Oxford to return from Monchengladbach loan
WHUFC.com
Reece Oxford is to return from his loan spell with German Bundesliga side Borussia Monchengladbach, manager David Moyes confirmed in his Friday press conference. Oxford spent the first half of the season in Germany, featuring in three top flight and one German Cup matches during his loan spell. The 19-year-old became the Hammers' youngest-ever player when he made his debut aged just 16 in a UEFA Europa League tie against Andorran side Lusitans in July 2015. He has gone on to make 14 senior appearances to date in Claret and Blue and Moyes is looking forward to working with the England U20 international. "Reece Oxford will come back. We will take a look at him and see how he is," the manager confirmed. "I hope we can help improve him - I've only just met him, but I know he is well thought of here and we will work with him."
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Ayew: Every game is crucial when you are in our position
WHUFC.com
While Andre Ayew refused to use the term 'six-pointer' when asked about next Tuesday's Premier League meeting with West Bromwich Albion, the forward appreciates the importance of beating the struggling Baggies. West Brom go into their New Year's Eve fixture at home to Arsenal 19th in the table, three points and two places behind West Ham United, who have a free weekend after their own trip to Tottenham Hotspur was moved to 4 January on police advice. Ayew, who has three top-flight goals and two assists to his name this term, knows victory over Alan Pardew's side would not only keep the Hammers above West Brom in the standings, but also potentially see them move up the standings and away from the bottom three. "In the Premier League, every game is different, so we will see what happens," said the Ghanaian. "It's hard to predict what is going to happen in the game, but what I can say is that we will do everything we can to get the three points in front of our fans. "West Brom is going to be a tough one, but we've got the players and staff for it and the fans behind us, so we need to try and get three points at home and it will be very important for us to start the New Year on a good note. "Every game is crucial when you are in our position. We're not the only ones in this position, either, as there are a lot of teams in that position, so we need to try and get out of there and make some room and to do that we need to breathe, play our game, get points and win games. "We all know their quality on set pieces, it's been there for years. They also have good players in their squad like Krychowiak and Chadli, so we need to do our job and, if everyone sticks to their job, everything will hopefully be OK."
Ayew believes West Ham have shown improvement under new manager David Moyes, but insists there is still room to perform much better, particularly when in possession of the ball. "We've been a bit up and down and inconsistent, but we have shown that we're hard to beat [in recent weeks]. We've shown a lot of character and determination offensively and defensively and we need to keep working hard. "We know we can still progress in the way we play and the way we pass the ball around, so we're going to work on that until the end of the season. We've worked hard technically, tactically and physically and our results have improved. We need to stick to that. "When you're in a situation like this, when there is a change of manager, everyone is in a new situation. The gaffer has put his words in and those words touched a lot of players, so we need to follow what he wants us to do and how he wants us to do it, as we can see it is paying off. We need to believe in him, and get him to believe in us. "We have played a lot of games in the last few weeks, so we need to rest well, recover well, train hard and go again at home. That's football, because the next game is always the most important one. We're going to prepare for that."
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Team news: Noble closing in on return, Antonio update
WHUFC.com
Mark Noble is closing in on a return to first team action ahead of the Hammers' London Stadium clash with West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday evening. The West Ham United skipper has missed the last three matches after suffering a hamstring injury in the 3-0 victory at Stoke City in mid-December, but has resumed training and is almost ready to join manager David Moyes' full sessions again. The boss confirmed he is making good progress, but says it is too early to know whether Michail Antonio would be ready for a return in midweek after he picked up a groin problem which forced him to miss Boxing Day's 3-3 draw with Bournemouth.
"Mark Noble is making progress," Moyes said. "He's trained for a couple of days. He's not joined us yet, but he's making progress. "Michail Antonio has not joined us for training yet, he's recovering. His groin isn't as bad as we first thought, but will he make the game? It's probably just a bit too soon to say."
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Moyes: West Brom, Arnautovic's hot streak and the January window
WHUFC.com
David Moyes faced the press on Friday afternoon ahead of Tuesday's Premier League meeting with West Bromwich Albion. Following the 3-3 draw with AFC Bournemouth on Boxing Day, the manager was asked about the challenge of the Baggies as the Hammers look to climb the table, Marko Arnautovic's fine form, the upcoming January transfer window and more. Here's what Moyes had to say.
The challenge of West Brom…
The most important thing is to focus on ourselves and how we can get away from the bottom end of the Premier League table. I don't like harking back to it, but I think we might have been up to 13th if the decision on Callum Wilson's equaliser had gone for us at Bornemouth. That would have made us feel a lot better, but all we can do is focus on ourselves, and keep our home form as good as possible.
Marko Arnautovic's hot streak
Marko was a big signing for the Club and everybody was expecting something from him. He wasn't a new recruit to the Premier League so you hope he hits the ground running. He's done really well for us in the games, he's helped the team greatly. His energy and effort has rubbed off on the supporters and he's doing a good job for us. That needs to continue because we need him so I hope his form continues.
Reece Oxford's return
Reece will come back from his loan at Borussia Monchengladbach. I've never worked with Reece, so I'll take the time to have a look at him and see how he does. I know that he's been talked of very highly, and he's gone out on loan, so we'll get him back in and see how he is. I hope we could help improve him because he's a young player and we hope the work we will give him will help him. I've not worked with him before and I don't know the boy – I've only just met him, actually.
From that point of view it's going to take a little while to know exactly what he does but I know he's well thought of here, so we'll work with him and see what he's up to.
Transfer window
If I believe everything that's said [in the press], we must be signing 15 players in this window by all accounts! We've made it known that if we can bring in one or two reinforcements to the team we will do so. I think every manager will say the same, but it's not a particularly good time and it's not that easy to do business. It's also probably an expensive month in the year as well. We'll try and do it but there's no guarantee.
The manager is the one who will always take the final say because if you bring the players in you will be judged by them. If I wasn't the one bringing them in I wouldn't have come to the club in the first place, because I want to be judged by my team and by the players I bring in. I've not known anything different, the owners have told me that it will always be my decision.
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TIME TO ACT DECISIVELY IN THE TRANSFER WINDOW WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 29 DECEMBER 2017 AT 9:18PM
TheWesTHaMWay.co.uk
Written by @farehamhammer
Yes! Bob Madley robbed us of three points. But to be truthful that would have just glossed over the stark reality, that we were very poor. It's clear to everybody, that our midfield needs a massive overhaul. The Board have got to cough up, no spin from their Choirboy about "Moyes being happy with what he has got" and the next minute saying the manager had a 20m "war chest". Twenty million is peanuts in today's transfer market and The Board know it, time to cough up gentleman! We are playing catch up due to the lack of serious investment for the last few windows. No phantom bids, haggling over £200 with the selling Club. Offering a player far less than they are on at present, time for gimmicks are long gone, the days of hanging managers out to dry does not wash anymore, either invest or we get relegated it is as simple as that.
It's not as though we have just suffered this season due to having a poor midfield, this has been the case for a long time. No pace, creativity or movement, even the simple task of retaining possession has been beyond our midfield. Slow pedestrian passes in the middle of the park, then when closed down quickly by the opposition, the ball is shovelled back in a hurry to our under pressured defence, resulting in the ball getting hoofed forward to anywhere. This has been the case under Allardyce, Bilic, Moyes and even Zola at least. Try as we might but we have never really replaced Yossi Benayoun, although Manuel Lanzini has certainly done the business in patches. As seen against Arsenal and Bournemouth, when Lanzini doesn't play West Ham don't play. The big problem with Lanzini is that he is inconsistent, which is frustrating as one senses there is so much more to come from the jewel that he is! Lanzini is also paying the price for a lack of quality in the middle of the park to assist him.
With a midfield like ours is anyone surprised our strikers have struggled? Our strikers have had to drop so deep, they have been almost on the half way line when they have been receiving the ball. Not even Messi could make an impact if he had been playing for us. Christ on a bike it is not bloody rocket science! You need the ball carried forward by the midfield, the opposition retreating. Resulting in space opening for the strikers and the goals come! Another way is for the midfield to feed tricky and pacey wingers, they go around the defence, and hey presto the strikers receive the ball on the front foot and the goals come! The defence have also suffered due to having no protection from the midfield. Let it sink in! Little Bournemouth, relegation threatened Bournemouth, cut through our midfield like a knife through butter. Launching attack after attack on our defence, under such constant pressure even the best of defences would wilt. True Zabaleta and Collins do get done for pace, but a clever holding midfielder directing the midfield would offer them protection, allowing the likes of Zabaleta to roam forward from time to time.
There has been a lot of slating of Kouyate and Obiang by some fans who suddenly believe Noble is the answer again. On the back of what? At the best of times Noble, Obiang don't work anyway as they are basically the same type of player, as for Kouyate never the brightest player offensively or defensively, he simply couldn't care two hoots. Walking back when the defence is under pressure, the language of someone who does not want to be at The Club. I don't know what has happened to Obiang since Bilic left, but he is a shadow of the player he had been under Slaven Bilic, when for a long period he had been our stand out player.
Depends on who we manage to bring in, I could see both Obiang and Kouyate leaving. The trouble is we are really going to battle to attract top players with the position we are in. Managers and players don't want relegation on their C/V for starters, forget about William Carvalho, there is more chance of me Sh****** Kate Middleton with Prince William watching than that happening! As for Steven N'Zonzi, the player has always blown hot and cold wherever he has played, so coughing out that sort of dough would be a big risk, even if we were prepared to cough up that sort of dough, Everton would be able to offer him a better salary and our league position would count against us. So, what of the other name being mention as a potential target, Ki Sung-Yueng the South Korean central midfielder who plays for Swansea City. He would be a shrewd signing, great vision, technique, can play a variety of passes and good at set pieces, certainly capable of lifting a ball over the defence, he would be a big help in the middle of the park. Stoke City's Joe Allen, is another player being mentioned. Again, a good player and like Ki a big upgrade on what we have! Allen is a playmaker, good defensively and attacking wise, a lovely passer of the ball. Some will turn their nose up at the likes of Ki and Allen because they are not 'next' level players.
Well people need to get real! All hands-on deck we are fighting a relegation battle! That is the reality! It is going to be an extremely tough window; the January window is always a tough one to deal with. Money is tight all round, gone are the days of players going for £30m! £40m! £50m! with minutes to spare before the window closes. Clubs don't want to part with their best players mid-season, not just West Ham, but loans are the one in January but there are good permanent deals out there. Still Gold and Sullivan have known the short comings for a long time, and have had more than enough time to have deals in place for the first week of January. Time to correct your wrongs, if you don't… we will be relegated. That will be your FIFTH relegation, IF that were to happen you will find out what Armageddon is all about!
We are more than a football Club, we're a way of life!!
COYI!!
Farehamhammer!!!
(Edited by Danny Twigg)
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Oxford returned against his wishes, insist Gladbach
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 29th December 2017
By: Staff Writer
Borussia Monchengladbach have confirmed that Reece Oxford has returned to West Ham - but insist that the player would rather remain in Germany. Hammers boss David Moyes, speaking to the media earlier today confirmed that Oxford was on his way back to West Ham for the second half of the campaign after his season-long loan spell with Gladbach was cut short. However in a news article appearing on the Bundesliga club's own website this afternoon (Friday), Sporting Director Max Eberl claimed that Oxford had been recalled to West Ham against his wishes - and confirmed that they were still attempting to clinch a permanent deal for the England youth international. "We were informed of West Ham's decision to activate the clause and recall him this morning," said Eberl. "However, we continue to be in talks with West Ham regarding Reece Oxford completing a permanent move to Borussia. It is also the player's wish to stay at Gladbach."
Oxford, who made just four first team appearances during his six months in Germany is yet to comment publicly since returning to London. West Ham were able to recall him due to an appearance clause in his loan contract not being met.
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Hammers eye Argentine midfielder
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 29th December 2017
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are one of several clubs being linked with a January move for Argentine international Nicolas Gaitan. The 29-year-old midfielder is currently out of favour at his current club Atletico Madrid, for whom he has started just six La Liga matches this campaign, and is set to be sold next month according to AS.
And whilst Colchoneros are seeking a fee in the region of £15million for a player signed last year from Benfica for €25 million, a short-term loan move to England may be of interest to Gaitan who has failed to settle at the Wanda Metropolitano. The 5'8" midfielder, who began his career in his home country with Boca Juniors can also operate as a winger, offering the kind of versatility that could be of interest to Hammers boss David Moyes.
* Diafra Sakho could be set to leave West Ham in the next few days - after receiving a bumper offer from China. The wantaway striker has been looking for a way of of the club for some considerable time and could be set to become the latest Premier League player to move to the Far East, according to a piece in the Express. Shanghai Shenhua, who play in the 33,000 capacity Hongkou Football Stadium and only became a professional outfit 24 years ago are seeking to land the Senegal international. West Ham are likley to ask around £15million for the 28-year-old.
* West Ham are keeping tabs on the situation regarding Borussia Dortmund winger Andre Schürrle. The former Chelsea player, 27, is seeking a new challenge for the second half of the 2017/18 campaign having featured less frequently than he would have liked for his current club. And with the World Cup Finals just six months away, agent Ingo Haspel insists that he could be tempted by a temporary switch. "Basically Andre wants to play as much as possible," said Haspel. "If the playing time is not guaranteed then it would be downright negligent not to think about what the future might look like and where to get more."
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Moyes seeking to 'improve' returning Reece
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 29th December 2017
By: Staff Writer
David Moyes says he is looking forward to working with teenage defender Reece Oxford, after it was confirmed that the defender would be returning to West Ham.
The 19-year-old spent the opening half of the 2017/18 campaign on loan at Borussia Monchengladbach, for whom he made just a handful of first team appearances. However Oxford is likely to be thrown straight in at the deep end upon his return to London, with fellow defender Jose Fonte still some way from reaching full fitness and Winston Reid struggling for form and benched for United's most recent outing at Bournemouth. Speaking during a press conference today, Moyes admitted that is looking forward to working with the England youth international, who has already returned to London. "Reece Oxford will come back", said Moyes. "We will take a look at him and see how he is. I hope we can help improve him - I've only just met him, but I know he is well thought of here and we will work with him."
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Bournemouth 3-3 West Ham (And Other Ramblings)
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 29th December 2017
By: HeadHammerShark
"Night, night after day
Black flowers blossom"
- Massive Attack, "Teardrop"
There is a universal truth about being a sports fan, which is that when we pay our money to enter an arena and watch our event, we believe the encounter we are about to watch will be fair. We have to believe the fight won't be rigged, or that the race is straight or the competitors aren't cheating, otherwise the whole thing is a waste of time.
Now, let me state here and now that I don't believe that a game between Bournemouth and West Ham would be worth fixing. Of all the things the Bilderberg Group are doing, I have to imagine this would be quite a long way down the list. We have again been the victim of more poor officiating, and because our minds are conditioned to remember negative things more than positive, it feels like such an overwhelming weight of misfortune that we then begin to wonder if it truly is bad luck or something more sinister. For when a player who is offside scores a last minute equaliser with his hand, and a referee seemingly overrules his linesman to award that goal, then it's hard not to do a double take.
Brown envelope out of sight
So let me invoke Hanlon's Razor here - never ascribe to malice that which can be adequately explained by incompetence. It is bizarre to suggest that referee Bobby Madley was bribed to turn this game in Bournemouth's favour, but I equally don't have any qualms in saying that his performance here was appalling. His first error was to fail to send off Simon Francis for a head high, studs up challenge on Cheikhou Kouyate. I don't think Francis was intending to catch Kouyate, and had his eyes firmly on the ball, but when you raise your studs to that height you also have a responsibility to ensure you don't land them on a fellow professionals face. Rather than consult another official or take his time and weigh the decision up, Madley instead brandished a yellow card immediately, which has the added effect of ensuring Francis won't even get the retrospective ban he deserves. And for anyone who hasn't seen it, and thinks perhaps I'm being a little melodramatic - you can judge for yourself here:
Just a yellow - nothing to see here
Similarly, Madley chose not to act on Josh King accidentally elbowing Pedro Obiang in the face off the ball. That probably sounds crazy, but the Norwegian flung his arms out in frustration at a decision and caught Obiang unaware, knocking him to the ground. I don't think there was any intent in the actions of King either, and that is more relevant in his case because the laws clearly state that a player must be dismissed for "deliberately striking an opponent". It doesn't seem unreasonable to me that players should refrain from throwing their elbows around, but they are also people and if we try to remove all joy and human emotion from football then we run the risk of turning this whole thing into BBC1 on Christmas night.
But where Madley fatally impacted this game was in the dying moments. We had floundered and fluked our way to a 3-2 lead, and with just seconds remaining a hopeful ball was pumped into our box. In truth, we hadn't dealt with that line of attack very well all day, and true to form Nathan Ake won the header. He looped the ball back across goal and a marginally offside Callum Wilson diverted the ball in with this arm.
The referee's assistant (oh the irony of that title) immediately raised his flag, and the goal was all set to be disallowed. At that point Madley trotted over to the sidelines. That, in itself, is fairly unusual given that he has a radio link with his assistants and I'm not sure I've ever really seen a referee do that for a straightforward offside decision. After a lengthy enough deliberation for a video referee to have reviewed the incident in real time and made the correct decision, Madley awarded the goal, because of course he fucking did.
Delving into the world of conjecture for a moment I have to suspect that the following happened: the assistant flagged for offside, Madley intimated that he didn't think Wilson touched the ball, the assistant pointed out that this couldn't really be true as the ball wasn't going in until Wilson used his arm to push it in, Madley disagreed because Callum Wilson is a theoretical concept and awarded the goal and the stadium announcer promptly told the world that Callum Wilson has just scored the equaliser. Some fucking magic, that.
In the end, I don't believe this was anything more than poor officiating but it's easy to get drawn into thinking otherwise. After all, I believe that there is an institutional corruption that sits at the heart of most sport. Had this happened against Manchester United, for example, I think that Madley would have disallowed the goal purely because human beings typically do the things that allow them the easiest lives. Referees know that they can make a decision like this against West Ham and be in the news cycle for one night. Do it against Mourinho and you're infamous for months.
So there you go: I think that elite level football is ludicrously tilted towards the rich; I believe that pretty much every high level athlete is using performance enhancing drugs and just because it started with track and field, swimming and cycling doesn't mean it won't be football and rugby soon enough; I believe that cup draws are probably at least partially fixed to satisfy the demands of television, sponsors and Vladimir Putin; and I think that one reason that governing bodies in football are so reluctant to introduce measures to help referees get more decisions correct is that big clubs don't want that to happen - why, after all, would you give up one of the inherent advantages of being a big club - namely that you can rely on most line decisions going your way?
But for all that might make me a tin foil hatted conspiracy theorist in your eyes, I can honestly say that I don't think referees are biased against West Ham for the simple reason that there would be no point. So when you boil all of that down, the reality is probably just that Bobby Madley is a bit of a shit referee.
***
"This is the highlight of your miserable life
A pessimist is never disappointed"
- Theaudience, "A Pessimist is Never Disappointed"
I could write yet more about the decisions in this game, and how I can't see any difference between the "deception" of Manuel Lanzini and the "magic" of Callum Wilson, but fixating too much on officiating would detract away from yet another disappointing performance. It may seem strange to say that when we scored three goals, but we spent most of this game clinging on to the coattails of a decidedly poor Bournemouth team and were particularly fortunate to pull level at 2-2, when Marko Arnautovic took advantage of Asmir Begovic wearing clown shoes in the driving rain.
We started well enough, with James Collins celebrating his recall by thumping home a trademark near post header from an Aaron Cresswell corner. I especially enjoyed this because Bournemouth placed a man on the post to specifically prevent this and he moved far enough from his spot to allow the ball in. It is worth remembering stuff like this when we question how managers can't organise their teams to defend properly - some footballers are so poor at concentrating that they can't even stand still when they're told to.
God bless men who can't stand still
That early lead didn't look particularly secure, however, as our back line seemed to have over indulged at Christmas, and the home team flooded forward in search of an equaliser, creating plenty of opportunities. King should have scored from one such chance, before Dan Gosling latched on to a weak Collins clearing header and rifled home the leveller. Oddly, we really should have been two ahead by this stage as Arthur Masuaku produced another trademark run before picking out Andre Ayew, who put the ball narrowly wide. On such slender threads can satisfactory Boxing Nights hang.
By this stage the rain was hammering down like Blade Runner, although even Roy Batty might have seen some new things here. After Ake scrambled home another shittily defended set piece to give the home side the lead their pressure warranted, it looked as though we would have yet another disappointing trip to the coast. Enter Begovic, who casually controlled a backpass before falling over his own feet, allowing Arnautovic - who hadn't stopped running - to capitalise with a neat left footed finish. Score one for the Moyes school of sergeant majoring the fuck out players.
Better was to come when Masuaku again went roaming with just a minute to go and picked out Chicharito who made a complete Benteke of it, but was saved when Begovic again lost control of his limbs and Arnautovic poked home his fifth goal in as many games. With just injury time to come, it seemed as though we had done enough to steal a win we didn't really deserve - a trait that Moyes would be very welcome to bring with him from all those years at Goodison.
Unfortunately, there was still some Truly, Madley, Deeply action to come and as it was we are left to ponder what kind of world we live in where we can take four points from Arsenal and Chelsea but just one from Newcastle and Bournemouth, and that the only consistent thing about this team is that you don't ever know what they are going to do.
The worry is that these were two games where we could reasonably have expected to have shown a little more in attack. Sitting back and soaking up constant pressure is fine against the teams with several hundred million more to spend on their squads, but these were supposed to the games where we showed we could punch back against our fellow strugglers. And so we scored five and conceded six and the only thing we know is that we know nothing.
***
"Am I moving back in time? Just standing still?"
- The War on Drugs, "Pain"
High up on my list of concerns is the way in which our team seem to be ageing in front of our eyes. Pablo Zabaleta had to replaced here because Bournemouth targeted him in much the same way as Newcastle did, and got nearly as much joy from it. He gets a light ride from the London Stadium crowd because he's enthusiastic and runs around like a toddler on Fanta, but the truth is that his positional play still leaves a lot to be desired and we are forced to expose him as a wing back because we can't defend without playing three in the middle. The chances of him being able to play twice in three days strikes me as minimal, meaning that I suspect we'll see Rice at Wembley against Spurs, and seriously - are Sam Byram's hamstrings made out of spaghetti?
Zaba's going on a run again!
Zabaleta has also been booked seven times already this season, opening him up to red cards, and when players like Ryan Fraser can give him the kind of torrid afternoon that he did here, it bodes poorly for the remaining eighteen months of that characteristically stupid contract. Likewise, Winston Reid didn't even make the team here as he dropped out for Collins and we are now reduced to hoping that he didn't injure himself in doing so.
With Fonte also out long term, it would explain the apparent interest in Alfie Mawson who might cost £25m but can at least still go on an 18-30 holiday if he wants to. I don't know much about Mawson, but it would be lovely if Moyes could target a centre back who can actually pass the ball rather than hoof it in the general direction of Andy Carroll irrespective of whether he is on the pitch or not.
In front of them, Cheikhou Kouyate had another afternoon to forget, as his Catherine Wheel impression continued to have little impact on the game. Pedro Obiang has attracted a lot of opprobrium for his performances in these last couple of games, but I thought it was noticeable how much better he played alongside a proper central midfielder - Mark Noble - than we saw here. There is quite a lot of pressure on that central midfield area in this formation, given that we are giving up a body to play in the back three, and it asks a lot of the defensive midfielder.
After a promising start, in which Obiang looked like he might actually improve a little under Moyes, he has regressed and was replaced here by Carroll - our Goliath for all seasons. I'm not quite ready to judge the Spaniard in this system until we see him get a run out alongside a better midfield partner, but I don't think it was a coincidence that we looked much better when Lanzini went deeper and started our attacks. Either way, I predict some reinforcements will be arriving soon.
The double substitution of Carroll and Chicharito was supposed to galvanise us, but in reality just highlighted the paucity of attacking options that we currently seem to have. With only Lanzini and Masuaku able to create from deeper areas, we have to either rely on the mobile physicality of Antonio and Arnautovic or resort to the long range bombing approach and launch mortars at Fort Carroll and hope for something to land at the feet of Chicharito. And while we do that, the plan was that the sturdy defensive setup constructed by Moyes would allow us to keep clean sheets.
If we can't maintain any defensive structure while being more expansive, then Moyes will have to apply the handbrake and revert to a less attacking style to try and give us a chance of winning games like this 1-0. It might not be pretty, but relegation scraps never are. In the driving rain of the South Coast, we dropped two very precious points because of some awful refereeing, but also because we were defensively all over the place.
***
"Someone's got it in for me, they're planting stories in the press
Whoever it is, I wish they'd cut it out quick, but when they will I can only guess"
- Bob Dylan, "Idiot Wind"
It's nearly January everyone, and that means that David Sullivan is going to be staying up really late ringing agents in South America and furiously flicking through YouTube highlight reels in search of the next Nene. As every West Ham fan knows, the New Year generally brings yet more stupidity in the boardroom, and with the team waist deep in relegation trouble, this time will be no different. Brilliantly, someone in the West Ham/Sullivan PR team decided that a great way to kick off this particular transfer window would be to carry a story in the Mail about how Dave Sullivan Jr lives in a £40m luxury flat and "works harder than anyone he knows".
Another heart warming Christmas story
In fairness to the kid, I'd hate to be judged on things I said and did at the age of twenty, and so I'll choose to ignore the generally crass theme of the article and the incredibly tone deaf decision to celebrate unfathomable, undeserved wealth at a time when so many people in the country are suffering in a stagnant economy. But, honestly, who the hell thinks this stuff is a good idea? Why do these kids keep getting repeatedly exposed to public scrutiny of their lives and activities when it is such a red rag to a fanbase who already think their father is tight and screwing money out of the club? None of this is complicated - but when we're about to enter a month of transfer activity which will define our season, why would you be in the media boasting about your wealth...
...if you're going to do things like this?
Can you see how these two pictures cause problems, Dave? It doesn't matter whether the N'Zonzi story is true, or the fact that I agree that a loan approach is better, because the account that carried it has over sixty thousand followers and this cheap looking style fits a club who seem to have no money.
There were also lots of rumours today about Reece Oxford moving permanently to Germany, although we may now apparently recall him to play for us instead. The rumour there was that Moyes was keen to move the kid on in order to get some cash in for new signings. Quite why we should need cash given that we spent such a low sum in the summer is an issue in itself, but beyond that it also highlights the total stupidity of allowing a potentially temporary manager to make such decisions. Ask yourself whether you would want the substitute teacher expelling your kid, and that will give you an idea of how good a decision making set up this would be.
Moyes doesn't need to worry about what our squad will look like in 2020 because he knows that if we go down this summer he won't be here to worry about it. Once again a Director of Football would be best placed to make such a decision, and once again we don't have one. Let's therefore hope that the Oxford recall is with a view to turning him into a better West Ham player, rather than with a view to turning him into enough cash to buy declining 29 year old players for a relegation battle. We already have a squad full of them.
It's unimportant that one of these can get you a Mirallas
Yes, Oxford might have an attitude problem, and maybe he has a difficult agent, but those things are true of lots of teenage players. In the end, this is a chance for us to get a potentially high quality player for nothing, and flogging him to allow Sullivan to waste yet more funds on his idea of good footballers doesn't do anything for me. Oxford will mature one day, and we'll regret it immensely if he does so somewhere outside East London. Ultimately, when teams who are better than you want your players, that should tell you something about the asset you have. If we truly don't think we can get the best from an eighteen year old then I guess we should move him on, but in turn I would be asking some questions about exactly why that was the case.
So, who should we target? Well, I've outlined above how I'd like a centre back - although that is a slightly difficult assessment to make given that we don't really know how highly the club rate any of Reece Oxford, Reece Burke or Not Reece Declan Rice. A right sided defender to cover Zabaleta and Byram's incredible Chinese noodle hamstrings would also be useful. But we also clearly need a central midfielder who can get about the pitch and create something, while a striker that Moyes can trust to do some Diafra Sakho type things without being Diafra Sakho would really be helpful too.
There is absolutely no chance of us getting all of those players in January, so to my mind they absolutely have to target the midfield as we are currently only playing a three man midfield and still had to play strikers in there for the Arsenal cup game. N'Zonzi wouldn't have been a bad short term acquisition but at 29 he would be yet another to add to the phalanx of ageing one-last-contract types that clutter up our squad.
A better approach, for this season only, might be to target the big clubs and look at non playing member of their squads who are borderline choices for their countries and taking them on short loans. Anyone wanting to play at the World Cup will need game time between now and May, and we would be the ideal place for someone to stage a revival, provided we don't introduce them to Joe Hart.
As such, the link to Andre Schurrle makes sense, as would a return for Andre Gomes - a rumoured target around the time of the William Carvalho debacle. I like the idea of getting these hungry, motivated players, who can arrive and have an immediate impact. Of course, historically this has never worked for us but if the alternative is buying another Robert Snodgrass, then I'm happy to give it another whirl.
***
"But the drumbeat strains of the night remain
In the rhythm of the new born day"
- Al Stewart, "The Year of the Cat"
Some of you may have noticed that I didn't post an article for the Newcastle game. This wasn't a fit of pique but more because I decided to spend Christmas Eve with the family rather than spewing out 3,000 words on how our midfield was overrun by Mo Diame. I did, however, vent a little on Twitter which you can find here.
I've also been asking for some recollections from fans on Frank Lampard Jr, for a retro piece I'm writing at the moment. Any contributions would be gratefully accepted.
And with that, all that remains is for me to wish you all a very Happy New Year and to thank you for reading The H List in 2017. See you in 2018 - it's West Brom to start, so that's bound to be hugely entertaining.
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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Allen going nowhere, says Stoke boss Hughes
KUMb.com
Filed: Friday, 29th December 2017
By: Staff Writer
Stoke City manager Mark Hughes says he has no intention of selling Joe Allen to West Ham during next month's transfer window. The Potters boss spoke out after a report in today's tabloids claimed that West Ham were showing an interest in the Welsh international and wanted him to link up once again with former team mate Marko Arnautovic. "It is the first I have heard of that," said Hughes, when asked about the possibility of a deal being done, "but it wouldn't surprise me because he has been impressive this year. "We can't afford to lose a player of Joe's quality - he is working exceptionally hard for us and we are really pleased with what he is producing for us at the moment." And rather than weaken his existing squad further, Hughes insisted that he is seeking to expand his selection pool.
It's clear that we are too stretched and ideally we would like to rectify that," he added. "We all know that January isn't the ideal time to get deals done, but there are opportunities and we feel there are areas that we need to strengthen." Allen, 27, was signed by Stoke from Liverpool in a £13million deal during the 2016 summer transfer window. The Welsh international began his career at Swansea, before making a £15million move to Anfield in 2012.
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Reece Oxford could feature for West Ham after David Moyes confirms defender's return
By Lyall Thomas
Last Updated: 29/12/17 5:52pm
SSN
Reece Oxford is set to assist West Ham's relegation fight after manager David Moyes confirmed they will "work with" the defender on his return from a loan spell at Borussia Monchengladbach. The Hammers have recalled the 19-year-old from a season-long loan in Germany despite Monchengladbach being one of two Bundesliga clubs keen to sign him on a permanent deal. Moyes, whose side are a point above the relegation zone ahead of a crucial clash against fellow strugglers West Brom on January 2, confirmed Oxford "will come back". "We will take a look at him and see how he is," he said. "I hope we can help improve him. I've only just met him, but I know he is well thought of here and we will work with him."
Oxford, who can also play in defensive-midfield, played only four times for Monchengladbach this season but Sky Sports News understands they like what they have seen and expect the England U20 to develop into a top player. Monchengladbach want to sign the defender on a permanent deal worth £5.5m, and RB Leipzig also harbour an interest, having attempted to sign him when he was just 17 in 2016. West Ham value Oxford highly too, however, and would not let him leave unless they received an exceptional offer, according to Sky sources. Oxford, who signed a new West Ham contract last year that tied him to the club until 2021, has made 14 senior appearances for the Hammers.
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David Moyes says there are 'no guarantees' West Ham will make January signings
By Andy Swales
Last Updated: 29/12/17 3:35pm
SSN
David Moyes is keen to add a couple of players to his West Ham squad during the January transfer window. However, the Hammers boss admits it is traditionally a difficult time to do business and says "there are no guarantees". The Scot also played down media reports that the east London club have a long shopping list of potential targets. He joked: "We must be signing 15 players at the moment - by all accounts. "I would like to bring in one or two reinforcements, but every manager will tell you it's not an easy time to do business. "It's also an expensive month. We'll try and do it but there's no guarantee."
Moyes was quick to confirm that he alone would decide which players - if any - will move to the club over the next few weeks. He added: "The manager will have the final say. You'll be judged by the players you bring in. "So, if I wasn't the one bringing the players in, I wouldn't have come here in the first place. "I've not known anything different and the owners have told me it will always be my decision."
West Ham do not play again until January 2 when they take on West Brom at the London Stadium. Long-serving midfielder Mark Noble has missed three matches through injury, while Michail Antonio was ruled out of their Boxing Day game with Bournemouth. Regarding injury news ahead of next week's Premier League fixture against the Baggies, Moyes said: "Mark has trained a couple of days, but not with us, and is making progress. It's his hamstring. "Michail has also not joined us but we don't think his groin is as bad as we first thought. "Whether he will be fit for Tuesday, it's too early to tell."
Moyes confirmed on Friday that Reece Oxford will be returning to the club from Borussia Monchengladbach, having spent the first half of the season in the Bundesliga. Speaking about the teenager, he went on: "He's been talked of very highly. We'll get him back in, take a look, because I've never worked with him before, and spend the time to get to know him."
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SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO – DIAFRA SAKHO
By Goatygav 29 Dec 2017 at 09:21
WTID
Following BlindHammer's excellent post of Jim McWeeny's 'Songs From A Sleepless Night' I thought I'd add a further suggestion with an old Classic from The Clash.
Early October HamburgHammer asked if Diafra Sakho was worth a contract extension. Now the January transfers are about to commence I thought it the appropriate time to debate the 'Should He Stay Or Should He Go' question.
He's currently 28 years of age so if he does move on then another club will gain the benefit of Sakho in his prime. His contribution to the team often goes unsung. The options that he gives, his work in the channels and the way he pulls defences around are all tremendous contributors in matches. I'm not sure everyone appreciates just how good Diafra's movement really is. Defence is another area he mucks in with. Over the last couple of seasons he's not, really, had a decent run of games. For many players this would be a huge setback – one from which it would be difficult to get back up to full match capacity. When Diafra is called upon after a lay off he seems to, almost immediately, look like he is 5 games back in to his stride. Conversely Diafra has been on the scoresheet regularly when getting a run in the team. In his first season he broke West Ham's Premier League record, and equalled Micky Quinn's, when he struck six from six in his first half dozen starts – becoming the Premier League Player Of The Month in October 2014. Overall his strike rate is favourable compared to other forwards.
Sakho's injury list is, relatively speaking, a long one. Although not as prolific as Andy Carroll he first spent time on the side-lines following an injury against West Brom before, controversially, pulling out of the ACON with Senegal. When his national team officials wanted him to fly to Senegal for a medical West Ham refused on the grounds of him being unfit to travel. Subsequently the club were fined 100K Swiss Francs after Diafra was played and scored the only goal of the game in the FA Cup victory against Bristol City – travelling to Ashton Gate in a Limousine. That said when my boys and I attended an open training session at Upton Park in 2015 it was Diafra who was the most charming and engaging player my boys encountered. He was already my older lad's favourite so when reports of Diafra being questioned by Police following an alleged night club incident of assault on a woman it was a hard one for my son to get his head around – although I did explain to him that they were not necessarily true but were just allegations at that stage.
Earlier in 2017-18, during the open transfer window, Diafra was reported to have been attempting to force a move by taking it upon himself to travel to Rennes for a medical, which he passed, without the consent of West Ham. After returning to England, instead of attending training, he went to Chelmsford races to see one of his agent's horses run in the 3.20. Wherever he goes there appear to be reports of behaviour less than exemplary. Some of it many would consider disruptive and unforgiveable. I can fully understand that but, as fans, we have to swallow a lot a rubbish. Having Diafra Sakho still playing for the club after the window closes would be nowhere near as big a load to bear than so many others we've had to put up with – counting this season alone if not over the last few.
If the dressing room was being negatively affected by Diafra's actions then I'd be all for him being offloaded as quickly as possible. But by all accounts there's no conflict or disharmony arising so I'm not convinced by any argument based that he should be moved on for this reason.
From a playing perspective, with what Diafra offers us on the pitch, it's an overwhelming 'Stay' from me. From that perspective alone I just can't see the sense in letting him leave and creating a gaping hole in our squad – which will cost quite a considerable amount to fill. Things happen in people's lives so I'm not going to be one to judge Diafra on his off field antics down the years and, more recently, his reported actions to engineer a move away from the club. He's a slightly better striker than Andy Carroll, in terms of goals per game, and contributes a great deal to the team in other areas. Whatever my opinion is, and even if the club want him to stay, player power generally rules when it comes to influencing transfers. Sadly he appears to want away so I suspect he'll be moving on in January.
Perhaps I have it wrong and there are many better replacements lined up to take Diafra's place. On one of the popular Vlogger sites I recently watched a suggestion that we should offload Sakho, Carroll and Ayew in January. Even if we brought through Toni Martinez we'd still be very light for striking options, should that come to pass, and I wonder how much we'd need to pay out to secure replacements. I'm not sure who David Moyes and David Sullivan might have in mind but, in West Ham's current position, I'm not convinced it will be easy to bring quality replacements in. I really don't see the sale of three strikers in one pop a sensible tactic so, out of the the three of them, I'd retain Diafra. He's just better than one in three, whereas the other two are not quite one in four, and certainly offers more to the team than Andrew Ayew IMO. All boiled down it really does depend who the club can bring in. If Carroll and Ayew do move on perhaps Diafra can be made to feel a major part of the manager's plans for the rest of the season and we'll see him at his, excellent, best again.
On to the West Brom game I'm hopeful of a decent performance as I'm bringing both my lads for their first game of the season along with one of my darts team and his lad of a similar age to mine. On paper it's a game we should win but, as one of the managerial greats of the game once pointed out, it's a game played on grass.
COYI! West Ham 4 The Cup!
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WEST HAM TARGET SURPRISE MOVE FOR SHELVEY
ELLIOTT CUFF @CuffWrites
ReadWestHam
David Moyes is lining up a shock move for Newcastle's mercurial midfielder Jonjo Shelvey, according to a Mirror exclusive. Moyes is believed to be desperate to strengthen his midfield in the January transfer window as he looks to boost the Hammers' chances of survival this season. Despite Shelvey's numerous attitude and temperament issues, the former Swansea midfielder finds himself on Moyes' wish-list for his January rebuild. Shelvey has been sent off twice already this season, and is no longer considered a guaranteed starter at St James Park. However, his passing ability and aggression in the middle of the park would prove to be valuable for the Hammers.
With Amanda Staveley's takeover still not having gone through for Newcastle just yet, the Magpies could be tempted to sell Shelvey in order to raise funds for transfers. Newcastle would presumably want to make back much of the £12million that they paid Swansea for him two years ago, especially if they do consider selling to a direct rival. Shelvey has shown that he has untapped potential throughout his career, and maybe David Moyes could be the man to break through.
The Hammers' have also looked at Bournemouth's Harry Arter and Stoke's Joe Allen as potential long term replacements for Mark Noble.
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Everton landing Steven N'Zonzi could let West Ham sign Morgan Schneiderlin
HITC
Danny Owen
Everton look set to beat West Ham United to Sevilla star Steven N'Zonzi - which could ironically present an alternative option to David Moyes. Reports on Steven N'Zonzi's return to the Premier League had grown cold in recent days. But The Mail (live transfer blog, 13.55pm) reports that Everton are now set to step up their chase in the next 48 hours for the Sevilla midfielder. N'Zonzi fell out with the La Liga side's manager Eduardo Berizzo and, despite his recent sacking, it is understood that the relationship between player and club is beyond repair. And the report states that the £35 million-rated France international is keen to again link up with Sam Allardyce at Goodison Park – having worked with the 63-year-old during his first spell in England at Blackburn Rovers.
Bad news, then, for West Ham; The Mail adds that David Moyes' side had a loan bid for N'Zonzi rejected. But, ironically, missing out on N'Zonzi could put an alternative option immediately within their grasp. Because it is understood that the former Stoke enforcer's arrival at Goodison Park will pave the way for a departure with Morgan Schneiderlin among those whose future at Everton is now at risk. And, strangely enough, West Ham are also interested in bringing the former Manchester United ace to the London Stadium, having made an enquiry about the 28-year-old's availability recently, as reported by The Sun. Schneiderlin hasn't really established himself since his £24 million move to Everton almost a year ago but a move to West Ham could help get his career back on track. But will missing out on one France intentional midfielder pave the way for West Ham to sign another?
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Oxford returns to West Ham United
Oxford returns to West Ham United
www.borussia.de
Reece Oxford has returned to Premier League side West Ham United. The 19-year-old defensive all-rounder had originally been loaned to Borussia for one season, but the Hammers have activated a clause to recall Oxford. "We were informed of their decision to activate the clause and recall him this morning," said sporting director Max Eberl. "However, we continue to be in talks with West Ham regarding Reece Oxford completing a permanent move to Borussia. It is also the player's wish to stay at Gladbach."
Reece Oxford signed on loan at the start of the season and has so far featured in three Bundesliga games and a DFB-Pokal tie. He had started each of the last three matches against Freiburg, HSV and Leverkusen.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Saturday, December 30
Thursday, December 28
Daily WHUFC News - 29th December 2017
Academy offer Scholarship deals to U16s
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's Academy of Football are delighted to announce the signing-on of nine players on full-time Scholarship deals.A change in Premier League rules meant that the date by which clubs had to offer U16 players a Scholarship contract had this year been brought forward to 1 January where in previous years, clubs would not have to submit their lists until later in the month. This campaign, players who have signed their Scholarship deals are: Keenan Appiah-Forson (central-midfield), Harrison Ashby (full-back/centre-back), Samuel Caiger (full-back/central-midfield), Daniel Chesters (central-midfield), Jake Giddings (central-midfield), William Greenidge (full-back/centre-back, pictured (right)), Samuel Nsumbu (centre-back), Joshua Okotcha (centre-back, pictured (left)) and Lennon Peake (winger).
Academy Director Terry Westley was delighted to get the boys signed on and believes there could be a number of Hammers stars for the future within the group.
He said: "I'd like to offer many congratulations to the all the boys as they take another exciting step on their career pathway. "Thanks also goes to their families for their unerring support in helping them reach this stage. "We look forward to welcoming these nine players into the world of professional football in July 2018 but before then, we as of them that they work hard to achieve their GCSEs and aspire to leave school knowing they have performed to their highest level. "There are a number of very talented players at the Academy in the younger age-groups and I wish them all success as they progress to this next stage."
A number of the U16s have already begun to make their mark on the older age-groups at the Academy.
Will Greenidge and Josh Okotcha broke into the U18 squad earlier this campaign and their impressive performances for Steve Potts and Mark Phillips' side later earned them U23 appearances in the Premier League International Cup against Benfica. Meanwhile, Daniel Chesters, Keenan Appiah-Forson, Sam Caiger and, most recently, Harrison Ashby all broke into the U18 side in the second half of 2017.
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Conor Coventry letting his feet do the talking
WHUFC.com
You do not have to be loud, outgoing and vocal to be a leader on the football pitch. West Ham United's U23 midfielder Conor Coventry is proving just that. Still just 17, the teenager skippered the side for first time when Benfica visited in the Premier League International Cup in November. And the youngster is showing everybody that his style is to let his feet do the talking. "I wouldn't say it's necessarily me being vocal which is how I lead," the Republic of Ireland youth international explained. "I am trying to get better at that, of course, but I think I lead by actions and by getting on the ball and I captained Ireland's U18s a few weeks ago as well. I think I am doing well in that at the moment."
Coventry is being modest. An U18 regular last campaign, he made just a handful of appearances for the U23s and looked set for another season hoping to break into the starting XI this term. But due to a combination of his impressive pre-season and injuries to teammates, Terry Westley selected the midfielder for the campaign's opener against Everton and he has not looked back since. Twelve appearances later, he is most certainly a regular in the side, although his ambitions are not limited to just that. "I've been happy with how the season has gone so far, definitely. The aim was always to try and get into the U23s, something I've probably done now, and I've probably done it quicker than I expected and played more games than I thought I would. "I'm happy and hopefully things can continue and I can keep going the way I am. "I want to keep starting, play the rest of the games and become one of the key players in the U23 squad. Those are the aims for the rest of the season. "Maybe if I'm lucky, I want to have a focus on being more involved with the first team as the season goes on, but my main focus of course is on the U23s."
Since first-team manager David Moyes arrived, the likes of Declan Rice, Ben Johnson, Nathan Trott, Domingos Quina, Sead Haksabanovic and Moses Makasi have all been included in senior squads. And to see his teammates in such positions gives Coventry hope that a call-up to the West Ham first team is not just a distant dream. "I think since the gaffer got to the Club, everyone can see there's a chance. He'll put you on the bench if he believes in you, so everyone is working hard and hopefully more can get their chances. "Dec's played a lot, and the challenge for everyone now is to be good enough; if you are, it looks as though you'll get that opportunity. "It's not about 'Are you old enough?' It's about 'Are you good enough?' That's encouraging for all of us to see, of course."
Coventry is already proud of his season so far but more moments like that against Benfica will only make him happier. "It was a bit unexpected when I got the armband, to be fair, but it was a great moment for me. One or two of the more senior ones were missing so it was nice to get the armband and step up to do that. I want to step up more often and hopefully I get the chance to."
And if he continues to let his feet do the talking, he certainly will.
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Adrian: We have to defend as a team against West Brom
WHUFC.com
Adrian says West Ham United have to 'defend as a team' when they face West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday evening. The Hammers conceded three goals from set plays in drawing 3-3 at AFC Bournemouth on Boxing Day, where Callum Wilson's controversial late equaliser denied them three valuable points. And goalkeeper Adrian, who kept his side in the game with a series of important saves with West Ham trailing 1-2 before Marko Arnautovic's double turned the game in their favour, was frustrated by the Hammers' inability to turn their own penalty area into a fortress, as they had done in recent meetings with Chelsea, Arsenal and Stoke City. "We worked so hard together to come back and get the result, but we can't be happy because we conceded three goals," he told whufc.com. "We need to defend much better and deal with the ball in the air much better. We have to defend as a team. "We now have a week to rest, to train hard and recover our bodies and minds to be 100 per cent to face West Brom."
Adrian himself was heavily involved in a game played in truly horrible weather conditions at the Vitality Stadium, making seven saves to keep the Cherries at bay.
Five of those stops came with West Ham trailing 1-2 in the second half, setting the stage for Arnautovic. "It was the moment of the game. If they had scored the third one, I think it would have probably killed the game and we would have had no chance to come back. "I was very busy with some saves to try to help the team and at the end we scored the third one and thought we had got a massive three points, but in the end we had to settle for only one. "It was very hard because the pitch there is small, every ball in the air is dangerous for the goalkeeper and defenders and it was very windy but, at the end of the day, we are professionals and the climate is for both teams, so we had to cope with this."
No interview about the Boxing Day fixture could end without discussion of Bournemouth's 91st-minute leveller, which was scored by Wilson, despite the striker appearing to be both offside and divert the ball into the net with his right arm. Adrian, unsurprisingly, was unhappy with referee Bobby Madley's decision to award the goal. "To be fair, we were a bit disappointed because we had three points in the last minute and then we had the decision from the referee. I don't know why he changed the decision of the assistant because I think it was a bit offside and also handball, and he also interfered on my way to the ball. "I'm very disappointed with this, but we got a point and, at the end of the day, we didn't lose but it's not enough."
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West Ham's Reece Oxford set for RB Leipzig move
By Simon Stone
BBC Sport
West Ham defender Reece Oxford could complete a surprise move to Bundesliga side RB Leipzig next month. Oxford, 19, has been on loan at Borussia Monchengladbach and has made three league appearances this season. However, RB Leipzig are optimistic of a deal being agreed for an initial 9m Euros (£8m), with the fee potentially rising to 19m (£16.88m) with add ons. West Ham would have to recall the England Under-20 international from Monchengladbach before doing the deal. Leipzig tried to buy Oxford in 2016 but could not agree a fee with the Hammers. Oxford became West Ham's youngest ever player when he made his debut as a 16-year-old in a Europa League qualifying tie against Andorran side Lusitanos in July 2015. New Hammers boss David Moyes had agreed to let Oxford leave on a permanent basis, although it was anticipated he would remain at Monchengladbach. Leipzig were second in the table heading into December but have failed to win any of their last four matches and have slipped to fifth. They have been drawn against Napoli in the last 32 of the Europa League.
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EXWHUEMPLOYEE EXCLUSIVE: "OXFORD IS BEING RECALLED TO PLAY FOR US!"
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 28 DECEMBER 2017 AT 5:48PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
So the transfer rumour season is already in full force and we haven't reached January yet! The news broke this morning that Reece Oxford was due to make his loan move permanent at Borussia Mönchengladbach. I contacted one of my sources with that exact question and was told that they had received no offer for him and it was "news to them" despite being reported by a leading German newspaper "The Bild"
No sooner had I dismissed this rumour then the next one broke from the BBC that he was in fact off to Red Bull Liepzig for an initial £6m rising to around £17m. Now knowing how some of my sources simply answer the question in front of them and do not elaborate at times, I wanted to check that the "No offer received" applied to all clubs rather than just Monchengladbach. The reply I received was "It is very unlikely that Oxford will leave, every player has a price but we are recalling him to play for us". Now of course should Leipzig with all their financial clout come in and offer a huge sum, it would be hard to say no for a player who has yet to really show his potential at the club. This is unlikely to happen though and the club wish to see him feature for our first team now.
Oxford will never be far from the transfer rumours though because his agent is Adi Ward, who is the same agent for Sterling and Berahino, often likes to instigate moves for his players. The same agent's demands saw Quina's loan move to Sheffield United break down in the summer due to furthering his money requests as the deal approached completion. The same agent successfully negotiated a £20k a week deal for Oxford to tie him down to the club as well.
Oxford will offer options in midfield, defence and right back when he returns and it will be exciting to see how he and the talented Declan Rice go on to challenge for regular first team spots as the season continues. A centre back partnership of Rice and Oxford could be one that we rely on for many years to come.
Following my earlier tweet it appears that all the main newspapers and other West Ham websites are now "hearing the same thing" and saying that Oxford is due back to play for us.
It is likely however that Reece Burke's days at the club are numbered as the club think about recalling him from Bolton to move him on again perhaps on a permanent deal this time.
It is expected that Diafra Sakho's move from the club will be confirmed in the next week and this could free up a forward option. There is talk that Schurrle of Dortmund could be targeted for a loan move because he is out of favour there and wants to get in the German national team for the World Cup. We made a move for him in the summer which was close to completion but didn't quite get over the line. Ironically we may approach Gladback for some of their players too as well as having Sturridge, Giroud and Dembele of Celtic as possible replacements.
The number one position for Moyes to strengthen is central midfield. Now that Wilshire has confirmed he wishes to stay at Arsenal, N'Zonzi from Sevilla is the number one target although we face a lot of competition. All of these deals were covered on our radio show. I spoke of Oxford's recall last night and did a large section on transfers.
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MICHAIL ANTONIO: MA GONE MIA
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 28 DECEMBER 2017 AT 8:35PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by @emedser for her blog https://betterthanzidane.wordpress.com
Michail Antonio where do I start! Once one of the stand out players at West Ham United now seems disjointed and leaves me frustrated with his decision making. He enjoyed a stellar first couple of seasons with the Hammers but seems to have fallen off this season. Could it be due to a long list of injuries mounting up for the Englishman or is it just his heart isn't in it anymore or more simply is he just not cut out for it.
2015/16 Season
The Wandsworth native signed for West Ham United on the 1st of September 2015 for £7 million on a 4 year contract with the option of a further 2 years. Not long after on the 19th September he made his debut in the 60th minute taking over from Victor Moses in the 2-1 victory over Manchester City. He was then not used again until 29th November coming on as a subsititue in the 1-1 draw against West Brom. After this Antonio started every remaining Premier League match for the Hammers. He opened his scoring account for West Ham in the 2-1 victory over Southampton on 28th December, following on from this he managed to bag goals against Liverpool, Aston Villa, Sunderland, Spurs, Everton and Manchester United. With Sam Byram out injured much to his dismay Michail was then utilised as a right back toward the end of the campaign. He just lost out on the Hammer of the year award coming runner up to the infamous Dimitri Payet.
2016/17 Season
Antonio started the season off with a bang scoring the first ever Premier League goal at the London Stadium in West Ham's 1-0 victory over AFC Bournemouth on 21st August 2016. In the next 3 Premier League matches against Manchester City, Watford and West Brom, impressively Antonio managed to grab 4 more goals. His incredible performances led to his first England call up for fixtures against Slovakia and Spain, however Michail did not get to play. Back to scoring ways he netted again against Spurs, Liverpool and Swansea and registered 3 more assists in the 3-0 win over Crystal Palace at the London Stadium. Antonio scored his final Premier League goal of the season away at Bournemouth on 21st March 2017, missing the last few games of the season due to a hamstring injury. The season ended with Antonio signing a new long term contract and the Londoner winning the Hammer of the year accolade.
2017/18 Season
This season Antonio has seemed a shell of the player he had been in the previous 2 seasons he has spent at West Ham United. He seems disinterested, careless and has shown a distinct lack of effort. After the 3-2 loss at Newcastle even manager David Moyes seemed exsaspered saying,
'He's an important player for us. We said at half-time we'd have to do something about it but he never gave us anything we could see would be helping us."
I appreciate that he has been littered with injuries at the end of 2016/17 season he missed the final 6 games due to a hamstring problem having also had to withdraw from the England squad. Then came the groin injury that Michail sustained at the start of the 2017/18 season coming off against Spurs. Then there was a rib injury and now a calf injury, it seems never ending! Since that hamstring problem he never seems to really have got back that spark we saw during the first couple seasons he enjoyed with the Hammers.
He was also left frustrated at being played in an unnatural position, right back. He was played in this position for much of the 2016/17 season but that still did not stop him getting 9 goals and 5 assists in all competitions. This season however he has not been played at right back due to the signing of Zabaleta from Manchester City and in my opinion has been half the player he was in the season he played right back so I don't think its a question of positioning.
Having said all this his end at Nottingham Forest, his previous club, was much similar to what we are experiencing now with Michail at West Ham United. When Antonio joined Forest in August 2014 for a small fee of £1.5 million he hit the ground running! In his first 5 league matches he bagged 3 goals and 3 assists and ended up starting every league match in his opening season with Forest, scoring 14 goals and being named player of the season in May 2015. After that things seemed to go downhill for Antonio as he was left out of Forest's Championship match against Charlton Athletic on 19th August 2015, with his then manager Dougie Freedman stating that the winger was not "in the right frame of mind" to play. Consequently on 26th August West Ham joined the bidding for Antonio along with West Bromwich Albion. He opted to sign for the Hammers and put pen to paper on 1st September 2015. This is story that should sound all too familiar to West Ham fans as it sounds almost identical to the situation they find themselves in with Antonio at the moment. His frame of mind seems elsewhere and whether this is due to his mountain of injuries or something else I just cannot say.
I truly hope that this can be resolved as at the moment we need everybody on board and playing for the team, all hands on deck! When Antonio has recovered I hope to see some renewed energy and enthusiasm and hopefully some goals.
What is your opinion? Can and should Antonio be doing better? Does he have the ability? Are injuries playing a part? Is his heart still in it? Does he still hold a grudge due to being played out of position? How can he turn it around? Will he improve? Let me know your thoughts 🙂
Thanks for reading.
COYI
Em x
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WEST HAM'S NEXT LEVEL – WHY AREN'T WE THERE? HOW WE CAN ACHIEVE IT?
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 28 DECEMBER 2017 AT 9:23PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by Harry Rawlings @HarryRawlings1
I, like most fans, was very wary of our move away from Upton Park, but got behind it as we were sold by the board that it would take us to 'the next level' getting 'champions league football in 5 years' and all the other unfulfilled promises/lies. A season and a half into it, we are in a relegation battle and have only gone backwards from the last season at Upton Park. In this article I want to explain what I think is going wrong, and what needs to change in order for us to get there in the future.
It seems to me that we are a very reactive club, always fixing problems, filling in holes and papering over the cracks. Our lack of forward planning is laughable to me and we will never progress if we are constantly putting out fires. First of all, the London Stadium move epitomises this. If they had planned the move properly in the first place, then they would not constantly be having to resolve issues now, for examples poor stewarding, segregation issues and distance from the pitch. On the footballing side of things, we had a defensive and what some fans would say, 'boring period' under Allardyce. Then when the fans weren't happy, and the board wanted a manager with more of an attacking strategy, we appointed Bilic. This worked well initially but then we started conceding too many goals and he eventually lost his job. Now we have made a safe move with Moyes, whose first job has been to sort our defence out. But due to his six-month break clause, this leaves the fans wondering what will happen next. This shows another quick fix decision being made by the club without any long term goal in mind other than avoiding relegation.
Another reactive move seen by the club, has been through its recruitment policy. When moving into the new stadium we bought over 10 players in, most of them were young and had not played in the league e.g. Masuaku, Tore, Fernandez, Calleri and Martinez. It was a tough season to join, given it was the first season at a new stadium and expectations were high, and most of them did not work out, perhaps they were not given enough chances, but without going into specifics, the club thought this policy failed. As a result of this, they altogether changed their transfer policy, if we can even call it that, more like changed their mind, and thought experienced players who had played in the league is who they should recruit. So, Snodgrass and Fonte came in January, followed by experienced pros such as Hart, Zabaleta, Arnie and Hernandez in the summer. Now, without going in to detail about each player and whether they were good signings or not, the board have gone from one extreme of buying lots of cheaper, younger inexperienced players to a selective few of older experienced premier league players on huge wages. Where is the continuity? What plan is that following? There seems to be none at all and shows a complete lack of a footballing philosophy.
More evidence towards the club's lack of forward thinking, is their choices to buy good, established players, without thinking about how they could fit into our current team. For example, it was quite apparent that we needed a striker and Javier Hernandez is one of the best finishers in world football. But for him to thrive you need to play a style he is suited to and give him opportunities in the box so that he can finish. So what is the point in playing him when we are still lumping balls up to Carroll or playing him as a left winger? Ayew is another example of a good player, but it is hard to see where he fits into our team, and where his permanent role should be.
Now, it's right to discuss managing styles, and the right structure for our club to adopt to secure a positive future. Fergie was a manager that controlled every aspect of the football club, him along with Wenger are the old school type of managers who kept complete control over club decisions. When Fergie left, and the club had a succession of managers who also had full control of the football club, each one left a team of a mish mash of players from several managers ideologies. When you look at Palace who had a squad built mainly by Allardyce on big, quick and physical players who were used to a direct style of football who then made wholesale changes trying to adopt a total football approach they failed miserably and sacked the manager.
At Southampton, in comparison to the previous examples, their technical director Les Reed sets a precedent of scouting and developing youth players. They are given chances in the first team and set a style of football which they want to play. Even though they have a high turnover of managers, when a new manager does come in there isn't massive changes in terms of player recruitment and how the team plays due to the solid philosophy engrained in the club which is easy for new managers to continue. They have consistently finished in the top 10 and if it wasn't for the owners selling their best players they would without doubt be a top club knocking on the door of the Champions League.
Looking at our set up, it appears there is a mix of the manager, Tony Henry and David Sullivan controlling footballing decisions. With 3 people having an input it seems like there will be a lot of conflict and unaccountability for when things go wrong. Following this model, I can't see us finishing any higher than 8th at absolute best, with relegation as a more realistic option than finishing in the top 10.
The whole board in vs board out argument is for another day, but the fact is they are here to stay for the foreseeable future and we must find the best way of working with them. No matter what you think of David Sullivan, he is a very successful businessman and owns the club he supports. But no matter how much he loves West Ham and wants us to do well, he is not a football expert and quite clearly follows no solid philosophy or plan. I think he has way too much say on the footballing aspect of the club and needs to solely focus on the negotiations and the daily running of the football club, on the business side of things, for our successful future.
My first memories of watching West Ham as a little kid were seeing Joe Cole, Frank Lampard, Rio Ferdinand, Michael Carrick and Glen Johnson gracing the pitch. Since then it has been pretty appalling other than Noble and Tomkins. I would love to see us appoint a technical director who would invest heavily in youth and try to get back to this era. For this to happen, David Sullivan would have to step aside from these current duties and give the director a remit to make our academy great again and set a president for the certain style of football they want… the West Ham way?
The best example of this has been at RB Leipzig. They had a vision of creating a football team to match their brand of energy drink. Very energetic, fast and exciting to watch. They then hired Ralph Rangnick as the sporting director. Working from these principles, he hired a manager to best achieve these goals – Ralph Hasenhüttl. They then had a specific transfer policy of only signing players from 17-23 so they can be moulded into the philosophy of the club and have the legs for the furious tempo they like to play at. After only being formed in 2009, they were promoted into the Bundesliga last season and came second behind Bayern Munich. They subsequently qualified for the Champions League which is an unbelievable achievement and shows what can be done through thorough planning and commitment to an objective, instead of being the very backwards and reactive club we are now. To reemphasise my point, Monaco are another team that have done a similar thing in France and won their league. They have an excellent scouting network set up and a manager who is willing to give them game time and develop them into world class players such as Mendy, Bernardo Silva, Mbappe and Lemar.
Ultimately, we are never going to have the money to buy the best players and compete with the big clubs, so the way I see it, for us to get to this next level, we must buy young prospects and develop them into great players. We will then keep them on because they want to play for us and buy into the vision that needs to be set by a passionate sporting/football/technical director.
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Huddersfield allocation sold out
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 28th December 2017
By: Staff Writer
West Ham have sold out their entire opening allocation of tickets for the club's first trip to Huddersfield in 20 years. The last occasion on which the two sides met at Town's McAlpine Stadium (as it was then known) came in a 1997 Coca Cola Cup second round, first leg tie which the Terriers won 1-0 thanks to a late winner from lifelong Hammers fan Alex Dyer. And as a result all 2,000+ tickets for the 13 January match have gone like hot cakes, with the initial 90 per cent made available all gone to season ticket holders. The remaining 10 per cent of tickets, around 234 in total, are being held for season ticket holders with insufficient points to enter the initial ballot and claret members. These go on sale from 11am tomorrow morning (Friday) priced £30 for adults, £20 for over 60s and £15 for under 18s.
Huddersfield Town v West Ham Utd: head-to-head
West Ham Utd: 11 wins (biggest win 4-0, January 1954)
Huddersfield: 22 wins (biggest win 6-2, February 1957)
Draws: 7
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Oxford set for £17million switch?
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 28th December 2017
By: Staff Writer
Teenage defender Reece Oxford is set to join RB Leipzig on a permanent basis, according to reports from Germany. The 19-year-old is currently on a season-long loan at Borussia Monchengladbach, for whom he has made three appearances thus far this season. However a report in respected German daily Bild today claims that Oxford's loan is set to be cut short so that West Ham may sell him to Monchengladbach's Bundesliga rivals Leipzig, who are said to have agreed a £17million deal. The German club saw a £10million bid for the Edmonton-born defender rejected in July 2016 - at the same time Manchester City had a £15million offer rejected. However another report from Germany insists that Gladbach are also seeking to make Oxford's loan permanent, with sporting director Max Eberl telling bundesliga.com that talks have already begun. "We want to keep hold of him after the winter," he said. "We have inquired about the possibilities of a purchase and exploratory talks are underway. Good Bundesliga players are always of interest for us."
West Ham, who are yet to comment on the speculation, have consistently denied previous reports linking Oxford - one of the most highly-rated youngsters to emerge via the club's Academy in recent seasons - with a move away from the club. And further speculation suggests that the Hammers intend to retain the services of Oxford, and could recall him to the club as early as next month.
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Hurry up Davey, come on
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 28th December 2017
By: Staff Writer
David Moyes says he is looking to conduct his January business as early as possible in order to give West Ham the best chance of escaping the drop zone. The Hammers fell back to 17th in the Premier League as a result of the defeat against Newcastle and draw at Bournemouth over Christmas, leaving Moyes in no doubt that fresh faces are urgently required. And the recently-appointed manager hopes to start bringing players in as soon as he possibly can - with the midfield especially set for an overhaul. "I'm in a hurry," he told whufc.com. "I have to be in a hurry because I cannot wait three or four months to see how you do. Ideally I'd have had six or seven pre-season games to understand what they're like, but I've not. "Every player has shown great desire and is committed in training, but I think we're short in some areas and overloaded in others. "For example, we've got lots of forwards but we're really short of midfield players. We've got quite a few who are comfortable playing on the left, but not so many who can play on the right so we've got an imbalanced squad. "We've got a couple of forwards in form at the minute and people we can bring on and use, so I think we've got a threat, but were definitely lacking in some areas."
Moyes has been in charge of West Ham for 10 matches since succeeding Slaven Bilic at the start of November, winning two, drawing three and losing five games.
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West Ham set to recall Reece Oxford from Monchengladbach amid RB Leipzig interest
By Sky Sports News
Last Updated: 28/12/17 7:19pm
SSN
West Ham United are expected to recall Reece Oxford from his loan at Borussia Monchengladbach amid interest from fellow Bundesliga club RB Leipzig. A senior Hammers source has told Sky Sports News that the midfielder will "probably" return in January despite Monchengladbach wanting to sign the defender on a permanent deal worth £5.5m. Leipzig, who were interested in signing Oxford in 2016 when he was just 17 years old, are also keen on signing him next month but they have not yet made a formal offer. Oxford has played only four times for Monchengladbach this season but they like what they have seen and expect the 19-year-old to develop into a top player. West Ham value Oxford highly too and would not let him leave unless they received an exceptional offer. The England U20 international, who signed a new West Ham contract last year that tied him to the club until 2021, joined Monchengladbach on a season-long loan on June 21.
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Stoke, West Brom, West Ham, Newcastle keen on Danny Ings loan from Liverpool
By Rob Dorsett and Bryan Swanson
Last Updated: 28/12/17 7:55pm
SSN
Stoke are interested in taking Liverpool striker Danny Ings on loan but are likely to face competition from Newcastle, West Ham and West Brom, Sky Sports News has been told. Ings, whose contract at Anfield expires in June 2020, was used as a late substitute by Jurgen Klopp in the Premier League games against Everton and Bournemouth in December. Ings has made just eight league starts since joining from Burnley in June 2015, mostly due to injury problems. He suffered a cruciate ligament injury in his first season and was on his way back when he sustained a second knee injury in November 2016. The England international made his comeback in the EFL Cup defeat at Leicester in September. Mark Hughes' Stoke sit 13th in the Premier League with two wins from their last six games, two points above 15th-placed Newcastle and 17th-placed West Ham. Meanwhile, Alan Pardew will be looking to add to West Brom's attacking options in January given the Baggies languish in the relegation zone on 15 points
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RB Leipzig make £17m move for Reece Oxford - but West Ham want to recall teenager from Bundesliga loan
Oxford is open to a permanent switch to Germany having enjoyed his time there after moving to Monchengladbach last summer
The Mirror
ByJohn CrossChief Football Writer
18:52, 28 DEC 2017
Red Bull Leipzig have made a stunning £17m move for West Ham prospect Reece Oxford. But the Bundesliga club are stuck in a three way battle for the 19-year-old as West Ham want to recall him from his loan spell at Borussia Monchengladbach who also want to sign him permanently. Oxford is open to a permanent switch to Germany having enjoyed his time there after moving to Monchengladbach last summer and has done enough to impress two clubs. West Ham boss David Moyes is also watching developments closely and does not want to lose Oxford who is viewed as being one of England's best defensive prospects. Moyes may now see him as being able to play a part in the second half of the season and, despite the huge money on offer, would not want to regret selling him further down the line. RB Leipzig are willing to pay £9m up front with further add-ons based on appearances and international caps with the fee potentially rising to £17m.
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West Ham plot Joe Allen transfer as David Moyes looks to reshape struggling squad in January window
PLUS: Moyes eyeing reunion with Sunderland's Lamine Kone with Alfie Mawson also on the radar
The Mirror
ByDarren Lewis
22:30, 28 DEC 2017
David Moyes wants to sign Stoke midfielder Joe Allen. The West Ham boss has made the 27-year-old Wales international one of his main targets for the January transfer window as he looks to reshape his side. Allen is a key man at the Bet365 under Mark Hughes. He is of interest to Moyes because of his versatility - Allen is able to play in advanced position but is also effective as a deeper-lying midfielder. Signed in the summer of 2016 by Stoke from Liverpool, Allen has had a number of Premier League admirers for some time. Swansea, who lost him in 2012, tried to sign him for now-departed Paul Clement during this year's summer transfer window as a replacement for Gylfi Sigurdsson. Moyes is also interested in a reunion with Sunderland defender Lamine Kone with Winston Reid, dropped for the Boxing Day draw at Bournemouth, on borrowed time. Kone, a 28-year-old centre-back, played a crucial role in keeping the Black Cats in the Premier League two years ago. Moyes persuaded him to remain at the Stadium of Light instead of defecting to Everton. But although Kone is still at the club he has been out of form and is recovering from a knee injury. Sunderland are willing to get him off the wage bill, however, and are open to doing a deal. West Ham are also keen on Swansea's Alfie Mawson with Moyes understood to want to sign two defenders. The Scot confirmed earlier this week that he will be active when the window reopens.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's Academy of Football are delighted to announce the signing-on of nine players on full-time Scholarship deals.A change in Premier League rules meant that the date by which clubs had to offer U16 players a Scholarship contract had this year been brought forward to 1 January where in previous years, clubs would not have to submit their lists until later in the month. This campaign, players who have signed their Scholarship deals are: Keenan Appiah-Forson (central-midfield), Harrison Ashby (full-back/centre-back), Samuel Caiger (full-back/central-midfield), Daniel Chesters (central-midfield), Jake Giddings (central-midfield), William Greenidge (full-back/centre-back, pictured (right)), Samuel Nsumbu (centre-back), Joshua Okotcha (centre-back, pictured (left)) and Lennon Peake (winger).
Academy Director Terry Westley was delighted to get the boys signed on and believes there could be a number of Hammers stars for the future within the group.
He said: "I'd like to offer many congratulations to the all the boys as they take another exciting step on their career pathway. "Thanks also goes to their families for their unerring support in helping them reach this stage. "We look forward to welcoming these nine players into the world of professional football in July 2018 but before then, we as of them that they work hard to achieve their GCSEs and aspire to leave school knowing they have performed to their highest level. "There are a number of very talented players at the Academy in the younger age-groups and I wish them all success as they progress to this next stage."
A number of the U16s have already begun to make their mark on the older age-groups at the Academy.
Will Greenidge and Josh Okotcha broke into the U18 squad earlier this campaign and their impressive performances for Steve Potts and Mark Phillips' side later earned them U23 appearances in the Premier League International Cup against Benfica. Meanwhile, Daniel Chesters, Keenan Appiah-Forson, Sam Caiger and, most recently, Harrison Ashby all broke into the U18 side in the second half of 2017.
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Conor Coventry letting his feet do the talking
WHUFC.com
You do not have to be loud, outgoing and vocal to be a leader on the football pitch. West Ham United's U23 midfielder Conor Coventry is proving just that. Still just 17, the teenager skippered the side for first time when Benfica visited in the Premier League International Cup in November. And the youngster is showing everybody that his style is to let his feet do the talking. "I wouldn't say it's necessarily me being vocal which is how I lead," the Republic of Ireland youth international explained. "I am trying to get better at that, of course, but I think I lead by actions and by getting on the ball and I captained Ireland's U18s a few weeks ago as well. I think I am doing well in that at the moment."
Coventry is being modest. An U18 regular last campaign, he made just a handful of appearances for the U23s and looked set for another season hoping to break into the starting XI this term. But due to a combination of his impressive pre-season and injuries to teammates, Terry Westley selected the midfielder for the campaign's opener against Everton and he has not looked back since. Twelve appearances later, he is most certainly a regular in the side, although his ambitions are not limited to just that. "I've been happy with how the season has gone so far, definitely. The aim was always to try and get into the U23s, something I've probably done now, and I've probably done it quicker than I expected and played more games than I thought I would. "I'm happy and hopefully things can continue and I can keep going the way I am. "I want to keep starting, play the rest of the games and become one of the key players in the U23 squad. Those are the aims for the rest of the season. "Maybe if I'm lucky, I want to have a focus on being more involved with the first team as the season goes on, but my main focus of course is on the U23s."
Since first-team manager David Moyes arrived, the likes of Declan Rice, Ben Johnson, Nathan Trott, Domingos Quina, Sead Haksabanovic and Moses Makasi have all been included in senior squads. And to see his teammates in such positions gives Coventry hope that a call-up to the West Ham first team is not just a distant dream. "I think since the gaffer got to the Club, everyone can see there's a chance. He'll put you on the bench if he believes in you, so everyone is working hard and hopefully more can get their chances. "Dec's played a lot, and the challenge for everyone now is to be good enough; if you are, it looks as though you'll get that opportunity. "It's not about 'Are you old enough?' It's about 'Are you good enough?' That's encouraging for all of us to see, of course."
Coventry is already proud of his season so far but more moments like that against Benfica will only make him happier. "It was a bit unexpected when I got the armband, to be fair, but it was a great moment for me. One or two of the more senior ones were missing so it was nice to get the armband and step up to do that. I want to step up more often and hopefully I get the chance to."
And if he continues to let his feet do the talking, he certainly will.
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Adrian: We have to defend as a team against West Brom
WHUFC.com
Adrian says West Ham United have to 'defend as a team' when they face West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday evening. The Hammers conceded three goals from set plays in drawing 3-3 at AFC Bournemouth on Boxing Day, where Callum Wilson's controversial late equaliser denied them three valuable points. And goalkeeper Adrian, who kept his side in the game with a series of important saves with West Ham trailing 1-2 before Marko Arnautovic's double turned the game in their favour, was frustrated by the Hammers' inability to turn their own penalty area into a fortress, as they had done in recent meetings with Chelsea, Arsenal and Stoke City. "We worked so hard together to come back and get the result, but we can't be happy because we conceded three goals," he told whufc.com. "We need to defend much better and deal with the ball in the air much better. We have to defend as a team. "We now have a week to rest, to train hard and recover our bodies and minds to be 100 per cent to face West Brom."
Adrian himself was heavily involved in a game played in truly horrible weather conditions at the Vitality Stadium, making seven saves to keep the Cherries at bay.
Five of those stops came with West Ham trailing 1-2 in the second half, setting the stage for Arnautovic. "It was the moment of the game. If they had scored the third one, I think it would have probably killed the game and we would have had no chance to come back. "I was very busy with some saves to try to help the team and at the end we scored the third one and thought we had got a massive three points, but in the end we had to settle for only one. "It was very hard because the pitch there is small, every ball in the air is dangerous for the goalkeeper and defenders and it was very windy but, at the end of the day, we are professionals and the climate is for both teams, so we had to cope with this."
No interview about the Boxing Day fixture could end without discussion of Bournemouth's 91st-minute leveller, which was scored by Wilson, despite the striker appearing to be both offside and divert the ball into the net with his right arm. Adrian, unsurprisingly, was unhappy with referee Bobby Madley's decision to award the goal. "To be fair, we were a bit disappointed because we had three points in the last minute and then we had the decision from the referee. I don't know why he changed the decision of the assistant because I think it was a bit offside and also handball, and he also interfered on my way to the ball. "I'm very disappointed with this, but we got a point and, at the end of the day, we didn't lose but it's not enough."
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West Ham's Reece Oxford set for RB Leipzig move
By Simon Stone
BBC Sport
West Ham defender Reece Oxford could complete a surprise move to Bundesliga side RB Leipzig next month. Oxford, 19, has been on loan at Borussia Monchengladbach and has made three league appearances this season. However, RB Leipzig are optimistic of a deal being agreed for an initial 9m Euros (£8m), with the fee potentially rising to 19m (£16.88m) with add ons. West Ham would have to recall the England Under-20 international from Monchengladbach before doing the deal. Leipzig tried to buy Oxford in 2016 but could not agree a fee with the Hammers. Oxford became West Ham's youngest ever player when he made his debut as a 16-year-old in a Europa League qualifying tie against Andorran side Lusitanos in July 2015. New Hammers boss David Moyes had agreed to let Oxford leave on a permanent basis, although it was anticipated he would remain at Monchengladbach. Leipzig were second in the table heading into December but have failed to win any of their last four matches and have slipped to fifth. They have been drawn against Napoli in the last 32 of the Europa League.
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EXWHUEMPLOYEE EXCLUSIVE: "OXFORD IS BEING RECALLED TO PLAY FOR US!"
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 28 DECEMBER 2017 AT 5:48PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
So the transfer rumour season is already in full force and we haven't reached January yet! The news broke this morning that Reece Oxford was due to make his loan move permanent at Borussia Mönchengladbach. I contacted one of my sources with that exact question and was told that they had received no offer for him and it was "news to them" despite being reported by a leading German newspaper "The Bild"
No sooner had I dismissed this rumour then the next one broke from the BBC that he was in fact off to Red Bull Liepzig for an initial £6m rising to around £17m. Now knowing how some of my sources simply answer the question in front of them and do not elaborate at times, I wanted to check that the "No offer received" applied to all clubs rather than just Monchengladbach. The reply I received was "It is very unlikely that Oxford will leave, every player has a price but we are recalling him to play for us". Now of course should Leipzig with all their financial clout come in and offer a huge sum, it would be hard to say no for a player who has yet to really show his potential at the club. This is unlikely to happen though and the club wish to see him feature for our first team now.
Oxford will never be far from the transfer rumours though because his agent is Adi Ward, who is the same agent for Sterling and Berahino, often likes to instigate moves for his players. The same agent's demands saw Quina's loan move to Sheffield United break down in the summer due to furthering his money requests as the deal approached completion. The same agent successfully negotiated a £20k a week deal for Oxford to tie him down to the club as well.
Oxford will offer options in midfield, defence and right back when he returns and it will be exciting to see how he and the talented Declan Rice go on to challenge for regular first team spots as the season continues. A centre back partnership of Rice and Oxford could be one that we rely on for many years to come.
Following my earlier tweet it appears that all the main newspapers and other West Ham websites are now "hearing the same thing" and saying that Oxford is due back to play for us.
It is likely however that Reece Burke's days at the club are numbered as the club think about recalling him from Bolton to move him on again perhaps on a permanent deal this time.
It is expected that Diafra Sakho's move from the club will be confirmed in the next week and this could free up a forward option. There is talk that Schurrle of Dortmund could be targeted for a loan move because he is out of favour there and wants to get in the German national team for the World Cup. We made a move for him in the summer which was close to completion but didn't quite get over the line. Ironically we may approach Gladback for some of their players too as well as having Sturridge, Giroud and Dembele of Celtic as possible replacements.
The number one position for Moyes to strengthen is central midfield. Now that Wilshire has confirmed he wishes to stay at Arsenal, N'Zonzi from Sevilla is the number one target although we face a lot of competition. All of these deals were covered on our radio show. I spoke of Oxford's recall last night and did a large section on transfers.
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MICHAIL ANTONIO: MA GONE MIA
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 28 DECEMBER 2017 AT 8:35PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by @emedser for her blog https://betterthanzidane.wordpress.com
Michail Antonio where do I start! Once one of the stand out players at West Ham United now seems disjointed and leaves me frustrated with his decision making. He enjoyed a stellar first couple of seasons with the Hammers but seems to have fallen off this season. Could it be due to a long list of injuries mounting up for the Englishman or is it just his heart isn't in it anymore or more simply is he just not cut out for it.
2015/16 Season
The Wandsworth native signed for West Ham United on the 1st of September 2015 for £7 million on a 4 year contract with the option of a further 2 years. Not long after on the 19th September he made his debut in the 60th minute taking over from Victor Moses in the 2-1 victory over Manchester City. He was then not used again until 29th November coming on as a subsititue in the 1-1 draw against West Brom. After this Antonio started every remaining Premier League match for the Hammers. He opened his scoring account for West Ham in the 2-1 victory over Southampton on 28th December, following on from this he managed to bag goals against Liverpool, Aston Villa, Sunderland, Spurs, Everton and Manchester United. With Sam Byram out injured much to his dismay Michail was then utilised as a right back toward the end of the campaign. He just lost out on the Hammer of the year award coming runner up to the infamous Dimitri Payet.
2016/17 Season
Antonio started the season off with a bang scoring the first ever Premier League goal at the London Stadium in West Ham's 1-0 victory over AFC Bournemouth on 21st August 2016. In the next 3 Premier League matches against Manchester City, Watford and West Brom, impressively Antonio managed to grab 4 more goals. His incredible performances led to his first England call up for fixtures against Slovakia and Spain, however Michail did not get to play. Back to scoring ways he netted again against Spurs, Liverpool and Swansea and registered 3 more assists in the 3-0 win over Crystal Palace at the London Stadium. Antonio scored his final Premier League goal of the season away at Bournemouth on 21st March 2017, missing the last few games of the season due to a hamstring injury. The season ended with Antonio signing a new long term contract and the Londoner winning the Hammer of the year accolade.
2017/18 Season
This season Antonio has seemed a shell of the player he had been in the previous 2 seasons he has spent at West Ham United. He seems disinterested, careless and has shown a distinct lack of effort. After the 3-2 loss at Newcastle even manager David Moyes seemed exsaspered saying,
'He's an important player for us. We said at half-time we'd have to do something about it but he never gave us anything we could see would be helping us."
I appreciate that he has been littered with injuries at the end of 2016/17 season he missed the final 6 games due to a hamstring problem having also had to withdraw from the England squad. Then came the groin injury that Michail sustained at the start of the 2017/18 season coming off against Spurs. Then there was a rib injury and now a calf injury, it seems never ending! Since that hamstring problem he never seems to really have got back that spark we saw during the first couple seasons he enjoyed with the Hammers.
He was also left frustrated at being played in an unnatural position, right back. He was played in this position for much of the 2016/17 season but that still did not stop him getting 9 goals and 5 assists in all competitions. This season however he has not been played at right back due to the signing of Zabaleta from Manchester City and in my opinion has been half the player he was in the season he played right back so I don't think its a question of positioning.
Having said all this his end at Nottingham Forest, his previous club, was much similar to what we are experiencing now with Michail at West Ham United. When Antonio joined Forest in August 2014 for a small fee of £1.5 million he hit the ground running! In his first 5 league matches he bagged 3 goals and 3 assists and ended up starting every league match in his opening season with Forest, scoring 14 goals and being named player of the season in May 2015. After that things seemed to go downhill for Antonio as he was left out of Forest's Championship match against Charlton Athletic on 19th August 2015, with his then manager Dougie Freedman stating that the winger was not "in the right frame of mind" to play. Consequently on 26th August West Ham joined the bidding for Antonio along with West Bromwich Albion. He opted to sign for the Hammers and put pen to paper on 1st September 2015. This is story that should sound all too familiar to West Ham fans as it sounds almost identical to the situation they find themselves in with Antonio at the moment. His frame of mind seems elsewhere and whether this is due to his mountain of injuries or something else I just cannot say.
I truly hope that this can be resolved as at the moment we need everybody on board and playing for the team, all hands on deck! When Antonio has recovered I hope to see some renewed energy and enthusiasm and hopefully some goals.
What is your opinion? Can and should Antonio be doing better? Does he have the ability? Are injuries playing a part? Is his heart still in it? Does he still hold a grudge due to being played out of position? How can he turn it around? Will he improve? Let me know your thoughts 🙂
Thanks for reading.
COYI
Em x
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WEST HAM'S NEXT LEVEL – WHY AREN'T WE THERE? HOW WE CAN ACHIEVE IT?
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 28 DECEMBER 2017 AT 9:23PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by Harry Rawlings @HarryRawlings1
I, like most fans, was very wary of our move away from Upton Park, but got behind it as we were sold by the board that it would take us to 'the next level' getting 'champions league football in 5 years' and all the other unfulfilled promises/lies. A season and a half into it, we are in a relegation battle and have only gone backwards from the last season at Upton Park. In this article I want to explain what I think is going wrong, and what needs to change in order for us to get there in the future.
It seems to me that we are a very reactive club, always fixing problems, filling in holes and papering over the cracks. Our lack of forward planning is laughable to me and we will never progress if we are constantly putting out fires. First of all, the London Stadium move epitomises this. If they had planned the move properly in the first place, then they would not constantly be having to resolve issues now, for examples poor stewarding, segregation issues and distance from the pitch. On the footballing side of things, we had a defensive and what some fans would say, 'boring period' under Allardyce. Then when the fans weren't happy, and the board wanted a manager with more of an attacking strategy, we appointed Bilic. This worked well initially but then we started conceding too many goals and he eventually lost his job. Now we have made a safe move with Moyes, whose first job has been to sort our defence out. But due to his six-month break clause, this leaves the fans wondering what will happen next. This shows another quick fix decision being made by the club without any long term goal in mind other than avoiding relegation.
Another reactive move seen by the club, has been through its recruitment policy. When moving into the new stadium we bought over 10 players in, most of them were young and had not played in the league e.g. Masuaku, Tore, Fernandez, Calleri and Martinez. It was a tough season to join, given it was the first season at a new stadium and expectations were high, and most of them did not work out, perhaps they were not given enough chances, but without going into specifics, the club thought this policy failed. As a result of this, they altogether changed their transfer policy, if we can even call it that, more like changed their mind, and thought experienced players who had played in the league is who they should recruit. So, Snodgrass and Fonte came in January, followed by experienced pros such as Hart, Zabaleta, Arnie and Hernandez in the summer. Now, without going in to detail about each player and whether they were good signings or not, the board have gone from one extreme of buying lots of cheaper, younger inexperienced players to a selective few of older experienced premier league players on huge wages. Where is the continuity? What plan is that following? There seems to be none at all and shows a complete lack of a footballing philosophy.
More evidence towards the club's lack of forward thinking, is their choices to buy good, established players, without thinking about how they could fit into our current team. For example, it was quite apparent that we needed a striker and Javier Hernandez is one of the best finishers in world football. But for him to thrive you need to play a style he is suited to and give him opportunities in the box so that he can finish. So what is the point in playing him when we are still lumping balls up to Carroll or playing him as a left winger? Ayew is another example of a good player, but it is hard to see where he fits into our team, and where his permanent role should be.
Now, it's right to discuss managing styles, and the right structure for our club to adopt to secure a positive future. Fergie was a manager that controlled every aspect of the football club, him along with Wenger are the old school type of managers who kept complete control over club decisions. When Fergie left, and the club had a succession of managers who also had full control of the football club, each one left a team of a mish mash of players from several managers ideologies. When you look at Palace who had a squad built mainly by Allardyce on big, quick and physical players who were used to a direct style of football who then made wholesale changes trying to adopt a total football approach they failed miserably and sacked the manager.
At Southampton, in comparison to the previous examples, their technical director Les Reed sets a precedent of scouting and developing youth players. They are given chances in the first team and set a style of football which they want to play. Even though they have a high turnover of managers, when a new manager does come in there isn't massive changes in terms of player recruitment and how the team plays due to the solid philosophy engrained in the club which is easy for new managers to continue. They have consistently finished in the top 10 and if it wasn't for the owners selling their best players they would without doubt be a top club knocking on the door of the Champions League.
Looking at our set up, it appears there is a mix of the manager, Tony Henry and David Sullivan controlling footballing decisions. With 3 people having an input it seems like there will be a lot of conflict and unaccountability for when things go wrong. Following this model, I can't see us finishing any higher than 8th at absolute best, with relegation as a more realistic option than finishing in the top 10.
The whole board in vs board out argument is for another day, but the fact is they are here to stay for the foreseeable future and we must find the best way of working with them. No matter what you think of David Sullivan, he is a very successful businessman and owns the club he supports. But no matter how much he loves West Ham and wants us to do well, he is not a football expert and quite clearly follows no solid philosophy or plan. I think he has way too much say on the footballing aspect of the club and needs to solely focus on the negotiations and the daily running of the football club, on the business side of things, for our successful future.
My first memories of watching West Ham as a little kid were seeing Joe Cole, Frank Lampard, Rio Ferdinand, Michael Carrick and Glen Johnson gracing the pitch. Since then it has been pretty appalling other than Noble and Tomkins. I would love to see us appoint a technical director who would invest heavily in youth and try to get back to this era. For this to happen, David Sullivan would have to step aside from these current duties and give the director a remit to make our academy great again and set a president for the certain style of football they want… the West Ham way?
The best example of this has been at RB Leipzig. They had a vision of creating a football team to match their brand of energy drink. Very energetic, fast and exciting to watch. They then hired Ralph Rangnick as the sporting director. Working from these principles, he hired a manager to best achieve these goals – Ralph Hasenhüttl. They then had a specific transfer policy of only signing players from 17-23 so they can be moulded into the philosophy of the club and have the legs for the furious tempo they like to play at. After only being formed in 2009, they were promoted into the Bundesliga last season and came second behind Bayern Munich. They subsequently qualified for the Champions League which is an unbelievable achievement and shows what can be done through thorough planning and commitment to an objective, instead of being the very backwards and reactive club we are now. To reemphasise my point, Monaco are another team that have done a similar thing in France and won their league. They have an excellent scouting network set up and a manager who is willing to give them game time and develop them into world class players such as Mendy, Bernardo Silva, Mbappe and Lemar.
Ultimately, we are never going to have the money to buy the best players and compete with the big clubs, so the way I see it, for us to get to this next level, we must buy young prospects and develop them into great players. We will then keep them on because they want to play for us and buy into the vision that needs to be set by a passionate sporting/football/technical director.
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Huddersfield allocation sold out
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 28th December 2017
By: Staff Writer
West Ham have sold out their entire opening allocation of tickets for the club's first trip to Huddersfield in 20 years. The last occasion on which the two sides met at Town's McAlpine Stadium (as it was then known) came in a 1997 Coca Cola Cup second round, first leg tie which the Terriers won 1-0 thanks to a late winner from lifelong Hammers fan Alex Dyer. And as a result all 2,000+ tickets for the 13 January match have gone like hot cakes, with the initial 90 per cent made available all gone to season ticket holders. The remaining 10 per cent of tickets, around 234 in total, are being held for season ticket holders with insufficient points to enter the initial ballot and claret members. These go on sale from 11am tomorrow morning (Friday) priced £30 for adults, £20 for over 60s and £15 for under 18s.
Huddersfield Town v West Ham Utd: head-to-head
West Ham Utd: 11 wins (biggest win 4-0, January 1954)
Huddersfield: 22 wins (biggest win 6-2, February 1957)
Draws: 7
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Oxford set for £17million switch?
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 28th December 2017
By: Staff Writer
Teenage defender Reece Oxford is set to join RB Leipzig on a permanent basis, according to reports from Germany. The 19-year-old is currently on a season-long loan at Borussia Monchengladbach, for whom he has made three appearances thus far this season. However a report in respected German daily Bild today claims that Oxford's loan is set to be cut short so that West Ham may sell him to Monchengladbach's Bundesliga rivals Leipzig, who are said to have agreed a £17million deal. The German club saw a £10million bid for the Edmonton-born defender rejected in July 2016 - at the same time Manchester City had a £15million offer rejected. However another report from Germany insists that Gladbach are also seeking to make Oxford's loan permanent, with sporting director Max Eberl telling bundesliga.com that talks have already begun. "We want to keep hold of him after the winter," he said. "We have inquired about the possibilities of a purchase and exploratory talks are underway. Good Bundesliga players are always of interest for us."
West Ham, who are yet to comment on the speculation, have consistently denied previous reports linking Oxford - one of the most highly-rated youngsters to emerge via the club's Academy in recent seasons - with a move away from the club. And further speculation suggests that the Hammers intend to retain the services of Oxford, and could recall him to the club as early as next month.
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Hurry up Davey, come on
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 28th December 2017
By: Staff Writer
David Moyes says he is looking to conduct his January business as early as possible in order to give West Ham the best chance of escaping the drop zone. The Hammers fell back to 17th in the Premier League as a result of the defeat against Newcastle and draw at Bournemouth over Christmas, leaving Moyes in no doubt that fresh faces are urgently required. And the recently-appointed manager hopes to start bringing players in as soon as he possibly can - with the midfield especially set for an overhaul. "I'm in a hurry," he told whufc.com. "I have to be in a hurry because I cannot wait three or four months to see how you do. Ideally I'd have had six or seven pre-season games to understand what they're like, but I've not. "Every player has shown great desire and is committed in training, but I think we're short in some areas and overloaded in others. "For example, we've got lots of forwards but we're really short of midfield players. We've got quite a few who are comfortable playing on the left, but not so many who can play on the right so we've got an imbalanced squad. "We've got a couple of forwards in form at the minute and people we can bring on and use, so I think we've got a threat, but were definitely lacking in some areas."
Moyes has been in charge of West Ham for 10 matches since succeeding Slaven Bilic at the start of November, winning two, drawing three and losing five games.
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West Ham set to recall Reece Oxford from Monchengladbach amid RB Leipzig interest
By Sky Sports News
Last Updated: 28/12/17 7:19pm
SSN
West Ham United are expected to recall Reece Oxford from his loan at Borussia Monchengladbach amid interest from fellow Bundesliga club RB Leipzig. A senior Hammers source has told Sky Sports News that the midfielder will "probably" return in January despite Monchengladbach wanting to sign the defender on a permanent deal worth £5.5m. Leipzig, who were interested in signing Oxford in 2016 when he was just 17 years old, are also keen on signing him next month but they have not yet made a formal offer. Oxford has played only four times for Monchengladbach this season but they like what they have seen and expect the 19-year-old to develop into a top player. West Ham value Oxford highly too and would not let him leave unless they received an exceptional offer. The England U20 international, who signed a new West Ham contract last year that tied him to the club until 2021, joined Monchengladbach on a season-long loan on June 21.
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Stoke, West Brom, West Ham, Newcastle keen on Danny Ings loan from Liverpool
By Rob Dorsett and Bryan Swanson
Last Updated: 28/12/17 7:55pm
SSN
Stoke are interested in taking Liverpool striker Danny Ings on loan but are likely to face competition from Newcastle, West Ham and West Brom, Sky Sports News has been told. Ings, whose contract at Anfield expires in June 2020, was used as a late substitute by Jurgen Klopp in the Premier League games against Everton and Bournemouth in December. Ings has made just eight league starts since joining from Burnley in June 2015, mostly due to injury problems. He suffered a cruciate ligament injury in his first season and was on his way back when he sustained a second knee injury in November 2016. The England international made his comeback in the EFL Cup defeat at Leicester in September. Mark Hughes' Stoke sit 13th in the Premier League with two wins from their last six games, two points above 15th-placed Newcastle and 17th-placed West Ham. Meanwhile, Alan Pardew will be looking to add to West Brom's attacking options in January given the Baggies languish in the relegation zone on 15 points
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RB Leipzig make £17m move for Reece Oxford - but West Ham want to recall teenager from Bundesliga loan
Oxford is open to a permanent switch to Germany having enjoyed his time there after moving to Monchengladbach last summer
The Mirror
ByJohn CrossChief Football Writer
18:52, 28 DEC 2017
Red Bull Leipzig have made a stunning £17m move for West Ham prospect Reece Oxford. But the Bundesliga club are stuck in a three way battle for the 19-year-old as West Ham want to recall him from his loan spell at Borussia Monchengladbach who also want to sign him permanently. Oxford is open to a permanent switch to Germany having enjoyed his time there after moving to Monchengladbach last summer and has done enough to impress two clubs. West Ham boss David Moyes is also watching developments closely and does not want to lose Oxford who is viewed as being one of England's best defensive prospects. Moyes may now see him as being able to play a part in the second half of the season and, despite the huge money on offer, would not want to regret selling him further down the line. RB Leipzig are willing to pay £9m up front with further add-ons based on appearances and international caps with the fee potentially rising to £17m.
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West Ham plot Joe Allen transfer as David Moyes looks to reshape struggling squad in January window
PLUS: Moyes eyeing reunion with Sunderland's Lamine Kone with Alfie Mawson also on the radar
The Mirror
ByDarren Lewis
22:30, 28 DEC 2017
David Moyes wants to sign Stoke midfielder Joe Allen. The West Ham boss has made the 27-year-old Wales international one of his main targets for the January transfer window as he looks to reshape his side. Allen is a key man at the Bet365 under Mark Hughes. He is of interest to Moyes because of his versatility - Allen is able to play in advanced position but is also effective as a deeper-lying midfielder. Signed in the summer of 2016 by Stoke from Liverpool, Allen has had a number of Premier League admirers for some time. Swansea, who lost him in 2012, tried to sign him for now-departed Paul Clement during this year's summer transfer window as a replacement for Gylfi Sigurdsson. Moyes is also interested in a reunion with Sunderland defender Lamine Kone with Winston Reid, dropped for the Boxing Day draw at Bournemouth, on borrowed time. Kone, a 28-year-old centre-back, played a crucial role in keeping the Black Cats in the Premier League two years ago. Moyes persuaded him to remain at the Stadium of Light instead of defecting to Everton. But although Kone is still at the club he has been out of form and is recovering from a knee injury. Sunderland are willing to get him off the wage bill, however, and are open to doing a deal. West Ham are also keen on Swansea's Alfie Mawson with Moyes understood to want to sign two defenders. The Scot confirmed earlier this week that he will be active when the window reopens.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Wednesday, December 27
Daily WHUFC News - 28th December 2017
Captain Collins admits to contrasting Boxing Day emotions
WHUFC.com
James Collins admitted to feeling hugely contrasting emotions after West Ham
United's 3-3 Boxing Day Premier League draw at AFC Bournemouth. The Ginger
Pele marked his recall to the starting XI by being handed the captain's
armband and scoring his side's opening goal, only for a highly controversial
late Callum Wilson leveller to deny the Hammers all three points. "I was
pleased to be back in, but I wasn't too happy with the way we defended in
general," said Collins. "Conceding three goals again is not great, but the
lads showed great character. "It was wet and windy and hammering down with
rain. To get back into the lead and then lose it so late on is gutting, but
it was nice to be back in the team. "You've got to take some positives. A
point is a point on the road and every away game in the Premier League is
tough, so we'll take it, even if we are very disappointed to take the lead
with no time left on the clock and not keep it."
West Ham went in front through Collins' powerful seventh-minute header
before surrendering their lead to goals from Dan Gosling and Nathan Ake
either side of half-time. Adrian then made a succession of fine saves to
keep the Hammers in the game before Marko Arnautovic's double looked set to
give David Moyes' team a vital victory. Then, a minute into added time, Ake
headed goalwards and Wilson appeared to convert with his upper right arm
from an offside position. Referee Bobby Madley conversed at length with his
assistant, who had initially raised his flag, before giving the goal. "It's
got to be disallowed. I was looking straight at it. Even if he's not
offside, it's handball. I'm disappointed because we got back into the game
and got in front and then, what do you say, it's a kick in the teeth because
it would have been a massive three points for us. "He's given a free-kick
originally for offside and for some reason he has changed his mind."
All in all, while frustrated to lose two points so late on in such
disputable circumstances, Collins said a share of the spoils was probably a
fair reflection of what was a breathless game. "We knew we were going to be
under the cosh a bit and block and save shots and Adrian has played well and
made some great saves there.
"Arnie has done great. Since he got his first goal, we've seen a real
difference in him. He's been tremendous and hopefully we can defend better
and he can get another couple of goals in a win. "It was a mad game of
football. We've created chances and they've created chances and I suppose,
with the way we played in the first half, we should probably take the
point."
Collins and West Ham return to action at London Stadium on Tuesday 2 January
2018 at 7.45pm, when West Bromwich Albion will be the visitors.
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Moyes: We need to add more quality to balance squad
WHUFC.com
David Moyes will be seeking to redress the 'imbalance' in his West Ham
United squad in January. The Hammers manager admitted after the Boxing Day
draw at AFC Bournemouth that he needs to fill in gaps and add quality in
certain areas. Central midfield and right-sided players are among those
Moyes is expected to target when the window opens next week, with the Scot
eager to bolster his options as he attempts to steer West Ham away from the
lower reaches of the Premier League."I've given players opportunities," he
said. "I'm in a hurry and I have to be in a hurry and because of that I
cannot wait three or four months to see how you do. "Ideally, I'd have had
six or seven pre-season games to understand what they're like and what they
do, but I've not. "I've got to say every player has shown great desire and
is committed in training, but I think we're short in some areas and
overloaded in others. For example, we've got lots of forwards, but we're
really short of midfield players. "We've got quite a few who are comfortable
playing on the left, but not so many who can play on the right, so we've got
a little bit of an imbalanced squad which we've got to straighten out in
January if we can."
Moyes said he largely could not fault the effort shown by his players in
recent matches, but the manner of conceding six goals in losing at home to
Newcastle United and drawing at Bournemouth has brought the need to add new
faces more sharply into focus. "I'm pleased with our spirit and I think
there's a bigger hunger and desire to do it, but we're lacking quality.
We've got to stop conceding goals as easily as we are at the moment. "But we
hung in and stuck at it. It wasn't going to be easy and while we wanted the
three points, it was important that we made sure we didn't lose and we did
that. "Obviously the last two games have been disappointing as far as goals
conceded are concerned, whereas the three previous games it looked as if we
had struck on something and become harder to beat. "We've got a couple of
forwards in form at the minute and people we can bring on and use, so I
think we've got a threat, but were definitely lacking in some areas of
giving ourselves a chance of playing much better."
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Fit again Alfie's Academy aim
WHUFC.com
The end of the 2016/17 campaign came with mixed fortune for Alfie Lewis. The
18-year-old suffered a season-ending knee injury, one which has kept the
midfielder out for most of 2017, but also saw Lewis put pen to paper on his
first professional contract with the Hammers. What followed was six months
of hard work and rehabilitation for Lewis, only for further disappointment
to strike in September. "I was out with a knee injury for quite a while,"
Lewis said: "It happened at the end of April. I came back around September,
but then I hurt it again and had to sit out for another month. "I had to go
through rehabilitation and have loads of injections. However, I could still
feel something wasn't quite right. It didn't feel strong enough to be back
playing and I kept catching it in tackles. It just wasn't stable. "It was a
bit gutting but I knew my knee wasn't right when I stepped back out in
September, to be honest."
It was not just the fact his knee was in pain that played on Lewis's mind,
with the youngster admitting the continued injury also had a detrimental
effect mentally.
"It plays on your mind. It's not just a physical thing but psychologically
an injury can affect your game. But now it feels good. I'm feeling 100 per
cent. I'm ready to crack on now after Christmas and have a good end to the
season."
A spot in the FA Youth Cup clash with Blackpool last week was Lewis's
reward, but that showing ended with the midfielder being given his marching
orders, after a coming together in the closing moments of the game, and a
1-0 third-round defeat for the young Hammers. Lewis is keen to learn from
the experience, admitting: "It was a heat of the moment incident. It was one
of those things where people get frustrated. I don't really think it should
have been a red card, but there we go.
"It's a learning curve for me though. It shows me that I need to control my
emotions during the game. I'll take that and make myself a better person."
Last season, Lewis played eleven times for the U23s, despite being just 17
at the time, and the young talent has his eyes firmly set on returning to
Terry Westley's fold and starting XI before the end of the season. "It's
great to be back in training. It takes time to get back to sharpness. You
feel it, that first time you're back out there. You're off the pace because
you've been out. Things like that come with time, though, and I'm chuffed to
be back. "I want to get into the U23s squad after Christmas and play games
with them until the end of the season. I just want to get as much game time
as possible because obviously I've not played in a while. It's good to be
playing football again – that's what I want to do."
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West Ham United Ladies in 2017: A momentous year in review
WHUFC.com
From a massive restructure to ambitious plans to play in WSL1, we take a
look back at the standout moments from 2017 for West Ham United Ladies.
Improvements to the infrastructure
After West Ham United Ladies were brought 'in-house' during the 2016/17
campaign, the beginning of the 2017/18 season saw the club provide the side
with an investment injection and a number of key, full-time appointments.
Jack Sullivan, son of Joint-Chairman David, took up his first full-time role
within the Club as Managing Director while former player and coach Karen Ray
was named general manager. The move signalled the beginning of a long-term,
ambitious plan by West Ham United for the Ladies team.
Squad additions
The changes to the Ladies' set-up opened up opportunities to bring in
experienced players from across women's football, something the Club
certainly did during the summer. Amber Stobbs made the move to the Hammers
from WSL side Everton while defender Chenise Austin also joined the Club
from FA Women's Premier League rivals Swindon Town. Rosie Kmita also signed
for West Ham from WSL2 team London Bees in October, while another eleven
players also signed contracts with the team in the summer. Most recently
the likes of Andria Georgiou and American pair Ellie Zoepfl and Zoe Swift
have joined the team, highlighting the club's commitment to bringing in
quality players.
The UEL Partnership
In July, the Ladies announced a programme, launched alongside the University
of East London (UEL), which offered a pathway for female footballers into
higher education. The scheme sees Hammers players offered sports
scholarships at UEL, giving them the opportunity to play for the
university's team and complete their education while developing with the
Irons. Winger Chloe Burr and recent signings Swift and Zoepfl have taken
advantage of this partnership, which allows the players to develop with
support from both the club and university.
Leaders beaten
Wins against Cardiff City and Swindon Town gave the Hammers two victories
from a tricky start to the season, and a difficult test away to league
leaders Charlton Athletic was on the agenda in mid-October. At the time,
the Addicks had won every league match, but the Ladies put on a sensational
showing, scoring goals through Molly Peters and Paige Anderson-James to
claim an unforgettable 3-1 victory. The result showed the entire WPL
Southern Division what West Ham could do, alerting the competition to the
serious talent in the side.
The WSL1 Application
In September, the Football Association unveiled plans to restructure women's
football, with the WSL1 set to become a 14-team division with full-time,
professional players in 2018/19. West Ham were proudly one of the first
sides to announce their intention to apply for a license for the top
division, with managing director Sullivan delighted to back the FA's plans.
He said: "As an ambitious club, we want West Ham United to be at the very
top of this new-look league structure, and we will be doing everything we
can to make sure our application is successful." West Ham will learn if
their bid to be part of the new WSL1 division in the spring.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
A REFLECTION ON THE BOURNEMOUTH GAME
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 27 DECEMBER 2017 AT 10:59AM
Written by @SKD_WHUFC
Let's get it out the way straight off the bat – Yes Madley got at least 2
critical decision VERY WRONG. He should be disciplined and removed from the
premier league rotation.
1.Kouyate nearly got his head taken off and he only gave a yellow.
2.Overriding a linesman with clear view of the offside position
If the FA doesn't take action, they will continue on their path to being the
biggest laughing stock of the football world. The third goal was the perfect
example of video replays being needed in this day and age, partly due to the
cost of poor decisions and partly due to the lack of quality in refereeing
in the premier league.
Now on to the game…
Bournemouth, a team without a win in 7 or 8 games had 56% possession, 24
shots (TWENTY FOUR), 7 corners and 82 more passes than us. Did we deserve a
point? Not really…
So again we find ourselves in the scenario of asking why we are struggling
against teams that we should be beating. Here are a few of my observations
from the game.
1.Defensively poor again, Cresswell on a bit of a slide and Zab / Masuaku
didn't do well enough on their defensive side of the game.
2.Midfield continues to be poor, missed challenges and continued issues in
distribution and ability to retain possession. Kouyate has no idea of shape
and Obiang needs to be dropped until he can learn to pass the ball.
3.Up top we had ZERO strikers… against Bournemouth! Arnie made runs from the
center to the left side of the field at least 10 times trying to find a way
to get on the ball, leaving very little in the middle. Ayew is dependent on
a real center forward to play off. When we did get some forwards on the
approach changes to… fuck it.. lets just hoof it up because Carroll is 6'4.
4.Spend some time on set pieces – Why are we so shit at free kicks and
corners? The Ginge goal today was one of the few decent set pieces we have
taken this season. Shocking that we typically can't even beat the first man.
5.Tactics – We have worked so hard to defend better that we have take all of
the sting and pace out of our ability to attack. The likes of Lanzini are
not able to effectively drive and players with pace. At times its like
watching paint dry. Center backs play to wing backs who play across the
center backs to a big channel ball to an offside Arnie. How many times have
we seen that since Moyes took over? I'd guess we are averaging 8 offside
decisions a game.
Arnie's form and Lanzini coming back were about the only two positives I
take away from today. Very little else happened that would make me feel like
we have turned a corner. We even got lucky on our second goal.
So what's the solution? Well…. this is just my opinion as a long time West
ham fan. If Sullivan thinks 1-2 will do it in January, he's having a laugh.
It will cost him 100m in relegation ultimately.
First thing we have to do is START Chicha, best striker we have right now.
Arnie will be more effective playing off him and we will be forced to play
into feet. Maybe its time we had Reid | Collins Ogbonna as our back 3 and
drop Cresswell?
Sell –
Carroll (5m)
Sakho (10m – China)
Kouyate (10m – anywhere)
Buy –
Dembele from Celtic from under BHA (18m)
Sturridge from Liverpool (Loan > Purchase in summer)
Calvaho – Sporting (35m)
Net loss of 28m which is pennies compared to going down.
We have clearly seen some signs of fight from the team in recent games but
also the frailty of the end of Bilic era. Lets stay behind our club, players
and manager (even if he's not the long term solution needed) but DEMAND more
from all areas, we will be watching this January Sullivan and Gold and yes I
am available and interested in a role as sporting director!
COYI's
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SAM ROYDEN'S REFLECTION ON CURRENT REFEREEING STANDARDS
AUTHOR: SAMTWHWREF. PUBLISHED: 27 DECEMBER 2017 AT 6:34PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by @SamRoyden
STANDARD OF REFEREEING
Refereeing is a hard job, regardless at what level you are as a referee, and
I don't think anybody in their right mind would disagree. Even at grassroots
level, that I officiate at, you still have to deal with players, managers,
abuse, tough game-changing decisions, game management, player interruption
but at a smaller scale. For officials in the Premier League, its accelerated
but all Premier League referees are not only well trained at St George's,
they work on fitness, review decisions from past games, learn as a group but
like any other referee in the world, they would have been through the
promotion to become a Select Elite Level official.
In the past five years alone, the way that we consume our favourite sport
has only become easier. Top broadcasters like Sky Sports are allowing
customers to watch highlights during 380 Premier League games via their app,
BT Sports have a sponsorship with Twitter which enables users to watch BT
Score for free in their feed and more PL games are being televised each week
due to increased television rights. Refereeing decisions are being
broadcasted universally and opinions among football fans are being posted
across the internet even before the match has finished.
If you read my performance analysis' for The West Ham Way, I rarely
sympathise with referees when on occasions I should in fact consider all the
factors. However, for the last couple of West Ham games I have become
incredibly frustrated with, in my opinion, what are textbook decisions. I
wanted to review a couple of decisions from the Boxing Day game at
Bournemouth of a prime example of how basic decisions are being missed among
professional, elite referees:
BOURNEMOUTH VS WEST HAM
SIMON FRANCIS HIGH FOOT ON CHEIKHOU KOUYATÉ
Within 90 minutes of football, Bobby Madley became the Christmas Grinch
among West Ham fans during Boxing Day's 3-3 draw away at Bournemouth and
will continue to be criticised for his woeful decision making during this
fixture. The game on the south coast was full of controversy and Madley was
the man in the middle who failed to get those decisions correct. The first
big talking point in the game was when Simon Francis' high boot caught
Cheikhou Kouyaté in the face and he only received a yellow card. When I saw
this in real time, not even on replays, my gut said red card and I believe
95% of referees would come to the same conclusion.
During this incident, regardless of whether Simon Francis did or didn't have
eyes on the ball, Francis showed a lack of regard for a players safety and
in my opinion is serious foul play and warrants a red card. I do not
understand how Madley came to the conclusion that this foul only an
cautionable offence. It's a complete lapse in judgement and this will set a
precedence for the rest of the season with high foot challenges. Bobby
Madley is a FIFA Referee – members of the FIFA list are qualified to
officiate at international level. These referees are to be considered at the
top in Europe, even world football, how can a FIFA listed referee miss a
very easy, simple decision like this?
BOBBY MADLEY AWARDS CONTROVERSIAL CALLUM WILSON GOAL
I thought Simon Francis's was a bad decision but then in the 90th minute of
the game with West Ham leading 3-2 after coming back from 2-1 down, Simon
Long made an unbelievably, brilliant decision to flag Callum Wilson offside
– what came afterwards was a complete disaster. When the ball was played
towards Callum Wilson from Nathan Ake, Wilson was in an offside position.
The law of the game states that 'any part of the head, body or feet is
nearer to the opponents' goal line than both the ball and the second-last
opponent'. Callum Wilson's right boot was beyond Aaron Cresswell's left
boot.
Simon Long correctly raised his flag for offside and what should have
happened next was Madley to award an indirect free kick to West Ham where
the offside occurred and continued to play the rest of the additional time
indicated by the forth official. Instead, Bobby Madley went over to speak to
Simon Long and continued protests from Bournemouth players during their
conversation, he overruled Simon Long's original decision of offside and
awarded the goal to Bournemouth. For me there are many issues with this
decision:
1) Bobby Madley was not in the correct position to see whether Callum Wilson
was on or offside. Madley took up a position on the opposite side of the
penalty area and wasn't directly in line with the second last defender to
make that decision unlike his assistant referee Simon Long.
2) Bobby Madley was actually in the better position to see Callum Wilson use
his upper arm to deflect the ball into the goal – Simon Long would have been
able to see this as well but Madley was better placed.
3) On what grounds has Madley overruled his assistant on this decision? I
assume Madley overruled Simon Long's decision as he doesn't believe Callum
Wilson was interfering with play but as we all know and it's obvious that
this is incorrect. Wilson was interfering with play and was in an offside
position along with the handball. As a team of officials, Madley should
trust his assistant referee and it's disappointing as all officials have
open communication on their headset and only working as a team will they get
to the right conclusion. Former referee Howard Webb said in his
autobiography that he relied on his team as much as his own ability to get
the best results, win as a team and lose as a team.
David Moyes was incredibly diplomatic during his post-match press conference
about the standard of referees in the league and contrastingly Callum Wilson
protesting his innocence on the field of play saying he didn't touch it, to
then admit touching it in his post-match interview suggesting in was a "a
touch of magic". Will there be any retrospective action for deceiving the
referee? I very, very much doubt this will happen.
WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE?
The standard of refereeing over the past 3 or 4 years has been subject to
many discussions and I honestly feel that it's not getting any better. I
won't name the referees but throughout this season, I've branded some
referees as 'the worst in the league' and 'incompetent' and I do stand by my
opinions. The calls for VAR to be installed in the Premier League is
becoming desperate with human error continuing to be the ultimate game
changing factor. The amount of mistakes happening week in and week out and
with so much at stake in the Premier League, referees and assistant referees
need help. Look, human error is inevitable, it happens in all professions
but for me basic decisions like Simon Francis' red card should be the
absolute minimum we expect as football fans and even as fellow referees. I
feel that The FA, Premier League and the PGMOL need a complete overhaul and
referees need to be reviewed under a microscope by PGMOL like players are
retrospectively banned for deceiving a referee or violent conduct which a
referee has missed. I firmly believe that giving a referee a weekend off,
changing fixtures to lower profile games or dropping them to Championship,
League 1/2 is not enough when, on occasions this season, their decision has
dramatically changed the course of the game.
VAR being used in the Confederation Cup
Whatever happens during the rest of the season, there will be continued
strain on the referees to perform well in the second half of the season and
start to bring back some integrity and positivity to reputations of referees
in the Premier League.
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Hammers prepare record defender bid
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 27th December 2017
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are preparing a second offer for young Swansea defender Alfie
Mawson, despite having their first bid rejected. According to the Mail, an
initial £18million bid for the former England under 21 international was
rejected prior to the Christmas break. And according to writer Sami Mokbel,
West Ham are set to launch a new £25million, record-breaking offer in order
to land their target as soon as possible. The proposed deal is reported to
comprise of £20million up front with a further £5million to follow depending
upon appearances.
* In other transfer news, the Hammers are being linked with a move for
Hibernian midfielder John McGinn. The 23-year-old was close to joining
Championship side Nottingham Forest last summer but the two clubs failed to
agree terms prior to the closure of the transfer window. New Hammers boss
David Moyes is reported to be ready to test the water with an offer for the
23-year-old.
* West Ham have been told it will cost them £22million to sign highly-rated
Atlanta striker Bryan Cristante. The 22-year-old has impressed whilst on
loan in Italy and is set to complete a 'permamnent' move from Benfica to
Atalanta. The later are poised to trigger a £4.5million option to buy
Cristante - and make a huge profit by selling him on immediately.
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Even Hackett says Madley got it wrong!
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 27th December 2017
By: Staff Writer
In the list of West Ham-related arch-villians, there are few more widely
despised than referee Keith Hackett.
Despite some 26 years having passed since the former official famously
dismissed Tony Gale in the most dubious of circumstances during an FA Cup
semi final with Nottingham Forest, Hackett remains reviled amongst West
Ham's 40+ fans.
However even the most hated referee ever to officiate a game involving West
Ham agreed that Bobby Madley made a complete howler of yesterday's match
against Bournemouth, which ended 3-3 after the 32-year-old Yorkshireman
overruled his linesman in the most dubious and unique circumstances in order
to award the CHerries an added-on time equaliser.
"I have every sympathy with West Ham United manager David Moyes over the two
big controversies in Tuesday's match at Bournemouth," Hackett wrote in
today's Telegraph. "Managers need referees to get the big decisions right -
and on both counts Bobby Madley was emphatically wrong.
"Simon Francis's studs-high challenge on Cheikhou Kouyate was a definite
red-card offence. The Bournemouth defender's boot was high and dangerous and
could have caused serious injury to the West Ham midfielder. Officials have
a duty of care to protect players.
"Madley was also letting his colleagues down by failing to adequately punish
such as reckless challenge as this. It sends out completely the wrong
message.
"As for Bournemouth's third goal, I cannot understand how Madley overruled
his assistant, who appeared to flag for offside when Nathan Ake headed to
Callum Wilson and was in a much better position to see the infringement."
Hackett then accused Madley of failing to show "trust" in his fellow match
day officials as a result of overturning the linesman's original call. "I
think Madley was trying to be too clever by ignoring his assistant," he
added.
"He has to show trust in his colleague. I also believe subsequently there
was contact between Wilson's arm and the ball before it went into the net.
Not an impressive start to the festive programme for match officials, I am
afraid."
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Match of the Day - or is it the Muppet show?
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 27th December 2017
By: Paul Walker
The question is, after another weekend of claret and blue fury, do we at
West Ham have a persecution complex or does everybody just hate us?
Are we the perennial victims, always the ones on the wrong end of
misfortune, or does every club go through this rage against the (FA) machine
that seems to follow every match these days?
I look around at other clubs' fans and do I see this constant battle with
officialdom, incompetent referees and 'biased' media? Frankly, no, in my
view. So everybody does hate us!
Last week I described the FA's joke of a disciplinary system as 'not fit for
purpose,' after the Manu Lanzini affair. But now, the sequel, 'not fit for
purpose II.' Step forward Match of the Day.
Now I have felt for a long time that this programme has been going down
hill, with Gary Lineker's demeanour suggesting he can't tell the difference
between how to act in a crisp advert and how to address the country's
football viewers. All one big laugh, it seems.
MOtD used to be the voice of the game, and whether you liked him or not,
Alan Hansen was a voice of reason and accuracy. I know there are some, Alex
Ferguson for one, who loathed the Liverpool mafia that seemed to dominate
football punditry on TV or radio. They used to get stuck into Manchester
United with relish, so I always enjoyed the programme!
Even if Hansen was occasionally wrong. Remember "you won't win anything with
kids"? Fact is, he was right nine times out of ten with that remark, how was
he to know that the United kids were the best of several generations to
emerge from one youth team.
But now we have moderate ex-players, a showboating 'look at me' presenter
and a string of young pundits who spout rubbish and worst of all, don't know
the laws of the game. It's frequently said that players' knowledge of the
rules is generally poor, and now we can see it every Saturday on the Beeb.
To my knowledge there is no mention of intent in the law that tries to stop
players kicking opponents in the head and endangering their lives, or
punching them in the face. Nobody says it's ok if you are watching the ball,
or sort of, didn't really mean it.
David Moyes is right that it's a red card anywhere else in the world. Even
Scotland!
Goals on Sunday, in my view, is a much better programme, with Chris Kamara,
getting the stuff about the laws pretty much spot on every week. Maybe Kevin
Kilbane and Danny Murphy could pay a bit more attention.
The debacle of Bournemouth is almost too dreadful to believe. What with a
shocking referee in Robert Madley, and a linesman who cannot stand his
ground when he knows he is right.
What was in Madley's mind, nobody knows. I can only think that he was trying
to be clever and insisting that Wilson did not touch the ball, following
Nathan Ake's header across goal and was therefore 'not active' and so 'not
offside.' His linesman didn't agree.
Madley has too much 'previous' with us to be trusted any longer. Six minutes
that became seven added on time at Crystal Palace, two Bournemouth penalties
in last season's game given against us.
Respected ex-referees Graham Poll ("he cost West Ham three points"), Keith
Hackett ("emphatically wrong, twice") and then the excellent Dermot
Gallagher, who reckons he should just have given the free-kick for offside
and got on with the game, rather than turning it into comedy hour.
I watched all that wondering what would happen if it was Manchester United
,Chelsea or Arsenal who were on the wrong end of such incompetence. For sure
we would still be seeing the analysis, wall to wall, with earnest pundits
talking of millions and billions at stake, and calling for video technology.
They would not have been joking their way through MotD, disrespectfully
dismissing the views of a 'lesser' club and claiming that it was all ok in
the end because Bournemouth deserved to win. Can you imagine Jose, Arsene
and the like? Refereeing careers would be on the line.
There were rumours, well stronger than that, around Old Trafford that the
Premier League and FA were informed that certain referees would not be
welcome officiating Manchester United games.
Madley surely comes into the category for us, such is his back catalogue as
well as Boxing Day's nonsense. I would also suggest Kibane keeps his
distance too.
Now I know from friends that he is a very likeable, articulate fella, who
loves his young family. But that doesn't mean he makes a good pundit. For
me, he fits into the category of recently retired players who are frightened
to be critical of former friends and players generally.
It can be the only reason he thinks that Francis's kick into Kouyate's face
wasn't a red card. What was the difference between that and Sadio Mane's red
card for Liverpool early in the season?
And how can Kilbane be so dismissive of the punch into Pedro Obiang's face
by Josh King? I think Kilbane wrote that off as 'frustration.' Try that sort
of frustration pal in a Dublin pub and see where it gets you.
And of course Kevin felt that Callum Wilson goal should have been awarded.
Not that he was offside, or he handled the ball into the net. Minor points,
those.
And then we have Murphy chortling away in the background. Seemingly we are
not big enough to be treated with due respect.
This from a journeyman who was fortunate to play for Liverpool while Robbie
Fowler, Michael Owen, Steven Gerrard and Steve McManaman were around. A
player, so it is rumoured, that lets his wife chose what club he can join.
You know, it was the laughing and joking from these two muppets that annoyed
me most, as if we didn't rally matter so didn't really deserve any respect.
Match of the Day put the knife into Slaven Bilic with all those meaningless
stats about fitness and running, and probably went some way to getting him
the sack. They also seem to have allowed Dele Alli at least two blatant
dives without anyone from the FA doing anything about it.
Eat your heart out Manu! It's three strikes before you are out when you play
for a top club, not just the one misdemeanour for the rest.
There has been not a word from the FA about King's punch, Alli's two
'dives', or - come to think of it - Mark Hughes bringing the game into
disrepute by abusing and swearing at an opposing player as he came off the
field. You can make it up if you are the FA.
All this tended to overshadow the match, in which Moyes had the balls to
drop Winston Reid and make James Collins captain. In Mark Noble's absence
that should have happened a while ago, Reid lacks leadership on the pitch
and consistency, in my view. I have never been his greatest fan.
Moyes also was more than capable of castigating Michail Antonio for being so
lacklustre against Newcastle and axing him too. Frankly, I bet if he'd found
someone to replace Kouyate he would have done.
Have you noticed in the re-runs of the Newcastle goal scored by Mo Diame,
that shows Kouyate allowing Diame to run past him from the centre circle
without any attempt to track him, almost jogging back to the penalty area?
I'd have dropped him for that alone.
So, onwards and upwards. It's Alan Pardew next, without a West Brom win to
his name. I can hardly wait!
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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ONE POINT FROM SIX OVER CHRISTMAS IS AN OPPORTUNITY WASTED!
By S J Chandos 27 Dec 2017 at 08:00
WTID
As stated in my last blog post, the impressive away victory over Stoke City
provided a stable launch pad to use the Christmas and early January fixtures
to blast away from the relegation zone. I had hoped that team would use the
momentum to defeat Newcastle utd at home and Bournemouth away and set us up
nicely to take on WBA at the LS on 2 January 2018. But no, those hopes were
dashed in the comedy of errors that was our 'performance' against the Toon
in a disappointing 2-3 home defeat. This was then duly followed by the
dropping a further two points to a off-side and handled equalising 'goal' by
Cullum Wilson. So, that's it, one point from a possible six and, as a
result, we failed to achieve the 'lift off' that was a very real possibility
before Christmas.
So now, we face a absolutely crucial fixture on 2 January 2018, which is
'must win.' I know that term in bounded around a lot, but I think that the
term really does fit the circumstances pertaining to the WBA match. That is
then followed by a tough away match at Wembley against Spurs. We really do
need to beat WBA before tackling Harry Kane and co. Personally I am not
unduly worried about the Spurs match, any points secured there will be a
happy bonus. It is the teams around and just above us that we must ensure we
defeat if we are to pull away from the relegation zone and secure safety.
WBA obviously fall in to that category and we must take all three points.
Anything less is just unthinkable in our current situation.
There is no doubt that this has been a wasted opportunity to accrue some
vital PL points that would have helped us get out of trouble as quickly as
possible. Nevertheless, it is pointless crying over 'spilt milk.' The
players must now focus on the WBA game and ensure that there are no further
slip ups. On the face of it, WBA look like the perfect opposition. with
their poor form. But we must not take anything for granted, after all, one
could have said the same about Newcastle Utd and Bournemouth!
On the plus side, Lanzini is back pulling the midfield strings, Arnautovic
has hit a rich vein of form and Antonio's form can only improve.
Additionally, we are on the cusp of the January window transfer window
opening and, hopefully, strengthening the squad in some key positions. A
productive transfer window is probably going to be vital to our season, but
in the meantime the current squad need to secure the maximum points tally
possible, starting with a morale boosting win on 2 January 2018.
I am still confident that we can achieve safety with a bit to spare, but we
need to 'draw a line in the sand' with victory over WBA. COYI!
SJ. Chandos.
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Eddie Howe defends Simon Francis over Cheikhou Kouyate challenge
Neil Perrett
Bournemouth Echo
BOSS Eddie Howe has leapt to the defence of Simon Francis after claims the
Cherries skipper should have seen red during the eventful Boxing Day draw
with West Ham. Francis received a yellow card after his high challenge had
caught West Ham midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate in the face, an incident which
sparked ugly scenes among players and staff from both camps. West Ham boss
David Moyes was joined in his condemnation of referee Bobby Madley's
decision by former Premier League officials Keith Hackett and Dermot
Gallagher. Moyes acknowledged the challenge had not been malicious but still
felt Francis should have been sent off, while Hackett – writing in his
column in The Telegraph – described it as "a definite red-card offence".
And Gallagher, speaking to Sky Sports, said he also felt Madley had been too
lenient with Francis and should have dismissed him. Howe told the Daily
Echo: "I had a great view of it and it was right in front of me. "The ball
went over Simon's head and he was looking at the ball. He had no idea the
West Ham player was there. "It was a nasty incident and I am not going to
say it was nice for the lad to receive Simon's boot in his face but there
was no intent. "And if there is no intent in a situation like that there is
no way he can be sent off."
Hackett's column read: "Simon Francis's studs-high challenge on Cheikhou
Kouyate was a definite red-card offence. "The Bournemouth defender's boot
was high and dangerous and could have caused serious injury to the West Ham
midfielder. "Officials have a duty of care to protect players. Madley was
also letting his colleagues down by failing to adequately punish such as
reckless challenge as this. It sends out completely the wrong message."
Asked by the Daily Echo for his take on the challenge, Moyes said: "If one
of my players had done it then everybody would have been screaming for him
to be banned for six or seven games. "I didn't think Francis looked at the
player, he continually looked at the ball. "But I can think of a lot of
challenges that get knocked up. You are never looking at the opposition
player and you just raise your arm slightly and people are saying that you
are throwing your elbows around. "So, if you are saying it for one then you
have to say it for the other as well. "I think in any other country in the
world that would have been a sending off. Not because I think he
deliberately meant it. I don't think he meant it. "I just think if you do
that and you are caught in that situation you are certainly liable to be
sent off."
Hackett, Gallagher and Moyes also felt Madley had been wrong to overturn his
assistant's decision to rule out Callum Wilson's late leveller.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
David Moyes targets signings in midfield and on right flank as he looks to
rebalance West Ham squad
JAMES BENGE
ES Sport
West Ham boss David Moyes says his focus in the January transfer window will
be recruiting reinforcements for central midfield and the right flank. Moyes
will have funds made available to him to recruit at least two new players as
he looks to drag West Ham clear of a relegation zone they are currently only
a point clear of.
The Hammers boss has already expressed an interest in a pair of central
midfielders – Sevilla's Steven N'Zonzi and Arsenal's Jack Wilshere – and
intends to recruit a right-sided player who can challenge Michail Antonio
for a first-team place. "I've given players opportunities," Moyes said. "I'm
in a hurry and I have to be in a hurry and because of that I cannot wait
three or four months to see how you do. "Ideally, I'd have had six or seven
pre-season games to understand what they're like and what they do, but I've
not. "I've got to say every player has shown great desire and is committed
in training, but I think we're short in some areas and overloaded in others.
For example, we've got lots of forwards, but we're really short of midfield
players. "We've got quite a few who are comfortable playing on the left, but
not so many who can play on the right, so we've got a little bit of an
imbalanced squad which we've got to straighten out in January if we can."
West Ham face a crucial clash with West Brom on January 2 with 19th-placed
Albion three points away from Moyes' side.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Alfie Mawson to West Ham: £25m move planned for early January with Swansea
demands met
WEST HAM are set to meet Swansea's demands for centre-half Alfie Mawson.
Daily Star
By Jack Staplehurst / Published 27th December 2017
David Moyes wants to bolster his backline in a bid to edge the Hammers away
from the bottom three. West Ham have conceded 38 goals in the Premier League
this season, with only Stoke (41) shipping in more. And they are set to raid
their relegation rivals in the New Year. Mawson has established himself as
one of England's rising talents and is pushing for a senior call-up ahead of
the World Cup. The 23-year-old would likely slot in to Moyes' defence,
having been an ever-present for Swansea this season and a bright spark for
the club. According to the Daily Mail, West Ham are making early moves to
ensure a deal can be completed for early January. The east London outfit are
wasting no time and have already seen an £18m bid knocked back.
"Mawson is being lined up for a switch when the window reopens" But Swansea
are said to have set their price at £25m. And West Ham are prepared to table
an improved offer which matches that fee. The Daily Mail claim a guaranteed
£20m plus £5m in add ons will be put forward. That would match West Ham's
record transfer fee paid to Stoke in the summer for in-form forward Marko
Arnautovic. Mawson is being lined up for a switch when the window reopens.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ref Watch: Dermot Gallagher's verdict on Callum Wilson's equaliser for
Bournemouth against West Ham
Last Updated: 27/12/17 4:05pm
SSN
Should Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson's stoppage-time equaliser against
West Ham have stood? Could Tottenham's Dele Alli have been sent off at
Burnley? Dermot Gallagher has his say in this week's Ref Watch. There were a
number of highly contentious decisions over Christmas in the Premier League
and on the continent, including contentious goals at the Vitality, players
not being shown red cards at Turf Moor and penalties that generated huge
debate at both the London Stadium and the Santiago Bernabeu.
Luckily, however, former top-flight official Dermot is here to run his eye
over all the hotly-disputed calls...
Bournemouth 3-3 West Ham
Incident: Wilson's stoppage-time equaliser against West Ham is initially
ruled offside, before referee Robert Madley gives the goal after consulting
with his assistant.
Bournemouth's Callum Wilson scored a hugely controversial equaliser in the
3-3 draw with West Ham in the Premier League.
Dermot's verdict: Wrong decision.
Dermot says: It is a very tight offside call, but once Simon Long (referee's
assistant) calls that, the basics should just happen. He whistles and gives
offside. It became too complicated after that. The debate was if he is in an
offside position and has he interfered and has the ball touched him. He has
interfered. It became too protracted. Simon was convinced it was offside and
he is in the best position to judge offside. And the referee really should
have just given offside and we would not be talking about that. But
unfortunately the conversation took place and there was too much information
being given by each party, it seemed to go on too long. In the end, they
came to the conclusion that Wilson had not touched the ball, which was
incorrect as he did touch the ball and it also went in off his arm.
Incident: Francis' high challenge poleaxes West Ham midfielder Cheikhou
Kouyate, but referee Madley only books the Bournemouth defender.
Dermot's verdict: Wrong decision.
Dermot says: I would not say it was malicious and I do not think he has in
any way, shape or form gone to hurt him, but he has a duty of care to his
opponent and if you put your boot that high - and it is that high, it is not
as though the player has ducked, his studs go in his face - I think it is a
red card and most referees would agree with me.
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West Ham boss David Moyes praises Marko Arnautovic's work rate
By Richard Cooke
Last Updated: 27/12/17 3:11pm
SSN
David Moyes threatened to wield the axe in order to spark a run of five
league goals in as many games from Marko Arnautovic. The Austrian forward's
late double almost earned West Ham victory at Bournemouth on Boxing Day,
only for the Cherries to steal a dramatic 3-3 draw. Referee Bobby Madley
overruled assistant Simon Long to award Callum Wilson's stoppage-time
equaliser, despite the striker being offside, to deny the Hammers a win. But
West Ham boss Moyes later praised Arnautovic for responding well to his
challenge to raise his work rate or face being dropped. Asked how he had
coaxed Arnautovic into form, Moyes replied: "It was just about telling him
if he wasn't going to run he wasn't going to play. "Nobody doubts his
ability and quality as a footballer. He's got to make sure his mentality
side - he keeps doing it. "There will be a few getting a clip round the ear
when we get back in, though most of the players have shown a great attitude.
"He was always a good player Marko Arnautovic, but maybe he's also going
better through the middle rather than out wide."
Moyes again admitted his desire to bolster West Ham's midfield in the
January transfer window, while accepting his squad appears top-heavy in
terms of forwards.
The Hammers host West Brom on January 2, with Moyes insisting he does not
have the luxury of giving his players time and space to impress as they
continue their bid for Premier League survival. "I'm giving players chances;
I'm in a hurry, and I have to be in a hurry," said Moyes. "Because of that I
can't wait three or four months to see how you play. "Everyone's shown a
great desire and is committed in training, but we're short in some areas,
and overloaded in some other areas."
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West Ham given boost in January Transfer Window pursuit of Celtic striker
Moussa Dembele
Comments from Bhoys boss Brendan Rodgers has left the door open for a host
of clubs
Football London
BySam Inkersole
West Ham Correspondent
12:15, 27 DEC 2017
Brendan Rodgers has said he "can't say" is star striker Moussa Dembele will
stay at Celtic in the January Transfer Window and that has put a host of
clubs on red alert. The Celtic manager was speaking about his prized asset
after Brighton became the latest team to be rumoured to have an interest in
the frontman, who has scored 40 goals for the Bhoys since his move from
Fulham 18 months ago.
West Ham are reportedly keen, as are Everton, while Chelsea and Arsenal are
also rumoured to hold an interest in signing the Frenchman, who has given no
indication that he wants to leave Parkhead. Paris St Germain and Real Madrid
have also shown an interest. He's not been as prolific this season for the
Scottish champions as he was last season but that hasn't stopped the
21-year-old being linked with a move away from north of the border.
Rodgers did warn however that it would take an "astronomical bid" to get
Dembele away from Celtic Park in the New Year. "I can't say [he will stay in
January]," Rodgers said. "I live in the real world of football and you can
say things that make you look silly. "Someone might come in with a bid that
is an astronomical amount of money for the club and the player and, if the
player wants to go, that's modern football. "I can never stand here and say
someone is definitely going to be here because you could get a ridiculous
bid for a player and a situation arises when they're offered much more wages
and they want to go. "At this stage he is still very much a Celtic player.
At this moment in time the squad is still very much intact and we want to
add to it over the course of the January window."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham can't rely on Andre Ayew in relegation battle
HITC
Jeorge Bird
The West Ham attacker doesn't warrant a regular starting berth for David
Moyes' team. Although West Ham United's fortunes have improved following the
appointment of David Moyes as manager, it is clear that the club still have
much work to do in order to avoid relegation. Currently in 17th place in the
Premier League, just one point above the relegation zone, West Ham have had
a rather frustrating time in recent matches. After being knocked out of the
Carabao Cup by Arsenal, West Ham lost 3-2 at home to Newcastle United in the
Premier League and then drew 3-3 with Bournemouth. Moyes has looked to get
the most out of the players that he has at his disposal, but Andre Ayew has
been rather unconvincing. Capable of playing on either flank, as an
attacking midfielder or up front, Ayew found the net against Newcastle but
many of his performances since joining West Ham have been rather
underwhelming. Ayew has frequently been guilty of missing presentable
chances, while it is still debatable as to which position suits him best. In
the midst of a battle to avoid relegation, West Ham need players that can be
relied upon to perform consistently, but Ayew doesn't fall into that
category and often flatters to deceive. The 28-year-old has done little to
suggest that he warrants a regular starting berth for West Ham and it
appears that Moyes would be best served by using him as a substitute in the
second half of the campaign.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Transfer report: Atalanta put £22million price tag on West Ham target Bryan
Cristante
By talkSPORT - @talkSPORT
Wednesday, December 27, 2017
Atalanta have told West Ham it will cost them £22m to sign Bryan Cristante.
The midfielder has shone in Italy this season while on loan from Portuguese
giants Benfica. Atalanta are now set to take up their option to sign the
22-year-old permanently, before instantly selling him on for profit. The
Italian club can land Cristante from Benfica for £4.5m but, according to
Premium Sport, they will then ask interested clubs to part with £22m. West
Ham are one of those chasing the Italian, while he has more recently been
linked with Manchester United. Cristante is also on the radar of clubs in
Serie A, including Juventus and Inter Milan.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
David Moyes reveals how he got best out of West Ham's Marko Arnautovic
NICK PUREWAL
ES Sport
David Moyes threatened to wield the axe in order to spark a run of five
league goals in as many games from Marko Arnautovic. Austria forward
Arnautovic's late double almost carried West Ham to a turnaround victory at
Bournemouth on Boxing Day, only for the Cherries to steal a dramatic 3-3
draw. Referee Bobby Madley overruled assistant Simon Long to award Callum
Wilson's added-time goal to deny the Hammers their win. But West Ham boss
Moyes later praised Arnautovic for responding well to his challenge to raise
his work rate or face being dropped. Asked how he had coaxed Arnautovic
into form, Moyes replied: "It was just about telling him if he wasn't going
to run he wasn't going to play. "Nobody doubts his ability and quality as a
footballer. He's got to make sure his mentality side - he keeps doing it.
"There will be a few getting a clip round the ear when we get back in,
though most of the players have shown a great attitude. "He was always a
good player Marko Arnautovic, but maybe he's also going better through the
middle rather than out wide."
Moyes again admitted his desire to bolster West Ham's midfield in the
January transfer window, while accepting his squad appears top-heavy in
terms of forwards.
"I'm giving players chances; I'm in a hurry, and I have to be in a hurry,"
said Moyes. "Because of that I can't wait three or four months to see how
you play.
"Everyone's shown a great desire and is committed in training, but we're
short in some areas, and overloaded in some other areas."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
James Collins admitted to feeling hugely contrasting emotions after West Ham
United's 3-3 Boxing Day Premier League draw at AFC Bournemouth. The Ginger
Pele marked his recall to the starting XI by being handed the captain's
armband and scoring his side's opening goal, only for a highly controversial
late Callum Wilson leveller to deny the Hammers all three points. "I was
pleased to be back in, but I wasn't too happy with the way we defended in
general," said Collins. "Conceding three goals again is not great, but the
lads showed great character. "It was wet and windy and hammering down with
rain. To get back into the lead and then lose it so late on is gutting, but
it was nice to be back in the team. "You've got to take some positives. A
point is a point on the road and every away game in the Premier League is
tough, so we'll take it, even if we are very disappointed to take the lead
with no time left on the clock and not keep it."
West Ham went in front through Collins' powerful seventh-minute header
before surrendering their lead to goals from Dan Gosling and Nathan Ake
either side of half-time. Adrian then made a succession of fine saves to
keep the Hammers in the game before Marko Arnautovic's double looked set to
give David Moyes' team a vital victory. Then, a minute into added time, Ake
headed goalwards and Wilson appeared to convert with his upper right arm
from an offside position. Referee Bobby Madley conversed at length with his
assistant, who had initially raised his flag, before giving the goal. "It's
got to be disallowed. I was looking straight at it. Even if he's not
offside, it's handball. I'm disappointed because we got back into the game
and got in front and then, what do you say, it's a kick in the teeth because
it would have been a massive three points for us. "He's given a free-kick
originally for offside and for some reason he has changed his mind."
All in all, while frustrated to lose two points so late on in such
disputable circumstances, Collins said a share of the spoils was probably a
fair reflection of what was a breathless game. "We knew we were going to be
under the cosh a bit and block and save shots and Adrian has played well and
made some great saves there.
"Arnie has done great. Since he got his first goal, we've seen a real
difference in him. He's been tremendous and hopefully we can defend better
and he can get another couple of goals in a win. "It was a mad game of
football. We've created chances and they've created chances and I suppose,
with the way we played in the first half, we should probably take the
point."
Collins and West Ham return to action at London Stadium on Tuesday 2 January
2018 at 7.45pm, when West Bromwich Albion will be the visitors.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Moyes: We need to add more quality to balance squad
WHUFC.com
David Moyes will be seeking to redress the 'imbalance' in his West Ham
United squad in January. The Hammers manager admitted after the Boxing Day
draw at AFC Bournemouth that he needs to fill in gaps and add quality in
certain areas. Central midfield and right-sided players are among those
Moyes is expected to target when the window opens next week, with the Scot
eager to bolster his options as he attempts to steer West Ham away from the
lower reaches of the Premier League."I've given players opportunities," he
said. "I'm in a hurry and I have to be in a hurry and because of that I
cannot wait three or four months to see how you do. "Ideally, I'd have had
six or seven pre-season games to understand what they're like and what they
do, but I've not. "I've got to say every player has shown great desire and
is committed in training, but I think we're short in some areas and
overloaded in others. For example, we've got lots of forwards, but we're
really short of midfield players. "We've got quite a few who are comfortable
playing on the left, but not so many who can play on the right, so we've got
a little bit of an imbalanced squad which we've got to straighten out in
January if we can."
Moyes said he largely could not fault the effort shown by his players in
recent matches, but the manner of conceding six goals in losing at home to
Newcastle United and drawing at Bournemouth has brought the need to add new
faces more sharply into focus. "I'm pleased with our spirit and I think
there's a bigger hunger and desire to do it, but we're lacking quality.
We've got to stop conceding goals as easily as we are at the moment. "But we
hung in and stuck at it. It wasn't going to be easy and while we wanted the
three points, it was important that we made sure we didn't lose and we did
that. "Obviously the last two games have been disappointing as far as goals
conceded are concerned, whereas the three previous games it looked as if we
had struck on something and become harder to beat. "We've got a couple of
forwards in form at the minute and people we can bring on and use, so I
think we've got a threat, but were definitely lacking in some areas of
giving ourselves a chance of playing much better."
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Fit again Alfie's Academy aim
WHUFC.com
The end of the 2016/17 campaign came with mixed fortune for Alfie Lewis. The
18-year-old suffered a season-ending knee injury, one which has kept the
midfielder out for most of 2017, but also saw Lewis put pen to paper on his
first professional contract with the Hammers. What followed was six months
of hard work and rehabilitation for Lewis, only for further disappointment
to strike in September. "I was out with a knee injury for quite a while,"
Lewis said: "It happened at the end of April. I came back around September,
but then I hurt it again and had to sit out for another month. "I had to go
through rehabilitation and have loads of injections. However, I could still
feel something wasn't quite right. It didn't feel strong enough to be back
playing and I kept catching it in tackles. It just wasn't stable. "It was a
bit gutting but I knew my knee wasn't right when I stepped back out in
September, to be honest."
It was not just the fact his knee was in pain that played on Lewis's mind,
with the youngster admitting the continued injury also had a detrimental
effect mentally.
"It plays on your mind. It's not just a physical thing but psychologically
an injury can affect your game. But now it feels good. I'm feeling 100 per
cent. I'm ready to crack on now after Christmas and have a good end to the
season."
A spot in the FA Youth Cup clash with Blackpool last week was Lewis's
reward, but that showing ended with the midfielder being given his marching
orders, after a coming together in the closing moments of the game, and a
1-0 third-round defeat for the young Hammers. Lewis is keen to learn from
the experience, admitting: "It was a heat of the moment incident. It was one
of those things where people get frustrated. I don't really think it should
have been a red card, but there we go.
"It's a learning curve for me though. It shows me that I need to control my
emotions during the game. I'll take that and make myself a better person."
Last season, Lewis played eleven times for the U23s, despite being just 17
at the time, and the young talent has his eyes firmly set on returning to
Terry Westley's fold and starting XI before the end of the season. "It's
great to be back in training. It takes time to get back to sharpness. You
feel it, that first time you're back out there. You're off the pace because
you've been out. Things like that come with time, though, and I'm chuffed to
be back. "I want to get into the U23s squad after Christmas and play games
with them until the end of the season. I just want to get as much game time
as possible because obviously I've not played in a while. It's good to be
playing football again – that's what I want to do."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham United Ladies in 2017: A momentous year in review
WHUFC.com
From a massive restructure to ambitious plans to play in WSL1, we take a
look back at the standout moments from 2017 for West Ham United Ladies.
Improvements to the infrastructure
After West Ham United Ladies were brought 'in-house' during the 2016/17
campaign, the beginning of the 2017/18 season saw the club provide the side
with an investment injection and a number of key, full-time appointments.
Jack Sullivan, son of Joint-Chairman David, took up his first full-time role
within the Club as Managing Director while former player and coach Karen Ray
was named general manager. The move signalled the beginning of a long-term,
ambitious plan by West Ham United for the Ladies team.
Squad additions
The changes to the Ladies' set-up opened up opportunities to bring in
experienced players from across women's football, something the Club
certainly did during the summer. Amber Stobbs made the move to the Hammers
from WSL side Everton while defender Chenise Austin also joined the Club
from FA Women's Premier League rivals Swindon Town. Rosie Kmita also signed
for West Ham from WSL2 team London Bees in October, while another eleven
players also signed contracts with the team in the summer. Most recently
the likes of Andria Georgiou and American pair Ellie Zoepfl and Zoe Swift
have joined the team, highlighting the club's commitment to bringing in
quality players.
The UEL Partnership
In July, the Ladies announced a programme, launched alongside the University
of East London (UEL), which offered a pathway for female footballers into
higher education. The scheme sees Hammers players offered sports
scholarships at UEL, giving them the opportunity to play for the
university's team and complete their education while developing with the
Irons. Winger Chloe Burr and recent signings Swift and Zoepfl have taken
advantage of this partnership, which allows the players to develop with
support from both the club and university.
Leaders beaten
Wins against Cardiff City and Swindon Town gave the Hammers two victories
from a tricky start to the season, and a difficult test away to league
leaders Charlton Athletic was on the agenda in mid-October. At the time,
the Addicks had won every league match, but the Ladies put on a sensational
showing, scoring goals through Molly Peters and Paige Anderson-James to
claim an unforgettable 3-1 victory. The result showed the entire WPL
Southern Division what West Ham could do, alerting the competition to the
serious talent in the side.
The WSL1 Application
In September, the Football Association unveiled plans to restructure women's
football, with the WSL1 set to become a 14-team division with full-time,
professional players in 2018/19. West Ham were proudly one of the first
sides to announce their intention to apply for a license for the top
division, with managing director Sullivan delighted to back the FA's plans.
He said: "As an ambitious club, we want West Ham United to be at the very
top of this new-look league structure, and we will be doing everything we
can to make sure our application is successful." West Ham will learn if
their bid to be part of the new WSL1 division in the spring.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
A REFLECTION ON THE BOURNEMOUTH GAME
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 27 DECEMBER 2017 AT 10:59AM
Written by @SKD_WHUFC
Let's get it out the way straight off the bat – Yes Madley got at least 2
critical decision VERY WRONG. He should be disciplined and removed from the
premier league rotation.
1.Kouyate nearly got his head taken off and he only gave a yellow.
2.Overriding a linesman with clear view of the offside position
If the FA doesn't take action, they will continue on their path to being the
biggest laughing stock of the football world. The third goal was the perfect
example of video replays being needed in this day and age, partly due to the
cost of poor decisions and partly due to the lack of quality in refereeing
in the premier league.
Now on to the game…
Bournemouth, a team without a win in 7 or 8 games had 56% possession, 24
shots (TWENTY FOUR), 7 corners and 82 more passes than us. Did we deserve a
point? Not really…
So again we find ourselves in the scenario of asking why we are struggling
against teams that we should be beating. Here are a few of my observations
from the game.
1.Defensively poor again, Cresswell on a bit of a slide and Zab / Masuaku
didn't do well enough on their defensive side of the game.
2.Midfield continues to be poor, missed challenges and continued issues in
distribution and ability to retain possession. Kouyate has no idea of shape
and Obiang needs to be dropped until he can learn to pass the ball.
3.Up top we had ZERO strikers… against Bournemouth! Arnie made runs from the
center to the left side of the field at least 10 times trying to find a way
to get on the ball, leaving very little in the middle. Ayew is dependent on
a real center forward to play off. When we did get some forwards on the
approach changes to… fuck it.. lets just hoof it up because Carroll is 6'4.
4.Spend some time on set pieces – Why are we so shit at free kicks and
corners? The Ginge goal today was one of the few decent set pieces we have
taken this season. Shocking that we typically can't even beat the first man.
5.Tactics – We have worked so hard to defend better that we have take all of
the sting and pace out of our ability to attack. The likes of Lanzini are
not able to effectively drive and players with pace. At times its like
watching paint dry. Center backs play to wing backs who play across the
center backs to a big channel ball to an offside Arnie. How many times have
we seen that since Moyes took over? I'd guess we are averaging 8 offside
decisions a game.
Arnie's form and Lanzini coming back were about the only two positives I
take away from today. Very little else happened that would make me feel like
we have turned a corner. We even got lucky on our second goal.
So what's the solution? Well…. this is just my opinion as a long time West
ham fan. If Sullivan thinks 1-2 will do it in January, he's having a laugh.
It will cost him 100m in relegation ultimately.
First thing we have to do is START Chicha, best striker we have right now.
Arnie will be more effective playing off him and we will be forced to play
into feet. Maybe its time we had Reid | Collins Ogbonna as our back 3 and
drop Cresswell?
Sell –
Carroll (5m)
Sakho (10m – China)
Kouyate (10m – anywhere)
Buy –
Dembele from Celtic from under BHA (18m)
Sturridge from Liverpool (Loan > Purchase in summer)
Calvaho – Sporting (35m)
Net loss of 28m which is pennies compared to going down.
We have clearly seen some signs of fight from the team in recent games but
also the frailty of the end of Bilic era. Lets stay behind our club, players
and manager (even if he's not the long term solution needed) but DEMAND more
from all areas, we will be watching this January Sullivan and Gold and yes I
am available and interested in a role as sporting director!
COYI's
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SAM ROYDEN'S REFLECTION ON CURRENT REFEREEING STANDARDS
AUTHOR: SAMTWHWREF. PUBLISHED: 27 DECEMBER 2017 AT 6:34PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by @SamRoyden
STANDARD OF REFEREEING
Refereeing is a hard job, regardless at what level you are as a referee, and
I don't think anybody in their right mind would disagree. Even at grassroots
level, that I officiate at, you still have to deal with players, managers,
abuse, tough game-changing decisions, game management, player interruption
but at a smaller scale. For officials in the Premier League, its accelerated
but all Premier League referees are not only well trained at St George's,
they work on fitness, review decisions from past games, learn as a group but
like any other referee in the world, they would have been through the
promotion to become a Select Elite Level official.
In the past five years alone, the way that we consume our favourite sport
has only become easier. Top broadcasters like Sky Sports are allowing
customers to watch highlights during 380 Premier League games via their app,
BT Sports have a sponsorship with Twitter which enables users to watch BT
Score for free in their feed and more PL games are being televised each week
due to increased television rights. Refereeing decisions are being
broadcasted universally and opinions among football fans are being posted
across the internet even before the match has finished.
If you read my performance analysis' for The West Ham Way, I rarely
sympathise with referees when on occasions I should in fact consider all the
factors. However, for the last couple of West Ham games I have become
incredibly frustrated with, in my opinion, what are textbook decisions. I
wanted to review a couple of decisions from the Boxing Day game at
Bournemouth of a prime example of how basic decisions are being missed among
professional, elite referees:
BOURNEMOUTH VS WEST HAM
SIMON FRANCIS HIGH FOOT ON CHEIKHOU KOUYATÉ
Within 90 minutes of football, Bobby Madley became the Christmas Grinch
among West Ham fans during Boxing Day's 3-3 draw away at Bournemouth and
will continue to be criticised for his woeful decision making during this
fixture. The game on the south coast was full of controversy and Madley was
the man in the middle who failed to get those decisions correct. The first
big talking point in the game was when Simon Francis' high boot caught
Cheikhou Kouyaté in the face and he only received a yellow card. When I saw
this in real time, not even on replays, my gut said red card and I believe
95% of referees would come to the same conclusion.
During this incident, regardless of whether Simon Francis did or didn't have
eyes on the ball, Francis showed a lack of regard for a players safety and
in my opinion is serious foul play and warrants a red card. I do not
understand how Madley came to the conclusion that this foul only an
cautionable offence. It's a complete lapse in judgement and this will set a
precedence for the rest of the season with high foot challenges. Bobby
Madley is a FIFA Referee – members of the FIFA list are qualified to
officiate at international level. These referees are to be considered at the
top in Europe, even world football, how can a FIFA listed referee miss a
very easy, simple decision like this?
BOBBY MADLEY AWARDS CONTROVERSIAL CALLUM WILSON GOAL
I thought Simon Francis's was a bad decision but then in the 90th minute of
the game with West Ham leading 3-2 after coming back from 2-1 down, Simon
Long made an unbelievably, brilliant decision to flag Callum Wilson offside
– what came afterwards was a complete disaster. When the ball was played
towards Callum Wilson from Nathan Ake, Wilson was in an offside position.
The law of the game states that 'any part of the head, body or feet is
nearer to the opponents' goal line than both the ball and the second-last
opponent'. Callum Wilson's right boot was beyond Aaron Cresswell's left
boot.
Simon Long correctly raised his flag for offside and what should have
happened next was Madley to award an indirect free kick to West Ham where
the offside occurred and continued to play the rest of the additional time
indicated by the forth official. Instead, Bobby Madley went over to speak to
Simon Long and continued protests from Bournemouth players during their
conversation, he overruled Simon Long's original decision of offside and
awarded the goal to Bournemouth. For me there are many issues with this
decision:
1) Bobby Madley was not in the correct position to see whether Callum Wilson
was on or offside. Madley took up a position on the opposite side of the
penalty area and wasn't directly in line with the second last defender to
make that decision unlike his assistant referee Simon Long.
2) Bobby Madley was actually in the better position to see Callum Wilson use
his upper arm to deflect the ball into the goal – Simon Long would have been
able to see this as well but Madley was better placed.
3) On what grounds has Madley overruled his assistant on this decision? I
assume Madley overruled Simon Long's decision as he doesn't believe Callum
Wilson was interfering with play but as we all know and it's obvious that
this is incorrect. Wilson was interfering with play and was in an offside
position along with the handball. As a team of officials, Madley should
trust his assistant referee and it's disappointing as all officials have
open communication on their headset and only working as a team will they get
to the right conclusion. Former referee Howard Webb said in his
autobiography that he relied on his team as much as his own ability to get
the best results, win as a team and lose as a team.
David Moyes was incredibly diplomatic during his post-match press conference
about the standard of referees in the league and contrastingly Callum Wilson
protesting his innocence on the field of play saying he didn't touch it, to
then admit touching it in his post-match interview suggesting in was a "a
touch of magic". Will there be any retrospective action for deceiving the
referee? I very, very much doubt this will happen.
WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE?
The standard of refereeing over the past 3 or 4 years has been subject to
many discussions and I honestly feel that it's not getting any better. I
won't name the referees but throughout this season, I've branded some
referees as 'the worst in the league' and 'incompetent' and I do stand by my
opinions. The calls for VAR to be installed in the Premier League is
becoming desperate with human error continuing to be the ultimate game
changing factor. The amount of mistakes happening week in and week out and
with so much at stake in the Premier League, referees and assistant referees
need help. Look, human error is inevitable, it happens in all professions
but for me basic decisions like Simon Francis' red card should be the
absolute minimum we expect as football fans and even as fellow referees. I
feel that The FA, Premier League and the PGMOL need a complete overhaul and
referees need to be reviewed under a microscope by PGMOL like players are
retrospectively banned for deceiving a referee or violent conduct which a
referee has missed. I firmly believe that giving a referee a weekend off,
changing fixtures to lower profile games or dropping them to Championship,
League 1/2 is not enough when, on occasions this season, their decision has
dramatically changed the course of the game.
VAR being used in the Confederation Cup
Whatever happens during the rest of the season, there will be continued
strain on the referees to perform well in the second half of the season and
start to bring back some integrity and positivity to reputations of referees
in the Premier League.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers prepare record defender bid
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 27th December 2017
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are preparing a second offer for young Swansea defender Alfie
Mawson, despite having their first bid rejected. According to the Mail, an
initial £18million bid for the former England under 21 international was
rejected prior to the Christmas break. And according to writer Sami Mokbel,
West Ham are set to launch a new £25million, record-breaking offer in order
to land their target as soon as possible. The proposed deal is reported to
comprise of £20million up front with a further £5million to follow depending
upon appearances.
* In other transfer news, the Hammers are being linked with a move for
Hibernian midfielder John McGinn. The 23-year-old was close to joining
Championship side Nottingham Forest last summer but the two clubs failed to
agree terms prior to the closure of the transfer window. New Hammers boss
David Moyes is reported to be ready to test the water with an offer for the
23-year-old.
* West Ham have been told it will cost them £22million to sign highly-rated
Atlanta striker Bryan Cristante. The 22-year-old has impressed whilst on
loan in Italy and is set to complete a 'permamnent' move from Benfica to
Atalanta. The later are poised to trigger a £4.5million option to buy
Cristante - and make a huge profit by selling him on immediately.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Even Hackett says Madley got it wrong!
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 27th December 2017
By: Staff Writer
In the list of West Ham-related arch-villians, there are few more widely
despised than referee Keith Hackett.
Despite some 26 years having passed since the former official famously
dismissed Tony Gale in the most dubious of circumstances during an FA Cup
semi final with Nottingham Forest, Hackett remains reviled amongst West
Ham's 40+ fans.
However even the most hated referee ever to officiate a game involving West
Ham agreed that Bobby Madley made a complete howler of yesterday's match
against Bournemouth, which ended 3-3 after the 32-year-old Yorkshireman
overruled his linesman in the most dubious and unique circumstances in order
to award the CHerries an added-on time equaliser.
"I have every sympathy with West Ham United manager David Moyes over the two
big controversies in Tuesday's match at Bournemouth," Hackett wrote in
today's Telegraph. "Managers need referees to get the big decisions right -
and on both counts Bobby Madley was emphatically wrong.
"Simon Francis's studs-high challenge on Cheikhou Kouyate was a definite
red-card offence. The Bournemouth defender's boot was high and dangerous and
could have caused serious injury to the West Ham midfielder. Officials have
a duty of care to protect players.
"Madley was also letting his colleagues down by failing to adequately punish
such as reckless challenge as this. It sends out completely the wrong
message.
"As for Bournemouth's third goal, I cannot understand how Madley overruled
his assistant, who appeared to flag for offside when Nathan Ake headed to
Callum Wilson and was in a much better position to see the infringement."
Hackett then accused Madley of failing to show "trust" in his fellow match
day officials as a result of overturning the linesman's original call. "I
think Madley was trying to be too clever by ignoring his assistant," he
added.
"He has to show trust in his colleague. I also believe subsequently there
was contact between Wilson's arm and the ball before it went into the net.
Not an impressive start to the festive programme for match officials, I am
afraid."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Match of the Day - or is it the Muppet show?
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 27th December 2017
By: Paul Walker
The question is, after another weekend of claret and blue fury, do we at
West Ham have a persecution complex or does everybody just hate us?
Are we the perennial victims, always the ones on the wrong end of
misfortune, or does every club go through this rage against the (FA) machine
that seems to follow every match these days?
I look around at other clubs' fans and do I see this constant battle with
officialdom, incompetent referees and 'biased' media? Frankly, no, in my
view. So everybody does hate us!
Last week I described the FA's joke of a disciplinary system as 'not fit for
purpose,' after the Manu Lanzini affair. But now, the sequel, 'not fit for
purpose II.' Step forward Match of the Day.
Now I have felt for a long time that this programme has been going down
hill, with Gary Lineker's demeanour suggesting he can't tell the difference
between how to act in a crisp advert and how to address the country's
football viewers. All one big laugh, it seems.
MOtD used to be the voice of the game, and whether you liked him or not,
Alan Hansen was a voice of reason and accuracy. I know there are some, Alex
Ferguson for one, who loathed the Liverpool mafia that seemed to dominate
football punditry on TV or radio. They used to get stuck into Manchester
United with relish, so I always enjoyed the programme!
Even if Hansen was occasionally wrong. Remember "you won't win anything with
kids"? Fact is, he was right nine times out of ten with that remark, how was
he to know that the United kids were the best of several generations to
emerge from one youth team.
But now we have moderate ex-players, a showboating 'look at me' presenter
and a string of young pundits who spout rubbish and worst of all, don't know
the laws of the game. It's frequently said that players' knowledge of the
rules is generally poor, and now we can see it every Saturday on the Beeb.
To my knowledge there is no mention of intent in the law that tries to stop
players kicking opponents in the head and endangering their lives, or
punching them in the face. Nobody says it's ok if you are watching the ball,
or sort of, didn't really mean it.
David Moyes is right that it's a red card anywhere else in the world. Even
Scotland!
Goals on Sunday, in my view, is a much better programme, with Chris Kamara,
getting the stuff about the laws pretty much spot on every week. Maybe Kevin
Kilbane and Danny Murphy could pay a bit more attention.
The debacle of Bournemouth is almost too dreadful to believe. What with a
shocking referee in Robert Madley, and a linesman who cannot stand his
ground when he knows he is right.
What was in Madley's mind, nobody knows. I can only think that he was trying
to be clever and insisting that Wilson did not touch the ball, following
Nathan Ake's header across goal and was therefore 'not active' and so 'not
offside.' His linesman didn't agree.
Madley has too much 'previous' with us to be trusted any longer. Six minutes
that became seven added on time at Crystal Palace, two Bournemouth penalties
in last season's game given against us.
Respected ex-referees Graham Poll ("he cost West Ham three points"), Keith
Hackett ("emphatically wrong, twice") and then the excellent Dermot
Gallagher, who reckons he should just have given the free-kick for offside
and got on with the game, rather than turning it into comedy hour.
I watched all that wondering what would happen if it was Manchester United
,Chelsea or Arsenal who were on the wrong end of such incompetence. For sure
we would still be seeing the analysis, wall to wall, with earnest pundits
talking of millions and billions at stake, and calling for video technology.
They would not have been joking their way through MotD, disrespectfully
dismissing the views of a 'lesser' club and claiming that it was all ok in
the end because Bournemouth deserved to win. Can you imagine Jose, Arsene
and the like? Refereeing careers would be on the line.
There were rumours, well stronger than that, around Old Trafford that the
Premier League and FA were informed that certain referees would not be
welcome officiating Manchester United games.
Madley surely comes into the category for us, such is his back catalogue as
well as Boxing Day's nonsense. I would also suggest Kibane keeps his
distance too.
Now I know from friends that he is a very likeable, articulate fella, who
loves his young family. But that doesn't mean he makes a good pundit. For
me, he fits into the category of recently retired players who are frightened
to be critical of former friends and players generally.
It can be the only reason he thinks that Francis's kick into Kouyate's face
wasn't a red card. What was the difference between that and Sadio Mane's red
card for Liverpool early in the season?
And how can Kilbane be so dismissive of the punch into Pedro Obiang's face
by Josh King? I think Kilbane wrote that off as 'frustration.' Try that sort
of frustration pal in a Dublin pub and see where it gets you.
And of course Kevin felt that Callum Wilson goal should have been awarded.
Not that he was offside, or he handled the ball into the net. Minor points,
those.
And then we have Murphy chortling away in the background. Seemingly we are
not big enough to be treated with due respect.
This from a journeyman who was fortunate to play for Liverpool while Robbie
Fowler, Michael Owen, Steven Gerrard and Steve McManaman were around. A
player, so it is rumoured, that lets his wife chose what club he can join.
You know, it was the laughing and joking from these two muppets that annoyed
me most, as if we didn't rally matter so didn't really deserve any respect.
Match of the Day put the knife into Slaven Bilic with all those meaningless
stats about fitness and running, and probably went some way to getting him
the sack. They also seem to have allowed Dele Alli at least two blatant
dives without anyone from the FA doing anything about it.
Eat your heart out Manu! It's three strikes before you are out when you play
for a top club, not just the one misdemeanour for the rest.
There has been not a word from the FA about King's punch, Alli's two
'dives', or - come to think of it - Mark Hughes bringing the game into
disrepute by abusing and swearing at an opposing player as he came off the
field. You can make it up if you are the FA.
All this tended to overshadow the match, in which Moyes had the balls to
drop Winston Reid and make James Collins captain. In Mark Noble's absence
that should have happened a while ago, Reid lacks leadership on the pitch
and consistency, in my view. I have never been his greatest fan.
Moyes also was more than capable of castigating Michail Antonio for being so
lacklustre against Newcastle and axing him too. Frankly, I bet if he'd found
someone to replace Kouyate he would have done.
Have you noticed in the re-runs of the Newcastle goal scored by Mo Diame,
that shows Kouyate allowing Diame to run past him from the centre circle
without any attempt to track him, almost jogging back to the penalty area?
I'd have dropped him for that alone.
So, onwards and upwards. It's Alan Pardew next, without a West Brom win to
his name. I can hardly wait!
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.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
ONE POINT FROM SIX OVER CHRISTMAS IS AN OPPORTUNITY WASTED!
By S J Chandos 27 Dec 2017 at 08:00
WTID
As stated in my last blog post, the impressive away victory over Stoke City
provided a stable launch pad to use the Christmas and early January fixtures
to blast away from the relegation zone. I had hoped that team would use the
momentum to defeat Newcastle utd at home and Bournemouth away and set us up
nicely to take on WBA at the LS on 2 January 2018. But no, those hopes were
dashed in the comedy of errors that was our 'performance' against the Toon
in a disappointing 2-3 home defeat. This was then duly followed by the
dropping a further two points to a off-side and handled equalising 'goal' by
Cullum Wilson. So, that's it, one point from a possible six and, as a
result, we failed to achieve the 'lift off' that was a very real possibility
before Christmas.
So now, we face a absolutely crucial fixture on 2 January 2018, which is
'must win.' I know that term in bounded around a lot, but I think that the
term really does fit the circumstances pertaining to the WBA match. That is
then followed by a tough away match at Wembley against Spurs. We really do
need to beat WBA before tackling Harry Kane and co. Personally I am not
unduly worried about the Spurs match, any points secured there will be a
happy bonus. It is the teams around and just above us that we must ensure we
defeat if we are to pull away from the relegation zone and secure safety.
WBA obviously fall in to that category and we must take all three points.
Anything less is just unthinkable in our current situation.
There is no doubt that this has been a wasted opportunity to accrue some
vital PL points that would have helped us get out of trouble as quickly as
possible. Nevertheless, it is pointless crying over 'spilt milk.' The
players must now focus on the WBA game and ensure that there are no further
slip ups. On the face of it, WBA look like the perfect opposition. with
their poor form. But we must not take anything for granted, after all, one
could have said the same about Newcastle Utd and Bournemouth!
On the plus side, Lanzini is back pulling the midfield strings, Arnautovic
has hit a rich vein of form and Antonio's form can only improve.
Additionally, we are on the cusp of the January window transfer window
opening and, hopefully, strengthening the squad in some key positions. A
productive transfer window is probably going to be vital to our season, but
in the meantime the current squad need to secure the maximum points tally
possible, starting with a morale boosting win on 2 January 2018.
I am still confident that we can achieve safety with a bit to spare, but we
need to 'draw a line in the sand' with victory over WBA. COYI!
SJ. Chandos.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Eddie Howe defends Simon Francis over Cheikhou Kouyate challenge
Neil Perrett
Bournemouth Echo
BOSS Eddie Howe has leapt to the defence of Simon Francis after claims the
Cherries skipper should have seen red during the eventful Boxing Day draw
with West Ham. Francis received a yellow card after his high challenge had
caught West Ham midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate in the face, an incident which
sparked ugly scenes among players and staff from both camps. West Ham boss
David Moyes was joined in his condemnation of referee Bobby Madley's
decision by former Premier League officials Keith Hackett and Dermot
Gallagher. Moyes acknowledged the challenge had not been malicious but still
felt Francis should have been sent off, while Hackett – writing in his
column in The Telegraph – described it as "a definite red-card offence".
And Gallagher, speaking to Sky Sports, said he also felt Madley had been too
lenient with Francis and should have dismissed him. Howe told the Daily
Echo: "I had a great view of it and it was right in front of me. "The ball
went over Simon's head and he was looking at the ball. He had no idea the
West Ham player was there. "It was a nasty incident and I am not going to
say it was nice for the lad to receive Simon's boot in his face but there
was no intent. "And if there is no intent in a situation like that there is
no way he can be sent off."
Hackett's column read: "Simon Francis's studs-high challenge on Cheikhou
Kouyate was a definite red-card offence. "The Bournemouth defender's boot
was high and dangerous and could have caused serious injury to the West Ham
midfielder. "Officials have a duty of care to protect players. Madley was
also letting his colleagues down by failing to adequately punish such as
reckless challenge as this. It sends out completely the wrong message."
Asked by the Daily Echo for his take on the challenge, Moyes said: "If one
of my players had done it then everybody would have been screaming for him
to be banned for six or seven games. "I didn't think Francis looked at the
player, he continually looked at the ball. "But I can think of a lot of
challenges that get knocked up. You are never looking at the opposition
player and you just raise your arm slightly and people are saying that you
are throwing your elbows around. "So, if you are saying it for one then you
have to say it for the other as well. "I think in any other country in the
world that would have been a sending off. Not because I think he
deliberately meant it. I don't think he meant it. "I just think if you do
that and you are caught in that situation you are certainly liable to be
sent off."
Hackett, Gallagher and Moyes also felt Madley had been wrong to overturn his
assistant's decision to rule out Callum Wilson's late leveller.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
David Moyes targets signings in midfield and on right flank as he looks to
rebalance West Ham squad
JAMES BENGE
ES Sport
West Ham boss David Moyes says his focus in the January transfer window will
be recruiting reinforcements for central midfield and the right flank. Moyes
will have funds made available to him to recruit at least two new players as
he looks to drag West Ham clear of a relegation zone they are currently only
a point clear of.
The Hammers boss has already expressed an interest in a pair of central
midfielders – Sevilla's Steven N'Zonzi and Arsenal's Jack Wilshere – and
intends to recruit a right-sided player who can challenge Michail Antonio
for a first-team place. "I've given players opportunities," Moyes said. "I'm
in a hurry and I have to be in a hurry and because of that I cannot wait
three or four months to see how you do. "Ideally, I'd have had six or seven
pre-season games to understand what they're like and what they do, but I've
not. "I've got to say every player has shown great desire and is committed
in training, but I think we're short in some areas and overloaded in others.
For example, we've got lots of forwards, but we're really short of midfield
players. "We've got quite a few who are comfortable playing on the left, but
not so many who can play on the right, so we've got a little bit of an
imbalanced squad which we've got to straighten out in January if we can."
West Ham face a crucial clash with West Brom on January 2 with 19th-placed
Albion three points away from Moyes' side.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Alfie Mawson to West Ham: £25m move planned for early January with Swansea
demands met
WEST HAM are set to meet Swansea's demands for centre-half Alfie Mawson.
Daily Star
By Jack Staplehurst / Published 27th December 2017
David Moyes wants to bolster his backline in a bid to edge the Hammers away
from the bottom three. West Ham have conceded 38 goals in the Premier League
this season, with only Stoke (41) shipping in more. And they are set to raid
their relegation rivals in the New Year. Mawson has established himself as
one of England's rising talents and is pushing for a senior call-up ahead of
the World Cup. The 23-year-old would likely slot in to Moyes' defence,
having been an ever-present for Swansea this season and a bright spark for
the club. According to the Daily Mail, West Ham are making early moves to
ensure a deal can be completed for early January. The east London outfit are
wasting no time and have already seen an £18m bid knocked back.
"Mawson is being lined up for a switch when the window reopens" But Swansea
are said to have set their price at £25m. And West Ham are prepared to table
an improved offer which matches that fee. The Daily Mail claim a guaranteed
£20m plus £5m in add ons will be put forward. That would match West Ham's
record transfer fee paid to Stoke in the summer for in-form forward Marko
Arnautovic. Mawson is being lined up for a switch when the window reopens.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ref Watch: Dermot Gallagher's verdict on Callum Wilson's equaliser for
Bournemouth against West Ham
Last Updated: 27/12/17 4:05pm
SSN
Should Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson's stoppage-time equaliser against
West Ham have stood? Could Tottenham's Dele Alli have been sent off at
Burnley? Dermot Gallagher has his say in this week's Ref Watch. There were a
number of highly contentious decisions over Christmas in the Premier League
and on the continent, including contentious goals at the Vitality, players
not being shown red cards at Turf Moor and penalties that generated huge
debate at both the London Stadium and the Santiago Bernabeu.
Luckily, however, former top-flight official Dermot is here to run his eye
over all the hotly-disputed calls...
Bournemouth 3-3 West Ham
Incident: Wilson's stoppage-time equaliser against West Ham is initially
ruled offside, before referee Robert Madley gives the goal after consulting
with his assistant.
Bournemouth's Callum Wilson scored a hugely controversial equaliser in the
3-3 draw with West Ham in the Premier League.
Dermot's verdict: Wrong decision.
Dermot says: It is a very tight offside call, but once Simon Long (referee's
assistant) calls that, the basics should just happen. He whistles and gives
offside. It became too complicated after that. The debate was if he is in an
offside position and has he interfered and has the ball touched him. He has
interfered. It became too protracted. Simon was convinced it was offside and
he is in the best position to judge offside. And the referee really should
have just given offside and we would not be talking about that. But
unfortunately the conversation took place and there was too much information
being given by each party, it seemed to go on too long. In the end, they
came to the conclusion that Wilson had not touched the ball, which was
incorrect as he did touch the ball and it also went in off his arm.
Incident: Francis' high challenge poleaxes West Ham midfielder Cheikhou
Kouyate, but referee Madley only books the Bournemouth defender.
Dermot's verdict: Wrong decision.
Dermot says: I would not say it was malicious and I do not think he has in
any way, shape or form gone to hurt him, but he has a duty of care to his
opponent and if you put your boot that high - and it is that high, it is not
as though the player has ducked, his studs go in his face - I think it is a
red card and most referees would agree with me.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss David Moyes praises Marko Arnautovic's work rate
By Richard Cooke
Last Updated: 27/12/17 3:11pm
SSN
David Moyes threatened to wield the axe in order to spark a run of five
league goals in as many games from Marko Arnautovic. The Austrian forward's
late double almost earned West Ham victory at Bournemouth on Boxing Day,
only for the Cherries to steal a dramatic 3-3 draw. Referee Bobby Madley
overruled assistant Simon Long to award Callum Wilson's stoppage-time
equaliser, despite the striker being offside, to deny the Hammers a win. But
West Ham boss Moyes later praised Arnautovic for responding well to his
challenge to raise his work rate or face being dropped. Asked how he had
coaxed Arnautovic into form, Moyes replied: "It was just about telling him
if he wasn't going to run he wasn't going to play. "Nobody doubts his
ability and quality as a footballer. He's got to make sure his mentality
side - he keeps doing it. "There will be a few getting a clip round the ear
when we get back in, though most of the players have shown a great attitude.
"He was always a good player Marko Arnautovic, but maybe he's also going
better through the middle rather than out wide."
Moyes again admitted his desire to bolster West Ham's midfield in the
January transfer window, while accepting his squad appears top-heavy in
terms of forwards.
The Hammers host West Brom on January 2, with Moyes insisting he does not
have the luxury of giving his players time and space to impress as they
continue their bid for Premier League survival. "I'm giving players chances;
I'm in a hurry, and I have to be in a hurry," said Moyes. "Because of that I
can't wait three or four months to see how you play. "Everyone's shown a
great desire and is committed in training, but we're short in some areas,
and overloaded in some other areas."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham given boost in January Transfer Window pursuit of Celtic striker
Moussa Dembele
Comments from Bhoys boss Brendan Rodgers has left the door open for a host
of clubs
Football London
BySam Inkersole
West Ham Correspondent
12:15, 27 DEC 2017
Brendan Rodgers has said he "can't say" is star striker Moussa Dembele will
stay at Celtic in the January Transfer Window and that has put a host of
clubs on red alert. The Celtic manager was speaking about his prized asset
after Brighton became the latest team to be rumoured to have an interest in
the frontman, who has scored 40 goals for the Bhoys since his move from
Fulham 18 months ago.
West Ham are reportedly keen, as are Everton, while Chelsea and Arsenal are
also rumoured to hold an interest in signing the Frenchman, who has given no
indication that he wants to leave Parkhead. Paris St Germain and Real Madrid
have also shown an interest. He's not been as prolific this season for the
Scottish champions as he was last season but that hasn't stopped the
21-year-old being linked with a move away from north of the border.
Rodgers did warn however that it would take an "astronomical bid" to get
Dembele away from Celtic Park in the New Year. "I can't say [he will stay in
January]," Rodgers said. "I live in the real world of football and you can
say things that make you look silly. "Someone might come in with a bid that
is an astronomical amount of money for the club and the player and, if the
player wants to go, that's modern football. "I can never stand here and say
someone is definitely going to be here because you could get a ridiculous
bid for a player and a situation arises when they're offered much more wages
and they want to go. "At this stage he is still very much a Celtic player.
At this moment in time the squad is still very much intact and we want to
add to it over the course of the January window."
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West Ham can't rely on Andre Ayew in relegation battle
HITC
Jeorge Bird
The West Ham attacker doesn't warrant a regular starting berth for David
Moyes' team. Although West Ham United's fortunes have improved following the
appointment of David Moyes as manager, it is clear that the club still have
much work to do in order to avoid relegation. Currently in 17th place in the
Premier League, just one point above the relegation zone, West Ham have had
a rather frustrating time in recent matches. After being knocked out of the
Carabao Cup by Arsenal, West Ham lost 3-2 at home to Newcastle United in the
Premier League and then drew 3-3 with Bournemouth. Moyes has looked to get
the most out of the players that he has at his disposal, but Andre Ayew has
been rather unconvincing. Capable of playing on either flank, as an
attacking midfielder or up front, Ayew found the net against Newcastle but
many of his performances since joining West Ham have been rather
underwhelming. Ayew has frequently been guilty of missing presentable
chances, while it is still debatable as to which position suits him best. In
the midst of a battle to avoid relegation, West Ham need players that can be
relied upon to perform consistently, but Ayew doesn't fall into that
category and often flatters to deceive. The 28-year-old has done little to
suggest that he warrants a regular starting berth for West Ham and it
appears that Moyes would be best served by using him as a substitute in the
second half of the campaign.
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Transfer report: Atalanta put £22million price tag on West Ham target Bryan
Cristante
By talkSPORT - @talkSPORT
Wednesday, December 27, 2017
Atalanta have told West Ham it will cost them £22m to sign Bryan Cristante.
The midfielder has shone in Italy this season while on loan from Portuguese
giants Benfica. Atalanta are now set to take up their option to sign the
22-year-old permanently, before instantly selling him on for profit. The
Italian club can land Cristante from Benfica for £4.5m but, according to
Premium Sport, they will then ask interested clubs to part with £22m. West
Ham are one of those chasing the Italian, while he has more recently been
linked with Manchester United. Cristante is also on the radar of clubs in
Serie A, including Juventus and Inter Milan.
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David Moyes reveals how he got best out of West Ham's Marko Arnautovic
NICK PUREWAL
ES Sport
David Moyes threatened to wield the axe in order to spark a run of five
league goals in as many games from Marko Arnautovic. Austria forward
Arnautovic's late double almost carried West Ham to a turnaround victory at
Bournemouth on Boxing Day, only for the Cherries to steal a dramatic 3-3
draw. Referee Bobby Madley overruled assistant Simon Long to award Callum
Wilson's added-time goal to deny the Hammers their win. But West Ham boss
Moyes later praised Arnautovic for responding well to his challenge to raise
his work rate or face being dropped. Asked how he had coaxed Arnautovic
into form, Moyes replied: "It was just about telling him if he wasn't going
to run he wasn't going to play. "Nobody doubts his ability and quality as a
footballer. He's got to make sure his mentality side - he keeps doing it.
"There will be a few getting a clip round the ear when we get back in,
though most of the players have shown a great attitude. "He was always a
good player Marko Arnautovic, but maybe he's also going better through the
middle rather than out wide."
Moyes again admitted his desire to bolster West Ham's midfield in the
January transfer window, while accepting his squad appears top-heavy in
terms of forwards.
"I'm giving players chances; I'm in a hurry, and I have to be in a hurry,"
said Moyes. "Because of that I can't wait three or four months to see how
you play.
"Everyone's shown a great desire and is committed in training, but we're
short in some areas, and overloaded in some other areas."
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