From the Treatment Room
WHUFC.com
Hello everyone,
It has been another busy week at Chadwell Heath.
We have two players who are not available for the weekend game against
Chelsea – Winston Reid and Alex Song.
The Chelsea game comes too early for Winston on Saturday. He is improving
and running again, but Winston has a few more boxes to tick before he can
resume team training.
Alex Song has done very well and has completed most of his training with the
rehab fitness coach. He will resume team training next week.
Joey O'Brien has trained for two weeks and will play for the Under-21s at
the Boleyn Ground on Monday.
Doneil Henry is continuing his rehabilitation and will resume team training
the first week of November.
Hopefully we can recover all the players before we head into the busy
Christmas period.
Stijn Vandenbroucke
Head of Medical and Sports Science
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View on the Opposition - Chelsea
WHUFC.com
Daily Mirror sports writer Neil McLeman lifts the lid on today's visitors
Chelsea
It's been a difficult few weeks for Chelsea, what have you made of events in
west London?
"It's been a bizarre start to the season and I don't think anyone could have
predicted what's gone on at Chelsea. It is very strange how quickly things
have spiralled and they look like a team without confidence. There is now a
belief that there hasn't been in previous Jose Mourinho teams that you can
get at them, they've lost their aura of invincibility.
"For Chelsea, playing away on Saturday might actually benefit them, to get
away from Stamford Bridge they'll be under much less pressure. We've seen a
lot of teams fare batter away from home – none more obviously than West
Ham."
What do you think has changed from last season to this; clearly they are
still the same quality players that won the league?
"I think there are a number of reasons. The best time to buy is from a
position of strength and I don't think they did well enough in the transfer
market. They bought Pedro from Barcelona but not much else. Also losing Petr
Cech was a bigger blow then they realised.
"Another factor is that Mourinho works his players very hard, last season he
didn't rotate too much so there are signs of burnout already. Added to that,
the off field situations with Eva Carneiro and other behind the scenes stuff
haven't helped either."
What with the World Cup and Copa America, they are a team full of
internationals who have played a lot of football over the last few seasons,
they also played on Tuesday evening. How important is that?
"Exactly, and it does take its toll. There's a lot of travel involved which
people don't consider. If you look at Cesc Fabregas for instance, he's is a
very old 28-year-old having been a regular since he was 17. He was
sensational last season and hasn't been the same, neither has Eden Hazard.
"I think top four will be a struggle. Manchester City, Manchester United,
Arsenal are looking good, then Tottenham are chasing. It's too early to
write them off but a couple more defeats and it'll be very difficult."
On the other hand, West Ham have made a great start to the season, it seems
like the West Ham Way is back?
"Certainly, they're playing good football and the players they've brought in
have really strengthened the squad. Dimitri Payet especially is clearly a
very special player, the fact he doesn't get in to the French squad shows
you how many good players they have."
You mentioned Dimitri Payet, he's a real enigmatic character isn't he?
"The first thing to say is that France have got great players in Morgan
Schneiderlin, Blaise Matuidi and Paul Pogba among others, he outspoken past
may count against him slightly. France aren't short of those maverick type
of players, if they did pick him I think they would have to pick the team
around him."
Having watched him excel Ligue Un, you're probably not surprised at how well
he's done for West Ham so far?
"Whenever foreign players come in to the Premier League, they have to adapt
to the physical nature. I think it's helped that Ligue Un is probably closer
to the Premier League than Serie A or La Liga, it's a very high tempo,
physical league. So that has definitely helped.
"He's also been helped by the fact that he wasn't a name that many people
knew about so there wasn't a great expectation on him. He's had a month or
two under the radar to settle in and now he's showing everyone what he can
do."
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Slaven Speaks - Chelsea
WHUFC.com
Ahead of the Hammers clash with reigning champions Chelsea, manager Slaven
Bilic faced the media.
During his pre-match press conference, the boss answered questions on a
range of topics from maintaining their unbeaten run, facing Jose Mourinho to
Manuel Lanzini's instant impact.
How long do you think you can maintain your fantastic start to the season?
SB: "I don't know but we hope we can continue our good football for as long
as possible. At the moment we have a chance in every game. We are playing
good but we are realistically optimistic. On the one hand, we can improve in
most aspects but at the same time, this is the Premier League and every game
is difficult. All the opponents are top class."
How do you approach this game, given your form is it better to think of this
as an away game?
SB: "Well no, apart from two first halves against Leicester and Bournemouth
our performances have not been that bad. We have played some really good
stuff, but we have to be more patient when we play at home. We have that
patience away, and we scored goals at Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool
at the right times. We are trying to approach the game in the same way,
regardless of where we play."
Is this a good time to play Chelsea given they travelled to Ukraine in
midweek?
SB: "On the one hand it's a good time, we can't deny that. They haven't
started like we all expected them to do, and they don't have that
consistency, regarding that it's a good time to play them. But on the other,
it's a very dangerous time to play them. They are on their toes, they are
motivated. It is both.
"They played a really good game against Kiev, they were very solid, they
were like the old Chelsea of last year. Kiev is a very tough away game, a
long trip and a good team they played against. I watched that game of
course, I wasn't happy afterwards! They looked to me very good, very sharp
with great individuals."
How much are you looking forward to facing Jose Mourinho?
SB: "Well, yes, it's a big challenge for us. Not for me personally, it isn't
me versus Mourinho, it's West Ham v Chelsea. But it is a bit of a special
game because they are champions. You can easily say that he is the best
manager around, he's been doing it for his whole career, and he is
brilliant. I am looking forward to it to be fair."
You've scored 20 goals so far, the second highest in the League, how do you
rate your attacking options?
SB: "I am very happy, we are creating chances, we are playing good. Against
Palace we were very versatile, we kept the ball very well. The only thing I
would like us to do more is shoot, sometimes we wait too long to shoot. You
have to try your luck when you are in the right positions. Against Palace,
they were defending deep as a team and it was hard to create one-on-one
chances, so when we are 20 yards out we need to try.
"Our players are very dangerous when they shoot in training, that's the only
thing I would like us to do more."
What is the team news for Saturday's game?
SB: "Compared to the Palace game we are without Victor Moses of course, it's
a big blow for us but we knew that when we signed him. Winston Reid isn't
going to make it, the injury isn't major but he won't play. All others are
back available, Enner Valencia could start."
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Celtic sign striker Carlton Cole until 2017
By Richard Wilson
BBC Scotland
Carlton Cole turned down offers from other clubs to sign for Celtic, saying
the decision was a "no brainer". The former West Ham striker, 32, was a free
agent and attracted interest from England and abroad, but opted for Celtic
because of the size of the club.
Cole, who has seven England caps, is also keen to add further honours to his
career and win trophies with the Scottish champions.
"When Celtic called and said they wanted me, I just ran over," Cole said.
"Being at Celtic is not about the money, it's about wearing the shirt with
pride. "Celtic are in a great position to win trophies and I want to add
that to my career."
Cole, who had been training with Celtic in recent weeks, was part of
Chelsea's Premier League-winning squad in 2006 and a member of the West Ham
side that won the Championship play-off final in 2012. He has been without a
club since leaving Upton Park at the end of last season and also attracted
interest from the Middle East. Celtic are in Norway to face Molde in
Thursday's Europa League Group A match. Cole, who has also played for Wolves
and Charlton, will not be available for Celtic's European matches until the
new year but could make his debut domestically in the coming weeks.
Celtic's ambition to win domestic titles and compete in Europe attracted
Cole to Scotland. However, an injury suffered while on trial with the club
delayed his signing. He hopes to soon be fit enough to be in contention for
selection. "This is my first time living out of London, I haven't [lived]
above the Watford gap," the striker explained. "It's been a bit hard for me
to try to adjust when I've been anywhere, like when I went to Aston Villa on
loan, but I've been up here alone for the last two or three weeks and I've
settled in really well. The people of Glasgow are very welcoming and I've
had a great rapport from people. "I've already fitted in. The players have
taken to me well and I've taken to them. In the changing room there's a
great atmosphere and I wanted to be part of that. "[It's] the same I had at
West Ham, if you wear that shirt with pride, the fans take to you and you
get a good rapport with them. That's what I'm here for. "As soon as I came
here, I've had everybody explain to me, including the taxi man, how much the
club means to them. That's what I wanted to hear and hopefully I'll be a
hero to some."
Different player to Griffiths
Cole describes himself as a different type of striker to Leigh Griffiths,
whose prolific goalscoring has seen him become established as the
first-choice striker at Celtic. Deila's preference is a 4-2-3-1 shape, with
only one forward, but Cole is confident he can prove his worth and
contribute to the team, and he was inspired by the atmosphere he experienced
at Celtic Park during the recent 2-2 draw with Fenerbahce in the Europa
League. "I'm a different player to Leigh, he's a good, nippy player, scores
goals left, right and centre," Cole said. "I see myself as a bit more of a
powerhouse, occupying two or three defenders and getting on the end of
crosses. I see myself as trying to break open defences when they're tight
and locked. "[Ronny Deila] wanted me to be here. He knows it's a big move
for me, moving away from my family to another country. I see it as a great
opportunity, to be at such a big club. The staff have been brilliant towards
me and I've felt so welcome. "The Fenerbahce game was massive and that's the
first I've seen it roaring. The fans and the passion, they're the 12th man
really and that's what the club is about so that's why I wanted to signed
here."
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Shoot!
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 22nd October 2015
By: Staff Writer
Slaven Bilic has urged his players to be more daring in front of goal ahead
of this weekend's London derby with Chelsea. Bilic, speaking to the press
this morning ahead of Saturday's clash with Jose Mourinho's misfiring Blues
told his players to take risks if the opportunity presents itself. And
that's in stark contrast to his predecessor Sam Allardyce, who, rumour once
claimed, would fine his players for shooting from outside the penalty area.
"We are creating chances, we are playing well," he said. "Against Palace we
were very versatile, we kept the ball very well. "The only thing I would
like us to do more is shoot, sometimes we wait too long to shoot. You have
to try your luck when you are in the right positions. "Against Palace, they
were defending deep as a team and it was hard to create one-on-one chances,
so when we are 20 yards out we need to try. "Our players are very dangerous
when they shoot in training, that's the only thing I would like us to do
more."
For the first time in many years, West Ham go into the game several places
above Chelsea in the league and with six points more in the bag. However
Bilic is under no illusion as to the extent of the task that faces his
players. "On the one hand it's a good time [to play them], we can't deny
that," he mused. "They haven't started like we all expected them to do, and
they don't have that consistency.
"But on the other hand, it's a very dangerous time to play them. They are on
their toes, they are motivated. It is both. "They played a really good game
against Kiev, they were very solid, they were like the old Chelsea of last
year. Kiev is a very tough away game, a long trip and a good team. "I
watched that game of course, I wasn't happy afterwards! They looked to me
very good, very sharp with great individuals."
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Winston Reid out of Chelsea clash
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 22nd October 2015
By: Staff Writer
Winston Reid will not recover from injury in time to face Chelsea at the
Boleyn this weekend, says Slaven Bilic. The West Ham manager, speaking in
his pre-match press conference this morning confirmed that the Kiwi defender
will miss a second successive game, having sat out last weekend's 3-1 win at
Crystal Palace. And the Hammers will also be without the on-loan Victor
Moses, who is unable to feature against his parent club. "Compared to the
Palace game obviously we are without Victor Moses," confirmed Bilic. "He
can't play because he is a Chelsea player on loan. That's a big blow for us,
but we knew that from the moment we signed him. "Winston Reid isn't going
to make it for this game [either]. It's nothing major, but he will not play.
All the others are back. Enner Valencia was on the bench against Palace and
could start."
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'Welcomed' Cole signs two year deal
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 22nd October 2015
By: Staff Writer
Carlton Cole has signed a two year contract with Scottish Premier League
champions Celtic. The 32-year-old former Hammer had been training with the
Glasgow-based club for several weeks and finally agreed terms on a 24-month
deal, that ties him to the club until the summer of 2017, earlier this week.
Released by West Ham at the tail end of the 2014/15 campaign after nine
years at the Boleyn Ground, Cole had been without a club for five months.
"It's a big relief to sign and be a part of such a big club," Cole told a
press conference this lunchtime. "Being at Celtic is not about the money, it
is about the pride of wearing the shirt. "As soon as I arrived in Glasgow,
everyone has been telling me how much Celtic means to them. The manager
really wanted me here, I see this as a great opportunity to be at such a big
club, I have been made so welcome. "The club are in a great position to win
trophies, they are a family club as well. Celtic was a no brainer for me. I
didn't need advice from anyone to sign, look around the world from USA to
Australia - Celtic are everywhere."
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Slaven Bilic hails 'charismatic' Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho and insists
people are jealous of him
22:30, 22 OCT 2015
BY NEIL MCLEMAN
The Blues visit Upton Park on Saturday eight places below the Hammers, but
Bilic believes the Chelsea boss is still the Premier League's top managerial
attraction
The Mirror
Slaven Bilic has claimed all top managers need "charisma" - and Jose
Mourinho still has the most. And the West Ham manager insisted dislike of
the Special One stems from "jealousy". Chelsea visit Upton Park on Saturday
down in 12th place – eight spots below the high-flying Hammers – and with
Mourinho looking increasingly weary from battles inside and outside his
club. But Bilic has insisted the Portuguese "magnet" remains the Premier
League's biggest managerial attraction. "With his results, his charisma, he
is not boring," the Croat said. "He is anything but boring, for the media as
well, he is like a magnet. He is a top man. "Charisma is very important.
It's one of the most important things as a manager. As a leader. It is the
same to be the manager of a bank. You have to have a charisma, because you
are the leader - people are expecting you to be different and to be their
leader. "And you can't lose charisma, especially not him. He didn't lose it.
That is the one thing that he didn't change from the start until now. "Of
course he is not the same after a couple of wins or after a couple of
defeats - I'm not talking about that. "I am talking about long-term change
and he is the same as the day that we saw him on the telly when Porto got a
big win at Old Trafford. He is the same then as now. "He is unbelievable, he
is the biggest now. There are a few of them who are the best and it's only a
matter of taste who is the best."
Bilic, who revealed he received a surprise text from the Blues boss when he
got the Hammers job after only meeting him once, added: "The most successful
people, the most charismatic people, the No 1s, they are always polarising
people. "You love them or hate them. I am not trying to campaign to become a
president or Prime Minister of England. I am not talking about why the
people love him or hate him. But there's no chance that you don't respect
him and all that he has done. His CV is unbelievable. A big part of it is
jealousy."
Bilic has imposed in his own personality on his confident West Ham side with
the help of studying great leaders. "I like good biographies from the people
you know about," he said. "Let's say by Alex Ferguson, Van Gaal's book, or
for me books from the States about some big guys from NFL or basketball,
like Phil Jackson's. They are unbelievable books." Bilic said he also
learned from Chelsea's Champions League draw at Dinamo Kiev in midweek. "I
watched that game and wasn't happy afterwards because they looked to me
really good," he only half-joked. "They were like the old Chelsea from last
year. I see them finishing in the top four."
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West Ham boss Slaven Bilic wary of "dangerous" Chelsea's return to form
ahead of Saturday's clash
12:00, 22 OCT 2015 UPDATED 12:04, 22 OCT 2015
BY NEIL MCLEMAN
The Hammers manager still thinks Jose Mourinho will steer the Blues to a
top-four finish despite their stuttering start
The Mirror
Slaven Bilic has revealed he "wasn't happy" watching Chelsea's Champions
League draw this week because he reckons Jose Mourinho's side are showing
their old form. And the West Ham boss insisted the champions will still
finish in the top four this season. The Blues have suffered a stuttering
start to the season and trail down in 12th place. But before they visit
Upton Park on Saturday, Bilic said he saw evidence of the champions' usual
resilience during their midweek goalless draw at Dynamo Kiev. "It could be a
good time to play them but it could be a dangerous time to play them," said
the Croat. "They will be on their toes and motivated. They played a very
good game against Kiev. I was impressed. It was like back to the old Chelsea
we used to see regularly. "They looked solid, like the old Chelsea from last
year. They looked sharp. I watched the game and I wasn't happy! Some of the
players who had not been playing well looked good. They are Chelsea. "I see
still them finishing in the top four. They have done well the last couple of
games. They won against Aston Villa – it wasn't a beautiful game. "He (Jose
Mourinho) said afterwards they were getting back to basics. He didn't care
about ball possession and shots on target. He was pleased with the clean
sheet. Things are definitely going to change for them. I just hope not on
Saturday!" Asked to explain Chelsea's poor start to the season, Bilic
explained: "That shows how football is. It is strange, weird." On-loan
Victor Moses is not eligible to play against Chelsea while Winston Reid is
still out.
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Epic era ahead – ask an Irons legend
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 22, 2015 in Hugh's Blogs, News,
Whispers
C and H
I've been an Iron long enough to know that at our worst we are the most
pessimistic people ever to walk the footballing planet.
It's entirely understandable. Like everyone else, I get it. High promise –
the most recent example being last year – is followed by an epic slide which
sees us again finding our usual level of disappointment. At our worst we
become cynical and bitter -we are capable of tearing each apart on social
media – but it's only because we care passionately about this club of ours.
As an old mate of mine said: "You change the missus before you change from
this club."
This time things are gonna be different. It's a tough old call to say that
after so many years of the 'Hammers experience' but I genuinely feel
something quite amazing is going on – something none of us, or the board
could have expected. And today one of our greatest defenders – Alvin Martin
– said it too on talkSPORT when he declared: ""I think they (West Ham) can
(stay in the Champions League spots)." "Listen, I know it's still early
days, but I really do believe they've got a lot of very good players at West
Ham now and if they can keep all those players fit they can challenge. "I've
spoken to the players there and they're really enjoying playing under Bilic,
it's looking very good for them."
Alvin is a seasoned old pro and a hard-nosed pundit – he doesn't come out
with such stuff as a rule and if he can be so up front in his predictions
then it really is time for all to start believing. The difference Slaven
Bilic has made over the first games is nothing less than amazing. The team
is growing and growing in confidence and it's not only based on results.
It's coming too from the style of football we are playing. Control and
possession is growing from match to match and the likes of Payet, Lanzini
and Moses – not to mention Sakho' – is scaring teams to death. In Payet we
have a player who the fans have taken to their hearts like no other in a
very long time. He is to us what Aguero, for example, is to Manchester City.
I can go way back to the sixties with West Ham and I'm gonna say this quite
boldly: This is as good an Irons squad as I can recall seeing. I don't see
us folding up or coming down with the Christmas decorations. In Slaven Bilic
we have a world class coach looking after some world class and very, very
good players. So let's get over ourselves and our past disappointments and
start to believe that we are entering a West Ham era which none of us have
ever seen before. These my friends are thrilling times.
COYI
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Song Chelsea update
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 22, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
David Gold's hopes that Alex Song will be fit for the Chelsea match this
weekend are set to be dashed. The chairman has given regular updates on the
midfielder's fitness and claimed that he should be ready for the Boleyn at
the weekend. Only three days ago in response to a follower on Twitter the
co-chairman declared: " @RyWard7 Alex Song is fit and raring to play. Dg
However, ClaretandHugh has discovered that the player is "highly unlikely"
to feature against the champions at the weekend. We have been told by a very
well placed source within the last few minutes: "Alex is very nearly ready
but it's highly unlikely he will feature this weekend."
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ExWHUemployee: "Let's sing this for Slav"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 22, 2015 in ExWHUemployee's Blogs,
News, Whispers
C and H
I was chatting in the pub with my mate the other day discussing our
favourite West Ham matches/experiences and it brought me back to one of
mine. It was on the 14th April 1991 and it was the first "away" game I had
ever been to. This date forever sticks in my mind and I will never forget
it. Having beaten Everton 2-1 in the Quarter finals in a Stuart Slater (my
first ever favourite player) inspired performance we met Forest in the Semi
Final of the Cup at Villa Park. I travelled up to the game as an
impressionable 10 year old with my dad and six of his mates in a mini bus. I
remember them drinking many beers on board (thankfully the paid for a
driver) and singing chants and ringing a giant cow bell (don't ask!)
regularly.
We had booked into a hotel and watched the Spurs v Arsenal, the other
semi-final game before the match. This was the one where Gazza was brilliant
and scored a wonderful goal to help Spurs on their way to the final. So the
scene had been set for a West Ham v Spurs final, or so I thought. After much
more drinking at the hotel, by my dad and mates not me, we made our way to
the ground. At the ground another drunken man (not from out party) gave me a
flag to take to the match, which I still have to this day. I will never know
who that kind soul was but I still remember the moment so clearly.
We then made our way to the ground and of course we all know that referee
Keith Hackett ruined the match with a ridiculous decision when sending off
Tony Gayle and we lost 4-0. You would think this could have put me off being
a West Ham supporter, but it didn't – far from it. Even though we were 4-0
down we did not stop singing and chanting all game. The one chant that I can
remember so clearly was "Billy Bond's Claret and Blue Army" which rung out
constantly and for around 10 minutes in a row at one point.
Here is a small snippet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVcr-NghMGY. Having
initially thought we were signing Billy Bonds and Trevor Morley in tribute
to the forward who had just returned from being stabbed by his wife (another
random event associated to this match) I soon worked out that the chant was
purely for the manager.
Obviously Billy Bonds is an absolute club legend and is up there with the
greatest ever players of our club so this chant was as much for the player
as the manager but he was still extremely popular. When he was replaced by
Harry Redknapp that love for our manager (another ex player) seemed to
continue. After this the same feelings for our manager have not been fully
achieved since (apart from Trevor Brooking's brief spell in charge).
We have a new manager who also has played for the club and one who has
started his managerial spell in true style. The football we are playing and
the passion we are showing has already meant that this season is starting to
shape up to be one of the most exciting in many years. I know we currently
have the Super Slav chant for our man but I would love to us add "Slaven
Bilic's Claret and Blue Army" to our repertoire of chants and where better a
place to start it at the home game to Chelsea.
So let's get our voices ready and get this echoing out at the match and
continue it into the away games with the visit to Tottenham in November on
the horizon I would love to hear it loud and proud throughout the game and
many others!
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Slav's centre back dilemma
Posted by Sean Whetstone on October 21, 2015 in Sean's Blogs, Whispers
C and H
Angelo Ogbonna was un-used substitute last weekend despite seemingly
recovering from hamstring injury he suffered in the Newcastle 2-0 win at the
Boleyn Ground. Winston Reid is also expected to be available for selection
following his recovery after he came off in the 2-2 draw at Sunderland. The
Hammers' medical team explained Reid had been struggling for a while with a
minor injury, Stijn Vandenbroucke, West Ham's head of medical and sport
science, told the club's official website. "Winston came off in the game
against Sunderland, but we are positive for a recovery for the next game."
With both centre backs considered first choice fit, Bilic faces a dilemma
whether to stick or twist against Chelsea. Both James Tomkins and James
Collins had fantastic performances against Crystal Palace last weekend and
Bilic have been known to reward good performances and not change a winning
team. It is great position to be in with four in-form Premier League class
centre backs all competing for two places but not one we are used to at West
Ham. With such a quality squad it makes predicting Saturday's starting team
against Chelsea a difficult task and I don't envy Bilic's decision. If I
were take a punt I would imagine he will go for a Reid and Tomkins
partnership.
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Lanzini wants to stay!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 22, 2015 in News
C and H
Manuel Lanzini has made it clear he wants to stay at West Ham declaring:
"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."
The 22 year old has made a brilliant start to his loan period and is looking
forward to life at the Olympuc Stadium adding: "I am playing football in one
of the best leagues in the world and I am really enjoying it. Speaking to
www.whufc.com he added: "Moving to the new Stadium is a big investment and
change for the club. 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."
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."
Next up it;s Chelsea and Lanzini said: "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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Irons worst kept secret is OUT!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 22, 2015 in Hugh's Blogs, News,
Whispers
C and H
West Ham worst kept secret is out – Manu Lanzini will sign a deal that will
keep him at the club permanently at the end of the season. The deal will be
of probably five years with an option for another two on a wage of around
£40k a week – by current Premier League standards probably par for the
course. To quote one insider we spoke to over recent days: "It may look like
an expensive deal at the moment given an £8 million euro transfer fee but
the way this kid is going it could look very cheap at the end of the season.
"We have an unbreakable deal with his club but we don't have to rush to get
things done."
Indeed not but it will be done because so many heavy hints have been dropped
any secrecy that surrounded the deal has long gone. David Sullivan admitted
to the official site " We knew he was a fantastic player. Before he went to
the UAE he was regarded as the next Messi in Argentina Next day Lanzini told
the official site he wants to stay and be a a part of things next season. It
doesn't get much closer to a 'done deal' than that. The arrival of Dimi
Payet and Lanzini have naturally excited us fans more than anything else,
apart from the appointment of Slav. But let's not forget the hard graft put
in to get these deals concluded, the scouting system that's in place and the
way everybody is working together as the club grows and grows.
This time last year every one of us could have named the starting line up
for the weekend game – those days are gone and that's down to a remarkable
job being done by everybody frm the top downwards.
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Reshuffle as two miss Chelsea match
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 22, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
Michail Antonio may get a one off chance to impress Slaven Bilic this
weekend despite – as we explained here last night – him being seen as a long
term prospect by the manager. However, with Victor Moses ineligible to play
against his parent club Chelsea this weekend, there's a possibility that the
£7 million player may play a part. However, he may find himself again
having to wait with Enner Valencia back in the frame having scored an
excellent goal in the under 21s 4-0 win over Wolves this weekend. And –
following associate editor Sean Whetstone's appraisal of the situation
involving the centre back positions – Slav has another dilemma to solve. For
according to West London Sport this morning, Winston Reid has been ruled out
of the game and this opens up the big question as to whether Angelo Ogbonna
returns or whether James Collins – after such an impressive game last
weekend will keep his place. These are problems we haven't had for a long
time and as things stand tight now nobody can call the outcome with any
certainty.
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Bilic: Mourinho is best around
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 22, 2015 in News
C and H
Slaven Bilic reckons Jose Mourinho is still the best manager around. The
self proclaimed Special One has had a seriously dodgy start to the season
who arrive at Upton park sitting in twelfth place. But Bilic claims it's
nothing more than a blip and believes the Portuguese will lead them into the
top four this season. Speaking ahead of the gae he said: "It's a big
challenge for us, it's a big test. It's a special game because they are the
champions. "And you can easily say he is the best manager around. He's been
doing it all his career, he's brilliant. He's Jose Mourinho! "It just shows
how strange football is. It's the same team, the champions. "I know Mourinho
and he's always motivated. His teams are always hungry and everyone expected
them, maybe not to be top after nine games, but not to be where they are
now. I watched most of their games. Sometimes you play the same way but you
hit the post and the opposition don't hit the post, when last year it
happened the other way round. "It doesn't have to be anything major. You
lose a couple of games – and from their point of view drawing is like losing
– and suddenly people say 'what happened to Chelsea?' but it's noth ing big
or major. "If it was he would be the first to change it, but sometimes it's
those invisible things you can't detect and you have to work hard to try to
change it. "Things will definitely change for them, we just hope it won't be
against us. I see them finishing in the top four."
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PATIENCE AND PORRIDGE
By Jo Phillips 22 Oct 2015 at 08:00
WTID
After that sweet victory at Crystal Palace, Bilic talked about patience and
the part it plays in our contrasting home and away games. He said the squad
had a greater understanding of the importance of patience away whereas at
home, there was an impatience to score quickly. The inference is that in a
rush to score goals, there's a greater chance of overlooking a more
strategic pass that might secure a goal rather than a hurried shot against
the bar.
Interesting, because patience – like kindness – is an under rated trait.
Probably because we think of patience as something passive not active. The
Oxford dictionary defines patience as calm endurance of hardship, annoyance,
inconvenience or delay. Or to put it another way, putting up with stuff
that's beyond our control. You know that feeling when you're stuck in a
queue of traffic or at a checkout, wondering if swapping lanes will change
the circumstances. Invariably it won't but what little patience we have left
is rapidly eroded by expecting instant access to everything. The microwave's
too slow, the broadband's too slow, that person in front of you is too slow
so it's hardly surprising that in front of a home crowd, West Ham players
know what we really want is for them to score goals.
Now I don't have one but I know from using other peoples' it takes longer to
make porridge in a microwave and creates a gluey mess that takes even longer
to clear up than gently stirring the oats and milk in a non stick saucepan.
You can sip a (large) glass of wine in the length of time it takes to make
perfect risotto on a hob which, along with the pleasant aroma of good
cooking makes for a far more rewarding experience than sticking something in
a microwave while you tweet twaddle to someone who's probably also waiting
for the ping.
Patience is what anglers, chess players, artists, writers, hunters and good
teachers have by the bucket load. Their patience is not passive, it's about
concentration, anticipation and the application of skill and training. If
that, and it certainly seems the case, is what Bilic is instilling in the
squad then it might just be the secret ingredient that makes the difference
between a good team and a great one.
The glory days of Man U and Arsenal were marked by apparently endless
patience, that ability to keep going, the ' calm endurance' as the
dictionary says and how many games did those teams win in the dying seconds
of a game? We've all seen West Ham concede two and three goal leads where it
was plain to see the players had nothing in reserve after scoring those
goals. Nothing to keep going, to be patient and wait for the next chance to
strike. I know Bilic is not the Messiah and we've had our bubbles of
optimism punctured too often but it does seem that he's brought a new
psychology to the team which makes for smarter play.
So, Mr B, as that overused phrase goes, keep calm and carry on.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss Bilic believes Chelsea are nearing their best ahead of Upton
Park showdown
SLAVEN BILIC admits that watching Chelsea face Dinamo Kiev on Tuesday was
like viewing a horror movie as he saw signs that the troubled champions are
getting back to their old selves.
By MATTHEW DUNN
PUBLISHED: 11:15, Thu, Oct 22, 2015 | UPDATED: 11:36, Thu, Oct 22, 2015
Express.co.uk
West Ham have already got impressive results against Manchester City,
Arsenal and Liverpool this season and entertain Chelsea at Upton Park on
Saturday as a top-four side. With Chelsea struggling for form at the moment,
Bilic had hoped it was the perfect time to play them – although his mind was
changed during the course of the goalless draw in Kiev. "On one hand it is a
good time, you cannot deny it," he said. "They have not started like we were
all expecting them to and they don't have that consistency of last year or
year before. "On the other hand it is a very dangerous time to play them
because they are motivated and know they have to make some good results.
"They played a really good game against Kiev and looked solid, like the old
Chlesea. It is a tough trip to Kiev – I watched the game and I wasn't happy
afterwards. "They looked really sharp and some of the players who have not
been playing so well, played better. They are still Chelsea. They will still
finish in the top four. "It just shows you how football is strange or weird.
The same team, champions. Jose Mourinho is always motivated and his teams
are always hungry and everybody was expecting him, maybe not to be first
after nine games, but certainly not to be where they are now. "I have
watched most of their games and sometimes you play the same way only the
ball hits the post this year. It doesn't have to be much. Drawing is like
losing and suddenly after a couple of games they lose that five per cent of
confidence. "If it was something big or major he would be the first to
change it. But sometimes it is those invisible things that you cannot detect
quickly. They will come back – just hopefully not against us."
Bilic makes no apology for commenting on another team apart from his own –
he feels he cannot help it. "I don't think all the time about Chelsea but
you are bombed with information about them so you spend a bit of time
thinking about them," he said.
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Former Chelsea and West Ham striker Carlton Cole joins Scottish champions
Celtic
By talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) | Thursday, October 22, 2015
Celtic have signed former Chelsea and West Ham striker Carlton Cole. The
32-year-old was available on a free transfer after leaving Upton Park at the
end of last season. He joined the Scottish champions on trial at September
but suffered an injury to put a permanent deal on ice. However, Cole has now
returned to fitness and has penned a contract until the end of next season
with Ronny Deila's side.
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