Daily WHUFC News - 13th December 2015

West Ham United 0-0 Stoke City
WHUFC.com

West Ham United were held to an entertaining goalless draw by Stoke City on
Saturday, a third successive Barclays Premier League stalemate at the Boleyn
Ground. Ibrahim Affelay caused the Hammers a headache before the interval
and it was his enterprise that presented Marco van Ginkel with a gilt-edged
chance in the 12th minute, one that he promptly squandered. Michail
Antonio, on his full debut, went close for the Hammers, but, like Cheikhou
Kouyate before him, was foiled by the fists of Jack Butland. Marko
Arnautovic struck the crossbar late on with a free-kick, while Mame Biram
Diouf was twice brilliantly denied by the excellent Adrian. For the hosts,
Mauro Zarate's drive cannoned off the outside of the upright, while James
Tomkins and Kouyate both saw efforts cleared off the line in a frantic
finale.

Following his first-half introduction at Old Trafford, Antonio was handed
his first Barclays Premier League start here and a debut outing at the
Boleyn Ground to boot. Elsewhere, in the absence of the sidelined Winston
Reid, James Collins returned to the heart of the Hammers' back four. With
the game less than three minutes old, Kouyate forced Jack Butland into an
early stop, beating away the Senegal man's rasping 25-yard drive. From the
resulting corner Antonio tried his luck from a similar spot, but this time
Butland gathered comfortably enough.

At the other end, Afellay was running amok down the right, thrice creating
chances. His first foray ended with a wicked ball into the middle. Adrian
was uncertain and when van Ginkel dangled a leg, he caught the 'keeper, not
the ball. The Spaniard was soon back to his feet. The Dutchman then wriggled
to the by-line only to be denied by an outstretched Adrian boot. The third
was a golden chance. After Angelo Ogbonna had blocked Afellay's centre, van
Ginkel should have scored, or at the very least hit the target. But, from
eight yards, he dragged it horribly wide. Afellay was furious.

Stoke's No14 tried to take matters into his own hands and his 20-yarder
cannoned into James Collins as it ballooned over the bar. West Ham,
meanwhile, huffed and puffed. Antonio turned smartly out on the right-hand
touchline but was eventually crowded out as he strode into the 18-yard box.
As the half-hour mark neared, the Potters went closer to still. Again, down
the right, the familiar figure of Glen Johnson squared for Arnautovic, who,
having scored a last-gasp equaliser here last term, side-footed wide of the
near post.

After Erik Pieters had cynically felled Kouyate, the resulting free-kick
caused chaos in the visitors' box. Collins tried, once, twice and even a
third time to fire goalward, but neither he nor Kouyate could do so cleanly.
Then, in first-half stoppage time, Song played in Aaron Cresswell down the
left, who, in turn, slid a devilish ball across the face. Antonio slid in at
the near post but, via a combination of the former Nottingham Forest and a
Stoke intervention, over it went.

The Hammers won an early corner after the break and, though Collins looked
favourite for it, it skipped beyond the Welshman and Ryan Shawcross was
relieved to nod it behind. Moments later and Carroll craned his neck to nod
Zarate's left-wing centre toward goal. Though it looked to be drifting just
wide, Butland was taking no chances and palmed it away for another corner.

West Ham looked the most likely. Antonio took advantage of Stoke indecision
to test Butland, but the England stopper was equal to it, beating it out of
harm's way. With 63 on the clock, the Boleyn Ground was greeted with the
refreshing sight of Enner Valencia on the touchline. The Ecuadorean, having
come a cropper against Everton, replaced Song, as the hosts went in search
of the breakthrough. But it was Stoke with heads in hands soon after.
Arnautovic's deflected free-kick struck the crossbar, before Bojan smashed
the rebound high into the Sir Trevor Brooking Stand. Into the final 20 and
Noble, on the stretch, watched his long-range dig sail over, while
Cresswell's mishit cross was pushed behind by the acrobatic Butland. West
Ham soon had Adrian to thank for keeping it level, as he stuck out a boot
once more to deny substitute Mame Biram Diouf from eight yards. But the
Hammers weren't done either. Zarate danced around the area and struck the
outside of Butland's left-hand upright, before Valencia so nearly applied a
telling touch to Carroll's header. By now an end-to-end affair, Biram Diouf
might have won it at the death, but Adrian was in no mood to be beaten, as
he saved with his feet, yet again.
There was still drama to come, as Tomkins hooked effort was headed off the
line, before Kouyate's header got the same treatment. With that, Andre
Marriner called time on the Hammers' third draw in four.

West Ham United: Adrian, Tomkins, Collins, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Song
(Valencia 63), Noble (c), Antonio (Jelavic 83), Kouyate, Zarate, Carroll
Subs: Randolph (GK), Jenkinson, Obiang, Oxford, Cullen
Booked: Kouyate

Stoke City: Butland, Johnson, Shawcross (c), Wollscheid, Pieters, Cameron
(Adam 69), Whelan, Van Ginkel (Biram Diouf 56), Afellay (Walters 66), Bojan,
Arnautovic
Subs: Haugaard (GK), Bardsley, Joselu, Wilson
Booked: Pieters, Afellay

Referee: Andre Marriner

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bilic - I am proud of the boys
WHUFC.com

West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic could not have asked any more from his
players and was disappointed that they could not come away with all three
points following the 0-0 draw with Stoke. Despite missing key players such
as Dimiti Payet, Diafra Sakho, Victor Moses, Winston Reid and Manuel
Lanzini, the Hammers squad showed the quality they have with a number of
good chances to come away with the victory. Mauro Zarate saw his effort
strike the post, while James Tomkins and Cheikhou Kouyate both had efforts
cleared off the line in the final few seconds. There were plenty of
positives for Bilic to take out of the game with Michail Antonio impressing
in his first Premier League start and James Collins producing another
impressive display at the heart of the defence to help the side come away
with another clean sheet.

Bilic said: "I am disappointed with the result but I said to the lads after
the game I could not have asked for anymore, especially effort wise. We had
good team energy and they played as a team today. I cannot be unhappy about
that. "I thought Mauro's shot had gone in and it was a great chance that he
created by himself coming from the left to the right hand side. We also had
a great chance right at the end. "Sometimes they are crucial for the season,
let alone for one game. You sometimes need those goals to boost the whole
club and the individuals. Unfortunately it was not meant to be today. "We
had a lot of positives from our side especially when you consider the amount
of players we had missing today. To play like this against a good team makes
me proud of the boys. "It was a good game to watch. We have not scored for
two games but we have kept two clean sheets and both of those games should
not have finished 0-0. "Michail did really well. He worked hard and has been
waiting for his chance. Now he has got it and he used it really well.
Sometimes it is hard for a player to come in and take their chance when they
get it. "But he did exactly that and I am really pleased for him."

Bilic was thrilled to see Enner Valencia back in action following a month on
the sidelines with an ankle injury. The Hammers boss had more good news on
the injury front after revealing that Lanzini could make a return against
Swansea next Sunday, while Payet could be back in action at the start of the
New Year. Bilic added: "Slowly we are getting all the players back from
injury. It is great to have Enner back. We have been practically missing him
since the start of the season. "Hopefully there is a chance that Manuel
Lanzini might be back for Swansea and even Payet doesn't look like a long,
long time. "So I hope that Lanzini will be back next week and maybe even
Payet in three weeks' time, but it's going to be longer for Sakho, Moses and
Reid."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Antonio thrilled to take his chance
WHUFC.com

Michail Antonio has had to be patient for his chance since joining West Ham
United in the summer, but made the most of his first start on Saturday. The
25-year-old winger was involved from the start against Stoke City and was
named Man of the Match following an all-action performance. He went close to
claiming all three points when his second half volley was beaten away by
Jack Butland and he is keen to build on his display. "It felt unbelievable
to get a chance," he said. "This was my boyhood dream to play in the Premier
League and I've managed that. "I got Man of the Match on my first start so
hopefully I can keep pushing on and doing well. "Playing at Old Trafford
last week set me up well for this game. It showed me the levels of the
league and it was a good 50 minutes."

The Hammers may have drawn their last two games without scoring, but the
chances created could have yielded greater reward, so Antonio is positive
ahead of the Christmas period. He added: "They have been 0-0 draws, but they
haven't been 0-0 games. Against Man Utd we had quite a few opportunities,
and in this game I had quite a few opportunities. "We hit the post with
Mauro Zarate as well, so we definitely have the attacking threat, it's just
putting it in the back of the net. "For my chance in the second half, it
came over the top and I volleyed it, but just hit it straight at him. A yard
each side it would have gone in, but it's one I've had to take on the swivel
so I didn't know where I was to the goal. "Hopefully in the next game I can
put it in the back of the net."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Patient Jelavic ready to take opportunity
WHUFC.com

On the eve of what could be his full home debut West Ham striker Nikica
Jelavic said he is ready to step up should he be called upon.
Since joining the Hammers in the summer from Hull City, the experienced
Croatian has featured seven times as a substitute and is now hoping to force
his way into the starting eleven against Stoke City. Speaking ahead of the
Hammers fixture with the Potters, Jelavic said he is doing everything he can
to catch manager Slaven Bilic's eye: "We have a very good squad and some
very good strikers here so you have to earn your place in the team, I'm
giving 100% every training session so hopefully I am going to get my chance.
"Definitely, competition for places is very important, it's good to have a
couple of good players in every position, it helps you to push yourself and
put in 100% every session and try and impress the manager."

While 'Jela' has only been at the Club for four months, he has clearly
settled into life in east London quickly. The former Rangers, Everton and
Hull man continued by saying: "I have been involved in several different
squads in my career and this is definitely a happy squad to be part of. "You
can feel the history of the club and how important it is to the fans. We are
a big Premier League club; we have great fans and the move to the new
stadium next year will make us even bigger club then we are at the moment,
it's something great that everyone connected to the club will enjoy. "With
the new stadium coming next year I think we're in a good position, I'm sure
new players will come in and will want to play for West Ham, this season is
probably too early for Champions League, right now we should concentrate on
playing good football."

With injuries to Diafra Sakho, Dimitri Payet, Victor Moses and Manuel
Lanzini, Jelavic's goal scoring prowess may well be called upon come
Saturday afternoon as the Hammers are aiming to extend their unbeaten run to
three games. A lucky omen for everyone in claret and blue is the fact that
West Ham are yet to lose at home in a match where Jelavic has featured. He
continued: "We had a great season so far, great. We've had a couple of bad
results in the last month but in general when you look at it from the start
of the season, it has been great. "I think we will have a good season ahead
of us, we're playing good football definitely think the fans are watching
good football at the moment, we are certainly trying to. We have a couple of
injuries to key players but we have already showed against Manchester United
that we can cope."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
From the Boardroom - David Gold
WHUFC.com

I was thrilled to be back at the new Stadium this week and spent the
afternoon with Aaron Cresswell, Manuel Lanzini and Reece Oxford.
We were delighted to be joined by members of the Priority List and Founders
who won a competition to join myself and the players at the new Stadium. We
thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The new Stadium improves every time I go
back there and it looks fantastic. It is about pride and we have achieved
something very special by moving there. We are absolutely thrilled that we
have record season tickets sales for the new Stadium and it shows you the
passion that is being generated. This is a special time to be a West Ham
United fan and this is a new era in the history of our great football club.
We had an outstanding display against Manchester United last weekend and I
hope that the players will be able to maintain that level of performance and
help us come away with all three points when we face Stoke on Saturday.

It is never easy going to Old Trafford but we got a well deserved point and
it so easily could have been all three. The fact that we are disappointed
about only coming away with a draw shows how far we have come over the last
decade. It has been amazing for us to win four big away games and now get a
draw with Manchester United. We are currently having a bad run of injuries
but we shouldn't be too disappointed and other clubs have their times when
injuries pile up. But the skill is to battle through. In the past we would
have injuries like this and be decimated. But if you look at the line-up
against Stoke it will still be a team full of quality. We also have a few
players coming back from injury. Alex Song started his first Premier League
game of the season last weekend and has added to the strength of the squad.
Fingers crossed Enner Valencia is very close to making a first-team return
and it gives the opportunities for players like Michail Antonio who has been
waiting patiently for his chance and it was great to see him playing against
Manchester United.
We know we are facing another tough game today against a Stoke side who will
be full of confidence following their victory over Manchester City last
weekend. There is no doubt they will be a challenge. But we are also a good
side and I am sure the players will be confident they can come away with a
victory.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham v Stoke
12 December 2015
Last updated at 18:01
By Caroline Chapman
BBC Sport

West Ham were held by Stoke in a scrappy but entertaining goalless draw. The
visitors produced an impressive attacking display to beat Manchester City
last week, but could not find the same form again. Marco van Ginkel, brought
in for the injured Xherdan Shaqiri, had Stoke's best chance in the first
half but he put wide from close range. West Ham enjoyed more action in front
of goal but they were denied time after time by Stoke goalkeeper Jack
Butland. It means the Hammers have now gone six games without a win in the
league - their last victory coming against Chelsea on 24 October - although
they have picked up four draws in that period. Stoke City have now kept
seven clean sheets in their last nine Premier League games. The draw saw the
hosts slip one place to eighth while the Potters remain 11th.

Stoke were dealt a blow before the game when Shaqiri was ruled out with a
hamstring strain, and they lacked the attacking prowess they showed in their
2-0 win last weekend. Van Ginkel should have done better when he scuffed
wide from Ibrahim Afellay's pass in the first half, while substitute Mame
Diouf nearly won it at the end when he went one-on-one with keeper Adrian,
who saved with his feet. Bojan was ineffective up-front, having only two
shots all game, while Marko Arnautovic failed to produce the same finishing
that saw him score twice against Man City. Although they lacked attacking
flair, their defence was solid once again, with Butland making eight saves.

West Ham have been hit by a number of injuries to key players in recent
weeks - the latest casualties Winston Reid and Victor Moses joining Dimitri
Payet, Diafra Sakho and Manuel Lanzini on the sidelines. Manager Slaven
Bilic called upon Michail Antonio to make his first Premier League start,
and the former Nottingham Forest attacking midfielder impressed for the
Hammers. The 25-year-old had five shots on goal - more than any other player
on the pitch - but failed to put it past an in-form Butland. Andy Carroll
made a menace of himself up front, and engaged in a physical battle with
defender Ryan Shawcross, but the big England striker was not able to find
the killer touch, with only two shots on target.

Man of the match Jack Butland
Michail Antonio looked decent for West Ham, but the plaudits go to Stoke
goalkeeper Jack Butland for keeping his seventh clean sheet of the season

Manager reaction

West Ham boss Slaven Bilic: "Both teams defended well. We hit the post twice
and they did once. I'm not happy with the result but it was a fair result.
"Considering the effort we put in I can't be unhappy with my team. "I can't
be happier with our spirit and togetherness and resilience and, at times,
our quality."

Stoke manager Mark Hughes: "We're reasonably pleased with the draw. "I
thought we defended really well. Both teams will be comfortable with the
point. That's something we can build on. "[The clean sheet record] is a base
and platform to build on. West Ham are a good team and as the home side we
knew it was a test for us."

The stats you need to know

No keeper has kept more clean sheets in the Premier League than Jack Butland
this campaign (seven, level with Joe Hart). He also has the best
saves-to-shots ratio in the Premier League so far in 2015-16 (82.5%).
The Potters have not conceded a Premier League goal while Ryan Shawcross has
been on the pitch this season (497 minutes).
West Ham have won just two of their last nine Premier League home games (W2
D4 L3), but are unbeaten in the last six.
The Hammers have kept back-to-back clean sheets twice this season. They also
did it against Liverpool and Newcastle in August/September.

What next?

West Ham face managerless Swansea at the Liberty Stadium on Sunday, 20
December while Stoke welcome Crystal palace the day before.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 0-0 Stoke: Draw extends Hammers' winless run
By Stephen Turner
Last Updated: 12/12/15 6:09pm
SSN

West Ham's winless run has been extended to six matches, after a goalless
draw at home to Stoke. A total of three goals in those six games suggests
Slaven Bilic's side are missing key attackers, and the better chances were
created by visitors looking for a fourth win in five Premier League games.
Both sides hit the frame of the goal after half-time, and either might have
won it during a chaotic final period, but neither did enough to warrant a
win which might have taken them into the top six. Stoke arrived on the back
of a victory over Manchester City that brought comparisons with Europe's
best, but their rebranding as 'Stokealona' seemed a touch premature on the
evidence of an open and occasionally ragged game. They had their moments,
Ibrahim Afellay creating two early chances for Marco van Ginkel, who
squandered the first when he opted to go feet-first at what would have been
a free header six yards out. The second was a sitter, shanked wide of the
near post, and Marko Arnautovic missed the same upright from a similar
distance after Afellay and Glen Johnson opened up West Ham's left-hand side.
The home side's list of absentees is well-documented, but they summoned a
forgotten man for a first start as Michail Antonio - subject of a spoof
'missing persons' poster recently - was given a first start more than three
months after a £7m transfer from Nottingham Forest. The winger's unrefined
menace was West Ham's likeliest source of a first-half breakthrough, and a
second-half snapshot stung Jack Butland's palms on what was an encouraging
full debut. Andy Carroll's team-mates adapted to his style in the second
half, but twice he was denied clean headers at goal by decent Stoke
defending, and the best chances continued to come at the other end.
Arnautovic's free-kick clipped Cheikhou Kouyate before cannoning the
crossbar and substitute Mame Diouf, on with Jon Walters as the Barca
blueprint was reworked in search of a winner, side-footed Johnson's pass
straight at Adrian.

Diouf repeated the trick in the last minute when a perfect Arnautovic ball
sent him through, but West Ham gave as good as they got in a five-minute
ding-dong at the end, and Butland was beaten when Mauro Zarate's shot bent
back to hit his left-hand post. The goalkeeper's impressive assurance
deserted him in added time as he spilled a corner, but Stoke's massed
defence came to his aid as Kouyate's header was kept out on the goal-line.

Player ratings

West Ham: Adrian (8), Tomkins (7), Collins (7), Ogbonna (6), Cresswell (7),
Noble (6), Song (7), Kouyate (7), Antonio (7), Zarate (6), Carroll (6)
Subs used: Valencia (6), Jelavic (5)

Stoke: Butland (7), Johnson (7), Shawcross (7), Wollscheid (8), Pieters (7),
Cameron (7), van Ginkel (5), Whelan (6), Afellay (6), Arnautovic (7), Bojan
(7)
Subs used: Diouf (5), Walters (5), Adam (5)

Man of the match: Philipp Wollscheid (Stoke)

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Michail Antonio good enough for West Ham, Slaven Bilic says
By Stephen Turner
Last Updated: 12/12/15 6:39pm
SSN

Slaven Bilic said Michail Antonio "proved he is a West Ham player" after
finally getting his first start against Stoke. The winger was a £7m
deadline-day signing from Nottingham Forest but has played so little that
West Ham fans recently circulated a spoof 'missing persons' poster of him. A
long injury list gave Antonio his chance against City, and he was lively and
energetic in an open goalless draw. Bilic afterwards told Sky Sports: "He
did well, especially in terms of quantity - how many times he went up there,
balls he recovered. He was very direct. "He proved today he's a West Ham
player and he's good enough. We expected that from him. He waited a long
time to get a chance but he did really well today."

West Ham have not won in six games, but four of those have been drawn and
their manager was happy with the performance of a side missing the likes of
Dimiti Payet, Diafra Sakho and Winston Reid. "We have to be realistic," he
said. "Considering the team we put out - a good team, but considering the
players missing and their quaity and their positions I have to be happy with
the way we played. "We battle on, and the only way we're going to make this
period easier is the way we played today - with a lot of energy and miles in
the legs."

Both teams had chances to win the game, Cheikhou Kouyate having a header
cleared off the line in the final seconds. "It was that [kind of] moment
that is very important not just for the game but for a whole season
sometimes. You need those added time goals. We had a good opportunity and it
would have been brilliant, but a draw is a fair result."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
WEST HAM 0, STOKE CITY 0. FINE UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
By David Hautzig 12 Dec 2015 at 18:48
WTID

For the record, I categorically dismiss The Warren Report and do not believe
Lee Harvey Oswald was the only gunman that day in Dallas. I happen to
subscribe to the theory that a secret service agent accidentally fired the
third and fatal shot. Ballistics and math seem to back that up better than
any other theory. As conspiracy theories go, who killed JFK is probably the
most debated of all time. Why West Ham suffer so many injuries isn't quite
as intriguing to the general public, but among us the debate is almost as
heated. Slaven Bilic thinks Chadwell Heath is the shot from The Grassy
Knoll, and has moved training to Rush Green. Too late to help Winston Reid,
the latest to fall. Going into today's match at Upton Park, how Bilic dealt
with that was the question that I felt would decide the match. And overall,
I think he dealt with it quite well.

West Ham looked to be off to a good start in the third minute when Noble
passed to Carroll, who then found Kouyate 20 yards from goal but his long
shot was put out for a corner by Butland. The ensuing set piece came out to
Antonio, who controlled nicely with his chest before trying his luck from 20
yards. It needed more than luck and Butland made an easy save.

Stoke had won four of their previous five games, and it was easy to see why
for much of the first half. In the 9th minute, Afellay broke down the right
and sent a low cross into the box. Both Adrian and van Ginkel hesitated
going for the ball and crashed into each other as the ball flew past them
and out for a corner after a slight touch by the West Ham keeper. Adrian
looked a bit shaken up, and with our luck I was shocked he didn't break his
leg and lacerate his kidney.

Stoke should have gone in front in the 11th minute when Afellay was on the
receiving end of a throw deep in the West Ham area. He ran along the end
line and tried a tight angle shot that bounce out to van Ginkel. Seven yards
out from goal, with nobody close enough to smell him, he somehow managed to
put his shot into the ground and bounce it wide for a goal kick.

Stoke continued on the front foot, and in the 17th minute Bojan made a run
on the left and found Afellay at the top of the box. The Dutchman shifted to
his left before attempting a shot that was deflected out for a corner by
Collins. The corner was cleared in a joint effort by Tomkins and the corner
flag, the latter of which got in the way of the initial attempt. Who needs a
12th man when you have a corner flag like that?

I remember one night many years ago, I was getting ready to go out with "the
fellas" in Manhattan. I was 24, and most of them were in there 30's. I
commented that I must be a pretty mature 24 to be able to hang out with
them. "Well, you do sometimes act like a 24 year old. But that's
understandable because you are 24" replied my friend. As I watched Antonio
embark on his West Ham career in earnest, I reminded myself of kind of the
same theme in the 24th minute when he took a pass from Noble at midfield,
turned on his man, and broke free into the Stoke half. But with Carroll
lurking in the middle Antonio dribbled into trouble and lost possession. It
wasn't the first time he did that in the first half, and it won't be the
last. But that's understandable because he is young and inexperienced at
this level.

Stoke had another great opportunity in the 27th minute when Afellay fed
Johnson on the right. Johnson got behind Cresswell and sent a low cross into
the box for Arnautovic but the Austrian was a bit too wide when he let his
shot go and thus so was his attempt. On another day, that's possibly a Stoke
goal.

Andre Mariner showed the first yellow of the match in the 39th minute when
Pieters was booked for a foul on Kouyate. Zarate stepped up to take the free
kick from 30 yards out, and put the ball into the danger zone where Collins
had two weak attempts that Butland eventually smothered.

The guys on The Football Ramble podcast said that Stoke have not conceded a
goal this season with Ryan Shawcross on the pitch. The 43rd minute could
have changed that when Noble stepped in front of an errant Shawcross pass
and ran in on goal. Shawcross tracked back and appeared to bring Noble down
inside the box. Mariner signaled for a corner, and replays showed it was
probably the correct call. A minute later Shawcross was called for a foul on
Carroll just outside the box, but Zarate's free kick went off the wall and
out for a corner that amounted to absolutely nothing.

In added time, Song sent Cresswell down the left and the West Ham left back
sent a low cross into the box that Antonio tried to get to but van Ginkel
reached it first to send it out for yet another corner wasted by a poor West
Ham delivery.

Halftime. West Ham 0, Stoke 0.

Could it be possible that both Bilic and the squad have taken the call for
more football to be played on the ground a bit too seriously? Meaning, if
you try it for 45 minutes and it gets you nowhere, there's no shame in
trying to cross the ball from out wide to your big man every so often. It
doesn't mean you're all of a sudden a 19th Century team.

Ahem.

In the 49th minute, Zarate sent what felt like the first cross into the box
intended for The Big Man all game. And somehow Carroll got to it despite
being covered on all sides and sent a header on goal that Butland put out
for a corner.

The next ten minutes seemed to show the strategy both managers wanted to use
in the second half. West Ham were going to be a bit more direct, and Stoke
were going to use quick passes in the midfield to open up runs down the
flanks.

West Ham's strategy almost paid dividends in the 61st minute when a former
manger special, a long ball from deep inside the West Ham end, somehow
bounced through the Stoke back line and into the path of Antonio, who
twisted is body to get a half volley off and force a save from Butland.
Moments later, Stoke tried to show their way was better when Afellay ran
down the right and fed Arnautovic in the box who sent a low strike that
Adrian did well to save.

In the 63rd minute, Zarate ran down a ball on the left that he did
everything he could do to lose control of and eventually crossed to Carroll,
but the header was as soft as his Man Bun and posed no threat to Stoke.
Moments later, an Afellay foul on Kouyate gave West Ham a free kick from 30
yards out. It might as well have been from 30 miles. Out for a goal kick.

The woodwork helped both sides today. West Ham were the beneficiary in the
67th minute when Stoke were awarded a free kick from 35 yards out.
Arnautovic can hit them from distance, and he tried to. It deflected off the
wall and struck the crossbar. The ball came out to Bojan, but his shot
sailed high over the bar.

Without Payet and Lanzini, Zarate is by far our most creative attacking
option. But when he is in that spot without the help of either of the
aforementioned two, he tries to do too much. In the 70th minute he did well
to get the ball on his right foot after a scramble on the left and send a
cross into Carroll. Pieters defended it well and turned what could have been
a great chance into a not so great half chance. A minute later, Zarate had
possession, cut to his right and rolled a pass to Noble but the Captain's
shot attempt was high. Minutes later, Zarate fed Cresswell on the left.
Instead of a cross, Cresswell tried to fool Butland with a side-footed shot
and it almost worked, forcing Butland to put the ball out for the first of
two corners. But for the 873rd time in the match…only a slight
exaggeration…West Ham's delivery from a corner was awful.

In the 80th, Stoke broke on the kind of speedy counterattack that they have
become known for this season. Bojan ran with the ball into space, while
Diouf broke into the box. Bojan fed Diouf near the back post, and the second
half sub looked likely to fire Stoke into the lead. But Adrian came up with
a fine save.

Lumber came to Stokes rescue two minutes later when Zarate cut to his right
along the top of the box. Then he did it again. And again. Finally, when he
created just a bit of space, he sent a low shot in on goal that clanged off
the post in what was West Ham's best chance of the game. The ball came back
into the box moments later, with Carroll and Valencia combining to force a
save from Butland.

After all of the missed chances last week at Old Trafford, I'm glad it will
be Stoke supporters who shake their heads all week wondering how they didn't
score in the 89th minute when Bojan passed to Arnautovic, who then found
Diouf in the box all alone in front of Adrian. But perhaps it was a case of
the jitters, because Diouf didn't look set when the ball came to him and he
shot right at Adrian.

The final chance in added time belonged to the home side when Zarate took a
corner and lofted it into the box. Butland came off his line to gather it
up, but it slipped through him and eventually came to Kouyate in front of
goal. His header was cleared off the line by any number of Stoke defenders
back to protect their away point.

Final Score. West Ham 0, Stoke 0.

Yesterday, when I asked Nigel Kahn what he expected today, his return text
was pretty ominous. "Prepare for defeat. I'll take a point". But he was
correct. To be as decimated by injuries as we are, and to play one of the
in-form sides in England, to expect victory would have been to invite
disappointment. The fact that Bilic made only offensive substitutions was
encouraging, as was our ability to get a draw while trying to get the win.
We are a side just trying to hold down the castle and not slide too far back
while we await our injured to return.

And under that light, we are doing OK.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham United 0-0 Stoke City: 5 things we learned as Hammers' home
struggles continue
16:52, 12 DEC 2015 UPDATED 17:25, 12 DEC 2015
BY DAVID ANDERSON
It's now just two wins from eight Premier League home games for Slaven
Bilic's side this campaign as injuries take their toll
The Mirror

West Ham's move to the Olympic Park cannot come soon enough as they continue
to struggle to win games at Upton Park. They may be impressive on the road,
but this stalemate makes it just two victories from their eight Premier
League home games this season, although Mauro Zarate did hit the post late
on. The goals have dried up and this second successive goalless draw means
they have managed just three in their last six games. Their many injuries up
front are taking their toll and they are missing the goal threat of the
likes of Diafra Sakho and Manuel Lanzini. Stoke created enough chances to
win and Marco van Ginkel, Mame Biram Diouf and Marko Arnautovic missed
opportunities, while the Austrian also saw a free-kick deflected against the
bar.

1) Antonio needs more opportunities
Michail Antonio deserves a proper chance at West Ham. Antonio looked
promising on his first start for the Hammers and he showed good pace down
the right, even if his final ball was sometimes lacking. He scored four
goals in five appearances for Nottingham Forest this season before his
deadline-day £7million switch and he demonstrated against Stoke that he can
contribute for West Ham - given the opportunity.

2) Potters are the clean sheet experts
Stoke could play Scrooge in this season's Christmas panto. They really are
the Premier League meanies and this clean sheet was their sixth in their
last seven games. Ryan Shawcross was as resolute as ever and the Potters
have still to concede a Premier League goal this season with him on the
pitch. Bah, humbug!

3) Hammers' home woes continue
West Ham still can't win at home. The Hammers have been excellent on the
road, winning at Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City, but they cannot
repeat that form at Upton Park because playing on the counter suits them so
well.

4) Arnautovic still needs to do more to make his Mark
Marko Arnautovic needs to be more consistent. Arnautovic was brilliant
against Manchester City last Saturday, but he was not so dazzling today. He
missed a great chance to score, although he nearly atoned when he saw a
free-kick deflected against the bar.

5) Injury woes continue to take their toll on Hammers
West Ham needed their injured players back fast. They created little against
Stoke and are badly missing the creativity and firepower from the likes of
Victor Moses, Diafra Sakho and Manuel Lanzini.

Player ratings - by David Anderson
West Ham

Adrian 8 - MOTM. Made two fine stops with his feet late on to deny Diouf.
Tomkins 6 - Did well up against Arnautovic on the right side of the Hammers
defence.
Ogbonna 6 - Solid and composed at the heart of the West Ham defence.
Collins 6 - Replaced the injured Reid and threw himself in the way of
everything.
Cresswell 6 - Tried to overlap and almost caught Butland out with a
cross-cum-shot.
Song 7 - Tigerish tackler in the middle of the park and drove West Ham on.
Noble 6 - Played in by Shawcross' errant pass, but was too slow to make it
count.
Antonio 6 - Showed signs on his first start to suggest he warrants more of a
chance.
Kouyate 7 - Booked. Hit an early drive, which was saved by Butland, and got
stuck in.
Zarate 7 - Delivered a teasing cross for a Carroll header and shot against
the post.
Carroll 7 - Had a diving header saved by Butland and had a bruising physical
battle with Shawcross.

Subs:

Valencia (Song 63mins) 6
Jelavic (Antonio 83mins)
Subs not used: Randolph, Jenkinson, Obiang, Oxford, Cullen.

Stoke City

Butland 7 - Made a few decent stops and dealt with everything thrown at him.
Johnson 7 - Got forward well down the right and created a great chance for
Arnautovic.
Shawcross 7 - Great tackle on Noble after losing the ball and stood up to
Carroll's threat.
Wollscheid 7 - Fine goal-saving clearance to intercept a cross for Antonio.
Pieters 6 - Booked. Enjoyed a good battle with Antonio on his left flank.
Whelan 6 - Won his tackles to screen Stoke's back four effectively.
Cameron 6 - Produced great skill to lift the ball over Song and leave him in
his wake.
Van Ginkel 5 - Dragged a left foot shot wide when he should have scored.
Afellay 7 - Booked. Created Van Ginkel's opportunity and had a shot
deflected over.
Arnautovic 6 - Awful miss when he shot wide before seeing a free-kick
deflected onto the bar.
Bojan 6 - Put in a shift as he flitted between the wings to spearhead
Stoke's attack.
Subs:

Diouf (van Ginkel 55mins) 5
Walters (Afellay 66mins) 6
Adam (Cameron 68mins) 6.
Subs not used: Haugaard, Bardsley, Joselu, Wilson.

Referee: Andre Marriner Att: 34,857

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
This player's day may be done at Upton Park
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 12, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

So here we were with an injury list extending to some of the best players
we've seen at the club in many a long year and what does Slav do? He leaves
a highly expensive loanee on the bench preferring instead to opt for
defensive solidarity rather than risk the sort of mistakes we suffered in
what may soon be known as the 'Jenkinson era.' For further injuries apart
it's already difficult to see how the bloke will be able to find his way
back into the side particularly with Tomkins having said in an interview
that he is "learning the job."I must admit that I was more than a little
surprised when I looked at the line up. I'd almost taken it for granted that
with Winston out, JT would slot in alongside Ogbonna and that the Gooner
would be back in the team. That instead, Slav chose to bring in Ginge –
fourth choice defender after all – particularly after his sending off, was
a big one to me and spoke volumes. It seems you don't want to blot your
copybook with this manager. There's no easy way back into his teams and
although JT gives us nothing in an attacking sense it's notable that we have
kept two clean sheets with him in the right back role. Looks to me as though
he's possibly being groomed into the job permanently thus leaving a £40k a
week player, on a £2m loan fee, out in the cold. Slaven Bilic never moans
about anything much, nor it seems does he pay much attention to reputations
from previous seasons. Maybe I'm reading too much into this but I reckon
Arsene Wenger's £15 million right back's day may be done at Upton Park.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Man of the Match Antonio well pleased
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 12, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

Michail Antonio answered most of the questions asked by us when he made his
debut for the Irons against Stoke this afternoon. And to be named Man of the
Match was the icing on the cake of a dream day for the £7 million signing
from Nottingham Forest. He was on it from the start and a familiar buzz of
excitement started to rumble around the ground as we realised this was a guy
who had power, pace and the ability to turn very quickly, leaving defenders
for dead. Ok, the final ball wasn't always there but we saw enough to
understand that this guy has an awful lot to offer. He commented afterwards:
"It felt unbelievable to get a chance. This was my boyhood dream to play in
the Premier League and I've managed that."I got Man of the Match on my first
start so hopefully I can keep pushing on and doing well. Playing at Old
Trafford last week set me up well for this game. It showed me the level of
the league and it was a good 50 minutes."
"We hit the post with Mauro Zarate as well, so we definitely have the
attacking threat, it's just putting it in the back of the net.
"For my chance in the second half, it came over the top and I volleyed it,
but just hit it straight at him. Hopefully in the next game I can put it in
the back of the net."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tough times but Irons show real steel
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 12, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

Match Verdict
Irons 0 Stoke City 0

OK first things first… I have absolutely no complaints with that! We showed
some steel in rough circumstances. Many will be saying that Stoke City at
home is a game we should win but they'd be wrong because this is a team
which has won four of their last seven league games and seriously put
Manchester City to the sword last weekend. With so many key players missing
from the Irons line up and although never at our best as a result, we could
have won a game from which both teams can take some credit.

The harshest critics out there will be pointing to another draw as a
failure. I see it as a very noteworthy result, another clean sheet and
enough chances to win it. Michail Antonio on debut gave hints as to why we'd
spent £7 million with some sweet turns at pace and – by the way – he has one
hell of a long throw. Michail AntonioHe produced some of our best moments
but is ring rusty and failed to find the final ball and, on one occasion,
the finish, in front of goal. However a very promising prospect.

Shorn of Payet and Lanzini, Mauro Zarate – whilst clearly having some flaws
in his game – produced some fabulous moments and was unlucky when for the
second week on the trot he hit a post after a fine run across the face of
the Stoke defence. In truth, City had the more dangerous chances and Adrian
was twice called on to save with his feet from close range when all looked
lost. Our squad is being taken apart by injuries but that's another game
gone and another week nearer getting one of two back. Like I say, no
complaints.

Alex Song is coming back but still looked a bit off the pace whilst Manu
Lanzini could be back next week according to the manager. The other pleasing
aspect of today's game was that we showed we can get on the front foot and
attack teams but sadly there wasn't quite enough imagination to break down a
dour defence. Whilst our inventive players are absent there has to be an
alternative and once the ball went into Carroll's head on one or two
occasions in the second period we looked dangerous. We don't want a return
to the old ways but carefully used – as was the case against Chelsea – it's
a potent weapon. Onwards and upwards with lowly Swansea – beaten at the
Etihad – next on the agenda. Keep the faith – keep believing. The lads did
well in difficult circumstances.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

http://vyperz.blogspot.com