Preview - Everton
WHUFC.com
The background
West Ham United will look to return to winning ways this Saturday when they
play host to Roberto Martinez's Everton side.
The Hammers tasted defeat for the first time in eight matches last week when
an Odion Ighalo double downed Slaven Bilic's men at Watford.
It brought to an end a fine run which had seen the east Londoners rise up to
third in the Barclays Premier League table, so Bilic will be hoping to put
it behind him as soon as possible.
Everton arrive in E13 on the back of a thumping 6-2 victory over struggling
Sunderland, in which Arouna Kone notched a hat-trick.
That halted a run of two successive defeats to Manchester United and Arsenal
and took them to ninth in the table with 16 points – four less than the
Hammers.
The history
West Ham's record against the Toffees is notoriously poor, so after ending
lengthy waits for victories against Liverpool and Arsenal this term, the
Hammers will want to add Everton to the list on Saturday.
The teams have met 132 times, with Everton holding the edge with 67
victories. The Hammers have triumphed 37 times, with 28 draws on the record
books.
West Ham have not defeated Everton in the league for eight years, with 14
matches passing since Bobby Zamora secured a 1-0 victory in April 2007.
The Hammers did enjoy an FA Cup success over Everton last term, when
Adrian's winning penalty ended an epic shootout in a third round Boleyn
Ground replay.
Hammers boss Slaven Bilic played for both sides in his playing career,
turning out in 49 league games for the Hammers and 28 for Saturday's
visitors.
The match
Team news
West Ham United
West Ham will again be without striker Diafra Sakho, who was confirmed in
the manager's press conference to have suffered a small tear to his thigh.
However, Enner Valencia is closing in on full match fitness, while Alex Song
has resumed training with the first team.
James Collins serves the first game of a three-match suspension, so Winston
Reid or Angelo Ogbonna will come back into the reckoning.
Everton
Costa Rican Bryan Oviedo could miss up to three weeks of football after
suffering a hamstring injury in last weekend's win over Sunderland.
Leighton Baines is still not ready to return from his ankle problem, but
midfielder Tom Cleverley is in line for a return after being out since
August.
Match info
Saturday's referee is Paul Tierney. The official is new to the Barclays
Premier League and will be taking the whistle for the first time in a
Hammers fixture. He will be assisted by Dave Bryan and Adam Nunn, while the
fourth official is Martin Atkinson.
West Ham have lost just one of their last eight league games (W5 D2).
The Hammers are unbeaten in their last three home games (W2 D1), although
they have not won back-to-back home Premier League games since December last
year.
West Ham have scored at least two goals in nine of their eleven league games
this term.
All 19 of Everton's goals this season have been scored in open play.
Romelu Lukaku has been involved in seven goals in his last five appearances
(four goals, three assists), while he has scored in all six of his Everton
games against West Ham.
Ticket, travel, coverage and other info
Tickets for this game have SOLD OUT. However, they may become available
online as Season Ticket holders relist on Ticket Trader.
There are no closures planned on the eastern branches of the District and
Hammersmith & City lines serving Upton Park. However, supporters who use the
London Overground Barking-Gospel Oak line should note that replacement buses
will be operating on this route. Click here for full details on TfL services
and here for National Rail.
A rainy day is anticipated on Saturday, although temperatures are set to be
mild with 17C (63F) predicted for kick-off.
If you're not heading to the match, make sure you follow all the action on
our digital channels. Our live match centre will carry live audio commentary
and text updates, in-running stats, photos and more. Meanwhile, you can get
involved in the conversation on social using the hashtag #WHUEVE
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Everton betting preview with Betway
WHUFC.com
A victory over Everton will produce 23 points from West Ham United's first
12 matches of this Premier League season. That will equal the club record
for the start to a top-flight campaign, achieved back in 1983/84. Slaven
Bilic's team need to bounce back from a disappointing defeat at Watford last
weekend. A home win is priced at 6/4. The Toffees arrive at the Boleyn
Ground off the back of a thrilling win over Sunderland last weekend and
their price is just 7/4 to follow that up. A draw is offered at 5/2.
There might be Hammers fans with a deep sense of fear whenever a fixture
against Everton comes up. It's fair to say that the team from the blue half
of Merseyside have been on top in these clashes for a very long time. In the
last 64 league matches between the two sides a West Ham United win features
just 10 times. Roberto Martinez brings his team to East London on the back
of a 14 match unbeaten league run against this weekend's opponents. The
bright spot for the Hammers in this historical list is the FA Cup victory
(via a penalty shoot-out) last season.
The last league win for the home team came on 21 April 2007 by a 1-0
scoreline, Bobby Zamora finding the net. A 1-0 win for West Ham United this
weekend is offered at 17/2 on our 'Correct Score' market. Both sides have a
higher than average 'total goals' figure this season, reflected in a price
of 8/11 for 'Over 2.5 Goals' in this game. Bilic's team have kept just one
clean-sheet at home this season while Everton have had better defensive
performances on their travels – three clean-sheets away, compared to none at
home. 'Both Teams to Score' is 3/5.
Andy Carroll scored a fantastic winner against Chelsea in the last game at
the Boleyn and he is 11/2 to score the first goal of this game and 6/4 to
find the net at any time in the match. The 'First Goalscorer' market also
has hat-trick hero from last Sunday, Arouna Kone, at 6/1 to break the
deadlock. Dimitri Payet is always popular with Irons' punters on their
Betway accounts and we expect to take plenty of money on him to score first
at 15/2.
At Betway we have over 100 markets on Saturday's game and those throughout
the Barclays Premier League.
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Tactically Speaking - Everton
WHUFC.com
As you might expect for a club with such a versatile-looking squad, Everton
play a balanced, possession-based game.
While some teams are pigeonholed for using a particular style, the Toffees
are seemingly able to adapt their approach dependent on the opposition they
are facing, or the situation of the game they are contesting.
Roberto Martinez makes no secret of the fact that he likes his team to keep
the ball and pass their way through their opponents, if possible, but that
philosophy saw Everton struggle for consistency last season.
Too often, Everton passed the ball aimlessly around at the back, inviting
pressure on themselves and making a number of mistakes that led directly to
goals being conceded.
This season, the Blues have instead adopted a more direct style based
heavily on getting the ball into, and playing off, centre forward Romelu
Lukaku.
The big Belgian, so often the scourge of West Ham United, has become a vital
figure in Everton's game-plan as a focal point for balls forward from
goalkeeper Tim Howard, the back four or the two deep-lying midfielders.
This does not necessarily mean Everton play aimless long balls forward.
While this still occurs on occasion, the Toffees more often than not try to
draw the opposition out before knocking the ball into Lukaku's feet or chest
and asking him to bring others into play in the space created.
When Lukaku is able to take possession, he has a wealth of options
supporting him in attack. Ross Barkley, Gerard Deulofeu and Arouna Kone all
backed up their striker superbly in last weekend's 6-2 victory over
Sunderland at Goodison Park, combining to score five of their team's six
goals.
All four are capable of collecting the ball and running at the defence at
pace, while each has his own individual qualities to cause problems. Lukaku
is tall and powerful, Deulofeu is small and skilful, Kone is quick and
elusive, while Barkley has an outstanding range of talents at his disposal.
West Ham will be eager to stop Barkley picking the ball up deep in pockets
of space, preventing him from using his pace and dribbling ability to draw
defenders and create shooting chances for either himself or his teammates.
Alongside him, James McCarthy is an underrated yet important member of the
Everton starting XI. Energetic and hard-working, the Irishman seldom gives
the ball away.
The flip side to Everton's preferred approach is that when Lukaku is off his
game, Everton's means of getting the ball into the final third can dry up
somewhat. West Ham, therefore, will be keen to cut off the No10's supply
line.
Defensively, Everton play a high line and can leave space in behind for the
opposition to exploit, particularly in the full-back positions.
Seamus Coleman and whoever fills the left-back position will be encouraged
to get forward and support the attack whenever possible, leaving
opportunities for the Hammers to counter-attack – arguably one of the
strengths of Slaven Bilic's side this season.
In the centre, England starlet John Stones has ability and composure that
bely his tender age – 21 – but alongside him Argentina international Ramiro
Funes Mori is new to the Barclays Premier League and has yet to fully settle
in.
Another sign of Everton's versatility is the strength of their substitutes'
bench. Steven Naismith has a hat-trick against Chelsea to his name and is
adept at popping up in dangerous positions, while Belgium winger Kevin
Mirallas is sharp and never afraid to shoot.
Saturday's teams have combined to score 41 goals and concede 30 in their
combined 22 league matches this season, so one can expect an open,
goal-filled game if those statistics are anything to go by!
Possible starting XI: Howard, Coleman, Stones, Funes Mori, Galloway,
McCarthy, Barry, Barkley, Deulofeu, Kone, Lukaku
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Boris Johnson - West Ham have been brilliant
WHUFC.com
Mayor of London Boris Johnson paid tribute to the pivotal part West Ham
United are playing in delivering the legacy promise of the 2012 Olympic and
Paralympic Games.
Speaking at a special event at the former Olympic Stadium on Thursday night
to mark ten years since London was awarded the Games in Singapore, the Mayor
said the Hammers have become a key player in Europe's biggest socio-economic
regeneration project.
And while West Ham will have to wait until August to take up residence of
their new home, the Mayor insists the 'magic' of the Stadium's
transformation is already there for all to see.
He exclusively told West Ham TV: "West Ham have been brilliant and they're
an integral part of delivering a massive social and economic legacy from the
Olympic and Paralympic Games here in east London.
"We're working with them on all sorts of projects for literacy, for helping
young kids, apprenticeships in the neighbourhood and really driving
aspiration in this part of London.
"It's changing so fast, you can see the magic happening already and so I
want to thank Karren Brady and everybody at West Ham for their
participation."
"This is just the beginning. I think people will look back, everyone
involved with West Ham, everyone who supports West Ham, I think they will be
very proud, actually, that they are part of something that is the biggest
economic social regeneration project anywhere in Europe.
"I think West Ham fans are part of something that is going to change the
face of London, bring the two halves of London closer together. The East and
West of London are converging in a way that we haven't seen for hundreds of
years maybe.
"The biggest decision I had to make when I became Mayor was what are we
going to do about this Stadium, because if you remember the plan was to have
an athletics Stadium, take down the top tiers and have a 25,000-seater bowl,
which basically would have been a dust bowl for most of the year, because
not enough people go to watch athletics.
"Or to knock it down completely, which would have been a complete waste of
about £400million or to spend some more money, £272million to be exact, on
the biggest cantilevered roof anywhere in the world and to turn it into a
truly world class Stadium.
The Mayor says he will be cheering on the Hammers when they play at the new
Stadium next season and is looking forward to seeing a new chapter in the
Club's history.
"I will be cheering West Ham in so far as it's good news for the Olympic
Stadium and the Olympic Park, otherwise I levitate, I support all London
teams."
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West Ham win prestigious Football Business Award
WHUFC.com
At Thursday's prestigious Football Business Awards, West Ham United won the
competition for 'Best Marketing of a Football Club', one of the premier
awards at the annual ceremony.
The awards, hosted at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge stadium, are open to clubs
from all across Britain, and recognise the work that is done off the pitch
by each football club, ranging from their community engagement to their use
of online technology.
The 'Best Marketing of a Football Club' award, recognised the fact that West
Ham have faced a huge challenge in the past year ensuring that the move to
the Club's new Stadium is a success, planning a fitting farewell to the
Boleyn Ground, and continuing to expand West Ham's global reach.
Individual successes were highlighted, such as the popularity of the Final
Season home kit, the successful launch and subsequent sell out Club London
hospitality packages within the new Stadium, and the pricing strategy and
surrounding campaign that meant West Ham could offer the lowest Season
Ticket prices in the Premier League next year.
West Ham also won praise for the improved interactive features on the Club's
new website, the use of cutting edge virtual venue technology to help fans
choose their seats at the New Stadium Reservation Centre, and the release of
CGI images to show fans what the new Stadium will look like.
Whereas many other football clubs outsource their marketing activities to
expensive external agencies, it was noted that West Ham had managed all this
work over the past year through a small, in-house marketing team.
Tara Warren, West Ham's Executive Director of Marketing and Communications,
said she was proud of her team and their achievement: "We are delighted to
have won the 'Best Marketing of a Football Club' award, it's a wonderful
recognition for the team.
"I find it easy to talk every day about just how great West Ham United is
because I truly believe in the vision of our Joint-Chairmen and
Vice-Chairman and the exciting direction this great club is heading in under
their stewardship.
"I would like to thank them and Karren in particular for allowing creativity
and innovation to flourish at the Club.
"Success in our activity off the pitch is crucial as it produces the revenue
that is required to generate success on it.
"Our Board re-invest every penny we generate back into the playing squad and
into keeping ticket prices as low as possible for our fans. And we are now
reaping the benefits of that strategy, turning two consecutive annual
profits and boasting arguably the best playing squad in recent memory thanks
to their prudent investments.
"We run a tight ship and do not utilise external marketing agencies,
preferring instead to focus on employing the best people and investing in
their development.
"What gives us the most satisfaction from our work is that we get to serve
the West Ham United fans, who are the best in the country and provide a
constant source of inspiration
"We now have an incredible two years coming up, but the most exciting thing
of all is that the best is yet to come."
The Football Business Awards are recognised as the premier event within the
British football world to celebrate clubs' off-pitch activities. The
34-person judging panel for last night's awards included seven CEOs of
English football clubs, representatives from the Football League and
Scottish Premier League, and several other senior figures from the worlds of
business and sport.
The awards were hosted by former Liverpool star and BBC football pundit,
Mark Lawrenson, and chief football reporter for BT Sport, Ray Stubbs.
West Ham were also named as finalists at the awards in the categories for
'Best Marketing Initiative' for the Club's delivery of the Farewell Boleyn
campaign, and 'Best Corporate Social Responsibility' for the work of the
West Ham United Foundation.
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Valencia relishing Boleyn return
WHUFC.com
Having made his return to first team action against Watford last weekend,
sharp-shooting Enner Valencia is relishing his return to the Boleyn Ground
later this afternoon.
On an otherwise day to forget for the Hammers, the Ecuadorean forward made
his present felt almost immediately at Vicarage Road as he hit the post
after coming on in the second half.
Reflecting on his return to top flight action, Valencia said: "Last week, I
was very happy to be back on the pitch. Obviously losing the game was very
disappointing but now, I hope to be part of the team for a long time.
"I've had two very bad injuries in my time here which is very frustrating.
The last one was very difficult to take, but thank God I have been able to
make my return last week."
Having enjoyed his first taste of Premier League football, Valencia is
pushing for his first League start.
While his time on the pitch has been limited of late, the striker said his
time in east London so far could only be seen as wholly positive.
"I've settled in very well and that's thanks to the wonderful people that
run the club and the fantastic supporters. West Ham is a marvellous club and
I am really enjoying myself, everything is going well."
Looking ahead to today's encounter with Roberto Martinez's Everton, Valencia
is hoping to pick up from where he left off last time he took to the Boleyn
Ground turf.
It took the forward just 23 minutes to score his first goal of the season, a
close range header, and the 26-year-old, who celebrated his birthday on
Wednesday, is hoping to mark his return with another goal.
"Everton are tough opponents, they are full of confidence after such a big
win last weekend. Today is a huge game for both sides.
"My free-kicks are definitely something I want to improve on. I've been
practising a lot with Mauro Zarate, Manuel Lanzini and Dimitri Payet, we
often stay behind to practise. I scored a few good ones; I hope to score in
a match soon!
"I celebrated my birthday by going out for dinner with my friends and
family. This age I am now is usually the best years for a footballer, I hope
that is the case for me. I am on the right path and I want to keep on
improving."
Following the Hammers' impressive start to the season, Valencia praised
manager Slaven Bilic.
While the pair have worked closely on the training pitches at Chadwell
Heath, the Ecuadorean is looking forward to putting that practise into
action on a regular basis.
"Slaven Bilic is a fabulous coach, he is ideal for this club because of his
style. I am fit and ready to go and help the team as much as I can.
"He is a coach who instils his ideas from the very first day, he is a winner
who likes playing attacking football. You can see that from the number of
chances we've created.
"To reach the Champions League is definitely in our heads. We would really
like to qualify for Europe, but if not the Champions League than the Europa
League is a great competition too."
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From the Boardroom - David Gold
WHUFC.com
We have been on an incredible run this season, but unfortunately that came
to an end against Watford last weekend. Every team is going to lose games
and the skill is how to bounce back.
We will be looking to win the game against Everton on Saturday and I am
confident that Slaven will be determined to get straight back on the winning
trail and put another three points on the board.
We have got off to a fantastic start and should still be thrilled with 20
points from 11 games.
I know everyone was disappointed with the defeat at Vicarage Road, but I
cannot stress how refreshing it is to see how honest Slaven was after the
game.
Even the top coaches in the world can make excuses when their team suffers a
defeat, but Slaven is honest and tells it how it is and I like that in a
manager because we all want to know the truth.
We have had some great games against Everton over the years and one of the
most memorable was under the lights at the Boleyn Ground in the FA Cup in
January when Adrian scored the winning penalty in dramatic style.
I know Everton have an impressive record when they play us, but we have a
much better team and a much better squad now than all the encounters I have
seen since we took over the football club.
The difference now is that we have confidence, the fans have great
enthusiasm and we have enjoyed an impressive start to the season.
We had some disappointments earlier in the campaign and managed to bounce
back and we have got to do the same again. Everton will be tough opponents
and they are a good side so we will have to be at our best to come away with
a victory.
I am thrilled that Alex Song is back in training because he is a key member
of our squad. We have got every confidence in Alex and we believe he will be
the player that produced such great form in the first half of last season.
If he does manage to do that and performs at that level for the rest of the
season, we have got a serious player who will contribute enormously to the
team.
I just want to clear up something that happened with Michail Antonio on my
Twitter site this week.
I was reading my tweets late at night and I try and read as many as
possible. I will re-tweet a number, particularly ones about people who are
raising money for good causes and tweets of interest.
I remember re-tweeting about four or five for charities and even a missing
dog! It is part of what I do to try to help people.
I read a tweet about someone who had a friend missing and I immediately
wanted to do something about it, but initially didn't realise it was about
Michail Antonio as I did it so quickly.
I have spoken to Michail and he was not troubled by it. People have said I
don't recognise him but that is nonsense.
It was an error and the bottom line is that Michail is fine about it and he
didn't for one minute believe I didn't recognise him. I see him on a regular
basis.
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From the Newsroom
WHUFC.com
It was great to see Slaven again as I have not been down at West Ham to see
him since he took charge back in the summer.
I interviewed him quite a few times when he was Croatia manager and also
during the World Cup in South Africa.
I always found him very nice to deal with and he is just a nice guy. This
was a good press conference for me to cover as he was facing his former Club
and was good on facing Everton.
He provided us with good team news but it is obviously a blow that Diafra
Sakho will be missing once again. But there was better news on Winston Reid
and Alex Song.
It is amazing that everyone says he is a big guy, but has this small voice.
But he will always give you a long answer to a question and even when you
think he is finished, he will carry on saying something.
The difficulty with that is you get to ask fewer questions in a press
conference but at least you get a full answer!
Slaven believes the defeat against Watford was just a bad performance by the
team. They have looked at it this week and he believes the confidence is
there for them to get back playing to the way they have been in the opening
ten games of the season.
It has been an amazing start for West Ham and I know David Sullivan has been
saying they could possibly get into the Champions League, but why shouldn't
they aim high.
It will be difficult for them against Everton on Saturday as they have a
great record against the Hammers in recent years.
They will have to stop Romelu Lukaku who enjoys scoring against West Ham,
but Slaven said they have already stopped some of the best strikers in the
league this season, but I'm sure he has got a way of stopping him.
It is amazing to see what West Ham have done so far and with players like
Alex Song coming back and Andy Carroll fit again, they could finish in the
top four.
At the moment Leicester are there, but can you see them staying there? You
would not rule it out as David Sullivan has said and Slaven says they need
to aim high, so why can't they achieve that.
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West Ham: Karren Brady lauds Olympic Stadium possibilities
BBC.co.uk
The Olympic Stadium will be "one of the greatest arenas in world football",
according to West Ham United vice-chairman Karren Brady. The Hammers will
leave Upton Park and move in to the new stadium for the start of next
season. "The Olympic Stadium offers enormous commercial and brand
opportunities," added Brady. In August, BBC Sport revealed that West Ham
will have many of the running costs for the stadium met by the taxpayer. In
effect, it means the Premier League club will get their new £700m home -
which was built for the London 2012 Olympics - virtually rent free as a
large number of "facilities and services" will be paid for by the
publicly-funded London Legacy Development Corporation.
These include the cost of stadium utilities, maintaining the pitch, and the
goalposts and corner flags.
Other items - outlined in the agreement made public on Thursday - which the
Hammers will not have to fund are:
Undersoil heating and floodlighting
Ticket office and turnstiles
Drug testing and medical facilities
Concession areas cleared of snow and ice as required
Team changing rooms, plus changing rooms for ball persons and officials
Security, cleaning, pest control
Stadium Tannoy, generator, CCTV surveillance system and monitors
LED pitch-side signage, scoreboards and jumbo video screens at each end of
the pitch
West Ham's annual report revealed a profit after tax of just under £3m for
the 2014-15 season, while turnover was £120.7m, up from £114.8m. The wage
bill rose by £8.8m to £72.7m. In comparison, Manchester United showed a
turnover of £395.2m in their last report - the highest in the Premier League
- followed by Manchester City with £351.8m. West Ham are currently sixth in
the Premier League. "Retention of our Premier League status in the 2015-16
season is an absolute necessity for the future well-being of the club,"
added 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."
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West Ham v Everton
KO 15:00
6 November 2015
Last updated at 11:19
Barclays Premier League
Venue: Upton Park Date: Saturday, 7 November
TEAM NEWS
West Ham will be without striker Diafra Sakho for a second successive league
game because of a thigh strain. Defender James Collins is suspended but the
Hammers have Winston Reid and Angelo Ogbonna back from injury.
Everton defender Bryan Oviedo could miss up to three weeks after suffering a
hamstring injury last weekend. Leighton Baines is still not ready to return
after ankle surgery, but Tom Cleverley could be involved for the first time
since August.
MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES
Alan Green: "Speaking to him for Match of the Day, how refreshing it was to
hear the honest appraisal by Slaven Bilic of his side's display at Watford.
Essentially, West Ham had been second-best all over the pitch. "All the more
reason for them to show against Everton that they're not ready to settle
amongst the also-rans in the Premier League. Why shouldn't the Hammers think
of European qualification? "But in their demolition of Sunderland, albeit
helped by some ragged defending, Roberto Martinez's Everton showed ambitions
of their own. "It's always nice going to a game being wholly uncertain of
the outcome. This is one of them."
WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic: "Is it a special game for me? 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."
Everton manager Roberto Martinez: "Slaven plays in a very different way to
the one West Ham used to play. "As an ex-Evertonian, we know he is a
competitive man. He gained invaluable experience when managing Croatia and
his teams are always ready to compete. "From a psychological point of view,
to go to places like Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea and win shows they
have a fantastic mentality."
LAWRO'S PREDICTION
The quality of Everton's goals last weekend was just outstanding. That was
just what the Toffees needed because, before then, they had been on a losing
run having played some of the top teams. In contrast, West Ham had a really
bad day at Watford and I just wonder what effect that will have on the way
they approach this game.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
Everton are aiming for their seventh successive league victory over West Ham
this weekend.
However, West Ham did win their FA Cup third round tie with the Toffees last
January, courtesy of a penalty shoot-out.
The Hammers' last victory came in April 2007 when Bobby Zamora scored the
only goal at Upton Park.
West Ham
West Ham have lost just one of their last eight league games (W5, D2).
The Hammers are unbeaten in their last three (W2, D1) home matches, although
they haven't won back-to-back league games at Upton Park since December
2014.
They haven't kept a clean sheet for six Premier League matches.
Slaven Bilic's side have received a league-high four red cards this season.
The Hammers have scored at least two goals in nine of their 11 league games
so far in this campaign.
Everton
Everton have lost just two of their last nine Premier League away games (W4,
D3).
Their only league defeat in five games away from home this season came
against Arsenal (W2, D2).
All 19 of Everton's Premier League goals this season have been scored in
open play.
Romelu Lukaku has been involved in seven goals in his last five league
appearances (four goals, three assists), while he has also scored in all six
of his appearances against West Ham for the Toffees.
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Andy Carroll's a Bilic fan!
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 6th November 2015
By: Staff Writer
Andy Carroll has hailed the Bilic factor as he dares to think big about West
Ham United.
The big striker was speaking to Sky Sports' Bianca Westwood last month and
she has reflected on her interview with the England international for this
month's Blowing Bubbles.
"The biggest thing I took away from my interview with Andy was that whenever
he spoke about Slaven, it was clear that he really has this likeability
factor about him," she wrote.
"He said the players respect him and they did so instantly. He has this aura
about him and he is a manager they all look up to because of what he has
achieved."
Elsewhere in the November issue of the magazine, there are interviews with
Tony Cottee and Frank McAvennie as Blowing Bubbles celebrates the 30th
anniversary of the Boys of 86.
And in his column for the monthly magazine George Parris also explains why
their partnership was so special.
"They just had one of those seasons where everything clicked. So much so
they could've scored with their backsides!", he wrote. "Every time we walked
out to play, you just felt one of them was going to score. Even if they only
got one chance, you just knew they'd take it."
He later wrote: "I think it will be very tough for West Ham to match our
third place finish. Winning the FA Cup would be just as good a feeling
though."
Meanwhile, Blowing Bubbles has a moving piece by the Yellow Advertiser's
reporter Brian Jeeves on his father's West Ham passion.
They've also got a report from a Bradford City fan on how they've fallen in
love with Reece Burke and how great he has been for them this season.
"Even at this relatively early stage in the season, it's probably not
hyperbolic to cast him among the front-runners for the Player of the Year
award, he's been that good," Katie Whyatt writes.
Blowing Bubbles' writers also give their views on Morgan Amalfitano's exit,
this summer's Saido Berahino sage ahead of our game against West Brom, and
ponder whether Big Sam can get Sunderland out of relegation trouble.
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West Ham United v Everton
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 5th November 2015
By: Preview Percy
Hello and welcome to the only match preview you will read this weekend than
mentions squirrels. Preview Percy hasn't actually lost the plot. It's just
that he never had it in the first place...
Next up we play host to Everton. Kick-off is 3pm on Saturday. Don't get used
to it though. Travel news is that the Gospel Oak to Barking line will be
shut with replacement buses the order of the day. Other than that the trains
and tubes all seem to be free of burly gentlemen digging holes in things in
the East London/Essex area. Well on the railways anyway.
So Everton then. They're currently 9th in the league with 16 points from 11
matches. Which is 4 behind us in terms of points and 3 in terms of places.
They have a goal difference of plus 4 which arises from their last match, a
6-2 win against hapless Sunderland. The Mackems, despite the heavy nature of
the defeat at Goodison last weekend, still gave the home side a few things
to think about to the extent that the opening goal for the Toffees was said
to have come "much against the run of play". They even managed to level
things at 2-2 before Sunderland remembered that they were, in fact,
Sunderland and therefore not actually any good. At this point Everton also
realised that their opponents were, in fact, Sunderland and therefore not
actually any good and went about their business scoring a further four
without response. Apart from that it's been something of a curate's egg of a
season with, including last weekend, them having won 4, drawn 4 and lost 3
this season.
One of those wins came against Chelsea where their 3-0 victory was assisted
in no small part by the fact that they are the only club in the known
universe who haven't signed anyone on loan from Chelsea and therefore can
chose from a full squad when they play them. In fact, if the work experience
kid with the Harry Potter spectacles is to be believed – and why wouldn't
you – they haven't got a single player in on loan at all at the moment. A
number have gone out, yes but all their summer arrivals seem to have been
permanent deals.
Out of the £16m or so that left the club bank account during the last
window, the biggest single amount was the £9.5m paid to River Plate for
Argentine international defender Ramiro Funes Mori. RFM, as nobody calls
him, is looking at an extended run in the side following an injury to Phil
Jagielka, whose knee ligaments will keep him out for a good couple of
months.
Although they haven't taken advantage of the loan system this time around, a
couple of the permanent new boys have a past in that respect. Winger Gerard
Deulofeu was previously on loan from Barcelona during the 2013-14 season. He
returned to Barcelona at the end of that season having been assured that
there was a role for him at the Nou Camp. That role turned out to be that of
"player we're going to send out on loan to Sevilla". A season there wasn't
the greatest - he turned up in one Spanish paper's "worst team of the year"
listing - so he was probably one of the few people ever to be pleased to
return to Merseyside whe the Toffees came in for him this summer.
Then there was Aaron Lennon who arived having fallen out of favour at White
Hart Lane – which is something of a badge of honour when you think about
it.He originally pitched up at Goodison Park on loan last term. At the
completion of the loan he returned to Spurs where, if he hadn't already got
the message as to how much he was loved there, he was left in no doubt when
they were told to go and train with all the other kids and reserves with no
squad number. An undisclosed fee believed (to be something like £4m) changed
hands and his Tottenham nightmare was over.
With all the ins and outs that took place over the summer, the big headlines
went to a player who, in the end, went nowhere. Chelsea tried every trick in
the book to unsettle John Stones, making ever increasing bids culminating in
a £30m offer which, like the others, was rejected out of hand. Head duly
turned, Stones handed in a transfer request which was treated in the same
manner as Chelsea's bids had been. Stones has been capped 6 times at full
level by England, which, in these days of "home-grown player" regulations,
is the reason a reasonable but unremarkable defender is apparently worth
£30m.
On the injury front it will be a week too soon for Leighton Baines who has
returned to first team training having been missing all season so far. A
midweek behind-closed-doors job has been arranged for him during the
forthcoming (and rather pointless) international break. He's been another
boil on the bum for us in the past, especially with dead balls from
free-kicks awarded just outside the box. His accomplice in this regard is
often Ross Barkley who is as fond of a dive as Steve Gerrard was over the
other side of Stanley Park. Must be a scouse thing.
In the absence of Baines, England U19 cap Brendan Galloway has had an
earlier run in the side than he might have anticipated, especially as
Baines' went lame just after they sent Luke Garbutt on loan to Fulham.
Galloway arrived in the UK from his native Zimbabwe as a six year-old in
2006 and became the youngest player in the history of Milton Keynes Dons
when making his debut in an FA Cup tie at the age of 15, at which point he
was still probably older than the club he played for. He made the switch to
Goodison Park in August 2014 and can either play for England or, should he
feel the need to play for a country run by the sort of murderous dictator
who would be getting bombed by all and sundry if his country actually had
any oil, he also qualifies for Zimbabwe.
Of course no talk of the visitors would be complete without mentioning
Romelu Lukaku who, no matter how bad he or his team are playing, always
seems to score against us. Git.
So what's been happening in the wide world of football of late? Well
Mourinho has finally got himself a stadium ban, and it is believed that
30,000 Chelsea season ticket holders have asked if they can be banned too.
Poor old Johan Cruyff is recovering in hospital from major heart surgery –
the world of football wishes him a speedy one of course. And of course the
FIFA-gate scandal rumbles on with the major surprise being that anyone is
surprised when each new revelation appears, it being common knowledge that
the whole thing has been bent from the moment Havelange took over from Rous
in the 70's. Ker-chingggg.
And then there's us. I've put it off for long enough and now I have to
revisit the horrors of last week. Well I suppose if we have to lose to a
small club that raises its game against its betters I'd rather it be Watford
than Spurs.
The fact is that far too many had off days last weekend. Worst 'mare of the
week was that suffered by Andy Carroll whose attempted Cruyff turn in his
own box is not something he'll be putting on the compilation DVD for the
grandkids. Much more of that and we'll be looking at a somewhat different
definition of the word "unplayable".
Carroll's selection caused problems in itself. Actually, to be fair to him,
the problems were caused more by the absence of Sakho than his own presence
in the ranks. Sakho is a willing runner from the middle to the outside
meaning that Cresswell and Jenkinson have an "out" ball down the wings. Even
if Sakho doesn't actually get on the end of the ball, more often than not
he'll force the defender into a throw-in or better. Contrast this with
Carroll, who is someone you look to play the ball to with back to goal, to
hold it up and to bring others into play. Nothing wrong with that but if you
concentrate on playing through your target man in that manner you run the
risk of losing width. As we saw on Saturday.
On the injury front it is to be hoped that Winston Reid's hip or thigh has
recovered from celebrating his country's egg chasing win last week. I wasn't
that fussed to be honest – though as ever we at the Avram Grant Olympic Rest
Home For The Bewildered invoked the clause in our rental agreements that
means the management have to provide free beers for us to celebrate the
defeat of the Aussies in any sport. Reid's return will be even more
necessary in view of Ginge's enforced absence which followed his sending off
at Watford. I'm sure the FA have actually fined Watford for surrounding the
ref last weekend and have just forgotten to publicise it.
Elsewhere, Sakho is out, his thigh muscle injury no doubt being exacerbated
by his leap for joy on hearing the news that he will face no charges over
the arrests he suffered back in August over a "domestic".
That leaves Song as the only long term absentee. Whenever I check on his
likely availability he seems to be perennially two weeks away but, like
Baines he has a behind-closed-doors job coming up to look forward to during
the week.
Well the one good thing about last weekend's result is that, when I make a
prediction from now on, I don't have to worry about jinxing a possible win
by predicting one. That particular superstition got a good kicking up at
Watford so I'm now free to predict whatever I like.
However, having said that this weekend's opponents have a habit of reverting
to scouse stereotype and stealing the points even when we've controlled the
game. Of course the FA Cup last season was the exception that proves the
rule but even then we went behind in a match we were looking comfortable in.
The match provided one of the old ground's memorable moments when Adrian
ditched his gloves in his run-up to take the deciding penalty in the
shootout which, had he missed, would probably still be going on.
I know "bogey team" runs come to an end eventually – and maybe after last
week it'll turn out that Everton is Allardyce's nemesis rather than ours per
se. However I still have this nagging feeling that they'll get something out
of this match even if it depends on a goal deflected in off a squirrel or
something. So with that in mind, I'll be off to Winstones The Turf
Accountants and placing the £2.50 that we at the Avram Grant Rest Home For
The Bewildered had collected to buy a bag of hazelnuts on a 1-1 draw.
Enjoy the game!
When Last We Met At The Boleyn: Lost 1-2 May 2015. Last home game of the
season. 1-0 up? Of course we didn't win. Osman and Lukaku with the statutory
late late goal saw them nick all three once again. It was the sort of
desultory afternoon where the biggest cheers of the day went to opponents
being given yellow cards, with the fair play league also being on Everton's
mind at the time. It turned out to be Allardyce's last home game in charge,
much to nobody's surprise.
Danger Man: Romelu Lukaku He's been a thorn in the side for a few years now.
No matter how much we look on top he'll get some rub of the green and score
against us
Referee: Paul Tierney For the second week running we have a non-"select"
group referee. Unlike last weekend at least this one hasn't already been
demoted from the mafia once already. Hopefully Tierney is being looked at
because of impressive performances at lower levels rather than, as is
normally the case, because they have mates in low places. He managed to
annoy Neil Lennon earlier this season but, there again Mother Theresa would
probably have been able to annoy Lennon had they ever met. He once
interrupted a QPR v Leicester match due to a squirrel on the pitch. Most
observers questioned his judgement in dealing with the situation and said
that he should have sent the players off because the squirrel was more
entertaining than anything else out there that day. Spurs later had a £10m
bid for the squirrel turned down and, with Chris Ramsey just sacked, the
bookies have "Tufty" down at 3/1 to take over as manager at Loftus Road.
Irritating Celebrity Supporter Of The Week: Freddie Starr. Although the
hamster eating thing turned out to be yet another Max Clifford invention
(great headline though), and all investigations into some very unsavoury
allegations of a sexual nature were dropped by the CPS due to lack of
evidence, Starr is still guilty of one of the greatest crimes of all: like
just about every scouse comedian ever born he's not funny. Remember laughing
at his "Hitler wearing welly boots" impression? No. Of course you don't.
Nobody does. In fact, he is so unfunny that he even beat Tom O'Connor into
second place in this category.
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West Ham United v Everton preview: Hammers look to bounce back
Last Updated: 06/11/15 4:05pm
SSN
West Ham host Everton on Saturday looking to bounce back from their first
loss in seven games against Watford last weekend. The Hammers are sixth in
the Premier League after 11 games, and could go as high as third with a
victory at Upton Park. Everton, who beat Sunderland 6-2 last time out, are
four points behind in ninth place, and go in search of their third away
success of the campaign. The Toffees won both fixtures last season by a 2-1
scoreline, but were defeated in the FA Cup third round on penalties at Upton
Park.
Team news
West Ham striker Diafra Sakho will miss the visit of Everton due to a thigh
injury. Defenders Winston Reid (knee) and Angelo Ogbonna (hamstring) are fit
after spells out, and one of them will replace the suspended James Collins
at centre-back. Midfielder Alex Song will not be involved, but he has been
pencilled in for a friendly next week to build up his match-fitness
following a summer ankle operation.
Bryan Oviedo will have to come out of Everton's starting line-up against
West Ham, but Leighton Baines is not yet fit enough to replace him. The
Costa Rica international strained his hamstring in the first half of
Sunday's 6-2 win over Sunderland and could miss up to three weeks, meaning
19-year-old Brendan Galloway may have to fill in at left-back once more.
Baines, who is yet to play this season following ankle surgery, is back in
full training, along with Tom Cleverley (ankle) and Muhamed Besic
(hamstring), but his return will come in a behind-closed-doors friendly over
the international break. Steven Pienaar (hamstring) and Tony Hibbert (knee)
should also be back in the mix later this month.
Opta stats
West Ham United haven't won back to back home Premier League games since
December 2014.
Everton have lost just two of their last nine Barclays Premier League away
games (W4 D3 L2).
Romelu Lukaku has scored in all six of his appearances for Everton against
West Ham (in all competitions), netting in four PL games and two FA Cup
fixtures.
Mauro Zarate has scored in both of his Premier League appearances against
Everton.
Everton have won 10 and lost none of the last 14 Premier League matches
against the Hammers (D4).
There have been three red cards in the last three Premier League meetings
between West Ham and Everton at the Boleyn Ground.
The Toffees have won six and lost none of their last seven league visits to
the Boleyn Ground.
Arouna Kone has scored five goals from just seven shots on target in the
Premier League this season.
Merson's prediction
There will be goals in this one. Both teams will have a go but they'll also
be open at the back. It makes for an entertaining game. I'm sure West Ham
won't present Everton with as many chances as Sunderland did, but the
Toffees are still a threat regardless. West Ham aren't the same side when
they start with Andy Carroll. He hasn't got the pace Sakho has to get in
behind and I think he's better suited as an impact player from the bench.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-2 (Sky Bet odds 12/1)
West Ham striker Andy Carroll
West Ham striker Andy Carroll
Betting
West Ham are Sky Bet's marginal favourites for the victory at 7/5, with
Everton 7/4 for the win and 13/5 to share the spoils. Lukaku and Sakho share
favouritism in the first goalscorer betting, while Kone is 125/1 for a
repeat of his hat-trick heroics against Sunderland.
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Slaven Bilic likens Andy Carroll to Duncan Ferguson and says big number
nines are back in fashion
22:30, 6 NOV 2015
BY NEIL MCLEMAN
The Croatian believes Carroll and weekend opponent Romelu Lukaku have helped
update the traditional target man's role
The Mirror
Slaven Bilic reckons Romelu Lukaku and Andy Carroll are following in the
huge footsteps of his former Everton team-mate Duncan Ferguson now that big
No9s are back in style. The Belgium striker has scored six times in his last
six games against West Ham, including a 93rd-minute winner in the East End
in May. And Bilic has backed Carroll to win back his England place if he
retains his form and fitness. Ferguson, now back on the Goodison coaching
staff, always could cause chaos on and off the pitch. But the Hammers boss
believes the two modern centre-forwards have helped update the traditional
target man's role before they collide at Upton Park on Saturday. "Those
strikers were like very popular when we played, then they were not so
popular, now they are back in business," said Croatian Bilic. "Everybody
loves to have a big No9 because the midfield is so thick and so closed that
it is very difficult to go through there by passing. "But they can't be the
one-dimensional players that they were 30 or 40 years ago. "Now, they have
to be versatile. They can't be static. They have to be basically complete
players like Drogba and Ibrahimovic. "They are only old-fashioned because of
their size. They are very quick and very mobile players for that size. "That
is why it is so hard to find them."
Bilic signed for Everton from West Ham for a British record £4.5m fee for a
defender in 1997 before Scot Ferguson left for Newcastle the following year.
"He was really underestimated," Bilic recalled. "All right, he said he
wasn't interested in playing for the national team and he was his own worst
enemy.
"He's an Everton legend, but he could have achieved a lot, lot more. "I
remember him and I can't wait to see him. "I remember him as a really,
really good friend and he helped me a lot when I came to Everton. "I am
looking forward to the match. I didn't play for 10 clubs here, I played for
two – and one was Everton."
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Band 4 OS season ticket details revealed
Posted by Sean Whetstone on November 7, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
Information has finally started to emerge from appointments about Band 4
season tickets in the Olympic Stadium for next season. Earlier this week,
band 3 season ticket appointments were concluded and band 4 season ticket
holders attended the Stratford reservation centre starting Wednesday 4th
November.
We understand the policy continues to be that the priority order of
appointments within band 4 starts at the centre of each stand and works
outwards and backwards. Early feedback from those who have chosen their
seats this week has been interesting.
They claim if you are currently in a band 4 lower tier seat then you can get
chose from lower tier or upper tier options but if you're currently in an
upper tier position at the Boleyn Ground you can only chose an upper tier
seat in the Olympic Stadium.
If you currently have a first row seat in the upper tier then you aren't
guaranteed front row upper tier at the OS as there are currently more first
row band 4's at the Boleyn Ground, however you will be guaranteed a second
row seat though.
If you or one of your group wants bring a new person along they will not be
able to take a seat in the lower tier so if you wanted to sit with him you
would have to move to the upper tier also, as all lower tier are reserved
for existing season ticket holders only.
Sections reportedly offered to Band 4 season tickets so far this week have
included 231, 232 sand 233 230, 244 and 250.
If you have been for your appointment since Wednesday and know any other
sections or other information on offer please let us know by emailing me
mrwesthamfootball@gmail.com.
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Hammers borrow £30m from pay day lenders
Posted by Sean Whetstone on November 6, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
West Ham financial accounts released earlier this week show that the Hammers
have borrowed £30.1m from 'Pay Day lenders' James Grant Funding (JGF).
The cash has been borrowed against future TV money and is paid directly by
the Premier League to the mysterious British Virgin Islands lender.
The sole director of JGF is called Jonathan McMorrow as recorded on the West
Ham loan paperwork filed with companies house, who was an employee of the
James Grant Group until April 2015 which is chaired by Spurs Chairman Daniel
Levy. Both companies shared the same registered address at companies house
until earlier this year when JGF moved changed to a P.O box.
However a West Ham insider told Claret and Hugh that "JG Funding Limited
confirmed to both WHU and the FAPL that it is not in any way connected,
affiliated or associated with the James Grant Sports Agency."
Just a complete coincidence then, the source of the investor or investors
behind JGF are unknown but they also recently lent money to Everton. Irons
financial accounts also reveal that joint Chairman David Gold and David
Sullivan injected none of their personal wealth in the previous financial
year after injecting over £49m over the previous 4 years in shareholder
loans.
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100,000 Free OS tickets – how it will work
Posted by Sean Whetstone on November 6, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
ClaretandHugh has discovered how the 100,000 free OS tickets will be
distributed.
Many readers have been in touch with us asking how the system will work and
today Newham Council explained exclusively how they will operate the
process.
We were told: "The intention is the tickets are used to reward residents for
being active and resilient members of the community."
Fears had been raised that it would prove very difficult to police the
distribution of these tickets to ensure there is no abuse such as the resale
of tickets.
A Newham Council spokesperson replying to ClaretandHugh Exclusively said:
"The original stadium deal includes 100,000 free tickets for stadium matches
every year from 2016.
The intention is the tickets are used to reward residents for being active
and resilient members of the community.
Lead councillors for each of our community neighbourhoods will have a role
in managing these rewards, and settling the criteria for distributing
tickets to their residents who are making a contribution to their community.
Anyone who is given a ticket will be made aware that it is non transferable.
We will monitor the use of the tickets to ensure the individuals nominated
to receive tickets are attending."
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Irons to remain "family affair" for years to come
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 6, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
West Ham United is set to remain in Sullivan and Gold hands long after the
present owners have gone to the great football stadium in the sky.
There are no plans to sell the club although the co owners would both
welcome further investors in the club to take it on to the next level.
Following the publication of the accounts to May 2015 where the club showed
a profit David Gold declared himself happy and claimed the future was in
good hands.
He told ClaretandHugh: "I've said many times that we have no desire to sell.
The children of the two families are all major fans of West ham United.
"My daughter Vanessa (pictured left) would sooner come with me to Watford
last weekend than go out with the friends and the Sullivan boys passion is
well know.
jacks-300x225"West Ham is our legacy to the children and both my daughters
are top businesswomen whilst the two boys have had a perfect background and
will be fine as club owners.
"Yes we would like more investment nothing has changed on that front but
there is no way I would want a a buy-out."
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AC look Slav's likely lad
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 6, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
Andy Carroll looks set to start in tomorrow's clash against Everton.
The cub's record signing is currently being seen as the most realistic line
leader despite his less than impressive run out against Watford last
weekend.
Training ground sources have revealed that the centre forward has been
lining up with the probables against the possibles this weekend and is
likely to start with Enner Valencia taking his place on the bench.
Slaven Bilic made it clear in his press conference yesterday that Valencia
may not be 100 per cent up to speed although he will make no final selection
until later today.
Defenders Winston Reid (knee) and Angelo Ogbonna (hamstring) are fit after
spells out, and one – probably Reid – will replace the suspended James
Collins at centre-back.
Midfielder Alex Song will not be involved, but he has been pencilled in for
a friendly next week to build up his match-fitness following a summer ankle
operation.
Provisional squad: Adrian, Randolph, Tomkins, Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell,
Jenkinson, Noble, Kouyate, Payet, Antonio, Moses, Lanzini, Zarate, Valencia,
Carroll, Jelavic.
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Bilic set to tame Lukaku threat
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 6, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
Hammers boss Slaven Bilic is very well aware that the Irons must end Romelu
Lukaku's amazing goalscoring streak against them if they are to break their
Everton hoodoo. The Hammers have beaten Everton just once in their last 17
meetings, and that victory came on penalties following a 2-2 draw in the FA
Cup last season. Lukaku, who has scored in each of the last six meetings
between the teams, has been a pain in our butt for too long and a big double
over the two merseyside teams would be a massive tonic. . And the Upton Park
boss believes they can halt their drought against Everton – as long as they
keep the Belgium striker quiet. He said: That is more important than 17
(since we last beat Everton). He scored in six games out of six against us.
But that only proves how good he is as a player. "They have some great
players with experience, legs, width, pace, imagination – the likes of Ross
Barkley. But if you have to take one player out, then I wouldn't like to
play against Lukaku because he is a top striker and gets assists, and that's
why they paid 30-odd million for him. "But we have great defenders and we've
already stopped some of the great names this season with the help of the
other guys in front of them. "I didn't know it was that long since we beat
them the last time, but that only shows what we are facing; a big club with
the mentality of a club that has had its ups and down over the years. "I
didn't know it had been eight years. But that doesn't mean a lot. It's a new
game. We beat so many big teams this season but that didn't mean a lot when
we lost against Watford last week."
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Song heads for warm-up match
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 5, 2015 in News
C and H
Alex Song will return to Hammers action after the international break. But
in the meantime the midfielder is set to play in a 'get fit' friendly
against Chelsea next week against Charlton.
Manager Slaven Bilic revealed: "Song started training before Watford and
he's been with us for one week now." "He's okay, there's no problem
whatsoever, he's injury-free and now it's a matter of fitness and
match-fitness. "We have a friendly game on Wednesday which he will play in
and hopefully he's going to be fit soon."
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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: 15:13, 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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Andy Carroll can return for England IF he starts showing consistency for
West Ham, according to boss Slaven Bilic
Striker Andy Carroll has not played for England since a friendly in 2012
The 26-year-old was not included in Roy Hodgson's latest squad
Carroll scored the winner against champions Chelsea last month
It was his first goal in 10 months following an injury plagued year
By OLIVER TODD FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 22:41, 5 November 2015 | UPDATED: 22:41, 5 November 2015
Slaven Bilic says Andy Carroll can only end his three-year international
exile if he starts showing consistency with West Ham. Carroll was left out
of Roy Hodgson's latest England squad on Thursday despite netting the winner
against champions Chelsea last month – his first goal in 10 months. The
26-year-old followed that up with a horror show in the 2-0 defeat at Watford
last weekend and Bilic believes his forward's patchiness does him no favours
in Hodgson's thinking. Ahead of the squad announcement nine-cap Carroll
spoke about his desire to get back into the England ranks but he was left
disappointed by Thursday's Wembley roll call. And Bilic reckons his
£15million man has what it takes to be a Euro 2016 option, but says he must
show regular quality in the day job first. 'It is very simple,' the former
Croatia national boss said. 'If he continues to play, and continues to play
as he did against Chelsea when he came on or against Crystal Palace or
Norwich, then he has got every chance to go there. Carroll played the last
17 minutes after replacing Wayne Rooney. 'So it is up to him. He has got a
chance. His manager is there, he is in the shop window. He has got to
perform.' There is no doubt that some Barclays Premier League managers would
rather see their players left out of the upcoming friendlies with Spain and
France, but Bilic is not one. Hodgson has not called on any Hammers players
– but their boss would have no problem in seeing more claret and blue
representation in future international breaks. Carroll, in particular, has
suffered with injuries and fitness worries but there are no qualms about the
work Hodgson would put his charges through. 'I know with Roy Hodgson they
are doing some quality work,' Bilic said. 'They are not going somewhere to
have a holiday. 'If it was the last international break, I would rather have
him (Carroll) here. But now he is fit. You can put him in a category with
all the other fit and ready players - players who are ready to go.'
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Saturday, November 7
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