Daily WHUFC News - 18th December 2015

February fixture changes
WHUFC.com

February's Barclays Premier League fixture changes have been confirmed. Our
away game at Southampton, originally scheduled for Saturday 6 February, will
now be played at 8pm on Monday 8 February. The home match against Sunderland
on Saturday 27 February will now kick-off at the earlier time of 12.45pm.

In addition, the home game against Tottenham Hotspur, scheduled for Tuesday
1 March, will now be played on Wednesday 2 March at 7.45pm, due to
Tottenham's participation in the UEFA Europa League.

Please note that the games against Aston Villa on Tuesday 2 February and the
trip to Southampton on Monday 8 February are still subject to change, should
any of the teams be involved in FA Cup ties on 31 January, or if fourth
round replays are required.

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Hammers announce AC/DC priority window
WHUFC.com

West Ham United Season Ticket Holders and Academy Members can take advantage
of a special priority window to secure hospitality tickets for rock legends
AC/DC's summer concert at the former Olympic Stadium.

The Stadium at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park will play host to the
world-famous Australian band, whose hits include Thunderstruck and Highway
to Hell, on Saturday 4 June 2016, the first major concert to be staged at
West Ham United's future home, and one of just two UK dates of their 'Rock
or Bust' world tour.

Tuesday's announcements come after a massive year for the band, with them
kicking off the 57th annual Grammy Awards and completing 17 shows in Europe,
14 shows in North America and 11 shows in Australia/New Zealand.

Supporters have from 9.30am until 12.30pm on Friday 18 December to book
their hospitality packages, before they are released to the general public.
Tickets can be purchased via whufcboxoffice.com or by calling 08081101030,
while supporters can also email concerts@westhamunited.co.uk. Packages start
from £125 + VAT.

The Club, in association with the Stadium Operator, London Stadium 185, are
delighted to offer supporters this unique deal and look forward to working
together as the Stadium becomes the UK's No1 entertainment destination.

The concert will be the first major event in the Stadium following the
conclusion of the significant transformation works ahead, with the Hammers'
stunning hospitality areas – Club London – still to be fitted out from
scratch. They will set a new benchmark in hospitality in line with the
Club's spectacular designs revealed in September last year.

This concert follows a spectacular series of events this year, with 500,000
spectators enjoying the Great Newham Run, Anniversary Games, Rugby World Cup
2015, international Rugby League and Race of Champions.

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From the Treatment Room
WHUFC.com

Hello everyone,

Let's start with the positives during this Christmas period! Enner has
recovered extremely well and very quickly. He had his first training session
last Thursday and played against Stoke City.

Dimitri Payet has come back to us very well after a period of rest and has
started the active rehab. The first signs are that he is progressing very
well. Dimi is working hard, started running and is working with the ball
without problems. We hope he could be back in full training in a few weeks.

Manuel Lanzini has suffered a significant muscle injury that will take time.
He has made good progress, feels much better and will have a control scan on
Monday to evaluate if we can push on. We hope he will play some part over
the Christmas period.

Victor Moses and Winston Reid have both injured their hamstrings and have
started their recovery processes. They are both on track to recover in the
four to six weeks we originally anticipated.

Diafra had an operation last Saturday which went well. After four weeks we
can accelerate the rehab and we will have a better view on when he is going
to be back on the pitch. Diafra is currently in a period of immobilisation
and minimal rehab, giving the body time to heal.

Just a general point on injuries, how you avoid one is a million dollar
question! Every injury is unique in many aspects and to predict when a
player will return to play is similar. Working in, with and for a great
football club means you always try to push as hard as you can and bring
injured players back as quickly as possible in a safe way.

Especially at this time of year in England, the Premier League is very
demanding and all top-class athletes are performing on the edge. They are on
the front line giving it 100 per cent and if you work for a football club,
that's what you do, you do the same, you also give 100 per cent.

Stijn Vandenbroucke,
Head of Medical and Sports Science

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More fixture mayhem as TV companies call the tune
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 17th December 2015
By: Staff Writer

West Ham have a maximum of five traditional Saturday 3pm kick-offs left at
the Boleyn Ground after this season's remaining Premier League fixture list
was amended at the behest of the TV companies.

With the club set to leave the Boleyn Ground at the end of the season,
Hammers fans will see no more than five Premier League fixtures kick off in
the traditional 3pm Saturday slot.

And that figure could be even lower, should the broadcasters choose to move
any of the club's last five home games of the season - which includes the
visit of both Arsenal and Manchester United, two games often shown live in
the past by TV.

The latest changes, announced today and affecting fixtures in February are
as follows:

Southampton (a): moved to Monday 8 February (originally scheduled for
Saturday, 6 February)

Sunderland (h): kick off moved to earlier time of 12.45pm on Saturday, 27
February (was scheduled for 3pm)

Additionally, it has been confirmed that both the home games with Aston
Villa (Tuesday 2 February) and the aforementioned trip to St Mary's are both
subject to further change, depending upon FA Cup third round results.


Remaining Premier League fixtures at the Boleyn Ground

Monday, 28 December: Southampton (5.30pm)

Saturday, 2 January: Liverpool (12.45pm)
Saturday, 23 January: Manchester City (5.30pm)

Tuesday, 2 February: Aston Villa (7.45pm)
Saturday, 27 February: Sunderland (12.45pm)

Wednesday, 2nd March: Tottenham Hotspur (7.45pm)
Saturday, 12 March: Watford (3.00pm)

Saturday, 2nd April: Crystal Palace (3.00pm)
Saturday, 9th April: Arsenal (3.00pm)
Saturday, 23 April: Manchester United (3.00pm)

Saturday, 7 May: Swansea (3.00pm)

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Impressive Irons defender "a real safety net"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 17, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

West Ham could recall Reece Burke from his Bradford City loan spell in
January. Burke has been sensational during his loan spell and has been
closely monitored by the club during his time with the League One club who
currently sit just in tenth place three points off the play off places. And
should there be an injury crisis at the back over Christmas he looks set to
make a return to Upton Park. Had he been available he may even have been
included in last weekend's match given the injury to Winston Reid when the
manager opted to give James Collins a place at the centre of defence with
James Tomkins continuing at right back. We were told: "Reece has been
outstanding up there and is a very good option to have – a real safety net.
He's been getting rave reviews week after week and is very much on our
minds."

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DG claims Jose "helped dig his own grave"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 17, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

David Gold believes the minute Jose Mourinho spoke of players in the Chelsea
dressing room "betraying" him he had become a dead man walking. Discussing
the hot topic of the day – Mourinho's second Stamford Bridge departure" – DG
declared: "He should really have kept quiet and got on with it – kept his
his dignity and carried on because you just can't be saying that.

He told ClaretandHugh exclusively: "He is the manager of a great club and
try shifting the blame onto the players is just not acceptable anywhere. He
should have kept his dignity. It may be fair to say he helped dig his own
grave." If you are Chelsea and super wealthy this is what you can afford to
do and Jse is our of work with a very hefty pay ff as a result."

Gold admits that despite the now not so Special One being loved and loathed
"almost in equal measures" by the public he will be a big loss to the
Premier League. He said: "Whatever people may think of him, he is a special
character and we need them in the Premier League. "It doesn't really affect
us at West Ham but he's a man who creates, debate, controversy, and
discussion – and that's good. He will be missed – that's certain."

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Young Iron told his chance is close
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 17, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

David Gold has sent big words of encouragement to Reece Oxford who has been
patiently awaiting his first team chance. The 17 year old made six
appearances in August with a notably outstanding performance against Arsenal
in the opener at the Emirates. But since then he has been with the under 21s
whilst undergoing a progamme aimed specifically at his development as the
club prepare to launch him onto the big stage again. There have also been
rumours that he is being watched by Arsenal and the Manchester teams with
bids of around £8 million mentioned for next summer. But the Hammers are
disinterested and co chairman David Gold has made it clear that the
youngster is not far away from selection. He has been on the bench for the
last two games and looks set to be part of things at Swansea as the Hammers
search continues for a much needed three point boost. When a fan tweeted his
surprise that Oxford hasn't featured recently Gold replied: "He is in the
squad and on the bench, he's very close, his time will come."

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Hammers Feb games rescheduled for TV
Posted by Sean Whetstone on December 17, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

Two West Ham games in February are subject to fixture changes the club
confirmed today. Our away game at Southampton, originally scheduled for
Saturday 6 February, will now be played at 8pm on Monday 8 February. The
home match against Sunderland on Saturday 27 February will now kick-off at
the earlier time of 12.45pm. West Ham receive £877,516 for each game shown
on TV on either Sky or BT Sport meaning these two matches will net the
Hammers an extra £1.75m of facility fees from the TV rights deal In
addition, the home game against Spurs, scheduled for Tuesday 1 March, will
now be played on Wednesday 2 March at 7.45pm, due to Tottenham's
participation in the UEFA Europa League. The games against Aston Villa on
Tuesday 2 February and the trip to Southampton on Monday 8 February are
still subject to change, should any of the teams be involved in FA Cup ties
on 31 January, or if fourth round replays are required.

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Bielsea talks left Hammers gobsmacked
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 17, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

Marcelo Bielsa's possible arrival as Swansea City's boss ahead of the clash
against the Irons on Sunday may rest largely on wage issues that proved too
rich for the Hammers blood. The man considered a genius by some very close
to landing the Hammers job but it was the financial demands and issues that
went with that which helped tip the balance in Slaven Bilic's favour.
Both were interviewed at the final stages of the appointment and sources
close to the talks told ClaretandHugh at the time how Slav came to get the
job. The board were deeply impressed with him as a man and his plans for the
club were exactly how they perceived the club's direction. His salary
request and for those of his staff were sensible and realistic at this stage
of the club's development. He was described by senior insiders as "a very
impressive man" and "one of our own" which was a major box that needed
ticking but it also became clear that Bielsa may not have helped his own
cause with certain demands.
ClaretandHugh was told: "Slav was probably always going to get the job but
it was strange Marcelo is understood to claim it wasn't about money but the
challenge or 'project' but wanted £6 million – £7 million for himself and
his staff. "Amazingly he wanted all the money and then he became the
employer of his staff. The board found it all very strange. He is a very
intense guy but extremely interesting! "He wanted total control and no
interference when buying players. He has utter confidence in his own
ability. He might be a genius, but he is far from 100 per cent proven."
Swansea are believed to have been in talks with the former Marseilles boss
but some reports claim the negotiations have cooled.

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How Diego Poyet offers 'something different' to become a key West Ham
midfielder
10:47 17 December 2015 Harry Wright

We spoke to MK Dons fan and reporter Harry Wright as to how Diego Poyet is
getting on while on loan at Stadium:MK. West Ham fans have barely seen what
former Charlton man Diego Poyet has to offer them but his time could come.
After some impressive pre-season displays, the 20-year-old joined MK Dons on
a season long loan and has become a regular for the Championship side.
Replacing Dele Alli is proving a tough task for the Dons but Poyet is the
calming influence their midfield was crying out for. With a number of
midfield options available to Slaven Bilic, it could be tough for Poyet to
get in the Hammers side but Harry Wright has been impressed. "He's given us
solidity in the midfield," Wright told London24. "Diego has given us a
calming influence, playing with a head well beyond his years. He's also
strong physically standing at over 6ft and acts like he's in his late
20s/early 30s. "His passing is sublime and the way he conducts himself is
above and beyond anyone else we've got in the squad right now. "I'd love us
to keep him, I doubt very highly we'd be able to afford him so any deal
would be a loan one I imagine. If we do sign him we'd have to also sign a
more attacking midfielder to partner him as he's currently playing alongside
Potter who similarly to Poyet is very defensively minded and scarcely gets
forward." Impressing on loan in the Championship is one thing but stepping
up to the Premier League could be a tough ask for the Uruguay under-20
international. Spending big in the summer has made the midfield area strong
for Bilic and so Poyet's role may be away from Upton Park. "I think West Ham
are and will continue to be getting bigger and bigger," Wright said. "With
Noble, Payet and Kouyate etc for competition it certainly won't be easy for
him but I think he does offer something different and it's something that
all managers need which is a calm head to deal with pressure situations.
"He's a strong character and a leader which certainly won't do him any harm.
With West Ham clearly happily to also delve into the transfer market and
spend money on the likes of Payet if a big name becomes available he may
also get overlooked. It certainly won't be easy but I definitely think he
will have the quality soon and I'd love to see him in the first team. "He
hasn't scored yet and is more prone to simple, sideways and backwards
passes. If he could add some goals and attacking play to his game then he
would be a complete midfielder and goals from midfield are crucial in
midfield now days and got us promoted last year with Dele Alli. "I think he
needs to take a few more risks in his passing and if he was able to spread
play a bit more he'd be far more of an attacking threat, however that may be
just the way we play restricting him as it has done with Potter."

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'He is listed' Underrated Chelsea star confirmed to be available in January
11:45 17 December 2015
Brad Pinard

French club St Etienne are interested in signing Loic Remy in January as he
becomes available for loan. The striker has struggled to make much of an
impact this term, often an unused sub as Jose Mourinho selects Deigo Costa
or even a midfielder to lead the line. A number of Premier League clubs were
keen on Remy in the summer when Radamel Falcao joined the Blues, and that
could be the case again if he is listed. West Ham, Crystal Palace, Spurs,
Newcastle, Southampton and Sunderland have all had their names linked with
Remy and his goal record is impressive in England. St Etienne chief
Christophe Galtier has confirmed Remy is available and that he will be a
target for them in January. "He is one of the players that we are interested
in," Galtier told But Football Club. "Loïc Rémy has a very interesting
profile. He is part of a very big club where he is playing little. "We will
see if it is possible that Chelsea loan him us, but we will need him to
partake in a part of his salary. "I do not know if it is possible. But Loïc
is listed."

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Agent of Italian international Simone Zaza responds to question about West
Ham and Crystal Palace interest
HITC
Mathew Nash

The Italian international has five goals in 10 games for Juventus this
season. West Ham United and Crystal Palace have both been linked with a move
for Italian international striker Simone Zaza in recent weeks. The Juventus
man is not playing regular football in Turin and in a season where he will
be hoping to feature for Italy in the European Championships next summer
that is not acceptable. Meanwhile West Ham have injury worries up front
whilst Crystal Palace are in need of another striker. Today has seen his
agent Christian Maifredi conduct an interview with Tutto Mercato Web about
his client's future. He was even asked specifically about a potential loan
move to West Ham or Crystal Palace in January.

This was his response: "Already in summer there had been interest. When a
player is in the national team and not play too inevitably targeted by clubs
of major championships like the English. "This no, there is at the moment no
negotiations."

So it would appear that nothing is currently in the pipeline but the agent
also made it clear that his player wanted to be playing regularly to assure
himself of a place in the Euro 2016 squad next summer. The Italian
international had caught the eye during a co-ownership deal with Sassuolo
last season. Juventus, the Italian champions, exercised their right to buy
him permanently at the end of the season but he has played just 10 times for
the club this season and has scored five goals, in an excellent return. West
Ham and Crystal Palace will be heartened by the news that Zaza is seemingly
open to a loan deal. But negotiations do not yet seem to be open and with a
relationship already established with Sassuolo they would do well to get in
front of this deal.

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