Daily WHUFC News - 27th March 2015

Gordon loaned to Nuneaton
WHUFC.com

West Ham United Development Squad striker Jaanai Gordon has joined Vanarama
Conference club Nuneaton Town until 1 May 2015. The 19-year-old recently
returned from a productive loan spell with Vanarama South side Chelmsford
City, where he netted five goals in ten league appearances. Signed from
Peterborough United in December 2013, Gordon made his first-team debut for
the Posh in League One at the age of 16 in September 2012.

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Betway make DT38 pledge
WHUFC.com

West Ham United's principal partners Betway have pledged to give the
winnings of a £250 each-way bet on their sponsored race at Doncaster this
weekend to the DT38 Foundation – should the horse named Lincoln come home
first.

Lincoln is trained by former Southampton striker Mick Channon and Andy
Carroll joined him to make the draw live on At The Races on Thursday as the
Hammers striker teamed up with Betway to help promote the big race.

The Betway Lincoln Handicap will be run on Saturday, with the racehorse of
the same name being drawn in stall number nine. With that matching Carroll's
squad number, Betway have made their generous offer on Lincoln to win.

The race is traditionally the feature event of the first weekend of the turf
flat racing season in Britain and with one horse matching the name of the
race, all eyes will be on the four-year-old, who won on its last two outings
and is currently a 25/1 shot.

With Betway having made the betting pledge on the horse too, Hammers fans
everywhere will be hoping it comes home first to give the newly launched
DT38 Foundation, the charity set up in Dylan Tombides' memory, a cash boost.

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Poyet makes Uruguay U20 bow
WHUFC.com

Diego Poyet made his Uruguay U20 debut as a substitute in a 1-1 draw with
France at Clairefontaine on Thursday. The West Ham United midfielder and son
of former Uruguay midfielder Gus appeared in the second half as a
replacement for Mauro Arambarri. The Uruguayan goal was scored by Rodrigo
Amaral. After watching France take on Brazil in Paris on Thursday evening,
the squad will head to Coimbra, where they will take on Uzbekistan U20 on
Sunday 29 March and Portugal U20 on Tuesday 31 March.

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U17s set for Abu Dhabi kick-off
WHUFC.com

West Ham United U17s kick-off their challenge at the Hazza bin Zayed
International Football Tournament in Abu Dhabi on Thursday evening.

The Hammers arrived in the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday morning before
training in the desert city of Al-Ain, which is hosting the eight-team
competition.

Led by assistant Academy manager James Rowe and coach Lee Harrison, West Ham
will begin the tournament by taking on Japanese side Kashiwa Reysol at the
Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium on Thursday at 8pm local time (4pm UK time).

West Ham's second match is against Spanish side Espanyol at the same venue
at 8pm on Friday 27 March, with the final group match will see them face the
host club, Al Ain FC, at 7.30pm on Sunday 29 March.

The two group winners will contest the final, while the runners-up in each
group will go through to the third/fourth-place play-off.

Head of Academy Operations Adam Raimes said the squad had got down to work
quickly in a country that the majority of both the players and staff had
never visited previously.

"The squad arrived early on Wednesday morning at 4am into Abu Dhabi
airport," Raimes began. "The squad trained at 8pm in a very pleasant
environment, with the temperature in the early 20s.

"There is a real togetherness around the camp, and the boys have conducted
themselves as you would expect West Ham United Academy players do – in a
professional manner and with respect for both their Club and host country.

"Josh Pask will captain the side with the assistance of vice-captains Tunji
Akinola and Declan Rice. The three of them are leading the way and
motivating the boys.

"The organisers have been fantastic and we are all looking forward to a
successful tournament."

The four other clubs taking part are Internazionale (Italy), Dinamo Zagreb
(Croatia), Al Afriqi (Tunisia) and Al Ahly (Egypt).

Waleed Al Hosani, Member of the Organising Committee, said: "All teams have
various strengths that they bring with them to Al Ain, which we anticipate,
will be beneficial to the tournament as a whole."

Alongside the Hazza bin Zayed International Football Tournament, a festival
of football is being hosted by the UAE's most successful club, Al Ain FC,
including an amateur competition for local clubs and a coaches' clinic
hosted by renowned Dutch coach Raymond Verheijen.

Known locally as Al Zaeem ('The Boss'), Al Ain have won the Arabian Gulf
League trophy eleven times, the H.H. The President's Cup trophy six times,
the UAE FA Cup on three occasions and the Arabian Gulf Cup. Al Ain FC is the
only Emirati club to have won the AFC Champions League, doing so in 2003.

For more information and live updates, follow @HBZstadium on Twitter.

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From the Academy
WHUFc.com

Last weekend was a good example of what working in a Premier League Academy
is like. On Saturday our U16 and U18s played Derby County away. Some of our
regular starters were unavailable through injury, both Jahmal hector-Ingram
and Josh Pask weren't quite fit so we decided to play Idris Kanu, he is only
just 15 years-old. Overall we had a very young team, particularly in defence
where Declan Rice played alongside Tunji Akinola while we had Vashon
Neufville and Jake Eggleton too. Despite losing, I thought we were
excellent. In parts we were very, very good which is very encouraging. No
doubt it will be a good experience for them and they'll learn a lot from it.


The U18s match kicked off at 12 o'clock, straight after that Dave Hunt and I
moved on to Burton to watch Reece Oxford play for England U17s against
Norway. It was a good for win for England, and Reece played very well. On
Monday night he followed that up when England played against Slovenia and he
scored a terrific goal. When you watch him play, you do think 'we've got one
of the best players England have got at that age level, if not the best'.
He's captain, he leads his team and it was a terrific two games for him.
Bearing in that mind that he had just come back from injury, hats off to him
for being able to go straight into the national side and play so well.

As well as Reece, Sam Howes has called up for the England U18 squad for
their two games with Switzerland, which is another great achievement.
Funnily enough, he'll come up against our very own Noha Sylvestre, a very
talented central midfielder, later today. It should be a good game, and I
wish both of them the very best.

On Tuesday we had a group of U17s head off to Dubai for an international
tournament. The Premier League sends one club each year, and this year they
sent us. It's great pedigree for our staff, the players and the Academy as a
whole.

James Rowe, the Assistant Academy Director is taking that group along with
Tom Smith, Lee Harrison and Josh Ewens. It will be a wonderful experience
for everyone, the likes of Josh Pask and Grady Diangana are going as well as
Vashon and some of the other players who we're offering scholarships to.

I think the games will be very tough. Manchester City went there with all
their riches and didn't win a game.

On another note, 15-year-old Anthony Scully was awarded U15 Player of the
Year by
the Republic of Ireland FA a few days ago. It's great for him to be
recognised at national level.

He's actually injured at the moment with a thigh injury so he's out for a
few weeks and he's itching to be back playing. It's a great achievement for
the boy, and funnily enough his dad, Tony Scully, won the same award many
years ago!

All the best,
Terry Westley

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Ginge ready for Wales action
WHUFC.com

West Ham United defender James Collins is ready for a crucial Euro 2016
qualifier for his country this weekend. Wales take on Israel in Haifa on
Saturday looking for the victory that would take them top of Group B and a
step closer to the finals in France. The expansion of UEFA's flagship
tournament for national teams to 24 finalists has given Wales a genuine shot
of qualification for the first time since 1976 and Collins is determined to
take the chance. He said: "I'm looking forward to going away with Wales and
getting another game under my belt. I can't wait, it's a big game, Israel
away is going to be a tough, tough game. If we win we go top of the group.
It looks like we have a fully fit squad so we have a great chance. "The main
aim is to get to France 2016. That started with Speedo's time as manager.
We've started this campaign well, it's a tough group but with the squad
we've got, we know we have every chance." Collins goes into the game on the
back of a victory over Sunderland with the Hammers - one which he believes
was crucial. He added: "We knew that if we kept a clean sheet we had a
chance of winning the game on Saturday. Diafra stuck it in the back of the
net so it was a nice moment. "We knew it was going to be tough with a new
manager coming in, the players will want to impress him and they caught us a
few times in the first half to be fair. With Jermain Defoe playing you know
he's going to be a threat. "Kev and a few other lads said before the game it
doesn't matter how we win, just that we do. It was a bit scrappy but we've
got the ball rolling again. "We want to finish as high as we can and end the
season on a good run of form. The international break gives us a bit of a
break between league games. We want to finish higher than tenth, that was
the aim at the start of the season."

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Academy Ace
WHUFC.com

Joe Powell signs his first professional deal, watched by Academy Manager
Terry Westley and head of Academy recruitment Dave Hunt
One of the highlights of this season was undoubtedly Adrian scoring that
winning penalty against Everton in the FA Cup third-round replay, a game of
high drama that few will forget. However, that night may prove to be just as
memorable for a second reason – the night that Joe Powell signed his first
professional contract at his boyhood club West Ham United.

For those that have not yet had the opportunity to watch the 16-year-old in
action, Powell is a skilful, pacey winger who can deliver a pinpoint cross
at will. Perhaps the best person to describe Powell's style of play is the
man himself: "There wasn't a particular player I wanted to be when I was
growing up but as I grew older I liked the look of David Beckham, I thought
he was really good. "I'd like to think I'm a little bit pacier than Beckham
was. Delivery-wise he's better than me for now, but it's something I'm
targeting!"

Music to the ears for many Hammers fans and the youngster is certainly not
lacking in confidence, but if he comes anywhere near to emulating the
England icon's career, we have a lot to look forward to. While the future
certainly looks to be bright, it is worth taking a look at Powell's
blossoming career to date. "West Ham has always been the club for me. I've
been on trial at a few other clubs but they weren't right. I always knew
being part of the West Ham family suited me. "My whole family is West Ham
mad, I think it's down to the area we come from, we're just born and bred
West Ham fans."

Having joined the Hammers at the age of eight, Powell can remember his very
first match. "It was a long time ago now but I remember it was at the dome
at Chadwell Heath, we won something like 31-7 against Grays. At one point in
the game we had to give our 'keeper to them. I scored a good 12 goals I
reckon, I haven't managed to beat that since!" Another standout moment for
young Powell was meeting Mark Noble.
"On the day I signed at U9 level Mark Noble was there signing a contract as
well. It was a good night. He'd obviously been at the club for a few years,
I'd seen him play so it was special." The name Powell may be familiar to
those who follow the youth team, as his brother Jack also came through the
West Ham Academy and is now at Millwall. "My brother was here at the
Academy, so I was in and around the club since I was about four maybe,"
explained Powell. "He's a big role model for me, we sit down every now and
then and have chats about where he didn't go right. He's always leading me
in the right direction. There's definitely friendly rivalry between us!"

The younger Powell made his debut for the U21s recently and has enjoyed a
run of games for the Development Squad since. "I came on for the last
half-hour against Chelsea. I thought it was mad, the step up in physicality
between U16s and U21s. Technically, I think I've got it in me and I thought
I played well. "Then I made my first start against Southampton away. I knew
my preparation had to be perfect. In the first half I thought I did well
getting on the ball, in the second half it was a little bit more end to end
but it was a good experience."

Reflecting on a busy few months, Powell continued: "Signing my contract was
a very special day for me. It was out on the pitch at Upton Park, the fans
were clapping as soon as walked out, so it was very special. It wasn't a bad
game either was it, beating Everton 9-8 on penalties. "Now, I just to play
football for the club that's in my heart."

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Hall completes Dons move
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 26th March 2015
By: Staff Writer

Robert Hall has completed an emergency loan move to League One side MK Dons.
As reported earlier on KUMB, Hall - who spent nine years at West Ham before
joining Bolton for a nominal fee in 2013 - has completed a move the the
promotion-chasing side, currently managed by Karl Robinson. The news was
confirmed at 5pm this afternoon by the Dons. "The Dons have signed forward
Rob Hall on an emergency loan deal from Championship side Bolton Wanderers,"
read a brief statement. "The 21-year-old, who joins just minutes before the
close of the loan window, will remain at stadium MK until the end of the
2014/15 season, inclusive of the play-offs. "Hall has spent the 2014/15
campaign balancing his playing time between Neil Lennon's first team and
Bolton's development squad, but will now be looking to help the Dons with
their push for promotion in League 1." Hall's spell at Stadium MK will be
the second for the 21-year-old who previously spent two months on loan with
the Dons back in 2012 whilst still a West Ham player.

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James Collins and Chris Coleman make up after Wales spat
Last Updated: 26/03/15 3:01pm
SSN

Manager Chris Coleman has revealed the background behind his reunion with
James Collins in a Cardiff coffee shop. Coleman and Collins engaged in a war
of words after the West Ham defender reportedly refused to be called up off
the stand-by list for their game with Serbia in 2013. Collins denied that,
with Coleman hinting that his time as an international player was over
before they eventually got together for a public meeting to clear the air.
With James Chester out due to a dislocated shoulder, Collins is set to
partner Ashley Williams in their European Qualifier against Israel, and
Coleman is glad to have him available after their fall-out. Coleman said:
"I'm glad we had that coffee together. We made sure we had it in the middle
of the hotel so it didn't kick off between us and we could stay civil with
the number of people around us. "But it's great that he is with us and I
think that perhaps what happened has helped him value playing for Wales even
more. I'm glad we had that coffee together. We made sure we had it in the
middle of the hotel so it didn't kick off between us and we could stay civil
with the number of people around us. "We had our spat, but I have known him
since he was a kid and always liked him and when he has been with us he has
been right in the middle of everything. His presence and personality are
going to be very important going forward. "He has had to wait for his chance
but this is an opportunity for him. He was brilliant in the last camp, as
were Danny Gabbidon and Sam Ricketts, who did not play but were great round
the dressing room in Brussels. "That is great for the younger guys because
it is good to have advice from senior players. 'Ginge' likes the challenge
and the atmosphere we will find ourselves in and it will be a dog-fight,
which he enjoys."

Coleman also played down security concerns ahead of Wales' first trip to
Israel since the two countries met in a play-off qualifier for the 1958
World Cup in Sweden. Israel have a game in hand on Wales as their fixture
with Belgium was postponed last September because of the political situation
in the Middle East, but that match will now be played next Tuesday. "We have
not got any extra security to my knowledge," Coleman said. "I did the
journey from the airport to the hotel when I was out there last month and we
will treat it like any other game. "We know a lot is going on in certain
quarters but there are no worries, there are no extra precautions that we
would not usually take."

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WHO IS YOUR HOTY?
By Tony Hanna 26 Mar 2015 at 13:31
West Ham till I DIe


With all due respect to Scott Parker and Mark Noble, in recent seasons the
Hammer of the Year award has been an almost foregone conclusion with little
to no competition to the eventual winner. Between them they have won five of
the last six awards and their never say die attitude has gone a long way to
them being unopposed in their respective seasons. With eight games still to
go this season it may be a little early to try and pick this seasons winner
but what the heck, it is an International break isn't it?

What a reflection on this season though? We can look at least six players
this season who have a very decent shout of being this seasons HOTY. Whilst
we have Sam lovers and Sam haters, it is refreshing to have so many worthy
candidates. Perhaps this season has not been so bad after all? Let's have a
look at the players I think most would agree to being the contenders this
season.

Aaron Cresswell has been a revelation at left back this season and is
proving to be one of the buys of the season. It is no wonder Ipswich fans
were so full of praise for him and so sorry to lose him. Ever present this
season, his attacking raids from full back have earned rave reviews and he
has adorned himself to the fans. He has been most consistent although he can
be vulnerable in defence especially in the air. For mine he has not been
used to full effect at set pieces but he has to be one of the favourites to
win the award this season.

Diafra Sakho our leading goal scorer this season got off to a cracking
start. His record equalling six goals in successive games earned him the
Premier League player of the month in October. His trademark crossed arms
Hammer salute goal celebration and the fact he cried when he thought he had
missed his chance to join the club have made him a crowd favourite. For a
forward his work rate is outstanding although his decision making at times
shows he still has a lot to learn in the top flight. What a find though and
to think he was playing in the French second tier last season? Another
outstanding chance to win the HOTY.

Cheikhou Kouyate was a more high profile player arriving at Upton Park this
season. Signed from Anderlecht he has been most adaptable, playing in
different midfield roles and at centre back when required. The player is
total class and his work rate is outstanding. When he plays in his preferred
midfield role he glues the side together. A couple of knocks, the African
Cup and the need to help out at centre back has unfortunately made it a bit
of a stop start season for him, but his class is always there to see.

Adrian has really grown in stature this season and has probably become the
fans favourite for the passion he shows. He has had a fine season and who
could forget his gloves off approach to the winning penalty against Everton?
Still a bit suspect at coming for a cross, his rapport with the fans could
just get him over the line.

Other contenders would include Enner Valencia, Alex Song and Stewart Downing
if all their form had not tailed off in recent months. However, with eight
games still to go it is not too late for any of them to come into contention
again. Song in particular was head and shoulders above any other player
prior to Xmas and a return to form could put him back in with a shout.
Downing's early season form got him an England call up only to be played out
of position. The wait for Andy Carroll to return was well worth it with a
flurry of goals and top performances. Alas, you have to play more games than
Andy does to be in with a chance.

The best roughie for me would be James Collins just for his die hard
attitude on the pitch. Forever putting everything on the line he is not
always Sam's pick at centre half. He would be mine every time. Carl
Jenkinson and James Tomkins have also had excellent seasons. Last but not
least we have the players who have won the award the past two seasons. Mark
Noble and Winston Reid. It has not been a bad season has it when these two
past winners are probably outsiders at best?

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DG: Reid to make international decision
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 26, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Winston Reid will decide on his fitness for New Zealand's game against New
Zealand next Tuesday afternoon. Whilst the Hammers want the Kiwi defender to
stay in England and get himself 100 per cent fit for the match against
Leicester City next weekend, they won't stand in his way if he decides he's
fit for international duty. Co chairman David Gold told ClaretandHugh: The
players know their own bodies best and it's their decision. If Winston says
he's fit to go then it's his decision. "I believe there may still be a
little soreness and the whole aim is to have him in the back four for the
match against City. "He will know and as a professional we trust him
entirely to make his own decision."

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Maiga mess ahead of Hammers!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 26, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

West Ham's hopes of offloading Modibo Maiga to Metz permanently look dead.
With the French club bottom of League 1 the chances of a deal being done for
the striker are as unlikely as it gets leaving the board with a big dilemma.
Having scored just six goals in 38 appearances for the Hammers, the forward
has managed four in 17 games with his loan club – hardly eye-catching stuff.

And his near certain return to Upton Park will be a sharp reminder of life
before the new policy of more board control over signings with the Davids
being forced to offer him a pay-off.

The 27 year old is on £40k a week – or £2 million a year – and before
leaving for Metz was offered an Irons pay-off of around £2.5 million which
he turned down.

A Hammers source repeated today that an offer was likely to be made to the
Mali-born forward telling ClaretandHugh: "We'll try to get something done
but he's a strong willed boy and turned down everything we offered last
time."

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Song talks are on the cards
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 26, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

West Ham are still keen to talk with Barcelona and Alex Song about the
possibility of a permanent move to the club. Whilst there has been
disappointment at the player's loss of form since Christmas, the owners
remain keen to retain his services on the right terms. The player is
currently on a wage of £70k a week and that will have to be carefully
balanced against Barca's required fee but that could be lower than expected
as the club are keen to unload.

Some reports this morning claim that the club has cooled on a deal but
ClaretandHugh was told: "That's not the case. He is a top player and a loss
of form is more noticeable in the case of such guys. And he quipped: "It
doesn't hurt the case when we come to discuss figures and deals. I'd imagine
talks will start with Barca a couple of games before the end of the season."
Song has yet to make his own end of season position clear although he has
regularly claimed that a permanent stay is quite possible.


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Injury update: Hopes high for Reid/Valencia
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 26, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

All our injured players are making decent progress and so successful was
James Tomkins' surgery on a dislocated left shoulder that there are hopes he
may even be back before the end of the season. However Doneil Henry has what
is described by Head of Medical and Sports Science Stijn Vandenbroucke as a
"complicated hamstring problem" which has also seen him undergo surgery
which is set to see him start back for pre-season training in July.

Vandenbroucke told the official site that Winston Reid was rehabbing well
from a hamstring injury and it is a priority to have him ready to face
Leicester City after the international break.

Meanwhile, Andy Carroll is now moving without the need for crutches or a
brace on his knee and is working in the swimming pool and on the static
bike.

Vandenbroucke explained that Tuesday was the first day in his "rehab
protocol" that we were able to work on the bike and did some exercises in
the pool.

Enner Valencia is healing well after he lacerated his big toe on 10 March
and is building up his training with the aim of being available for the
Leicester game.

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