Daily WHUFC News - 6th November 2015

West Ham United Statement
WHUFC.com

West Ham United are pleased to release their accounts for the year ended 31 May 2015

The accounts show another record-breaking year for the Club as all areas of income increased, creating total additional revenue of £6m. Turnover was up to £120.7m from £114.8m last year and this helped deliver a second consecutive group operating profit of £3m.

The profit was delivered alongside an expansive and hugely successful £32.5m recruitment drive last summer that delivered nine new players including the likes of Hammer of the Year Aaron Cresswell, top scorer Diafra Sakho and internationals Cheikhou Kouyate, Enner Valencia Alex Song and Carl Jenkinson.

Away from the pitch, there was a 13.7% increase in retail sales, achieving a club record high in turnover of £7.3m, while commercial and sponsorship increased by 6.5%, achieving £14.6m of revenue - another Club record.

West Ham United Joint-Chairman David Sullivan said: "My Board and I are again satisfied with the achievements we have made this season (2014/15). The highlights for us being:

• Retaining our Premier League status in what was a very competitive year;
• Making huge progress in our preparation for our move to the Olympic Stadium for the 2016/17 season;
• Our fantastic support despite a disappointing second half of the season.
• Our recruitment of a new First Team Management team, led by Slaven Bilic. We would like to thank Sam Allardyce and his staff for their work at the Club over the last four years.

"At the start of the season we invested a net total of £32.5m and bought Mauro Zarate, Enner Valencia, Aaron Cresswell, Cheikhou Kouyate, Diafra Sakho, Diego Poyet and Morgan Amalfitano, and also took Carl Jenkinson and Alex Song on loan from Arsenal and Barcelona respectively. The new players all had a positive impact, particularly in the first half of the season.

"Subsequent to the year end, we have further invested in the playing staff for the 2015/16 season with the significant investment into the purchases of Pedro Obiang, Dimitri Payet, Angelo Ogbonna, Michail Antonio, Nikica Jelavic, Stephen Hendrie and Darren Randolph. We have also taken Carl Jenkinson, Manuel Lanzini, Victor Moses and Alex Song on loan, and extended the contracts of some key players; Diafra Sakho, Aaron Cresswell and Winston Reid.

"This was truly a season of two halves, with a scintillating and uplifting start and then a disappointing period after Christmas. Hopefully we will, in the 2015/16 season, have more results like the first half of 2014/15.

"Once again, this season, our last at the Boleyn Ground after 112 years of playing here, will bring its own challenges, but we continue to believe we will deliver both on and off the pitch by investing in the team, the brand and managing the business well. We all hope it will be one of our best seasons ever."

West Ham United Vice-Chairman Karren Brady said: "2014/15 was another satisfactory year for the club both on and off the pitch as we once again retained our Premier League status and improved our position in the table. We were officially recognised as one of the world's leading football brands by Brandfinance, placing us in the top eight most valuable brands in Premier League clubs and 16th overall in the world's top 50 most valuable football brands for 2015. We increased our revenues again and made an operating profit of £8.5m.

"Through the hard work of a fantastic, dedicated, loyal and determined team both on and off the pitch the club has grown in size, revenue and in stature this season. The management team off the pitch were able to capitalise and maximise on all the opportunities the Manager and the team delivered on the pitch for half of the season, and to this end I would like to offer my thanks to Sam Allardyce and his team and wish them well for the future.

"The Olympic Stadium offers enormous commercial and brand opportunities, and we have a strategy to deliver sell-out crowds and enter that stadium with a team that are befitting of such an amazing iconic venue.

"Finally, we know that we have set a level of expectation amongst our supporters this year, our last at the Boleyn Ground, our home for the last 112 years, and I, my Board and all the staff on and off the pitch relish the opportunity to enjoy a wonderful and successful farewell this year and believe we have both the strategy and people to deliver much more in years to come."

[Peter R ] I have attached the accounts - not sure if Google will remove them :)

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Slaven Speaks - Everton
WHUFC.com

Ahead of the Hammers' fixture with Everton, manager Slaven Bilic faced the media. The boss answered a variety of questions from team news, facing his former club Everton and how bouncing back from the Watford defeat.

Good morning Slaven, can we start with Saturday's team news?

SB: "Diafra Sakho is still out, it is nothing major, he did normal training on Thursday last week but then felt something in his thigh. Unfortunately it is a small tear and he is out for Saturday's game. He should be back for our first game after the international break. "It's a set back because he's a very important player for us, he does a lot for the team and the way we are playing. He has energy, he is impulsive and he dictates the rhythm of the game."

How about Alex Song?

SB: "He has just started training with the team, his first session was just before the Watford game, he's been with us for one week and he has no problems now. Now I is just a matter of fitness and regaining match fitness. He will play in the friendly game on Wednesday; he is a naturally fit guy so hopefully he will back ready soon."

And Winston Reid?

SB: "He is OK, he picked up an injury against Sunderland, but now has recovered well. He is very important for us so we are happy to have him back."

Is facing Everton a special game for you?

SB: "Yes, on one hand yes, on the other no. Every game is special for different reasons. Everton are a great side, big club with good players. It's a great test for us and I am looking forward to it, definitely yes."

I don't if you are aware but West Ham have one win against Everton in 17 games, how important is that?

SB: "That is a lot, it must be eight years or so. I didn't know that to be fair, but it shows how difficult Saturday's game will be. It's a bit of a surprise to me but it doesn't worry me too much because those games are in the past. It will only affect us if we allow it to, if we think about it too much then it might have an impact on confidence, but we should be able to deal with that. "Every game is different, and you have to go and prove yourself from the first whistle every time."

And is Enner Valencia getting closer to starting a match?

SB: "Yes he is, we've got options at the moment. From a fitness perspective he is in a good way, he just needs to get his match fitness up. He is very close to being ready, but it depends which game that'll be. We will make a decision either today or tomorrow about who starts."

Everton will be very confident after winning 6-2, you're obviously coming off the back of a defeat, how import could that be?

SB: "Everton played very well against Sunderland, deserved to win the game, so they will be confident and they have the momentum. They were a bit shaky for a home performance, 2-0 up to then being 2-2, but came through it and then dominated, every attack they had looked dangerous. Our game against Watford was strange, not for the Premier League, but for us. We weren't near to our usual levels but overall we look dangerous too, we are scoring quite a lot.

"We lost at Watford, but we know why we lost and we can learn from that and make sure it doesn't happen again."

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View on the Opposition - Everton
WHUFC.com

The Independent's football writer Simon Hart gives us the lowdown on Saturday's visitors.

Everton are currently ninth in the league table, what have you made of their start to the season?

"Away from home they've looked really dangerous, and they look like they can really hurt teams. At home, they've had more of a challenging fixture list, they've played the two Manchester clubs, Liverpool and Chelsea. Whereas away, they hadn't lost an away game until they played Arsenal two weeks ago, even in that game they showed what a good attacking threat they have."

Last season, Roberto Martinez came under a bit of pressure, what's his standing with the Everton fans now?

"He was under pressure after last season's disappointment. With the difficult fixture list he knew they needed to start well, it hasn't been spectacular but it's been pretty solid overall. There have definitely been more positives then minuses. An additional source of optimism is their League Cup run which makes a nice change given their record in recent years.

"The win against Sunderland was very important because they'd won just one win before that game. They really needed to demonstrate to the home supporters what they can do; winning 6-2 certainly did that."

Romelu Lukaku always seems to score against West Ham, who else has caught the eye this season?

"Let's hope he keeps his tradition going! He played extremely well against Sunderland and he's clearly enjoying the developing partnership with Arouna Kone. Kone has been a bit of a revelation, there were a few boos when he came on against Watford, but he helped turn that game and scored the equalising goal. He looks fit finally after a series of injuries; you can now see why Martinez wants him in the first team.

"Ross Barkley has looked a more confident player, he's still learning but there have been some good signs from him. Gareth Barry has had some very good games and Phil Jagielka was in superb form until the injury. I don't think he gets the credit he deserves.

"The other revelation is Brendan Galloway, with Baines being injured, which was a huge blow, the inexperienced Galloway has come in and done really, really well. He's not been daunted by the games he's played in at all. He's grown in confidence and looks like a really exciting prospect."

Today's game is the first time Slaven Bilic faces Everton as a Premier League manager, how do you think he's coped since arriving in the summer?

"Looking at some of the results I think he's done well. He's always been a colourful character with his law degree and personality. He's certainly not your average manager.

"As a player at Everton, he didn't really get the chance to show what he could do as he was injured for a large part. It was also a difficult time at the club as they managed to avoid relegation. I haven't seen any West Ham games live yet; from the highlights I've seen I've been very impressed."

What is your prediction for Saturday's score?

"Lukaku hat-trick for sure! Hopefully Adrian won't score this time though, that was a great cup tie and what the FA Cup is all about. Evertonians will certainly miss coming to Upton Park, it's a great place to watch football, but they have a freakishly good record here compared to other London clubs!"

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From the Treatment Room
WHUFC.com

Hello everyone,

They say that a week is a long time in politics, and the same can certainly be said to be the case in football!

In my column last week, I said we hoped to have a full squad for the game at Watford, but unfortunately we lost Diafra Sakho and Pedro Obiang to quadriceps – thigh – injuries suffered in training and they missed the match at Vicarage Road.

Meanwhile, we have positive news about Winston Reid, who has been training with the squad for two weeks now and is getting stronger every day. He has got a good number of training days under his belt and was also boosted by seeing his fellow New Zealanders win the Rugby World Cup!

Alex Song and Doneil Henry returned to training with the squad at the end of last week and are now ready for the busy winter period.

West Ham United were one of eight clubs to take part in a recent research study with University College London into the oral health of players.

Bad hygiene, eating and drinking the wrong foods and drinks can cause painful issues and affect performance, so the Club has proactively introduced screening for the players to avoid these problems. You can read about this here.

Stijn Vandenbroucke
Head of Medical and Sports Science

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West Ham announce record turnover in 2015 accounts
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 5th November 2015
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United have announced a record turnover of £121million, in the latest annual accounts released today.

The club increased last season's figure - a record in itself - by £6million following a season in which the club finished 12th in the Premier League and qualified for European competition for the first time since 2007. However the actual profit for the year was down from £10.3million in 2014 to just under £3million this year.

That West Ham United FC continue to make a profit was largely the result of increased TV revenue, which accounted for £79million last season compared to £75million in 2013/14. Match receipts (£20million) and commercial activities (£14.5million) were similar to the numbers recorded in last year's accounts, as were retail and merchandising results (up from £6.3million to £7.3million).

However the trend of reducing the club's wages to turnover ratio was well and truly bucked, with 2015's figure of 60 per cent up on 2014's ratio of 55.6 per cent (although any figure lower than 70 per cent is generally considered to be healthy). The club's overall wage bill increased from £63.9million last year to £72.7million.

With view to non-player salaries, the Board's wages accounted for £907,000, up by £78,000; the highest paid Director, believed to be vice chair Karren Brady earned £646,000 - a rise of £10,000 on last year (1.5%).

Co-chairman David Sullivan said: "My Board and I are again satisfied with the achievements we have made this season (2014/15). At the start of the season we invested a net total of £32.5million. The new players all had a positive impact, particularly in the first half of the season.

"This was truly a season of two halves, with a scintillating and uplifting start and then a disappointing period after Christmas. Hopefully we will, in the 2015/16 season, have more results like the first half of 2014/15."

Vice chair Karren Brady added: "2014/15 was another satisfactory year for the club both on and off the pitch as we once again retained our Premier League status and improved our position in the table. We increased our revenues again and made an operating profit of £8.5m.

"Through the hard work of a fantastic, dedicated, loyal and determined team both on and off the pitch the club has grown in size, revenue and in stature this season. The Olympic Stadium offers enormous commercial and brand opportunities, and we have a strategy to deliver sell-out crowds and enter that stadium with a team that are befitting of such an amazing iconic venue."

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Diafra Sakho out of Everton clash
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 5th November 2015
By: Staff Writer

Diafra Sakho is out of Saturday's clash with Everton having failed to recover from the injury sustained in training last week. The 25-year-old striker was a surprise omission from the team that was beaten 2-0 at Watford last Saturday - an absence later explained as a muscle injury. And Slaven Bilic confirmed this morning that the Senegal international will this week's fixture with the manager's former club, whom he joined after leaving West Ham as a player in 1997. "It is nothing major, he go injured during training," explained Bilic. "He trained normally last Thursday before the Watford game but then he felt something and unfortunately, it was a small tear. "It is a rupture in his thigh and he is out for Saturday's game, but the prognosis is that he should be fit for the game after the international break, which is against Spurs. "It is a setback for us as he is a very important player, the way he plays means he is important for the team and the way we are playing. He has energy, he is impulsive and he dictates the rhythm of the game with his pace, quality and determination. "It is a blow for us and of course he was in good form, but it's not a major setback."

Sakho has scored five goals for West Ham already this season in his first 12 appearances (three in the Premier League from 10 matches). The goalscorer was in the news earlier this week after it was confirmed that charges against him relating to a double arrest back in August had been dropped by Police.

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West Ham will challenge for Europe, says Martinez
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 5th November 2015
By: Staff Writer

Everton boss Robert Martinez insists that Slaven Bilic's West Ham will challenge for a place in the top five of the Premier League this season following an excellent start to the campaign.
Martinez's side go into the game in the best possible shape themselves, having thrashed Sunderland 6-2 at home last weekend. However the Spanish manager admitted that he was wary of Bilic's side, who he believes are a different proposition to any West Ham teams he may have faced in the past. "I think it's going to be a really tough game, because the biggest strength of this West Ham side is that they play with an incredible belief and confidence," he told the media this lunchtime. "The results they've had show the benefit of having the belief that you can beat those sides, to get the results that they've had away from home. It's very impressive. On top of that, they've had new players come in and a new manager playing a very different way to how they used to. I think it's going to be a terrific challenge. "They're clearly going to be a team challenging for the top five positions in the league, that's how impressive they've been. We've got to make sure that we're ready to face them. In my eyes, they've been the most impressive side this season along with Leicester."

And with regards to how both teams fared last weekend, Martinez dismissed a suggestion that West Ham's 2-0 defeat at Watford means they will go into this Saturday's clash at the Boleyn lacking in confidence. "Watford are a team that people probably don't understand how difficult it is to play against," he insisted. "They're very strong and well organised. West Ham probably weren't at their best on the day in terms of the goals that they conceded, but they still had chances and the result could have been very different. "Even though they lost they were still in the game. You get those sort of results over the course of the season - but over the course of all 11 games, West Ham have been very impressive and they deserve they points they have. "They've been unfortunate in a couple of games from which they probably should have got better results, but the wins they have were not lucky in any shape or form. "The game against Sunderland gives us a real sense of confidence in terms of what we can do going forward. We know we have to improve in certain aspects, but you will always take confidence from scoring six goals from open play. "We see the West Ham game as one of the games of the season for many reasons. The main reason is that West Ham have beaten the best teams in the opening few weeks of the campaign and we want to be at our best against a team that is in form and a team that has surprised many opposing teams."

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Still no West Ham players, Roy?
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 5th November 2015
By: Staff Writer

West Ham's English contingent have once again been entirely overlooked by England manager Roy Hodgson. Hodgson, who was present at the Boleyn Ground to watch West Ham's most recent home game - the 2-1 win over current Premier League champions Chelsea - has once again failed to include a single Hammer in his squad for the forthcoming games against Spain and France.

However 21-year-old Tottenham midfielder Eric Dier has been included for the first time ever - as is team mate Dele Alli, who was called up to the squad for the first time last month after featuring in just four Premier League matches.

Defenders James Tomkins and Aaron Cresswell, both of whom have been in good form of late lose out to the likes of Kieran Gibbs and Ryan Bertrand, whilst Andy Carroll - who was an outside bet for a recall - loses out as Hodgson has only named three strikers in his 23-man group.

England are scheduled to face Spain in Alicante on Friday, 13 November before hosting the French at Wembley on Tuesday, 17 November. The full squad is as follows:

Goalkeepers: Jack Butland (Stoke City), Joe Hart (Manchester City), Tom Heaton (Burnley)

Defenders: Ryan Bertrand (Southampton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Nathaniel Clyne (Liverpool), Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), John Stones (Everton), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur)

Midfielders: Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Ross Barkley (Everton), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Fabian Delph (Manchester City), Adam Lallana (Liverpool), James Milner (Liverpool), Jonjo Shelvey (Swansea City), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)

Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Jamie Vardy (Leicester City).


There was however slightly better news for West Ham's youngsters, with both goalkeeper Sam Howes and defender Reece Oxford being named in Aidy Boothroyd's 21-man under 19 squad for the forthcoming matches with the Netherlands and Japan. Oxford, who has made three Premier League appearances this season and who previously captained England's under 17s receives the nod from Boothroyd for the first time.

Goalkeepers: Freddie Woodman (Newcastle United), Sam Howes (West Ham United).

Defenders: Jonjoe Kenny (Everton), Callum Connolly (Everton), Tafari Moore (Arsenal), Tosin Adarabioyo (Manchester City), Jake Clarke-Salter (Chelsea), Dael Fry (Middlesbrough), Kyle Walker-Peters (Tottenham Hotspur), Taylor Moore (RC Lens), Reece Oxford (West Ham United).

Midfielders: Ryan Ledson (Everton), Lewis Cook (Leeds United), Josh Onomah (Tottenham Hotspur), Ainsley Maitland-Niles (Ipswich Town, loan from Arsenal), Dan Crowley (Arsenal).

Forwards: Sheyi Ojo (Wolverhampton Wanderers, loan from Arsenal), Patrick Roberts (Manchester City), Adam Armstrong (Coventry City, loan from Newcastle United), Tammy Abraham (Chelsea), Izzy Brown (Vitesse Arnhem, loan from Chelsea).

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West Ham put Premier League safety first ahead of Olympic Stadium move
Last Updated: 05/11/15 5:36pm
SSN

West Ham's vice-chairman Karren Brady says the Olympic Stadium will be "one of the greatest arenas in world football" but admits it is an "absolute necessity" the club retain their Premier League status. The Hammers will relocate to the Olympic Stadium for the 2016/17 season and Brady revealed in West Ham's annual report the new venue will open up "enormous" commercial opportunities. "Retention of our [Premier League] status in the 2015/16 season is an absolute necessity for the future well-being of the club, as we will be moving to our new home in the 2016/17 season and a new improved broadcast deal will be in place," said Brady. "The Olympic Stadium offers enormous commercial and brand opportunities and we have a strategy in place to deliver sell-out crowds and enter the stadium with a team that are befitting of such an amazing iconic venue. "As plans take shape it becomes even more apparent that our new home will be one of the greatest arenas in world football and a platform to transform the future of our great club."

Brady said the new roof, retractable seating and turnstiles had all been completed and the dressing rooms were nearly finished. Brady also revealed there had been a "phenomenal demand" for corporate hospitality, with only 200 of the 3,700 luxury seats in the 54,000-capacity stadium remaining unsold up until last month. The move should also help the club close the financial gap on their rivals. West Ham's matchday revenue stood at only £20m last season. Manchester United and Arsenal both generate more than £100m per game, while Tottenham, who are also moving stadium, take around £40m on a matchday. West Ham's annual report also revealed a profit after tax of just under £3m for the 2014/15 season. The annual accounts show West Ham's turnover was £120.7m for last season, up from £114.8m, while the wage bill rose £8.8m to £72.7m, 60 per cent of turnover. The club's overall gross debt is £89.1m with £49.2m owed to shareholders David Sullivan and David Gold.

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Slaven Bilic tells West Ham to forget poor Everton record
Last Updated: 05/11/15 1:11pm
SSN

Slaven Bilic says West Ham's poor record against Everton should count for nothing when the sides meet on Saturday. The Hammers have won just one of the clubs' past 17 meetings, and that was a penalty shoot-out success in last season's FA Cup. But Bilic is preparing for just another game despite his own links with Everton, where he spent three years as a player, and he wants his squad to have the same attitude. "That is a lot," the West Ham boss said when he was asked about the recent run of results. "It must be eight years or so. I didn't know that to be fair, but it shows how difficult Saturday's game will be. "It's a bit of a surprise to me, but it doesn't worry me too much because those games are in the past. It will only affect us if we allow it to. If we think about it too much then it might have an impact on confidence, but we should be able to deal with that. "Every game is different, and you have to go and prove yourself from the first whistle every time."

Bilic left West Ham for Everton in the summer of 1997 and, asked whether a game against his old club was special, he said: "On one hand yes, on the other no. Every game is special for different reasons. "Everton are a great side, big club with good players. It's a great test for us and I am looking forward to it, definitely yes."

West Ham are still without Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia this weekend, while Alex Song will build up his fitness with an appearance in a friendly match next week, but Winston Reid is available.

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IT'S NOT HOW BIG IT IS, IT'S HOW YOU USE IT
By Iain Dale 5 Nov 2015 at 18:00 121 comments
WTID
Guest Post by Terence Bates

IT'S NOT HOW BIG YOU ARE… IT'S HOW YOU USE IT

One of the best players in the world is some would say the diminutive yet undoubtedly talented, Lionel Messi. He stands at 1.70 metres (which is around 5' 6"). Peter Crouch on the other hand is 2.03 metres (a whopping 6' 8"). Who would you rather have had in your team? It's surely a no brainer of course.

West Ham United have found an absolute gem in Messi's Argentine compatriot Manuel Lanzini who is virtually the same height as Lionel Messi. Andy Carroll in contrast is 1.91 metres (around 6' 3"). Different players yes who bring a contrast to the game, but who of those two brings you more pleasure?

There is good reason as to why I am bringing up the subject of size. Over the last ten years, I have coached children's community football right up to U16's. During that time, I have witnessed all manner of things… the good, the bad and the downright ugly. I am passionate about the development of the game at grass roots level and have often commented on the size-ist attitude we have, particularly in kid's community and youth football.

I was for example once told that the Fulham scouts were only looking for 'big' athletic boys to take into their academies, the bigger the better. This to me at least seemed to be played out by many of the scouts scouring the playing fields, the flats and marshes for football talent, they often didn't see what I did. I am sure this mode of thinking of the bigger the better was part of Sam Allardyce's thinking, or perhaps that's unfair?

The team I managed and coached was based in Hackney and in essence are the closest club to the Olympic stadium, the Hammers new home. We were moderately successful despite chronic lack of funding and my somewhat 'holistic' coaching ways and we were always competing at the top of the league, reaching cup finals and a couple of years back we won our league, we had some really good players. 'Hoof ball' was often prevalent with the more successful kids teams especially on an 11 a side pitch and this was where the bigger more athletic kids often prevailed.

Many of the boys that were in our team literally started as 6 year olds and I worked with them until last season, until ill health encouraged me to take a sabbatical. Players came and went to professional academies, but there is one boy who stuck out for a myriad of reasons.

I obviously can't name him (yet). His ethnic background was an exotic mix of Indian and Irish. I bring this specifically up because of the lack of Indian or indeed Asian players in professional football, which from a West Ham perspective considering the cultural make up close to Upton Park, is quite surprising. But there is a far more pertinent reason I write this.

This boy like most kids is footie mad, he would practice and practice, particularly ball skills and juggling. I took great pride in watching him develop and also became frustrated as he was overlooked. I could see what he had in abundance. The district team incredibly in my view didn't and failed to select him for district level preferring other players we had. The Premier League scouts took him in for assessment at London clubs and essentially spat him out at an early age. It really disappointed me, god knows what it was doing to him or to other kids in that situation whose hopes get raised at too early an age and are then deflated a year or so later.

I am certain the reason he was not selected was essentially his size. He was a very small lad with matchstick thin legs, he looked like he would get buried under the stronger bigger boys and end up in the back of an ambulance. But here is the rub, his ball skills and dribbling were often unreal.

I had a simple theory to his skillset, the closer to the ground the brain is, the better the control on the feet, fuse into this that he was always playing against bigger boys then the brain develops more creatively in order to find ways of beating opponents who were always bigger than him. Small keeps the ball, was the indelible impression he has given me.

When he was 13 we won our league, much of the success was down to him as we won 18 games on the trot. In one game I had to rub my eyes in disbelief as I watched him receive the ball with his back to two big midfield players, he swivelled his hips and lifted the ball over both player's heads leaving them standing as he sauntered past, he was then faced with two defenders and in that same move, he had flicked the ball over their heads and circumnavigated them… the whole double movement was executed in under five seconds. It was magic, I was salivating watching this, indeed at the time I said I would have paid to see that piece of skill. Upton Park or any other professional would have erupted at witnessing this.

Still he wasn't 'scouted' that was until…. we played a friendly match ironically against a community club with ties to West Ham.

We played one Saturday morning and the coach from this side had arranged for various scouts to come and watch the game. He had disappointedly boasted to one of our other coaches that they were coming to look at his players and that they would probably win by ten goals or more, such was the quality in their team, some of whom were involved with West Ham, as he kept reminding us.

However… the game didn't pan out that way. Our team were 2-1 down at half time and in a storming second half finish we won 7-3, The boys had smashed the opposition leaving the opposing coach with his shaking head in his hands. Cue the QPR scout to come up to me enquiring about our star player asking for the lad's parents to contact him.

A year later and now 14, he signed some provisional agreement with QPR. He hasn't quite made it yet, but I am really hoping he does. My only regret with this lad is he wasn't signed by West Ham…. but I live in hope!

Due to this experience and observations over many seasons of kid's football, I have always cited that Lionel Messi or for that matter Manuel Lanzini would get overlooked by our club's, football scouts and coaches. It is a predictable systemic approach that I saw over a ten-year period, but one I really hope is changing. Asian boys in particular can be on the smaller side and I have seen from my regular visits to India some of the raw skill and confidence on the ball they possess.

The talent is out there even in small packages.

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Brady awards herself a 10K pay rise
Posted by Sean Whetstone on November 5, 2015 in News, Sean's Blogs, Whispers
C and H

West Ham Vice Chairman, Karren Brady awarded herself a £10,000 pay rise last year. The increase has been revealed in West Ham financial accounts which were released earlier today. The accounts show that the 'highest paid director' at West Ham, understood to be Baroness Brady, awarded herself the 1.6% increase which means her salary package was increased from £636,000 to £646,000 per annum in the financial year ending 31st May 2015. The rise is worth around £100 extra per week to her after tax. The news comes a week after the House of Lords Tory peer backed the call for cuts in tax credits during a defeated vote. She earns £300 per day each time she turns up at the House of Lords in that role. Baroness Karren Brady of Knightsbridge CBE is also a Senior Non-Executive Director on the boards of Syco Entertainment and retail multinational Arcadia Group. She is also the UK government's Small Business Ambassador. She stars in the BBC Apprentice along fellow House of Lords peer Lord Sugar and is believed to worth in excess of £82 million.

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Irons OS critics flattened by £20m plus answer!
Posted by Sean Whetstone on November 5, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

Hard core critics of the deal which has seen the Hammers land the Olympic Stadium as their new home face a reality check. For already – before a single game of football has been played in the Stadium – around £20 million has been harvested from other sporting events. The Rugby World Cup finished with 307,255 Rugby fans visiting the Olympic Stadium either for the warm up game or one of the five contested at the venue.

This came on top of an estimated 100,000 athletics fans who attended the Great Newham Run or the three days of the Sainsburys Anniversary games back in July. If you average a very conservative £50 per ticket across the estimated 407,000 tickets the Olympic Stadium sold this year you get a sum in excess of £20m.

Precisely how much of this is shared with the Stadium owners E20 Stadium LLP we can't be sure but it would be a sizeable chunk. This Saturday there is a Rugby Union match at the OS with The Race of Champions motor event following on the November 20. These events are likely sell out and add another 110,000 visitors to the Stadium and another £5.5m of ticket revenue.

These OS attendance figures and ticket revenue show clearly that the Olympic Stadium is a multi purpose Stadium which can generate revenue and income outside of football and was not merely converted for West Ham's benefit.

Rugby Attendances at the Olympic Stadium

2015-08-29 Barbarians v Samoa – 41,039
2015-09-23 France v Romania – 50,626
2015-09-24 New Zealand v Namibia – 51,820
2015-10-04 Ireland v Italy – 53,187
2015-10-07 South Africa v USA – 54,658
2015-10-30 South Africa v Argentina – 55,925

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Howzat! Cricket at the OS
Posted by Sean Whetstone on November 5, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

The chance of Cricket being played at the Olympic Stadium next year moved a step closer today. Former cricketers Ronnie Irani and Graham Gooch together with Forhad Hussain were pictured at the Olympic Stadium. Forhad Hussain posted "Great conversations about Cricket today with friends from @EssexCricket @EssexCCB – at the Olympic Stadium"

Irani and Gooch both spent their entire careers at Essex, both captaining the club. Irani is the club's Cricket Committee Chairman and Gooch the club's Ambassador. Hussain is a Newham councillor as well as a member of the Essex cricket board. Last year a deal was agreed "in principle" for Essex to play Twenty20 cricket at the London Olympic Stadium from 2016. Essex chief executive Derek Bowden said at the time that Kent and Middlesex are also interested in plans to host a T20 festival at the venue.

"In principle, there is an agreement that a two-week festival of T20-type cricket could be played at the Olympic Park from 2016," he told BBC Essex "Ourselves, Kent and Middlesex have all expressed interest in playing there."

Essex first revealed a desire to play cricket at the Olympic Park back in 2010 and in March 2012 launched a failed to bid to become a tenant of the stadium.

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Defender faces exit door
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 5, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

James Collins is now highly unlikely to get a new contract offer from West Ham at the end of the campaign. The club see Reece Burke as their fourth defender and – as we reported yesterday – he could be back at the club by as early as January should we receive an offer for Collins in the winter window. With Winston Reid, James Tomkins, Angelo Ogbonna, Burke and Doniel Henry available it now looks certain the Irons will move Ginge on for a small fee or part company with the 32 year old on a free in the summer.

We have been told exclusively by a club source that whilst there has been no interest from elsewhere at this stage it would be more than feasible for a struggling Premier League club or top of the table Championship outfit to be interested. And that raises the interesting scenario of a bid from the Sam Allardyce-managed Sunderland who have all sorts of defensive worries. Collins had the opportunity of a loan move to QPR in the summer but chose to take his chance in Slaven Bilic's new set up. A source told us: "We will listen to offers for James in the window. We have a strong group of central defenders. He's been a great servant and we will do what's right."

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Gold appeals for missing Antonio
Posted by Sean Whetstone on November 5, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

West Ham Chairman David Gold has been duped once again on twitter into appealing for a missing person which in reality is a West Ham player. One Hammers fan who only goes by the name 'RepsaJ' messaged the 79 year old Chairman last night to ask "David Gold please RT trying to raise awareness for my mate who went missing in Manchester a few weeks ago"

The message was accompanied with a photo of West Ham winger Michail Antonio who the Irons signed from Nottingham Forest in the Summer for £7m. The photo in question was previously tweeted by the player himself back on 18th October saying "Finally got my Young Britannia stuff" that same day he tweeted "I knew it wasn't going to be easy to break in to the premier league especially at a club sitting In 3rd place"

Antonio has made just one Premier League appearance, coming on in the sixtieth minute for Victor Moses at the Etihad when West Ham beat Manchester City 2-1.

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Slav warms up for Everton re-wind
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 5, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

Nobody associated with West Ham has more reason to see off Everton on Saturday than manager Slaven Bilic. For after 18 years, the boss meets the club he joined from the Irons back in 1997 and now catches up with them as Irons boss!. He made just 28 appearances for Everton in three seasons after being regularly troubled by a nagging groin strain that required rest and treatment. After missing the first quarter of the season, Bilic was left wondering if he would get back into the Walter Smth – managed Everton side. He was released in July 1999. Slaven has taken stick from a certain sector of supporters for the move but players have little choice in these matters once a club decides to sell. And a victory over the Toffees first time around since taking over as boss would be tremendous for him and us given we have failed to beat the Merseysiders since 2007 thanks to Bobby Zamora. The all-time record shows us beating them 37 times, drawn 28 and lost a staggering 67 times! That's bad!

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Reid and Valencia update
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 5, 2015 in News
C and H

Slaven Bilic has given the strongest indication yet that Winston Reid is set for a recall against Everton. He told the media this morning: "He is OK, he picked up an injury against Sunderland, but now has recovered well. He is very important for us so we are happy to have him back." And he also described his own feelings ahead of the game against his former club declaring: "On one hand yes (it's important) on the other no. Every game is special for different reasons. Everton are a great side, big club with good players. It's a great test for us and I am looking forward to it, definitely yes."

And commenting on a record which shows one Irons League win over The Toffees in eight years he added: "That is a lot, it shows how difficult Saturday's game will be. It's a bit of a surprise to me but it doesn't worry me too much because those games are in the past. It will only affect us if we allow it to, if we think about it too much then it might have an impact on confidence, but we should be able to deal with that. "Every game is different, and you have to go and prove yourself from the first whistle every time." He explained the team will be decided later today or tomorrow and of Enner Valencia said: "From a fitness perspective he is in a good way, he just needs to get his match fitness up. He is very close to being ready, but it depends which game that'll be.

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West Ham manager Slaven Bilic has embarrassing accident during press conference
18:53, 5 NOV 2015 UPDATED 19:06, 5 NOV 2015
BY WILL MAGEE
The guy who prepares the West Ham press room will be blushing bright red right now...
The Mirror

We've seen a lot of embarrassing moments in managerial press conferences over the years.

Whether someone has made an outlandish claim (John Carver dubbing himself "the best coach in the Premier League", for example), lost their temper or simply failed to give proper answers (Jose Mourinho, we're looking at you), the press room is often an awkward place to be.

However, we've never seen a moment of slapstick silliness quite like this before. West Ham boss Slaven Bilic had his midweek press conference interrupted earlier today - all because the table he was leaning on completely collapsed.

As he faced the media ahead of the Hammers weekend clash with Everton, the cool Croatian briefly lost his air of composure as he brushed against the flimsy furniture - only to have it crumple underneath him. He and the journalists in attendance laughed heartily while a host of staff tried frantically to fix things, fumbling over the great jumble of microphones which had slid off the slanting surface.

Slaven certainly saw the funny side. We hope whoever helped to set the room up isn't too embarrassed.

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Stephen Hendrie slams Celtic display on Twitter, months after they wanted him
HITC
Tim Poole

The West Ham left back has been understandably critical of the Scottish champions. West Ham United defender Stephen Hendrie took to Twitter to brand Celtic a 'shambles' after their 2-1 defeat to Molde at Parkhead on Thursday night. Celtic had already lost 3-1 to Molde during their Europa League clash in Norway and delivered another poor performance this time around. And Hendrie, who joined West Ham despite the Daily Record reporting that the Bhoys were interested in signing him several months ago, took to social media after the loss. Indeed, the defender didn't need to use more than four words to sum Celtic's European campaign up after further disappointment - this time at Parkhead.

Stephen Hendrie @HendrieStephen Celtic are a shambles😑

As well as being a previous transfer target for Celtic, of course, the 20-year-old is a Bhoys fan, which means he is privy to how other Celtic supporters feel right now. The disappointment is palpable among the Hoops faithful as, despite their domestic superiority right now, Celtic's European campaign has indeed been an absolute 'shambles.' As for Hendrie, the defender will continue trying to make an impact at West Ham, with the Hammers due to host Everton on Saturday afternoon.

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David Gold sends heartfelt message to West Ham's Michail Antonio
HITC
Billy Hawkins

Antonio has struggled for game time with West Ham this season. Michail Antonio has struggled at West Ham since moving from Nottingham Forest over the summer, but David Gold sent him a heartfelt message on Twitter praising his attitude. Antonio arrived at the Boleyn Ground with the reputation as one of the best players in the Championship, but has struggled to have an impact with the Hammers due to the great form of the players ahead of him.
Victor Moses, Dimitri Payet and Manuel Lanzini have all excelled this term in the attacking midfield positions, meaning Antonio has played just 30 minutes of Premier League action. He has appeared for West Ham's Under-21s, but he has had to sit on the sidelines waiting for senior action that Slaven Bilic has yet to hand to him.

David Gold ✔ @davidgold
Great attitude Michail. Your time will come. Good luck. dg https://twitter.com/michailantonio/status/655758930505781250 …
4:05 PM - 5 Nov 2015

The 25-year-old has undoubted talent, but it is clear that Bilic does not believe he is yet ready to make an impact in the top flight, and it is hard to imagine Antonio being given a chance any time soon. However, Antonio has continued to work hard in training and look to impress Bilic, and co-chairman David Gold has praised the winger for his attitude and the work ethic he has shown in recent months. If Antonio continues work hard in training, there is hope that he will be given a chance to impress in the first-team in the coming weeks.

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BILIC MUST SHOW ADAPTABILITY TO END WEST HAM'S EVERTON CURSE
news.ladbrokes.com

Slaven Bilic's reign at West Ham has undoubtedly started with a flyer, but after succumbing tamely to Watford last weekend, a visit of Everton on Saturday will be the true acid test of his credentials. To say the Toffees were a bogey team for the Londoners would be somewhat of an understatement. The last time the Hammers bagged three league points against the Merseyside outfit was way back in 2007 when Bobby Zamora nabbed the only goal of the game. Only James Collins and Mark Noble from the West Ham squad that day are still Irons players, and they have seen plenty of suffering at the hands of Everton since. Of the 14 subsequent league encounters, four have been drawn while the points have headed north west on 10 occasions. One man that has been instrumental in that misery has been Romelu Lukaku, who has netted in all six of his Everton appearances against the Upton Park outfit, and is 7/4 to find the net once again. For the man in the home dug-out though, he will not be hoping for a continuation of the performance in Hertfordshire last week. While the Hornets were excellent, Bilic's side were poor, with individual mistakes capping a muddled team performance that has been rare this term. The Croat has devised a counter-attacking philosophy since arriving in the East End in the summer, and that has worked to an extent with victories over Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool on the road. However, there comes a time and a place when things need to be switched up. Quique Sanchez Flores reacted to the visitor's preferred style perfectly, not allowing them to get a hold of the game at Vicarage Road. West Ham could be best served to coming at Everton on Saturday, with the Toffees boasting a penchant for conceding first. In fact in their last 20 away games, Roberto Martinez's men have opened the scoring on just five occasions. Get that early goal by pushing forward and seizing the initiative, and then Bilic can resort to allowing their visitors to come at them and hitting them on the break.

Personnel changes are also likely after the Watford defeat. The omission of Diafra Sakho forced a change in approach, or at least it should have done, as Andy Carroll filled the lone striker role, with support coming from the wings. At times last weekend, ignoring his defensive clangers, Carroll looked isolated on his own up top. And with Sakho set to sit this game out, the former Newcastle man is likely to be given the nod once again, but whether he is given a strike partner in front of the Bobby Moore Stand could be key. Working alongside Kevin Nolan in the past, the Geordie was able to provide countless knockdowns for goal after goal after goal. Pair Carroll in attack with Enner Valencia or Mauro Zarate, two men who won't be afraid to take a pop from a distance, and the big man could have the perfect foil to send the Upton Park crowd into raptures. A better performance will be needed if Bilic is to keep West Ham on the charge for a European place, and if he can show that he is more than a counter-attack-king then the 6/4 on the Hammers taking three points and ending their Toffee hoodoo could prove fruitful.

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West Ham midfielder Alex Song set to face Charlton in behind-closed-doors friendly as he closes in on his second Hammers debut
Alex Song signed for West Ham on a season-long loan deal this summer
Song also spent last season on loan at the club from La Liga Barcelona
However, the former Cameroon international is yet to feature this season
Song will face Charlton next week as he closes in on his second debut
By OLIVER TODD FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 11:13, 5 November 2015 | UPDATED: 11:56, 5 November 2015

Slaven Bilic will hand Alex Song a behind-closed-doors comeback against Charlton Athletic next week as West Ham's summer signing nears full fitness. Song is yet to make his second Hammers debut with knee and ankle injuries hampering his loan return to Upton Park from parent club Barcelona. But while the 28-year-old won't be ready to give Bilic a midfield boost in Saturday's Barclays Premier League clash against Everton, he will start in a training ground friendly on Wednesday next week. 'He's just started training with us, he's been with us for one week now,' Bilic said. 'His injury with his knee and especially his ankle that was operated on is OK. He has no problem with it whatsoever. 'Now it's just a matter of fitness and match fitness. His first game for us after a long period is going to be a friendly on Wednesday and he's going to be that. 'Hopefully, he is naturally fit guy, he should be back soon but not tomorrow or in one week because he had a long break.'

Bilic welcomes back Winston Reid for the visit of the manager's former club Everton after a knee injury lay-off of his own. Reid had been mooted for a first-team return last month but the centre back is now ready to step up in place of suspended James Collins. Diafra Sakho will be back after the international break with Bilic labelling his thigh strain 'nothing major'.
The boss added: 'Unfortunately it is a small tear, a rupture in his thigh. The prognosis is that he will be back for the game after the international break. 'It's a set-back as he is a very important player to us. He dictates the rhythm of the game a lot, with his pace, quality and determination and it's a blow for sure. But it's not a major set-back. On Reid, Bilic said: 'Winston will be in the squad, he's back. Again, it's nothing major so now he's back in training for a whole week and we're glad as he's very important on and off the pitch for us.'

The injury issues and a 2-0 defeat by Watford last weekend have done nothing to dampen West Ham's confidence though. Co-chairman David Sullivan has made it clear that a top four finish is in their sights. Sullivan hopes to see Champions League football when West Ham move into the Olympic Stadium next season, and Bilic is doing nothing to dampen the dream. While most managers are wary of inspiring over-confidence and arrogance in their side the former Besiktas boss is happy to keep up the top-four talk. 'There's nothing wrong with being optimistic and thinking about something that looks a little bit far away,' he said. 'When the chairman talked it was in a positive way. We have to work hard and as long as you work hard and stay with plan and philosophy there's nothing wrong with that.'

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West Ham Have Made Me Better Goalkeeper Admits Adrian
inside futbol.com

West Ham goalkeeper Adrian believes that the club have helped him to grow as a footballer because he has been a regular ever since he joined the Premier League outfit. The shot-stopper joined the east London side from Real Betis in the summer of 2013 and since then he has established himself as the club's first choice goalkeeper. Despite a managerial change ahead of the new season, Adrian has remained the club's number one and he admits that he is grateful towards Slaven Bilic for continuing to put his faith in him. The 28-year-old was also the first choice under Sam Allardyce and he believes that being a regular at West Ham has helped him to grow as a footballer as he has only got better since joining the club two years back.
The Spaniard told AS: "I have been fortunate enough to enjoy the trust of the new coach, Slaven Bilic, like last year with Sam Allardyce. "I attempt to respond to their trust with my performances on the pitch. Since I have arrived in England I have been a permanent fixture and that makes me happy. "More games give you experience and I am at my best because of that."
Adrian is a youth product of Real Betis and played 32 times for the club before the Hammers took him to east London in 2013. He already has 80 appearances under his belt at West Ham and is expected to remain a key part of their squad for the next few seasons.

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West Ham's Diafra Sakho to miss Everton clash as Slaven Bilic confirms striker's thigh injury
11:47, 5 NOV 2015
BY NEIL MCLEMAN
Sakho was ruled out of last weekend's trip to Watford – and the Hammers lost on the road for the first time this season when Andy Carroll started up front
The Mirror

Diafra Sakho will miss West Ham 's match against Everton's after Slaven Bilic revealed the Senegal striker has suffered a "rupture" to his thigh. Sakho was ruled out of last weekend's trip to Watford – and the Hammers lost on the road for the first time this season when Andy Carroll started up front. Now the Hammers boss has ruled out Sakho until after the international break.
"It is set-back as he is very important player to us," Bilic said ."He did not get injured in training and reported after training before the Watford game when he felt something. "Unfortunately it is a small tear, a rupture in his thigh. Prognosis is he will be back for the game after in break. It is a blow for us. He harrasses the defence. He dictates the rhythm of the game a lot, with his pace, quality and determination. But it's not a major set-back."
Winston Reid is back in the squad while Alex Song, who has not played this season after undergoing a summer ankle operation, is close to a return and will play a friendly against Charlton next week. "Song just started training with us," Bilic said. "He started training before Watford and he's been with us for one week now. He's ok, there's no problem whatsoever and now a matter of fitness and match fitness. We have a friendly game now on Wednesday and hopefully he's going to be fit soon."
West Ham's only victory over Bilic's former club Everton in their last 17 matches was a penalty shootout win in the FA Cup last season. And Roberto Martinez's arrive at Upton Park on the back of the 6-2 thrashing of Sam Allardyce's Sunderland. But Bilic said: "They are confident but so are we. In our last home game we beat the champios (Chelsea). Obviously in our last game we played badly and lost at Watford but we know why we lost that game."

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West Ham to produce 'war-time design' match programme for Remembrance Day fixture against Everton
JAMES BENGE 1 hour ago0 comments
Evening Standard

West Ham will honour its Remembrance Day fixture by producing a match programme donning a 'war-time design', the club has confirmed. With their impending move to the Olympic Stadium, the Hammers have celebrated each home game at the Boleyn Ground with a different retro programme design, to commemorate their final season at the stadium. "The cover is a modern take on a Football League Regional Competition programme produced for fixtures during the 1939/40 season," the club confirmed to Standard Sport. Co-owner David Gold, and Everton chairman Bill Kenwright, will lay wreath on the pitch before kick-off, accompanied by a guard of honour provided by the 7th Battalion Rifles, who are based at the Territorial Army Centre in West Ham.
Both sets of shirts – that will carry the now customary poppy emblem - will be auctioned after the match to raise funds for the Royal British Legion charity. The Boleyn Ground was hit by a V-1 flying bomb in August 1944, with the Hammers having to play several wartime fixtures away from their spiritual home as a result. Earlier in the Second World War West Ham had won the 1940 Football League War Cup, a competition that took place in the absence of regular competitive football during the period. Slaven Bilic's side sit in sixth place in the Premier League after a bright start to their final season at Upton Park. Victory over Everton would take them above local rivals Tottenham, who play Arsenal the following day.

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