Daily WHUFC News - 29th July 2015

Cheik relishing Canaries challenge
WHUFC.com

Having played his first full game against Birkirkara last week, Cheikhou Kouyate is relishing his return to action on English soil as the Hammers travel to play Norwich City tonight.
The Senegalese had an impressive debut season in Claret and Blue, however the combative midfielder insisted he believes the best is yet to come: "I'm not giving myself any targets or number of goals I'd like to score – that's for Diafra Sakho! But, I'm here to work hard and carry on where I left off last season. I think I did well in my first season at West Ham but I know I can do better and I want to show that. "I'm feeling good at the moment. Over the summer it was nice to go back to Senegal and see my family, I celebrated Ramadan with them which was very nice. Now I am ready to start the season. "The game against Birkirkara was very hard. I played 120 minutes in my first game of the season, in hot conditions, so it was a difficult test but this is football and I think it helped me a lot. It was very, very good preparation for the start of the Premier League season."

With the Hammers competing in the early rounds of the UEFA Europa League Qualifying Rounds, Kouyate and his teammates have had a hectic schedule of a match almost every three days.
However, the 25-year-old continued to say that this was the best way to rediscover match sharpness, as well as an ideal way of embedding new signings such as Dimitri Payet and Angelo Ogbonna. "Overall I'm feeling good. Normally you have a game every week or ten days but now we play matches the whole time, every three or so days. It's a good way of getting back to my best. "The new signings have impressed me a lot. Dimi (Dimitri Payet), Obi (Angelo Ogbonna) and Mani (Manuel Lanzini) have all done well so far. They are very good players. I remember watching Dimi play for Marseille and the French national team, he is a very, very good player. "Obi came here from Juventus, he's a nice defender in the way that he plays the game. Manuel also has very nice technique and quick feet, I am looking forward to them playing for us."

Following the tonight's journey to East Anglia, it's another quick turnaround for the Irons as they host Romanian side Astra Giurgiu in the third round of the Europa League qualifying stages on Thursday 30 July. Having enjoyed his experience of European football during his time at Anderlecht, Kouyate wants to see the Hammers compete for European honours on a regular basis. "It's very important for West Ham that we have European football. Everyone wants to play in the best competitions, this is one of them. It's a nice way as we go into the new Stadium, hopefully we can have European football for a number of years. "Yes, I always enjoyed playing in the Europa League with Anderlecht. It was a good experience, also the Champions League as well. I enjoy it a lot. "The teams you play in the Europa League are very different to English teams. The style, the way they play football. It's a different type of experience. Every player enjoys it, we have a good squad, I think we are ready."

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Boleyn Insider
WHUFC.com

The matches are certainly coming thick and fast for the Club at the moment and Slaven Bilic is now preparing for three games in just six days. I understand that the hard work is continuing behind the scenes to bring in more new signings and despite Manuel Lanzini becoming the eighth new arrival last week, I believe that more new faces will be heading to the Boleyn Ground before the start of the season.

With Andy Carroll set to miss the start of the season and Enner Valencia only just returning to pre-season training, my sources have told me that signing another striker remains top of the priorities. My understanding is that the Club have held a lot of tough negotiations to land their main targets and remain hopeful that they can secure a transfer in the next few weeks. There have been a lot of stories over the weekend linking the club with moves for Alen Halilovic, Mario Lemina and Federico Mancuello, but I believe there is nothing imminent on any of those deals.

However, I have been told that the Club are still considering a move to sign Barcelona midfielder Alex Song and are hopeful that a deal can be finalised before the transfer window closes at the end of August.

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From the Boardroom - David Gold
WHUFC.com

The games are certainly coming thick and fast for the Club and I have never experienced such congestion when it comes to pre-season action. But I have to say that Slaven Bilic is dealing with the amount of games in a very sensible manner and is providing the right balance when it comes to playing the senior and young players. He is mixing and matching the squad for each game and making sure everybody gets the right amount of minutes under their belts before the Premier League season gets underway. The Europa League action continues this week and I was so pleased with how professional the players acted during the penalty shoot-out victory over Birkirkara in Malta last week.

If we continue to take penalties like that I don't think we will have any problems winning another shoot-out if we need one at a later stage. It was always going to be a tricky night after James Tomkins was sent off just before the half-time. But the players never gave in and showed how serious they are taking the competition. We have got to learn from the first two rounds and hope we don't have any more suspensions after seeing Diafra Sakho and James Tomkins sent off.

This is European football and we need to be aware of the tactics our opponents will use. We cannot afford to lose our discipline and hopefully we will not have another dismissal in the rest of the competition. Luckily it has not cost us so far and we have been able to reach the third qualifying stage where we now face another tough test against a good FC Astra team. The home game is important for the Club because we would like to gain a good advantage in the first leg and head to Romania with a comfortable lead. That would then allow Slaven to make a decision on which squad he takes with him for the second leg and whether he can leave out players who might have a niggling injury ahead of the first game at Arsenal just three days later.

We are close to capacity once again for the game on Thursday night and I cannot thank the fans enough for their amazing support. It tells us how passionate the supporters are towards West Ham United and they will support the Club through anything. The new Stadium is not that far away and they have the desire to be at these special events. We have not been in Europe for a long time and the fans want to make the most of it and see us progress.

I know it is going to be another great night under the lights on Thursday and we will hopefully get to see Dimitri Payet make his European debut for the Club. Dimitri is a special talent and he has wasted no time settling into his new surroundings. We are all hoping he is going to set the Premier League alight. He certainly has the skills to be a big success and I'm looking forward to seeing him play against the best teams in the top flight. We have certainly put the miles in both on and off the field and we are a better team heading into the opening league game against Arsenal than we were 12 months ago.

I know the Band 2 season tickets recently went on sale for the new Stadium and I would once again urge any supporters who are not on the priority list to register so they don't miss out on getting a seat at our amazing new home. You only have to look at our final ever season at the Boleyn Ground to see that season tickets have already sold out and the games will sell out. Fans realise that something special is happening here and they all want to be a part of it.

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Payet ready for European debut
WHUFC.com

Big-money summer signing Dimitri Payet is chomping at the bit to make his competitive debut for West Ham United in the UEFA Europa League and hopes to become the king provider at the Boleyn Ground. The Hammers welcome Romanian outfit FC Astra Giurgiu to east London on Thursday night in the competition's third qualifying round, with another sell-out crowd expected under the lights. Following a stunning brace in first Hammers at outing at Southend, the Frenchman impressed at Charlton Athletic at the weekend too, and the 28-year-old is hoping to add some firepower in the coming weeks and months. Payet said: "I hope that Thursday will be my first official game for West Ham and at home too, so that will be a pleasure for me to begin. "It's an important match, because it's qualification for the Europa League, the first objective is to qualify, so it's very good. "My first match went very well, the second too, so it bodes well for what's to come, but I've got to continue like that. "To win games you have to score goals, so for sure my work is to help my attackers and to put them in good positions to score goals."

It is a case of so far so good for Payet, who already feels at home with the Hammers. The French international is enjoying working under new boss Slaven Bilic too, who continues to impress his football philosophy on the group. He continued: "For the time being it's all going well, we're preparing well for the new season, there are obviously a lot of matches at the moment and so the squad is still a little bit separated. "Everyone's done what they could to help me feel settled in the group and so at the moment I'm training well here.
"We have a coach who is quite close to the players who has his own philosophy which is based on playing and playing with the ball on the floor, building from the back. It's something that's very good for us. "The coach has his ideas and then it's to the group to integrate them in training and in the games."

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Norwich City 0-1 West Ham United
WHUFC.com

A late own goal earned West Ham United a 1-0 pre-season success at Norwich City's Carrow Road on Tuesday evening, as Harry Toffolo put through his own net to break the Canaries' resistance.

For all the chances at both ends, the Hammers looked set to record a second successive goalless draw on their travels.

But with 82 minutes on the clock, substitute Dimitri Payet's inviting centre was met by Reece Oxford at the near post and ricocheted past the excellent John Ruddy via Toffolo.

It proved enough to see off a stubborn Norwich side, who had several a chance of their own through the wasteful Ricky van Wolfswinkel.

Ironically, having drawn blanks in both of their previous two outings, West Ham so nearly opened the scoring inside30 seconds here.

Morgan Amalfitano took aim from all of 25 yards and with John Ruddy at full stretch to his right, the ball cannoned off the stanchion behind the goal.

Seconds later and Matt Jarvis stormed down the Canaries' left, before fizzing a ball across the face. It would surely have been met by the waiting Diafra Sakho at the far post, only for a Norwich intervention to divert it behind.

At the other end, it took a combination of Lewis Page and Kevin Nolan to prevent Ricky van Wolfswinkel getting a clean shot away.

With 16 gone, Tony Andreu leathered one from 25 yards. Thankfully, it rose just high of the angle and arrowed into the fans behind the goal.

West Ham went close again midway through the half, this time from a set piece. Amalfitano's corner from the right was met flush by the forehead of Modibo Maiga, but flew straight at Ruddy.

Then, former Hammers midfielder Gary O'Neil forced Adrian to fling himself low to his right to tip a 20-yard drive round the post.

But by far and away the best chance of the half fell to the Canaries, namely Van Wolfswinkel. The Dutchman raced free on the stroke of half-time and despite having all the time in the world, was expertly denied by the outstretched left boot of Adrian.

Van Wolfswinkel should have done rather better shortly after the restart, too. The No19 was picked out 18 yards from goal and made a meal of it, side-footing well wide of the right-hand upright.

West Ham nearly made him and Norwich pay. Nolan released Jarvis down the left and after the winger's firm drive had been repelled by Ruddy at his near post, Jarvis flashed the rebound over the top.

Slaven Bilic made some nine changes on the hour, with Adrian and James Tomkins the due to remain. On came Carl Jenkinson, Aaron Cresswell, Angelo Ogbonna, Reece Oxford, Cheikhou Kouyate, Mark Noble, Mauro Zarate, Enner Valencia and Dimitri Payet.

Kouyate looked in the mood and soon had a dig from range, which Ruddy did well to palm behind. The Senegal midfielder should then have been in on goal, but failed to collect Payet's delightful through ball.

In response, Elliott Bennett unleashed a rasping drive from miles out, which had Adrian worried but swerved just past his left-hand post.

But West Ham got closer still. Ruddy spilled Jenkinson's cross from the right but more than made amends with his reactions. He somehow twice denied Valencia from point-blank range, with the Ecuadorean seemingly certain to score.

Zarate found the England stopper in exquisite form too, as the Norwich custodian denied the Argentine at his near post.

But West Ham were not be denied, as Ruddy was finally beaten by a combination of Oxford and Toffolo late on.

Payet's corner had come straight back out to him and his second delivery was a wicked one. There was Oxford, lurking at the near post, to force a richly-deserved West Ham winner.

Norwich City: Ruddy, E Bennett, R Bennett, Turner, Toffolo; Tettey (Howson 46), O'Neil (c), Odjidja Ofoe, Hooper (Murphy 78), Andreu, van Wolfswinkel
Subs: Rudd, Loza, Redmond, Jacob Murphy, Hall-Johnson, McGrandles

West Ham United: Adrian, Burke (Jenkinson 60), Tomkins, Henry (Ogbonna 60), Page (Cresswell 60), Poyet (Noble 60), Nolan (Kouyate 60), Amalfitano (Oxford 60), Maiga (Valencia 60), Jarvis (Zarate 60), Sakho (Payet 60)

Goal: Toffolo OG. 82

Subs: Spiegel, Samuelsen

Referee: Kevin Friend

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Obiang return imminent as Reid set to miss Astra tie
KUMb.com
Filed: Tuesday, 28th July 2015
By: Staff Writer

Pedro Obiang is set to return to training after a mystery injury ruled him out of the first few weeks of pre-season. The 23-year-old Spanish midfielder is yet to feature for West Ham since completing his £4.5million move from Sampdoria at the beginning of June. However co-owner David Gold revealed via social media tonight that the new signing is expected to return to training within the next few days.
One of the matches Obiang will miss is Thursday night's Europa League qualifier against FC Astra of Romania. And Gold confirmed tonight that Winston Reid is also set to miss that one in order to allow him more time to recover from a minor knock.

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Norwich City 0-1 West Ham Utd
KUMb.com
Filed: Tuesday, 28th July 2015
By: Staff Writer

West Ham secured a hard-fought victory against Premier League newcomers Norwich City at Carrow Road tonight thanks to Reece Oxford's late winner. With the game teetering towards a goalless ending, youngster Oxford sprung up at a corner eight minutes from time to convert Dimitri Payet's centre from close range and secure a morale-boosting win for Slaven Bilic's side. Following defeat in Malta and a stalemate at Charlton on Saturday it was vital that the Hammers gave a solid performance in Norfolk tonight, which they duly did.
And new boss Bilic will no doubt be pleased with several individual performances including that of recent arrival Payet, who looked lively during his short spell on the field as a second half substitute.

West Ham were good value for the win in the end, creating a number of chances throughout. The most glaring miss was reserved for new man Payet who, when played in by a lovely Mark Noble delivery shortly before the goal, failed to find the target. The games continue to come thick and fast for the Hammers, who are in action next at the Boleyn Ground on Thursday night when Bilic's team faces Astra in the third Europa League qualifying round.

West Ham Utd: Adrian, Burke, Tomkins, Henry, Page, Poyet, Nolan, Amalfitano, Maiga, Jarvis, Sakho.

Subs: Spiegel, Noble, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Jenkinson, Kouyate, Payet, Valencia, Oxford, Zarate, Samuelsen.

Norwich City: Ruddy, E Bennett, R Bennett, Turner, Toffolo; Tettey, O'Neil (c), Odjidja Ofoe, Hooper, Andreu, van Wolfswinkel.

Subs: Rudd, Howson, Loza, Josh Murphy, Redmond, Jacob Murphy, Hall-Johnson, McGrandles.

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Ready….set….it's Payet time
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on July 28, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

Marquee summer signing Dimitri Payet can't wait to step out at Upton Park against FC Astra on Thursday night. Expectancy is incredibly high over the exciting Frenchman who made a massive impact with a brilliant free kick and well taken goal against Southend. Now, after everybody else has talked him up, Payet has decided to speak for himself ahead of the match in what looks set to be a full house Boleyn.
Payet said: "I hope that Thursday will be my first official game for West Ham and at home too, so that will be a pleasure for me to begin. "It's an important match, because it's qualification for the Europa League, the first objective is to qualify, so it's very good. He told the official site: "My first match went very well, the second too, so it bodes well for what's to come, but I've got to continue like that. "To win games you have to score goals, so for sure my work is to help my attackers and to put them in good positions to score goals." He continued: "For the time being it's all going well, we're preparing well for the new season, there are obviously a lot of matches at the moment and so the squad is still a little bit separated. "Everyone's done what they could to help me feel settled in the group and so at the moment I'm training well here. "We have a coach who is quite close to the players who has his own philosophy which is based on playing and playing with the ball on the floor, building from the back. It's something that's very good for us."The coach has his ideas and then it's to the group to integrate them in training and in the games."

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Hammers linked with Turkish striker
Posted by Hammers Newshound on July 28, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

Reports in the media have linked West Ham with Fenerbahçe striker Moussa Sow. The report states newly appointed manager Slaven Bilic has been a fan of the Senegalese international since his time in Turkey. The 29 year old has recently been linked with a move Sunderland.
Sow scored 16 goals and provided eight assists in all competitions last season but only has a year left on his contract with Fenerbahce.
Sow joined Fenerbahçe on a €10 million euro transfer from Lille in 2012 after a successful spell at the club winning the Ligue 1 title.

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West ham fan persuaded Potts to join Luton
Posted by Hammers Newshound on July 28, 2015 in News, Whispers
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Former Hammer Dan Potts has admitted that it was West Ham fan John Still that convinced him to sign for Luton. Luton manager Still, who is a life-long Irons fan and maintains strong links with the east London club swung it for former youth player. Potts told local Luton press: "The gaffer is a big West Ham fan and he's got a good relationship with West Ham. I think that's maybe a coincidence. When I met him, if it had been any other club [that he managed] I probably would have joined."

"There was talk and interest [from other clubs] but when I met the gaffer he laid on the line his wants for the season and what he thought about the club. We both saw it mutually from that respect and it was a bit of a no-brainer. I knew Pelly from West Ham and he's been here for a couple of seasons now, so he definitely knows what it's all about. When I came in it was nice to see faces that you know. That was pleasing."

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Kanté on Hammers radar
Posted by Hammers Newshound on July 28, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

Stade Malherbe Caen midfielder N'Golo Kanté has appeared on West Ham's radar, according to reports in England and France today. The 24 year old was linked with Olympique Marseille earlier this month and is said to have also attracted interest Southampton, Arsenal, Newcastle and Leicester City in recent weeks. Leciester are reported to have made a £6million bid for the French man before switching their attention elsewhere. However, the central midfielder future still remains unclear. Kanté scored two goals and provided five assists from 37 league appearances last season.

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Bring a brolly to the Olympic Stadium
Posted by Sean Whetstone on July 28, 2015 in Sean's Blogs, Whispers
C AND H

Spectators at the first major event since the rebuilding of the Olympic Stadiumleft slightly wet over the weekend while watching athletics. The new £72m roof may look amazing, improve acoustics and create atmosphere but it also leaks in some places. Torrential Friday rain and constant rain on Sunday left many in soggy seats. Construction firm Balfour Beatty has some work to do to make sure the roof is completely watertight before the Rugby World cup and West Ham's move in 2016. Perhaps of greater concern is those who got wet in the front rows of the lower tier who were unshelterd from the rain on Sunday. wet1I was was seating in row 7 of Section 104 in what will become the West stand and was rained on throughout the event. Although the roof in theory covers every seat, rain does not always fall vertically and the characteristics of the stadium caused light winds to blown rain into the West stand lower. Eventually I asked stewards for a move into the upper trier to stay dry, I must say I also enjoyed view better from the upper tier. The greater worry is the retractable seating has yet to be pushed forward an estimated 20 metres so it could get a lot worse. By my calculations the whole of my lower section 104 would have been rained on if the seats had been pushed forward on Sunday and I am guessing the rest of the West stand my have been in a similar situation. Time will tell whether the conditions on Sunday were unique or whether this is a design flaw and a regular problem during rain. Maybe a brolly will be provided with every West stand lower season ticket if that is the case.

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Obiang and Reid dropped from Europa League
Posted by Sean Whetstone on July 28, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

Pedro Obiang and Winston Reid have been dropped from the third qualifying round of the Europa League against Astra FC. They join Andy Carroll, Samuel Westley and departed Stewart Downing who were dropped in the previous round. Their squad places have been taken by new signings Angelo Ogbonna and Carl Jenkinson who have been added to the 25 man A squad ahead of Thursday's night game. The 23 year old former Sampdoria midfielder Obiang has been notable absentee in Europa games and pre season friendlies with first team coach Julian Dicks suggesting he has picked up an injury. The defensive midfielder who scored three goals in 34 appearances for seventh placed Sampdoria last season in Italy was due to play in last Thursday's Europa League game against Birkirkara in Malta before being replaced by Matt Jarvis.

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Kouyate revving up for Premier League
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on July 28, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

Chiek Kouyate is looking forward to the clash against Norwich City tonight (Tues) and is looking to pick up where he finished against Birkirkara last Thursday. Looking ahead to tonight's game the midfielder said: "I'm here to work hard and carry on where I left off last season. I think I did well in my first season at West Ham but I know I can do better and I want to show that." He told the official site: "The game against Birkirkara was very hard. I played 120 minutes in my first game of the season, in hot conditions, so it was a difficult test but this is football and I think it helped me a lot. It was very, very good preparation for the start of the Premier League season." "Overall I'm feeling good. Normally you have a game every week or ten days but now we play matches the whole time, every three or so days. It's a good way of getting back to my best. " Kouyate is impressed with the new arrivals naming Dimitri Payet, Obi (Angelo Ogbonna) and Mani (Manuel Lanzini). He said: "They are very good players. I remember watching Dimi play for Marseille and the French national team, he is a very, very good player.
"Obi came here from Juventus, he's a nice defender in the way that he plays the game. Manuel also has very nice technique and quick feet, I am looking forward to them playing for us."
He added: "It's very important for West Ham that we have European football. Everyone wants to play in the best competitions, this is one of them. It's a nice way as we go into the new Stadium, hopefully we can have European football for a number of years. " I always enjoyed playing in the Europa League with Anderlecht. It was a good experience, also the Champions League as well. I enjoy it a lot.

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Cole leaves Hammers for Birmingham
Posted by Sean Whetstone on July 28, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

Son of former Manchester United Striker Andy Cole has left West Ham whom he was on trial with to join up with Birmingham City on trial. Birmingham City announced on their official twitter yesterday afternoon that Devante Cole had joined Birmingham on trial and immediately included him in a pre-season friendly against a Benfica B team. The game ended 1-0 to Benfica with Cole playing the full 90 minutes. Cole started for a West Ham XI against Colchester last week but failed to make much of an impact in the defeat. It is reported that Cole now 20 was offered a new contract at Manchester City but believes there are too many forwards to have a realistic chance to get into the first team so is trying to find another club.

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New kid on block an Iron to his backbone
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on July 28, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

West Ham's return to its roots continued apace yesterday as 17 year old former Arsenal youngster George Dobson joined the Academy. With the arrival of Marin Saumuelsen from Manchester City and now the former Gunners under 18 captain, Terry Westley is settling down quickly to the job of rebuilding our traditions from the bottom up. And the big bonus is that young George has been a Hammers since his boyhood and couldn't wait to make the switch to the Boleyn. He said: "I am over the moon to have signed and have been a West Ham fan since I was five-years-of -age and this is a surreal moment. Speaking to the club's official site he added: "Putting pen to paper is a dream come true for me. "I had a great ten-years with Arsenal and they helped me as a footballer and as a person. But the time is right to move and I cannot wait to get started. I give 100 per cent every time I put the shirt on and I will give everything for the team.
"The amount of players who have come through the academy, it was a no-brainer for me. There are lots of opportunities here and you have just got to take them. I know I will have to work hard. "Terry Westley is a great guy and has shown a lot of interest in me. That is really important for a young person and I am looking forward to working under him."

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Olympic Stadium catering must improve
Posted by Sean Whetstone on July 27, 2015 in Sean's Blogs, Whispers
C AND H

Although many Hammers fans who visited the rebuilt Olympic Stadium over the weekend were impressed with the new stadium they were less pleased with the catering facilities they experienced. They were many complaints about the prices, long queues and running out of hot food. Early this year French stadium Operator Vinci appointed American company Delaware North to manage the catering operation in the Olympic stadium including West Ham match days. cat1The New York based company founded in 1915 and employing 60,000 worldwide already runs the catering contracts for Wembley Stadium and the Emirates stadium for Arsenal. On Friday evening when Athletics returned the stadium many of the food kiosks were yet to fully open, hot food ran as quickly as 30 minutes at one kiosk and lengthly queues had many fans grumbling about lack of foresight by the caterers. It has been reported that West Ham will receive a profit share of catering and pouring rights from Vinci and Delaware North said to be between 10% and 15%, but things will need to improve if they want Hammers fans to eat and drink within the stadium.
cat2The prices were another hot talking point over the weekend with a pie costing £4.80, a bottle of water £2.20, Soft drinks £3.10 and a glass of wine will cost you £5.40. A pint of Heineken will cost £5.10 with a bottle less at £4.80. A bag of crisps will cost £1.60, a hot dog is £5.00 while a Mars Duo will set you back £1.30. Finally a chocolate grab bag whatever that is, will set you back £3.50. No Pie and Mash, no Pizza and no Chicken shops in sight within the concourse itself. Personally I would prefer a Rib Meat Roll from the Rib Man in Green Street but I don't think Delaware North and Vinci would entertain such an enterprising idea for the stadium. The best ribs in London and a hammers fans too! We were promised better catering facilities than the Boleyn Ground which lets be honest shouldn't be too difficult. They have yet to deliver on that promise in my opinion. Let's hope they improve before the summer of 2016.

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Relaxed Bilic has striker "options"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on July 28, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

Manager Slaven Bilic remains relaxed over his striking options as the search continues for a new striker. The manager "has a couple of options" in mind and is confident that a loan signing will have been brought in for the start of the new season. And despite reports that Andy Carroll may not return until October, ClaretandHugh has learned the payer himself still believes he can make a September comeback. We were told: "Despite the clamour for a new face on the striking front, the manager will pursue a couple of options and as is always the way, will report back to the board for them to start negotiations. "At this stage there is no panic and he remains relaxed as Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia will both be ready and Andy is becoming more confident of a September return. "We have always favoured a loan striker and the search goes on – we will be fine by the start of the season."

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Thrilling Irons turn on the style big time
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on July 28, 2015 in News, Whispers
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Norwich City 0 West Ham United 1

Make no mistake, we saw the start of something which looks pretty big at Carrow Road tonight. For at the end of this enthralling 90 minutes we'd all forgotten this was a friendly – the Hammers were creating a new dawn and it was thrilling to watch. From the moment Dimi Payet (above right) appeared in the second half things changed with the Frenchman playing the kind of defence splitting balls we haven't seen in these part for far too long. And when the 82nd minute winner came it was fitting that it should be him who set it up with a near post ball after some fine work which was eased in by Reece Oxford. It was a night too for the youngsters as apart from the 16 year old's goal, Doneil Henry (below right) had been utterly outstanding at the heart of defence in the first half. HenryAnd at one point he'd shown some serious samba skills to send the travelling faithful into a delirium of applause. So refreshing – truly wonderful.

All this West Ham Way stuff suited Mauro Zarate down to the ground as he pushed forward and could easily have had a couple of goals.
Ok at the end of the day it was a freindly but this was a West Ham performance the ike of which we haven't seen for a long time with balls being played to feet and nobody scared to play a possession game. The Slaven Bilic penny is obviously starting to drop as far as the new way is concerned and it was great to see.

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Alex Song transfer to West Ham held up by dispute over length of contract
With the midfielder out injured for up to four months West Ham are offering a one-year deal, but Song is holding out for a three-year contract
Telegraph.co.uk
By Matt Law6:08PM BST 28 Jul 2015

Alex Song's return to West Ham United is being held up over the club's reluctance to hand the injured midfielder a three-year contract.
Midfielder Song was set to complete a permanent move to Upton Park before the former Arsenal man suffered an ankle injury that required surgery. With Song potentially out for up to four months, West Ham are not keen to hand the 27-year-old a straight three-year deal even though Barca will grant him a free transfer. Instead, the Hammers want to sign Song on a one-year deal and prove his fitness before giving him an extra two years. Song is currently refusing to back down over his demands, although he is still keen on joining West Ham and the club hope to find a compromise. With the Song deal stalling for the moment, West Ham have shown an interest Esteban Cambiasso and Caen midfielder N'Golo Kante.

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George Dobson tweet explains why he quit Arsenal for West Ham
HITC
Dan Coombs

Now former Arsenal youngster George Dobson says he grew up a West Ham fan. West Ham have announced the signing of young defender George Dobson from Arsenal, via their official website.
Dobson has been training with the Hammers since June, and took to Twitter after his deal was completed to explain why he was so keen to join the club. In reference to Arsenal, Dobson told the Hammers' website: "I had a great ten-years with Arsenal and they helped me as a footballer and as a person. But the time is right to move and I cannot wait to get started." The teenager signed a professional deal with Arsenal just a year ago, and made rapid progress, featuring last season for the under-21s, making nine appearances in total. Jeorge Bird's excellent Arsenal youth blog expressed last month that it was a 'shock' that Dobson was set to leave the club. The precise circumstances of Dobson's departure are unclear, whether he jumped or if he was pushed. His contract ran out in June, but it's not been established if he had the chance to renew with the Gunners. In either case it seems the destination of West Ham is perfectly suited for him, given his passion for the club.

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OLYMPIC STADIUM CAPACITY FIGURE COMES UNDER SCRUTINY
By Iain Dale 28 Jul 2015 at 08:00
West Ham Till I Die

The spectator capacity at the Olympic Stadium was 80,000. I was therefore a tad disappointed to find out that the capacity when we take over next season will only be 54,000. My Spurs and Arsenal supporting friends doubt whether we will fill that. Personally I have no doubt it will be full for at least a third of the games, and probably more, if not all. However, it has emerged that the latest Design & Access Statement shows that there are actually 53,000 seats in the upper tier alone, with 21,000 in the lower tier, making a capacity of 74,000, not 54,000!
But it's more complicated than that. According to Claret & Hugh? 2,000 more upper tier seats have been removed to allow construction of what I am told is a rather impressive roof. It might be thought that they could now be reinstalled, pushing the ultimate capacity up to 76,000 at some point, but apparently the headroom wouldn't be acceptable. The fly in the ointment is that the stadium only has planning permission for 54,000, which in theory will mean that 20,000 seats will remain empty or covered up. So even if we are sold out, it won't look as if we are.

Once we see how many tickets we can sell at 54,000, especially in lower attraction games, surely we should apply for renewed planning permission – at least for Category A games – go increase the capacity to 74,000. This may mean also allowing more away supporters to attend, but that would surely increase the atmosphere exponentially. If that happened, I think I am right in saying that only Old Trafford would have a bigger capacity.

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Why Barcelona's Alen Halilovic will become a cult hero at West Ham if he completes Upton Park transfer
Jason Pettigrove for Metro.co.ukTuesday 28 Jul 2015 9:18 am
West Ham close in on transfer deal for 'The Croatian Messi'
metro.co.uk

West Ham fans adore their cult hero's down at Upton Park. Just ask Paolo di Canio. The east Londoners expect to see football played the right way and to be entertained into the bargain. Much the same as Barcelona fans in fact. Having a side chock full of superstars has its advantages of course. The Catalans were worthy winners of the treble last season. However a negative aspect to such success is that so many talented youngsters are unable to force their way into the first team. Alen Halilovic is one such young player. 'The Croatian Messi' is a moniker that many see as a burden except for perhaps the player himself. Halilovic has that gift of being able to put any pressure to one side and play the game just as if he were over the local park with friends. Gliding across the turf, he has phenomenal balance and a hammer of a left peg when needed. Far too good for the Segunda B division – equivalent to England's League One and where Barca B find themselves after relegation – Halilovic needs a move now if he is to continue his rapid development. Only just 19, the Croatian certainly won't be overawed in the Premier League and under the studious tutelage of compatriot Slaven Bilic he will flourish. In order to get the very best out of him however, Bilic needs to let Halilovic roam. The confines of a rigid formation will not suit the youngster. A free spirit, his wanderlust has to be indulged and in so-doing, the Hammers will find themselves a young diamond. A player who won't need asking twice to run at defences and who can finish. Allied to passing of the highest quality, if West Ham are able to secure his services on a permanent rather than loan basis, they will have bagged themselves a bargain. Should any move conclude successfully, quite what some of his journeymen team mates will initially make of perceived favouritism is anyone's guess. But it is the manager's job to get the maximum from his squad, and that group of players will be much the better for having Halilovic in it. When he single-handedly starts to win games – and he will – there are unlikely to be too many complaints. For those east Londonders unconvinced about a player that in truth they know little about, The Guardian's Aleksandar Holiga, a Croatian football expert, noted back in 2014 that Halilovic 'really has that something special about him and could become one of the best players in the world in the coming years.' The last season at Upton Park deserves to be one that is remembered. Alen Halilovic will ensure that no one forgets it.

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Former West Ham goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen weighs up options
HITC
John August

HITC Sport understands former West Ham and Bolton goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen is weighing up offers from several clubs. HITC Sport understands a number of clubs are chasing former West Ham and Bolton goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen on a free transfer. Jaaskelainen is a free agent after being released by West Ham earlier this summer following a three-year spell at Upton Park
The 40-year-old is keen to continue his career and he is on the look-out for a new club as he looks to extend his stay in England. Jaaskelainen moved to England from VPS Vaasa in 1997 and spent 15 years at Bolton making over 500 appearances for the Trotters before joining West Ham in 2012. Championship trio Queens Park Rangers, Bristol City and Preston are all in the market for goalkeeping reinforcements this summer and they have expressed an interest in Jaaskelainen. League One duo Barnsley and Bradford City are all also ready to offer Jaaskelainen a deal as they look to bring in the experienced goalkeeper. Jaaskelainen is hoping to make a decision on his future soon as he looks to fix himself up with a new club before the start of the new season.

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Report: West Ham interested in Jose Callejon
HITC
Subhankar Mondal

Napoli attacker Jose Callejon has been linked with West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Chelsea. West Ham United are interested in signing Jose Callejon from Napoli this summer, according to Il Corriere Dello Sport. The Italian sports paper claims that there are as many as three more clubs from the Premier League interested in the 28-year-old attacker. Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur all are keeping tabs on the former Real Madrid star, according to Il Corriere Dello Sport. However, Callejon himself wants to stay at Napoli, according to the report, as he has been won over by new coach Maurizio Sarri.

Should West Ham United make a move for Jose Callejon?

Callejon is a very good attacker who can play both as a winger and as a forward. The Spain international is full of tricks and pace, and he will certainly enhance of the quality of the current Hammers' squad. Last season, the former Espanyol star scored 11 goals and created 57 chances in 38 Serie A appearances. Callejon had a pass accuracy of 85% and a shot accuracy of 48%, and won 29 headers, 16 dribbles and 39 tackles. During the 2013-14 campaign, the Spaniard scored 15 goals and created 48 chances in 37 league games. Callejon had a pass accuracy of 82% and a shot accuracy of 58%, and won 22 headers, 23 dribbles and 43 tackles.

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