Daily WHUFC News - 12th November 2015

Hammers at War
WHUFC.com

West Ham United's Club Historian John Helliar looks back at how the Second
World War affected the Hammers...

Today is 11 November, Armistice Day – a day when the people of Britain pay
tribute to those who made the supreme sacrifice in conflicts around the
world.

On 3 September 1939, Great Britain and France declared war on Nazi Germany
following Adolf Hitler's invasion of Poland. This and subsequent events over
the next seven years led to an upheaval in World events that had not been
seen since the last great conflict of 1914-18, which had been 'a war to end
all wars' – in the words of the politicians. Nothing could have been further
from the truth. Football would quickly pale into insignificance next to the
atrocities that would follow.

Preparations for the 1939/40 Football League season had begun in an unreal
atmosphere of what became known as the 'phoney war', as the dark clouds of
war loomed once more over Europe.

West Ham United had kicked-off their campaign in the Second Division on 26
August with a 3-1 away win at Plymouth Argyle, which had been followed up
two days later with a 2-1 home win over Fulham. On 2 September, the Hammers
had suffered a loss by two goals to nil at home to Leicester City. Within 24
hours all thoughts of sporting activity had been put aside as war was
declared.

In 1914 the Football League programme had continued until the end of the
following April, before being replaced by regional war-time competitions for
the next four seasons. However, in 1939, there were a different set of
circumstances prevailing, with fears of immediate mass air-raids.

The Government introduced measures to restrict large gatherings of crowds at
cinemas, football grounds and other outdoor venues. Thus, the League season
was abandoned after just three games and those matches were deleted from the
official records.

In his book At home with the Hammers, future manager Ted Fenton, who was one
of the star players at Upton Park at the outbreak of war wrote: "In 1939, we
really and sincerely thought we were going to do it (be promoted). We had
the balance, the power and the experience necessary. We saw it as our season
of fulfilment".

The dreams of Fenton and his team-mates – like many other footballers of
that era – were shattered and left unrealised – as by the time League
football resumed in England, many players had seen their careers ended by
the seven-year suspension.

That being said, the War had also provided little opportunity for younger
players to obtain the requisite experience to be themselves ready for the
1946 return of soccer. By then, many stars would appear no more, overtaken
by age and tiring muscles, while others had been tragically killed on
military service.

Eventually, the restrictions were relaxed and, after a short period of
friendly matches in the autumn of 1939, organised football began again on a
regionalised format.

The Government had realised that sport was one way of taking people's minds
off of the conflict which was now engulfing not only Europe but the most of
the world.

West Ham were grouped with teams in the south of England which covered an
area from Norwich City in the north through all the London teams down to
Portsmouth and Southampton on the south coast.

As the FA Cup had also been suspended, knockout football was initially also
run along regionalised lines in the early rounds. The Football League War
Cup competition was introduced, with local winners in different areas then
meeting up in the later rounds.

A pressing concern for all clubs was the potential disruption that
conscription – players being 'called-up' into the Armed Forces – would
cause.

Before war had actually been declared, the Hammers squad had volunteered for
service with the Reserve Police – Charlie Bicknell, the captain at 34
years-of-age being an example – while others joined the Territorials in the
Army and were drafted into the Essex Regiment and spent much of the war
based in East Anglia and London on searchlight sites.

Others, such as Fenton, were stationed at the Aldershot barracks, and Archie
Macauley – who played for Scotland – found themselves in the Army as PT
Instructors because of their physical fitness.

Charlie Walker was one who did not return to Upton Park until the start of
the 1945/46 season, having spent a long spell in the Far East in the RAF.

Soon Charlie Paynter, the manager, found that his players were scattered
around the country as they made their contribution to the war effort. With
many of his regulars unavailable, Paynter – like most other managers at
clubs around the country – was forced to spend his time negotiating with
commanding officers for the release of his own players or with other clubs
for the services of 'guest' players who might be stationed in units in the
London area.

Although some 85 per cent of all war-time appearances were made by players
who were already on the Hammers' books, or would be by 1945/46, there were
some impressive 'guest' appearances from such as the Arsenal trio of Ted
Drake, Eddie Hapgood and Bernard Joy, Manchester City's Northern Ireland
international inside-forward Peter Doherty, Willie Corbett and Tommy Deans
of Celtic and Hearts' Tommy Walker.

The War Cup of 1940 proved to be one of the highlights during this difficult
period of the Hammers' history. After early round victories over Chelsea
and Leicester, then Huddersfield and Birmingham, the Hammers met Fulham in
the semi-final at Stamford Bridge, beating them 4-3.

In the final at Wembley, they met a strong Blackburn Rovers side in a match
which was played on a Saturday evening in June at 6.30pm to avoid high
levels of absenteeism amongst war workers.

The crowd was restricted to 50,000 and, to their credit, both clubs were
able to name line-ups which were free of guests.

The only goal of the match was scored by the Hammers' Sammy Small, who was
an ambulance builder, with both Bicknell and Fenton sharing with the rest of
their team-mates in what was West Ham's first Wembley triumph.

While they did not return to Wembley, the Hammers were always well placed in
the different war-time league competitions. In seven campaigns, they
finished runners-up on five occasions, even though the format of the
competitions was changed often.

In the late summer of 1944, the horrors of the war did eventually arrive at
the Boleyn Ground when a V1 flying bomb landed on the pitch, destroying a
large part of the South Bank terrace (where the Bobby Moore Stand is now
situated) – including blowing off the roof – as well as that end of the Main
West Stand. The Club offices were also devastated, causing many records to
be lost.

Forced to play away from home, the Hammers strung together nine consecutive
wins, only to lose 1-0 to Tottenham Hotspur on their return to Upton Park in
December 1944!

It would be some time before suitable repairs could be made to the actual
structure of the affected areas, as materials for rebuilding were rationed
even after the war was ended.

Although the War ended in the summer of 1945, there was only enough time to
organise a competition called the 'Football League South' for the 1945/46
season, although this did comprise a more familiar 22-club format with teams
from the pre-war First and Second Divisions.

It was not until August 1946 that actual Football League Second Division
football finally started up again in England.

John Helliar is West Ham United's long-serving Club Historian and Boleyn
Ground tour guide. His father, Jack, also edited and published the matchday
programme for many years.

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Doing it for Dad
WHUFC.com


Yellow Advertiser football correspondent Brian Jeeves is a regular in the
Boleyn Ground Press Box. However, it was never meant to be like this for the
Southend United daft son of a Hammers fan
I always take my seat this early, I like to sit with a cuppa and watch the
ground gradually fill up. I take a slurp of the steaming brew, browse
through the match programme and have a nose around. Two elderly chaps have
just taken their seats, they are here most weeks, and I've no doubt they've
seen it all. A young lad stands with his dad at the top of the stairs,
gazing wide-eyed across the stadium. It's his first time here, a fledgling
dream has come true. Meanwhile down by the players tunnel, a clutch of kids
wait patiently for any sign of a player who might be willing to scribble an
autograph in their books.

I continue to breathe in the atmosphere and anticipation of the fans as they
arrive for the rollercoaster ride ahead. I glance up at the clouds hanging
above the Chicken Run and smile to myself. You see, it was never meant to be
this way!

I am the son of Anthony Jeeves, a railwayman from nearby Forest Gate. Dad
drove the huge steam engines between Southend Victoria and Liverpool Street.
He was a massive Hammers fan and quite clearly wanted me to follow suit. Dad
and my mother moved to Rochford in 1958, but he still watched the Hammers
whenever he could. Following my arrival ten years later, his grand plan was
for son to follow in his footsteps leading all the way to Green Street. But
his momentous blunder was taking me to Roots Hall for my football
inauguration. He believed he could 'blood' me at Southend United, then ease
me in at Upton Park along the way.

But much to the old man's frustration I'd fallen head-over-heels for my
local team. Try as he may, there was no way back, I was a die-hard Shrimper.
Of course, in time this led to many ensuing quarrels, usually starting with
dad saying "The trouble with Sarfend is…"

And my dedication to Southend made life tough for me at school too. South
east Essex is a West Ham hotbed. Hopelessly outnumbered by Hammers fans, any
crumb of success for the Shrimpers was belittled by the claret and blue clan
on the King Edmunds playground. I must admit, West Ham United had become a
bit of a nemesis!

Amongst dad's earliest childhood memories were of being lifted over the
Upton Park turnstile and passed above the crowd's cloth caps and placed
behind the North Bank goal. He remembered looking up and seeing a man in a
bottle green sweater hanging on the rigging of the goal and smiling back at
him. It was Hammers goalkeeper Ernie Gregory, and he instantly became the
old man's first hero. Dad told me how he would go to Gregory's house with
his school friends to ask for autographs. A woman, perhaps his wife or
landlady, would come to the door and hand out squares of paper with the
treasured squiggle adorned across it.

In 2003, about a month before he passed away, I was out with the old man on
Southend seafront when he seethed: "I never saw Ernie Gregory, I bet that
bloody woman signed those autographs" – I wondered just how long that had
been eating away at him and set about getting Ernie's signature. Sadly, by
the time I obtained one, it was too late.

But dad had plenty of other Upton Park recollections, and he wasn't slow to
let me know about them. Great players he'd seen play for and against the
Hammers. Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst, George Best and Bert Trautmann to name a
few. He'd also tell tales about players with curious actualities. Syd
Puddefoot and Jim Standen were particular favourites, and he'd often recite
both football and cricketing facts about the pair. Puddefoot had represented
Essex, while Standen was a leg-spinner for Worcestershire, taking 313
first-class wickets between 1959 and 1970 at an average of 25.34.

My personal favourite memories are of watching the 1980/81 team that lifted
the Second Division championship. Dad and I would visit Upton Park when
Southend were away or had played on a Friday night. They had some super
players. Parkes, Bonds, Brooking and Devonshire. Looking back, it's criminal
to think that they were plying their trade in English football's second
tier.

But soon teenage tantrums had kicked in. By the time Cottee and McAvennie
were tearing up the First Division, those jovial childhood disputes between
dad and I had become quite bitter, much to do with my misguided adolescence
no doubt. These family feuds were not helped by Southend's fruitless toil in
Division Four, ironically under the management of Bobby Moore. I'd actually
started to despise West Ham.

In dad's later years, footballing days out circled around Southend. He
didn't like wandering too far from home on a match day. Although we'd both
mellowed enough to hold a conversation about the Shrimpers and Hammers
without cursing at each other.

After dads passing I began to write down his old football tales, just so my
own children had something to remember him by. One thing led to another and
here I am 12 years later, a three-times published author and a football
correspondent with the Yellow Advertiser newspaper, covering both Southend
and West Ham, something I enjoy immensely.

Indeed, despite me and the Hammers not getting off to the best of starts, I
must admit I was a nervous wreck the day I covered my first game at Upton
Park against Manchester City in the semi-final of the League Cup.

In truth the game was the deadest of dead-rubbers. West Ham were trailing
6-0 from the first leg and stood even less than no chance of progressing to
the final. Nevertheless, this was my first taste of the big-time, and for
dad's sake I had to get it right. A Hammers-supporting mate accompanied me
that night for moral support. He was understandably less than enthusiastic
about the match and asked me to 'go easy on us', as the home side faced the
possibility of another tough evening.

City won 3-0 to complete a 9-0 aggregate win, but I tried to be as courteous
as I possibly could to the Hammers. I submitted my report to the editor, but
come Friday afternoon I had a stern phone call from my mate. My editor had
headlined the piece 'Hammers humiliated!' As you can imagine, with a bit of
'previous' where West Ham were concerned, I had a bit of explaining to do.

But back to today, and for the record a goal in each half from Andy Carroll
and Stewart Downing is enough to see off the hapless Foxes, sending the
Boleyn faithful home full of Christmas cheer.

The game was far from a classic, nevertheless today is a special day. It is
the first anniversary of me becoming an accredited football reporter, and
eleven years to the day since I last watched a match with the old man.
Southend lost 1-0 to Bristol Rovers that afternoon. Five days later on
Christmas Day 2003 his heart gave up and our lives changed forever. It seems
somewhat poignant that I was spending this anniversary at Upton Park
covering his beloved Hammers. I brought him a retro Hammers shirt that
Christmas, sadly it never came out of the wrapping paper, until today that
is.

The press box quickly empties. I sit here alone, frantically typing up my
final word on proceedings. I say alone, but he's here, I know he is. I can
feel his presence everywhere.

And to the present. We continue to embark on the Boleyn Ground's final
journey, a chance for fans, and in this case a journalist, to be a part of
history. Of course just over the horizon, that Swansea City game will be a
tearful occasion. I think back to all those arguments we had over the
Shrimpers and Hammers, but it doesn't seem to matter anymore. I want that
final by-line above all others. It's not just an opportunity to scribe a
piece of unique footballing history, but to be here for the old man sporting
that shirt for him of course.

He's probably looking down on me chuckling now. After all, I'm a regular at
the Boleyn Ground now, he got his way in the end. But one thing will never
change. How I'd love to watch just one more match with him, whether it be
Shrimpers or Hammers.

Goodnight Upton Park and sleep tight Dad x – Thanks for the memories.

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West Ham United 1-0 Crystal Palace
WHUFC.com

West Ham United beat Crystal Palace 1-0 thanks to a late Jaanai Gordon goal
in a behind closed doors friendly at the Boleyn Ground on Wednesday
afternoon.

Alex Song played just over an hour on his return from injury, while Slaven
Bilic took the opportunity to field highly rated prospects Marcus Browne and
Jahmal Hector-Ingram.

Just as it looked like the game was heading for a draw, young striker Jaanai
Gordon expertly headed Carl Jenkinson's pin-point cross past Eagles'
goalkeeper Julian Speroni.

In an open game, Michail Antonio looked lively down the right-hand flank,
firing a number of dangerous crosses into the box with Joey O'Brien
providing a valuable option on the overlap.

The first real chance of the game fell to the visitors as Patrick Bamford
got to the byline and cut back for Connor Wickham who forced Rapahel Spiegel
to make a sharp save down to his right.

The Hammers responded with a chance of their own as Mauro Zarate worked a
yard of space and tested the Palace keeper with a stinging shot.

It was the Argentine who again went closest to breaking the deadlock,
bending an effort just wide from 25-yards and it was the forward who looked
most likely to score throughout the proceedings.

Into the second half, Jaanai Gordon, James Tomkins and Doneil Henry came on
as the Hammers started the second period brightly. Clear cut chances were
hard to come by, Stephen Hendrie tried an audacious volley from range while
Gordon tested Speroni's reflexes.

With an hour gone, Song demonstrated his obvious talent with an exquisite
defence splitting pass; Antonio the glad recipient, bore down on goal and
forced Speroni into a fantastic save.

It would prove to Song's last meaningful touch as he was replaced, as
planned, by fellow m
idfielder Amos Nasha. First team full backs Carl Jenkinson and Aaron
Cresswell were also given run outs.

Despite the superiority, the Eagles had chances of their own as striker
Frazier Campbell's arrowed shot took a deflection before skimming the post
with Spiegel beaten.

Just as the sides looked to have settled for a draw, Jenkinson bombed
forward and delivered a superb cross which Gordon, unmarked, steered past
Speroni with just minutes remaining of the match.

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Terzic - It is great to see Alex back on the pitch
WHUFC.com

West Ham United first-team coach Edin Terzic was thrilled to see Alex Song
back in action and hopes he can play a major role for the Club this season.
Song has been forced to miss the start of the season with an ankle injury,
but has been working hard behind the scenes to regain full fitness and made
his first appearance of the season as he played an hour in a
behind-closed-doors friendly at the Boleyn Ground. Teenage forward Jaanai
Gordon scored the winning goal as the Hammers recorded a 1-0 win over
Crystal Palace but it was the return of Song that stole all the headlines.
Terzic is hoping the former Barcelona and Arsenal star can regain the form
which saw him become such a fans favourite in the first half of last season
and says his experience is crucial for the rest of the dressing room. Terzic
said: "It was great to see Alex back in action, not only for the coaches but
also the fans as well. "It is a good moment to see him back on the pitch. He
had a great season last year and it is great for us to have him back. "He
was one of the best players in the league last year so he is raising our
quality and our level and taking us to the next step. "He is very
experienced and very funny. He is always in a good mood and his dressing
style is a little bit crazy but he is very important for the team."

Manager Slaven Bilic also used the opportunity to give a run-out to summer
signings Angelo Ogbonna and Michail Antonio, while club skipper Mark Noble,
James Tomkins, Aaron Cresswell and Mauro Zarate also got more minutes under
their belt. Terzic says it is important for the players to keep up their
fitness levels over the international break and ensure they are in the best
possible shape as they prepare to face a big London derby against Tottenham
on November 22. Terzic added: "It is very important to give all the players
the opportunity to wear the West Ham shirt, not only in training but in
games as well. "This game was organised for players who have not had a lot
of minutes at high competition rate on the pitch. "As a coach we know we
need all of the boys through the whole season, especially now when we have a
couple of injuries. Everyone will get their opportunity to show their power
on the pitch."

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From the Treatment Room
WHUFC.com

Head of Medical and Sports Science Stijn Vandenbroucke issues his latest
injury update – in association with Spire Roding Hospital

Hello everyone,

We will start this week with an update on Dimitri Payet's left ankle injury.


The way Dimitri has come into the Barclays Premier League is exceptional and
it is unfortunate that he was injured in a tackle in Saturday's fixture with
Everton and suffered a high ankle sprain. Dimitri had a scan on Sunday and
we saw the specialist at a central London hospital on Monday. He is
scheduled to see the specialist again next Monday and I will be able to give
more detail regarding Dimitri's medical condition following this second
meeting, which will decide whether or not he needs to undergo an operation.
It is a fact that he will be out until February, whether he has an operation
or not.

Enner Valencia was also injured in Saturday's game. He has re-injured his
right ankle and will be assessed by a specialist on Monday. We have some
positive news, too. It is an international break and we are keeping the
balance between training very hard and giving the players time to rest to
prepare us for a busy winter. We played Crystal Palace on Wednesday in a
behind-closed-doors game which was very competitive because both clubs put
out strong squads which could have played in the Premier League.

Alex Song played 70 minutes in this game without any problems, which was a
good step in the right direction as it was his first game in six months.

Also positive is that Winston Reid came through 90 minutes against Everton
on Saturday after four weeks out. He is now going to have a few days rest
and we can build him up again for the Tottenham Hotspur game.

Diafra Sakho has been out running on the pitch this week and we are very
confident we can recover him from his quadriceps injury for the trip to
Tottenham, should he not suffer any setbacks.

Pedro Obiang is continuing with his own rehabilitation following the
quadriceps injury he suffered in training before the Watford game.

Reece Oxford has had some significant development over the last few weeks.
We have been working with him to prepare him for the demands of the Premier
League.

He is obviously a big talent and it is my responsibility to protect him,
along with the responsibility of the manager, who is fully on board with how
we are managing Reece. He is away with England Under-19s now and will be
involved in their matches with Holland and Japan.

Stijn Vandenbroucke
Head of Medical and Sports Science

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From the Newsroom
WHUFC.com

Recorder Series West Ham United correspondent Dave Evans says Manuel Lanzini
should fill the void left by Dimitri Payet's injury...
Losing Dimitri Payet is a huge blow for West Ham United. He has been West
Ham's best player this season, and many would say he has been the best
player in the Premier League since his arrival from Marseille in the summer.
To lose someone who has already got five goals and three assists is a big
blow and it's going to be very difficult for West Ham to replace him. That
said, someone has to fill the void left by Payet's absence and the squad is
very strong and I would imagine that Manuel Lanzini will step up to the
plate and play more in that central playmaker role. Lanzini has done that
before in Argentina so he knows how to play that No10 role. He is a very
confident boy and certainly scored a great goal against Everton on Saturday,
so I think him coming into that position will help things. When he was
playing in Argentina for River Plate, he was their No10 and in that
playmaker role at the age of 20, which is pretty impressive. He played more
than 80 games for River Plate, so he has real pedigree and is back in
top-level football now after a spell in the UAE. He has looked confident and
strong and has settled into the Premier League so well. He plays with such
belief, as was seen by his goal on Saturday, when he had the composure and
ability to control the ball when it dropped to him before picking his spot.
It was a superb goal. Manuel will also have a chance to take more set pieces
too, I would imagine, so hopefully we'll see if he can do the business with
those as well. Mauro Zarate might have a role to play in that position as
well, so we shall see. There are attacking options for Slaven Bilic in this
squad.

Hopefully Diafra Sakho will be back soon, as I believe he is a vital player
for this West Ham team and the way they want to play. Michail Antonio hasn't
really been given his chance, so hopefully he can get one now, while Andy
Carroll is around and can be lethal on his day. With Alex Song also
hopefully coming back soon, it will add more experience to the midfield and
he can organise things even better than they already are, and they can work
out a way of playing without Dimitri. There is strength in depth that West
Ham have not had for a few years and this is a chance for others to step up
to the plate and show what they can do, but it is a blow to lose possibly
the best player in the Premier League. There would be no greater pick-me-up
for the fans than for West Ham to go to Tottenham Hotspur and win in their
next game. I remember the games there in the last two seasons, when West Ham
played superbly and got positive results, and of course there are the away
wins the team has already achieved this season, too. The Hammers have won at
Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City and Crystal Palace, so why not make it
five away wins for the season? Lanzini has played important parts in many of
those victories, so they are certainly of going to Tottenham and winning.
Hopefully, they can get the result.

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Sakho cautioned over 'criminal damage'
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 11th November 2015
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United striker Diafra Sakho has been cautioned by Police following
his double arrest back in August. The 25-year-old striker, who is currently
sidelined with what has been referred to as a thigh injury accepted the
caution last week after being arrested twice within the space of three
weeks.
A spokesman told the Daily Mirror: "A 25-year-old man arrested on Thursday,
6th August in Emerson Park, Hornchurch, on suspicion of criminal damage and
malicious communications accepted a police caution on 2nd November in
relation to criminal damage. "He was advised that no further action will be
taken in relation to the allegation of malicious communications."

Sakho was nicked just 48 hours after West Ham's 2-0 win at Arsenal on the
opening day of the season, on suspicion of assault involving a female.
Despite having been bailed on that occasion, he was arrested again on 23rd
August on suspicion of threats to kill and intimidating a witness.
However last week it was revealed that he would not be facing any further
charges. "Following allegations of assault and malicious communications made
against Diafra Sakho in August, the police have confirmed there will be no
action taken," read a statement issued by the Sports PR Company.

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Don't blame the docs for Payet injury, says Brown
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 11th November 2015
By: Staff Writer

Kenny Brown believes that West Ham United's medical team should be absolved
of criticism following the injury to Dimitri Payet. West Ham's medical staff
have been accused in some quarters of allowing Payet to return for the
second half despite clearly carrying an injury, having hobbled through the
last quarter-of-an-hour of the first. However Brown, speaking on this
week's edition of the KUMB Podcast insisted that it would be unfair to blame
Stijn Vandenbroucke and his team - as the decision to play on would almost
certainly have been down to Payet himself.
"He's come off and they'll have had a look at it, but you're going to gauge
it from the player," said Brown. "He's obviously desperate to carry on
playing. They've probably worked on him, maybe it's loosened up. But you
don't know. "Whether he did any more damage to it in that period of time,
which is why he's out for three months when it could have been less time,
you don't know. You'd like to think not, you'd like to think the medical
team have said 'he can't do any more damage, let's see what it's like'.
Obviously it wasn't right. "But normally, if you get an injury that keeps
you out for that length of time when you go down and go off, you tend to
stay off."

Brown, who spent five years at West Ham during the 1990s also believes that
referees need to be more consistent in the wake of the reckless challenge by
Everton's James McCarthy that will keep Payet out of action for up to three
months. "It's disappointing, especially when you see yellow cards dished out
for silly little things like encroachment," he mused. "You get the same
punishment for a tackle like McCarthy's. There's no consistency." And the
former defender also believes that the French midfielder was deliberately
targeted by Roberto Martinez's side. "Any opposition will do their homework
on West Ham and a big part of that will be how do you stop someone like
Payet," he added. "They will have said, 'if you get a chance, go through
him' - and that was obviously the case."

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West Ham chief David Gold makes FAT joke about Benni McCarthy after
striker's sexist comments
21:38, 11 NOV 2015 UPDATED 21:38, 11 NOV 2015
BY LIAM CORLESS
Gold wasn't pleased to hear former player McCarthy appear to criticise Karen
Brady, saying "woman and football, it's not such a good combination"
The Mirror

David Gold, the joint chairman of West Ham, made a jibe about Benni
McCarthy's physical condition after the former Hammers striker appeared to
make a sexist comment about Karen Brady. McCarthy moved to Upton Park from
Blackburn in February 2010 but didn't score a single goal in the 14 months
he was there. He had his contract terminated by mutual consent in April 2011
and received a hefty £1.5m pay-off for his troubles. McCarthy acknowledged
he was out of shape during his time at West Ham and, shortly after his
departure from the Boleyn Ground four-and-a-half years ago, Brady, the
club's vice-chairman branded him "a big fat mistake."

"Rather than the super scorer we hoped for, we acquired a super-size, a
player devoted to filling his belly more than filling the net," the
46-year-old businesswoman wrote in a Sun column. In a recent interview with
French publication So Foot, McCarthy voiced his sexist beliefs. He said: "I
saw so many things in my life and in football for me, it was nothing. Woman
and football, it's not such a good combination." Gold hit back at McCarthy's
comments, writing on Twitter: "More importantly Benni. Footballers and beef
burgers don't mix." McCarthy, 37, retired in 2013 after two years with
Orland Pirates in his home country of South Africa.

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West Ham striker Diafra Sakho accepts police caution for criminal damage
15:15, 11 NOV 2015 UPDATED 15:20, 11 NOV 2015
BY STEPHEN BEECH
The Senegal international, who has netted 13 Premier League goals for the
Hammers since joining last summer, was arrested in August following a The
Mirror

West Ham footballer Diafra Sakho has accepted a police caution for criminal
damage, it was revealed today. The Premier League star, 25, was arrested in
August following a bust-up at his home in east London. The Senegal
international was held on suspicion of common assault, criminal damage and
malicious communication. He was arrested again later the same month on
suspicion of making threats to kill and intimidating a witness. The assault,
threats and intimation allegations were subsequently dropped. Police
confirmed Sakho accepted a caution for criminal damage after answering his
bail at an East London police station. A Scotland Yard spokeswoman said: "A
25-year-old man arrested on Thursday August 6th at an address in Emerson
Park, Hornchurch, on suspicion of criminal damage and malicious
communications accepted a police caution on November 2nd in relation to
criminal damage. "He was advised that no further action will be taken in
relation to the allegation of malicious communications." Sakho has scored 13
goals in 31 Premier League appearances since signing for the Hammers from
French club Metz in August last year.

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Health-hit 'snapper' "is welcome"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 11, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

Former club snapper Steve Bacon has been told he is welcome at any Hammers
match when he has recovered from his recent leg amputation. The famous Irons
figure had spoken of his diabetes-induced health difficulties on social
media. And a club insider said this morning that Steve would be welcome at
any future home game and will be accommodated in the disabled section. He
added that the club had tweeted him a "speedy recovery" message when they
first heard of his problems. Steve simply has to ring the club and they will
ensure that he's looked after. The club had tweeted its best wishes to the
former employee when they learned of his difficulties and again sent him a
"get well soon " message via ClaretandHugh. Those sentiments will be
endorsed by the fans for who Steve became such a popular figure down the
years and we too wish him a rapid recovery.

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Payet's leg is NOT broken!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 11, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

Dimitri Payet's leg is NOT broken in FOUR PLACES! In fact it's not even
broken in one and an attempt at bitter humour backfired this morning after
David Gold hit out at a ludicrous "great tackle" comment on Twitter. One
follower declared: "@JSMfoto @dimpayet17 @davidgold @jsullivanwhu
@whufc_official Never a red card he got the ball. Great tackle ??

Never mind red cards that immediately acted like a red rag to a bull with DG
making no bones about his feelings as he snarled back: "

David Gold ?@davidgold 9 hrs9 hours ago: 'He' got the ball, broke the
players leg in four places. Great tackle. "Love is blind" dg

However, as reported earlier here the player has suffered ligament damage
and ClaretandHugh was told this morning by a top insider: "Payet's leg is
NOT broken, its David Gold's humour/logic. Payet has a badly damaged ankle
that will will receive surgery."

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Irons respond to player moves speculation
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 11, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

The James Collins for Sunderland rumour has re-emerged in one national
newspaper this morning and it has more credibility than the other – and
perhaps oldest chestnut in football. Over the weekend one Tyneside paper was
suggesting that Andy Carroll was a nailed-on bet to return to Newcastle –
which given that he has made just a couple of starting appearances for us
is a bit premature to put it mildly. It seems very unlikely – even given
that that there's any interest – a buying team would move in until the
player had proved himself over a run of games and our sources continue to
insist there isn't. Once again we checked it out and were told: "Andy
remains an important member of the squad and there has never been any sort
of inquiry." Collins, however, with Sam Allardyce desperate for defensive
reinforcements and know the player is on a free is likely to make a move for
the 32 year at a knock down fee along, possibly, with Joey O'Brien. Once
again there has been no inquiry according to out inside sources but we were
told: "We are open to negotiations ."

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Song all set for midday test
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 11, 2015 in News, Whispers
C adn H

Alex Song will take his first steps towards landing a place in the squad for
the match against Spurs in around half an hour. The on-loan midfielder will
get his first action in a team setting in over six months when he steps out
at the Boleyn in a behind closed doors friendly against Charlton at the
Boleyn (k/o 12 noon, Wednesday). Song has been back in full training with
the frst team for over a week and now manager Slaven Bilic will assess the
former Arsenal man in a match setting. Song is on a year's loan and keen to
agree a permanent deal with the Irons who will be tempted to offer him a two
year deal should he impact on his first team return over the campaign. A
source told us: "We are very keen to see him in action again. He's an
absolutely top player and we wouldn't have done a loan deal while he was
still recovering had we not believed he had a lot to offer."

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Date set for Payet surgery
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 11, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

Dimi Payet will be in the operating theatre next Monday for surgery on his
badly damaged ankle. And meanwhile major club insiders remain utterly
furious at the actions of Everton's James McCarthy whose shocking tackle has
sidelined our brilliant midfielder for three months. Payet has suffered
ligament damage and would have been in hospital earlier had the bruising and
inflammation not been so intense. Now, however, the date has been set for
Monday of next week for the hospital visit. A top club source – struggling
unsuccessfully to control his anger four days on – made no secret of his
fury over the tackle which was perhaps the worst seen anywhere this season.
He said: "McCarthy never touched the ball. It was a wicked challenge and
let's not forget this is the same guy who savagely tackled Amalfitano the
previous year. It was an inexcusable tackle and there's still a lot of anger
about over it."

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Leroy slams Hodgson's regular Irons snubs
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 11, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

Furious Leroy Rosenior has slammed Roy Hodgson declaring: "How dare he keep
ignoring West Ham's players?." ClaretandHugh's top pundit and analyst
declared: "It seems you only have to play for Spurs a couple of times and
Hodgson hands you a cap. It's utterly ridiculous. "Look at Dele Alli. He
plays a few Premier League games and wallop, he's in the side yet Aaron
Cresswell who played superbly all last season doesn't get a sniff. Nah, I'm
not having it. Just wrong!"
England play Spain in an international friendly on Friday the 13th which has
proved entirely unlucky for any Hammers hoping Hodgson might look in their
direction . Leroy said: "It's shameful really. Nobody is going to convince
me that Mark Noble isn't worth playing in a friendly international. Does
Hodgson know where Upton Park is? Doe he have something against us?. There
certainly seems to be a Spurs bias from him with Eric Dier also in the
squad." But Leroy added there was an upside to the England manager's refusal
to give our players a chance adding: "At least nobody is getting injured and
can concentrate on the club which is terrific but it remains wrong."

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Charlton chief on Diego Poyet 'regret', unhappy academy players and transfer
budget changes
London24
12:30 11 November 2015
Brad Pinard

Charlton chief executive Katrien Meire gave fans an update on all things
behind the scenes last night. 4 We were at The Valley for the fans meeting
and Meire made it clear the academy was at the top of her priority list.
Seeing Diego Poyet leave for pennies in July 2014 to West Ham due to
contract issues and then Joe Gomez to Liverpool this summer shows how the
Addicks academy is being seen around the country and Meire is keen to work
on it. ADVERTISING "Something we regret in June, Diego Poyet left for small
compensation, far less than he is worth, to West Ham and that has made us
sign up our young players quickly and academy stars," she said. "Since
January 2014 we increased the player wages budget by 40 per cent. Also we
have spent £9million on players coming in. Players who were coming to the
end of their contract was a huge issue too, but now we have addressed that
with only a handful this summer and some of those will renew. "We have had
five academy players who have made their debuts this season. We want to keep
using these tools and help Steve (Avory) to work on this. "We want to
attract the best players in London at a young age and show they can play for
the first team. The training ground will also help that greatly. That is the
direction we are heading. "We want to show them a career path. With Joe
(Gomez) we said sign the contract but if the right deal and club come along
he can go. As much as I want to keep the young players, I don't want them to
be frustrated. "We had the same with Dale Stephens and Aston Villa. His
agent came to me and said he wanted to leave to join a bigger club, so he
was not happy at the time." Richard Murray was also on hand to give his
thoughts on the academy players coming through the ranks in south east
London. "Let's say you're Joe, you have seen Diego leave for nothing and so
get big wages at West Ham," Murray said. "His agent then tells him you can
do that and goes to him and says 'ideally we should have an agreement of
what price we can go for, you are on low wages when you can earn a fortune
elsewhere', then he will go the parents and say the same. It is not the
fairytale some people think, I think the deal was done well with Joe and we
wish him all the best." Meire went on to explain how a transfer deal at
Charlton works, with scouts, coaches and the chief executive herself taking
the bull by the horns. "How it goes is after the season ends we look at the
players under contract then players who we want to improve certain areas,"
she said. "The scouts will draw up a list, which is checked by the head
coach, when they both say yes; I try and negotiate the deal in the best way
possible. At least three people have to agree for us to sign a player."

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Stuart Pearce says Allardyce is behind West Ham's success under Bilic
HITC
Billy Hawkins

West Ham are doing exceptionally well under Slaven Bilic. Speaking to
talkSPORT (aired Wednesday, 07:40), Stuart Pearce has suggested that Sam
Allardyce deserves praise for the work he did at West Ham, as he has been
the basis of Slaven Bilic's team who are flying so high in the Premier
League. Pearce said: "He's put together this West Ham team who are doing
particularly well at the moment. Slaven's come in and added one or two, but
Sam created that."
Allardyce led West Ham back into the Premier League when they were a
Championship side, and managed to establish them in the top flight. He had
them playing well in the first half of last season, before they collapsed
and only managed a mid-table finish, and it is hard to disagree with his
departure as it appeared he could take the club no further forward. Bilic
was appointed, and has created a West Ham side who can match any team in the
league on their day, but Pearce believes that much of this success is down
to the solid base Allardyce built at the Boleyn Ground. The defence and
goalkeeping positions are a large majority of Allardyce's players, although
the arrival of Angelo Ogbonna this summer has been a key factor in their
recent success. Where Allardyce cannot take much of the credit is the
attacking flair that the Hammers have shown, with Manuel Lanzini, Dimitri
Payet and Victor Moses all coming to the club after Bilic's appointment, and
excelling in the Premier League. Allardyce built a solid base out of his
team, and made a side who were physical and tough to beat, but Bilic has
taken the Hammers to another level since his appointment, and he deserves
much of the praise for their success this term.

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REAL MADRID MIDFIELDER SUGGESTED AS SURPRISE DIMITRI PAYET REPLACEMENT
By Michael Oliver
readwestham.com

Having seen their key man in Dimitri Payet sidelined for up to three months
this week with an ankle injury, West Ham face the tough task of replacing
his superb creativity in the side during the busy winter months.

One suggestion has been to move the impressive Manuel Lanzini from the left
into the middle to play a more creative role. We've already seen the on-loan
Argentine impress in the attacking third this season, proving to be one of
the signings of the season so far.

Another idea thrown out there has been to scrap the 4-2-3-1 formation and
move to a 4-3-3 by bringing in another central midfielder into the team.
With Alex Song's imminent return from injury, reinstating him in the heart
of out midfield anchoring the side could provide some much-needed cover for
the back four.

Although, it's this third notion that has me the most intrigued. Purely
speculative, but the Metro have suggested that bringing in Real Madrid
prodigy Martin Odegaard on loan until the end of the season could be an
astute piece of business by Slaven Bilic.

The 16-year-old 'wonderkid' has been tipped to reach the highest heights in
the world of football, but is struggling for first-team football at the
Bernabeu for obvious reasons – dislodging the likes of James Rodriguez, Isco
and Luka Modric from the starting line-up is a near impossible task for an
unproven teen.

The Norwegian international midfielder is supposedly growing tired of
playing for the Castilla side and wants a loan move away to a top division
side for more game time at a more competitive level.

West Ham could provide that platform for the teenager to re-establish
himself on the footballing stage and remind those who have forgotten about
his immense talent.

Slaven Bilic is not one to shy away from throwing youngsters in at the deep
end. So far this season Bilic has handed out an incredible 10 debuts to
players 21 or younger – albeit most of those came in the early rounds of our
Europa League campaign against weak opposition, but he put his trust in
those players to succeed.

The former Stromgodset playmaker could be yet another talented young player
that Bilic can impart his wisdom upon and play a key role in the squad over
the second half of the season.

Playing in the Premier League would give Odegaard some vital experience at
the top level, that would only benefit his long-term development with Real
Madrid, which is where he maintains his long-term future remains.

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BILIC'S ANALYSIS OF THE SEASON (TO DATE) AND RALLYING CALL FOR MORE HUNGER!
By S J Chandos 11 Nov 2015 at 08:00
WTID

Slaven Bilic has revealed on the club website exactly what he told the
players on Saturday evening, ahead of the international break. Bilic stated:

"The international break has definitely come at a good time. Now, we have
played a third of the season, we have to be happy with the way we are
playing. We may have a few more points, maybe a few less, but we are in a
good position.'"

"I told them to be proud so far and I expect them to come back hungry,"

It is not my intention in this blog post to discuss at any length the
injuries to Payet and Valencia, nor the dubious tactics employed by Everton.
All I will say is that the match almost transported me back to the days of
Ron Greenwood, when overly physical (mostly northern, it has to be said)
teams turned up at Upton Park and kicked us out of matches. It was not
something that I expected in this day and age. In fact it was almost as if
the FA's policy on these matters did not exist and the referee was some sort
of 'throw back' to those dark and distant days of the early 1970s. Everton
did employ cynical tactics and, yes, the assault on Payet by McCarthy was
clearly a straight red. I also agree that both McCarthy and the referee
should be held to account for their actions (or, in the latter case,
inactions!). The loss of Payet is a big blow and it is also a clear
challenge to the quality/strength-in-depth of the squad and its capacity to
adapt and keep moving forward.

Bilic is correct, the international break has come at a good time and we are
in a good position. To be sixth in the PL, on 21 points (only 3 points
behind the 4th placed team and 5 points behind the current leaders), at this
stage is very positive. We may lament the disappointing loss of points in
defeats to Bournemouth, Leicester City and Watford; yet, conversely, we tend
to forget that we twice come back (Vs Norwich City and Sunderland) to
salvage a point. So, as I think Bilic infers, it is, to a certain extent, a
case of 'swings and round-abouts.'

The international break allows Bilic to take stock, work with the squad and
prepare for forthcoming key fixtures with Spurs, WBA and Man Utd. He will
need to see if the likes of Sakho and Song are ready to return and carefully
consider how we can best compensate for the loss of a creative player of
Payet's quality. I should imagine that the management will be looking for
Lanzini to step up and take on Payet's central play-making role. But, it is
also a great opportunity for Zarate and Antonio to prove their quality. They
need to grasp the opportunity with both hands when/if it is offered. The
situation should also alert some of the youngsters to the potential
possibilities. Although probably a bit early for them to be brought straight
into the first team, the likes of Cullen and Samuelson should be looking to
impress and force their way on to bench. This is the essential logic of
having a strong squad and fierce competition for places, players must
respond in the right way when an opportunity presents itself.

Hence, Bilic's expectation to see hunger, both individually and
collectively, within the squad. And yes, we fans, should also expect to
witness a keen hunger in the players to keep challenging for a top six
finish. Personally, I reject all talk of down grading ambitions and settling
for a lower, top 10 finish. If it happens than ok, but in this current
situation the correct focus is crystal clear, to fix our sights on that 4th
place and give it the best shot that we possibly can. Once you start talking
about a 7th, 8th, 9th or 10th place finish being acceptable then the
expectations (and motivation) invariably adjust downwards. Why on earth
would we do that to ourselves? Successful/highly aspirational clubs do not
do it. If the aforementioned description genuinely applies to West Ham
United these days, then neither should we. Surely we are better served
settling for a lower finish (if it transpires that way) when the season
ends, not now when we are so well positioned and it is all still to play
for! Fortunately, I think that Bilic, his coaching team and the club's board
understand this perfectly well.

This squad is capable of a top six finish. I have said this since the
pre-season and I still believe it to be true. However, I do concede that we
are at a pivotal point and it depends on the squad maintaining/increasing
its momentum. That probably means, in practical terms, Sakho and Song
successfully returning, Lanzini taking up the mantle (and staying fit!) and,
perhaps, a factor X coming in to the equation; namely a fringe player, like
Antonio or a youngster making a major impact and/or Valencia returning
quickly. Also, it has to be said that Mark Noble has a key contribution to
make. As captain he needs to work with Bilic to rally the squad, maintain
morale and lead by example on the pitch. As one might say (to paraphrase),
'cometh the hour, cometh the club captain'! Plus, in the medium term, there
is also the question of possible recruitment in the January window. Will
Payet's injury absence result in the addition of another creative
play-maker, perhaps on loan? We shall see?

To conclude, I fully expect the squad to be highly motivated and well
prepared going in to the Spurs match. It is a testimony to the club's
progress that I am now fairly confident that West Ham can to go to White
Hart Lane and win. Spurs are a good team, but they are far from unbeatable.
I expect us to play our counter-attacking game and catch them out with our
pace and skill. The key, single factor is likely to be the return of Sakho,
with him leading the line I feel that we will be a far more potent attacking
force. Payet will obviously be missed, but we have the playing resources and
tactical nous to compensate and emerge victorious. I am going for a 1-2 away
win for the Hammers. Now that would be just the type of result to dispel any
doubts, fire the hunger for success and promote higher ambitions. COYI!

SJ. Chandos.

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com