Daily WHUFC News - 3rd July 2016

Hammers return to training
WHUFC.com

The West Ham United players returned for the start of pre-season training on
Friday and are eagerly awaiting the start of a historical season for the
east London Club. Club captain Mark Noble was the first to arrive and was
soon followed by new signings Sofiane Feghouli and Havard Nordtveit who
relished the opportunity to meet up with their new team-mates. The rest of
the first-team squad including Andy Carroll, Aaron Cresswell, Adrian and
Manuel Lanzini were put through their paces as they underwent cardio and
blood screening before having their first training session of the new
pre-season. West Ham physio Dominic Rogan was pleased to see the players
report back for action on the first day and says it is crucial that they
undergo screening ahead of the pre-season campaign. Rogan said: "Essentially
these tests are fit for duty. These players are extremely valuable assets
for the Club and we owe them a duty of care for their own health and well
being. "It is a mandatory screen and we put them through fairly rigorous
tests just to check that everything is okay. The players will be going their
early gears in training on the first day as we have a plane to catch first
thing on Saturday for the USA tour. "The doctors will have to deal with the
jet lag as there is an eight hour time difference, but training wise that
will be down to the coaches. "There is a lot of excitement around the place
at the moment considering what we did last season and it is good to be back
ahead of our big move into the new Stadium. There is a great atmosphere
among the players."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Nordtveit - These are exciting times
WHUFC.com

West Ham United's new signing Havard Nordtveit relished the opportunity to
meet up with his new team-mates for the first time and cannot wait for the
new season to get underway. Nordtveit became the first major signing of the
summer when he arrived from Borussia Monchengladbach and arrives with a big
pedigree having been rated one of the best midfielders in the Bundesliga.
The Norway international joined his team-mates for the first training
session of the pre-season on Friday and will be jetting out on Saturday for
the Stateside tour to Seattle and North Carolina. Nordtveit knows this is an
exciting time to be part of the West Ham squad and having seen the new
Stadium, he cannot wait to make his Premier League debut in front of 60,000
fans when the first game is played there. Nordtveit said: "I was a bit
nervous at the start but so far this looks like a really good group. "It is
good for the players to get some holiday, but after two to three weeks you
start feeling that you are missing it and it is good for me to come to a new
club and I am really looking forward to playing for West Ham. "Hopefully I
will get to know the players more when we travel to America. These are
exciting times for the Club and I drove past the new Stadium which looks
fantastic. I cannot wait to play there. "I am here to play as much as I can.
There is a big battle for places all over the pitch. I will do my best and
we will see when the season starts. "The Champions League and Europa League
are great competitions and if we prepare well we have a great chance of
playing in the Europa League group stages and that is fantastic for the fans
and the players to play in."
Nordtveit says he has been keeping a close eye on the Hammers players in
action at the Euro Finals in France and hopes they can continue to reach the
latter stages of the competition. But the 26-year-old also has an added
interest in another country participating as his wife is Icelandic and is
still celebrating a famous victory over England. Nordtveit added: "I have
been watching the Euros and what the players have done out there is amazing.
"I am also a small fan of another country as my wife comes from Iceland so
we have supported them because they are a small country and what they have
done against a big team like England is a dream.
"She has still got a big smile after what happened the other night!"

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ginge books semi slot
WHUFC.com

James Collins came off the bench as Wales claimed their place in the Euro
2016 semi-finals with an historic 3-1 victory over Belgium. Ginge replaced
Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey to help Chris Coleman's side secure the nation's
first ever last-four place at a major tournament. Wales were worthy winners
of a remarkable game, coming from behind to defeat Europe's top placed
country in the FIFA rankings. After Radja Nainggolan gave the Belgians an
early lead with a stunning long-range strike, Wales came roaring back to
level through skipper Ashley Williams. Neil Taylor and Gareth Bale both went
close before the break, but it was in the second half that Wales made it
count - showing a far more decisive edge than their opponents. Hal
Robson-Kanu made it 2-1 with an exquisite touch, turn and finish, before Sam
Vokes nodded home to seal victory late on. Collins then made his bow, and
could feature again in the semi-final with defender Ben Davies due to serve
a suspension. The two other remaining Hammers in the tournament, Angelo
Ogbonna and Dimitri Payet, are involved later in the weekend, with Italy
facing Germany on Saturday and France playing Iceland on Sunday.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Samuelsen keen to impress during pre-season
WHUFC.com

Young Hammer Martin Samuelsen is raring to go after returning to the Club's
training ground for the first day of pre-season on Friday. The exciting
winger, who received his first full international cap this summer for his
nation Norway, joined up with the rest of his teammates prior to the Club's
trip to the USA. And Samuelsen sees this pre-season as an opportunity to
cement his place in Slaven Bilic's first team squad. He said: "I'm very
excited and glad to be back. I had a nice holiday and I'm raring to go. It's
nice to have fresh kit and everything and I'm really looking forward to
training again. "Every time I train, it's a chance to show what I can do.
I'm just going to give it my all and hope for the best. "I'll know more
about my aims for the season when this pre-season is done. My main focus is
just to do as best as I can this pre-season."
The 19-year-old enjoyed a loan spell at League One side Peterborough last
season before helping the Hammers' Development Squad to the U21 Premier
League Cup title by scoring the crucial winning penalty in the second-leg
shootout against Hull City. And looking back on a successful campaign,
Samuelsen wants to build on that again this season. "Last season, I got 30
minutes at the Boleyn Ground in the Europa League and that was a big
motivation for the rest of the season. I'll hope to do that again. "Looking
at how the Club did last year, I think we can do even better this year. With
some new players coming in, I think we have a strong squad and we should
definitely be at least in the top six."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
US Tour takes-off
WHUFC.com

West Ham United jetted off for a 12-day US Tour from London's Heathrow
Airport on Saturday morning.

The Hammers will spread the West Ham Way to the Pacific Northwest and North
Carolina by taking on the MLS' biggest club Seattle Sounders and ambitious
NASL side Carolina RailHawks.

With social and corporate events, open training sessions and two
mouth-watering fixtures, the Tour promises to excite and enthuse existing
and new West Ham supporters in the rapidly growing North American football
market.

Captain Mark Noble led a 22-man squad featuring fellow Hammers of the Year
Winston Reid and Aaron Cresswell and first-team stars Adrian, Manuel Lanzini
and Andy Carroll.

New signings Sofiane Feghouli, Havard Nordtveit, Toni Martinez and Domingos
Quina were also in the group which flew across the Atlantic Ocean with
British Airways on Saturday, touching down at Seattle-Tacoma International
Airport a little more than ten hours later.

Vice-Chairman Karren Brady said the US Tour was further illustration of the
Club's continued and rapid growth on the global stage.

"West Ham's global fanbase is expanding further with each passing year,"
said the Vice-Chairman. "Through tours like this, we can give our overseas
supporters a chance to see their heroes in the flesh, and win over even more
new fans for the future.

"Next season is going to be a hugely exciting and important one for West
Ham, as we begin a new era in our magnificent new Stadium, and there will be
no better way to prepare than with a successful tour of the United States,
and games against strong American opposition.

"The Seattle Sounders are renowned throughout America for the passion and
loyalty of their fans, so we already have a lot in common, as well as our
shared history of former players. We look forward to visiting the Emerald
City, and strengthening our ties with the United States still further."

West Ham will begin their trip with a day of acclimatisation in Seattle,
where they will visit the world-famous Space Needle before heading to Safeco
Field for the Major League Baseball fixture between the hometown Mariners
and Baltimore Orioles.

Sunday will see the Hammers get down to the hard work, with a double
training session scheduled at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center home of the
NFL's Seattle Seahawks.

While the majority of Americans will be on holiday on Monday 4 July for the
Independence Day holiday, the West Ham squad will have another double
session in preparation for Tuesday's opening pre-season match with the
Sounders as the impressive CenturyLink Field.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Burke - I want to show what I can do
WHUFC.com

Hammers defender Reece Burke wants to use this pre-season as a spring-board
to push on at the Club after a positive loan spell at Bradford City last
campaign. The centre-back, speaking at the Club's first training session of
the season, impressed in Yorkshire and won seven accolades at the League One
side's Player Awards. And, prior to the Hammers' USA tour, Burke revealed
his excitement at getting out there and impressing manager Slaven Bilic. He
said: "I can't wait for the tour, but I'm not looking forward to the flight!
It's going to be good for me to get back with the first team as I've been
away from them for quite a long time now. "Last season was one of my biggest
so far. Going away and getting a load of games under my belt and getting
loads of experience was great. "I've really enjoyed it and the next step now
is coming back in and showing what I can do. Only time will tell, and it's
up to Slaven. I want to take it step-by-step and see how it goes."
West Ham will compete in the Europa League third qualifying round at the end
of July and Burke hopes opportunities will come for the Club's younger
players as they did last season. "Last year I managed to play a few games,"
continued the defender. "That was a great experience as well. It might be
the same this season, so pre-season is a good time time shine. "It's a good
time for the gaffer to have a look at me and all the other younger players
too."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Randolph future to be decided
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 1st July 2016
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United reserve goalkeeper Darren Randolph could be on the move this
summer.

The Irish goalkeeper, who starred for the Republic at Euro 16 prior to his
nation's elimination at the hands of France last weekend enjoyed a
reasonably successful season at the Boleyn, his first since moving on a free
transfer from Birmingham.

However 'Randy' could be set for a surprise exit prior to the beginning of
the new season as he hopes to secure first team football - something that
appears unlikely at West Ham due to Adrian's reputation and solid form.

A source close to the 29-year-old goalkeeper has revealed that he is
considering capitalising on his good form at Euro 16 by attempting to secure
a move before the start of the new Premier League campaign.

And West Ham are unlikely to block a move should Randolph - who made 15
appearances for the Hammers last term - find a club willing to offer him a
first team role.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Reece eyes first team spot
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 2nd July 2016
By: Staff Writer

Reece Burke was voted Bradford City's Player of the Year last season - and
now he has his eyes firmly set on a first team place at West Ham. The
19-year-old centre half earned rave reviews for his performances during last
season's campaign during which he was also voted in the Yorkshire Post's
Team of the Year. But a year on - and a year older and wiser - the teenager,
who has been included in the club's US tour travelling party admits that his
main ambition now is to secure a position in Slaven Bilic's first team
squad. "I can't wait for the tour," he told West Ham's website. "It's going
to be good for me to get back with the first team as I've been away from
them for quite a long time now. "Last season was one of my biggest so far.
Going away and getting a load of games under my belt and getting loads of
experience was great "I've really enjoyed it and the next step now is coming
back in and showing what I can do. Only time will tell, and it's up to
Slaven. I want to take it step-by-step and see how it goes. Pre-season is a
good time time shine."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Meunier to decide future imminently
KUMb.com
Filed: Saturday, 2nd July 2016
By: Staff Writer

West Ham target Thomas Meunier has declared that he will make a decision on
his future by the end of the day.

The Club Brugge full back has been linked with a string of clubs in recent
weeks and had been hotly-tipped to join Ligue 1 side Paris St Germain.

However that move was partially scuppered last night when the 24-year-old
cast doubts over the move when he expressed concerns over the playing time
he would receive with the current French champions.

Meunier told reporters that there is now just a "30 per cent" chance of him
accepting PSG's lucrative offer, which could open the door for a move to
West Ham - who, along with Napoli and Torino plus one or two other unnamed
clubs are believed to have offered the right back a contract.

"PSG are developing into a club of the highest level, like Barcelona, Real
Madrid and Manchester City," he said. "How much playing time would I get
there? Will I get a chance to prove myself?

"I know that the coach is keen to sign me, but they have Serge Aurier and I
might get more playing time elsewhere. There are seven clubs that have shown
a concrete interest in signing me.

"Some coaches have guaranteed me first-team football. We will see what
happens. I'd say there is a 30 per cent chance I will join PSG, but there
are still a number of candidates."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Crystal Palace target James Tomkins not on West Ham pre-season tour - Sky
sources
By Sky Sports News HQ
Last Updated: 02/07/16 12:14pm
SSN

James Tomkins has not travelled with the rest of the West Ham squad for
their pre-season tour of America ahead of a proposed move to Crystal Palace,
according to Sky sources. However, Sky sources understand a fee between the
clubs is yet to be agreed. Palace value Tomkins at around £6m, but West Ham
are hoping to secure close to £12m for the central defender. Tomkins, who
came through the youth ranks at West Ham, made 32 appearances for Slaven
Bilic's side last season. The 27-year-old featured predominantly at
right-back for the Hammers during the 2015/16 campaign, scoring in the FA
Cup quarter-final defeat to Manchester United.
ns this summer
Palace manager Alan Pardew is currently shaping his squad ahead of the new
season and has already completed the signings of winger Andros Townsend and
goalkeeper Steve Mandanda.

Tomkins, who only signed a new five-year deal at West Ham in February 2015,
is currently the east London club's second longest serving player behind
captain Mark Noble.

He joined West Ham in July 2005 and has made 243 first-team appearances,
scoring 11 goals.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
SEATTLE AND NORTH CAROLINA: IT'S ALL AMERICA BUT ITS TWO DIFFERENT WORLDS
BY BRIAN KNOX ON 1 JULY 2016 AT 9:52PM
theWestHamWay.co.uk
By @WestHamAmerican

On Saturday, Slaven Bilic brings his 2016-17 first team to the United States
to prepare for his second season at the helm of West Ham United. A quick
tour of both USA coasts is a great start to the year, and probably not too
exhausting to the team, unlike when Big Sam took them around the world
Magellan-style in 2014. It is well-known by my colleagues at The West Ham
Way that my contribution to this great publication isn't my tactical
football genius, but my mix of Hammer's passion and American naiveté about
the Beautiful Game. I have an evangelical passion to export the West Ham
version of football to as many American souls as possible, and I think
selecting both Seattle and North Carolina as venues for summer friendlies is
a wonderful idea.

Seattle

If Silicon Valley (San Francisco area) is the engine of innovation for the
United States, than Seattle certainly is a close second. As the home to
global giants: Microsoft, Amazon, Boeing Aircraft, and Starbucks Coffee,
Seattle is one of the most progressive cities in the United States. Their
booming economy over the past twenty years has caused great growth in a city
known for its more liberal politics, environmental awareness, and laid-back
attitude. Seattle is also known for their London-like gray skies and rainy
coastal weather.

The Seattle Sounders have only been a part of the MLS since 2009, but they
are regularly the top attended side in the league. While they have yet to
win a league title in their short history, they have won the US Open Cup
four times (the American version of the FA Cup). Seattle share a pitch with
their NFL team, the Seahawks, and they play on a FieldTurf surface.
At forward the Sounders start the most well-known active footballer in
America, Clint Dempsey. The Texas native serves as captain of the US
National team, and scored 57 goals during his years with Fulham and Spurs.
Despite the supporter enthusiasm the Sounders are currently second from the
bottom of their non-relegation table. They are 16 points out of first and
have really struggled playing away from their vocal fans. Even with their
poor start to the 2016 campaign, I suspect the chance to snatch a win from a
Premier League side will motivate Seattle to give their London opponents a
hard-fought 90 minutes.

For West Ham supporters visiting from England: The Seattle Hammers
supporters club has published some events surrounding the weekend. They tend
to congregate at a pub called The George and Dragon located at 206 N 36th
St. Please look them up on Twitter or Facebook for more details. July 4th is
a national holiday and Seattle will have a big fireworks display on Monday
night at Gas Works Park. Admission to the park is free
Best way to meet a Seattle girl: Seattle girls tend to be highly educated
and enjoy the bike/hike/kayak lifestyle of the Pacific Northwest. If you are
from Britain I suggest you act very serious and somewhat mysterious. Brag
about how you live a life that is free of greenhouse gases, and how you are
a vegetarian. That should be enough.

Carolina
When it was announced that West Ham United were playing the Carolina
Railhawks, I thought it was a social media prank. I live reasonably close to
North Carolina and I have never heard of this team. The day the summer tour
was announced Evan from the West Ham Way told me "we are playing Seattle and
a team with something to do with a triangle" which further confused me. What
he was referring to was the fact that Cary, NC is in the heart of the
"Research Triangle" which is home to three respected Universities and a
large research and development campus for a number of businesses. But
despite the technology and education of the research triangle, the largest
portion of North Carolina is very conservative. It is, in fact, the opposite
of Seattle in many ways. If Seattle is urban and progressive, the Carolinas
are rural and conservative. In the heart of the American south, North
Carolina's economy used to be dependent on tobacco farming. It's a good bit
more diversified now.

The Railhawks play in the second tier of US soccer. They began play in 2007
and have yet to win their league. The club currently sits 7th out of 11 in
their table. The Railhawks are coached by former QPR and Southampton player,
Colin Clarke. From Northern Ireland, their manager has been with Carolina
since the 2011 season. The small club plays at a relatively new stadium and
draws a respectable crowd in an area that is much more known for its
basketball teams.

I suspect Bilic will play a lot of youth in this match. The vast majority of
the Railhawks first team is made up of American players. This will probably
be their only chance to play BPL competition in their entire lives, so watch
them give the Hammers their best. For West Ham Supporters visiting from
England: There is a Charlotte Hammers supporters group, but I haven't got
the details on any events yet. I will publish them if they become available.
Unlike Seattle, you will need to rent a car in this part of North Carolina.
Best way to meet a North Carolina girl: North Carolina girls are more likely
to be avid church attenders and possibly likely to possess a gun or two.
However they tend to be very, very beautiful. All Southern girls in the USA
tend to be attractive. I would suggest you use a thick English accent,
stammer a bit, and act a little insecure…basically like Hugh Grant in some
awful romantic comedy from the 1990's. After that, everything should be
good.
Thanks to the West Ham board for bringing the team to America. My bags are
packed and I can't wait for Tuesday. I plan on attending both US matches so
if you're coming, send me a tweet. I think choosing such diverse parts of
the USA to feature our team is a wise decision. There are plenty of young
people in America that haven't yet chosen a Premier League team to support.
Maybe some exposure to the boys from the East End will get them singing
about bubbles. Safe travels to everyone and COYI!

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
HAMMERS MAKE OFFER FOR MEUNIER?
BY BRIAN KNOX ON 2 JULY 2016 AT 11:21AM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk

The Club Brugge and Belgium right back Thomas Meunier has been quoted by
Voetbal Nieuws as saying that he will decide on his future today amid offers
from PSG, Napoli, West Ham and Torino. Meunier didn't start the opening
game of the campaign against Italy, but came in against Ireland and whipped
in a superb cross for Axel Witsel's goal in a 3-0 win, and also started
against Sweden, Hungary and Wales. His performances in France have turned
some heads, as Meunier claims he has four offers on the table to leave Club
Brugge this summer. Meunier has been with Club Brugge since signing from
Virton in 2011 for £150k, and with more than 150 appearances for the Belgian
side, he's gained great experience even at the age of 24, setting him up for
a big move elsewhere. Meunier stated, "My choice is not made yet, PSG?
There's a 30% percent chance. I will decide tomorrow, there are also offers
from Napoli, West Ham and Torino," he added after Belgium's defeat to Wales.
Standing at 6ft 4in, Meunier is an athletic full back who can defend and
attack, and he could be ideal for West Ham as they search for new additions.
Meunier played for Club Brugge in the Europa League last season scoring
twice in their games against FC Midtjylland and Legia Warsaw, but they were
eliminated at the Group Stage.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
TOMKINS SET TO JOIN PALACE FOR £12.5M?
BY BRIAN KNOX ON 1 JULY 2016 AT 7:03PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk

Matt Lawton has reported in the Daily Mail this evening that Hammers
centreback James Tomkins is set to join Crystal Palace for £12.5m. Palace
boss Alan Pardew has long been an admirer of the versatile 27-year-old, a
product of West Ham's Academy, and tried to sign him numerous times when he
was Newcastle United's Manager. Tomkins is set to become Palace's third
signing in the space of 24 hours with the former England Under 21
international joining Andros Townsend and goalkeeper Steve Mandanda at
Selhurst Park. The defender returned to pre-season training with the
Hammers on Friday morning, but he is set to complete the switch across
London as Pardew looks to bolster his squad ahead of the new Premier League
season. Our very own EXWHUEmployee stated in his column back on the 22nd
May that the club were strongly considering selling the fans' favourite
because Bilic liked the partnership of Reid and Ogbonna and had Collins as
cover as well as the emerging talents of Reece Oxford and Reece Burke, not
to forget new signing from Borussia Moenchengladbach, Havard Nordtveit, who
can play at centreback or right back if required. If the sale goes through,
the reported £12.5m fee would constitute the largest fee West Ham have
received for a player in the David Sullivan/David Gold era at the club and
the 3rd highest ever fee the club have received after Rio Ferdinand and
Frank Lampard Jnr, who were also brought through the Hammers Academy. The
majority of the fanbase will be disappointed to lose one of their own but
how the club reacts with signing incoming players may well cushion that blow
as the club strives to push on from their excellent season in 2015/16.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

http://vyperz.blogspot.com