Daily WHUFC News - 30th June 2016

West Ham United statement
WHUFC.com

West Ham United welcome the BBC's Editorial Complaints Unit upholding the LLDC's complaint against the biased reporting in the 'Hammers Struck Gold' programme, aired on 6 August 2015. It was clear from the outset of the project, when the production team first approached West Ham to take part in filming, that their line of questioning was heavily biased and on that basis the Club chose not to take part. The Club did however, in good faith, issue a statement to the programme makers outlining the Club's position on the important issues raised. Disappointingly, but not surprisingly, only a small section of that statement was reflected in the programme. It is now clear that the documentary should never have aired in the format that it did and we therefore hope that its producers will now do the right thing and issue an apology to West Ham United for the biased reporting contained within it.

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Prince Albert of Monaco predicts big things for the Hammers
WHUFC.com

Prince Albert believes the West Ham fans will create a special atmosphere in their new home. ​The Hammers were able to welcome royalty to east London and Prince Albert of Monaco predicts a big future for West Ham United over the next few years. With the east London Club bidding an emotional farewell to the Boleyn Ground, Prince Albert was invited by owners David Gold and David Sullivan and Baroness Brady to see West Ham United in action. Prince Albert already knew a great deal about Slaven Bilic and his players having followed the progress of Dimitri Payet last season and has nothing but praise for the way the talented forward has quickly become one of the best players in the Premier League.

With West Ham preparing for a big move into the new Stadium, Prince Albert believes it will only help the Club grow even stronger as they prepare to play in front of 60,000 fans.
Prince Albert said: "It was a great honour to be invited here. The way this club is developing is very encouraging. "I am sure the the big move will help take them onto another level. I am sure it will have an incredible impact on the players. "The West Ham fans will create a very special atmosphere there and I wish them a lot of successful seasons to come."

Prince Albert reveals he is a big fan of Payet and can see why he is such a big hero with the West Ham United supporters. Prince Albert added: "He has certainly made his mark already. He is an incredible player and very versatile. He is very powerful and I hope he will have many more successful seasons here. "People in France are very aware of his impact and the way he has been adopted by the fans. Everybody is very proud of that."

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1890s
WHUFC.com

The bankruptcy of the Old Castle Swifts FC – the first professional football team in Essex, which had been formed in 1892 by employees of the Castle Shipping Line – opened up an opportunity for a new football club to be formed in what was then the County Borough of West Ham. Businessman Arnold Hills, the managing director of the Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Company, was asked by one of his foremen, local football referee Dave Taylor, if he could start up a works football team.

Mr Hills was a keen amateur sportsman himself and was well known for his enthusiasm for exercise, healthy living, tee-totalling, temperance and encouraging his workforce to become involved in communal activities. Prior to the foundation of Thames Ironworks FC, Hills had already overseen the introduction of a host of sports clubs, including cricket, running, rowing, cycling and a junior football team, a brass band, operatic society and a debating society, among others.

In June 1895, the formation of the senior works football club was announced in the company's 'Thames Iron Works Gazette' newspaper and Taylor set about assembling a squad and arranging friendly matches for the 1895/96 season. A number of former Old Castle Swifts and Old St Lukes – another local club which had amalgamated with Castle Swifts in 1894 – players and staff joined the new Thames Ironworks FC, including Old St Lukes honorary secretary Mr A. C. Davis, who later served as a director.

The new club moved into Old Castle Swifts' recently-vacated ground at Hermit Road, Canning Town, less than a mile north of the Thames Ironworks shipbuilding yards at the mouth of Bow Creek.

Thames Ironworks FC also adopted Old Castle Swifts' colours, with the new club's first kit being all traditional Oxford Blue. Reflecting another of Hills' great passions, patriotism, a Union Jack was added to the strip in 1896/97, while the team wore a new red, white and blue kit between November 1897 and 1900.

Having founded the new club and assembled a squad of around 50 would-be amateur players, Taylor went back to his former role as a referee, leaving the management to Thames Ironworks company secretary Francis Payne, who became Chairman and Chief Director.

On the pitch, the players were coached by Thames Ironworks employee Ted Harsent, with another former Old Castle Swift, Tom Robinson, appointed as trainer and physio.

Robinson ran twice-weekly evening training sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays in a gas-lit schoolroom at Trinity Church School in Barking Road, Canning Town, where the players were put through Army-style physical training exercises. The players also went for runs around the local streets.

Wearing their Oxford Blue, Thames Ironworks FC stepped out at Hermit Road for their first-ever fixture on 7 September 1895, with the friendly meeting with Southern League side Royal Ordnance Factories FC ending in a creditable 1-1 draw.

The Club's first competitive fixture took place on 12 October 1895, when Thames Ironworks travelled to another club with maritime traditions, Chatham Town, in the FA Cup first qualifying round. A 3,000-strong crowd turned out to see the Kent League outfit triumph 5-0.

Thames Ironworks' team that afternoon was captained by Scot Robert Stevenson – formerly of Old Castle Swifts – while the defence included clerk Walter Parks, the midfield engine room comprised boilermakers Johnny Stewart, George Sage and James Lindsay and the forward line was led by ship's fireman Thomas Freeman.

The new club, then nicknamed 'The Tee-totallers' due to Hills' urging his players to abstain from drinking alcohol, had more reason to celebrate in the West Ham Charity Cup, which they won at the first attempt by defeating Barking Woodville at the third attempt.

Over the course of the 1895/96 season, Thames Ironworks' sides would contest 46 matches in total, winning 30.

A number of those matches were played in the evening, allowing employees and their families to attend. In those relatively early days of electricity, Thames Ironworks pioneered floodlit football, with the first such match taking place on 16 December 1895. It was some feat for the Club to surround the Hermit Road pitch with some 2,000 light bulbs suspended between poles.

The exercise was repeated a number of times over the course of the club's inaugural season, with two-time FA Cup winners West Bromwich Albion scoring a 4-2 victory at Hermit Road on 20 March 1896.

In 1896 the Thames Iron Works entered the London League. The team played in 'Royal Cambridge Blue' shirts and white shorts. They also wore a red cap, belt and socks.

With interest in the club growing among employees, the Ironworks were able to field three teams each week, with the first team entering a total of six cup competitions.

At the start of the 1896/97 season, Arnold Hills outlined his vision for the club, saying: "As an old footballer myself, I would say, get into good condition at the beginning of the season, keep on the ball, play an unselfish game, pay heed to your captain, and whatever the fortunes of the first half of the game, never despair of winning, and never give up doing your very best to the last minute of the match.
That is the way to play football, and better still, that is the way to make yourselves men."

After just two matches, the Ironworks were evicted from their Hermit Road ground for violating their tenancy agreement by installing a perimiter fence and charging admission fees. Hills acted quickly and the club moved to Browning Road in East Ham. The move to a less-developed part of the local area was not universally welcomed, however, and crowds at the club's new home were disappointing.

On the pitch, however, the campaign was a success. The Ironworks lost 8-0 to Sheppey United in the FA Cup, but in the league they finished strongly, winning seven of their final 12 matches to finish as runners-up to the 3rd Grenadier Guards.

In summer 1897, Hills moved the club again, this time to purpose-built accommodation at the Memorial Grounds in West Ham. A huge multi-sports facility, the Memorial Grounds could reportedly house more than 100,000 spectators and played host to a variety of other sporting events and pastimes.

The move to the Memorial Grounds was not immediately welcomed, either, but the team itself showed some real promise during its third season.

Indeed, the Ironworks not only made it through two rounds of the FA Cup, but they also won the London League title, losing just one of their 16 matches to pip Brentford by a single point on the final day of the season.

The summer of 1898 was marred by a tragedy when 38 people died during the launch of the battleship HMS Albion at Leamouth. After being christened by the Duchess of York, a wave created by the ship's entry into the water caused a stage holding 200 onlookers to collapse.

Two further maritime disasters cast a shadow over the local area and it was hoped that football would take the workers' minds off the terrible events of the summer.

For the first time, the Ironworks signed professional players following a proposal from club secretary Francis Payne. Hills was reluctant to pay his players, but he accepted that the move had to be made to keep the team competitive.

As well as a host of new players, a new trainer was appointed, with Jack Ratcliffe replacing Tom Robinson.

The changes had a positive effect on the squad as the Ironworks won the Southern League Second Division title at the first attempt, winning 19 of their 22 matches. Star of the show was one of the new professionals, David Lloyd, who scored 14 goals in 16 appearances in all competitions.

The Ironworks scored 64 goals in those 22 league matches, conceding just 16, and achieved 10-0 and 8-1 home victories over Maidenhead and Chesham respectively.
Hills was happy with the success, but wrote at the end of the 1898/99 season of his concern at employing players, rather than using employees as players.

He wrote: "The committees of several of our clubs, eager for immediate success, are inclined to reinforce their ranks with mercenaries. In our bands and in our football clubs, I find an increasing number of professionals who do not belong to our community but are paid to represent us in their several capacities.

"Now this is a very simple and effective method of producing popular triumphs. It is only a matter of how we are willing to pay and the weight of our purses can be made the measure of our glory. I have however, not the smallest intention of entering upon a competition of this kind: I desire that our clubs should be spontaneous and cultivated expressions of our internal activity."

The Ironworks ended the nineteenth century in the Southern League First Division – a step up in standard that would initially prove difficult to make…

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Rice signs new contract
WHUFC.com

West Ham United are delighted to announce that highly-rated defender Declan Rice has signed his first professional contract with the Club. Rice, 17, has been one of the star performers in the Academy and made his breakthrough into the Development Squad where he played his part in helping Terry Westley's side win the U21 Premier League Cup last season.
The talented defender was rewarded for his impressive displays when he won the prestigious Dylan Tombides award and has now agreed a three-year deal to stay with the east London Club. Rice says he is thrilled to be part of the Club's future as they prepare for a historic move into the new Stadium and hopes to follow in the footsteps of Reece Oxford and become the next big star to make his breakthrough into the first-team. Rice said: "It is an amazing feeling to sign a three-year deal with West Ham and it is exciting to be part of the Club as we move into the new Stadium. "I have gone from a scholarship to signing a professional contract and it has all happened within the space of six months as I was playing so well. "With the players that West Ham are now attracting, it is amazing to train with the first-team and hopefully I can be a part of it next season. "I am so happy that Reece and Josh Cullen have broken into the first-team. Hopefully I can follow in their footsteps and impress Slaven Bilic during the pre-season. "Slaven and his backroom staff give so much advice to the younger players and help them out a great deal and I love the chance to train with the first-team. "We have had a number of great defenders like Bobby Moore, Rio Ferdinand and Slaven and I would love to achieve what they did."

Rice says he will never forget an emotional 24 hours back in May when he won the Dylan Tombides award and then made his way up to Hull to the following day and helped the Development Squad record a famous victory to win the competition. Rice added: "It was probably one of the best weeks of my life and I was proud of what I achieved. "When Terry said I was going to the Awards dinner I had no idea that I was going to win anything. I heard that Dylan was a top player so it was fantastic to pick up the award. "I loved every minute of the final and it was great to get the win on penalties. We stuck together and had an amazing team spirit."

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Faubert - I have amazing memories
WHUFC.com

For five seasons, Julien 'Le TGV' Faubert sped up and down West Ham United's right wing, frightening defenders with his express pace and whipped crosses. The former France international became a favourite among the Claret and Blue Army for his determined, honest and hard-working displays. Faubert, who made 121 appearances between 2008 and 2012, spoke exclusively to whufc.com about his own career, his close relationship with the Hammers and the positive impact made by manager Slaven Bilic and fellow countryman Dimitri Payet. "I have amazing memories of my time at West Ham, and I can't really choose one, to be honest," recalled the Le Havre-born player, who is currently talking to potential employers after ending last season at Scottish Premiership club Kilmarnock. "The 2012 Championship Play-Off final, when we scored at the end was an incredible feeling for us and the fans – I still watch Ricardo Vaz Te's goal and the celebrations on YouTube! "I still have a special relationship with the fans because they still talk to me and show their love and support on social media, even if I'm not a West Ham player. Where can you see that, except in England and especially at West Ham? "West Ham is my team – I still follow the club's result and watch every game on the TV, so my love for the club and the fans is still the same."

Faubert thoroughly enjoyed watching the Hammers in action last season, when Bilic led them to seventh in the Premier League, a dramatic run to the FA Cup quarter-finals and European qualification. The 32-year-old said the arrival of the new manager and his signings, including Payet, Italy defender Angelo Ogbonna and Argentinean playmaker Manuel Lanzini, had taken the Club to a new level ahead of the imminent move to a new 60,000-capacity Stadium. "The coach and the signings made a huge difference and step forward for the Club," Faubert observed, "and that what West Ham needed because with the Stadium move, West Ham need some big results and need to play in European competition. "So, for me West Ham is going to be in the top four and play for the title every year. I'm so happy for that because the Club deserves it because it has history and the best fans in England. "There was already a crazy atmosphere at the Boleyn Ground and during the Play-Off final at Wembley, so I can't imagine what it will be like at the former Olympic Stadium. My only disappointment is not being able to play in front of the 60,000 amazing West Ham fans."

While Faubert himself will miss out on playing at the London Stadium, he is excited by the prospect of compatriot Payet doing so in a West Ham shirt next season. His fellow France international excelled last term and is currently enjoying an outstanding UEFA Euro 2016 for Les Bleus, and the former Bordeaux man expects Payet to continue to produce the goods for the Hammers in 2016/17. "Dimitri is a big player now and has made a huge step of his career," he said. "His quality has improved. "I played against him and he already had this quality, but he has taken his responsibility at West Ham to lead the team and is a different, bigger player now. I know why this has happened – at West Ham it's the best atmosphere to play your best football because the Club and the love from the fans make you a different player. "I hope he is going stay many years at West Ham to show his best football for himself, the fans and the team."

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Dobson makes Saddlers loan switch
WHUFC.com

Young West Ham midfielder George Dobson has joined League One outfit Walsall on a season-long loan. The 18-year-old, who joined the Hammers from north London Club Arsenal last summer, made 21 appearances for the Development Squad last season, playing a major role as they won the U21 Premier League Cup.
The youngster, who is a West Ham supporter, was also named on the first team substitutes' bench for March Premier League wins over Tottenham Hotspur and Everton last season. He captained Arsenal's U18s before making the switch to east London last year and will hope to make an impression for the Saddlers, who finished third in League One last season.
After completing the move, Dobson said: "I can't wait to get started. It's a massive opportunity for me and one I'm really excited about and I just hope I can get as many games under my belt as possible. Playing in League One is a big step up, but one I'm confident I can adapt to. Last season Walsall finished third, so you can see the ambition and the talent is there. "Playing in League One is a big step up, but one I'm confident I can adapt to. Last season Walsall finished third, so you can see the ambition and the talent is there. "I had a full season with the U21s last season which was very good, I enjoyed it a lot and now I feel ready for the next step. My plan was to go out on loan at some point this year, I just didn't know when. Now it's happened, I can't wait to get started."

Dobson watched on as teammates Reece Burke and Josh Cullen impressed on loan at Bradford City in the same division last season, and he admitted he would love to emulate their success. "Last season, Reece and Josh did brilliantly on loan at Bradford and if I do anywhere near as well then I'll be happy. Reece won seven awards so that'll be pretty difficult, but I'm confident in my ability that I can do well. "Hopefully I can make my professional debut sooner rather than later but I know I need to work hard to earn it. "I'm excited to meet up with the staff and players, and get stuck in at a new environment and a new culture. "

As Terry Westley's Development Squad reached the U21 Premier League Cup final against Hull City last campaign, Dobson played in all four of the ties, dictating play and impressing from the centre of the park. However, after featuring in the final first leg against the Tigers at the Boleyn Ground, Dobson was forced to watch his teammates lift the trophy after a penalty shootout victory from the stands, after injury had ruled him out of the clash. Dobson also played seven times for the Club's U18s last season, scoring once in an early season tie against London rivals Fulham.

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New Stadium progress report
WHUFC.com

Noble joins an elite group of players at the new Stadium including Moore, Peters & Hurst
The West Ham skipper saw his giant shirt installed
The giant shirts are positioned around the world-class arena

West Ham United captain Mark Noble has joined an elite group of players that have had their giant model shirts installed at the new Stadium. Noble was thrilled to see his name chosen alongside the Hammers' three World Cup winners – Sir Geoff Hurst, Bobby Moore and Martin Peters. The talented midfielder made an emotional visit to the new Stadium to see the shirt put up and is honoured to have been chosen alongside some of the biggest names in the Club's history. Noble said: "For a Canning Town boy like me to see my name up on a giant shirt at our new home is a bit surreal, to be honest! "I've supported this Club all my life and to be honoured in this way alongside so many legends at our amazing new Stadium is special."
The imposing shirts, each four-metres wide, have been installed around the world-class arena and West Ham United will celebrate the heroes of both past and present throughout the Stadium. Hammers legends Billy Bonds, Sir Trevor Brooking and newly-crowned Hammer of the Year Dimitri Payet have also been honoured.

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Woods - This is a great adventure for the team
WHUFC.com

Chris Woods is no stranger to life in America and will be looking forward to the Stateside tour when the Hammers arrive in Seattle and Carolina. Following a memorable career in England where Woods lifted the European Cup with Nottingham Forest, the former England keeper flew out to the States and had a successful spell with Colorado Rapids. The West Ham United goalkeeping coach has also been part of the USA coaching staff and is a big follower of the Major League Soccer. Slaven Bilic and his players will jet out to America this weekend and will face two games, including a prestigious pre-season fixture with the Seattle Sounders, the best-supported and most-valuable franchise in Major League Soccer (MLS), on Tuesday 5 July, before facing North American Soccer League (NASL) team Carolina RailHawks on Tuesday 12 July.
Woods has no doubts that the experience will benefit all of the first-team players and hopes they can attract an even bigger fan base. Woods said: "It is a great adventure for the team to go over to America with the way the game is thriving over there. "I went there when the MLS first started and it has grown each year. They have got big fan bases and their own stadiums now. "The way they are improving and selling out the games with the top players coming into the league shows they are moving forward. "Hopefully we can attract a lot more supporters and I know there are West Ham fans there already "With the Club moving into the new Stadium it is going to have a massive appeal to everybody. "Kaka has joined Orlando and you have the New York teams. The game is on the up and it is attractive for the supporters that you get the top players who go there."

Woods is especially looking forward to the first game in Seattle and the chance to meet up with a number of familiar faces. He added: "There will be a great atmosphere for the Seattle game and I have been there to see a game. There is non-stop singing and I know some of the players there. "They will be desperate to beat us and it will be a great occasion. They will see it as a scalp and there are no easy games."

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West Ham demand Roan apology
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 29th June 2016
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United have welcomed the BBC's decision to uphold a complaint by the LLDC regarding a recent programme aired by the corporation regarding the club's move to Stratford.
The London Legacy Development Corporation complained that the programme, which first aired last August and was presented by BBC Sports Editor Dan Roan - a long-term opponent of United's relocation - had been "unfair", "biased" and "inaccurate" in its summary of West Ham's impending move to E20. And that complain has been "partly upheld" by the BBC, who declared that the programme makers failed to meet the BBC's editorial standards "had not been met". "The ECU [Editorial Complaints Unit] did not find overall bias, but did find that some significant points ... had been omitted from the programme, resulting in unfairness to the LLDC and bias in relation to the points in question", read a statement. "As a consequence the ECU's finding was that the BBC's editorial standards in the relevant areas had not been met. The ECU found no inaccuracy which would have materially affected viewers' understanding of the issues under discussion."

West Ham responded by welcoming the BBC's decision. "It was clear from the outset of the project, when the production team first approached West Ham to take part in filming, that their line of questioning was heavily biased and on that basis the club chose not to take part," it read. "The club did however, in good faith, issue a statement to the programme makers outlining the club's position on the important issues raised. Disappointingly, but not surprisingly, only a small section of that statement was reflected in the programme.
"It is now clear that the documentary should never have aired in the format that it did and we therefore hope that its producers will now do the right thing and issue an apology to West Ham United for the biased reporting contained within it."

With regards to further action, the BBC added: "The production team has been reminded of the need to ensure that contributors' responses to criticisms are properly reflected in programmes, particularly when they are the sole representatives of those towards whom criticism has been directed."

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Hammers prepare to house Tyrell
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 29th June 2016
By: Staff Writer

West Ham are on the verge of completing a deal for Arsenal youngster Tyrell Robinson. The 18-year-old full back is poised to move from north to east London later this week on a two-year contract, according to the Arsenal Youth blog. A friend of George Dobson, who completed his own move from Arsenal to West Ham in July 2015, Robinson is said to prefer a more attacking role despite having featured in defence for the Gunners' youth teams and Under 21s. And that is said to have led to him falling out with Arsenal's coaches and asking to leave the club last season.

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Hammers gazumped in Batshuayi deal
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 29th June 2016
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United's pursuit of Michy Batshuayi looks to be dead in the water after it was revealed that Chelsea have agreed a £33million fee for the striker with Marseille. The 22-year-old was already poised to leave L'OM this summer with the Ligue 1 side desperate to sell in order to balance the books. However a late move from the west London club has seen them beat off the Hammers and a string of other clubs to Batshuayi's signature, according to fresh reports from across the Channel this morning. Despite being heavily linked with a move to West Ham for several months, Batshuayi always insisted that he would prefer to move to a club that can offer him Champions League football - one of the reasons he rejected a move to Crystal Palace this week, despite the Eagles bidding an astonishing £38million for his services. And with Chelsea said to be sending a medical team to the Belgian squad base in France, the deal looks set to be completed sooner rather than later - despite the Blues not participating in the UCL next season, either!

West Ham - who it has been claimed had previously reached an agreement with Marseille prior to them learning of Chelsea's interest (see above) - will now turn their attentions to other targets, including Lyon's Alexandre Lacazette, Besiktas' Mario Gomez and Christian Benteke.

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George Dobson: West Ham send teenage midfielder to Walsall on season-long loan
BBC.co.uk

Walsall have made their sixth summer signing by bringing in teenage midfielder George Dobson on a season-long loan deal from West Ham United. The 18-year-old central midfielder began his career at Arsenal, captaining their Under-18 side, before joining the Hammers in July 2015. "George is someone we noticed a few months ago," said manager Jon Whitney. "We did our homework on him and spoke to West Ham. He's held in high regard, a player who plays beyond his years."
Five of Whitney's six signings have been midfielders since he was officially appointed manager on 1 June. Bermudian teenager Kacy Milan Butterfield was the first and was followed into Bescot by Peterborough United's Erhun Oztumer, Sheffield United's Florent Cuvelier and Colchester United's Joe Edwards. Walsall, who reported back for pre-season training on Wednesday, secured their first loan deal from a Premier League when Southampton defender Jason McCarthy signed for the first half of next season. "West Ham brought George in from Arsenal where he played as a centre half but was moved forward to play as a holding midfielder which is where we see him playing," added Whitney. "I know he'll go on to be a top player of highest level and we're lucky that West Ham have entrusted us with his development for the next 12 months. Age isn't a factor. If he comes in and is good enough then he will play."

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Michy Batshuayi set to join Chelsea, according to Sky sources
By Peter Gilbert
Last Updated: 29/06/16 12:49pm
SSN

Michy Batshuayi is set to join Chelsea from Ligue 1 club Marseille, according to Sky sources. Batshuayi, who is currently playing at Euro 2016, has been linked with a host of Europe's top clubs after scoring 17 goals in Ligue 1 last season. The 22-year-old has attracted offers from West Ham and Crystal Palace while Belgium team-mate Toby Alderweireld said that he hoped Batshuayi would join him at Tottenham next season. However, Batshuayi is expected to reject other offers and become Antonio Conte's first signing as Chelsea manager despite the club not being able to offer European football. It is understood the former Standard Liege striker could be given special dispensation to have a Chelsea medical while in Bordeaux, where Belgium are based ahead of their quarter-final with Wales. Reports claim Batashuayi will sign a five-year contract at Stamford Bridge and join the club for a fee of £33.2m. He was due to appear at Belgium's news conference on Wednesday afternoon but was pulled out shortly after midday at the request of Marseille.

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West Ham vs Crystal Palace transfer battle over Christian Benteke looms as they face rejection by top targets
17:52, 29 JUN 2016
BY DARREN LEWIS
Liverpool striker is an option for London duo who have both been chasing Chelsea-bound Michy Batshuayi, while the Hammers also bid for Alexandre Lacazette
The Mirror

Crystal Palace are exploring a move for Liverpool's Christian Benteke after missing out on Michy Batshuayi. The Eagles' boss Alan Pardew has made a proven striker his priority this summer after seeing the club tumble down the league last season because of a lack of firepower — centre-back Scott Dann was their joint top-scorer in the league with five goals. A stunning £31million fee was agreed with Marseille for Batshuayi on Monday night - only for Chelsea to gazump their fellow Londoners next day with a £33m bid. Belgium international striker Benteke, 25, wants out of Liverpool already after his dream move to Anfield last summer turned into a nightmare. Signed for £32.5m from Aston Villa when Brendan Rodgers was manager, he ended the campaign as a fringe player under the Northern Irishman's successor Jurgen Klopp and fears he will suffer more of the same next season.
West Ham are also long-time admirers of Benteke - who is on £120,000-a-week at Anfield - and could yet leave Palace frustrated for a second time. The Hammers are considering their options, as their own bids for their no.1 target Alexandre Lacazette have so far been rejected. French side Lyon want £40m plus add-ons for the 25-year-old France forward. If West Ham are forced to admit defeat in their battle to land Lacazette, then they are ready to rejoin the hunt for Benteke.

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DOBSON JOINS WALSALL ON 1 YEAR LOAN DEAL
BY BRIAN KNOX ON 29 JUNE 2016 AT 6:07PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk

Walsall have made their sixth summer signing by bringing in teenage midfielder George Dobson on a season-long loan deal from West Ham United. The 18-year-old central midfielder began his career at Arsenal, captaining their Under-18 side, before joining the Hammers in July 2015. "George is someone we noticed a few months ago," said manager Jon Whitney. "We did our homework on him and spoke to West Ham. He's held in high regard, a player who plays beyond his years."

"West Ham brought George in from Arsenal where he played as a centre half but was moved forward to play as a holding midfielder which is where we see him playing," added Whitney. "I know he'll go on to be a top player of highest level and we're lucky that West Ham have entrusted us with his development for the next 12 months. Age isn't a factor. If he comes in and is good enough then he will play."
The 18-year-old, who joined the Hammers from north London Club Arsenal last summer, made 21 appearances for the Development Squad last season, playing a major role as they won the U21 Premier League Cup. The youngster, who is a West Ham supporter, was also named on the first team substitutes' bench for the March Premier League wins over Tottenham Hotspur and Everton last season. After completing the move, Dobson said: "I can't wait to get started. It's a massive opportunity for me and one I'm really excited about and I just hope I can get as many games under my belt as possible. "Playing in League One is a big step up, but one I'm confident I can adapt to. Last season Walsall finished third, so you can see the ambition and the talent is there. "I had a full season with the U21s last season which was very good, I enjoyed it a lot and now I feel ready for the next step. My plan was to go out on loan at some point this year, I just didn't know when. Now it's happened, I can't wait to get started." "Last season, Reece and Josh did brilliantly on loan at Bradford and if I do anywhere near as well then I'll be happy. Reece won seven awards so that'll be pretty difficult, but I'm confident in my ability that I can do well. "Hopefully I can make my professional debut sooner rather than later but I know I need to work hard to earn it. "I'm excited to meet up with the staff and players, and get stuck in at a new environment and a new culture. "
As Terry Westley's Development Squad reached the U21 Premier League Cup final against Hull City last campaign, Dobson played in all four of the ties, dictating play and impressing from the centre of the park. However, after featuring in the final first leg against the Tigers at the Boleyn Ground, Dobson was forced to watch his teammates lift the trophy after a penalty shootout victory from the stands, after injury had ruled him out of the clash. George becomes the 2nd young Hammer to depart on a season long loan after Stephen Hendrie joined up with Blackburn Rovers last week.

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Slav and the England job – Gold speaks out
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 29, 2016 in Fans Forum, News, Whispers
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EXCLUSIVE by Hugh Southon

David Gold has calmed growing worries among West Ham fans that Slaven Bilic could be tempted to take the England job were the FA to approach the club. Social media has been alive with the rumour since England's shocking exit from Euro 2016 but in an exclusive interview with Claret and Hugh, Gold claims he doesn't believe for a second it will happen. He said: "He has managed his own country and I don't believe he would be the slightest bit interested in taking on England. "He told us at his interview for this position that his mission was to manage at the highest level in England – the Premier League – with the club he loves West Ham United. England is simply not part of Slaven's mission. "He is a very very loyal man. He is loyal to his backroom team and to the board. We have backed him 100 per cent and he us – our committment to each other is total. "This is his club and he is on his way to great thing at the Olympic Stadium. I don't believe he will be tempted away by anything."

Gold added: "I don't believe either the FA will come for him as they have been down the foreign manager route and it hasn't worked. I don't believe they will go there at all.
"Slaven has clearly caught the imagination not only of West Ham fans but those around the country with his TV appearances but England? NO…I am totally convinced that won't happen .
"The most important issue is whether he would want it and I don't believe he would. His passion and committment to this club is total."

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£30m striker? We score from everywhere!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 29, 2016 in Fans Forum, News, Whispers
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Only three teams scored more goals than West Ham's 65 last season – Man City (71), Spuds (69) and champions Leicester City (68). We are next in line with 65 equalled only by Arsenal. But here's the interesting thing. We are regularly being told we need a 20-25 goal a season striker at enormous expense and thus far don't appear to have had a lot of success in that area. West Ham showed last season that thir goals come from virtually everywhere and that has always been the sign of a good team. We are not a one dimensional outfit heavily reliant on one or two players to score our goals like Harry Kane who got 26 or Leicester who relied on Jamie Vardy' who scored 24 for Leicester.

At Upton Park our goals came from all over the place and here are the MAIN scorers over the season:

O Dimi Payet 12
O Andy Caroll 9
O Michail Antonio 9
O Mark Noble 7
O Manu Lanzini 6
O Cheik Kouyate 5
O Diafra Sakho 5
O Enner Valencia 4

How many more we would have scored had Payet not been out for three months and Antonio's season had started a but before November 29 is worth thinking about isn't it. If we can settle Mr Sakho down and demonstrate he doesn't need to become a drama queen whenever he gets the hump we won't be in bad shape. I really admire the club's ambition is wanting a big striker. That's a given and I seriously hope it happens but I have to say it'snot going t be a major disaster if we don't find him. I can almost here the "eff off Southon" shouts as I write such are the expectation levels but if Andy Carroll can stay fit and yest that is a BIG IF, we can settle Sak and we can move Enner Valencia in and bring in a decent replacement we won't be so badly off.ts. Yes of course we need to go on improving and a top striker would be brillint but I really don't want us to sign someone who is way over priced simply in order to been to be honouring a pledge. We are a very good team these days and as David Gold tweeted yesterday: "It's not about being tight…it's about being right." We got it right last season and I totally trust – as I have written before – Slav to do so this time around.

COYI

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Hammers face Tore rivals
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 29, 2016 in News
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Southampton are being reported as having joined the Irons in the race to sign Gokhan Tore. Turkish newspaper Sabah is making the claim and say Saints are preparing a £7 million bid for the explosive winger. West Ham have been locked in talks with Besiktas over a loan deal which insiders have told us "currently involve a loan fee of millions" and are still negotiating. Sabah confirms that saying the deal the Hammers want would include a buyout clause option similiar to that which saw us land Manu Lanzini. However, Besiktas would prefer a transfer fee on a permanent deal if Tore is to leave the club although the winger is desperate to team up with his former manager and friend Slaven Bilic and that's where the Irons hold a trump card.

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WEST HAM MAKE SECOND GOKHAN TORE LOAN BID
THOMAS BORE
ReadWestHam.com

West Ham have tabled a second loan bid for Besiktas winger Gokhan Tore, according to Turkish source Haber 1903. The Hammers have proposed a season-long loan with a loan fee of €3million and the option to make Tore's move permanent for €10million next summer. Besiktas 'management' will now hold a meeting regarding the offer and whether to accept or reject West Ham's latest approach. This news comes just four days after FutbolArena (another Turkish source) claimed West Ham had agreed to pay €13million for Tore. The report had no mention of a loan move and even claimed Tore had agreed personal terms, worth £25,000-a-week, with the Hammers. Earlier this week The Express understood the confirmation of Tore's transfer would come next week, though the latest from Turkey is that their offer is still under consideration. Slaven Bilic is keen to get the deal over the line as soon as possible.

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Slaven Bilic would not be interested in taking the England job says West Ham co-chairman David Gold
Slaven Bilic took over West Ham in July and led club to 7th in the league
West Ham manager is currently working as a TV pundit for Euro 2016
Roy Hodgson quit as England manager after shock 2-1 defeat to Iceland
Bilic famously stopped England reaching Euro 2008 when boss of Croatia
By PRESS ASSOCIATION
PUBLISHED: 12:57, 29 June 2016 | UPDATED: 12:57, 29 June 2016

West Ham co-chairman David Gold is convinced manager Slaven Bilic would not be 'the slightest bit interested in taking on England'. Following Monday night's shambolic Euro 2016 exit at the hands of Iceland, the Football Association have started the search for Roy Hodgson's successor. A foreign coach is not off the agenda as the governing body look for the best person to fill the vacancy in the long-term.

SLAVEN BILIC MANAGERIAL CAREER
2001–2002 Hajduk Split
2004–2006 Croatia U21
2006–2012 Croatia
2012–2013 Lokomotiv Moscow
2013–2015 Beşiktaş
2015– West Ham United

Bilic had a successful spell as manager of Croatia from 2006 to 2012, his side famously beating England at Wembley in qualifying for the 2008 European Championships which saw then manager Steve McClaren sacked. The former West Ham and Everton defender worked as a TV pundit at Euro 2016, where his analysis on England's shortcomings was well-received.
However, Gold firmly believes the 47-year-old is committed to the Irons, who will start next season in their new home at the Olympic Stadium. In an interview with West Ham blog,Gold said: 'He (Bilic) has managed his own country and I don't believe he would be the slightest bit interested in taking on England. 'He told us at his interview for this position that his mission was to manage at the highest level in England - the Premier League - with the club he loves West Ham United. England is simply not part of Slaven's mission. 'He is a very, very loyal man. He is loyal to his back room team and to the board. 'We have backed him 100 per cent and he us - our commitment to each other is total.
'This is his club and he is on his way to great thing at the Olympic Stadium. 'I don't believe he will be tempted away by anything.' Gold sees no reason for Hammers' fans to fear an official approach for the Croatian, who took up his post at Upton Park at the start of last season. 'I don't believe either the FA will come for him, as they have been down the foreign manager route and it hasn't worked. I don't believe they will go there at all,' he said. 'Slaven has clearly caught the imagination not only of West Ham fans, but those around the country with his TV appearances - but England? No, I am totally convinced that won't happen. 'The most important issue is whether he would want it and I don't believe he would. 'His passion and commitment to this club is total.'

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Chelsea have increased the pressure on Tottenham chairman and West Ham's Gold and Sullivan
HITC
Dan Coombs

Tottenham and West Ham are under increased pressure to sign quality players up front as a result of Chelsea's latest deal. Chelsea have struck an agreement with Marseille for the signature of Michy Batshauyi according to French newspaper L'Equipe. The Belgian international had been an option for both Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham, but now looks destined to move to Stamford Bridge. In snapping up the former Standard Liege man, Chelsea have increased the pressure on the supremos at their fellow London clubs, to get it right in the transfer market. The Times had claimed Spurs were 'confident' of signing Batshuayi, so suddenly being pipped to his signature does not reflect well on them.
Chairman Daniel Levy is a tough negotiator but appears to have been priced out of the market for the Belgian. This is fine, considering Spurs have other options, but these are not straightforward. Top target Vincent Janssen has emerged as an option for French champions PSG, report RMC, while Gianluca di Marzio reports Real Betis have entered the race to sign Antonio Sanabria. Tottenham may still fancy their chances of signing either, but Chelsea's signing of Batshuayi reduces the margin of error for Spurs in relation to their subsequent options.
West Ham fans meanwhile are growing increasingly impatient at the results of co-chairmen David Gold and David Sullivan when it comes to signing a striker this summer. Batshuayi had been seen as a credible option, while they big larger amounts for the potentially unattainable Alexandre Lacazette. Carlos Bacca of AC Milan is one alternative they could now consider, while they may be left to consider Liverpool flop Christian Benteke. Chelsea's Batshuayi deal will be a disappointment to both clubs and while a short term blow, there is plenty of time for them to get in their own top quality players, but the pressure has been increased on them to do so.

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West Ham plot move for Germany's Mario Gomez as Arsenal and Chelsea prepare to battle for Lille midfielder - Wednesday's transfer gossip
VAISHALI BHARDWAJ
Evening Standard

The transfer rumours show no signs of slowing down on Wednesday as West Ham, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and Crystal Palace find themselves the subject of stories today. With England out of the European Championships, many clubs are likely to be watching the stars left in the tournament to see whether a potential transfer to the Premier League could be on the cards. One such player is Germany striker Mario Gomez, who has today been linked with a move to West Ham after he scored in his nation's last-16 tie with Slovakia on Sunday - which took his goal tally in the tournament so far to two. Iceland hero Ragnar Sigurdsson has found himself a reported target for Tottenham and Leicester after he netted the goal that helped his nation begin their famous comeback against England and knock Roy Hodgson's side out of Euro 2016 on Monday. Elsewhere, Arsenal and Chelsea are said to be set to hold talks for Lille midfielder Sofiane Boufal while Crystal Palace, Southampton and Leicester City also make the gossip columns today.

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Signing Mario Gomez could be another Slaven Bilic masterstroke despite his age
HITC
Vincent Ralph

West Ham United have been linked with the German international. According to a recent report from CNN Turk, West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic is keeping a close eye on German international Mario Gomez, and if that is true bringing the forward to England next season could be another superb piece of business from the Hammers boss. Last summer Bilic impressed time and again, ultimately proving his brilliance in the market by signing the likes of Dimitri Payet, Angelo Ogbonna, Michail Antonio and Manuel Lanzini. After that success, and West Ham's move to the Olympic Stadium in time for next season, the pressure will be on Bilic to repeat the magic and Gomez could be every bit as succesful as Payet before him. The striker is currently impressing for Germany at Euro 2016, leaving Thomas Muller in the shade with his goal-scoring exploits, and when you consider Gomez found the net 28 times in 48 appearances for Besiktas last season, including 26 in 33 league games it seems something of a no-brainer. That is a superb record by practically anyone's standards and with Payet's ability to create a chance out of nothing, imagine the understanding he could have with the German.
Gomez is still owned by Fiorentina but his loan move to Besiktas last season included an option to buy. It remains to be seen how things play out in that regard yet if West Ham can get their man they would be signing a prolific forward who could take the Olympic Stadium by storm. Some fans will argue that West Ham should focus on a younger alternative and they may be right, but if they can get both why not sign Gomez for a knockdown fee. After all, it is not every day you have the chance to sign an experienced international with 277 club goals to his name with his parent-club seemingly having no desire to keep him.

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Batshuayi set for Chelsea medical after £33m fee is agreed
Date published: Wednesday 29th June 2016 8:48
TalkSport

Chelsea have swooped to steal Marseille forward Michy Batshuayi from under the noses of Tottenham, Crystal Palace and West Ham. Batshuayi will reportedly be given permission by Belgium to undergo a medical with the Blues after a fee of £33million was agreed. Palace had reached an agreement with Marseille for the 22-year-old and Spurs were also tipped to make a formal offer but Chelsea's late offer appears to have been successful. Batshuayi is preparing with Belgium for their Euro 2016 quarter-final clash with Wales in Lille on Friday following a season during which he scored 17 goals in 36 Ligue 1 appearances. Standard Liege are due 35 per cent of the fee Marseille will receive, with Batshuayi now the French club's most expensive sale. Batshuayi will become Antonio Conte's first signing as Chelsea boss. The Blues are still likely to pursue Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata, with doubts over the future of Diego Costa.

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Inter Milan should sign Dimitri Payet after £220m takeover boost, says honorary president Massimo Moratti
SAM LONG
Evening Standard

Honorary Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti wants the Italian club to sign West Ham midfielder Dimitri Payet this summer. The Nerazzurri were purchased by China's Suning Commerce Group earlier this month after the retail giant agreed to pay an initial £220m for a majority stake of almost 70%. Former owner Erick Thohir will remain as president with a reduced stake and the club, who finished fourth in Serie A last season, are expected to spend significantly this summer. Inter are determined to reclaim their place in the Champions League and Moratti is keen to see Payet, who has emerged as one of the stars of Euro 2016, ply his trade at the San Siro.
"As a fan, I would love to see [Dimitri] Payet in an Inter shirt. "However, the great champions are currently elusive, you have to be lucky enough to find the right opportunity.
"We are missing two-three players to be competitive. The important thing is to have solid players that ensure continuity," he insisted. Payet is a key part of Slaven Bilic's plans, having been rewarded with a new Hammers contract as recently as February, and the east Londoners have no intention to sell. Speaking in regards to Inter's takeover, Moratti believes the signs for the future are good, despite the size of the task facing the club. "My feeling is good for the new group, it seems to me that with [Erick] Thohir there are positives. "We have to work a lot and we will have some satisfaction," Moratti added.

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Arsenal eyeing West Ham defender if Hector Bellerin leaves for Barcelona
By CHARLIE PHILLIPPE
PUBLISHED: 22:34, Tue, Jun 28, 2016 | UPDATED: 22:38, Tue, Jun 28, 2016
Express.co.uk

Sam Byram has been linked with a move to Arsenal. The 22-year old only joined the Hammers in January from Championship side Leeds. But according to Italian outlet Tuttomercatoweb, Arsenal are now interested in a move for the right-back. The report claims Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will target Byram if Barcelona succeed in signing Hector Bellerin. The Spanish full-back has impressed at Arsenal since breaking into the first-team, and was rewarded for his fine form with a call-up to Vicente del Bosque's Spain squad for Euro 2016.
But Barca have identified the 21-year-old La Masia graduate as the ideal replacement for Dani Alves. Alves completed his move to Juventus yesterday, signing a two-year deal with the Italian champions.

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West Ham United close to completing deal for Arsenal youth starlet Tyrell Robinson
Tyrell Robinson is in talks with West Ham United over a two-year-contract
The 18-year-old is primarily a left winger who can also play at full-back
Hammers interested in Michy Batshuayi but Tottenham set to sign striker
By SIMON JONES FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 23:40, 28 June 2016 | UPDATED: 01:23, 29 June 2016

West Ham United are close to signing Arsenal teenager Tyrell Robinson on a two-year-contract. The 18-year-old is a winger who can operate on either flank and is in talks with Slaven Bilic's men. Robinson, who can also play at left-back, featured for Arsenal at Under-21 level last season and scored seven goals for the Under-18's. The Basildon-born winger is held in high regard by the Arsenal hierarchy, who handed him a professional contract in January 2015. Blessed with blistering pace and an abundance of technical ability, Robinson has trained with the Arsenal senior team and was part of the the Under-18 squad that narrowly missed out on a place in the Youth Cup final last season. West Ham are eager to bolster their squad this summer as they prepare for European football and their first season at the Olympic Stadium. The Hammers are interested in Michy Batshuayi, but the Belgian forward looks set to join Tottenham in the next few days.

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Sunderland set to make fresh bid for West Ham striker Diafra Sakho
Shields Gazette
08:04 Wednesday 29 June 2016

Diafra Sakho remains at the top of Sunderland's summer hit-list, with West Ham's search for a new striker delaying transfer negotiations. Sunderland saw a bid rejected by the Hammers for Sakho earlier this month, as Sam Allardyce looked to his former club to boost the Black Cats' attacking ranks. Since then, Sunderland have been linked with several strikers – Roma's Edin Dzeko, Wolfsburg's Bas Dost and yesterday, in reports from France, Swansea City's Bafetimbi Gomis. But it is understood that Sakho is still firmly in Allardyce's sights as one of Sunderland's main targets, with the Black Cats expected to make a fresh bid for the 26-year-old. West Ham are thought to want around £15million for Sakho, but Sunderland have allocated a sizeable chunk of their summer transfer budget to bring in a new frontman and they may have to break their transfer record this summer, as price tags rise with the new television deal. The bigger issue over Sakho is that West Ham want to bring in a new frontman before allowing the Senegal international to depart, which is forcing Sunderland to be patient.
Lyon's Alexandre Lacazette and Michy Batshuayi have both been targets for the club, with the latter the subject of a £31m bid from Crystal Palace this week. But ahead of their move to the Olympic Stadium, the Hammers have made no secret of their eagerness to land a big-money striker. Co-owner David Sullivan said last month: "We know that we need a top striker which is the hardest thing to sign. We need a 20-goal-a-season striker and that will cost us £25m or £30m."

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MARK NOBLE: COMETH THE HOUR, COMETH THE MAN!
By S J Chandos 29 Jun 2016 at 08:00
WTID

Shock-horror, England prematurely exit a major international competition! Just why is anyone remotely surprised? It is the latest in a series of failures and it's causes can be laid squarely at the door of the Manager. There was a failure to pick players in form and half fit players (like Wilshire and Sturridge) were taken instead, badly out of touch players (such as Sterling) were selected and favouritism promoted, with the inference that squad selection was effectively a closed shop.

England's failure is a failure of management, organisation and leadership. Who can really deny that? Yet, at his Nice press conference Hodgson perpetuated myth. According to him, the defeat was a surprise, which he did not see coming. The questions not posed to him by the media were: why did he pick players who had such mediocre seasons (like Milner and Henderson) and others (such as Wilshire and Sturridge) whose seasons were ruined by injury? Why did he ignore players who had an outstanding 2015/16 season, like Mark Noble, Aaron Cresswell, Andros Townsend, Michael Carrick and, even, Jermaine Defoe? Why the slavish loyalty to the disappointing Spurs nucleus of his squad, which so abjectly let England down? And why keep faith with Wayne Rooney, who (in terms of his personal performances) has always disappointed at major tournaments and is clearly not England Captain material?

Hodgson did not see this coming? There were no outstanding performances from England, we had disappointing draws with Russia and Slovakia; struggled to beat Wales, before losing to mighty Iceland. Do those results not indicate that there were some serious problems? The truth is that England's selection policy and team tactics were totally inadequate and there was a deficit of leadership from the management team and, by extension, on the actual field of play. Where was the adjustment of tactics to turn the match in our favour and the dynamic captain who could rally the players and bring the best out of the team? Where indeed?

There are some talented individuals in the squad, such as Clyne, Stones, Barkley, Dier, Lallana, Sterling and Rashford. And hopefully this can be further supplemented by the addition of Butland, Shaw, Cresswell, Oxled-Chamberlain and others currently coming through the ranks, such as Reece Oxford. While out of favour players like Carroll and Townsend must be brought back in from the cold and others, such as Antonio, given an opportunity to prove themselves at international level.

Somehow, the FA need to find an inspirational manager, who has the tactical nous to play effective systems, forge England's talented individuals in to an cohesive unit and promote an excellent team spirit/ethos. As for the captaincy, why not appoint an outstanding club skipper to the role? In fact, someone very much like our own Mark Noble! Cometh the hour, cometh the man. Perhaps this will finally prove to be Mark Noble's opportunity to step up to the plate for England?

SJ. Chandos.

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