Daily WHUFC News - 22nd October 2015

West Ham United statement
WHUFc.com

Following a story published online on Tuesday evening which stated Tottenham
Hotspur could use the Boleyn Ground after West Ham have moved out,
Vice-Chairman Karren Brady would like to confirm that, as a condition of the
sale, she put a covenant on the ground which prevents any other football
club from using it as their home ground or playing matches there without the
express permission of West Ham United.

Therefore, this categorically rules out any other football team, including
Tottenham Hotspur, from using the ground to play football matches unless the
Board of West Ham United gives them permission to do so.

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Meet Julian Dicks at the U21s game on Monday
WHUFC.com

Head down to the Boleyn Ground on Monday 26 October to see the next
generation of West Ham United stars in action – free of charge!

The Hammers' U21s are taking on Fulham in their latest U21 Premier League
fixture, with a 7pm kick-off at the Boleyn Ground.

The likes of Josh Cullen, Reece Oxford, Lewis Page, Martin Samuelsen and
Elliot Lee have all been in the first team picture this season and you could
see them under the famous lights as Terry Westley's men go for a second
successive win.

You can make a real night of it, as Julian Dicks will be in attendance at
the Stadium Store between 5-7pm for a meet and greet and signing session.

Turnstiles open at 6pm, so make sure you come along for a night of great
entertainment at the Boleyn Ground!

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Lanzini - The West Ham fans are fantastic
WHUFC.com

It proved to be another busy summer of transfer activity at West Ham United
with 12 new signings arriving at the Boleyn Ground. Most of the focus
surrounded the capture of Dimitri Payet from Marseille and he has made an
immediate impact in the East End with a superb start to his Hammers career.
But another major factor behind the Club's impressive start has been the
arrival of Manuel Lanzini – even though he was not well known to the
majority of supporters. The Argentine forward arrived on a season-long loan
from Al Jazira and was determined to make a big impact in the Premier
League. Nicknamed 'The Jewell', the 22-year-old was a big target for Slaven
Bilic when he was manager of Besiktas last season, but the deal never
materialised.

Lanzini earned rave reviews during his spell in the UAE and the Hammers
manager was determined to bring him to the east London Club.
With the departures of Matt Jarvis and Kevin Nolan, Bilic showed his trust
in the talented attacker as he handed him a shock first-team start against
Liverpool at Anfield. Lanzini wasted no time repaying him by opening the
scoring after just three minutes and produced an impressive display as he
helped his side come away with a memorable 3-0 victory. Bilic had no doubts
he had the quality to compete at the highest level and he has cemented his
place in the first-team ever since and stole the show once again as he
helped the Hammers continue their sensational away record with a 3-1 win
over Crystal Palace last weekend.

Lanzini says he is relishing the chance to showcase his talents in the top
flight and hopes to play a major role for the east London Club when they
move into the new Stadium next summer. Lanzini said: "I am playing football
in one of the best leagues in the world and I am really enjoying it. "Moving
to the new Stadium is a big investment and change for the Club. The West Ham
fans are fantastic and I hope to be part of this new change and to be on the
pitch doing my job. "Why can't we dream big? But I think we have to think
about the present first of all and carry on the path that we have been
taking. "When the team is doing well success eventually follows and we want
to achieve great things."

Lanzini says the added attraction of living in London has been a major
factor for him and has felt at home since the opening day as the likes of
Enner Valencia, Mauro Zarate, Adrian and Pedro Obiang have all helped him
settle in. He added: "London is a beautiful city that I have always wanted
to see and learn about. It has got so much history and there are some
wonderful sights to see here. "I am able to do what I love so when I get to
walk around the City it is also fantastic. "Settling in quickly has been
very important for me and having so many players who I can speak the same
language with has been a crucial factor. "These players have been a key part
for me settling in as well as the English players and everyone else in the
group. I would like to thank them for helping me. I have been learning to
speak English and hope to understand more soon."

Lanzini has special praise for his manager and feels Bilic is getting the
best out of him since his arrival back in July. With the Hammers unbeaten in
their last six Premier League games, Lanzini is now looking forward to
testing himself against the Premier League champions on Saturday and hopes
to continue their amazing run against the big guns this season and come away
with another memorable victory. "I have never had the chance to play against
a team managed by Jose Mourinho but I am happy to be in the position to play
in such a big game knowing exactly what it means to the Club. "I know all
the South American players at Chelsea by name and am very excited about
facing them and playing in such a big game. "I know it is very important for
us as we look to maintain our high position in the table. If we carry on
playing like we have been there is no reason why we cannot do that. "Why
cannot we beat Chelsea as well? We are always thinking big and aiming high
here and that is the main priority. "Slaven is a very good coach and is able
to transmit his ideas to the players very easily. He sets the team up well
for every match and as a group we always follow what he says. "As you can
see from the results that has been working very well and the rest of the
coaching staff have had a very good effect on the team."

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Loan round up
WHUFC.com

Reece Burke played the full game and provided an assist for the Bantams as
they beat Bury 2-1, ending a remarkable 17 away game unbeaten run. Rory
McArdle put the hosts ahead on the stroke of half-time before Reece Brown
headed Burke's powerful header past his own goalkeeper.

Danny Rose scored a late consolation goal but it proved too little too late.
The win takes the Bantams into the top half of League One with 19 points
from 13 games.

Josh Pask played the full games as Dagenham secured a valuable 2-2 away draw
with York City. With both sides struggling near the bottom of League Two,
Vadaine Oliver opened the scoring for the hosts but Ashley Hemmings
equalised shortly afterward as he fired inside Scott Flinders' near post.

Jamie Cureton then put the Daggers in front, poking in an eight-yard effort
before Michael Coulson found the bottom corner from 20 yards.

Diego Poyet's MK Dons slipped to a 2-0 defeat away at Huddersfield Town.
Poyet played the full ninety minutes against former manager Chris Powell,
who he worked with at Charlton Athletic and the Terriers on loan last
season.

Goals from Nahki Wells and Jamie Paterson sealed the victory.

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Etherington: players gambled up to £20,000 per game
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 20th October 2015
By: Staff Writer

Matthew Etherington has revealed the staggering extent that in-house
gambling took upon both him and his fellow West Ham team mates during Alan
Pardew's reign as manager. Etherington, who spent six years at West Ham lost
hundreds of thousands of pounds as a result of his gambling addiction during
his playing career - much of which was forfeited during his spell at the
Boleyn Ground. And he revealed how the practise of holding 'card schools'
during long away trips was eventually curtailed by the manager, once he
discovered the extent of the problem. "People were losing 15 or 20 grand in
one trip, which, looking back at it now, was absolutely ridiculous,"
Etherington told the KUMB Podcast's Chris Scull and James Longman in this
week's exclusive interview. "But it was what it was, it happened. "I think
Pardew saw the money that was being exchanged. We were bring five grand in
cash per person to every away trip. If someone wasn't winning and owed 15
grand, you'd say "can I have five off you?" - and jot it down. "As much as I
loved my time at West Ham and as much as I genuinely loved the club, at that
time I needed a change, to get out of London and just have a bit of time to
breath and sort my life out. Which, luckily, I did."

Etherington also revealed that he was asked to play in an important
relegation six-pointer against Charlton in February 2007 by Pardew's
successor Alan Curbishley - despite having spent the week before in the
Sporting Chance clinic, in a desperate attempt to get a grip on his
addiction. "It wasn't revealed in the press but I was in the clinic before
that game," he recalled. "I hadn't trained, I met the lads on the Saturday
and Curbs played me for some mad reason! I came off at half time as I didn't
know where I was or what I was doing. I wasn't in right frame of mind to be
playing but Curbs played me. We got beat 4-0. "On the whole, West Ham were
brilliant [to me]. But I'd been in the clinic the week leading up to that
Charlton game and Curbs said "I'm going to play you" - and I was like, "ok".
Looking back on it now, I probably shouldn't have played."

Now 34 and having retired as a professional, Etherington is taking his
coaching badges with view to returning to the game in the near future. He
also plans to release a book next summer which examines his addiction and
the problems it caused. "I was the best liar in the world," he admitted.
"I'm not proud to admit that, but I was. It's one of the most dangerous
addictions, I think. People would say 'alcoholism is an addiction, and
there's drug addiction, but gambling's not an addiction - why can't you just
stop?' "I always think that's such an ignorant way to look at it. It's an
illness, there's no doubting that. And it's a dangerous illness because you
can hide everything, tuck it away deep down and no-one has to know about
anything. "I'm releasing a book next summer and there's about a million
stories in there that you probably won't believe. It's quite shocking and
I've tried to block most of it out. But a big part of that was my last
couple of years at West Ham."

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Taylor returns - as fourth official
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 21st October 2015
By: Staff Writer

The man dubbed 'the worst referee ever' returns to the Boleyn Ground this
Saturday when West Ham face Chelsea in the weekend's big London derby.
Fortunately however, Anthony Taylor - who has come under heavy criticism
from Hammers fans in the past for some dreadful decisions - has only been
given the role as fourth official. Meanwhile West Ham's clash with the
mid-table Blues will be officiated by Jonathan Moss, who was last in east
London for United's 4-3 defeat at the hands of Bournemouth back in August.
Moss, who hails from West Yorkshire, has refereed just seven matches so far
this season, issuing 19 yellow cards and two red cards in the process. Prior
to the Bournemouth encounter game, Moss' last visit to the Boleyn was back
in May of this year when West Ham beat Burnley 1-0 courtesy of a Mark Noble
penalty - a goal that followed the harsh dismissal of Burnley's Michael
Duff.

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LLDC release fresh OS contract details
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 21st October 2015
By: Staff Writer

The LLDC have unveiled further details regarding their agreement with West
Ham United for the Olympic Stadium. The London Legacy Development
Corporation were recently ordered by the information commissioner to
disclose some of the clauses that had been originally blacked out in their
200+ page Concession Agreement with the club. However a number of key
clauses - including that which reveals exactly what percentage of the
stadium's naming rights will go to West Ham - remain under embargo. The
revised public edition of 207 page document has revealed further details
regarding the agreement on the following pages: 8, 15, 18, 19, 21, 23, 25,
26, 49, 50, 57, 66, 69, 74, 75 and 91. You may view the document here.

Meanwhile, Charlton Athletic chief executive Katrien Meire has revealed that
despite the concerns of some of the club's supporters, the Championship side
have few concerns regarding West Ham United's impending move. "I think we
have a very unique and different proposition from West Ham," she told News
Shopper. "At Charlton we have certain values that are not found in another
London club – we have a family club image with a big history where people
can come for an easy, affordably day out. ""The fans feel part of the club.
The players are accessible, the manager is accessible and you're very close
to the core of the club. West Ham will have a different kind of proposition,
I think. "At other Premier League games it's great, the football is great –
but you are just one of the thousands of people and you perhaps don't feel
as part of the community. "I don't blame West Ham for getting the deal of
the century – they had an opportunity and they went for it. I think it's the
government who need to think twice about what they've done."

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West Ham cool reports of Tottenham using Upton Park for one season
Last Updated: 21/10/15 9:59am
SSN

West Ham have moved to cool reports that Tottenham could play at Upton Park
for a season while White Hart Lane is redeveloped. Spurs are looking for a
stadium to call home for the 2017/18 season while they build their new
61,000-seater stadium, with Wembley believed to be the club's preferred
option. However, Spurs chairman Daniel Levy claims Chelsea have offered a
four-year deal to land Wembley as their temporary home during their own
redevelopment of Stamford Bridge, putting Tottenham's chances of using the
national stadium in doubt. The north London club's contingency plan is MK
Dons' Stadium MK in Milton Keynes - more than 50 miles from Tottenham - and
Sky sources understand a deal has already been verbally agreed for its use.
But although Tottenham are still determined to share Wembley with Chelsea,
reports on Wednesday suggested Upton Park would be a possible solution
because of doubts about the planned demolition of the stadium to make way
for housing. West Ham will leave the Boleyn Ground at the end of the season
to move to the Olympic Stadium. But Hammers vice-chairman Karen Brady has
confirmed the club put a covenant on the ground which prevents any other
club using it as their home ground or playing matches there without West
Ham's permission. "Therefore, this categorically rules out any other
football team, including Tottenham Hotspur, from using the ground to play
football matches unless the Board of West Ham United gives them permission
to do so," read the statement.

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IS IT ANTONIO OR VALENCIA ON SATURDAY AND WHAT ABOUT THE U-21S?
By S J Chandos 21 Oct 2015 at 08:00
WTID

With Chelsea next up at Upton Park, obviously Victor Moses can not be
selected for a fixture against his parent club. As such, it opens up the
question of who will occupy Moses' usual berth out wide? There are arguably
two main candidates, Michail Antonio or Enner Valencia, so who would be the
best replacement for Moses? It might be tempting to go with Valencia, but it
has to be questioned whether the player is currently sufficiently match-fit
to start? He was an unused substitute against Crystal Palace and, although
he secured some useful match time for the U-21s on Monday evening, it is
more likely that Valencia will be on the bench. If that assessment of
situation is correct, then it is more than possible that Antonio will get
his first big team opportunity.

To date, Antonio has had 30 minutes match-time in the victory over
Manchester City. Indeed, some fans have expressed concern on social media
that Antonio had hitherto received so little first team exposure. So much
so, that Antonio obviously felt compelled to address the issue on twitter.
And I have to say that his response was level headed and encouraging.
Basically, Antonio recognised that he had to await his chance for a first
team chance and expressed his determination to grab it once it presents
itself. Indeed, the former Notts Forest winger has to make a significant
transition from Championship to Premier League football and it was always
likely that the process will commence in training and the U-21s. As Antonio
correctly states, the crucial thing is that he is ready to take his chance.
Do you remember Liverpool in their classic era of the 1970s and early 1980s?
They frequently signed promising players, who would serve their time in the
reserves and learn the Anfield playing style/tactics, before re-emerging at
first team level. Many future Liverpool stars underwent this period of
internal transition on joining the club. It was part and parcel of making
them Liverpool players and reinforcing the 'boot room' system that served
the Anfield club well for so many years.

Why would new players like Antonio not benefit from serving an induction in
playing the West Ham Way! (Say that with pride, because it does exist and it
is definitely coming back under Bilic). Especially considering the squad's
newly acquired strength-in-depth and much improved competition for places.
Essentially, any promising young player who signs must know that success
will come through knuckling down, impressing in training/the U-21s,
competing for a first team place and taking their chance when it comes. It
is exactly the ethos that fires football progression and success. And I am
very glad to say that it has finally been embedded at West Ham United.

There is a strong possibility that Antonio's patience, and dedication in
training, will be rewarded this Saturday. He has been kept on a short leash,
whilst Moses had impressed in the first team. Now could be his time. Only
Bilic and the coaching staff will know if he is ready, but his selection (as
a relatively unknown quantity) could help 'wrong foot' the reigning PL
champions. Perhaps Antonio's pace, power and goal scoring threat might prove
an important factor. We shall see? It would certainly add another dimension
to what is likely to be a great match. My prediction? A highly entertaining
4-3 Hammers victory! COYI !

Elsewhere, it is notable that the Development Squad notched its first
victory of the season in Monday evening's 4-0 victory over the Wolves U-21s.
The U-21s were augmented by the inclusion of regular first teamers Valencia
and Obiang (who both played the first 45 minutes), but there were also
plenty of our outstanding young talent on display, with the likes of Cullen,
Samuelson, Browne, Oxford and Onariase playing. Indeed, the match was a
timely reminder that we have another highly promising young centre-back
besides Oxford and Burke; and that is Manny Onariase, who formed a great
defensive partnership with Oxford. Onariase not only underlined his central
defensive credentials, but demonstrated his threat at set pieces, scoring
the second goal from an in-swinging Josh Cullen corner. While, Valencia
scored the opening goal, Browne the third and Samuelson (following up on a
saved Lee penalty) completed the rout with the fourth.

Hopefully, this will be the result that turns around the Development squad's
season. Next up on Monday, 26 September 2015, are the Fulham U-21s, at Upton
Park. Why not go along and check out the progress of our youngsters (and
watch a regular first teamer or two in the bargain)?

Which brings me to a website message that Iain recently received from WHTID
reader, Phil Fisher. Phil laments the lack of advanced information provided
by the club on the Development Squad and argues that improved attendances at
U-21 matches might just help improve results. He goes on to give the example
of the forthcoming tie against Exeter City in the U-21 Cup. How did Phil
(who lives in the South-west) actually find out about the tie? From the
South-West Hammers Club, who received notification from Exeter City! Phil
concludes by adding:

'Why does it take the opposition to call me about this? I'm not going to
travel 150 miles to watch them on a cold Tuesday night at Rush Green, but
living in the South-West means I would love to travel 40 minutes down the
road to Exeter and watch them in Cup action. Chances are there will be
nothing on the Club website until the day of the match, meaning it would be
too late for me to arrange childcare, etc, in order for me to attend the
match.'

'Hopefully Blogs like yours can make the Club wake up to this. There are
more West Ham fans outside of London than there are inside and it would be
great to know when our Youngsters were playing on our door step so we can
get out and support them.'
So, there you have it. Could the club please ensure that more advanced
information about U-21 matches is posted on the club's website. The club
also have an extensive supporter email database, why not use it to contact
fans in advance about forthcoming U-21 fixtures? Lets maximise the turn out
of support for the U-21s by ensuring that Hammers fans have the best
possible opportunity to attend, whether that is at home or away fixtures
around the country.

SJ. Chandos.

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Antonio – the big question on his future answered
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 21, 2015 in Hugh's Blogs, News,
Whispers
C and H

Antonio"So what's going on with Antonio than?" If I've heard that question
once I've heard it at least 50 times on social media over the last few weeks
and already the conspiracy theories are starting. The big one of course is
that he's a David Sullivan signing that the manager didn't want and it's
untrue. There was, however, a debate about the player between the chairman
and the manager ahead of D-Day with the team chief explaining he needed 24
hours before deadline day to decide whether Michail was a £7 million
player. Once he had done so the chairman and Karren Brady got down to the
business of thrashing out the terms but there was always a background story.

With the Irons board flat out to secure their Premier League status ahead of
the OS move – relegation being totally unthinkable in their last Boleyn
season – they had already brought Victor Moses in a hugely expensive loan
deal.

At the time we revealed that the Chelsea player could cost as much as
£185,000 per game which, were he to play in every league game would see his
cost for one season soar to over £6 million plus National Insurance and
agents' fee. It works out as a very big deal indeed in WHUFC terms.
http://www.claretandhugh.info/exclusive-moses-costs-could-hit-185k-a-game/.

Antonio had been on the radar for some time but interest from other clubs
was intensifying and in the end we spent the£7 million in order to ensure he
was on board foe next season when Moses will be allowed to move back to
Chelsea hopefully with our gratitude.That deal took the club's spend to £35
million – £10 million more than had been in the original plan. Thus we now –
and more importantly Antonio – find ourselves in the middle of a waiting
period and I would guess that once we are safe from any threat of relegation
the midfielder will be blooded in a few games before he becomes the Moses
successor next season.

All of this will have been explained to him when terms were being discussed
along of course with the possibility that he will be launched into action
should, for example, Moses receive an injury. There's no conspiracies here,
just strategic long term planning …and it's very good to see.

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Payet's delight at fans song in his honour
Posted by Sean Whetstone on October 21, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

Dimtri Payet appears to appreciate the new song to emerge from the Selhurst
Park away win last weekend. The French playmaker, who has scored five goals
and made three assists this season, has shown his appreciation by
re-tweeting fans videos of the song on twitter.
Those links have been re-tweeted and copied on social media tens of
thousands of times as the song goes viral in West Ham communities.
This is the first song in a long time which has such a catchy tune and has
broken away from the terraces to make it mainstream among Irons supporters.
Many say they can't get the tune out of their head since the weekend and it
looks certain to be sung at The Boleyn ground this Saturday when the Hammers
take on Chelsea. Claret and Hugh Associate editor Sean Whetstone created a
10 minute audio version of the song which he uploaded and tagged Payet on
twitter. This was re-tweeted by the player himself and has viewed and played
more than 22,000 times. If you haven't heard it yet it can be played before.
Enjoy!

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West Ham OS interior designs revealed
Posted by Sean Whetstone on October 21, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

West Ham Vice Chairman Karren Brady have given us a glimpse of design ideas
to make the Olmpci Stadium feel and look like West Ham's home next season.
lady Brady tweeted out "looking at designs for the interior of our new
stadium. my team have done fantastic job in putting images together."

The designs include Claret coloured toilets with crossed hammers and the
words 'Come On You Irons' above it. Another picture shows a massive Claret
and Blue shirt with the word Moore and the number 6 hung above the entrance
to the stairs to the upper stands from the concourse. Another image shows
the new West Ham crest with sky blue bubbles and the words "They fly so
high" on a Claret background.

The design images also include to confirm clever use of Claret and Blue
lighting in the concourse of both the Sir Trevor Brooking and Bobby Moore
stands.

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Song ready to "play football he likes to play"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 21, 2015 in News
C and H

Alex Song can't wait to get back into action "playing the football I like to
play." The midfielder strayed no further into sensitive areas talking to the
official site but made it clear he can't wait to play alongside, Dimitri
Payet, Manu Lanzine, Mark Noble, Cheik Kouyate, Diafra Sakho and the other
lads. He said: "We are playing the football I like to play and I am very
happy. It will be a pleasure to come back and join the guys, because they
are playing the way I like to play. "I am very happy to be here and see them
play that way. I want to come back and for us to enjoy our football
together."

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Jamie's memory defies Harry's quote
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 21, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

Fair play to Jamie Redknapp – he has a very long memory, one that goes back
to beyond the days when he was inside his Mum's womb. For according to the
Sky TV pundit – born in 1973 – he has always believed in the West Ham Way,
which according to his father applied only to Ron Greenwood's days back in
the sixties, several years before Jamie was around. He was actually born in
1973 and perhaps started understanding this stuff at around 1980 – aided
presumably by his old man Today he told the Daily Mail:"I grew up supporting
West Ham and always believed in the 'West Ham way.'" However, Harry has a
different 'take' on the issue and claims such an Academy approach to things
probably has changed since those days over five decades ago. He told
www.kicca.com recently: : "They talk about the Academy but that was a long,
long, long, long time ago that West Ham played this wonderful football that
everyone talks about. "We're talking about Ron Greenwood's days probably and
in those days he had three players who played in a World Cup Final so it
wasn't difficult to play fantastic football. But also where did they finish
in them years… bottom half of the league even with three World Cup players."

Thanks Harry – NEXT

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Former Hammers help Seagulls promotion push
Posted by Sean Whetstone on October 21, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

Former Hammers Bobby Zamora and Sam Baldock helped Brighton and Hove to a
2-1 comeback against Bristol City in the Championship. Brighton top the
championship table with 28 points after 12 games in their push for promotion
to the Premier League.

Zamora scored a late winner as Brighton came from behind to beat Bristol
City and maintain their unbeaten start in the Championship. The substitute
fired a low 15-yard shot into the right corner eight minutes from time,
moments after coming on. Another former Hammer Sam Baldock tapped home
Bruno's right-wing cross after the break to level before Zamora's late
winner.

It was Bobby Zamora's second goal for the Seagulls scoring an impressive two
in two in less than a week. Bobby Zamora came on a substitute last week and
scored his first goal for Brighton since returning to the club to give the
Championship leaders a late win at Leeds.

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FORMER ENGLAND MANAGER CONCERNED WITH REECE OXFORD
By Joe Barnbrook 1 hour ago R

Speaking to talkSPORT, former England U21 manager Stuart Pearce has said of
his frustration over youngster Reece Oxford not travelling with England to
the U17 World Cup, which is taking place in Chile. The promising Hammers
defender has appeared three times in the Premier League this season, most
notably on the opening day against Arsenal, and has previously captained
England in the qualifying stages of the tournament. However, the 16-year-old
will play no part in the three-week long tournament, 'due to concerns over
fatigue'.

Pearce himself made 78 appearances for the national team, and is a firm
believer that for England to win senior competitions, they must first win
something at a junior level. "For me, as I have said many, many times
before, the key to winning something at senior level is winning something at
these junior tournaments. "What an experience this is for any young player.
A life experience, not just a footballing experience. A World Cup in Chile –
that is a life experience. "If he is playing in West Ham's first team week
after week I would say, 'I can't understand it, but OK, fine'. But if he is
not even in the West Ham squad, wowee. "Where is your progression, a) as a
man and b) as a footballer? "He might have been up for the captaincy and
captaining your country in Chile is a better life experience and a better
footballing experience for him to progress in football than staying at West
Ham and possibly being on the bench or not being in the squad."

Earlier this month West Ham manager Slaven Bilic also spoke on the
situation."Reece is an exceptional talent that we have to nurture. And we
need him in the first team," said Bilic. "We have made a long-term plan for
him to not to affect his body and his development. If we let him go for one
and a half months or whatever, it's no good." It is unclear as to when
Oxford will next feature for the Hammers in the first team, however it is
undoubted how highly-rated he is at Upton Park. As for the Young Lions out
in South America, their chances of getting out of the group do not look
great after a draw to Guinea and a 1-0 defeat to Brazil. Next up are current
group-toppers South Korea.

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Plans to turn West Ham's ground into housing are set to be thrown out
West Ham are set to leave Upton Park and move to the Olympic Stadium at the
end of this season
Plans to turn Upton Park into a residential scheme are set to be thrown out
Clause in West Ham's sale of Upton Park to developer Galliard dictates club
do not have to leave it fit to host football
But Tottenham are unable to move in because of a covenant in place
By ALEX MILLER FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 16:44, 20 October 2015 | UPDATED: 10:24, 21 October 2015

Plans to demolish West Ham's stadium and replace it with a residential
scheme are set to be thrown out by councillors - but there is no chance of
Spurs moving in. West Ham are leaving Upton Park at the end of the season to
move to the Olympic Stadium, when it was thought the old ground would be
knocked down and redeveloped. However, earlier this year, Newham Council
said proposals submitted last year by developer Galliard Homes to provide
just six per cent of 838 homes as affordable – with none as social rented -
were unacceptable. And now, planners are recommending refusal of a revised
offer to increase the proportion of affordable homes to 22 per cent. In a
report set to go before the council's strategic development committee,
planners said the proposed redevelopment of the Boleyn Ground by BUJ
Architects failed to meet policy requiring new developments of more than 10
to include 35 per cent to 50 per cent affordable housing. Last year Spurs
failed with an ambitious bid to buy Upton Park from West Ham. Spurs chairman
Daniel Levy wanted to purchase the ground for the 2016-17 season. However,
Spurs are unable to move in once West Ham leave because of a convenant
signed by the east London club to stop their rivals making it their
temporary home while their new ground is built.

A West Ham statement read: 'Following a story published online on Tuesday
evening which stated Tottenham Hotspur could use the Boleyn Ground after
West Ham have moved out, vice-chairman Karren Brady would like to confirm
that, as a condition of the sale, she put a covenant on the ground which
prevents any other football club from using it as their home ground or
playing matches there without the express permission of West Ham United.
'Therefore, this categorically rules out any other football team, including
Tottenham Hotspur, from using the ground to play football matches unless the
Board of West Ham United gives them permission to do so.' The Hammers will
take key components of their stadium with them to Stratford, with a clause
of their sale to Galliard dictating that they do not have to leave it in a
fit state to host football. Spurs' failed bid and Chelsea's determination
not to share Wembley with them has increased the chance that Spurs would
have to temporarily leave London for Milton Keynes - a move that hasn't gone
down well with many supporters. The council and Galliard are also known to
be aware of the growing interest in NFL and the potential for the Boleyn
Ground to host other sporting activities such as rugby union, rugby league
and cricket. In the planning application it says that although Galliard have
not approached a new tenant they 'consider that the Boleyn Ground would be
an appealing prospect as a sporting venue.' Sources close to West Ham
insist the future of Upton Park is a matter for Newham Council and Galliard
to sort out, but they hope a solution can be found to suit both parties. The
club is eager for the site to serve the local community and that the legacy
of West Ham in the area is protected. The club turned down bigger offers to
ensure this was the case. Galliard refused to comment on the possibility of
Upton Park being used for football or other sports after next summer. A
statement on behalf of Galliard Homes and Barratt London, said: 'Galliard
Homes and Barratt London can confirm that they are working together
regarding the potential redevelopment of the existing West Ham football
ground, following the club's relocation to the former Olympic Stadium in
readiness for the 2016/2017 football season. Knight Frank is advising.'

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Bilic – Keeping the front men on-side?
Posted on October 21, 2015 by Headmaster
Claret & Blues.com

The competition for places demarcates the quality of a squad and the
ambition of a football club. It is well documented that, in terms of depth,
few of us can recall a West Ham United squad that had greater quality than
the present playing staff employees of this great football club. For that,
even this oft' critical blogger will pay respect and gratitude towards
Messrs Sullivan and Gold who, at long last, seem to have struck upon a
winning strategy and a more successful recruitment policy.

In no area is the competition for places greater than up front. It is not so
long ago that we could hardly have dreamt of a side that could include
players such as Sakho, Valencia, Carroll, Valencia, supported by an
attacking midfield with the creativity and energy of Payet, Lanzini, Zarate,
Kouyate and with promising signings like Antonio yet to really feature and
Alex Song soon to return to fitness, this particular manager has a headache
that, to be fair to him, Allardyce never even had to remotely face.

It is up top that intrigues me as much as any area and I'd be interested in
your thoughts.

Here are mine:

It seems to me that in most games, we are likely to play just one out and
out striker and I think that is likely to be Sakho. Sakho is a kind of Cole
but with pace and guile, not to mention the ability to make intelligent
runs, bring others into play and find the back of the opposition net
occasionally. I think that the work he put in, for example, at Crystal
Palace last weekend was exemplary and contributed in no small part to the
way in which others were able to ultimately exploit the Palace rear-guard as
they inevitably tired. I think he's a class act.

I loved the way in which Bilic used Carroll on Saturday and I believe that
this is likely to continue for the foreseeable future. I am not a huge fan,
it has to be said and I differ from the contention of many that AC has this
great ball playing ability and is, "on his day, unplayable". That last part
may be true but it is the question around how many of 'his days' we are
likely to see anytime soon? In any event, I just don't see Slaven starting
Carroll as a first choice lone front man at the moment. Coming on at around
70 minutes and imposing himself physically seems to me to be an ideal use of
Andy's talents just now. Will this be enough for the big man, previously the
plan A, B and C of the previous gaffer? Remains to be seen. Personally, it
would not surprise me to see his exodus in the January window.

Jelavic? Squad player, surely? He got on for a few minutes on Saturday but
I'd be surprised to see him feature very much. I think his best days are
behind him and, whilst he adds depth and 'will do' in a crisis, or an
exceptional situation like Saturday's where we can afford to throw the
kitchen sink at the thing, I think his game time will be limited. 3rd round
away to Barnsley on a January Sunday morning perhaps, in the FA cup? (No,
that was a few years ago – don't remind me!)

So, for me the real question is over the returning Enner Valencia. After a
great start to last season, he has been asked to play out wide and
unimpressed on more than a few occasions. Bought as an out and out striker,
he is the one player that I am worried we need to find a profitable role for
if we are to retain him but I'm just not sure where that is likely to be
given our approach with essentially supports the lone front man with
attacking midfield flair.

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com




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