Daily WHUFC News II - 26th October 2016

Manager on Matchday
WHUFC.com

Good morning everyone,

We are hopeful of getting a good result against Chelsea tonight and making it through to the quarter final stage of the EFL Cup. I was asked in the pre-match press conference the importance of the players conducting themselves properly on the pitch. I feel this is always very important, but I haven't seen a lot of games in England where the players don't conduct themselves in the right way.

I want my players to be focused and up for the game. At the same time we don't want them to do anything stupid, but it has to be the right balance.

Before these big games you don't need any kind of motivation. The players cannot wait for the game to start.

I know it will be a great atmosphere against Chelsea on Wednesday night.

It is a big game for me as well. We are very positive and we want to go through in this competition.

I have been involved in enough London derbies and know what to expect. We only had one last week against Crystal Palace and we played very well.

We are on a good run and Chelsea are on a good run and we know their strengths and weaknesses. The bottom line is we will have to be on our game for 90 minutes, maybe 120 minutes to have a chance of winning.

We have trained really hard and the game against Palace made a big difference. It showed that we can play and can be a team. We are fit enough to play ten against eleven and things were very positive after that game.

It was then crucial to win the next game against Sunderland and everyone is full of confidence. I can feel that when I walk into the dressing room.

We are going to see how Darren Randolph is before the game. He has been missing since the international break as he picked up an old injury and missed a couple of games.

He returned to training last Saturday and has been training for the last couple of days.

Darren is a brilliant goalkeeper and I have said that many times. If he is fit he will play against Chelsea but we will wait to see if he is a risk and I will then make a decision.

Andre Ayew has looked good in training and has been with us for a week. We don't want to rush him like crazy but we are missing his quality. That is why we signed him in the first place.

He could well be in contention for the game tonight and he needs games.

The boys are coming back from the injuries. Cresswell is back and very soon we should have a few more back. It is crucial to have that kind of quality and that kind of competition for places.

Hopefully we will stay injury free now.

Enjoy the game this evening.

Slaven

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A message from the Joint-Chairmen
WHUFC.com

The following message from Joint-Chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold will appear in tonight's Official Programme for the EFL Cup fourth-round visit of Chelsea to London Stadium...

Hello everybody as we look ahead to tonight's historic EFL Cup fourth-round tie with Chelsea at London Stadium.

We would like to extend a personal welcome to the staff, players and fans of both teams on the occasion of the first London derby at our aptly-named new home.

While there has to be a winner and a loser this evening, tonight's game is one for us all to relish and enjoy.

We would once again like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our fantastic supporters for the way they have come and put their support behind the team so far this season. Saturday's victory reminded us once more of the stunning atmosphere we can create inside this Stadium when our famous support reverberates around the roof, and we certainly need that more than ever this evening for what will be a tough game under the lights.

We feel it's very important to note that the overwhelming majority of supporters attending matches at London Stadium so far this season have behaved impeccably during their visits.

We have been proud to welcome week-in-week-out our 10,000 Under-16 Season Ticket Holders and 25,000 supporters who attend as part of a family unit.

We have been working closely with our partners E20 Stadium LLP and London Stadium 185, the Metropolitan Police Service and of course our supporters to make for a safe and pleasant environment in which fans of all ages can watch their team in action.

This evening we could have sold the Stadium out twice over but the safety and security of our supporters is and must remain our primary concern and therefore working with guidance from our safety advisory expert colleagues, we opted to limit the sale of tickets to only those with a certain level of purchase history. This meant that many fans who have bought multiple tickets previously were only able to purchase one ticket for this fixture. Hopefully we will not need any restriction on sales in the future.

Despite that we have achieved a record breaking crowd of close to 50,000 that will eclipse our own EFL Cup attendance record that has stood for nearly 45 years, and for that we once again commend our supporters and hope that together we can achieve another landmark win over one of England's top sides.
Extensive and appropriate plans and arrangements have been put in place to make for what we all hope will be a thrilling and entertaining cup tie
Joint-Chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold
Extensive and appropriate plans and arrangements have been put in place to make for what we all hope will be a thrilling and entertaining cup tie.

Please remember that every one of you is an ambassador for the club and we urge everybody to behave impeccably tonight as the vast majority do week in week out, both inside and outside the ground, and to respect the travelling Chelsea supporters.

Through the decades we have supported this Club, we have enjoyed many famous cup nights under the floodlights, including that memorable 4-0 victory over Manchester United in the snow back in 2010.
Surprisingly, this will be just the third occasion on which we have faced Chelsea in the EFL Cup – or League Cup, as it was historically known – in the 57 years since the competition was introduced in 1960.

Currently, the head-to-head stands at one-all, with our win coming 22 years ago to the day. We are delighted that members of the team which won that tie will be with us this evening, so please give them the welcome they deserve before kick-off.

The EFL Cup is one of two competitions we can realistically aim at winning this season – the other being the Emirates FA Cup – and we know how much every West Ham fan would love a day out at Wembley.

We have come very close to reaching the final twice in recent seasons and, with the strong manager, staff and squad we have now assembled, there is no reason why we should not aspire to go all the way this season.

We also go into tonight's game off the back of two confidence-boosting Premier League victories over Crystal Palace and Sunderland.

At both Selhurst Park and again on Saturday, your support for the team was second-to-none, and unquestionably played a big part in the team collecting six points out of six.

It goes without saying that together, we are a formidable force that will take some stopping, so let's unite positively behind Slaven and his players tonight and cheer them through to the fifth round.

Come on you Irons!

David Sullivan & David Gold
Joint-Chairmen

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Five Talking Points - Chelsea
WHUFC.com

The main topics for discussion ahead of Wednesday's historic EFL Cup fourth-round tie with Chelsea at London Stadium...

A historic occasion

There have seemingly been a succession of 'historic' moments for West Ham United in 2016, with a succession of 'final' events at the Boleyn Ground being followed by a succession of 'first' events at London Stadium.

Tonight, the Hammers' new home will host its very first London derby – we are not counting the Watford Premier League fixture – when Chelsea visit in the EFL Cup fourth round.

The tie will not only mark this landmark, but it will also be attended by the largest League Cup crowd in the Club's history, with a crowd of around 45,000 eclipsing the 40,878 who attended the fourth-round visit of Liverpool to the Boleyn Ground on 27 October 1971.

Strong

Slaven Bilic has repeatedly stated that he sees the EFL Cup as a competition to target this season, which makes perfect sense seeing as West Ham are out of Europe and are unlikely to win the Premier League title.
With those circumstances in mind, and an extra day to rest ahead of Sunday's trip to Everton, the Croatian is expected to field virtually his strongest-available team on Wednesday evening.
Aaron Cresswell is back from suspension, and will slot in somewhere on the left flank, while Ireland hero Darren Randolph could return from a minor knee injury to retain his position as the Club's knockout No1.
Up front, Simone Zaza looks set to be given a chance to shine against his former Italy manager Antonio Conte

Ayew ready for this?

Andre Ayew looks set to return to the West Ham squad for the first time since suffering a groin injury on his debut at… Chelsea in August.

Hammers forwards have yet to score a competitive goal this season, so the availability of the Ghana star will undoubtedly strengthen Slaven Bilic's firepower.

Ayew may not be an out-and-out striker, but the 26-year-old has netted 90 career goals for club and country and is a threat to both create chances and put them away himself.

Chelsea, Chelsea

The Blues stuttered out of the blocks in their opening Premier League game with the Hammers back in August, needing a late winner from Diego Costa – who might well have earlier been sent-off for a late challenge on Adrian – to sneak a 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge.

Since then, Chelsea have seemingly improved under new manager Antonio Conte, particularly since he opted to revert to his favoured three-at-the-back formation.

A 3-0 win over champions Leicester City was followed by Sunday's 4-0 demolition of Manchester United, albeit both on home turf, and Chelsea will arrive in east London full of confidence.

Victor Moses

Last season, Victor Moses was something of an enigma during his season-long loan with West Ham.

The Nigeria winger sparkled on occasion, most notably in scoring an outstanding goal in the Hammers' Premier League win at Manchester City, but failed to hold down a regular starting place due to the form of right winger Michail Antonio.

This season, Moses has been employed in a less familiar right wing-back role by new Chelsea manager Antonio Conte, with encouraging results.

Moses appears to be fulfilling his undoubted potential, and he will have a small point to prove against his former club tonight.

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Cresswell cannot wait to make home debut
WHUFC.com

Aaron Cresswell has been counting the days until he can make his first appearance at London Stadium and will finally get his chance when he lines up against Chelsea in the EFL Cup tonight.

Cresswell was forced to miss the opening game at the new Stadium after suffering knee ligament damage during the Club's pre-season tour to Austria.

The talented full-back was expected to be ruled out for four months but he has made a speedy recovery and made an impressive comeback in the 1-0 win over Crystal Palace where he helped set up the winning goal for Manuel Lanzini.

Cresswell's return was marred by a harsh dismissal late in the game which forced him to miss the victory over Sunderland on Saturday.

But he is now ready to make his first appearance at home this evening and says he cannot wait to play at the Hammers new Stadium.

Cresswell said: "From my point of view this is one I have been looking forward to for the last few months and I cannot wait to get out there and play at London Stadium. It will be fantastic for me to be playing at home again.

"We have had some big games under the lights and this will be the first London derby to be played at London Stadium. I'm sure the fans are looking forward to it.

"I am a little bit gutted that I missed the first ever game there having missed just one game in the last two-years. But that is part and parcel of football and I have learned to move on from that.

"To make my home debut against Chelsea in the new Stadium is one I am now looking forward to."

Cresswell is hoping the Hammers can maintain their recent good run of form and make it three wins in a row as the Club look to book their place in the quarter finals of the EFL Cup.

Winston Reid's last minute winner against Sunderland on Saturday has set the team up nicely for the big London derby and Cresswell knows they will have to be at their best once again if they are to beat a Chelsea side who are also full of confidence following their emphatic victory over Manchester United on Sunday.

Cresswell added: "We have had a slow start but in recent weeks we have turned it around and we got a massive win against Sunderland.

"The main thing is that the boys and the gaffer are fully committed to the cause and we want to put things right. We have picked up seven points from the last three games and long may that continue.

"We have now got a tough game against Chelsea which we know is not going to be easy, but we are all looking forward to it.

"I saw Chelsea's game against Manchester United on Sunday and they were excellent.

"It always helps if you can win a big London derby and it will give us even more confidence."

Cresswell knows one of the keys to winning the game could be stopping former Hammers Victor Moses who has been one of the star performers for the west London Club this season.

Moses enjoyed a successful season-long loan at West Ham and Cresswell knows the dangers he could pose to his side.

"Victor was here last season and is a fantastic player. It looks like he has found a new lease of life under Conte and we know what he is capable of. We need to try and stop him."

Having made such a successful return to action in the victory over Palace, Cresswell hopes he can re-produce his best form once again and says he would relish the chance to play as a wing-back if Slaven Bilic keeps faith with the system which has seen the club win the last two games.

"I felt really good after the Palace game and adrenalin got me through most of it. I had not played any games prior to that and I was anxious that I was going to last the 90 minutes – obviously I didn't because of the sending-off!

"But I felt really good and that is down to Dom, Eamon and all the medical staff who helped me come back and I owe a lot to them. Getting the three points was the most important thing and that is what we got.

"The new system has worked well over the last two games and it is a system that I like to play. It helps me to get forward and create things with Dimi and Lanzini."

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Walker will never forget Chelsea Cup game
WHUFC.com

Jimmy Walker will always have special memories of facing Chelsea in the League Cup but he will be hoping for a much better outcome when the two sides meet at London Stadium on Wednesday night.

Walker became a cult hero with the West Ham fans after he saved a penalty from former midfielder Frank Lampard at Stamford Bridge even though the Hammers lost the game 1-0.

Walker could never have imagined that his relationship with the Hammers fans would transform onto another level following the events that unfolded in west London that evening.

Arjen Robben was brought down inside the box and despite a delay in the penalty being taken, Walker kept his nerve to keep out the spot kick from the England midfielder.

Walker still gets reminded of the penalty every time he bumps into a West Ham supporter and says it was a moment he will never forget.

Walker said: "When anyone ever asks me about the game at Chelsea I always say I don't like to speak about it! What could I possibly say!

"It was a memorable evening, albeit it for different reasons that what we are normally used to.

"We all know Frank is a fantastic player, but I didn't realise at the time how popular that penalty save was going to make me.

"After the decision had been made to award the penalty, I can still remember the delay that took place as I think Tomas Repka was arguing with a few people!

"I didn't think that would affect Frank as he is normally so composed in those situations, but I managed to get a block on the ball as he attempted to hit the ball straight down the middle.

"Ludek Miklosko was my goalkeeping coach at the time and although we had information on the opposition, there was not the footage available like there is now to study the penalty takers. I just stayed up as long as I could and managed to save it.

"The funny thing is that whenever I speak to West Ham fans about the game they never ever mention the result! I haven't bought a drink in Essex for the last ten-years."

Walker is planning to make his first appearance at London Stadium for the game this evening and knows more than most the amazing atmosphere that can be generated under the lights.

The 43-year-old would love to see the Hammers make amends for the League Cup defeat back in 2004 and record a famous win over their London rivals at London Stadium.

"I know the new Stadium can help take the Club onto the next level. I have played under the lights and know the amazing support that the West Ham fans can provide for the team.

"This is a massive game and it would be nice to see the Club have a good cup run.

"I cannot believe I was part of the team that last reached a major final and it is long overdue.

"I can remember what the FA Cup run did for everyone at the Club back in 2006 and it brings everyone together."

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Hutch the hero
WHUFC.com

The early 1990s were a time of change at West Ham United.

The Hammers began the decade in the old Second Division, having been relegated in 1989 – a demotion that was followed by long-serving manager John Lyall's departure after 15 years in charge.

The 1989/90 season saw West Ham reach the League Cup semi-finals for the second consecutive season under new boss Billy Bonds.

Bonds led West Ham to promotion in 1991, followed by relegation in 1992 and promotion to the Premier League for the first time a year later.

The summer of 1994 was marked by the departure of Bonds and the appointment of former player and assistant manager Harry Redknapp as the Club's eighth full-time boss.

Redknapp brought another ex-Hammer, Tony Cottee, back to east London from Everton in a £2.2 million deal.

Off the pitch, the Taylor Report led to the redevelopment of the Boleyn Ground, with the old South Bank terrace being demolished in May 1993 to make way for the Bobby Moore Stand, which opened in early 1994.

The summer of the same year saw the North Bank terrace demolished to be replaced by the new Centenary Stand – named for the Club's 100th anniversary in 1995.

These redevelopments were to be funded, in part, by a new and controversial Bond Scheme, which was introduced in November 1991, and was taken up by 808 supporters.
Hutch

This was the backdrop to 1994/95 Premier League season, which saw the Hammers win just one of their opening seven matches to slip to 19th in the table.

A run of three victories in four matches saw Redknapp's side rise to 12th by the time Chelsea visited east London for a League Cup third-round tie on Wednesday 26 October 1994.

The Hammers had edged past Third Division club Walsall 3-2 on aggregate in the second round, losing 2-1 at the Bescot Stadium before scoring a 2-0 home win over the Saddlers at the Boleyn Ground.

Among the scorers in the second leg was Don Hutchison, who had made a similar journey to Cottee in August 1994, joining the Club for £1.5m from Liverpool.

Born in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, Hutchison was a central midfielder who could create and score goals, while also possessing a willingness to put his foot in to win possession for his side.

After scoring on his Premier League debut at home to Newcastle United, the 23-year-old had netted the winner against Crystal Palace in early October, further enhancing his reputation among the Claret and Blue Army.

On Wednesday 26 October, however, his stock went through the newly-constructed Boleyn Ground roof.


Hoddle's Blues

Promoted to the inaugural Premier League in 1992, Chelsea were also a club in transition.

While their own stadium redevelopment would not take place until later in the decade, the Blues were undergoing a major rebuilding process on the playing side.

Former England midfielder Glenn Hoddle had arrived as player-manager in June 1993, inspiring the west London side to the FA Cup final in his first season in charge – albeit one they lost 4-0 to Manchester United.

In the Premier League, Chelsea had finished the 1993/94 campaign in an underwhelming 14th place – a point and a position below West Ham.

Hoddle responded by signing striker Paul Furlong for a club-record £2.3 million from Watford, while also adding future Hammer Scott Minto and midfielder David Rocastle.

The trio initially sparked Chelsea into life, as they won their opening three Premier League fixtures, with Furlong scoring freely, but from then on their form was patchy, including a 2-1 home defeat by West Ham on 2 October 1994.

Three-and-a-half weeks later, the two sides met again.

Early goal

It took just two minutes for West Ham and Hutchison to make their mark.

The midfielder – joined in the starting XI by another recent returnee from Anfield, left-back Julian Dicks – put the finishing touch to a brisk move that opened up the Chelsea defence.

Dicks was the architect, taking a quick throw-in to Cottee, who knocked the ball down for the No26 to curl past the Blues' Russian goalkeeper Dimitri Kharin.

With 88 minutes to go, the stage was set for a rip-roaring cup tie, and both teams lived up to that expectation by creating chances to add further goals.

Hutchison could have doubled his tally on 27 minutes, when he was played in by former Liverpool teammate Mike Marsh, but Gareth Hall got back to tackle him in the nick of time.

Chelsea, already without a host of injured regulars, also lost Gavin Peacock to an ankle injury, but his depleted team were not about to give up their place in the Coca-Cola Cup without giving it a good pop.

And so it was that the Blues launched an all-out assault on the West Ham goal, with only goalkeeper Ludek Miklosko standing between them and an equaliser.

The Czech stopper denied flame-haired Norwegian defender Erland Johnsen, striker Neil Shipperley and then, twice, Chelsea captain Dennis Wise.

After his second spectacular save from Wise, the diminutive visiting skipper shook Miklosko's hand by way of congratulation.

That single action confirmed that it was not to be Chelsea's night.

The Boleyn Ground construction work meant just 18,815 fans were present to see the famous victory, but none of those present will ever forget the night Don downed the Blues.

Unfortunately, West Ham could not continue any further down the road to Wembley, losing 3-1 at home to Bolton Wanderers in the fourth round.

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Conte seeking to blood youngsters
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 26th October 2016
By: Staff Writer

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte says he will be taking tonight's EFL Cup tie seriously - but still hopes to blood a number of youngsters.

Conte, who has led his team to three consecutive Premier League victories - winning 2-0, 3-0 and 4-0 - stressed that the newly-titled League Cup competition was "important" given that his side have no European competition this season.

However he maintained that it will also offer him the opportunity to give extra minutes to some of the younger members of his ever-expanding squad.

"We know this Cup can permit you to see some young players that are working very well with us," he said. "We know this season we have only the FA Cup and this Cup to see the other players. For this reason, we can see some changes.

"In these last three games we played very well, and it's important when you play with the same players, they take confidence in the role to play together," he added.

"But it's important also in this game to find a solution, because if you get an injury it's important to have a good solution ready. Tomorrow we can find a different solution, but I want the players to give me a good answer."

By contrast, Slaven Bilic is expected to play his strongest possible team, with West Ham not in action again until Sunday. That should mean a recall for the recently-suspended Aaron Cresswell and a place on the bench, at least, for the returning Andre Ayew.

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WEST HAM VS. CHELSEA: PREVIEW
BY BEN COOPER ON 26 OCTOBER 2016 AT 12:28PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
This preview was written by Deportivo Potter

I don't usually do a preview for cup/midweek games but due to the nature of the game I couldn't help myself. How great was it getting a last minute goal against Sunderland. The sense of relief and knowing the rest of the weekend was going to be great, just made me look forward to this game even more.

Chelsea it has to be said are on a very good run of form themselves, not conceding a goal in the month of October and scoring 9 goals in that time. Conte changed his formation for those games playing 3 at the back, similar to our recent return to form , where we have picked up maximum points, keeping clean sheets in our last 2 games.

Cresswell should come back into the team for tonight's game and their has also been suggestions of record signing Andre Ayew being back in the squad. Andy Carroll, Gokhan Tore, Masuaku, Diafra Sakho and Sam Byram still remain out.

Chelsea see the return of John Terry and although Zouma and Ivanovic have both returned to training it is thought they will miss this game. Cesc Fabregas is still out. Willian and Chalobah could be rotated into the starting eleven.

Sources have mentioned that Slaven Bilic will play a strong team which is good to hear I don't like taking one competition more seriously than another and believe you should go out to win every game possible.

Predicted line ups.

West Ham United : – Adrian, Kouyate, Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Fernandes, Antonio, Noble, Obiang, Payet, and Zaza

Chelsea : – Begovic, Azpilicueta, Terry, Luiz, Moses, Kante, Matic, Alonso, Willian, Batshuayi, Hazard.

I expect Chelsea to take this game seriously and put out a strong side as well. Which will hopefully make this a humdinger of a London derby, with both teams really going for it. I will predict an entertaining game and expect it to finish 2-2 and then a lottery as to who wins it in extra time. Hopefully the team in Claret and Blue gets the winner.

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West Ham manager Slaven Bilic wants players pumped up for Chelsea EFL Cup game
By PA Sport
Last Updated: 26/10/16 12:07am
SSN

West Ham are hoping for a trouble-free night off the pitch when they host rivals Chelsea in the EFL Cup but manager Slaven Bilic will not instruct his players to remain calm. The Hammers face a major test of security, stewarding and policing when the London Stadium hosts its first derby in the fourth round of the competition on Wednesday. There have already been disturbances in the stands and outside the ground at some of West Ham's previous home matches, and a series of measures are in place in a bid to ensure events on the pitch are not marred by those off them.

But Hammers boss Bilic wants his players pumped up as they attempt to knock Antonio Conte's side out and reach the quarter-finals.
"I don't want them to be calm, no, no," he said. "I want them to be focused and up for it, but at the same time not to do anything stupid.
"Before these games you don't need a special motivation, as it is Chelsea. You can calm them a little bit down, but you want them to be in a state that they can't wait for the game to start." While the club are working hard to solve the troubles off the pitch at their new home, Bilic has come up with a way to remedy their problems on it. The Hammers were dumped out of the Europa League by Romanian side Astra Giurgiu and suffered heavy defeats against Watford and Southampton as they struggled to adapt to their new surroundings.

Bilic decided the squad should train at the former Olympic Stadium once a week, and the move paid immediate dividends with Saturday's 1-0 win over Sunderland. "We've done it three or four times now, and we did it on the Friday before Sunderland," the Croatian revealed.
"It's about the optical reality they have on the pitch, and where everything is. It is wider and bigger. "You can lift your head up and think 'there's no way I can get there', or 'there's no way I can help my team-mate press'. But the more you practice on it, the better it will be.
"It's for the players to get used to that specific pitch, to the size, to certain areas where they play. "You score some good goals from a specific spot in training and when you are in a match you think 'I scored yesterday from here'. It definitely helps."

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Andy Carroll and Kevin Nolan give evidence in trial over 'champers and hampers' scam which conned footballers out of thousands
15:38, 26 OCT 2016 UPDATED 16:09, 26 OCT 2016
BY MARTIN DOMIN
The accused alegedly conned £61,560 out of West Ham footballers and staff
The Mirror

Footballers Andy Carroll and Kevin Nolan at Snaresbrook Crown CourtFootballers Andy Carroll and Kevin Nolan at Snaresbrook Crown Court
West Ham footballers past and present have described how they became the victims of a luxury 'champers and hampers' scam.

The players and their then boss, Sam Allardyce, only realised they'd been duped when the luxury packages for which they'd paid Stephen Ackerman tens of thousands of pounds never turned up at their training ground, a court heard.

Ackerman, 48, is accused of conning £61,560 out of West Ham footballers and staff including star striker Andy Carroll, James Tomkins, Aaron Cresswell, Joey O'Brien and Allardyce.

He sold them cut-price Harrods and Fortnum & Masons hampers at the West Ham training ground in Decembers 2014 to make £7,310 profit from 13 players and club staff, the court was told.

But the hampers were never delivered and then Ackerman used their bank details to plunder their bank accounts, draining them of a further £54,250, the jury heard.

Allardyce, who has since been sacked after less than 10 weeks as England boss, has already given evidence to the trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court via videolink from Thailand.

On Wednesday the court heard former West Ham defender and current Republic of Ireland international Joey O'Brien, the first footballer to give evidence.

Former England manager Sam Allardyce says he was conned in £60,000 'Christmas hamper' scam

Other players including Kevin Nolan, Andy Carroll and James Tomkins were due to give evidence on Wednesday afternoon.

O'Brien was asked by prosecutor Richard Milne if he was still playing for the club, and answered: "No I'm not at the club. I'm between clubs at the minute."

Giving his account of December 12, 2014, he said: "I got champagne and Christmas hampers.

"I spent £1,200 on them and I paid with a chip and pin machine."

The player said the machine belonged to a "salesman who was selling hampers" and he used his bank card to pay.

He said: "I hoped they would come a few days later.

"We were waiting for the stuff to arrive at the training ground. I never received them."

The court heard in the days after the purchases he noticed unauthorised transactions were made, totalling £750, using his bank card.

Asked to describe the man selling the hampers, the defender said: "He was a white male, mid 40s to early 40s, probably about 10 years older than me, so late 30s, early 40s.

"He was fairly smartly dressed, he had a smart watch on which caught my eye.

"I think it was around lunchtime maybe. I'm not too sure and I can't remember exactly.

"I wasn't there too long as I was in the process of doing something else, so I bought the champagne and moved on."

During cross-examination he said he couldn't remember any particular facial features,and he couldn't remember anything unusual about the salesman.

When asked if the fraud was discussed by people at the club, he said: "Roughly around that time, I suppose a few days and a couple of weeks after, a few of the lads were saying 'I don't think these are going to turn up.'

"When the stuff with the bank accounts started to come out a few were saying something obviously further was going on."

Giving evidence Stijn Vandenbroucke, head of medical and sports science at the club, said: "I ordered 20 bottles of champagne and three bottles of port.

"They were very cheap."

He told the jury he spent £650 and said: "I paid using a visa debit card on the chip and pin machine he had."

Asked when he thought his order would arrive, he said: "I was hoping before Christmas, but it never arrived."

Describing the man, Mr Vandenbroucke said: "He had dark hair and he had a funny nose.

"Before, at the time I noticed it was fractured. It wasn't straight lined."

He added: "I mentioned it was a funny nose. With a fractured nose it goes left or right. It was something that caught my eye."

Asked why he bought the booze, he said: "I made a quick decision at the time.

"I didn't linger. It was cheap, it should have been less cheap.

"The man was situated in the entrance of the building and at the time my office was outside the building and all morning I was in and out, in and out, in and out.

"Every time I went by I thought I should buy some champagne and I made a quick decision. I saw him many times throughout the day."

The court heard from West Ham's assistant manager at the time, Neil McDonald, who spent £60 on a hamper.

Giving evidence via videolink from Hull Crown Court, having just been appointed as Hull City's new assistant coach, he was asked if he was tempted by the prices.

He said: "Yes, I was.

"I was buying a hamper which looked a good price for my mother who used to live in that area.

"The one I chose was £150, offered for £60. I paid for it with a debit card with a chip and pin machine, which he had with him."

Describing the man selling the goods he said he was a white mam, around 5ft 10ins "with grey hair" which he didn't think was short, and added "it was just a full head of hair".

Ackerman, of Loughton, Essex, denies 13 counts of fraud by misrepresentation and one count of possessing a chip and pin reading device to use in fraud on December 12, 2014.

He also denies four counts of fraudulently using bank cards to purchase goods or services and on or after that date, and one count of possession of an article for use in fraud.

The trial continues.

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"It is not like we are playing Millwall" - West Ham boss Slaven Bilic downplays animosity for Chelsea game
22:30, 25 OCT 2016
BY NEIL MCLEMAN
The Hammers face the Blues in the League Cup with tensions set to be high in the London derby with Bilic confirming he will name his strongest possible side
The Mirror

Slaven Bilic wants his West Ham players fired up to face Chelsea after declaring: "It is not like we are playing Millwall."

There will be a massive security operation for the potentially explosive derby – the biggest football match so far at the London Stadium.

But the Hammers boss insisted he has no security worries before the EFL Cup clash and wants his "strongest possible side" to concentrate on victory.

"I don't want them to be calm, no, no," said the Croat. "I want them to be focused and up for it but at the same time not to do anything stupid - of course not. To be calm but not to be flat.

"Before these games you don't need a special motivation as it is Chelsea. You want them to be in a state that they can't wait for the game to start."

Bilic, a veteran of Istanbul derbies with Besiktas, tried to play down the tinderbox nature of tie against their West London rivals.

"Hopefully all the problems at the stadium have gone," he said. "All we can do is try to play good football and win games. That also helps the atmosphere. It's all we can do.

"We had a London derby two weeks ago against Crystal Palace, we have Spurs, we have Arsenal we have Chelsea, you can even call Watford a London derby.

Chelsea skipper John Terry ready to make Blues return in EFL Cup clash at West Ham
"At the end of the day it is not like we are playing Millwall, we are playing Chelsea. We did it all last year and we behaved well when we played well against most of them."

Bilic claimed the victory at Crystal Palace after the dismissal of Aaron Cresswell was the turning point in their season – and said training at the London Stadium had also helped, although the Hammers did not go there yesterday. "You score some good goals from a specific spot in training and when you are in a match you think: 'I scored yesterday from here'," he said

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