Daily WHUFC News - 12th December 2015

Preview - Stoke City
WHUFC.com

The background

West Ham United will look to end their five-game wait for a victory when
they play host to Stoke City at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday. After
claiming the scalp of Chelsea in October, three draws and two defeats have
followed, although the Hammers were unfortunate not to beat Manchester
United last time out. Only the post stood in their way of a famous Old
Trafford victory, and Slaven Bilic's men will have taken great confidence
from their trip to the north west. Stoke City, meanwhile, have been in fine
from recently, having won three of their last four fixtures. Last weekend
they defeated Manchester City 2-0, while Southampton and Chelsea have also
come up short against the Potters in the last month. Mark Hughes' side are
currently eleventh in the table, a point behind the Hammers in a congested
top half.

The history

The Hammers have met Stoke on 92 occasions previously, winning 35 and losing
33 of those matches. However, the Londoners have not defeated the Potters in
either of the last two seasons, drawing both meetings last term and losing
both the year before. Last season West Ham were 2-0 down against Stoke at
the Britannia Stadium, but goals from Enner Valencia and Stewart Downing
drew them level. The boot was on the other foot at the Boleyn Ground, when
Aaron Cresswell's free kick was cancelled out by an injury time goal from
Marko Arnautovic.

The match

Team news

West Ham United

The Hammers will be without at least five players on Saturday, with Victor
Moses, Winston Reid (both hamstring), Diafra Sakho, Manuel Lanzini (both
thigh) and Dimitri Payet (ankle) all injured. Enner Valencia has also been
out for the last month, but has returned to training this week.

Stoke City

For Stoke, defender Marc Muniesa is expected to return after missing the
last six games with a hamstring injury. However, strikers Peter Crouch and
Peter Odemwingie are out, as is goalkeeper Shay Given.

Match info

Saturday's referee is Andre Marriner, and he will be assisted by Scott
Ledger and Eddie Smart. Keith Hill is the fourth official.
West Ham have gone five league matches without a win (D3, L2).
Stoke have lost just two of their last 10 league matches (W6, D2).
They have kept six clean sheets in their eight most recent league games.
However, they have only scored six goals in their last 10 matches away from
home in the Premier League.
The Potters are the joint-lowest scorers in the top flight, along with Aston
Villa, having managed just 13 goals in 15 games.
Ticketing, travel, coverage and other info

Tickets for this match have SOLD OUT.
A showery day is expected on Saturday, with temperatures reaching a high of
12C (54F).
There are no closures planned on the District and Hammersmith & City lines
serving Upton Park station. Click here for full information on TfL services
and here for National Rail.
If you're not heading to the match, make sure you follow all the action on
our digital channels. Our live Match Centre has audio commentary, in-running
stats, text updates the best pictures and more, while you can get involved
in the conversation on social using the hashtag #WHUSTK

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Tony Carr MBE celebrates with international group!
WHUFC.com

Club Ambassador Tony Carr MBE was on hand to celebrate with a visiting
Malaysian group who were in London as part of the Foundation's international
work. The 1MCC group from Kuala Lumpur has a long standing relationship with
the Foundation and visit annually to receive a full West Ham United
experience. After a wonderful two weeks with the Foundation, the group were
joined by Club legend Tony Carr MBE to hand out awards and celebrate the
achievements of the young group during their time in the capital. He offered
words of encouragement to the participants and explained how they need to
stay dedicated to the sport if they are to be successful and play
professional football one day. "I'm glad to hear you've enjoyed a fantastic
two weeks with the West Ham United Foundation! I've been told that there are
some really talented players among you and I think it's crucial to take the
lessons you have learnt here, back to Malaysia and really work hard at them.
"It's a very demanding task becoming a Premier League footballer and I know
many of you have a dream of becoming one in years to come. Hopefully during
your time here at the Foundation you've developed your ability as
footballers, as well as improving your English language skills and can take
great confidence from this experience."

Foundation staff was on hand to treat the visitors to an array of fun
activities during their two weeks, including a Stadium tour, a matchday
experience, excursions to London and competitive matches against the West
Ham Academy and Kicks teams to name but a few. The group were lucky enough
to see behind the scenes at the First Team training ground at Chadwell Heath
where they caught a glimpse of what the everyday life of a Premier League
footballer looks like. During their time at Chadwell, the young Malaysian
group had the opportunity to meet some of the West Ham United Ladies players
who put their English language skills to the test by requesting a rendition
of I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles. After an impeccable vocal performance, it
was time for the group to take to the field against a young Academy side,
where their progress over the two weeks saw them edge their way to victory
in a close encounter. Foundation Football Development Manager, Bryan Glover
was delighted at the developing partnership and stressed the importance of
the Foundation's international work. "This is another great example of our
fantastic international programme which invites people from across the world
to come and receive a full West Ham United experience. We have a great
relationship with 1MCC and it's been brilliant to have them over once again.
"The young participants have applied themselves fantastically well during
the time they have been here and it's great to have Tony Carr come down and
offer them an idea of what it takes to become a professional footballer.
"Some of them are taking part in things that they'd never get the
opportunity to experience and our partnership with 1MCC has enabled us to
really make some dreams come true these last few weeks!"

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Prices slashed for Wolves tie
WHUFC.com

West Ham United are delighted to confirm that ticket prices have been
reduced for the Emirates FA Cup third round visit of Wolverhampton Wanderers
to the Boleyn Ground. The Hammers will host the Championship side at 3pm on
Saturday 9 January 2016, embarking on what the Club hopes will be a fourth
successful challenge for the world's most-famous knockout competition. Adult
ticket prices for this mouth-watering FA Cup tie have been reduced to £20
for Season Ticket Holders and £25 for non-Season Ticket Holders in all
Bands. Over-65s and Under-21s ticket prices have been set at £10 for Season
Ticket Holders and £15 for non-Season Ticket Holders in all Bands. Under-16
Season Ticket Holders can secure a seat for just £5, while Under-16
non-Season Ticket Holder seats are priced at £10 each. Tickets are on sale
to Season Ticket Holders now, with a priority window being open until 9am on
Tuesday 15 December. Buy now here! Tickets will be on sale to Academy
Members from 9am on Tuesday 15 December, with a General Sale starting from
9am on Thursday 17 December. West Ham have met Wolves twice previously in
the FA Cup, both times at Molineux - a 5-1 second round win in February
1910, in which George Webb scored a hat-trick, and a 3-1 fourth round
victory in January 2004. The Hammers are three-time FA Cup winners, having
lifted the trophy in 1964, 1975 and 1980, while Wolves have won it four
times, doing so in 1893, 1908, 1949 and 1960.

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West Ham V Stoke
KO 15:00
11 December 2015
Last updated at 11:58

Barclays Premier League
Venue: Upton Park Date: Saturday, 12 December

TEAM NEWS

Winston Reid and Victor Moses have joined West Ham's lengthy injury list
after being ruled out until the new year with hamstring problems. The
Hammers are already without Dimitri Payet, Diafra Sakho and Manuel Lanzini,
although Enner Valencia could return.

Stoke defender Marc Muniesa is expected to be involved after missing the
last six games with a hamstring injury. The Potters remain without strikers
Peter Crouch and Peter Odemwingie and goalkeeper Shay Given.

MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES

Alistair Bruce-Ball: "Stoke produced one of the most thrilling performances
of the season last Saturday in beating Manchester City, and it will be
interesting to see if Mark Hughes is bold enough to unleash his front three
of Bojan, Xherdan Shaqiri and Marko Arnautovic again. The Potters are just
one point behind West Ham, having taken 10 points from their last five
games, while the Hammers have managed just three points in that time as
injuries have taken their toll. "If Mauro Zarate had kept his cool they
could have snatched a win at Old Trafford last weekend, but will they be
able to trouble Stoke's stonewall defence without the likes of Payet, Sakho
and Lanzini?"

Twitter: @alibruceball

WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic: "It's going to be hard without players like
Lanzini, Payet, Moses and Sakho, but we played without almost all of them
against Manchester United and still we created enough chances to score
goals. "As I said, when all the players were available it was also about the
squad. Now, we have a tinier squad but it's time for those those players to
step up."
Stoke manager Mark Hughes: "After a performance and result like that
[against Manchester City], there's been a real crackle about the group and
some banter. You sense a lot of confidence. "But the challenge is being able
to do it week in, week out, not just in one-off games. "You've got to be
able to go up against teams at the bottom, as we saw against Sunderland,
where we didn't really start the game as well as we should have done."

LAWRO'S PREDICTION

I was at Old Trafford last week for West Ham's 0-0 draw with Manchester
United and was very impressed with Slaven Bilic's side. Stoke were also very
impressive as they beat Manchester City last week, and it will be
interesting to see if they go for it on Saturday as much as they did in that
win. Stoke have not conceded a league goal while Ryan Shawcross has been on
the pitch this season.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head
Stoke are unbeaten in four league meetings with West Ham (W2, D2).
The Hammers have won just once at home in their last five league meetings
(D2, L2).
West Ham
West Ham have gone five league matches without a win (D3, L2).
However, they are unbeaten in their last five league games at home, winning
two and drawing three.
Their clean sheet against Manchester United last weekend was their first in
10 league matches.
After scoring an average of 2.2 goals per game in their first 10 league
matches, they have averaged just 0.6 in their last five.
The injured Dimitri Payet created 47 goalscoring chances in the Premier
League this season - no other West Ham player has created more than 19.
Stoke
Stoke have lost just two of their last 10 league matches (W6, D2).
They have kept six clean sheets in their eight most recent league games.
However, they have only scored six goals in their last 10 matches away from
home in the Premier League.
The Potters are the joint-lowest scorers in the top flight, along with Aston
Villa, having managed just 13 goals in 15 games.
Marko Arnautovic has scored in both of his Premier League appearances
against West Ham.

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Moncur's backing Bilic
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 11th December 2015
By: Staff Writer

Hammers cult hero John Moncur has admitted he's not been surprised with the
impact his former teammate Slaven Bilic has had at West Ham since his
arrival. In a wide-ranging interview in Blowing Bubbles Monthly, Moncur, who
joined West Ham from Swindon in June 1994 for £1m, believes Bilic is the
right man to take West Ham forward to an exciting future in the Olympic
Stadium.
"He certainly was the one [candidate] that stood out for me because I know
him, I played with him. He's a great lad," the 49-year-old explained. "He
had all the experience to come in and do the job that he is doing. He was a
good international manager, and he likes to play the West Ham way. "I think
he has proven that he has got good recruitment skills, that he has the right
people round him and that he knows the European market as well as English
players. I think he has done a great job and it doesn't surprise me that he
has done so well up to now.
"I think he is going to be the one to take us onto the new chapter when we
move into the new stadium. I think the project over five years if we stick
with him, the club will be in healthy hands."

Elsewhere in this month's issue, George Parris writes in his exclusive
column that Manuel Lanzini's injury is as big a blow as losing Dimitri
Payet. "He's scored some crucial goals already, and took his goal against
Spurs very well, and you just thought he was starting to step out of Payet's
shadow," he wrote. "With no Payet until 2016, we needed him to keep scoring,
creating chances, and playing well but his injury is very cruel on Slaven
Bilic."

Meanwhile, Sky Sports' Bianca Westwood believes now is a brilliant time to
be born into West Ham's brave new world following the arrival of her nephew,
but admitted there was a time she didn't want any child of hers, niece or
nephew to support West Ham. Blowing Bubbles' writers also give their views
on whether or not it's time for the Premier League to consider a winter
break, and if it's time we stopped taking Karren Brady for granted. The
latest issue of Blowing Bubbles Monthly is now available to read for FREE on
your computer, tablet or mobile phone.

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West Ham v Stoke preview: Slaven Bilic faces growing injury problems
By James Walker-Roberts
Last Updated: 11/12/15 1:48pm
Ssn

Injury-hit West Ham will be looking to end a five-match winless run when
they host Stoke on Saturday. The Hammers have lost a number of first-team
players to injuries in recent weeks, with defender Winston Reid and winger
Victor Moses the latest to be sidelined. They have not won a match since
Dimitri Payet suffered an ankle problem against Everton and they are in
danger of falling away from the top six. While the Hammers have not won in
the last five, Stoke have won four of their last five in all competitions.
After their impressive victory over Manchester City last weekend they were
dubbed 'Stokealona' by Barcelona-based newspaper La Vanguardia in
recognition of the entertaining football they produced.
We look at 10 questions that could be answered by the end of the weekend.
They would move above the Hammers in the table if they win at Upton Park.

Team news
Reid and Moses are out until the new year with hamstring injuries and join
Payet (ankle), Diafra Sakho and Manuel Lanzini (both thigh) on the
sidelines. But forward Enner Valencia could return to the squad if he passes
a late fitness test on the ankle injury which has kept him out for five
weeks.
Stoke could have fit-again defender Marc Muniesa back in the squad after the
Spaniard missed the last six first-team games in all competitions while
recovering from a hamstring injury. He has returned to full training and
played for the Under-21s but forwards Peter Crouch and Peter Odemwingie
(both hamstring) and goalkeeper Shay Given (knee) remain sidelined.

Opta stats

Marko Arnautovic has scored in both of his Premier League appearances
against West Ham.
Stoke have not conceded a Premier League goal while Ryan Shawcross has been
on the pitch this season (407 minutes).
Stoke have the lowest chance conversion in the top flight this season,
scoring with just 10.6% of their attempts.
Stoke's Premier League games have seen just 27 goals scored this season -
fewer than any other club.
The injured Payet has created 47 goalscoring chances for West Ham in the
Premier League this season - no other Hammers player has created more than
19

Paul Merson's prediction

It was a fantastic result for Stoke the other day [against Manchester City],
and with West Ham getting all these injuries and stumbling slightly, I can
see Stoke compounding the misery. They're starting to click; Arnautovic,
Shaqiri, Afellay and Bojan clicked against Man City and looked like the
Harlem Globetrotters. When they all connect they're so good, but they can
also be the other way, a bit soft. But I don't like going against them,
they're a good team, and this would be a big win for them if they want to
look towards the top six or seven.

PAUL PREDICTS: 1-2

Betting

West Ham are the 6/4 favourites with Sky Bet for victory at home while Stoke
are outsiders for the win at 19/10 and the draw can be backed at 11/5. Marko
Arnautovic has scored in both of his Premier League appearances against the
Hammers and the Stoke forward is available at 11/4 to net this weekend. West
Ham striker Andy Carroll heads the first goalscorer odds at 5/1 and the top
prospect from the Potters is Bojan at 13/2.

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Slaven Bilic says West Ham need to show they can overcome obstacles
Last Updated: 11/12/15 2:27pm
Ssn

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic says he will not allow his players to use the
club's current injury crisis as an excuse for below-par performances. The
Hammers play host to Stoke on Saturday and are looking to continue their
solid start to the season, which has them sitting seventh in the table.
However, key players Dimitri Payet, Enner Valencia, Diafra Sakho, Manuel
Lanzini, Victor Moses and Winston Reid have all picked up injuries in the
last month, meaning Bilic will have to utilise his squad players in the
coming weeks. But the Hammers boss is confident he has the resources to
cope, and pointed out that a supposedly below-strength side drew 0-0 at
Manchester United last week and could have won. "I'm not trying to find
excuses," said Bilic. "I'm not happy, of course, but I am not trying to be
positive - I am positive. "It's time to show we can overcome these
obstacles. I'm sure we will show we can play without these players. "They
are great players, that's why we got them, and that's why they were playing
regularly, but we have to get through this period without them. "It's going
to be hard without them, but we played without almost all of them against
Manchester United last week and still created enough chances to score goals.
"When they were available, it was all about the squad. Now we have a tinier
squad but it's time for those players who didn't play, with team work and
team spirit, to step up."

The Hammers are now without a win in five and this weekend they play host to
an in-form Stoke side, who beat Manchester City 2-0 last Saturday. "Stoke
played really well against Man City, and not only then, but also Southampton
was a really good away win," said Bilic. "Against Chelsea, and last week
against City, a few of their moves were top-class football, which doesn't
surprise me because up front they have top-quality internationals. "Xherdan
Shaqiri was at Bayern Munich and Inter Milan, big clubs were fighting for
him, so it's credit to (Stoke boss) Mark Hughes for getting him. "The same
happened with Bojan Krkic the year before. "Then they have Marko Arnautovic,
a top-class player, Jonathan Walters, and Mame Biram Diouf on the bench.
They are a good, solid team and much better when t hey attack the space or
counter attack. "I am impressed and it's going to be a very difficult game
for us - but we are also good, of course."

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West Ham fan admits he left his own wedding early to watch match, got a
divorce 18 months later
10:10, 11 DEC 2015 UPDATED 10:12, 11 DEC 2015
BY WILL MAGEE
This guy is a zero on the romance scale but gets a ten for commitment, so it
all balances out really...
The Mirror

Bill Shankly famously said that football isn't a matter of life and death -
it's more important than that. The Liverpool icon was meant to have had his
tongue firmly in his cheek when he uttered those immortal words, but for
some fans that's just about the measure of it. There are some supporters so
fanatical, so ardent, that they'll do almost anything for their club.
They'll make any sacrifice for the sake of the team on matchday. Even if
that sacrifice is their wedding day - and perhaps their marriage, to boot.
We're all for supporter commitment, but this West Ham fan may have gone a
bit far. The gentleman in question called up TalkSport recently to discuss
his love of the Happy Hammers, but then regaled them with this unbelievable
anecdote about how his support for the club basically doomed his nuptials -
mainly because he left his newlywed bride in a registry office so he could
rush off to see the Irons lose 3-1. This is probably the most ridiculous
tale of anti-romance we've ever heard, in all honesty. Though the fan
doesn't explicitly blame the speedy break up of his marriage after only 18
months on his wedding-day indiscretion, the implication is pretty clear.

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Moncur: No problems at Chadwell Heath
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 11, 2015 in News, Whispers C and H

I'm not at all sure that Chadwell Heath is at the bottom of the club's
injury problems. But Slav's decision to move to Rush Green is clever- it's
all about trying to put a couple of per cent on performances and protecting
team spirit. I never suffered a single issue at the training ground in my
time at the club but I remember players who did blame the place. On one
occasion we used the synthetic pitch and you should have heard the moans
about bad backs afterwards. Blimey, I was 35 and had no problem whatsoever,
it's psychological and because we have a clutch of injures people are
looking for a reason. I was brought up playing my football on Hackney
Marshes so Chadwell Heath was brilliant by comparison! Had any of us gone in
moaning to Billy Bonds or Harry Redknapp, they'd have laughed us out the
place. I can imagine that a few of the foreign players have been in to see
Slav and had a little moan-up about things so to protect the squad as best
he can - and also team spirit - the manager has acted. Things may be a bit
more advanced abroad and Slav did mention that one or two players had been
moaning so he's done the clever thing - move on to a place where the pitches
and training facilities are that much better and exclude any reason for back
biting. In these days of sports and science it's all about putting an extra
two or three per cent on performances and if the move down the road does
that then great! I imagine Winston Reid's injury put the tin hat on things
but I remain unconvinced about the taining ground argument. We've had a lot
of rain and guess what, grass gets wet and people slip but Chadwell Heath?
Nah I don't think the grass there is any different to anywhere else.

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Matthew Etherington claims Victor Moses hasn't done himself justice at West
Ham United HITC John Verrall

Victor Moses has scored once in 11 appearances for West Ham United. Matthew
Etherington has told the Sentinel that Victor Moses has failed to do himself
justice with his performances at West Ham United so far. Moses made a bright
start to his Hammers career, but he has struggled to make an impact more
recently. And Etherington says that the winger's lack of consistency is now
becoming a worry. "I think he started well at West Ham, but he's gone a bit
quiet to be honest," Etherington, who used to play for West Ham, said. "I
was really excited by his signing personally, but he hasn't really done
himself justice yet. "Like he was at Stoke, I think he's one of those
players with loads of natural talent and it's just a case of doing it
consistently."

Moses' failure to perform to a consistent standard has been one of the major
issues in his career. The Nigerian is one of the most threatening wide-men
in the Premier League on his day, with his pace and power making him a
nightmare to mark. However, he has a tendency to allow his levels to drop,
and that has been one of the reasons why he has struggled to find a
permanent home. Moses has been loaned out by Chelsea for the past three
seasons, and he has spent time at Liverpool and Stoke City prior to his move
to West Ham. Moses has made 11 appearances for Slaven Bilic's, and he has
scored once. He is currently out injured, meaning he will miss the Hammers'
match against Stoke at the weekend.

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Blackburn Rovers boss Paul Lambert gives fitness update on West Ham loanee
Doneil Henry, does not want repeat of season-ending injury HITC Mathew Nash

The Canadian has featured once in the Championship for Rovers. Doneil Henry
is a player who West Ham certainly have a lot of hope for regarding the
future. The talented 22-year-old arrived in January from Cypriot side
Apollon Limassol as something of a gamble from Sam Allardyce. The Canadian
international is however, nine months on, still waiting for his West Ham
Premier League debut. In fact, to date, his only game for West Ham was in a
disappointing 2-1 loss to Astra Giurgiu in the Europa League. So he was
recently loaned out to Championship side Blackburn Rovers. Last term he
impressed during a similar spell at Ewood Park, after a recommendation from
Ryan Nelsen saw Gary Bowyer snap him up. Unfortunately he suffered an injury
and the deal was cut short, with Henry not playing again after March last
season. Now his new loan boss has described how he will be managing the
player's fitness in the weeks to come.

New Rovers boss Paul Lambert told the Lancashire Telegraph this week: "We
just had to watch that he never broke down again. That's important because,
if he did break down, we'd have to send him back to West Ham. "We have to
manage him a little bit. I think he was feeling the effects of the training
last week, so that was why we decided to leave him out. "It's been a long
time, not playing and training, and he's come into this where it's high
intensity. "We've just got to man-manage him to make sure he's okay."

West Ham fans will certainly be pleased to hear that Henry is seemingly in
safe hands at Ewood Park. His spell ended too soon last time he was with the
club and that did his future chances at West Ham no favours. His current
deal expires at the start of January but there is an option to extend it. If
he can continue to thrive at the Championship club, who seem to be turning
things around under the management of Lambert, then in time he might just
become the West Ham regular it is hoped he will be.

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West Ham star provides injury update after Slaven Bilic predicts return date
Londn 24
09:40 11 December 2015 Pete Evans

Manuel Lanzini says his recovery is going well and his manager predicts the
West Ham playmaker could be back by December 20. The Argentine has enjoyed
an eye-catching start to life at Upton Park only to suffer a thigh injury in
training last week which ruled him out of the 0-0 draw with Manchester
United and this weekend's clash with Stoke. Initially the Hammers said he
was expected to be sidelined for up to six weeks but speaking at his weekly
press conference on Thursday Bilic explained that he 'hopes' Lanzini could
be back for the Swansea trip in just nine days. And the 22-year-old was
feeling equally positive about his chances of a speedy return. "Trust me
when I say I am as desperate to return to action as you are," he told the
club's official website in a message to fans. "Thankfully my recovery is
going well and I may be able to return in a few weeks. "I'm feeling a lot
better now, I'm hoping to get back as soon as possible, there's nothing like
the feeling of running out on the pitch every weekend so I'm hoping for a
quick recovery and hopefully I get back to the level I was playing at before
the injury." If Lanzini does not make the trip to Swansea then he could
return for either of their festive fixtures against Aston Villa away and
Southampton at home.

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Slaven Bilic rules out warm weather winter trip and reveals chairmen talks
over injuries London 24
07:00 11 December 2015 Brad Pinard

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic admits dealing with the Hammers' training
ground has been tough in recent weeks. The Chadwell Heath pitches are not in
a fit state, according to Bilic, as the rock hard ground is covered by a
slippery surface, causing injuries. Four key Hammers are out with muscle
injuries which can all be brought back to the training ground pitches and so
change has been made with the Hammers moving two miles down the road to Rush
Green from next week onwards. Bilic reveals he spoke to David Gold and
Sullivan in midweek about the move and that Upton Park is also a venue that
can be used for training. "It was an easy conversation. I spoke yesterday to
the chairman and he agreed totally with me. "Ok Rush Green is not ready, we
weren't planning on moving until next season, but the pitch is my concern,
not the kitchen or play room. "The plan was to move at the start of next
pre-season but it could be October or any time. "Another solution was to
change here and go over there on a mini bus. There are a lot of things
missing there off the pitch. "We will also monitor these pitches, maybe in
one month they are ok or maybe we can mix. "Maybe Upton Park too, in
previous years when West Ham play away on the Saturday they would train at
Upton Park." Sam Allardyce notoriously took his team to Dubai or Malaga for
some warm weather training, which was reported to have been more a 'team
bonding' event. Bilic admits he won't be doing that but is pleased he has
made a change. "I heard that in recent years the managers were taking the
players to Malaga to train," Bilic said. "I would like to avoid that, to fly
to Spain for training, you don't need that." I wanted to do something and I
am sure I had to do something. The groundsman has told me the pitches at
Rush Green are better so we will go there."

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How Hammers could line up v Stoke as summer signing grabs first start London
24
07:20 11 December 2015 Brad Pinard

West Ham are struggling with injuries and Slaven Bilic will make changes
against Stoke on Saturday. With a number of key men out such as Dimitri
Payet, Enner Valencia and Diafra Sakho, Bilic's team have struggled lately.
With added new injuries to Winston Reid, Manuel Lanzini and Victor Moses,
Bilic has decisions to make. Michail Antonio should in for his first start
for the club and Carl Jenkinson could also be recalled to replace Reid.

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Neville decision could scupper West Ham plot to sign The Beast Alvaro
Negredo HITC Dan Coombs

One of Gary Neville's first moves as Valencia boss could prevent West Ham
from signing Alvaro Negredo. West Ham are in need of reinforcements over the
coming transfer window to solve their injury problems, and one of the best
players linked is striker Alvaro Negredo. An editorial in The Metro this
week suggested the Hammers go back in for Negredo, having failed to sign him
in 2013 when he moved to Manchester City instead. It would be an outstanding
deal. Negredo is a proven goalscorer who has Premier League experience, and
is physically suited to playing in the league. After struggling this season
at Valencia, he would also have a point to prove to them, as well as
Manchester City. Gary Neville's early actions as boss of Los Che would
indicate though that a move is off the table. Negredo, nicknamed The Beast,
had been selected for only five matches in La Liga, scoring once, but
Neville has brought him back into the fold.
Spanish newspaper Marca reported how Neville decided to recall the striker
for their Champions League match with Lyon, while the move was hailed by
club captain Dani Parejo, reported Football Espana, who said: "He's an
important player for us and we are very happy because he can provide a lot
to the group."
Negredo made his comeback against Lyon, his first match since October 3, and
it was a bittersweet affair as the French side won to condemn Valencia to
the Europa League, but he himself praised Neville's approach and 'clear
instructions', reported Football Espana. The signs are that any club
attempting to sign him have been dealt a blow by Neville's decision to
involve him, and essentially take him off the transfer market, and unless
things change over the next month, West Ham will have to look elsewhere.

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