From the Newsroom
WHUFC.com
The Times football writer Rory Smith previews Sunday's London derby between West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur...
It feels like the West Ham United fans believe again - that seems to have changed and there seems to be more excitement and energy around the place than there was last season.
I first met Slaven Bilic when he was at Besiktas and, as a journalist, I find him to be very charismatic, very charming and quite funny. You can tell he is in a band and an entertainer - there is something about him that does engage you!
He is one of those managers, and there are a few of them, who you can imagine players wanting to play for. You look at him and you can get how he can command the respect and enthusiasm of his team.
Slaven can certainly spot a 'line' during a press conference or an interview, which journalists love because it writes their story for them, to an extent.
It's nice to get a manager who is not afraid to talk. A lot of them are very cagey these days - and you can understand that and say we are to blame for that - so it's nice to have a manager who will sit and chat with you and knows a soundbite when he sees one. It makes our jobs easier!
This Sunday, Slaven takes his team to Tottenham Hotspur and it's a massive game for both clubs. It's more interesting than normal, I think, because they are both going well.
Spurs are going well and have surprised a lot of people. Before the season, I don't think anyone thought they would be top-four contenders. People thought they a work in progress, but it looks like they're further along than we realised.
I think West Ham have hit the ground running quicker than people thought, too. Form goes out of the window in derbies and all that, but it's probably a more significant game for the rest of the country than it normally is.
It's a massive local game, but there is more at stake for the neutrals who are worried about their own clubs and how they will do. It's important for the Premier League and it's the first time for a while that that's been the case.
Spurs work insanely hard and have really come along and it's really surprised people by the way they won at Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City. They have got a way of playing, especially away from home.
The thing about West Ham is that they are of the time in football terms. They have worked out how to play on the counter-attack - and people don't seem to want the ball any more.
Football goes in cycles. There are only two ways to play, with the ball and without the ball, and West Ham have worked out a way to beat teams without having the majority of possession against big teams.
It's an interesting dynamic because Spurs are happier without the ball too, so it's a game between two teams who don't want the ball! It should make for an intriguing game. They are both very modern teams and that's a credit to their managers.
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Diangana treble counts for nothing
WHUFC.com
West Ham United suffered Barclays U18 Premier League South heartbreak as Norwich City grabbed a last-minute 4-3 at Little Heath.
The visitors took the lead through George Couzens' free-kick, before West Ham midfielder Grady Diangana levelled with a fantastic effort from distance.
Before the break, Benny Ashley-Seal and Bilal Kamal fired the Canaries into a two-goal lead, but Diangana scored twice more either side of half-time as the Academy levelled late on.
However, Hammers winger Joe Powell gave away a free-kick deep in the home half, allowing Ashley-Seal to head home a last-gasp winner, before the scorer was shown a straight red card during his celebrations.
After last week's impressive 2-0 win at Leicester, the Academy made three changes to their starting XI. U16 defender Ben Wells made his first U18 start, replacing U15 star Ajibola Alese, while schoolboy midfielder Alfie Lewis and new signing Dan Kemp replaced Idris Kanu and captain Noha Sylvestre in midfield.
Straight from kick-off, Powell slipped and allowed Norwich to open the game with an attacking move, but Ashley-Seal fired wide of the target from an acute angle.
After just eight minutes, the visitors got themselves in front after a defensive mix-up in the West Ham defence. Wells gave away possession on the edge of the box and bought down Ashley-Seal, allowing Couzens to step up and curl his free-kick past Hammers goalkeeper Tim Brown.
It did not take the hosts long to pull themselves level, though, as Diangana picked up the ball inside the Norwich half, shaped his body and bent a low shot inside the far corner.
Just minutes later, another defensive error from West Ham gave Ashley-Seal plenty of time and space inside the penalty area to fire low past Brown.
West Ham tried to get back into the game as quickly as they did after the Canaries first goal, but neither Powell nor Kemp could beat Norwich goalkeeper Aston Oxborough.
Norwich extended their lead shortly after the half-hour mark when a corner caught the wind and travelled all the way through to Kamal on the edge of the penalty area. He got his head over the ball and fired an unstoppable shot through a crowd and into the far corner of the net.
After the break and West Ham were a completely different team to the one that went in at half-time two goals behind.
On 51 minutes, former Chelsea winger Kemp cleverly found Diangana inside the penalty area and he cut back onto his left foot and buried the ball under Oxborough.
Despite losing Wells to injury, West Ham continued to push and defender Tunji Akinola thought he had scored his third goal in three games when he headed home from a Powell corner with just six minutes left, but the referee had deemed that Diangana had fouled goalkeeper Oxborough in the build-up.
The Hammers raised the pressure again and after Oxborough kept Norwich ahead with an outstanding reaction save, he was powerless to deny Diangana from close range as the Hammers attacker completed a sensational hat-trick.
It was a deserved equaliser based on the home side's second half performance but Norwich had one last attack up their sleeve and it resulted in the winning goal from Ashley-Seal.
It was also the former Arsenal striker's final contribution as he was shown a bizarre straight red card during his goal celebration.
The Hammers will be hoping to have a change of fortunes when they host Arsenal at Little Heath on Saturday 28 November 2015, with kick-off scheduled for 11am.
U18s: Brown, Eggleton, Akinola, Wells (Alese), Neufville, Lewis, Carter (c), Diangana, Powell, Kemp, Hector-Ingram
Subs not used: Matrevics (GK), Longelo, Coventry, Diallo
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Tomkins targeting biggest away win yet
WHUFC.com
James Tomkins has hailed the Hammers' fresh approach adopted under Slaven Bilic as one of the main reasons why West Ham United have started the season so strongly.
The centre-back has been in superb form recently, featuring in all but one of the Hammers' opening twelve league games, both at right-back and at the heart of defence.
Speaking ahead of Sunday's London derby with rivals Tottenham Hotspur, Tomkins said: "Our style this season has changed quite a lot. Last season we were very keen on defending and being very solid and hard to break down.
"The manager is very positive and encouraging, he wants us to try things, be adventurous and shoot more often, I think you can see that, it's working and people are enjoying watching us.
"We've had a great start to the year; we're sixth at the moment even though we've had some disappointing results. If you'd have said that at the start of the season I don't think many people would have believed it.
"I think the whole ethos and mentality of the club is changing. The new manager has raised that level of expectation and the move to the Olympic Stadium has also elevated our status already, and I'm sure that'll continue when we actually move.
"I think you can see the change in the perception from outside the club too. Everton always beat us, but last time round, they were happy with the draw, you could see their reaction at full time that they saw a point as a good result.
Following the famous victories away at Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City, Tomkins is eyeing a further prosperous away day at White Hart Lane.
"As a fan, it would certainly be the biggest away win of the season. We've had some big wins but this would top them all, definitely.
"We've had some unbelievable away results; Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City were all special days for the Club. Obviously beating Chelsea at home was also very nice.
"When we get the fixtures at the start of the year, it's one of the games we look first for. It's a huge game, one the fans certainly enjoy."
After twelve games, the Hammers find themselves riding high in sixth place, just one spot behind Spurs on goal difference.
Reflecting on the Hammers' strong start to Bilic's debut season in the Premier League, Tomkins continued: "Confidence is sky high and so it should be. We should be concentrating on as higher finish as possible, the manager said the sky is the limit and he's right. If we keep working hard, we've shown what we can do.
"If you look at our team on paper, you can see the quality we've got. Overall it's been a really good start to the year. Our attacking players particularly have been brilliant.
"This time last season, we were flying but that dropped off. I think we have the squad to maintain this form over the season."
While the 26-year-old has clearly enjoyed working under Bilic, he reiterated his belief that there was more to come, individually and as a team.
"We're searching for that balance, and I think we're getting better. This season we have a lot more players who can change games.
"We're still getting used to each other, so I think there's room for improvement. That is just a matter of time and hopefully we'll get stronger as the season continues.
"Personally, I'm happy with my form at the moment. I feel good when I play, that confidence is massive because it allows you to play to your full capability."
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Browne relishing Rams' test
WHUFC.com
After signing professional terms with the Hammers last week, highly rated midfielder Marcus Browne is set to face Derby County U21 at Rush Green on Monday 23 November.
The 17-year-old has made the transition from the U18s to the U21s look seamless, scoring once in a 4-0 thumping over Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Reflecting on his season so far, Browne said: "Training with the U21s is different to training with the U18s, the standard is better and the expectations go up.
"It's been fun and I've enjoyed every minute of it. I feel like I'm improving everyday in training and learning new things all the time thanks to Terry (Westley) and Liam (Manning)."
During the international break, Browne played, and impressed, in the first team's behind-closed-doors-friendly against Crystal Palace.
Playing as a number 10, as part of a midfield trio with Mark Noble and Alex Song, the youngster more than took his opportunity to show Slaven Bilic what he can do.
Speaking about his performance, he continued: "It was a good experience for me playing with the first team in a friendly. And to play in midfield with the likes of Noble and Song was a great experience, one I'll never forget.
"I rate and look up to them both highly. It was good to get a taste of first team football and to see what it's like and what is required to play at the top level. I learnt a lot playing in the match."
On Monday, the Dev Squad will be looking to build on their 2-1 away win over Brighton & Hove Albion.
A superb all round performance was rewarded with a valuable three points thanks to goals from Martin Samuelsen and Josh Cullen.
"The win over Brighton was a massive confidence boost to the team," Browne continued, "Everyone enjoys winning it's a good feeling. The win against Brighton felt really good. The boys played really well and everyone worked hard and helped each other to earn a well-deserved victory.
"Hopefully we've found our form and we can start turning good, strong performances into a string of wins."
As for his season personally, the combative midfielder is hoping to extend his deep vein of form for as long as possible.
Having opened his account for the season at Wolves' expense, Browne is hoping to add to his tally.
"It was good to score against Wolves, my first goal for the U21s. My targets for the rest of the season would be to be involved in as many goals as possible, create loads of chances, get a few more goals myself and help the team to more wins.
"Playing as a 10 is new to me but I feel like I've come on loads since the start of the season, the U21s' coach Liam Manning has helped me loads to understand the role and get used to it. I feel like if I stay positive, and keep wanting to learn new things, I can do really well and go a long way."
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West Ham's trip to Tottenham is special, says Slaven Bilic
Last Updated: 21/11/15 2:08pm
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West Ham manager Slaven Bilic is looking forward to a "special game" when his side take on Tottenham on Sunday.
West Ham travel to White Hart Lane with the two teams separated in the Premier League table only goal difference.
West Ham have not lost on their last three visits to Tottenham, having won in the Premier League and League Cup two seasons ago, while they secured a 2-2 draw last term.
"It is a special game," said Bilic. "I know it's a cliche, but there are some games that are more special for the fans. That's why they are derbies and this one is one of them.
"Some are saying it is like the game of the season for West Ham. I wouldn't call it that, but it is special and we are looking forward to it.
"You can feel it in the camp these last few days. It is like we are waiting for a big game."
West Ham have already beaten Arsenal and Chelsea this season, and Bilic is optimistic his side will be able to add another of their London rivals to that impressive list of scalps.
"We are confident now because we know whoever we play we have a chance," Bilic, who made his debut as a West Ham player in a 1-0 win at Spurs in 1996, added.
"We will approach the game with that knowledge that if we are on top of our game we have a good chance.
"For the fans it would be nice if we finish above them but if you ask me if I am happy to finish ninth and they are 10th, Arsenal are 11th, and Chelsea 12th, I would rather finish second and one of them finish as champions."
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Allardyce delivers Carroll transfer thoughts
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 21, 2015 in News, Whispers
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Sam Allardyce has responded to rumours linking Sunderland with a potential January or summer move for Andy Carroll. The striker's apparent problems in fitting into Slaven Bilic's new system has fuelled speculation that he could be on his way next summer. But ClaretandHugh wrote yesterday that Carroll's social and professional life was now centred on London – a view apparently shared by the Black Cats boss. He said he "had heard" the former Newcastle United striker is enjoying life in the capital. "If there are any rumours about Andy being transferred I haven't heard it and I don't think he is available," Allardyce was quoted as saying. Allardyce said: "I have also heard he likes living in London. He has got his new family there and a house and he is unlikely to want to leave. He is not available as far as I am concerned." However,all these observations – as is always the case in football – be to be taken with caution until both January and next summer has passed. And with the two being very close one would have imagined that the former Irons boss might know without having to be told how the striker feels about London life!
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Irons have talent bursting from the seams
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 21, 2015 in News, Whispers
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ClaretandHugh's New York-based east end born blogger Scott Alsweiller takes a look at the game against Spurs and says: "We are the better team with a better team spirit, a better manager, and the best fans in the world
Tottenham Hotspur. Not a much loved pair of words for us (although probably slightly less loathed than the words 'James McCarthy').
While it would be wonderful to think that they were looking to join Chelsea floating just out of the relegation zone, they're not. Ahead of us slightly going into Sunday's match, and potentially dangerous. Tomorrow's game may well prove to be the toughest game of the year. But it's one we can win.
Much has been said, and little needs to be added, about the brutal tackle that has taken Dmitri Payet from us for the next three months. But we're not a one man club. Dimi is probably the League signing of the season, but Manuel Lanzini isn't far behind.
His biggest test lies ahead, beginning on Sunday afternoon, when he steps into the role Payet has made his own. Lanzini can not only do it, but he can shine. His raw talent sparkles as he cuts holes through any defence. And for one as young as him, I expect to see his name as Hammer of the Year in future.
It's also time for Zarate to come into his own. We've now seen what he can do, and he does seem to lose his focus as games progress. Start him in Lanzini's accustomed role and let him loose.
The biggest danger with Zarate is that he tends to be selfish with the ball in possession. If he can get over that, we're golden. Antonio is probably due an appearance as well. Everyone with an inkling of what he's capable of has been patiently waiting to see him get some decent game time. He could well make an impact if he gets the chance.
One thing has quickly become apparent is that Andy Carroll cannot start. Especially now with Sakho fit, there's very little place for him in the starting line-up. Even if Sakho were not available it might be a better option to have Zarate up front for the first sixty minutes.
Carroll looks his best – and downright lethal – coming on as an impact sub against a tired defence. At his best he's unplayable, but relies on his physical strength rather than speed and finesse. That works well if the opposition are weary, not well when they're fresh and focused.
Other questions hang heavy over the midfield. Alex Song must be given his chance soon, and it wouldn't be amiss to suspect he'll be back to the sort of form we saw prior to Christmas last season.
If he does come back like that, our own Mark Noble might be hard pressed to hold his place. It's a sad thing to say, we all love Nobes, but he'll have to move up into another gear entirely to retain his starting place in a fully fit squad.
At the back, there is no realistic or sensible case for dropping Tomkins – but there are still questions in many minds about Carl Jenkinson. Tompkins has shown he can fill the role well if we wanted to bring in Ogbonna as a centre back. And with the speed we have as a squad, it isn't as vital for the fullbacks to play the attacking game as it has been previously.
Elsewhere in the League we're seeing how things have changed this year. Chelsea look to be hoping to win some silverware next season though – probably the Championship if they pick themselves up a bit. Leicester City currently top the table, and in no way looking like they're ready to relinquish the spot to anyone. Although if Jamie Vardy were to get injured it might have a serious impact on the rest of their season.
But all kudos to them for the fantastic football they've been playing. But we're better. We're not ahead of them, not by any stretch if the imagination; but we're a more rounded team, with individual talent bursting from the seams.
Let's prove it tomorrow against Spurs. It'll be tough. We have to admit, if somewhat grudgingly, that they look good. But we're better. Man for man, we are the better team with a better team spirit, with a better manager, and the best fans in the world. A win tomorrow will put us back in fifth. Whoever loses will probably drop behind Palace – who would have to not show up at all to lose to Allardyce's Sunderland.
I'll be sitting here in Central New York, screaming and singing. Join me as we will our lads to victory.
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Spurs warned we're far better than last season
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 21, 2015 in News, Whispers
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David Gold is going to Tottenham with more confidence this season than he did last given the squad which Slaven Bilic has assembled.
Yes of course Dimitri Payet is a big miss but with approaching £50 million worth of talent likely to be on the bench the co -chairman believes every Hammer should be more than optimistic of the outcome of the game.
And he points out that whilst Payet has played a massive role this season it should be remembered that eight of the first eleven are the same as last – Adrian, Jenkinson, Reid, Tomkins, Creswell, Noble, Kouyate and Sakho.
He said: "Everybody loves Dimitri – he makes everybody play better but we have a fantastic squad so why should we be worried about going to White Hart Lane.
"I go everywhere now believing we will win. It's no different at Spurs. We hold a series of results over them so psychologically we have a big edge anyway.
"I think this squad can go to White Hart Lane and come away with another win – why wouldn't I think that. We are much better as a squad than when we were last season and we are playing a brand of football really designed to get results."
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Trevor Sinclair: 'Spurs rivalry borders on hatred'
Posted by Sean Whetstone on November 21, 2015 in News, Whispers
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Former Hammer Trevor Sinclair has recorded his prediction for the London Derby grudge match between Spurs and West Ham.
Recording a video for BreatheSport.com Sinclair says:"Huge, Huge rTrevor Sinclairivalry and that's just the players, for the fans I think it borders on hatred. North London against East London, Hertfordshire against Essex, they really don't like each other and when I have played in this game the atmosphere has always been red hot. West Ham this season start away from home has been unbelievable! Four wins from six away games and they played really well, they got some massive scalps on the way but for me this will be as big as any of those scalps especially as they have not got Dimitri Payet who I think everyone agrees has been a most sensational player this season, picked up a bad injury against Everton, really poor challenge for me, should have been a red card. He's not available so if he (Slaven) goes to the Lane and gets a result this will be a remarkable result. It has been West Ham's best start to any Premier League season so credit to them. It will be a ding dong of a battle but I think this one is going to be a draw! 1-1″
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Transfer talk surrounding Iron ill-informed
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 21, 2015 in News, Whispers
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Mauro Zarate is showing that ill informed appears to have confirmed that talk linking him with a move away is entirely inaccurate.
Only a few days ago it was reported that by GazzettaTV that Zarate's agent has been in preliminary contact with Hellas, Verona, Genoa and and Torino as he seeks a club interested in signing his client before the January transfer window.
We would have expected nothing else because the Argentinian's name is the first one mentioned whenever transfer windows beckon but he is clearly on a Hammers surge and very happy with life under Slaven Bilic.
Indeed in a new tweet he's predicting that we will be finishing in the top six with insiders telling ClaretandHugh: "We haven't seen him as happy since he arrived here.
"He is enjoying life and giving all the appearances of a man who wants to stay for some time to come. He wasn't made to feel very welcome when he first got here but he's very much a part of things now."
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Ludo bounces back with Spurs plea
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 21, 2015 in News, Whispers
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Irons goalkeeping legend Ludek Miklosko is back in the Hammers family with a bang.
Rarely seen in the public eye over the last few years, the brilliant former stopper is making his feelings known about the match against Spurs.
Ludo revealed recently how he is enjoying the new Hammers experience having renewed his friendship with the gaffer Slaven Bilic.
The 53 year old Czech made over 300 appearances for the Hammers between 1990-98 and is widely recognised as perhaps the best keeper to ever represent the club.
But he has made a point of popping up on Twitter to cheekily make a call on behalf of the supporters.
He tweeted: Luděk Mikloško @LUDOGK No big games to day the big one Sunday @SpursOfficial vs @whufc_official come on West Ham let win this one for the fans
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Ogbonna, Song, and Antonio travel to Spurs
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 21, 2015 in News, Whispers
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Slaven Bilic has included Angelo Ogbonna, Alex Song and Michail Antonio in the squad which travels to Tottenham for tomorrow afternoon's Sky TV game.
But training ground observers are finding it impossible to predict which X1 will take the field at 4pm given the changing scenarios adopted on the training ground..
ClaretandHugh was told that the previously injured Ogbona and Song are in the travelling squad along with the £7 million deadline day signing but that the manager has mixed things up so much on the training pitch that the starting X1 "is anybody's guess."
We were told: "We've seen Carroll playing through the middle and Diafra Sakho wide before being returned to his central role.
SongMauro Zarate and Antonio have both been used in wide roles as the guessing game has gone on. It will be fascinating to see how Slaven Bilic goes on our first excursion without Dimi Payet.
Ogbonna s desperate to return but should he , Carroll, Song and Antonio start on the bench it will show how far the club has come this term for their collective worth in the transfer market amounts to around £45 million.
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Irons show their hand on Carroll
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 21, 2015 in News, Whispers
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West Ham have tonight reacted for the first time to speculation over Andy Carroll's future.
The club's record signing is at the centre of constant rumours that he could return to the north east with both Sunderland and Newcastle reportedly interested in the 26 year old.
And although Sam Allardyce has been reported today as saying he doesn't believe the player is available the Hammers have stopped short of delivering a total hands-off warning to the Black Cats or his former club.
The club are keenly that their record signing will continue to be linked with a move whatever they say but a well placed insider insisted: "We have no desire to sell Andy Carroll.
"We are of course aware of the Sunderland connection and of what the manager has said and there is a mutual respect between the two clubs.
"Andy Carroll has shown already this season how effective he can be in the match against Chelsea and we want to believe he will remain a West Ham player."
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Remembering beating Spurs at White Hart Lane
Posted by Sean Whetstone on November 21, 2015 in Videos, Whispers
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In recent times it is hard forget those three winter months in 2013 when we beat Spurs twice in their own back yard at White Hart Lane. I was lucky enough to be at both of those away games and now the eve of another White Hart Lane encounter it is worth remembering the season we beat Spurs three times in a season to get us in the mood for another win on Sunday. The only goal scorer still remaining the West Ham team is Winston Reid.
6th October 2013 Spurs 0 West Ham United 3 Goals from: Winston Reid, Ricardo Vaz Te, Ravel Morrison
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