Daily WHUFC News - 1st February 2016

Hammers land Super Eagle Emenike
WHUFC.com

West Ham United are delighted to announce the signing of Nigeria centre-forward Emmanuel Emenike on loan until the end of the season. The 28-year-old arrives at the Boleyn Ground from Turkish club Fenerbahce, with the Hammers having the option to make the transfer permanent in the summer. Capped 37 times, the powerfully-built striker has scored regularly throughout his career, netting more than 80 club goals, including seven this season during a loan spell at Arabian Gulf League side Al-Ain in the United Arab Emirates. The 6'0 striker came through a successful medical at Spire Roding Hospital on Friday and, after putting pen to paper at the Boleyn Ground, described his joy at the prospect of linking up with Slaven Bilic, a manager he has known for some time. "I'm very, very happy and very, very excited that I'm here," Emenike told West Ham TV. "I have always known West Ham as a great Club. I've always been watching them. West Ham's a great Club and I'm happy to be here. "I've known him [Bilic] for years. When he was at Lokomotiv Moscow, I was at Spartak Moscow, then he came to Besiktas and I was in Fenerbahce, so we've known each other for a long time. I'm happy to be here and happy to play for him. "We've followed each other's careers and thank God we are here today and we are here together."

Born in the town of Aguleri in south eastern Nigeria, Emenike began his career with Delta Force FC before moving to South African football with Mpumalanga Black Aces and FC Cape Town. In 2009, at the age of 22, the forward moved to Turkish football with Second Division club Karabukspor, where his 16 goals helped his side to the title and promotion to the top flight. After scoring on his Super Lig debut, Emenike ended his second season with Karabukspor with 14 league goals to his name – form that led to a reported €9m move Fenerbahce in May 2011. However, Emenike was on the move again two months later, when he made a switch to Russian Premier League side Spartak Moscow. In just over two seasons, he netted 24 goals in 51 games for Spartak before returning to Istanbul for a second spell with Fenerbahce in 2013. That same year, the striker starred alongside Victor Moses as the Super Eagles of Nigeria won the Africa Cup of Nations, finishing as the tournament's top scorer with four goals, as well as three assists, to his name. The success continued in the 2013/14 season, when Emenike helped Fenerbahce win the Turkish Super Lig title – ahead of Slaven Bilic's Besiktas in third place – and Super Cup. After appearing at the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals for his country, the centre forward was loaned to Al-Ain in summer 2015, netting seven goals in just eleven appearances.

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Joint-Chairman - It is a winnable tie
WHUFc.com

West Ham United Joint-Chairman David Sullivan was in positive mood following the draw for the Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round and feels the Hammers stand a good chance of progressing to the latter stages if they can beat Liverpool next week. The Hammers produced another spirited display to come away with a 0-0 draw at Anfield on Saturday and earned a replay against the Merseyside Club. Mr Sullivan knows it will be a tough encounter under the lights at the Boleyn Ground, but hopes home advantage will work in the Club's favour and they can look forward to a trip to Ewood Park.
He said: "The fifth round draw is a very winnable tie, but it is our eighth away draw in the last few years which is hard to accept. "Sadly the income from the game will be low, but it's a very winnable tie and that's more important. "Beating Liverpool first looks a tougher challenge, but you never know in football."

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FA Cup fifth-round draw details
WHUFC.com

West Ham United or Liverpool have been drawn to travel to Blackburn Rovers in the Emirates FA Cup fifth round. The Hammers and the Reds will contest a fourth-round replay at the Boleyn Ground in week commencing Monday 6 February, with the winners heading to Ewood Park in the last 16.
Fifth round ties will be played over the weekend 19-22 February 2016. The last time West Ham faced Blackburn in the FA Cup was in 2006, when the Hammers won 4-2 in the fourth round on their way to the final. The two clubs have met six times in the FA Cup in total, splitting three wins apiece. West Ham and Liverpool played out a goalless draw at Anfield on Saturday, where goalkeeper Darren Randolph was in top form and Pedro Obiang came closest to shooting Slaven Bilic's side through. Ticket details for the fourth-round replay can be found here.

Ticket details for the fifth round tie will be confirmed should the Hammers advance to the last 16 for the second season in succession.

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Emenike completes loan switch
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 31st January 2016
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United have completed the loan signing of Nigerian international forward Emmanuel Emenike from Turkish club Fenerbahce. The 28-year-old goalscorer has joined West Ham for the remainder of the season after the two clubs finally agreed terms. News of Emenike's arrival was confirmed via twitter tonight by the youngest son of co-owner David Sullivan. He should be available to face Aston Villa at the Boleyn on Tuesday night.

Jack Sullivan @jsullivanwhu
EMENIKE loan is complete for the rest of the season... At last! #coyi
8:04 PM - 31 Jan 2016

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Blackburn Rovers await in round five
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 31st January 2016
By: Staff Writer

West Ham will face Championship side Blackburn in the next round of the FA Cup - if they manage to overcome Liverpool in next week's fourth round replay.

The ties were drawn by recent KUMB Podcast guest Mark Lawrenson and Ruud Gullit; the full draw is as follows:

Chelsea v Manchester City
Reading v West Bromwich Albion or Peterborough United
Watford v Leeds United
Shrewsbury Town v Manchester United
Blackburn Rovers v Liverpool or West Ham United
Tottenham Hotspur v Crystal Palace
Arsenal v Hull City
AFC Bournemouth v Everton

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MY DAY OUT IN LIVERPOOL (AND A CHAT WITH ROY KEANE)
By Iain Dale 31 Jan 2016 at 18:00
WTID

BREAKING NEWS: If we beat Liverpool we will be away to Blackburn Rovers in the fifth round of the FA Cup

Iain recounts a 600 mile round-trip to Anfield

It turned out we left Kent a bit early. 9am to be precise. I was travelling to the Anfield with a Liverpool supporting friend of mine, so we thought we'd make a day of it. Traffic was light and we arrived at just after 1pm. For a 5.30 kick off. Hmmm. Maybe not quite so wise. They're building a huge new main stand above the existing one at the moment so the place is a bit of a building site. We killed a bit of time by going to the Anfield museum, which charges £9 a ticket. Impressive it is not. But hey, it killed twenty minutes.

One thing you notice about Anfield is the stewards. There are dozens of them, and with one jobsworth exception they were all incredibly helpful and friendly. In a throwback to the 1970s they also have quite a few female stewards in the corporate entertainment section, all dressed up in ground length warm coats. They looked as if they could lead double lives as Virgin Atlantic flight attendants.

At 2.30 it started bucketing it down. Then it hailed. Then it showed. By this time we had taken refuge in one of the guest lounges. This turned out to be a giant marquee due to the main stand being built. For quite a time we were the only two people in there, so we gorged ourselves on the food on offer. Not a prawn sandwich in sight, since you ask. After an hour and a half we grew somewhat tired of watching LFC TV, extolling the glories of Herr Kopp and longed for the dulcet tones of Jeff Stelling. By that time the place had filled up a little and two men in flat caps came in and asked if they could sit at our table. "Sure," I said, inwardly groaning at the thought of making meaningless football banter with a couple of scousers who still reckon they support the greatest club in the world and would want to crow about 2006. They went to get some food and then came back. At that point, I realised we were actually in the company of Roy Keane! He's a lot smaller than I imagined but quickly learned that he is great company. Once I realised it was him I asked him if he was there to run an eye over Darren Randolph. He said yes and introduced us to his friend, Ireland's goalkeeping coach Seamus McDonagh.

Keane went on to praise West Ham and felt that we would beat Liverpool given our strong lineup and Liverpool playing with quite a lot of youngsters. I asked him if he thought Mark Noble might still play for the Republic of Ireland. I don't think I am breaching any confidence to reveal that he confirmed discussions had been had but Mark still harbours hope of getting an England cap. Roy and I agreed that as long as Roy Hodgson is there that doesn't look very likely. I have to say that Roy Keane proved to be a lovely man – totally different from what I might have imagined. He was chatty, entertaining and bloody good company – far from the dark, brooding loner than we have so often read about.

At around 5pm we ventured over to the ground and took our seats. We were bowled over to find ourselves in the front row of the Directors' Box. I was sat a few seats along from Ian Rush and Gary McAllister. There were several Hammers behind us and alongside, so I didn't feel too nervous about punching the air if West Ham had scored. Sadly I wasn't to be tested…

I had never been to Anfield before. Inside it was far smaller than I had imagines, and much more intimate. The singing of 'You'll Never Walk Alone' was stirring stuff, only marred by our fans signing 'Sign on, Sign on' at the same time. Really? It was frankly quite embarrassing. However, the singing of the Payet song was brilliant and resounded at various points during the game. Sadly it didn't have any effect on Payet who put in one of his quieter performances. The Liverpool fans took until the second half to make any meaningful noise. At times Anfield sounded a bit like the Emirates on an even quieter day.

The dugouts at Anfield are very odd. There is only one technical area, which the two managers share, and it is about ten yards down from the half way line. Bilic and Klopp clearly get on and they exchanged quite a few friendly words during the game. Bilic even chatted to the crowd at one or two points.

The game was rather forgettable. I felt we shaded the first half but Liverpool were the better side in the second. I quite liked their two skilful, terrier-like central midfield players Texeira and Brannagan. Benteke never got in the game at all and he is clearly at rock bottom in confidence terms. Neither side really looked like scoring. The main bright spot from our point of view was the contrast between the two goalkeepers. Randolph pulled off some very good saves, including a triple save and commanded his area throughout. Mignolet, on the other hand, was dreadful. He made his defenders and the crowd incredibly nervous. I thought our back four performed well, with both Ogbonna and Reid putting in impressive performances. Bearing in mind this was Joey O'Brien's first game of the season, I thought he was outstanding, both defensively and going forward.

Having two players going off injured before half time could only happen to us. It didn't appear to unsettle us too much, but it did mean we had to change our formation. I did wonder why Bilic thought it a good idea to replace Kouyate with Jelavic. Surely Oxford or Cullen would have been a like for like replacement. Sort of. Having said that, Jelavic certainly put himself about a bit, but I still think he's way off the pace.

This was Victor Moses's chance to shine and to show why he should be given a starting place on Tuesday. He flunked it and was replaced by Antonio after 70 minutes. Just before he came on he took of his top to put his shirt on. He had his back to me. Talk about broad shoulders and a back rippling with muscle. He looked more like a gymnast than a footballer. He did more in twenty minutes than Moses had done in 70.

At half time I had another word with Roy Keane, who was buzzing about Darren Randolph, as well he might have been. I suspect he was glad he came.

At the end of the game, as I was leaving I heard someone in the crowd shout out "Oi, Iain you've put on a bit of timber." I looked round, but instead of addressing the point to me, the Liverpool supporter was talking to Ian Rush!

We managed to get away from the car park really quickly and I was home just after 11.30pm.

In some ways we ought to be disappointed not to have beaten a weakened Liverpool team. However, I'd never knock back a 0-0 draw at Anfield. The last time we did the double over Liverpool was in 1963-4. We went on to win the Cup. Let's hope than next Tuesday we can do the treble.

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Emenike? £8m Lanzini really would have excited
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 31, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

At last we can stop discussing whether the striker very few of us had ever heard of until a fortnight ago is going to join the club. According to Jack Sullivan the loan deal to make Emanuelle Emenike a Hammer – well for three months at least – is done and it's now presumably in the hands of the Nigerian to show us he can land the gig full time. The price being widely quoted for that is 8 million euros which by coincidence is the same as that for Manu Lanzini – so he'd better be a bit special. Personally, I'm not sure he will get the game time he requires to do that with both Andy Carroll and Doafr Sakho now within days of a return to action. And given that Manu has had to wait nearly an entire season and still hasn't been been signed (although I have no doubt he will be) I very much doubt that the EE man will have the time to persuade anyone of his worth. I found it hard to get excited about this deal from any other perspective than waving an indifferent goodbye to Mr Jelavic who will now head off to the Orient to trouser a shed load of Chinese Yuan Renminb. Eight million euros for EE? We'll see but I'll be a lot more excited when Manu signs at the same price!

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Enzo in safe hands of the great Adrian
Posted by Sean Whetstone on January 31, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

OK so we don't usually do baby pictures on Claret and Hugh but we thought we would make an exception for Adrian. A few minutes ago Adrian tweeted "The most beautiful day of life…Enzo is here" The Club added their message tweeting "Congratulations Adrian #EnzoIsAHammer #WHUFC"
Chairman David Gold added "Congratulations Adrian to you and your lovely wife on this special day." I am sure you will join us in wishing Adrian and his wife, Tamara congratulations on the birth of his first child.

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Slav shows what 'respecting the point' really means
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 31, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

Long time CandH Twitter follower, Facebook forum member and all round good guy Pete Ellis, makes his bow as our latest blogger by explaining how Slav has give that sad old expression 'Respect the Point' its real meaning.

No need for a CandH disclaimer – we agree with every word!

Respect the point !!!

If, like me, those three little words have made your teeth itch over recent seasons, read on.

We are all very familiar with the phrase, first uttered by the amazing Allardici, after another result where West Ham snatched a draw from the jaws of victory.

The irony is not lost on me that the 'respect the point' phrase, which caused such disharmony, upset and downright anger, has now been reclaimed by the current management team and been transformed into something which can actually be acknowledged and indeed of something to make us PROUD.

Although they've not said it, they would be perfectly justified in doing so.Under the previous manager, the phrase was yet another distraction technique. Another way of diverting any blame or accountability for what would normally be another underwhelming performance, and result.

Respecting a point at home against the cannon fodder of the league is not something to be celebrated.

In an extreme circumstance, such as an unjust red card, and having to battle through with 10 men to pick up a point, you could argue otherwise, but no. Under Big Sam,the respect the point tag was trotted out during games where the team, the tactics and the in game management, were way below what was expected, dare I say demanded of a West Ham manager.

Playing poorly at home, with a full squad (or certainly not one missing 5/6 first teamers at once) against the worst teams in the league, only to change things with the inspired 65th minute right back change of JOB on for Demel, was not something that the West Ham faithful would appreciate.

Expecting us to fall for a line such as this, only goes to show the lack of relationship and understanding Sam had with the Boleyn crowd. If we lost, the ref, lino, ball boy, tea lady, and his dry cleaner, would all have to shoulder some of the blame from Allardici, but the man himself was telfon.

In stark contrast to this, we have Mr Bilic.

The connection with the fans is common knowledge, so no need to dwell on that. What we should look at, is the autumn/winter period where we were decimated by injuries. Can anyone name a former West Ham manager that would have gone to Old Trafford, with so many players out, and be disappointed to come away with just a point?

Would a West Ham of old have secured points against a rejuvenated Stoke? (if you think they are still the Wimbledon of the north, I suggest you take a closer look at them) ? Would we have stayed strong in the face of a Tony Pulis side that rallied, after a freak own goal.

I think in past years, Stoke and West Brom may have caught us out in that situation, especially with the injuries. We could quite easily have felt sorry for ourselves, and invited pressure which would lead to the inevitable.

There were those who questioned Slaven's abilities in such circumstances with such questions as "What happens when we go through a bad patch. Injuries etc"

Well I think we have seen the answer.

There is no hiding after a bad result. There is no deflection of criticism, lack of ownership, or accountability. Instead we are treated to an honest assessment that we can accept, acknowledge and move on (such as Newcastle). We cant dig Bilic out for telling us what we've seen with our own eyes.

It's refreshing, and it gives his detractors (if there are any) ,nowhere to got in terms of attacking him. If we are good, he says it, if we are poor, he highlights it too. With that in mind, respecting the point during that run of draws pre Christmas, is very apt. Respecting a point when week in week out your attacking options and key personnel are dropping like flies, is very much a valid comment.

Apart from perhaps City and that west London club that was established 13 years ago by the KGB, I can see no other team that would cope with our injury crisis as well as Bilic has. Take Kane from Spurs, and they struggle, take Lukaka from Everton, and it's curtains, take Sanchez from Arsenal and they are not the force they were.

Yet here are little West Ham, crashing the top six party, despite having half the first X1 in the treatment room. I say again, I don't think any Irons manager, nor any other club apart for the two mentioned, would come through that period undefeated.

Unlike Martinez, who seems to play attack no matter what, or Big Sam and his bus, Bilic has shown already he can cope with an injury crisis, play the "West Ham Way" and also be solid when needs must with injuries.

We are versatile, can adapt, and make changes when its called for. Its alien to us to have a plan B or C after the last 4/5 years….what's going on ?

As soon as the reinforcements came back we saw the return to victories. Then we see a the game versus City. Seemed like a cup game to me. Both teams having a go from the off. Great spectacle and a game that has obviously made the league wake up to fact that West Ham, along with Leicester, are not going away.

Joe Hart was very graceful in his assessment that while a fair result, you could not argue if West Ham won, but you could if City sneaked a victory. Fair play, a clean scalp seemingly helps you speak common sense too.

On top of this, Slav himself said that if you are disappointed to just get a point versus City, you are a very good team.

I have to say, it's another example of the calm sensible man we have at the helm.

Respect the point is no longer a phrase to roll our eyes at. Its one to embrace and acknowledge, because this time, its valid.

Without wishing to sound to sycophantic, its looking good from Mr Bilic, and the added bonus of keeping Lawrenson and Keys in their box is just an added bonus.

Respect the point……………………..because now everyone is starting the repsect West Ham!

COYI !!!

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£1.2m bonus awaits West Ham in FA Cup replay
Posted by Sean Whetstone on January 31, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

Some West Ham fans moaned and groaned when we drew Liverpool in the FA Cup fourth round draw and further still at the thought of having to replay them after yesterday's Nil-Nil bore draw, but we need to remember the financial rewards of playing Liverpool twice in the FA Cup are substantial!

West Ham earned £67,500 in prize money for beating Wolves in the third round of the FA Cup but £90,000 prize money awaits the winner of the fourth round between Liverpool and West Ham. Winning a FA Cup fifth round nets £180,000, Sixth Round £360,000, Semi-Final winners get £900,000 each with £1.8m going to the eventual winners of the FA Cup.

The gate money for all FA Cup ties is split 42.5% to each club with 10% to the FA Cup prize fund and 5% to the FA themselves.

Each club gets £144,000 in TV rights for LIVE games shown with £72,000 for LIVE replays and additional money for highlights and radio broadcast fees adding over £15,000 per FA Cup match. From the fifth round TV money goes up to £247,500 per LIVE game shown on the box.

Under FA rules the home club sets the price of the tickets. In the case of a third-round tie and onwards, the minimum price set by the FA is £15. The Anfield tie against Liverpool achieved an attendance of 44,000 at £30 per ticket netting us around £561,00 in gate money. As the game was also featured live on BT Sport we netted another £144,000 for a facility fee plus the highlights and Radio fees making a grand total of £720,000 income for the Hammers for yesterday's match.

We play the FA Cup replay on Wednesday evening 9th February with tickets priced between £20-£25 per ticket. That game should sell out and net each side around £350,000 in gate money, a likely £72,000 for the TV right plus £15,000 in highlights and radio fees. So a total income around £437,000 for the night.

If we can beat Liverpool a week on Tuesday then our fourth round revenue will top £1.247m, if we get beat by the Reds we will have still bagged £1.15m from the fourth round proper of the cup.

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