Daily WHUFC News - 11th November 2015

Mixed emotions for Tonks
WHUFC.com

James Tomkins was left with mixed emotions after Everton fought back to
claim a draw against West Ham United on Saturday. Tomkins gave a fine
performance at the back – one which saw him named Man of the Match by
Hammers fans on Twitter – but felt his team could have taken all three
points after Manuel Lanzini gave them the lead. However, Romelu Lukaku then
hit back, meaning West Ham had to settle for a point, which was still a
positive in the defender's eyes. "It could have been more," he explained.
"The way we started the game was very good – we controlled it possession
wise and dominated from the off. When the goal came it was an error from
ourselves which came against the run of play. "To go in at 1-1 didn't
reflect how well we played in the first half. Then we came out in the second
half and were strong again. I think it must have been a good game to watch
from a neutral point of view. We didn't get the win today but we can't
underestimate a point. "Manuel took his goal very well. Different players
might have blasted it and hoped for the best, but with the talent he's got
he's bent it into the top corner. "He's got that ability, which is great for
the team. We got have got a few [as a team] in that first half and it was a
shame that we didn't, but that happens."

West Ham responded well to defeat at Watford the previous week and Tomkins
is pleased to see his team pick up their home form. He added: "For sure it
was important to bounce back with a performance like that. We're entitled to
have one bad game in the good run we had, but we were disappointed with last
week. "But we bounced back straight away and performed well against
Everton. "I think we're starting to get it right at home now too. The fans
have been right behind us and were driving us forward on Saturday. "It was
great support for us and we've turned the corner result-wise here."

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From the Newsroom
WHUFC.com

Evening Standard reporter Ken Dyer has been covering West Ham United over
land and sea for more than 40 years and gives his views on Dimitri Payet
being ruled out for three months with an ankle injury and what it means for
the rest of the season....

It is obviously a massive blow for Dimitri and everyone at the Club that he
is going to be missing for the next few months. Dimitri has been one of the
star performers this season and you could argue one of the signings of the
summer. He has been one of the major influences on our attack and his play
has been tremendous up until now. It must be a real body blow for Slaven and
his coaching staff. Under the current climate it was definitely a red card
and I was surprised that he was allowed to stay on the pitch. You only have
to compare that incident with when James Collins got sent off against
Watford and the challenge by McCarthy seemed a lot worse with his scissor
kick. Dimitri tried to run the injury off towards the end of the first half
and then came back out for the start of the second half. He obviously wanted
to give it a go, but the injury turned out to be much more significant than
anyone could have imagined at the time. But it now gives an opportunity for
someone else to show they should be in the first-team and maybe Slaven will
have to tweak the system a little bit.

If we would have suffered an injury like this last season, we would have
been severely affected and scrapping around to find an alternative. But this
is a much better squad now and we are able to cope better. We have got one
or two players coming back from injury and it will be a massive boost to see
Alex Song back in action. He has a lot of quality and was instrumental for
the Club in the first half of last season. He has got everything in his
game. He has played at the highest level for Barcelona and Arsenal and if he
can come back like last season, we have got a real player on our hands.

It is great to see Andy Carroll back in action and it will also be nice to
see Diafra Sakho back in the side. He is a different type of player to Andy.
He is probably one of the hardest working strikers in the Premier League and
always gives everything for the team. He is very important to the way Slaven
wants to play. The manager certainly got the reaction from the players he
was looking for during the 1-1 draw with Everton last weekend. They have
been a real bogey side for us over recents years and it shows how far we
have come that we are disappointed to only come away with a point. We now
switch our attentions to a big London derby against Tottenham and this is a
big game for West Ham fans. We have done quite well against them in the last
couple of years and Slaven has got some thinking to do with the team
selection. People are away on international duty this week, but I am sure
when they all return next week, Slaven will have a system and a plan in
place to get the best possible result at White Hart Lane.

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First and Last - Andy Carroll
WHUFC.com

As West Ham United continue the final season at the Boleyn Ground, we've
asked our players for some memorable lasts from their careers and lives, as
well as some firsts. Today, Andy Carroll goes under the spotlight…

FIRSTS

Who was your first football hero?
Alan Shearer. As a Newcastle United fan, that was standard!

What is the first rule in football you would change, if you were given the
opportunity?
I don't know, to be honest. What rule would I change? I don't think I would
change anything about the game, to be honest. I would allow a lot more
challenges to 'go', though, because it's become a bit of a joke how many
fouls I give away that I don't think are free-kicks!

Who would be the first player voted out if West Ham United took part in X
Factor?
Ginge thinks he is a singer and at our Christmas party I got a video of him
singing in the lift, which I wish I could share with everybody. Every time I
play it in the dressing room, he cringes and he wants to get hold of my
phone and delete it! He tried playing the guitar a bit on the coach last
season too, but that died out quickly when he realised he wasn't very good!

What was the first nickname you were given in football?
Shay Given called me 'horse', but I can't think why…! I still get it now
from the lads. It seems to have just stuck.

LASTS

What was the last meal you cooked?
I made some sesame seed tuna with breadcrumbs, which was nice. I had to
write down the recipe for Joey O'Brien and tell him how I made it.

What was the last app you downloaded onto your phone?
Harvey Nichols. I got told by the woman in Harvey Nichols to download their
App and have a look at the stuff on there, so I did!

Who was the last film you went to see at the cinema?
Legend, which is Tom Harvey movie about the Kray twins. I went to see it in
Canary Wharf with my missus. It was good.

When was the last time you laughed on the pitch and why?
In a match? I kind of laugh all the time on the pitch, to be honest. I was
certainly laughing when I came on and scored against Chelsea a couple of
weeks ago. It's a nightmare when you're not playing, so I do try to enjoy it
out there on the pitch.

Who was the last player you swapped shirts with?
It was last season – Martin Skrtel of Liverpool. I think the kit man lost
it, though! My favourite shirt that I swapped is Didier Drogba. He was
another centre forward I really looked up to, he was an unbelievable player.

Who is the last player you would take fashion advice from?
Joey O'Brien! He is the worst-dressed player at the club. I bought a coat a
couple of years ago and he asked me where I got it from, then he copied me
and bought the same one a couple of weeks ago!

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Hammers taking holistic approach
WHUFC.com

West Ham United have always taken a holistic approach to player development,
and that was certainly the case at a recent coaching masterclass.

Assistant manager Nikola Jurcevic, first-team coach Edin Terzic, goalkeeper
coach Chris Woods and coaching assistant Julian Dicks spent an afternoon
putting on a special session for the Club's Academy staff at Chadwell Heath.

The first-team coaching quartet put Development Squad and U18 players a
series of drills for the benefit of those who work closest with the Hammers'
up-and-coming youngsters.

Academy Manager and Head of Coaching and Player Development Terry Westley
oversees West Ham's Category 1 Academy – the highest possible ranking under
the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP).

"It's two-fold, really," he said. "One, the players get the opportunity to
show the first-team coaching staff what they're all about – not just U21s
but the U18s who are here as well.

"Two, the Academy coaches get to see the coaching styles of the new
first-team staff and it's a great opportunity for all of the Academy staff.
The turnout is exceptional and really big thanks for Slaven Bilic for
sorting this out following a conversation we had. We asked if the Academy
coaching staff could see the first-team staff in action and this is the
result.

"We invited all of our staff – not just the coaching staff, but elite
performance staff who will have looked at the warm-up and compared it to
their own. Then you had the technical staff Steve Potts, Mark Phillips and
Paul Heffer and all of our part-time staff who work with the younger players
on Sundays and in the evenings during the week, and the recruitment staff.

"We could see that the set-up in training is very similar to ours, with a
physical warm-up and then some technical ball work, 3v3s and a small-sided
game – that format is very similar to how we coach in the Academy."

Westley and Bilic have worked closely since June, when the former took
charge of West Ham's opening two UEFA Europa League fixtures, under the
watchful eye of the new manager. Four-and-a-half months on and the
relationship between first team and Academy is stronger than ever.

"This is one of the bits the people don't see," Westley continued. "I spend
a lot of time at Chadwell Heath in the afternoons, constantly speaking to
the manager about the young players and the way we play.

"If a young player like Josh Cullen can come through and play in the first
team, then it proves we are doing things right and that breeds a good
relationship.

"We have had that relationship from the start of pre-season, when we went
straight to Cork and the manager was there and saw the way we were training,
and the young players, and this is really an extension of that."

Head of Coaching for the U15-18 age group, Danny Searle, endorsed Westley's
philosophy.

"It just shows the continuity between the Academy and the first team, which
is what we're trying to emulate – the set-up of the technical and physical
practises and the tempo of the sessions," said Searle.

"It's a great experience for the boys and a great experience for the coaches
as well, to see what we need to do to ensure the boys are at the level they
need to be when they come over."

Terzic agreed that the close relationship between the two sections remains
vital to the long-term success of the Club.

Having worked as an Academy coach and as part of the first-team backroom
staff during a hugely successful spell at Borussia Dortmund, the first-team
coach is acutely aware of the need for a football club to adopt a joined-up
approach.

"The last month was the birthday of Back to the Future, but for me this was
going back to the past because two years ago I was working with young lads,"
said Terzic. "It's great because they are all hungry and are loving what
they are doing, so it's a good experience for us as well.

"The difference between a youth coach and a professional coach is that a
youth coach is developing players, while a professional coach is more asking
the player to show his qualities.

"It's very important to start working with players at a good age for their
development and it's that all the coaches in the club are talking with the
same language.

"There are meetings every week where all the coaches are talking to one
another about how they can give opportunities to young players, so it's
always been like an exchange between the first-team staff and the youth
Academy."

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International round-up
WHUFC.com

West Ham United are taking a break from Barclays Premier League action, but
eight of the Club's international players could be called into action by
their respective countries.

At senior level, Darren Randolph's Republic of Ireland face a two-legged
UEFA EURO 2016 play-off showdown with Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a place
at next summer's tournament in France at stake.

Randolph will hope to keep his starting place when the Boys in Green travel
to Zenica for the first leg on Friday evening, with Ireland welcoming their
opponents to Dublin for the return match on Monday 16 November.

Elsewhere, Cheikhou Kouyate and Senegal will be starting their quest to
qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup with a two-legged Round Two tie with
Madagascar.

The Lions of Teranga make the 5,000-mile trip to the island in the Indian
Ocean for the first leg in Antananarivo on Friday afternoon before the two
square off again in Dakar next Monday evening.

Closer to home, James Collins' Wales welcome the Netherlands to Cardiff for
a friendly international on Friday.

Two youngsters kick-off the international action on Wednesday 11 November.
Reece Burke's England U20s travel to France to face Les Bleus in a friendly
in Saint Brieuc, while Martin Samuelsen's Norway U19s are in Russia for a
four-team UEFA Mini-Tournament.

Burke's Young Lions will face France for a second time in Ploufragan on
Saturday, while Samuelsen and Norway take on Northern Ireland on Wednesday,
Slovakia on Friday and host nation Russia next Monday. All three games will
take place in the recent Winter Olympics-hosting city of Sochi.

Josh Cullen has an important fixture with Republic of Ireland U21s, who
travel to Lithuania on Friday evening. A win for the Irish would take them
into the top two in UEFA European U21 Championship Qualifying Group 2.

Last but not least, Reece Oxford and Sam Howes are both in the England U19
squad for two friendly internationals. First, the Young Lions head to
Gravenzande to face the Netherlands on Thursday, before heading home to host
Japan in Manchester on Sunday afternoon.

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Reid nominated for Māori award
WHUFC.com

Winston Reid has been named as a finalist for the Senior Māori Sportsman of
the Year award.

The West Ham United and New Zealand defender was born in the Auckland suburb
of North Shore, affiliates to Tainui iwi (people) through his father and to
Te Rarawa iwi through his mother.

Reid, who signed a new long-term deal with the Hammers in March 2015 after
another outstanding individual season in Claret and Blue, is one of five
leading New Zealand sportsmen in the running for the prestigious award.

In August, the All Whites captain also launched a scholarship for two
players to attend the Wellington Phoenix Football Academy at the prestigious
Scots College in the New Zealand capital every year.

Recently-crowned Rugby World Cup winning All Blacks Nehe Milner-Skudder and
Aaron Smith, cricketer Trent Boult and woodchopper Jason Wynyard are the
four other finalists.

The 25th Māori Sports Awards ceremony will take place at Tūrangawaewae
Marae, Ngāruawāhia on New Zealand's North Island, on Saturday 28 November.

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West Ham and Chelsea fined by FA for failing to control players
BBC.co.uk

West Ham and Chelsea have been fined £40,000 and £50,000 respectively by the
Football Association after both clubs admitted failing to control players.
The punishment follows the Hammers' 2-1 win over their London rivals at
Upton Park on 24 October. Chelsea had five players booked, and midfielder
Nemanja Matic and manager Jose Mourinho were sent off. West Ham's players
surrounded referee Jonathan Moss after Matic's challenge on Diafra Sakho in
the 44th minute. "The charge was for failing to ensure players conducted
themselves in an orderly fashion," read an FA statement. "Both clubs were
also severely warned as to their future conduct." Chelsea players also
surrounded the official after Matic, who had been shown a yellow card
earlier on, was given a second booking by Moss and dismissed. Mourinho was
sent to the stands for the second half after going to speak to Moss in the
referee's room. He received a one-game stadium ban and £40,000 fine.

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The FA's cup overrunneth as West Ham fined again
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 10th November 2015
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United have been fined £40,000 by the Football Association in the
wake of an incident that occurred during the 2-1 victory over Chelsea last
month. The Hammers were fined as a result of "failing to ensure their
players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion" following the challenge
by Nemanja Matic on Diafra Sakho that led to the Serbian international's
dismissal. And the west London club were also hit with a fine of £50,000 for
the same incident, which saw a number of players surround referee Jonathan
Moss. "Following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing, West Ham
United and Chelsea have been fined £40,000 and £50,000 respectively after
both clubs admitted an FA misconduct charge," read a statement by the
governing body. "The charge was for failing to ensure their players
conducted themselves in an orderly fashion during the fixture between the
two sides on 24 October 2015. Both clubs were also severely warned as to
their future conduct."

West Ham were also fined £50,000 in September of this year after failing to
defend a misconduct charge following Mark Noble dismissal during the 3-0 win
at Liverpool - a caution later rescinded.

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A message to you from Dimi
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 10th November 2015
By: Staff Writer

Dimitri Payet has sent a message to supporters in the wake of the news that
he is likely to be sidelined for the next three months. West Ham's French
ace was poleaxed by a reckless challenge from Everton's James McCarthy in
Saturday afternoon's 1-1 draw at the Boleyn Ground, since when he has
learned that he is unlikely to play until February 2016. And in a post on
his Instagram channel this lunchtime, Payet assured Hammers fans that he
will "work even harder" than usual in order to regain his fitness. Alongside
a short video containing several replays of the incident that caused ankle
ligament damage, Payet wrote: "Hey guys just a little feedback just wanted
to say that I'm recovering. I'm gonna work even harder and I will be back
stronger. See you soon Hammers.? "
Payet, who is widely considered to have been one of the best imports to the
Premier League this season has scored five goals already this term, whilst
providing three assists. Meanwhile an article in today's Daily Mail asked
pundits Jamie Carragher, Martin Keown and Jamie Redknapp to pick their top
five Premier League stars so far this season - and all three listed Payet as
one fo their choices. "Signing of the season," wrote former Liverpool
defender Carragher. "Clubs will be kicking themselves that they let West Ham
take him." Thoughts echoed by ex-Arsenal player Keown, who added: "Key to
West Ham's fine start. Has a mixture of pace and skill and is imaginative in
front of goal." And Redknapp, son of former Hammers boss Harry said: "He
sees passes that only a few players in the world can see and his injury is a
big blow."

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'Dirty' Everton - and the referee from Wigan
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 10th November 2015
By: Paul Walker

The shocking tackle that has sidelined Dimitri Payet for three months is bad
enough for any hint of a sympathetic hearing for Everton to be strangled at
birth.

Yes, I am now going to be unreasonable and totally failing to give Everton
and James McCarthy even the slightest benefit of the doubt. The Glasgow-born
Irishman should have been sent off for the cynical foul on the brilliant
Frenchman, and it is hard too see just how rookie referee Paul Tierney, who
was right on top of the incident on Saturday at the Boleyn, could see it any
other way.

Tierney booked McCarthy, so the FA have no grounds to re-consider the
incident. But when you look back at what McCarthy did, the outlawed scissor
tackle, how on earth did Tierney not see it as red? This particular
challenge has been targeted this season, we have seen many players given
straight reds for a "tackle" that sees one leg take the ball while the
following leg takes man and body.

It is deliberate, dangerous, and can do immense damage. And that is what
McCarthy did. Our own Tony Gale, who could be accused of being a touch
biased, said on TV that it was a tackle intent on "being out to 'do' the
player. To hurt an opponent".

Scores of West Ham fans have launched into Everton, McCarthy and Tierney on
social media, along with joint chairman David Sullivan's son Jack--who I
wish would keep his opinions to himself generally--but for once I can
understand his anger.

Losing Payet is a terrible blow, such has his influence and inspiration
been. It could be a pivotal moment. I hope we are strong enough to overcome
such a body blow.

What is equally annoying has been the nasty, spiteful stuff from Everton
fans on their own fans' websites, way out of order and not what I would
expect from fans I respect for their passion, and a club who are as honest
and responsible as they come.

The word "dirty" has become underused these past seasons, more often now
tackles like that are called professional fouls, or the player is prepared
to "take one" for the team to stop an opponent. All very cynical but in
modern terms, acceptable as being part of the game.

Back in my day when you mentioned Leeds, the word "dirty" always preceded
it. Such was the hate and dislike for Don Revie's brand of football
thuggery, that no-one who witnessed it has the slightest sympathy for any
misfortune that comes Leeds' way. The more the merrier.

Are Everton in that bracket, of course not. I spent over 15 years working in
the city and have great affection for Everton and the way they have punched
above their weight, and the job Bill Kenwright has done there as
owner-chairman.

Our own owners think just the same way, which is why when the appointed Tony
Henry as recruitment officer, chief scout to you and me. What they really
wanted was for him to persuade his mate David Moyes to replace Sam
Allardyce.

Everton, though have acquired a reputation for being tough and hard, with a
chip on their shoulder having played second fiddle to Liverpool for so long.
Only in the days of the great, late and loved Howard Kendall as manager did
they have any real parity in the modern era.

Under David Moyes they were fearsome at times, they loved the image of being
the battling underdogs. And they did not take prisoners.

Now, under Roberto Martinez, there is still an abrasive edge to them, fierce
and combative. Just ask Arsenal, Moyes' men took great delight in giving
them a serious going over.

And that, sadly, is what I felt happened on Saturday. The first half-dozen
fouls committed by them could all have been yellow cards. They were
targeting our attacking players, and Payet in particular. But Tierney just
talked to them and warned them.

That approach just gave licence to push the boundaries even further. These
days when players see a referee who lets things go a bit, they take full
advantage.

It was interesting how the "dirty" tag took hold. Liverpool Echo man Dave
Prentice, an old pal and top operator if ever there was one, trawled through
the twitter stuff from West Ham fans on Saturday and questioned in an
article the amount of times Everton were called dirty. He suggested that
they had commited only one more foul than the Irons and anyway our
disciplinary record was nothing to write home about.

That was a case of the facts proving anything you wanted. It wasn't the
amount of fouls, but the nature of them. And Everton were certainly digging
in at times early on. And that paved the way for the tackle on Payet, which
Tierney could have avoided.

Tierney was clearly trying to be a "talking" referee, prepared to warn and
explain decisions. All very praiseworthy, but laws have to be applied and if
the early kicking had been punished then the Payet tackle may not have
happened.

McCarthy knew what he was doing. He had tried a couple of challenges earlier
on Payet. They used to be called "pacifiers" when the likes of Tony Adams
and Steve Bould were about.

And West Ham fans have seen this coming. Payet has been so good, so clever
and inventive, so inspirational in Slaven Bilic's plans to rebuild and
rediscover our style, that he was going to be a marked man.

Of course opponents were going to single him out, try to nullify his
influence. It is what we would do to clever opponents. That is where
referees are duty bound to protect skilled players from the hatchet men.

And that is where Tierney let the game down. He is a new, young referee. At
35 one of the youngest in the Premier League. And he needs to be helped and
encouraged.

He comes from up my way. And as a referee myself who did something like 30
years on the parks, I have paid some interest in the progress of new
referees. Good grief, we need them.

My own lowly refereeing career was basically Sunday stuff, pit village
league games in the Midlands, and south Manchester youth games. I can only
say that I would like to see Mark Clattenburg, with his perma-tan and boy
band hair cut control some of the colliery games I handled!

So I appreciate a little what the referees at the top have to cope with, and
how hard it is to break through. And Tierney ticks the boxes. Bright, young,
confident, and very good. Also straight as they come. Which is why I feel he
was let down a bit with the appointment at the Boleyn.

As conspiracy theories go, Jose Mourinho would be more than impressed with
this one. Tierney is Wigan- born a bred. That puts him about 17 miles as the
crow flies from Goodison Park. Roberto Martinez played for Wigan in the
lower divisions and managed them. McCarthy also played for Wigan.

In true Daily Mail style, I can now ask: "Did the referee know Martinez and
McCarthy?"

Not for a second am I suggesting that the official is anything but totally
honest. But why did his bosses put him in such a position? It is just like
an Essex official from say, Upminster, being sent to referee West Ham at
Goodison. You are just asking for trouble.

I have heard several Premier League managers in after-match press
conferences, moaning about where referees come from. A few years back the FA
stopped clubs putting home town names in brackets alongside referees' names
in their programmes. There is no need for extra pressure.

So why appoint a Lancashire FA referee for this game? It was suggested to me
during the match that it looked like the referee had arrived on the away
team's coach. Too close for comfort that.

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In reply to the Secret Footballer: an Asian Hammer writes
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 10th November 2015
By: Iron By Fatherhood

This only being my fourth season as an Iron I can't comment on history, but
rightly or wrongly West Ham United has been tarred by racism since the 1980s
(and possibly before).

Regardless of the accuracy of it, enough of it stuck for me to have a
concern about whether it was the right club in London to support for my son
and I - both of whom consider ourselves as British with Pakistani heritage.

I came onto a KUMB.com Forum thread regarding West Ham and Asian fans and
was massively re-assured by those posting tales of their own acceptance into
the fold and of having a trouble-free experience going back several seasons.

Also, a number of (I assume) white British fans were not only encouraging,
but really got across the point very sincerely that the only colours that
mattered were claret and blue.

I didn't look back, took the plunge and signed us both up as Academy members
for each of the next three years and even including my daughter not long
after we adopted her a couple of years ago. We made good use of the
kids-for-a-quid marketing initiative before all three of us became season
ticket holders this season.

I've yet to have a single unpleasant experience.

I feel incredibly safe taking my six-year-old son and five-year old daughter
to a game at the Boleyn Ground and have brought other Asian fans as guests
to experience it for the first time too.

One of my best friends, a Cambridge educated GP from Stanmore, said it had
smashed so many preconceptions of West Ham and football in general that he's
also begun taking his son to football. So far it's only his local club
Barnet, but the Olympic Stadium also being on his Jubilee Line is intriguing
him!

Do we have a dicey history? Perhaps, probably, but in the dark days of No
Blacks, No Irish, No Dogs of the 1950s (onwards), few clubs escaped
unscathed, especially at times of change when local social demographics were
changing as rapidly as the economy and decline of manufacturing.

The incredible thing about West Ham fans is that few fans of other clubs
have seen such change and then emerged from the confusion of a new
multi-cultural society and basically been so accepting and embracing of it.

There is a generosity of spirit and a greater sense of community about those
who originate from around the East End, perhaps through suffering in the
war, perhaps through being the poorer cousins of those elsewhere in London
or Essex, but they seem to be better able to deal with others than even
white middle class folk from elsewhere.

I see it in my children's primary school in Aldersbrook (near Wanstead
Flats) and how those who've been local for generations are much more
comfortable with diversity.

They're also more inclusive with other parents from Afro-Caribbean and Asian
backgrounds than the recent arrivals from North London areas, who like the
idea of living in Wanstead but having originally come from outside London
have never lived shoulder to shoulder with other races and are less inclined
to mix and, more disturbingly for 2015, steer their children away from doing
so.

I'm not sure how old the secret footballer is. If he's 65 or older, perhaps
there may be a grain of truth, but I think and feel West Ham fans would
certainly be in the top half of any accurate ranking of all football fans,
and even more so of those coming from areas with mass immigration.

I think there's an element again of being seen as a working class club
because we've always been real and not disappeared up our own backsides.

Somehow that equates itself among certain middle class liberal sets as a
breeding ground for racism - when the truth is the passive-aggressive, more
cowardly prejudice I've experienced from upper and middle class folk at
university (Durham) and in the City was ultimately far more offensive than
being called a "p*ki" whilst growing up.

I'm rambling a little now, but 'The Secret Footballer' can do one if he
thinks its ok to trot out old, no longer (if ever) valid misconceptions.

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West Ham, Chelsea fined by FA over players' behaviour
Last Updated: 10/11/15 4:23pm
SSN

West Ham and Chelsea have been fined after admitting Football Association
charges of failing to control their players. Both clubs were charged over
the reaction of their players in the aftermath of Nemanja Matic's red card
during West Ham's Premier League win on October 24. West Ham have been fined
£40,000 and Chelsea £50,000, while both clubs have also been severely warned
about their future conduct. The punishments draw a line under the fallout
from Chelsea's 2-1 defeat at the Boleyn, where Jose Mourinho and his
assistant Silvino Louro were sent to the stands. Mourinho has since served a
one-match stadium ban for his half-time altercation with referee Jon Moss,
while Louro's improper conduct charge was downgraded to a warning.

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Dimitri Payet vows to come back stronger after injury setback
Last Updated: 10/11/15 4:54pm
SSN

West Ham midfielder Dimitri Payet has vowed to come back stronger than ever
following his injury setback. Payet, whose five goals have played a major
part in West Ham's impressive start to the season, faces three months on the
sidelines with an ankle injury he suffered against Everton on Saturday. The
France international took to his Instagram account to give an update on his
recovery, accompanied by footage of the tackle from James McCarthy that
caused the damage. He wrote: "Hey guys just a little feedback. Just wanted
to say that I'm recovering. I'm gonna work even harder and I will be back
stronger. See you soon Hammers." The 28-year-old Frenchman joined West Ham
from Marseille during the summer and has arguably been one of the most
influential players on Slaven Bilic's team so far this season. West Ham's
impressive start to the season has seen them pick up wins away against
Arsenal, Man City and Liverpool, and at home to Chelsea, placing them sixth
in the table, level on points with fifth-placed Tottenham, who they face
after the international break at White Hart Lane. Ecuador forward Enner
Valencia was also injured at the weekend against and will see a specialist
next week to determine the extent of his ankle problem. Hammers co-owner
David Sullivan was not impressed by some of Everton's challenges during the
1-1 draw at Upton Park. Speaking to the club's website, he said: "I thought
some of the tackling by Everton was strong and I was amazed it took so long
for them to get a yellow card. "We've ended up with two badly injured
players. Some weeks, challenges like that on Payet would have been a red
card, and his injury changed the game for us." West Ham begin their spell
without Payet at Tottenham on November 22, live on Sky Sports.

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West Ham duo should be in Roy Hodgson's England squad says Mark Noble
08:20, 10 NOV 2015 UPDATED 08:22, 10 NOV 2015
BY ADRIAN KAJUMBA
Slaven Bilic's Hammers have enjoyed a good start to the season and according
to the club captain, their defensive duo should be up for Three Lions
honours
The Mirror

Aaron Cresswell and James Tomkins should be in the latest England squad,
according to West Ham skipper Mark Noble. Noble is surprised the Hammers
defensive duo didn't get selected for the upcoming friendlies against Spain
and France. Left-back Cresswell and centre-back Tomkins missed out despite
playing their part in West Ham's impressive start to the season and Roy
Hodgson admitting he is keeping an eye on the Three Lions contenders in
Slaven Bilic's squad. Uncapped midfielder Noble, no stranger to being
overlooked by England himself, said: "I have been surprised Cresswell hasn't
been in the England squad since I have been here. "Cress and Tomks actually,
they have both been great. "You see Tomks' last few performances especially
against Chelsea and Everton, against top, top players have both been really
good. "We are fifth in the table so we cant be doing much wrong just
hopefully they get a shout soon. "It's not my decision, Roy Hodgson and his
staff have got their players that they want involved and that's it. "It's
for the boys to break into that team. I have got no doubt in the quality
they have got and hopefully they will do soon."

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Here's the way Slav may go without Dimi
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 10, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

Ok, it's time to start looking for the upside and simply accept the man will
be missing for a while. Slav is about to start earning his money as Dimi
Payet heads for a hospital ward reminding us all again what a cruel master
this game we love can be. It has also shown how it can provide incredible
opportunities to players who at one stage may have felt their Hammers dreams
had faded and died – step forward Mauro Zarate – a player who this time last
year was heading for the big freeze! And another who has been placed in the
'fridge so far this season – Michail Antonio – could find himself right in
the first team frame. In fact, it's fair to say something will be seriously
up if he's not! 'Manu' Lanzini has been operating down the right side and
has look a quite superb player all season. He is capable of holding down
Dimi's midfield job for a few weeks with Zarate and Moses doing the wide boy
jobs.
With Alex Song back and producing bite and creation I am flying on the face
of those prophets of doom who are claiming our season is all but over.
I'm not trying to diminish the loss of Payet – we are all going to miss
watching the classiest player to arrive for years but everything is far from
lost and I am going to be very interested indeed to see how Zarate and
Antonio respond . Interesting times ahead and wasn't it great to get such a
positive message from Payeti earlier on Instagram. He represents the best
£10 million we've spent in many years!

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Majority believe McCarthy was out to get Payet
Posted by Sean Whetstone on November 9, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

David Sullivan jnr, son of the West Ham chairman is running a social media
poll aimed at discovering whether Everton's James McCarthy was going for
the ball or out to deliberately hurt Dimtri Payet. Dave tweeted "Very dirty
tackle in my opinion. Was he going in for the ball or purely to hurt Payet
?" With over 3,000 votes cast already 73% believe he was out to hurt Payet
while only 27% believe he attempted to go for the ball. Brother Jack
Sullivan tweeted this evening "We will miss Payet but the strength and depth
of the squad is really good this year!!" adding "I'm not being funny but
Everton fans saying he won the ball! He went through the man! Red card all
day long" He later tweeted the player himself saying "Cheers Mate" with a
thumbs up icon.
Unsurprisingly a poll of Everton fans by the Liverpool Echo saw it the other
way. The Echo asked "Was James McCarthy's tackle (in which he won the ball)
on Dimitri Payet really that bad? NB – This isn't a biased poll, honest."

21% selected the button YES IT WAS AND THE WEST HAM WHINERS ARE RIGHT
79% selected the button NO IT WAS FULL-BLOODED AND DESERVED A BOOKING BUT
THAT'S ALL

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West Ham donate football kit to Kenya
Posted by Sean Whetstone on November 9, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

Some happy Hammers in Wamba, Kenya thanks to Kit donated by the club through
Kit Aid. The kits were sent from the West Ham kit manager following a letter
from Kit Aid Patron, Graham Taylor.
KitAid is a charity that recycles once loved football kit and distributes to
under privileged children and adults in some of the World's poorest
countries. Over 300,000 kits have been donated since 1998.

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Dean Ashton's injury still haunts us
Posted by Sean Whetstone on November 9, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

The sad news of Dimtri Payet's left ankle ligament injury has brought back
haunting memories of former Hammer Dean Ashton. A tackle by Shaun
Wright-Phillips in 2006 during a training session with England ahead of
Steve McClaren's first game in charge damaged Ashton's left medial ankle
ligaments. It would be a year before he would play for West Ham again. He
fought his way back but within three months of returning he broke down again
and played his last game. It was another 14 frustrating months of
rehabilitation before Ashton was finally ready to call it a day at the age
26. In 2011 West Ham sought compensation for Ashton, prepared a writ against
the FA for £10.5m. In 2013 Ashton started his own claim for work injury
compensation for loss of future earnings following his 2006 injury while
playing for England. Payet is already 28 year old but let's all hope he
makes a full and speedy recovery but we have seen so many promising West
Ham players who are never the same after a serious injury and operation.

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Hard to forget McCarthy's Irons 'previous'
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 10, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

It's hard not to agree with a majority of people inside the club that James
McCarthy targeted Dimi Payet on Saturday. Indeed the one who put his head
over the parapet publicly – not surprisingly -was David Sullivan jnr who
tells it as it is and even ran a poll on social media posing that very
question. He tweeted: " Very dirty tackle in my opinion. Was he going in for
the ball or purely to hurt Payet ?"
As we reported last night with over 3,000 votes cast already 73% believe he
was out to hurt Payet while only 27% believe he attempted to go for the
ball. It seems unbelievable, looking at the video replay the horror scissor
tackle, that the player stayed on the pitch and there remains the strongest
possible feeling amongst West Ham officials that McCarthy targeted Payet.
The midfielder has a history of dangerous tackles on their players and last
season he was involved in a brawl with Morgan Amalfitano who had been
crunched by the Everton hard man
After the match West Ham captain Mark Noble said he thought it should have
been a red card and manager Slaven Bilic added: 'I didn't see it but I was
told it should have been red."
And this morning a source told ClaretandHugh: "There's a real sense of
injustice among people inside the club – there's previous and that is hard
to forget."

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Midfielder returns at long last
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 10, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

Alex Song is due to make his first appearance in a Hammers short since last
season when he steps out for a behind-closed-doors match against Charlton
tomorrow. The midfielder has been training with the first team for the last
week and the get fit match has been planned to put an edge on the player
ahead ahead of the next game at White Hart Lane. After having a piece of
bone removed from his ankle Song's recovery programme is bang on course with
insiders having revealed to ClaretandHugh several weeks ago that November
was the most likely month for his return. Manager Slaven Bilic revealed:
'It's just a matter of fitness and match fitness. His first game for us
after a long period is going to be a friendly on Wednesday – he is naturally
fit guy." Song will be hoping to make the squad for the match at Spurs and
beyond as he bids to show that he's worth a permanent contract at the end of
the season.

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West Ham transfer report: Slaven Bilic plots fresh move for Galatasaray star
in January
By talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) | Tuesday, November 10, 2015

West Ham are set to return with an improved offer for Galatasaray striker
Burak Yilmaz. Slaven Bilic tried to sign the Turkish international in the
summer but the Hammers had a £3.5m bid rejected. However, according to
Takvim, West Ham will come back with an improved offer in January as they
try to bolster their attacking options. Yilmaz, who has scored five times
this season, is under contract with Galatasaray until 2019. The 30-year-old
is reportedly keen to test himself in one of Europe's elite leagues and
Galatasaray may want to cash in on him before his contract expires.

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Three ways Slaven Bilic can solve Dimitri Payet's absence at West Ham
London 24
12:45 10 November 2015
Brad Pinard

The news yesterday surrounding Dimitri Payet's three month injury lay off is
a huge blow for West Ham. 4 The summer signing has been in superb form since
arriving for around £12million from Marseille but was scythed down by
Everton's James McCarthy on Saturday and suffered serious ankle damage. The
issue for Slaven Bilic is how they replace Payet, with Enner Valencia also
out, and as far as we are concerned there are three obvious options.
Lanzini in the middle and new signing to get his chance Manuel Lanzini has
been sensational this season for West Ham and Payet's form is probably the
only one better than him in the Hammers side. The loanee has been operating
from the right hand side mainly under Bilic but bringing him into the
middle, which he has done at times, to replace Payet could be the best
alternative. Of course that leaves a winger down, but new signing Michail
Antonio surely deserves his chance? The deadline day addition is yet to
start for the club and his sensational form at the start of the season for
Nottingham Forest has almost been forgotten. Mauro Zarate to get a run of
games An unfortunate spell on the bench for Zarate is purely to do with the
form of Lanzini and Payet. Last season Zarate started the season well for
West Ham under Sam Allardyce before falling away rapidly, falling out with
Big Sam and spending an unsuccessful spell with QPR on loan. Now back at
Upton Park, the Argentinean has impressed. From Europa League to Premier
League, Zarate is a real handful and as he showed against Chelsea recently,
has an eye for a crucial goal. Lanzini, Zarate and Moses as the three behind
the striker could work well for West Ham. Alex Song's added bite to midfield
The forgotten man Alex Song. Summer loan signing from Barcelona for the
second successive year, Song plays for the Hammers in a friendly against
Charlton on Wednesday and will be desperate to get those minutes under his
belt after a long-term injury. With Mark Noble and Cheikhou Kouyate
certainties to start, Song could join them in a three and one or two could
bomb forward to support the three attackers. This changes the formation
slightly, but is more defensive and so could work in certain games,
including the next one, Spurs away.

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Dimitri Payet promises West Ham United fans he'll come back stronger from
injury
HITC
John Verrall

Dimitri Payet picked up an injury in West Ham United's match against Everton
at the weekend. Dimitri Payet says that he will work harder then ever to
come back, after picking up an injury during West Ham United's match against
Everton at the weekend. Payet could miss up to three months' worth of
action, according to BBC Sport, after a bad tackle from James McCarthy
damaged his ankle. It is a bitter blow for the Hammers, as Payet has been so
influential over the early part of the season, but the former Marseille man
has vowed to come back stronger. "Hey guys just a little feedback just
wanted to say that I'm recovering," he wrote on Instagram. "I'm gonna work
even harder and I will be back stronger. See you soon Hammers."

Payet has made a huge impact at Upton Park since arriving in the summer, and
he has emerged as one of the finest talents in the Premier League. Payet's
combination of power and craft has made him a very exciting player to watch,
and he is crucial to West Ham's attacking style of play. Without the
playmaking midfielder, the Hammers' squad appears to be considerably
weakened, and Slaven Bilic will be eager to have the Frenchman back at his
disposal as quickly as possible. Payet's brilliant form has helped West Ham
to climb into sixth place in the Premier League table, and they will be
hoping to continue their positive run of results in his absence.

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All Whites coach Anthony Hudson defends call to leave out Reid and Smeltz
Anthony Hudson opted not to pick Winston Reid for the Oman match despite the
All Whites skipper turning out for West Ham on Sunday.
ROSS GIBLIN/DOMINION POST
stuff.co.nz

New Zealand coach Anthony Hudson has come out on the front foot over his
decision not to select senior duo Winston Reid and Shane Smeltz for Friday's
international friendly against Oman in Muscat. Skipper Reid was left out of
the squad despite making his return for West Ham on Sunday after four weeks
out with a hip injury, while Smeltz withdrew on Tuesday having picked up a
groin problem. The decision comes with the All Whites having not tasted
victory in 11 international matches and in Reid's case just days after he
reaffirmed his commitment to the national team's programme. But the coach is
adamant he is making the right call as he looks get the team prepared for
next year's OFC Nations Cup. "This is common sense," Hudson said. "Winston
would've played 90 minutes (for West Ham). Now for the following days after
that he will be on the treatment table. "Let's throw in there he's had
numerous amounts of injections in his hip... with a player that historically
has many, many injuries every season that don't just affect us they affect
his club. "To put him on an aeroplane straight after playing his first 90
minutes for four weeks is a huge risk, a huge gamble and potentially he
doesn't even play in our game." Smeltz suffered his injury in Sydney FC's
goalless draw with the Brisbane Roar last Friday but could return as soon as
Saturday's clash against the Melbourne Victory. Under Fifa rules, when a
player withdraws from an international team the national body can enforce a
stand down period to stop him from turning out for his club. However, Hudson
said it would be "crazy" to apply that to Smeltz in this instance. If
Friday's clash was a World Cup qualifier Hudson admitted both Reid and
Smeltz would most likely be in the squad. But he added: "We don't have a
huge squad of players and it's important that we make sure we do the right
thing... in spite of the fact the media and the footballing public want to
see these players playing - I understand, we want it too. "I'm very, very
confident that in this situation I've made a good decision based upon the
best interests of us, making sure we're ready [to qualify] for the
Confederations Cup." The All Whites are also without goalkeeper Glen Moss
and defender Tommy Smith due to personal reasons and Hudson is under no
illusions of just what his team is up against in the Middle East. Already on
limited preparation time, the coach will not have his full selection of
players in Muscat until Wednesday while the temperature on matchday is
expected to be about 35degC. They also come up against a tough Oman side,
unbeaten in five Asian World Cup qualifiers. Not that Hudson was making
excuses for his inexperienced outfit. "We've got our backs against the wall,
which is a good thing," he added. "We want a big performance, a strong
performance and of course we want to win every game we go into."

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West Ham rule out Andy Carroll transfer unless huge offer is made
JAMES OLLEY 1 hour ago0 comments
Evening Standard

West Ham have ruled out selling Andy Carroll back to Newcastle unless they
receive a huge offer for the 26-year-old. The striker has started just 26
Premier League games in an injury-ravaged spell since making his loan move
from Liverpool permanent in June 2013. Caroll moved to Upton Park for £15
million and Standard Sport understands Newcastle would need to make an offer
well in excess of that figure for the club's hierarchy to even consider a
sale. Newcastle boss Steve McClaren is believed to be planning a January
move for Carroll with the aim of making the powerful frontman a talismanic
figure for his hometown club. However, Slaven Bilic is believed to see
Carroll as a central part of his future plans and in his Evening Standard
column, the West Ham boss praised the threat he poses as unique among
English strikers. He said: "Some things Andy can give you, I don't know
which other English striker has them. He is almost impossible to mark in the
box but he can also link-up play. He thinks about the game a lot. "In terms
of his physicality, he reminds me a lot of Duncan Ferguson. I never played
against him but I used to be a centre-back and you would look at him and
think all you could do was limit his service." Carroll is, however, keen to
guarantee first-team football now he is fit and available with a place in
England's squad for Euro 2016 a clear target. He was left out of the squad
to face Spain on Friday and France next Tuesday.

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West Ham the biggest project of their kind in Europe and will change the
face of London, says Mayor Boris Johnson
HITC
Damien Lucas

Boris Johnson says West Ham United are the biggest project of their kind in
Europe and will change the face of London when they move to the Olympic
Stadium. The Mayor has hit back at critics of the Hammers' move to the
54,000 seater arena in Stratford insisting the decision to hand the keys to
the East Londoners was one the biggest and best of his tenure in office.
And in a clear nod to West Ham's fierce rivals and main objectors to the
move Tottenham Hotspur, Johnson insists the Hammers were the only ones
interested in preserving the Olympic Legacy.
'West Ham fans are part of something that will change the face of London'
Speaking to the club's official website at a special event to mark 10 years
since London was awarded the 2012 Games, Johnson warned Europe's elite that
West Ham are set for big things. "This is just the beginning," Johnson told
whufc.com. "I think people will look back, everyone involved with West Ham,
everyone who supports West Ham, I think they will be very proud, actually,
that they are part of something that is the biggest economic social
regeneration project anywhere in Europe.
"I think West Ham fans are part of something that is going to change the
face of London, bring the two halves of London closer together. "The East
and West of London are converging in a way that we haven't seen for hundreds
of years maybe."

A turbulent journey of justification

Fears that the huge stadium would turn into an expensive white elephant once
the dust had settled on the London 2012 Olympics were seemingly allayed when
the Premier League side were handed the keys to the iconic ground as anchor
tenants in 2013. But legal challenges to have the decision thrown out from
the likes of Spurs and fellow East Londoners Leyton Orient marred the
process and saw the Hammers' legitimacy to take over the running of the
stadium called into question. The club has continuously been forced to
defend the deal, firstly moving to quash suggestions it contravened domestic
or European legislation and does not constitute state aid. Then more
recently despite arguing it could be damaging to their bargaining position
to drive the best possible contracts from suppliers and service providers,
the Hammers had to accept the publication of the full financial details of
the deal, as reported by Sky Sports. The relatively small amount of money
the Hammers will have to pay towards conversion costs to make it a suitable
all-seater arena for football has also received negative publicity.

'The only way was the West Ham way'

But Johnson went on to defend the transformation - which has been headed up
by West Ham's owners David Sullivan and David Gold and the chief executive
Karren Brady - saying it was the only viable way forward for the stadium. He
added: "The biggest decision I had to make when I became Mayor was what are
we going to do about this stadium, because if you remember the plan was to
have an athletics Stadium, take down the top tiers and have a 25,000-seater
bowl, which basically would have been a dust bowl for most of the year,
because not enough people go to watch athletics. "Or to knock it down
completely, which would have been a complete waste of about £400million or
to spend some more money, £272million to be exact, on the biggest
cantilevered roof anywhere in the world and to turn it into a truly world
class stadium." The Mayor's staunch defence of West Ham's Olympic Stadium
deal will come as a welcome boost to supporters who have barely had the
chance to enjoy the prospect of next summer's historical move. Perhaps now
those fans can start to dream of a very bright future in their new home.

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West Ham furious at James McCarthy after scissor tackle on Dimitri Payet and
believe Everton midfielder targeted their player
James McCarthy was booked for a scissor tackle on Dimitri Payet
Last season, McCarthy was booked for poor tackle on Morgan Amalfitano
Payet has been ruled out for three months and West Ham are furious
Hammers believe McCarthy targeted Payet in Saturday's 1-1 draw
By SAM CUNNINGHAM FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 10:44, 10 November 2015 | UPDATED: 10:47, 10 November 2015

West Ham are furious that James McCarthy escaped with only a yellow card for
the challenge which has ruled Dimitri Payet out for three months. The
Everton midfielder was not sent off for a horror scissor tackle on the West
Ham forward in Saturday's 1-1 draw. It is understood that there is a feeling
amongst West Ham officials that McCarthy targeted Payet in the match and
that he has a history of dangerous tackles on their players. Last season, in
Everton's 2-1 win, referee Mark Clattenburg had to break up a brawl after
McCarthy crunched Morgan Amalfitano and was again only given a yellow card.
The challenge on Payet brought McCarthy's fourth booking of the season and
he will be suspended for one match should he receive another by the end of
December, which will include eight matches. After the match West Ham captain
Mark Noble said he thought it should have been a red card and manager Slaven
Bilic added: 'I didn't see it but I was told it should have been red.'I saw
it was a foul from behind and they made a few of them. We had our player
injured and we don't know how bad it is, but it was bad enough for him not
to finish the game. 'It is a big blow for us. Payet is our main player with
the ball and I am not happy with the injury.' Payet has been an integral
part of West Ham's unexpected start to the season which has seen them beat
Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal and left them sixth in the
table. The Frenchman has scored five goals in 14 appearances since his
£10.7million move from Marseille in the summer.

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No way West Ham would let Andy Carroll leave after nursing him back to
fitness, ex-Hammer says amid Newcastle return rumours
By talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) | Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Former West Ham striker John Hartson has mooted rumours that Andy Carroll
could be set for a return to Newcastle United in January, saying there is no
way the Hammers would allow their record signing to leave after nursing him
back to full fitness. Carroll arrived at Upton Park in 2013 in a club record
£15million move from Liverpool, but his West Ham career has been ravaged by
ongoing injury troubles. The 26-year-old is no longer first choice upfront
following his extended spells on the sidelines, though he did come off the
bench to score the winner against Chelsea last month. And his hometown club
– who sold him to Liverpool for £35m in 2011 – are reportedly hoping to
persuade the towering frontman to return and aid their relegation battle.
But ex-Wales and Irons frontman Hartson has told talkSPORT he would be very
surprised if manager Slaven Bilic allows Carroll to leave after the money
and resources spent on bringing the striker back into first-team contention.
Speaking on the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast, he said: "West Ham paid big
money for Andy Carroll and they've nursed him back to fitness - they've been
patient with him. "Bilic has told me that he can't get him off the training
ground, he's enthusiastic and is desperate to play games. "When you've been
out for so long it's such an added bonus when you're back playing an feeling
fit and you can train every day. "So I would be really surprised if that
happened. "Newcastle are in trouble, but I would have thought West Ham would
want to keep hold of him."

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COMING OUT TO PLAY
By Iain Dale 10 Nov 2015 at 08:00
WTID
Guest Post by Terence Bates

Two weeks back the tabloids ran front page news that two gay premiership
players were going to out themselves as gay. The net result was nobody did
come out other than Luke Shaw to strongly deny it was him.

Ok so none of this should matter… But it clearly does as Luke Shaw has shown
in having to come out to deny it is him. No one from football is coming out
to play.

In the last week Elton John, the musician and life long Watford football fan
was sent a message from Vladimir Putin apologising for a recent prank/hoax
call from somebody purporting to be the Russian President. If reports are to
be considered true, then Putin is a fan of Elton Johns music and considering
Elton is due to play a concert in Moscow he may be wanting to meet the
performer. Paradoxical/ironic as that may seem, Elton John is hoping to meet
with Putin to discuss the situation over gay rights in Russia, where Russia
has taken giant steps backwards.

Now forgive my anecdotal time travel tangent, but I am going to recall an
element of my youth, which was not only last century, but a long time ago
when disco was booming and the cost of a pint of beer was about 20p and
every one could afford to go and watch West Ham play and more importantly we
actually won something called the FA Cup.

I had a mate at school called Mark, we shared common interest's including
soul music and indeed football. As we evolved into teenagers we hung out at
clubs and somewhere along the way we inexplicably went different ways and
directions. Mark from my distant memories was a really cool good looking
guy, a snappy dresser who loved music, loved life, loved football… we often
kicked a football together, he also had a passion for motocross.

A couple of years after leaving school Mark had an accident on his motor
bike when competing, but true to form he simply dusted himself off after he
had flew over the handlebars. He eventually went home laughing about his
somersault off the bike. It wasn't that he was macho, but he was quite
stoic, unfussy and saw through life with a smile and a joke.

That night Mark collapsed and died from internal bleeding, he was 19.

I can remember the disbelief at this, despite not having seen him for almost
a year. And then it came out that he was gay and the talk was all about the
nightclubs that he frequented in London's West End and his lifestyle. More
people seemed shocked at this than his untimely and sad death. I know I was,
but partly because I had no idea of his sexuality. I still now often think
about him he was truly a great guy. I don't/didn't care about his sexuality…
I wish I could have told him that.

Like many gay men at that time, he probably kept his sexuality and feelings
secret for fear of prejudice and violent assault. It was after all the 1970s
and despite new legislation that had been brought in, growing up in the East
End was difficult enough without having to think about one's sexuality and
walking in fear of the 'Queer bashers'.

This was of course nearly 40 years ago. You would like to think that things
have moved on. Well of course they have in most walks of life. But in
football we are still in some ways stuck in the dark ages. At a game at
Upton Park a few seasons back I can remember the Brighton fans being
barracked about which part of their anatomy they were taking it in, this
with an obvious stereotypical reference to the large gay community that
lives in Brighton. I cringed, it wasn't funny, yet so many people thought it
was a laugh. And there lies the problem within football, anything gay is
there as game to poke fun at or even throw abuse.

Should a footballer playing in the premier league admit to being gay, then
he would get all manner of jibes and abuse aimed at him, it's the same mould
in the way black players in the 70's would have monkey chants or bananas
chucked at them. There is no difference in my view.

Of course there are gay players in the premier league, why on earth should
it make the front pages of the tabloids? Why should we care? But many do
care, including notably the press.

Justin Fashanu is the only top flight player to have been outed, but not
through his choice but through the tabloids pressure and this was 30 years
ago. At the time his footballing Brother John initially disowned him. The
tragedy of Justin Fashanu ultimately ended in his hanging himself in a
deserted warehouse in Shoreditch, this after an accusation made against him
in America. Justin Fashanu actually played two games for West Ham, such was
the chaos of his life he registered with no fewer than 22 clubs. Brian
Clough cast him aside at Nottingham forest, because of his sexuality calling
him a 'poof'. It is also worth mentioning that Justin Fashanu was considered
a very talented footballer way more than his brother John.

Leaving aside the salacious side to his story, you are left with a guy
deeply troubled and almost ashamed by his sexuality. It is and was truly
tragic.

Now supposedly the only openly gay footballer in England is Liam Davis of
wait for it …. The mighty Gainsborough Trinity. Such is the medias obsession
on finding a gay footballer in the UK they have had to prise out one from a
team that sounds like a Sunday Church team. And in doing so they have
managed to get Davis to admit that two Premier League players will come out
before the start of the 2016/2017 season… hmm perhaps he was paid well for
his story. Needless to say everyone is waiting for our 'Robbie Rogers' to
reveal himself.

And so to the current West Ham, who could be gay? I've mentioned Justin
Fashanu but he can hardly be called a West ham player after just two games.
Who do have we hiding in the pathetically proverbial closet? Well we have
already had one player come out, but he waited until his career was over and
that of course was Thomas Hitzlsperger who played briefly for the Hammers in
the relegation season of 2011/2012. He was a useful player with a wicked
'hammer' shot, but in later seasons suffered injury wise.

So what would the reaction amongst West Ham fans be if say Dimitri Payet
announced he was gay or indeed the latest crowd favourite Manuel Lanzini? It
so obviously should not matter, but to many it clearly does.

One of the other factors we do not consider is how the gay community are put
off of sports like football because of the largely ignorant attitude of male
heterosexual footballer fans. Of course I am not saying all fans are like
this, but from where I stand I would say many are. And yet the gay community
are full of ingenuity, economic savviness and industriousness something we
crave to see in football. It's our loss.

In the same way that Black and Asian people originally did not attend
football games or were put off from them in the 1960's/70's (and yes even
1980s) because of racism and the presence of groups like the National Front,
the gay community, are I figure turned off participating and watching of
sports like football because of the homophobic attitudes of just about
everything to do with the game. If we change this then there is a potential
to increase the interest in the game, in the same way more of the
Black/Asian community are now involved and more women are interested in
football. This can only be good for the sport. We need to get over all our
prejudices.

The view of those fans with these attitudes and who may cite that gay people
aren't into football because it's too macho blah blah blah is shot to pieces
by the likes of Sir Elton John and indeed Thomas Hitzlsperger, but more
fittingly for me, by the like of the friend I lost all those years back and
of whom I can still remember placing the jumpers down for the goal posts and
punching the air after he flicked the ball up and volleyed and scored an
unstoppable shot… I so wish he could come out to play.

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Why signing Keisuke Honda now makes sense in light of Payet's injury
HITC
Tom Thorogood

West Ham United have been linked with a move for AC Milan's Keisuke Honda.
As confirmed by the club's official website, West Ham United star Dimitri
Payet is set for a three month injury layoff after being on the receiving
end of a crude tackle from Everton's James McCarthy. Payet has been an utter
revelation for the Hammers this season, scoring five goals and adding a
further three assists in 12 Premier League starts since joining the club
from Marseille last summer. West Ham's tactics seemingly get the best out of
the Frenchman, and boss Slaven Bilic faces a dilemma as while Michail
Antonio is in reserve, he remains untested at the top level. However, with
the January transfer window not too far away, there is the option of adding
to his ranks. According to a report in The Sun two weeks ago, West Ham were
considering a move for AC Milan playmaker Keisuke Honda with a fee in the
region of £5 million already being cited. The thought of bringing in the
Japan international before Payet suffered his injury didn't really cross the
minds of supporters considering they play in very similar roles. Honda has
barely featured for Milan this season, and with speculation circling that
he's looking for a San Siro exit questions have to be asked of his current
mind frame and motivation to succeed.
The former CSKA man has an abundance of ability, and at 29 he is reaching
his so-called peak years. In light of Payet's injury, assuming Croatian boss
Bilic could get the best out of him then acquiring Honda during the January
transfer window would now make plenty of sense. West Ham need an attacking
midfielder, and one who is handy at dead-ball situations. Honda ultimately
ticks both boxes and every time he sits out of Milan's line-up his potential
value decreases.

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Dean Ashton reacts on Twitter to Dimitri Payet injury blow
HITC
Subhankar Mondal

West Ham United star Dimitri Payet suffered a serious injury during the
Premier League game against Everton on Saturday. Dean Ashton has taken to
social networking site Twitter to give his reaction to the news that Dimitri
Payet could miss all action for the next three months. The 28-year-old
attacking midfielder suffered an ankle injury during the Premier League game
against Everton at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday afternoon. The France
international, who joined the Hammers from Ligue 1 outfit Marseille in the
summer transfer window, picked up the injury to his left ankle after a
challenge from midfielder James McCarthy. Payet tried to shake it off but he
had to be substituted in the 50th minute, as the game in London ended in a
1-1 draw. Former West Ham striker Ashton has taken to Twitter to express his
disappointment at the Frenchman's injury. The former England international,
though, believes that Hammers' fans should remain optimistic because of a
good squad. Payet has been one of the best players in the Premier League so
far this season, and has scored five goals and created 46 chances in 12
league matches. The former Lille attacker has a pass accuracy of 82% and a
shot accuracy of 65%, and has won one header, 28 dribbles and seven tackles.
West Ham are sixth in the Premier League table at the moment with 21 points
from 12 games, just three points behind fourth-place Manchester United.

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West Ham fuming as Dimitri Payet is out until FEBRUARY after Everton star's
scissor tackle
22:30, 9 NOV 2015 UPDATED 23:20, 9 NOV 2015
BY ADRIAN KAJUMBA
The playmaker's ankle is understood to be so swollen following crunching
James McCarthy challenge he can't have surgery for another 10 days
The Mirror

West Ham are furious after discovering new hero Dimitri Payet is to miss the
next THREE months. Playmaker Payet was forced off with an ankle injury in
Saturday's 1-1 draw against Everton after an ugly scissor-tackle challenge
by James McCarthy. He hobbled on following the first-half incident, but
eventually had to be substituted in the 50th minute. Payet had a scan on
Sunday which revealed he will need an operation and that West Ham are set to
be without him until February. But the swelling is understood to be so bad
that the 28-year-old can't go under the knife for another 10 days.
Mirror Sport understands club sources privately feel Payet may have been
deliberately targeted by Everton. He continued his sensational start to his
West Ham career against the Toffees, until his involvement in the game was
cut short by McCarthy's challenge. West Ham captain Mark Noble claimed
McCarthy deserved a red card for the tackle. Payet's absence will be a huge
blow to the Hammers. He has quickly established himself as their main man
following his £10.7m summer move from Marseille, scoring five goals and
adding three assists to stand as the Premier League's second most creative
player behind Arsenal's Mesut Ozil.

Striker Enner Valencia, who also picked up an ankle injury against Everton
after replacing Payet, will be assessed by a specialist at the start of next
week. Asked about the challenge on Payet, Hammers manager Slaven Bilic told
Sky Sports: "I didn't see it, but I was told it should have been red. "I saw
it was a foul from behind — and they made a few of them. We had our player
injured and we don't know how bad it is, but it was bad enough for him not
to finish the game. "It is a big blow for us. Payet is our main player with
the ball and I am not happy with the injury. "Enner did really well when he
came on and we looked dangerous but then he got injured. Those are the only
things I am not happy about." Noble added: "I like tackling, but from where
I was it looked like a red card. "Ginge (James Collins) got a straight red
last week for a similar sort of tackle against Watford — probably not as
dangerous."

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Newcastle plot Andy Carroll transfer home after West Ham striker's 2
injury-ravaged years in London
22:30, 9 NOV 2015
BY DARREN LEWIS
Geordie frontman sold to Liverpool for £35million in January 2011 is not a
first-choice at the Hammers and is wanted back at St James' Park
The Mirror

Newcastle manager Steve McClaren is ready to launch a January move for Andy
Carroll. The popular West Ham striker is not first choice at Upton Park and
McClaren wants him back at St James' Park to spearhead the Magpies' climb up
the table. Carroll, 26, was sold by Newcastle to Liverpool for £35million in
January 2011 and then on to West Ham for £15million two years later. The
luckless frontman has had two injury-ravaged years in east London but
remains hugely popular and continues to be a valued member of the squad. He
came off the bench last month to head the dramatic late winner in the game
against Chelsea. He was left out of the current England squad, but openly
admits he is targeting a return. Newcastle snatched only their second
Premier League win of the season on Saturday with victory at Bournemouth.
They currently sit 17th, two points off the bottom three.

West Ham are keen to keep Carroll to ensure they are well stocked for
strikers going into the second half of the season. They want to prevent a
repeat of last term, when a lack of depth up front wrecked their hopes of
finishing in the top half of the table. Slaven Bilic's side were held at the
weekend in a 1-1 draw with Everton but remain sixth in the table.

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West Ham chief hits out at Everton's tackling after Payet and Valencia
injuries
06:15 10 November 2015
London 24
Pete Evans

David Sullivan was 'amazed' it took Everton 34 minutes to collect a booking
on Saturday and felt James McCarthy could have been sent off for his tackle
on West Ham's Dimitri Payet The Hammers chief is currently digesting the
news that his star summer signing will be sidelined for up to three months
following a tackle from Everton's midfielder in the 1-1 draw. Payet, who has
adapted so well to life at Upton Park, was replaced by Enner Valencia who
then also suffered an injury. Referee Paul Tierney handed Everton just two
yellow cards and writing in his official website column Sullivan said he
wasn't happy with how often the official brandished his cards. "I thought
some of the tackling by Everton was strong and I was amazed it took so long
for them to get a yellow card," he said. "We've ended up with two badly
injured players. Some weeks the challenge on Payet would have been a red
card and his injury changed the game for us."

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