Daily WHUFC News - 30th October 2016

Preview - Everton
WHUFC.com

What's the story?

West Ham United travel to Merseyside seeking to continue their recent renaissance, while hosts Everton are looking to turn around a downturn in results.

The Hammers are four games unbeaten in all competitions, having drawn at home to Middlesbrough, won 1-0 at Crystal Palace and repeated that scoreline against Sunderland in the Premier League, before defeating Chelsea 2-1 in the EFL Cup fourth round on Wednesday evening.

Everton, in contrast, drew their opening Premier League game before winning five on the trot in the league and EFL Cup. Since then, the Toffees are five matches without a win, losing three, and were dumped out of the EFL Cup by Championship side Norwich City at Goodison Park.

With those statistics in mind, West Ham seemingly have a fantastic opportunity to win in L7 for the second straight season, following their dramatic 3-2 come-from-behind victory in March this year.

To do so, however, the Hammers will need to stop the Toffees' Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku, who has score in all eight Everton appearances he has made against the east London club.

Team news

West Ham do not have any new injury concerns, despite playing two testing fixtures in the past seven days. Slaven Bilic may be tempted to field the same starting XI that defeated in-form Chelsea in midweek, which means Michail Antonio would continue as the centre forward, Swiss youngster Edimilson Fernandes at right wing-back and Liverpool-born Aaron Cresswell at left wing-back. If Bilic does make any changes, it could mean Ghana striker Andre Ayew is handed his first start in a Claret and Blue shirt after impressing as a substitute against the Blues.

Everton will be without injured left-back Leighton Baines and central midfielder James McCarthy, as well as midfielders Muhamed Besic and Darron Gibson, while on-loan West Ham striker Enner Valencia is ineligible.

Any links between the two?

Aside from the on-loan Enner Valencia, no, but Edimilson Fernandes' cousin Manuel played for Everton for a short period on loan during the 2006/07 season.

A number of players have lined up alongside one another for their former clubs, including Manuel Lanzini and Ramiro Funes Mori, who won the Argentine Primera Division with River Plate in 2014.

Idrissa Gueye and Oumar Niasse have shared the Senegal dressing room with Cheikhou Kouyate, who also played with and won the Belgian title with Anderlecht with Romelu Lukaku.

James Collins has partnered Ashley Williams in the heart of the Wales defence many times, while Seamus Coleman and James McCarthy lined up in front of Darren Randolph at Euro 2016.

How do I get to the game?

For directions to Goodison Park click here.

How can I watch the game?

The Hammers' visit to Goodison Park is being screened live in the UK by Sky Sports, with a 1.30pm GMT kick-off. Don't forget the clocks go back an hour tonight, meaning you get an extra hour in bed!
For full worldwide Premier League TV listings click here.

Alternatively, you can follow live coverage on Twitter @westhamutd or listen to the game with our friends at BBC London Sport by clicking here.

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Hutchison - Hammers are heading in right direction
WHUFC.com

Don Hutchison knows a thing or too about West Ham and Everton having made over 150 appearances for both Clubs and is expecting a great game at Goodison Park on Sunday.

Hutchison is thrilled that his former team-mate Slaven Bilic has managed to turn the Club's season around and believes the team will be brimming with confidence as they look to make it four wins in a row....


This is obviously a hard game for me as I captained Everton and had two spells at West Ham.

I hope Everton put on a good show but at the same time want West Ham to continue this good run of form they are showing.

I thought the victory over Crystal Palace was superb and really set the lads on their way. Getting an away win is great and brings back the confidence.

They needed to follow that up with a home win and managed to get the last minute victory over Sunderland.

I was looking at the league table the other day and another win over Everton could see the Hammers move up to eighth and that is incredible.

I know Slaven would love to see his team repeat the performance they showed at Goodison Park last season when they came from two goals down to win 3-2.

Everton is always a hard place to go and I can remember playing for Everton and thinking West Ham were a soft touch back in the day.

I was then playing for the Hammers and I don't recall us getting much from our visits to Goodison Park. It is a hard place to go and there is always a great atmosphere.

I think if the Hammers can take a point, it would be a plus and if Slaven could take all three it would be wonderful.

I played at West Ham and Everton with Slaven and when you play for both teams you get a great association with both Clubs and former players love going back.

I am delighted that Slaven has managed to turn things around and send him a few text messages to say I am right behind him like most of the fans are.

If you are knowledgable about football, you will know that West Ham have suffered a lot of injuries.

Cresswell has been badly missed but he showed what he can bring to the team when he came back against Crystal Palace and a number of the injured players are now back so it all looks good.

Slaven has always wanted a fully fit squad and that is when he should be judged. The players who have been missing are not squad guys, they have been bought to play in the first-team so when you get them back I can see West Ham moving right up the table.

Crystal Palace showed with a couple of wins how quickly you can move up the table and it is the same with West Ham.

We need to get a few more home wins and I am still convinced that London Stadium is a magnificent Stadium.

I played at Upton Park when there were 35,000 fans getting behind you. I can't imagine what it is like when you have nearly 60,000 fans so we need the fans to get behind the team and generate a great season.

Who would not want to perform in such a great arena and that is why opposing players want to play here as well because it is a beautiful surface and a magnificent Stadium.

I have been down to the training ground and you have got people like Mark Noble and James Collins and you have guys who know how to train and are down to earth. More importantly on the pitch they know how to put a shift in.

If you are asking me for a prediction for the game I will go for a 3-3 thriller! I am sitting right on the fence.

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U18s make it three wins in a row
​WHUFC.com

West Ham United U18s made it three wins in a row with a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa
Jahmal Hector-Ingram and Korrey Henry (pen) scored the goals despite Ben Johnson being sent off in the first half
Coach Mark Phillips was delighted with his team's endeavour and team spirit

Mark Phillips praised his team's commitment and desire to see their 2-1 victory away at Aston Villa out, despite playing the second half with ten men.

Ben Johnson saw red on the stroke of half-time for a professional foul but goals from Jahmal Hecotr-Ingram and Korrey Henry (pen) were enough to see the Hammers thoruhg as close winner.

Phillips was delighted with his player's effort throughout and believes the type of match that was played out will benefit them.

"With 20 minutes left, some of the people seemed out on their feet. We thought about making some changes but decided to see how the lads would get on," said Phillips.

"We wanted to see how much commitment and desire they had when they were fatigued and the lads did brilliantly.

"Korrey and Jahmal were both a constant threat and made sure their defence was always occupied."

The Hammers preparations were hindered when confusion surrounding the kick-off time meant they only had a few minutes to warm-up.

They responded magnificently though and were ahead inside three minutes. Joe Powell's excellent ball over the top of the defence laid in top scorer Jahmal Hector-Ingram who showed great composure to slide the ball home.

The game was end to end for the rest of the half with chances at a premium, until the stroke of half-time, when a long ball found Jake Humphries who was subsequently tugged back by Ben Johnson.

The referee showed Johnson a straight red card and although the penalty was superbly saved by RIhards Matrevics, the rebound was put away by Harvey Knibbs.

It was always going to be a rearguard effort in the second half but the Hammers were always a threat on the break, despite being down to ten men.

Jahmal Hector-Ingram terrorised the Villa defence all afternoon and was brought down in the area on the hour mark.

Korrey Henry proved a trusted penalty taker once again as he stroked the ball home for his fifth goal in his last three matches.

The Hammers had to defend for the final 30 minutes but did so superbly. Villa had Mitchell Clark sent off with five minutes to play as the Hammers saw the game out for their third win in succession.

The result means the Hammers are still top of the U18 Premier League South table ahead of their much anticipated clash with Arsenal next weekend.

WHU U18s: Matrevics; Eggleton, Akinola, Wells, Longelo; Coventry, Lewis; Johnson, Powell, Henry; Hector-Ingram. Subs not used: Ngakia, Forde, Barrett, Hamilton, Hannam.

Goals: Hector-Ingram, Henry (pen).

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Five Talking Points - Everton
WHUFC.com

The major points for discussion ahead of Sunday's Premier League lunchtime kick-off at Goodison Park...
Will Sunday go by the form guide?

While West Ham United's fortunes have picked up in recent weeks, with seven points from three matches and a stirring EFL Cup win over Chelsea, Everton appear to be going in the opposite direction. The Toffees began 2016/17 in fine form under new manager Ronald Koeman, they are winless in four Premier League matches and lost at newly-promoted Burnley last weekend. It would be foolish to write off a team and manager as able as Everton, but on recent form and results alone, the Hammers have a great chance of extending that run to five on Sunday.

Have the Hammers banished their Goodison nightmare?

Everton has not historically been a happy hunting ground for West Ham, but that all changed in 12 second-half minutes in March. The Hammers trailed 2-0 going into the closing stages at Goodison Park, only for a sensational comeback to secure a first victory there in more than a decade. The memory of scoring will no doubt inspire Michail Antonio and match-winner Dimitri Payet, while Adrian can also look back fondly on his penalty save from Romelu Lukaku which paved the way for the visitors' recovery. So, on the eve of Halloween, have West Ham finally vanished their Halloween nightmare?

Cheiking the Lukaku factor

Ask any West Ham supporter what he expects to happen on Sunday and their answer will invariably be 'Lukaku will score!'. The big Belgian has had his way with West Ham repeatedly since moving to English football, scoring in an Everton record eight consecutive appearances against the Hammers. On Sunday, one of the men charged with stopping him will be his former Anderlecht teammate and newly-installed centre-back Cheikhou Kouyate. It will not be easy, but if the Senegalese can maintain his recent form, Lukaku could finally have a game for forget against his favourite opponents.

Can Edi continue his fast start?

Of all West Ham's summer signings, Edimilson Fernandes arguably arrived with the least fanfare. The Swiss youngster flew in under the radar from Sion, where he had been a first-team regular since the age of 18. Still just 20, Fernandes has yet to start in the Premier League in his favoured central midfield position, but his performances in the wing-back positions against Sunderland and Chelsea have rightly got people talking. On Thursday, manager Slaven Bilic said Edi has 'everything' required to become a top player. With the U21 international set to retain his position on the right flank at Everton, Sunday will give Fernandes another opportunity to prove his boss correct.

Can the Hammers complete an unbeaten October?

West Ham can complete a full calendar month without defeat for the first time this season should they win or draw at Goodison Park. After losing one match in April, two in May, one game in July, and three each in August and September, the Hammers can go through the whole of October without losing a single game for the first time since March. Believe it or not, despite enjoying a fine 2015/16 campaign, West Ham only completed two unbeaten months last season - March and December, when the injury-depleted Hammers drew four straight Premier League games before ending the year with a 2-1 home win over Southampton.

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Bilic - Edi has got everything
WHUFC.com

Slaven Bilic has hailed the impact made by Edmilison Fernandes following the Swiss youngster's encouraging start to life with West Ham United.

The 20-year-old arrived from Sion in August, with the £5.5 million transfer generating relatively little interest from a media who were largely unaware of the midfielder's considerable talents.

With the Swiss Super League not available to view on British television, Fernandes' outstanding abilities flew under the radar – until now!

After impressing as a left wing-back in the 1-0 Premier League win over Sunderland last weekend, the No31 produced an even better display in the midweek EFL Cup victory over Chelsea, scoring a fine first goal for the club to clinch a 2-1 success.

"It's a great thing to see him make an impact like he has," said Bilic. "It's always great to see a new player doing well, especially if it's a young player like he is.

"We shouldn't forget that he's only 20-years-old, he came to a new country and doesn't speak great English, so it was probably hard for him.

"But since the first day, he has been really good and positive and very brave in training and you could see from the start that he's a very talented player.

While relatively unknown in these parts prior to his arrival, Fernandes is no rookie, having played more than 100 times for Sion, including eight times in last season's UEFA Europa League. He also netted for his club in their 2015 Swiss Cup final win over Basel.

With maturity and composure beyond his years, Bilic is excited about the prospect of working with the youngster in seasons to come.

"He is very comfortable on the ball in different positions and I'm sure that him, the Club, the fans and all of us are going to benefit from him, big time. He has got everything."

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Angelo's World
WHUFC.com


In a regular feature on whufc.com, we speak with Hammers defender Angelo Ogbonna and go behind-the-scenes with our Italian central defender.

Ogbonna shares his views on life both inside and outside the camp and gives his honest opinions on all the matters that count.

In the latest blog, the 28-year-old reflects on a memorable week for the Club and reveals how he is going to try and stop Romelu Lukaku getting on the scoresheet....


Hello everyone,

This has been a great week for everyone at the Club but we cannot afford to get carried away and must stay focused. We need to take it step-by-step.

The most important thing is that we now stay clever because all the players gave everything in the midweek victory over Chelsea.

It was one of the best atmospheres I have experienced for West Ham at London Stadium and maybe it was because it was our first derby at home and the game was being played under the lights.

We had a big opportunity to win and with nearly 50,000 fans behind us it made a big difference.

As players we felt the amazing atmosphere and it is really important for us. Maybe it was because the game was being played at night and it has a totally different feel about it.

In London you can have four different types of weather in one day. Everything made for such a great atmosphere playing under the lights and it makes everyone excited.

It is the same when you go to the cinema – it is a different feeling when you go at night to during the day! That is the point I am trying to make.

We had such a strong home record at the Boleyn Ground last season and we would love to do the same at London Stadium. Why can't we do the same?

We have spoken about the spirit among the players and we know the level that we can go to.

The Premier League is such a tough league but we have stayed professional and the expectation is so high. We were just focused on concentrating on our own expectations and we are now getting back to our best.

We have another big game on Sunday and we know that we will need to stop Romelu Lukaku getting on the scoresheet. I am well aware of his record against West Ham!

Romelu is a very good player and we all want to stop him. But if our performance is like the one we have shown in the last few games we stand a very good chance of winning the game.

Everton have had a clear week and they will be fully prepared, but we cannot have any excuses and go into the game with a lot of confidence.

Playing against people like Lukaku can motivate us even more that we want to stop him. We have to play like we did against Chelsea and Sunderland.

We managed to stop Diego Costa on Wednesday and I hope it will be the same with Lukaku as it would be great for us to come away with another three points.

I still have fond memories of our last victory at Goodison Park and it was an amazing comeback after we went two goals down. Nobody expected us to do that.

It showed once again the character of the team and no-one is prepared to give up and lose. That is so important for us.

We had some big results last season but I thought it was one of our best performances along with the game at home to Arsenal when we were also two goals down.

It is better for us if we can score first and not have to come from behind!

I want to say a special word about Edimilson Fernandes who has made such a big impact in his first two games.

It is so important for the Club because we have a really good young player and he is so humble. He can play in a number of positions.

He has time to improve and get even better. We don't need to put too much pressure on him and it is good for him to get this experience because he has a big quality.

We are really proud of him, not just because he is young but because he is so humble. Before you become a footballer you need to become a man and it is very difficult to find people as humble as he is.

With all the games we have been facing recently I have not had much time to do anything apart from rest in-between games and make sure I am in the best possible shape.

I want to make sure I am ready for the game once again on Everton and I hope the fans can celebrate another big victory on Sunday.

Enjoy the game.

Angelo

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MATT LAWLESS EXCLUSIVE: DO THE MEDIA HATE WEST HAM?
BY EXWHUEMPLOYEE ON 29 OCTOBER 2016 AT 8:38PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by Matty Lawless @mattylawless

Do the media hate West Ham? If it's left for me to answer, then categorically no. The media, as I've known it in over 15 years working in the industry, do not hate any team.

Understandably, this week, there are West Ham fans asking that question.

After what was a magnificent performance against Chelsea, the focus was firmly on the trouble that marred Wednesday's win.

It's a real shame that such a special night, with an incredible atmosphere and an amazing result was ruined.

So, why did the media focus on the small minority who attempted to spoil it for everyone else?

I can't speak for everyone but I do know that the facts speak for themselves.

The chaotic scenes were there for all to see – and it was appalling. Chairs being thrown. Coins hurled. Thankfully nobody was reported to be seriously hurt.

Unfortunately, every game played at the London Stadium has witnessed trouble of some sort – and on more than one occasion it has erupted within the stadium.

You cannot defend it. It's embarrassing for the game. Yet some fans seem to be in-denial and query whether it all part of a wider agenda against West Ham.

The truth is there is no agenda (not that I know of anyway). The reportage has been fair across the board. And it would be the same if it happened every week at The Emirates, White Hart Lane etc.

The Manchester City supporters who allegedly smashed the toilets up at Old Trafford during the week were highlighted. The depressing scenes north of the border before and after the Old Firm game last weekend did not escape the headlines either. So, it's not just West Ham being singled out.

But as a West Ham season ticket holder it does hurt. I'm one of the many who go to the stadium with the sole intention of supporting my team. It's not fair that West Ham fans are generalised with a reputation of being thugs. Honest Guv, we're not.

The mindless few who are won't be around for long. The club has conducted itself in the right way and vowed to ban them all. Good riddance.

Increased measures of segregation will now be put in place, which is also reassuring.

Visiting teams must take responsibility too, however.

Last Saturday's win against Sunderland was spoiled by reports that away fans set upon home supporters outside the stadium. That's not on.

Then on Wednesday, one moronic Chelsea follower breached the segregation line inside the stadium to goad the home section. Why wasn't he stopped?

While I don't condone violence of any sort, it feels unfair that West Ham fans are totally blamed for everything. Yes, it's clear some were at fault but many were not.

Lots of fellow Hammers have tweeted me. Where they sit they have been oblivious to any disorder. The atmosphere in their area, in particular against Chelsea, was rocking for all the right reasons. It felt like a proper London derby. And so they were left baffled over reports of bad behaviour.

I've been excused of being melodramatic. I apologise if that's what people think. The truth is I only ever want to read positive press about the team I love. Believe me, I don't want to be tweeting about total disorder. But if something is wrong, I feel obliged to write fairly and accurately about it.

My tweets got a lot of attention during the Watford game, for instance. What I witnessed that day was nasty. Kids around me were crying. It was wholly unpleasant.

But since then, and until the Chelsea game, everything has been absolutely fine.

I've enjoyed going again. I love taking my son with me. He's 9 and football mad.

It's a big bad world out there and I know I can't protect him from everything.

Yet I don't want to be deterred from taking him to the big games because of a minority of hooligans who want to spoil it.

I fell in love with West Ham because I went to the big games – home and away. Naturally, I want the same for him.

So, that's my major angst right now. One fan suggested I shouldn't bother going because "we don't want fans like you". Doesn't want the next generation to go to games feeling safe and enjoying it? Pathetic. Fortunately, he did say sorry.

It's fine. I get it. Things are said, sometimes unwisely, in the heat of the moment. We're all passionate about West Ham – hence why I despise seeing stories of unruly unrest, especially when the team deserves all the credit.

I'm confident, however, that we won't witness a repeat of those disgraceful scenes inside the stadium again. I believe it will be a safe place to take my son and have no qualms going there. Its not the Boleyn Ground but I genuinely do love it. Every game has a big game feel to it. And derbies are especially supposed to be edgy and intense. I want to be on the end of my seat singing "Who Are Ya?" whenever we're beating our rivals. Nothing wrong with that (works both ways too).

I just want an end to all the negativity. This really is a great time to be a West Ham fan. The future IS bright. Three wins on the spin. Two (almost three) clean sheets.

Let's see the focus shift onto Slaven Bilic's side.

After a terrible start to the season, it feels like we've turned the tide and got our old West Ham back.

It's a big game at Goodison on Sunday. If we win that – and follow it up with three points against Stoke next Saturday – West Ham should be making headlines again for all the right reasons.

Signing off, I'd like to pay a huge thanks to the West Ham Way for having me. Sorry to have kept you waiting for so long!

One love to all West Ham fans.

Come on you Irons!

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Goodison Park brings back memories for Slaven Bilic ahead of return
Last Updated: 29/10/16 1:12pm
SSN

Slaven Bilic will be on familiar territory when West Ham travel to Everton and attempt to build on their wins against Sunderland and Chelsea in the last week.

West Ham play Everton for the live Super Sunday match at Goodison Park - where boss Bilic played for two seasons after leaving Upton Park in 1997.

And Bilic admits he remains a fan of Everton's tight ground - and not just because West Ham clinched a dramatic 3-2 win there last season.

"It's a great stadium to play at," Bilic said. "I love the stadium, and not because I played there.

"It's going to be packed, it's a great stadium and also because we have a great memory from last year. Okay, I played there and everything but it's mostly because of the stadium and the crowd is very good there."

West Ham will also face a familiar foe in the shape of Romelu Lukaku. The Belgium striker has scored every time he has played against them, a total of eight goals in as many appearances.

"They have so many options up front," Bilic added. "They are a very physical side, they have pace up front. They have Lukaku who, I don't know how many he has scored - eight goals in 10 games against us, or whatever I read yesterday.

"So he is always scoring against us, unfortunately, so that's also going to be interesting. It will be a great game. They need points. We need points."

Bilic has another attacking weapon of his own, though, with £20.5m summer signing Andre Ayew finally fit again.

The former Swansea frontman had been sidelined by a thigh injury suffered against Chelsea in the opening game of the season, but made his comeback as a late substitute against the same opposition on Wednesday.

"It's great to have him back," said Bilic, who remains without strikers Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho through injury.

"He's been training with the group for a couple of weeks now and came on and did really good against Chelsea. He looked fit and aggressive, so it's great to have him back."

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West Ham offer £22.5m and Simone Zaza to Napoli: Italian striker eyed in return
WEST HAM have reportedly offered Simone Zaza to Napoli as a makeweight in their pursuit of striker Manolo Gabbiadini.
By JOE SHORT
PUBLISHED: 12:03, Sat, Oct 29, 2016 | UPDATED: 12:13, Sat, Oct 29, 2016
Express.co.uk

Zaza has failed to impress since joining the West Ham this summer on loan from Juventus. It is claimed West Ham are obliged to sign Italy international Zaza for £17.7million if he plays 10 games for the club. But manager Slaven Bilic appears uninterested in retaining the 25-year-old for long. According to Italian TV station Rai Sport, West Ham are willing to offer £22.5m (€25m) for Gabbiadini in January. They hope Napoli will be convinced to sell the 24-year-old in return for a heavy up-front fee and replacement forward Zaza. According to the report, Napoli manager Maurizio Sarri is an admirer of Zaza and would be open to signing him.
However, Napoli may prefer to retain Gabbiadini this season, despite the Italian scoring just twice so far this campaign.

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