Preview - Leicester City
WHUFC.com
When and Where?
West Ham United v Leicester City
Premier League
Saturday 18 March 2017, 3pm GMT
London Stadium
What's the story?
West Ham United face a resurgent Leicester City at London Stadium on Saturday, as Slaven Bilic's men look to arrest a run of four games without a victory.
The Foxes' outlook has improved considerably from a month ago, when a 2-0 defeat to Swansea City saw the Premier League champions drop into the relegation zone.
Since then, Claudio Ranieri controversially lost his job, Craig Shakespeare replaced him in the hotseat, they won back-to-back Premier League games for the first time this season and then, most remarkably, they progressed to the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.
Wes Morgan and Marc Albrighton were the goalscoring heroes as the Foxes wiped out a 2-1 first leg deficit to knock out Sevilla and set up a last eight tie with Atletico Madrid.
Despite their league travails, it continues the fairytale which saw them take the league title last term, ten points clear of their closest challengers Arsenal.
After beating Liverpool and Leicester, their fears of following that by getting relegated have eased and they currently sit three points above the drop zone – and six behind the Hammers.
West Ham have an upturn in form in mind as they look to get back inside the top ten – and will certainly hope to show a stronger defensive resilience than at Bournemouth last weekend, when they conceded three goals and saw the hosts squander two chances from the spot.
At the other end, Michail Antonio and Andre Ayew were on target, but a 3-2 defeat was their second reverse in succession.
Team news
The Hammers will be without skipper Mark Noble, who sits out with a muscle strain, and will return after the international break.
He joins Angelo Ogbonna and Diafra Sakho on the sidelines, although the pair are progressing well from their knee and back issues respectively.
With Noble out, Cheikhou Kouyate could return to the midfield, and Sam Byram is a candidate to start at right back.
Leicester's January signing Molla Wague is out for the season after suffering a dislocated shoulder, while Nampalys Mendy is rated at 50-50 to return from a knee problem.
How do I get to the game?
Tickets for this match have sold out, but become available on the Ticket Exchange as Season Ticket Holders who cannot attend relist their seats.
Supporters should note that the Docklands Light Railway is closed on Saturday between Bow Church and Stratford, meaning Pudding Mill Lane station will be out of action.
TfL Rail services are suspended between London Liverpool Street and Shenfield, with replacement buses running between Stratford and Chadwell Heath, and Shenfield and Newbury Park for connections with the Central Line.
Greater Anglia services are also disrupted, with no service between London Liverpool Street and Ingatestone/Southend Victoria. Replacement buses will be serving Newbury Park for connections with the Central Line.
Click here for the latest news on Tube services and here for National Rail.
Saturday is set to be a cloudy day in London, with a maximum temperature of 15C (59F).
How do I watch the game?
This match is not being broadcast live in the UK. International supporters can see if the match will be broadcast in their territory with our widget below. You can follow all the action at it happens on whufc.com, with live audio commentary, social media updates, in-running stats, photos and more.
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Five Talking Points - Leicester City
WHUFC.com
The Official Website discusses the major subjects ahead of Saturday's visit of Premier League champions Leicester City to London Stadium...
1. An 'important game'
While West Ham United versus Leicester City might appear to be a mid-table battle between two clubs with little to play for, that could not be farther from the truth. The Hammers are seeking to arrest a recent slide that has seen them winless in their last four Premier League matches, while the Foxes are seeking to continue a renaissance that has seen them climb away from the relegation zone. On 33 points, nine clear of the bottom three, West Ham probably need two wins from their final ten games to be assured of safety, but mere survival is not enough to satisfy the Board, manager Slaven Bilic, his squad or the Claret and Blue Army. For Leicester, staying up would be acceptable after their early-season implosion, but new manager Craig Shakespeare and his squad are likely playing for their futures at the King Power Stadium. The stage is set for what Bilic and Joint-Chairman David Sullivan have rightly called an 'important game' for both clubs.
2. Are the old Leicester back?
It certainly looks like it. Leicester have won their last three matches, all at the King Power Stadium, playing the brand of aggressive, counter-attacking football that saw them lift the Premier League trophy last May. The Foxes have beaten Liverpool and Hull City in the Premier League – both 3-1 – before upsetting the odds to defeat Sevilla 2-0 in their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second-leg tie to complete an unlikely 3-2 aggregate victory. Those results were achieved despite Leicester enjoying an average possession percentage of just 36.33 per cent. While they had the ball a little more than a third of the time, Craig Shakespeare's side have not only outscored their opponents 8-2, but they have also outshot them 44-38.
3. Desire
West Ham United's players were angry with their own performance in last Saturday's 3-2 Premier League defeat at AFC Bournemouth – and rightly so. Despite seeing the Cherries miss two penalties, the Hammers produced comfortably their worst display in two months to go down to a defeat. The players spoke of Bournemouth wanting to win so badly that their will saw them do just that. Against a Leicester City team brim full of confidence, pace and desire, the hosts will need to match the Foxes' commitment if they are not to become the visitors' first victims on their travels this Premier League season. At the same time, Slaven Bilic said his players need to learn how to manage a game in the closing stages, having conceded late goals to both West Bromwich Albion and Bournemouth in recent weeks. Whatever the scoreline going into the final few minutes on Saturday, the Hammers will need to retain their concentration and discipline until the final whistle.
4. Dylan's legacy lives on…
Saturday's game will see awareness raised for the DT38 Foundation, the charity founded in memory of late West Ham United striker Dylan Tombides. Dylan passed away at the age of 20 in April 2014, and many of the players he lined up alongside on his debut in 2012 have since departed, but the formation of DT38 by his mother Tracy means the Australian's legacy will continue to live on. Raising awareness of men's health issues, including the cancer which ultimately took Dylan's life, DT38 is a cause which every Hammers fan, male or female, should be aware of.
5. Who replaces Mark Noble?
Captain Mark Noble will miss just his third Premier League match of the season on Saturday, having been absent from the defeats at Tottenham Hotspur (through suspension) and home to Manchester United (he was an unused substitute). With the skipper unavailable, the likelihood is that Cheikhou Kouyate will move into his preferred midfield role, with either Sam Byram or Havard Nordtveit coming into the starting XI at right-back. However, Slaven Bilic may revert to 3-5-2, which would mean James Collins, Kouyate or Nordtveit playing as a third centre-half, and either Michail Antonio, Byram or Sofiane Feghouli playing as a right wing-back. The other selection issue for Bilic is whether he hands Andre Ayew or Robert Snodgrass starting places, which could mean Feghouli drops to the bench.
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Supporter feedback update
WHUFC.com
West Ham United are pleased to introduce a new feature on whufc.com created thanks to the feedback and ideas put forward by our loyal and passionate supporters. We realise that it has taken time for London Stadium to truly feel like home for some, but everyone at the Club remains absolutely committed to doing everything we can to enhance the experience for all Hammers fans. Here are just some of the new services, initiatives and improvements introduced recently for the benefit of our supporters…
@WestHamHelp
Our new dedicated Supporter Services twitter account @WestHamHelp is open from Monday to Friday from 9am-5pm and on first team home matchdays from two hours before kick-off until full-time. We aim to respond to as many enquiries as possible within 24 hours and currently have more than 2,700 followers. Follow us today for all the latest service information or if you need any help or advice relating to the Club.
SLOs growing in number
SLOsOur new team of matchday Supporter Liaison Officers (SLOs) have grown from a group of ten to 40 within the space of five matches, who will be on duty at the home match with Leicester City. All SLOs are personable, friendly and, above all, available on matchdays at London Stadium to assist with any enquiries, feedback and concerns.
Matchday Guide
The Matchday Guide is available on whufc.com and is updated from match-to-match wherever required. The Guide should feature all that you need to know before and during your visit to London Stadium. However, it is constantly evolving, and if there is anything you feel we could add to the platform we would love to hear from you at supporterservices@westhamunited.co.uk
On route to coach park
Our new team of Supporter Liaison Officers (SLOs) are situated along the route from the Stadium to the official coach park near Pudding Mill Lane to assist with any directional enquiries and offer support wherever required.
Free Shuttle Bus service for home and visiting supporters
We have increased the number of Shuttle Buses for home supporters with accessibility requirements leaving London Stadium post-match and the average queuing time is now at approximately 20-25 minutes. An additional Shuttle Bus is also available to visiting supporters with accessible requirements to assist them in travelling from the official coach park to the Stadium.
Queues at the turnstiles
Following feedback received at the Supporter Advisory Board meeting on 24 January, we have significantly increased the number of security wands at the turnstiles to support the smooth and efficient entry of supporters to the stadium. Prior to recent matches, a courtesy message has been sent to all ticket holders entering via turnstiles F, G and H to confirm seat details, turnstile entry points and reminding supporters to arrive early to beat the queues. This message is also advertised across all Club channels, including @WestHamHelp and on the front page of the Matchday Guide.
London Stadium are also actively recruiting female stewards and the number of females assisting with searches at the turnstiles is increasing match-by-match. Flow rates at the turnstiles are constantly monitored at each match and we are pleased to confirm that, with these additions, entry for all fans across the stadium is proving to be much quicker.
Shelving in concourse areas
The Club and London Stadium recently undertook a review across the entire concourse area and new shelving will be in place for the match against Leicester City on Saturday 18 March.
West Ham flags
We recently announced a new initiative encouraging supporters to bring large flags into the stadium. The initiative forms part of the Board's ongoing commitment to improving the matchday experience and ensuring supporters feel at home at London Stadium. To arrange to have your larger flag displayed, contact supporterservices@westhamunited.co.uk at least 72 hours before the home match you are attending with the following information and a member of the team will assist you:
A picture of the flag you wish to display
Dimensions of the flag
Confirmation it is manufactured to British Standard and is flame retardant
Your Season Ticket seat number
Toilets improved
Enquiries were raised at the Supporter Advisory Board meeting on January 24 as to the ratio of male to female hygiene facilities available on matchday. This has been reviewed carefully and the decision was made to change all toilets closest to the turnstiles to male, with signage and notices on each door communicating this.
New Ticket Office phone numbers
Following feedback from supporters given directly to Vice-Chairman Karren Brady at a London Stadium Forum, we introduced a new UK-rate telephone number for the Club's Ticket Office. Supporters buying Standard Tickets and Official Coach Travel have been saving since the new 03-code numbers were introduced by the Board in November 2016.
Ticket Exchange
In response to feedback from Season Ticket Holders seeking to sell their seats when they are unable to attend home matches, we introduced the Ticket Exchange. Season Ticket Holders are given the opportunity to earn money to redeem against their Season Ticket renewal by listing their seat on the Ticket Exchange ahead of every home first-team fixture at London Stadium. Since being introduced before Christmas, the Ticket Exchange has therefore also given thousands of West Ham supporters the chance to attend home fixtures which have previously sold out this season.
Season Ticket renewal price freeze/lower finance rate APR
Continuing our commitment to benefitting our most loyal supporters and providing affordable Premier League football for our Season Ticket Holders, the Board confirmed that founding Season Ticket Holders at London Stadium will enjoy a price freeze when renewing for the 2017/18 campaign. In addition, we also listened to supporter feedback by introducing a new low-interest finance plan with an APR of just 6% – down from 19.9% – delivered with our partner V12 Season Ticket Finance, for fans who wish to pay for their Season Ticket via monthly payments.
*If you have any additional feedback, the Board will consider every email sent to supporterservices@westhamunited.co.uk.
Look out for regular updates and further new supporter initiatives and services on whufc.com soon
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'We need to be positive'
WHUFC.com
West Ham United captain Mark Noble says positivity off the pitch can boost West Ham United's performances on it...
Hello everyone.
Unfortunately, I've been playing with an injury that means I won't be available to play in Saturday's Premier League fixture with Leicester City, but I'll be supporting the lads and I hope we're all going to be celebrating an important win come five o'clock.
I want to clarify some comments I made in an interview I gave at the start of the week, as I feel they didn't come across as I wanted them to. I was asked about the criticism that has been levelled at me and the team this season, and I just want to make it clear that I wasn't digging out West Ham United fans in general, because I can assure you if I wasn't playing I'd be sitting with them. I was born a West Ham supporter, I bought tickets when I was a kid, I started in the Academy when I was eleven, I went to all the home games, I was lucky enough to get into the first team and then live my dream by captaining my Club. As captain and a lifelong fan, I am the first to admit that we have not reached the same standards that we did so often last season. There have been reasons for that, but we need to start looking forward positively to the future, rather than dwell on the issues which have made things more difficult for us.
When it comes to the criticism, I want to say we have an incredible fan base, at matches home and away, week-in, week-out – proper people who love their Club – but there is a small minority who just want to criticise the players and the manager out at the first opportunity. We are going to lose games. Players will have bad games. That's for sure. But that doesn't mean we are not giving 100 per cent for the Club. As much as we try to ignore the comments made on social media, sometimes they are unavoidable and while I'm not fussed about whether I get stick or not, some players are affected by it. I think back to exactly ten years ago, when we were bottom of the Premier League. If social media existed then like it does today, people would have been calling for Alan Curbishley to be sacked or for all the players to be dropped, including Carlos Tevez! Then what happened? Everything clicked and we won seven out of our last nine games to stay up!
Times are different now. Instead of walking out of the ground and having a moan to your mate or your Dad, some people leap straight on social media and troll the player directly. You have a right to moan, of course, but negativity spreads and it can affect everyone, especially younger players who have not developed a thick skin like us more experienced ones. What I am saying is that we need to be positive, inside the dressing room, in the stands and on social media. I play under a manager who gives 100 per cent every day, and when the players are not doing likewise, I'll be the first person in the dressing room to go around and tell them to pull their socks up.
We've always been a Club which values commitment and hard work – players like Billy Bonds, Julian Dicks and Scott Parker, who gave 100 per cent every day. One player who certainly did that was Dylan Tombides, who we are paying tribute to on Saturday with a DT38 Foundation Awareness Day. We miss Dyl around the place every day, and his legacy lives on in the shape of this fantastic charity. Please give whatever you can to the cause.
Come on you Irons!
Mark Noble
Captain
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Slav wary of lightning-quick Leicester
WHUFC.com
Slaven Bilic wary of resurgent Leicester City, who visit London Stadium on Saturday
West Ham United manager says the Foxes have 'momentum'
Bilic says Leicester's England international striker Jamie Vardy is back to his best
Slaven Bilic knows West Ham United will need to slow Leicester City's lightning-quick counter-attacks if they are to floor the Foxes on Saturday. The Hammers welcome Leicester to London Stadium for the first time seeking a first victory in five Premier League matches, while Craig Shakespeare's side have won both top-flight games since the long-time assistant replaced Claudio Ranieri. Those victories, as well as Tuesday's UEFA Champions League Round of 16 success against Sevilla, were based on Leicester returning to the tactics which served them so well last season – namely, speedy counter-attacks and balls over the top and into space for Jamie Vardy to latch onto.
Bilic knows exactly what to expect from Leicester and their No9 this weekend, but stopping it will be an entirely different matter.
"They play very simple. They play like they did last year and also like they did also this season, but in another gear and tempo. Leicester plays very simple football but it's very, very productive and that got them the title at the end of the day, so it was brilliant. "Then they lost it in the second season and that happens because you are a little bit complacent and all that. You think you're going to continue like that by default and it's not uncommon that you can't hit the same form with the same players and with the same style of play. "Now, they simply continue now like they finished last season and it is electric and it is still going into spaces and getting second balls, quick attacks, good at set pieces offensively and defensively – which they weren't defensively this season up until the game against Liverpool – and they are in a good moment. "Now they have the momentum and of course they want to continue like that but, apart from the game against Bournemouth, we are also playing good and are expecting a lot from the game on Saturday."
One player West Ham will undoubtedly need to keep up with on Saturday is Jamie Vardy (pictured), who has rediscovered the form which saw him terrorise defences on the way to scoring 24 Premier League goals last season. The striker grabbed a vital away goal in Leicester's Champions League triumph over Sevilla, scored twice in the 3-1 win over Liverpool three weeks ago, and has generally looked like the player who went from non-leaguer to England international in the space of three years. "It was Vardy from last year [in the last three games]," Bilic observed. "You could see it was a copy and paste performance from him, but not only from him. Especially when you don't have the ball, it is your strikers who are setting the tempo and pressing and timing and everything. "It was not only against Sevilla but it was also straight away against Liverpool. He also looked really brilliant in that game and like the Vardy of last season, not only because he scored goals but his general performance. "It was not only him, but the whole team, like I said."
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Supporter tributes policy
WHUFC.com
Every season, West Ham United are sadly informed of the deaths of many supporters, young and old, from all over the world. Club staff never fail to be moved when a message is received that a member of the Claret and Blue faithful has passed away. Many of the messages received by the Club are accompanied by requests for tributes to be paid on a matchday, in the form of a minute's applause during a first-team match. However, due to the sheer volume of requests, it is regrettably not possible to formally hold these tributes at every match. The Club will now honour those Hammers no longer with us with a montage of tributes being shown on the big screens at home matches twice a season. The next montage of this type will be displayed at the Premier League fixture with Tottenham Hotspur at London Stadium on Saturday 6 May.
Supporters are invited to continue to send their written and photographic tributes for publication in the Official Matchday Programme by email to programme@westhamunited.co.uk. These will also be collated for the montage video.
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Mediawatch - 17 March
WHUFC.com
With the Premier League visit of Leicester City fast approaching, the media's attention has turned to Saturday's game – and who might feature for the Hammers.
One player we know won't be available is the skipper Mark Noble, who has a muscle strain – but in the Daily Mail, boss Slaven Bilic says he will return to the team refreshed and better for the break.
He said: "He is the captain and is doing everything for the club. He is exactly what a captain should be but sometimes it is too much. Sometimes he takes it home and thinks about that - not only about him but about the club. A man can take only what he can take basically. He is not available for Saturday and after that we have an international break. I left it to him, his decision to go somewhere for a week and come back strong as he was (before)."
Manuel Lanzini has been in fine form recently, and he has told Sky Sports that he is relishing stepping up to the plate and doing his bit for the team.
"Well, I would not say I am feeling the pressure at the moment," he said. "I am very comfortable with the way things are going at the moment and I feel that I am a very important part of the team, which is just what I wanted. I am feeling fit and confident. The coach has shown faith in me as have my team-mates and that's just what I need in order to show what I am capable of doing on the pitch."
Meanwhile, the Gaffer believes former Hammer Dimitri Payet was wrong to label the team's style as 'boring' in the opening half of the campaign.
Slaven told the Evening Standard: "I don't want to go into arguing into players but all you have to see if you're talking about tactics and the way we played is the statistics from last year and this year.
"Even our most recent game against Bournemouth [a 3-2 away defeat], it was not a lack of attacking that caused us to be in a situation where we lost the game. With the ball, last year and this year, we are creating chances. We are maybe playing too offensively, maybe that is the case."
Finally, Michail Antonio has earned a third call-up to the England squad, and his inclusion for matches against Germany and Lithuania is covered in the Evening Standard.
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U18s ready to bounce back
WHUFC.com
West Ham United U18s visit Reading on Saturday (11am)
The Hammers are looking for their first points of the Merit Group phase
Captain Tunji Akinola is calling for an improved performance
Tunji Akinola has urged his U18 teammates to be prepared for the same level of test as the one Chelsea posed in their 4-0 defeat to the Blues last week.
The Hammers take on Reading on Saturday (11am), aiming to pick up their first Merit Group points of the season.
After finishing in the regional division top four, Steve Potts' men were humbled at home by Chelsea in their first second phase match, but still could have got back into the game in the second half.
But defeat was how their second phase campaign started and captain Akinola called on the team to improve going forward.
"Being in the Elite Stage, we have to expect tough tests like this one," he said. "All the teams are of high calibre and we need to up our performance to match that.
"Chelsea have got quality, but one thing we noticed is that they really want it. They ran, they pressed and they didn't stop until the 90th minute.
"That's something we can take from the game. I don't think we kept the ball well enough today and that's what hurt us."
"It was tough but we've got to learn to keep the ball better in the games coming up.
The Hammers visit Reading today (11am) and Akinola believes that a win is paramount, as they aim to right the wrongs of last weekend.
They twice played Reading in the South campaign, winning 2-0 away from home but the U18s did lose 3-0 at Little Heath to the Royals in November.
"Reading should be a game that we're looking to win. They're not of the calibre of Chelsea. In the rest of the Elite phase games, we need to stamp our authority on the game from the start."
"We've got to get after teams more and keep the ball better when we have it. We spoke in the changing room after and everyone is hungry and wants to do better. We have to show what we can do in the last six games of the season."
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Kemp hungry to defend title
WHUFC.com
West Ham United PL2 travel to Newcastle United in the Premier League Cup last 16 on Saturday
The Hammers played out a 0-0 draw with the Toon Army in the north east on Monday
Winger Dan Kemp believes the team are hungry to progress in the competition
Dan Kemp believes having the status of reigning champions makes West Ham United PL2 hungrier to win the Premier League Cup again. The Hammers won the trophy last season after beat Hull City on penalties in the final, and visit St. James' Park for the second time in a week on Saturday to face Newcastle United in the last 16. The Hammers finished second in Group E, which meant an away in the first knockout round, and Kemp says the team are keen to defend their title. "Obviously winning it last year, it makes you want to win it even more this year," he said. "The lads did great to win it last year and hopefully we can defend the trophy. "We did well in the group and we know the areas we need to improve on. Hopefully the things we've been working on will show this weekend."
The Hammers were in the north east on Monday when they took on the Toon Army in Premier League 2 Division 2. Despite being down to ten men for 60 minutes of the match after Arthur Masuaku's red card, Terry Westley's did brilliantly to hold on for a point, and could even have snatched all three. "We had to dig deep on Monday and it's good that we can play them again so quickly after," Kemp continued. "We went down to ten men early and we couldn't show fully what we can do. But hopefully we can play really well this weekend and go through.
"We still created some good chances even though we had ten men and we could have easily won the game. We definitely expect to go there and win this weekend with the players we have in our team and if we have 11 men on the pitch. "After the team performance last week, we have a lot of confidence going into this weekend."
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Both sides of the fence - Paul Konchesky
WHUFC.com
Paul Konchesky is no stranger to both West Ham United and Leicester City, having enjoyed memorable spells with the two clubs.
The Barking-born left-back signed for the Hammers from Charlton in 2005 and played a key role in the Club's first season back in the Premier League, including a famous goal in the unforgettable FA Cup final against Liverpool that was seconds away from being the winner until Steven Gerrard stepped up.
After spells with Fulham and Liverpool, Konchesky spent five years with Leicester, where he helped the Foxes win promotion to the top flight in 2014 and then escape relegation by the skin of their teeth the following year.
The 35-year-old, who recently joined Isthmian League side Billericay Town after a 20-year professional career that saw him make more than 500 league appearances and earn two full England caps, talks exclusively to whufc.com about his links with both clubs...
I can see it being a tight game on Saturday.
Obviously both teams are coming into the match on the back of very different results – West Ham suffered a disappointing defeat at Bournemouth last weekend, while Leicester had a massive victory over Sevilla in midweek to reach the Champions League quarter-finals. I was at the King Power Stadium on Tuesday and it was an unbelievable night. Once Leicester got the first goal the whole place lifted and you could see the team grow in confidence and belief that they could go on and win it. They will turn up on Saturday in a positive mood, and West Ham will need to start the game well and try to get on top as quickly as possible.
It's been a strange situation at Leicester over the past few months.
Although the league form wasn't great, they were doing brilliantly in the Champions League under Claudio Ranieri. There was obviously a lot of debate over his sacking, but since then they seemed to have picked up their Premier League form and kept the European run going too. The way they play seems to suit them in Europe, and you wouldn't put it past them to go even further. No one said they could win the Premier League and they did it, so you never know. The other clubs left in the competition won't fancy playing them – even Gianluigi Buffon said that Leicester were the team that Juventus wouldn't want to face.
Full credit must go to Craig Shakespeare.
He is a great coach and a great guy, who I know well from my time there. To keep him on board until the end of the season is the right choice. He knows the club inside out, he knows all the boys well and he has their respect.
I was at London Stadium for the last home game against Chelsea.
West Ham started quickly, which is what they need to do against Leicester. One mistake cost them dear but, even after Chelsea went in front, West Ham were still in the game and played well. If they can create a few more chances and take one early on, then I think they will be okay. It's been a bit of an up and down season generally and they have had a lot to deal with. People have gone on about the stadium but, listen, it's four lines and two goals. The players know how to play football. And when you look at where they were before Christmas and where they are now, everyone would say they've done really well. They're not far off the top eight, so it hasn't been too bad.
It's crazy to think that I played in the FA Cup Final for West Ham nearly 11 years ago.
It still feels like yesterday. I remember every minute of it and – other than the result – what a fantastic day it was. I still get asked about my goal now and I still have the same answer: Yeah, it was a cross, but it went in so who cares! That year – my first season at the Club – was tremendous. We finished in the top half of the table after promotion, got to the cup final, and had a fantastic team spirit. The following season, I don't know what happened, call it second season syndrome or whatever, but it just didn't carry on. The last couple of months were incredible, though, and it was an amazing escape on the final day.
Since leaving West Ham, I've been on a bit of a nationwide tour!
I moved across London to join Fulham and had three good years there, reaching the Europa League final, before moving away from my home area for the first time to join Liverpool. It was one of those opportunities that you simply can't turn down when it comes along, the chance to play for one of the biggest names in European football. After that I've been slowly making my way back down! I had four or five great years with Leicester, including the promotion season and escaping relegation in the first year back. Obviously it was a bit of a choker to be out on loan when they won the title last year, but I wanted to play regular football at the time. Although hindsight is a wonderful thing, I would still rather have been playing week in, week out than potentially watching from the side, so I have no regrets.
After a couple of years at QPR and Gillingham, I'm now back home.
I recently signed for Billericay Town in the Isthmian League and it means I can spend more time with my family in Essex. My contract with Gillingham was up at the end of this season and, to be honest, I was planning to retire anyway. Professionally I've hung my boots up, but this opportunity came along and my wife said to me 'why would you not carry on playing if you've got this chance?' I don't think she liked the idea of me sitting at home every day doing nothing! Billericay have got a very exciting project going on, and it's good to be a part of it without the pressures of full-time football.
I'm not sure what the future holds yet.
At the moment, I'm just enjoying spending more time with my three kids and the family. I had 20 good years as a professional and I loved every minute of it. Down the line, I might look into doing my coaching badges, but for now I'm content. I've also got the family pie and mash shop in Brentwood – Konch's Café – which my mum looks after. I don't think you'll see me behind the counter any time soon, though! The other bonus is that I've now got the chance to be a West Ham fan again. I've been to the last couple of games and I also know Terry Westley well, so I've seen the Under-23s a few times. It's nice to be able to support the Club the way I did as a kid again!
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Darren demands faster starts
WHUFC.com
Darren Randolph says West Ham United cannot afford to start slowly against Leicester City on Saturday
Hammers have conceded the opening goal in five of their last six Premier League matches
Irishman took no pleasure in saving penalty in the disappointing 3-2 defeat at AFC Bournemouth
Darren Randolph says West Ham United have to start games better if they are to arrest their recent slide in results.
The Hammers have fallen behind in five of their last six Premier League matches, and could have made that six out of six when they conceded an early penalty at AFC Bournemouth. Despite going ahead, West Ham then relinquished their lead and ultimately lost the game 3-2 to make it four without a win ahead of Saturday's visit of Leicester City to London Stadium.
Reflecting on last weekend's disappointment, having watched Josh King miss, the No1 then saved his first penalty doing so for Birmingham City against Derby County three years ago, but he took no pleasure in stopping Benik Afobe's spot-kick as the Hammers were beaten at the Vitality Stadium.
"They missed one penalty, we went up the other end and scored, they missed another penalty, we score two goals and ended up losing the game, which was very frustrating," he observed. "I saved the one right at the end from Jack Wilshere and even then the ball fell right to one of their places and he smashed it in. We lost the game, so it doesn't matter how many saves or penalty saves I make, it just means I kept the score down.
"Obviously we would have been more than happy with a point, because we could have been four or five goals down at half-time, if we're being honest. It was just a frustrating thing with the way it happened.
"It's not only that game but there were other games where we didn't play particularly well in the first half. At Watford, we played better in the second half and got back into the game. The West Brom game, we played better in the second half and drew that game, then obviously lost at Bournemouth at the weekend.
"It's frustrating for everyone because we know what we can produce, but it's just a matter of producing it all the time."
We have to make a conscious effort to start the games better than we have been doing
So, how do West Ham ensure they kick-off matches on the front foot?
"It's not easy to correct it straight away, but we have to make a conscious effort to start the games better than we have been doing," Randolph observed, before suggesting that opponents have been scouting the Hammers in more detail after they finished seventh on 65 points last season.
"It's been more difficult this year because of how well we did last year, so [opposing] teams have been spending a lot more time preparing for us this year. They know more about our players. It's taken us longer than we would have liked to realise that and to find other ways to combat that."
So, what of Leicester, who arrive at London Stadium on a two-match Premier League winning run and as UEFA Champions League quarter-finalists after a midweek win over Spanish side Sevilla.
"Hopefully they'll be feeling the affects of that tie on Saturday," Randolph continued. "They're coming off the back of two better performances and two good results and it's looking like they've turned the corner, so it'll be interesting on Saturday.
"I don't think Leicester were ever going to repeat what they did last season, this season. I don't think that will ever happen again. It was a one-off season, but they're still a good side and play the way they know they can, with everyone doing their job and what they're capable of doing.
"They're capable of beating any team and they did it every week last year. They beat Liverpool a couple of weeks ago by playing similar to how they were last year, so we have to basically just deal with the physicality and directness of how they play."
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West Ham United v Leicester City
SAT, 18 MAR 2017PREMIER LEAGUE
15:00
Venue: London Stadium
TEAM NEWS
West Ham captain Mark Noble has been ruled out of Saturday's game against Leicester because of a dead leg. His absence could prompt a recall for Sam Byram, while Andre Ayew is expected to start in attack after scoring as a substitute at Bournemouth last weekend.
Leicester midfielder Nampalys Mendy remains a doubt with a knee injury. Danny Drinkwater is available despite ruling himself out of England duty because of a minor ongoing injury, believed to be a groin problem.
MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES
Alistair Mann: "Thoughts of Atletico Madrid will somehow have to be discarded as Leicester have four demanding league fixtures before they can once again indulge in a little fantasy football. "If the Foxes aren't careful, they could find themselves remembered as the first Champions League quarter-finalists (and, who knows, maybe further than that!) to be relegated in the same campaign. "It's away from home where their season has particularly imploded, winless on their travels in more than a year and with just three points accumulated on the road. "Hosts West Ham are by no means completely clear of trouble yet either, with results in their inaugural season in the London Stadium of particular concern. It all points to a fixture that's simply brimming with possibilities."
Twitter: @alistairmann01
WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic: "Leicester is a different team from four weeks ago. They really played extremely well, especially against Sevilla, when they got a great result for them and for English football in general.
"In all those three games, against Liverpool, against Hull and against Sevilla, they looked lively - and of course those kind of results, three wins on the spin including qualifying for the quarter-final of the Champions League, has given them a massive boost."
Leicester manager Craig Shakespeare on Jamie Vardy's return to form: "Tell me a forward who hasn't gone through that spell. It happens.
"Strikers live and die by their goals but the overall performance of forwards is vitally important.
"There are some good ones and he is proven in terms of being in the (England) squad before so he's up there with the best of them."
LAWRO'S PREDICTION
West Ham are on a poor run of four games without a win and I think Leicester's revival will continue.
Prediction: 0-2
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
Leicester are unbeaten in five league and cup matches against West Ham, winning four of them.
However, the Foxes have kept just one clean sheet in their last 21 away matches in this fixture. That was a 1-0 win in August 2000.
West Ham United
Slaven Bilic's side have gone four matches without a victory and could suffer three successive defeats for the first time since September.
Their only home win in the last five attempts came against Crystal Palace, with their three defeats in that period coming against the two Manchester clubs and Chelsea.
West Ham have the fifth worst home record in the division, losing six times. They were eight points better off and had only been beaten twice at Upton Park at the same stage last season.
The Hammers, like Leicester, have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last seven league matches - only Bournemouth (nine games) are on a longer run.
Andy Carroll needs one goal to bring up his half century in the Premier League.
Leicester City
The Foxes are attempting to win three successive Premier League matches for the first time since March-April last year.
Craig Shakespeare could become the first Leicester manager to win his first three Premier League games in charge.
They are the only side yet to drop a point from a winning position, maintaining their lead on all seven occasions.
However, Leicester are the only team in the Premier League this season which has failed to open the scoring in an away fixture.
Leicester could equal the club Premier League record of 16 consecutive away matches without a win, set from December 2001 to October 2003.
SAM's verdict
Most probable score: 1-1 Probability of draw: 24%
Probability of home win: 47% Probability of away win: 29%
SAM (Sports Analytics Machine) is a super-computer created by @ProfIanMcHale at the University of Salford that is used to predict the outcome of football matches.
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Mark Noble lives and breathes West Ham and we'll miss him as player and captain, writes Slaven Bilic
SLAVEN BILIC
Evening Standard
We will miss Mark Noble tomorrow, not only as a player but as captain also. There may be some skippers in football whose responsibility ends when they go up for the toss of the coin but not many. Captains of football teams are important people. The supporters will see them out there on the pitch but it is back in the dressing room or on the training pitch — that is where they are really crucial for the team. I know a little about captaincy because I was one as a player, first for part of my career at my home town club, Hajduk Split, then in Germany, with Karlsruhe. A foreign player being captain now is not thought as unusual. Some teams hardly have a domestic player on the pitch so it is unavoidable. Back then though, it was rare because only three foreign players could play in the German league. I had been there for just one season when I was made captain and it was a big surprise. When I came to England, I did captain West Ham and then Everton but I was not the designated skipper. At West Ham it was Julian Dicks and then Steve Potts but if they weren't playing, I had the armband.
At Everton the club captain was the late Gary Speed. For me, the captain is not there just to swap pennants and be there for the coin toss. He should also be the coach's right hand man and the conduit between the players and the coach. In some clubs the job comes with seniority which can be good — but not always. There are some senior players who are well past 30, have 500 appearances behind them — but they are not leaders. They can't take the responsibility which comes with the job and it is not good for them.
When I was the coach of the Croatian Under-21 team, the goalkeeper was the captain because he was the most experienced but that was not for me. I gave the armband to Luka Modric who was one of the youngest at the time because I saw that he was popular and wanted to take the responsibility. When I graduated to the senior team and the captain, Niko Kovac retired, I gave it to Darijo Srna. He wasn't the oldest and he didn't have the most caps but he was also the right choice. At West Ham, Mark is an excellent captain but it is draining, more so for him maybe because he lives and breathes the club. I know he said something about some fans not understanding the game which has annoyed some people but I have spoken to him and I know one hundred per cent that he would not want to upset the supporters — because he is one also. He was trying to protect the team and individuals within the team. I have said to him that, because he has played most of the games but is now injured, he can go away if he needs to — and come back fresh.
I am delighted Michail Antonio is in the England squad but disappointed for Andy Carroll. He shouldn't be too downhearted though. If I was him, I would feel more down if I had been fit for some time and scoring goals. He has also to be honest with himself. He can't say he has been flying for the last two games and before that he missed a few games. If he finds the consistency in form and fitness though, he should still be very hopeful.
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West Ham captain Mark Noble: Social media trolls can devastate young players
KEN DYER
Evening Standard
West Ham captain Mark Noble believes that irresponsible criticism on social media can have a devastating effect on young players. Noble, who misses West Ham's home Premier League clash against Leicester tomorrow with a thigh injury, has also attempted to explain recent comments, which have angered some supporters. The 29-year-old midfielder, who has been at the club throughout his career, said in a TV interview: "If I'm really honest, a lot of people who go to football now don't really understand the game." Now Noble has sought to clarify the comments and has also called for restraint from critical fans on social media. "Times are very different now," he said. "Instead of walking out of the ground and having a moan to your mate or your dad, some people leap straight on social media and troll the player directly. "You have a right to moan, of course, but negativity spreads and it can affect everyone, especially younger players who have not developed a thick-skin like us more experienced ones. "What I am saying is that we need to be positive, inside the dressing room, in the stands and on social media. "I also want to clarify some comments I made in an interview I gave at the start of the week, as I feel they didn't come across as I wanted them to. "I was asked about the criticism that has been levelled at me and the team this season, and I just want to make it clear that I wasn't digging out West Ham United fans in general, because I can assure you if I wasn't playing I'd be sitting with them. "When it comes to the criticism, there is a small minority who just want to criticise the players and the manager at the first opportunity. As much as we try to ignore the comments made on social media, sometimes they are unavoidable and while I'm not fussed about whether I get stick or not, some players are affected by it. "I think back to exactly 10 years ago, when we were bottom of the Premier League. "If social media existed then like it does today, people would have been calling for Alan Curbishley to be sacked or for all the players to be dropped, including Carlos Tevez! "Then what happened? Everything clicked and we won seven out of our last nine games to stay up!"
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Twitter terrorists victorious
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 17th March 2017
By: Paul Walker
So the faceless, clueless twitter twerps have got their scapegoat. Mark Noble has been sent away for a break to take him out of the firing line.
There has been weeks, months, of vile abuse suffered by Noble on social media, and it has reached such a crescendo that Mark has now seemingly acquired an injury and will not lead the side against Leicester tomorrow..and Slav has sent him away for a break with his family.
Well done trolls, you have got what you wanted. And before you start, I do not believe Noble should be in the side if his form has gone or just because he's captain. But sometimes I feel I am watching a different game to others (yes, I can hear the abuse coming my way as I write this) because there are players out there who have been far, far worse than Noble this season.
It all starts with just a few folk on twitter or social media, looking for scapegoats who have turned on Noble. That few spreads and spreads until you have twitter mob rule. People can trash careers, wreck private lives, well, just because they can, what fun!
No he has not been at his best, but it is always Noble fronting up out there, trying to plug the gaps created by others all around him.
And he never shirks this responsibility on or off the pitch. The campaign against him has gone on daily, weekly, monthly and is fanned by some folk who should know better. Maybe who should know the game better.
Yes, I am a Noble fan, you might have guessed that already. But being in my 60s I do not have heroes anymore, just people I admire for that they have done, and are doing for my club.
Is this the same lad at the back end of last season that we saw with tears in his eyes at his testimonial talking about his ' family'? This is not any sort of family support that I recognise.
Noble has become the victim, the whipping boy, for what has gone wrong this season. It got to a point when Slav had to stand up and support him last week. What disappoints me is that from within a club who have used Noble as the poster boy for the move to Stratford, there has been very, very little public support.
I may have missed some things, but if anyone can produce quotes from within the club in support of their captain I would like to see them. And I will apologise.
Noble has carried this club of late. He takes his role seriously. His involvement was crucial to the move, a local boy, one club man from Canning Town, leading the move from the Boleyn. As far as legacy goes, he was vital.
He appeared at all the photo shoots, standing alongside any corrupt/immoral MP that could be found. They are one or the other, I find. He smiled at all the right times, attended all the functions as skipper, but also never forgot his responsibility to the fans.
He pointed out that leaving the Boleyn could cost us 15 points. He's about right there. He stood in the new stadium marvelling at it's size and beauty--yes, I know some don't agree, but from a distance it looks fine. But he also mused over the difference between old and new. As ever a realist because nothing was going see us going back to E13.
Slav mentioned today that Noble feels it all, takes it home with him. In effect it has compromised his concentration at times on the pitch. But again, there have been far worse cases out there this season.
He has taken his responsibilities as skipper and as leader to heart. Trying to patch up a fractured dressing room, trying to give the unhappy fans some perspective.
Without his leadership, in my view, we would be in the relegation zone now. He has had to handle the fall-out from the Dimi Payet disaster. Someone he took into his home, called him a friend and then wasn't spoken to by the Frenchman for weeks as he engineered his escape route back to Marseille.
That hurt. And even while the clamour for his removal from the side was at its height this week, Noble was still attending community based events for the club, chatting to John Surtees I noticed. And Sky were there looking for sound bites.
It was too obvious with what looked like a planted question from the back of the room about Payet. Noble looked for a second, laughed…and then said "I had the best season of my life playing alongside Payet last season." Job done, the perfect answer.
But I have re-run this clip a few times, and Noble's eyes say something else. Such disappointment that it all went wrong. But he still held his composure.
By then he had already fielded another question about the abuse he has received. He could have batted that away, but he answered back, and he has been pilloried for it. Yes, he said some fans do not understand the game.
And he was right. And he had the right to say so and defend himself after what has clearly been a tough time. Blimey, is free speech dead? And he only said what many, many players and coaches feel about the fans anyway. Do they know exactly the role the manager has asked him to do, can they seen the messy, dirty work that has to go on out there? Not everyone can, or has the licence to do four step-overs.
But he has been called arrogant by the same 140-character morons who have ceaselessly attacked him. Sometimes you wonder whether they have just 140 words in their vocabulary.
And I even see the great, great Phil Parkes having a pop, saving Mark cannot say such things and that his legs have gone. Sorry Phil, you are a true hero of mine, a wonderful goalkeeper. I don't agree. But you never had 24/7 abuse to cope with and 24 hour news.
You toddled into training from Berkshire, picking up Dev and Sarge on the way around the north circular. Then it was home and privacy. The game and the media has changed since you stopped playing Phil, and Mark has a right to defend himself. And his legs haven't gone; Alvaro Arbeloa's might have, but not Noble's.
He has been centre stage, up front, speaking for the club. And it has all got too much for him. Now I am sure that people will pick holes in all this, will slag me off. But I don't do twitter or social media, so it won't bother me.
Twitter, you guess, I hate. It is used well by a lot of folk who love it. It is also used by cowards with assumed names and a vicious, cruel streak in them. Part of our non-caring society these days. They love the chance of a victim, a scapegoat. Well you have got your way.
And a few folk who have mounted this campaign ceaselessly for months on end who should know better.
Noble deserves better. He deserves a dew days away with his family. He is not a man we see in the tabloids falling out of Shoreditch pubs in the morning air, he loves West Ham, the club, the fans, and because his form has dipped, he gets this. Well done to everybody involved.
My view? Noble has tried his hardest this season to be everything for everybody. He is our only leader on the pitch, when players go missing--yes I mean you Cheikhou Kouyate--and he will be missed.
He has stature, respect from officials and opponents and would do nothing to hurt the club. I assume Winston Reid will take over the arm band, I hope he's got the time while seemingly agitating for another contract.
It is up now to the fans and the players who have so under-performed this term to show they can do it without Noble's leadership. Step up people, I shall watch tomorrow with interest. Do not let us down. Do not let Mark Noble down.
Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, nor should be attributed to, KUMB.com.
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Noble granted leave by Bilic
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 17th March 2017
By: Staff Writer
Mark Noble has been given a week off after it was confirmed that he would miss this weekend's clash with Leicester. The Hammers captain was reported to have picked up an injury ahead of Saturday's meeting and has been granted a few days' leave by manager Slaven Bilic in order to recharge his batteries, according to The Mail. "He is not available for Saturday and after that we have an international break," said Bilic on Thursday. "I left it up to him and his decision was to go somewhere for a week and come back stronger. "He is the captain and is doing everything for the club. He is exactly what a captain should be, but sometimes it is too much. Sometimes he takes it home and thinks about that - not only about him but about the club."
Noble, who has received criticism by some fans on social media this week is expected to take a brief holiday during his spell on the sidelines.
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Montage tributes to replace pre-planned applause
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 17th March 2017
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United have confirmed that, due to the sheer number of requests, preordained rounds of applause during matches are to be replaced with a bi-annual tribute to departed fans. An act that began as a way to mark the passing of dearly-departed former players has mushroomed in recent months - so much so that THREE bursts of applause had been requested for this weekend's clash with Leicester.
Naturally this was becoming problematic for the club, who declared this morning that rather than take requests for applause during matches they would instead honour those lost with a bi-annual montage, to be displayed on the giant screens inside the Olympic Stadium.
"Every season, West Ham United are sadly informed of the deaths of many supporters, young and old, from all over the world," read a statement on whufc.com. "Club staff never fail to be moved when a message is received that a member of the Claret and Blue faithful has passed away. "Many of the messages received by the Club are accompanied by requests for tributes to be paid on a matchday, in the form of a minute's applause during a first-team match. However, due to the sheer volume of requests, it is regrettably not possible to formally hold these tributes at every match. "The Club will now honour those Hammers no longer with us with a montage of tributes being shown on the big screens at home matches twice a season. The next montage of this type will be displayed at the Premier League fixture with Tottenham Hotspur at London Stadium on Saturday 6 May."
The subject was touched upon recently by KUMB columnist HeadHammerShark, who suggested using the screens as an alternative solution: "This has become customary all over the country and isn't unique to West Ham, although there seem to have been a number of instances at our home games recently," he wrote. "The Club are in an invidious position here. They seem cruel and unfeeling if they turn down the requests, but can't acquiesce every time without turning games into remembrance services. "However we have the largest digital wrap in Europe which is visible to at least 40,000 fans a game - the messages could be replayed throughout the build up to the game, allowing people to take a some time to remember those who have passed away without shoehorning it in to a game of football. "
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Deadline passes, no Sakho return
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 17th March 2017
By: Staff Writer
Diafra Sakho is still some distance from featuring for the first team - despite Slaven Bilic claiming at Christmas that the striker would be absent for "six to eight weeks". The Senegal international has missed the entire season bar two matches, when he played for an hour against Tottenham and Manchester United last November. Following his latest 'injury', said to have been sustained after the Manchester United match, Bilic claimed that Sakho would return to action this month. "It's a big blow for us. It will rule him out for six to eight - maybe 10 - weeks," said Bilic, speaking shortly before Christmas. "We are talking about even March for him to be back."
However with March already half-way through, club medic Stijn Vandebroucke says that Sakho is still some way off making a first team return - and will only begin training with the Under 23s next week, despite having travelled with the first team squad in Dubai last month. "Diafra is getting stronger and stronger and he will start training with the PL2 squad next week," Vandenbroucke told the club's website. "We work closely with Academy Director Terry Westley to ensure we can introduce returning players to controlled sessions, and Diaf will train with the PL2 squad for two weeks before he returns to training with the first team."
In other injury news, Angelo Ogbonna's rehabilitation programme is said to be going well. "Angelo has stepped up his rehab and began running on Thursday at Rush Green following the patellar tendon operation he underwent in January," added Vandenbroucke. "He is still quite some time from a return to full fitness, but the story is positive and the rehab is going as well as we could possibly have hoped."
Meanwhile he also confirmed the news that club captain Mark Noble will be absent for the visit of Champions League quarter finalists Leicester City this weekend. "Mark picked up a knock in training and passed a fitness test to play against Chelsea," he confirmed. "After a few days of recovery and improvement, he played again at Bournemouth. "Unfortunately, he picked up another knock in the same area of his body in that game and that took him out. He will also miss Saturday's game against Leicester City too and a week of rest and rehab will help to prepare him for the three-game week coming up against Hull, Arsenal and Swansea."
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West Ham's Mark Noble to be given time to recover from injury
Last Updated: 16/03/17 11:58pm
SSN
West Ham captain Mark Noble will be on the sidelines for the Premier League visit of Leicester on Saturday. The 28-year-old has been playing through the pain of a dead leg but he aggravated the problem during Saturday's defeat at Bournemouth. The Leicester match is followed by the international break and Hammers boss Slaven Bilic has told Noble to use the time to rest and fully recover. Cheikhou Kouyate has been filling in at right-back in recent matches but is now expected to replace Noble in midfield. A loyal Hammers servant with almost 400 appearances to his name, Noble told Sky Sports News HQ earlier this week that this season has been "the hardest" of his West Ham career. A certain section of the club's support have called for Noble to be dropped but the player says he can "handle that pressure". "He is the captain and is doing everything for the club," said Bilic. "He is exactly what a captain should be, but sometimes it is too much. "Sometimes he takes it home and thinks about that - not only about him but about the club. "A man can take only what he can take, basically. I spoke about that with him. He is not available for Saturday and after that we have an international break. "I left it to him, his decision whether to go somewhere for a week and come back as strong as he was. I have no worries about Mark."
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West Ham midfielder Manuel Lanzini not feeling pressure of filling Dimitri Payet void
Argentine midfielder also gives his backing to Mark Noble following criticism of the Hammers captain
By Nick Lustig
Last Updated: 16/03/17 7:17pm
SSN
Manuel Lanzini insists he is not feeling the pressure of attempting to fill the void left by Dimitri Payet at West Ham. Payet left the Hammers in acrimonious circumstances in January having stated he would never play for the club again before sealing a return to Marseille. Lanzini has scored three goals and provided two assists since the France international's departure from London Stadium and the Argentine midfielder says he is keen to repay manager Slaven Bilic for the continued faith that he has shown in him. "Well, I would not say I am feeling the pressure at the moment," the 24-year-old told Sky Sports News HQ. "Of course, Dimi was a very important player for us and we linked up very well on the pitch. He could help take the pressure off other players with the way he could create space and make things happen. "But I am very comfortable with the way things are going at the moment and I feel that I am a very important part of the team, which is just what I wanted. "I am feeling fit and confident. The coach has shown faith in me as have my team-mates and that's just what I need in order to show what I am capable of doing on the pitch."
Lanzini also gave his backing to West Ham captain Mark Noble following criticism of the 29-year-old from a certain section of the club's support. Noble is closing in on 400 appearances for his boyhood club, but will not feature against reigning champions Leicester in the Premier League on Saturday due to injury. Lanzini, who recorded his 50th Premier League appearance for West Ham in the recent 2-1 defeat to Chelsea, insisted Noble's presence on and off the pitch remains valued. "It's very good playing alongside him," he said.
"It's also very good to play alongside experienced players, particularly ones that are truly loved at their club as they can teach you so much on and off the pitch. "It's very important to have him around and I try to learn as much as I can by watching him."
West Ham, who currently occupy 11th place, will go in search of their first win in five matches when they welcome a revitalised Leicester to east London. The Foxes have won their last three matches in all competitions since Craig Shakespeare took over from Claudio Ranieri and advanced to the Champions League quarter-finals last Tuesday following a 2-0 victory over Sevilla at the King Power.
Lanzini insists there is no reason why Leicester cannot go on to win European football's elite club competition, but hopes West Ham can inflict a first defeat under Shakespeare for the Foxes. "Nobody thought they would win the Premier League last season and they managed that," he said. "We know that everything is possible in football and there are always surprises, which is what makes it such a wonderful sport. "At the moment they are full of confidence as a team, so why not? "But it's a very important match for us as we need to get back to winning ways and a win would really help us build our confidence. "In order to do that, we know that we need to play well. Leicester are achieving something historic in the Champions League, but we must focus on ourselves."
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West Ham United v Leicester City preview: Mark Noble to miss Foxes clash
Last Updated: 17/03/17 1:43pm
SSN
Mark Noble has been ruled out of West Ham's clash with Premier League champions Leicester City. The Hammers, who host the revitalised Foxes at the London Stadium for the first time, will have to do without their captain as they look to curtail the revival inspired by Craig Shakespeare. Since taking over from Claudio Ranieri, Shakespeare has masterminded a three-game winning streak which has seen Leicester ease their relegation fears and reach the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time. The upturn in fortunes has come at the perfect time for Leicester to maintain their impressive recent form against West Ham, with the Foxes unbeaten in their last five meetings, winning four and drawing one.
Team news
Winston Reid will deputise as captain while Sam Byram could be recalled at right-back, freeing up Cheikhou Kouyate to move into Noble's midfield berth. Andre Ayew is set to start in attack after scoring as a substitute at Bournemouth last weekend, but defender Angelo Ogbonna (knee) and striker Diafra Sakho (back) are still out.
Leicester's January signing Molla Wague is out for the season with a dislocated shoulder. The defender made just one appearance - in the FA Cup defeat at Millwall in January - and has had an operation but his long-term future is unknown, with the loan from Udinese expiring in the summer. Nampalys Mendy is rated as 50-50 to return from a knee injury which saw him miss the 2-0 win over Sevilla on Tuesday and advance to the Champions League quarter finals 3-2 on aggregate.
Opta stats
West Ham United have lost as many games against Leicester in their last five (4), as they did in the previous 25 combined (all comps).
Leicester are unbeaten in five matches in all competitions against West Ham, winning four and drawing one.
The Foxes have kept just one clean sheet in their last 21 away matches against West Ham (1-0 in August 2000), with Tim Flowers in goal for Leicester City that day.
Leicester City midfielder Andy King has scored in two of his last three matches against West Ham in all competitions.
Leicester City are two goals away from netting their 500th Premier League goal (498 currently).
Andy Carroll (49 goals) is one goal away from 50 Premier League goals, with 29 of his goals so far coming in a West Ham United shirt.
Since his debut in September 2012, Andy Carroll has appeared in just 94 of West Ham's 178 Premier League matches (53%) and played just 40% of possible minutes (6472).
Merson's prediction
I think West Ham are probably better away from home at the moment, and Tuesday's win over Sevilla in the Champions League will have taken a lot out of Leicester. They will have used up a lot of energy, so I am going to go 3-1 to West Ham. I do not think West Ham are great at home, but a lot will have been taken out of Leicester no doubt in midweek.
PAUL PREDICTS: 3-1 (16/1 with Sky Bet)
Betting
West Ham are Sky Bet's 5/4 favourites for the victory with Leicester up against odds of 21/10 to extend their winning run, while the draw is a 12/5 chance. Andy Carroll heads the first goalscorer betting at 5/1 followed by Michail Antonio (11/2) and Jamie Vardy (6/1).
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Michail Antonio: Sometimes people get annoyed when I ask questions, but they're not living my career for me
442.com
West Ham and England midfielder Michail Antonio has told FourFourTwo that his humble beginnings in football help him stay grounded today.
The 26-year-old has enjoyed an unorthodox route to the top, having begun his senior career with Tooting & Mitcham United aged 17 and eventually landing a move to Reading in 2008. Antonio only played his first Premier League game for West Ham in November 2015, but despite often being fielded as a right-back, he has netted more Premier League goals than any other Hammers player since then (17).
This week he was called up for England again as he looks to win his first cap – but despite his late rise, Antonio says he never once gave up hope of turning pro. "If someone said to me, 'What are you going to be?' I would say to them: 'I'm going to be a pro'," Antonio says in Non-League to Premier League, the latest offering from FourFourTwo Films.
"Through the junior leagues there were players I thought I was better than, and they were getting trials. I was like, 'How am I not getting these?' There were players I went to school with like Craig Eastmond, Matthew Briggs, and I felt like I was as good as these guys.
"I always believed in it, though, and I said it with authority: 'I am going to be a pro'... and if I don't, then I'm going to be a PE teacher! [laughs]
"But I kept saying it. I got to 17 and thought, 'It could be a bit late, but if it happens, it happens. I'm going to keep pushing, doing what I'm doing.' Six games in for Tooting & Mitcham I signed for Reading."
Rising at Reading
Antonio is one of many current top-flight stars who have played in English football's lower reaches, but it's fair to say he has achieved more than most since hitting the big time.
Being a lifeguard is so boring, I hated every single minute of it! Now I'm getting paid to do a job I love, and would do for free
The Wandsworth-born star has nine Premier League goals and counting in another fine campaign for the east London club, but insists he will always remain humble thanks to a career path that forced him to work extra hard.
"Once I got through the door at Reading, that's when I put my work in," the 26-year-old tells FFT. "I went out early to do my finishing, my crossing, because technically I wasn't the best coming from non-league.
"I worked doubly hard in shape and formation, because you don't learn that stuff in Non-League, and I'm not a person who's embarrassed to ask questions if they don't know stuff. I will go to someone and say, 'No, I don't understand that, can you explain it to me?'
"Sometimes people go 'aargh' at that, but I want to get it for myself. They're not living my career, and I want to make sure I understand before I start something.
"The difference is technique in every single league. Non-League to League Two; League Two to League One, to Championship, to Premier League. There can be players as strong as one another in the Premier League and League Two; players as quick as each other, or can jump as high. But it's the technique that's the difference.
"I feel like because I've done this stuff, I cherish every moment of being a footballer. Being a lifeguard is so boring, I hated every single minute of it! Now I'm getting paid to do a job I love, and would do for free."
Watch the latest instalment of FourFourTwo Films, Non-League to Premier League, on FourFourTwo's YouTube now! Just hit play on the video below to see the documentary, featuring interviews with Michail, Andre Gray, George Boyd and many more
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JONATHAN CALLERI EAGER TO LEAVE WEST HAM
MICHAEL OLIVER @MichaelOIiver
readWestHam
Jonathan Calleri wasn't brought in to be the Hammers' leading man in attack but he was expected to be a reliable goal threat whenever he featured.
The 23-year-old has been an abject failure since making his season-long loan move from Deportivo Maldonado in August and will leave the club at the end of the season.
For Calleri though, his return to South America can't come soon enough. Speaking to Ole (h/t Sport Witness), Calleri has revealed he'd like to return to his former club Boca Juniors tomorrow.
I'd like to return to Boca tomorrow. Since I arrived there, everything was very intense, but always a beautiful pressure. Boca was the top of my career.
Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images SportJordan Mansfield/Getty Images Sport
Calleri started his career with Boca Juniors before making a €11m move to Maldonado who immediately loaned him out to Sao Paulo where he scored 15 goals in 31 games for the Brazilian outfit prior to arriving in east London.
The intention was Calleri would impress in the Premier League and earn himself a lucrative permanent move to Europe but it's clear that it's not going to materialise.
He's made 12 appearances for the Hammers this season and is yet to start a Premier League game. The rather flukey goal he scored at Middlesbrough was expected to revive his career with West Ham but he's played just 46 minutes of football in the six games since, not featuring in each of the last three.
Calleri joins Brian Montenegro as two of the worst loan signings in recent West Ham history, both coming in from Maldonado. Let's hope if there's a third one it's a marked improvement.
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Stats suggest West Ham are already disadvantaged v Leicester City
By James Jones - Mar 17, 2017 0
WestHamWorld
We face a a revived and in-form Leicester City this weekend after their players disgustingly forced out Claudio Ranieri a few weeks ago – the very man who made the players and the club relevant.
Whatever you think of the way Leicester forced out the club's only worthwhile hero, it doesn't change the fact that we're playing them at a time when their tails are up and arguably in the same form as they were when they won the league last year.
We're without a win in four games now, which is disappointing given that we appeared to have put our early season form behind us with just three defeats in the 11 games leading up to our 2-2 home draw with West Brom.
Having lost to Bournemouth last weekend – and subsequently missing out on the chance to strengthen our position in the top 10, slipping to 11th instead – beating Leicester on Saturday is even more crucial than perhaps it should've been.
This season a lot has been said about the standard of refereeing in the Premier League and we all know how much we've been on the wrong end of incompetent performances from the officials.
And if the stats are anything to go by this weekend, we could be in for yet another long afternoon where the referee clearly doesn't know what he's doing.
That's because the referee will be Roger East who, after failing to award a clear penalty for Stoke v Bournemouth in November, was demoted down the divisions.
He has only refereed six Premier League games this season as a result, with former referee's chief Keith Hackett writing in the The Telegraph in November that he had doubts over East's ability to officiate at the top level of English football.
Our friends at FootballFanCast.com took a look at East's stats this week and revealed that he tends to prefer the away side in the Premier League, with 50% of his six games ended in an away win, competed to just 33% of home teams coming out on top…
But it's his penalty stats that really have me worried. He averages 0.67 penalties a game and tends to point to the spot for the away side more than he does the hosts, which means it won't really matter if Mark Noble is out injured because he probably won't be required to take one anyway.
Of course, stats don't always offer a true reflection on reality, but they are a good indicator of form.
Let's hope East's time out of the Premier League has allowed him to recover his composure and he'll have a good game in the middle on Saturday. Otherwise, it doesn't make good reading for us.
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West Ham United have offered one-year contract to Manchester City's Bacary Sagna
HITC
Olly Dawes
West Ham United have reportedly offered a deal to Bacary Sagna. According to The Mirror, West Ham United have offered a one-year deal to Manchester City defender Bacary Sagna as he gears up to leave the club. The Hammers made moves in 2016 to solve their right back problems, but Sam Byram has failed to nail down the position since his switch from Leeds United, whilst veteran Spaniard Alvaro Arbeloa has become the forgotten man since joining on a free transfer in August. That has forced defensive midfielders Cheikhou Kouyate and Havard Nordtveit into playing at right back, and this situation simply can't continue for Slaven Bilic, meaning a new right back is a must this summer. Now, The Mirror report that Manchester City are ready to let Bacary Sagna leave the club when his contract expires this summer – and West Ham have offered him a one-year contract. Sagna, 34, has been a regular for City ever since joining on a free transfer from Arsenal in 2014, making more than 80 appearances for the club having battled with Pablo Zabaleta for the starting berth at right back. A French international with 65 caps to his name, Sagna has been a consistent Premier League performer for ten years now, but has won just two trophies – the FA Cup in 2014 with Arsenal and the League Cup with Manchester City in 2016. With City looking to get younger across their defence, Sagna will be allowed to walk when his deal ends this summer, and West Ham have swooped in to offer him a one-year contract with the club. A return to London could be appealing for Sagna having spent so long there with Arsenal, and with the prospect of first-team football as well, joining Slaven Bilic's Hammers could be a smart move for the veteran full back.
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West Ham stalwart Mark Noble heads on holiday as boss Slaven Bilic admits captaincy is weighing heavy
Mark Noble will head for a week's holiday during the international break
West Ham boss Slaven Bilic admitted the captaincy is weighing on the midfielder
Irons stalwart Noble has come under scrutiny for his form in recent weeks
By Adam Crafton for MailOnline
PUBLISHED: 00:11, 17 March 2017 | UPDATED: 00:11, 17 March 2017
West Ham captain Mark Noble will head for a week's holiday during the international break after manager Slaven Bilic admitted that the burden of leadership is weighing heavily on the midfielder's shoulders. Noble has picked up an injury and will miss West Ham's home match against Leicester on Saturday. The 29-year-old club stalwart might benefit from a getaway after coming in for some criticism for his recent performances. 'He is the captain and is doing everything for the club,' Bilic said. 'He is exactly what a captain should be but sometimes it is too much. Sometimes he takes it home and thinks about that - not only about him but about the club. 'A man can take only what he can take basically. He is not available for Saturday and after that we have an international break. I left it to him, his decision to go somewhere for a week and come back strong as he was (before).'
Bilic has no fears that Noble will soon rediscover his best form. He added: 'People were talking about England (for Noble) two weeks ago, somebody asked me that before the Chelsea game. And then after the Chelsea game it was about dropping him. 'He never hides on the pitch, he always wants the ball. 'He is our captain and gives everything for the club. He will be back very soon.'
Bilic also moved to counter Reading manager Jaap Stam's suggestion that young defender Reece Oxford has struggled on loan at the Berkshire club due to the higher intensity of training than he had been accustomed to at West Ham. Bilic also admitted he was unhappy at the lack of action Oxford, 18, has experienced since moving on loan to Reading in January. Oxford has made one appearance as a substitute for Stam's side, although he has suffered from injuries both before Christmas and since joining Reading. Bilic said there was interest from other Championship clubs and it might have been better for Oxford to go elsewhere. 'We are training very intensely here,' Bilic said. 'If you ask me, if I heard anything about the intensity of our training, it was never a question: do we train with less intensity. It was more sometimes we train too much. 'I am surprised (he is not playing) and I am not happy with that. 'The only reason for him to leave us and go on loan was to get more games than he was getting here. And I am not counting U23s – I am counting competitive football. 'But it doesn't have to be a bad experience – it can also be a good experience to be part of a team that is fighting for something, to change the environment a bit. 'It also helps to build you up as a player and a person but the main reason he went there was to play competitive football and he is not doing that at the moment.'
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Slaven Bilic takes Mark Noble out of the West Ham firing line - and tells him to get away from football
The Hammers captain will miss Saturday's visit of Leicester with the dead leg he first suffered before the Chelsea defeat
The Mirror
BYNEIL MCLEMAN
00:15, 17 MAR 2017UPDATED00:17, 17 MAR 2017
Slaven Bilic has taken Mark Noble out of the West Ham firing line - and told him to get away from football. The Hammers captain will miss Saturday's visit of Leicester with the dead leg he first suffered before the Chelsea defeat. But Noble, who was subbed off at Bournemouth, has become the target for unhappy Hammers fans this season. And he hit back this week by claiming: "If I am really honest, a lot of people who now go to football don't really understand the game." Bilic said: "He got a kick on his dead leg against Bournemouth – it's quite painful and he needs a rest. Did he need a break anyway? "I spoke with him about that also. He is the captain and is doing everything for the club. He never hides on the pitch, he always wants the ball. His is exactly what a captain should be but sometimes it is too much. Sometimes he takes it home and thinks about that - not only about him but about the club. "A man can take only what he can take basically. I spoke about that with him. He is not available for Saturday and after that we have an international break. I left it to him, his decision to go somewhere for a week and come back strong as he was. "But I have no worries about Mark. He is our captain and gives everything for the club. He will be back very soon."
Bilic hit back at Jaap Stam's claim that Reece Oxford was surprised by the "intensity" of training at Reading – and claimed his young defender made the wrong loan move. The teenager only made his Royals debut on Saturday after joining in January. "I am surprised and not happy he hasn't played much," said the Irons boss. "The only reason for him to leave us and go on loan was to get more games than he was getting here."
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Southgate's Carroll omission doesn't make any sense for the West Ham man
Southgate's reason for not selecting Carroll was baffling
Football London
BYSAM INKERSOLE
06:30, 17 MAR 2017
Yesterday (Thursday) was a day of mixed emotions if you were a West Ham fan. Michail Antonio deservedly got a recall to the England squad. He should have been given more of a chance when he was last called in by Sam Allardyce when he was in outstanding form but had to settle for a spot on the bench. He was overlooked then by Gareth Southgate and wasn't part of the last Three Lions get together.
But, Antonio - one of the most affable blokes you're ever likely to meet - has knuckled down, worked hard and despite only scoring one goal since Boxing Day, has been West Ham's key man and his determination is what has led to the recall. Now, we come on to Andy Carroll, who was left out of the squad for the friendly with Germany and World Cup qualifier with Lithuania next week. His run of four goals in four games over Christmas and new year saw him look like a nail-on for a place only for another annoying injury to befall him, especially as Southgate was due to run the rule over him in the 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion. While it's hard to argue with the England manager - you think they know more about football than us writers would - there was one nagging annoyance to the England managers comments on Carroll. He said that the Hammers number nine hasn't played enough to warrant an inclusion in the squad for the first time since 2012. Fair enough, Carroll is only two games back from injury and obviously missed a large chunk at the start of the campaign through a knee injury. But, look at the England squad and then look at Southgate's comments again.
Luke Shaw has played one Premier League game - one - in the past FIVE months and has 160 minutes of football under his belt in 2017. Another Manchester United man, Jesse Lingard, has 386 minutes of game time this year. Both of those made the squad. Carroll's minutes in 2017? 551. Southgate's argument has no reasoning whatsoever. Especially with England lacking strikers thanks to injuries and Harry Kane, has Marcus Rashford done enough to be selected ahead of the West Ham man? No, he hasn't. While it might be a blessing in disguise that Carroll hasn't been selected - we know David Sullivan won't mind one bit - you can't help but feel the Geordie frontman has been overlooked for the wrong reasons. Not that he should have been overlooked at all.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Saturday, March 18
Friday, March 17
Daily WHUFC News - 17th March 2017
Antonio receives third England call-up
WHUFC.com
Michail Antonio has been called up to the England national squad for the third time ahead of the side's fixtures against Germany and Lithuania. The midfielder has been in fantastic form for West Ham United all season, and is the Club's top scorer with nine goals. Antonio will be hoping to make his international debut for Gareth Southgate's men as they first travel to Dortmund to face the world champions in a friendly fixture before taking on Lithuania at Wembley in FIFA World Cup qualification.
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'Leicester is a different team'
WHUFC.com
Slaven Bilic says Leicester City have been 'brilliant' in the three matches they have played since Claudio Ranieri's departure
But West Ham United boss feels the title-winning Italian was 'unfortunate' to lose his position
Bilic expects Foxes to be in buoyant mood following midweek UEFA Champions League victory over Sevilla
Slaven Bilic says that while Claudio Ranieri's departure from Leicester City was 'unfortunate', the Foxes are a 'different team' since the Italian's exit.
The reigning Premier League champions sat 17th in the table after their fifth defeat in succession – 2-0 at Swansea City on 12 February – leading to Ranieri being removed from his position by the club's owners.
The decision was met with an outpouring of surprise and dismay by many in the game, including Bilic and his fellow Premier League managers, but Leicester have won three games out of three since to climb clear of immediate danger and reach the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.
Ranieri's former assistant Craig Shakespeare has been given the reins until the end of the season and the West Ham United boss is expecting Leicester to arrive at London Stadium in buoyant mood for Saturday afternoon's fixture.
"Leicester is a different team from four weeks ago," Bilic observed. "They really played extremely well, especially against Sevilla, when they got a great result [winning 2-0 to go through 3-2 on aggregate] for them and for English football in general.
"In all those three games, against Liverpool, against Hull [in the Premier League] and against Sevilla, they looked lively and of course those kind of results, three wins on the spin including qualifying for the quarter-final of the Champions League, has given them a massive boost.
"I don't know why they didn't play like that in the game against Swansea before that change of manager, but we are expecting a tough game because they are on a good run."
So, Bilic was asked in his pre-match press conference, did Leicester's owners make the right decision in replacing the experienced Italian?
"I said after they changed their manager what I thought about it, and still I don't understand it," the Hammers boss replied. "But if we are talking about the performances and results, they have got what they wanted.
"Still, for me, it was a bad decision because we are talking about Claudio Ranieri who did everything very, very recently with them.
"It's that kind of job and is in the nature of the job and you [the manager] are going to be the first one to pay the price. Unfortunately, nobody can say that it was the wrong decision because these last three results have been brilliant for them and the team has been brilliant."
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Mediawatch - 16 March
WHUFC.com
whufc.com takes our daily look at the Hammers stories making the news…
With the 2016/17 season entering its final stretch, transfer speculation is starting to take over the back pages once again and today's papers link the Hammers with a Serie A forward.
The Mirror reckon West Ham have added Sampdoria striker Luis Muriel to their summer transfer shopping list. The Colombia international has ten goals and nine assists to his name this season and is said to have a £24m release clause in his contract.
Jose Fonte has slotted straight into the Hammers side since joining from Southampton in January, and he reveals in this Evening Standard interview that Slaven Bilic's influence was the deciding factor behind his move to east London. The experienced Portuguese is in no doubt over Slav's abilities, saying: "You can see on the touchline that Slaven is very different than most managers. He is honest, direct and a football person. He was a centre-back himself, he has character and an aura and I'm just pleased to be working with him and learning from him."
Fonte also appears in the Daily Mail, where he speaks about the battles he faced in his early career – before reaching the pinnacle of the English game and the Premier League at the age of 28. He is now looking to pass his experience on to his younger teammates, saying: "Football is for super athletes these days. Back in the day, people didn't pay much attention to that side of the sport, but now every week you have to play against sprinters, ultra-fast, ultra-strong. You have to give yourself a chance. "I tell the kids: don't start when you're old, if you start when you're old it's already too late, you're not going to do it. You have to start when you're young."
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Bilic agrees with Joint-Chairman's assessment
WHUFC.com
Slaven Bilic agrees with Joint-Chairman's comments about West Ham United's defeat at AFC Bournemouth
David Sullivan had stated in his whufc.com that the team 'have to do better'
Manager says Saturday's visit of Leicester City to London Stadium is a 'very important' fixture
Slaven Bilic has agreed with Joint-Chairman David Sullivan's assessment that West Ham United's performance in losing 3-2 at AFC Bournemouth on Saturday was not good enough. The Hammers produced their worst defensive display in some time to go down to a disappointing Premier League defeat at the Vitality Stadium, where Cherries striker Joshua King bagged a hat-trick and the home team also missed two penalties. Despite their frailties, West Ham looked on course to earn a point when Andre Ayew equalised with seven minutes to go, only for Bournemouth to nick possession, swarm forward, outnumber the Hammers in their own penalty area and score the winner in the final minute of the 90. "It was a comment for that game and for that game I said also that we could not be happy with the way we performed or the way we conceded all three of their goals, especially the last one," said the manager, when asked about the Joint-Chairman's comments in his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday's visit of Leicester City to London Stadium. "Of course we have to improve and we have to bounce back. I am the first who wasn't happy with that performance and the players know that. They were not happy after the game in the dressing room, of course, they were gutted and disappointed and frustrated and they know that we didn't do well enough in that game. "We played against a good opponent, of course, but when they missed the penalty and we scored the goal, we were basically in the ideal position to build on that early result, and we let it slip away from us. Then we came back and we conceded at the end of the game a very naïve goal from our point of view. "We have a game against Leicester now and we have to bounce back and we are ready for that."
Having lost just one of their previous six Premier League games, the Hammers were beaten by leaders Chelsea in their last home game before Saturday's reverse at Bournemouth. With those two setbacks in mind, Bilic is eager for his team to ensure that losing run is not extended when they welcome the champions and UEFA Champions League quarter-finalists to London Stadium for the first time. "It is very important for us," he said, when asked about the visit of the in-form Foxes. "We had turned the corner but, as I was saying, it's not finished because there are so many points and things to fight for between now and the end of the season. "We only have one win in six and this is a good opportunity because we are under pressure and we have to win the game. We believe that we can win the game and we're going to do everything to win it."
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WHAT HAS GONE WRONG THIS SEASON?
BY EXWHUEMPLOYEE ON 16 MARCH 2017 AT 8:31PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by Vinny Ryan @vinnywhufc
If this season was an image it would very much like the face of Harry Redknapp – yes it is there but it has been melting for quite some time.
The warning signs have been there since our ill fated Europa League campaign with the lack of quality in depth and odd positioning of players such as Michail Antonio at right back.
Fast forward to today and things haven't really improved. Well they haven't improved to where the fans would like them to be given the season we had in 2015/16 where Slaven Bilic guided West Ham to 7th with the highest points total the club have achieved in the time the Premier League has been formed.
Not to mention it was a superbly exciting campaign where West Ham were even the 4th highest goal scorers in the league and that was without a regular striker.
But as the saying goes "Fail to prepare and prepare to fail" and all those hopes of moving the club to the "next level" were just words. I am not one of those people who believe David Sullivan and David Gold just want to make money off the club. I am sure they genuinely care but that doesn't make them (Sullivan in particular) very good at bringing in players.
Like a player on the pitch we judge them on whether they are good or bad, and Sullivan doesn't seem to have the ability to attract top players.
Of course West Ham can sign players like Robert Snodgrass but no matter how much we all try to kid ourselves that is a signing that we all hoped we wouldn't be making going forward. An extremely average player who a manager like Sam Allardyce would be more suited to signing.
When it comes to Slaven Bilic I've listened and read the opposing views to whether he should be removed as West Ham manager or not. I find the fact that we are even having this conversation quite stunning given the previous seasons before he joined the club.
I get told all the time that Sam Allardyce "did the job he had to at West Ham", so if that's the case what has Slaven Bilic done?! I am sitting here thinking that I haven't seen a relegation battle or anything like it over the two seasons Bilic has been in charge, in fact we are just all disappointed we are not competing with the top 7 teams!
So no, I do not want Slaven Bilic to be removed as manager. I have missed one game this season which was away in Slovenia against Domzale so don't think I am not as frustrated with some of the decisions Bilic has made regarding putting players in the incorrect positions and allowing the team to be so open that we look like a non league side when trying to defend.
Bilic could go some way to help himself if he actually played players in their rightful positions and he must know that Byram (whether he is any good or not) now has to start at right back as there simply isn't another viable option.
There is no doubt about the tactical nativity that Bilic displays but I will give him the benefit of the doubt because the recruitment last summer was dismal. Of course Bilic no doubt had something to do with that too but as a club who like to get behind their own and have a history of having few managers I find the notion of just wanting to get rid of him quite laughable.
Perhaps it is how the modern day football fan operates today because we always seem to want change. Trying to debate Bilic now with someone who wants him out is near impossible because they won't change their mind.
Whilst I am never opposed to differing opinion the problem is that naturally as human beings we always want to be right which means for the Bilic out people to be right West Ham will have to fail. There will ultimately be a satisfaction if West Ham were to say lose every game between now and the end of the season. And once there is a silver lining to the club you support losing then the debate ends there.
This doesn't mean you can't express your dissatisfaction. It's more waiting every week to say "see I told you so" that gets to me.
Bilic does have some issues with his tactics and far too many players have been played out of position this season. This though is partly down to the lack of quality in the squad which you can really see is poor. We have so many average players but quite frankly if you replace Dimtri Payet with Robert Snodgrass you will obviously see a decline in quality.
There needs to be an overhaul of our squad in the summer. I believe some tough decisions need to be made and not just with the crap that was brought in like Feghouli, Arbeloa, Tore, Calleri and Nordtviet but also with the likes of Andy Carroll and maybe even Aaron Cresswell.
As for Andy Carroll, since 2012 he has been a major problem for West Ham as it has prevented us from bringing in other strikers because we are always waiting for him to return to fitness and lead the charge with his goals. People say that if he was fit all season he would score 20+ goals which is great and that but if my auntie had a willy she'd be my uncle.
In short, Andy Carroll is never going to play a full season so therefore if we can get some money for him before his contract expires then we would be stupid not to. If we can get £32m for Andy Carroll from a club in China I will personally drive him there.
Despite the disappointing campaign I still have enjoyed going to away games as much as I ever have with the decision to get the away season ticket fully justified even though not all the results or performances have been great.
I feel I've been able to not get as down about the move to the London Stadium because away from home the whole day is still fantastic. Even though we were beaten 3-2 by Bournemouth our fans were superb. I suppose it's easy to look at the result on social media and start wanting the manager out but I am sure that the majority of fans who go away don't subscribe to that theory.
West Ham went from one of the worst footballing sides in the country to one of the most entertaining when Slaven Bilic took charge. This season everything that could go wrong seems to have done so with the mix of a new stadium, lack of big signings, lack of signing anyone better than what we had, players out of form, and the clubs best player wanting out.
I feel these set of events are not a normal occurrence and I maintain hope that the club will get it right this summer.
We are supposed to be a club that feel we are like a family, so when the going gets a little rough we decide to turn on those who we loved less than 12 months ago I think it is some of us that need to take a step back and calm down.
Vinny Ryan
@vinnywhufc
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Slav fires back in 'intensity' row
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 16th March 2017
By: Staff Writer
Slaven Bilic has responded to claims by Reading manager Jaap Stam that training at West Ham "lacks intensity".
Stam appeared to criticise Bilic's regime earlier in the week when he claimed that loanee Reece Oxford wasn't used to the high standard of training at the Championship club.
"Reece Oxford has been surprised at the level of intensity in training at Reading, compared to that at West Ham," he said. "Young players need to improve. You need to be on top of them and give them good advice, so that's why training is intense."
However Bilic fired back today when he insisted that West Ham train as hard as any other club. "We are training very intensely," he told the media at today's pre-match press conference.
"Maybe with Reece and his change of club they train differently, but the only thing I think is that Reece wasn't fit enough.
"He signed for Reading after a long injury to his ankle so maybe in the beginning he wasn't in the best shape. That was ages ago though, he will have had enough time to get ready."
Oxford finally made his debut for the Royals last weekend as a second half substitute, some six weeks after joining the club on loan for the remainder of the campaign.
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Antonio returns, but Carroll snubbed by Southgate
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 16th March 2017
By: Staff Writer
Andy Carroll has once again been overlooked by England manager Gareth Southgate. In-form Carroll had been expected to be named in the squad for the forthcoming fixtures against Germany (22 March) and Lithuania (26 March) following the withdrawal of Harry Kane and Daniel Sturridge, due to injury. However Southgate has instead chosen to recall 34-year-old Sunderland veteran Jermain Defoe - who West Ham both tried and failed to sign in January - claiming that Carroll hadn't played enough in recent weeks. And there was at least some good news for the Hammers with the welcome return of the uncapped Michail Antonio, who has enjoyed a thoroughly successful season so far.
Elsewhere there have been several international call-ups for some of the younger Hammers.
Academy stars Martin Samuelsen and Josh Cullen has been named in the latest Norwegian and Irish Under 21s squads respectively, whilst the latter's fellow Irish international Declan Rice will feature for the Under 19s - for whom Anthony Scully is also on standby.
Continuing the Irish theme, Conor Coventry is with the Irish Under 17s ahead of a trio of fixtures against Faroe Islands, Slovakia and Cyprus. Crossing the Irish Sea, Dan Kemp is currently on stand by for England's Under 18s whilst Reece Hannam is in a similar position but for the Under 17s.
Staying with England and both goalkeeper Nathan Trott and Reece Oxford - currently on loan at Reading - have been selected for England's Under 19s, whilst Trott's Academy team mate and fellow stopper Sam Howes has been namd in Keith Downing's Under 20s squad.
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West Ham boss Slaven Bilic plays down remarks from 'frustrated' David Sullivan
Last Updated: 16/03/17 11:27am
SSN
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic has played down the significance of David Sullivan's comments following the recent loss at Bournemouth.
Hammers co-chairman David Sullivan declared he was "very disappointed and frustrated" after they were beaten 3-2 by the Cherries and that their defensive lapses "cannot go on". That prompted speculation over the long-term future of Bilic, who had been tipped to sign a new contract at the London Stadium. However, the Croatian, whose side face Leicester this weekend, insists he does not feel under added pressure after Sullivan's remarks. "It was a comment for that game and for that game I also said we can't be happy with the way we performed, the way we conceded all three goals, especially the last one," said Bilic. "We have to improve and bounce back. The players know that and they were unhappy in the dressing room - they were gutted. "We have a game against Leicester that we have to bounce back in and we are ready for that."
Bilic also dismissed Dimitri Payet's recent claim that he was "bored" before leaving West Ham to rejoin Marseille during the January transfer window. Payet, who made an acrimonious departure from the club, has criticised the team's style of play under Bilic, suggesting they were overly defensive. "I don't want to go into arguing with players, but all you have to see if you look at tactics and way we play - just have a look at the statistics," said Bilic. "Even against Bournemouth it was not a lack of attacking that put us under pressure. Maybe we are playing too offensively."
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WESTLEY: ASHLEY FLETCHER SHOWING SIGNS OF IMPROVEMENT
MICHAEL OLIVER @MichaelOIiver
ReadWestHam
Ashley Fletcher was very much signed with the future in mind when he arrived on a free transfer from Manchester United last July. He snubbed a new deal at Old Trafford to seek pastures new that would offer him a more tangible route into the first-team and given the sudden emergence of Marcus Rashford, that route was very much blocked at Manchester United. The 21-year-old was expecting to either go out on loan or spend the majority of his time with the U23 squad but featured regularly for the Hammers in the early part of the season given the injuries to Andre Ayew, Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho.
To date, Fletcher has made 17 appearances for West Ham this season, scoring once against his former side United in the EFL Cup but has spent an increasing amount of time with the U23s of late with the return to form and fitness for both Ayew and Carroll.
Graham Westley, West Ham U23s manager, has praised Fletcher's performances of late and stating that his outing during the 0-0 draw with Newcastle U23s was his best to date in a Hammers shirt. It's probably the best I've seen [Ashley] Fletcher play in a game for us, against a physical side and they're a lot older than us. He took the ball in for us, had a great chance at the back post at the end of the first half, and he's a player who can go in your first team and do a job for you. He was robust, he threatened the space in behind, and he challenge for balls in the air. Fletcher does still feature regularly in matchday squads for the Hammers but seems like he's impressing enough behind the scenes to earn himself an increased role next season.
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Senegal Name Liverpool, West Ham, Stoke City Stars In 26-Man Roster For Nigeria Friendly
Published: March 16, 2017
allnigeriasoccer.com
Senegal Name Liverpool, West Ham, Stoke City Stars In 26-Man Roster For Nigeria FriendlySenegal coach Aliou Cissé unveiled on Thursday a list of 26 players selected for the friendly matches against Nigeria on March 23 in London and then Ivory Coast four days later in Paris.
Cisse has handed maiden call-ups to Moussa Wagué (Eupen), Adama Mbengue (Orlando City) and ex-France U20 international Opa Nguette (Metz).
Anderlecht defender Kara Mbodji has been named in the roster after he made himself available for selection despite struggling with a knee injury in recent weeks.
And he is joined in the squad list by undoubtedly the star player of The Lions of Teranga, Sadio Mané, Hull City midfielder Alfred Ndiaye, Stoke City's Mame Biram Diouf and West Ham star Cheikhou Kouyate.
The Senegalese squad have been booked in to stay at Holiday Inn Hotel, Wembley, and are expected to arrive in London on Monday, March 20.
Senegal Squad For Nigeria Friendly
Goalkeepers : Abdoulaye Diallo, Khadim Ndiaye, Pape Seydou Ndiaye
Defenders: Kalidou Koulibaly, Kara Mbodj, Saliou Ciss, Lamine Gassama, Moussa Wagué, Zargo Toure, Adama Mbengue, Cheikh Mbengue
Midfielders : Idrissa Gana Gueye, Cheikhou Kouyate, Pape Alioune Ndiaye, Salif Sané, Henry Saivet, Alfred Ndiaye, Cheikh Ndoye
Forwards: Sadio Mané, Diao Baldé Keïta, Mame Biram Diouf, Ismaîla Sarr, Opa Nguette, Moussa Sow, Famara Diediou, Babacar Khouma Gueye.
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West Ham boss Slaven Bilic hits back at Dimitri Payet over 'boring' tactics claims
JAMES BENGE
Evening Standard
Slaven Bilic has insisted Dimitri Payet was wrong to claim that West Ham's football was "boring" during his time at the club. Payet, who returned to Marseille in a £25million January deal, offered a damning indictment of the standard of football in "the lower reaches of the Premier League" in an interview with L'Equipe last week. The France international reserved particular scorn for West Ham's display in a 1-0 home win against Hull earlier this season where the post had been handed the club's man of the match award but Bilic insists that it is unfair to call his side defensive. "I don't want to go into arguing into players but all you have to see if you're talking about tactics and the way we played is the statistics from last year and this year," he said in his press conference ahead of the visit of Leicester City. "Even our most recent game against Bournemouth [a 3-2 away defeat], it was not a lack of attacking that caused us to be in a situation where we lost the game. "With the ball, last year and this year, we are creating chances. We are maybe playing too offensively, maybe that is the case."
Bilic's side enjoyed something of a renaissance when Payet was ostracised from the first-team and subsequently sold but results have been more disappointing over the past month. West Ham are winless in their last four Premier League games but Bilic is confident that his future need not be up for debate, with the club expected to offer him a new contract at the end of the season. "You know how it goes here," he said. "After a couple of good results, everyone is talking about that. A couple of less good results, it is a different story. "My situation hasn't changed and I can cope with that."
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Slaven Bilic rejects Stam's claim West Ham don't train hard enough
Bilic has hit back at Jaap Stam's training jibe
Football London
BYSAM INKERSOLE
11:30, 16 MAR 2017
WEST HAM
Slaven Bilic has hit back after West Ham's training methods were questioned by Reading boss Jaap Stam yesterday (Wednesday). The Royals manager said at a press conference that Hammers loanee Reece Oxford was surprised at the intensity of training at the Championship side in what appeared to be a thinly-veiled dig at Bilic. The Croat responded to the jibe at his own press conference at Rush Green today (Thursday), rejecting the notion the Hammers aren't training very hard. "I have not heard about it," he said. "We are training very intensely. Maybe with Recce and his change of club they train differently but the only thing I think is that Reece wasn't fit enough. He signed for Reading after a long injury to his ankle so maybe in the beginning he wasn't in the best shape. "That was ages ago though, he will have had enough time to get ready." Stam had said: "Reece Oxford has been surprised at the level of intensity in training at Reading, compared to at West Ham. "Young players need to improve. You need to be on top of them and give them good advice, so that's why training is intense."
Another Hammers loanee in Enner Valencia earlier criticised the training methods at Rush Green when he joined Everton on loan for the season back in August.
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Key points from Slaven Bilic press conference ahead of West Ham clash with Leicester City
The boss has been speaking to the media ahead of hosting Leicester City this weekend
Football London
BYSAM INKERSOLE
10:51, 16 MAR 2017
Slaven Bilic has been speaking to the media ahead of West Ham's Premier League clash with Leicester City at the London Stadium on Saturday. The Hammers have won just one in six and need a result this weekend to stop the rot but come up against a rejuvenated Foxes, who have yet to lose under new manager Craig Shakespeare. They also qualified for the quarter finals for the Champions League in midweek after beating Sevilla over two legs. Here's the main talking points from the press conference, with possible England call ups for Michail Antonio and Andy Carroll on the agenda as well. They simply have continued now like they finished last season. It is electric, getting second balls, quick attacks, good set pieces. They are in a good moment now, they have good momentum and want to continue but apart from the game against Bournemouth, we are playing good too. It's a different team to a few weeks ago. They were good against Sevilla, a great result for them and for English football. In their last three games they look very lively and of course those results and qualifying in the Champions League, it's given them a boost.
On Carroll and Antonio's England chances
"We will see if they get it. Both of them have had good seasons and are playing good, scoring goals and they are two of our most reponsible players for finishing and creating chances I don't mind Andy getting called up despite his injury problems. It's good for the players to get recognised."
Post-Bournemouth reaction
"The players know it wasn't good enough and they were unhappy after the game, very disappointed and frustrated and know we didn't do well enough. "When they missed the penalty and we scored we were in an ideal position to build on that and we let it slip away. To concede at the end of the game was very naive from our point of view. We have to bounce back and we are ready for that."
On Manuel Lanzini's form
"He likes to take responsibility He wants the ball all the time and when he is on the ball he is a top player with great ideas, skills and options. He sees stuff before anyone else "He is training really good, playing really good too. It's not because Payet left that he has improved. The players are giving him the ball more and he is getting available more."
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Slaven Bilic says West Ham must 'bounce back' after warning from co-chairman David Sullivan
KEN DYER
Evening Standard
Slaven Bilic has endorsed West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan's warning that the team must improve. Sullivan made the comments following the 3-2 defeat at Bournemouth last weekend and Bilic said today: "I said also that we can't be happy with our form. "We have to improve and bounce back. The players were unhappy in the dressing room after the Bournemouth match and they know they have to do better. We have to bounce back and we are ready for that." West Ham have won just one of their last six matches and are at home to rejuvenated Leicester on Saturday. "It is very important for us," said the West Ham manager. "There are so many things still to fight for. We are under pressure and we know we have to win the game. "Leicester are a different team to four weeks ago, especially after the great result against Sevilla. It was a great result for English football also. "Qualifying for the quarter-final of the Champions League definitely will give them a big boost. I don't know why they didn't play like that earlier in the season."
Bilic believes Leicester's recent results exonerate the club's decision to part company with Claudio Ranieri. "It's that kind of job," he said. "You are the first one to pay the price and now no one can say it was the wrong decision. "Leicester play very simple football – but it's productive. They continue now like they finished last season. It's electric, good at the second ball and finding spaces. "We are playing well though, apart from Bournemouth, and we are expecting something from this game."
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Revealed: Bilic believes Besiktas star could be better than Chelsea's Kante
By Emre Sarigul - March 16, 20170
Turkish Football
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic has revealed that he believes Besiktas star Atiba Hutchinson is as good as Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante.
Bilic underlined that Atiba is worthy of comparison with Kante and that he has played an instrumental role in the Black Eagles resurgence over the past four seasons. "Perhaps Atiba is even better than Kante," Bilic was quoted as saying by Turkish-Football.
"Atiba is the most consistent player, he has been the rock of Besiktas for four years, provides balance and keeps the balance. "He plays the same role as Kante but they have a few differences. "Kante rarely makes a passing mistake, I actually think he has the capability to create assists as well if he wants. "Kante loves to intercept balls, Atiba is the same. "If you ask be Atiba is a great player, he always gets out of trouble and does so much for the team."
Bilic said that he believes players who play Kante's role in football often go under the radar. "It all depends where you are from, who spots you and the position you play," he added. Bilic signed Atiba from Dutch giants PSV when he was manager of Besiktas. The Canada international has gone onto become a key player for the Black Eagles and was part of the title winning side last season. Bilic who now coaches West Ham has attempted to bring Atiba to East London but Besiktas rejected his €3.5 million offer. Besiktas president Fikret Orman was quoted by the Evening Standard as saying: "I am going to have talks with Atiba Hutchinson, he has said he wants to move to England. "West Ham made a €3.5 million offer but we want more for him. As I said we will decide his future after we hold talks." Besiktas are currently first in the Turkish league and take on Olympiakos in the Europa League Last 16 second-leg tie against Olympiakos tonight.
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West Ham should try again for Andrew Robertson this summer
HITC
Vincent Ralph
West Ham United would be wise to make a fresh move for the Hull City defender. As reported by Sky Sports back in the summer, West Ham United failed with a £7million bid for Hull City defender Andrew Robertson, but despite Aaron Cresswell's subsequent return to fitness the Hammers would be wise to try their hand again 12 months on. Cresswell may have rediscovered his fitness but his form has been woefully short of what he showed last season, and while that may return in time, West Ham need to strengthen all across the back line.
While a new right-back is vital this summer, Robertson would offer competition down the opposite flank and with his contract expiring in the summer of 2018 he could be available for a cut-price fee.
If he does not sign a new deal in the interim, Hull will certainly have a decision to make, knowing that they would risk losing him for nothing a year later. Much could also depend on what division the Tigers find themselves in next season and West Ham should at least chance their hand, with the 23-year-old possessing all the attributes to be a long-term success at the London Stadium. Robertson may not be the star name West Ham fans are craving but he could prove to be one of their best signings of recent years if they get him second time around.
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West Ham could be at risk of losing Slaven Bilic to a more ambitious project
HITC
Damien Lucas
West Ham United have been dragging their heels over awarding Slaven Bilic a new contract. Bilic led West Ham to their best ever Premier League points total and first positive goal difference since 1986 in his debut season last term. The Hammers took a number of notable scalps along the way and bid a memorable farewell to the Boleyn Ground with a thrilling 3-2 comeback win over Manchester United. This season has been a different story entirely, though, with West Ham bowing out of the Europa League in qualifying and the FA Cup and EFL Cup with heavy defeats. Bilic was at one stage the favourite for the sack but the East Londoners turned what was threatening to be a disastrous season around after Christmas to push themselves into the relative comfort of midtable. It was during the turnaround in results and performances that stories emerged indicating the former Croatia boss was to be rewarded with a new contract, as reported by the likes of the Daily Mail. But results have dipped again of late leading to unrest among supporters and talk of a new deal for Bilic has died down. The majority of fans are behind Bilic and believe he has not been backed enough in the transfer market by co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold who promised big, marquee signings last summer and failed to deliver. So could Sullivan and Gold risk losing their manager to a more ambitious project if they continue to drag their heels over a new contract. There will be some big clubs looking for new managers in the summer and Bilic could well be on their wish lists given the job he has done at West Ham. It was not that long ago he was being linked with replacing Roy Hodgson as England manager. Sullivan and Gold must accept they have not done nearly enough to properly support Bilic with the kind of money needed to achieve their stated aims of challenging the top six. Hesitate much longer and it could well be a case of not knowing what you have got until it's gone.
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West Ham to make sensational swoop for former player
By Ash Randall - March 16, 2017410 0
West Ham United want to re-sign Sunderland's Jermain Defoe in the summer as they look to strengthen their attacking options, according to Hammers fanzine Claret and Hugh. It is reported there is a clause in the 34-year-old's contract that means he will be available on a free transfer if the Black Cats get relegated this season. Defoe is a proven finisher in the Premier League and has netted 14 of Sunderland's 24 goals this campaign, which is no mean feat given their position at the bottom of the league. Even though the former West Ham player could arrive on a free, he will still cost around £70,000 a week for whatever team snap him up. The Hammers are desperate to bolster their forward line after a disastrous season in which Simone Zaza and Jonathon Calleri failed to live up to expectations and Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho have struggled with injuries. Sunderland look odds-on to get relegated, in which case Defoe would surely leave the Stadium of Light.
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DO WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO CRITICIZE?
By Blind Hammer 16 Mar 2017 at 08:00
WTID
"Blind Hammer Looks at some of the debates over criticism of Slaven Bilic.
After the disappointment of the Bournemouth defeat there were some heated debates on West Ham till I Die and other West Ham sites. We were all disappointed but there was some real discontent as to Bilic's team selection and tactics. There was also some discontent from those who were unhappy with those criticising Bilic. Subsequent to the main draft of this post being written after the Bournemouth defeat Mark Noble added weight to this view by claiming that football supporters do not really know about football.
The criticism of Bilic has mainly focussed on his unbalancing of the team by taking some of our most effective players and consistently playing them out of position. Bilic seems to have a stubborn streak and seemed, for example, for an extraordinary extended time determined to persevere with Antonio at right back. This stubborn belief persisted all summer to such a degree that we did not recruit a class right back. The appalling Antonio defensive performances at the start of the season forced a panic last minute recruitment of Álvaro Arbeloa, a player already ,reported on Real Madrid blog posts as having "lost his legs" before he came to us.
Despite this Bilic continued to play Antonio at the back until, if we ,are to believe reports, Sullivan met with and read the riot act. Unfortunately Byram faced early injury, as did Arbeloa, though the latter has never seemed capable of playing at Premiership level on the few occasions we have observed him anyway.
Regrettably despite another transfer window passing the experiment of playing players out of position to try and fudge the issues at the right side of our defence continued. Now Cheikhou Kouyaté is the latest important performer who has been transformed into an ordinary if not mediocre right back. Håvard Nordtveit is another stand in make shift right back who also does not meet Premiership standards. All this is understandable in an injury crisis but for this situation to be allowed to persist over two transfer windows is little short of baffling.
I wrote last year how we could not seriously compete in the long term with a defence that concedes on average 2 goals a game. This season we have continued the malaise, conceding 58 goals in 30 league, league cup and FA Cup games. Such consistent defensive
weakness gives the rest of the team a mountain to climb most games. The priority for recruitment this summer is defence rather than attack.
I was amongst those who wrote an article last week fearing for the defensive fragility of our team because of this and other issues. The reluctance to make selection decisions based on merit also seems very strange. Nearly everybody who has seen Antonio agrees his most powerful performances have occurred been on the right side of an attack. He has rarely played there, being deployed either as a right back/wing back, on the left or as a first or second forward as in the game against Bournemouth. Lanzini seems most effective and able to dominate a game when he is played through the middle but is only sporadically played there, being shifted out wide to accommodate other midfield presences.
I received criticism for suggesting in my post last week that Bilic needed to grasp some selection nettles and in particular that Noble needs now to be dropped to the bench. According to the radio commentary of the Bournemouth game Noble, a fantastic servant at the club, was nevertheless lucky to stay on the pitch.
After the Bournemouth defeat those who have criticised team strategy have been ridiculed by some. The argument is that Bilic has more football knowledge, insight and skill in his little finger than in the whole bodies of any of the blogging "experts" who dare to criticise him. On one level this is incontestably true but in another way is completely wrong. The point is that none of us are claiming to be experts, certainly not me. The idea that a blind man has greater insight than Bilic into tactics is clearly laughable.
However this is very different from saying Bilic is therefore infallible and should be immune from the questioning and if necessary criticism of his decisions. Is there anybody who could seriously maintain that Bilic was correct all along with his Antonio experiments? Was Bilic correct all along about his assessment of Zazar? Can setting up a team which concedes 2 gtoals a game acceptable?
There are thousands of eyes and ears watching and listening to West Ham every week. Collectively we have a validity to query recruitment, selection and tactical decisions. The late Graham Taylor, who received his share of criticism in managerial roles, nevertheless never necessarily dismissed the validity of supporter analysis just because they were supporters and not football professionals. He would actively congratulate some supporters for their insights, memorably applauding a Noel Gallagher analysis of a Manchester City performance. Taylor would disagree with the ignorant view but recognise genuine insight.
Managers have to struggle against some limitations on their analysis. They can be too close to the action, sometimes literally so on the side-lines and struggle to see a broader picture. Emotion plays a part in all sport and dropping players who have served you loyally may be a real tricky issue to manage in the dressing room.
Collectively as supporters it is actually, in my opinion, our duty to provide the more distant judgemental assessment, more free from the emotional consequences of personal player relationships and loyalties. This can actually help Bilic in some of his more difficult decisions.
So yes I will continue to criticise and question Bilic's decisions. Do I believe I know more than Bilic?-Absolutely not. Do I believe he should stay West Ham manager? Absolutely. Do I admire him for his conduct and apparent character? – Without doubt,
Yet it is a hard sport and I want him to account for his decisions. Why does he fail to play his 2 strongest midfield players in the centre? Why does he not play our best and strongest right sided forward on the right? Why is our most imaginative central midfield player able to create and influence games often stranded wide? Why does our left back not come under pressure for his place despite poor performances? Why do we not play our only fit right back at right back? Why do we have insufficient pace in the team, especially defensively? Why do we consistently get caught on the break? Why did a simple straight ball over the top of our central defenders by Bournemouth cause repeated and frantic defensive chaos?
Of course Bilic knows more than any one of us individually but it is essential for loyal supporters to highlight and pressurise on areas of weaknesses obvious even to a blind supporter rather than hide our heads under a pillow and pretend these issues do not exist.
COYI
David Griffith
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Newcastle United and West Ham United cited as potential destinations for Dries Mertens
HITC
John Verrall
Newcastle United and West Ham United are said to be interested in the Napoli man. According to Belgian newspaper Nieuwsblad, Dries Mertens is a pontential transfer target for both West Ham United and Newcastle United this summer. Mertens future at Napoli is currently in doubt, despite him enjoying one of the best seasons of his career this campaign. The 29-year-old has been played up-front by the Serie A side on a number of occasions, and he has scored frequently. Mertens has hit 24 goals in 35 matches in for Napoli, but his contract is set to expire in 2018. And both Newcastle and West Ham are touted as potential destinations for Mertens, by the Belgian press. Newcastle would, of course, have to be promoted to the Premier League to have any chance of landing Mertens. West Ham, on the the other hand, are likely to be looking to add high profile additions during the summer transfer window. If either of Newcastle or West Ham could attract Mertens, it would be a real statement of intent for the pair. Newcastle and West Ham are both expected to have sizeable funds to spend in the next transfer window.
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WEST HAM EYEING SWOOP FOR SERIE A GOAL MACHINE WITH £24M RELEASE CLAUSE – REPORT
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16th March, 2017, 7:57 AM
By Will Butcher
West Ham are monitoring the future of Sampdoria striker Luis Muriel as the Colombian continues to shine in Serie A, according to a report. The Mirror claim the Hammers have turned to the 25-year-old forward to finally end their hunt for a striker, but could be forced to meet his release clause which is a whopping £24million. Sampdoria's number nine has been in exceptional form this season, scoring 12 goals as well as turning provider on a further nine occasions during his 30 league and cup outings. Goals against the likes of Roma, Fiorentina and AC Milan have made the former Udinese and Granada forward one of Europe's most in-form strikers. That has alerted manager Slaven Bilic, but he faces a fight to sign Muriel as the versatile forward has claimed that he has offers from three different countries. "The future? I'm happy at Sampdoria," Muriel stated. "But I've had several offers from Juventus, Inter, Milan and Roma in Italy, but also from abroad — in Spain and England." The nine-time international can play both as a centre-forward and in the number 10 role, and has just over two years remaining on his current contract with Sampdoria.
Despite a number of risky foreign signings that have tried and failed at the London Stadium this season, it is fair to say that Muriel holds a good chance of becoming a success with the Hammers. His form against the biggest sides of Italian football proves that he has what it takes to score against the world's best defenders. Muriel's performance during a spectacular Sampdoria victory over Roma back in January saw him provide two assists and score another to earn a 3-2 win against Luciano Spalletti's side. It is that kind of inspiration that Bilic is looking for to fire the Hammers back into contention for the European qualification places ahead of the 2017-18 campaign.
In other West Ham transfer news, this 27-year-old striker has revealed that he wants to leave the Hammers in the summer and join Premier League rivals Everton.
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Everything you need to know about West Ham transfer target Diego Laxalt
Nope, we've never heard of him either
BYSAM INKERSOLE
07:30, 16 MAR 2017UPDATED08:06, 16 MAR 2017
Yet another name has been linked with a move to the West Ham in the summer but this is a bloke that you probably haven't heard of whatsoever. His name is Diego Laxalt. "Who?" we hear you cry and we thought exactly the same as well. The 24-year-old is an attacking midfielder from Montevideo, Uruguay. You can already start to see the comparisons with Manuel Lanzini here. Laxalt himself describes himself as a left-footed attacking midfielder, similar to another Uruguayan, Alvaro Recoba. He also, in his words, says his strengths are his speed and endurance. Laxalt started his career with Defensor Sporting in his homeland in 2012 before he was snapped up by Inter in January 2013, with the deal completed that July for a fee of £2m. He actually never featured for Inter's first team, being sent out on a couple of loan spells. One to Bologna, where he made 15 appearances and scored twice, a four-game stint with Empoli and then the spell that really got him noticed, at Genoa. He signed an 18-month loan deal with the option to buy and impressed sufficiently that the Italian outfit decided to keep him permanently and he has made 50 appearances so far this season, only scoring four times but he is the mainstay of the team. Laxalt has also represented Uruguay at youth level, having made 16 appearances for the U20 side, scoring once. He was then called up to the senior squad for the Copa Americano Centenario tournament as a replacement for the injured Cristian Rodriguez.
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West Ham signing reveals how quick process was
By Alexander Ford - March 16, 201718 0
ninetyminutesonline.com
West Ham United's summer signing Edimilson Fernandes has spoken about how quickly his move to the club happened. The midfielder joined the London Stadium from Swiss side FC Sion in August for an undisclosed fee, however he did not know anything about any interest being shown in him, to then being signed almost immediately. "Imagine this: I had not heard anything concrete. And they tell me to get on the plane immediately! I'm not ready yet, was my first thought. But then everything went ultra fast," the 20-year-old was quoted as saying to Swiss media outlet Blick. In the same article, Fernandes also described how the first meeting with Slaven Bilic went and then being told to start the very next day. "The first interview with coach Slaven Bilic was on the same evening, who asked me if I could start the next day," he said. "But I did not even have my football boots! Still I did the first training. Then the medical check. And the signature under the contract until 2020. That was almost a shock!"
Although he has admitted his start to being in the colours of West Ham were very quick, Fernandes has been particularly impressive on the field. The midfielder has currently made 22 appearances so far this season, with seven of them being included within the starting line-up. He also scored for the Hammers in the 2-1 victory against London rivals Chelsea in the EFL Cup, which led to receiving praise from Bilic. The impressive performances from the youngster have not only benefited West Ham, with a debut being handed to the Switzerland international, coming off the bench in a 2-0 victory over the Faroe Islands in a World Cup Qualifier, leaving the Swiss top of Group B.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Michail Antonio has been called up to the England national squad for the third time ahead of the side's fixtures against Germany and Lithuania. The midfielder has been in fantastic form for West Ham United all season, and is the Club's top scorer with nine goals. Antonio will be hoping to make his international debut for Gareth Southgate's men as they first travel to Dortmund to face the world champions in a friendly fixture before taking on Lithuania at Wembley in FIFA World Cup qualification.
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'Leicester is a different team'
WHUFC.com
Slaven Bilic says Leicester City have been 'brilliant' in the three matches they have played since Claudio Ranieri's departure
But West Ham United boss feels the title-winning Italian was 'unfortunate' to lose his position
Bilic expects Foxes to be in buoyant mood following midweek UEFA Champions League victory over Sevilla
Slaven Bilic says that while Claudio Ranieri's departure from Leicester City was 'unfortunate', the Foxes are a 'different team' since the Italian's exit.
The reigning Premier League champions sat 17th in the table after their fifth defeat in succession – 2-0 at Swansea City on 12 February – leading to Ranieri being removed from his position by the club's owners.
The decision was met with an outpouring of surprise and dismay by many in the game, including Bilic and his fellow Premier League managers, but Leicester have won three games out of three since to climb clear of immediate danger and reach the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.
Ranieri's former assistant Craig Shakespeare has been given the reins until the end of the season and the West Ham United boss is expecting Leicester to arrive at London Stadium in buoyant mood for Saturday afternoon's fixture.
"Leicester is a different team from four weeks ago," Bilic observed. "They really played extremely well, especially against Sevilla, when they got a great result [winning 2-0 to go through 3-2 on aggregate] for them and for English football in general.
"In all those three games, against Liverpool, against Hull [in the Premier League] and against Sevilla, they looked lively and of course those kind of results, three wins on the spin including qualifying for the quarter-final of the Champions League, has given them a massive boost.
"I don't know why they didn't play like that in the game against Swansea before that change of manager, but we are expecting a tough game because they are on a good run."
So, Bilic was asked in his pre-match press conference, did Leicester's owners make the right decision in replacing the experienced Italian?
"I said after they changed their manager what I thought about it, and still I don't understand it," the Hammers boss replied. "But if we are talking about the performances and results, they have got what they wanted.
"Still, for me, it was a bad decision because we are talking about Claudio Ranieri who did everything very, very recently with them.
"It's that kind of job and is in the nature of the job and you [the manager] are going to be the first one to pay the price. Unfortunately, nobody can say that it was the wrong decision because these last three results have been brilliant for them and the team has been brilliant."
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Mediawatch - 16 March
WHUFC.com
whufc.com takes our daily look at the Hammers stories making the news…
With the 2016/17 season entering its final stretch, transfer speculation is starting to take over the back pages once again and today's papers link the Hammers with a Serie A forward.
The Mirror reckon West Ham have added Sampdoria striker Luis Muriel to their summer transfer shopping list. The Colombia international has ten goals and nine assists to his name this season and is said to have a £24m release clause in his contract.
Jose Fonte has slotted straight into the Hammers side since joining from Southampton in January, and he reveals in this Evening Standard interview that Slaven Bilic's influence was the deciding factor behind his move to east London. The experienced Portuguese is in no doubt over Slav's abilities, saying: "You can see on the touchline that Slaven is very different than most managers. He is honest, direct and a football person. He was a centre-back himself, he has character and an aura and I'm just pleased to be working with him and learning from him."
Fonte also appears in the Daily Mail, where he speaks about the battles he faced in his early career – before reaching the pinnacle of the English game and the Premier League at the age of 28. He is now looking to pass his experience on to his younger teammates, saying: "Football is for super athletes these days. Back in the day, people didn't pay much attention to that side of the sport, but now every week you have to play against sprinters, ultra-fast, ultra-strong. You have to give yourself a chance. "I tell the kids: don't start when you're old, if you start when you're old it's already too late, you're not going to do it. You have to start when you're young."
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Bilic agrees with Joint-Chairman's assessment
WHUFC.com
Slaven Bilic agrees with Joint-Chairman's comments about West Ham United's defeat at AFC Bournemouth
David Sullivan had stated in his whufc.com that the team 'have to do better'
Manager says Saturday's visit of Leicester City to London Stadium is a 'very important' fixture
Slaven Bilic has agreed with Joint-Chairman David Sullivan's assessment that West Ham United's performance in losing 3-2 at AFC Bournemouth on Saturday was not good enough. The Hammers produced their worst defensive display in some time to go down to a disappointing Premier League defeat at the Vitality Stadium, where Cherries striker Joshua King bagged a hat-trick and the home team also missed two penalties. Despite their frailties, West Ham looked on course to earn a point when Andre Ayew equalised with seven minutes to go, only for Bournemouth to nick possession, swarm forward, outnumber the Hammers in their own penalty area and score the winner in the final minute of the 90. "It was a comment for that game and for that game I said also that we could not be happy with the way we performed or the way we conceded all three of their goals, especially the last one," said the manager, when asked about the Joint-Chairman's comments in his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday's visit of Leicester City to London Stadium. "Of course we have to improve and we have to bounce back. I am the first who wasn't happy with that performance and the players know that. They were not happy after the game in the dressing room, of course, they were gutted and disappointed and frustrated and they know that we didn't do well enough in that game. "We played against a good opponent, of course, but when they missed the penalty and we scored the goal, we were basically in the ideal position to build on that early result, and we let it slip away from us. Then we came back and we conceded at the end of the game a very naïve goal from our point of view. "We have a game against Leicester now and we have to bounce back and we are ready for that."
Having lost just one of their previous six Premier League games, the Hammers were beaten by leaders Chelsea in their last home game before Saturday's reverse at Bournemouth. With those two setbacks in mind, Bilic is eager for his team to ensure that losing run is not extended when they welcome the champions and UEFA Champions League quarter-finalists to London Stadium for the first time. "It is very important for us," he said, when asked about the visit of the in-form Foxes. "We had turned the corner but, as I was saying, it's not finished because there are so many points and things to fight for between now and the end of the season. "We only have one win in six and this is a good opportunity because we are under pressure and we have to win the game. We believe that we can win the game and we're going to do everything to win it."
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WHAT HAS GONE WRONG THIS SEASON?
BY EXWHUEMPLOYEE ON 16 MARCH 2017 AT 8:31PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by Vinny Ryan @vinnywhufc
If this season was an image it would very much like the face of Harry Redknapp – yes it is there but it has been melting for quite some time.
The warning signs have been there since our ill fated Europa League campaign with the lack of quality in depth and odd positioning of players such as Michail Antonio at right back.
Fast forward to today and things haven't really improved. Well they haven't improved to where the fans would like them to be given the season we had in 2015/16 where Slaven Bilic guided West Ham to 7th with the highest points total the club have achieved in the time the Premier League has been formed.
Not to mention it was a superbly exciting campaign where West Ham were even the 4th highest goal scorers in the league and that was without a regular striker.
But as the saying goes "Fail to prepare and prepare to fail" and all those hopes of moving the club to the "next level" were just words. I am not one of those people who believe David Sullivan and David Gold just want to make money off the club. I am sure they genuinely care but that doesn't make them (Sullivan in particular) very good at bringing in players.
Like a player on the pitch we judge them on whether they are good or bad, and Sullivan doesn't seem to have the ability to attract top players.
Of course West Ham can sign players like Robert Snodgrass but no matter how much we all try to kid ourselves that is a signing that we all hoped we wouldn't be making going forward. An extremely average player who a manager like Sam Allardyce would be more suited to signing.
When it comes to Slaven Bilic I've listened and read the opposing views to whether he should be removed as West Ham manager or not. I find the fact that we are even having this conversation quite stunning given the previous seasons before he joined the club.
I get told all the time that Sam Allardyce "did the job he had to at West Ham", so if that's the case what has Slaven Bilic done?! I am sitting here thinking that I haven't seen a relegation battle or anything like it over the two seasons Bilic has been in charge, in fact we are just all disappointed we are not competing with the top 7 teams!
So no, I do not want Slaven Bilic to be removed as manager. I have missed one game this season which was away in Slovenia against Domzale so don't think I am not as frustrated with some of the decisions Bilic has made regarding putting players in the incorrect positions and allowing the team to be so open that we look like a non league side when trying to defend.
Bilic could go some way to help himself if he actually played players in their rightful positions and he must know that Byram (whether he is any good or not) now has to start at right back as there simply isn't another viable option.
There is no doubt about the tactical nativity that Bilic displays but I will give him the benefit of the doubt because the recruitment last summer was dismal. Of course Bilic no doubt had something to do with that too but as a club who like to get behind their own and have a history of having few managers I find the notion of just wanting to get rid of him quite laughable.
Perhaps it is how the modern day football fan operates today because we always seem to want change. Trying to debate Bilic now with someone who wants him out is near impossible because they won't change their mind.
Whilst I am never opposed to differing opinion the problem is that naturally as human beings we always want to be right which means for the Bilic out people to be right West Ham will have to fail. There will ultimately be a satisfaction if West Ham were to say lose every game between now and the end of the season. And once there is a silver lining to the club you support losing then the debate ends there.
This doesn't mean you can't express your dissatisfaction. It's more waiting every week to say "see I told you so" that gets to me.
Bilic does have some issues with his tactics and far too many players have been played out of position this season. This though is partly down to the lack of quality in the squad which you can really see is poor. We have so many average players but quite frankly if you replace Dimtri Payet with Robert Snodgrass you will obviously see a decline in quality.
There needs to be an overhaul of our squad in the summer. I believe some tough decisions need to be made and not just with the crap that was brought in like Feghouli, Arbeloa, Tore, Calleri and Nordtviet but also with the likes of Andy Carroll and maybe even Aaron Cresswell.
As for Andy Carroll, since 2012 he has been a major problem for West Ham as it has prevented us from bringing in other strikers because we are always waiting for him to return to fitness and lead the charge with his goals. People say that if he was fit all season he would score 20+ goals which is great and that but if my auntie had a willy she'd be my uncle.
In short, Andy Carroll is never going to play a full season so therefore if we can get some money for him before his contract expires then we would be stupid not to. If we can get £32m for Andy Carroll from a club in China I will personally drive him there.
Despite the disappointing campaign I still have enjoyed going to away games as much as I ever have with the decision to get the away season ticket fully justified even though not all the results or performances have been great.
I feel I've been able to not get as down about the move to the London Stadium because away from home the whole day is still fantastic. Even though we were beaten 3-2 by Bournemouth our fans were superb. I suppose it's easy to look at the result on social media and start wanting the manager out but I am sure that the majority of fans who go away don't subscribe to that theory.
West Ham went from one of the worst footballing sides in the country to one of the most entertaining when Slaven Bilic took charge. This season everything that could go wrong seems to have done so with the mix of a new stadium, lack of big signings, lack of signing anyone better than what we had, players out of form, and the clubs best player wanting out.
I feel these set of events are not a normal occurrence and I maintain hope that the club will get it right this summer.
We are supposed to be a club that feel we are like a family, so when the going gets a little rough we decide to turn on those who we loved less than 12 months ago I think it is some of us that need to take a step back and calm down.
Vinny Ryan
@vinnywhufc
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Slav fires back in 'intensity' row
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 16th March 2017
By: Staff Writer
Slaven Bilic has responded to claims by Reading manager Jaap Stam that training at West Ham "lacks intensity".
Stam appeared to criticise Bilic's regime earlier in the week when he claimed that loanee Reece Oxford wasn't used to the high standard of training at the Championship club.
"Reece Oxford has been surprised at the level of intensity in training at Reading, compared to that at West Ham," he said. "Young players need to improve. You need to be on top of them and give them good advice, so that's why training is intense."
However Bilic fired back today when he insisted that West Ham train as hard as any other club. "We are training very intensely," he told the media at today's pre-match press conference.
"Maybe with Reece and his change of club they train differently, but the only thing I think is that Reece wasn't fit enough.
"He signed for Reading after a long injury to his ankle so maybe in the beginning he wasn't in the best shape. That was ages ago though, he will have had enough time to get ready."
Oxford finally made his debut for the Royals last weekend as a second half substitute, some six weeks after joining the club on loan for the remainder of the campaign.
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Antonio returns, but Carroll snubbed by Southgate
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 16th March 2017
By: Staff Writer
Andy Carroll has once again been overlooked by England manager Gareth Southgate. In-form Carroll had been expected to be named in the squad for the forthcoming fixtures against Germany (22 March) and Lithuania (26 March) following the withdrawal of Harry Kane and Daniel Sturridge, due to injury. However Southgate has instead chosen to recall 34-year-old Sunderland veteran Jermain Defoe - who West Ham both tried and failed to sign in January - claiming that Carroll hadn't played enough in recent weeks. And there was at least some good news for the Hammers with the welcome return of the uncapped Michail Antonio, who has enjoyed a thoroughly successful season so far.
Elsewhere there have been several international call-ups for some of the younger Hammers.
Academy stars Martin Samuelsen and Josh Cullen has been named in the latest Norwegian and Irish Under 21s squads respectively, whilst the latter's fellow Irish international Declan Rice will feature for the Under 19s - for whom Anthony Scully is also on standby.
Continuing the Irish theme, Conor Coventry is with the Irish Under 17s ahead of a trio of fixtures against Faroe Islands, Slovakia and Cyprus. Crossing the Irish Sea, Dan Kemp is currently on stand by for England's Under 18s whilst Reece Hannam is in a similar position but for the Under 17s.
Staying with England and both goalkeeper Nathan Trott and Reece Oxford - currently on loan at Reading - have been selected for England's Under 19s, whilst Trott's Academy team mate and fellow stopper Sam Howes has been namd in Keith Downing's Under 20s squad.
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West Ham boss Slaven Bilic plays down remarks from 'frustrated' David Sullivan
Last Updated: 16/03/17 11:27am
SSN
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic has played down the significance of David Sullivan's comments following the recent loss at Bournemouth.
Hammers co-chairman David Sullivan declared he was "very disappointed and frustrated" after they were beaten 3-2 by the Cherries and that their defensive lapses "cannot go on". That prompted speculation over the long-term future of Bilic, who had been tipped to sign a new contract at the London Stadium. However, the Croatian, whose side face Leicester this weekend, insists he does not feel under added pressure after Sullivan's remarks. "It was a comment for that game and for that game I also said we can't be happy with the way we performed, the way we conceded all three goals, especially the last one," said Bilic. "We have to improve and bounce back. The players know that and they were unhappy in the dressing room - they were gutted. "We have a game against Leicester that we have to bounce back in and we are ready for that."
Bilic also dismissed Dimitri Payet's recent claim that he was "bored" before leaving West Ham to rejoin Marseille during the January transfer window. Payet, who made an acrimonious departure from the club, has criticised the team's style of play under Bilic, suggesting they were overly defensive. "I don't want to go into arguing with players, but all you have to see if you look at tactics and way we play - just have a look at the statistics," said Bilic. "Even against Bournemouth it was not a lack of attacking that put us under pressure. Maybe we are playing too offensively."
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WESTLEY: ASHLEY FLETCHER SHOWING SIGNS OF IMPROVEMENT
MICHAEL OLIVER @MichaelOIiver
ReadWestHam
Ashley Fletcher was very much signed with the future in mind when he arrived on a free transfer from Manchester United last July. He snubbed a new deal at Old Trafford to seek pastures new that would offer him a more tangible route into the first-team and given the sudden emergence of Marcus Rashford, that route was very much blocked at Manchester United. The 21-year-old was expecting to either go out on loan or spend the majority of his time with the U23 squad but featured regularly for the Hammers in the early part of the season given the injuries to Andre Ayew, Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho.
To date, Fletcher has made 17 appearances for West Ham this season, scoring once against his former side United in the EFL Cup but has spent an increasing amount of time with the U23s of late with the return to form and fitness for both Ayew and Carroll.
Graham Westley, West Ham U23s manager, has praised Fletcher's performances of late and stating that his outing during the 0-0 draw with Newcastle U23s was his best to date in a Hammers shirt. It's probably the best I've seen [Ashley] Fletcher play in a game for us, against a physical side and they're a lot older than us. He took the ball in for us, had a great chance at the back post at the end of the first half, and he's a player who can go in your first team and do a job for you. He was robust, he threatened the space in behind, and he challenge for balls in the air. Fletcher does still feature regularly in matchday squads for the Hammers but seems like he's impressing enough behind the scenes to earn himself an increased role next season.
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Senegal Name Liverpool, West Ham, Stoke City Stars In 26-Man Roster For Nigeria Friendly
Published: March 16, 2017
allnigeriasoccer.com
Senegal Name Liverpool, West Ham, Stoke City Stars In 26-Man Roster For Nigeria FriendlySenegal coach Aliou Cissé unveiled on Thursday a list of 26 players selected for the friendly matches against Nigeria on March 23 in London and then Ivory Coast four days later in Paris.
Cisse has handed maiden call-ups to Moussa Wagué (Eupen), Adama Mbengue (Orlando City) and ex-France U20 international Opa Nguette (Metz).
Anderlecht defender Kara Mbodji has been named in the roster after he made himself available for selection despite struggling with a knee injury in recent weeks.
And he is joined in the squad list by undoubtedly the star player of The Lions of Teranga, Sadio Mané, Hull City midfielder Alfred Ndiaye, Stoke City's Mame Biram Diouf and West Ham star Cheikhou Kouyate.
The Senegalese squad have been booked in to stay at Holiday Inn Hotel, Wembley, and are expected to arrive in London on Monday, March 20.
Senegal Squad For Nigeria Friendly
Goalkeepers : Abdoulaye Diallo, Khadim Ndiaye, Pape Seydou Ndiaye
Defenders: Kalidou Koulibaly, Kara Mbodj, Saliou Ciss, Lamine Gassama, Moussa Wagué, Zargo Toure, Adama Mbengue, Cheikh Mbengue
Midfielders : Idrissa Gana Gueye, Cheikhou Kouyate, Pape Alioune Ndiaye, Salif Sané, Henry Saivet, Alfred Ndiaye, Cheikh Ndoye
Forwards: Sadio Mané, Diao Baldé Keïta, Mame Biram Diouf, Ismaîla Sarr, Opa Nguette, Moussa Sow, Famara Diediou, Babacar Khouma Gueye.
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West Ham boss Slaven Bilic hits back at Dimitri Payet over 'boring' tactics claims
JAMES BENGE
Evening Standard
Slaven Bilic has insisted Dimitri Payet was wrong to claim that West Ham's football was "boring" during his time at the club. Payet, who returned to Marseille in a £25million January deal, offered a damning indictment of the standard of football in "the lower reaches of the Premier League" in an interview with L'Equipe last week. The France international reserved particular scorn for West Ham's display in a 1-0 home win against Hull earlier this season where the post had been handed the club's man of the match award but Bilic insists that it is unfair to call his side defensive. "I don't want to go into arguing into players but all you have to see if you're talking about tactics and the way we played is the statistics from last year and this year," he said in his press conference ahead of the visit of Leicester City. "Even our most recent game against Bournemouth [a 3-2 away defeat], it was not a lack of attacking that caused us to be in a situation where we lost the game. "With the ball, last year and this year, we are creating chances. We are maybe playing too offensively, maybe that is the case."
Bilic's side enjoyed something of a renaissance when Payet was ostracised from the first-team and subsequently sold but results have been more disappointing over the past month. West Ham are winless in their last four Premier League games but Bilic is confident that his future need not be up for debate, with the club expected to offer him a new contract at the end of the season. "You know how it goes here," he said. "After a couple of good results, everyone is talking about that. A couple of less good results, it is a different story. "My situation hasn't changed and I can cope with that."
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Slaven Bilic rejects Stam's claim West Ham don't train hard enough
Bilic has hit back at Jaap Stam's training jibe
Football London
BYSAM INKERSOLE
11:30, 16 MAR 2017
WEST HAM
Slaven Bilic has hit back after West Ham's training methods were questioned by Reading boss Jaap Stam yesterday (Wednesday). The Royals manager said at a press conference that Hammers loanee Reece Oxford was surprised at the intensity of training at the Championship side in what appeared to be a thinly-veiled dig at Bilic. The Croat responded to the jibe at his own press conference at Rush Green today (Thursday), rejecting the notion the Hammers aren't training very hard. "I have not heard about it," he said. "We are training very intensely. Maybe with Recce and his change of club they train differently but the only thing I think is that Reece wasn't fit enough. He signed for Reading after a long injury to his ankle so maybe in the beginning he wasn't in the best shape. "That was ages ago though, he will have had enough time to get ready." Stam had said: "Reece Oxford has been surprised at the level of intensity in training at Reading, compared to at West Ham. "Young players need to improve. You need to be on top of them and give them good advice, so that's why training is intense."
Another Hammers loanee in Enner Valencia earlier criticised the training methods at Rush Green when he joined Everton on loan for the season back in August.
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Key points from Slaven Bilic press conference ahead of West Ham clash with Leicester City
The boss has been speaking to the media ahead of hosting Leicester City this weekend
Football London
BYSAM INKERSOLE
10:51, 16 MAR 2017
Slaven Bilic has been speaking to the media ahead of West Ham's Premier League clash with Leicester City at the London Stadium on Saturday. The Hammers have won just one in six and need a result this weekend to stop the rot but come up against a rejuvenated Foxes, who have yet to lose under new manager Craig Shakespeare. They also qualified for the quarter finals for the Champions League in midweek after beating Sevilla over two legs. Here's the main talking points from the press conference, with possible England call ups for Michail Antonio and Andy Carroll on the agenda as well. They simply have continued now like they finished last season. It is electric, getting second balls, quick attacks, good set pieces. They are in a good moment now, they have good momentum and want to continue but apart from the game against Bournemouth, we are playing good too. It's a different team to a few weeks ago. They were good against Sevilla, a great result for them and for English football. In their last three games they look very lively and of course those results and qualifying in the Champions League, it's given them a boost.
On Carroll and Antonio's England chances
"We will see if they get it. Both of them have had good seasons and are playing good, scoring goals and they are two of our most reponsible players for finishing and creating chances I don't mind Andy getting called up despite his injury problems. It's good for the players to get recognised."
Post-Bournemouth reaction
"The players know it wasn't good enough and they were unhappy after the game, very disappointed and frustrated and know we didn't do well enough. "When they missed the penalty and we scored we were in an ideal position to build on that and we let it slip away. To concede at the end of the game was very naive from our point of view. We have to bounce back and we are ready for that."
On Manuel Lanzini's form
"He likes to take responsibility He wants the ball all the time and when he is on the ball he is a top player with great ideas, skills and options. He sees stuff before anyone else "He is training really good, playing really good too. It's not because Payet left that he has improved. The players are giving him the ball more and he is getting available more."
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Slaven Bilic says West Ham must 'bounce back' after warning from co-chairman David Sullivan
KEN DYER
Evening Standard
Slaven Bilic has endorsed West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan's warning that the team must improve. Sullivan made the comments following the 3-2 defeat at Bournemouth last weekend and Bilic said today: "I said also that we can't be happy with our form. "We have to improve and bounce back. The players were unhappy in the dressing room after the Bournemouth match and they know they have to do better. We have to bounce back and we are ready for that." West Ham have won just one of their last six matches and are at home to rejuvenated Leicester on Saturday. "It is very important for us," said the West Ham manager. "There are so many things still to fight for. We are under pressure and we know we have to win the game. "Leicester are a different team to four weeks ago, especially after the great result against Sevilla. It was a great result for English football also. "Qualifying for the quarter-final of the Champions League definitely will give them a big boost. I don't know why they didn't play like that earlier in the season."
Bilic believes Leicester's recent results exonerate the club's decision to part company with Claudio Ranieri. "It's that kind of job," he said. "You are the first one to pay the price and now no one can say it was the wrong decision. "Leicester play very simple football – but it's productive. They continue now like they finished last season. It's electric, good at the second ball and finding spaces. "We are playing well though, apart from Bournemouth, and we are expecting something from this game."
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Revealed: Bilic believes Besiktas star could be better than Chelsea's Kante
By Emre Sarigul - March 16, 20170
Turkish Football
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic has revealed that he believes Besiktas star Atiba Hutchinson is as good as Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante.
Bilic underlined that Atiba is worthy of comparison with Kante and that he has played an instrumental role in the Black Eagles resurgence over the past four seasons. "Perhaps Atiba is even better than Kante," Bilic was quoted as saying by Turkish-Football.
"Atiba is the most consistent player, he has been the rock of Besiktas for four years, provides balance and keeps the balance. "He plays the same role as Kante but they have a few differences. "Kante rarely makes a passing mistake, I actually think he has the capability to create assists as well if he wants. "Kante loves to intercept balls, Atiba is the same. "If you ask be Atiba is a great player, he always gets out of trouble and does so much for the team."
Bilic said that he believes players who play Kante's role in football often go under the radar. "It all depends where you are from, who spots you and the position you play," he added. Bilic signed Atiba from Dutch giants PSV when he was manager of Besiktas. The Canada international has gone onto become a key player for the Black Eagles and was part of the title winning side last season. Bilic who now coaches West Ham has attempted to bring Atiba to East London but Besiktas rejected his €3.5 million offer. Besiktas president Fikret Orman was quoted by the Evening Standard as saying: "I am going to have talks with Atiba Hutchinson, he has said he wants to move to England. "West Ham made a €3.5 million offer but we want more for him. As I said we will decide his future after we hold talks." Besiktas are currently first in the Turkish league and take on Olympiakos in the Europa League Last 16 second-leg tie against Olympiakos tonight.
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West Ham should try again for Andrew Robertson this summer
HITC
Vincent Ralph
West Ham United would be wise to make a fresh move for the Hull City defender. As reported by Sky Sports back in the summer, West Ham United failed with a £7million bid for Hull City defender Andrew Robertson, but despite Aaron Cresswell's subsequent return to fitness the Hammers would be wise to try their hand again 12 months on. Cresswell may have rediscovered his fitness but his form has been woefully short of what he showed last season, and while that may return in time, West Ham need to strengthen all across the back line.
While a new right-back is vital this summer, Robertson would offer competition down the opposite flank and with his contract expiring in the summer of 2018 he could be available for a cut-price fee.
If he does not sign a new deal in the interim, Hull will certainly have a decision to make, knowing that they would risk losing him for nothing a year later. Much could also depend on what division the Tigers find themselves in next season and West Ham should at least chance their hand, with the 23-year-old possessing all the attributes to be a long-term success at the London Stadium. Robertson may not be the star name West Ham fans are craving but he could prove to be one of their best signings of recent years if they get him second time around.
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West Ham could be at risk of losing Slaven Bilic to a more ambitious project
HITC
Damien Lucas
West Ham United have been dragging their heels over awarding Slaven Bilic a new contract. Bilic led West Ham to their best ever Premier League points total and first positive goal difference since 1986 in his debut season last term. The Hammers took a number of notable scalps along the way and bid a memorable farewell to the Boleyn Ground with a thrilling 3-2 comeback win over Manchester United. This season has been a different story entirely, though, with West Ham bowing out of the Europa League in qualifying and the FA Cup and EFL Cup with heavy defeats. Bilic was at one stage the favourite for the sack but the East Londoners turned what was threatening to be a disastrous season around after Christmas to push themselves into the relative comfort of midtable. It was during the turnaround in results and performances that stories emerged indicating the former Croatia boss was to be rewarded with a new contract, as reported by the likes of the Daily Mail. But results have dipped again of late leading to unrest among supporters and talk of a new deal for Bilic has died down. The majority of fans are behind Bilic and believe he has not been backed enough in the transfer market by co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold who promised big, marquee signings last summer and failed to deliver. So could Sullivan and Gold risk losing their manager to a more ambitious project if they continue to drag their heels over a new contract. There will be some big clubs looking for new managers in the summer and Bilic could well be on their wish lists given the job he has done at West Ham. It was not that long ago he was being linked with replacing Roy Hodgson as England manager. Sullivan and Gold must accept they have not done nearly enough to properly support Bilic with the kind of money needed to achieve their stated aims of challenging the top six. Hesitate much longer and it could well be a case of not knowing what you have got until it's gone.
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West Ham to make sensational swoop for former player
By Ash Randall - March 16, 2017410 0
West Ham United want to re-sign Sunderland's Jermain Defoe in the summer as they look to strengthen their attacking options, according to Hammers fanzine Claret and Hugh. It is reported there is a clause in the 34-year-old's contract that means he will be available on a free transfer if the Black Cats get relegated this season. Defoe is a proven finisher in the Premier League and has netted 14 of Sunderland's 24 goals this campaign, which is no mean feat given their position at the bottom of the league. Even though the former West Ham player could arrive on a free, he will still cost around £70,000 a week for whatever team snap him up. The Hammers are desperate to bolster their forward line after a disastrous season in which Simone Zaza and Jonathon Calleri failed to live up to expectations and Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho have struggled with injuries. Sunderland look odds-on to get relegated, in which case Defoe would surely leave the Stadium of Light.
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DO WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO CRITICIZE?
By Blind Hammer 16 Mar 2017 at 08:00
WTID
"Blind Hammer Looks at some of the debates over criticism of Slaven Bilic.
After the disappointment of the Bournemouth defeat there were some heated debates on West Ham till I Die and other West Ham sites. We were all disappointed but there was some real discontent as to Bilic's team selection and tactics. There was also some discontent from those who were unhappy with those criticising Bilic. Subsequent to the main draft of this post being written after the Bournemouth defeat Mark Noble added weight to this view by claiming that football supporters do not really know about football.
The criticism of Bilic has mainly focussed on his unbalancing of the team by taking some of our most effective players and consistently playing them out of position. Bilic seems to have a stubborn streak and seemed, for example, for an extraordinary extended time determined to persevere with Antonio at right back. This stubborn belief persisted all summer to such a degree that we did not recruit a class right back. The appalling Antonio defensive performances at the start of the season forced a panic last minute recruitment of Álvaro Arbeloa, a player already ,reported on Real Madrid blog posts as having "lost his legs" before he came to us.
Despite this Bilic continued to play Antonio at the back until, if we ,are to believe reports, Sullivan met with and read the riot act. Unfortunately Byram faced early injury, as did Arbeloa, though the latter has never seemed capable of playing at Premiership level on the few occasions we have observed him anyway.
Regrettably despite another transfer window passing the experiment of playing players out of position to try and fudge the issues at the right side of our defence continued. Now Cheikhou Kouyaté is the latest important performer who has been transformed into an ordinary if not mediocre right back. Håvard Nordtveit is another stand in make shift right back who also does not meet Premiership standards. All this is understandable in an injury crisis but for this situation to be allowed to persist over two transfer windows is little short of baffling.
I wrote last year how we could not seriously compete in the long term with a defence that concedes on average 2 goals a game. This season we have continued the malaise, conceding 58 goals in 30 league, league cup and FA Cup games. Such consistent defensive
weakness gives the rest of the team a mountain to climb most games. The priority for recruitment this summer is defence rather than attack.
I was amongst those who wrote an article last week fearing for the defensive fragility of our team because of this and other issues. The reluctance to make selection decisions based on merit also seems very strange. Nearly everybody who has seen Antonio agrees his most powerful performances have occurred been on the right side of an attack. He has rarely played there, being deployed either as a right back/wing back, on the left or as a first or second forward as in the game against Bournemouth. Lanzini seems most effective and able to dominate a game when he is played through the middle but is only sporadically played there, being shifted out wide to accommodate other midfield presences.
I received criticism for suggesting in my post last week that Bilic needed to grasp some selection nettles and in particular that Noble needs now to be dropped to the bench. According to the radio commentary of the Bournemouth game Noble, a fantastic servant at the club, was nevertheless lucky to stay on the pitch.
After the Bournemouth defeat those who have criticised team strategy have been ridiculed by some. The argument is that Bilic has more football knowledge, insight and skill in his little finger than in the whole bodies of any of the blogging "experts" who dare to criticise him. On one level this is incontestably true but in another way is completely wrong. The point is that none of us are claiming to be experts, certainly not me. The idea that a blind man has greater insight than Bilic into tactics is clearly laughable.
However this is very different from saying Bilic is therefore infallible and should be immune from the questioning and if necessary criticism of his decisions. Is there anybody who could seriously maintain that Bilic was correct all along with his Antonio experiments? Was Bilic correct all along about his assessment of Zazar? Can setting up a team which concedes 2 gtoals a game acceptable?
There are thousands of eyes and ears watching and listening to West Ham every week. Collectively we have a validity to query recruitment, selection and tactical decisions. The late Graham Taylor, who received his share of criticism in managerial roles, nevertheless never necessarily dismissed the validity of supporter analysis just because they were supporters and not football professionals. He would actively congratulate some supporters for their insights, memorably applauding a Noel Gallagher analysis of a Manchester City performance. Taylor would disagree with the ignorant view but recognise genuine insight.
Managers have to struggle against some limitations on their analysis. They can be too close to the action, sometimes literally so on the side-lines and struggle to see a broader picture. Emotion plays a part in all sport and dropping players who have served you loyally may be a real tricky issue to manage in the dressing room.
Collectively as supporters it is actually, in my opinion, our duty to provide the more distant judgemental assessment, more free from the emotional consequences of personal player relationships and loyalties. This can actually help Bilic in some of his more difficult decisions.
So yes I will continue to criticise and question Bilic's decisions. Do I believe I know more than Bilic?-Absolutely not. Do I believe he should stay West Ham manager? Absolutely. Do I admire him for his conduct and apparent character? – Without doubt,
Yet it is a hard sport and I want him to account for his decisions. Why does he fail to play his 2 strongest midfield players in the centre? Why does he not play our best and strongest right sided forward on the right? Why is our most imaginative central midfield player able to create and influence games often stranded wide? Why does our left back not come under pressure for his place despite poor performances? Why do we not play our only fit right back at right back? Why do we have insufficient pace in the team, especially defensively? Why do we consistently get caught on the break? Why did a simple straight ball over the top of our central defenders by Bournemouth cause repeated and frantic defensive chaos?
Of course Bilic knows more than any one of us individually but it is essential for loyal supporters to highlight and pressurise on areas of weaknesses obvious even to a blind supporter rather than hide our heads under a pillow and pretend these issues do not exist.
COYI
David Griffith
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Newcastle United and West Ham United cited as potential destinations for Dries Mertens
HITC
John Verrall
Newcastle United and West Ham United are said to be interested in the Napoli man. According to Belgian newspaper Nieuwsblad, Dries Mertens is a pontential transfer target for both West Ham United and Newcastle United this summer. Mertens future at Napoli is currently in doubt, despite him enjoying one of the best seasons of his career this campaign. The 29-year-old has been played up-front by the Serie A side on a number of occasions, and he has scored frequently. Mertens has hit 24 goals in 35 matches in for Napoli, but his contract is set to expire in 2018. And both Newcastle and West Ham are touted as potential destinations for Mertens, by the Belgian press. Newcastle would, of course, have to be promoted to the Premier League to have any chance of landing Mertens. West Ham, on the the other hand, are likely to be looking to add high profile additions during the summer transfer window. If either of Newcastle or West Ham could attract Mertens, it would be a real statement of intent for the pair. Newcastle and West Ham are both expected to have sizeable funds to spend in the next transfer window.
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WEST HAM EYEING SWOOP FOR SERIE A GOAL MACHINE WITH £24M RELEASE CLAUSE – REPORT
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16th March, 2017, 7:57 AM
By Will Butcher
West Ham are monitoring the future of Sampdoria striker Luis Muriel as the Colombian continues to shine in Serie A, according to a report. The Mirror claim the Hammers have turned to the 25-year-old forward to finally end their hunt for a striker, but could be forced to meet his release clause which is a whopping £24million. Sampdoria's number nine has been in exceptional form this season, scoring 12 goals as well as turning provider on a further nine occasions during his 30 league and cup outings. Goals against the likes of Roma, Fiorentina and AC Milan have made the former Udinese and Granada forward one of Europe's most in-form strikers. That has alerted manager Slaven Bilic, but he faces a fight to sign Muriel as the versatile forward has claimed that he has offers from three different countries. "The future? I'm happy at Sampdoria," Muriel stated. "But I've had several offers from Juventus, Inter, Milan and Roma in Italy, but also from abroad — in Spain and England." The nine-time international can play both as a centre-forward and in the number 10 role, and has just over two years remaining on his current contract with Sampdoria.
Despite a number of risky foreign signings that have tried and failed at the London Stadium this season, it is fair to say that Muriel holds a good chance of becoming a success with the Hammers. His form against the biggest sides of Italian football proves that he has what it takes to score against the world's best defenders. Muriel's performance during a spectacular Sampdoria victory over Roma back in January saw him provide two assists and score another to earn a 3-2 win against Luciano Spalletti's side. It is that kind of inspiration that Bilic is looking for to fire the Hammers back into contention for the European qualification places ahead of the 2017-18 campaign.
In other West Ham transfer news, this 27-year-old striker has revealed that he wants to leave the Hammers in the summer and join Premier League rivals Everton.
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Everything you need to know about West Ham transfer target Diego Laxalt
Nope, we've never heard of him either
BYSAM INKERSOLE
07:30, 16 MAR 2017UPDATED08:06, 16 MAR 2017
Yet another name has been linked with a move to the West Ham in the summer but this is a bloke that you probably haven't heard of whatsoever. His name is Diego Laxalt. "Who?" we hear you cry and we thought exactly the same as well. The 24-year-old is an attacking midfielder from Montevideo, Uruguay. You can already start to see the comparisons with Manuel Lanzini here. Laxalt himself describes himself as a left-footed attacking midfielder, similar to another Uruguayan, Alvaro Recoba. He also, in his words, says his strengths are his speed and endurance. Laxalt started his career with Defensor Sporting in his homeland in 2012 before he was snapped up by Inter in January 2013, with the deal completed that July for a fee of £2m. He actually never featured for Inter's first team, being sent out on a couple of loan spells. One to Bologna, where he made 15 appearances and scored twice, a four-game stint with Empoli and then the spell that really got him noticed, at Genoa. He signed an 18-month loan deal with the option to buy and impressed sufficiently that the Italian outfit decided to keep him permanently and he has made 50 appearances so far this season, only scoring four times but he is the mainstay of the team. Laxalt has also represented Uruguay at youth level, having made 16 appearances for the U20 side, scoring once. He was then called up to the senior squad for the Copa Americano Centenario tournament as a replacement for the injured Cristian Rodriguez.
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West Ham signing reveals how quick process was
By Alexander Ford - March 16, 201718 0
ninetyminutesonline.com
West Ham United's summer signing Edimilson Fernandes has spoken about how quickly his move to the club happened. The midfielder joined the London Stadium from Swiss side FC Sion in August for an undisclosed fee, however he did not know anything about any interest being shown in him, to then being signed almost immediately. "Imagine this: I had not heard anything concrete. And they tell me to get on the plane immediately! I'm not ready yet, was my first thought. But then everything went ultra fast," the 20-year-old was quoted as saying to Swiss media outlet Blick. In the same article, Fernandes also described how the first meeting with Slaven Bilic went and then being told to start the very next day. "The first interview with coach Slaven Bilic was on the same evening, who asked me if I could start the next day," he said. "But I did not even have my football boots! Still I did the first training. Then the medical check. And the signature under the contract until 2020. That was almost a shock!"
Although he has admitted his start to being in the colours of West Ham were very quick, Fernandes has been particularly impressive on the field. The midfielder has currently made 22 appearances so far this season, with seven of them being included within the starting line-up. He also scored for the Hammers in the 2-1 victory against London rivals Chelsea in the EFL Cup, which led to receiving praise from Bilic. The impressive performances from the youngster have not only benefited West Ham, with a debut being handed to the Switzerland international, coming off the bench in a 2-0 victory over the Faroe Islands in a World Cup Qualifier, leaving the Swiss top of Group B.
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