Daily WHUFC News - 2nd April 2015

From the Treatment Room
WHUFC.com

The positive news is that all of the players who went away on international
and testimonial duty have returned in good condition. With regard to the
other players, you can read and watch an in-depth update regarding Andy
Carroll's recovery here. Andy is currently working on his rehab following
knee surgery in warm-weather conditions in Dubai, as this is the perfect
stage of his recovery to do so. He will not have a summer break this year as
he will be working hard on his rehab during that period. Following the
hamstring injury he suffered against Chelsea on 4 March, Winston Reid is fit
and is training hard to be ready for Saturday's Barclays Premier League
fixture at Leicester City. Enner Valencia's laceration in his big toe that
he suffered in an accident at his home on 10 March has healed. He started to
train in his boots again on an individual basis on Monday. We are
re-evaluating Enner's situation on a daily basis. James Tomkins and Doneil
Henry are continuing with their rehabilitation from shoulder and hamstring
surgery. Doneil has resumed walking normally this week, which is the next
step in his rehab and something he is really happy about.

Stijn Vandenbroucke
Head of Medical and Sports Science

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Carroll steps up recovery
WHUFC.com

Andy Carroll ticked off a significant milestone in his recovery from knee
surgery last week when he left the crutches and knee brace behind to step up
his work in the gym and swimming pool. Carroll had to go under the surgeon's
knife to repair damage to his medial knee ligament after suffering the
injury at Southampton in February and had to keep the knee immobilised for
the first stage of his rehabilitation. Under the watchful eye of the Club's
head of medical and sports science Stijn Vandenbroucke, Carroll has now been
able to increase his workload as he aims to leave behind the injuries which
have hampered him over the past two seasons. The 26-year-old is pleased to
have taken another step along the road to recovery.

He said: "I'm feeling alright. It's a lot better, getting off the crutches,
out of the brace and being able to move more on the bike and do some work in
the pool. "It's good to come in to work at the training ground and see the
lads too. If you're working away from the Club you might not see them for a
while, but it's nice to come in in the mornings and have breakfast and lunch
with them. "I couldn't move my leg for a month or so after the operation. I
was at 90 degrees and I couldn't really do any more, but doing work where I
can move now is good. "Last week was the first time I went in the pool and
there'll be a lot more new stuff to come as well."

For Vandenbroucke, he is pleased with the progress his charge has made since
his surgery. He explained: "We've reached week six of Andy's rehab so we've
increased the exercises. He's on the bike, he's in the pool and we're doing
more exercises in the gym. "It's becoming more enjoyable now, the most
boring stuff is behind us so we're looking forward to the next phase of the
rehab. "It's important that we don't get carried away too much and on the
other hand it's important we don't do too little, so it's about finding the
right balance between me, Andy and the knee. "We've made good progress. He's
very good and works hard. The knee doesn't react so we're very happy. "Next
he's going to work hard in the pool, and you can really work hard
fitness-wise in the pool to start building that up again. It doesn't mean
that he has not worked hard before - he has been drilled core-wise and
muscle-wise. Now he will continue to work, we can just increase the volume."

After returning to Chadwell Heath last week, Carroll is currently continuing
his rehab with a Hammers physio in the warmer environment of Dubai, giving
the striker the optimal conditions to work in as he increases the intensity
of his work.

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Reid relishing U-20 World Cup role
WHUFC.com

Winston Reid is hoping the FIFA U-20 World Cup will have the same effect on
his fellow New Zealanders as the 2010 FIFA World Cup had on his own career.
The West Ham United defender caught the imagination of the football world
when he headed in the unfancied All Whites' last-gasp equaliser to earn a
group-stage draw with Slovakia. Then just 21, the goal - plus further draws
with Italy and Paraguay - put the spotlight on the centre-back, who was
playing for Danish club FC Midtjylland at the time. Within weeks of his
heroics in South Africa, the Hammers swooped to bring Reid to the Premier
League. Five years later, the 26-year-old is one of the best defenders in
English football, is his country's national-team captain and has been
appointed Ambassador for the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup, which will be played
in his homeland this May/June. "It's massive for the country," Reid told
FIFA.com. "The U-20s is a huge tournament on the world stage and we'll have
a lot of the very top nations in New Zealand competing for the trophy. "It
will be great for those teams too because they're going to a country with so
much to offer. Anyone visiting New Zealand will really enjoy themselves and,
as hosts, it's our job to make sure they leave with memories for life. "The
tournament should be a great success and I really hope the public get behind
it. Football is growing in New Zealand but it's still not the main sport, so
hopefully this tournament can help the game gain more recognition."

West Ham experienced the passion for football first-hand in a country more
commonly associated with rugby union and cricket when they visited for a
tour in July 2014. Reid and his teammates were treated wonderfully by the
New Zealand people, playing two matches with A-League clubs Wellington
Phoenix and Sydney FC, holding open training sessions and immersing
themselves in the diverse culture. As the son of Maori parents, Reid is
hoping that children with a similar background to his own - he was raised in
the Auckland district of North Harbour - will be enthused by the FIFA U-20
World Cup finals and follow in his footsteps. "There's going to be something
different about every single match," continued Reid, who moved to Europe
aged ten and played age-group football for Denmark before switching
allegiance to the country of his birth in 2010. "Each team will bring its
own philosophy and way of playing, and you never know - this might be the
only time a World Cup of this stature comes to New Zealand. Hopefully not,
but I think people should make the most of the opportunity. It's definitely
well worth ditching the oval ball for a couple of months to come out and
watch! "Both my mum and dad are Maori, so that heritage is important to me.
I really hope that more Maori and Pacific island kids can get involved in
football because their genetics are fantastic. So many of them are big and
strong - great attributes as a footballer. If I can inspire some of these
kids to get involved in the game, I'd be thrilled."

The FIFA U-20 World Cup finals will kick-off at Auckland's North Harbour
Stadium - West Ham's training base in 2014 - with New Zealand's Group A
clash with Ukraine. The final will be played at the same venue on 20 June
2015.

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The Big Interview - Aaron Cresswell
WHUFC.com

Aaron Cresswell is ready for the return of Barclays Premier League football
this weekend. West Ham United travel to bottom-of-the-table Leicester City
looking to complete a league double and make it back-to-back wins following
success against Sunderland. Speaking at the Club's shop signing event at the
Boleyn Ground this week, Cresswell said he is raring to go.

Aaron, always nice to see the fans, particularly on school holidays and with
lots of smiles on faces?

AC: "Definitely. It's only something little for us, so it's nice to give
something back, sign a few autographs and take a few pictures."

I guess during an international break you have a bit more time on your hands
perhaps. How do you spend the time when you're not training?

AC: "The season's still on, so we still do the same things that we do when
the games are still on. We're training every day, preparing for Leicester on
Saturday."

Do you keep a close eye on your teammates playing around the world? Ginge
was in Israel and Cheikhou in France.

AC: "Yes, I watched a bit of the Wales game the other night and speaking of
Ginge he missed an absolute sitter apparently! My little brother said to me
'did you see that?' But I missed it.

"They're all away on international duty and Jenks was away with England U21
as well so it'll be nice to get them back."

It was a great result for Wales and it must help when players come back
having won games?

AC: "Definitely. They're doing very well in their group and with a 3-0 win
he's going to come back full of confidence and feeling good about himself."

It's not an easy run-in but we've only got Man City of the big boys left.
There's no reason why we can't finish higher in the league.
Aaron Cresswell

Looking ahead to the weekend. Leicester are bottom of the league, but
they'll be scrapping for everything and in a way is that almost as tough as
playing the teams nearer the top?

AC: "It'll definitely be a tough game, especially away from home. They're
fighting against relegation and we want to finish as high as we can with
eight games remaining.

"We're going to go there full of confidence and try to get the three
points."

Is it particularly tough away from home when they've got the full support of
their crowd?

AC: "Yes. They've got to try and fight to beat relegation. They're in a
tough battle and there's still a few teams who could get sucked in, so they
will want the three points. But as I say, we're confident and we want to
bring the three points back ourselves."

How are you enjoying your football at the moment? There were lots of
plaudits after the Sunderland game?

AC: "We needed the three points, first and foremost. We were on a bad run
having won one game in twelve, and now we're looking for another three
points on Saturday."

That would give us a huge boost towards the end of the season and what is a
series of pretty winnable games.

AC: "Definitely. We've only lost two games against teams below us, so
obviously it's not an easy run-in but we've only got Man City of the big
boys left. There's no reason why we can't finish higher in the league."

There's been a bit of talk about the Fair Play league. We're top of that and
it's not beyond the realms of possibility that we could qualify for Europe
through that. Is that something the boys are aware of?

AC: "It's not really crossed our minds, but obviously it would be massive to
get into Europe however you get there. It would be massive for the Club and
the fans."

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Bielsea - Here's what Irons may get!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 1, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Argentinian Marcelo Bielsa may be something of a mystery man to many Hammers
fans. The Marseilles boss has been a runner as next boss since it began to
look likely Upton Park may have a new man at the helm next season. So here
in a special feature we look at the Marseilles boss - a man of whom Pep
Guardiola said three years ago: "He's the best manager in world football."

By Staff Reporter

Marcelo Bielsa isn't your typical manager. Intense and fiercely intelligent,
Bielsa has earned the nickname 'El Loco' throughout his career, but doesn't
fit the usual PL stereotype. In fact, it could be argued that he is - for
example - Sam Allardyce's very antithesis. A burly, stocky defender, Bielsa
retired at the age of 25 after playing for Newell's Old Boys, Instituto and
Argentino de Rosario, and subsequently qualified as a PE teacher.

Shortly after, he became Newell's manager and, so, in 1990, his managerial
odyssey began. Known by many names, Bielsa is a very 'hipster' coach. Take a
stroll into any press room in any country in the world and you can guarantee
that a style invoking a "high press" will be referred to as
'Bielsa-inspired'. He is meticulous. He is obsessive. And he has a ferocious
will to win.

While at Athletic Bilbao, Bielsa famously drenched certain areas of the
pitch in order to prevent Barcelona from playing their tiki-taka quite so
effectively. Yet he employs a stunning tactical rigidity.

Whilst at Bilbao, he simply refused to change his system even when Javi
Martinez was injured. A keen advocate of a three-man defence - involving a
'free' defender, who is able to drop into the heart of the backline
depending on how many attackers the opposition have on the pitch - he simply
drafted in a less able replacement instead of refining his gameplan.

Yet he is incredibly attacking. While with the Chile national team, Bielsa
devised a 3-3-1-3 system, which demanded excellence and unwavering
discipline from his players. Alexis Sanchez was the jewel in his particular
crown there, as Chile attacked with a swarm-like philosophy, with and
without the ball.

He has been known to employ spies to peek on opposition tactics; has been
spotted by his players trawling through the local countryside seeking out
undiscovered talent that may have escaped the attention of his usual
scouting networks, and has also been known to draw on players' boots during
training sessions in an attempt to show them exactly how the ball should be
played.

West Ham will have never seen anything quite like it.

He plans for every eventuality, drafts every potential substitution and
immerses himself completely in match preparation. Nothing is left to chance.
If something goes wrong, the chances are that the players simply weren't
carrying out his instructions properly.

Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola called him "the best manager in the world"
in 2012. High praise, but well earned. He has not won a domestic trophy
since 1998 but he is a man with a clear philosophy. Whereas others - Louis
van Gaal is one - merely speak of their "philosophies", Bielsa implements
his and gets results.

Of course, it will mean an alteration to the way things are done in east
London if he is to get the job. It cannot be forgotten that Marseille are
third in Ligue 1 under Bielsa's guidance and sit just two points behind
leaders Paris Saint-Germain - he may yet win the French title before heading
to England.

But there will be adjustments. If he is to implement his 3-3-1-3 system,
players will be shifted; the likes of James Collins, Joey O'Brien, Kevin
Nolan, Carlton Cole and, just perhaps, Andy Carroll may well become
obsolete.

Collins and O'Brien simply won't cut the mustard, while Nolan is a mere
water-carrier - a midfielder constantly scurrying around looking to regain
the possession he has lost. Cole isn't good enough and, well, Carroll simply
isn't as dynamic as either Diafra Sakho or Enner Valencia.

The latter two would thrive under the Argentine - their pacey, skilful
styles meshing perfectly with Bielsa's versatility-inspired formation.

Somewhat ironically, Alex Song would fit perfectly into the team, as the
midfield three play high but without the normal brief to attack. The job is
to win the ball and recycle possession quickly - something Song has had to
do at the very highest level with both Arsenal and Barcelona. Bielsa will
want to keep him.

But don't expect instant results. Bielsa's methods often take time to adjust
to, and results tend not to set the world alight within weeks of his
appointment, while he has to work the players to the bone as he attempts to
drum in his modus operandi.

Training sessions are hard, and he is known to blow a gasket even in the
simplest drills if things do not go just as he had planned. But once it
clicks - and it always does - then quite sparkling football tends to follow.

See Athletic Bilbao's Europa League journey in 2012 for evidence; the La
Liga side reached the final - though they lost to Atletico Madrid - and
outclassed Manchester United, both at home and away, en route.

West Ham fans often talk of 'The West Ham Way'. The 'Bielsa Way' may not be
too far off.

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Irons want Song AND Busquets
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 1, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

West Ham will have another Barcelona target on their minds when they talk to
the Catalan giants about Alex Song at the end of the season.
For although the chances are remote they want to discuss a possible deal for
Sergio Busquets to strengthen their midfield. With the club heading for the
Olympic Stadium and a new boss almost certain to be installed, they believe
it is worth at least trying to get an answer on a player who has been in and
out of the Barca team and on their minds for some time. David Gold and David
Sullivan are ready to start a new Hammers era and that the news has leaked
out to ClaretandHugh as early as April 1 shows that ambition. The player has
made over 200 appearances for Barca.

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Bielsa/Amafitano have no problems
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 1, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

There's at least one player inside the West Ham dressing room who won't be
unhappy if Marseilles boss Guy Bielsa shoudl arrive in the summer as the
club's next boss - Morgan Amalfitano. The Frenchman was in Bielsa's bad
books last year after a trining ground bust up but has since privately told
West Ham staff he would have stayed at Marseilles had he realised the
quality of football Bielsa produced.

The pair's training ground altercation took place in August but later the
manager was very helpful in easing our midfielder's passage to West Ham and
was personally thanked by the midfeilder. A source told us: "Yes they had a
little fall out. It happens all the time on the training ground but there's
no ill will between the two and they could work together again. Football -
FA Premier League - West Ham United FC v Liverpool FC"Bielsa remains very
much in the frame for the Irons job with Sam Allardyce;s days now looking
very much numbered.

Bielsea is widely admired across the world and has drawn words of hign
praise from Carlos Tevez who said back in 2012 as manchester United
challenged for the Title: " I think Ferguson and Bielsa are the best
managers. "I know Ferguson didn't have the best relationship with me but
together with Bielsa, those two are the best managers I had." Tottenham boss
and fellow Argentinian Mauricio Pochettino is another big admirer of the
man!

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Cressie expects Foxes bite
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 1, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Aaron Creswell is the latest player to warn that Leicester City have
everything to play for at the Walker Stadium this weekend. It's clear the
Irons will need to be at their best if they are to come away with three
points given the desperate atmosphere around the bottom placed side.
Absolutely nobody inside the club sees the game against the Foxes than one
of the toughest calls possible at this time.
Cressie declared: They've got to try and fight to beat relegation. They're
in a tough battle and there's still a few teams who could get sucked in, so
they will want the three points. But we're confident and "We needed the
three points, first and foremost against Sunderland. We were on a bad run
having won one game in twelve, and now we're looking for another three
points on Saturday. It's not an easy run-in but we only have Manchester City
of the big boys left."

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Cottee: West Ham let these two youngsters slip through their fingers
HITC
Billy Hawkins

Tony Cottee is disappointed that West Ham United did not give more
opportunities to two former youngsters. Speaking to London24, the Hammers
legend named two former youngsters as disappointing cases in West Ham's
academy production. He said: "Having only 32 per cent of players in the
Premier League eligible for England is not good enough and though West Ham
are much better than most, we have still let talents like Zavon Hines,
Junior Stanislas and others slip through our fingers because they haven't
got a fair crack of the whip."
The East Londoners are known for their famed academy system, and it is a
reputation that has been with them for much of their distinguished history.
Most regarded for producing a number of the England team that won the 1966
World Cup, in recent years the likes of Mark Noble, Jack Collison and James
Tomkins have made the first-team, while Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard, Joe
Cole and Michael Carrick have gone on to have great success elsewhere. Yet
it is Zavon Hines and Junior Stanislas that Cottee names as not being given
a fair chance at the Boleyn Ground. 25-year-old Stanislas is now playing for
Bournemouth in the Championship, and could be back in the Premier League
next season, while Hines, 26, is turning out for Dagenham & Redbridge in
League Two. Between them, they made 78 first-team appearances for the
Hammers after progressing through the youth ranks, but neither really
cemented themselves as a key player. Unfortunately for them, they progressed
at a time when the Irons were buying a lot of players from abroad, and
Cottee is correct to presume that they were not given a great chance for
success. However, for Hines especially, considering the level they are
playing at now, maybe the former English youth duo just weren't good enough
for a club of West Ham's stature.

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An insult to West Ham United
HITC
Dan Coombs

West Ham Mark Noble's absence from the England squad was bad enough, until
Roy Hodgson made it even worse last night. England secured a 1-1 draw away
to Italy last night, but it was almost despite the bizarre team selection of
manager Roy Hodgson. The Three Lions boss selected a diamond formation in
midfielder, with Arsenal's Theo Walcott ineffective at the tip of it through
the centre. His choice of holding midfielder was just as bad, picking
Manchester United centre-back Phil Jones to play the role. It is a position
in which Jones has played in the past, even under Fabio Capello for England,
but it is not one he has been playing recently for Manchester United. His
limitations were badly exposed by the technically gifted Italians and he was
withdrawn for Michael Carrick, only then did England improve.
Perhaps if only England had a player specialised in the position other than
Carrick who Roy Hodgson could have started? In fact they do, but he was at
home in east London, preparing for West Ham United's next Premier League
match. Mark Noble's continued absence from the England squad remains a
bemusement to many, who have seen him become one of the Premier League's
most consistent performers in recent seasons. Leaving him out of the squad
was one thing, but picking Phil Jones out of position in his place was an
insult to him and West Ham. If Noble needed any more motivation to prove
Hodgson wrong this was it. The England boss deemed Ryan Mason not ready for
a starting spot, while Fabian Delph also had a poor game. Hodgson's
selection shows that he is unsettled on his best player for the position,
and there is still a chance for Noble to force his way into the team if the
England boss can get past his blind spot when it comes to the 27-year-old.

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West Ham's Cottee: Forget club rivalry, we must all applaud Kane
17:30 01 April 2015
Lonodn 24
Tony Cottee
Our West Han columnist wants to see more English players coming through

I am a season ticket holder at Wembley Stadium and normally when I go, the
view is great, the hospitality is superb and the football is terrible. Not
so on Friday night. I know it was only Lithuania, but you can only beat what
is in front of you and I thought we played really well. The travelling and
the hospitality was not so good this time, but at least I saw us play well
and Harry Kane score his first international goal. Forget club rivalry, it
is just great to see a young English player do so well. I have never in my
seven years of watching England at Wembley, seen a player get a standing
ovation when he came on, but that was what happened for Harry and I was up
clapping too.

Greg Dyke has called for less foreign players in the Premier League and more
English youngsters like Kane to develop and I have to say I agree with him.
I have nothing against the likes of Di Canio, Cantona and Henry coming over
here, but it is the cheap average players who take the squad spots of
English players that annoys me. Having only 32 per cent of players in the
Premier League eligible for England is not good enough and though West Ham
are much better than most, we have still let talents like Zavon Hines,
Junior Stanislas and others slip through our fingers because they haven't
got a fair crack of the whip

I have got a lot of time for Greg Dyke and I really hope he gets his way.
The Hammer of the Year voting is just around the corner and it seems to be
wide open. There were some who did really well in the first half of the
season, but it is consistency that counts. If I were to choose right now, it
would be for Aaron Cresswell in first place and Diafra Sakho just behind
him. Hopefully both will play on Saturday at my old team Leicester, but
anyone who thinks it will be an easy game for us is sadly mistaken. They are
a decent team and they are fighting for their lives, so we will need to get
our attitude right, stop their danger men and then hit them on the counter.
I still think it will be a tight game, but with the likes of Winston Reid
and Enner Valencia hopefully back, I am going for a battling 1-0 win. West
Ham is my team, followed by Everton and then Leicester City and I am
desperate for the Foxes to stay up, but hopefully their string of wins will
come after Saturday! COYI

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