing issues with the stewarding at the London stadium, what steps have the club taken to assist the stadium operators get a better solution?
DS referred us to an answer prepared by "the club" detailed at the end of these minutes (footnote ii.). AJ raised the potential issues ahead of the Southampton fixture and suggested that more needs to be done to address the attitude of stewards as an already tense atmosphere could be added to by over zealous policing and stewarding. DS immediately checked with the club and was reassured that two additional training sessions where in place for the fixture. DS recognised the benefits of having regular stewards working regularly in the same areas. He regretted that this was not possible at the London Stadium, and that stewarding in the stadium had been below a commercially acceptable standard.
PT raised the issue of privately hired security personnel who'd filmed blocks of supporters previously and who wore stab proof vests at the Stoke City match (2016/17 season) who apparently were directing stadium security to eject people from the stadium. PT asked if those private security people had been hired by WHUFC or LS185/E20. DS clarified that the private security teams had not been hired by WHUFC and WHUFC had only hired staff for directly underneath the director's box. AJ asked for reassurance that there would be no 'snatch squads' in place for the Southampton game.
DS said no snatch squads were planned and that it was vital that the game went off incident free otherwise we would be playing games behind closed doors. MW explained that WHUISA has met with resistance from Newham Safety Advisory Group to their being able to have a seat at the SAG meetings. He explained the merits of having a member of WHUISA at these meetings and pointed out that supporters sat on, among others, SAGs with Haringey Council, Liverpool City Council (among other examples) as per recommending Sports Ground Safety Authority and FSF best practice. DS asked what the barriers to attending these meetings were. AJ explained that many SAGs were resistant to the notion of supporter representation citing concerns around breaches of confidentiality and not knowing which supporter to ask. DS finished by saying whilst we'll support a fan's representative being on it, the ultimate decision is Newham councils not ours, But I would like to lobby & progress this point. I think it's an important and constructive point that you have made.
ACTION: DS recognised that a supporter could give a unique and valuable insight to SAG meetings and appreciated that they could make a helpful all round contribution to these meetings. MW will write to DS about the SAG so that the process can be started.
Have interviews been held for the DOF position and what is the scope of the role?
DS said that the club have hired a top, global sports headhunting company to identify possible candidates but it's not possible to place someone at the moment and expand the role, as we don't know what division we will be in next season. But even that appointment might not be a miracle cure and that player recruitment can be difficult. He gave some examples of players that have failed to settle in the Premier League citing luck as a contributory factor.
Is there a recognition that the current Chairmen need to take a step back and for a full time experienced CEO to be appointed to work alongside a DOF and Manager?
DS touched upon the points again that he gave to his previous answer. Adding again there is always an element of luck with any appointment. He said that he would take a step back over the summer; he pointed to his track record at Birmingham and that the side he left went on to win a cup. DS also stressed that he didn't like failure and genuinely wanted the club to succeed.
Are you aware of the embarrassment many supporters feel at reading unprofessional comments from either yourself, your children, your Co-Chairman and your Vice Chair on social media or national newspapers with regards to matters concerning the club?
DS accepted that not all the press interviews he had made were helpful and that both his sons had more or less stopped tweeting about the football club. PT raised some of the retweets of David Gold and it was agreed these were unfortunate. DS said that he no longer will give interviews to the press. He stated that Karren Brady has a contract with the Sun, independent of her contract with the football club, and that Karren's contract with the football club allows her to write her weekly columns for The Sun.
Will you formally recognise WHUISA as the club's FSF affiliated body and build a stronger two way relationship?
DS had a formal answer from the club (footnote iii) but stressed his keenness to meet and engage with WHUISA. MW explained that we are not a Facebook Group or Forum and that we work with all stakeholders including the Premier League, Police and other supporters associations and that we wanted to be a critical friend of the club. Our £1 membership fee sets an affordable distinction band and helps people feel more engaged with what WHUISA does. MW also stressed that there is no formal agenda as such and that we are the equivalent of a work place union for supporters. Our aims evolve in accordance with our members priorities. That the entire board of WHUISA stands annually for re-election motivates us. DS recognised the benefits of our structure and understood that that is what makes us unique in a crowded market place of fans 'groups'.
JS raised the Supporters Advisory Board and MW made the point that it's no longer elected in any way, which DS agreed needed to be looked at. AJ pointed out the fact that many members of the SAB have no formal mechanism to gather the views of the supporters they are supposed to represent and it wasn't unreasonable to suggest that the fan base were cynical about the SAB thanks to its undemocratic structure. DS agreed to a point suggesting that he preferred a previous incarnation of the SAB where fans got the opportunity to vote for representatives.
It appears there are still approximately £45m in shareholder loans owed by the club. Are you and other shareholders prepared to cancel those loans, converting them to equity and thereby demonstrating a long term commitment to the club?
We have recently seen a majority shareholder at Everton FC do just that DS stressed there was no pressure on the club to pay off the loans and debts. That the extra money was first used to pay off the Icelandic debts but they (DS and David Gold) don't have £45 million since they are asset rich and cash poor. He wanted the affordable family tag at West Ham and that the £289/£99 tickets where bad in the short term for the club. He also made clear that the money invested in West Ham is from his investment company and directly his. That company has a responsibility to its own employees etc.
Meeting with the Mayor (Sadiq Khan) was going to be an important step as the expansion of the London Stadium to full capacity will help. It was suggested by MW that DS should attend that meeting with the Mayor on the 26th March and that it would also be wise to reach out to Rokhsana Fiaz who will likely become the new Mayor of Newham in May. DS raised that the new Spurs stadium will be super but would West Ham fans be willing to pay the prices that Spurs have just announced? DS concluded that he and David Gold were British Tax Payers and that they were not drawing dividends from the club.
Would you sacrifice your ultimate controlling interest should a new investor appear on the scene and offer you a fair price for some of your shares?
DS reinstated he had no desire to sell the club but referred back to his stated timetable of 5-6 years for improvements. He highlighted the fact that the difference between finishing 7th and 17th is £22 million. However he would step aside if the King of Saudi Arabia wanted to buy the club. He finished by saying the winner never quits and a quitter never wins. DS finished by saying that it was vitally important that every supporter got behind the team in the remaining 5 games. Please protest, if you still feel it's necessary, at the end of the season and not now and never inside the stadium when a match it being played as it does impact upon the players. That he was pleased to have met WHUISA and was happy to keep an open channel of communication between us and work on the agreed actions. He had no issue with trust with WHUISA or any committee member. MW agreed he would email DS separately on each of the points agreed.
Footnotes
Footnote i
In answer to - Is there a realistic prospect of material changes to the stadium, if so what are the timescales?
A great deal of work was put into the transformation of the Stadium to begin with within the scope of the existing infrastructure. The seats were brought closer to the pitch as promised and had a roof that covered them. There are no restricted views and all seats have a clear view of play. We were and remain committed to constantly improving the Stadium where possible. Unfortunately we had problems with our landlords which has meant we must take them to court to seek a
resolution to the impasse. I cannot discuss the details, but we are pushing for a host of changes that we are entitled to under our agreement with them. They have ignored our claims but we are hopeful things will move forward now the mayor has offered to step in.
You ask about timescales. The court case will be in the autumn and should we win we are hopeful we can instigate some clear improvements immediately. We hope that this process will also mean we can build a relationship with them going forward to our mutual benefit. We have announced we will commission architects to make some positive recommendations on what can be done to improve the stadium for us and E20, our landlords. E20 are also commissioning studies in this regard and we have suggested that this would be better if we worked together. This has been put to them and again we await their response. WE have made clear to them that doing so in silo does not make sense when changes that would benefit that Club could also benefit E20 through shared investment in making them happen. However as you are already aware as it was requested by the supporter groups at the meeting which you attended either way we have committed to commission a study into what is possible in terms of the improving the seating this season.
It's findings will dictate next steps. In reality the Club can commission studies to better understand what is possible but our landlord must work with us to implement our contractual rights and to discuss changes that can benefit us both which is why it is so important that Mayor has finally agreed to engage with us.
Even at the time of the agreement we did envisage that with the benefit of the platform the Stadium gives us to generate additional revenue over time that increased budget to re-invest would enable us to make some further changes. It is for this reason that our contract has a clause within it around our ability to make improvements and alterations to the Stadium.
We are always working with E20 to explore improvements that can be made to enhance the supporter experience. Many of the improvements our supporters would like to see also benefit E20 as they benefit all spectator pitch sports. For example we were already exploring some changes to improve some seats behind the goals.
Secondly, in terms of supporters raising the issue of material change, this was raised for the first time at the meeting of the West Ham Groups United and has not previously been put to the Club in correspondence or in meetings including those held directly with WHUISA – either the previous or existing committee -it this has clearly moved up the agenda. We have also been pursuing the delivery of changes which will further enhance the look and feel of the Stadium as our home ground along with other improvements, all of which are covered in our contract with our landlord.
Their failure to deliver these so far has forced us to pursue a legal route. In terms of changes Karren's letter to the West Ham Groups United is clear on what we have committed to and the matters that will require our landlord to engage with us.
• There are ongoing issues with the stewarding at the London stadium, what steps have the club taken to assist the stadium operators get a better solution?
Footnote ii
In answer to: There are ongoing issues with the stewarding at the London stadium, what steps have the club taken to assist the stadium operators get a better solution?
This was covered in my/ Karren's letter to the fan groups which you were included within as has been extensively covered at the SAB which you attend and is summarised below
• The ground has upwards of 1,000 stewards per PL game whose roles are divided between the bridges, turnstiles, stewarding inner bowl and on ingress and egress routes.
• We have progressed from using only one stewarding provider (OCS) to four to increase competition, assist with performance monitoring and provided us with a broader scope to attract better quality stewards to London Stadium
• Of the four quadrant managers, two are ex-Boleyn stewards and both have been promoted to senior positions.
• A new Head of Safety and Security is in post, Dave Sadler.
• Additional new Deputy Safety Officer, Andrew Bracken.
• We have previously written to all former Boleyn stewards to ask if they would like to return and this offer remains very much open - we would welcome them back.
• The Club have directly employed 40 SLOs to provide directional assistance and take care of any supporter feedback, enquiries or complaints on matchday and to work with stewards and to observe and report back to the Club.
• Two former Boleyn stewards are SLOs and we will be happy to speak to any others that would like to apply for a role.
• Boleyn Stewards were actively encouraged to make the move to the Stadium on several occasions. And West Ham United and LS185 offered to pay for the necessary NVQ training for them.
• Those that joined us were re-deployed to key areas.
• The Club has worked collaboratively with LS185 on a number of initiatives to educate Stewards on the rich history and heritage of West Ham United and the importance of serving our fanbase and keeping them safe on a matchday including introducing a West Ham United section in the steward briefing notes and verbal briefing.
• Ben Illingworth, Head of Matchday Operations for West Ham United attends the senior manager and supervisor briefings to provide updates and discusses the importance of their role at West Ham United.
• Yours and your fellow supporters' experience on a matchday is of paramount importance to us. In the event supporters wish to report an incident or experience relating to stewarding we do want to hear directly – if possible straight away. SLOs are on hand on the day or you can email et. The majority of supporter report that this service is efficient. We can only act on the information we have but we assure you that if there is inadequate service, we will work with LS185 and are very much able to ensure that these individuals do not return.
Ultimately though we do not control the operation of the Stadium. We offered to buy the Stadium outright initially but that was refused. We have done everything in our power to improve the Stadiums operation. When the issues occurred last season – it was West Ham's suggestions that ultimately addressed the issues. WE have offered help, advice and input at every juncture having successfully operated a Stadia for over 25 years, six of those at the Boleyn Ground and we feed into
the SAG. We are working closely with all of the London Stadium Stakeholders as our primary focus is on ensuring that anyone attending London Stadium can do so safely. There will be additional security and police at the Southampton fixture.
Footnote iii
In answer to : Will you formally recognise WHUISA as the club's FSF affiliated body and build a stronger two way relationship?
WE already recognise WHIUISA formally as such you have a seat on the SAB. Next Monday's SAB will look at the structure and format of the SAB as you yourself suggested to ensure it can grow to be more effective forum but it must remain the inclusive forum that we engage with. WHUISA are important to us but we cannot engage with one group only we must recognise the views of all supporters and supporter groups but are certainly keen to build a stronger two way relationship.
Replies from the club have been reproduced exactly to allow members to make up their own mind on the responses.
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