Daily WHUFC News - 8th December 2015

Manchester United 0-0 West Ham United
WHUFC.com

West Ham United secured a valuable away point at Old Trafford following a
0-0 draw with Manchester United. While the team and fans alike were
satisfied with a point, it was testament to a committed performance that the
Hammers could have been forgiven for wanting more than a solitary point.
From front to back, the claret and blues put in a terrific display, in
particular Adrian and Winston Reid were talismanic at the back in ensuring a
clean sheet. Meanwhile upfront, they had a series of chances, most notably
for Victor Moses after just 11 minutes, while Mauro Zarate had a similarly
golden chance shortly after the re-start, both chances were thwarted by the
ever impressive David De Gea. Prior to kick off, Slaven Bilic made four
changes to side that drew with West Brom. Mark Noble, Alex Song, Andy
Carroll and James Tomkins all came into the starting line up in place of the
injured Diafra Sakho and Manuel Lanzini, while Carl Jenkinson and Pedro
Obiang dropped to the bench. With the travelling Hammers' fan in fine voice
prior to kick off, the injuries to Sakho and Lanzini clearly hadn't dampened
their optimism and confidence; resounding renditions of 'We've got Payet',
'Bubbles' and 'Let's all do the Barthez' could be heard loud and clear. The
hosts started the brighter, first Paddy McNair fired narrowly over from the
edge of the box before Marouane Fellaini's back post header nestled against
the side netting. However the Hammers responded with a golden chance of
their own after eleven minutes when Victor Moses bore down on goal following
an exquisite through-ball from Mark Noble. The Nigerian raced away from his
marker yet David De Gea did brilliantly to parry the shot. In a terrifically
open and exciting encounter, Fellaini's height and presence again caused
problems, this time his knock down to livewire Anthony Martial was saved by
a heroic block tackle from Winston Reid to maintain the stalemate.

Midway through the half, again the game turned. Cheikhou Kouyate bombed
forward with typical gusto and laid off Aaron Cresswell who fizzed in a
teasing cross. For once, De Gea fumbled it straight into Zarate's path yet a
ricocheted Chris Smalling clearance skimmed the post and out for a corner.
From the resulting corner, the visitors hit the post again, this time Reid's
towering header had the Spaniard beaten but the woodwork came to the host's
rescue. The second half started much like the first had ended; with chances
aplenty for both sides. The pick of the bunch fell to Zarate following
superb link up play between Andy Carroll and Michail Antonio. The Argentine
shot from six yards out, yet at an acute angle, he fired wide. The look of
anguish on his face said it all.

Moments later Van Gaal's side had a golden chance of their own, Jesse
Lingard burst down the left and fed Martial who pulled it back to Fellaini.
With the goal at his mercy, Adrian made an outstanding save when it seemed
like the Belgian could not miss. Old Trafford was stunned. With 20 minutes
remaining, Van Gaal brought on Memphis Depay who posed the Hammers' backline
further problems, yet they stood up to the task manfully. Bilic responded by
bringing on Pedro Obiang for Alex Song who had run himself into the ground
on his first start of the season. Despite pressure late on, the Hammers
withstood the onslaught and were value for their point, taking them to a
comfortable 23 points from 15 games.

Manchester United: De Gea, Darmian, Smalling ©, McNair (Varela 46), Blind,
Schneiderlin (Carrick 43), Schweinsteiger (Memphis 72), Lingard, Fellaini,
Mata, Martial
Subs: Romero (GK), Young, Borthwick-Jackson, Pereira
Bookings: Carrick

West Ham United: Adrian, Tomkins, Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Noble ©, Song
(Obiang 77), Kouyate, Moses (Antonio 37), Zarate (Jenkinson 86), Carroll
Subs: Randolph, Collins, Oxford, Jelavic
Referee: Mark Clattenberg
Attendance: 75,350

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Bilic - I can only praise the team
WHUFC.com

West Ham United boss Slaven Bilic was full of praise for his team after they
earned a 0-0 draw at Manchester United on Saturday. The Hammers gave as good
as they got at Old Trafford and could well have taken all three points after
hitting the woodwork twice through Mauro Zarate and Winston Reid. The fine
margins were not with the Hammers in an attacking sense, but Bilic was
thrilled with the way his team were set up overall, limiting the hosts to a
single shot on target, despite second half pressure. He explained: "I can
only praise the team because first of all the way we defended and the way we
were closing them down, and the way we were good with the ball. "The amount
of chances we created here against a team who have conceded only one goal at
home this season, especially when you add on top of that we were without
four major players, puts me in a situation that I want and I have to praise
the players for the team performance, "It gives us belief that we've come
here and created those chances without those players, definitely, but still
we didn't score a goal. "What I'm saying is that this pattern is good for
us because this is the only way that we can replace those players that we
are missing and unfortunately we are going to miss for a few more games."

The Hammers kept a first clean sheet in ten league matches and Bilic said
that was a huge positive ahead of a busy December. He added: "To be fair
Manchester United had their chances. They weren't on target because we made
a few really great blocks in front of the goal. "It is Manchester United
and you can't expect from them not to have a chance. We limited them to a
minimum of chances and that's why we're very pleased with this result. "This
is a good pattern now for us, before this busy period. We have a lot of
games, and when the players come back, we have to be like we were today -
defending as a team."

The one negative was the first half injury to Victor Moses, which forced him
off the field early. Bilic said: "It's still too early, but it doesn't look
good again. It's a hamstring - he felt it and we had to takw him off. "It's
a big blow for us, but we have to stay positive as some of the players maybe
have a chance of being back for the Stoke game. If not Stoke, then Swansea."

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Song - I am very happy to be back
WHUFC.com

Alex Song was a tired but proud man after helping West Ham United to a
hard-fought goalless draw at Manchester United. The midfielder made his
first senior start in seven months as the Hammers climbed back into the
Barclays Premier League's top six with a fine performance at Old Trafford.
Song, who has recently returned following a long-term ankle problem, was
part of a superb all-round term performance that combined defensive
resilience with counter-attacking flair. "I think we did very well," he told
West Ham TV. "Firstly, we had a lot of chances to score, but we have to be
happy with the draw and with the point, because the way we were working
together and the team spirit we showed was fantastic. "The fans were very
happy and that's why we have to play like this, and we just have to improve
at home as well. In a way, we are happy to get a point. "We had a lot of
opportunites to win this game but this is football – sometimes it doesn't go
in and no matter how hard you try, you cannot score. I am happy, but I think
I could be happier if we won this game. It's the same for the fans as well."

Song says the Hammers have to take the confidence they have shown on the
road this season into their performances at the Boleyn Ground. West Ham have
earned 14 of their 23 points away from home this season, winning at Arsenal,
Liverpool and Manchester City and now drawing at Manchester United. "We
played very well, but for the future we just have to keep going and improve
our game at home, because if we do that then we will get much more
confident. "When we play away, we are very good. That's why we have to try
to do the same thing at home."

West Ham hit the post twice and lost Victor Moses to injury, but there was a
sense of pride rather than frustration at the final whistle. For Song,
simply returning to the pitch from the kick-off after such a long time on
the sidelines was a source of real pride and happiness. "I'm very happy
because for six months I did not do anything," he explained. "I was just
training very hard when I was injured. When I had surgery, I had to work
very hard to come back. "I am very happy because it's not finished yet. I
have to keep working. I am very happy with how I played but I know I'm not
100 per cent. "The last 15 minutes it was very hard because my legs were
shaking a little bit. That's normal because I didn't play, but I am happy
with how things went and I just have to rest and be ready for when the
manager gives me the chance to play."

Song will now continue to build up his fitness and form as West Ham prepare
for the busy festive period. With home games against Stoke City and
Liverpool, trips to Swansea City and Aston Villa and the FA Cup third round
all on the agenda, the No4 will be a vital figure as the Hammers try to
maintain their top-half position in the New Year. "For me, I've said every
time that in the next few years we will be fighting for the top, because
that's what everyone at the Club wants to do. "The fans give all their best
to support the team and then the players want to achieve a lot of things.
That's the way we want to be and the way we want to play for West Ham
Football Club."

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Tomkins pleased with clean sheet
WHUFC.com

James Tomkins returned to the West Ham United starting eleven at Old
Trafford and was delighted to help the team to a first clean sheet in ten
Barclays Premier League matches. The Hammers were solid against Manchester
United, but could possibily have turned the draw into victory with several
good chances falling their way. Tomkins admitted the win could have been
theirs, but was still satisfied with the point. He said: "It could have been
all three - we had so many chances and you don't often get that at Old
Trafford. "They keep a lot of clean sheets, but we could have scored two or
three. On another day they go in, but we'll take the point home and [look at
it] as a good day at the office." Tomkins' chance back in the team came at
right back, and although he is more recognised in the centre, the Academy
graduate is pleased to do his bit there. He added: "I'm still learning
there. It's a completely different experience for me - I'd be able to count
the amount of times I've played there on two hands. "I've had a couple of
good performances there against some good teams so it's been a good test for
me. "I want to play anywhere for the team and I'm enjoying it at right
back."

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Manager on Monday
WHUFC.com

Slaven Bilic was still beaming after Saturday's impressive draw at
Manchester United added to West Ham United's superb collection of away
results this season.
Bilic said that the nature of the Hammers' performance – which follows
impressive away wins at Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City - will give
them belief going into an intensive run of games over the Christmas period.
Stoke City are up next at the Boleyn Ground this Satul6rday and the manager
will almost certainly be replaying clips of his side's Old Trafford
performance in a bid to fire them up for the game. "You can talk, you can do
analysis, you can prepare but the best way the players are going to believe
it is when they have done it," Bilic explained. "You could have prepared the
game by saying how things should be done by showing them something from some
other club, but I can do it using our team from almost every single game."

Bilic explained that he had briefed his players to exploit the hosts'
attacking intent and so it proved as the visitors created by far the best
chances. Victor Moses, Mauro Zarate, twice, and Winston Reid all went close
to securing the winner before late United pressure required some outstanding
defence work from the Hammers' backline. "I told the players yesterday and
at half time that at 0-0 the longer the game goes they are giving you more
spaces and they are risking more and they don't track back immediately so it
presents more opportunity. "The chances were key moments that you get when
you play Manchester United as you can't expect that you'll get five or ten
of them. That moment you have to score if you want to win anywhere,
especially at Old Trafford. Moses passed up a good one-on-one opportunity
after being played in by Noble, Zarate hit the post from close range, Reid
headed a corner against the frame, before Zarate missed arguably the best
chance of the lot after being played in by Andy Carroll. Bilic, however,
believes those misses did not necessarily define the game "The players
responded really well and it was a very good point for us, especially when
you consider the historic results between West Ham and Manchester United.
They have only conceded one goal at home and we had four of our best
offensive players out, so to put that performance on was superb. "We didn't
only defend, on the contrary, we created enough chances against them and it
was a very good day for us. "But you never know in football. If we had
scored then we might have lost 2-1!"

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Westley - That was the best performance so far
WHUFC.com

Terry Westley described the 2-1 victory over previously unbeaten West
Bromwich Albion as the best performance of the season so far. The young
Hammers extended their winning run to five games with a sterling performance
at Rush Green. To a man, the Dev Squad were superb, and their efforts were
rewarded when birthday boy Jaanai Gordon netted his third goal in two games
with a powerful shot before Martin Samuelsen secured the win late on with a
volley from a corner in stoppage time. Speaking after the win, Westley said:
"I'm delighted with the way we played, particularly against a very
experienced side. We didn't just win; we outplayed them and out passed them.
The combination of all the hard work has come together for a fine result and
a fine performance. "I think collectively, with the team we were up against
tonight, even if we hadn't won tonight, I would still be delighted with the
performance. We were terrific regardless of the result tonight, the added
bonus if that we've won. "In terms of the result, it's probably the best
we've had so far, and maybe the best result too."

Having struggled for points early on in the season, the Dev Squad have now
turned committed, hardworking performances into the points they richly
deserve.
After Gordon had opened the scoring, Saido Berahino responded quickly by
scoring a well-taken equaliser, however the hosts refused to be cowed and
got their rewards seconds from time when Samuelsen, a real thorn in the
Baggies' side all evening got his just rewards as he connected to Josh
Cullen's inswinging corner.
Westley continued: "The players are learning all the time which is
important, and that's our job to produce players ready for the first team.
And then collectively, if they jell together then you have the makings of a
good team. That's a bonus really, now I'm seeing plenty of our players ready
to make that step into the first team.
"Our stats will be high tonight, number of touches, passes, entries into
their box will be positive. Then the confidence grows and the players
believe in what you're doing, and in themselves. "You can't really pick
out individual players tonight; we were good across the board."

Up next for the Dev Squad is a tough home fixture at Upton Park against
Arsenal, who beat the Hammers 5-0 earlier in the season. However Westley
believes the confidence garnered from their recent run of victories will
count for a lot come next Monday. "Five wins in a row at any level is a lot.
We didn't have a particularly good start, but we've caught up. Now we face
Arsenal next at Upton Park, hopefully we'll have a decent crowd supporting
us. "We had four U18s playing for us tonight and that combination of Cullen,
Dobson and Browne is a joy to watch, they'll bring something different to
the table. Then out wide, Parfitt-Williams and Samuelsen can beat people,
they'll frustrate, but there aren't many players who can beat players on the
inside or outside, so we have plenty of options. "Page and Knoyle looked
like professionals tonight and the two centre-backs in the middle held it
all together. Jaanai scored a great shot to cap it off. "We're now
dominating games, and we can still improve on that. We're keeping possession
better. We're creating the outcomes where our players can become Premier
League players, we need to continue and maintain that level of performance
we have now established. If we do that in the second half of the season we
will have more outcomes where we produce Premier League players."

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Young Hammers suffer the Blues
WHUFC.com

West Ham United's U18s suffered a 4-0 defeat at the hands of the Barclays
U18 Premier League South leaders Chelsea on Saturday 5 December. The Blues
opened the scoring after just two minutes when Jacob Maddox burst into the
Hammers' penalty box and slid home to put the hosts ahead. Miro Muheim,
Trevoh Chalobah and Ike Ugbo all netted in the second half to secure the
emphatic win. After last weekend's 2-2 home draw with Arsenal, the Academy
made four changes to the starting eleven. Goalkeeper Tim Brown, on Youth
Loan at Chelmsford City, was replaced by Sam Howes. Matt Carter missed the
trip to Cobham, while Aboulahi Diallo and Grady Diangana were dropped to the
bench, allowing Joe Powell, Noha Sylvestre and U16 midfielder Anthony Scully
a starting place. Having won 11 of their 15 league fixtures prior to kick
off, it took Chelsea just 70 seconds to show their dominance when a strong
and skillful run into the Hammers' penalty area finished with Maddox firing
inside the near post. The visitors had few chances of their own within the
opening 45 minutes, although Howes made a string of saves to keep the score
at 1-0. Just nine minutes into the second half, Chelsea finally managed to
double their advantage when an outstanding through ball from Mason Mount
found Muheim through on goal, who finished confidently into the corner of
the net. Having established a comfortable cushion, the Blues found a rhythm
and were passing the ball around well, forcing the east London visitors to
chase the ball. The home side extended their lead even further through a
corner, which was whipped into the box by Mount and headed home by
16-year-old Chalobah. The young Hammers did manage to conjure up a rare
opportunity midway through the second half when former Blues midfielder Dan
Kemp nut-megged his opponent and played in Jahmal Hector-Ingram, but the
England international forward could only find the side netting with his
powerful shot. Down the other end, the hosts wrapped up the points when a
quick attack down the wing allowed for a low cross to find Ugbo alone in the
six yard box to seal the 4-0 result. The Hammers now have just one last
fixture left before Christmas as they head to Derby U18 in the FA Youth Cup
Third Round on Friday 18 December. Kick-off at the iPro Stadium is 7pm.

U18: Howes, Sylvestre (Diallo), Neufville, Lewis, Akinola, Alese, Borg,
Powell (Coventry), Hector-Ingram, Scully (Henry), Kemp.
Subs not used: Forde, Diangana.

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Loan round up
WHUFC.com

Reece Burke played for the full 90 minutes as Bradford City eased past
Chesham United in the FA Cup Second Round. Goals from Kyel Ried, James
Hanson, Gary Liddle and Devante Cole secured the rout which sees them
progress to the Third Round of the FA Cup.

Diego Poyet played 73 minutes of MK Don's 2-0 defeat away at Brentford. A
goal either side of half-time secured the Bees the three points. Lasse Vibe
opened the scoring after 21 minutes before Alan Judge doubled the lead. The
Dons are 20th in the Championship with 16 points from 19 games.

Chelmsford City slipped to a 2-1 defeat away at Gosport Borough in Tim
Brown's debut for the Clarets. Dan Wooden opened the scoring for the hosts
shortly after the restart before Michael Thalassitis looked to have rescued
a point. However George Barker popped up with six minutes remaining to seal
the win.

Josh Pask was an unused substitute in Dagenham & Redbridge's 1-1 draw with
minnows Whitehawk to enforce an FA Cup replay.

Clarke Bogard's Tilbury made it 17 matches unbeaten with a hard earned point
against Soham Town Rangers.

Ben Sawyer curled a free-kick home expertly however Tilbury earned
themselves a penalty when Harry Cook was bundled over and Kurt Smith scored
from the spot. The visitors again went ahead when a ball in the box found
Sawyer again to tap home, however a second Cook penalty saved the home side.

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From the Boardroom - David Sullivan
WHUFC.com

It was a fantastic performance from the team against Manchester United on
Saturday. It is never easy playing at Old Trafford and considering the
number of players who were missing through injury, Slaven was still able to
pick a strong side and we could have easily come away with all three points.
We hit the woodwork twice in the first half and the statistics suggest that
over the course of a season you score five times as many goals as you hit
the post. To hit the post twice and not score is therefore a statistical
long shot, but sadly our luck isn't in at the moment. We also had big
chances to score through Mauro Zarate and Victor Moses and on another day we
would have scored four goals! Mauro is one of the best finishers at the club
and I know he will be gutted that he was not able to convert the chance when
he was through on goal. Hopefully he will be able to put that behind him and
get on the scoresheet when we play Stoke on Saturday. Winston Reid had a
superb game at the back and all the defenders played their part in helping
us to come away with an impressive clean sheet. We have taken only three
points from the last five games, but in all three draws we were so close to
getting the win, so I can't be too downhearted. We suffered more
disappointment on the injury front at the weekend when Manuel Lanzini was
forced to miss the game at Old Trafford. Victor Moses also had to leave the
pitch in the first half. Hopefully Lanzini is a very short-term injury.
Enner Valencia will hopefully be back in action in the near future and Payet
and Sakho will be back in February. It will be great to get these top
players back in action. We are back in action at the Boleyn Ground on
Saturday and we face a Stoke side who are at the top of their game. But I
believe we can beat them on Saturday. We recently had a fantastic Cyber
weekend across all our retail outlets and I want to thank you for taking
advantage of all the special offers we made available. With Christmas fast
approaching I urge you to visit our Club Stores, or shop online at the
official West Ham store and make sure you don't miss out on your Hammers
stocking fillers.

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Noble - We have a great team spirit
WHUFC.com

West Ham United captain Mark Noble has nothing but praise for the way his
team-mates have stuck together this season and showed they are ready to
compete against any team in the top flight. Despite losing influential
players such as Dimitri Payet, Diafra Sakho, Enner Valencia and Manuel
Lanzini and Victor Moses coming off injured in the first half, the players
still showed they have enough quality to come away with an impressive point
against Manchester United. The Hammers could have easily won the game after
hitting the woodwork twice and both Moses and Mauro Zarate had big
opportunities to open the scoring. Noble feels the team spirit has played a
major role in helping the squad come together and the strength in depth has
enabled Slaven Bilic to still name a strong team when key players have not
been available for selection.

Noble said: "We have had good team spirit from day one. We are not going to
get a result every game but it is how you bounce back. We have had a few
good away results this season, but coming off the back of a couple of
disappointing performances, I thought the boys played really well. "There
were a lot of important players missing (against United) but the boys have
stepped in well. I thought the back four were fantastic and Reidy in
particular was great. "Angelo coming back into the team and Tonks playing at
right back at Old Trafford against a tricky player just shows what we have
got in the dressing room. It is a great result for us. "To come to Old
Trafford on a windy afternoon in December and put in a performance like that
shows you the belief and a lot of credit to the lads. "We had a couple of
great blocks from the lads but we had chances to win the game. We hit the
post twice and had a great chance when Victor missed a one on one. Mauro has
also missed a good chance. "You don't normally get too many opportunities
when you come to Old Trafford and it is a credit for us that we managed to
create them. They are a top team and have only conceded one goal at home
this season but we gave them a good game."

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Hammers draw Wolves in Round Three
WHUFC.com

West Ham United have been drawn to face Wolverhampton Wanderers in the
Emirates FA Cup third round.
The Hammers will host the Sky Bet Championship side side over the weekend of
8-11 January 2016.

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Lou predicts tough trip for Potters
KUMb.com
Filed: Monday, 7th December 2015
By: Staff Writer

Former West Ham United manager Lou Macari believes Stoke will have their
work cut out when they visit the Boleyn Ground this weekend. Macari, who
managed the Hammers for six months between July 1989 and February 1990 went
on to manage City - placing him in a fairly unique position. And he believes
that West Ham may have rediscovered their mojo following the goalless draw
at Old Trafford last weekend against another of his former clubs. "I was at
Old Trafford on Saturday and after watching Man City go down at the
Britannia, everyone was wrongly assuming that Man Utd would take advantage
by beating West Ham," he told the Sentinel. "I was interested to see what
West Ham had to offer because Stoke go there on Saturday. "In years gone by
they've turned up at Old Trafford, got soundly beaten without too much fuss
and left you wondering why they bothered to make the journey north. But last
Saturday I have to say they seemed to have a bit more about them. "For long
spells they not only did okay against Man Utd, but were the better team.
They had chances to sneak a game that deserved to end in a draw at the end
of the day. So on this form, you'd expect Stoke to be in for a tough one at
Upton Park this coming weekend."

Macari, who was fired by West Ham after being investigated for betting
irregularities also admitted that he will be sad to see the Boleyn Ground
pulled down at the end of the current season. "It will be Stoke's last visit
to that great stadium and I must admit I find it terribly sad to see such
arenas disappearing, just like White Hart Lane in another part of London,"
he said.

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Bastian Schweinsteiger charged by FA for alleged act of violent conduct
By PA Sport
Last Updated: 07/12/15 8:13pm
SSN

Bastian Schweinsteiger has been charged with violent conduct by the Football
Association for an alleged elbow on Winston Reid in Manchester United's
goalless draw against West Ham. Schweinsteiger appeared to stick out his
left arm and caught Reid in the throat as both players jostled for position
in the build-up to a first-half free-kick. Referee Mark Clattenburg spoke to
both players to calm them down, but did not see the apparent elbow and it
was therefore not mentioned in his post-match report. That left the FA free
to punish the midfielder retrospectively. The 31-year-old is facing a
three-match ban if found guilty. An FA statement read: "Bastian
Schweinsteiger has been charged for an alleged act of violent conduct which
was not seen by the match officials but caught on video. "The Manchester
United midfielder was involved in an incident with West Ham United's Winston
Reid in the 40th minute of the game on Saturday December 5, 2015. "The
matter was referred to a panel of three former elite referees who each
reviewed the video footage independently of one another to determine whether
they considered it a sending-off offence. "For an FA charge to follow the
decision by the panel must be unanimous. The player has until 12 noon on
Thursday 10 December 2015 to reply to the charge."

Already hampered by a lengthy injury list, United can ill afford to lose the
influential player for their next three league games, which are against
Bournemouth, Norwich and Stoke. Schweinsteiger was prevented from speaking
about the incident at United's pre-match press conference in Wolfsburg on
Monday evening. "We're here to talk about the game," a United official said
when a reporter asked the German about the clash with Reid. The West Ham
defender insisted on Saturday that the elbow was intentional. "He knows
what he's done - he's elbowed me in the face," Reid said after the game. And
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic insisted the player should have been sent off.
He said: "It's a clear red card. A straight red without any doubts. It was a
moment of madness. He deserved to be sent off, but the referee told me he
didn't see it. Fair enough, I believe it. It was an elbow."

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West Ham forward Victor Moses to have scan on Tuesday
By PA sport
Last Updated: 07/12/15 11:33am
SSN

West Ham winger Victor Moses will undergo a scan on Tuesday to discover the
extent of his hamstring problem. The 24-year-old, who is on loan from
Chelsea, hobbled off in the 37th minute of the goalless draw with Manchester
United at Old Trafford on Saturday. Hammers boss Slaven Bilic feared Moses
could be out for up to six weeks so he will be hoping the scan shows the
injury is not as bad as first feared. He said: "We have to wait for a scan
but it doesn't look good. It's not like cramp. I don't know if it's three,
four, five or six weeks."

Bilic is already short of options in attack with Dimitri Payet, Diafra
Sakho, Enner Valencia and Manuel Lanzini left sitting on the sidelines at
the weekend. Lanzini could be fit to face Stoke at Upton Park this Saturday
after suffering what was described as a minor injury in training late last
week. West Ham co-chairman David Gold wrote on Twitter: "I'm optimistic
that Lanzini will be available for Stoke but we must wait till Tuesday for
the scan on Victor." Ecuador forward Valencia could also be in contention to
face the Potters after five weeks out with an ankle injury, but Payet and
Sakho are not expected back until February.

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Ref Watch: Should Marouane Fellaini and Bastian Schweinsteiger be sent off?
Last Updated: 07/12/15 8:29pm
SSN

Should Marouane Fellaini and Bastian Schweinsteiger have been sent off
against West Ham? Should Alberto Moreno's goal against Newcastle have stood?

Those were some of the questions posed to former referee Dermot Gallagher on
Sky Sports Now after another weekend of contentious decisions in the Premier
League.

Read on for his take on three big offside decisions, a couple of handballs
and some players who were very fortunate not to receive red cards...

INCIDENT: Manchester United's Marouane Fellaini challenges James Tomkins of
West Ham with his studs, but is not punished by the referee.

SCENARIO: In the 27th minute of Saturday's game at Old Trafford, Fellaini
and Tomkins entered a 50-50 challenge by the touchline. Tomkins wins the
ball but Felliani's studs appeared to go into Tomkins' shin. No foul or card
was given by referee Mark Clattenburg with Tomkins exiting the challenge
unscathed.

GALLAGHER'S VIEW: Should have been a red card.

GALLAGHER SAYS: "Initially I didn't think it was a free-kick when I saw this
and thought it was a throw-in. That's what Mark Clattenburg sees because he
thinks Fellaini has kicked the ball out. From a different angle, you can see
he's been very naughty. When you see Mark Clattenburg's view, Tomkins' body
actually shields what happens. It's up to the FA to decide if they're going
to follow it up. I would have given it as a red."

INCIDENT: Bastian Schweinsteiger of Manchester United appears to throw an
elbow to the throat of West Ham's Winston Reid, but is not punished.

SCENARIO: As United prepared for a free-kick, Schweinsteiger appeared to
catch Winston Reid with an elbow to the throat. The referee talked to both
players but no cards were given.

GALLAGHER'S VIEW: Red card for Schweinsteiger... if Clattenburg saw the
incident!

GALLAGHER SAYS: "I'm not convinced the referee's seen what we've seen. Chris
Smalling may block him off. He's seen two players coming together and what
he's done is decided to calm it down, take the heat out of it, because it
was a free-kick. I'm not convinced he sees what we see from the camera
angle. If you do that in the current climate you run a massive risk. If you
take that risk and get caught you have to accept the punishment. If Mark
Clattenburg had a really good view of that, he would send him off."

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Bastian Schweinsteiger elbowed me in the face, says Winston Reid
Last Updated: 06/12/15 7:31am
SSN

Winston Reid and Slaven Bilic were adamant Manchester United's Bastian
Schweinsteiger should have got his marching orders for a flying elbow.
Schweinsteiger and Reid clashed in the 0-0 draw at Old Trafford on Saturday
as West Ham avoided defeat at another of the Premier League heavyweights
following wins at Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool. As the pair were
jostling in the penalty box in the first half, the German World Cup winner
swung an elbow which caught Reid in the throat. Referee Mark Clattenberg
called both players over but no cards were brandished to the bemusement of
West Ham manager Bilic, who had words with the official as the teams went in
at half-time and labelled the incident a "big time red card". Reid agreed
with his manager, claiming it was a calculated act on Schweinsteiger's part.
Reid said: "It was a red card. He knows what he's done - he's elbowed me in
the face. The referee couldn't see it, so we move on." Bilic agreed with his
centre-back but was sympathetic towards Clattenberg. "It is a red card, but
I can agree that he didn't see it," the Croatian said. "No matter how many
referees you have, sometimes they can't see. "I'm sure if he did see it, it
would have been a straight red. Of course we are disappointed but it
happens. He just didn't see it.
"I saw it on the replays at half-time. It was a red, a big-time red. I
understand the decision but it was a crucial moment. I can't blame the
referee."

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WHO WILL BE OUR HIDDEN GEM THIS SEASON?
By HamburgHammer 7 Dec 2015 at 08:00
WTID

It's always enjoyable to witness a thorough masterclass of a team
performance. Our 0:0 at Old Trafford was not only a point very well earned
and respected, it was a sign that this team is bursting with guts and
character. In fact the homeside were the lucky ones really to leave the game
with a point in hand after we couldn't convert any of several good scoring
opportunities. I won't get into judging the referee's performance as it
won't do my blood pressure any favours, but Schweinsteiger will be lucky to
escape a retrospective ban. If indeed Clattenburg saw the incident of the
German's elbow in the Kiwi's neck and did nothing in terms of cards he needs
to be demoted.

It has been well documented how again we have been struck by an almighty
injury curse. Not just the odd knock here and there, but long-term injuries
to key players.
The heart and soul of our new sophisticated passing game Payet…out till
January/February 2016.
Moses likely to have done his hamstring…out for 1-3 months.
Sakho injuring himself stretching to reach the ball…for return date see
Payet's estimate above.
Valencia with another ankle injury…luckily he seems to heal better than
expected and might return for the busy Christmas schedule.

If these injuries are just down to sheer bad luck or we may need to tweak
our training regime or matchday warm ups and warm downs is a question well
worth debating, but hard to do from the outside looking in of course.
But it gives Bilic the chance (or forces him, whatever way you wanna look at
it) to give a run out and more responsibility to other squad members.
Experienced ones but also youngsters. I have no doubt in my mind that Bilic
is more open to give young players a chance than our previous manager.
It also happens quite a lot that players whi are a bit under the radar turn
out to be revelations or unlikely heroes.

So I wonder which Hammer will be our surprise package this season, stepping
up to the plate and forcing his way into the first team reckoning ?
Will Antonio stake his claim now with Moses likely to be unavailable for a
huge chunk of the season now ?
Can Cullen catch the manager's eye and add even more creativity and flair to
our midfield ?
Or could Reece Oxford get more gametime, either in the back four or in
midfield, to make sure he wants to stay instead of getting his head turned
by one of the circling vultures from North London or Manchester ?

Maybe it could also be someone like Obiang or Ogbonna shining during the
remainder of the season ? But both of those came with a certain pedigree of
course and can be expected to add quality to our side. Once again, kudos to
our team for their performance against the Mancunians (I love that word!
Sounds like they should be fighting the Klingons in the Star Trek universe.)
West Ham are finally playing proper football again and we're sitting nicely
in sixth place, despite injuries to key players.
After todays game we will be 7th of course, but we still look good for a
solid midtable position at the end of the season.
I reckon 6th or 7th is a pretty realistic target for us and would show nice
progress from last season, also being a decent platform to start from for
our first season in the OS.
Exciting times to be a Hammer for sure!

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Manchester United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger charged with violent
conduct over Winston Reid clash
19:37, 7 DEC 2015 UPDATED 19:42, 7 DEC 2015
BY DAVID MCDONNELL
The German midfielder faces a three-match ban following an apparent elbow on
the Hammers defender during the 0-0 draw on Saturday
The Mirror

Bastian Schweinsteiger is facing a three-match ban after being charged with
violent conduct. The FA charge relates to Manchester United's 0-0 draw with
West Ham on Saturday, in which Schweinsteiger appeared to deliberately
strike Winston Reid with his left forearm. Schweinsteiger, preparing for
United's must-win Champions League tie tonight against Wolfsburg in his
native Germany, has until midday on Thursday to respond to the charge. The
United midfielder, speaking at a press conference in Wolfsburg alongside
boss Louis van Gaal, was prevented from answering a question on the incident
with Reid, minutes before the charge was announced. The FA statement said:
"Bastian Schweinsteiger has been charged for an alleged act of violent
conduct which was not seen by the match officials but caught on video. "The
Manchester United midfielder was involved in an incident with West Ham
United's Winston Reid in the 40th minute of the game on Saturday [5 December
2015]. "The matter was referred to a panel of three former elite referees
who each reviewed the video footage independently of one another to
determine whether they considered it a sending-off offence. "For an FA
charge to follow the decision by the panel must be unanimous. "The player
has until noon on Thursday 10 December 2015 to reply to the charge."

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West Ham believe they can do ANYTHING on their travels after another big
away result says Slaven Bilic
22:30, 6 DEC 2015
BY DAVID ANDERSON
The Hammers added to the scalps taken at Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester
City earlier this season with Saturday's 0-0 draw at Old Trafford
The Mirror

Slaven Bilic claims his West Ham players now believe they can get a result
ANYWHERE. In addition to their fine point against Manchester United at Old
Trafford on Saturday, the Hammers have won at Arsenal, on their travels at
Liverpool and as Manchester City's visitors this season under their
first-year manager. And ex-Irons defender Bilic says they no longer need him
to instil belief. "You can talk, analyse, prepare, but the best way the
players are going to believe is if they have done it recently," he said.
They have responded really well and this is a great point for us. If you
consider everything - Manchester United's recent history in these games, and
that we were without four key players – then it is a good day for us and I
have to praise my players." Bilic feels his players are suited to playing
away from Upton Park because all the pressure is on the team playing at
home. "When you are away, you are happy with a throw-in," he said. "You
don't rush to take a throw-in, if you know what I mean.
Kings of the road — West Ham's away giant-killings this season:
August 9th: Arsenal 0-2 West Ham
August 29th: Liverpool 0-3 West Ham
September 19th: Manchester City 1-2 West Ham

"When you're playing at home, you need to do something extra and you are a
little bit nervous after 25 minutes if it is 0-0. The crowd in England is
very polite, but also sometimes very demanding on the players."

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Fans pile in after Keown slams Reid
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 7, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

TV pundit and former Arsenal defender Martin Keown created a storm when
claiming that Winston Reid's behaviour after a challenge from Bastian
Schweinsteiger was "almost a disgrace" at Old Trafford on Saturday. The
United midfielder could be facing retrospective disciplinary action as a
result but Keown was quick out of the traps to slam our central defender
declaring: "The way Winston Reid goes down is almost a disgrace. I'd be
embarrassed if I went down like that. Remember the wrestling that used to
be on on Saturdays? It was like that."

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Schweinsteiger charged with violent conduct
Posted by Sean Whetstone on December 7, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

Bastian Schweinsteiger has been charged for an alleged act of violent
conduct by the FA which was not seen by the match officials but caught on
video. The Manchester United midfielder was involved in an incident with
West Ham United's Winston Reid in the 40th minute of the game on Saturday
5th December 2015.
The matter was referred to a panel of three former elite referees who each
reviewed the video footage independently of one another to determine whether
they considered it a sending-off offence. For an FA charge to follow the
decision by the panel must be unanimous. The player has until 12 noon on
Thursday 10th December 2015 to reply to the charge.

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DG delighted winger didn't try to over impress
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 7, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

David Gold has been a regular presence alongside Michail Antonio during the
first troubled days of his West Ham career. And although no one was happy to
see Victor Moses leave the Old Trafford action on Saturday, Gold was
delighted to see the £7 million signing acquit himself so well in the second
half. The 25 year old admitted that getting forward was a problem as he
isn't fully match fit but he did a fine job on a couple of occasions and
Gold believes the outing will give him the confidence he needs to move on –
presumably at home against Stoke City. Gold told ClaretandHugh: "He's shown
great patience and what a way to make your first big appearance . It wasn't
easy for him but I thought he did really well and certainly didn't look
overawed or out of place. "After a big money move it would have been easy
for him to try to over impress but he was very professional and made an
extremely important intervention at the back. "With Victor Moses looking
likely to be out for a period that was an important appearance for Michail
and he will take a lot of confidence from that match."

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Gold confident on Lanzini
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 7, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

David Gold has confirmed Manu Lanzini's expected return to action for the
clash with Stoke City at the weekend. The co chairman declared himself
"optimistic that Lanzini will be available for Stoke" adding: "As I
understand the situation from the medical guys it's very minor and he should
be fine." That confirms the story from CandH last night (Sun) in which we
claimed Lanzini would be back despite later national press reports putting
the injury return at a fortnight. Gold is delighted with the squad's
determination to shrug off it's injury concerns as it goes in search of
points telling CandH: "We really are having a difficult time but the manager
and the squad are showing fantastic resilience. "It's great too that we
don't hear injuries used as excuses for dropped points – it's all part of
the games and you need to get the results regardless of the situation in the
dressing room. "Everybody played their part and it proved what we've been
saying that this is a very good squad but we can do without any further
injuries."

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This player may save us a transfer market fortune
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 7, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

James Tomkins may be set to save the Irons a lot of money in next summer's
transfer market. It's well known that we are in the market for a right back
and following JT's impressive displays in the position his claims to become
a regular in the position going forward are looking more and more of a goer.
He admitted himself over the weekend that he's still learning the job but it
hasn't escaped anybody's attention that with him and Angelo Ogbonna at the
back we kept our first clean sheet the weekend at the eleventh time of
trying. There were the odd moments of concern at the back but with Tomkins
and Reid outstanding, Ogbonna coming back to his best and Cresswell
excellent, we look to have found our four at the back. Indeed some sources
are already discussing the possibility of JT being our long term answer at
right back with the club now perhaps looking set to sign a back-up in the
position. ClaretandHugh was told: "He had a worrying time there a few years
ago but he is that much older and looking a far better player in the role.
Yes, it's conceivable he could save us a lot of money in the summer."

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Co chairman predicts this kid is the new Brooking
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 7, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

On-loan Posh starlet Martin Samuelsen has just been paid the greatest
compliment or biggest burden he's ever going to carry. The Norwegian
teenager was given the opportunity of joining Peterborough United on loan a
couple of weeks back and has been wowing the locals with his fabulous
skills. Indeed Barry Fry, the club's director of football told ClaretandHugh
soon after he joined that he believed if Posh could hold onto the player
until the end of the season the club would win the league. Now David Gold
has gone many steps further than Fry's bold prediction by claiming Samuelsen
can become as great as one of the Hammers immortals.
Tweeting this evening (Mon) he declared: "Martin Samuelsen is on loan at
Posh, I still believe he is going to be a player. It's possible he could be
as good as Sir Trevor Brooking. dg" No pressure on the young man then!

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