Daily WHUFC News - 21st August 2015

Slaven speaks - AFC Bournemouth
WHUFC.com

Slaven Bilic is expecting a 'dynamic' contest when AFC Bournemouth visit the Boleyn Ground in the Barclays Premier League on Saturday. The West Ham United manager praised Eddie Howe's side for the way they have played in their opening two fixtures following promotion from the Championship, despite the fact the Cherries have no points and no goals to show for their efforts.
The Hammers boss warned that his team must be on their game if they are to break down and beat an adaptable Bournemouth team who have troubled Aston Villa and Liverpool in recent weeks.
"I expect a very dynamic game," Bilic revealed. "On the one hand I expect a physical game, but on the other hand I saw the way Bournemouth are trying to pass the ball and their first idea is to pass the ball. They are very good and they play good football. "They are not just passing in a tiki taka way and they are not just lumping it up, they are mixing it up. If they can pass, they pass it, but if they are under pressure they try to hit the two guys up front. When they can press you, they press you, but if not they are all behind the ball and waiting for you. They are a good team and that's why they looked so good in their opening two games. "I watched both of Bournemouth's games and of course you could say that they deserved something from each of them. They weren't second-best in the first game against Villa and at Anfield the game was very even. "OK Liverpool had better chances and scored and hit the bar and had a couple of blocked shots, but in open play, if you see the quality of the passing it was Bournemouth for me and they were a bit unlucky in both games."

Concentrating on West Ham, Bilic faces a number of selection decisions after losing Adrian to suspension and Mauro Zarate to a hamstring injury in the build-up to Saturday's game. On the goalkeeper situation, Bilic revealed that he expected the Club's appeal for wrongful dismissal against Adrian's red card in last weekend's defeat by Leicester City to fail because of the stringent nature of the FA's rules. Adrian was sent-off for serious foul play after catching Jamie Vardy in the chest with his boot, and will now serve a three-match suspension. "I am disappointed with a three-match ban," said Bilic. "To be fair, I was hjoping that our appeal would be a positive one, but I wasn't expecting to win it because of the rule. I said after the game that it could be a red and I didn't change my mind. "For me it was a bit harsh but I can tell you with the ref it was not out of the blue. The ref decided it was a red and I'm OK with that, but for me the punishment is unbelievable. It's too big, it's too much but when I saw the rules after that, I knew we didn't stand a chance because the FA would have to change their rule, which they will not do, of course."

There has been some speculation over who will replace Adrian in goal against Bournemouth on Saturday, but the manager confirmed that he expects Ireland international Darren Randolph to take the gloves at the Boleyn Ground. "We are going to see who will play in goal," Bilic said. "Darren is doing well and he is an experienced goalkeeper, an international, so I'm expecting him to be in goal. "It's very short-sighted to say he has a problem with Bournemouth. It happened once. When I played in Germany we beat Valencia 7-0 in the UEFA Cup, but it was once. You can't say that we were better than Valencia as a club, so I believe in Randy. He is experienced, he is good and he played in so many games and what happened with Bournemouth could happen to anyone or to him against any other team."

"I said four weeks ago that I would not discuss our transfer activities in front of the public until it is done one way or the other. I am not necessarily going to bring someone in in goal."
While he has yet to decide over the signing of a new goalkeeper, Bilic confirmed Joint-Chairman David Sullivan's statement surrounding the possibility of Alex Song returning to the Club.
Song is set to undergo a medical ahead of a proposed move from Barcelona, and the manager says the Cameroon midfielder would be a major player for the Hammers should he come back to E13.
"Agreement is in principle and you've seen the Chairman's statement and it says everything," the manager said. "We agreed the terms and now it's subject to the medical, and we hope he is going to pass that because we know how good he was here last year and how good he is as a player. "He has got a record. He was an Arsenal player and a Barcelona player and all that and we would like to get him and it's down to the medical. We got a lot of positive comments and details about his improvement so we are really confident that he is going to pass the medical.
"He was here last year on loan and I think that everybody agrees, West Ham fans, non-West Ham fans and football people from across the country, that especially in the first six months he was exceptional and he was brilliant. "If we can get him in that stage or type of playing and try to do it for a bit longer over the whole season, it would be crucial for us."

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From the Treatment Room
WHUFC.com

Hello everyone,

Here we have the latest update from the Treatment Room this week. We will start with the bad news. Mauro Zarate suffered a hamstring injury in training this week. Mauro his begun his rehabilitation, and should hopefully be available to return after the international break. Andy Carroll is continuing to work on his rehabilitation after he underwent surgery on a knee injury he suffered in February. Enner Valencia is three weeks into his rehabilitation following the leg injury he suffered in the UEFA Europa League against Astra Giurgiu on 30 July. Enner remains on schedule to be back in full training by the end of October. Finally, Reece Oxford has had a small niggle and has missed a few days of training this week.

Stijn Vandenbroucke
Head of Medical and Sports Science

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Burke loaned to Bantams
WHUFC.com

Reece Burke has joined Bradford City on Youth Loan for an initial period until 20 September 2015. The centre-back will link up with Phil Parkinson's League One side immediately and could make his debut in a Yorkshire derby at Barnsley on Saturday afternoon. The defender, who turns 19 on 2 September, made five Barclays Premier League appearances at the end of last season and will now gain more valuable match experience at Valley Parade. Newham-born Burke becomes the third West Ham United youngster to be allowed out to go on loan this week, following Diego Poyet (MK Dons) and Moses Makasi (Chelmsford City).

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Charlie Austin: QPR striker 'outraged' by David Sullivan 'slur'
BBC.co.uk

Queens Park Rangers striker Charlie Austin has accused West Ham chairman David Sullivan of making "an outrageous slur" on his professionalism. Sullivan, speaking on a West Ham fans' podcast, said the Hammers considered Austin too great a risk as a signing because of knee problems. Austin, 26, is expected to leave Loftus Road this summer. He said: "I feel I have no option but to address the inaccurate, misleading and uninformed innuendo." He added: "It is one of a number of inaccurate reports about my so-called injury problems made over the summer."

Championship club QPR have stated the England striker, who failed a medical at Hull in 2013, will remain with them until their £15m valuation is met. Sullivan said: "Firstly, we haven't got £15m to spend under the fair play rules. Secondly, he failed a medical at Hull a couple of years ago. "They say he has no ligaments in his knee, who knows? To sign a £15m player is a big risk. He could go on for years, but knowing our luck his knee will go in his first game and that's the end of it."

Charlie Austin: the lowdown
Trained with Reading's youth teams but was released at 15
Played non-league football until 2008, including at Poole Town while working as a bricklayer
While on trial at Swindon Town, Austin scored a hat-trick in his first match for the club and was signed immediately
Signed for Burnley in 2011 and scored 16 Championship goals in his debut season
In August 2013, Austin joined QPR on a three-and-a-half-year deal

The former Swindon and Burnley man scored 18 goals as the west London club were relegated from the Premier League last season. Rangers rejected a £12m bid from Leicester in July but he continues to be heavily linked with a move away before the close of the transfer window on 2 September. "For the record, there is nothing wrong with my 'ligaments', as has been suggested," Austin added in a statement.
"My strength and performance in pre-season has been excellent and with two goals in my last two games I don't think there is any doubt that my match sharpness is as good as ever. "Like many professional footballers, I have the legacy of injuries picked up over my career but the effect on my day-to-day training and on matchday is non-existent. "I am fit, strong and looking forward to Saturday's home game against Rotherham."

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Sullivan responds to Austin criticism
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 20th August 2015
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United Chairman David Sullivan has spoken out to clarfiy his comments regarding Charlie Austin.

Talking in the latest episode of the KUMB Podcast, West Ham United's co-owner responded to a question from a supporter querying why West Ham had not make an official approach for the highly-rated striker.

Sullivan replied by explaining why he had reservations over meeting Queens Park Rangers' £15miliion asking price - comments that appeared to upset Austin, who issued a statement this afternoon criticising the Chairman for referring to his past injuries.

"My strength and performance in pre-season has been excellent and with two goals in my last two games I don't think there is any doubt that my match sharpness is as good as ever," he said.

"Like many professional footballers, I have the legacy of injuries picked up over my career but the effect on my day-to-day training and on matchday is non-existent. I am fit, strong and looking forward to Saturday's home game against Rotherham."

Responding to Austin's statement and to clarify his earlier comments, Sullivan - whose last two major front-line signings, Andy Carroll and Enner Valencia are yet to play this season - replied: "I fully accept Charlie Austin is a good player and I fully accept he's not impacted on a day-to-day basis.

"I admire Charlie, but the question for us is whether previous injuries might impact upon the longevity of his career."

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Signing Joey Barton made financial sense, says Sullivan
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 20th August 2015
By: Staff Writer

West Ham co-owner David Sullivan believes that signing Joey Barton would have made sense from a financial perspective - and was a deal he personally supported. Free agent Barton was on the verge of joining West Ham last week after spending a short spell at Chadwell Heath on trial. However the plug was pulled on the transfer after some of the squad's senior players approached Sullivan to express their concerns.

And that, revealed Sullivan, speaking to Chris Scull and James Longman on the latest KUMB West Ham Podcast, was enough to persuade the club to perform an about-turn and cancel their plans to sign the 32-year-old former Manchester City and QPR midfielder. "Personally I would have signed Joey Barton because it was an exceptionally good deal from a financial point of view," he revealed. "It was very high appearance money, but a very low basic. There was no long-term commitment and big appearance money only if he started - and only in Premier League games. "From a purely financial point of view, to get a player of Joey Barton's quality in on a one-year contract was very good from a financial point of view." "But there were a couple of players who didn't fancy it and if the potential cost is an unhappy dressing room, you have to listen to it."

Despite failing to land his man, Sullivan spoke positively about his negotiations with Barton - whose response to news of the breakdown in talks with West Ham via video the Chairman called "dignified". "He's not a mug, he was the best player at Queens Park Rangers last year so he would have made a contribution in an area where we're short of numbers," added Sullivan. "I think he's a 90 per cent reformed character, I thought his video was very dignified under the circumstances because he felt very let down. "But if the manager thought fan power or a bit of player power or a bit of means means don't take him, you've got to support the manager. "

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Reece rolled out on loan
KUMb.com
Filed: Thursday, 20th August 2015
By: Staff Writer

Academy star Reece Burke has joined League One side Bradford City on a month-loan loan. 18-year-old Burke made his first team debut under Sam Allardyce last year, but following the arrival of fellow centre half Angelo Ogbonna is unlikely to be needed this season (barring a catastrophic succession of injuries). "The Bantams have completed the loan signing of talented young defender Reece Burke from Premier League side West Ham United," confirmed the Yorkshire club this afternoon. "The central defender was named West Ham's Young Player of the Year last season and featured in the Hammers' last five Premier League games for the 2014/2015 campaign, starting four of them. "Subject to clearance from The F.A and the Football League, Burke could now be named in Phil Parkinson's match-day squad for this Saturday's Yorkshire derby at Barnsley."

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Coming soon: the Rise of the Krays
KUMb.com
Filed: Thursday, 20th August 2015
By: Staff Writer

A new film about the most notorious of London's East End gangs hits the streets next week. 'The Rise of the Krays' takes a unique look at the lives of the infamous twins, who ran amok in the capital during the 1960s before both were finally committed at Her Majesty's Pleasure for life. Whereas previous productions have highlighted the glamorous side of being a gangster in the swinging sixties, 'Rise' takes a more open approach whilst refraining from glamorising the violence for which the Krays were known. And although the Krays may have been Leyton Orient fans, the new movie has been financed by someone rather closer to home - West Ham United co-Chairman David Sullivan, who spoke to KUMB about the new film. "It's a story about the rise of the Krays and it pulls no punches," Sullivan told KUMB.com. "It shows them as they really were and has been described as 'the best British Gangster movie of all time'." The film stars ex-Eastenders star Nicola Stapleton as Violet Kray, with Kevin Leslie and Simon Cotton playing Reggie and Ronnie respectively. It will be available to download digitally next week and in physical form from Monday, 31 August on DVD and Blu-Ray.

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We won't pay £15million for Charlie Austin, says David Sullivan
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 20th August 2015
By: Staff Writer

David Sullivan has revealed that West Ham are unlikely to move for Queens Park Rangers striker Charlie Austin - unless the Championship club slash their £15million asking price. West Ham United's co-Chairman, speaking exclusively to Chris Scull and James Longman on the new KUMB West Ham Podcast explained why the club had refrained from making an official approach for the striker, who enjoyed a prolific campaign last season despite Rangers being relegated from the Premier League. "Firstly, we haven't got £15million to spend under the Fair Play rules," said Sullivan. "Secondly, he [Austin] failed a medical at Hull a couple of years ago. They say he has no ligaments in his knee, who knows? To sign a player for £15million is a big risk. "He could go on for years, but knowing our luck his knee will go in his first game and that's the end of it! "If we had £100million to spend we may say 'we'll spend £15million and gamble one-sixth of our budget'. But it's not one-sixth of our budget, it'd smash our budget to bits. "And he didn't keep Queens Park Rangers up. If he'd kept them up single-handedly you might say it was different - and a few of those goals were penalties. "16 goals is still very good, but when we played Queens Park Rangers last year they had to win to stand any chance of staying up - and he wasn't very good [that day]."

During our exclusive two-part interview, Sullivan - who was accompanied by his two sons Jack and Dave - also spoke about:

Alex Song - and why he's yet to complete his return to the club

Joey Barton - and why the club tried to sign the former QPR midfielder

Stewart Downing - and the truth behind his return to Middlesbrough

Sam Allardyce - the Sullivans respond to Sam's "ungrateful" jibe and reveal the truth behind his departure

Slaven Bilic - and the club's hopes and requirements for the new man at the helm

Transfer window - the latest situation with regard to incoming - and outgoing - players

Europa League - David Sullivan answers criticism regarding West Ham's early exit

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Reece Burke joins Bradford City on loan
Last Updated: 20/08/15 1:22pm
SSN

Bradford have completed the signing of defender Reece Burke on loan from West Ham. Burke, 18, arrives at the Coral Windows Stadium on a one-month deal, having made 10 senior appearances for the Hammers, three of which came this season in the Europa League. He featured five times for West Ham in Premier League at the end of last season, making four starts under then-boss Sam Allardyce. The defender has played for England at various youth levels and, subject to clearance, he could be set for his Bantams debut when they travel to Barnsley in Sky Bet League 1 on Saturday. Burke is the third Hammers player to leave the club on loan this week, with Diego Poyet joining MK Dons and Moses Makasi going to Chelmsford City. His deal will run until 20 September 2015.

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Charlie Austin hits out at David Sullivan over fitness claim
Last Updated: 20/08/15 7:07pm
SSN

Charlie Austin has hit back at a claim over his fitness by saying he couldn't have scored 18 Premier League goals last season if there was any doubt about the condition he is in. The QPR striker responded after West Ham co-owner David Sullivan suggested moving for the England international was a risk because of his medical history. Sullivan said on a Knees Up Mother Brown podcast: "He failed a medical at Hull a couple of years ago. "They say he has no ligaments in his knee, who knows? To sign a player for £15m is a big risk. He could go on for years, but knowing our luck his knee will go in his first game and that's the end of it. "If we had £100m to spend we may say: 'We'll spend £15m and gamble one-sixth of our budget.' But it's not one-sixth of our budget – it'd smash our budget to bits. "And he didn't keep Queens Park Rangers up. If he'd kept them up single-handedly you might say it was different. A few of those goals were penalties. "Sixteen goals is still very good, but when we played Queens Park Rangers last year they had to win to stand any chance of staying up and he wasn't very good."

Austin has reacted furiously to Sullivan's remarks, insisting the 66-year-old's words are inaccurate and defending his recent form. Posting on Twitter he said: "I feel I have no option but to address the inaccurate, misleading and uninformed innuendo about my physical condition that has been raised today by an individual who is not privy to my personal health history. "It is one of a number of inaccurate reports about my so-called injury problems which have been made over the summer. "For the record, there is nothing wrong with my 'ligaments', as has been suggested. "My strength and performance in pre-season has been excellent and with two goals in my last two games, I don't think there is any doubt that my match sharpness is as good as ever. "I scored 18 goals in the Premier League last season, which would not be possible were I feeling discomfort or pain. "Like many professional footballers, I have the legacy of injuries picked up over my career but the effect on my day-to-day training and on match-day is non-existent. "For a senior figure at a Premier League club to insinuate that I could break down at any moment is an outrageous slur on my professionalism and the work that has gone into making me the footballer I am today. "I am fit, strong and looking forward to Saturday's home game against Rotherham."

QPR have said they will not accept anything less than £15m for Austin, who has been linked with several Premier League clubs. The player has started the season well, scoring twice so far for the Loftus Road side against Cardiff City and Wolves.

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Adrian suspension 'too big' says West Ham boss Slaven Bilic
Last Updated: 20/08/15 9:52am
SSN

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic says goalkeeper Adrian's three-match ban is "too big" after the club lost their appeal over the red card. Adrian was sent off for a high boot into the chest of Leicester's Jamie Vardy during the Hammers' 2-1 defeat on Saturday. Bilic said: "I was hoping that our appeal on Adrian would be positive, but I wasn't expecting it. "The ref decided it was red, but the punishment is too big."

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Olympic Stadium seats reduced to 66,510
Posted by Sean Whetstone on August 20, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

The number of seats in the Olympic Stadium in football mode will reduce to 66,510 and not the 74,400 originally planned.

In a freedom of information request the London Legacy Development Corporation has revealed the stadium will lose 13,490 seats in football mode. The former London 2012 Olympic Stadium boasted 80,000 seats during the Summer games with 55,000 seats located in the upper tier and another 25,000 in the lower seating bowl.

The new rebuild lower seating bowel utilising retractable and re-locatable seating will have 18,558 seats in football mode plus an additional 2,220 in re-locatable seating to bridge the gap between the East lower and upper stands. A new middle West Stand tier will hold 1,416 seats.

There are an additional 253 wheel chair accessible seats (including a companion seat) in football mode and 429 wheelchair accessible seats (including a companion seat) in athletics mode.

Probably the biggest surprise is the 55,000 upper stand seats which have reduced to 44,336 seats the LLDC claim. Original planning permission submitted by the LLDC suggested the upper stand would remain largely unchanged except for the removal of the top two rows of seats to allow for the construction of the new roof. The same planning documentation suggested the amount of seats would reduce to approximately 52,000. It is not clear in LLDC's FOI response what has happened with the other 7,664 seats and how they were removed.

The LLDC says it does not hold the total number of seats which be screened off in football mode as this will be solely a decision for West Ham United Football club.

The number of seats is still significantly in excess of the planning permission and safety certificate for 54,000 capacity in resident team football mode meaning that over 11,000 seats will need to be screened off by West Ham in the upper stands plus an additional 6,000 seats in lower tier which can't be used during football mode.

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Austin "didn't want to play" after failed medical
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on August 20, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

Those who know David Sullivan well will tell you he is not a man to call a spade a shovel! He gives every impression of knowing precisely what he's saying and has not reached his financial position in life by making foolish statements. Whether we agree with his modus operandi in an interview situation is one thing but he will have certainly have checked his facts before opening his mouth. And when talking of Charlie Austin's failed medical at Hull he will have been left privately amazed at the reaction he received for he is 100 per cent correct. The Tigers called off the move two years ago with manager Steve Bruce telling the BBC all parties were in an awful situation because the "medical is not so great." He added that he thought the player was surprised "because he has not missed many games over the last couple of years but these medicals are so stringent and obviously he has got a problem."

And here's what Austin had to to say a little later in an interview with FourFourTwo: "How did I feel? I didn't really want to play football after that to be honest," "I thought 'Yeah that'll do, I'm not playing anymore'. But even though I only had a year at Burnley left I thought… [puffs out cheeks].

Whether the chairman should have given a view on the player's abilities is another issue but don't expect platitudes from him. He is well known for saying exactly what's on his mind. A relatively recent failed medical is a failed medical and will focus any chairman's mind. Should he have made his points? Each of us can make our own minds up but perhaps, just perhaps, there's been a slight over-reaction!

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Olympic Stadium Petition passes 10,000 mark
Posted by Sean Whetstone on August 20, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

A petition setup by London football supporter groups calling for public inquiry into West Ham Olympic Stadium deal has passed the 10,000 mark in twenty four hours meaning the government must response to the petition.

The petition currently stands at 12,000 after media coverage of the petition by the BBC, ITN and the London Evening Standard. One fan group was encouraging supporters add their signatures multiple times suggesting they use as many email addresses as they have got.

The outcome is likely to have little effect on the Government, the issue has been debated to death in the House of Commons and House of Lords as well as the London Assembly and various budget sub committees.

A public inquiry would cost a minimum of £10 million and is in no-ones interest to pursue not least the tax payer.

This publicly available letter (linked below) from 2013 by the then CEO of LLDC Denis Hone to the Chairman of the Budget and Performance Committee answers many of the questions asked beyond those considered commercially sensitive.

http://www.london.gov.uk/moderngov/documents/s25244/Appendix%204%20-%20Letter%20to%20John%20Biggs%20from%20LLDC%20-%20Olympic%20Stadium%20costs.pdf

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Hammers top striker hope named
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on August 20, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H
Exclusive

West Ham are still aiming to grab Javier Hernandez from Manchester United should they be given the slightest encouragement by Manchester United. We were told tonight the player remained their number one target and are hoping that Louis van Gaal allows the Mexican to leave.
However, as they start to run out of time the Irons are looking at various targets and we were told for the first time from our best source that they are now talking to Galatasaray about striker Burak Yilmaz. A source explained: "There has been a lot of hype and misinformed reporting about that situation but we are talking and an offer is being put in although should Javier become available the situation would obviously change. "He's a proven striker at Premier League level and we know all about him. He's the one we really want but we can't leave any stone unturned at this stage – we are a fortnight away from the window closing. "Hernandez remains the Number One target but it's not unlike the managerial position we faced in the summer. As targets fall or become unavailable you look at the very best you can get."

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Slaven Bilic: I will not accept the lack of aggression, confidence and drive West Ham showed against Leicester City
SLAVEN BILIC Thursday 20 August 2015 09:02
Evening Standard

Two matches into my first Premier League season as a manager and already there have been highs, lows, a red card for our goalkeeper and now an injury to a player in training. Mauro Zarate was hurt, more on that elsewhere in this column, and with Adrian now banned I must make two changes for Saturday's game with Bournemouth. This League is exactly as I expected; demanding, physical, very competitive but also very individual. Every side is fighting for the ball, closing you down so, on the one hand, you need to work hard as a team but you also need individuals who can break that hold and win you games. Whether it is Sergio Aguero, Philippe Coutinho, Dimitri Payet or Christian Benteke, you need this talent. That is why clubs want to buy these type of players for crazy money because if you don't have one or more of them, you will struggle to create more chances than your opponents. These special players are not only strikers or No10s who find the spaces — they can be central defenders, goalkeepers, holding midfielders or players who have a presence and inspire teams with their leadership.

After our opening win over Arsenal, we were very disappointed to lose to Leicester City last weekend. I don't like to look for excuses. We were beaten because of our performance in the first half. When you are two goals down in the Premier League it is very difficult to recover — maybe once in 10 games you can do that but it's very hard. We did well for the first 10 minutes but I was very disappointed with the rest of the first half. Leicester were quicker to the second ball, they were more aggressive, had more confidence and awareness, and were more determined to win the ball. They played very well. Okay, it was simple football but they were very productive and it's been that way for them in the last 11 games, credit to them. We had a good reaction in the second half but, basically, there is no reason why we shouldn't be doing that from the start - especially at home in front of our own fans. "The basic is to give 100 per cent, then at least you can make it hard for your opponent"

It is a minimum requirement to give everything in every Premier League match. This is a tough league and sometimes even that is not enough to win but the basic is to give 100 per cent, then at least you can make it hard for your opponent. I wanted to say these things first but when you add to that the fact some crucial decisions went totally against us then the conclusion was clear.

On the decisions - and Adrian's red card in particular - I won't criticise the referee. I said after the match it was possible the challenge was a red-card offence. It was not deliberate or intentional but, still, it could be a red. What really shocked me, though, was that it carries a three-match suspension - for that? When I heard the ban I couldn't believe it for a whole day but when I accepted it is the rule I suspected the appeal would not be in our favour because they would have had to change the regulation. The rule is the problem. Adrian's offence did not warrant that ban but the FA had to enforce it. I don't blame the referee - okay, I can argue that he could have given Jamie Vardy a red card as well for something definitely more deliberate than what Adrian did - but to lose him for three games? It should be one match, maximum. My opinion is that every red card should be looked at objectively and individually. Adrian's absence for that many games is a big blow for us and definitely we didn't deserve that. It's a very important issue.

It is a pity that Mauro Zarate will not be included in the squad for the Bournemouth game. He has injured his hamstring in training. We don't yet know how bad the injury is but it could be several weeks before he is fit again. We are still trying hard to be active in the transfer market and we are looking for maybe two players but they have to be of the right quality.
There could also be one or two players leaving as well. One example is Diego Poyet, who has gone to MK Dons on loan. It's a good move for him, he will play regularly in a good league and we wish him well. We will monitor him closely because he definitely has a good future.

We meet Bournemouth on Saturday and they are another team who will feel aggrieved following the circumstances of their narrow defeat by Liverpool. Just before the season all the managers attended a meeting where we were told about a change to the offside rule. We watched clips of matches for 10 minutes - but then came Liverpool's goal against Bournemouth, which was so obviously offside. For me, the offside rule remains confusing. Once they originally decided to make new offside rules and opened a Pandora's Box, that was it — too many ifs, too many buts, too many questions. I watched Monday's game carefully and, first of all, Bournemouth do the basics well; closing down, pressing — the things I talked about earlier in this column. They are also good when they have the ball, they make a good transition, they were more aggressive in both their games this season, although they didn't create a lot of chances. It will be a hard game for us but we are at home, we are ready and we learned our lesson from our loss to Leicester.

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Injury update: Zarate recovery on track
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on August 20, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

Mauro Zarate has suffered a hamstring injury which will keep him out of action until the Newcastle game on September 14. The player reported that he would miss a couple of games yesterday but is expected to be back for the game at the Boleyn. We were told by an Irons source this morning that the player was fully confident he would be back for the game as after the matches against Bournemouth on Saturday and the game at Manchester City. The international international break kicks in after the clash at the Etihad which which gives him an added fortnght recovery time. The disappointed Argentinian had tweeted the disappointing news yesterday but said that he is now fully focused on his recovery programme. Zarate has become an integral part of the squad and after looking likely to be on his way under the previous manager is now fully expected to settle into a long term relationship with the club.

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Exclusive: Zarate replacement 'fit and raring to go'
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on August 20, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

Manuel Lanzini is being lined up as the natural replacement for Mauro Zarate on Saturday. Argentinian Lanzini has already produced flashes of individual brilliance on his rare appearances – including a fine goal against Astra Giurgiu in the Europa League away leg defeat. And while Zarate's absence is undoubtedly a blow for Slaven Bilic, the boss is understood to be preparing to give Lanzini his first real taste of the Premier League now fellow countryman Zarate's hamstring injury has ruled him out of the Bournemouth and Manchester City games. There are striking similarities in the way the two players operate, and Saturday's match against the Cherries should be – on paper – a less challenging test than many Lanzini might have faced.
ClaretandHugh was told this morning: "He looks a natural replacement – with Manuel able to play off Sakho quite well. "The injures are worrying, but we have a squad better able to cope with these problems than last year."

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Exclusive: Irons prepare Song fallback position
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on August 20, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

West Ham are preparing a fallback position as they prepare to offer Alex Song a permanent contract. It has been reported the Irons are ready to or the player a three year deal despite the fact the player would prefer a five year offer. However, manager Slaven Bilic believes – assuming Song passes his planned medical – that a three year deal is the right way forward at this stage. However, ClaretandHugh discovered this morning that whilst the player faces a stringent medical, the club may be tempted to offer him a one year deal should there be any issues.
This would give them and the player the opportunity of offering him a three year contract at the end of the season should all prove well. However, the more likely scenario is that despite wear and tear problems, the surgery on a loose bone in his ankle will prove successful and the Irons will go straight into the three year deal. Despite reports claiming the midfielder is being monitored by Spurs and Everton, he would reject a move to either club. His love of Arsenal prevents their north London rivals getting involved whilst the family's Londonpreference rules out a merseyside move.

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No secretive nonsense from the Davids
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on August 20, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

How refreshing it is to have co-chairmen who tell it how is is and are never afraid to go public despite the barrage of criticism that comes their way from some fans ever ready to make a point or ten. Over and over you hear the cry: "Stop doing things so publicly. Just get on with things privately and leave it at that." Sorry but I for one disagree very strongly. Football is far too secretive from Fifa downwards. I sometimes wonder if there's a character somewhere named 'M' who has got everybody involved on the official secrets list. One of my own staff members is a former Premier League media chief and he tells of the days when he and other in the same position was called – and still are – to quarterly meetings at the PL's head office where they were warned about exposing things – notably players and managers to the media without them being totally under control. dgds He explained: "We were told to keep all the media at arm's length. There 's a perception they are there simply to stitch everybody up. "It's ludicrous but there aren't many strong PR men at the various clubs and they listen and do as they are told."

In the end he left for as a proper journalist himself he felt he was becoming a Premier League whore and decided to go back to what he does best – tell the truth about what's going on
David Sullivan and David Gold thank God, are their own men and to hear DS explaining the Alex Song deal on the KUMB podcast followed today by the revelation there's no way they will be signing Charlie Austin, is refreshing in the extreme. Excuse us a little pat on the back but this website has revealed the same on both these stories weeks ago but well done to the podcast boys for getting it on the record! DS has always been incredibly helpful whenever we have had occasion to contact him and we – no doubt like KUMB – are very grateful that he is so in touch with the fans via THEIR websites. The same is entirely true of David Gold whose appearances on Twitter and CandH are always hugely appreciated – despite some abuse from the numbskulls.
I can think of no other club owners who make themselves so accessible and we all should be very grateful indeed! There's no secretive nonsense from these two guys.

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Hammers Third Kit to be revealed today
Posted by Hammers Newshound on August 20, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

West Ham have announced they will unveil a third Umbro kit this afternoon which will go on sale on 9am tomorrow. Built of the theme of historic kits in the club's 120 year history, the third kit is rumoured to be inspired by our origins in 1895 when the team played in Oxford Blue as the Thames Ironworks. The original team colours were Oxford Blue due to founder Arnold Hills being a former student of Oxford University. The Ironworks played their first ever fixture in these colours against Royal Ordnance reserves on 7th September 1895, the game ending 0-0.
Hills was said to be a talented footballer and represented Oxford against Cambridge in the varsity match.

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WEST HAM END INTEREST IN CHAMPIONSHIP STAR
By James Spiking
ironsinthecirlce.com

Ex-West Ham goalkeeper, now at Queens Park Rangers, Robert Green has been linked with a move back to the Boleyn Ground, but it's thought that wages have been an issue that both clubs can't agree on, according to London24. With the Hammers' current number 1 Adrian now serving a three-match-ban following his sending off against Leicester, manager Bilic is seeking a temporary replacement. Even before the sending off, West Ham were on the look-out for competition for Adrian, but it's now been obviously hurried. Now, the East London club will push to bring Green back to the club he spent six seasons at before departing. However, since Alex McCarthy moved from Rangers to Crystal Palace , the Championship outfit won't let Green move before a replacement has been brought in. Sky Sources suggest that this will be Huddersfield's Alex Smithies, with the deal set to be completed by the weekend. Once the above deal has been completed, QPR will be more obliged to let Green return to the club that he played 241 times for after joining from Norwich City in 2006. Another name that is being reported with competition for the spot in between the posts is Manchester United outcast Anders Lindegaard, who has sat on the bench at Old Trafford, being second best to David De Gea since 2010.

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Reece Oxford gets his GCSE results - 11 days after making his Premier League debut for West Ham
The Independent
SIMON RICE Author Biography Thursday 20 August 2015

It's been a momentous couple of weeks for Reece Oxford. He made his West Ham debut in a Europa League qualifier at the start of July. So impressed with the 16-year-old was Hammers manager Slaven Bilic that he gave Oxford his Premier League debut on the opening day of the season - a fixture that saw Wast Ham stun Arsenal 2-0. 11 days on from that brilliant performance, Oxford is getting his GCSE results. Along with hundreds of thousands of pupils across England, Wales and Scotland, the West Ham prodigy will today learn what grades he achieved. The Edmonton born footballer may be able to go out and celebrate with his peers as he's a doubt for the clash at home to Bournemouth this weekend after missing a few days' training this week due to a niggle.

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Three changes: This is how West Ham could line-up against Bournemouth on Saturday
HITC
Damien Lucas

West Ham United could make as many as three changes to their side for the visit of Premier League newcomers Bournemouth to the Boleyn Ground on Saturday. The Hammers got the Premier League season off to the best possible start beating title hopefuls Arsenal 2-0 at the Emirates on the opening weekend. It set them up perfectly for their first home match against Leicester City in what is the club's last ever season at its Boleyn Ground home of 112 years. The efforts to ensure Upton Park was a fortress for the momentous season fell at the first hurdle, though, with the Foxes inflicting a 2-1 defeat on Bilic's side. Newly-promoted Bournemouth are next up this weekend and Bilic looks set to make as many as three changes to his side. Striker Mauro Zarate has confirmed he will miss the next two matches through injury after posting the disappointing news on Twitter. With Ecuador striker Enner Valencia out for three months after getting injured during the club's ill-fated Europa League qualifying campaign and fellow forward Andy Carroll not due to return from injury until at least next month, the Hammers are desperately short of options up front. Things have been so bad Bilic has had to use outcast Modibo Maiga from the bench in the first two matches much to the frustration of supporters.
It is highly unlikely he will be used from the start so Bilic may elect to go like for like and replace Zarate with fellow Argentine Manuel Lanzini. Another enforced change will be at the other end of the pitch as goalkeeper Adrian is suspended for three matches after his sending off against the Foxes last time out. The club appealed the ban but that was rejected meaning back-up 'keeper Darren Randolph will step in. That news has filled Hammers fans with dread given Randolph's decidedly shaky start to life at Upton Park in his appearances so far. There is also the worrying statistic that Randolph conceded a staggering 16 goals in three games against Bournemouth last season - including eight in one match - hanging over the number two. He may well find his path to the first team blocked, though, if former hero Rob Green is re-signed from QPR in time, as reported by the likes of Sky Sports. The last change will be of choice and could see the club's youngest ever player Reece Oxford drop out for impressive Spaniard Pedro Obiang. The 16-year-old was a revelation on his debut at Arsenal winning plaudits from across the football world for his performance in central midfield against the likes of World Cup winner Mesut Ozil. But he was caught out for both Leicester City goals in the Hammers' 2-1 defeat and was substituted at half-time for the man that will more than likely replace him from the start this weekend, Obiang. The former Sampdoria midfielder was a big plus point for West Ham from the defeat as his sublime passing range and assertiveness on the ball helped the Hammers put on a much improved second half display and almost get back in the game.

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West Ham manager Slaven Bilic hails 'exceptional' Alex Song as midfielder prepares to complete permanent move
By JACK GAUGHAN FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 11:12, 20 August 2015 | UPDATED: 11:24, 20 August 2015

Slaven Bilic has lauded Alex Song as 'exceptional' as West Ham tie up a deal - insisting he is not worried about the midfielder's injury record. Song played 31 times for the Hammers last season and will have a medical in the coming fortnight ahead of his permanent return to the Premier League. Co-chairman David Sullivan revealed on Wednesday that the club were close to finalising a deal for the former Barcelona midfielder. West Ham will tie Song down to a three-year contract, with Sullivan admitting that he would become a 'top earner'. And Bilic is excited about the prospect of Song signing permanently at Upton Park. 'We've agreed terms and it's down to the medical. Hopefully he passes. We know how good he is after last year. We would like to get him and it's down to the medical,' Bilic said. 'We've got a lot of positive comments and details about his improvement so we're really confident. 'He was here last year and everyone agrees - football people across the country - that especially in the first six months he was exceptional. 'I'm not a doctor but I spoke about his injury with doctors and it isn't a big injury that can prevent the player playing after it's sorted.' The former West Ham defender has hailed Song, who was on loan at West Ham last season, as 'exceptional' West Ham will be without goalkeeper Adrian for three matches after his sending off against Leicester on Saturday. Bilic revealed in an ideal world that he'd want rules surrounding red cards changed - the varying lengths and appeal system - but was resigned to Adrian's fate on appeal. 'I was disappointed with the ban. I was hoping that our appeal would be positive but I wasn't expecting it because of the rules,' he added. 'For me it was a bit harsh. The punishment is unbelievable. It's too big. It's too much. They have to change the rule, which they won't do of course.' Darren Randolph will deputise for Adrian against Bournemouth on Saturday. Mauro Zarate is missing with a hamstring injury.

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Charlie Austin hits back at West Ham owner over 'not very good' jibe
CHARLIE AUSTIN fired a subtle response to West Ham co-owner David Sullivan's statement that the QPR striker "wasn't very good" last season.
By JOE SHORT
PUBLISHED: 11:49, Thu, Aug 20, 2015 | UPDATED: 12:08, Thu, Aug 20, 2015
Express.co.uk

Sullivan spoke out over claims West Ham are ready to pay £15million for the forward by telling podcast KUMB: "He failed a medical at Hull a couple of years ago. They say he has no ligaments in his knee, who knows? To sign a player for £15m is a big risk." But Austin hit back immediately on Twitter, writing "The cheeky …………..", in a response presumably directed at Sullivan. Austin, also a reported transfer target of Chelsea and Tottenham, scored 18 league goals for Rangers last season. But it wasn't enough to keep the west London club up. He is expected to leave Loftus Road before the summer is out - although it appears he won't be joining the Hammers after Sullivan's outburst. "He could go on for years, but knowing our luck his knee will go in his first game and that's the end of it," Sullivan added. "If we had £100m to spend we may say 'we'll spend £15m and gamble one-sixth of our budget'. But it's not one-sixth of our budget, it'd smash our budget to bits. "And he didn't keep Queens Park Rangers up. If he'd kept them up single-handedly you might say it was different - and a few of those goals were penalties. "Sixteen goals is still very good, but when we played Queens Park Rangers last year they had to win to stand any chance of staying up and he wasn't very good."

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Slaven Bilic confident Alex Song will pass West Ham medical and seal move from Barcelona
By talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) | Thursday, August 20, 2015

West Ham boss Slaven Bilic is confident the club can conclude a deal to bring Alex Song back to Upton Park. The Hammers have agreed terms with Barcelona to sign the midfielder, who spent last season on loan in east London. Having undergone ankle surgery earlier this summer, Song must come through stringent medical tests to finalise the switch. But Bilic is not concerned by his recent fitness problems and believes the transfer will be confirmed as soon as possible. "We're very confident he will pass the medical," the Croatian revealed in a press conference ahead of the Hammers' home clash with Bournemouth on Saturday. "It is now down to the medical. We're hoping he will pass that because we know how good he was last year. We would like to get him." Song, 27, made 28 Premier League appearances last season and has agreed a three-year contract with West Ham.

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Report: West Ham preparing increased bid for Burak Yilmaz following initial rejection
HITC
Olly Dawes

West Ham are reportedly preparing a new £5m bid for Burak Yilmaz. According to Turkish TV station NTV Spor, West Ham United are poised to increase their bid for Galatasaray striker Burak Yilmaz. Galatasaray confirmed on their official website on Wednesday afternoon that they had rejected a €5m bid from West Ham for Yilmaz, with the Hammers desperate for a new striker.
With Enner Valencia and Andy Carroll both sidelined through injury, manager Slaven Bilic has been left with a dearth of attacking talent at his disposal, prompting a search for a new centre forward. Now, it seems that Yilmaz is the top target. The Turkish international has smashed 73 goals in 121 games for Galatasaray since joining from Trabzonspor in 2012, and will be familiar to Bilic given that the Hammers boss managed Besiktas - one of Galatasaray's rivals in Turkey. Despite that rejected bid, West Ham seemingly aren't ready to give up the fight for Yilmaz just yet, with NTV Spor reporting that the Hammers are poised to lodge an improved bid. The report states that West Ham will up their bid from €5m to €7m (£5m) in a bid to tempt Galatasaray into a sale, despite the 30-year-old's importance to their side. Yilmaz is a well built striker with superb predatory instincts inside the box, and with 18 goals in 40 games for the Turkish national team, he has not only proven himself at club level but also on the international stage - making him a very appealing target for the Hammers as they search for a new striker.

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Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham supporters amongst London fan coalition challenging West Ham's Olympic Stadium move
JAMES BENGE Wednesday 19 August 2015 19:35 BST0 comments
Evening STandard

Fans of eight London football clubs have united to call for a full public inquiry into the awarding of the Olympic Stadium to West Ham. Supporters groups of clubs including Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, Leyton Orient and Charlton Athletic have published a petition in which they demand further scrutiny on the agreement between the east London club and the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC), which will see West Ham rent out the 54,000 capacity stadium. The petition comes in the wake of a BBC documentary earlier this month which claimed that much of the stadium's running cost would not be paid by West Ham. The following supporters trusts are supporting this call: Arsenal, Charlton Athletic, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Fulham, Leyton Orient, QPR1st and Tottenham Hotspur.

A spokesperson for the coalition said: "The fact that so many supporter groups have come together to call for this inquiry shows that the issues raised go beyond football tribalism.
"As football fans and as taxpayers, we want to see the preservation of fair competition and full transparency in public finances. This shady deal is not in the interests of the game of football and does little to promote public confidence in the way our money is being spent."

In the petition, which currently has over 1,000 signatures, the coalition said: "West Ham has only contributed £15m towards the £272m conversion costs of the Olympic Stadium, with the taxpayer footing the rest of the bill. "Considering the cost to the taxpayer, and the effect of this taxpayer subsidy on competition between clubs, a full public inquiry into the deal is needed."

West Ham have confirmed to Standard Sport that they will not be issuing an additional statement in response to the petition. After the documentary had aired a club spokesman said: "It should be remembered that during a fair, open and robust process that was open to any party or organisation in the world, West Ham United were chosen as the group that delivered the best long-term, viable future for the Stadium and the best return for the taxpayer. "Our presence underwrites the multi-use legacy of the Stadium and our contribution alone will pay back more than the cost of building and converting the stadium over the course of our tenancy… "Without us, the Stadium would lose money. With us, the public purse will see a return on the hundreds of millions of pounds that were committed to build the Stadium, long before West Ham's association had begun."

In the wake of the BBC programme shadow culture secretary Chris Bryant called for details of the agreement to be published "as a matter of urgency".

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West Ham transfer news: Galatasaray reject bid for Burak Yilmaz
JAMES BENGE Wednesday 19 August 2015 20:11 BST0 comments
Evening STandard

West Ham have had a bid for striker Burak Yilmaz rejected by Galatasaray. Slaven Bilic's side are eager to reinforce their attacking options with Enner Valencia having joined Andy Carroll on the sidelines. The Ecuadorian striker is expected to be unavailable until December after suffering a serious injury to his knee and ankle. The Irons have been linked with Javier Hernandez and Charlie Austin but, having decided against matching Emmanuel Adebayor's wage demands, have turned their attention to the 30-year-old forward. Galatasaray rejected West Ham's bid for the Turkish international, confirming in a statement: "West Ham United offered us €5m [£3.5m] for Burak Yilmaz. "But our player didn't demand leaving and also our club has no thought of selling him."

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"Ridiculous decision" - West Ham fans react on Twitter to Diego Poyet's MK Dons move
HITC
Olly Dawes

West Ham have sent Diego Poyet out on loan to Milton Keynes Dons. West Ham United have confirmed on their official website that midfielder Diego Poyet has joined Milton Keynes Dons on a season-long loan deal. Poyet, 20, joined the Hammers from Charlton Athletic last summer, having earned a reputation as being one of the hottest up-and-coming youngsters in the Football League. The son of former Chelsea and Tottenham star Gus Poyet, Diego played three Premier League games for the Hammers last season, as well as five games in the Europa League qualifiers this summer. However, Poyet has now been loaned out to Championship side Milton Keynes Dons for the duration of the season, giving him the chance to play on a regular basis. West Ham fans have been reacting throughout the day after the Uruguayan left Upton Park for a season under Karl Robinson at MK Dons, no doubt filling the void left by Dele Alli, who joined up with Tottenham Hotspur earlier this summer. Fans fans believe that the decision to let Poyet leave is a bad move - with one fan even going as far to say that it's a 'ridiculous decision'- suggesting that he will be needed over the course of the season, especially with West Ham already looking for a midfielder even before letting one leave. Others think that the deal gives Poyet the chance to play first-team football which he wouldn't receive at West Ham, in a move which appears to have divided opinion amongst Hammers supporters.

Here are some of the reactions from West Ham fans after Poyet completed his loan move to MK Dons earlier today...

Damien Murphy @Damo_84
Poyet out on loan again, just don't think the fella can cut it in the Prem, two managers now that don't believe in him #whufc

? AL ? @6_AaronLee
Don't understand why we have let Poyet go out on loan,Noble,Kouyate or Obiang get injured we are left with Oxford and Nolan to pick from
2:49 PM - 19 Aug 2015

Shane Bailey @ShaneBazTe
Don't see why Poyet has gone out on loan already though. Should have been kept until Song was totally done and dusted.

Mark Harrison @MarkHarrison23
But regardless, it's a good move for Poyet. He needs regular football in order to progress development. Now he'll have whole season.

Liam Richards @Whu_riggers
A very naive and ridiculous desicion by Bilic to let Poyet go out on loan. He will be needed.

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Former West Ham star Ravel Morrison's agent rubbishes talk of England return and says he is happy with Lazio
HITC
Damien Lucas

The agent of football bad boy Ravel Morrison has rubbished suggestions the former West Ham United star wants to return to England. Recent reports in Italy have suggested the troubled former Manchester United midfielder was homesick in Rome and was eyeing a return to his home country, as reported by Eurosport. The supremely talented star has a long list of misdemeanours in his turbulent career and after being released by the Red Devils was given the chance to shine on the Premier League stage by the Hammers. While he failed to impress with his attitude and behaviour initially, a loan spell at Championship side Birmingham City seemed to galvanise the England U21 international. He returned to the Hammers seemingly transformed and started scoring goals to cement a place in the first team. It wasn't to last, though, as he fell out of favour with then manager Sam Allardyce and after a series of loan spells was eventually released back in March this year. The 22-year-old signed a four-year deal with the Biancocelesti over the summer. But according to Calciomercato Morrison has failed to settle in Italy, and is pleading to be released from his contract so he can return to Britain with Queens Park Rangers – where he spent time on loan while at West Ham – his "preferred destination."

Agent rubbishes rumours

However, Morrison's agent Daniel Wilson has spoken to leading Italian football writer Gianluca Di Marzio and poured cold water on the claims insisting his client is happy in Rome.
"There was no request to transfer Morrison," Wilson told Gianluca Di Marzio's website. "Ravel is happy to stay in Rome, he's working hard to be a leader. "Today we were at Formello to meet (Lazio director Igli) Tare, with whom we have a great relationship, but we never asked for a transfer because (Lazio manager Stefano) Pioli holds him in high regard and considers him an important part of the squad."

Would an unlikely return work?

While some fans may feel he is more trouble than he is worth, others wonder whether Morrison could flourish again in east London under Slaven Bilic. With Julian Dicks alongside him, Morrison would be left under no illusions of what is expected of him and if he can stay away from off the field distractions could be an asset. QPR could also do with Morrison's undoubted talent but whether they have the finances to bring him back given their damaging relegation is another matter altogether.

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