West Ham United v Manchester United: All you need to know
WHUFC.com
West Ham United will take on Manchester United in the Premier League on Thursday in the penultimate contest of the campaign.
Read on for all the information you need ahead of this midweek game.
Where and when?
The Hammers will welcome Manchester United to London Stadium on Thursday 10 May 2018.
Kick-off is scheduled for 7:45pm.
How to follow:
West Ham v Manchester United will be available on Sky Sports, via their Main Event and Premier League channels, with programming set to begin at 7:30pm. Click here for overseas listings.
Live match updates will be provided through the official West Ham Twitter account.
You can also follow the game live via our Matchday Blog on whufc.com.
You can also follow the match on our official Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat channels.
Team news:
Pedro Obiang returned to the bench for the Hammers in the win over Leicester City at the weekend, indicating a chance that the midfielder could feature again for West Ham before the end of the season. Supporters will also be hoping that Chicharito is once again available, having missed out this last weekend. Winston Reid and Michail Antonio remain out. Manager David Moyes will offer an update on his available team news during his press-conference on Wednesday afternoon.
Match Officials:
Referee: Jonathan Moss
Assistant Referees: Eddie Smart and Harry Lennard
Fourth Official: Kevin Friend
How to get there:
Supporters can use Stratford, Stratford International, Pudding Mill Lane or Hackney Wick stations to reach London Stadium.
By Train
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Moyes: I'm keeping Sir Alex in my thoughts
WHUFC.com
West Ham United manager David Moyes said he is keeping Sir Alex Ferguson and his family in his thoughts after the iconic manager's recent health scare. Sir Alex was rushed into hospital on Saturday after suffering a brain haemorrhage, where emergency surgery was performed on the former Manchester United boss. Further updates suggest that the 76-year-old is now on the road to recovery, a fact that fellow Scotsman Moyes is overjoyed to hear.
Moyes took over from Sir Alex at Manchester United in 2013, after the Red Devils stalwart decided to end his highly successful 26-year stint in charge of the club, and the Hammers manager is keeping his old colleague and his family on his mind while they battle against his condition. Moyes revealed he was informed of Sir Alex's ill health during the journey back from his side's 2-0 victory at Leicester City, and hopes he is on the mend. "We were all devastated when we heard the news, after the game on Saturday, coming back from Leicester," Moyes said. "If the news is correct, and Sir Alex is doing well, then we are thrilled, we really are.
"I've not had any more news than what I've been picking up in bits and pieces from the media. We will be thinking about him and his family. I know them all very well and I just hope he is sitting up in bed, and he is watching this news conference."
Moyes is preparing his Hammers to take on the club Sir Alex is most closely linked to in Manchester United on Thursday, with the Irons looking to claim a second successive win after securing their Premier League safety. Manchester United, now managed by Jose Mourinho, head into this midweek fixture on the back of a defeat by Brighton & Hove Albion.
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Betway Insider's View of the Opposition: Manchester United
WHUFC.com
Manchester United travel to London Stadium on the back of a disappointing 1-0 defeat at Brighton last week – the fourth time in their last eight away matches that they have failed to win. The visitors need just one point from their final two games to seal second place in the Premier League and also have the FA Cup final in little over a week to prepare for. West Ham, then, are primed to earn at least a draw on Thursday night. David Moyes' side have already proved that they are capable of matching the league's big-six clubs this season, having taken four points from home games against Chelsea and Arsenal. The Hammers also earned draws with Tottenham and Chelsea in the league, as well as beating the former in the EFL Cup fourth round. And, having won 2-0 at Leicester last weekend and lost just two of their last six, confidence should be high for the home side. In order to avoid defeat, though, it's likely that they will need to score.
Jose Mourinho's side have found the back of the net in eleven of their last 15 league games and won the reverse fixture 4-0 on the opening day of the season. They have, however, kept just three clean sheets in their last eight away games. Given that West Ham have only failed to net in two of their last 14 matches in all competitions at London Stadium, both teams to score looks a reliable bet. When picking a goalscorer for the Hammers, it makes sense to think away from the usual suspects. Three of the last five goals Manchester United have conceded in the league have been from headers, and Angelo Ogbonna is one of West Ham's biggest threats in the air. The defender has already netted against Tottenham and Manchester City this season, and is a great price to repeat the trick here.
Recommended bets
West Ham to win or draw – 1/1
Both teams to score – 8/11
Angelo Ogbonna to score anytime – 12/1
Back this #BetYourWay at 28/1
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Moyes: Celebrating safety, avoiding complacency and ending the season strongly
WHUFC.com
West Ham United manager David Moyes says his players are focused on ending the season as strongly as possible, starting with a good performance against Manchester United. The Irons secured their Premier League status last weekend after achieving a win over Leicester City, with Moyes praising his side's attitude.
Ahead of the Premier League clash with the Red Devils on Thursday, the Hammers boss met with representatives of the media. Here's what he had to say…
We always wanted to ensure our own safety
We were on the bus back from Leicester when we heard (that we were safe). We didn't have coverage so it was coming through the radio, and a big cheer went up from the players when they heard because they knew that got us over the line. But the biggest cheer for me was how the supporters reacted to the players and their performance at Leicester. The supporters understood how well we'd played and how well we had done. I was more thrilled with how well we had played at Leicester; How we had passed it and how we had scored good goals. Maybe on another day we would have scored more goals. The Southampton and Everton result helped, obviously, but the biggest result was ours. We always wanted it to be done by us. I probably expected it to go to the last week of the season, to be honest. I always thought, these two home games, we would have to win one of them to make sure we stayed up. But we've done it before that and I can enjoy the two games in the hope that we can win the points against them and climb up the league.
The players and my staff deserve a huge well done
I have to say well done to the players. When I came in here we had nine points and it was difficult, but I've got to say the players have gone and done the job and got the points. I think we've scored quite a few goals and I've got to say all credit to the players. A lot of people questioned me coming in but I've got to say the job was to come in and keep the side up, and we've done that. But I've got to say that I've got a really good staff. I've got a top end staff here and they've been really helpful. The players know that if we can win a couple more games, then we can get ourselves higher up the league. Then we might even be thinking 'well, what was all the worry about'?
We cannot relax just because we are safe
I wouldn't be using the word 'relaxation' – far from it! I will be saying that we have two good games and we know the pressure of any relegation is not there anymore, and we will try to play the best we can. I can only ever say good things about Manchester United because I respect the club so much and what they stand for, and just how good a football club it is. Anybody who is a manager of that football club has a real privilege. I think we would rather be not playing them after a defeat, but the truth is we have to play Manchester United and we will do everything we can to win. We will try to play well in this game.
We have felt the benefits of our Miami training camp
I think our performances since we've come back from our trip have been really good. Maybe if you took out the Manchester City game, I think the players have played really well picked up points in the last seven weeks, and shown a real togetherness in the group.
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Antonio: I'm looking forward to contributing again next season
WHUFC.com
Michail Antonio was a delighted spectator as West Ham United sealed their Premier League status with a dominant 2-0 victory at Leicester City on Saturday. Antonio was keeping a keen eye on events, so the goals from Joao Mario and Mark Noble gave him a welcome boost as he continues his recovery from an operation on his hamstring. With the Hammers' top flight position secured, the 2017 Hammer of the Year is looking forward to contributing to a more successful season when he returns. "I'm feeling good," he said. "The recovery from my operation is going well so I'm just going to keep moving on with it. "I probably have another three months until I'm back training fully, so hopefully I'll be back playing in August. "It's the holy grail to stay in the Premier League, so it's great [that we've secured safety]. Hopefully next year we can do better. "It was a great performance at Leicester. We didn't give them much of an opportunity, we bossed the game, scored in the first half and sealed it off with Mark Noble's finish. "It was a great strike from him into the bottom corner."
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West Ham United v Manchester United
BBC.co.uk
TEAM NEWS
West Ham striker Javier Hernandez has been ruled out with a knee injury. Top scorer Marko Arnautovic is available despite picking up a knock in the win over Leicester.
Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku will miss the club's last two league matches with an ankle injury but could return for the FA Cup final. Midfielder Marouane Fellaini is also absent due to a muscular injury, but Alexis Sanchez and Phil Jones both return to the squad.
WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY
West Ham manager David Moyes: "There was a big cheer from the players on the bus when they heard the scoreline from Everton and Southampton, but the big cheer for me was the performance against Leicester. "We have picked up points in the last six or seven weeks and showed real togetherness as a group. "The players know that if we can win a couple of more games then we can get ourselves higher up the league."
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho on the reaction of his players to the Brighton defeat: "They all work well, even in weeks that hand in bad performances or bad results. "I never have anything negative to say about the professionalism of my players during the season; this week was no different."
LAWRO'S PREDICTION
West Ham are safe now too after their win at Leicester on Saturday, which was a massive result for them and means the pressure is off in this game. What happened to the performance we saw from Manchester United in the second half against Manchester City at the start of April?
Prediction: 3-0
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
West Ham have only won five of their 43 Premier League matches against Manchester United, with their last victory coming on 10 May 2016 in the final fixture at Upton Park.
Manchester United have failed to score in only two of their 21 away league fixtures at West Ham: a 0-0 draw in August 1998 and a 1-0 defeat in December 2006.
West Ham United
West Ham have not recorded back-to-back Premier League victories since January 2017.
They are aiming to avoid becoming the first team to lose more than 10 top-flight matches by at least a three-goal margin in a single season since West Brom in 1985-86.
Marko Arnautovic has scored 10 league goals this season. Bobby Zamora was the last West Ham player to score 11 goals in a single Premier League season back in 2006-07.
Manchester United
United could suffer back-to-back league defeats for the first time in a year, when they lost at Arsenal and Tottenham.
They are without a win in their final away game of a Premier League season since 2011-12, when they beat Sunderland. They've drawn four and lost once since then, with the defeat coming at West Ham in 2015-16.
Jose Mourinho is unbeaten in 10 Premier League games against teams managed by David Moyes.
The Red Devils are the only club not to have drawn a Premier League match in 2018.
SAM's verdict
Most probable score: 1-1 Probability of draw: 25%
Probability of home win: 22% Probability of away win: 53%
SAM (Sports Analytics Machine) is a super-computer created by @ProfIanMcHale at the University of Liverpool that is used to predict the outcome of football matches.
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West Ham manager David Moyes won't discuss future until end of season
BBC.co.uk
Manager David Moyes says he will delay talks on his West Ham future until the end of the season, despite the club now being safe from relegation. Moyes took over the Hammers in November with the club in the drop zone, signing a deal until the end of the season. His side confirmed their Premier League status with victory at Leicester on Saturday after a turbulent season. "We have always said we will talk after the end of the season so we will wait until then," said Moyes, 55. "It's always the way I wanted it and I won't change my views until we get the last two games out of the way. We are putting things in place, like pre-season, as much as we can, but ultimately I have got a decision to make and the club has as well."
Moyes took over from Slaven Bilic with the club in 18th place with nine points from 11 games. The Hammers have claimed 29 points from 25 games under Moyes and are now 15th, five points clear of the relegation zone. But the London club have struggled at times and fans invaded the pitch and threw missiles in protest at the club's board during a 3-0 home defeat to Burnley in March, after which they were 17th and two points above the bottom three. "We have picked up points in the last six or seven weeks and showed real togetherness as a group," Moyes said. "The players know that if we can win a couple of more games then we can get ourselves higher up the league. "Then you might have been thinking, 'what was the worry about', but overall, I have to say well done to the players."
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I have a decision to make, says Moyes
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 9th May 2018
By: Staff Writer
David Moyes says he has a decision to make regarding his immediate future. The current Hammers boss is out of contract at the end of the season with neither the club nor Moyes himself yet to confirm whether he is set for a long-term stay at West Ham. However he insisted that a decision will be made just as soon as the season culminates, following the two home matches with Moyes' former clubs Manchester Utd and Everton. "We have always said that we will talk after the end of the season," said Moyes when asked about his future during Wednesday's pre-match press conference. "It was always the way I wanted it and I won't change my views until after we've got the two games out of the way. "We're putting in place all the things you would expect - the pre-season, as much as we can. Ultimately I've got a decision to make - and so has the club."
Moyes achieved the target set for him when the Hammers beat Leicester last weekend a result that, combined with Southampton's 1-1 draw at Everton, ensured West Ham could not be relegated. And he believes that has silenced some of his doubters, many of whom felt he was the wrong man to succeed the popular Slaven Bilic. "A lot of people questioned me coming in, which surprised me," said Moyes. "The job was to come in and get them up and you'd have to say we've done that. I've got really good staff, top-end staff here and they've been really helpful. "I probably expected it to go to the last week of the season. I always thought we might have to win one of these two [remaining] homes games to stay up. There was a big cheer from the players on the bus when they heard the scoreline from Everton and Southampton, but the big cheer for me was the performance against Leicester."
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New recruit eyes first team opportunity
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 9th May 2018
By: Staff Writer
Young midfielder Sebastian Nebyla already has one eye on the first team at West Ham - despite having just signed his first contract with the club. The 16-year-old arrived at West Ham this week after putting pen to paper on a two-year contract - and immediately set his sights on one day running out with the first team.
"I decided [to join West Ham] on the basis of my feelings and a recommendation from my agent Emil Kovarovich," said Nebyla. " I have been given conditions in which I can train and improve my football. "I've signed a contract for two years; everything was perfectly organised at a high level. The West Ham Academy has excellent conditions, both material and financial. "I'm only 16 years old but I've already practised with the Under 23s. On Monday, I trained with former players Paul Konchesky and Matthew Upson. I hope the contract I've signed will offer me a route to the first team."
Nebyla leaves his previous club Spartaku Trnava as they prepare to celebrate a second successive Slovak Super Liga success; his old club are currently ten points clear of closest rivals Dunajská Streda and can wrap up the title this weekend. "I believe they'll win the title and I hope they will celebrate it after this weekend's match," added Nebyla. "I have a lot of friends there, and I will miss the city as well. I would also like to thank everyone in the club for their support."
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Antonio out until August
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 9th May 2018
By: Staff Writer
Michail Antonio has confirmed that is likely to miss the beginning of the 2018/19 season. The 28-year-old winger admitted that he doesn't expect to return to first team action until August at the earliest - some three months from now - having recently undergone surgery to correct a longstanding hamstring problem. "I'm feeling good," he told whufc.com. "I'm recovering well from my operation. I've probably got another three months before I'm back in full training so it'll be August before I start playing again."
And despite reports linking the England international with the likes of Crystal Palace, whose manager Roy Hodgson is said to be a keen admirer of the former Forest man, Antonio admits that his only aim right now is to win back his place at West Ham after it was confirmed that the Hammers would once again be playing in the Premier League next season. "Every team wants to stay in the Premier League, it's the holy grail," added Anotnio. "So to have that opportunity to play again next year - especially as I couldn't help the team secure security - is great, and hopefully next year we can do better."
And he was also distinctly impressed by the goal that confirmed safety - even if the scorer isn't exactly prolific in matches or during training! "We bossed the game, managed to get an early goal and see them off with Mark Noble's finish," he surmised. "He doesn't score too many like that and it was a great strike - I didn't expect it from him at all but hey, quality!"
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You needs Hans: West Ham consider £15m move
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 9th May 2018
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United could be on the verge of solving their right back problem by moving for Atalanta full back Hans Hateboer. The 23-year-old right back has spent the last 16 months in Serie A following a cut-price move from Groningen in January 2017 and has been courted by the likes of Inter since winning his first international cap in the recent friendly between the Netherlands and England. However the highly-rated Hateboer could be on his way to the Premier League if West Ham decide to turn their interest into a firm offer. According to KUMB sources, the Hammers are currently considering a bid in the region of £15million for the defender, in order to prise his away from Atalanta.
Born in Beerta in 1994, Hateboer came through the ranks at Groningen's Academy before making his first team debut in 2013. He won his first trophy the following year when the Green-White Army won the KNVB Cup, thus securing a place in 2015/16 Europa Cup. Prior to leaving Groningen, he finished the season with the most assists in the Eredivise. Having moved to Atalanta in January 2017, after he had declared his intention to leave Groningen at the end of the season on a free transfer, Hateboer quickly established himself in the first team at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia.
This season he haas been a virtual ever-present, making 41 appearances in Serie A, the Coppa Italia and the Europa League for his current club - including being part of the side that thrashed Sam Allardyce's Everton 5-1 at Goodison Park last November. And he made his international debut back in March, playing the full 90 minutes in the Netherlands' 1-0 defeat against England. West Ham's current first team right backs are the veteran Pablo Zabaleta, who is rapidly approaching his 34th birthday and Sam Byram, the oft-injured former Leeds defender who has made just FIVE Premier League appearances this season.
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Ex-West Ham head of recruitment Tony Henry apologises for comments about African players
By Sky Sports News
Last Updated: 09/05/18 6:13pm
SSN
Tony Henry - the former head of recruitment sacked by West Ham in February - has apologised for his comments about African players and says they were not intended to be racist. In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports News, Henry has attempted to explain why he said the Hammers did not want to sign more African players in the January transfer window, and insists both he and the club are not racist in any way. Henry was dismissed by West Ham following an investigation into an email in which he made those comments to an agent as well as subsequent comments to a newspaper that African players "can sometimes have a bad attitude". He was subsequently charged by the FA. Speaking on Wednesday, Henry said: "I was wrong for what I said. I'm not trying to get out of this. I've been charged by the FA. This is not me saying 'what I said was right'. It was wrong, and I totally apologise. "It was never, ever meant to be racist in any way. The reason we said we didn't want any more Africans was because we already had three. The day before we'd had four, but one of them left. "I just felt that, as a head of recruitment, I look ahead down the line and I thought that, in 12 months' time, it's the African Nations Cup. If we had four African players, come the African Nations Cup, we are going to lose them in January and February, and we could struggle with that. "Any team struggles when they lose four players. I just felt that it would have been too many for us. But also, as well, we brought a new manager in and we weren't in a good position. We needed to get some points, get some wins, and the Premier League is a tough league. "New players coming in have to hit the ground running, and what we said was we would have preferred, if possible, Premier League-based players, who could come in and get straight into it. "But that never always works out and, in the end, we didn't take any players. We took Jordan Hugill in the end, (and) we took Joao Mario, who is a top player. But again that made it, for me, even more important that we could bring in a couple of Premier League players to help out."
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West Ham boss David Moyes out to enjoy Man Utd reunion
By Rory O'Callaghan
Last Updated: 09/05/18 3:14pm
SSN
David Moyes admits he expected West Ham to be battling relegation until the last week of the season, and is now out to enjoy the final two games of the campaign against his former clubs Manchester United and Everton. The Hammers host United on Thursday, live on Sky Sports Premier League, fresh from their 2-0 win over Leicester on Saturday, which all but secured the club's top-flight status for another season. West Ham's safety was confirmed later on Saturday evening when Southampton drew 1-1 with Everton, and Moyes admits he expected the relegation fight to go right down to the wire. "That result helped obviously but the biggest result was ours," said Moyes. "I always wanted it to be done by us. "I probably expected it to go to the last week of the season. I always thought that these two homes games, we might have to win one of them to stay up. Moyes was appointed West Ham manager in November with the club in the relegation zone, and the Scot believes he has now proved his doubters wrong after a slow start at the club. "A lot of people questioned me coming in. I thought to myself 'that surprises me'," said Moyes. "The job was to come in and get them up and you'd have to say we've done that. I've got really good staff, a top end staff here and they've been really helpful."
Moyes' current contract is due to expire at the end of the season and the Hammers boss insists he will wait until the end of the campaign to discuss his future with the club. "We have always said that we will talk after the end of the season. We will wait," he said. "It was always the way I wanted it and I won't change my views until after we've got the two games out of the way. "We're putting in place all the things you would expect - the pre-season, as much as we can. Ultimately I've got a decision to make and so has the club."
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West Ham have doubts about Leander Dendoncker's £18m price-tag
HITC
Danny Owen
West Ham United are still being tipped to bring Anderlecht midfielder Leander Dendoncker to the Premier League, but is he really worth £18million? It is four months since West Ham United were first linked with a move for Anderlecht midfielder Leander Dendoncker. And it seems that the London club are still no closer to deciding whether or not they want to sign the 23-year-old. Sky Sports stated that West Ham had a bid rejected for Dendoncker on the final day of the January transfer window and they were expected to go back in for the 6ft 2ins colossus this summer. Hammers' assistant boss Stuart Pearce even travelled to Belgium at the weekend to watch Anderlecht's 2-1 win at Club Brugge, with Dendoncker allegedly the reason for his trip. But the Mail reports that West Ham are still not convinced about signing the Belgian international this summer. It is understood that Anderlecht value the versatile midfielder at around £18 million. But West Ham are yet to be convinced that Dendoncker is worth such a fee with manager David Moyes, who is preparing to stay at the club next season, preferring proven Premier League targets like Joe Allen of Stoke City. Dendoncker was in sensational form for Anderlecht last season, exploding onto the scene by winning the 2017 Jupiler League title and also helping his side to the quarter-finals of the Europa League, where he scored a bullet header against Manchester United.
But Dendoncker's form has dipped in recent months and he has been criticised in the Belgian press with Anderlecht in danger of losing their title to Club Brugge.
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JOAO MARIO'S FUTURE UNCERTAIN
TANAKA MVERE
ReadWestHam
The future of Joao Mario remains uncertain with the Portuguese international's current loan deal at West Ham set to expire at the end of the season. SportWitness has revealed that talks between West Ham and Inter Milan are ready to proceed, with the Serie A side prepared to let the midfielder go this summer. However, according to Italian outlet Calciomercato, the Nerazzurri will only allow a permanent deal to take place if West Ham meet their asking price of €30m
Mario joined Inter for €44m from Sporting two years ago, and they are hoping to recover most of that fee through this deal. However it looks unlikely that any club will pay that much money for the player. Calciomercato say that Inter's asking price for Joao Mario is likely to be too high for West Ham, and this could force them to decide against a permanent transfer. The Portuguese international joined the Hammers on loan in January and has since scored two goals and registered one assist in 11 Premier League appearances. Speaking of Mario's contribution to the team since his arrival, Hammers boss David Moyes said: "Joao has helped us in lots of ways, he's done two or three jobs and is a good footballer. He's now come up with a couple of goals for us in this period. We brought him in to help us play a bit better and get a couple of goals, so I'm pleased with that."
According to Calciomercato, Inter may consider allowing him to go out on loan for one more season, should he not find a permanent club in the upcoming window.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Thursday, May 10
Wednesday, May 9
Daily WHUFC News - 9th May 2018
'That was for the fans' says Noble after Leicester win
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's 2-0 victory over Leicester City on Saturday was for the
supporters, according to skipper Mark Noble after his side secured their
Premier League safety with a terrific three points. The captain, who scored
a magnificent second half volley to double the Hammers' advantage after Joao
Mario had given them the lead, praised the travelling fans who were in fine
voice all afternoon. Southampton's draw at Everton later that day meant
David Moyes' men were safe from any relegation fears with two games to
spare, and the win in the sunshine capped a perfect afternoon for the Club
on Saturday. And Noble – who made his 433rd appearance in Claret and Blue
against Claude Puel's team – said the win was for the supporters. "The away
fans were fantastic," he explained. "That was for the fans, the staff and
everyone who has stuck by us the whole season. "It's been tough and I
certainly don't want another [season] like this, but that was for them
today. "No matter where we go, how many seats we get, they always fill them,
they're always there, no matter what; summer or winter. "For all the money
they've spent, for all the miles they've driven, Saturday was for them."
West Ham have been up against the odds at times this season, but the
30-year-old, who has experienced it all over the years in east London,
claimed the squad never stopped believing throughout the campaign. "In all
honestly, the position we were in after the Burnley defeat, everyone thought
we were doomed," he continued. "But we went away, trained hard, and we got a
lot of stick for going away. "But it worked; the players socialised
together, and that's partly my job. But as I said, everyone has played their
part this season and you need your whole squad over a season. "With all the
problems we've had this year, I'm really proud of the bunch of players we
have got, and we've always stuck by it, kept training hard, and we deserved
what we got today. "When we have got criticism this year, I've taken it and
I'd rather it's on me than the rest of the team; I know how to handle it.
You have got to just lace your boots up and go again and we've had to do
that consistently this year."
Noble's volley, his fourth goal of the season, was of course a strike which
will live long in the memory, but the No16 claimed the importance and
context of the goal felt just as sweet as the strike itself. "That goal was
so important and we have kept another clean sheet – it's tough at 1-0, so in
that context for me to score is great. "But when the ball floated to me, I
just thought I'd have a go and you never know. You don't really feel them
leave your boot, when you catch it that sweetly. "Everyone I wanted to do,
the ball did and those moments; you score them in training but not much in
games. To score that and win the game, it was fantastic."
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Carroll aiming to end season on a scoring note
WHUFC.com
Andy Carroll is hoping to repay the support of the Claret and Blue Army by
signing off the season with a couple of goals in West Ham United's final two
Premier League matches. The centre forward has hit the net just three times
in 17 appearances during a stop-start campaign interrupted by groin and
ankle injuries, but each of those three goals was vital to the Hammers'
successful bid to beat the drop. And having scored twice in the home win
over West Bromwich Albion and a last-gasp equaliser in the 1-1 draw with
Stoke City, the No9 wants to hit the net again when West Ham host Manchester
United and Everton – rewarding the supporters who sang his name throughout
Saturday's vital 2-0 victory at Leicester City. "Saturday was brilliant," he
confirmed. "For me personally, coming on after they were singing my name
while I was warming up on the touchline was really good. I didn't really
expect it, to be honest, but our fans chose to get behind me and it was nice
to hear. "It was a good game for us. The lads stuck together and we deserved
it, really. I thought we played well and it was a good day all round. The
fans were brilliant, we were brilliant and the other results went our way,
too."
Carroll could have netted his fourth of the season at the King Power
Stadium, only for his touch to let him down at the vital moment inside the
Foxes penalty area.
"I could have had a goal, but I decided I'd take it out wide instead and
hold a couple of their players off by the corner flag in front of our fans,
just to show off my strength! Being serious, I should have probably taken a
better touch and scored. "It would be nice to have some more minutes on the
pitch. Getting 15 or 20 minutes the other day was good, so it would be nice
to get out there again in the last two games and get a goal or two. "After
that, I'll take Billi and the kids away for a nice chilled holiday and keep
myself ticking over before coming back in for pre-season training."
While Carroll was unable to find the net, his captain and friend Mark Noble
was, with arguably the best goal of his long and illustrious Claret and Blue
career – an unstoppable 25-yard volley that flew into the bottom corner of
the Leicester net to put West Ham 2-0 up midway through the second half. "We
laughed after the game as we reckon it was probably his first goal from
outside the box, but he told us it wasn't and that he used to do it all the
time!" Carroll smiled. "He never normally shoots from there as he usually
controls it and lobs it back into the box, so he must have had a rush of
blood. "To be fair to him, it was a hell of a strike, the best goal of his
career and it was his birthday on Monday, so he's had a good week so far.
He's 31 now, so he's getting on a bit!"
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Academy begin international tour season with draw in Bermuda
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's Academy of Football travelled to Bermuda over the Bank
Holiday Weekend ahead of their participation in the International Football
Festival Tournament. The first in a number of international tournaments for
the Academy this summer, Academy Director Terry Westley took an U17 side to
the competition which will be followed by trips to Switzerland and Hong
Kong. Upon arrival on the Atlantic Ocean island, the young Hammers were met
by former West Ham great and Bermuda international Clyde Best, who managed
his nation after his playing career ended. The youngsters then began their
campaign in the tournament by taking on the country's U20 side, a game, full
of talking points, which eventually ended in a 1-1 stalemate. In a very
tight first half, West Ham created the better opportunities, with Brazilian
midfielder Bernardo Rosa the driving force and Jay Mingi standing strong in
defence.
The visitors dominated large periods of the half but were unable to get the
significant breakthrough goal and went in at half-time goalless. After the
restart, stopper Joesph Anang made two impressive saves before the Hammers
went 1-0 down to what can only be described as a dubious goal, with the ball
clearly leaving the pitch and West Ham players having stopped for the
expected throw-in. The national team continued however, as did the referee,
and went on to score the opening goal. A well-worked corner, with Rosa
beating his man to set up Manny Longelo, got the Hammers a much deserved
equaliser soon after, though. Later, Rosa again created a wonderful
opportunity to win the match in the dying seconds but was unable to convert
the chance. And so the Hammers opened their tournament with a well-earned
draw. They will now enjoy a rest day before heading into their second match
with all to play for. Westley was pleased with his team's performance, and
said: "We are a young team and to play against the national team and to come
away with a draw you would be satisfied. "This is a great experience for our
young players and that's really why we have come. "Their goal was so far out
of play it was ridiculous, so that leaves a sour taste because the boys
worked so hard. "For ten minutes that upset them. But for young players,
they learnt that things don't always go your way and eventually got back
into the game."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
STOKE CITY-BUY OR AVOID?
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 8 MAY 2018 AT 9:37PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by @Bobstonian
As of Game week 37, Stoke have been mathematically relegated from the
Premier League. Below is a list of popular players that the club, in my
opinion, should sign (or not sign). I have purposely excluded Shawcross and
all players over 31 years old. Glenn Johnson, Charlie Adams, and Stephen
Ireland are out of contract in the summer.
Stoke – BUY:
Shaqiri
Pace, touch & quality from set pieces. He should be available for a
reasonable price due to a release clause in his contract. He seems to be
highly coveted by several teams, with Everton currently the favorites to
sign him. Taking the injury record of Antonio in to account, spending on the
right wing may make sense.
Butland
If he can make it to Russia, his value will increase. National team
goalkeepers are always marketable assets in the league. I expect that our
club will not be willing to pay up for his services. In my opinion, he is
the most desirable keeper from all relegation candidates, and Arsenal seem
very interested in Butland as a replacement for Cech.
Allen
Allen was rumored as a club target before his team was destined for
relegation. He can improve our distribution in the midfield. He is 28, and
started his senior career back in 2007. I fear his work rate may decrease.
However, I see him as a player who can compensate for this inevitable
decline in foot speed with his positioning and skill.
Martins Indi
The club will need to recruit more center backs this summer. We have played
a full-back out of position in our back three for most of the season.
Winston Reid will be 30 in the summer, and is nursing a knee injury. If next
year's manager desires three in the back, a starting-caliber center-half is
needed to play with Ogbonna and Rice. Martins Indi is my pick from the Stoke
squad, but he has been hampered by a groin injury this season. He did
feature in 30+ league games last season, collecting 11 clean sheets.
Stoke – AVOID:
Wimmer
Stoke clearly payed Spurs too much for Wimmer over the summer. I doubt Stoke
will be willing to take a loss on their original investment. He is young,
and showed promise under Pochettino, but his price tag will be very
off-putting for most clubs.
Berahino
Berahino is another player that the Potters overpaid for. He has not played
meaningful minutes in the last two seasons. He is a versatile attacker who
can play on both sides, but I believe Stoke will demand too high of a
transfer fee.
Sobhi
The Egyptian international is 21, and could be available for a reasonable
price due to his lack of playing time. He does prefer to play on the left
side, and would have to compete with the likes of Lanzini, Masuaku and
Arnautovic. Stoke will want to give him minutes in the Championship. The
club should prioritize spending on a different position.
Choupo-Moting
8 years older than Sobhi, and also plays on the left. He had a promising
start to the season, and then experienced a drop in form. There is no need
to prioritize spending on this player.
Diouf
Diouf boasted a respectable goal record in the Bundesliga. He scored 11
goals in his inaugural Premier League season. Since then, he has scored 12
goals in 87 games. He has shown versatility at different positions, but only
has 9 career league assists to his name.
Stoke have some players on the wings and up the middle that are worth a look
in the transfer season. I can't see us outspending other clubs for Shaqiri
or Butland. I believe we will pursue Allen in the summer, and hope we also
inquire about Martins Indi.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
LET'S NOT PICK THE LOW LYING FRUIT
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 8 MAY 2018 AT 9:23PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by: Alan Leason
Thanks for all the responses to my last article, I haven't gone mad I just
don't think Lanzini has been consistently good enough for us to resist
offers of 40-50m. The last stand out game I remember him having was 2 1/2
seasons ago at Liverpool.
Anyhow im currently watching the Swansea v Southampton game and thinking
about all the players we need for next season. I think we should be really
careful about trying to pick off players from relegated sides.
Why would we want Mawson, Ki, Jordan Ayew, Cedric, Redmond or Tadic? None
of them are carrying their teams and to agree with Kev from Sex, Drugs and
Carlton Cole, I wouldn't take Shaqiri either. I also don't think we need to
take the opinion if we need x amount of players at £25m each.
If we were looking for a Kouyate style player I'm sure we would be quoted
£25m minimum but look at the player we have? Lazy, doesn't work for his
place or the team but it's ok because he's Chiek and we post videos on the
official site of him laughing all the time.
We signed Cresswell for £5m and nobody outside of Ipswich knew him, fair
enough he'd be more expensive now but I like the principal of taking players
from the championship who could step up, basically the opposite of Hughill.
My one exception to the not signing relegated players would be a keeper.
Fabianski, Forster and even Foster would all be good signings for us, none
have been at fault for their respective clubs form.
I'd love for us to have gone for Shelvey but thanks to our mouthy chairman
he wouldn't even entertain us now, on the same note watch Snodgrass be
promoted with Villa sign for them and tear up the league!!
Remember all the fuss about Bilic having the option to sign Renato Sanchez,
Grzegorz Krychowiak etc? They are doing so well now aren't they?
Before we all get carried away thinking William Carvalho is the answer,
Stoke's record signing was from Porto and is a guy called Giannelli Imbulla,
he's currently on loan to Toulouse because he couldn't cut it in this
league. Carvalho is a European championship winner I hear you say…so is
Cedric who is battling to keep Southampton in the league. COYI
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham leading Shaq race
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 8th May 2018
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are the front runners to sign Stoke City's Swiss international
Xherdan Shaqiri. The Potters became the first team to be relegated from the
Premier League this season when they went down 2-1 at home to Crystal Palace
last weekend. And that has naturally seen a string of Stoke's better players
linked to various destinations in the past few days - including Shaqiri, who
formed a formidable partnership with Marko Arnautovic at the Bet365 Stadium.
According to the latest odds, the Hammers are 2-1 favourites to sign the
26-year-old winger, who was on the bench when Bayern Munich faced fellow
German outfit Borussia Dortmund in the 2013 Champions League Final. A number
of Stoke City's first-team players are expected to leave the club following
the team's relegation from the Premier League," said BetStars Director of
Trading Ian Marmion. "Swiss superstar Shaqiri has been the Potters' shining
light this season but the attacker looks set to call time on his three-year
stint with Stoke this summer. "The Hammers are poised to benefit from
Stoke's demotion to the Championship and have been installed as the 2/1
favourites to reunite the Swiss playmaker with his former teammate Marco
Arnautovic in attack at the London Stadium next season.
"Newcastle United are valued at 3/1 to become the winger's next destination
but a move abroad could also be on the cards for Shaqiri, with AC Milan and
Bayer Leverkusen both priced at 4/1 and 5/1 respectively. "Meanwhile
Arsenal and Everton are valued at 6/1 to swipe Stoke's star man."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Arnautovic sale led to relegation, say Stoke fans
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 8th May 2018
By: Staff Writer
Stoke City supporters have cited the sale of Marko Arnautovic to West Ham as
one of the core reasons for their relegation from the Premier League. The
Potters became the first team to be relegated from the top flight this
season following their 2-1 defeat at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday,
since when disappointed City fans have been discussing the reasons for their
swift and unexpected demise. And one of the chief reasons cited is the sale
of star man Arnautovic to West Ham last summer. The Austrian, a Slaven Bilic
appointment who cost the Hammers an intiial £20million has scored 10 goals
for United this season - almost a quarter of the team's 45 league goals
scored in the 2017/18 campaign.
Oatcake Forum member wazbagsbro is convinced parting company with Arnautovic
and not providing a suitable replacement was key in Stoke's fall from grace.
"It cost us relegation and we gave him away." he said. "If Arnie was a
Swansea player they would've demanded £50million, he is one of the best
players outside top six. West Ham won't let him go so cheap. We should've
broke the bank to keep that kind of quality."
Thoughts echoed by theonlooker, who added: "Clubs like ours lose players
like Arnautovic every season. The successful clubs replace them and move on.
Our scouting and recruitment department, in my humble opinion, is
complacent, lazy and frankly, not fit for purpose."
Some Stoke fans felt the decision to sell Arnautovic was a reasonable call
at the time given the size of the fee involved - but once again, blamed poor
recruitment for their descent into the Championship. " Losing Arnie isn't
the reason we're in this mess," wrote boskampsflaps. "It didn't help but we
had the money and the time to find a replacement and we bought Wimmer
instead. You're always going to lose players eventually, it's who you get in
after that's the deal breaker and we well and truly mucked it up."
A salient lesson for the rest of the Premier League, perhaps.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's 2-0 victory over Leicester City on Saturday was for the
supporters, according to skipper Mark Noble after his side secured their
Premier League safety with a terrific three points. The captain, who scored
a magnificent second half volley to double the Hammers' advantage after Joao
Mario had given them the lead, praised the travelling fans who were in fine
voice all afternoon. Southampton's draw at Everton later that day meant
David Moyes' men were safe from any relegation fears with two games to
spare, and the win in the sunshine capped a perfect afternoon for the Club
on Saturday. And Noble – who made his 433rd appearance in Claret and Blue
against Claude Puel's team – said the win was for the supporters. "The away
fans were fantastic," he explained. "That was for the fans, the staff and
everyone who has stuck by us the whole season. "It's been tough and I
certainly don't want another [season] like this, but that was for them
today. "No matter where we go, how many seats we get, they always fill them,
they're always there, no matter what; summer or winter. "For all the money
they've spent, for all the miles they've driven, Saturday was for them."
West Ham have been up against the odds at times this season, but the
30-year-old, who has experienced it all over the years in east London,
claimed the squad never stopped believing throughout the campaign. "In all
honestly, the position we were in after the Burnley defeat, everyone thought
we were doomed," he continued. "But we went away, trained hard, and we got a
lot of stick for going away. "But it worked; the players socialised
together, and that's partly my job. But as I said, everyone has played their
part this season and you need your whole squad over a season. "With all the
problems we've had this year, I'm really proud of the bunch of players we
have got, and we've always stuck by it, kept training hard, and we deserved
what we got today. "When we have got criticism this year, I've taken it and
I'd rather it's on me than the rest of the team; I know how to handle it.
You have got to just lace your boots up and go again and we've had to do
that consistently this year."
Noble's volley, his fourth goal of the season, was of course a strike which
will live long in the memory, but the No16 claimed the importance and
context of the goal felt just as sweet as the strike itself. "That goal was
so important and we have kept another clean sheet – it's tough at 1-0, so in
that context for me to score is great. "But when the ball floated to me, I
just thought I'd have a go and you never know. You don't really feel them
leave your boot, when you catch it that sweetly. "Everyone I wanted to do,
the ball did and those moments; you score them in training but not much in
games. To score that and win the game, it was fantastic."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Carroll aiming to end season on a scoring note
WHUFC.com
Andy Carroll is hoping to repay the support of the Claret and Blue Army by
signing off the season with a couple of goals in West Ham United's final two
Premier League matches. The centre forward has hit the net just three times
in 17 appearances during a stop-start campaign interrupted by groin and
ankle injuries, but each of those three goals was vital to the Hammers'
successful bid to beat the drop. And having scored twice in the home win
over West Bromwich Albion and a last-gasp equaliser in the 1-1 draw with
Stoke City, the No9 wants to hit the net again when West Ham host Manchester
United and Everton – rewarding the supporters who sang his name throughout
Saturday's vital 2-0 victory at Leicester City. "Saturday was brilliant," he
confirmed. "For me personally, coming on after they were singing my name
while I was warming up on the touchline was really good. I didn't really
expect it, to be honest, but our fans chose to get behind me and it was nice
to hear. "It was a good game for us. The lads stuck together and we deserved
it, really. I thought we played well and it was a good day all round. The
fans were brilliant, we were brilliant and the other results went our way,
too."
Carroll could have netted his fourth of the season at the King Power
Stadium, only for his touch to let him down at the vital moment inside the
Foxes penalty area.
"I could have had a goal, but I decided I'd take it out wide instead and
hold a couple of their players off by the corner flag in front of our fans,
just to show off my strength! Being serious, I should have probably taken a
better touch and scored. "It would be nice to have some more minutes on the
pitch. Getting 15 or 20 minutes the other day was good, so it would be nice
to get out there again in the last two games and get a goal or two. "After
that, I'll take Billi and the kids away for a nice chilled holiday and keep
myself ticking over before coming back in for pre-season training."
While Carroll was unable to find the net, his captain and friend Mark Noble
was, with arguably the best goal of his long and illustrious Claret and Blue
career – an unstoppable 25-yard volley that flew into the bottom corner of
the Leicester net to put West Ham 2-0 up midway through the second half. "We
laughed after the game as we reckon it was probably his first goal from
outside the box, but he told us it wasn't and that he used to do it all the
time!" Carroll smiled. "He never normally shoots from there as he usually
controls it and lobs it back into the box, so he must have had a rush of
blood. "To be fair to him, it was a hell of a strike, the best goal of his
career and it was his birthday on Monday, so he's had a good week so far.
He's 31 now, so he's getting on a bit!"
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Academy begin international tour season with draw in Bermuda
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's Academy of Football travelled to Bermuda over the Bank
Holiday Weekend ahead of their participation in the International Football
Festival Tournament. The first in a number of international tournaments for
the Academy this summer, Academy Director Terry Westley took an U17 side to
the competition which will be followed by trips to Switzerland and Hong
Kong. Upon arrival on the Atlantic Ocean island, the young Hammers were met
by former West Ham great and Bermuda international Clyde Best, who managed
his nation after his playing career ended. The youngsters then began their
campaign in the tournament by taking on the country's U20 side, a game, full
of talking points, which eventually ended in a 1-1 stalemate. In a very
tight first half, West Ham created the better opportunities, with Brazilian
midfielder Bernardo Rosa the driving force and Jay Mingi standing strong in
defence.
The visitors dominated large periods of the half but were unable to get the
significant breakthrough goal and went in at half-time goalless. After the
restart, stopper Joesph Anang made two impressive saves before the Hammers
went 1-0 down to what can only be described as a dubious goal, with the ball
clearly leaving the pitch and West Ham players having stopped for the
expected throw-in. The national team continued however, as did the referee,
and went on to score the opening goal. A well-worked corner, with Rosa
beating his man to set up Manny Longelo, got the Hammers a much deserved
equaliser soon after, though. Later, Rosa again created a wonderful
opportunity to win the match in the dying seconds but was unable to convert
the chance. And so the Hammers opened their tournament with a well-earned
draw. They will now enjoy a rest day before heading into their second match
with all to play for. Westley was pleased with his team's performance, and
said: "We are a young team and to play against the national team and to come
away with a draw you would be satisfied. "This is a great experience for our
young players and that's really why we have come. "Their goal was so far out
of play it was ridiculous, so that leaves a sour taste because the boys
worked so hard. "For ten minutes that upset them. But for young players,
they learnt that things don't always go your way and eventually got back
into the game."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
STOKE CITY-BUY OR AVOID?
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 8 MAY 2018 AT 9:37PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by @Bobstonian
As of Game week 37, Stoke have been mathematically relegated from the
Premier League. Below is a list of popular players that the club, in my
opinion, should sign (or not sign). I have purposely excluded Shawcross and
all players over 31 years old. Glenn Johnson, Charlie Adams, and Stephen
Ireland are out of contract in the summer.
Stoke – BUY:
Shaqiri
Pace, touch & quality from set pieces. He should be available for a
reasonable price due to a release clause in his contract. He seems to be
highly coveted by several teams, with Everton currently the favorites to
sign him. Taking the injury record of Antonio in to account, spending on the
right wing may make sense.
Butland
If he can make it to Russia, his value will increase. National team
goalkeepers are always marketable assets in the league. I expect that our
club will not be willing to pay up for his services. In my opinion, he is
the most desirable keeper from all relegation candidates, and Arsenal seem
very interested in Butland as a replacement for Cech.
Allen
Allen was rumored as a club target before his team was destined for
relegation. He can improve our distribution in the midfield. He is 28, and
started his senior career back in 2007. I fear his work rate may decrease.
However, I see him as a player who can compensate for this inevitable
decline in foot speed with his positioning and skill.
Martins Indi
The club will need to recruit more center backs this summer. We have played
a full-back out of position in our back three for most of the season.
Winston Reid will be 30 in the summer, and is nursing a knee injury. If next
year's manager desires three in the back, a starting-caliber center-half is
needed to play with Ogbonna and Rice. Martins Indi is my pick from the Stoke
squad, but he has been hampered by a groin injury this season. He did
feature in 30+ league games last season, collecting 11 clean sheets.
Stoke – AVOID:
Wimmer
Stoke clearly payed Spurs too much for Wimmer over the summer. I doubt Stoke
will be willing to take a loss on their original investment. He is young,
and showed promise under Pochettino, but his price tag will be very
off-putting for most clubs.
Berahino
Berahino is another player that the Potters overpaid for. He has not played
meaningful minutes in the last two seasons. He is a versatile attacker who
can play on both sides, but I believe Stoke will demand too high of a
transfer fee.
Sobhi
The Egyptian international is 21, and could be available for a reasonable
price due to his lack of playing time. He does prefer to play on the left
side, and would have to compete with the likes of Lanzini, Masuaku and
Arnautovic. Stoke will want to give him minutes in the Championship. The
club should prioritize spending on a different position.
Choupo-Moting
8 years older than Sobhi, and also plays on the left. He had a promising
start to the season, and then experienced a drop in form. There is no need
to prioritize spending on this player.
Diouf
Diouf boasted a respectable goal record in the Bundesliga. He scored 11
goals in his inaugural Premier League season. Since then, he has scored 12
goals in 87 games. He has shown versatility at different positions, but only
has 9 career league assists to his name.
Stoke have some players on the wings and up the middle that are worth a look
in the transfer season. I can't see us outspending other clubs for Shaqiri
or Butland. I believe we will pursue Allen in the summer, and hope we also
inquire about Martins Indi.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
LET'S NOT PICK THE LOW LYING FRUIT
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 8 MAY 2018 AT 9:23PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by: Alan Leason
Thanks for all the responses to my last article, I haven't gone mad I just
don't think Lanzini has been consistently good enough for us to resist
offers of 40-50m. The last stand out game I remember him having was 2 1/2
seasons ago at Liverpool.
Anyhow im currently watching the Swansea v Southampton game and thinking
about all the players we need for next season. I think we should be really
careful about trying to pick off players from relegated sides.
Why would we want Mawson, Ki, Jordan Ayew, Cedric, Redmond or Tadic? None
of them are carrying their teams and to agree with Kev from Sex, Drugs and
Carlton Cole, I wouldn't take Shaqiri either. I also don't think we need to
take the opinion if we need x amount of players at £25m each.
If we were looking for a Kouyate style player I'm sure we would be quoted
£25m minimum but look at the player we have? Lazy, doesn't work for his
place or the team but it's ok because he's Chiek and we post videos on the
official site of him laughing all the time.
We signed Cresswell for £5m and nobody outside of Ipswich knew him, fair
enough he'd be more expensive now but I like the principal of taking players
from the championship who could step up, basically the opposite of Hughill.
My one exception to the not signing relegated players would be a keeper.
Fabianski, Forster and even Foster would all be good signings for us, none
have been at fault for their respective clubs form.
I'd love for us to have gone for Shelvey but thanks to our mouthy chairman
he wouldn't even entertain us now, on the same note watch Snodgrass be
promoted with Villa sign for them and tear up the league!!
Remember all the fuss about Bilic having the option to sign Renato Sanchez,
Grzegorz Krychowiak etc? They are doing so well now aren't they?
Before we all get carried away thinking William Carvalho is the answer,
Stoke's record signing was from Porto and is a guy called Giannelli Imbulla,
he's currently on loan to Toulouse because he couldn't cut it in this
league. Carvalho is a European championship winner I hear you say…so is
Cedric who is battling to keep Southampton in the league. COYI
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham leading Shaq race
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 8th May 2018
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are the front runners to sign Stoke City's Swiss international
Xherdan Shaqiri. The Potters became the first team to be relegated from the
Premier League this season when they went down 2-1 at home to Crystal Palace
last weekend. And that has naturally seen a string of Stoke's better players
linked to various destinations in the past few days - including Shaqiri, who
formed a formidable partnership with Marko Arnautovic at the Bet365 Stadium.
According to the latest odds, the Hammers are 2-1 favourites to sign the
26-year-old winger, who was on the bench when Bayern Munich faced fellow
German outfit Borussia Dortmund in the 2013 Champions League Final. A number
of Stoke City's first-team players are expected to leave the club following
the team's relegation from the Premier League," said BetStars Director of
Trading Ian Marmion. "Swiss superstar Shaqiri has been the Potters' shining
light this season but the attacker looks set to call time on his three-year
stint with Stoke this summer. "The Hammers are poised to benefit from
Stoke's demotion to the Championship and have been installed as the 2/1
favourites to reunite the Swiss playmaker with his former teammate Marco
Arnautovic in attack at the London Stadium next season.
"Newcastle United are valued at 3/1 to become the winger's next destination
but a move abroad could also be on the cards for Shaqiri, with AC Milan and
Bayer Leverkusen both priced at 4/1 and 5/1 respectively. "Meanwhile
Arsenal and Everton are valued at 6/1 to swipe Stoke's star man."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Arnautovic sale led to relegation, say Stoke fans
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 8th May 2018
By: Staff Writer
Stoke City supporters have cited the sale of Marko Arnautovic to West Ham as
one of the core reasons for their relegation from the Premier League. The
Potters became the first team to be relegated from the top flight this
season following their 2-1 defeat at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday,
since when disappointed City fans have been discussing the reasons for their
swift and unexpected demise. And one of the chief reasons cited is the sale
of star man Arnautovic to West Ham last summer. The Austrian, a Slaven Bilic
appointment who cost the Hammers an intiial £20million has scored 10 goals
for United this season - almost a quarter of the team's 45 league goals
scored in the 2017/18 campaign.
Oatcake Forum member wazbagsbro is convinced parting company with Arnautovic
and not providing a suitable replacement was key in Stoke's fall from grace.
"It cost us relegation and we gave him away." he said. "If Arnie was a
Swansea player they would've demanded £50million, he is one of the best
players outside top six. West Ham won't let him go so cheap. We should've
broke the bank to keep that kind of quality."
Thoughts echoed by theonlooker, who added: "Clubs like ours lose players
like Arnautovic every season. The successful clubs replace them and move on.
Our scouting and recruitment department, in my humble opinion, is
complacent, lazy and frankly, not fit for purpose."
Some Stoke fans felt the decision to sell Arnautovic was a reasonable call
at the time given the size of the fee involved - but once again, blamed poor
recruitment for their descent into the Championship. " Losing Arnie isn't
the reason we're in this mess," wrote boskampsflaps. "It didn't help but we
had the money and the time to find a replacement and we bought Wimmer
instead. You're always going to lose players eventually, it's who you get in
after that's the deal breaker and we well and truly mucked it up."
A salient lesson for the rest of the Premier League, perhaps.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Tuesday, May 8
Daily WHUFC News - 8th May 2018
Academy manager Westley lauds Coaching Association success
WHUFC.com
Academy Director Terry Westley reflects on the successful first season of
the innovative Official Coaching Association...
We launched the Official Coaching Association at the beginning of the
season, and having now hosted all four sessions during the 2017/18, it's a
great time to reflect on the success of the scheme. We began the final
evening with a Q&A courtesy of captain and Academy graduate Mark Noble,
which was a fitting way to close, given his experience throughout his time
at the Club of various coaching methods ranging across different managers
and members of staff. All four sessions have been brilliant from our point
of view and to really help the local coaching fraternity in the area has
been a pleasure and a massive positive. Next season, of course our aim is to
improve once again and take it forward. The advice and the knowledge the
local coaches have been receiving at the Association this season is
adaptable at any level, but it's so important because as a coach, you are
always learning. Former international footballers have been in to talk –
Paul Konchesky and Matthew Upson; ex-West Ham players who are now current
Academy members of staff – Steve Potts and Jack Collison; and we also had in
Dan Ashworth, the FA's Technical Director. We've been privileged to have
them come in to learn from.
It's an extremely important scheme for me that is close to my heart, given
where I started my career; at grassroots level. I have come from there, when
John Duncan gave me an opportunity at Ipswich Town, and the club moving
forwards under John Lyall and Sir Bobby Robson. David Pleat at Luton Town
and Alan Curbishley at Charlton Athletic; they gave me opportunities. I
feel privileged myself to still be in the game 38 years later. I'll always,
therefore, return back to that and where I came from, and that culture of
grassroots football will always be with me.
To see, over the four sessions this season, male and female coaches coming
in and wanting to improve the players at their clubs has been magnificent.
Whether it's behaviour patterns off the pitch or sessions and exercises on
it, many have told me they have taken many, many ideas away with them to try
themselves, and that will help us all; both at the top and lower reaches of
the game. As I have said, next season is now about improving and moving it
forwards, and we'll begin by offering six sessions over the course of the
campaign, with the plan being to kick-off in August.
The speakers will once again be important. The ins we have in the game allow
us to pick the phone up to the likes of England manager Gareth Southgate and
his staff – I can see that communication with the FA improving. We've had
Dan Ashworth in; the likes of Aidy Boothroyd, who now manages the U21
national side, would be great to speak for us. We will definitely look to
have one coach from an overseas club come in, somebody who coaches at a
young age to see how academy football abroad differs. We can all learn
something there.
In terms of our own staff too, we know how busy they are, but the manager
and his coaching staff will hopefully give up some of their time to enhance
this Association. We're all looking forward to what the future holds for
the Association.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Loan watch: Snodgrass Play-Off bound and Oxford returns
WHUFC.com
Robert Snodgrass and Aston Villa are bound for the EFL Championship
Play-Offs after losing 1-0 at Millwall on the final day of the regular
season. The West Ham United loanee, who featured for the final 15 minutes as
a substitute at The Den, will face Middlesbrough in the two-legged
semi-finals, with a Wembley showdown with either Fulham or Derby County
awaiting the winner. Snodgrass, who finished the campaign with 13 assists
and eight goals in 39 Championship appearances, could line up alongside
Henri Lansbury, who was part of the West Ham squad which won promotion via
the Play-Offs six years ago. And the Scot will need no introduction to
Middlesbrough goalkeeper Darren Randolph, who was his teammate at London
Stadium for the second half of last season.
Elsewhere, Reece Burke's Bolton Wanderers pulled off a miraculous escape
from relegation by scoring twice in the final three minutes of normal time
to beat Nottingham Forest 3-2 at the Macron Stadium. Victory for the
Trotters, for whom Burke was an unused substitute, saw them leapfrog Burton
Albion and Barnsley and secure safety. The 21-year-old defender finished the
campaign with 25 Championship appearances under his belt. His solitary goal
came in a 2-2 draw with Reading in November.
There was no such joy for Martin Samuelsen, who was also an unused
substitute as Burton's two-year stay in the Championship came to an end with
a 2-1 defeat at Preston North End. The 21-year-old Norway winger made nine
Championship appearances, seven of them starts, for Nigel Clough's Brewers.
In Germany, Reece Oxford returned from injury to help Borussia
Monchengladbach to a 3-1 Bundesliga win over Freiburg. The 19-year-old was
back in action after missing the Foals' last six matches, playing for the
final 21 minutes after replacing midfielder Tobias Strobl. Monchengladbach
travel to relegation-threatened Hamburg in their final fixture on Saturday
knowing victory could yet be enough to secure sixth-place and spot in next
season's UEFA Europa League second qualifying round.
Finally, despite scoring his first goal for the club in their previous
match, Toni Martinez was an unused substitute for Real Valladolid in the
Spanish club's vital 1-0 win at Numancia. Valladolid sit eighth in the table
with four games to play, four points behind Zaragoza in fourth and two
adrift of Cadiz in the final promotion play-off position. Martinez will hope
for more playing time when Valladolid host mid-table Albacete on Saturday
afternoon.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Rice targets winning streak to finish Hammers' season
WHUFC.com
Declan Rice says West Ham United are aiming to close out the season on a
winning note. The Hammers secured their Premier League safety with a 2-0
victory at Leicester City on Saturday and now conclude the 2017/18 campaign
with home fixtures with Manchester United and Everton. Defender Rice, who
made an impressive 30th first-team appearance at the King Power Stadium,
believes the squad will have taken great confidence from their performance
against the Foxes, where the defence secured a first clean sheet in five
matches and the win was confirmed by Mark Noble's outstanding 25-yard
volley. Now, with their top-flight status confirmed, the impressive teenager
says the players can express themselves at London Stadium. "I would say
that's one of the best performances we've put up this season," said the
No41. "We knew before the game that it was crucial that we got three points.
"A point maybe would have been enough, but three points were the aim and
I've never seen us so focused in the dressing room before the game and so
ready to go out there and put in a performance. "We're focusing now on Man
United and we want to go out and win that and we want to win the Everton
game as well and try to finish as high as possible in the table."
After Joao Mario had put West Ham in front, Rice had a grandstand view of
Noble's clincher, which saw his fellow Academy of Football graduate belt a
unstoppable volley into the bottom corner of the Leicester net. "Nobes
scored one in training a few weeks back which a worldy with his left, but
I've never seen a ball hit so sweetly like that," the 18-year-old smiled.
"Even to take it on… I was right in front of it and it just swerved into the
bottom corner. "What a goal by Nobes! He was outstanding all day, as well.
He's a proper captain and led by example."
As always, Rice was cheered on by his family, who have travelled the length
and breadth of the country with the Claret and Blue Army during the
youngster's first full season in the Premier League. At the final whistle,
the defender joined the supporters and his teammates to celebrate staying
up, and the centre-back said survival was the least the fans deserved for
their loyalty this and every season. "When you've got fans like that, who
travel home and away and pay lots of money, when we put on a performance
like that, it means they can go home happy. "My brother was in there and he
and they didn't stop singing, so a massive 'Thank you' to the fans, because
they've been excellent for us all season and we really do appreciate that."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Moyes: I want West Ham to win games regularly
WHUFC.com
David Moyes says West Ham United's target must be to find a greater level of
consistency in their play next season. After guiding the Hammers to Premier
League safety with a 2-0 win at Leicester City on Saturday, the manager
spoke to the media about how to ensure the Club is not dragged into another
relegation battle in 2018/19. With all three promoted teams potentially
staying up and three seemingly established Premier League clubs facing the
drop, the 2017/18 season has been among the most competitive in recent
history. Indeed, so close has been the competition that West Ham could yet
secure a top-ten finish, despite the fact they have spent virtually the
entire season in the bottom half. To do so, they will have to win three
straight league games for the first time this campaign – a level of
consistency Moyes craves. "I always felt that the team was good enough to be
looking up the league, rather than down, but there were some games we'd
really have like to have done a lot better in, but we didn't," he reflected.
"With the runs teams like West Brom and Crystal Palace have been on, the
bottom half of the league has been pretty exciting this season and I don't
think there is any guarantee that any one team is necessarily that much
better than another. "I must say, I think the three promoted teams who came
up really put the cat among the pigeons when they found their form. "I think
it's hard to judge how I've done this season. I actually would like to be a
manager who wins games regularly. I don't want to be a manager who is
battling around relegation. I want to have winning teams. "I had eleven
years of, in the main, winning teams, and that's what I want to do. I want
to be challenging the top teams and have a team that, most weeks, I have an
idea of what their level of performance will likely be, because that means
I'm feeling a lot better every week, rather than wondering if we are up or
down. "Some of our performances here have been excellent and some I've
wondered 'Where did that come from?'. "Consistency is getting yourself at a
level of play and building it, and everybody would like consistency."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
HIGGINBOTHAM DROOLS OVER WEST HAM DUO
Date: 7th May 2018 at 1:56pm
Written by: Laura OLeary
Forever WestHam
Danny Higginbotham heaped praise on West Ham duo Marko Arnautovic and Manuel
Lanzini and claimed that it was vital the club kept both players. The Sky
Sports pundit gushed about the two attack-minded players as he thought they
had been key to David Moyes' side securing their Premier League status for
another season. "Manuel Lanzini and Marko Arnautovic have struck up a
brilliant understanding at West Ham, they have been key to the Hammers
beating the drop," said Higginbotham in his column for The Sun. "David Moyes
was originally forced to play Arnautovic up front due to injury problems but
the Austrian and Argentine Lanzini have become a serious attacking threat.
"It is vital the club keep hold of both players if they are to avoid another
relegation battle next season. "While Stoke got £24million for Arnautovic,
they might have beaten the drop if he'd stayed."
The Hammers confirmed that they would be in the Premier League next season
after beating Leicester 2-0 on Saturday, which was enough to be mathematical
safe as Southampton ended up drawing with Everton.
Higginbotham's glowing praise of Lanzini and Arnautovic for their
performances this season is more than warranted. Arnautovic has managed to
score 10 goals in 33 appearances this season, and his goals have been more
than helpful in firing the Hammers away from the relegation zone. Whereas
Lanzini has used his creative genius in the 27 games that he has featured
in, to contribute nine assists to the cause. Both players have been a touch
above the majority of their teammates with their displays this season and
there would be uproar if either left the London Stadium in the summer. This
would especially be the case with Arnautovic who only arrived from Stoke
City ahead of the start of this season. The 29-year-old took a little bit
time to get going at the Hammers and it would be a shame if he left anytime
soon. While the idea is horrible to think about, either of the players
leaving would be highly unlikely. The only way that scenario changes is if
Moyes leaves and a new manager doesn't rate either player, which would be
bizarre, or if a top-six side make too good an offer to turn down.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham in need of summer changes to avoid another torrid season, admits
Mark Noble
JACK ROSSER
ES Sport
West Ham captain Mark Noble says there needs to be change on and off the
pitch over the summer in order to avoid another chaotic season at London
Stadium.
After struggling to settle in their new Stratford home last term, there was
hope the second season would be an easier ride. However, with a sacking, a
relegation battle and resentment from the fans pouring onto the pitch
against Burnley, things have far from gone to plan. The penultimate weekend
of the Premier League season saw the Hammers' safety secured, however,
things still look far from bright. There is dispute over what players
deserve to stay put, how much money will be available and who will be in
charge come the summer. There is, then, still plenty to be resolved. But
Noble knows that something has to change to see the club climb the table
once more next season. "There needs to be a lot of change," he said. "I
would not say no to that, on and off the pitch. A lot of stuff needs to
change. I am really hoping, and I am convinced it will during the summer.
"If fans are coming to games and are not happy and we go 1-0 down then we
feel that. There is no point lying. "We need to win games and we have not
won enough this season. That is why we are where we are. It's been really
tough, I certainly don't want another one like this."
With safety secured, David Moyes' side can now go out and look to end the
season on a high with home games against two of the Scotsman's former clubs
in Manchester United and Everton this week.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Academy Director Terry Westley reflects on the successful first season of
the innovative Official Coaching Association...
We launched the Official Coaching Association at the beginning of the
season, and having now hosted all four sessions during the 2017/18, it's a
great time to reflect on the success of the scheme. We began the final
evening with a Q&A courtesy of captain and Academy graduate Mark Noble,
which was a fitting way to close, given his experience throughout his time
at the Club of various coaching methods ranging across different managers
and members of staff. All four sessions have been brilliant from our point
of view and to really help the local coaching fraternity in the area has
been a pleasure and a massive positive. Next season, of course our aim is to
improve once again and take it forward. The advice and the knowledge the
local coaches have been receiving at the Association this season is
adaptable at any level, but it's so important because as a coach, you are
always learning. Former international footballers have been in to talk –
Paul Konchesky and Matthew Upson; ex-West Ham players who are now current
Academy members of staff – Steve Potts and Jack Collison; and we also had in
Dan Ashworth, the FA's Technical Director. We've been privileged to have
them come in to learn from.
It's an extremely important scheme for me that is close to my heart, given
where I started my career; at grassroots level. I have come from there, when
John Duncan gave me an opportunity at Ipswich Town, and the club moving
forwards under John Lyall and Sir Bobby Robson. David Pleat at Luton Town
and Alan Curbishley at Charlton Athletic; they gave me opportunities. I
feel privileged myself to still be in the game 38 years later. I'll always,
therefore, return back to that and where I came from, and that culture of
grassroots football will always be with me.
To see, over the four sessions this season, male and female coaches coming
in and wanting to improve the players at their clubs has been magnificent.
Whether it's behaviour patterns off the pitch or sessions and exercises on
it, many have told me they have taken many, many ideas away with them to try
themselves, and that will help us all; both at the top and lower reaches of
the game. As I have said, next season is now about improving and moving it
forwards, and we'll begin by offering six sessions over the course of the
campaign, with the plan being to kick-off in August.
The speakers will once again be important. The ins we have in the game allow
us to pick the phone up to the likes of England manager Gareth Southgate and
his staff – I can see that communication with the FA improving. We've had
Dan Ashworth in; the likes of Aidy Boothroyd, who now manages the U21
national side, would be great to speak for us. We will definitely look to
have one coach from an overseas club come in, somebody who coaches at a
young age to see how academy football abroad differs. We can all learn
something there.
In terms of our own staff too, we know how busy they are, but the manager
and his coaching staff will hopefully give up some of their time to enhance
this Association. We're all looking forward to what the future holds for
the Association.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Loan watch: Snodgrass Play-Off bound and Oxford returns
WHUFC.com
Robert Snodgrass and Aston Villa are bound for the EFL Championship
Play-Offs after losing 1-0 at Millwall on the final day of the regular
season. The West Ham United loanee, who featured for the final 15 minutes as
a substitute at The Den, will face Middlesbrough in the two-legged
semi-finals, with a Wembley showdown with either Fulham or Derby County
awaiting the winner. Snodgrass, who finished the campaign with 13 assists
and eight goals in 39 Championship appearances, could line up alongside
Henri Lansbury, who was part of the West Ham squad which won promotion via
the Play-Offs six years ago. And the Scot will need no introduction to
Middlesbrough goalkeeper Darren Randolph, who was his teammate at London
Stadium for the second half of last season.
Elsewhere, Reece Burke's Bolton Wanderers pulled off a miraculous escape
from relegation by scoring twice in the final three minutes of normal time
to beat Nottingham Forest 3-2 at the Macron Stadium. Victory for the
Trotters, for whom Burke was an unused substitute, saw them leapfrog Burton
Albion and Barnsley and secure safety. The 21-year-old defender finished the
campaign with 25 Championship appearances under his belt. His solitary goal
came in a 2-2 draw with Reading in November.
There was no such joy for Martin Samuelsen, who was also an unused
substitute as Burton's two-year stay in the Championship came to an end with
a 2-1 defeat at Preston North End. The 21-year-old Norway winger made nine
Championship appearances, seven of them starts, for Nigel Clough's Brewers.
In Germany, Reece Oxford returned from injury to help Borussia
Monchengladbach to a 3-1 Bundesliga win over Freiburg. The 19-year-old was
back in action after missing the Foals' last six matches, playing for the
final 21 minutes after replacing midfielder Tobias Strobl. Monchengladbach
travel to relegation-threatened Hamburg in their final fixture on Saturday
knowing victory could yet be enough to secure sixth-place and spot in next
season's UEFA Europa League second qualifying round.
Finally, despite scoring his first goal for the club in their previous
match, Toni Martinez was an unused substitute for Real Valladolid in the
Spanish club's vital 1-0 win at Numancia. Valladolid sit eighth in the table
with four games to play, four points behind Zaragoza in fourth and two
adrift of Cadiz in the final promotion play-off position. Martinez will hope
for more playing time when Valladolid host mid-table Albacete on Saturday
afternoon.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Rice targets winning streak to finish Hammers' season
WHUFC.com
Declan Rice says West Ham United are aiming to close out the season on a
winning note. The Hammers secured their Premier League safety with a 2-0
victory at Leicester City on Saturday and now conclude the 2017/18 campaign
with home fixtures with Manchester United and Everton. Defender Rice, who
made an impressive 30th first-team appearance at the King Power Stadium,
believes the squad will have taken great confidence from their performance
against the Foxes, where the defence secured a first clean sheet in five
matches and the win was confirmed by Mark Noble's outstanding 25-yard
volley. Now, with their top-flight status confirmed, the impressive teenager
says the players can express themselves at London Stadium. "I would say
that's one of the best performances we've put up this season," said the
No41. "We knew before the game that it was crucial that we got three points.
"A point maybe would have been enough, but three points were the aim and
I've never seen us so focused in the dressing room before the game and so
ready to go out there and put in a performance. "We're focusing now on Man
United and we want to go out and win that and we want to win the Everton
game as well and try to finish as high as possible in the table."
After Joao Mario had put West Ham in front, Rice had a grandstand view of
Noble's clincher, which saw his fellow Academy of Football graduate belt a
unstoppable volley into the bottom corner of the Leicester net. "Nobes
scored one in training a few weeks back which a worldy with his left, but
I've never seen a ball hit so sweetly like that," the 18-year-old smiled.
"Even to take it on… I was right in front of it and it just swerved into the
bottom corner. "What a goal by Nobes! He was outstanding all day, as well.
He's a proper captain and led by example."
As always, Rice was cheered on by his family, who have travelled the length
and breadth of the country with the Claret and Blue Army during the
youngster's first full season in the Premier League. At the final whistle,
the defender joined the supporters and his teammates to celebrate staying
up, and the centre-back said survival was the least the fans deserved for
their loyalty this and every season. "When you've got fans like that, who
travel home and away and pay lots of money, when we put on a performance
like that, it means they can go home happy. "My brother was in there and he
and they didn't stop singing, so a massive 'Thank you' to the fans, because
they've been excellent for us all season and we really do appreciate that."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Moyes: I want West Ham to win games regularly
WHUFC.com
David Moyes says West Ham United's target must be to find a greater level of
consistency in their play next season. After guiding the Hammers to Premier
League safety with a 2-0 win at Leicester City on Saturday, the manager
spoke to the media about how to ensure the Club is not dragged into another
relegation battle in 2018/19. With all three promoted teams potentially
staying up and three seemingly established Premier League clubs facing the
drop, the 2017/18 season has been among the most competitive in recent
history. Indeed, so close has been the competition that West Ham could yet
secure a top-ten finish, despite the fact they have spent virtually the
entire season in the bottom half. To do so, they will have to win three
straight league games for the first time this campaign – a level of
consistency Moyes craves. "I always felt that the team was good enough to be
looking up the league, rather than down, but there were some games we'd
really have like to have done a lot better in, but we didn't," he reflected.
"With the runs teams like West Brom and Crystal Palace have been on, the
bottom half of the league has been pretty exciting this season and I don't
think there is any guarantee that any one team is necessarily that much
better than another. "I must say, I think the three promoted teams who came
up really put the cat among the pigeons when they found their form. "I think
it's hard to judge how I've done this season. I actually would like to be a
manager who wins games regularly. I don't want to be a manager who is
battling around relegation. I want to have winning teams. "I had eleven
years of, in the main, winning teams, and that's what I want to do. I want
to be challenging the top teams and have a team that, most weeks, I have an
idea of what their level of performance will likely be, because that means
I'm feeling a lot better every week, rather than wondering if we are up or
down. "Some of our performances here have been excellent and some I've
wondered 'Where did that come from?'. "Consistency is getting yourself at a
level of play and building it, and everybody would like consistency."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
HIGGINBOTHAM DROOLS OVER WEST HAM DUO
Date: 7th May 2018 at 1:56pm
Written by: Laura OLeary
Forever WestHam
Danny Higginbotham heaped praise on West Ham duo Marko Arnautovic and Manuel
Lanzini and claimed that it was vital the club kept both players. The Sky
Sports pundit gushed about the two attack-minded players as he thought they
had been key to David Moyes' side securing their Premier League status for
another season. "Manuel Lanzini and Marko Arnautovic have struck up a
brilliant understanding at West Ham, they have been key to the Hammers
beating the drop," said Higginbotham in his column for The Sun. "David Moyes
was originally forced to play Arnautovic up front due to injury problems but
the Austrian and Argentine Lanzini have become a serious attacking threat.
"It is vital the club keep hold of both players if they are to avoid another
relegation battle next season. "While Stoke got £24million for Arnautovic,
they might have beaten the drop if he'd stayed."
The Hammers confirmed that they would be in the Premier League next season
after beating Leicester 2-0 on Saturday, which was enough to be mathematical
safe as Southampton ended up drawing with Everton.
Higginbotham's glowing praise of Lanzini and Arnautovic for their
performances this season is more than warranted. Arnautovic has managed to
score 10 goals in 33 appearances this season, and his goals have been more
than helpful in firing the Hammers away from the relegation zone. Whereas
Lanzini has used his creative genius in the 27 games that he has featured
in, to contribute nine assists to the cause. Both players have been a touch
above the majority of their teammates with their displays this season and
there would be uproar if either left the London Stadium in the summer. This
would especially be the case with Arnautovic who only arrived from Stoke
City ahead of the start of this season. The 29-year-old took a little bit
time to get going at the Hammers and it would be a shame if he left anytime
soon. While the idea is horrible to think about, either of the players
leaving would be highly unlikely. The only way that scenario changes is if
Moyes leaves and a new manager doesn't rate either player, which would be
bizarre, or if a top-six side make too good an offer to turn down.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham in need of summer changes to avoid another torrid season, admits
Mark Noble
JACK ROSSER
ES Sport
West Ham captain Mark Noble says there needs to be change on and off the
pitch over the summer in order to avoid another chaotic season at London
Stadium.
After struggling to settle in their new Stratford home last term, there was
hope the second season would be an easier ride. However, with a sacking, a
relegation battle and resentment from the fans pouring onto the pitch
against Burnley, things have far from gone to plan. The penultimate weekend
of the Premier League season saw the Hammers' safety secured, however,
things still look far from bright. There is dispute over what players
deserve to stay put, how much money will be available and who will be in
charge come the summer. There is, then, still plenty to be resolved. But
Noble knows that something has to change to see the club climb the table
once more next season. "There needs to be a lot of change," he said. "I
would not say no to that, on and off the pitch. A lot of stuff needs to
change. I am really hoping, and I am convinced it will during the summer.
"If fans are coming to games and are not happy and we go 1-0 down then we
feel that. There is no point lying. "We need to win games and we have not
won enough this season. That is why we are where we are. It's been really
tough, I certainly don't want another one like this."
With safety secured, David Moyes' side can now go out and look to end the
season on a high with home games against two of the Scotsman's former clubs
in Manchester United and Everton this week.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Monday, May 7
Daily WHUFC News - 7th May 2018
Hammers secure Premier League safety - thank you to the Claret and Blue Army
WHUFC.com
West Ham United would like to thank the Claret and Blue Army for their inspirational support after the Hammers secured their Premier League safety. An impressive 2-0 victory at Leicester City at Saturday means West Ham's top-flight status is now assured and everyone can look forward to home games against Manchester United and Everton as the team seek a positive finish to what has, at times, been a challenging 2017/18 campaign. Along with the 3,000 fans who gave the team magnificent backing at the King Power Stadium, the Club would like to place on record its thanks to each and every Season Ticket Holder and member of the West Ham family for your loyalty, commitment and dedication.
Captain and lifelong Hammer Mark Noble scored the best goal of his West Ham career in Saturday's victory with an unstoppable 25-yard volley – a goal he celebrated wildly with his fellow fans. "That's what we all love West Ham, because of days like this!" he smiled. "The heartache and the emotion we put them through, and I put myself through, make days like this fantastic. Let's all enjoy this result and the rest of the season, then get ready to go again in August. "On Saturday, for me, it wasn't so much the volley as the occasion. To score the goal which made us safe is something many young boys dream of."
Manager David Moyes echoed his skipper's comments before taking aim at ending the season with victories over two of his former clubs. "I'm pleased with our win at Leicester and that we have stayed up because the supporters had a really good day. Of course, they want to see their team winning, but the performance was also good and they sensed it and knew we'd played really well. "We knew we had to win one game and I'd like to win the next two games and finish as high up the league as we can. They're two hard games but if we get the backing we got at Leicester with everybody inside London Stadium, they'll make it difficult for the opponents to come and get a result."
West Ham United Season Ticket renewals are open for the 2018/19 season now. As a reward for the outstanding commitment from our most loyal fans, Season Ticket Holders in Bands 1-4 – including Accessibility Seats – and 1966 Seats have had their prices frozen for the second consecutive year. A Season Ticket remains by far the cheapest way to enjoy watching the Hammers in action, with Adults saving over £400 per season compared to purchasing match-by-match, while Under-16s can save more than £600 over the course of the campaign. Season Ticket Holders also enjoy exclusive benefits, including having the first opportunity to buy tickets for away matches, discounts instore and online and on coach travel, and invitations to exclusive events.
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Joao Mario: The support for us was amazing and it means everything
WHUFC.com
Joao Mario praised West Ham United's 'big personality' after the Hammers bounced back from a difficult fortnight to secure a big 2-0 Premier League victory at Leicester City. The Hammers travelled to the King Power Stadium knowing a win was vital to their chances of securing top-flight safety, and they rose to the challenge with a dominant performance that fully warranted the three points. "It was a huge game for us, an important game, and we knew before that only three points would be good enough for us, so the team produced an amazing performance and I'm very happy because it was a massive win," said the No18, who scored West Ham's all-important first goal. "We played very well, with big personality. It's never easy when you play away against a tough team, so I have to congratulate the team because we played a really good game."
It was Portugal star Mario who broke the deadlock just past the half-hour mark, converting Marko Arnautovic's cross to ease the tension in the Claret and Blue ranks. And the game was decided in West Ham's favour midway through the second half, when Mark Noble arrowed an unstoppable volley into the bottom corner. "We practised this week. When Marko is playing up front and we're playing behind him, we need to support him and we talked about that and it happened. It's good when you practice something and it happens during the game. "Mark shoots really well from outside the box and I'm really happy for him because it's an important moment not just for West Ham, but for him, so I'm happy for him. "We also talked about our defending. We pressed well, we defended well and high up. It was important to us, the team have been talking about the problems and on Saturday it was resolved and it made all the difference."
The 25-year-old joined his jubilant teammates at the final whistle, celebrating with them in front of 3,000 loyal, vociferous traveling fans in the East Midlands sunshine. Their support was not lost on the man who joined West Ham on loan from Inter Milan in January and has now scored two vital goals in the Londoners' quest to steer clear of the bottom three. "It was amazing. Their support for us was amazing and it means everything, so we have to say 'Thank you' to them because the atmosphere they created was fantastic."
Having secured a third away win of the season, West Ham close the season with home games against Manchester United and Everton, and Joao Mario is hoping to give the supporters more reason to cheer before the campaign comes to an end. "We have two important matches and I hope the supporters come to watch these games. We want to win them. It's a big game on Thursday and again on Sunday and I hope everybody is there to back the team up."
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Mark Noble: The man for the big occasion - again
WHUFC.com
Numerous times over the past decade, when West Ham United have needed him most, Mark Noble has stepped up. That was the case again on Saturday as the skipper produced one of his best performances of the season to inspire the Hammers to a 2-0 victory at Leicester City. In a match West Ham won to ultimately secure their Premier League safety, Noble not only scored a goal with his only shot on target, but was instrumental all over the pitch. Let's start with the captain's goal, which was a thing of real beauty and very probably the best of the 51 he has scored in a Claret and Blue shirt.ark Noble's heat map at Leicester City
West Ham were leading 1-0 midway through the second half at the King Power Stadium when Joao Mario delivered a curling free-kick from near the right touchline. Leicester substitute Aleksandar Dragovic cleared with a looping header and Noble shaped his body to send a skimming right-foot volley into the bottom left-hand corner of Ben Hamer's net. Noble's fourth of the season was also his first goal from outside the penalty area since another important away win, 3-1 at Southampton in February 2017.
Aside from his goal, the No16 covered more ground than any other West Ham player – and 670m more than any other player on either side – with 11.58km. To put Noble's work-rate in context, only three other players – Joao Mario, Cheikhou Kouyate and Leicester's Adrien Silva – covered more than 10km. The captain was also influential in possession, making the joint-highest number of passes, 43, with Joao Mario, with both players completing 34 of them for a 79.1 per cent pass-completion rate. Unusually, on the defensive side, Noble did not make a single tackle – Manuel Lanzini made four – but he did regain possession a team-high seven times, make three interceptions, a clearance and block a Leicester shot. Having also scored the opening goal in each West Ham's previous two away victories at Stoke City and Huddersfield Town, the 30-year-old has proven yet again that he will stand up and be counted when the pressure is on.
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Moyes: I'm pleased because the supporters had a really good day
WHUFC.com
David Moyes praised his West Ham United team for producing the goods when they needed it most and securing Premier League safety. The Hammers manager sent his team out at Leicester City knowing victory was vital to their chances to staying up, and that is exactly what they achieved with a professional performance and a 2-0 victory at the King Power Stadium. A smiling Moyes was not only proud of his players, but also delighted for the Claret and Blue Army, whose support undoubtedly played its part in Saturday's success. "I thought the boys dealt with the pressure which came with the game and needing to pick up the points," he began. "There was a real focus about them. "We've been hurting a bit since the Manchester City game, because we felt we didn't play well even though it was against the champions. We felt we're a lot better than that and on Saturday we bossed the game for periods and probably should have scored more goals. "We were as good as we've been with the ball at times. We passed it, we controlled it, we had good thought with our shape and what we wanted to do with the ball. I thought Declan Rice also had his best game as a young player up against the likes of Jamie Vardy, as that's not an easy job. He did very well. "We wanted to leave Leicester with the ball as there is an anxiousness about them in their stadium. We got it back off them and then we broke quickly with Manu and Marko and Arthur. We did a lot of good things. "The only thing which disappointed me was that we had opportunities to score more goals. If we'd done that a little bit better, we'd have won more comfortably. "I'm going to enjoy it and why not? The job when I came in was to make sure we weren't relegated."
The highlight of a memorable afternoon was Mark Noble's unstoppable second-half volley, which followed Joao Mario's well-taken opener from Marko Arnautovic's cross. "Nobes's goal was a worldy, wasn't it! I'm pleased for Nobes because the Club means a lot to him, so I'm glad he got the goal. "Joao has helped us in lots of ways, he's done two or three jobs and is a good footballer. He's now come up with a couple of goals for us [against Southampton and Leicester] in this period. We brought him in to help us play a bit better and get a couple of goals, so I'm pleased with that. "I'm also pleased because the supporters had a really good day as well. Of course, they want to see their team winning, but the performance was also good and they sensed it and knew we'd played really well."
Having secured their top-flight future, Moyes is now targeting a strong end to the season, with the manager aiming to collect six more points from matches against Manchester United and Everton at London Stadium. "We knew we had to win one game and I'd like to win the next two games and finish as high up the league as we can. Then we might be thinking 'What were we worried about?'. "They're two hard games but if we get the backing we got at Leicester with everybody inside London Stadium, they'll make it difficult for the opponents to come and get a result."
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WHICH PLAYERS SHOULD WE TARGET NEXT SEASON AND WHO SHOULD LEAVE
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 6 MAY 2018 AT 9:44PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by: Mads Hartov @hartov_mads
The rumors are everywhere, and players from across the globe are being linked with every premiership club like there is no tomorrow . That includes our beloved claret and blue. Except, we are primarily being linked with relegation players and championship players. That's not for me I understand that we are not Chelsea or Man Utd and i am not delirious, but i really do feel that if we are to avoid the same type of season as we are in now, we have to be a little more ambitious. So here are my choices, that could be realistic for the summer.
Managers
Moyes
I am all for Moyes out, and i was close to tears when he was announced, but hopefully he will be gone by june 1st. (hopefully straight after a win at Leicester)
Benitez
For me he would be an amazing asset for the club. If he gets what he wants, he can do us some magic. When he won the CL with Liverpool, he had a terrible team imo, but he got them playing together and they beat the best AC Milan team in the 00's. But hey lets not dwell more on him, he is still at Newcastle, and we dont know what Ashley has to offer.
Villas-Boas
This one popped up on my timeline a couple of days ago, and i was immediately intrigued. I personally rate this guy very high, and i think he has done a decent job everywhere he has been. The only problem i can see with him, is getting along with the board. He is very charismatic, and he plays great football. Also Players tend to like him at the clubs he has been at. He has also been very good at utilising South American players skills, which is very interesting for me because of a couple of players. Of course Lanzini, but also a lad that i will get to later with the transfers.
Others
Silva, Wagner & Howe don't really rub me the right way. Why, i honestly can't tell you, there is just something about them i don't see happening at West Ham.
Players in
William Carvalho
This one was close earlier, and i was fuming that it didn't happen. He is exactly what we need, and he is a great footballer. I believe that he can do magic in the centre for us. Send the Sporting owners some flowers, apologise and get this done.
Rui Patricio
So while ordering the flowers and writing the apology for the Sporting owners, send som chocolate too with a bid for Rui Patricio. He has had a good career so far, and being 30, he still has a lot of years in him. To be honest, i do not know a lot about him, and i have only seen him in the Euros, the WC qualifiers, and playing for Sporting in Europe. But i really like what i have seen, and i would to se him in that horrible yellow shirt:)
Timo Horn
Young german goalkeeper. Thats three words every football fan loves to hear. Had he been from another country, he would be their number 1 or 2. But he is competing with Neuer, Leno, Fährmann, Ter Stegen, Baumann, Trapp, well the list goes on. He has 1 year left of his contract, he has just been relegated with Cologne, so there might be an opportunity to get him on the cheap. He basically have the same stats this season as Butland (one we have been linked with many times) some stats better and some worse, and imo Cologne has a terrible defence compared to Stoke.
Lautaro Martinez
20 year old Argentine, who plays for Racing Club in Argentina. I am really amazed that i have not seen one single rumour about him moving to any european clubs. Why am i amazed and why should we go get him? At 19 years he had 26 appearances for Racing and 9 goals, that is an ok stat. This season at 20, he has had 24 appearances and 17 goals, thats a great stat. I have been trying to keep me saliva inside my mouth the last 6 months because of him, but it is hard. He is incredibly fast, he is strong, and he does some great things with the ball. I have never ever watched the argentine league before this season, but he got me in.
WOW what a player. If we only sign one player, he is the one!
J. Mario
I think he has done a fair job, and i think if we would have had a more inspired manager, he would have done a lot more.
Keep him!
Players out
Carroll
Can he do magic in the air, Yes! Can he help out in defence, Yes! Do i want to keep him, absolutely not! What a plonker! Having a row with the manager (whether you like Moyes or not) at this point of the season, and in the situation we are in, that is just beyond stupidity for me. He has just show us that he rates himself over everybody else. I don't do violence, but i hope Noble gave him a good slapping after that! Jesus! I want him far away from our club, very far.
Evra
We shouldn't have brought him here in the first place.
Hugill
I feel so sorry for this bloke. A move to a premiership club, and just being the laughing stock, because the owners just needed to do a transfer to keep us fans happy. I hope he i send to a club where the manager rates him and the board wants him. But hey, if he got a big sign on fee, good on him.
Reid
Being a dane and going to the SuperLiga every weekend, i remember when he played for FC Midtjylland. He was very good and to good for that league, but i did not think he was good enough for the premiership, and especially not for West Ham. But honestly he won me over in our Championship season. Unfortunately i am back at my initial thoughts. I don't rate him highly anymore. I like him but the injuries and his standard is not up to par anymore. Hate to say it, but West Ham comes first.
Kouyate
When we brought him in. I was excited and i remember telling one of my friends "look out for the new Yaya" Boy did i get that thrown in my face on a regular basis. I have always liked him, but i just hate it when players look like they would rather be at home eating Doritos, than be on the pitch. Sorry Kouyate, but i can't defend you anymore. This is just my opinion, and i hope you have yours too.
COYI from Denmark!
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MOYESIAH'S DOUBLED EDGED SWORD
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 6 MAY 2018 AT 9:24PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by Lukas (@lu_thirty_1)
So, here we are, another very disappointing season comes to an end. A season where we were expecting bigger things, with the whole 'the stadium is crap' thing behind us and four solid signings. Well, sort of.
I watched the Leicester game today and I really could not get excited. Don't get me wrong, I'm obviously happy that we avoided a year of playing against the mighty Barnsley but is this really what our reality is? Praying for safety and hoping other teams slip up?
For the record, I didn't ever think we would get relegated, even during the massive crappy stretches when our fanbase was in meltdown. Think we had one of those during every month of the season. Oh yeah, congrats to the Moyesiah for 'doing his job' and keeping us up.
But hey, here we are. Premier League status secured.
So, now what?
Well, let's start by saying that this is very bittersweet. It's like, would we rather have won and secured our status ourselves and be stuck with Moyes OR lose, survive by the skin of our teeth and hopefully get someone new next season?
Personally, I would have preferred the latter if it meant the board actually woke up and realised that this man is not the right person to take us forward. Game after game this year, the tactics have been abysmal and way too negative, especially when we played teams outside the top six. In my opinion, we should be beating everyone in that category week in week out, no problem.
But, in the end, every time Moyes' back was against the wall, we somehow pulled off a result and made him look good. How looks can be deceiving ey?
We all know that the board isn't going to do anything outlandish by their standards and actually spend money to get a decent manager and good players. But, the overall picture of this season should be setting off alarms left, right and centre for them. Don't even get me started with the whole Hernandez thing. In Chica, we have a striker we have been crying out for and he's spent every game picking splinters out of his backside form sitting on the bench the whole year.
Anyway, that's a whole 'nother topic.
I seriously hope I am wrong, but I think Moyes is here to stay and this is a worrying thing. All the signs are there, especially with the sudden abandonment of the Director of Football project and Sir David Moyes the saviour in line to handle our transfer activity. Surely a few decent wins can't overshadow the fact that he is a poor manager?
I'm actually struggling to get excited for next year because as things stand, it will be another season of the same rubbish, watching 17 defenders make up our starting 11 on a Tuesday night against Wolves, Fulham or even Millw***. Yeah, I know. God forbid.
We need some serious enforcements, from the manager to the players. The owners have to see this, especially when we've all seen through their 'take West Ham to the next level' nonsene and would do anything for them to sell up.
That's another thing to pray for by the way. Big time.
They say insanity if doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome, right? Well, if that's so then we are screwed because that's exactly what we've done for the last two seasons. But for our sanity, let's cross our fingers and hope something changes and fast.
COMEEEE ONNN YOOUUUU IRROONSSS!
PS – I'm not even going to watch Match of the Day tonight but it's cool, I've seen Nobledinho's goal already!
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LAYING THE FOUNDATIONS
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 6 MAY 2018 AT 9:13PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by: @measomaj
So we are safe and I'm sure we all breathed a collective sigh of relief and punched the air when Tom Davies equalised for Everton. Watching the toffees and how dreadful they are made me think about our situation and how the manager is key to the rebuilding of our club.
We need to thank David Moyes and send him on his way, he has achieved what he was asked to do and I'm sure he will now be handsomely paid for that achievement. He is not the man for us just as Bilic, Allardyce, Grant, Zola etc have not been.
If we are serious about moving to the next level which I class as breaking into the top 8 then we have look for someone who has experience of working at that level and let him build the team from scratch, the man for me is Rafa Benitez but I'm happy to consider anyone who fits the criteria above.
We simply can't appoint another manager who will give us another season of 12th-20th league positioning, if that's what we want, why move? I would let the new manager clear the decks of anyone he felt didn't fit his blueprint and that means nobody is safe.
For me, the players I would keep in position order are: Defence – Ogbonna, Zabaleta, Rice, Cresswell and Collins. Midfield – Masuaku (not a defender in my eyes), Fernandes, Obiang, Antonio and Noble. Strikers – Arnautovic, Carroll and Hernandez. So that's 13 spaces in our first team squad not including Martinez, Burke and Cullen but the time is now to cut the dead wood and build from who the new guy wants. I would sell the rest for whatever we can get, what's the point in keeping them, they aren't good enough and all they are is a drain on the wage bill.
Will this happen? I don't know but I know to have a continually successful business you need to reinvest in your assets (in our case the playing squad) so that your business continues to grow. Let's be honest that's what Gold, Sullivan and Brady see us as, customers and consumers not loyal fans or people and I don't care whether you have attended once or twice over the last 3 years like me or go every week. We all matter.
They didn't buy our club just because they were West Ham fans coming home. They bought us because they saw potential and an eventual money making business, great it's the club they love too but it wasn't s charity donation with no strings attached.
COYI!
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Safe
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 5th May 2018
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are mathematically safe from the threat of relegation following today's 2-0 win at Leicester, coupled with results elsewhere. The much-criticised David Moyes completed his mandate by steering the Hammers across the safety line with two games to spare after securing United's third Premier League away win of the season at the King Power Stadium, thanks to strikes from Joao Mario and a Goal of the Season contender from Mark Noble. Meanwhile Swansea's defeat at Bournemouth combined with Southampton's 1-1 draw at Everton in the late kick-off ensured that West Ham cannot possible be relegated, regardless of remaining results - whilst a mid-table finish is still a possibility, with the Irons once again within three points of five clubs. Captain Mark Noble - who perhaps fittingly, given recent criticism from some quarters scored the goal that secured the club's Premier League status - spoke for many after the game when he reflected on a mostly disastrous season both on and off the field.
"It's been tough, really tough," he told the BBC. " I certainly don't want another one like this." And whilst David Moyes could perhaps be forgiven for feeling vindicated having filled his brief two games shy of the target, he chose instead to heap praise upon his squad who fully deserved the two-goal margin of victory against an admittedly impotent Leicester outfit. "I thought the players handled it brilliantly well, " he said. "From the opening they were composed and looked to play; there were lots of good things about it."
West Ham Utd's remaining two games of the season take place in Stratford within the next seven days, with Jose Mourinho's Manchester Utd providing the first test on Thursday evening. This season to forget culminates on Sunday when former Hammers boss Sam Allardyce returns to the East End with his struggling Everton side, who relied on a controversial injury time equaliser to deny Southampton all three points at Goodison Park this afternoon.
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WEST HAM UNLIKELY TO SELL SNODGRASS THIS SUMMER
LUKE OSMAN @LukeOsmanRS L
ReadWestHam
West Ham will reportedly keep hold of Robert Snodgrass in the upcoming summer transfer window. According to a report from the Mirror, there are plans for David Moyes to afford the experienced winger a second chance to impress at the London Stadium ahead of next season. Snodgrass was recruited in the January transfer window last year for £10m after an impressive stint with Hull. However, in the following summer, he was sent out on loan to Aston Villa after failing to impress Slaven Bilic. He has since been in good form for Steve Bruce's side, who have secured their place in the Championship play-offs this term. Snodgrass' future at West Ham appeared to be somewhat bleak, given the club's decision to swiftly get him off the books in the build-up to the 2017/18 season. However, it appears as though Snodgrass' time at the club is not yet over, with Moyes prepared to give him another chance to prove his worth.
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How West Ham could look next season if David Moyes completes stunning £60m squad overhaul
If we were playing Football Manager, maybe this is what our West Ham team might look like
Football London
By Sam Inkersole
West Ham Correspondent
15:45, 6 MAY 2018
Should David Moyes stay as West Ham manager after the end of this season, he is expected to be handed a war chest to overhaul the squad. The manager has already been scouting targets ahead of next season and following confirmation that the Hammers will be playing Premier League football in 2018/2019, he can press ahead with those plans. After two seasons of struggle on the pitch since leaving the Boleyn Ground and moving to the London Stadium in the summer of 2016, the squad is in need of a revolution, an overhaul if you will. That will mean players coming in but also, players coming out. As always, the Hammers have been linked with plenty of players over the last couple of months, it's part and parcel of being associated with the club and if they signed everyone they have been linked with, the squad could be about 100 players deep. But, lets be sensible for a minute and look at realistic targets who the club have been rumoured to make a move for and that would fit in the squad. For a bit of fun, this is how West Ham could look next season if Moyes was to complete a bit of a transfer overhaul in E20.
In goal, Sam Johntone could be the answer. The Manchester United stopper has had an excellent season on-loan at Aston Villa but a lot will depend on whether the Villains are promoted back to the Premier League as no doubt they'll have first option. With Joe Hart and Adrian not impressing this season at West Ham, the club were linked with a swoop for Johnstone in March and will likely be after a new keeper this summer.
In defence, there isn't too much change with the only new addition potentially being Fulham right back Ryan Fredericks, who has been scouted a number of times by the Hammers and is out of contract at Craven Cottage this summer. Fredericks has yet to commit to a new deal in west London and again, a lot could depend on how the Cottagers perform in the play-offs.
Midfield could see a bit of a change with two new faces in the shape of Fulham captain Tom Cairney, heavily linked with a move to east London in January with an apparent £20m bid rejected. Cairney was also suspiciously spotted right behind David Moyes in the dugout at Stamford Bridge earlier this month.
Leander Dendoncker is the other new face, having come very close to a move to the Hammers in January. There are reports that Atletico Madrid have a €20m option to sign him but they don't have to if they don't want to so the Hammers aren't out of the running. A new central midfielder or two is a must for the Hammers this summer. They came close to getting him in January, the player wanted the move, but it fell through on deadline day.
The other potential new face is Xherdan Shaqiri of Stoke, who is certain to leave the club following their relegation. Everton and Crystal Palace have also been linked as well as the Hammers for a player that Moyes could see as a challenge, much like he revolutionised Marko Arnautovic since taking over.
Shaqiri, on his day, is a mercurial talent but you just never know which Shaqiri is going to turn up on any given matchday.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
West Ham United would like to thank the Claret and Blue Army for their inspirational support after the Hammers secured their Premier League safety. An impressive 2-0 victory at Leicester City at Saturday means West Ham's top-flight status is now assured and everyone can look forward to home games against Manchester United and Everton as the team seek a positive finish to what has, at times, been a challenging 2017/18 campaign. Along with the 3,000 fans who gave the team magnificent backing at the King Power Stadium, the Club would like to place on record its thanks to each and every Season Ticket Holder and member of the West Ham family for your loyalty, commitment and dedication.
Captain and lifelong Hammer Mark Noble scored the best goal of his West Ham career in Saturday's victory with an unstoppable 25-yard volley – a goal he celebrated wildly with his fellow fans. "That's what we all love West Ham, because of days like this!" he smiled. "The heartache and the emotion we put them through, and I put myself through, make days like this fantastic. Let's all enjoy this result and the rest of the season, then get ready to go again in August. "On Saturday, for me, it wasn't so much the volley as the occasion. To score the goal which made us safe is something many young boys dream of."
Manager David Moyes echoed his skipper's comments before taking aim at ending the season with victories over two of his former clubs. "I'm pleased with our win at Leicester and that we have stayed up because the supporters had a really good day. Of course, they want to see their team winning, but the performance was also good and they sensed it and knew we'd played really well. "We knew we had to win one game and I'd like to win the next two games and finish as high up the league as we can. They're two hard games but if we get the backing we got at Leicester with everybody inside London Stadium, they'll make it difficult for the opponents to come and get a result."
West Ham United Season Ticket renewals are open for the 2018/19 season now. As a reward for the outstanding commitment from our most loyal fans, Season Ticket Holders in Bands 1-4 – including Accessibility Seats – and 1966 Seats have had their prices frozen for the second consecutive year. A Season Ticket remains by far the cheapest way to enjoy watching the Hammers in action, with Adults saving over £400 per season compared to purchasing match-by-match, while Under-16s can save more than £600 over the course of the campaign. Season Ticket Holders also enjoy exclusive benefits, including having the first opportunity to buy tickets for away matches, discounts instore and online and on coach travel, and invitations to exclusive events.
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Joao Mario: The support for us was amazing and it means everything
WHUFC.com
Joao Mario praised West Ham United's 'big personality' after the Hammers bounced back from a difficult fortnight to secure a big 2-0 Premier League victory at Leicester City. The Hammers travelled to the King Power Stadium knowing a win was vital to their chances of securing top-flight safety, and they rose to the challenge with a dominant performance that fully warranted the three points. "It was a huge game for us, an important game, and we knew before that only three points would be good enough for us, so the team produced an amazing performance and I'm very happy because it was a massive win," said the No18, who scored West Ham's all-important first goal. "We played very well, with big personality. It's never easy when you play away against a tough team, so I have to congratulate the team because we played a really good game."
It was Portugal star Mario who broke the deadlock just past the half-hour mark, converting Marko Arnautovic's cross to ease the tension in the Claret and Blue ranks. And the game was decided in West Ham's favour midway through the second half, when Mark Noble arrowed an unstoppable volley into the bottom corner. "We practised this week. When Marko is playing up front and we're playing behind him, we need to support him and we talked about that and it happened. It's good when you practice something and it happens during the game. "Mark shoots really well from outside the box and I'm really happy for him because it's an important moment not just for West Ham, but for him, so I'm happy for him. "We also talked about our defending. We pressed well, we defended well and high up. It was important to us, the team have been talking about the problems and on Saturday it was resolved and it made all the difference."
The 25-year-old joined his jubilant teammates at the final whistle, celebrating with them in front of 3,000 loyal, vociferous traveling fans in the East Midlands sunshine. Their support was not lost on the man who joined West Ham on loan from Inter Milan in January and has now scored two vital goals in the Londoners' quest to steer clear of the bottom three. "It was amazing. Their support for us was amazing and it means everything, so we have to say 'Thank you' to them because the atmosphere they created was fantastic."
Having secured a third away win of the season, West Ham close the season with home games against Manchester United and Everton, and Joao Mario is hoping to give the supporters more reason to cheer before the campaign comes to an end. "We have two important matches and I hope the supporters come to watch these games. We want to win them. It's a big game on Thursday and again on Sunday and I hope everybody is there to back the team up."
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Mark Noble: The man for the big occasion - again
WHUFC.com
Numerous times over the past decade, when West Ham United have needed him most, Mark Noble has stepped up. That was the case again on Saturday as the skipper produced one of his best performances of the season to inspire the Hammers to a 2-0 victory at Leicester City. In a match West Ham won to ultimately secure their Premier League safety, Noble not only scored a goal with his only shot on target, but was instrumental all over the pitch. Let's start with the captain's goal, which was a thing of real beauty and very probably the best of the 51 he has scored in a Claret and Blue shirt.ark Noble's heat map at Leicester City
West Ham were leading 1-0 midway through the second half at the King Power Stadium when Joao Mario delivered a curling free-kick from near the right touchline. Leicester substitute Aleksandar Dragovic cleared with a looping header and Noble shaped his body to send a skimming right-foot volley into the bottom left-hand corner of Ben Hamer's net. Noble's fourth of the season was also his first goal from outside the penalty area since another important away win, 3-1 at Southampton in February 2017.
Aside from his goal, the No16 covered more ground than any other West Ham player – and 670m more than any other player on either side – with 11.58km. To put Noble's work-rate in context, only three other players – Joao Mario, Cheikhou Kouyate and Leicester's Adrien Silva – covered more than 10km. The captain was also influential in possession, making the joint-highest number of passes, 43, with Joao Mario, with both players completing 34 of them for a 79.1 per cent pass-completion rate. Unusually, on the defensive side, Noble did not make a single tackle – Manuel Lanzini made four – but he did regain possession a team-high seven times, make three interceptions, a clearance and block a Leicester shot. Having also scored the opening goal in each West Ham's previous two away victories at Stoke City and Huddersfield Town, the 30-year-old has proven yet again that he will stand up and be counted when the pressure is on.
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Moyes: I'm pleased because the supporters had a really good day
WHUFC.com
David Moyes praised his West Ham United team for producing the goods when they needed it most and securing Premier League safety. The Hammers manager sent his team out at Leicester City knowing victory was vital to their chances to staying up, and that is exactly what they achieved with a professional performance and a 2-0 victory at the King Power Stadium. A smiling Moyes was not only proud of his players, but also delighted for the Claret and Blue Army, whose support undoubtedly played its part in Saturday's success. "I thought the boys dealt with the pressure which came with the game and needing to pick up the points," he began. "There was a real focus about them. "We've been hurting a bit since the Manchester City game, because we felt we didn't play well even though it was against the champions. We felt we're a lot better than that and on Saturday we bossed the game for periods and probably should have scored more goals. "We were as good as we've been with the ball at times. We passed it, we controlled it, we had good thought with our shape and what we wanted to do with the ball. I thought Declan Rice also had his best game as a young player up against the likes of Jamie Vardy, as that's not an easy job. He did very well. "We wanted to leave Leicester with the ball as there is an anxiousness about them in their stadium. We got it back off them and then we broke quickly with Manu and Marko and Arthur. We did a lot of good things. "The only thing which disappointed me was that we had opportunities to score more goals. If we'd done that a little bit better, we'd have won more comfortably. "I'm going to enjoy it and why not? The job when I came in was to make sure we weren't relegated."
The highlight of a memorable afternoon was Mark Noble's unstoppable second-half volley, which followed Joao Mario's well-taken opener from Marko Arnautovic's cross. "Nobes's goal was a worldy, wasn't it! I'm pleased for Nobes because the Club means a lot to him, so I'm glad he got the goal. "Joao has helped us in lots of ways, he's done two or three jobs and is a good footballer. He's now come up with a couple of goals for us [against Southampton and Leicester] in this period. We brought him in to help us play a bit better and get a couple of goals, so I'm pleased with that. "I'm also pleased because the supporters had a really good day as well. Of course, they want to see their team winning, but the performance was also good and they sensed it and knew we'd played really well."
Having secured their top-flight future, Moyes is now targeting a strong end to the season, with the manager aiming to collect six more points from matches against Manchester United and Everton at London Stadium. "We knew we had to win one game and I'd like to win the next two games and finish as high up the league as we can. Then we might be thinking 'What were we worried about?'. "They're two hard games but if we get the backing we got at Leicester with everybody inside London Stadium, they'll make it difficult for the opponents to come and get a result."
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WHICH PLAYERS SHOULD WE TARGET NEXT SEASON AND WHO SHOULD LEAVE
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 6 MAY 2018 AT 9:44PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by: Mads Hartov @hartov_mads
The rumors are everywhere, and players from across the globe are being linked with every premiership club like there is no tomorrow . That includes our beloved claret and blue. Except, we are primarily being linked with relegation players and championship players. That's not for me I understand that we are not Chelsea or Man Utd and i am not delirious, but i really do feel that if we are to avoid the same type of season as we are in now, we have to be a little more ambitious. So here are my choices, that could be realistic for the summer.
Managers
Moyes
I am all for Moyes out, and i was close to tears when he was announced, but hopefully he will be gone by june 1st. (hopefully straight after a win at Leicester)
Benitez
For me he would be an amazing asset for the club. If he gets what he wants, he can do us some magic. When he won the CL with Liverpool, he had a terrible team imo, but he got them playing together and they beat the best AC Milan team in the 00's. But hey lets not dwell more on him, he is still at Newcastle, and we dont know what Ashley has to offer.
Villas-Boas
This one popped up on my timeline a couple of days ago, and i was immediately intrigued. I personally rate this guy very high, and i think he has done a decent job everywhere he has been. The only problem i can see with him, is getting along with the board. He is very charismatic, and he plays great football. Also Players tend to like him at the clubs he has been at. He has also been very good at utilising South American players skills, which is very interesting for me because of a couple of players. Of course Lanzini, but also a lad that i will get to later with the transfers.
Others
Silva, Wagner & Howe don't really rub me the right way. Why, i honestly can't tell you, there is just something about them i don't see happening at West Ham.
Players in
William Carvalho
This one was close earlier, and i was fuming that it didn't happen. He is exactly what we need, and he is a great footballer. I believe that he can do magic in the centre for us. Send the Sporting owners some flowers, apologise and get this done.
Rui Patricio
So while ordering the flowers and writing the apology for the Sporting owners, send som chocolate too with a bid for Rui Patricio. He has had a good career so far, and being 30, he still has a lot of years in him. To be honest, i do not know a lot about him, and i have only seen him in the Euros, the WC qualifiers, and playing for Sporting in Europe. But i really like what i have seen, and i would to se him in that horrible yellow shirt:)
Timo Horn
Young german goalkeeper. Thats three words every football fan loves to hear. Had he been from another country, he would be their number 1 or 2. But he is competing with Neuer, Leno, Fährmann, Ter Stegen, Baumann, Trapp, well the list goes on. He has 1 year left of his contract, he has just been relegated with Cologne, so there might be an opportunity to get him on the cheap. He basically have the same stats this season as Butland (one we have been linked with many times) some stats better and some worse, and imo Cologne has a terrible defence compared to Stoke.
Lautaro Martinez
20 year old Argentine, who plays for Racing Club in Argentina. I am really amazed that i have not seen one single rumour about him moving to any european clubs. Why am i amazed and why should we go get him? At 19 years he had 26 appearances for Racing and 9 goals, that is an ok stat. This season at 20, he has had 24 appearances and 17 goals, thats a great stat. I have been trying to keep me saliva inside my mouth the last 6 months because of him, but it is hard. He is incredibly fast, he is strong, and he does some great things with the ball. I have never ever watched the argentine league before this season, but he got me in.
WOW what a player. If we only sign one player, he is the one!
J. Mario
I think he has done a fair job, and i think if we would have had a more inspired manager, he would have done a lot more.
Keep him!
Players out
Carroll
Can he do magic in the air, Yes! Can he help out in defence, Yes! Do i want to keep him, absolutely not! What a plonker! Having a row with the manager (whether you like Moyes or not) at this point of the season, and in the situation we are in, that is just beyond stupidity for me. He has just show us that he rates himself over everybody else. I don't do violence, but i hope Noble gave him a good slapping after that! Jesus! I want him far away from our club, very far.
Evra
We shouldn't have brought him here in the first place.
Hugill
I feel so sorry for this bloke. A move to a premiership club, and just being the laughing stock, because the owners just needed to do a transfer to keep us fans happy. I hope he i send to a club where the manager rates him and the board wants him. But hey, if he got a big sign on fee, good on him.
Reid
Being a dane and going to the SuperLiga every weekend, i remember when he played for FC Midtjylland. He was very good and to good for that league, but i did not think he was good enough for the premiership, and especially not for West Ham. But honestly he won me over in our Championship season. Unfortunately i am back at my initial thoughts. I don't rate him highly anymore. I like him but the injuries and his standard is not up to par anymore. Hate to say it, but West Ham comes first.
Kouyate
When we brought him in. I was excited and i remember telling one of my friends "look out for the new Yaya" Boy did i get that thrown in my face on a regular basis. I have always liked him, but i just hate it when players look like they would rather be at home eating Doritos, than be on the pitch. Sorry Kouyate, but i can't defend you anymore. This is just my opinion, and i hope you have yours too.
COYI from Denmark!
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MOYESIAH'S DOUBLED EDGED SWORD
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 6 MAY 2018 AT 9:24PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by Lukas (@lu_thirty_1)
So, here we are, another very disappointing season comes to an end. A season where we were expecting bigger things, with the whole 'the stadium is crap' thing behind us and four solid signings. Well, sort of.
I watched the Leicester game today and I really could not get excited. Don't get me wrong, I'm obviously happy that we avoided a year of playing against the mighty Barnsley but is this really what our reality is? Praying for safety and hoping other teams slip up?
For the record, I didn't ever think we would get relegated, even during the massive crappy stretches when our fanbase was in meltdown. Think we had one of those during every month of the season. Oh yeah, congrats to the Moyesiah for 'doing his job' and keeping us up.
But hey, here we are. Premier League status secured.
So, now what?
Well, let's start by saying that this is very bittersweet. It's like, would we rather have won and secured our status ourselves and be stuck with Moyes OR lose, survive by the skin of our teeth and hopefully get someone new next season?
Personally, I would have preferred the latter if it meant the board actually woke up and realised that this man is not the right person to take us forward. Game after game this year, the tactics have been abysmal and way too negative, especially when we played teams outside the top six. In my opinion, we should be beating everyone in that category week in week out, no problem.
But, in the end, every time Moyes' back was against the wall, we somehow pulled off a result and made him look good. How looks can be deceiving ey?
We all know that the board isn't going to do anything outlandish by their standards and actually spend money to get a decent manager and good players. But, the overall picture of this season should be setting off alarms left, right and centre for them. Don't even get me started with the whole Hernandez thing. In Chica, we have a striker we have been crying out for and he's spent every game picking splinters out of his backside form sitting on the bench the whole year.
Anyway, that's a whole 'nother topic.
I seriously hope I am wrong, but I think Moyes is here to stay and this is a worrying thing. All the signs are there, especially with the sudden abandonment of the Director of Football project and Sir David Moyes the saviour in line to handle our transfer activity. Surely a few decent wins can't overshadow the fact that he is a poor manager?
I'm actually struggling to get excited for next year because as things stand, it will be another season of the same rubbish, watching 17 defenders make up our starting 11 on a Tuesday night against Wolves, Fulham or even Millw***. Yeah, I know. God forbid.
We need some serious enforcements, from the manager to the players. The owners have to see this, especially when we've all seen through their 'take West Ham to the next level' nonsene and would do anything for them to sell up.
That's another thing to pray for by the way. Big time.
They say insanity if doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome, right? Well, if that's so then we are screwed because that's exactly what we've done for the last two seasons. But for our sanity, let's cross our fingers and hope something changes and fast.
COMEEEE ONNN YOOUUUU IRROONSSS!
PS – I'm not even going to watch Match of the Day tonight but it's cool, I've seen Nobledinho's goal already!
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LAYING THE FOUNDATIONS
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 6 MAY 2018 AT 9:13PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by: @measomaj
So we are safe and I'm sure we all breathed a collective sigh of relief and punched the air when Tom Davies equalised for Everton. Watching the toffees and how dreadful they are made me think about our situation and how the manager is key to the rebuilding of our club.
We need to thank David Moyes and send him on his way, he has achieved what he was asked to do and I'm sure he will now be handsomely paid for that achievement. He is not the man for us just as Bilic, Allardyce, Grant, Zola etc have not been.
If we are serious about moving to the next level which I class as breaking into the top 8 then we have look for someone who has experience of working at that level and let him build the team from scratch, the man for me is Rafa Benitez but I'm happy to consider anyone who fits the criteria above.
We simply can't appoint another manager who will give us another season of 12th-20th league positioning, if that's what we want, why move? I would let the new manager clear the decks of anyone he felt didn't fit his blueprint and that means nobody is safe.
For me, the players I would keep in position order are: Defence – Ogbonna, Zabaleta, Rice, Cresswell and Collins. Midfield – Masuaku (not a defender in my eyes), Fernandes, Obiang, Antonio and Noble. Strikers – Arnautovic, Carroll and Hernandez. So that's 13 spaces in our first team squad not including Martinez, Burke and Cullen but the time is now to cut the dead wood and build from who the new guy wants. I would sell the rest for whatever we can get, what's the point in keeping them, they aren't good enough and all they are is a drain on the wage bill.
Will this happen? I don't know but I know to have a continually successful business you need to reinvest in your assets (in our case the playing squad) so that your business continues to grow. Let's be honest that's what Gold, Sullivan and Brady see us as, customers and consumers not loyal fans or people and I don't care whether you have attended once or twice over the last 3 years like me or go every week. We all matter.
They didn't buy our club just because they were West Ham fans coming home. They bought us because they saw potential and an eventual money making business, great it's the club they love too but it wasn't s charity donation with no strings attached.
COYI!
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Safe
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 5th May 2018
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are mathematically safe from the threat of relegation following today's 2-0 win at Leicester, coupled with results elsewhere. The much-criticised David Moyes completed his mandate by steering the Hammers across the safety line with two games to spare after securing United's third Premier League away win of the season at the King Power Stadium, thanks to strikes from Joao Mario and a Goal of the Season contender from Mark Noble. Meanwhile Swansea's defeat at Bournemouth combined with Southampton's 1-1 draw at Everton in the late kick-off ensured that West Ham cannot possible be relegated, regardless of remaining results - whilst a mid-table finish is still a possibility, with the Irons once again within three points of five clubs. Captain Mark Noble - who perhaps fittingly, given recent criticism from some quarters scored the goal that secured the club's Premier League status - spoke for many after the game when he reflected on a mostly disastrous season both on and off the field.
"It's been tough, really tough," he told the BBC. " I certainly don't want another one like this." And whilst David Moyes could perhaps be forgiven for feeling vindicated having filled his brief two games shy of the target, he chose instead to heap praise upon his squad who fully deserved the two-goal margin of victory against an admittedly impotent Leicester outfit. "I thought the players handled it brilliantly well, " he said. "From the opening they were composed and looked to play; there were lots of good things about it."
West Ham Utd's remaining two games of the season take place in Stratford within the next seven days, with Jose Mourinho's Manchester Utd providing the first test on Thursday evening. This season to forget culminates on Sunday when former Hammers boss Sam Allardyce returns to the East End with his struggling Everton side, who relied on a controversial injury time equaliser to deny Southampton all three points at Goodison Park this afternoon.
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WEST HAM UNLIKELY TO SELL SNODGRASS THIS SUMMER
LUKE OSMAN @LukeOsmanRS L
ReadWestHam
West Ham will reportedly keep hold of Robert Snodgrass in the upcoming summer transfer window. According to a report from the Mirror, there are plans for David Moyes to afford the experienced winger a second chance to impress at the London Stadium ahead of next season. Snodgrass was recruited in the January transfer window last year for £10m after an impressive stint with Hull. However, in the following summer, he was sent out on loan to Aston Villa after failing to impress Slaven Bilic. He has since been in good form for Steve Bruce's side, who have secured their place in the Championship play-offs this term. Snodgrass' future at West Ham appeared to be somewhat bleak, given the club's decision to swiftly get him off the books in the build-up to the 2017/18 season. However, it appears as though Snodgrass' time at the club is not yet over, with Moyes prepared to give him another chance to prove his worth.
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How West Ham could look next season if David Moyes completes stunning £60m squad overhaul
If we were playing Football Manager, maybe this is what our West Ham team might look like
Football London
By Sam Inkersole
West Ham Correspondent
15:45, 6 MAY 2018
Should David Moyes stay as West Ham manager after the end of this season, he is expected to be handed a war chest to overhaul the squad. The manager has already been scouting targets ahead of next season and following confirmation that the Hammers will be playing Premier League football in 2018/2019, he can press ahead with those plans. After two seasons of struggle on the pitch since leaving the Boleyn Ground and moving to the London Stadium in the summer of 2016, the squad is in need of a revolution, an overhaul if you will. That will mean players coming in but also, players coming out. As always, the Hammers have been linked with plenty of players over the last couple of months, it's part and parcel of being associated with the club and if they signed everyone they have been linked with, the squad could be about 100 players deep. But, lets be sensible for a minute and look at realistic targets who the club have been rumoured to make a move for and that would fit in the squad. For a bit of fun, this is how West Ham could look next season if Moyes was to complete a bit of a transfer overhaul in E20.
In goal, Sam Johntone could be the answer. The Manchester United stopper has had an excellent season on-loan at Aston Villa but a lot will depend on whether the Villains are promoted back to the Premier League as no doubt they'll have first option. With Joe Hart and Adrian not impressing this season at West Ham, the club were linked with a swoop for Johnstone in March and will likely be after a new keeper this summer.
In defence, there isn't too much change with the only new addition potentially being Fulham right back Ryan Fredericks, who has been scouted a number of times by the Hammers and is out of contract at Craven Cottage this summer. Fredericks has yet to commit to a new deal in west London and again, a lot could depend on how the Cottagers perform in the play-offs.
Midfield could see a bit of a change with two new faces in the shape of Fulham captain Tom Cairney, heavily linked with a move to east London in January with an apparent £20m bid rejected. Cairney was also suspiciously spotted right behind David Moyes in the dugout at Stamford Bridge earlier this month.
Leander Dendoncker is the other new face, having come very close to a move to the Hammers in January. There are reports that Atletico Madrid have a €20m option to sign him but they don't have to if they don't want to so the Hammers aren't out of the running. A new central midfielder or two is a must for the Hammers this summer. They came close to getting him in January, the player wanted the move, but it fell through on deadline day.
The other potential new face is Xherdan Shaqiri of Stoke, who is certain to leave the club following their relegation. Everton and Crystal Palace have also been linked as well as the Hammers for a player that Moyes could see as a challenge, much like he revolutionised Marko Arnautovic since taking over.
Shaqiri, on his day, is a mercurial talent but you just never know which Shaqiri is going to turn up on any given matchday.
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