West Ham United 1-2 Leicester City
WHUFC.com
West Ham United came back down to earth with a Barclays Premier League bump on Saturday, as Claudio Ranieri's Leicester City made it six out of six with victory at the Boleyn Ground. The Foxes were two goals to the good at the interval, courtesy of Shinji Okazaki on the rebound from point-blank range and then Riyad Mahrez's sweet left-foot finish. Dimitri Payet halved the Hammers' arrears ten minutes after the break, beating Kasper Schmeichel with a glorious strike into the top corner . That, however, was about as good as it got in a largely frustrating afternoon for the hosts, who had Adrian harshly sent off late on for a high challenge on Jamie Vardy.
Slaven Bilic made just one change to the side that swept Arsenal aside, with Carl Jenkinson, ineligible against his parent club on Sunday, replacing the unfortunate James Tomkins at right-back. Summer signing Pedro Obiang was among the substitutes, having recovered from a hamstring injury. Fresh from their heroics at the Emirates, the Hammers were almost ahead inside two minutes here. Payet's free-kick from the left was met by Diafra Sakho, whose header grazed the bar. With 16 gone, Mauro Zarate let fly from the edge of the box and the Argentine's strike ricocheted perfectly into the path of that man Sakho again. West Ham's No15 smashed it over the top from ten yards, but the offside flag was up in any case. The tide then turned in dramatic fashion. Mahrez firstly slalomed his way into the box, beating Aaron Cresswell and Oxford, before eventually being crowded out. From the resulting corner, Robert Huth's overhead needed an Adrian glove to turn it behind, though referee Anthony Taylor awarded a goal-kick.
Leicester's sense of injustice soon abated as they hit the front in the 27th minute. Vardy's left-wing cross drifted over Angelo Ogbonna and was met sweetly on the volley by Okazaki. Adrian sprung to his left to produce an excellent one-handed stop, but the ball ballooned straight up in the air for the Japanese forward to nod home the rebound. There was more damage done before the interval, with the dangerous Mahrez slamming the visitors into a two-goal lead. After Okazaki had run in behind, Marc Albrighton picked out Mahrez, who barely had to break stride as he swept home emphatically into the far corner.
As the first half ticked down, Cresswell delivered a low ball to the near post, where the waiting Zarate tried to flick it goalward, but got it all wrong. Then Cheikhou Kouyate made tracks into the box, but his cross-cum-shot drifted harmlessly over the top. But the best chance was still to come. Deep into added time, Sakho raced onto Payet's through ball and beat Schmeichel to it, prodding just wide, before falling to earth under the challenge of the Leicester 'keeper. Replays showed Sakho had indeed been impeded by the outstretched arm of Schmeichel but Taylor was having none of it and merely told Sakho to get back to his feet.
Obiang was brought on for his Premier League bow at the interval, with young Oxford the man to make way. The Spaniard started with a skip in his step as the Hammers began to knock on the Leicester door with a greater degree of urgency. And on 55 minutes the Foxes gave way. Noble squared for the Frenchman on the edge of the box, whose first shot was blocked by Sakho of all people. Kouyate had the presence of mind to roll it straight back to the No27, who set himself and then dispatched a right-footed shot into the top corner. Deficit halved, game on.
Moments later, Sakho dropped off to the far post to meet Payet's deep corner, but his header, in truth, was comfortable enough for Schmeichel. But Leicester were not done either. An unmarked Albrighton fired Mahrez's corner well wide of the target, before Danny Drinkwater spurned another presentable chance, blazing high over the top from 20 yards. With ten still to play, Sakho went closer still. Substitute Manuel Lanzini nodded into the Senegal striker's direction, who slammed into the midriff of the grateful Schmeichel. A yard either side and West Ham would surely have been celebrating the equaliser.
There was late drama, but certainly not of the kind that West Ham wanted. Adrian went up for a corner and in a desperate bid to retrieve possession only succeeded in connecting with Vardy on the edge of the box. A high challenge it was, no doubt, but Adrian only had eyes for the ball. With all three changes made, Jenkinson went between the sticks for the dying seconds, as the visitors made it two league wins out of two.
West Ham United: Adrian, Jenkinson, Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Oxford (Obiang 46), Kouyate (Lanzini 76), Noble (c), Payet, Sakho, Zarate (Maiga 82)
Subs: Randolph, Nolan, Tomkins, Jarvis
Goal: Payet 55
Booked: Jenkinson
Sent off: Adrian
Leicester City: Schmeichel, de Laet (Benalouane 66), Drinkwater, Morgan (c), Huth, Vardy, King, Albrighton, Schlupp, Okazaki (Kante 62), Mahrez (Fuchs 82)
Subs: Hammond, Kramaric, Ulloa, Maddison
Goals: Okazaki 27, Mahrez 38
Booked: Vardy, Okazaki, Benalouane
Referee: Anthony Taylor
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Noble - We got caught cold
WHUFC.com
Mark Noble has urged West Ham United fans not to get too downhearted following Saturday's 2-1 Barclays Premier League defeat by Leicester City. Six days on from winning at Arsenal, the Hammers produced another encouraging and at times dominant display, but two first-half defensive lapses allowed the Foxes to snatch the three points. After hitting the crossbar early on through Diafra Sakho, Leicester scored opportunist goals through Shinji Okazaki and Riyad Mahrez. Although Dimitri Payet pulled one back on the hour-mark, West Ham could not find a way past Kasper Schmeichel a second time and were ultimately left with nothing to show for their considerable efforts.
To add to the frustration of losing, the Hammers saw Adrian sent-off late on for a dangerous challenge on Jamie Vardy, while Schmeichel earlier escaped punishment after appearing to impede a goal-bound Sakho just before half-time. "For sure we could have won the game," said Noble, whose side enjoyed 70 per cent of possession at the Boleyn Ground. "We controlled the game and had a couple of chances early on and hit the crossbar. If that goes in, it's a different story. "There are a lot of positives to take. I know we lost the game, but we played very well in the second half and should definitely have come away with a draw. "I didn't see the Schmeichel incident too clearly and it's a tough one for the ref, but it was disappointing to get booed off at half-time, I must say. We came away from a massive win at Arsenal and obviously everyone came along and thought we would batter Leicester, but that's not the way in this league. "We got caught cold by a couple of goals, but we fought back hard in the second half and we definitely should have come away with a draw."
While victory over Arsenal does not mean West Ham will win the league title, defeat by Leicester does not mean the Hammers will be relegated. Noble pointed out that West Ham's general play was good, but that two poor passages of play and two goals in nine first-half minutes meant their performance will be forgotten by those outside the dressing room. "A lot of chances were created and we played a lot of good stuff, but we lost the game so no-one is going to care about how we played but, to us, it matters," he concluded. "We controlled the game from start to finish and got caught cold by a couple of goals, but it could have been whole different story on another day."
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U18s pick up first point
WHUFC.com
West Ham United picked up their first point of the Barclays U18 Premier League season by drawing 1-1 with Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.
After last weekend's 3-1 defeat at Fulham, the Hammers got off to the best of starts against Spurs when winger Oscar Borg poked home from Noha Sylvestre's headed pass. In the second half, one misplaced pass during a West Ham attacking move allowed Spurs to counter and punish their hosts, with Kazatah Sterling confidently burying the ball past the onrushing Sam Howes. The Hammers made just two changes to the side that travelled to Motspur Park a week earlier. England U18 goalkeeper Howes replaced Tim Brown in goal, whilst 17-year-old full-back Jake Eggleton replaced Marcus Browne. It took the hosts just eight minutes to test Spurs goalkeeper Alfie Whiteman. After a one-two on the edge of the penalty area between Matt Carter and Joe Powell, the latter curled a testing effort that the Spurs stopper acrobatically tipped over the bar.
Declan Rice headed over from a corner before the Hammers took the lead on 14 minutes when the Spurs defence failed to clear their lines properly, giving captain Sylvestre time to nod the ball through to Borg, who coolly poked past Whiteman. On 23 minutes, Jahmal Hector-Ingram almost doubled the Hammers' lead, only to be denied by a dramatic block.
Spurs fought back and went close on a succession of occasions as the first half wore on. Charlie Owens bent a shot straight at Howes before the goalkeeper tipped a curling effort from Marcus Edwards onto the crossbar and Keanan Bennetts headed wide from a corner.
Spurs finally levelled after 38 minutes when George Dobson lost the ball during an attacking move. Spurs broke and Charlie Hayford used his speed and cut inside Rice to find Sterling, who knocked the ball under Howes and into the corner of the net. After the break, Spurs came out quickly but it was the Hammers who wasted the first chance on goal. After the visitors lost possession from a corner, Hector-Ingram broke alone used his speed and strength to beat several defenders, before shooting over the crossbar. Dobson curled wide before being replaced by schoolboy Idris Kanu, while fellow U16 Alfie Lewis replaced Jake Eggleton. The Hammers continued to press for a winner and the attacking trio of Hector-Ingram, Borg and Kanu worked hard to fashion an opening without success.
In the closing minutes, Spurs broke and it almost looked like substitute Ryan Loft was in on goal, only for Neufville to appear from nowhere to make a superb last-ditch tackle. The hero of the day was Howes, though, who managed to get down to deny another Tottenham substitute, Sam Shashona, with the final touch of the game.
West Ham travel to Norwich City on Saturday 22 August at 11am in their next league fixture.
U18s: Howes, Eggleton (Lewis 60), Neufville, Sylvestre, Akinola, Rice, Borg, Dobson (Kanu 69), Hector-Ingram, Carter, Powell
Subs not used: Boness, Henry, Longelo
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Jenkinson - It's frustrating
WHUFC.com
Carl Jenkinson's first Barclays Premier League appearance of his second loan spell with West Ham United did not go to plsn on Saturday.
Fresh from defeating Arsenal in the season opener last weekend, West Ham were confident of building on that start against Leicester City, but two goals in the first half for the visitors meant a second half revival counted for little. Dimitri Payet was on target for the hosts in their 2-1 defeat, with a further deviation from the script coming at the death when Jenkinson had to don the goalkeeping gloves afrer Adrian's red card. It all added up to a frustrating debut for the 23-year-old. "We started well in the first ten minutes, but then we conceded two cheap goals," he said. "They were well worked by Leicester, but both were avoidable. After that it was an uphill battle - we got one back but we couldn't quite get the second one which is obviously really frustrating. "I thought it was quite an even game. They were decisive with their finishing and they took the chances they got. I felt when we got one back that we would get another. It wasn't to be, but on to next week as they say."
On the positive side, Jenkinson said the team showed a good response to the disappointing interval scoreline, even if ultimately they could not get back into the contest. He added: "I think the team has a lot of character. We showed that last week and we showed it again today. Obviously we didn't get the result we wanted and everyone, the team and the fans, will be very disappointed and rightly so. "We had a real go in the second half. No-one can deny that, we did have a real go and gave 110 per cent. On another day we'd have got a point out of the game as a minimum."
As for his brief stint between the posts, Jenkinson was relieved he did not have much to do. "I think the red card was a bit harsh," he added. "It was a high foot but Adrian isn't a malicious man, I'm sure it was accidental. "I've ended up in goal, which was strange but fortunately I didn't have too much to do. It's probably a first and last for that one."
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West Ham 1 Leicester 2
15 August 2015
Last updated at 17:34
By Chris Bevan
BBC Sport
Leicester held on to beat West Ham and continue their 100% winning start to the season under Claudio Ranieri. Shinji Okazaki put the Foxes ahead, heading home the loose ball after goalkeeper Adrian blocked his volley. Riyad Mahrez made it 2-0 before half-time with a powerful finish for his third goal of the season. West Ham improved after the break and Dimitri Payet pulled a goal back, but Kasper Schmeichel denied Diafra Sakho as they searched for an equaliser. Schmeichel had escaped punishment for colliding with Sakho inside the area before half-time but his opposite number Adrian was not so lucky late in the game. The Hammers keeper was sent off for a challenge on Jamie Vardy after he went up for a corner in stoppage time.
After his impressive display in West Ham's win over Arsenal last weekend, young West Ham midfielder Reece Oxford found things a lot more difficult against the Foxes. The 16-year-old, who will find out his GCSE results on Thursday, found it hard to cope with the pace and movement of Leicester's attack as the visitors went 2-0 up inside 38 minutes. Leicester always looked to break quickly and both their goals came through neat build-ups and clever final balls from first Vardy and then Albrighton.
Vardy was this week given a "substantial" fine and ordered to undergo diversity awareness training after allegedly abusing a Japanese man in a casino Oxford was not the only West Ham player to have a poor game defensively in the first 45 minutes but he was the one taken off at half-time as Hammers boss Slaven Bilic tried to find a way back into the game. "It was not that Reece played worse than the rest of the team," Bilic said. "He played well but our passing was really slow in the first half and with Pedro Obiang we were much quicker in tempo."
Hammers reshuffle almost pays off
West Ham saw most of the ball in the first half - enjoying 63% possession with an 83% passing accuracy - but did little damage with it and did not manage a shot on target before the break. Bilic brought on new signing Obiang for Oxford at half-time but also asked Mauro Zarate to hug the left touchline and that helped the Hammers significantly increase their attacking threat, particularly down that flank. The Hammers enjoyed even more possession as the game went on but Leicester defended deep and in numbers and held out thanks to Schmeichel's key save from Sakho, one of three good stops he made after the break.
Manager reaction
Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri: "We are working very hard with the defensive line. I have very good players in front, very fast but it is important we all stay together.
Bilic disappointed with bad result "I didn't want to defend too deep but when you see your players go deep it is better to help them with their mentality." West Ham manager Slaven Bilic: "We lost the game in the first half. Two-nil down is very difficult to come back from. We are very disappointed. "We scored a goal early enough in the second half to play our normal game but with more aggression. I was expecting us to score a second, but we didn't."
Man of the match
Leicester striker Shinji Okazaki came off after 62 minutes but not before he had scored his first goal since his summer move from German side Mainz and also had a hand in the Foxes second goal
BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty on Leicester
Leicester City have won their opening two games of a Premier League season for the first time since 1997-98 The Foxes have won 28 points since the start of April 2015 - more than any other Premier League side Leicester have won nine of their last 11 Premier League fixtures - one more than they managed in their previous 55 top-flight games Since Aug 2010 Dimitri Payet has scored or assisted 93 goals in the top five leagues, four more than Mesut Ozil and Juan Mata in that period Payet's goal in the 55th minute was West Ham's first shot on target of the game
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West Ham Utd 1-2 Leicester City
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 15th August 2015
By: Staff Writer
West Ham fell to their first defeat of the new season - thanks to two first half goals from today's visitors Leicester City. And on what ultimately proved to be a hugely-disappointing afternoon for Slaven Bilic and his players, the Hammers ended the game with only ten men thanks to yet another appalling decision from referee Anthony Taylor. Taylor, as many of you will recall, was the hapless official who dismissed both Carlton Cole and Everton's Darren Gibson at the Boleyn for three years ago for raising their feet above their waists.
And his decision to dismiss Adrian in the final minute of normal time for a mistimed challenge on City's Jamie Vardy - on the edge of Leicester's penalty area - left the entire stadium wondering exactly how this particular individual continues to gain employment as a top flight official.
Despite starting the brighter of the two sides, it was West Ham who fell behind when recent arrival Shinji Okazaki saw his initial effort saved brilliant by West Ham's Spanish stopper who could then only look on as the former Mainz striker nodded the rebound into an empty net.
And the Hammers had barely picked themselves up from that particular disappointment when the Foxes doubled their advantage - despite the goal coming from a move that should have been interrupted for offside.
Seven minutes ahead of the half time interval, Shinji Okazaki and Marc Albrighton combined on the left flank before the latter centred for Riyad Mahrez who hit a powerful effort into the roof of Adrian's net.
That's how it remained until the break - despite West Ham having enjoyed 63 per cent of possession and an 85 per cent pass completion rate. Further proof that the only stat which counts is that in the 'goals scored' column.
With young Reece Oxford replaced by debutant Pedro Obiang at the interval, West Ham went about the second half with increased purpose and finally got their reward nine minutes after the restart when Dimitri Payet scored what will surely prove to be the first of many goals for West Ham.
The French midfielder's first effort - West Ham's first shot on target in the entire game - was blocked by Diafra Sakho, but Cheik Kouyate was alert enough to send the rebound back into Payet's path, from where he lofted the ball above Kasper Schmeichel.
Despite continuing to pile on the pressure for the remainder of the game, the Hammers were unable to score that all-important second goal to secure at least a point - which was the very least Bilic's side deserved.
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Slaven Bilic unhappy with West Ham's first half display in defeat to Leicester
Last Updated: 15/08/15 7:57pm
SSN
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic admits his side's poor first half performance was the reason behind their 2-1 home defeat to Leicester on Saturday. The Hammers, fresh from their shock opening day win at Arsenal, failed to find the same fluency shown at the Emirates Stadium last Sunday and were undone by two first half goals from Shinji Okazaki and Riyad Mahrez. Summer signing Dimitri Payet gave West Ham hope of an unlikely comeback, scoring his first goal for the club 10 minutes after the interval. The hosts were unable to muster an equaliser however, and Bilic was left to rue a costly opening 45 minutes. "It's a big disappointment, but that just shows how hard the Premier League is. After the good performance against Arsenal, we were hoping that we were going to get three points here against Leicester because we play at home," Bilic said. "We could have got a point at the end, but we lost the game in the first half. We started well, but after 10-15 minutes, they were quicker than us. They had pace, aggression and were winning easy headers and the second balls. They were much livelier."
Bilic once again included Reece Oxford in his starting line-up, following the 16-year-old's outstanding display in the midfield against Arsenal last weekend. But the youngster failed to reproduce his impressive performance and was withdrawn at half time, with debutant Pedro Obiang replacing him. Bilic refused to lay any blame with Oxford however, and insists his decision was simply tactical. "It was not down to Reece or his bad performance. I just wanted Pedro to bring much quicker passing, which we seemed to do in the second half and it put us in a position to hurt them more," he added."We scored the goal and I hope if we continue like that we can create more chances. We had a couple, but we didn't score. We are very disappointed."
West Ham's miserable afternoon was compounded when goalkeeper Adrian was sent off in stoppage for a high boot on Leicester forward Jamie Vardy."On Adrian, it was a fair sending off, but it is quite obvious that he didn't mean to do it. He was just following the ball and he was not aware a player was there," Bilic said. "We should have a major role in his punishment. There's a big difference between whether the player meant to do it or that it was an accident. Adrian simply didn't mean to do it."When asked whether the club would appeal referee Anthony Taylor's decision, Bilic added: "I have to speak to the people at the club and see what our chances will be."
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THE STRIKER GAP PART 2
By Blind Hammer 16 Aug 2015 at 08:00
WTID
In the second part of his blog Blind Hammer examines how the Academy Striker Gap over the last 50 years has distorted West Ham's Transfer Policy and suggests some strategic re-evaluations of priorities.
It was hard In the euphoria of the glow following the superb win over Arsenal to return to this critique. How could any criticism, even constructive criticism be mounted in this week? Yet the news about Sacko's arrest and the possibility of its impact on his availability reminded me of our historic lack of depth in striker quality.
In my first blog I suggested that in the 50 years since the Academy produced Geoff Hurst and Brian Dear, only Tony Cottee had emerged at a standard that equated to or exceeded Brian Dear, let alone Geoff Hurst. I argued that a return of one striker in 50 years was an unacceptable return. A Comment on that blog queried my refusal to allow full credit for the development of Jermaine Defoe. Defoe was with Charlton from 1997 before Joining West Ham in 1999. Soon after he famously spent 2000-1 at Bournemouth on loan before returning to become a important member of the first team . In the 4 years of Defoe's development it seems likely that only in 1999 was the Academy influential. This is why I allow only partial credit.
In this part I will argue is that this Academy striker gap is producing a double transfer whammy. The failure to produce strikers means not only that the club has to buy in strikers but is also not receiving transfers fees for strikers produced. This striker gap has produced nearly 50 years of pressure on scarce transfer resources.
Strikers are notoriously expensive. Cup successes in the 1970s and 1980s enabled the purchase of proven goal scorers like Paul Goddard and Pop Robson who delivered the goods. More recently similar attempts to invest in quality forwards like Dean Ashton and Andy Carroll has unluckily seen both plagued by injury.
Whilst the bigger clubs can shake off an unlucky striker investment, Liverpool have responded to Sturridge's injuries by investing £32 million in Benteke, West Ham cannot splash the cash so regularly. This has meant that West Ham have had to, over the last 50 years, resort to cheaper gambles to fill the striker void. Occasionally these gambles have been spectacularly successful. Di Canio, McAvennie, and lately Sackho have been good examples of this. Gould, Hartson, Bellamy, Kanoute and Demba Ba are other good investments.
However for every successful example there are plenty of duds that are too numerous to fully mention here. Some examples prove this point. From the 70s we have an un-honourable tradition of multiple dud striker imports. This rogue's gallery includes Jimmy Greaves and John Radford, but it is since the mid-1990s that more and more duds arrive and depart with dizzying speed, draining resources out of the club. Consider the embarrassing Marco Boogers in 1995 who Redknapp apparently signed without seeing. Reflect on the wages paid out on Florin R?ducioiu and Daniel da Cruz in 1996, Paulo Alves in 1997 and Davor Šuker in 2000. Kaba Diawara was given a go in 2001. We tried Brian Deane in 2004; Titi Camara was given a go from 2000 to 2003 before Henri Camara was experimented with in 2007, as was the barely remembered Kepa Blanco. David Di Michele kept the flow of resources going out of the club in 2008. These undeniably undistinguished signings were outdone in 2009 by the signing of Savio Nsereko who apparently did not even have the psychological toughness to be away from home. After this the revolving door of failed strikers showed no sign of abating. The relatively anonymous Guillermo Franco arrived in 2010. However 2010 was best remembered for the recruitment of the ineffectual "roly poly" Benni McCarthy. Benni was in turn followed hard on his heels by the faded Robbie Keane and John Carew in 2011 , the outclassed Sam Baldock and so far Modibo Maïga in 2012 followed by Mladen Petri? in 2013 and Marco Borriello in 2014. I am sure others can nominate further misfit candidates but I will stop before I get depressed in what is after all a great week to be a Hammer.
The record over 50 years cannot lie. The constant resorting to cheap striker purchases and loans that turn out to be misfits is underpinned by The Academy's failure to produce the goods in Striker output. When the Academy products trickle down to lower clubs there is rarely even any transfer income. Rob Hall is a possible low level exception.
A hardnosed approach may suggest abandoning the Academy and simply re-directing resources into buying in young talent. This would be anathema to many supporters including myself, for whom the concept of an Academy is hard wired into our view of the club. Southampton has proved that the Academy model can work. My view is that a reform to a striker based concentration in the Academy could save it. It would take the production of only one striker of class to justify the funding of the Academy for many years. Consider the sums being suggested for the signing of Tottenham's Harry Cane as an example.
Mine is the view of a fan and of an evident Academy outsider. It is true that An Academy insider would be more qualified to comment but some questions are obvious. How are Academy coaching resources strategized? Do we spend equal time on developing goal keepers, defenders and midfielders as we do Strikers? If so this is, in my view a serious mistake. If we examine a team line-up from statistical format strikers are a minority forming at most 2 and often only one of the team slots. Calculated pro rata strikers would attract only perhaps 9 or 18% of development resources. However looking just from a financial standpoint it makes no sense at all to invest only 9 or 18% of Academy resources into striker development. Payet is apparently one of the best playmakers in Europe with Champions League experience but he has so far only cost us £10 million. Charlie Austin, an injury prone striker from a relegated club with no European experience or profile with only one year left on his contract will apparently cost £15 million with eye watering wages of £110,000 a week. Andy Carroll even before the latest TV deal was almost as expensive at apparently £17 million with wages of £85,000 a week. Clubs at the top end of the Premiership will now pay £30million, £40 million or even £50 million for proven goal scoring talent.
Given this in-balance from a financial standpoint it would seem to make sense for at least 50% or even more of Academy resources and effort be devoted to identifying and nurturing Striker talent. The next priority for development is attacking playmakers. This may well mean that Academy teams would become more unbalanced in development and not all that successful as rounded teams in youth leagues. Defensive players may receive proportionately less attention. However if the Academy could then produce a single gem such as a Harry Cane, or a modern day tony Cottee this would all become irrelevant. It is much easier and cheaper to buy in quality defenders and defensive deep laying midfielders.
The reality is that a successful Academy does not have to necessarily produce a Harry Cane or other world class player, though that would be nice. We simply have to provide an alternative strategy to the constant resorting to aged or injured mediocre stream of failed imports. The record of failure through reliance on cheap foreign imports or loans is too clear to deny. It is to resolve this historic striker deficiency in producing even journeymen Strikers of the standard of an Iain Dowie or Carlton Cole that the Academy should focus.
Part of this probably means that we have to emulate other clubs in scouting globally and not just locally or even nationally for young striking talent. Additionally a number of targets need to be set in place if they are not there already. We should, at least every 2 years, be loaning an Academy striker to a League 1 or preferably Championship Club who will provide significant playing time. Out of this program we should produce 1 Striker who can meaningfully participate in the first team squad every 6 years. These are not, to my mind, unrealistic targets, despite the competitiveness of the Premier League. Failure to meet this target should provoke an Academy Coaching review and an evaluation of investments. It is a tough world in the Premiership and we need our development set up to provide the returns we need.
David Griffith
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WEST HAM 1, LEICESTER CITY 2. UNFORTUNATELY WE'VE SEEN THIS BEFORE.
By David Hautzig 15 Aug 2015 at 21:38
WTID
The first report I wrote for this site was the debacle against Southampton last season. Coming off an exhilarating win at Palace, confidence was high.
And then they ran us off the pitch.
There was an eerily similar feeling today. Which wasn't helped by the fact that I had to watch the match hours after it ended due to a family commitment. The pundits didn't predict a good day for us, as both Lawro and Merson predicting a Leicester City win. They must have known something I didn't.
It looked pretty good at the very beginning. In the 3rd minute Noble won a free kick on the left side of the Leicester City penalty area. He curled his free kick into the box in the direction of Sakho, but Morgan got their first. However his attempted clearance went over Schmeichel, clipped the cross bar and out of play.
Perhaps because I already knew the result, but the next 25 minutes looked and felt uneventful. Sakho had a chance in front of goal that he sent over the bar, but the offside flag had gone up. Vardy made a run for Leicester that looked like it could have been dangerous but he ran the ball out before he could send a pass into the area. Then West Ham moved the ball around the penalty area well, only for Jenkinson to send a shot about 58 feet too high. Mahrez beat Cresswell on the edge of the area and moved in on Adrian before Kouyate came in to help clear from danger. Moments later Huth tried an overhead kick that Adrian pushed out for what should have been a corner. But in the first of what would turn out to be a few questionable decisions by Anthony Taylor West Ham were awarded a goal kick.
Two minutes later, Leicester City didn't need any decision from the referee. They just needed desire and will from Okazaki. Vardy broke down the left and sent a cross that Okazaki volleyed at Adrian. He made the initial save, but the ball went straight up in the air and Okazaki stayed with the ball and headed it in on its way down.
West Ham 0, Leicester City 1.
I'd like to say we responded with vigor and skill. Actually, I'd like to say we responded at all. Apart from a high shot by Zarate and a corner, West Ham looked like they forgot they had conceded at all. They were reminded in no time.
In the 38th minute, Okazaki, Albrighton, Vardy and Mahrez combined good passing with somewhat comatose West Ham defending to set up Mahrez all alone in the box to double the Leicester City lead. When I read Twitter from the road, there was a lot of blame placed on Oxford for the second goal. But everyone lost their man, missed their mark, and generally switched off.
West Ham 0, Leicester City 2.
West Ham had their chances in first half injury time. First when Cresswell danced around De Laet outside the Leicester City penalty area, but his cross to Zarate got tangled up in the Argentinean's feet and rolled out for a goal kick. Then, Zarate and Noble played a one-two before Noble fed Kouyate on the left. But instead of trying to find Sakho in front he tried a shot from a tough angle and hit the side netting. Then, in the final minute of extra time, Payet sent a lofted pass that Sakho ran onto. Sakho got to the ball first, made a touch, and was brought down by Schmeichel.
Reality = Penalty and red card for Schmeichel.
Taylor = Play on.
Halftime. West Ham 0, Leicester 2.
The second half began with Obiang making his debut replacing Oxford. And for the first few minutes of the second half, that was pretty much the notable moment. The passing was slow, the movement directionless. Finally, in the 55th minute, the West Ham we were hoping to see…and maybe expecting to see…turned up. Noble crossed to Payet, but his shot was blocked. However, the ball fell to Kouyate who served up another shot for Payet and this time he found the target, drilling the ball into the top of the net.
West Ham 1, Leicester City 2.
West Ham went right back on the attack, moving the ball around the penalty area before a Payet shot was deflected out for a corner. Moments later, Payet made his presence known again driving to the byline before Schmeichel intercepted his attempted cross. Huth then sent a Zarate cross out for a corner. The resulting free kick went to Sakho near the far post but his header didn't have much pace and Schmeichel grabbed it easily. Then Zarate did what he does so often, beating many defenders but trying to beat one too many. It was the kind of possession and play that made one think a goal was coming.
Leicester City weathered the West Ham onslaught and pushed back, winning two corners and a Vardy free kick in a dangerous area. Mahrez stepped up to take it, but his curling free kick went wide and high. In the 74th minute, Leicester City should have restored their two goal lead when Albrighton got on the end of a corner but sent a volley over the bar instead of into an open corner of the goal. A minute later Mahrez fed Drinkwater a ball in the same spot Albrighton had just been in. But again, with a corner of the net open Drinkwater sent his shot high.
In need of more creativity, West Ham made their second substitution bringing Lanzini in for Kouyate. At least that was likely the theory. In the 80th minute, theory almost turned into scientific fact when West Ham had their best chance at an equalizer. Sakho headed a cross to Lanzini in the area, who then immediately headed it back to Sakho. With both sides of the goal open, Sakho shot square into Schmeichel's chest. He didn't even have to move.
West Ham moved the ball around well for the final ten minutes of the match, but very little penetrated the final line of defense. Maiga coming on didn't exactly turn the volume up a notch, but options for fresh legs were few and far between. Anthony Taylor completed his hat trick of bonehead calls in the final minute of added time when he sent off Adrian for what he absurdly thought was dangerous play. Even the TV announcers here thought it was ridiculous. In all probability the card will be rescinded, and the game was already decided. But it made his earlier mistakes that much infuriating by knowing that the referee had indeed played a part in the outcome.
Final Score. West Ham 1, Leicester City 2.
I am trying to remind myself of a lot of rational things. We are learning a new way to play and that takes time. We have few options up front due to injuries. We always get too excited about memorable wins, and we always get too despondent over disappointing losses. Obiang looked quite good. So did Lanzini in his limited time. Jenkinson was awful and likely won't have this bad a game for a long time. I don't want to say that Bournemouth is now a very big game.
So I won't.
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OBIANG IMPRESSES IN A BAD DAY AT THE OFFICE
By Iain Dale 15 Aug 2015 at 19:54
WTID
Well, that was after the Lord Mayor's Show. So typical of West Ham. Worldbeaters one week, then they contrive to lose against an inferior team. I suppose it was inevitable, but it really needn't have been this way. We dominated the game for 25 minutes, but after the first goal we were second best for the rest of the first half. In the second Pedro Obiang added a new bite and urgency to the midfield having replaced the highly ineffective Reece Oxford. We pressed and pressed but just couldn't score. Quite how Schmeichel saved a shot down to his right, I don't know, but it was at that point you sensed it wasn't going to be our day. The one bright moment was Payet's goal, which was a delight to watch. Noble, who was very active down the right – just as well since Jenkinson had his worst game in a Hammers shirt – pulled the ball back across the penalty area where it was met and nudged to Payet who slammed the ball high into the net from just behind the penalty spot.
We played like Arsenal last week. We didn't seem to want the ball enough. Too often we were second to it. Only Ogbonna, Noble and Kouyate looked really hungry for it. Sakho's mind was clearly elsewhere, as you might expect, although it has to be said that Mauro Zarate had some delightful dribbles and flicks, and at one point in the second half he wasn't that far from scoring one of the great West Ham balls at all time. Unfortunately, he suffers from the same syndrome as many Arsenal players – he thinks he can walk the ball into the net, but fails to take into account that an opposition player is about to dispossess him.
So, a few talking points…
1. Adrian was sent off for the second time this season. That takes a rare talent for a goalkeeper. Will this hasten the re-signing of Rob Green this week?
2. Ogbonna and Reid looked solid for much of the game. Were either of them to blame for the goals? I couldn't really see.
3. Why was Reece Oxford so absent in the first half when his replacement, Pedro Obiang, was so hugely impressive in the second half?
4. Has Obiang played himself into the starting lineup for the Bournemouth game?
5. Did Modibo Maiga actually touch the ball once after he came on?
6. Dimitri Payet's performance was an enigmatic one. He'd drift out of the game to then play a very telling ball.
7. Do we just put this down to experience, or were there worrying signs to observe?
And the player points?
Adrian 5
Ogbonna 8
Reid 7
Cresswell 6
Jenkinson 5
Kouyate 6
Noble 7
Oxford 5
Zarate 6
Sakho 5
Payet 7
Lanzini 5
Maiga 4
Obiang 8
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West Ham transfers: Hammers close in on Hull midfielder Tom Huddlestone
0 COMMENTS22:00, 15 AUGUST 2015
BY STEVE STAMMERS , DEAN JONES
The Hammers looked set to sign Joey Barton before dramatically pulling the plug on the deal and are still not agreed on terms with Alex Song
The Mirror
West Ham are closing in on Hull midfielder Tom Huddlestone. The Hammers backed out of a deal to sign Joey Barton in midweek and are still not agreed on terms with Alex Song. It has led them to consider fresh options in the centre of the park and a bid is now being lodged for 28-year-old Huddlestone, who joined Hull in 2013 from Spurs. Huddlestone made 67 Premier League appearances for the Tigers after his £5m move from White Hart Lane but is one of the club's higher earners. The departure would leave Hull short of options in midfield after losing Jake Livermore to suspension following a positive drugs test, though the 25-year-old may be back sooner than originally expected.
The Hammers are also set to offer midfielder Cheik Kouyate a new deal. The powerful Senegal international had an impressive first season at Upton Park following his £5.25million move from Anderlecht last summer. He arrived with compatriot Diafra Sakho who was rewarded for his impact with a new contract before the end of last season. Now Kouyate is ready to extend his stay at West Ham and double his £15,000-a-week wages.
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Report: Irons chase a Tiger!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on August 16, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H
Reports this morning that the Irons are "closing in" on Hull City's former Spurs midfielder Tom Huddlestone seem wide of the mark.
After pulling out of a pay as you play deal for Joey Barton The Mirror is reporting that we are now moving in on the Tigers high earner.
The 28 year old has made 67 Premier League appearances for Hull after his £5m move from White Hart Lane in 2013. However, given that the club is known to be keen to sign Alex Song regardless of his present injury problems before the end of August it's hard to see how this one might happen. Barton was wanted on a short term deal as cover for that situation and it's hard to see why Huddlestone would want a short term arrangement. A source said: "We need back up and I'm not sure that a player such as Huddlestone would be suitable in those circumstances."
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Let's get Leicester defeat in perspective
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on August 15, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H
Today's performance and result needs to be put into its proper perspective. Yes we all know Leicester City made a storming end to last season but when you look at the stats they carried into this season they really are truly stunning. They won seven games – starting with us, drew one and lost one (against Chelsea) – and have now won the first two games of the new season. The confidence factor is huge in football – 80 per cent of the game is often played between the ears and some of their football in the first half was outstanding.
Too often we judge matches on reputations of teams – thus Arsenal would beat us and we'd beat the Foxes particularly as our home record against them is pretty amazing. Leicester have scored 25 goals over these last 11 games and are on the highest of highs. We meanwhile won three games from 21 and despite the much needed and celebrated victory over the Gunners there is work to be done. Slaven Bilic made the point that we were far too slow in the first half as the Foxes took control and punished us with their quick passing and pacey forward movement game. But we showed in the second that we can be pretty potent – especially down the left side. When Jenks is up to speed we'll be looking fine down the right too. Pedro Obiang (above) looked an operator with bite and promise. We are a decent team who were beaten by another in outstanding form. It's been an odd start to the season and with Bournemouth up next we are again thinking three points – I think we'll get them but we need to up the tempo. An interesting season ahead.
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Ref Taylor's shocker hurts Hammers
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on August 15, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H
West Ham 1 Leicester City 2
I hate making excuses but had we had a decent referee in charge this afternoon this would have been a game from which we would almost certainly taken a point – MINIMUM.
But the dreadful Anthony Taylor who infamously sent Carlton Cole off for nothing a couple of seasons back looked to back into his best Hammers-hating routine.
Despite Kaspar Schmeichel clearly fouling Diafra Sakho at the end of the first half, well inside the box, we received no penalty and the stopper stayed on the pitch when it was a clear RED. Utterly disgraceful.
But the bloke managed to top even that at the very end as the Irons chased the game. After Adrian had gone up for a cleared corner he was red-carded himself for a high boot and was dismissed for dangerous play – APPALLING!
The Hammers will clearly appeal and should win without a shadow of a doubt just as they did when Cole was dismissed.
The visitors had gone two up in the first half through a hit from Ozazaki after a fine Adrian save and an unstoppable Mahrez belter.
It was a deserved first half lead but had Taylor a single idea of what represents a foul the Foxes would have been playing with 10 men in the second half.
The Hammers after such a slow first 45 mins stepped on the gas with most of their best stuff coming down the left side through Payet and Zarate.
And it all looked good when the new signing smashed home a fabulous effort on 55 minutes which should have started a major offensive.
Sadly City began to take the sting out of things after feeling the heat for 15 minutes and created chances of their own although Sakho could have equalised when his close range shot hit the Leicester stopper's body and rebounded to safety.
Disappointing Yes but a hugely exciting and attractive match – a million miles from the previous era and but for Tylor it could all have been so very different.
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