Daily WHUFC News - 12th November 2016

Payet at it again with France strike
WHUFC.com

Hammers star Dimitri Payet added to his sensational recent France record on Friday by adding an eighth international goal to his collection with Les Bleus' winner against Sweden. In FIFA World Cup qualifying, Payet found the net from close range with 25 minutes remaining to down his side's Scandinavian opponents and stay top of European Group A. France had previously fallen behind in the 54th minute when Emil Forsberg opened the scoring from a free-kick, however Paul Pogba nodded home to level the score at the Stade de France from Payet's delivery. And the 29-year-old, who has already scored two terrific goals for the Hammers this season in domestic football, marked his 31st cap with a crucial winning strike. Didier Deschamps' team had already beaten Bulgaria and the Netherlands in qualifying in addition to a goalless draw with Belarus. They face the Ivory Coast on Tuesday in an international friendly and Payet will be looking to continue his superb form into next week.

Elsewhere, Aaron Cresswell was left on the bench in England's 3-0 win over Scotland at Wembley. The full-back received his first international call-up earlier this week and he watched on as a substitute as the Three Lions secured the three points thanks to goals from Daniel Sturridge, Adam Lallana and Gary Cahill.

Finally, Havard Nordtveit was also an unused substitute as Norway were beaten 2-1 by the Czech Republic in Prague.

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Randolph eager to take chances
WHUFC.com

Darren Randolph is set to start Republic of Ireland's Russia 2018 qualifier with Austria on Saturday
West Ham United stopper has been his country's No1 for more than a year
No1 is hoping international performance can earn him more playing time with the Hammers

Darren Randolph is hoping an impressive performance in Republic of Ireland's final international of 2016 could help him get more playing time with West Ham United.

The 29-year-old will start Ireland's 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier with Austria in Vienna on Saturday, having established himself as his country's No1 over the last 12 months.

However, while he wears the same number for the Hammers, Randolph has found his club appearances so far this season restricted to cup matches, with Spaniard Adrian keeping goal in the Premier League.

The Bray-born stopper is hoping another eye-catching display for the Boys in Green could change that situation, with West Ham preparing to travel to Tottenham Hotspur in the top flight a week on Saturday.

"I just need to keep training myself and when I do get the chance to perform, do so," said Randolph, who has 17 caps. "It's down to me then.

"Adrian has been [at the Club] for four years, so he's going to get the benefit of the doubt and get more games for the team to try and turn things around. I have to be patient like I have been.

"It's only my second season and I'm not going to give up on [playing regularly at Premier League level] that easily."

Randolph has done well when called upon this season, helping the Hammers to record a superb EFL Cup fourth-round win over Chelsea last month.

He now has a quarter-final at Manchester United to look forward to, but first the County Wicklow native has international duty to worry about.

Ireland have picked up seven points from their opening three Group D fixtures and can put themselves top if they better Serbia's result in Wales on Saturday.

"It's kind of must-win for them and for us, we'd like to get minimum a point to keep us up there in the group, so there's going to be pressure on both teams," he observed.

"They'll obviously want to improve on their last result, so it's going to be a tough game, a tough place to go.

"It would be a very good end to the year, and it would set us up nicely then going into next year and the rest of the games."

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Angelo's World
WHUFC.com

Hammers defender Angelo Ogbonna returns in the latest edition of his new blog, which delves into the Italian's life with the Club and outside football.
This week, the former Juventus centre-back discusses the disappointing draw with Stoke and looks ahead to the big London derby against Tottenham next week.
The 28-year-old also reveals why this is a different kind of international break for the Ogbonna household…


Hello everyone,

We were obviously disappointed to drop two points against Stoke last weekend.

After we scored the opening goal it looked like we were going to go on and win the game so everyone was a bit frustrated at the final whistle.

We cannot complain about what has happened and need to focus all our energy on preparing for the next game against Tottenham.

We need to get back that winning feeling and everyone at the Club wants to see us push towards the top half of the table.

We all know the next game is a big one for everyone at West Ham. We know it is going to be a tough game like every derby we have faced against Arsenal and Chelsea.

But I am looking forward to the atmosphere because our home game against Spurs last season was one of the best atmospheres I have ever seen in England and it was a memorable victory.

I have played in big derbies for Juventus but you cannot compare those derbies.

The Premier League is different and we face a lot of big derbies. There is a lot of competition.

We had a number of big away wins last season and hopefully this will be the time where we can go and get an away win over Tottenham.

It is more important for us to get the three points in the situation we face at the moment and get back to winning ways. Our position in the table is not good and we want to make it better.

We want to show our quality and that we can play against the big teams. We should be a lot higher in the table with the quality of players we have got in the squad.

We are getting some big players back from injury and it is a good feeling when you know the likes of Diafra Sakho and Andy Carroll are close to making a first-team return.

Finally, it has been a bit strange for me not joining up with the Italy squad this week, but on the positive side it allows me to train hard with my team and concentrate on West Ham.

When we are winning a couple of games it will give me the chance to get back into the Italy squad.

I am using the time to relax and make sure I am in the best condition possible for the next game against Tottenham.

My fiance is expecting a baby soon and we are very close to the birth so my focus is on getting everything ready and making sure she is okay.

I look forward to speaking with you again soon.

Angelo

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Dicks - Cresswell has got his just rewards
WHUFC.com

Dicks hopes to see more Hammers called up for EnglandWest Ham United coaching assistant Julian Dicks believes Aaron Cresswell has been rewarded for his all hard work over the last two seasons following his call-up to the England squad and feels he has been one of the most consistent left backs in the Premier League.

Cresswell has been one of the star performers for the Hammers following his move to the east London Club back in 2014.

The 26-year-old was strongly tipped to be included in the England squad for the European Championship Finals during the summer, but just missed out on a place.

Despite a knee injury which forced him to miss the start of the season, Cresswell has made a successful return to action and has now been called up by Gareth Southgate for the big games against Scotland and Spain at Wembley.

Dicks has worked closely with Cresswell and helped him to become an even better left back and was delighted to see him earn a call-up.

Dicks said: "I thought Aaron was our most consistent player last season. Unfortunately he got injured during pre-season but his call-up has been a long time coming. He is a good lad and hopefully he gets to play.

"It surprised me that he didn't get a call-up during the summer and that he never got the chance to play last season. He has been the most consistent player and has a great left foot on him.

"He has developed since he joined West Ham and when players have the ability like he has, you can work and develop them even more. He is as fit as you like and can play as a wing-back as well. He has been a fantastic signing for West Ham.

"The new system that we are playing obviously suits him and it gives him the freedom as well.

"He is fit enough to do that job. I remember Harry Redknapp trying to put me into that position against Charlton and I couldn't do it!

"But Aaron has got a great engine on him and does the job very well. It is about time that a West Ham left back got a call-up into the England squad!

"I sent a text message to him as soon as I found out and he got back to me straight away and it is great news for him. Everyone wants to play for their country and he has got his just rewards."

The West Ham fans will be thrilled to see Cresswell follow in the footsteps of Michail Antonio and become the second Hammer to be included in the England squad this season.

Dicks, who himself was unlucky not to get an England cap when he was producing his best form at West Ham, feels the time has finally come for the Hammers players to be rewarded and represent their country at the highest level.

Dicks added: "A lot of West Ham players have been overlooked by England over the years going back to when Billy Bonds was playing.

"But when you have players like Michail and Cress, you can't keep overlooking them because they are two outstanding players.

"The World Cup in 2018 is a big goal for any player and now Cress has got into the squad, hopefully he can stay there and it would be lovely for West Ham to have some players performing at the World Cup."

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Hammers mark Remembrance Day
WHUFC.com


West Ham United have moved into a new home during the summer, but the Club will never forget those who have sacrificed themselves to secure and protect our freedom.

The Hammers have always planned special commemorations around Remembrance Day and this year was no different.

The fact that nearly 60,000 fans were able to take part inside London Stadium for the first time made it even more special and it was an emotional tribute from the West Ham supporters at the Stoke game last weekend.

The Romford Drum and Trumpet Corps performed on the London Stadium pitch in the build-up, while a Guard of Honour provided by G Company 7 Rifles, the army Reserve battalion based in West Ham, and the Royal British Legion saw the two teams come out onto the pitch.

Joint-Chairman David Gold, Mayor of Newham Sir Robin Wales and Stoke City Chairman Peter Coates then laid wreaths in the centre circle before an impeccable Minute Silence was held in memory of those who have been lost in conflict.

Ken Hill from the Royal British Legion in East Ham believes this was one of the best ever tributes from West Ham United and cannot thank the fans enough for their support.

Hill said: "The way the Club treated us was amazing. The way the bugle came across on the PA system inside the ground was very touching.

"Everyone really appreciated it and we could hear everyone talking about it. You could not hear a pin drop during the silence. The bigger the better as far as we are concerned.

"I thought this was one of the best ever tributes that West Ham have done.

"The Last Post gets me every time I hear it and it brings back memories of the guys who have fallen. That is the most important part of the service.

"A lot of credit to the fans for showing their respect and they do the same every year. They always give the troops a warm welcome."

Ken Hill and Bob Stokes from the British LegionHill says the British Legion have a special relationship with West Ham United and hopes it will continue for a number of years in the future.

Hill added: "I really like working with West Ham and we have a close relationship. It promotes the British Legion and everyone appreciates each other.

"I am a Season-Ticket holder and I love coming to London Stadium. It is a fantastic Stadium and the fans make it a special place.

"The fans seem to come over even earlier when we mark Remembrance Day to support everyone and see the band playing. This is something that could become even bigger over the next few years."

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Return Tore but no refund, say Besiktas
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 11th November 2016
By: Staff Writer

Turkish Super Lig side Besiktas say they are happy to cut short Gokhan Tore's season-long loan spell - on the basis that they keep the entire £2.5million loan fee.

As soon as West Ham were dumped out of Europe by Astra Giurgiu for the second successive season back in August, Tore was already surplus to requirements (along with the likes of Havard Nordtveit and Sofiane Feghouli, who were signed in order to boost the club's squad with view to particupating in this season's Europa League).

And whilst the Turkish international's parent club are happy to take him back, chairman Fikret Orman insists that West Ham will not be offered a part refund - should that happen.

"We will take Tore back in January on one condition," he told a tabloid newspaper. "That we won't pay West Ham back the £2.5m loan money for him.

"Gokhan wants to come back to Besiktas. We will only agree if they agree over the loan payment. And they are paying his wages in full."

Last month reports from Turkey suggested that Bilic had told Tore he could return to his home country having failed to settle in England.

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Safe standing back on the agenda
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 11th November 2016
By: Staff Writer

Premier League clubs are set to discuss the possibility of re-introducing standing areas to top flight grounds, it has been revealed.

That the 20 League members are scheduled to meet in London next Thursday is nothing unusual in itself, with the event being just one of a number of gatherings scheduled to take place during the season.

However it will be the first time since all-seater stadia was introduced in 1994 that safe standing has been on the agenda, or jointly considered by the member clubs.

"It is in discussion with our clubs," Richard Scudamore, the Premier League's chief executive said. "They are all looking at the issue.

"At some point it will come around our table and we will see if there's a point at which we might open up discussions with government to see what their view is on it.

"It's very much individual clubs sensing for themselves where they are with it and we may or may not facilitate that discussion in the weeks and months to come."

Top flight football grounds in England have been all-seater since the 1990 Taylor report found that the Hillsborough disaster was partly the result of open terraces - a conclusion later proved to be entirely false.

Currently the rules only apply to the Premier League and Premier League events. Meanwhile football is the only activity currently staged at the Olympic Stadium at which spectators are required to sit in the seats at all times (facing ejection should they fail to comply).

West Ham United co-owner David Gold is a long-term supporter of bringing standing areas back to Premier League grounds. The club's move to Stratford has been dogged by hundreds of incidents between fans and stewards clashing over persistent standing.

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Simone Zaza ready to quit West Ham as agent father discusses January transfer escape to Napoli
13:35, 11 NOV 2016 UPDATED 13:35, 11 NOV 2016
BY NEIL MCLEMAN
On-loan Hammers flop Zaza has been linked with a swap deal for Napoli forward Manolo Gabbiadini
The Mirror

Simone Zaza's agent father is ready to listen to offers for the Italy striker to leave West Ham . The former Juventus forward has joined on a season-long loan with a view to a £20m permanent transfer. But Zaza, who missed a penalty in a Euro 2016 shootout against Germany, has failed to score in nine appearances in English football. This week he has been linked with a swap deal for Napoli forward Manolo Gabbiadini. Antonio Zaza told Corriere dello Sport: "Napoli is Napoli. If they called, I would listen. The contract is dependent on the games that Simone plays. "He must accumulate 14 appearances in order for the deal to become permanent, and up to now he has played nine. "So far he has not been contacted by any club, but if someone seeks me out, of course I would listen. I am available to all, but especially to Napoli."
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Cesare Prandelli wants West Ham flop Zaza to move to Valencia
calciomercato.com
11 November at 15:51

Simone Zaza is set to be handed a lifeline by another foreign club. The former Juventus man has been a complete flop at West Ham, failing to register much of an impact since moving to the London Stadium in August. With reports from Italy suggesting that he could be swapped with Manolo Gabbiadini of Napoli rife, Spanish outlet SuperDeporte have confirmed that Valencia are also in the hunt for the 25-year-old. His eight goals in a reserve role last season at Juventus were enough to parlay a €5 million loan move to London, with another €20 million being added on if he were to reach a certain number of appearances. Instead of shining, the Italian has since failed to score in seven Premier League and two League Cup appearances. Zaza shone at the 2016 European Championships, assisting Eder for Italy's winner against Sweden and generally playing well. Valencia would very much need someone of his calibre, none of their current crop netting more than three Liga BBVA goals so far. Cesare Prandelli's side has lost three of its last five after a brief resurgence, and sits in 15th place.

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Harry Redknapp's hilarious tales… from Razor Ruddock taking West Ham United to court to pleading with Benjani to go to Manchester City
Harry Redknapp has a new book out: 'It Shouldn't Happen To A Manager'
Sportsmail brings you some of the 69-year-old's funniest stories from it
Redknapp has spoken to Sportsmail about the England national team
PUBLISHED: 13:16, 11 November 2016 | UPDATED: 13:18, 11 November 2016


With the release of Harry Redknapp's new book, 'It Shouldn't Happen To A Manager', Sportsmail brings you some of the funniest extracts from it.

There were reports Neil Ruddock had been in a fight with Mike Newell at Gleneagles golf club. The issue was that he was supposed to be ill, or having treatment, and not playing golf before going out drinking. So I fined him a fortnight's wages. I thought that would be straight forward enough but he appealed and we all ended up having to go to an FA tribunal. Razor turned up with some Australian barrister, who looked like a film star and was the cleverest boy I've ever met. Within minutes, he had us tied up in knots. It was embarrassing. Razor won the case and the club was forced to reimburse him. Then the barrister turned to Dave Richards, who was chairman of the Premier League and on the FA's board and said: 'Thank you Mr Richards, I'm afraid I don't come cheap' and he handed over a bill for £30,000 to Dave Richards, who said: 'This is not a court of law, we don't cover costs.' Razor's face was a picture. He had to pay, and his barrister was charging him more than the fine, £30,000 instead of £20,000 fine. Unlucky, Razor.

This young guy from Liverpool turned up at Bournemouth telling me he should be playing for us. He wouldn't go away. In the end, I told him if he came back the next morning I'd take a look. He turned up, out of breath, just before 12, saying he'd been waiting to cash his Giro to buy these boots. So I took pity on him and started kicking some balls. The first one bounced off him and the next two he kicked like he'd never seen a ball in his life. They went like a banana back towards the car park. I said: 'Stop, don't kick the ball anymore, let's give those boots a wipe down. Take them straight back to the shop and get your money back.' We had a few religious players and they'd go to what they called their prayer room shortly before kick-off at Fratton Park. It was actually Kev, the kit-man's room. The tumble dryers would be going and it could get smelly and hot. Before one game, there were 17 of them in there, like sardines. As I was handed the Man United team-sheet I turned to Joe Jordan and said: 'Where's everybody gone?' He said: 'They're all in Kev's kit-room saying their prayers.' I looked at the team-sheet.
It said Scholes, Ferdinand, Ronaldo, Rooney, Giggs. I said: 'I think I'd better join them.' The money was also too good to turn down. His work-rate was incredible but he was liable to put a few balls down the M27 when he was finishing. We told Benji about the interest from City and he was unimpressed. 'I like it here, boss, I'm happy,' he said. We were: 'No, no. You should go. Manchester, big club, big chance. You'll love it.' We had to pretty much shove him out of the door. When he got to the airport he didn't get on the plane. One plane went, then another. I rang him and said: 'Benji, what're you doing?' He got on the last plane and we completed the deal one minute before the window closed. They loved him at City as well. He was a great lad. But £9.5million! Only Sven could have paid that much for him.

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Fiorentina want West Ham midfielder Pedro Obiang in January
HITC
Mathew Nash

The Spanish midfielder has been in good form for the Hammers recently. Italian side Fiorentina are putting into place their transfer plans for the winter, with a central midfielder at the forefront of their thinking. It is now being reported in Italy that one of the names being considered is that of West Ham United midfielder Pedro Obiang. The Spanish midfielder previously played in Italy with Sampdoria before his move to West Ham and has been linked with a move to Fiorentina in the past.
TuttoMercatoWeb is reporting that one option that Fiorentina are considering is West Ham's 24-year-old midfielder Obiang. Six months ago, it is a deal that would have made sense. The Spaniard was struggling for regular football at West Ham and was a player the club seemingly could have moved on. But in recent weeks, since West Ham tweaked with their formation, Obiang has become an increasingly important member of the first team at the London Stadium. Now a sale would be a surprise from West Ham and leaving would be just as shocking from Obiang, who finally looks settled into his new environment. Fiorentina may want Obiang, but it looks likely the player will not be heading back to Italy in January.

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TONY COTTEE DESCRIBES WEST HAM SITUATION AS A JOKEFeatured Image
Date: 10th November 2016 at 7:47pm
Written by: David Tully
ReadWestHam

Former West Ham striker Tony Cottee says the fact that a striker has not scored a goal for the Hammers in the first 17 matches of this season is "an absolute joke."
Writing in his column for the Newham Recorder, Cottee said he would have been anticipating leaving a club if he himself had gone that long without scoring: "West Ham have played 17 games so far this season and in that time not one striker has hit the net and for me that is an absolute joke. I was a striker and prided myself on scoring goals." "I think the longest I went without scoring was 10 games, so if after 17 games, not just me, but all my fellow strikers had failed to hit the net then I would be making a bee-line for the exit door. If you want to work out why we are sitting fourth from bottom in the table, look no further than that statistic. It's embarrassing to think about."
Both Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho are expected to return to the fold after the international break, and will hopefully be able to improve on the performances of both Simone Zaza and Jonathan Calleri who have so far failed to impress since their arrival at the club at the start of the season. Carroll has been sidelined with a knee injury since August, and Sakho has been suffering from a chronic back complaint which caused him to fail his medical when he was on the verge of a £16million to West Bromwich Albion in the summer.

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David Sullivan has his say on West Ham forward's international snub
HITC
Damien Lucas

West Ham United co-owner David Sullivan has spoken out about Michail Antonio's England snub. Interim Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate dropped Antonio from his squad to face Scotland and Spain. The Hammers have endured a terrible season so far and sit 17th in the Premier League, just one point off the bottom three. But one of the club's shining lights has been top scorer Antonio who has consistently delivered for Slaven Bilic's side so far with six goals, making him one of the highest scoring Englishmen in the top flight this season. He was at it again on Saturday, scoring West Ham's goal in their 1-1 draw against Stoke City. Antonio was included in the last two squads by Sam Allardyce and his replacement Southgate. But he was not given a single minute of action during either international break and even Andros Townsend, who was handed a late call-up to replace an injured squad member for the October internationals, got game time ahead of the powerful winger. The likes of Jack Wilshere, Townsend and Jesse Lingard have all received call-ups to Southgate's squad for the games against Scotland and Spain. But former Nottingham Forest man Antonio, who has worked his way up from non league to Premier League, has been snubbed altogether and now Sullivan has had his say on the matter on the club's official website. "It was obviously disappointing for Michail Antonio to miss out on a place this time around," Sullivan told whufc.com. "But if he continues to show his early season form, I have no doubts that he can quickly win back his place in the England squad. "We have been saying for some time that our players deserve the chance to break into the England squad and with the next World Cup in 2018, we would love to see our players performing on the biggest stage in world football."
Some Hammers fans felt former England boss Roy Hodgson had a vendetta against their club as he continually ignored their players during his tenure. Former Hammers boss Allardyce seemed to change that when he gave Antonio his first call-up during his short stint in the Three Lions hotseat. The same accusation cannot necessarily be levelled at Southgate, though, as he has called up left back Aaron Cresswell to his latest squad, something the East London club's supporters have felt is long overdue.

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West Ham's Aaron Cresswell delighted to be training alongside 'world-class players' with England
SAM LONG
Evening Standard

West Ham defender Aaron Cresswell is delighted to be training alongside England's "world-class players." Cresswell has missed the majority of the Premier League season through injury, having suffered a serious knee problem in July. But the full back has worked his way back into contention for the Hammers and successfully caught Gareth Southgate's eye, leading to his first senior international call up. The 26-year-old has been acclimatising to his surroundings at St. George's Park this week and is thrilled to have been given an opportunity to join up with the squad. The manager has been fantastic," Cresswell told the FA's official website.
"To come here and train with some of the world-class players who are here is great to be a part of. "I'm delighted to be here using these fantastic facilities. I've been here [to St George's Park] before with West Ham as we've trained here a few times. "I've enjoyed it and hopefully that continues," he added. Cresswell could be handed his England debut when the Three Lions host Gordon Strachan's Scotland at Wembley on Friday night. Danny Rose may yet be preferred on the left-hand side of defence but Cresswell is relishing the occasion. "When you first start playing football, every boy wants to represent their country, and for me to do that would be a proud moment for me and my family. "I'm looking forward to Friday night. Of course there will be a fantastic atmosphere, I'm sure, and it's one we're all looking forward to and hopefully we'll get the job done," the full back insisted.

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Slaven Bilic faces defensive crisis for crucial match against bitter rivals Spurs
HITC
Damien Lucas

Slaven Bilic is facing a worrying defensive crisis for the crunch match against bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur after the international break. The Hammers are sat 17th in the Premier League table, just one point above the bottom three after a torrid start to Slaven Bilic's second season in charge. And things don't look like getting better any time soon if things go to form with a hellish fixture list on the horizon for the next month. Bilic's out of form side go to White Hart Lane next to play Mauricio Pochettino's unbeaten Spurs followed by a double header against Manchester United at Old Trafford, a home game against Arsenal and a trip to Anfield to face title hopefuls Liverpool. As if that was not daunting enough the Hammers, already sporting the fourth worst goal difference in the top flight, may have to make the short trip to North London without three defenders. That's according to the latest injury update from West Ham's head of medical and sports science Stijn Vandenbroucke on the East London club's official website which reveals young prodigy Reece Oxford is out and rates Winston Reid and James Collins' chances as touch and go. "Two players who were unfortunately unable to link up with their respective countries were James Collins and Winston Reid," Vandenbroucke told whufc.com.
"Ginge suffered a calf injury in the Stoke game and had to withdraw from the Wales squad. He will rehab with us this week and we hope he will be available for the trip to Tottenham Hotspur. "Winston was injured towards the end of the Everton game. He is working on his rehab at Rush Green, having had to withdraw from the New Zealand squad. "Reece Oxford suffered a high ankle sprain in training before the Everton game and is currently using crutches as he is in the non-weight bearing phase of his rehab."
It would not be easy for West Ham going to Spurs with a fully fit squad let alone one low on confidence and decimated by injuries. Without Reid and Collins West Ham would probably be forced to play defensive midfielder Havard Nordtveit - who has endured a woeful start to life at the club since signing in the summer - at centre back alongside another midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate and Angelo Ogbonna. It once again highlights just how bad a decision it was for the Hammers to sell versatile homegrown defender James Tomkins to Crystal Palace in the summer. Hammers fans now face an anxious wait over the international break to see that star players like Aaron Cresswell and Dimitri Payet come back unscathed.

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Martin Samuelsen will be Ewood Park success story believes Blackburn Rovers boss Owen Coyle
http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/
Alex James , Sports Editor

OWEN Coyle has backed Blackburn's teenage wing ace Martin Samuelsen to fulfil his considerable talents – even though he hasn't played him for nearly a month. The Norway international could line up for his country in a World Cup qualifier against the Czech Republic in Prague tonight. But he hasn't been on the pitch for Rovers since being hauled off in the second half of the goalless home draw with Ipswich four weeks ago. That was his only league start – although he was also in the line-up for the EFL Cup defeat at Leeds – and it followed a dazzling cameo and debut goal for his country the week before. Samuelsen is on a season-long loan from Premier League side West Ham and arrived at Ewood Park with a sparkling reputation. He hasn't been helped in his quest for first team football by his new club's lowly league position, which means Coyle is more likely to rely on his senior players than take a chance on a youngster. But following last weekend's 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa, after which the Rovers manager stated his loyalty to 'certain players' had run out, Samuelsen's chances have improved. He must, however, prove his physical strength and improve his end product, according to his boss. Coyle told the Lancashire Telegraph: "Young Samuelsen is going to be an exciting player and he's going to have a very good career. "A number of them I have brought in are young players with the potential and the scope for growth. "Martin showed some lovely touches and worked hard when he played against Ipswich, but I think we do have to get him a bit physically stronger for the demands of the Championship. "But I do think in showed a couple of instances in the box where he takes people on for fun. "What he's got to understand, and he'll learn and get better once he's done that, is that you deliver that cross. You don't have to go and beat your man again. "Ultimately wide players are judged on their end product. "But he's certainly going to get better. It was important to give him that opportunity to do that. "He worked hard and on another day something special would have happened off him. He's going to be a very good player."
Nineteen-year-old Samuelsen signed for the Hammers after a spell at the Manchester City academy and spent most of last season on loan with League One side Peterborough. Last month he spoke about how he was finding life in East Lancashire difficult, but was determined to stick with it. He said: "It has been a tough start, you can say, both for the team and for me. "There has been little playing time. I wish that I could have been involved more and contribute, to score and create goals, which is something I can do, but that's it. "The coach has a lot to think about and cannot go and talk to each player. "I hope the turning point comes soon because I'm sure when I get to play I'm going to show what I can do."

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Blackburn Rovers boss Owen Coyle states what West Ham United's Martin Samuelsen needs to learn
HITC
John Verrall

West Ham United's Martin Samuelsen has only made four appearances for Blackburn Rovers so far. Blackburn Rovers boss Owen Coyle has told the Lancashire Telegraph that West Ham United's Martin Samuelsen needs to stop over-complicating things. Samuelsen has failed to make much of an impact at Blackburn since moving to Ewood Park on loan from West Ham. The youngster has only been handed fleeting chances at Rovers, and although Coyle sees plenty of potential in Samuelsen, the 50-year-old boss wants to see more end product from the attacking midfielder. Leeds United's Charlie Taylor (R) in action against Blackburn Rovers' Martin Samuelsen "What he's got to understand, and he'll learn and get better once he's done that, is that you deliver that cross. You don't have to go and beat your man again," Coyle said.
"Ultimately wide players are judged on their end product. "But he's certainly going to get better. It was important to give him that opportunity to do that." Samuelsen has played just four times for Blackburn since moving on loan from West Ham, and he has only started twice. The 19-year-old has regularly been kept on the sidelines, with question marks over whether West Ham could recall him starting to emerge. Samuelsen made a positive impression last season, when on a loan spell with Peterborough United, and there are still high hopes for his future at West Ham. Samuelsen's next chance to impress for Blackburn could come after the international break, when Coyle's men are due to face Brentford at Ewood Park.

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Besiktas chairman changes his tune about West Ham United loanee Gokhan Tore
HITC
Aiden Cusick

Tore has started just three times in the Premier League for West Ham United. Besiktas chairman Fikret Orman has changed his tune about West Ham United loanee Gokhan Tore, the Sun reports. Tore has started just three of the West Ham's Premier League fixtures this season and the Hammers reportedly want rid of the 24-year-old before his temporary deal expires next summer. Earlier this week, Orman was quoted as saying there was '100 per cent not a chance' that Besiktas would take back the former Chelsea youngster, despite mounting injuries at the Vodafone Arena. But the Turkish businessman has since admitted that he is willing to take Tore back in January, albeit on one fairly sizeable condition. "We will take Tore back in January on one condition," Orman is quoted as saying by the Sun. "We won't pay West Ham back the £2.5 million loan money for him. "Gokhan wants to come back to Besiktas. We will only agree if they agree over the loan payment. And they are paying his wages in full." West Ham are said to be paying Tore £40,000 a week throughout the duration of his spell, on top of the £2.5 million loan fee. The Turkish international is currently sidelined with a thigh problem and his chances of regular football look to have taken another hit in recent weeks, with Andre Ayew returning to action after a similar issue. The Hammers paid Swansea a reported £20.5 million for the Ghana star this summer.

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West Ham set to offload disaster loan flop duo
By Essex Chronicle | Posted: November 11, 2016
By Sam Inkersole sam.inkersole@KRNmedia.co.uk

West Ham are willing to cut their losses and offload disaster flop duo Simone Zaza and Gokhan Tore in January, according to reports. Zaza, a £5m loan signing from Juventus at the back of the transfer window, hasn't scored during his time with the Hammers and if he plays 14 games, will trigger a £17m permanent deal to join the Londoners. One good shift against Crystal Palace aside, the Italian striker hasn't produced the goods whatsoever and hasn't even come off the bench for the past two matches. Tore, who cost £2.5m to sign on loan from Besiktas, has been even worse than Zaza, doing pretty much nothing in the handful of appearances he has made. He is currently rehabbing form a thigh injury and is unlikely to be seen in Claret & Blue again.
Tore had been at the centre of a bizarre tug of war between West Ham and Besiktas with neither side reportedly willing to have his services, but that is believed to be over the fee that was set to paid by the Hammers but according to the reports, that issue has been resolved. Meanwhile with Zaza, Football Italia say that the striker is open to a move to Napoli, with West Ham interested in signing their striker Manolo Gabbiadini in a potential player swap plus cash deal.

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