Arnautovic: A win on Monday would be a big step
WHUFC.com
Marko Arnautovic is looking forward to a big match this Monday at London Stadium when the Hammers take on his former club, Stoke City, under the lights. As the east Londoners look to build on four points from their last two fixtures, Arnautovic is hoping to build on his tally of nine goals for the season. "We can make the gap between us and the bottom bigger on Monday so we're doing everything we can," he said. "We just need to concentrate and put in the effort, and I'm sure we will win the game."
The No7 will look to sink the Potters again after scoring against them in the 3-0 win earlier this season and he says the squad have been putting the hard yards in to prepare for the Monday night match-up. "We are training hard and we are keeping ourselves fit. I think over the weekend we will go into the details of how to play against them. We know what we have to do though."
Arnautovic is confident the home fans will get behind the team again as they come off a spirited 1-1 draw against Chelsea last weekend. The Hammers have been in good form at home recently having lost just once in the past five home matches, while Stoke come into the match having lost four of their last five matches and are winless in nine. This makes Monday night's match all the more important. Arnautovic concurs: "A win would be a big step. This game is massive. It's a big game for us, for the Club, and for the fans. We will go all together on Monday and we will try as hard as we can to get the three points."
Adults can purchase two tickets for this match for just £40. Click here to buy now!
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Bobby Moore - Gone but never forgotten
WHUFC.com
The greatest player to ever wear the Claret and Blue would have been 77 today. Bobby Moore OBE, West Ham United's most famous player and England's 1966 World Cup-winning captain, was born on this day in 1941. The central defender made 646 league and cup appearances for the Hammers, scoring 27 goals. Moore was born in Barking on 12 April 1941, making his debut for his local club in a 3-2 win over Manchester United at the Boleyn Ground as a 17-year-old on 8 September 1958. It was the start of a glittering career that is remembered fondly by football fans the world over. As a West Ham player, Moore lifted the FA Cup in 1964 and the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1965. A year later, he was back at Wembley to complete an unforgettable hat-trick by lifting the Jules Rimet Trophy following England's 4-2 victory over West Germany. Moore would go on to star at the 1970 World Cup finals in Mexico before moving to Fulham, for whom he played against the Hammers in the 1975 FA Cup final. Following his retirement, Moore moved first into management and then into the world of broadcasting before his life was cut short by cancer in February 1993. He was just 51. Bobby Moore, gone but never forgotten.
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New role for Nik
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 12th April 2018
By: Staff Writer
Slaven Bilic may still be waiting for the right job offer, but one of his former backroom staff members has already returned to football in a management role.
Bilic and his backroom staff were fired by West Ham last November having been held responsible for the club's poor start to the 2017/18 campaign that left the Hammers struggling at the foot of the table.
However Nikola Jurcevic - Bilic's assistant manager at West Ham - has landed himself a plum role back home as manager of leading Croatian club Dinamo Zagreb, who have won the Croatian First Football League in 11 of the last 12 seasons. Last month the 51-year-old former midfielder replaced Mario Cvitanovic in the managerial hotseat, the latter being fired last month following two consecutive 4-1 defeats less than a year after being handed the role. And Jurcevic has got off to a flying start with two wins and a draw in his opening three matches, thus ensuring his team are eight points clear of bitter rivals Hajduk Split, with just eight games of the season remaining. The former Hammers assistant opened his account with a 2-0 win over Rudes before being held to a goalless draw at Inter Zapresic. However Zagreb and Jurcevic returned to winning ways last week when securing a comfortable 4-0 win at struggling Istra 1961 - making them odds on to win a 12th title in 13 seasons.
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Masuaku linked with Spurs and other transfer news
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 12th April 2018
By: Staff Writer
French winger Arthur Masuaku is being linked with a move across London, in today's transfers news. The 25-year-old, who recently returned from a six-match ban for spitting at an opponent during the FA Cup defeat at Wigan Athletic is being linked with both Tottenham and Chelsea in today's tabloids as the current campaign draws to a close. Masuaku, who cost West Ham United £6million when moving from Greek side Olympiakos in the summer of 2016 has become something of a crowd favourite at the Olympic Stadium since he was moved from full back to the wing. However it is suggested that the player - who signed a four-year contract upon joining West Ham - is keen to taste Champions League football and will listen to offers this summer as a result.
* In other transfer news, left-sided full back Aaron Creswell is reported to be a transfer target of former Hammers boss Sam Allardyce. Big Sam, who signed the 28-year-old defender from Ipswich Town in the summer of 2014 (for £3.75million) is keen to be reunited with his former charge, who has also represented England this season, according to the latest speculation. Everton are reported to be willing to pay up to £25million to sign Liverpudlian Cresswell, who was born just a few hundred yards from Everton's Goodison Park ground.
* Elsewhere today in Europe the Hammers are being linked with Barcelona midfielder Andre Gomes, who is also being cited as a potential target for Juventus (by tuttomercatoweb.com) who were knocked out of the Champions League last night. Spurs are also said to be monitoring the situation with view to making a summer bid for the 24-year-old, who cost Barca €35million in 2016 and had previously represented Benfica and Valencia.
* Finally Saint Etienne forward Jonathan Bamba has been linked with a string of clubs across Europe in recent weeks, including West Ham. French media (Foot Sur 7) claim this morning that Fenerbahce have now joined a long list of admirers. Bamba, 21, who is out of contract this summer has repeatedly refused to sign a new deal with Les Verts ; fellow Premier League clubs such as Huddersfield and Newcastle are also said to have registered their interest in the player who is currently the club's second-higest goalscorer this season behind Remy Cabella.
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Hart backed for England World Cup role
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 12th April 2018
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United's most recent signing believes that Joe Hart should go to the World Cup with England. The on-loan goalkeeper has only recently won back his place in the West Ham first team squad after he was preferred to Spanish stopper Adrian by David Moyes. However Patrice Evra believes that Hart is still the best English goalkeeper around - and backed his new team mate to be a success in Russia, having regained his spot at West Ham. "I remember when I came [to West Ham] and Joe wasn't playing," said Evra. "Adrian was playing and I would say 'Joe, come on, you need to play - the World Cup is coming soon'. " I said 'your time is coming, never give up' and you can see how he played against Chelsea. He was the Man of the Match, well deserved, and even today at training he was still Man of the Match. "He was really confident and I'm really happy for him. Big players need to handle the pressure, you're going to get criticised."
The former French international has made three appearances for West Ham since joining the club on a free transfer at the beginning of February - two starts (both 4-1 defeats, against Liverpool and Swansea) and a substitute appearance against Chelsea last weekend.
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THE HERNANDEZ DEBATE - SHOULD HE START?
By Blind Hammer 12 Apr 2018 at 08:00
WTID
Blind Hammer also looks at the enigmatic pros and cons of starting Hernandez
One of the risks of writing weekly posts is that other bloggers will submit posts of similar ilk. Great minds think alike and all that. With apologies then I submit this piece already written before FC Chandos posted yesterday. At least this can be presented as a debate. here is the piece written on Tuesday.
If West Ham survive the relegation threat which has haunted us, it will be due, in no small measure, to Hernandez's goals. He would concede that he has not set the Premiership alight, yet his equaliser against Chelsea adds to a tally of match winning or point grabbing contributions. His away goal against Palace ensured we rescued a point despite their second half domination. In the reverse fixture Palace conceded a penalty against his threat, enabling Noble to equalise. Another effort garnered a precious point against Bournemouth. His goal against Watford highlights the important of his contribution against teams considered our rivals. In a season with an extraordinarily compressed lower table these contributions have probably ensured our survival. Without his interventions in these critical fixtures we would not only be at least 7 points worse off, but arguably, just as damagingly, adrift as we would have surrendered at least 9 points to immediate relegation rivals.
In only 3 games have Hernandez's goals failed in a losing cause. His brace away against Southampton accompanied another South coast reversal against Brighton. His remaining goal in a losing cause registered in our home defeat to Tottenham.
Hernandez has achieved this despite niggling injuries and illness feeding prolonged absences. When played he often finds himself in a formation ill-suited to his strengths.
There seems objective evidence then that Moyes should be inking Hernandez in as one of the first names on his team sheet.
Yet even now considerable doubt surrounds Hernandez inclusion. He can plummet from hero to zero in the space of 90 minutes. He is the classic goal scoring enigma, offering little beyond goal poaching. When he is good, he is very very good; when bad he can be awful. He disappears in scraps requiring effort, muscularity and athleticism.
Luckily Marco Arnautovic has emerged as a match winner who can offer the requisite athleticism and work rate that Hernandez seems unable to provide. Consequently it is Arnautovic who has grabbed the main headlines. He has been the inspirational force in our most eye catching performances, whether it the winner in our home fixture against Chelsea, our away thumpings of Stoke and Huddersfield, or arguably our game of the decade in the home win, against enormous pre-match pressure against Southampton.
Equally importantly, until the Chelsea equaliser, our most incisive offensive partnerships have relied on Arnautovic combining with Lanzini rather than Hernandez. I can remember only the Watford game as an occasion when Hernandez joined Arnautovic on the score sheet.
Yet Hernandez is not the only player who can flit from hero to zero in a blink. Mario and Fernandez received justifiable praised for their performance against Southampton but were heavily criticised for their anonymous performance against Chelsea. Arguments are already building for their replacement by Hernandez and possibly, if fit, Lanzini.
I have sympathy for both Mario and Fernandez. Lauded for their positive performance against players like Redmond they are panned for not replicating this against players of the calibre of Hazard and William. This seems illogical to me. Stoke will provide a challenge similar to that provided by Southampton. I am not persuaded that we should jettisoned Fernandez. Against Southampton he provided the pace, energy and commitment which we are likely to require. Lambert will ensure that Stoke offer a challenge of hard work, high pressing, and physical combativeness. The game is likely to be a blood and thunder battle. In other words it may be just the sort of game in which Hernandez will struggle.
Hernandez's accomodation actually still takes second place to greater priorities. Over the season our Leakey and ineffectual defence continues as our most punishing weakness. Any recent improvement should not blind us to our shocking defensive record. The bald stats do not lie. In the goals against table we are easily in the bottom 3. Amongst all the teams below us actually only Stoke have a worse record than us. Stoke will understand then, more than anybody, the paper thin confidence a porous defence can create. They will inevitably target this vulnerability. Only 2 games ago we conceded 7 goals to Swansea and Burnley. Despite the revelation of Declan Rice increasingly mature emergence it would be foolish to assume that these problems are behind us. Stoke will attempt to exploit this fragility. Lambert will also hope that negative volatility of campaign against the Stadium will re-emerge if West Ham fall behind and will help their cause.
All this indicates that this is another game in which the first goal will be critical. Whilst this has been billed as a "must win" it is in reality a must not lose game. Drawing against Stoke would be disappointing but not terminal. Losing might just plummet our season and snatch defeat out of the jaws of safety.
Moyes will know that in recent games Stoke have paid the price of tiring after initial first half efforts. It seems then that Hernandez is best positioned again to make a telling contribution from the bench. His particular skill set may be lethal against tiring Stoke defenders with weakened concentration. Match winning interventions from the bench are under rated. Before the season Mourinho praised the talents of Hernandez, and his goal scoring record. It was precisely his ability to transform games from the bench that he was most complementary of. What we require first and foremost against Stoke is a solid performance. It is from that position of strength that Hernandez's talents may assist us most.
COYI
David Griffith
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Friday, April 13
Thursday, April 12
Daily WHUFC News - 12th April 2018
Zabaleta: Declan Rice will be a future West Ham United captain
WHUFC.com
Pablo Zabaleta says Declan Rice has the talent and temperament to become a future West Ham United captain. The experienced Argentinian, a two-time Premier League champion and FIFA World Cup runner-up, knows a thing or two about how to identify leaders, and he believes his teenage teammate has the credentials to wear the armband in years to come. The unlikely pair have combined to superb effect on a number of occasions this season, most recently in Sunday's 1-1 draw at Chelsea, where Rice produced an assured performance against the likes of Belgium playmaker Eden Hazard and Spain centre forward Alvaro Morata. "Decs has been fantastic," Zabaleta, who was also hugely impressive at right wing-back at Stamford Bridge. "It's fantastic to see him play at that level and he's only 19. "I can't believe that he is that young yet he is very mature and he is improving game after game. I love when I see young players from the Academy come through and playing that well. "I like to have him next to me because he is young and he has that energy to play and do some of the running. I hope I can help him and teach him how to defend. "Listen this guy has a great future for this Club. He will be a future captain for West Ham, I am sure about this. I am very pleased for him."
Rice, who has totalled 25 first-team appearances this season, previously captained West Ham's U23s to promotion to Premier League 2 Division 1 a year ago.
Zabaleta also had words of praise for his other defensive colleagues after West Ham followed up their 3-0 home win over Southampton with a resilient showing in west London. The Hammers ceded possession and territory to Chelsea, and allowed 23 goal attempts, but their defensive efforts meant six were blocked, eleven missed the target and five were superbly saved by goalkeeper Joe Hart. Rice led the way with five clearances and three interceptions, while Zabaleta, Angelo Ogbonna, Aaaron Cresswell, Arthur Masuaku and substitute Patrice Evra all made vital contributions to blunt the Blues attack in the final third. "I'm very pleased with the performance from the backline, the three at the back and the two wing backs," Zabaleta confirmed. "We worked really hard during the whole game to stop their front three because they have really good players upfront – Hazard, Willian, Morata, then Giroud came on and with Alonso on one side and Moses on the other side they also have pace. "So, given that, I thought we were really good defensively and really solid."
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Westley: Chelsea game was a proud moment for the Academy
WHUFC.com
Academy Director Terry Westley believes West Ham United's Academy of Football can take huge pride in their achievements over the past week. There were no fewer than five Academy graduates in the first-team squad for Sunday's 1-1 Premier League draw at Chelsea, including captain Mark Noble, centre-back Declan Rice and substitute and midfielder Josh Cullen. Young professionals Josh Pask and Grady Diangana were also included in the matchday 18 by manager David Moyes, further endorsing the positive work being done by Westley and his staff at Chadwell Heath.
Add in back-to-back away victories at Manchester City and Everton in Premier League 2, with Nathan Trott keeping two clean sheets and Marcus Browne scoring all five goals, and it has been a few days that Westley can look back on with great satisfaction. "I think it's a proud moment for everybody at the Club," he said. "One of the reasons I came here initially was because West Ham United is known for its home-grown players and since Mark Noble, Jack Collison and James Tomkins, there has been a gap. "Before that, the work being done was outstanding and to get that amount of players through the system was fantastic, but that was a different era and it's very challenging now with other clubs wanting to take your players and the sums of money we're now talking about. "So, to actually have a game where you have three Academy products on the pitch at the end in a Premier League game and the manager trusting them is massive. We have the captain, who has obviously been here a long time and also helps looks after the young ones and is an ambassador, and Declan Rice, who is not yet established in the team but the manager trusts that he can do a job and he put him into high-profile, tense situations against Southampton and Chelsea. "Then, with ten minutes to go, to say to Josh Cullen 'Go on, tidy things up in the middle of the pitch and help us wrap things up' is a great endorsement of everybody here at the Academy. "Maybe it's coming back? That's what is leaving a smile on my face. Maybe we're getting back to something that this Club ought to be and underneath that, to be able to get the type of results we've got in the last two games at Under-23 level against Manchester City and Everton was fantastic. "We shouldn't be able to compete with Manchester City at youth level, because of the vast sums they've got, and we had three Under-18s on the pitch that night. Then, to go to Everton and win 4-0, again with three different Under-18s on the pitch, really gives me some hope for next season and the years to follow."
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Manchester City date confirmed - tickets on sale to Claret Members
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's home fixture against Manchester City will remain on Sunday 29 April with a 2.15pm kick-off following the Citizens' exit from the UEFA Champions League this week.
West Ham welcome Pep Guardiola's side to London Stadium for the first of back-to-back home matches against the Manchester clubs, as they look to avenge the 2-1 defeat at Etihad Stadium earlier this season.
Tickets remain available to Claret Members for this fixture, starting at £50 adults and £25 concessions. Click here to purchase now.
With the Manchester City date now set, the home fixture list for the rest of the 2017/18 season is now confirmed, with tickets now on sale for each of the remaining games.
Stoke City - Monday 16 April, 8pm
Tickets start at £30 adults and £15 concessions (2 for £40 adults also available). On General Sale. Buy now by clicking here.
Manchester City - Sunday 29 April, 2.15pm
Tickets start at £50 adults and £25 concessions. On sale to Claret Members. Buy now by clicking here.
Manchester United - Thursday 10 May, 7.45pm
Tickets start at £50. On sale to Claret Members. Buy now by clicking here.
Everton - Sunday 13 May, 3pm
Tickets start at £30 adults and £15 concessions. On sale to Claret Members. Buy now by clicking here.
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JOAO MARIO WANTS TO PLAY FOR WEST HAM UNITED AT THE RIGHT PRICE SIGN HIM UP!
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 11 APRIL 2018 AT 9:59PM
TheWesTHamWay.co.uk
Written by @farehamhammer
I like Manuel Lanzini, skilful, scores goals and plays football with a smile on his face, and I hope stays with us for a few seasons. But all things said it would not be an absolute disaster if Lanzini did get sold. Some will scream we will "always be a selling Club". The simple truth is we are ALL selling Clubs. As we saw with Neymar, if a player wants a move he gets it. A lot of the moves are not even initiated by the player but by greedy agents! Like houses every time a player gets sold an agent makes a lot dough. Yes, players are under contract and you can hold them to contract, but at what cost? They play up like spoilt brats and the whole team suffers as a result. Players in most instances, don't care one iota about how their actions cost a Club, there are very few James Collins about! This season Manuel Lanzini's body language has been poor, he has been very inconsistent. His head may well be turned by meeting up with Messi and Co while on international duty with Argentina who knows? Some say he is aggrieved because our tight arsed Chairman have kept him on 35,000 grand a week, despite promising Lanzini a new contract during the last two windows.
Some say that The Board have tried to get him to sign a new contract, but he has rebuffed approaches to sit down for Contract talks. Either way the situation needs to get sorted early in The Summer window. Should Lanzini be off and we get good money for him, and if The Board broke the habit of a life time and gave the manager the proceeds of the sale. It would not be the disaster some people make out it would be. It would give us the chance to complete a major overhaul of our midfield, which make no mistake is badly needed. Our midfield against Chelsea was weak, unbalanced and overrun putting enormous pressure on our defence, offering no protection what so ever. Attacking wise, they are slow in thought and movement, no pace and movement or creativity. People say to me Javier Hernandez's legs have gone or he offers nothing outside the box. Missing the point, I'm afraid. In and around the box Hernandez is not just a goal scorer, he is one of the best in the business! Goals win football matches, but Hernandez or anyone else, does not stand a chance when he is expected to drop deep with his back to goal, in an effort to get the ball. More often than not the ball is just hoofed forward! This has not been the case just for this season but several seasons. God how we miss Yossi Benayoun in his prime!
But it is not all doom and gloom. I know it has been in patches, but I really like Joao Mario he most certainly is on the same wavelength as Arnie. Mario actually plays better when Manuel Lanzini is not playing. He has more end product than Lanzini with his final ball, not as good as Lanzini dribbling wise, but a different sort of playmaker, better decision maker, creates more chances, knows how and when to bring the others into play, also knows when to slow the game down when needed. It is clear the boy likes The Club and wants to be at West Ham. Obviously not anywhere near £39 million but if a deal can be done do it. We need more than just Mario to cure our midfield ills. It is no secret that Fulham's Tom Cairney, was sitting behind David Moyes at Stamford Bridge. I like Ex prefer Norwich's James Maddison, but would be happy with Tom Cairney. Yet you get some screaming "Bang average!" "Not the next level!" Another Snodgrass "Give it a rest man! Cairney, may be a late developer but has been fantastic for Fulham, who play Football the right way.
Tom Cairney scores goals, is a beautiful passer of the ball and can spot a pass early, a good decision maker, an intelligent footballer. I would be happy to see him at West Ham. What I don't want to see The Club do is, start signing players like Fernando Torres or crap from relegated Clubs. What is the point in that? A lot of the negativity about being linked with players like Cairney, is solely because people have become ABSOLUTELY OBSESSED with the next level stuff that they have lost their enjoyment in supporting West Ham! I have been there and got the T-Shirt! At times I would get so obsessed with driving The Chairman out of Town, I became absolutely negative about anything West Ham related. Next Level? Yes, I still believe in the Promised land, but realistically it is going to take longer. The midfield surgery must not stop at signing Mario and Cairney, we need a good defensive midfielder. If we keep Mario, the obvious target would be his international team mate. William Carvalho, somehow after Sullivan's 'phantom bid' in the summer that is a no go. With a bit of luck, we will sign Anderlecht's Leander Dendoncker, a very good defensive midfielder. Dendoncker's form has been up and down since he failed to sign for us on the January Deadline Day.
We also welcome Pedro Obiang back next season, who you could also employ as a CDM. We also have Cheikhou Kouyaté, whom I love to see driving forward. The problem with Kouyaté is his positional sense and his ability to pick up his man is poor. If we did bring in three quality midfielders I can see either Kouyaté or Obiang getting sold. We also need to complete the surgery of the midfield, by signing someone with a bit of pace who can play out wide. In a poor season the one bright spot has been, that our famed Academy has unearthed another Jewel in Declan Rice. Rice has done himself and The Club proud. In Nathan Holland we have another outstanding talent who plays out wide, he is a very quick and direct runner. Nathan has all the ability to make the step up to the first team. Yes, there are other areas that need strengthening, but the midfield is any team's engine, ours has been out of sorts for too long, and we have paid a heavy price for it. Sort the midfield out and WE WILL take a step towards the next level!
We are more than a football Club, we're a way of life!
COYI!!
FarehamHammer!!!
(Edited by Danny Twigg)
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CAN WE GET TO THE NEXT LEVEL UNDER MOYES?
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 11 APRIL 2018 AT 9:56PM
TheWesTHamWay.co.uk
Written by Malcolm Atkins – @malatk
This may not be a popular piece, but I am making the case for keeping David Moyes. This season his results have been mixed, a slow start gradually developed into a steady accumulation of points and we seemed to be heading in the right direction. Things then dropped off alarmingly before the last couple of games. Moyes though has some mitigation, the team he took over was in a bad place, playing poorly, unbalanced, unfit and lacking confidence. Since then while a number of players have been moved on, signings in the January window were to say the least, underwhelming. I think Moyes is going to keep us up, victory against Stoke should see us home. I think Moyes has brought improvement to a number of players, steadied the ship, improved morale and also given a few opportunities to youngsters which we have all been asking for.
So what can David Moyes do in the long term? The next level? Let's face it the board massively over hyped that. Champions league? At the moment Arsenal and Chelsea are not going to make the top four which gives an indication of how difficult that is. For me the next level for West Ham is to be the best of the rest. Now before I get accused of lacking ambition, I would love to see us mix it with the big boys and will never stop dreaming of that happening, but we have to be realistic about where we are and we are more than one level away from that stage. We need a platform to build from, challenging for Europa qualification through the league, making a push in the cups, and stop this regular visit to the relegation battle.
I know this may sound defeatist, but our club has perennially under achieved. In the history of the club we have finished in the top seven of the top tier six times. Achieving that position regularly would represent moving to the next level. So, David Moyes; at Everton he achieved top seven finishes eight times in eleven seasons. Now I know Everton have a better record overall but in the preceding eleven seasons they achieved top seven just once. Moyes star has fallen with failure at Man Utd and Sociedad both short lived appointments, followed by the mistake of taking the Sunderland job – a club in freefall. My point is Moyes knows what is needed. I have seen criticism of targets from clubs like Fulham, well I think we have a big rebuilding ahead and sensible well scouted signings are going to form the corner stone of this, hopefully backed up by a couple of higher profile signings. Many will be sceptical of the board providing decent backing, for me this summer is make or break, if the board fail the unrest will be one thing that does move to the next level. I really hope we are not starting over with another new manager, especially as there does not seem to be a likely candidate out there. Looking above us, Burnley, Newcastle, Leicester, Bournemouth and Watford are not built on huge signings, yet all are in better positions than us, Burnley are pushing for Europe! We need a solid foundation and less speculative signings from abroad. I would be really happy in the medium term to see us regular top seven and challenging for cups.
Another Criticism of Moyes is he is too negative. He will certainly take a pragmatic approach, but I do think he will attempt to balance results with some attractive football once he has a foundation. Moyes draws comparisons with Allardyce, for me although there are some similarities, Moyes lacks the arrogance of Big Sam, I felt Sam never really got a chance with a large section of the West Ham faithful, but he certainly did not help himself. Not only did Sam not endear himself to fans, he did not even try to play the game. Moyes in my view has a little more respect for the fans view. If you are not one of the elite, you have to build a solid hard to beat side and work from there. The game against Burnley saw us undone by a tactical approach from Sean Dyche (a top manager in my view) sit, suck up the pressure, don't concede and slowly take the game to a team with the crowd on their back. They dismantled us and scored three away from home, but it was hardly classic free flowing football in the first half.
Lots of views about that Moyes should have started Chicarito Sunday, maybe, but we had to hang in there and build a platform against Chelsea. If we had gone toe to toe with them they have the players to take us apart.
So, for Me Moyes is showing enough. Ogbonna has improved, Declan Rice is establishing himself, Kouyate looks much better recently after a terrible spell previously, Noble has recovered form, Masuaku looks better, Arnie is a different player to the bloke under Bilic. I really hope Chicarito can find a place under Moyes but playing two up needs the shape of the rest of the side to be right, we lack players to do that so if Chicarito is going to play he needs to consistently show the industry he did on Sunday coming from slightly deeper.
I think we need 6-7 signings this summer and I hope we will go into the new season in the premier league with a squad that has the balance to play 2-3 different formations because at the moment there is only one available.
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THE CASE AGAINST MOYES
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 11 APRIL 2018 AT 9:45PM
TheWesTHaMWay.co.uk
Written by Stewart Draper
Moyes stares at the final handful of games till the season ends and I'm sure he and his staff will give / do everything they can to ensure safety. However, can we really say he has done enough? I'll give him a couple of props first…
1.He has energized a couple of players and gotten the best out of them, such as Arnie. How much of that was him verses the players rolling up their sleeves and coming to a realization… only the dressing room probably knows.
2.He has endured a difficult time with the off field problems involving fans and the board and has done his best to continue as normal and handled things appropriately.
The case against…
•our next manager should be long term, forward thinking and hungry. Moyes has floated from relegation candidate to relegation candidate and even a random failure in Spain trying to find a job. A man truly in free fall from a career prospective.
•His performance as our manager so far has been poor to mediocre at best. Tactical decisions questionable (one up top in home games), how he's handled players like Chicha where there is clearly some old feelings involved from Man U days.
•His transfer Dealings this winter and at previous clubs have been very poor. Hugill purchase instead of a Cairney or Maddison for example… allowing critical members to leave (Forte, Ayew). If those were not his decision… then I still question if he has the balls to deal with our board on transfer decisions.
•Name recognition. Does Moyes help us attract top talent? This summer is a make or break for our board… another shit window and things will continue in the same vein as this season. Moyes only role at a "top" club was Man U and we see how that worked out. Players often base their decisions on manager, style and role within the team.
In conclusion… for me the case for Moyes is NO. There will be better managers available come the end of the season, Benitez is 3 times the manager Moyes. Thanks for the caretaking Moyes, wish you all the best mate but time to aim higher.
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A VIEW FROM ACROSS THE POND – THE CASE FOR DAVID MOYES
AUTHOR: BRIAN KNOX. PUBLISHED: 11 APRIL 2018 AT 11:21AM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
The Case for David Moyes
View from Across the Pond
By @WestHamAmerican
I remember November 6, when Slaven Bilic was sacked, thinking "this is a great opportunity for the club to go forward." Certainly, a mid-season hire restricts a number of possible candidates who are having good runs with their current clubs, but someone could take a good West Ham roster, throw in some fitness discipline, and fix what Slav couldn't. And then, a day later, it was announced that David Moyes was the man. I wasn't outraged, but I certainly wasn't excited.
The memory of Moyes's futility with a full year at the helm of Sunderland, and their subsequent relegation, didn't instill me with much enthusiasm. Prior to that he had been handed the keys to the greatest kingdom in world sport, as gaffer at Old Trafford, and that didn't end well either. But thinking about his past: no one was going to follow Sir Alex successfully. It was a fool's errand , and I suspect Ferguson knew his first team was getting older and felt it was a good time to exit prior to having to rebuild most of his squad.
After seeing the management and board problems at Sunderland over the past two seasons, it's curious whether anyone could have saved them from relegation. (I suppose Big Sam could walk in late in the season and pull some April/May magic, since that is his special power and he had done just that the year before.)
Which leaves me to wonder: Would West Ham be better off just to let Moyes have a few years to add some stability to this club? I think that might be the best course. Here are a few reasons:
* As a Scot with a long career at Preston North End and coaching in England almost his entire career, he knows West Ham, he knows the league, and he knows the priorities of West Ham Supporters. He made an honest run at the FA cup even though it cost us dearly in injuries and one suspension. While an international manager wouldn't risk his" bottom ten" squad on an FA cup run, Moyes knew a trip to the finals would mean a lot to West Ham's fans.
* Alex Ferguson handpicked him as his successor. Sir Alex felt that it was the best chance for Manchester United to succeed and possibly, if given a second or third season, things might have turned out better.
* Sean Dyche proves that stability might be worth a look. Burnley should not be where they are. The club lacks strong funding, it isn't a great destination that international stars want to bring their families to live, and they don't have a great history of success, and yet, by sticking with a good coach, he has built the team he wants with the wages he can afford. He has structured the club academy the way he wants it, he has his own people handling scouting, his own people tending to the health and medical side of his club. Basically Sean Dyche has maximized his team's output by getting the most out of everyone in the organization. Since the average tenure of a Premier League manager is 18-24 months, most clubs don't get that alignment throughout the entire structure. Moyes had an entire decade at Everton. While not every season was great, at least there was stability and he had time to build a foundation for success, and develop players to his style of play.
* Who else do you bring in? Given our board's notoriety for not going all in on top transfers, I don't know that many proven Champion's League coaches would want to come to West Ham. I do think Rafa Benitez has been an excellent coach the past two seasons. If he were overly frustrated with Newcastle's ownership and wanted to move to London, I think he might be a good candidate, but otherwise, I am not sure that anyone else would prove to have as good a CV as our current coach.
It was a bit surprising that the board only awarded Moyes a six month contract. One would think that would make it challenging to recruit possible January transfer targets. I think once it becomes clear that West Ham will stay up next season, the board ought to go ahead and let Moyes have a two year deal. It seems that the Hammers are only a couple of players away from pushing back into the top ten and possibly challenging for Europe. I think maintaining some consistent leadership might be a better path to success for this club. I say he's earned another year.
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HOW DOES MOYES BEST UTILISE HERNANDEZ?
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 11 APRIL 2018 AT 9:39AM
TheWesTHamWay.co.uk
Written by Jake McMullan @jakemcmullan1
Our Mexican marquee signing scored less than 5 minutes after coming on to the field at Stamford Bridge, the definition of an impact sub. His ability to find the net from almost nothing is a trait I think almost all West Ham fans would like to see more often. The issue now lies with the fact that he is getting extremely limited game time given his stature in the game, and should he continue to struggle for minutes on the pitch, he will inevitably leave in the summer.
I think the problem for Moyes at the moment is that Arnautovic is playing arguably the best football of his life. I don't think a single West Ham fan would want to move the Austrian from his forward position (as any form of winger role is where his reputation for inconsistency has developed), but the current formation only allows for one striker…
Now the obvious and most plausible solution to this would be to play two upfront as this allows for our two top players to play alongside each other, a concept most West Ham fans are calling for. However, off the back of a couple of good results why would Moyes want to change formation? 'If it ain't broke don't fix it' certainly applies here, and Moyes is not the sort of manager who will accommodate individuals over team shape. This would mean Chicharito would have to fit in elsewhere
Hernandez slotted straight into Fernandes' position against Chelsea by the looks of things, playing as more of an attacking midfielder alongside Joao Mario. This evidently worked as he scored an excellent goal but in terms of having that level of creativity that a Lanzini and the likes possess, Hernandez in my opinion comes up short. It would also seem wasteful to play our big name striker in a position unfamiliar to him so this position is not a long term fix.
Playing him anywhere else on the pitch just wouldn't utilise his poacher qualities and so aren't even worth debating on, which would seem to leave the bench as the final option. Hernandez has proved time and time again from his Manchester United days that he can be an extremely effective substitute, and he proved it once more on Sunday against Chelsea. However, West Ham's marquee signing will leave should the bench be where he remains, and I think it is important for the clubs progression that we hold onto strikers of his his calibre.
Moyes therefore has a problem, how does he fit the Mexican into his line up with the likes of Lanzini and Carroll soon to be returning? He has a known bad history with Hernandez from his failed stint in Manchester, and I fear history may be repeating itself.
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HART OVER MIND?
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 11 APRIL 2018 AT 9:51PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by Lukas Volskis (@lu_thirty_1)
First things first, what a positive result for us on Sunday! Coming into that game, I wasn't feeling too confident at all, even though Chelsea has been misfiring lately. Still, you always have to be mindful going to Stamford Bridge with the quality Chelsea has at its disposal. But, as the game went on, my belief grew and grew and by the end of it, I was waiting for us to score a winner.
Yes, it WAS a penalty!
It's funny how a few decent performances change the mood and fortune around the club ey? To me, it's even more interesting how fans' perception of players changes every week. In my opinion we are too quick to get upset and WAY too quick to get excited.
Arnautovic is a prime example of this. Slated and slated until the villain became the hero. Albeit, we had every right to be harsh on him but, in my opinion, those seven games shouldn't have had him written off as a failure. One thing to remember, Arnautovic was a good player going through a bad patch.
Joe Hart is the opposite and a good performance shouldn't have him labelled as a good player.
When he first signed, I was pretty damn excited. Yes, he had his troubles at Manchester City and then in Italy but in my opinion, he spent those two seasons playing with the lowest confidence imaginable. If someone's always telling you you're bad at something, you'll start to believe it. However, I was still confident he could put that in the past and go back to being a very good goalkeeper, one that I was accustomed to seeing before Pep rolled into town.
However, as the season went on, it was clear to see that Hart's best days were behind him. Yes, our defence was worse than stepping on a plug in the morning but even the simplest situations seemed impossible for Hart to deal with. He looked lost. And he definitely had me fooled when we first signed him.
Let's appreciate that his performances got so bad that we were crying out for Adrian to return in goal. And, if you go back a few months before Hart got there, Adrian wasn't exactly setting the world on fire. We were in a serious goalkeeper crisis with neither of the two good enough to play at this level.
Credit where credit's due, the City game was impressive for Adrian (just like Hart's at Chelsea) but then everything slowly started trickling back down to what it was before; a pile of misery.
Anyone for some déjà vu?
Now, don't get me wrong, if Hart is our goalkeeper for the rest of the season, I will support him and the team until the end. I also appreciate the passion he has for our club and it was nice to hear him put West Ham before England in his recent interview.
However, I do not think Hart is a good goalkeeper anymore and the truth is, he's the best out of a bad bunch. Sadly, that's the predicament that we have been dealing with all year. To be honest, you could probably say the same for a lot of things at West Ham, especially some of our players. But, the one thing we have and always will do is support this team through thick and thin, except for those who chose to forfeit their season tickets after we went 1-0 down in a home game that we could have easily recovered. But, don't get me started on that. That's a whole 'nother story that I don't have enough words to write about.
The point I'm making here is that we shouldn't let a good performance by a poor player trick us into believing something that isn't there. I've read a lot of things on social media about how great Hart has become all of a sudden. That simply is not true. And he certainly shouldn't be England's first choice in Russia.
For our sake and sanity, let's hope we see more Chelsea-esque performances during the last 6 games and address our keeper situation in the summer, just like we should address everything else.
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THE MOYES-IAH? WHY DAVID MOYES IS NOT ALL THAT BAD
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 11 APRIL 2018 AT 9:39PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by @clubmoore
When David Moyes was unveiled as Slaven Bilić's replacement in November 2017, many West Ham were pessimistic about their team's chances of staying in the Premier League. Moyes had relegated Sunderland the season before, and the supporters expressed feelings of discontent and annoyance that the board had decided to appoint a manager who had not been successful.
Moyes said that he had "a point to prove" when he was appointed the new Hammers boss, and he has since reiterated the importance of not judging a book by its cover. Under his leadership, West Ham have lost only twice at home and went on a streak that saw them lose once in ten games.
So, what has been key to the change in performances since Moyes arrived in East London? What has he done to ensure that the players fight for Premier League survival? And why did West Ham suit him better than his other jobs?
EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON
Moyes spent eleven years at Everton, but he is more famous for his disastrous eight months at Manchester United
Moyes got his chance to be a Premier League manager in March 2002, when he left Preston North End to replace Walter Smith at Everton. At the time, he was a young, ambitious manager who had guided Preston to the Division One playoff final in the 2000/01 season. In his first full season in charge, Everton finished seventh.
The Glaswegian continued to improve the Toffees, guiding them to Champions League qualification in the 2004/05 season. Everton soon became acquainted to playing in Europe, qualifying to play in the Europa League for four consecutive years.
In May 2013, Moyes was confirmed as the replacement for Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United. He aimed to maintain United's track record of winning silverware, but this job would result in the downfall of his reputation. United suffered their worst ever start to a season, and lost back-to-back home games in December 2013 for the first time since the 2000/01 season. Following a 3-0 defeat to Manchester City and a 2-0 defeat to Everton, Moyes was sacked in April 2014.
Moyes's failures at Manchester United can be justified, and the blame does not totally rely on him. Firstly, the club's owners made a poor decision in appointing him based on his track record at Everton, who he won no trophies with during his eleven-year reign; United needed a manager who had won major trophies and league titles at world-class clubs. Secondly, he was appointed on the club's traditions of being run by British managers, and this may have influenced the decision to appoint him.
Moyes then moved to Spain managed Real Sociedad for one year before becoming Sunderland manager in the summer of 2016. Sunderland were relegated under Moyes, but he has since admitted that he did not enjoy the job and that he did not have enough talent to work with.
West Ham United are a better platform for Moyes than Sunderland and Manchester United. Moyes has better players to work with and the team suits his own personal needs in terms of their league positions and level of expectations.
HOW DID IT ALL CHANGE?
Moyes has stated that he is not fooling around with West Ham
There are two key reasons as to why West Ham improved under Moyes's guidance as well as areas for improvement:
Authority Moyes has made it clear that he is the boss and that he has no time for unpunctuality or laziness. When he came to the club, he made it clear that players who did not work hard would not play. This is different to his predecessor, Slaven Bilić – Bilić appeared to be too light-hearted with his players in training, whereas Moyes makes the players engage in physical drills and makes it clear that he is their manager, not their friend.
Raising personal expectations In his early days as West Ham United manager, Moyes told underperforming players to play better. For example, Marko Arnautović – who had joined West Ham from Stoke City for a club record fee of £27,000,000 – had not played well for the Hammers under Bilić's management. Since Moyes handed him a play-well-or-be-dropped ultimatum, the Austrian winger has scored nine goals and has become a key member of the attack.
Other players have benefited from Moyes's words. Angelo Ogbonna has performed better under Moyes and received praise for his performance against Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley. Ogbonna and Arnautović's on-pitch improvements in form demonstrate how a change in manager can lead to a change in player and team form.
What needs to change if Moyes stays on?
Give more youth players a chance to impress. Players such as Josh Cullen, Sead Hakšabanović and Nathan Holland have been regarded as players who have potential to achieve. Hakšabanović is one of the many stand-out youth academy prospects; he represents Montenegro at international level and was tipped for greatness during his time in Sweden. Surely he and many others are worth a chance?
Start Chicharito! This is plain common sense and a necessity – start Chicharito in the starting line-up. He is the type of quality West Ham have needed in terms of strikers due to his eye for goal, yet he was benched despite a period of good form and scoring goals. Why would you pay a player £140,000 a week to come on a make an impact if need be? It does not make sense.
Add to the squad's depth. The key to having a successful team to have strength in depth; West Ham lack this due to a lack of signings in January and injuries. Adding to the squad over the summer is vital, and with a new director of football soon to arrive at the London Stadium and a change in transfer policy supposedly being implemented, new faces may come to West Ham United.
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A CASE FOR THE DEFENCE
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 11 APRIL 2018 AT 9:34AM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by David Hardie @baldyh77
As the summer approaches, thoughts naturally turn to which players and positions the club will strengthen in. Regardless of the budget available and boy do we hope it's substantial, the focus needs to be on the defence.
I'm sure you're all familiar with the quote mentioning 'lies, damn lies and statistics' so what better way to make my point than by adopting my glasses and dressing gown (Fantasy Football reference for you youngsters!).
Last season we conceded 64 goals in 38 league games, and in 11 we conceded 3 or more. That's just under a third of our games we gave ourselves a mountain to climb to gain any points. With 7 games to go this season and with Chelsea, Arsenal, Man City & Man Utd still to play, it's a safe bet that we'll surpass last season's dubious tally. Well, as safe a bet as Carroll being unable to stay fit for 10 consecutive games or Ex being unveiled as David Sullivan at the next West Ham Way event by Wardy in a Scooby Doo-esq way!
This season we've conceded 57 goals in 31 games and in 13 games conceded 3 or more – for those not great at maths – that's gone up! Compare that with the likes of Burnley who have conceded 27 goals all season. Now, I'm no genius (I wouldn't have made the life style choice of going to watch West Ham if I was!) but it seems to me this is where our problems lie. We have no other problems obviously!
Whilst playing 3 at the back has helped paper over the cracks at times, I think it's time we concentrated on getting some quality defenders and a top quality defensive midfielder. Full-backs have been a concern for awhile, with Creswell not reaching previous performance levels, Arthur being more interested in attacking and doing drag backs than defending, and Zabaleta performing well but not a long term solution. I'm encouraged that Ex has strongly linked us with Fredericks from Fulham who is a good right back and a good start. I think another left back is needed to allow Arthur to concentrate on being a wide left player. Whilst many may look to Fulham again to solve our full-back issues in the shape of Sessegnon, his best performances have been as a left midfielder/winger, and he has struggled when up against a pacey winger like Traore at Middlesbrough (another player I like).
With Fonte being sold to China, Collins likely to be let go and Reid constantly injured, this leaves us short in a key area. Burke does not seem like the answer, the jury is out on Oxford, and Rice (who has been excellent) cannot be expected to play 38 games at such a young age. This leaves us with just Ogbonna, who I think deserves the runner up spot in the Hammer of the Year. So a couple of quality centre backs are needed, ideally with some pace to allow us to squeeze the opposition like successful teams at the top of the league – Liverpool (only 35 conceded despite the perception of a poor defence), Tottscum and City.
The other key signing, as Bilic tried to identify last summer, is a quality holding midfielder. Obiang has not been able to grasp his opportunity with his inconsistent displays, and we've lacked this player since we had an on song Song. Whether this player be the infamous Carvalho or whoever, it is vital our defence have a screen to protect them and stop us conceding so many goals.
With a solid base in place, I believe this will allow our flair players like Arnie, Lanzini and Antonio the freedom to go win games rather than trying to salvage them.
COYI!
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WE MUST BRING HERNANDEZ BACK IN TO THE FOLD!
By S J Chandos 11 Apr 2018 at 08:00
WTID
Thankfully, we achieved the draw at Chelsea that has greatly strengthen our survival prospects. I have to say that I really enjoyed the game. Hart had his best display in a West Ham jersey (some would say it's about time!), Ogbonna and Rice were absolute class, Arnautovic was our best player yet again and Hernandez made a vital intervention from the bench. The goal conceded was soft, in all honesty, but we fought back to equalise and both Arnautovic (for providing the assist) and Hernandez (for delivering a great strike) deserve credit. Indeed. the strike provided a timely reminder (if one was needed) of Hernandez's proficiency in front of goal. He is that rare commodity, a penalty box predator, with the ability to convert an half chance. In that sense, Hernandez really is worth his weight in gold and needs to be retained in the squad for next season (assuming that we remain in the PL).
There have been rumours circulating that Hernandez has been unhappy at the club, with the suggestion that the player wanted a move in the January window. If so, David Moyes must ensure that there is a rapprochement and that Hernandez feels a valued part of the squad and is prepared to remain for the 2018-19 season. As stated, goal poachers like Hernandez are a rare and valuable commodity and we cannot afford to lose him. He should figure in Moyes first team plans for the remainder of the season, whether starting or joining the action from the bench. Personally, I feel that he could play a really important role in our survival and have an even bigger impact next season.
A victory over Stoke City is crucial. If Chelsea beat Southampton, and we take the three points, then we are virtually safe. After that I reckon one more victory, or even a couple of draws, should clinch the retention of our PL status. And that is to be warmly welcomed, but the board should not be lulled in any false sense of security. The malcontent of the fans has been suppressed for the good of the club, but it remains a very important factor and will re-emerge unless a new direction is taken. In my opinion, the board must authorise substantial expenditure on strengthening the squad this summer – no excuses! By my estimation, we probably need seven quality signings this summer, including: a goal keeper, full-back, centre-half, x2 midfielders and x2 strikers.
In addition, I would expect that Hart, Collins, Obiang, Snodgrass, Carroll and Hugill will all depart the club. I very much doubt that Hart will be signed permanently, Collins should join the coaching staff, Obiang will probably return to Italian football, Snodgrass will likely sign for Villa, Carroll' s injury record necessitates his departure (hopefully back to Newcastle Utd for c.£10m – if we are very lucky) and arguably Hugill should never have been signed in the first place. That might sound harsh, but the board must be both realistic and decisive in the action taken. We have flirted with relegation (to one degree or another) over the last two seasons and it needs to stop. We need an urgent injection of quality, and improved strength in depth, to ensure that we can get back to challenging in the top ten of the PL. If we continue to struggle then it is only a matter of time before relegation claims us and (as the board well knows) that would be a disaster for the club.
The quality of the summer signings will be absolutely crucial. We need players that will take the club forward to greater things. In addition, I have great hopes that Byram, Burke, Holland, and Cullen can make a positive impact at first team level next season. We also need to see whether the likes of Oxford, Samuelson, Quina and Martinez can finally live up to their big reputations? While bubbling under at U-23 level are prospects like Trott, Johnson and Lewis, who could all come in to the reckoning in the next couple of seasons.
In short, this summer is likely to be a period of change and upheaval in first team affairs. But it is absolutely necessary and will hopefully pay dividends in the long run. Of course, the key question is who will be managing the club next season? If Moyes successfully steers the club away from relegation then it is very likely that he will be offered a new two year contract. And if that is the case, can we really deny that he deserves it? If Moyes can get back to being the manager that he was at Everton, then he could be a good, safe pair of hands. However, the question must still be asked, of the board,whether a more ambitious appointment might not be the order of the day?
We live in interesting times. If we do survive this season (as seems probable), then the board must show ambition and take strong and concerted action this coming summer. Nothing less is expected, nothing else will do!
SJ. Chandos.
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JANSSON REPORTEDLY KEEN ON PREMIER LEAGUE SWITCH AMID WEST HAM LINKS
LUKE OSMAN @LukeOsmanRS
ReadWestHam
According to reports from Sweden, Leeds United defender Pontus Jansson wants to play his football in the Premier League next season, amid links with West Ham.
The powerful central defender is a key part of the Leeds team but it seems he has his eyes firmly set on a move to the English top flight, if reports from his homeland are to be believed.
It's been reported recently by the Guardian's Ed Aarons that Jansson is a target for West Ham in the summer, with David Moyes' side lacking depth in central defence.
Jose Fonte's departure in January has left a void to fill for the Hammers in the summer, with their defensive weaknesses having been well documented throughout the course of the campaign.
Jansson has often been linked with a move to the Premier League and with West Ham apparently keen, it seems his future at Elland Road is somewhat uncertain ahead of the summer.
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West Ham to offer starlet Marcus Browne new deal amid interest from Napoli and RB Leipzig
Marcus Browne scored four goals against Everton in front of numerous scouts
RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen, Napoli and Sevilla all keeping tabs on youngster
West Ham believe Browne is ready to step up at senior level next season
By Laurie Whitwell for MailOnline
PUBLISHED: 23:14, 10 April 2018 | UPDATED: 23:15, 10 April 2018
West Ham United are ready to offer Marcus Browne a new contract as the young forward continues to impress for the Under-23s side. Browne scored four goals against Everton on Monday night in front of watching scouts from RB Leipzig, Leverkusen, Napoli and Sevilla. It is understood Leipzig, who have taken Ademola Lookman on loan and previously signed Oliver Burke, are especially keen to secure more British talent. But West Ham insiders believe the 20-year-old, rated at £5million, can make the step up to senior level and want to see him progress next season. Though he signed a three-and-a-half year contract in January 2017 fresh talks on an improved deal are expected. West Ham's youth policy is in good health at this moment with Declan Rice, the 19-year-old defender, rising to prominence under David Moyes, who also gave minutes to academy graduate Josh Cullen against Chelsea on Sunday. Fellow young players Grady Diangana and Josh Pask were included on the bench. There have been calls for Browne, who can play anywhere along the frontline including No 10, to see first-team action too.
He scored a superb free-kick from 25 yards to give West Ham a 1-0 win over Manchester City last Thursday and has Rio Ferdinand as a mentor through his agency.
Browne's only senior appearance to date counts as 15 minutes against Romanian side Astra Giurgiu in the Europa League in August 2016 but the foreign clubs monitoring his progress could offer more continental action.
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INTER TO RIVAL WEST HAM FOR MARCO MENEGHETTI
LUKE OSMAN @LukeOsmanRS
readWestHam
West Ham are reportedly facing competition in their pursuit of Pordenone goalkeeper Marco Meneghetti. The Hammers have been linked with a move for the youngster, who is currently plying his trade in the third tier of Italian football. However, according to reports in Italy, Inter Milan have joined West Ham in the race to sign him this summer. Inter are understood to be keen admirers of the 17-year-old goalkeeper, who has impressed many with some good displays for Pordenone. The signing would, of course, be with the view of Meneghetti being integrated into Inter or West Ham's respective youth academies. However, it seems a summer tug of war over his signature could ensue as speculation continues to surround his future. West Ham may need to address their goalkeeping situation at senior level, as well. Joe Hart's loan deal expires at the end of the season and Adrian has been heavily linked with a return to Spain in recent times.
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Tottenham set to battle London rivals West Ham over transfer of Barcelona's Andre Gomes
The Mirror
ByMike Walters
Sports Writer
05:00, 11 APR 2018
Tottenham and West Ham are both interested in a summer swoop for Barcelona's Andre Gomes. The Hammers targeted the Portuguese midfielder last summer after growing frustrated in their pursuit of Sporting Lisbon's William Carvalho. Mauricio Pochettino is keen too, however, with 24-year-old Gomes open to a switch to the Premier League.
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Sickener for West Ham fans after club announces bigger profits than Tottenham in latest accounts
HITC
Damien Lucas
West Ham United fans would normally celebrate anything about their club that bettered bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur. There is no love lost between West Ham and Tottenham on and off the pitch but they are rivals heading in very different directions these days. Mauricio Pochettino has turned Spurs into one of the most exciting teams in Europe against the backdrop of a fitting new ground being built to showcase their attractive football. Meanwhile Hammers fans are disillusioned and revolting against the club's owners after growing fed up of broken promises over their own ill-fated move to the former Olympic Stadium, transfer spending and ambition. The owners pledged to splash the cash at the new ground to enable the East Londoners to compete with the Premier League elite but that has failed to materialise and the club have instead spent much of their first two seasons at the new 60,000 seater ground fighting relegation.
With Tottenham set to qualify for the Champions League once again there's not much in a West Ham fan's armoury when it comes to the tribal rivalry between the clubs. And Hammers fans will find it galling to learn that their club actually recorded MORE profit than Spurs in the latest financial accounts despite the huge disparity between the sides on the pitch in terms of league performance, squad quality and Tottenham's regular involvement in the Champions League with the extra revenue that brings. West Ham announced a record £43million profit from their first season at the London Stadium last month - as reported by the likes of the Evening Standard. That was £2million more than Spurs who announced a profit of £41million under the shrewd leadership of Daniel Levy, as reported by the Daily Mail. Yet the clubs are 10 places and 33 points apart in the Premier League table, a fact that will not go down well with the club's fans.
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West Ham must try for their own Salah and move for Juan Cuadrado
HITC
Dan Coombs
West Ham should weigh up a move for Juan Cuadrado this summer. West Ham appear to have made one successful raid on Serie A this year by bringing in Inter Milan ace Joao Mario on loan. Getting him permanently is still an uncertainty, and one alternative they should consider is Juan Cuadrado. Cuadrado has been in and out of the Juventus line-up all season, but when he has played, he has been productive. In 22 games he has scored six goals and provided six assists. Calciomercato report he faces an uncertain future in Turin and he is 'wanted across Europe'. So competition would be tough for the Hammers, but he is a player they should be looking at. He has experience in the Premier League with Chelsea, and while this did not work out, West Ham only need to look at Mohamed Salah to see that counts for little. Like Salah, Cuadrado was signed by Jose Mourinho and never given a proper chance. He was sent out on loan to Italy and then left permanently, and he has got his career back on track. Approaching 30, Cuadrado does not have quite the same high ceiling as Salah, but that also helps make him more affordable for West Ham. If the board show faith in him, the Colombian could become a key player for the club, but they might have to make their approach before the World Cup.
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3 Chelsea talents who should follow Declan Rice to West Ham
HITC
Dan Coombs
Declan Rice admits he is glad Chelsea released him, he's now starring for West Ham. West Ham youngster Declan Rice played a starring role at the weekend as the club claimed a draw away to Chelsea. Rice was a former Chelsea trainee and released at just 14. He admits now this has turned out to be a blessing for him.
Chelsea's are bidding to win a fifth successive FA Youth Cup, but despite this their talented kids have struggled to make the first team. Here are three more Chelsea talents who could benefit from a move to West Ham, where they may see their first team chances fast-tracked...
Tammy Abraham
Striker Tammy Abraham has found it tough on loan at Swansea City this season but it would be a mistake to write him off. The youngster has already represented England and scored more than 20 goals in the Championship last season. A permanent switch to West Ham could give Abraham the stability he needs to become one of England's top strikers, if he continues to find his path blocked at Chelsea.
Matt Miazga
Centre-back Matt Miazga recently earned a first team cap for USA, but he is well down the pecking order at Chelsea. He is out on loan at Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem, who sit seventh in the Eredivisie. If the past record of former Chelsea loanees at Vitesse is anything to go by, the Blues won't be ready to propel him into the first team yet.
Mario Pasalic
Midfield star Mario Pasalic signed for Chelsea in 2014, but he is yet to make an appearance at the club. He has enjoyed loan spells at Monaco and AC Milan, and he is currently at Russian side Spartak Moscow, where he has scored five times this season. West Ham should give him a shot to succeed in the Premier League by making an offer this summer.
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West Ham should ditch David Moyes and go for 'new Guardiola' Leonardo Jardim this summer
HITC
Damien Lucas
West Ham United are yet to make a decision on the future of David Moyes with work still to do in their bid to secure Premier League survival. Apathy and anger greeted West Ham's decision to replace sacked Slaven Bilic with Moyes back in November. But the Scot has impressed many of his doubters with his bullish attitude and hunger to prove a point in East London. The Hammers were in the relegation zone on just nine points when Moyes took over and now sit 14th on 34 points and in all likelihood just one more win from securing their Premier League safety. Many fans feel Moyes - who was only appointed on a six-month contract - will have earned a longer-term deal if he keeps the East Londoners up. But others feel the club needs to reinvent itself from the ground up and find its own niche in the modern game after the move to the London Stadium failed to elevate them to the next level.
Many feel much of that has to do with a distinct lack of spending from co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold. But having pledged to completely revamp their recruitment process and structure, West Ham will want the right person in place to spend the money and rediscover the club's identity as an attractive attacking team that promotes youth. And there is no better man to help them achieve that than highly rated Monaco boss Leonardo Jardim. The former Sporting and Olympiacos boss is only 43 and has been steadily building his reputation in the game as the new Pep Guardiola. A student of the game and philosophy, the Portuguese manager has been in coaching since the age of 27 having not played professionally. Jardim has proved with his success at Monaco and the way he has promoted youth at the principality club that he has the attributes to reinvent West Ham. But Sullivan and Gold would have to show true ambition to lure him to East London as he would undoubtedly want complete control to shape the West Ham of the future. Whether the owners have the necessary ambition and money to give the fans the style of football they want and their identity and pride back, remains to be seen.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Pablo Zabaleta says Declan Rice has the talent and temperament to become a future West Ham United captain. The experienced Argentinian, a two-time Premier League champion and FIFA World Cup runner-up, knows a thing or two about how to identify leaders, and he believes his teenage teammate has the credentials to wear the armband in years to come. The unlikely pair have combined to superb effect on a number of occasions this season, most recently in Sunday's 1-1 draw at Chelsea, where Rice produced an assured performance against the likes of Belgium playmaker Eden Hazard and Spain centre forward Alvaro Morata. "Decs has been fantastic," Zabaleta, who was also hugely impressive at right wing-back at Stamford Bridge. "It's fantastic to see him play at that level and he's only 19. "I can't believe that he is that young yet he is very mature and he is improving game after game. I love when I see young players from the Academy come through and playing that well. "I like to have him next to me because he is young and he has that energy to play and do some of the running. I hope I can help him and teach him how to defend. "Listen this guy has a great future for this Club. He will be a future captain for West Ham, I am sure about this. I am very pleased for him."
Rice, who has totalled 25 first-team appearances this season, previously captained West Ham's U23s to promotion to Premier League 2 Division 1 a year ago.
Zabaleta also had words of praise for his other defensive colleagues after West Ham followed up their 3-0 home win over Southampton with a resilient showing in west London. The Hammers ceded possession and territory to Chelsea, and allowed 23 goal attempts, but their defensive efforts meant six were blocked, eleven missed the target and five were superbly saved by goalkeeper Joe Hart. Rice led the way with five clearances and three interceptions, while Zabaleta, Angelo Ogbonna, Aaaron Cresswell, Arthur Masuaku and substitute Patrice Evra all made vital contributions to blunt the Blues attack in the final third. "I'm very pleased with the performance from the backline, the three at the back and the two wing backs," Zabaleta confirmed. "We worked really hard during the whole game to stop their front three because they have really good players upfront – Hazard, Willian, Morata, then Giroud came on and with Alonso on one side and Moses on the other side they also have pace. "So, given that, I thought we were really good defensively and really solid."
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Westley: Chelsea game was a proud moment for the Academy
WHUFC.com
Academy Director Terry Westley believes West Ham United's Academy of Football can take huge pride in their achievements over the past week. There were no fewer than five Academy graduates in the first-team squad for Sunday's 1-1 Premier League draw at Chelsea, including captain Mark Noble, centre-back Declan Rice and substitute and midfielder Josh Cullen. Young professionals Josh Pask and Grady Diangana were also included in the matchday 18 by manager David Moyes, further endorsing the positive work being done by Westley and his staff at Chadwell Heath.
Add in back-to-back away victories at Manchester City and Everton in Premier League 2, with Nathan Trott keeping two clean sheets and Marcus Browne scoring all five goals, and it has been a few days that Westley can look back on with great satisfaction. "I think it's a proud moment for everybody at the Club," he said. "One of the reasons I came here initially was because West Ham United is known for its home-grown players and since Mark Noble, Jack Collison and James Tomkins, there has been a gap. "Before that, the work being done was outstanding and to get that amount of players through the system was fantastic, but that was a different era and it's very challenging now with other clubs wanting to take your players and the sums of money we're now talking about. "So, to actually have a game where you have three Academy products on the pitch at the end in a Premier League game and the manager trusting them is massive. We have the captain, who has obviously been here a long time and also helps looks after the young ones and is an ambassador, and Declan Rice, who is not yet established in the team but the manager trusts that he can do a job and he put him into high-profile, tense situations against Southampton and Chelsea. "Then, with ten minutes to go, to say to Josh Cullen 'Go on, tidy things up in the middle of the pitch and help us wrap things up' is a great endorsement of everybody here at the Academy. "Maybe it's coming back? That's what is leaving a smile on my face. Maybe we're getting back to something that this Club ought to be and underneath that, to be able to get the type of results we've got in the last two games at Under-23 level against Manchester City and Everton was fantastic. "We shouldn't be able to compete with Manchester City at youth level, because of the vast sums they've got, and we had three Under-18s on the pitch that night. Then, to go to Everton and win 4-0, again with three different Under-18s on the pitch, really gives me some hope for next season and the years to follow."
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Manchester City date confirmed - tickets on sale to Claret Members
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's home fixture against Manchester City will remain on Sunday 29 April with a 2.15pm kick-off following the Citizens' exit from the UEFA Champions League this week.
West Ham welcome Pep Guardiola's side to London Stadium for the first of back-to-back home matches against the Manchester clubs, as they look to avenge the 2-1 defeat at Etihad Stadium earlier this season.
Tickets remain available to Claret Members for this fixture, starting at £50 adults and £25 concessions. Click here to purchase now.
With the Manchester City date now set, the home fixture list for the rest of the 2017/18 season is now confirmed, with tickets now on sale for each of the remaining games.
Stoke City - Monday 16 April, 8pm
Tickets start at £30 adults and £15 concessions (2 for £40 adults also available). On General Sale. Buy now by clicking here.
Manchester City - Sunday 29 April, 2.15pm
Tickets start at £50 adults and £25 concessions. On sale to Claret Members. Buy now by clicking here.
Manchester United - Thursday 10 May, 7.45pm
Tickets start at £50. On sale to Claret Members. Buy now by clicking here.
Everton - Sunday 13 May, 3pm
Tickets start at £30 adults and £15 concessions. On sale to Claret Members. Buy now by clicking here.
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JOAO MARIO WANTS TO PLAY FOR WEST HAM UNITED AT THE RIGHT PRICE SIGN HIM UP!
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 11 APRIL 2018 AT 9:59PM
TheWesTHamWay.co.uk
Written by @farehamhammer
I like Manuel Lanzini, skilful, scores goals and plays football with a smile on his face, and I hope stays with us for a few seasons. But all things said it would not be an absolute disaster if Lanzini did get sold. Some will scream we will "always be a selling Club". The simple truth is we are ALL selling Clubs. As we saw with Neymar, if a player wants a move he gets it. A lot of the moves are not even initiated by the player but by greedy agents! Like houses every time a player gets sold an agent makes a lot dough. Yes, players are under contract and you can hold them to contract, but at what cost? They play up like spoilt brats and the whole team suffers as a result. Players in most instances, don't care one iota about how their actions cost a Club, there are very few James Collins about! This season Manuel Lanzini's body language has been poor, he has been very inconsistent. His head may well be turned by meeting up with Messi and Co while on international duty with Argentina who knows? Some say he is aggrieved because our tight arsed Chairman have kept him on 35,000 grand a week, despite promising Lanzini a new contract during the last two windows.
Some say that The Board have tried to get him to sign a new contract, but he has rebuffed approaches to sit down for Contract talks. Either way the situation needs to get sorted early in The Summer window. Should Lanzini be off and we get good money for him, and if The Board broke the habit of a life time and gave the manager the proceeds of the sale. It would not be the disaster some people make out it would be. It would give us the chance to complete a major overhaul of our midfield, which make no mistake is badly needed. Our midfield against Chelsea was weak, unbalanced and overrun putting enormous pressure on our defence, offering no protection what so ever. Attacking wise, they are slow in thought and movement, no pace and movement or creativity. People say to me Javier Hernandez's legs have gone or he offers nothing outside the box. Missing the point, I'm afraid. In and around the box Hernandez is not just a goal scorer, he is one of the best in the business! Goals win football matches, but Hernandez or anyone else, does not stand a chance when he is expected to drop deep with his back to goal, in an effort to get the ball. More often than not the ball is just hoofed forward! This has not been the case just for this season but several seasons. God how we miss Yossi Benayoun in his prime!
But it is not all doom and gloom. I know it has been in patches, but I really like Joao Mario he most certainly is on the same wavelength as Arnie. Mario actually plays better when Manuel Lanzini is not playing. He has more end product than Lanzini with his final ball, not as good as Lanzini dribbling wise, but a different sort of playmaker, better decision maker, creates more chances, knows how and when to bring the others into play, also knows when to slow the game down when needed. It is clear the boy likes The Club and wants to be at West Ham. Obviously not anywhere near £39 million but if a deal can be done do it. We need more than just Mario to cure our midfield ills. It is no secret that Fulham's Tom Cairney, was sitting behind David Moyes at Stamford Bridge. I like Ex prefer Norwich's James Maddison, but would be happy with Tom Cairney. Yet you get some screaming "Bang average!" "Not the next level!" Another Snodgrass "Give it a rest man! Cairney, may be a late developer but has been fantastic for Fulham, who play Football the right way.
Tom Cairney scores goals, is a beautiful passer of the ball and can spot a pass early, a good decision maker, an intelligent footballer. I would be happy to see him at West Ham. What I don't want to see The Club do is, start signing players like Fernando Torres or crap from relegated Clubs. What is the point in that? A lot of the negativity about being linked with players like Cairney, is solely because people have become ABSOLUTELY OBSESSED with the next level stuff that they have lost their enjoyment in supporting West Ham! I have been there and got the T-Shirt! At times I would get so obsessed with driving The Chairman out of Town, I became absolutely negative about anything West Ham related. Next Level? Yes, I still believe in the Promised land, but realistically it is going to take longer. The midfield surgery must not stop at signing Mario and Cairney, we need a good defensive midfielder. If we keep Mario, the obvious target would be his international team mate. William Carvalho, somehow after Sullivan's 'phantom bid' in the summer that is a no go. With a bit of luck, we will sign Anderlecht's Leander Dendoncker, a very good defensive midfielder. Dendoncker's form has been up and down since he failed to sign for us on the January Deadline Day.
We also welcome Pedro Obiang back next season, who you could also employ as a CDM. We also have Cheikhou Kouyaté, whom I love to see driving forward. The problem with Kouyaté is his positional sense and his ability to pick up his man is poor. If we did bring in three quality midfielders I can see either Kouyaté or Obiang getting sold. We also need to complete the surgery of the midfield, by signing someone with a bit of pace who can play out wide. In a poor season the one bright spot has been, that our famed Academy has unearthed another Jewel in Declan Rice. Rice has done himself and The Club proud. In Nathan Holland we have another outstanding talent who plays out wide, he is a very quick and direct runner. Nathan has all the ability to make the step up to the first team. Yes, there are other areas that need strengthening, but the midfield is any team's engine, ours has been out of sorts for too long, and we have paid a heavy price for it. Sort the midfield out and WE WILL take a step towards the next level!
We are more than a football Club, we're a way of life!
COYI!!
FarehamHammer!!!
(Edited by Danny Twigg)
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CAN WE GET TO THE NEXT LEVEL UNDER MOYES?
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 11 APRIL 2018 AT 9:56PM
TheWesTHamWay.co.uk
Written by Malcolm Atkins – @malatk
This may not be a popular piece, but I am making the case for keeping David Moyes. This season his results have been mixed, a slow start gradually developed into a steady accumulation of points and we seemed to be heading in the right direction. Things then dropped off alarmingly before the last couple of games. Moyes though has some mitigation, the team he took over was in a bad place, playing poorly, unbalanced, unfit and lacking confidence. Since then while a number of players have been moved on, signings in the January window were to say the least, underwhelming. I think Moyes is going to keep us up, victory against Stoke should see us home. I think Moyes has brought improvement to a number of players, steadied the ship, improved morale and also given a few opportunities to youngsters which we have all been asking for.
So what can David Moyes do in the long term? The next level? Let's face it the board massively over hyped that. Champions league? At the moment Arsenal and Chelsea are not going to make the top four which gives an indication of how difficult that is. For me the next level for West Ham is to be the best of the rest. Now before I get accused of lacking ambition, I would love to see us mix it with the big boys and will never stop dreaming of that happening, but we have to be realistic about where we are and we are more than one level away from that stage. We need a platform to build from, challenging for Europa qualification through the league, making a push in the cups, and stop this regular visit to the relegation battle.
I know this may sound defeatist, but our club has perennially under achieved. In the history of the club we have finished in the top seven of the top tier six times. Achieving that position regularly would represent moving to the next level. So, David Moyes; at Everton he achieved top seven finishes eight times in eleven seasons. Now I know Everton have a better record overall but in the preceding eleven seasons they achieved top seven just once. Moyes star has fallen with failure at Man Utd and Sociedad both short lived appointments, followed by the mistake of taking the Sunderland job – a club in freefall. My point is Moyes knows what is needed. I have seen criticism of targets from clubs like Fulham, well I think we have a big rebuilding ahead and sensible well scouted signings are going to form the corner stone of this, hopefully backed up by a couple of higher profile signings. Many will be sceptical of the board providing decent backing, for me this summer is make or break, if the board fail the unrest will be one thing that does move to the next level. I really hope we are not starting over with another new manager, especially as there does not seem to be a likely candidate out there. Looking above us, Burnley, Newcastle, Leicester, Bournemouth and Watford are not built on huge signings, yet all are in better positions than us, Burnley are pushing for Europe! We need a solid foundation and less speculative signings from abroad. I would be really happy in the medium term to see us regular top seven and challenging for cups.
Another Criticism of Moyes is he is too negative. He will certainly take a pragmatic approach, but I do think he will attempt to balance results with some attractive football once he has a foundation. Moyes draws comparisons with Allardyce, for me although there are some similarities, Moyes lacks the arrogance of Big Sam, I felt Sam never really got a chance with a large section of the West Ham faithful, but he certainly did not help himself. Not only did Sam not endear himself to fans, he did not even try to play the game. Moyes in my view has a little more respect for the fans view. If you are not one of the elite, you have to build a solid hard to beat side and work from there. The game against Burnley saw us undone by a tactical approach from Sean Dyche (a top manager in my view) sit, suck up the pressure, don't concede and slowly take the game to a team with the crowd on their back. They dismantled us and scored three away from home, but it was hardly classic free flowing football in the first half.
Lots of views about that Moyes should have started Chicarito Sunday, maybe, but we had to hang in there and build a platform against Chelsea. If we had gone toe to toe with them they have the players to take us apart.
So, for Me Moyes is showing enough. Ogbonna has improved, Declan Rice is establishing himself, Kouyate looks much better recently after a terrible spell previously, Noble has recovered form, Masuaku looks better, Arnie is a different player to the bloke under Bilic. I really hope Chicarito can find a place under Moyes but playing two up needs the shape of the rest of the side to be right, we lack players to do that so if Chicarito is going to play he needs to consistently show the industry he did on Sunday coming from slightly deeper.
I think we need 6-7 signings this summer and I hope we will go into the new season in the premier league with a squad that has the balance to play 2-3 different formations because at the moment there is only one available.
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THE CASE AGAINST MOYES
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 11 APRIL 2018 AT 9:45PM
TheWesTHaMWay.co.uk
Written by Stewart Draper
Moyes stares at the final handful of games till the season ends and I'm sure he and his staff will give / do everything they can to ensure safety. However, can we really say he has done enough? I'll give him a couple of props first…
1.He has energized a couple of players and gotten the best out of them, such as Arnie. How much of that was him verses the players rolling up their sleeves and coming to a realization… only the dressing room probably knows.
2.He has endured a difficult time with the off field problems involving fans and the board and has done his best to continue as normal and handled things appropriately.
The case against…
•our next manager should be long term, forward thinking and hungry. Moyes has floated from relegation candidate to relegation candidate and even a random failure in Spain trying to find a job. A man truly in free fall from a career prospective.
•His performance as our manager so far has been poor to mediocre at best. Tactical decisions questionable (one up top in home games), how he's handled players like Chicha where there is clearly some old feelings involved from Man U days.
•His transfer Dealings this winter and at previous clubs have been very poor. Hugill purchase instead of a Cairney or Maddison for example… allowing critical members to leave (Forte, Ayew). If those were not his decision… then I still question if he has the balls to deal with our board on transfer decisions.
•Name recognition. Does Moyes help us attract top talent? This summer is a make or break for our board… another shit window and things will continue in the same vein as this season. Moyes only role at a "top" club was Man U and we see how that worked out. Players often base their decisions on manager, style and role within the team.
In conclusion… for me the case for Moyes is NO. There will be better managers available come the end of the season, Benitez is 3 times the manager Moyes. Thanks for the caretaking Moyes, wish you all the best mate but time to aim higher.
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A VIEW FROM ACROSS THE POND – THE CASE FOR DAVID MOYES
AUTHOR: BRIAN KNOX. PUBLISHED: 11 APRIL 2018 AT 11:21AM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
The Case for David Moyes
View from Across the Pond
By @WestHamAmerican
I remember November 6, when Slaven Bilic was sacked, thinking "this is a great opportunity for the club to go forward." Certainly, a mid-season hire restricts a number of possible candidates who are having good runs with their current clubs, but someone could take a good West Ham roster, throw in some fitness discipline, and fix what Slav couldn't. And then, a day later, it was announced that David Moyes was the man. I wasn't outraged, but I certainly wasn't excited.
The memory of Moyes's futility with a full year at the helm of Sunderland, and their subsequent relegation, didn't instill me with much enthusiasm. Prior to that he had been handed the keys to the greatest kingdom in world sport, as gaffer at Old Trafford, and that didn't end well either. But thinking about his past: no one was going to follow Sir Alex successfully. It was a fool's errand , and I suspect Ferguson knew his first team was getting older and felt it was a good time to exit prior to having to rebuild most of his squad.
After seeing the management and board problems at Sunderland over the past two seasons, it's curious whether anyone could have saved them from relegation. (I suppose Big Sam could walk in late in the season and pull some April/May magic, since that is his special power and he had done just that the year before.)
Which leaves me to wonder: Would West Ham be better off just to let Moyes have a few years to add some stability to this club? I think that might be the best course. Here are a few reasons:
* As a Scot with a long career at Preston North End and coaching in England almost his entire career, he knows West Ham, he knows the league, and he knows the priorities of West Ham Supporters. He made an honest run at the FA cup even though it cost us dearly in injuries and one suspension. While an international manager wouldn't risk his" bottom ten" squad on an FA cup run, Moyes knew a trip to the finals would mean a lot to West Ham's fans.
* Alex Ferguson handpicked him as his successor. Sir Alex felt that it was the best chance for Manchester United to succeed and possibly, if given a second or third season, things might have turned out better.
* Sean Dyche proves that stability might be worth a look. Burnley should not be where they are. The club lacks strong funding, it isn't a great destination that international stars want to bring their families to live, and they don't have a great history of success, and yet, by sticking with a good coach, he has built the team he wants with the wages he can afford. He has structured the club academy the way he wants it, he has his own people handling scouting, his own people tending to the health and medical side of his club. Basically Sean Dyche has maximized his team's output by getting the most out of everyone in the organization. Since the average tenure of a Premier League manager is 18-24 months, most clubs don't get that alignment throughout the entire structure. Moyes had an entire decade at Everton. While not every season was great, at least there was stability and he had time to build a foundation for success, and develop players to his style of play.
* Who else do you bring in? Given our board's notoriety for not going all in on top transfers, I don't know that many proven Champion's League coaches would want to come to West Ham. I do think Rafa Benitez has been an excellent coach the past two seasons. If he were overly frustrated with Newcastle's ownership and wanted to move to London, I think he might be a good candidate, but otherwise, I am not sure that anyone else would prove to have as good a CV as our current coach.
It was a bit surprising that the board only awarded Moyes a six month contract. One would think that would make it challenging to recruit possible January transfer targets. I think once it becomes clear that West Ham will stay up next season, the board ought to go ahead and let Moyes have a two year deal. It seems that the Hammers are only a couple of players away from pushing back into the top ten and possibly challenging for Europe. I think maintaining some consistent leadership might be a better path to success for this club. I say he's earned another year.
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HOW DOES MOYES BEST UTILISE HERNANDEZ?
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 11 APRIL 2018 AT 9:39AM
TheWesTHamWay.co.uk
Written by Jake McMullan @jakemcmullan1
Our Mexican marquee signing scored less than 5 minutes after coming on to the field at Stamford Bridge, the definition of an impact sub. His ability to find the net from almost nothing is a trait I think almost all West Ham fans would like to see more often. The issue now lies with the fact that he is getting extremely limited game time given his stature in the game, and should he continue to struggle for minutes on the pitch, he will inevitably leave in the summer.
I think the problem for Moyes at the moment is that Arnautovic is playing arguably the best football of his life. I don't think a single West Ham fan would want to move the Austrian from his forward position (as any form of winger role is where his reputation for inconsistency has developed), but the current formation only allows for one striker…
Now the obvious and most plausible solution to this would be to play two upfront as this allows for our two top players to play alongside each other, a concept most West Ham fans are calling for. However, off the back of a couple of good results why would Moyes want to change formation? 'If it ain't broke don't fix it' certainly applies here, and Moyes is not the sort of manager who will accommodate individuals over team shape. This would mean Chicharito would have to fit in elsewhere
Hernandez slotted straight into Fernandes' position against Chelsea by the looks of things, playing as more of an attacking midfielder alongside Joao Mario. This evidently worked as he scored an excellent goal but in terms of having that level of creativity that a Lanzini and the likes possess, Hernandez in my opinion comes up short. It would also seem wasteful to play our big name striker in a position unfamiliar to him so this position is not a long term fix.
Playing him anywhere else on the pitch just wouldn't utilise his poacher qualities and so aren't even worth debating on, which would seem to leave the bench as the final option. Hernandez has proved time and time again from his Manchester United days that he can be an extremely effective substitute, and he proved it once more on Sunday against Chelsea. However, West Ham's marquee signing will leave should the bench be where he remains, and I think it is important for the clubs progression that we hold onto strikers of his his calibre.
Moyes therefore has a problem, how does he fit the Mexican into his line up with the likes of Lanzini and Carroll soon to be returning? He has a known bad history with Hernandez from his failed stint in Manchester, and I fear history may be repeating itself.
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HART OVER MIND?
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 11 APRIL 2018 AT 9:51PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by Lukas Volskis (@lu_thirty_1)
First things first, what a positive result for us on Sunday! Coming into that game, I wasn't feeling too confident at all, even though Chelsea has been misfiring lately. Still, you always have to be mindful going to Stamford Bridge with the quality Chelsea has at its disposal. But, as the game went on, my belief grew and grew and by the end of it, I was waiting for us to score a winner.
Yes, it WAS a penalty!
It's funny how a few decent performances change the mood and fortune around the club ey? To me, it's even more interesting how fans' perception of players changes every week. In my opinion we are too quick to get upset and WAY too quick to get excited.
Arnautovic is a prime example of this. Slated and slated until the villain became the hero. Albeit, we had every right to be harsh on him but, in my opinion, those seven games shouldn't have had him written off as a failure. One thing to remember, Arnautovic was a good player going through a bad patch.
Joe Hart is the opposite and a good performance shouldn't have him labelled as a good player.
When he first signed, I was pretty damn excited. Yes, he had his troubles at Manchester City and then in Italy but in my opinion, he spent those two seasons playing with the lowest confidence imaginable. If someone's always telling you you're bad at something, you'll start to believe it. However, I was still confident he could put that in the past and go back to being a very good goalkeeper, one that I was accustomed to seeing before Pep rolled into town.
However, as the season went on, it was clear to see that Hart's best days were behind him. Yes, our defence was worse than stepping on a plug in the morning but even the simplest situations seemed impossible for Hart to deal with. He looked lost. And he definitely had me fooled when we first signed him.
Let's appreciate that his performances got so bad that we were crying out for Adrian to return in goal. And, if you go back a few months before Hart got there, Adrian wasn't exactly setting the world on fire. We were in a serious goalkeeper crisis with neither of the two good enough to play at this level.
Credit where credit's due, the City game was impressive for Adrian (just like Hart's at Chelsea) but then everything slowly started trickling back down to what it was before; a pile of misery.
Anyone for some déjà vu?
Now, don't get me wrong, if Hart is our goalkeeper for the rest of the season, I will support him and the team until the end. I also appreciate the passion he has for our club and it was nice to hear him put West Ham before England in his recent interview.
However, I do not think Hart is a good goalkeeper anymore and the truth is, he's the best out of a bad bunch. Sadly, that's the predicament that we have been dealing with all year. To be honest, you could probably say the same for a lot of things at West Ham, especially some of our players. But, the one thing we have and always will do is support this team through thick and thin, except for those who chose to forfeit their season tickets after we went 1-0 down in a home game that we could have easily recovered. But, don't get me started on that. That's a whole 'nother story that I don't have enough words to write about.
The point I'm making here is that we shouldn't let a good performance by a poor player trick us into believing something that isn't there. I've read a lot of things on social media about how great Hart has become all of a sudden. That simply is not true. And he certainly shouldn't be England's first choice in Russia.
For our sake and sanity, let's hope we see more Chelsea-esque performances during the last 6 games and address our keeper situation in the summer, just like we should address everything else.
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THE MOYES-IAH? WHY DAVID MOYES IS NOT ALL THAT BAD
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 11 APRIL 2018 AT 9:39PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by @clubmoore
When David Moyes was unveiled as Slaven Bilić's replacement in November 2017, many West Ham were pessimistic about their team's chances of staying in the Premier League. Moyes had relegated Sunderland the season before, and the supporters expressed feelings of discontent and annoyance that the board had decided to appoint a manager who had not been successful.
Moyes said that he had "a point to prove" when he was appointed the new Hammers boss, and he has since reiterated the importance of not judging a book by its cover. Under his leadership, West Ham have lost only twice at home and went on a streak that saw them lose once in ten games.
So, what has been key to the change in performances since Moyes arrived in East London? What has he done to ensure that the players fight for Premier League survival? And why did West Ham suit him better than his other jobs?
EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON
Moyes spent eleven years at Everton, but he is more famous for his disastrous eight months at Manchester United
Moyes got his chance to be a Premier League manager in March 2002, when he left Preston North End to replace Walter Smith at Everton. At the time, he was a young, ambitious manager who had guided Preston to the Division One playoff final in the 2000/01 season. In his first full season in charge, Everton finished seventh.
The Glaswegian continued to improve the Toffees, guiding them to Champions League qualification in the 2004/05 season. Everton soon became acquainted to playing in Europe, qualifying to play in the Europa League for four consecutive years.
In May 2013, Moyes was confirmed as the replacement for Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United. He aimed to maintain United's track record of winning silverware, but this job would result in the downfall of his reputation. United suffered their worst ever start to a season, and lost back-to-back home games in December 2013 for the first time since the 2000/01 season. Following a 3-0 defeat to Manchester City and a 2-0 defeat to Everton, Moyes was sacked in April 2014.
Moyes's failures at Manchester United can be justified, and the blame does not totally rely on him. Firstly, the club's owners made a poor decision in appointing him based on his track record at Everton, who he won no trophies with during his eleven-year reign; United needed a manager who had won major trophies and league titles at world-class clubs. Secondly, he was appointed on the club's traditions of being run by British managers, and this may have influenced the decision to appoint him.
Moyes then moved to Spain managed Real Sociedad for one year before becoming Sunderland manager in the summer of 2016. Sunderland were relegated under Moyes, but he has since admitted that he did not enjoy the job and that he did not have enough talent to work with.
West Ham United are a better platform for Moyes than Sunderland and Manchester United. Moyes has better players to work with and the team suits his own personal needs in terms of their league positions and level of expectations.
HOW DID IT ALL CHANGE?
Moyes has stated that he is not fooling around with West Ham
There are two key reasons as to why West Ham improved under Moyes's guidance as well as areas for improvement:
Authority Moyes has made it clear that he is the boss and that he has no time for unpunctuality or laziness. When he came to the club, he made it clear that players who did not work hard would not play. This is different to his predecessor, Slaven Bilić – Bilić appeared to be too light-hearted with his players in training, whereas Moyes makes the players engage in physical drills and makes it clear that he is their manager, not their friend.
Raising personal expectations In his early days as West Ham United manager, Moyes told underperforming players to play better. For example, Marko Arnautović – who had joined West Ham from Stoke City for a club record fee of £27,000,000 – had not played well for the Hammers under Bilić's management. Since Moyes handed him a play-well-or-be-dropped ultimatum, the Austrian winger has scored nine goals and has become a key member of the attack.
Other players have benefited from Moyes's words. Angelo Ogbonna has performed better under Moyes and received praise for his performance against Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley. Ogbonna and Arnautović's on-pitch improvements in form demonstrate how a change in manager can lead to a change in player and team form.
What needs to change if Moyes stays on?
Give more youth players a chance to impress. Players such as Josh Cullen, Sead Hakšabanović and Nathan Holland have been regarded as players who have potential to achieve. Hakšabanović is one of the many stand-out youth academy prospects; he represents Montenegro at international level and was tipped for greatness during his time in Sweden. Surely he and many others are worth a chance?
Start Chicharito! This is plain common sense and a necessity – start Chicharito in the starting line-up. He is the type of quality West Ham have needed in terms of strikers due to his eye for goal, yet he was benched despite a period of good form and scoring goals. Why would you pay a player £140,000 a week to come on a make an impact if need be? It does not make sense.
Add to the squad's depth. The key to having a successful team to have strength in depth; West Ham lack this due to a lack of signings in January and injuries. Adding to the squad over the summer is vital, and with a new director of football soon to arrive at the London Stadium and a change in transfer policy supposedly being implemented, new faces may come to West Ham United.
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A CASE FOR THE DEFENCE
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 11 APRIL 2018 AT 9:34AM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by David Hardie @baldyh77
As the summer approaches, thoughts naturally turn to which players and positions the club will strengthen in. Regardless of the budget available and boy do we hope it's substantial, the focus needs to be on the defence.
I'm sure you're all familiar with the quote mentioning 'lies, damn lies and statistics' so what better way to make my point than by adopting my glasses and dressing gown (Fantasy Football reference for you youngsters!).
Last season we conceded 64 goals in 38 league games, and in 11 we conceded 3 or more. That's just under a third of our games we gave ourselves a mountain to climb to gain any points. With 7 games to go this season and with Chelsea, Arsenal, Man City & Man Utd still to play, it's a safe bet that we'll surpass last season's dubious tally. Well, as safe a bet as Carroll being unable to stay fit for 10 consecutive games or Ex being unveiled as David Sullivan at the next West Ham Way event by Wardy in a Scooby Doo-esq way!
This season we've conceded 57 goals in 31 games and in 13 games conceded 3 or more – for those not great at maths – that's gone up! Compare that with the likes of Burnley who have conceded 27 goals all season. Now, I'm no genius (I wouldn't have made the life style choice of going to watch West Ham if I was!) but it seems to me this is where our problems lie. We have no other problems obviously!
Whilst playing 3 at the back has helped paper over the cracks at times, I think it's time we concentrated on getting some quality defenders and a top quality defensive midfielder. Full-backs have been a concern for awhile, with Creswell not reaching previous performance levels, Arthur being more interested in attacking and doing drag backs than defending, and Zabaleta performing well but not a long term solution. I'm encouraged that Ex has strongly linked us with Fredericks from Fulham who is a good right back and a good start. I think another left back is needed to allow Arthur to concentrate on being a wide left player. Whilst many may look to Fulham again to solve our full-back issues in the shape of Sessegnon, his best performances have been as a left midfielder/winger, and he has struggled when up against a pacey winger like Traore at Middlesbrough (another player I like).
With Fonte being sold to China, Collins likely to be let go and Reid constantly injured, this leaves us short in a key area. Burke does not seem like the answer, the jury is out on Oxford, and Rice (who has been excellent) cannot be expected to play 38 games at such a young age. This leaves us with just Ogbonna, who I think deserves the runner up spot in the Hammer of the Year. So a couple of quality centre backs are needed, ideally with some pace to allow us to squeeze the opposition like successful teams at the top of the league – Liverpool (only 35 conceded despite the perception of a poor defence), Tottscum and City.
The other key signing, as Bilic tried to identify last summer, is a quality holding midfielder. Obiang has not been able to grasp his opportunity with his inconsistent displays, and we've lacked this player since we had an on song Song. Whether this player be the infamous Carvalho or whoever, it is vital our defence have a screen to protect them and stop us conceding so many goals.
With a solid base in place, I believe this will allow our flair players like Arnie, Lanzini and Antonio the freedom to go win games rather than trying to salvage them.
COYI!
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WE MUST BRING HERNANDEZ BACK IN TO THE FOLD!
By S J Chandos 11 Apr 2018 at 08:00
WTID
Thankfully, we achieved the draw at Chelsea that has greatly strengthen our survival prospects. I have to say that I really enjoyed the game. Hart had his best display in a West Ham jersey (some would say it's about time!), Ogbonna and Rice were absolute class, Arnautovic was our best player yet again and Hernandez made a vital intervention from the bench. The goal conceded was soft, in all honesty, but we fought back to equalise and both Arnautovic (for providing the assist) and Hernandez (for delivering a great strike) deserve credit. Indeed. the strike provided a timely reminder (if one was needed) of Hernandez's proficiency in front of goal. He is that rare commodity, a penalty box predator, with the ability to convert an half chance. In that sense, Hernandez really is worth his weight in gold and needs to be retained in the squad for next season (assuming that we remain in the PL).
There have been rumours circulating that Hernandez has been unhappy at the club, with the suggestion that the player wanted a move in the January window. If so, David Moyes must ensure that there is a rapprochement and that Hernandez feels a valued part of the squad and is prepared to remain for the 2018-19 season. As stated, goal poachers like Hernandez are a rare and valuable commodity and we cannot afford to lose him. He should figure in Moyes first team plans for the remainder of the season, whether starting or joining the action from the bench. Personally, I feel that he could play a really important role in our survival and have an even bigger impact next season.
A victory over Stoke City is crucial. If Chelsea beat Southampton, and we take the three points, then we are virtually safe. After that I reckon one more victory, or even a couple of draws, should clinch the retention of our PL status. And that is to be warmly welcomed, but the board should not be lulled in any false sense of security. The malcontent of the fans has been suppressed for the good of the club, but it remains a very important factor and will re-emerge unless a new direction is taken. In my opinion, the board must authorise substantial expenditure on strengthening the squad this summer – no excuses! By my estimation, we probably need seven quality signings this summer, including: a goal keeper, full-back, centre-half, x2 midfielders and x2 strikers.
In addition, I would expect that Hart, Collins, Obiang, Snodgrass, Carroll and Hugill will all depart the club. I very much doubt that Hart will be signed permanently, Collins should join the coaching staff, Obiang will probably return to Italian football, Snodgrass will likely sign for Villa, Carroll' s injury record necessitates his departure (hopefully back to Newcastle Utd for c.£10m – if we are very lucky) and arguably Hugill should never have been signed in the first place. That might sound harsh, but the board must be both realistic and decisive in the action taken. We have flirted with relegation (to one degree or another) over the last two seasons and it needs to stop. We need an urgent injection of quality, and improved strength in depth, to ensure that we can get back to challenging in the top ten of the PL. If we continue to struggle then it is only a matter of time before relegation claims us and (as the board well knows) that would be a disaster for the club.
The quality of the summer signings will be absolutely crucial. We need players that will take the club forward to greater things. In addition, I have great hopes that Byram, Burke, Holland, and Cullen can make a positive impact at first team level next season. We also need to see whether the likes of Oxford, Samuelson, Quina and Martinez can finally live up to their big reputations? While bubbling under at U-23 level are prospects like Trott, Johnson and Lewis, who could all come in to the reckoning in the next couple of seasons.
In short, this summer is likely to be a period of change and upheaval in first team affairs. But it is absolutely necessary and will hopefully pay dividends in the long run. Of course, the key question is who will be managing the club next season? If Moyes successfully steers the club away from relegation then it is very likely that he will be offered a new two year contract. And if that is the case, can we really deny that he deserves it? If Moyes can get back to being the manager that he was at Everton, then he could be a good, safe pair of hands. However, the question must still be asked, of the board,whether a more ambitious appointment might not be the order of the day?
We live in interesting times. If we do survive this season (as seems probable), then the board must show ambition and take strong and concerted action this coming summer. Nothing less is expected, nothing else will do!
SJ. Chandos.
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JANSSON REPORTEDLY KEEN ON PREMIER LEAGUE SWITCH AMID WEST HAM LINKS
LUKE OSMAN @LukeOsmanRS
ReadWestHam
According to reports from Sweden, Leeds United defender Pontus Jansson wants to play his football in the Premier League next season, amid links with West Ham.
The powerful central defender is a key part of the Leeds team but it seems he has his eyes firmly set on a move to the English top flight, if reports from his homeland are to be believed.
It's been reported recently by the Guardian's Ed Aarons that Jansson is a target for West Ham in the summer, with David Moyes' side lacking depth in central defence.
Jose Fonte's departure in January has left a void to fill for the Hammers in the summer, with their defensive weaknesses having been well documented throughout the course of the campaign.
Jansson has often been linked with a move to the Premier League and with West Ham apparently keen, it seems his future at Elland Road is somewhat uncertain ahead of the summer.
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West Ham to offer starlet Marcus Browne new deal amid interest from Napoli and RB Leipzig
Marcus Browne scored four goals against Everton in front of numerous scouts
RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen, Napoli and Sevilla all keeping tabs on youngster
West Ham believe Browne is ready to step up at senior level next season
By Laurie Whitwell for MailOnline
PUBLISHED: 23:14, 10 April 2018 | UPDATED: 23:15, 10 April 2018
West Ham United are ready to offer Marcus Browne a new contract as the young forward continues to impress for the Under-23s side. Browne scored four goals against Everton on Monday night in front of watching scouts from RB Leipzig, Leverkusen, Napoli and Sevilla. It is understood Leipzig, who have taken Ademola Lookman on loan and previously signed Oliver Burke, are especially keen to secure more British talent. But West Ham insiders believe the 20-year-old, rated at £5million, can make the step up to senior level and want to see him progress next season. Though he signed a three-and-a-half year contract in January 2017 fresh talks on an improved deal are expected. West Ham's youth policy is in good health at this moment with Declan Rice, the 19-year-old defender, rising to prominence under David Moyes, who also gave minutes to academy graduate Josh Cullen against Chelsea on Sunday. Fellow young players Grady Diangana and Josh Pask were included on the bench. There have been calls for Browne, who can play anywhere along the frontline including No 10, to see first-team action too.
He scored a superb free-kick from 25 yards to give West Ham a 1-0 win over Manchester City last Thursday and has Rio Ferdinand as a mentor through his agency.
Browne's only senior appearance to date counts as 15 minutes against Romanian side Astra Giurgiu in the Europa League in August 2016 but the foreign clubs monitoring his progress could offer more continental action.
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INTER TO RIVAL WEST HAM FOR MARCO MENEGHETTI
LUKE OSMAN @LukeOsmanRS
readWestHam
West Ham are reportedly facing competition in their pursuit of Pordenone goalkeeper Marco Meneghetti. The Hammers have been linked with a move for the youngster, who is currently plying his trade in the third tier of Italian football. However, according to reports in Italy, Inter Milan have joined West Ham in the race to sign him this summer. Inter are understood to be keen admirers of the 17-year-old goalkeeper, who has impressed many with some good displays for Pordenone. The signing would, of course, be with the view of Meneghetti being integrated into Inter or West Ham's respective youth academies. However, it seems a summer tug of war over his signature could ensue as speculation continues to surround his future. West Ham may need to address their goalkeeping situation at senior level, as well. Joe Hart's loan deal expires at the end of the season and Adrian has been heavily linked with a return to Spain in recent times.
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Tottenham set to battle London rivals West Ham over transfer of Barcelona's Andre Gomes
The Mirror
ByMike Walters
Sports Writer
05:00, 11 APR 2018
Tottenham and West Ham are both interested in a summer swoop for Barcelona's Andre Gomes. The Hammers targeted the Portuguese midfielder last summer after growing frustrated in their pursuit of Sporting Lisbon's William Carvalho. Mauricio Pochettino is keen too, however, with 24-year-old Gomes open to a switch to the Premier League.
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Sickener for West Ham fans after club announces bigger profits than Tottenham in latest accounts
HITC
Damien Lucas
West Ham United fans would normally celebrate anything about their club that bettered bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur. There is no love lost between West Ham and Tottenham on and off the pitch but they are rivals heading in very different directions these days. Mauricio Pochettino has turned Spurs into one of the most exciting teams in Europe against the backdrop of a fitting new ground being built to showcase their attractive football. Meanwhile Hammers fans are disillusioned and revolting against the club's owners after growing fed up of broken promises over their own ill-fated move to the former Olympic Stadium, transfer spending and ambition. The owners pledged to splash the cash at the new ground to enable the East Londoners to compete with the Premier League elite but that has failed to materialise and the club have instead spent much of their first two seasons at the new 60,000 seater ground fighting relegation.
With Tottenham set to qualify for the Champions League once again there's not much in a West Ham fan's armoury when it comes to the tribal rivalry between the clubs. And Hammers fans will find it galling to learn that their club actually recorded MORE profit than Spurs in the latest financial accounts despite the huge disparity between the sides on the pitch in terms of league performance, squad quality and Tottenham's regular involvement in the Champions League with the extra revenue that brings. West Ham announced a record £43million profit from their first season at the London Stadium last month - as reported by the likes of the Evening Standard. That was £2million more than Spurs who announced a profit of £41million under the shrewd leadership of Daniel Levy, as reported by the Daily Mail. Yet the clubs are 10 places and 33 points apart in the Premier League table, a fact that will not go down well with the club's fans.
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West Ham must try for their own Salah and move for Juan Cuadrado
HITC
Dan Coombs
West Ham should weigh up a move for Juan Cuadrado this summer. West Ham appear to have made one successful raid on Serie A this year by bringing in Inter Milan ace Joao Mario on loan. Getting him permanently is still an uncertainty, and one alternative they should consider is Juan Cuadrado. Cuadrado has been in and out of the Juventus line-up all season, but when he has played, he has been productive. In 22 games he has scored six goals and provided six assists. Calciomercato report he faces an uncertain future in Turin and he is 'wanted across Europe'. So competition would be tough for the Hammers, but he is a player they should be looking at. He has experience in the Premier League with Chelsea, and while this did not work out, West Ham only need to look at Mohamed Salah to see that counts for little. Like Salah, Cuadrado was signed by Jose Mourinho and never given a proper chance. He was sent out on loan to Italy and then left permanently, and he has got his career back on track. Approaching 30, Cuadrado does not have quite the same high ceiling as Salah, but that also helps make him more affordable for West Ham. If the board show faith in him, the Colombian could become a key player for the club, but they might have to make their approach before the World Cup.
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3 Chelsea talents who should follow Declan Rice to West Ham
HITC
Dan Coombs
Declan Rice admits he is glad Chelsea released him, he's now starring for West Ham. West Ham youngster Declan Rice played a starring role at the weekend as the club claimed a draw away to Chelsea. Rice was a former Chelsea trainee and released at just 14. He admits now this has turned out to be a blessing for him.
Chelsea's are bidding to win a fifth successive FA Youth Cup, but despite this their talented kids have struggled to make the first team. Here are three more Chelsea talents who could benefit from a move to West Ham, where they may see their first team chances fast-tracked...
Tammy Abraham
Striker Tammy Abraham has found it tough on loan at Swansea City this season but it would be a mistake to write him off. The youngster has already represented England and scored more than 20 goals in the Championship last season. A permanent switch to West Ham could give Abraham the stability he needs to become one of England's top strikers, if he continues to find his path blocked at Chelsea.
Matt Miazga
Centre-back Matt Miazga recently earned a first team cap for USA, but he is well down the pecking order at Chelsea. He is out on loan at Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem, who sit seventh in the Eredivisie. If the past record of former Chelsea loanees at Vitesse is anything to go by, the Blues won't be ready to propel him into the first team yet.
Mario Pasalic
Midfield star Mario Pasalic signed for Chelsea in 2014, but he is yet to make an appearance at the club. He has enjoyed loan spells at Monaco and AC Milan, and he is currently at Russian side Spartak Moscow, where he has scored five times this season. West Ham should give him a shot to succeed in the Premier League by making an offer this summer.
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West Ham should ditch David Moyes and go for 'new Guardiola' Leonardo Jardim this summer
HITC
Damien Lucas
West Ham United are yet to make a decision on the future of David Moyes with work still to do in their bid to secure Premier League survival. Apathy and anger greeted West Ham's decision to replace sacked Slaven Bilic with Moyes back in November. But the Scot has impressed many of his doubters with his bullish attitude and hunger to prove a point in East London. The Hammers were in the relegation zone on just nine points when Moyes took over and now sit 14th on 34 points and in all likelihood just one more win from securing their Premier League safety. Many fans feel Moyes - who was only appointed on a six-month contract - will have earned a longer-term deal if he keeps the East Londoners up. But others feel the club needs to reinvent itself from the ground up and find its own niche in the modern game after the move to the London Stadium failed to elevate them to the next level.
Many feel much of that has to do with a distinct lack of spending from co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold. But having pledged to completely revamp their recruitment process and structure, West Ham will want the right person in place to spend the money and rediscover the club's identity as an attractive attacking team that promotes youth. And there is no better man to help them achieve that than highly rated Monaco boss Leonardo Jardim. The former Sporting and Olympiacos boss is only 43 and has been steadily building his reputation in the game as the new Pep Guardiola. A student of the game and philosophy, the Portuguese manager has been in coaching since the age of 27 having not played professionally. Jardim has proved with his success at Monaco and the way he has promoted youth at the principality club that he has the attributes to reinvent West Ham. But Sullivan and Gold would have to show true ambition to lure him to East London as he would undoubtedly want complete control to shape the West Ham of the future. Whether the owners have the necessary ambition and money to give the fans the style of football they want and their identity and pride back, remains to be seen.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Wednesday, April 11
Daily WHUFC News - 11th April 2018
Arnautovic's Southampton stunner wins March Goal of the Month
WHUFC.com
Marko Arnautovic's stunning goal against Southampton has won your vote to take the West Ham United Goal of the Month prize for March. Arnautovic's far-post volley rounded off a flowing defence-to-attack move involving Cheikhou Kouyate and Aaron Cresswell, before Arthur Masuaku delivered a sumptuous cross from deep on the left flank. The Austrian's finish – his ninth goal of the season – made it 3-0 before the break and gave the Saints no way back in a crucal win for David Moyes' men. His goal took 67 percent of the vote, beating Joao Mario's 20-yard rocket from the same game into second.
Andria Georgiou's long-range goal in the Ladies' FAWPL Plate semi-final victory over Hull City was third, while Michail Antonio's solo strike in the fundraising friendly against Dagenham & Redbridge was fourth
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Westley: Marcus Browne was too much for Everton in every sense
WHUFC.com
Terry Westley praised the performance of four-goal hero Marcus Browne after the West Ham United U23s skipper led his side by scoring all his team's goals away at Everton in Premier League 2. The 20-year-old struck a stunning winner from a 25-yard free-kick against Manchester City on Thursday, and he followed up that terrific performance with a scintillating 90 minutes on Merseyside as he brushed the Toffees aside. The 4-0 victory meant the Hammers moved up to fifth in Division 1, leapfrogging Monday night's opponents and London rivals Chelsea into the top half. And Westley was delighted, both with his captain and the whole squad after a fantastic five days. He said: "Marcus was too much for them in every sense. He was too quick, too powerful, his finishing was better tonight. He took everything he had. "He was the standout player on the pitch, congratulated by the referee, and that shows you how good you've been, when the referee does that after the game. "Against two really established clubs at an Academy level, they are two great wins and we really took it to Everton tonight. We shook the team up a little bit after the amount of effort that went into Thursday's game. "It was a chance to play one or two who have been around it and were desperate to get in the team; [Anthony] Scully, Powelly [Joe Powell], Sead [Haksabanovic]. But we kept the basis and the back four of the team together and they really gave us a platform to play off. "We attacked really well and the goalkeeper and the back players deserve credit as well tonight."
Browne took his tally to six goals in eleven U23 appearances for the campaign, having spent the majority of the first half of the term unavailable through injury.
Academy Manager Westley believes his recent form has shown just how hard the forward has worked since returning to fitness. "I think the behaviour traits for [Browne] are very important and are what you need when you have been injured," Westley explained. "You have to look after your body. "Being out of the team and struggling with those has shown him how professional he needs to be off the pitch. "Also the responsibility of being captain; he's led by example tonight and at City. In the dressing room, in training, he needs to try and keep that culture of excellence and those behaviours on and off the pitch, when he gets right, he's a real handful. Congratulations to him."
The result was also a second clean sheet in successive games for the Hammers and the back five – including the goalkeeper – remained the same after the victory at City. "I'm really pleased for the back four and the goalkeeper," Westley continued. "They had to dig deep against Man City and the keeper had to make great saves. "I really felt those five, keeping them together was a good decision because they gave us the platform to go and play and they certainly did that tonight. "We played an older Everton team. They weren't young boys; they were pros. We had three U18s in the starting XI. It was a tall order and to win as comprehensively as we did, everyone at the Academy deserves great credit."
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Four-goal Browne: It was one of my best days in football
WHUFC.com
Marcus Browne described Monday's 4-0 away win at Everton as one of his best days in football as he scored all of the Hammers' goals in Premier League 2. The skipper was in scintillating form on Merseyside, too hot for the Toffees to handle, and as skipper led from the front by increasing his tally of goals to six for the season. Browne had bagged the winner in a 1-0 win at Manchester City with a terrific 25-yard free-kick four days earlier, and explained that gave him the confidence to play so well against Everton at their Southport FC home. After the four-goal haul, the beaming captain said: "It's definitely up there with one of my better days in football! I don't think you go into any game thinking you're going to score four goals, but I scored four and I'm delighted. "It's been a difficult week with two games in five days and we've got through it. I think the goal on Thursday gave me a bit more confidence going into today's game and I feel like I'm playing with confidence and got four goals because of it. "It was massive performance from the boys all round. We really dug in and stuck to the game plan and any game away from home that you win 4-0 in, it's always massive. "I'm obviously delighted to have scored all four goals."
Browne had a tough start to the campaign, unavailable through a series of knee and back injuries. But coming back to full fitness, the 20-year-old has shown his quality, scoring against Tottenham Hotspur in a London derby and generally impressing for the U23 squad. About his comeback, Browne continued: "It wasn't easy being out for so long but the first couple of games back are where you're getting back into it and you're lacking a bit of fitness. "You feel like you're off the pace a bit and you've dropped down a few levels and you're behind the boys. "But I feel like I've built myself up and I'm good fitness-wise now and I'm getting confidence in the last few games, getting back into it. I feel like I've got my touch back and I'm ready and firing. "I think the aim for us is to get in the top six now and that's where we need to be and that's where we're heading. "[As captain], I feel like I am a natural leader in the team anyway so [being captain] I feel comes quite naturally for me. "I just try to look after the boys as best as I can, get everyone level headed and I know that we have to work hard week-in, week-out and perform to our best to get results like we did today."
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Hart: We're definitely a really dangerous team
WHUFC.com
Joe Hart believes West Ham United have the attacking players to cause trouble for any opponent. The Hammers will need their talented forwards to be at their best as they continue a challenging Premier League run-in with the visit of Stoke City to London Stadium on Monday evening. Following that clash with the Potters, West Ham will take on three of the current top six in their closing five fixtures, with a trip to Arsenal followed by home matches against leaders Manchester City and second-place Manchester United. But with Marko Arnautovic in the form of his life, Chicharito scoring a superb equaliser at Chelsea last time out, and both Andy Carroll and Manuel Lanzini closing in on returns from injury, goalkeeper Hart has backed his teammates to hit the target regularly over their final half-dozen fixtures. "We're definitely a really dangerous team," said the stopper, who was himself in outstanding form in Sunday's 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge. "Marko is in absolutely fantastic form for us after a difficult start to his West Ham career, but since then he's been our standout player. I'm really pleased for him because he's a really good guy. "Chicha is just a top, top professional. He's a goalscorer. It's been different for him, especially with internationals and travelling the length and breadth of the world, so we weren't able to get him on the bench last weekend, but he's come off the bench this time around and got a goal he deserved. "He's a top player. There is no fluke to his career or fluke to him winning all those medals. People don't get given medals – I know that for a fact and so does Chicha."
Two-time Premier League champion Hart has every incentive to maintain his own good form as the season reaches its conclusion. With places in England's 2018 FIFA World Cup squad up for grabs, the No25 knows only his very best form will secure a spot in Gareth Southgate's final 23-man party to travel to Russia.
Regardless of whether he is ultimately picked or not, the 30-year-old will do his very best every time he pulls on his gloves. "Sunday was for me. I know who I am and what I am. I have had medals around my neck for years and years and got England caps. I work hard, I'm dedicated and even when I'm not playing I'm the same guy. "I play for my team, my family and my friends and anyone else who wants to comment, that's up to them and I don't really care. I love playing football and I'll keep playing football."
And his next chance to do what he loves comes on Monday evening, when West Ham seek three points that should keep them in the Premier League. "I feel like we have a huge, huge game next Monday. It's such an important match for us and, at the end of the day, for all the good that came out of Sunday, we only got one point and we want three points. We're really looking forward to Stoke now. "It's a massive game. I've watched Stoke and heard Paul Lambert talk about his team and he's happy and believes in his team, so they are going to see it as a big opportunity, as we are, so it's going to be a tough game."
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Like My Dreams: A special day for Bailey Punnett
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's 3-0 Premier League victory over Southampton was an emotional occasion for Bailey Punnett. For the match was the first the eleven-year-old had attended following the tragic and sudden death of his dad Scott, who suffered a cardiac arrest while at work. The father and son were Season Ticket Holders, attending matches at London Stadium alongside Scott's close friend Paul Manning and his daughter Mia, also eleven. Despite the shock and devastation caused by his Dad's passing, determined young Bailey told his mum Zoe that he would like West Ham's anthem I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles to be played at his father's funeral, and that he wanted to keep going to Hammers matches in his memory. When Paul wrote to the Club explaining the sad events which had taken place, he, Bailey, Zoe and Mia were invited to Rush Green to meet the players and manager David Moyes. And, to fulfil Bailey's wish, the quartet attended the home match with Southampton as guests of honour, going on a special behind-the-scenes tour, watching the warm-up from pitch-side and meeting the players again after the match. "We'd been together 16 years and he was always a staunch West Ham supporter, and when we had Bailey we wanted to carry that tradition on by taking him to see the team play," Zoe said. "Scott always encouraged Bailey in his football, too. "Losing him has just left a massive hole in our lives. He was loved by everybody. The messages we have received have been amazing and it makes us realise what a really kind person he was. "I still expect him to walk through the door and just can't believe he's not here."
While Scott's death has left a massive hole in their lives, Zoe has vowed to take his place at West Ham matches, helping Bailey to fulfil his wish to cheer on the team his Dad loved. "It was very emotional, watching the game," Zoe continued. "I cried at the first goal. But I really enjoyed it. And I'll be coming back with Bailey. "Knowing his dad was here with us and he was shining down on us. And I think it was him that scored those goals." "The best match we went to was the last match at the Boleyn Ground," Bailey said. "We got in the ground early and my Dad was singing and everything. It was amazing. "I'll still keep coming to matches if they win!"
Bailey and Zoe will, of course, continue to be supported by Paul and Mia. "Scott grew up in Canning Town and we all supported West Ham from a young age. He went over to Upton Park from the age of ten and it went from there. I was mates with Scott for nearly 30 years, so we went back a long way and he was West Ham through and through. "We went to quite a few away games together and we got Season Tickets when the Club moved to London Stadium. The four of us would go together every week – it's what Scott would have wanted."
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Zabaleta full of praise for teammates Hart, Arnautovic and Chicharito
WHUFC.com
Pablo Zabaleta was full of praise for his old pal Joe Hart after the West Ham United goalkeeper produced a Man of the Match performance in Sunday's 1-1 Premier League draw at Chelsea. In recent years, Stamford Bridge has been a tough place for the Hammers to achieve a positive result and, going in 1-0 down at half-time, it seemed more of the same was to come, but a spirited second-half performance helped the visitors snatch a point. While Chicharito grabbed West Ham's goal, it was Hart whose series of fine saves set the foundation for his team to earn a share of the spoils – impressing the man who he has shared a dressing room with for much of the last decade. "I feel Joe's performance was fantastic," said Zabaleta. "He made four great saves that helped us get a point. "What we want is to have healthy competition between him and Adrian, as they have done great for the squad. "I have known Joe for a very long time now and I think he's a great lad. He deserves it as, even when he's dropped, he still works hard and that shows why he's a great professional."
The experienced right-back, who was in solid form himself in west London, had warm words for those at the other end of the field as well, lauding the combination play of Marko Arnautovic and super sub Chicharito which for West Ham's second-half equaliser. "We knew at half-time that we were only 1-0 down and needed to keep working hard all together and to keep our discipline and when the chances came, we knew we had the players going forward who could score goals in Marko, Chicha and Joao Mario," observed the No5. "They have huge quality to make the difference in the end and they have done it." "With them playing up front, they made it tough for the Chelsea defenders. It was a great goal with that cut-back from Marko and a great finish by Chicha. "That was a great finish by Chicharito. He is a game-changer. He creates a chance and he scores. He's always in the right position at the right time, we know that. It was a huge point of course, so now we just need to keep going as this is the best way to continue working."
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Stick your blue flag...
KUMb.com
Filed: Tuesday, 10th April 2018
By: Paul Walker
There you go. Just for a change it's only about the football. I know it's hard to believe in our season of despair, but it only takes sticking it up Chelsea to bring about a show of much needed unity.
So often this season it's always been about the shambles off the field, this time - at least for a few days - let's all laugh at Chelsea.
OK, it was only a draw, and the pointed stick can only be inserted a little way, but it's enough to inflict pain and tears on the posh boys from the west side of London. A victory would have allowed more, but you can't have everything.
Now, in no particular order (there's a lot to get through) I'll start with the fans of this over-indulged club, full of self importance and entitlement. Even if they are, and because of that fact, the biggest club in London now (sorry Spurs, you are way, way down the list) taking anything from the money launderers is as good as a win.
BBC's 606, which used to be at least funny when Danny Baker did it, was full of tearful, wailing Chelsea fans who moaned about such a bad season. Sorry, you are champions, you reached the Champions League knockout stages, you are in the FA Cup semi finals and if you pull yourselves together you will be in the Thursday night league. Get a grip.
Now I didn't see any of the game live, without boring you with the sob story, my son went to the game and me and the missus looked after little granddaughter. I know, sometimes you can be pushed too far! But I spent a lovely sunny afternoon teaching her how to stay balanced on her little bike and she didn't fall over once. I can supply the same lesson to Eden Hazard, without the bike of course.
She then showed me how to play CBBC games on the iPad. She's three for heaven's sake, and most of the time I was getting 'you have to be quicker than that, grandad.'
So I let the game slip away when the chance of turning on the TV became out of the question. To be fair, I had more fun on a match day than I have had in the pit of misery all season!
I have since watched the whole recording, and was mightily impressed with the effort and desire not to be overrun. Which could easily have happened, as it has on plenty of other occasions these past two seasons.
So to have heard Sky's Andy Hinchcliffe wittering on about how poor we were and how wonderful Chelsea were, and then to read on BBC's website Danny Mill (an average full back who was very fortunate to play for England) going on about us 'whimper' our way to relegation and not appreciating the importance of the game took some understanding.
We are not as good as Chelsea, we do not have players as good as theirs, but you could not doubt the commitment and effort. It got worse on 606, where we had Kelly Cates (formerly Dalglish) and Joleen, Joleen, Joleen, Joleen Lescott (apologies to Dolly Parton, I couldn't resist that) gushing away about Chelsea. The programme was so poor it sounded like a Radio Caroline training tape from the '60s.
And everybody thought it wasn't a penalty, that N'Golo Kante's tackle on Marko was perfect. The same came from most of the journos. Now sorry, these people have instant TV replays and slow motion at their fingertips. It didn't take much to see that it was a penalty, even if it was near impossible for referee Keith Friend to see it. It would have been a guess.
Mind, you, I've seen too many refs guess that challenges are worthy of a penalty. At least Dermot Gallagher got it right. It's an easy way out for pundits and some writers to be nice about the big teams.
Now I believe our fans see Chelsea at Stamford Bridge as one of the top, if not the top, away trips of the season. A nice sunny day in the wine bars and poncy coffee shops. And if the Shed was still around the ICF boys would take it, this time I am told, they took over one of the Chelsea home fans' designated pubs. So a good day was had by all.
And it was two more unlikely heroes that did it. Joe Hart and Javier Hernandez are both unlikely to be around next season. Chico wants out, he's been saying so for months, but what I love about him is that he still puts in a shift and scores vital goals.
I still don't think he should start, he is just not suited to the Premier League where everyone has to work and press. That's never been his game. Alex Ferguson thought that, and both Slav and David Moyes agree.
Chico will score, he's one of the best in the world in the penalty box, but outside of it he can be lightweight and a liability. And nobody plays 4-4-2 these days. So I expect him to be off in the summer.
Hart, with his vast wages, also looks very unlikely to stay, unless he produces a string of performances like Sunday's and then takes a big pay cut. But that's unlikely, if he continues to do well he'll get a move somewhere, Newcastle have wanted him for months.
I have always liked him but accept this has been a difficult season when his concentration has looked way off at times. Mind you, playing behind our defence early in the season would have made Gordon Banks look bad.
But between them these two won us the point. Hart, who despite taking constant abuse this term, has always been uncomplaining and professional. Chico the same, he does his job and has scored some beauties this term, Sunday's being one of his best.
It was mayhem behind that goal as the Irons' fans went potty. They were pretty vocal throughout and deserve praise for the dignity shown during the Ray Wilkins tribute beforehand, and you could hear them singing 'there's only one Ray Wilkins' above the minutes' applause. Top lads.
The one downer was the soft goal we gave away. Slav, working for Sky, had a pop at Marko and Fernandes for some poor defending. That's rich coming from our former boss who frequently saw us ship four goals a game. Mind you, he was right. The pair were pretty awful as they tried to defend that short corner and Cesar Azpilicueta fumbled the ball over the line.
So here we are, I still think two wins away from safety. It means Stoke next Monday is crucial because it's Arsenal and Manchester City straight after that. It will take a Southampton-level performance on and off the field against the Potters, so lets hope our beloved board can keep their heads down long enough not to cause any distractions from the job in hand.
I am not really interested in any of the off-field stuff any more until we are safe. This unity thing is quite nice, isn't it?
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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Hernandez in, Zaza out?
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 10th April 2018
By: Staff Writer
La Liga side Valencia are preparing to offload former Hammer Simone Zaza - in order to make room for Javier Hernandez. The Mexican international has made no secret of his disappointment at having failed to secure a first team spot at West Ham under Slaven Bilic or David Moyes, and is set to cut his losses by moving on during the summer. Naturally there is no shortage of interested parties whilst one of his most earnest potential suitors are Los Che, who signed Italian international Zaza on a full-time contract last summer. However in order to make room for the possible acquisition of Hernandez, the former Juve striker is also likely to be moving on at the end of the campaign - according to reports in Spain (El Gol Digital). With Santi Mina and #19 Rodrigo currently first choice at the Mestalla Stadium, Zaza - who has scored 12 times for Valencia this season, although only twice since last December - is set to be the fall guy, not for the first time in his career. Hernandez, who has looked at times like a luxury player in a team battling for its very survival had scored eight times for West Ham since his £14million move from Bayer Leverkusen last summer. West Ham will be seeking to recapture as much of that outlay as possible for the Mexican international, who celebrates his 30th birthday this June.
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Rice a future captain, says Zaba
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 10th April 2018
By: Staff Writer
Pablo Zabaleta has backed fellow defender Declan Rice to be a future West Ham captain. The 19-year-old defender was roundly praised at the weekend for an excellent performance against former club Chelsea, who he left at the age of 14. And the Irish international's veteran team mate, who is at the other end of a glittering career believes he has the ability and aptitute to go on and lead the Hammers for many years to come.
Talking about Sunday afternoon's draw at Chelsea, the former Argentinian international said: "I was very pleased with the performance from the back line. "We worked really hard throughout the game to stop Chelsea's front three - Hazard, Willima, Moarata - who are really good players. I thought we were defensively solid today. "Angelo [Ogbonna] and Declan [Rice] were fantastic - Declan is still only 19 but he's improving game after game. He's got that energy to play and I'm very pleased for him. "I hope I can help him and teach him how to defend as this guy has a great future at the club. I'm sure he'll be a West Ham captain in the future."
And Zabaleta - who is coming to the end to the first of a two-year stay at West Ham - also heaped praise upon Man of the Match Joe Hart, who moved to east London from Manchester along with the full back last summer. "I thought his performance was fantastic," added Zabaleta. "He made three or four great saves that helped us to get a point. I'm very pleased for him. "This squad is big, we've got two players for each position and we want to have that helthy competition between Joe and Adrian. They've done great for the squad. "I've known Joe Hart for a long time now, he's a great lad and he deserves it. Even when he's been dropped he kept working hard - and that shows why he's a great professional."
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£37 to upgrade a £20 ticket? No thanks!
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 10th April 2018
By: Staff Writer
A season ticket holder has written to West Ham after he was asked to pay £37 in order to upgrade a child's season ticket - for a match in which an adult may purchase one on General Sale for £20. The supporter, who wishes to remain anonymous but has been a season ticket holder for more than 20 years hoped to upgrade his young son's season ticket for a friend (a fellow adult) who was hoping to join him for Monday night's vital Premier League clash against Stoke City.
However the longstanding fan - whose son is unable to attend since the match was moved to a school night - was disappointed to learn that the club intended to charge him £37 for the upgrade, nearly DOUBLE what it would cost to buy an adult match day ticket for the match as a result of the club's '2 for £40' promotional offer. "Other games that have been moved to midweek have had '£20 to upgrade' offers," the season ticket holder, who has contacted vice chair Karren Brady and co-chairman David Gold with his complaint told KUMB. "That's reasonable. But £37 to upgrade when you can buy two for £40 seems like unnecessary profiteering."
The £37 fee compares unfavourably to a similar arrangement last season, when West Ham faced Tottenham in a match that was also moved to a weekday at the behest of the TV companies (Friday 5 May 2017). On that particular occasion the parents of child season ticket holders were encouraged to upgrade their tickets at a discounted rate. West Ham United have been approached for comment.
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Masuaku's socks appeal
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 10th April 2018
By: Staff Writer
Arthur Masuaku has explained why he has taken to tearing holes in his socks ahead of matches. The 24-year-old, who recently returned from a six-match suspension was spotted at Stamford Bridge on Sunday with a series of unexplained holes in his footwear. But according to Masuaku, the holes (three in each sock, at the back) are quite deliberate - and designed to allow his calf muscles room for manouvre inside socks that the French winger described as "too tight".
Masuaku, of course, isn't the first Hammer to ensure his kit has a particularly unique look. Alex Song was well known for rolling his shorts up as high as possible, whilst Julian Dicks made a habit of cutting off his short collars prior to every game - for comfort, as he revealed in his KUMB column back in 2012. "Pony were our sponsors and the shirts used to have buttons on," he said. "If you ever chested the ball down it'd hurt, so I used to cut the buttons and the collars off. "I was never a footballer to look posh, with nice cuffs and collars, so off they came! It was purely for comfort. Prior to that we had a Pony shirt with a round neck and I used to cut a 'V' into it - once again because it was more comfortable."
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THREE PLAYERS DAVID MOYES WANTS TO BRING TO WEST HAM THIS SUMMER
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 9 APRIL 2018 AT 7:13PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by Nathan Blake
David Moyes recently took in the Fulham against Leeds game in the Championship, casting his eye over three Fulham stars with a view to a potential move, something that was first broke on ExWHUEmployee's twitter account, as usual!.
Whilst Ryan Sessegnon has been earning all the plaudits at Craven Cottage, three other stars have been identified as possible targets for the Hammers. Tom Cairney, Ryan Fredericks and on-loan Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic have caught the eye.
Mitrovic could get Hammers fans' pulses racing. He's the former Anderlecht striker who joined Newcastle a couple of seasons ago for a significant sum. He hasn't enjoyed the best of times under Benitez, frozen out at St James Park, much like former England prospect Jack Colback.
Aleksandar Mitrovic
Colback has gone on loan at Forest whilst Mitrovic has been showing what he can do in west London. He's been in phenomenal form, scoring in eight consecutive games ahead of the summer's World Cup. He's recently been nominated for the Championship Player of the Month for March too.
He's a classic centre-forward, nippy and agile but with a keen eye for goal. Hammers fans might be worried that he hasn't proven himself at the top level, but the top of the Championship isn't that different to the bottom of the Premier League. He'd be a wonderful signing; he's only 23 which means he could well increase in value, but Newcastle would expect to recoup some of that £13m they laid out on him.
Ryan Fredericks is another player with a big future and he was also being watched by Moyes. He 25-years old and came through the ranks at Tottenham Hotspur, but never made the grade there. He spent time on loan at various clubs, eventually moving to Bristol City. It seems you can take the boy out of London, but not London out of the boy. He spent just 26 days with Bristol before leaving for 'personal reasons', earning a move back to the capital with the Cottagers.
He's now played 95 times for Slavisa Jokanovic's side, impressing more as his spell has worn on. He's primed for a Premier League move and it does seem as though he'd be favouring a London club, but if Fulham were to go up the move would be highly unlikely.
Both players would significantly improve the Hammers side, both are young and would likely be the catalyst for West Ham moving up the odds in Premier League betting markets – that is, if they stay there. They're still around 10/1 to be relegated. However, coupled with the final target, they could help usher in a purple period in the Hammers history.
Tom Cairney
The final player Moyes was watching is midfielder Tom Cairney, a slow burner who has taken time to flourish. He's been a driving force behind Fulham's ascent up the table, pulling the strings in midfield with some all-action displays. He's been amongst the goals, bagging five this season, but his game isn't about goals.
Cairney is 27 years old and failed to properly break through at Hull City in a five-year spell there. He's a traditional number six, a midfielder who gets box to box, winning the ball and playing smart passes. He's attracted lots of attention this season; Aston Villa have been watching closely, but it could well be another side in claret and blue where his future lies.
With the recent troubles at the Olympic Stadium fresh in everyone's mind, and a dismal period on the pitch not looking over yet, fans do need something positive to focus on. These three players might not be household names, but they've been at the centre of Fulham's rise this season and are all primed and ready to perform on the biggest stage of them all, the Premier League.
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Mark Noble says Javier Hernandez wants more game time at West Ham
Last Updated: 10/04/18 4:35pm
SSN
West Ham captain Mark Noble says team-mate Javier Hernandez has not played as much as he would have liked under David Moyes this season. The 29-year-old, who has started 16 Premier League games for the Hammers this season, scored three minutes after coming on as a substitute in the 1-1 draw against Chelsea on Sunday. Newspaper reports this week have suggested the Mexican is prepared to leave the London club this summer due to his lack of first-team minutes.
West Ham boss David Moyes was full of praise for 'keeper Joe Hart after his man-of-the-match performance against Chelsea. Noble praised the striker's finishing ability but admitted the former Manchester United and Real Madrid player would like to play more. "Chicharito is a goal machine - he gets one chance and scores," he told West Ham's website. "He's probably not played as many minutes as he would have liked but probably down to the way the season has gone. "But when you can bring him on, as soon as it fell to him I'm standing right behind him and there were about ten bodies in front, but you know he will find that spot and that's why he's the player he is. "The second-half display had everything. We defended well and I thought we kept the ball a lot better, but Chelsea are a top team and they have some really clever players, particularly the front three. "But we kept our shape and kept playing the way we know we can do, we defended well and we came away with a point. We're over the moon."
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Joe Hart is West Ham's No 1 but not England's, says Tony Gale
Last Updated: 10/04/18 11:49am
SSN
Joe Hart has won over West Ham fans, according to Tony Gale, but the former Hammer does not believe Hart will start in goal for England at the World Cup. Hart looked back to his best on Super Sunday, produced a string of fine saves as he turned in a man-of-the match performance in West Ham's 1-1 draw at Chelsea.
West Ham boss David Moyes was full of praise for the 75-cap England international after his display at Stamford Bridge, insisting Hart has given Gareth Southgate a timely reminder of his international credentials. But Gale, who racked up 300 league appearances during a decade-long spell at West Ham, does not believe Hart has done quite enough to earn an automatic starting berth between the sticks for England in Russia. "(I think he has done) enough to get himself on the plane but not a starting place," Gale told Premier League Daily. "I'm so pleased to see him (starting again for West Ham). "I do think he is better than Adrian in goal. I think he did have a poor time and Adrian deserved to come in but I think that performance at the weekend showed what a good pro he is. "He hasn't complained and has just got on with his game. And he has won the West Ham fans around as well."
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Andy Carroll in contention to return for West Ham against Stoke
By Sky Sports News
Last Updated: 10/04/18 11:49am
SSN
Andy Carroll is contention to make his comeback from injury for West Ham in their match against Stoke on Monday Night Football, Sky Sports News understands.
The 29-year-old, who has scored two goals in 14 appearances this season, has not played for the Hammers since January 4 after suffering an ankle injury. Carroll has returned to first-team training and is likely to take his place on the substitutes' bench, with the in-form Marko Arnautovic leading the line for David Moyes' side.
West Ham are also hopeful Manuel Lanzini will be fit to feature against the Potters having been without the midfielder for the past two matches. The 25-year-old missed the 3-0 victory over Southampton and 1-1 draw with Chelsea after sustaining a knee injury while on international duty with Argentina. Lanzini, who is back running in training, has scored three goals in 23 appearances this campaign, providing five assists.
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A HUGE WEEKEND LOOMING
By Tony Hanna 10 Apr 2018 at 08:00
WTID
Another point and another step closer to Premier League survival. I won't dwell too much on the game at Chelsea as David Hautzig and Hamburg Hammer have already written excellent pieces on the match. We rode our luck at times but that will always be the case against any of the top six teams in the division, especially away from home. However, it was a gritty display and after last week's performance against Southampton it augurs well for the challenges ahead as the season draws to a close. For about twelve minutes near the end of the match it was as thrilling as it gets, like two boxers giving it all at the end of a bout. Both swinging with all their might looking for the knockout punch. Indeed, we might have stolen the points when Arnie came crashing down in the box, but alas no penalty was given. For me Kante's tackle was a good one but I am sure not all will agree. This is why when VAR does come in they must stick by the on field referees calls in these types of moments. When there is still doubt after watching a video replay their initial on field verdict must be final, or the whole process will not work. I must admit, the only time during Sunday's game where I vented was on the back of that short corner kick we took in the last two minutes. We had one last chance to win the game and we threw it away. If we are going to decline that opportunity and opt to waste time with a view to respecting the point, at least do it well. We would have wasted more time by kicking the ball into the crowd for a goal kick straight from the corner, rather than the debacle attempted between Cullen and Noble.
This coming weekend is huge in relation to the relegation fight. If we can beat Stoke we will be safe in my opinion and if Chelsea can also beat Southampton it will further cement our position. Should we fail to beat Stoke and teams around us win it will still makes things very tricky. A few weeks ago in my column I gave a run down on what lies ahead for the teams in the relegation dog fight. Here is an update.
West Brom are down now and whilst it is still mathematically possible they could survive, they won't.
Stoke are giving it their all, as are their fans, but they have let in 63 goals in 33 games (highest in the PL) and in recent times have also been fairly blunt in attack as well. They have put in decent enough performances in their last two matches – Arsenal away and Spurs at home, but have come away with nothing. Since the turn of the year they have only scored in six of their PL games and only once have they scored more than one. The bookies rate them at 2/7 (78%) for the drop. They have played one more game than us and their remaining fixtures are; West Ham (a), Burnley (h), Liverpool (a), Crystal Palace (h) and Swansea (a). They have enough winnable games left to give them hope but a loss to the Hammers would make things really tough.
Southampton put in a much improved effort on the weekend at Arsenal. Whilst the home side fielded a weakened side due to Cup commitments later this week, the Saints gave the Gunners plenty of problems especially at the back end of the game. However, they have only won once in their past nineteen PL games and that was against bottom club West Brom. The bookies price them at around even money for relegation (50%) and their run in comprises; Chelsea (H), Leicester (a), Bournemouth (h), Everton (a), Swansea (a) and Man City (h). This weekend's game for them is huge as it will leave them with only two more home games to play this season. One will be against their local rivals who would love to put one over them and the other is against the Champions in waiting.
Crystal Palace have the easiest run in of all the relegation candidates but they must start to win some of these or they could be drawn under. The bookies make them a 10/1 (9%) chance for relegation and they are three points behind us having played one more game. Their run is; Brighton (h), Watford (a), Leicester (h), Stoke (a) and West Brom (h). If they can't conjure up half a dozen points from that lot they probably deserve to go down.
Huddersfield are really struggling. They scored a fortunate goal in their away game at Brighton on the weekend to earn a point but showed a distinct lack of ambition when Brighton were reduced to ten men with fifteen minutes to play. Since they beat Watford back on the 16th December they have only won twice, against West Brom and Bournemouth. Their lucky goal at Brighton on the weekend was their first in five matches. They are two points behind us and have played one more game. The bookies rate them a 6/4 (40%) chance to drop and they finish the season with; Watford (h), Everton (h), Man City (a), Chelsea (a) and Arsenal (h). Again, probably their most winnable game remaining is this weekend which highlights the importance of this coming round of fixtures.
Swansea were a team on a roll just a few weeks ago, after looking certainties to go down before their change of manager in late December. They have failed to win in their past three PL games since they beat us 4-1 and are not out of the woods just yet. Like us, they have six games left but now trail the Hammers by two points. They are 11/2 (15%) to be relegated and their remaining fixtures are; Everton (h), Man City (a), Chelsea (h), Bournemouth (a), Southampton (h) and Stoke (h). Like us, four of their remaining six fixtures will be played on their home ground. Again, their most winnable game in the next four fixtures is this weekend. Whether Swansea stay up or go down one thing is almost certain. Their last two fixtures of the season will probably decide who does.
Brighton are 20/1 (4.76%) to go down. They are one point ahead of us and finish this season with; Crystal Palace (a), Spurs (h), Burnley (a), Man Utd (h), Man City (a) and Liverpool (a). Again, looking at their final five fixtures of the season the importance of this weekend's clash with Palace is huge for them.
So what of us? West Ham are now rated a 25/1 (3.85%) chance for relegation. However, a loss this weekend would severely affect the relegation markets. Our remaining games are; Stoke (h), Arsenal (a), Man City (h), Leicester (a), Man Utd (h) and Everton (H). Last week I wrote that a Man City win in the CL ties against Liverpool could see them play a weakened side against us should they reach the semi-finals. Our PL match with them would be sandwiched between the two semis. That is looking more unlikely now but a similar thing will probably happen for our match at Arsenal. They carry a 4-1 lead into their second leg tie with CSKA Moscow this week and should they prevail our match with them will be played just days before the first semi-final leg of the Europa League. The Gunners have fielded weakened teams in the past fortnight against our relegation rivals Stoke and Southampton due to them prioritising the Cup, but neither of those two have been able to take advantage of some pretty awful displays from Wenger's team. Whilst Arsenal have stuck three goals past both of them it has hardly told the real story. Hopefully, Wenger will do the honours and field a team of similar strength for our visit.
So to conclude. This weekend is a huge game for us and Stoke, but a quick look at how the fixture list is panning out and there a few other matches this weekend that will go a long way to deciding who will be relegated this season. Let's hope the boys can bring this one home. COYI.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Marko Arnautovic's stunning goal against Southampton has won your vote to take the West Ham United Goal of the Month prize for March. Arnautovic's far-post volley rounded off a flowing defence-to-attack move involving Cheikhou Kouyate and Aaron Cresswell, before Arthur Masuaku delivered a sumptuous cross from deep on the left flank. The Austrian's finish – his ninth goal of the season – made it 3-0 before the break and gave the Saints no way back in a crucal win for David Moyes' men. His goal took 67 percent of the vote, beating Joao Mario's 20-yard rocket from the same game into second.
Andria Georgiou's long-range goal in the Ladies' FAWPL Plate semi-final victory over Hull City was third, while Michail Antonio's solo strike in the fundraising friendly against Dagenham & Redbridge was fourth
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Westley: Marcus Browne was too much for Everton in every sense
WHUFC.com
Terry Westley praised the performance of four-goal hero Marcus Browne after the West Ham United U23s skipper led his side by scoring all his team's goals away at Everton in Premier League 2. The 20-year-old struck a stunning winner from a 25-yard free-kick against Manchester City on Thursday, and he followed up that terrific performance with a scintillating 90 minutes on Merseyside as he brushed the Toffees aside. The 4-0 victory meant the Hammers moved up to fifth in Division 1, leapfrogging Monday night's opponents and London rivals Chelsea into the top half. And Westley was delighted, both with his captain and the whole squad after a fantastic five days. He said: "Marcus was too much for them in every sense. He was too quick, too powerful, his finishing was better tonight. He took everything he had. "He was the standout player on the pitch, congratulated by the referee, and that shows you how good you've been, when the referee does that after the game. "Against two really established clubs at an Academy level, they are two great wins and we really took it to Everton tonight. We shook the team up a little bit after the amount of effort that went into Thursday's game. "It was a chance to play one or two who have been around it and were desperate to get in the team; [Anthony] Scully, Powelly [Joe Powell], Sead [Haksabanovic]. But we kept the basis and the back four of the team together and they really gave us a platform to play off. "We attacked really well and the goalkeeper and the back players deserve credit as well tonight."
Browne took his tally to six goals in eleven U23 appearances for the campaign, having spent the majority of the first half of the term unavailable through injury.
Academy Manager Westley believes his recent form has shown just how hard the forward has worked since returning to fitness. "I think the behaviour traits for [Browne] are very important and are what you need when you have been injured," Westley explained. "You have to look after your body. "Being out of the team and struggling with those has shown him how professional he needs to be off the pitch. "Also the responsibility of being captain; he's led by example tonight and at City. In the dressing room, in training, he needs to try and keep that culture of excellence and those behaviours on and off the pitch, when he gets right, he's a real handful. Congratulations to him."
The result was also a second clean sheet in successive games for the Hammers and the back five – including the goalkeeper – remained the same after the victory at City. "I'm really pleased for the back four and the goalkeeper," Westley continued. "They had to dig deep against Man City and the keeper had to make great saves. "I really felt those five, keeping them together was a good decision because they gave us the platform to go and play and they certainly did that tonight. "We played an older Everton team. They weren't young boys; they were pros. We had three U18s in the starting XI. It was a tall order and to win as comprehensively as we did, everyone at the Academy deserves great credit."
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Four-goal Browne: It was one of my best days in football
WHUFC.com
Marcus Browne described Monday's 4-0 away win at Everton as one of his best days in football as he scored all of the Hammers' goals in Premier League 2. The skipper was in scintillating form on Merseyside, too hot for the Toffees to handle, and as skipper led from the front by increasing his tally of goals to six for the season. Browne had bagged the winner in a 1-0 win at Manchester City with a terrific 25-yard free-kick four days earlier, and explained that gave him the confidence to play so well against Everton at their Southport FC home. After the four-goal haul, the beaming captain said: "It's definitely up there with one of my better days in football! I don't think you go into any game thinking you're going to score four goals, but I scored four and I'm delighted. "It's been a difficult week with two games in five days and we've got through it. I think the goal on Thursday gave me a bit more confidence going into today's game and I feel like I'm playing with confidence and got four goals because of it. "It was massive performance from the boys all round. We really dug in and stuck to the game plan and any game away from home that you win 4-0 in, it's always massive. "I'm obviously delighted to have scored all four goals."
Browne had a tough start to the campaign, unavailable through a series of knee and back injuries. But coming back to full fitness, the 20-year-old has shown his quality, scoring against Tottenham Hotspur in a London derby and generally impressing for the U23 squad. About his comeback, Browne continued: "It wasn't easy being out for so long but the first couple of games back are where you're getting back into it and you're lacking a bit of fitness. "You feel like you're off the pace a bit and you've dropped down a few levels and you're behind the boys. "But I feel like I've built myself up and I'm good fitness-wise now and I'm getting confidence in the last few games, getting back into it. I feel like I've got my touch back and I'm ready and firing. "I think the aim for us is to get in the top six now and that's where we need to be and that's where we're heading. "[As captain], I feel like I am a natural leader in the team anyway so [being captain] I feel comes quite naturally for me. "I just try to look after the boys as best as I can, get everyone level headed and I know that we have to work hard week-in, week-out and perform to our best to get results like we did today."
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Hart: We're definitely a really dangerous team
WHUFC.com
Joe Hart believes West Ham United have the attacking players to cause trouble for any opponent. The Hammers will need their talented forwards to be at their best as they continue a challenging Premier League run-in with the visit of Stoke City to London Stadium on Monday evening. Following that clash with the Potters, West Ham will take on three of the current top six in their closing five fixtures, with a trip to Arsenal followed by home matches against leaders Manchester City and second-place Manchester United. But with Marko Arnautovic in the form of his life, Chicharito scoring a superb equaliser at Chelsea last time out, and both Andy Carroll and Manuel Lanzini closing in on returns from injury, goalkeeper Hart has backed his teammates to hit the target regularly over their final half-dozen fixtures. "We're definitely a really dangerous team," said the stopper, who was himself in outstanding form in Sunday's 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge. "Marko is in absolutely fantastic form for us after a difficult start to his West Ham career, but since then he's been our standout player. I'm really pleased for him because he's a really good guy. "Chicha is just a top, top professional. He's a goalscorer. It's been different for him, especially with internationals and travelling the length and breadth of the world, so we weren't able to get him on the bench last weekend, but he's come off the bench this time around and got a goal he deserved. "He's a top player. There is no fluke to his career or fluke to him winning all those medals. People don't get given medals – I know that for a fact and so does Chicha."
Two-time Premier League champion Hart has every incentive to maintain his own good form as the season reaches its conclusion. With places in England's 2018 FIFA World Cup squad up for grabs, the No25 knows only his very best form will secure a spot in Gareth Southgate's final 23-man party to travel to Russia.
Regardless of whether he is ultimately picked or not, the 30-year-old will do his very best every time he pulls on his gloves. "Sunday was for me. I know who I am and what I am. I have had medals around my neck for years and years and got England caps. I work hard, I'm dedicated and even when I'm not playing I'm the same guy. "I play for my team, my family and my friends and anyone else who wants to comment, that's up to them and I don't really care. I love playing football and I'll keep playing football."
And his next chance to do what he loves comes on Monday evening, when West Ham seek three points that should keep them in the Premier League. "I feel like we have a huge, huge game next Monday. It's such an important match for us and, at the end of the day, for all the good that came out of Sunday, we only got one point and we want three points. We're really looking forward to Stoke now. "It's a massive game. I've watched Stoke and heard Paul Lambert talk about his team and he's happy and believes in his team, so they are going to see it as a big opportunity, as we are, so it's going to be a tough game."
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Like My Dreams: A special day for Bailey Punnett
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's 3-0 Premier League victory over Southampton was an emotional occasion for Bailey Punnett. For the match was the first the eleven-year-old had attended following the tragic and sudden death of his dad Scott, who suffered a cardiac arrest while at work. The father and son were Season Ticket Holders, attending matches at London Stadium alongside Scott's close friend Paul Manning and his daughter Mia, also eleven. Despite the shock and devastation caused by his Dad's passing, determined young Bailey told his mum Zoe that he would like West Ham's anthem I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles to be played at his father's funeral, and that he wanted to keep going to Hammers matches in his memory. When Paul wrote to the Club explaining the sad events which had taken place, he, Bailey, Zoe and Mia were invited to Rush Green to meet the players and manager David Moyes. And, to fulfil Bailey's wish, the quartet attended the home match with Southampton as guests of honour, going on a special behind-the-scenes tour, watching the warm-up from pitch-side and meeting the players again after the match. "We'd been together 16 years and he was always a staunch West Ham supporter, and when we had Bailey we wanted to carry that tradition on by taking him to see the team play," Zoe said. "Scott always encouraged Bailey in his football, too. "Losing him has just left a massive hole in our lives. He was loved by everybody. The messages we have received have been amazing and it makes us realise what a really kind person he was. "I still expect him to walk through the door and just can't believe he's not here."
While Scott's death has left a massive hole in their lives, Zoe has vowed to take his place at West Ham matches, helping Bailey to fulfil his wish to cheer on the team his Dad loved. "It was very emotional, watching the game," Zoe continued. "I cried at the first goal. But I really enjoyed it. And I'll be coming back with Bailey. "Knowing his dad was here with us and he was shining down on us. And I think it was him that scored those goals." "The best match we went to was the last match at the Boleyn Ground," Bailey said. "We got in the ground early and my Dad was singing and everything. It was amazing. "I'll still keep coming to matches if they win!"
Bailey and Zoe will, of course, continue to be supported by Paul and Mia. "Scott grew up in Canning Town and we all supported West Ham from a young age. He went over to Upton Park from the age of ten and it went from there. I was mates with Scott for nearly 30 years, so we went back a long way and he was West Ham through and through. "We went to quite a few away games together and we got Season Tickets when the Club moved to London Stadium. The four of us would go together every week – it's what Scott would have wanted."
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Zabaleta full of praise for teammates Hart, Arnautovic and Chicharito
WHUFC.com
Pablo Zabaleta was full of praise for his old pal Joe Hart after the West Ham United goalkeeper produced a Man of the Match performance in Sunday's 1-1 Premier League draw at Chelsea. In recent years, Stamford Bridge has been a tough place for the Hammers to achieve a positive result and, going in 1-0 down at half-time, it seemed more of the same was to come, but a spirited second-half performance helped the visitors snatch a point. While Chicharito grabbed West Ham's goal, it was Hart whose series of fine saves set the foundation for his team to earn a share of the spoils – impressing the man who he has shared a dressing room with for much of the last decade. "I feel Joe's performance was fantastic," said Zabaleta. "He made four great saves that helped us get a point. "What we want is to have healthy competition between him and Adrian, as they have done great for the squad. "I have known Joe for a very long time now and I think he's a great lad. He deserves it as, even when he's dropped, he still works hard and that shows why he's a great professional."
The experienced right-back, who was in solid form himself in west London, had warm words for those at the other end of the field as well, lauding the combination play of Marko Arnautovic and super sub Chicharito which for West Ham's second-half equaliser. "We knew at half-time that we were only 1-0 down and needed to keep working hard all together and to keep our discipline and when the chances came, we knew we had the players going forward who could score goals in Marko, Chicha and Joao Mario," observed the No5. "They have huge quality to make the difference in the end and they have done it." "With them playing up front, they made it tough for the Chelsea defenders. It was a great goal with that cut-back from Marko and a great finish by Chicha. "That was a great finish by Chicharito. He is a game-changer. He creates a chance and he scores. He's always in the right position at the right time, we know that. It was a huge point of course, so now we just need to keep going as this is the best way to continue working."
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Stick your blue flag...
KUMb.com
Filed: Tuesday, 10th April 2018
By: Paul Walker
There you go. Just for a change it's only about the football. I know it's hard to believe in our season of despair, but it only takes sticking it up Chelsea to bring about a show of much needed unity.
So often this season it's always been about the shambles off the field, this time - at least for a few days - let's all laugh at Chelsea.
OK, it was only a draw, and the pointed stick can only be inserted a little way, but it's enough to inflict pain and tears on the posh boys from the west side of London. A victory would have allowed more, but you can't have everything.
Now, in no particular order (there's a lot to get through) I'll start with the fans of this over-indulged club, full of self importance and entitlement. Even if they are, and because of that fact, the biggest club in London now (sorry Spurs, you are way, way down the list) taking anything from the money launderers is as good as a win.
BBC's 606, which used to be at least funny when Danny Baker did it, was full of tearful, wailing Chelsea fans who moaned about such a bad season. Sorry, you are champions, you reached the Champions League knockout stages, you are in the FA Cup semi finals and if you pull yourselves together you will be in the Thursday night league. Get a grip.
Now I didn't see any of the game live, without boring you with the sob story, my son went to the game and me and the missus looked after little granddaughter. I know, sometimes you can be pushed too far! But I spent a lovely sunny afternoon teaching her how to stay balanced on her little bike and she didn't fall over once. I can supply the same lesson to Eden Hazard, without the bike of course.
She then showed me how to play CBBC games on the iPad. She's three for heaven's sake, and most of the time I was getting 'you have to be quicker than that, grandad.'
So I let the game slip away when the chance of turning on the TV became out of the question. To be fair, I had more fun on a match day than I have had in the pit of misery all season!
I have since watched the whole recording, and was mightily impressed with the effort and desire not to be overrun. Which could easily have happened, as it has on plenty of other occasions these past two seasons.
So to have heard Sky's Andy Hinchcliffe wittering on about how poor we were and how wonderful Chelsea were, and then to read on BBC's website Danny Mill (an average full back who was very fortunate to play for England) going on about us 'whimper' our way to relegation and not appreciating the importance of the game took some understanding.
We are not as good as Chelsea, we do not have players as good as theirs, but you could not doubt the commitment and effort. It got worse on 606, where we had Kelly Cates (formerly Dalglish) and Joleen, Joleen, Joleen, Joleen Lescott (apologies to Dolly Parton, I couldn't resist that) gushing away about Chelsea. The programme was so poor it sounded like a Radio Caroline training tape from the '60s.
And everybody thought it wasn't a penalty, that N'Golo Kante's tackle on Marko was perfect. The same came from most of the journos. Now sorry, these people have instant TV replays and slow motion at their fingertips. It didn't take much to see that it was a penalty, even if it was near impossible for referee Keith Friend to see it. It would have been a guess.
Mind, you, I've seen too many refs guess that challenges are worthy of a penalty. At least Dermot Gallagher got it right. It's an easy way out for pundits and some writers to be nice about the big teams.
Now I believe our fans see Chelsea at Stamford Bridge as one of the top, if not the top, away trips of the season. A nice sunny day in the wine bars and poncy coffee shops. And if the Shed was still around the ICF boys would take it, this time I am told, they took over one of the Chelsea home fans' designated pubs. So a good day was had by all.
And it was two more unlikely heroes that did it. Joe Hart and Javier Hernandez are both unlikely to be around next season. Chico wants out, he's been saying so for months, but what I love about him is that he still puts in a shift and scores vital goals.
I still don't think he should start, he is just not suited to the Premier League where everyone has to work and press. That's never been his game. Alex Ferguson thought that, and both Slav and David Moyes agree.
Chico will score, he's one of the best in the world in the penalty box, but outside of it he can be lightweight and a liability. And nobody plays 4-4-2 these days. So I expect him to be off in the summer.
Hart, with his vast wages, also looks very unlikely to stay, unless he produces a string of performances like Sunday's and then takes a big pay cut. But that's unlikely, if he continues to do well he'll get a move somewhere, Newcastle have wanted him for months.
I have always liked him but accept this has been a difficult season when his concentration has looked way off at times. Mind you, playing behind our defence early in the season would have made Gordon Banks look bad.
But between them these two won us the point. Hart, who despite taking constant abuse this term, has always been uncomplaining and professional. Chico the same, he does his job and has scored some beauties this term, Sunday's being one of his best.
It was mayhem behind that goal as the Irons' fans went potty. They were pretty vocal throughout and deserve praise for the dignity shown during the Ray Wilkins tribute beforehand, and you could hear them singing 'there's only one Ray Wilkins' above the minutes' applause. Top lads.
The one downer was the soft goal we gave away. Slav, working for Sky, had a pop at Marko and Fernandes for some poor defending. That's rich coming from our former boss who frequently saw us ship four goals a game. Mind you, he was right. The pair were pretty awful as they tried to defend that short corner and Cesar Azpilicueta fumbled the ball over the line.
So here we are, I still think two wins away from safety. It means Stoke next Monday is crucial because it's Arsenal and Manchester City straight after that. It will take a Southampton-level performance on and off the field against the Potters, so lets hope our beloved board can keep their heads down long enough not to cause any distractions from the job in hand.
I am not really interested in any of the off-field stuff any more until we are safe. This unity thing is quite nice, isn't it?
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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Hernandez in, Zaza out?
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 10th April 2018
By: Staff Writer
La Liga side Valencia are preparing to offload former Hammer Simone Zaza - in order to make room for Javier Hernandez. The Mexican international has made no secret of his disappointment at having failed to secure a first team spot at West Ham under Slaven Bilic or David Moyes, and is set to cut his losses by moving on during the summer. Naturally there is no shortage of interested parties whilst one of his most earnest potential suitors are Los Che, who signed Italian international Zaza on a full-time contract last summer. However in order to make room for the possible acquisition of Hernandez, the former Juve striker is also likely to be moving on at the end of the campaign - according to reports in Spain (El Gol Digital). With Santi Mina and #19 Rodrigo currently first choice at the Mestalla Stadium, Zaza - who has scored 12 times for Valencia this season, although only twice since last December - is set to be the fall guy, not for the first time in his career. Hernandez, who has looked at times like a luxury player in a team battling for its very survival had scored eight times for West Ham since his £14million move from Bayer Leverkusen last summer. West Ham will be seeking to recapture as much of that outlay as possible for the Mexican international, who celebrates his 30th birthday this June.
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Rice a future captain, says Zaba
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 10th April 2018
By: Staff Writer
Pablo Zabaleta has backed fellow defender Declan Rice to be a future West Ham captain. The 19-year-old defender was roundly praised at the weekend for an excellent performance against former club Chelsea, who he left at the age of 14. And the Irish international's veteran team mate, who is at the other end of a glittering career believes he has the ability and aptitute to go on and lead the Hammers for many years to come.
Talking about Sunday afternoon's draw at Chelsea, the former Argentinian international said: "I was very pleased with the performance from the back line. "We worked really hard throughout the game to stop Chelsea's front three - Hazard, Willima, Moarata - who are really good players. I thought we were defensively solid today. "Angelo [Ogbonna] and Declan [Rice] were fantastic - Declan is still only 19 but he's improving game after game. He's got that energy to play and I'm very pleased for him. "I hope I can help him and teach him how to defend as this guy has a great future at the club. I'm sure he'll be a West Ham captain in the future."
And Zabaleta - who is coming to the end to the first of a two-year stay at West Ham - also heaped praise upon Man of the Match Joe Hart, who moved to east London from Manchester along with the full back last summer. "I thought his performance was fantastic," added Zabaleta. "He made three or four great saves that helped us to get a point. I'm very pleased for him. "This squad is big, we've got two players for each position and we want to have that helthy competition between Joe and Adrian. They've done great for the squad. "I've known Joe Hart for a long time now, he's a great lad and he deserves it. Even when he's been dropped he kept working hard - and that shows why he's a great professional."
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£37 to upgrade a £20 ticket? No thanks!
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 10th April 2018
By: Staff Writer
A season ticket holder has written to West Ham after he was asked to pay £37 in order to upgrade a child's season ticket - for a match in which an adult may purchase one on General Sale for £20. The supporter, who wishes to remain anonymous but has been a season ticket holder for more than 20 years hoped to upgrade his young son's season ticket for a friend (a fellow adult) who was hoping to join him for Monday night's vital Premier League clash against Stoke City.
However the longstanding fan - whose son is unable to attend since the match was moved to a school night - was disappointed to learn that the club intended to charge him £37 for the upgrade, nearly DOUBLE what it would cost to buy an adult match day ticket for the match as a result of the club's '2 for £40' promotional offer. "Other games that have been moved to midweek have had '£20 to upgrade' offers," the season ticket holder, who has contacted vice chair Karren Brady and co-chairman David Gold with his complaint told KUMB. "That's reasonable. But £37 to upgrade when you can buy two for £40 seems like unnecessary profiteering."
The £37 fee compares unfavourably to a similar arrangement last season, when West Ham faced Tottenham in a match that was also moved to a weekday at the behest of the TV companies (Friday 5 May 2017). On that particular occasion the parents of child season ticket holders were encouraged to upgrade their tickets at a discounted rate. West Ham United have been approached for comment.
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Masuaku's socks appeal
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 10th April 2018
By: Staff Writer
Arthur Masuaku has explained why he has taken to tearing holes in his socks ahead of matches. The 24-year-old, who recently returned from a six-match suspension was spotted at Stamford Bridge on Sunday with a series of unexplained holes in his footwear. But according to Masuaku, the holes (three in each sock, at the back) are quite deliberate - and designed to allow his calf muscles room for manouvre inside socks that the French winger described as "too tight".
Masuaku, of course, isn't the first Hammer to ensure his kit has a particularly unique look. Alex Song was well known for rolling his shorts up as high as possible, whilst Julian Dicks made a habit of cutting off his short collars prior to every game - for comfort, as he revealed in his KUMB column back in 2012. "Pony were our sponsors and the shirts used to have buttons on," he said. "If you ever chested the ball down it'd hurt, so I used to cut the buttons and the collars off. "I was never a footballer to look posh, with nice cuffs and collars, so off they came! It was purely for comfort. Prior to that we had a Pony shirt with a round neck and I used to cut a 'V' into it - once again because it was more comfortable."
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THREE PLAYERS DAVID MOYES WANTS TO BRING TO WEST HAM THIS SUMMER
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 9 APRIL 2018 AT 7:13PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by Nathan Blake
David Moyes recently took in the Fulham against Leeds game in the Championship, casting his eye over three Fulham stars with a view to a potential move, something that was first broke on ExWHUEmployee's twitter account, as usual!.
Whilst Ryan Sessegnon has been earning all the plaudits at Craven Cottage, three other stars have been identified as possible targets for the Hammers. Tom Cairney, Ryan Fredericks and on-loan Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic have caught the eye.
Mitrovic could get Hammers fans' pulses racing. He's the former Anderlecht striker who joined Newcastle a couple of seasons ago for a significant sum. He hasn't enjoyed the best of times under Benitez, frozen out at St James Park, much like former England prospect Jack Colback.
Aleksandar Mitrovic
Colback has gone on loan at Forest whilst Mitrovic has been showing what he can do in west London. He's been in phenomenal form, scoring in eight consecutive games ahead of the summer's World Cup. He's recently been nominated for the Championship Player of the Month for March too.
He's a classic centre-forward, nippy and agile but with a keen eye for goal. Hammers fans might be worried that he hasn't proven himself at the top level, but the top of the Championship isn't that different to the bottom of the Premier League. He'd be a wonderful signing; he's only 23 which means he could well increase in value, but Newcastle would expect to recoup some of that £13m they laid out on him.
Ryan Fredericks is another player with a big future and he was also being watched by Moyes. He 25-years old and came through the ranks at Tottenham Hotspur, but never made the grade there. He spent time on loan at various clubs, eventually moving to Bristol City. It seems you can take the boy out of London, but not London out of the boy. He spent just 26 days with Bristol before leaving for 'personal reasons', earning a move back to the capital with the Cottagers.
He's now played 95 times for Slavisa Jokanovic's side, impressing more as his spell has worn on. He's primed for a Premier League move and it does seem as though he'd be favouring a London club, but if Fulham were to go up the move would be highly unlikely.
Both players would significantly improve the Hammers side, both are young and would likely be the catalyst for West Ham moving up the odds in Premier League betting markets – that is, if they stay there. They're still around 10/1 to be relegated. However, coupled with the final target, they could help usher in a purple period in the Hammers history.
Tom Cairney
The final player Moyes was watching is midfielder Tom Cairney, a slow burner who has taken time to flourish. He's been a driving force behind Fulham's ascent up the table, pulling the strings in midfield with some all-action displays. He's been amongst the goals, bagging five this season, but his game isn't about goals.
Cairney is 27 years old and failed to properly break through at Hull City in a five-year spell there. He's a traditional number six, a midfielder who gets box to box, winning the ball and playing smart passes. He's attracted lots of attention this season; Aston Villa have been watching closely, but it could well be another side in claret and blue where his future lies.
With the recent troubles at the Olympic Stadium fresh in everyone's mind, and a dismal period on the pitch not looking over yet, fans do need something positive to focus on. These three players might not be household names, but they've been at the centre of Fulham's rise this season and are all primed and ready to perform on the biggest stage of them all, the Premier League.
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Mark Noble says Javier Hernandez wants more game time at West Ham
Last Updated: 10/04/18 4:35pm
SSN
West Ham captain Mark Noble says team-mate Javier Hernandez has not played as much as he would have liked under David Moyes this season. The 29-year-old, who has started 16 Premier League games for the Hammers this season, scored three minutes after coming on as a substitute in the 1-1 draw against Chelsea on Sunday. Newspaper reports this week have suggested the Mexican is prepared to leave the London club this summer due to his lack of first-team minutes.
West Ham boss David Moyes was full of praise for 'keeper Joe Hart after his man-of-the-match performance against Chelsea. Noble praised the striker's finishing ability but admitted the former Manchester United and Real Madrid player would like to play more. "Chicharito is a goal machine - he gets one chance and scores," he told West Ham's website. "He's probably not played as many minutes as he would have liked but probably down to the way the season has gone. "But when you can bring him on, as soon as it fell to him I'm standing right behind him and there were about ten bodies in front, but you know he will find that spot and that's why he's the player he is. "The second-half display had everything. We defended well and I thought we kept the ball a lot better, but Chelsea are a top team and they have some really clever players, particularly the front three. "But we kept our shape and kept playing the way we know we can do, we defended well and we came away with a point. We're over the moon."
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Joe Hart is West Ham's No 1 but not England's, says Tony Gale
Last Updated: 10/04/18 11:49am
SSN
Joe Hart has won over West Ham fans, according to Tony Gale, but the former Hammer does not believe Hart will start in goal for England at the World Cup. Hart looked back to his best on Super Sunday, produced a string of fine saves as he turned in a man-of-the match performance in West Ham's 1-1 draw at Chelsea.
West Ham boss David Moyes was full of praise for the 75-cap England international after his display at Stamford Bridge, insisting Hart has given Gareth Southgate a timely reminder of his international credentials. But Gale, who racked up 300 league appearances during a decade-long spell at West Ham, does not believe Hart has done quite enough to earn an automatic starting berth between the sticks for England in Russia. "(I think he has done) enough to get himself on the plane but not a starting place," Gale told Premier League Daily. "I'm so pleased to see him (starting again for West Ham). "I do think he is better than Adrian in goal. I think he did have a poor time and Adrian deserved to come in but I think that performance at the weekend showed what a good pro he is. "He hasn't complained and has just got on with his game. And he has won the West Ham fans around as well."
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Andy Carroll in contention to return for West Ham against Stoke
By Sky Sports News
Last Updated: 10/04/18 11:49am
SSN
Andy Carroll is contention to make his comeback from injury for West Ham in their match against Stoke on Monday Night Football, Sky Sports News understands.
The 29-year-old, who has scored two goals in 14 appearances this season, has not played for the Hammers since January 4 after suffering an ankle injury. Carroll has returned to first-team training and is likely to take his place on the substitutes' bench, with the in-form Marko Arnautovic leading the line for David Moyes' side.
West Ham are also hopeful Manuel Lanzini will be fit to feature against the Potters having been without the midfielder for the past two matches. The 25-year-old missed the 3-0 victory over Southampton and 1-1 draw with Chelsea after sustaining a knee injury while on international duty with Argentina. Lanzini, who is back running in training, has scored three goals in 23 appearances this campaign, providing five assists.
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A HUGE WEEKEND LOOMING
By Tony Hanna 10 Apr 2018 at 08:00
WTID
Another point and another step closer to Premier League survival. I won't dwell too much on the game at Chelsea as David Hautzig and Hamburg Hammer have already written excellent pieces on the match. We rode our luck at times but that will always be the case against any of the top six teams in the division, especially away from home. However, it was a gritty display and after last week's performance against Southampton it augurs well for the challenges ahead as the season draws to a close. For about twelve minutes near the end of the match it was as thrilling as it gets, like two boxers giving it all at the end of a bout. Both swinging with all their might looking for the knockout punch. Indeed, we might have stolen the points when Arnie came crashing down in the box, but alas no penalty was given. For me Kante's tackle was a good one but I am sure not all will agree. This is why when VAR does come in they must stick by the on field referees calls in these types of moments. When there is still doubt after watching a video replay their initial on field verdict must be final, or the whole process will not work. I must admit, the only time during Sunday's game where I vented was on the back of that short corner kick we took in the last two minutes. We had one last chance to win the game and we threw it away. If we are going to decline that opportunity and opt to waste time with a view to respecting the point, at least do it well. We would have wasted more time by kicking the ball into the crowd for a goal kick straight from the corner, rather than the debacle attempted between Cullen and Noble.
This coming weekend is huge in relation to the relegation fight. If we can beat Stoke we will be safe in my opinion and if Chelsea can also beat Southampton it will further cement our position. Should we fail to beat Stoke and teams around us win it will still makes things very tricky. A few weeks ago in my column I gave a run down on what lies ahead for the teams in the relegation dog fight. Here is an update.
West Brom are down now and whilst it is still mathematically possible they could survive, they won't.
Stoke are giving it their all, as are their fans, but they have let in 63 goals in 33 games (highest in the PL) and in recent times have also been fairly blunt in attack as well. They have put in decent enough performances in their last two matches – Arsenal away and Spurs at home, but have come away with nothing. Since the turn of the year they have only scored in six of their PL games and only once have they scored more than one. The bookies rate them at 2/7 (78%) for the drop. They have played one more game than us and their remaining fixtures are; West Ham (a), Burnley (h), Liverpool (a), Crystal Palace (h) and Swansea (a). They have enough winnable games left to give them hope but a loss to the Hammers would make things really tough.
Southampton put in a much improved effort on the weekend at Arsenal. Whilst the home side fielded a weakened side due to Cup commitments later this week, the Saints gave the Gunners plenty of problems especially at the back end of the game. However, they have only won once in their past nineteen PL games and that was against bottom club West Brom. The bookies price them at around even money for relegation (50%) and their run in comprises; Chelsea (H), Leicester (a), Bournemouth (h), Everton (a), Swansea (a) and Man City (h). This weekend's game for them is huge as it will leave them with only two more home games to play this season. One will be against their local rivals who would love to put one over them and the other is against the Champions in waiting.
Crystal Palace have the easiest run in of all the relegation candidates but they must start to win some of these or they could be drawn under. The bookies make them a 10/1 (9%) chance for relegation and they are three points behind us having played one more game. Their run is; Brighton (h), Watford (a), Leicester (h), Stoke (a) and West Brom (h). If they can't conjure up half a dozen points from that lot they probably deserve to go down.
Huddersfield are really struggling. They scored a fortunate goal in their away game at Brighton on the weekend to earn a point but showed a distinct lack of ambition when Brighton were reduced to ten men with fifteen minutes to play. Since they beat Watford back on the 16th December they have only won twice, against West Brom and Bournemouth. Their lucky goal at Brighton on the weekend was their first in five matches. They are two points behind us and have played one more game. The bookies rate them a 6/4 (40%) chance to drop and they finish the season with; Watford (h), Everton (h), Man City (a), Chelsea (a) and Arsenal (h). Again, probably their most winnable game remaining is this weekend which highlights the importance of this coming round of fixtures.
Swansea were a team on a roll just a few weeks ago, after looking certainties to go down before their change of manager in late December. They have failed to win in their past three PL games since they beat us 4-1 and are not out of the woods just yet. Like us, they have six games left but now trail the Hammers by two points. They are 11/2 (15%) to be relegated and their remaining fixtures are; Everton (h), Man City (a), Chelsea (h), Bournemouth (a), Southampton (h) and Stoke (h). Like us, four of their remaining six fixtures will be played on their home ground. Again, their most winnable game in the next four fixtures is this weekend. Whether Swansea stay up or go down one thing is almost certain. Their last two fixtures of the season will probably decide who does.
Brighton are 20/1 (4.76%) to go down. They are one point ahead of us and finish this season with; Crystal Palace (a), Spurs (h), Burnley (a), Man Utd (h), Man City (a) and Liverpool (a). Again, looking at their final five fixtures of the season the importance of this weekend's clash with Palace is huge for them.
So what of us? West Ham are now rated a 25/1 (3.85%) chance for relegation. However, a loss this weekend would severely affect the relegation markets. Our remaining games are; Stoke (h), Arsenal (a), Man City (h), Leicester (a), Man Utd (h) and Everton (H). Last week I wrote that a Man City win in the CL ties against Liverpool could see them play a weakened side against us should they reach the semi-finals. Our PL match with them would be sandwiched between the two semis. That is looking more unlikely now but a similar thing will probably happen for our match at Arsenal. They carry a 4-1 lead into their second leg tie with CSKA Moscow this week and should they prevail our match with them will be played just days before the first semi-final leg of the Europa League. The Gunners have fielded weakened teams in the past fortnight against our relegation rivals Stoke and Southampton due to them prioritising the Cup, but neither of those two have been able to take advantage of some pretty awful displays from Wenger's team. Whilst Arsenal have stuck three goals past both of them it has hardly told the real story. Hopefully, Wenger will do the honours and field a team of similar strength for our visit.
So to conclude. This weekend is a huge game for us and Stoke, but a quick look at how the fixture list is panning out and there a few other matches this weekend that will go a long way to deciding who will be relegated this season. Let's hope the boys can bring this one home. COYI.
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