Moose's Memories - Scott Parker Part 2
WHUFC.com
In Part 2 of his interview with Ian 'Moose' Abrahams, Scott Parker recalls
his most memorable moments in Claret and Blue...
Last weekend we faced Liverpool, and for me what epitomised Scott Parker as
a player and a man was the performance he put in against The Merseysiders
here five years ago, which saw him secure the Premier League Player of the
Month Award. Scott scored in a 3-1 Premier League win. On the face of it,
nothing too much stands out about that result but for Scott, he played
through personal and physical pain that February afternoon. "It was a
special goal and win for personal reasons, as it was the last game my Dad
was able to come to and see me play before he died," he said. "But the day
before, I had bust my shoulder in training, and had injections that day and
on the morning of the match so I could play. "I don't normally believe in
fate, but to score a goal to win the game and really play well, and for that
to be the last game he saw made it perfect."
Unless he plays in Mark Noble's Testimonial – by the way well done to West
Ham for giving our Club captain that honour – Scott won't get to play here
again before the move to the Olympic Stadium, so what does he make of the
move?
"Every club, with the way football is going, has to move on. The new Stadium
will be amazing and take West Ham to a different level. Of course you're
leaving behind something special, and in terms of Upton Park, especially
under the lights when it was rocking there was no better place to play, and
when the fans are behind you, it was very hard to play against West Ham.
"I have seen it from both sides, but football moves on and the Olympic
Stadium will be fantastic."
Fantastic – a word I couldn't have chosen better myself to describe a man I
came to know very well during his time here; a man I still know very well
and am proud to be friendly with (oh and how proud he'll be when he reads
this I didn't once refer to him as 'Scotty'!).
Anyway last word to Scott.
What is the one memory that sticks out from his four years as a West Ham
player.
"The game at home to Wigan under Gianfranco Zola, I scored with five minutes
to go to win the game (Ilan and Radoslav Kovac had scored the other Hammers
goals, but with 85 minutes on the clock it was 2-2, when Scott fired home a
sensational strike from 25 yards). That is the moment I still think about
now. "We were struggling and that win gave us a safety net. Many times I
walked off the pitch at Upton Park and I felt proud of my performance, but
that is the one game and moment I will always remember."
What a man and what a player. Scott makes my all-time XI from players I've
seen play here in the last 40 years.
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Chadwell Chatter - Darren Randolph
WHUFC.com
Hello everyone,
We have a big Emirates FA Cup game against Wolves on Saturday and I will be
ready for action if the manager wants me to start the game.
I have had to be patient, but I have been training hard and waiting for my
chance to play. I felt like I showed Slaven and everyone else that I am good
enough to play at the highest level when I was given a chance earlier in the
season. I then went away with the Republic of Ireland squad and helped them
qualify for the Euro Finals this summer. I have the belief and that is the
only thing that counts. I believe in my own ability and what I can do and I
just want to show it. If I am given the chance to play it is more game time
for me and it will be good to be back in the match stage surroundings where
you are actually playing. The FA Cup is a big competition for everyone. For
me growing up it was always one of the biggest cup competitions and you
remember the weekends when cup upsets took place and the lower league sides
beat top flight opposition. I still have good memories of when Millwall
played Manchester United in the Final back in 2004 because I went to college
with a few of the Millwall players. It would be great if we could get to the
Final this season and it would be the perfect way for us to leave the Boleyn
Ground if we could win a trophy.
We have had so many games over the Christmas period that we have not had a
chance to think about it, but I am sure the further we go in the
competition, the players will start to think about that scenario. Anything
is possible and you see it every season when a team has a good run in a cup
competition. People were still talking about the club winning the League Cup
when I moved to Birmingham and it was a reminder for them of the successful
times they had. You want to win trophies as a player and hopefully we can do
really well in the FA Cup this season.
Enjoy the game on Saturday.
Darren
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Boleyn Insider
WHUFc.com
The Boleyn Insider is back and brings you exclusive insight into the
behind-the-scenes goings on at the Boleyn Ground.
The January transfer window has now re-opened and speculation has already
started surrounding possible departures and arrivals over the next few
weeks.
The Hammers were extremely busy during the summer bringing in 12 new players
and Slaven Bilic has stated that he is happy with the squad and will only
consider making a signing if an exceptional player becomes available or the
Club consider a loan move.
There has been speculation in the media surrounding the futures of several
players, but my understanding is that no first-team players are for sale
unless the opportunity arises to buy an even better player.
I have been told that Diafra Sakho will be back in a month and the Club are
happy with the strength-in-depth they now have in the squad.
My sources tell me that the Club have spent all their wages for the year, so
unless somebody goes there is no movement to do anything else. The Club has
a wage cap that is set by the Premier League.
There have been reports suggesting the club are considering a move for
Juventus striker Simone Zaza.
My understanding is that Zaza is a player the club greatly admire and they
tried to sign him last summer. He scored again on Wednesday night and the
Club might try something again this month.
These are certainly exciting times with the move to the new Stadium during
the summer and I have been told that the Club are already putting plans in
place to make a big move for a proven and established striker at the end of
the season who can score 20 goals and help take them to the next level.
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Former Player Blog - Dean Ashton
WHUFc.com
Former West Ham United and England centre forward Dean Ashton is looking
forward to FA Cup third round weekend and cannot wait to play his part in
Mark Noble's Testimonial!
We have come into the New Year on a seven-game unbeaten run and on the back
of two really good wins. Considering we have had injuries in that spell, it
shows how far we have come and how much better the squad can cope this year.
It did get frustrating drawing a few games but back-to-back wins over
Southampton and Liverpool have been great to see, as was seeing the players
who perhaps had not been first choice like Michail Antonio and Andy Carroll
come in and play so well.
I'm sure Slaven Bilic was quite surprised to get all of those special away
wins at the start of the season, but now he'll be really encouraged by the
fact his squad has coped so well without the likes of Dimitri Payet, Manuel
Lanzini and Diafra Sakho.
It certainly seems that the squad is set up to continue their form over the
course of the whole season. We are now just past the halfway stage and I
think it is not unjust to think we can finish in the European places.
I think Champions League still is a big ask, just because other clubs can
and will go out and spend in January, but certainly a top five or six finish
is within our grasp; and if we do a bit better, what a special achievement
that would be.
Before we go back to the Premier League next week, however, we've got a big
FA Cup tie at the Boleyn on Saturday against Wolves.
As has been the case in recent seasons, the magic really seems to have come
back to this competition and West Ham are one of those clubs which is big
enough to take advantage of others fielding slightly weakened sides and go
on and win it.
It's a special weekend for everyone involved and of course I have got great
FA Cup memories. Growing up, I always loved watching it and wanting to be
part of it and to go on and win it.
Obviously to get so close to winning it with West Ham in 2006 was great in
one sense, but heart-breaking in another.
This weekend, a home draw is what you want, and with it being against a
lower-division side there is a good chance to win it.
There are players who will want to play in this game, like Payet and Carl
Jenkinson, and get minutes on the pitch and that's exactly what you want.
Another player who could start is Andy Carroll, who has scored and played
well in recent matches. Going through injury problems myself, I felt sorry
for Andy when people were writing him off and saying he was injury-prone and
seemed to never come back.
When he got fit, he had to be patient and wait for his chance, which was
difficult, but now he is in the side and match-fit, I don't think there is
anybody better at heading the ball in world football.
Talking of getting match-fit, Mark Noble made my day last week when he
invited me to play in his Testimonial in April. I'm definitely going to have
to do some training, though!
I am so excited about it, honestly, to be involved in such an event in the
last season at Upton Park. I am sure it will be sold out and will be a
fitting event for Mark Noble, who is such a great servant to the Club and is
such an under-rated player. He is so much better than people think and he
should have played for England by now.
His consistency level has been brilliant and now he has taken on the
captaincy. You want a West Ham captain to embody everything about the Club,
and he does that. You only have to see the video clips of him crying after
the Spurs game when he first got into the team to see what West Ham means to
him – he thoroughly deserves his Testimonial and I cannot wait to be part of
it.
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View on the Visitors - Wolves
WHUFc.com
The Express and Star's Wolverhampton Wanderers' correspondent Tim Spiers
gives us the lowdown on Saturday's visitors
Three wins in a row, Wolves must be full of confidence going into Saturday's
game?
"Yeah, it's kind of come out of nowhere really; they had a couple of
thrashings against Leeds United and Sheffield Wednesday just before
Christmas which left them in a bit of trouble. They were far closer to the
bottom then the top six, the pressure was certainly on Kenny Jackett. They
were leaking goals and had no-one really to come into the side and change
it.
"To counteract that, he's completely changed the tactics to 4-5-1, gone
ultra-defensive, stuck the midfield just in-front of the back four which has
ground out three wins and three clean sheets.
"It's certainly given Jackett some breathing room and the season has been
transformed over those six days really. They're certainly looking up to the
Play Offs rather than over their shoulders."
Which players have stood out so far this season, who we should look out for?
"Jordan Graham has been the one standout to really catch the eye, he's only
played eight or nine games but he's been pretty much Man-of-the-Match in
every one and has contributed seven assists in that time. He's a left-winger
who was on loan at Oxford United but they brought him back and now he's
absolutely flying.
"He picked up an ankle knock against Brighton on New Years' Day so it's
touch and go whether he'll be available for today's game. He's certainly a
danger man.
"Otherwise, you've got Benik Afobe, he may not have hit the heights of last
season but he' still scoring pretty regularly, he's scored nine goals now
this season. He's a real special talent and can make something happen out of
nothing."
How important is the FA Cup for Wolves this season, how does it compare in
significance to the League campaign?
"It's a game they certainly want to win and it would keep the momentum going
massively. He's picked the same team in all three games over the Christmas
period so I'd expect some changes.
"As far as priorities go, the league is definitely the most important.
They've got a lot of work to do if they want to get into the Play Offs. It's
certainly a game that Kenny Jackett is looking forward to, obviously as a
former Millwall manager there's a huge rivalry there."
Whatever happens, this'll be Wolves' last visit to the Boleyn Ground, are
there any standout moments for you throughout the years?
"Back in 2010, Wolves came here and won 3-1. It was an important win because
they were in the relegation zone at the time. Generally they haven't done
too well away at West Ham.
"Back in 1990, Liam Brady played his last ever game against Wolves, West Ham
won 4-0 and he scored late on, he was an excellent player."
What is your prediction for Saturday's score?
"I'm expecting a good game. Wolves sold out their allocation of 3,000 a week
ago so there should be a strong following and a good atmosphere. It also
depends on how seriously West Ham take the game. Wolves are certainly
capable of getting a 1-1 draw."
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Slaven Speaks - Wolves
WHUFc.com
West Ham United boss Slaven Bilic was in optimistic mood when he faced the
media on Thursday ahead of the weekend's Emirates FA Cup tie with
Wolverhampton Wanderers.
With the Hammers having now not lost in seven starts and with several
players on the cusp of returns from injury, Bilic is hopeful of
kick-starting cup run against the Sky Bet Championship side…
Can we just start with an injury update? First of all with Lanzini…
SB: "It's the same injury as he had before. Hopefully a few weeks, I just
spoke to him and it's one of those injuries that you don't really think it a
big one. That's how he reported it the first time before we played
Manchester United. At training on Friday he did a normal training and took a
few free-kicks. He felt it a little bit, but thought he was going to be ok
for the game but was out for four weeks.
"Now it's the same, against Southampton he came on in the second half, made
a huge impact and felt nothing afterwards. He played against Liverpool, and
orchestrated it, but then felt it again – not like big, but the second time
and of course we have to be cautious no matter how much we want him back.
"I'm optimistic and he's working hard on his recovery and hopefully he will
be back in two or three weeks."
What about some of the others – are they close to coming back?
SB: "Payet is back. It's a different type of injury because it was the
ankle. That's ok and it's a lot easier to predict the risk with that injury
– basically there is no risk unless someone kicks him in the ankle again.
With the muscle it is a little bit different.
"Winston Reid has trained with us for a few days now and we'll see how it
goes for the cup game. Moses is back, not totally with us, but he is doing
his stuff on the pitch and is close to being back in full training with us,
apparently after the cup game. There's only Sakho after that, but also for
him is looks like he is way ahead of the schedule, so maybe the beginning of
February, but that's all on paper."
There have been headlines on Andy Carroll, with the window open. Could you
give us the Club's stance on it?
SB: "Not me, or the Chairmen have said [that the Club is willing to listen
to offers]. We want Andy to stay, we want Andy to perform like he performed
in most of the games he has played for us. Nobody has said from the Club
that we want to sell him.
"He is a very popular and good player, and every time he scores a goal
rumours start. You can't stop them if you are playing well. We need him, and
we need him like he has been in the last few games he has started."
Looking at Saturday's game, Wolves are in mid-table in the Championship but
have won their last three. Have you had much chance to watch them?
SB: "I've watched a few games and they are on a good run. They are a very
compact team and very confident because they have not conceded in three
games. They are hard to beat and good on the counter attack. It's a cup
tie, and always a platform for big surprises, but of course we are
approaching the FA Cup very seriously.
"We are expecting a tough game, but we are playing at home, but I am
expecting us to play good and progress."
You've got a good record recently too – seven unbeaten and only three
conceded in that time. How important has the back four been in that?
SB: "Very important, of course. Our defence and resilience, and positive
stubbornness that we've shown is not only the back four, but the whole team
who have defended as a unit.
"The back four gets the praise for that, starting with the goalkeeper, but
it was the whole team who defended and made it a little bit easier for the
back four players. We showed a pattern of how we had to play, and we almost
predicted what would happen when those players with flair came back,
starting with Lanzini and then the same for Dimitri against Liverpool. But
we kept that defensive part of the game too – that's why we are very
positive in the Club.
"On the other hand that is history, we can't rely on that. Now we have a big
game on Saturday and a big game on Tuesday. The show goes on. We have to
show it every week."
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Andy Carroll: Slaven Bilic rules out selling West Ham striker
BBC.o.uk
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic has ruled out selling striker Andy Carroll
during the January transfer window. Carroll has been out with injury for
much of this season and has been linked with moves to Sunderland or former
club Newcastle. But he recently returned with two goals in two games and
Bilic said: "We don't want to sell him. "He's very good in the dressing room
and I know he's happy here. The club aren't willing to listen to offers."
Carroll, 27, has scored in wins over Southampton and Liverpool to propel the
Hammers to sixth in the table. "Whenever he scores a couple of goals the
rumours start," Bilic said. "The only way he can stop the rumours is to play
badly, which we don't want." A former Newcastle player, Carroll joined West
Ham from Liverpool for a club record £15m in June 2013.
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Lanzini to return in 'two or three weeks'
KUMb.com
Filed: Thursday, 7th January 2016
By: Staff Writer
Manuel Lanzini should be back in action by the end of January - at the
latest, according to Hammers boss Slaven Bilic. The West Ham boss,speaking
to the press ahead of this weekend's FA Cup third round clash with Wolves
dismissed erroneous reports suggesting that the Argentine midfielder could
be out for up to six weeks. "It's the same injury as he had before," said
Bilic. "I just spoke to him and it's one of those injuries that you don't
really think it a big one. That's how he reported it the first time before
we played Manchester United. "Now it's the same. Against Southampton he
came on in the second half, made a huge impact and felt nothing afterwards.
He played against Liverpool, and orchestrated the game, but then felt it
again. Not big, but as it's the second time we have to be cautious no matter
how much we want him back. "I'm optimistic, he's working hard on his
recovery and hopefully he will be back in two or three weeks."
Since moving to east London on a season-long loan at the start of the season
the 22-year-old has been in sparkling form for West Ham, scoring four goals
and providing one assist in his first 14 appearances. KUMB reported
exclusively last October that West Ham have already agreed a deal with
Lanzini's parent club, Al Jazira, to take him on a permanent basis when his
season-long loan ends.
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Top six is our aim, says Gold
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 7th January 2016
By: Staff Writer
West Ham co-owner David Gold believes Slaven Bilic's side has the potential
to finish in the top six this season. In a big interview featured in Blowing
Bubbles Monthly, Gold also set out his vision for West Ham for the next five
years with the main target being regular European football and also stated
the club will be debt free once the first ball is kicked at their new home
in August. "I'm sitting here right now and just for a moment I'm a fan and
I'm optimistic," he said. "Their expectations levels have risen because of
how things have gone but also because we've got some quality players. "They
didn't know what Lanzini was going to be like and how he would fit in. They
also didn't know how Payet was going to settle in and become the player that
he has been for us. "The fans will be feeling like we can finish in a
European place and I believe this side is good enough."
West Ham legend Alan Taylor has also called on Slaven Bilic and his team to
put a FA Cup run at the top of their priority list ahead of the visit of
Wolves this weekend. Speaking to Blowing Bubbles, Taylor said he believes
it's time for the club to give the fans a day out at Wembley after four
years with Sam Allardyce showing very little respect for the famous trophy.
The 62-year-old, who scored two goals in the 1975 FA Cup final against
Fulham, also feels the competition would get some of its swagger back if the
winner qualified for the Champions League.
"As a schoolboy, the FA Cup was big. The coverage would start at 8am on cup
final day and go right through the day," he explained. "But today
unfortunately, I think money talks and everybody knows that the European
scene is far bigger and greater than the FA Cup. "I'd like to see the
situation where instead of having the top four play in the Champions League,
the fourth place goes to the winners of the FA Cup [that will] I hope help
the FA Cup cup go back to how it was originally."
Elsewhere in this month's issue, George Parris writes in his column that
Slaven Bilic proved his worth as the going got tough with injuries mounting
up. "We all know Slaven wants us to be playing attacking football but last
month showed he will not sacrifice results in a bid to entertain, and we
ended 2015 in eighth place - surely we would have all taken that at the
start of the season?," George wrote. Meanwhile, writing in her column, the
KUMB Podcast's Bianca Westwood believes Michail Antonio has shown there is
lots of talent in the lower leagues. "As fantastic as the academies are I
just don't think the players coming through have that hunger that the likes
of Jamie Vardy, Charlie Austin and Callum Wilson have after plying their
trade in the lower leagues," she wrote. Blowing Bubbles' writers also
outline nine New Year resolutions that will give West Ham fans a very happy
New Year, ask where has it all gone wrong for Carl Jenkinson this year and
if it's not time football closed the transfer window for good?
The latest issue of Blowing Bubbles Monthly is now available to read for
FREE on your computer, tablet or mobile phone.
Link: http://www.blowing-bubbles.co.uk/read-our-latest-issue.html
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Hammers await an apology
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 7, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H
The old saying "act in haste repent at leisure" seems particularly
appropriate in the case of the Independent newspaper which decided to
lambast West Ham and everything to do with it back in May. And West Ham
United is still awaiting an-apology given the events which have occurred
since this unfortunate piece of journalism hit the streets. Unbelievably for
such an intelligent newspaper the headline writers had one of those Sun
moments which aren't good for careers in Fleet Street these days. Under an
incredibly ill-considered headline declaring "Welcome to West Ham United:
the home of deluded fans and the most clueless owners" it launched a
staggeringly invasive attack on the club and guess why? They had decided to
part company with the former manager. Interestingly, the piece came from a
writer who offered the credentials of being a lifelong Hammer – Kiran Moody
which he presumably felt allowed him to throw everything he had in what
turned out to be a relatively limited vocabulary. It's a piece that the club
has never forgotten and last night a top insider told ClaretandHugh: "There
has never been an apology from the writer or the newspaper. However, it's
not too late and we await their "we're sorries!"
Here's some of the stuff he decided to write: On the search for a manager in
which he manages to smash Slav's credibility to bits: Rumours they want
Carlo Ancelotti; they made an approach to Jurgen Klopp; they are planning on
getting Rafa Benitez: if any of these men do come to E13, it would only be
because their club of choice did not take them. Oh but don't worry, there's
always Slaven Billic. He's never managed in the Premier League before –
whereas Sam has for over a decade – but hey, we're business people, we know
how to hire managers. Remember Avram Grant?
On the West Ham Way
Both Sir Alex Ferguson and Graeme Souness have spoken about this, with the
latter saying on Allardyce's departure: "From my time of football, I'm fed
up of hearing (about) the West Ham way. What is the West Ham way? They are a
yoyo club."
On the fans
West Ham fans have the toxic combination of being obsessed with some
historic claim to European top-flight football alongside the impatience of
the modern-day game. We were promoted back in 2012 and by 2014 we were
already calling for European football and FA Cup triumphs. How could Sam
provide FA Cup glory – missing for over three decades – just two years after
ensuring promotion, and as he tried to find stability in a league they
struggle to remain within?
On Allardyce's problems : Here is the crux of why Big Sam could never do
shine at Upton Park: because when West Ham were winning, the praise went to
those above him, and when they were losing, the fans took a sadomasochistic
happiness in it: losing is bad, but it's really good when you hate Big Sam.
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Coventry confirm interest in Hammer loan
Posted by Sean Whetstone on January 7, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H
Coventry City have confirmed are contemplating a move for West Ham defender
Reece Burke. The 19-year-old completed a loan spell at Bradford City last
weekend but suffered a gashed wrist in final game for the Bantums after
colliding with an advertising board. Sky Blues boss Tony Mowbray has told
the Coventry Telegraph: "I don't like talking about other people's players.
He's a West Ham player who has been at Bradford. We're just looking at all
options and I have looked at maybe four centre-halves this morning."
Claret and Hugh were tipped off three days ago that Burke could make a move
to the Sky Blues. Burke has made ten appearances for West Ham first team and
sixteen appearance for Bradford City on loan. He joined the West Ham junior
team age nine and made his official senior debut on 5th January 2014 for
West Ham against Notts Forest in the FA Cup. Burke's first goal for the
club came in a pre-season friendly at against Sampdoria . He scored the
winning goal in the 90th minute. Burke played the full 120 minutes against
Sheffield Utd in the league Cup second round. He made his Premier League
debut on 25th April 2015 in a 0–0 away draw against QPR.
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Bilic will respect FA Cup with winning team
Posted by Sean Whetstone on January 7, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic says he is fully aware of FA cup upsets will
not underestimate Wolves on Saturday in the third round of the FA cup. The
manager was speaking at a pre match conference this morning says he will be
put out a winning team that will respect the FA cup. Slav said: "The FA Cup
is a platform for upsets, you see it all the time so we will have to be
aware. We are not underestimating the challenge." "Wolves are in good
form. Saturday is a big game, we have to show what we are capable of every
week. The show goes on. We will very much play a team that we think is
capable of winning. Every manager respects the FA Cup." David Sullivan
previously told Claret and Hugh: "One of my first games at the club was
Wolves at home and we were appalling. I'd like revenge for that. It was a
Tuesday night, we were terrible."
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Hammers linked with troubled midfielder
Posted by Sean Whetstone on January 7, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H
Aston Villa troubled midfielder Jack Grealish has been linked with West Ham.
The latest rumours suggest that the Hammers have joined Spurs and Liverpool
in attempting to sign the 20 year old midfielder.
The report suggests that Villa are looking to cash in on their young player
after a string of high-profile 'off the field' issues over the past year.
Grealish was filmed enjoying a boozy night out in the hours after Aston
Villa's 4-0 defeat by Everton earlier this season and partying in a hotel
the next day. The attacking midfielder is said to have gone to Manchester
nightclub Panacea after playing 74 minutes of the match at Goodison Park on
Saturday.
He then travelled home to Birmingham and hosted a gathering involving two
blonde women at the Malmaison in the city centre. Footage shows Grealish,
singing into the camera in an enthusiastic manner at Panacea before
champagne bottles and sparklers arrive at the table. Last season Grealish
was in trouble with his club again after being pictured with a six-litre
£1,000 bottle of vodka while holidaying in Marbella, a month before that he
was ticked off by the club after being snapped lying in a Tenerife street
apparently drunk.
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Hammers may be forced into Byram bid
Posted by Sean Whetstone on January 7, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H
West Ham may be forced into early transfer action on Leeds right back after
Leeds owners say they want to sell now.
The 22 year right-back is out of contract in the summer and is refusing to
sign an extension at Elland Road. It is claimed he is attracting interest
from several Premier League clubs including Liverpool, Norwich, Everton and
West Ham.
Leeds owner Cellino admits he's rather lose Byram now and get some money
rather than wait till the summer and be relying on a compensation tribunal.
"We just want to sell Byram because he wants to leave," Cellino told the
Daily Mirror.
"It is better to lose him now. It is less painful for the club."
It is thought West Ham would need to pay around £5m to land the right side
player but prices are always inflated in the January transfer window and
with competition from Liverpool, Norwich and Everton the Hammers could be
forced into a bidding war which Sullivan would not want to do.
West Ham are understood to have a list of nine young right backs for
consideration to replace Jenkinson in the Summer so it remains to be seen
whether they let this one go or make a cheeky bid to seal the deal early.
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Hammer mocks McDonald over jibe
Posted by Sean Whetstone on January 7, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H
Elliot Lee has shown his funny side after responding to comments by
Blackpool boss Neil McDonald who said he would rather 'be with his mum and
dad' than playing for Blackpool on loan.
McDonald was upset about the youngster's decision to return to his parent
club rather than stay at Bloomfield Road.
Lee tweeted 'Laughable' soon after McDonald's jibe were published, seemingly
aimed at the Blackpool boss.
McDonaldHe obviously saw the funny side and followed it up with another
tweet which read: "Great day at training! Looking forward to going home and
seeing my Mummy and Daddy,"
The League One oufit signed Lee on loan until 3rd January. The 20-year-old
son of former England player Rob Lee has made seven appearances for the
Hammers in all competitions, scoring once. He also found the net three times
during an 11-game loan spell at League Two club Luton Town last season. Lee
only managed to play for Blackpool four times but failed to score in any of
his appearances.
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Barton: 'Cresswell deserves England call-up'
Posted by Sean Whetstone on January 7, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H
Joey Barton has told BBC 5 Live listeners on Monday that he has been
impressed with West Ham defender Aaron Cresswell and he deserves an England
call up in the near future.
"I like Cresswell at West Ham, I think he has done really well. I think he
has come on leaps and bounds, and probably deserves an England call-up at
some stage."
Barton nearly joined West Ham in the summer but instead opted to join
Burnley after the Hammers cooled their interest after a fan and alleged
player revolt. The 32 year old had already completed his medical on Tuesday
and was due to train with the club this week after his contract expired at
Queens Park Rangers.
Joey BartonAt the time Barton published a video to West Ham fans saying:
"I'd just like to thank the West Ham fans who sent me a lot of kind messages
on social media and especially on Twitter, 'I felt West Ham as a football
club would have been a good fit for me. It's a ground that I've always
enjoyed playing at with a very knowledgeable crowd, really passionate behind
the football team.
'I wish the football club all the best going forward. I think it's an
exciting time for the West Ham fans with the move to the Olympic Stadium and
the exciting squad you're building.
'I wish you all the best in the future and no hard feelings.'
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West Ham transfer rumours: Hammers line up £10m move for AC Milan star
By Joe Griffiths
West Ham United are chasing out of favour AC Milan star Stephan El Shaarawy.
The 22-year-old Italian was sent out on loan to French club Monaco earlier
this year but has struggled to cement a place in the first team. It is no
secret that West Ham boss Slavan Bilic is looking to invest in the wide
areas of his side and El Shaarawy fits the mould perfectly. The deal is most
likely to start off as a loan deal with a view to a permanent transfer which
could cost around the £10million pound mark.
Another host of clubs are also interested in the tricky winger though
including Bournemouth, Genoa and Fiorentina.
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NINE PL GAMES TO GO
By Tony Hanna 7 Jan 2016 at 07:00
WTID
As we move into 2016 the realisation of the move to Stratford starts to tug
at the heart strings more and more. Only nine more Premier League games to
go and we have to say goodbye to Upton Park. We all have different memories
and feelings towards the move but whatever our opinions, the move is set in
stone. Whilst nearly all who read this site and this article will be West
Ham supporters, the differences between us all is undefinable. We come from
different backgrounds, live in different countries, male and female, old and
young and the variables are endless. Of course the common factor is we love
the Hammers, some of us have for a long time, others not so long, some go to
the games and others watch on TV. Everyone has an opinion on the move to the
Olympic Stadium and I respect them all because the agendas are so diverse.
For me, I now live in Australia. Have done since I was 25. But for over a
decade West Ham was my life prior to emigrating. I rarely missed a game at
home and often went away too. My days were mainly Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst,
Brooking, Bonds, the North Bank and the Chicken Run. To the day I die those
will be my lasting memories of the football club I love. Whilst the walk
down Green Street awakens all my senses even to this day, in my opinion the
all seater stadium we now have is going to be bettered by the all seater
stadium at Stratford. This is because whilst the Boleyn is still great to
visit, my bond to it has changed. It might still be in the same place but it
is vastly different to the halcyon days of my youth. I still want to stand
at my stanchion in the old North Bank and I can't. I now have to sit on a
plastic seat. The endless singing and the crowd surges have gone, and you
can't sway to Bubbles any more and you can't do the Knees up Mother Brown.
For those of similar age to me who have continued to go throughout all the
transitions of the ground, it will be a very emotional time when they take
that final walk away from the Swansea game in May. It will leave tears in
their eyes I am sure. I took my final walk away at the Burnley game last
season so I know what I am talking about. It is not easy. Then you have
blokes like Nigel Kahn. If you have not read his article on C&H recently I
suggest you do, . Being a local, the landmarks around the ground are
nostalgic for him too and his views on the Olympic Stadium move would be far
more passionate than mine.
Then we have young Elliot Betts aged just 12. He wrote an excellent article
on here the other day, a really great effort for one so young. For nearly
his whole life his West Ham experience will be enveloped in the shiny new
stadium. Many of you reading this may have started to go to Upton Park in
more recent times after it became all seater. The stadium for you has hardly
seen any change. It is all you know. Whilst your opinions may be divided one
thing is for sure, you only have nine more Premier League games left, and
perhaps a few Cup games, before your whole match day experience will be
changed forever.
So, nine more teams are still to visit the Boleyn for the very last time in
the top flight and we are left with some cracking matches. The chance to do
the double over Arsenal and Manchester City, and games against two of our
greatest foes. Manchester United and Spurs. But perhaps the biggest of all
will be against a club the majority of us feel no emotion for at all?
Swansea City. Perhaps that game will be the most remembered of all?
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West Ham's Slaven Bilic rules out selling Andy Carroll this month
• Sunderland and Newcastle have been linked with moves for striker
• 'Nobody at the club wants to sell him, he's a very good player'
The Guardian
Thursday 7 January 2016 10.49 GMT Last modified on Thursday 7 January 2016
10.50 GMT
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic insists Andy Carroll will not be sold this
month. Sunderland, and Carroll's former club Newcastle, have been linked
with moves for the 27-year-old striker, amid reports the Hammers were
considering cashing in on a player with a bad injury record. But Bilic has
no intention of getting rid of Carroll, who has looked back to his best
recently and scored two goals in his last two matches. "The club are not
willing to listen to offers," Bilic said. "We want Andy to stay and perform
like he does in most games. "Nobody at the club wants to sell him, he's a
very good player. But whenever he scores a couple of goals the rumours
start. "The only way he can stop the rumours is to play badly, which we
don't want him to do.
"We don't want to sell him. He's very good in the dressing room and I know
he's happy here." Bilic also reported positive fitness news regarding
midfielder Manuel Lanzini. It was feared the Argentinian would be sidelined
for up to six weeks with the thigh injury he suffered against Liverpool last
Saturday, but Bilic said: "He's working hard on his recovery and hopefully
he will be back in two or three weeks." Victor Moses will not be fit for
Saturday's FA Cup tie at home to Wolves, but is due back in full training
next week, while striker Diafra Sakho could be back at the beginning of
February following a thigh injury.
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West Ham on red alert after Cellino makes big Leeds announcement
MASSIMO CELLINO has confirmed Leeds are looking to sell Sam Byram this
month.
Daily Star
By Jonathan Green / Published 7th January 2016
The right-back is out of contract in the summer and is refusing to sign an
extension at Elland Road. The 22-year-old is attracting interest from
several Premier League clubs with Liverpool, West Ham, Norwich and Everton
all believed to be chasing him. "We just want to sell Byram because he
wants to leave"
Liverpool have scouted Byram on several occasions while West Ham are
considering a £5m bid to sign him this month. Everton boss Roberto Martinez
reportedly wants Byram to offer competition for Seamus Coleman while Norwich
hope they can do a swap deal involving striker Kyle Lafferty. And Leeds
owner Cellino admits he's rather lose Byram now and get some money rather
than wait till the summer and be relying on a compensation tribunal. "We
just want to sell Byram because he wants to leave," Cellino told the Daily
Mirror. "It is better to lose him now. It is less painful for the club."
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