Daily WHUFC News - 6th January 2016

Westley hails dominant performance
WHUFC.com

Terry Westley described his side's performance in a 2-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion as one of the most complete in his time at the Club. The young Hammers were value for their win, with a goal either side of half-time, both headers from Djair Parfitt-Williams and Reece Oxford. Speaking after the win, their sixth in seven games, Westley said: "Tonight was a good start to 2016 and nice to continue from where we left off at the end of last year. "To extend our unbeaten is good of course, I think tonight was the first time in my short tender that we really dominated a team. "They came here and tried to make it difficult, got men behind the ball and showed our team some real respect. We kept probing away and tried to break them down; we moved the ball nicely and have come away deservedly winning 2-0."

Despite the likes of likes of Dev Squad regulars Martin Samuelsen and Lewis Page missing out since signing for Peterborough United and Cambridge United on loan respectively, Westley's side put in an assured team performance, aided by the presence of midfielder Alex Song. The Cameroonian international provided the crucial ball for both goals, while missing a great chance of his own, before being substituted after 85 minutes. The win takes the Dev Squad to fourth in the Barclays U21 Premier League Division Two table, with 20 points from 14 games. Westley continued: "The win is nice but it's all about playing and preparing in a way that will get them ready for the first team and tonight that type of performance will do that. We really moved the ball around well and got into the right positions. "Our concentration levels were really high tonight which was also pleasing. With 35 scouts there tonight they'll have been impressed and there could well be more players going out on loan. "Overall we are really developing a group of players who know what to do, and when to do it."

Up next for the Hammers is an U21 Premier League Round of 16 cup tie with Fulham on Wednesday 13 January at Rush Green. Looking ahead to the tie, Westley finished off by saying: "The Fulham game will be a tough one, they usually use a couple of first team players which will give them some strength. "Next week is a different test, but one we're all looking for. We'd all love to get into the quarter-finals of the cup."

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Parfitt-Williams delighted with opening goal
WHUFC.com

After scoring the Development Squad's first goal of 2016, a rare header, Djair Parfitt-Williams described his side's seven game unbeaten run as a big achievement. A 2-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion on a chilly Monday evening at Rush Green saw the young Hammers maintain their superb run of form after a brief break in matches. Parfitt-Williams broke the dead-lock just before half-time with a well-placed header from Alex Song's pinpoint delivery, before Reece Oxford sealed the win late on with another header from a Song cross. Speaking after netting his second goal in four games, the Bermudan-born forward beamed: "Seven games unbeaten is good in any league, that's hard to do so it's a big achievement. "I don't score too many headers as I'm pretty small, I'm 5'8 on a good day! So I'm happy. "It's always nice to get on the score-sheet. Songy put in a good free-kick and I managed to get a good connection on it and placed it in the corner."

The win, the Hammers sixth in seven games, takes them to fourth in the Barclays U21 Premier League Division Two table, just two points off the top spot. Parfitt-Williams continued to emphasize the confidence generated from their rich vein of form: "It was a great performance from the whole team, we passed them off the pitch and scored two good goals. "That was the game plan, Terry told us to pass the ball around and control the game for as much as possible and I think we did that well."

For now, the Hammers will have to park their league ambitions as, up next, they're in the U21 Premier League Cup action with a Round of 16 tie with Fulham on Wednesday 13 January. Looking ahead to the London derby at Rush Green, Parfitt-Williams is hoping his side can take their league form into the cup: "Last cup game we won 4-0 against Exeter City so it was a good start and we want to build on that against Fulham. We've got a lot of confidence right now and we want to keep that going." "Personally, I just want to keep on doing what I'm doing really, keep working hard and training well every day and if I do that I think I'll do well."

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The Big Interview - James Collins
WHUFC.com

West Ham United defender James Collins believes he is in 'the form of his life' following a spell in the Hammers team which has yielded three clean sheets from his last five games.

A new two year contract also came about in that period, leaving Collins delighted as he looks ahead to 2016 and a monumental year in Hammers history.

We caught up with the 'Ginger Pele' for this week's Big Interview…

After another clean sheet against Liverpool, would you say you are playing as well as you ever have?

JC: "I am definitely in the form of my life. I have just been speaking to Matty Etherington upstairs and he says the same – I don't know what it is, just getting better with age I guess."

Just how happy were you to sign your new contract over Christmas?

JC: "It was huge to sign a new contract, the thought of leaving the club again was getting me down a bit. I have got my family settled here, the kids are in school and I love the club, the fans have always been tremendous to me, so to get it sorted when it looked like it might not have happened is amazing."

Was your recent form the tipping point for getting the new contract?

JC: "Yeah, possibly. There was no two ways about it, I was fourth choice centre-half at the start of the season, the gaffer told me that.

"I just thought the least I could do was get my head down and work hard in training and if the opportunity came along I would try and do well."

After doing the double over Liverpool, how far can we go?

JC: "It is a great team to be playing in. Sometimes we defend a little bit too much, if you know what I mean, it is a bit last-gasp, but that is how I like to play the game.

"If everyone is fit and the best XI is on the pitch, then we can give anyone a game.

"Even with Dimitri coming on for half an hour, it is a massive boost. We might have lost Lanzini against for a little bit, but it is a great squad and gives someone else a chance to come in."

With Euro 2016 on the horizon, how determined are you to be there with Wales?

JC: "The Liverpool fitness coach is also the Wales fitness coach and I spoke to him after the game and he just said keep playing well.
"It is obviously something I am really looking forward to for the summer."To be part of a team that has qualified for the Euros is massive and hopefully I will keep my form high and have a chance to start for Wales.

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Corden bids emotional farewell
WHUFc.com

James Corden bid an emotional farewell to the Boleyn Ground on Saturday but is relishing the chance to fly back to England next season and see the Hammers perform at the new Stadium. Corden will never forget his final ever visit to Upton Park after seeing his beloved Hammers come away with a memorable 2-0 victory over Liverpool on Saturday. The Hollywood superstar has now flown back to California and will now spend the rest of the season presenting the ever popular Late Late Show on CBS. Corden has nothing but fond memories of his time at the Boleyn Ground and reveals he found it hard to hold back the tears as he saw the Hammers play for the final ever time at Upton Park.

Corden said: "I can't believe that was my final ever visit and I was quite surprised how emotional I felt about it. "I know it will be even more heightened in May when we move towards the final ever game. It will be a very emotional day and we are talking over 100 years of history and a style of football that has been produced. "People can talk about the atmosphere, but it is maintaining the sense of feeling like a family. "I live 13 hours away, but the minute I walk through the door here I see all the old faces and still see the man who used to sell me the 'Mad Dog' in a french bread on the way to the ground. "It is preserving that and I am incredibly excited about seeing us move into a new Stadium. "I could see the seat in the lower Bobby Moore stand where I used to sit as a season-ticket holder and I have sat in all four parts of the ground. "It has been such a part of my life since I first started coming as a 14-year-old. It was a very sad day, but I am very excited to move."

Despite living in America, Corden never misses the opportunity to watch the Hammers in action and sometimes gets up in the early hours to ensure he doesn't miss out on the action. Corden added: "I see even more of the games on television. I have got this device where you set your team and it records every game for you. "I watch all the big games live – even when it is 4am in the States. But mostly we are on around 8 or 9am which is perfect. I have even been known to watch some of the games twice. "It all depends on the commentators. Sometimes you get the good ones like Tony Gale, but other times you have some American dude who says 'wow it was a great shout-out by Angelo Ogbonna'!"

Corden has remained good friends with Mark Noble and took the chance to catch up with the Club skipper after the game on Saturday.
The former Gavin & Stacey star has nothing but admiration for the job Slaven Bilic has done since he took charge during the summer and is convinced the Club can achieve big things over the next few years. "I felt nervous about the change of manager because I just wanted us to stay up this season, but all of my fears have gone. "I have loved every second of it and the players seem so confident. It is great to see players like Antonio stepping up and showing what they can do. "I was at the Liverpool game with John Bishop and he said you look so quick and dynamic which I think we can all agree people have not said about us for a while. "It is wonderful to watch. The player of the season for me is Aaron Cresswell and I saw Ray Lewington on Saturday and was tearing his ear off saying he has to be in the squad!"

Corden will now be keeping close tabs on the Hammers from his luxury home in Los Angeles, but has no doubts they can start to challenge the likes of Tottenham and push for a European place when they move into the new Stadium. "It is down to us as fans to make the new Stadium our new home. It will feel odd and strange but in a two, three, four years time, I feel we can compete with the Europa League teams like Tottenham!"

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Don't drop Collins, warns Cottee
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 5th January 2016
By: Staff Writer

Former Hammer Tony Cottee believes that the in-form James Collins deserves to retain his place in the first team - on the day that it was revealed Winston Reid has returned to training with the first team. Cottee, speaking on the latest episode of the KUMB West Ham Podcast - which you may download or stream from here - insisted that Collins should be Slaven Bilic's first choice at centre half, despite starting the season fourth in the pecking order. West Ham's former number nine also believes that Reid should return to the first team once fit - meaning that recent arrival Angelo Ogbonna should revert to the bench.

"Ginge was brilliant [against Liverpool]," Cottee told Podcast hosts Chris Scull and Bianca Westwood. "He's just got his new contract as well, which was fully deserved. "He gives you 100 per cent commitment and the way it is, he's got to be in the team. He's our number one centre half at the moment. "I'd put Winston alongside him and probably keep James [Tomkins] at right back. That's how we stand at the moment. "Football changes and in two weeks time it might be completely different. But Ginge thoroughly deserved that new contract."

And Cottee, who now works primarily for Sky Sports as a pundit also believes Collins provides a great role model for some of the younger players emerging through the Academy. "When I go to the training ground and see Ginge, he's always happy," said TC. "He's always smiling and happy to shake your hand, whether he's in the team or not. He's a great lad to have around the training ground."

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Brown needs right attitude to succeed at West Ham
KUMb.com
Filed: Tuesday, 5th January 2016
By: Staff Writer

Birmingham City youngster Reece Brown could be on his way to West Ham after impressing during a trial outing last night. The 19-year-old midfielder featured as a trialist in West Ham's 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion at Rush Green last night and produced an assured performance alongside Alex Song in the heart of United's midfield. Dudley-born Brown has been with the Blues since the age of just ten, when he was picked up having been spotted playing for local youth club Sedgley White Lions. Since being handed his first contract by City, Brown has represented England at Under 16, Under 17, Under 18 and Under 20 level. According to Birmingham site oftenpartisan.co.uk, the he is a player with much promise whose departure would be a "major disappointment." "I can already see people not being happy with this one - and to tell you the truth, having seen the talent the kid has got in spades it's not hard to disagree," they said. "If Brown does go it will be a major disappointment for sure; maybe more so as we won't get millions for him as we have for Demarai Gray."

However the website also suggested that Brown's progression would be largely determined by his willingness to succeed as a professional - likening him in that regard to former Hammer Ravel Morrison, who spent a season on loan at St Andrew's whilst under contact at West Ham. "There's been rumblings about Brown's attitude for some time, and it might be that a move away from Blues is what he needs if he's to make the step up to be a professional," wrote OP. "He might not have taken a leak in Gary Rowett's fishpond but I suspect the rumblings over his attitude are deeper than a desire to act like any other teenager – and as much as we've seen his talent, it might not be a price worth paying to see it on the pitch."

West Ham won the game 2-0 courtesy of goals from Djair Partiff-Williams and Reece Oxford, who nodded home an Alex Song free kick to secure three points for Terry Westley's side.

West Ham Utd: Spiegel, Knoyle, Hendrie, Song, Chambers, Oxford, Browne, Cullen, Parfitt-Williams, Brown, Powell (Gordon 65)
Subs: Onariase, Howes (GK), Pike, Dobson.

Brighton & HA: Maenpaa, Hunt, Barnett, Collar, Barclay, Dallison, Monakana, Hutchinson, Akindayini, Harper, Tilley.
Subs: Harris, Vose (GK), Molumby, Deen, Marguire-Drew.
Referee: Lee Venamore.

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McDonald blasts 'mummy's boy' Lee
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 5th January 2016
By: Staff Writer

Former West Ham assistant manager Neil McDonald has criticised on-loan striker Elliot Lee after he rejected the opportunity to extend his stay at Bloomfield Road. Macca, who left West Ham at the end of last season after learning that the club were set to part company with Sam Allardyce has been in charge of the Pool' since the summer and took Lee on loan at the end of November. The 21-year-old featured on four occasions for the Tangerines, winning three. However he rejected the opportunity to extend his stay in the North West - a decision that led McDonald to blast the youngster, who he accused of choosing the easy option. "Elliot picked up an injury and told us he didn't want to come back," McDonald told the Blackpool Gazette. "He's gone back to the comforts of the Under-21s and being at home with his mum and dad. It disappoints me. "We are trying to bring players here who want to play football. He's come and played all the games, yet he still isn't happy. He's gone back to West Ham and will probably be in their Under-21s for the rest of the season."

Despite being at West Ham for several years, Lee is yet to start a single Premier League or Cup game for the club. His only two competitive starts came in the Europa League last summer and he scored his only first team goal in the 1-0 win away to Lusitanos back in July. Prior to joining Blackpool he enjoyed brief stints at Colchester (2013) and Luton (2015). he also joined Southend on loan in October 2014 but returned to West ham without playing a single game for the Shrimpers after picking up an injury during his first training session.

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Wacka back at the Boleyn
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 5th January 2016
By: Staff Writer

Cult hero and KUMB favourite Jimmy Walker has confirmed that he will be appearing in Mark Noble's testimonial on Easter Monday. The former Hammers 'keeper, who appeared alongside Rufus Brevett at last year's KUMB Awards Live! revealed that he has been asked to feature in the game that will mark a decade at the club for West Ham's skipper. And 42-year-old Walker, who spent five years on West Ham's books between 2004 and 2009 could be joined by former fans' favourite Paolo Di Canio, who is also on the verge of agreeing to take part in the clash versus an All-Stars XI.

Rio Ferdinand, Trevor Sinclair and Carlton Cole have already confirmed that they will be taking place in the game which takes place at the Boleyn Ground on Monday, 28th March.

Jimmy Walker @jimmywalker001
Great catch up with kingNobes @Noble16Mark absolutely buzzing to say I'll be dustin the gloves off for his well deserved testimonial #MN16
2:34 PM - 5 Jan 2016

Carlton Cole ? @CarltonCole1
Buzzing to be asked to play in @noble16mark testimonial. End of an era at the Boleyn Where the fans have given me great memories #MN16
10:01 AM - 5 Jan 2016

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West Ham starlet Elliot Lee accused of "running home to his mum and dad" by angry Blackpool boss
21:40, 5 JAN 2016 UPDATED 21:50, 5 JAN 2016
BY DARREN LEWIS
The 21-year-old started three of his four games at the League One club, but opted to go back to Upton Park rather than remaining with the Tangerines
The Mirror

West Ham rising star Elliot Lee has been accused of "running home to his mum and dad" after deciding against extending his loan spell at Blackpool. The 21-year-old Hammers striker, son of ex-England international Rob, started three of his four games at the League One club.
He opted, however, to go back to Upton Park rather than remaining with the Tangerines. Angry Blackpool boss Neil McDonald, assistant to Sam Allardyce at West Ham until both left last year, hit out: "Elliot picked up an injury and told us he didn't want to come back.
"He's gone back to the comforts of the Under-21's and being at home with his mum and dad. It disappoints me.

Elliot Lee ✔ @ElliotLee9
Laughable 😂
12:38 PM - 5 Jan 2016

"We are trying to bring players here who want to play football. He's come and played all the games yet he isn't happy. "He's gone back to West Ham and will probably be in their Under-21's for the rest of the season." A tweet from Lee's verified account on Tuesday read simply: "Laughable." Lee's decision leaves McDonald with a crisis up front as his other strikers are either injured or unavailable.

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Sunderland and Newcastle going head-to-head for West Ham striker Andy Carroll
22:30, 4 JAN 2016 UPDATED 08:51, 5 JAN 2016
BY ADRIAN KAJUMBA
Slaven Bilic has been told he must offload players before making any new signings and the Hammers hope to make a profit on the player they signed for £15m in 2013
The Mirror

West Ham are willing to offload Andy Carroll in the newly opened transfer window. England striker Carroll has regained fitness and form over the festive period, scoring in his last two games. But the Hammers are open to selling their £15million record signing – for £18m – with North East pair ­ Newcastle and ­Sunderland ready to snap the 26-year-old up. The East Londoners need to sell before they can buy this month. And letting £90,000-a-week Carroll go would reduce their wage bill by a significant amount and give them room for manoeuvre in the transfer market. Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce is desperate to land the striker who scored in last weekend's win over ­Liverpool. Hammers' co-chairman David Sullivan insisted last month that Carroll would reject a move to Sunderland and that the frontman could only be vulnerable to an approach from hometown club Newcastle. Big Sam, however, is said to be undeterred and is keen to be reunited with Carroll at the Stadium of Light. The striker has overcome his luckless spell of injuries and proved his wellbeing yet again at the weekend with the clincher against Liverpool. It was Allardyce who persuaded Sullivan to sign and keep faith with Carroll during his time in East London. Sullivan scrapped an £8milion move for Wilfried Bony - that had been close to completion before the frontman's move to Swansea in 2013 - because Allardyce saw Carroll as his main man. Sunderland sit second from bottom, four points from safety, after their 3-1 win over Aston Villa at the weekend. Jermain Defoe's brace means he has scored six league goals so far this season. But Allardyce is willing to offload players this month after giving them all the chance to impress since his ­arrival October. Saturday's goal against Liverpool was the second time in as many weeks that Carroll has hit the decisive goal after his header against Southampton last week.

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Barry Fry lifts lid on Collison future
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 5, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

Barry Fry has revealed that Jack Collison's playing career is coming to a sad end but that his managerial career is ready to take off at Peterborough United. The huge West Ham hero was offered a deal at his home town club despite the club knowing that he faced a last battle to overcome a knee injury which has bedevilled him for several years. West Ham released him with a heavy heart at the end of last season and although Ipswich Town handed him a short-term contract in September, he injured his left knee in a practice match and was unable to make a single appearance for Mick McCarthy's side. Now Fry has revealed exclusively to Sean Whetstone on the ClaretandHugh interview on MooreThanJustAPodcast tonight that it only remains for Jack to make the final decision to retire. He explains the player has seen consultants and reveals all the medical advice he's received in a riveting not-to-be- missed interview.

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Confirmed: Lanzini out for six weeks
Posted by Sean Whetstone on January 5, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

West Ham play maker Manuel Lanzini will be out of action for up to six weeks as originally feared. Lanzini had his scan as planned yesterday and the medical results confirmed what we had all been dreading. Claret and Hugh's most senior source confirmed the news was grim and the player would be out for 'six weeks'. The Argentinian had just returned from a thigh injury in fine form, hitting the post before being forced off late in the first half of last weekend's 2-0 win over Liverpool. West Ham Chairman David Gold confirmed on twitter that the player would undergo further tests to determine the extent of the problem, but said the 22-year-old could be out of action for up to six weeks. Gold told his followers: "We will know more about Manuel's injury after the scan on Monday but it could be 4/6 weeks. He was superb today."

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Four more Hammers confirm Boleyn ground return
Posted by Sean Whetstone on January 5, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

Former Hammers Gary O'Neil and Jimmy Walker hasve joined Ravel Morrison and Carlton Cole by confirming they will play in the Mark Noble testimonial on the 28th March.

Gary O'Neil tweeted out "One last visit to The Boleyn Ground. Honoured to have been invited to the main man's testimonial! Mark Noble top player and top guy #MN16"

Jimmy Walker added on his twitter account:" Great catch up with King Nobes absolutely buzzing to say I'll be dustin the gloves off for his well deserved testimonial #MN16 Can't wait to be back out there with the gloves on mate!! Especially for Nobes #legend #MN16 #Boleyn #memories"

Earlier today, Ravel Morrison and Carlton Cole confirmed their participation in Nobe's testimonial.

Rio Ferdinand and Trevor Sinclair announced they were taking part earlier this week. Paolo Di Canio and Joe Cole have are also thought to have been approached by Noble and have accepted.

Jimmy Walker joined West Ham on a free transfer in 2004 , he was released in June 2009 and joined Spurs briefly as their third choice keeper. He was a second choice keeper for much of Hammers career but made 15 appearances in total. Walker gained fame from West Ham fans on saving a penalty taken by Frank Lampard in the League Cup in October 2004.

Gary O'Neil completed a move to West Ham on a two-and-a-half year contract in January 2011.In June 2013 O'Neil was released by West Ham after playing 48 games and scoring 3 goals. The 32 year old went on to join QPR and now plays for Norwich City.

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West Ham return to Chadwell Heath
Posted by Sean Whetstone on January 5, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

The West Ham first team have been training back at Chadwell Heath and have been there all week. Back in December Slaven Bilic announced he was moving to Rush Green with immediate effect because of the 'rock hard' pitches.

"There have been a lot of things said since I came here about the pitches that we have here at Chadwell Heath, and they're not ideal," Bilic said. "With Reid's injury, for example, they are slippery on the top but rock hard underneath, and it is a bad combination."

"We were planning to move next season, at the start, to Rush Green because of the quality of the pitches. I decided on Monday next week, we will go. We can't continue to risk this much on these kind of pitches."

"The pitches are better there than here. We can live without the great dressing room, the kitchens and the free area for now. I don't see any other reason because we have a good medical team and good players and the sessions are good, and I told you that since I came here it was an issue – last year, two years ago or five years ago. It has nothing to do with the groundsmen or the medical staff – it's just the way the ground is here."

Less than one month later the first team hastened move to Rush Green they have quietly returned to Chadwell Heath. With hindsight, it appears they do miss the better facilities at Chadwell Heath and Rush Green facilities were just far too basic.

Planning permission has now been granted to transform Rush Green into a state of the art Premier League grade training facility and it hoped that work will be complete before next season.

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Arsenal's Jenks arrogance is stupendous
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 5, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

Arsenal's alleged concerns that Carl Jenkinson is not getting first team football at the Boleyn shows stupendous arrogance. When ClaretandHugh discovered a report last week that the Gooners felt he could or should be getting regular football at the Boleyn I wondered whether Arsene Wenger had yet caught up with the fact that the old order was changing. Neither Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City or anyone else can consider themselves bigger than the rest anymore – the Irons and Leicester City are seeing to that. Our report said that quotes from insiders at the north London club are that the Gooners are entirely fed up we weren't playing Jenks. All well and good but simply because an Arsenal player arrives at our club having cost us a fortune it really doesn't follow that he has an automatic place in the team and it's arrogance to believe he should. We have risen to fifth place in the League with little help from the left back and the north London club need to realise we are becoming part of the new order. They may like to consider the possibility of loaning one of our reserves within the next two years. Promise we won't moan if he doesn't get played. :-)

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Irons speak out on £18m Carroll 'move'
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 5, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

Andy Carroll looks booked to remain at West Ham until the summer AT LEAST! Reports this morning that a battle royal between Sunderland and Newcastle is underway for his signature this month brought a cool response from the Irons. The Mirror reported we "are open to selling their £15million record signing – for £18m – with North East pair ­ Newcastle and ­Sunderland ready to snap the 26-year-old up." They, of course, pointed out we have to sell to buy and that letting £90,000-a-week go would reduce their wage bill by a significant amount and give them room for manoeuvre in the transfer market. However, commenting directly to ClaretandHugh our most senior Hammers source made it clear that Sunderland would be of no interest to AC. But he said that possibility of him moving at all in the current window is very remote declaring: "There is no way he'd go to Sunderland, or that the club could afford him, but you never know with Newcastle although the possibility is very small."

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Hammers linked with Burnley right back
Posted by Sean Whetstone on January 5, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

Twenty three year old Burnley right back, Tendayi Darikwa has been linked to West Ham and could be on a list of young right backs to replace Carl Jenkinson in the summer. The youngster moved from Chesterfield in the summer but has made twenty one appearances scoring one goal for the Clarets this season. He came through the Chesterfield youth system where he made 125 appearances for them over 5 years. Darikwa signed a three year contract at Turf Moor last July. West Ham revealed last week that Leeds right back defender Sam Byram is on their list of possible right back targets for the summer. However, they added that he shares that position with NINE other right backs the club are monitoring and organising into a priority list. Maybe Darikwa is one of the other eight right backs on that list. Byram is out of contract in the summer and as we reported here before a summer move is a more likely possibility to bring a new right back in. ClaretandHugh was told exclusively by our top source last week: "Right back is obviously the key position we are looking at and Byram is interesting but we have NINE other targets as a possible permanent signing there.We will not be taking Carl Jenkinson for a third time and we will be spending the January window trying to sort out that and other deals."

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Slaven Bilic deserves praise for turning West Ham into a hard-to-beat flair team
The manager, who first signed for the club 20 years ago today, has taken West Ham on a run of seven matches without defeat that stretches back to November
By Martin Laurence for WhoScored?, part of the Guardian Sport Network
Martin Laurence
Tuesday 5 January 2016 14.42 GMT Last modified on Tuesday 5 January 2016 14.43 GMT
The Guardian

The Premier League largely reverted to the norm in the first weekend of the New Year. Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea all won, with Leicester City, Watford and Crystal Palace – the three real surprise packages of the campaign so far – failing to pick up three points. However, there was one "upset".

After a string of draws, West Ham have somewhat slipped under the radar after a remarkable start under Slaven Bilic. They've enjoyed a peculiar yet hugely successful season in the league, clinging on to their hopes of European football relatively unnoticed. Their win over Liverpool on Saturday was their second successive victory and took them above their opponents and Palace, as well as moving them three points clear of Watford and Stoke City.

It looked like injuries to key players would derail their aspirations of a top-six finish but the fact that they are back in the race for Europe despite those absences is very impressive. Knowing that his side would lack the cutting edge they showed at the start of the season in the absence of Diafra Sakho, Manuel Lanzini and crucially Dimitri Payet, Bilic set about ensuring his side kept in the hunt by avoiding defeat.

They, along with Palace, were one of only two teams to go unbeaten throughout December, doing so with a thoroughly depleted squad. They have conceded just twice in their last six matches, despite the absence of Winston Reid at the back, with James Collins in particular coming to the fore. Bilic's decision to deploy a third centre-back in James Tomkins on the right of a back four, in place of Carl Jenkinson, further strengthened West Ham's resolve and deserves recognition.

While another injury lay-off for the impressive Lanzini is a blow, Payet's return will improve their fortunes in attack. The Frenchman has excelled in the capital, earning the highest rating of any summer signing (7.59), enough to rank seventh in the league. Payet, who came on as a second-half substitute at the weekend, showed glimpses of class, eluding three Liverpool players with magnificent skill as the game drew to a close and creating two chances from just 12 touches. His ability to impact a game at any moment has really pushed West Ham on to become genuine European contenders.

However, while the foreign imports to the club have impressed, the old guard deserve great credit for steadying the ship in their absence. The aforementioned Collins is West Ham's highest rated player since the start of December (7.59) – enough to rank eighth in the league during that time. He dominated the ineffective Christian Benteke at the weekend, making a total of 23 clearances – the most by any player in a single game this season.

Andy Carroll scored in back-to-back league matches for the first time in almost two years following his return from injury, with his rating of 8.77 bettered only by team-mate Mark Noble (9.22) in the Premier League at the weekend. Many felt that Noble's days at his boyhood club may be numbered following the arrivals of Alex Song and Pedro Obiang but the 28-year-old captain has missed just one game all season, when he was suspended for picking up a red card in their 3-0 defeat of Liverpool at Anfield back in August.

Bilic has found a successful balance between the new arrivals and the players who have served the club for years. He has maintained a happy camp, with the likes of Collins, Tomkins and Carroll determined to give their all when they have returned to the team. That much is easier said than done. Indeed, their Croatian manager has rotated his squad to such a degree – though enforced in a number of instances – that only Manchester United (28) have used more players than West Ham (26) this season.

Impressive recruitment coupled with man-management and tactical nous from Bilic have left West Ham with just four defeats all season – with the last of those coming back in November. They are one of a few sides in the league who are not only hard to beat but also possess genuine flair. Hosting European football at the Olympic Stadium next season is still a distinct possibility. Their previous aim of ensuring they kept hold of their top-flight status for the big move seems a long way off.

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Andy Carroll: West Ham looking to offload striker with Newcastle and Sunderland interested
The 6ft 3in frontman has scored in two consecutive Premier League games following his return from a groin injury
Mark Critchley @mjcritchley
The Independent

West Ham United are willing to listen to offers for injury-plagued striker Andy Carroll despite the international striker's recent goalscoring form, according to reports. The 6ft 3in frontman headed the second goal in his side's impressive 2-0 victory over Liverpool last weekend, having also notched in the Hammers' previous game, a 2-1 home win over Southampton.
Despite scoring in consecutive Premier League appearances for the first time in two-and-a-half years, club officials remain open to offers for the 26-year-old, according to the Daily Mirror.
His boyhood club Newcastle United and rivals Sunderland are reportedly interested. West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan recently suggested that Carroll would only consider leaving the club if he were offered a return to St. James' Park and dismissed the possibility of him joining former manager Sam Allardyce at Sunderland. "Andy Carroll is doing a great job," he said last month. "He is part of the club, part of the team. I would think it's very unlikely he'd want to go anywhere, he has got a fiancee and a baby in this area," he said last month. "I wouldn't think there'd be any club he'd want to go to other than Newcastle. If Sunderland or another club offered him more money I don't think he'd go there."

Carroll, who earns £90,000-a-week at Upton Park, has struggled to justify the outlay spent on him since signing permanently from Liverpool for a fee of around £15million in 2013. The England international has suffered numerous injury set-backs during his time at the club, most recently a groin injury which kept him out for three weeks. Following the victory over Liverpool, manager Slaven Bilic warned against Carroll's potential inclusion in Roy Hodgson's England squad for the forthcoming European Championships, insisting that he must first prove his fitness at club level. "To talk about the Euros is wrong for him," Bilic said. "If England is a serious national team and you're trying to win the Euros then you can't talk about the national team when the player has scored two goals. "He's got all the quality. To ask me, 'does he have quality?' then, yes, but he has to show it on a longer scale and now it's there. He's got a chance, that's why I'm asking."

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Ravel Morrison confirms he will play in Mark Noble's testimonial on Twitter
HITC
Damien Lucas

Former West Ham United star Ravel Morrison has confirmed he will play in Mark Noble's testimonial in a post on Twitter. The 28-year-old skipper has spent his entire career with the Hammers, having progressed through their youth season and into the first-team set-up. Since making his debut in 2005, Noble has played 340 times for the East London side, and his dedication was rewarded at the beginning of the season when head coach Slaven Bilic named him captain. The club announced the honour last month and the fixture will take place at the Boleyn Ground on Easter Monday March 28th. Since the announcement speculation has been rife as to who would be invited along.

Surprise inclusion?

Last month we took a detailed look at how the West Ham All Stars side could line-up for what promises to be a fitting fixture in the club's last ever season at their beloved Boleyn Ground home of 112 years. Legendary trio Rio Ferdinand, Carlton Cole and Trevor Sinclair have all confirmed they will be playing. But Morrison is something of a surprise inclusion given his acrimonius departure from the club under former boss Sam Allardyce. The ex Manchester United starlet is currently enduribng a typically turbulent time at Italian side Lazio.

'Amazing player and person'
But he took to social networking site Twitter on Tuesday to confirm he has been asked to play by his former teammate. He said: "Mark Noble testimonial just been placed in my diary. Amazing player and person." Morrison has been linked with a return to West Ham under new boss Slaven Bilic, as reported by The Mirror last month. While some fans were annoyed with the player for not realising his potential with the club others feel he would blossom under the kind of football played by Bilic and surrounded with better players.



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West Ham working hard not to repeat last season's mistakes, admits Aaron Cresswell
West Ham sat in fourth place at Christmas in the 2014-15 Premier League
But a woeful second half to the season saw them slip down to 12th place
Hammers defender Aaron Cresswell is adamant lessons have been learnt
West Ham are now sixth and have lost just two of their previous 17 games
By DANIEL PRESCOTT FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 12:27, 5 January 2016 | UPDATED: 12:26, 5 January 2016

West Ham United defender Aaron Cresswell insists his side have learnt from their mistakes and will not crumble like they did last season. The Hammers sat fourth at Christmas under former manager Sam Allardyce but ended the season in 12th place after a run of just two victories in 17 matches in all competitions. Slaven Bilic was the man chosen to replace Allardyce after the club made the decision to sack him and the Croatian has guided the east London outfit to sixth place in the table. Bilic's side have only tasted defeat twice in their previous 17 matches and Cresswell is confident the club's new set up can ensure they sustain their form until the end of the season. 'The gaffer has not sat us down and said this is the targets he wants us to achieve this season,' Cresswell told the club's official website. 'We are just taking it game by game and seeing how many points we can pick up every week because we were at this stage last season and then only won four games in the second half of the season. 'But we have got a totally different set-up now. We have a new manager and coaching staff and have new players.'
Back-to-back home wins against Southampton and Liverpool have helped push West Ham back up the table following five consecutive Premier League draws. But their attentions turn to cup action this weekend as West Ham prepare to take on Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers at a sold out Boleyn Ground.

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HAMMERS JOIN CHASE FOR COLOMBIAN STRIKER
By Ste Hoare
readwestham.com

West Ham have joined Stoke City and West Brom in the chase for 20-year-old Colombian striker Mateo Cardona, according to a report in The Express & Star. The article also suggests that European sides Benfica, Monaco and Real Betis are also interested in signing the forward, but it is believed that the idea of a move to the Premier League appeals greatly to the youngster
Cardona, who plays for Envigado in Colombia's top division, would likely be keen on a move to England, but there is a potential stumbling block that could hinder West Ham's chances of bringing him to Upton Park. There is a doubt as to whether Cardona would be granted a work permit, and West Ham would have to make the case that he is an exceptional talent. If they can't, there is a possibility that they could sign him then send him on loan to a European side until he met the criteria needed to get a permit in the UK.

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Stan Collymore's advice to West Ham regarding January transfers
HITC
Subhankar Mondal

Stan Collymore does not think that West Ham United need to sign anyone in the January transfer window. Former Liverpool and Aston Villa striker Stan Collymore has written on Boylesports.com that West Ham United need not make any signings in the January transfer window. "The Hammers have enough goal power in their locker with plenty of creativity so there's not too much of a worry on that front," Collymore has written. "They have good options. "For where the Hammers want to be (Europa League at best) I think they have all the bases covered. It's getting players back fit and firing rather than more in the dressing room!"

West Ham have a strong squad and are good enough to finish in the top six of the Premier League this season. The London outfit were hit with injuries earlier in the campaign, but with star players such as Dimitri Payet and Alex Song back to full fitness, results are only going to improve from now on. Under Slaven Bilic, the Hammers are playing good football, and there is renewed optimism among the fans. West Ham are sixth in the Premier League table at the moment with 32 points from 20 matches. The Hammers are just four points behind Tottenham Hotspur, who are currently fourth in the standings and occupy the final Champions League spot.

Bilic's side will take on Championship outfit Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Boleyn Ground in the third round of the FA Cup on Saturday afternoon. West Ham will then face Bournemouth away from home at the Vitality Stadium in the Premier League.

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NO BREAK FOR BURKE
www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk
08:41 5th January 2016

Checks over the weekend have confirmed that Reece Burke did not suffer a break in his right wrist as first feared - but he will be sidelined for the next couple of weeks at least. The centre half required a minor operation on Sunday night to repair a deep cut he received on his wrist when tumbling into a sponsor board in the second half of City's match at Gillingham on Saturday. Parent club West Ham United arranged for a plastic surgeon to look at Burke's injury after the youngster had received initial treatment pitch-side from City's physios and then at a hospital near to Gillingham's Priestfield Stadium on Saturday evening. Burke, who has now returned to West Ham following the completion of his latest youth loan deal, has been ordered to rest for two weeks to allow the wound to heal properly. Even upon his return to action, Burke is expected to have to wear a cast on his wrist for his first few games back.

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