Daily WHUFC News - 2nd December 2016

Fletcher ready for more goals
WHUFC.com

Ashley Fletcher had mixed emotions after scoring his first goal for West Ham against his former club Manchester United, but was disappointed his side failed to reach the semi-finals of the EFL Cup. Fletcher will never forget his first competitive goal for the Hammers after he scored at the Stretford End, but it was not enough to see his side take anything from the game at Old Trafford.
The 21-year-old was making only his second start of the season but showed once again that he is ready to compete at the highest level with another impressive display. Fletcher says the goal will give him even more confidence ahead of the big London derby against Arsenal on Saturday at London Stadium and hopes he can stay among the goals. Fletcher said: "We didn't start great in the first half and we didn't start great in the second half and that is what has killed us ultimately "On a personal note it was unbelievable to get my first goal for West Ham at the Stretford End. "I have been told over the years to follow up a shot and something like that doesn't happen to De Gea as you could see on Sunday when I should have really scored. But to score tonight was magnificent. "It can only give me a lot of confidence getting my first goal for West Ham and I go into every game thinking I can score and now I have got my first one, hopefully many more will follow. "I am pleased with how I played but it is a team game and we leave disappointed. Everyone wants to do well in these cup competitions and they give you a real platform to build on for the rest of the season. "But now we have to concentrate on the league. We have got Arsenal on Saturday which is going to be another tough game."

Fletcher says the players are determined to bounce straight back against the north London Club on Saturday and get a crucial victory to help them move clear of the bottom three. After being handed a starting place at Old Trafford, the talented forward is desperate to keep his place in the team and get off the mark in the Premier League. Fletcher added: "I can sense the lads in the dressing room want to bounce straight back on Saturday. We have been playing well the last couple of weeks and we got a point at Old Trafford on Sunday which we fully deserved. "It is just the little things which have let us down and we have to try and eradicate those errors and go again on Saturday. "This is a massive London derby and every game in the Premier League is a tough game, but we know we can give Arsenal a good game. "I will be hoping to start again on Saturday. The manager has got some tough decision as there is so much competition. I think Andy will be back on Saturday so it will be fierce competition for places in the striking role.

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PL2 Hammers turn attention to Cup
WHUFC.com

West Ham United PL2 face Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League Cup this evening
The match at the Chigwell Construction Stadium is free to watch for season ticket holders
Manager Terry Westley thinks the game provides a perfect opportunity to bounce back after their defeat on Monday

West Ham United PL2 are back in Premier League Cup action this evening when they face Brighton and Hove Albion at the Chigwell Construction Stadium (7pm). The Hammers have a faultless record in the competition so far, having won both their group fixtures over Leicester City and Nottingham Forest. After the disappointment of their 4-1 Premier League 2 defeat at Fulham on Monday, manager Terry Westley is relishing the prospect of qualifying for the next phase of the Cup. "We haven't got a big break now, we play again on Thursday. If we can beat Brighton that'll be three wins on the trot in the new format of the Cup," said Westley, speaking on Monday.
"That'll nearly guarantee we go through to the next stage so Thursday night's another big game for us and we turn our attention to that."

The Premier League Cup has brought the best out of the Hammers over the last two seasons. They won the competition last season with a penalty shootout win over Hull City and have carried on their Cup fever into this season. They opened their campaign with a 2-0 victory at Leicester City on October 1 after a goal apiece for Marcus Browne and Domingos Quina, who scored that infamous 50-yard lob.
They followed it up with a battling display in freezing conditions against Nottingham Forest a month later. Goals from Jahmal Hector-Ingram and Browne again cancelled out Ben Brereton's early strike. Now for the visit of the Seagulls, who themselves have had a decent start to their Cup campaign, thrashing Forest 7-0. Their match with the Hammers will be their second of this year's competition. The two have met this season as they both play in Premier League 2 Division 2. The game finished 0-0 at the home of Dagenham and Redbridge at the end of September. Tonight's match against Brighton and Hove Albion kicks off at 7pm at the Chigwell Construction Stadium. Admission is free for season tickets holders – otherwise it's £5 for adults and £3 for children.

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Bobby Moore to be honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award
WHUFC.com

West Ham United are delighted to announce that the legendary Bobby Moore OBE is to be honoured with the Club's Lifetime Achievement Award at the end of our historic first season at London Stadium.

The West Ham United Player Awards 2017, in aid of The Academy, will take place on Tuesday 9 May 2017 at The InterContinental London, and will see the prestigious accolade awarded in memory of our most famous son.

No figure better illustrates West Ham United's proud and rich heritage than Bobby Moore. And at this historic time, it is more important than ever to remember our traditions and carry the glories of our past into the dreams and aspirations of our future.

The Club has long since held the belief that, in this momentous inaugural year at the iconic London Stadium, there could not be a more deserving and appropriate choice for the award than the most iconic player in our 121-year history.

Bobby Moore is rooted in the heart and soul of West Ham United and we will always continue to honour his memory. It was fitting that the final act at the Boleyn Ground was the symbolic return of our greatest captain to switch off the lights.

And those memories now live on in our new Stadium, where he is immortalised throughout.

Carrying on tradition, with the north stand at London Stadium named in his honour, our Club London hospitality proudly holds the exquisite BM6 Lounge and celebrates his memorable achievements, while a Legends Stone is laid in Champions Place commemorating his West Ham United and England career, and his now retired No6 shirt hangs with pride in the Stadium for all to see.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest defenders ever to grace the game, Bobby Moore made his West Ham United debut against Manchester United in September 1958 at the age of 17 and went on to build a glittering career, leading the Club to FA Cup glory at Wembley in 1964 and the European Cup Winners' Cup 12 months later at the same venue.

On July 30 1966, Moore enjoyed his finest hour, back at Wembley again, as the inspirational captain of the England team that beat West Germany to win the World Cup.

After his fellow 1966 heroes Sir Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters, Moore will become the fifth Hammers legend to be honoured with the Club's Lifetime Achievement award, along with Billy Bonds and Sir Trevor Brooking.

West Ham United look forward to welcoming Bobby's family as guests of honour to the West Ham United Player Awards 2017, along with our players, staff and supporters, on what is certain to be a memorable and emotional night for everyone present.

The Arora Ballroom at The InterContinental, in the shadow of London's O2 Arena, will provide the perfect backdrop for this year's illustrious event and you can be there, in the company of Slaven Bilic and the first team squad, as we reflect on the success stories of our debut campaign at London Stadium and celebrate the life and career of our iconic number six.

Hospitality packages are available now, with tables of 10 from £2,750 plus VAT. To ensure you don't miss out, call 0871 091 1811 now. (Calls cost 10p per minute plus your networks access charge).

This year's Lifetime Achievement Award is sponsored by JM Sealant.

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Morley welcomes Carroll's return
WHUFC.com

Trevor Morley enjoyed a memorable time at West Ham United making 214 appearances and scoring 70 goals during his six-year spell with the east London Club.
Morley became a fans favourite and certainly enjoyed playing against Arsenal where he scored in 2-0 win over the north London Club at Highbury back in April 1994. The 55-year-old was back at London Stadium this week and is looking forward to seeing Andy Carroll make a first-team return in another big game for the Hammers this weekend....
I have been around London Stadium and it is a magnificent venue. There has been some negativity but I can only say positive things. To come into this amazing arena gives me shivers. The facilities are fantastic and it is a wonderful place to play football. We used to play in front of 25,000 at Upton Park and I thought that was amazing, but to now have 57,000 West Ham fans at every home game shows how far they have come. It is a great thing for West Ham to be in this position with a great Stadium. They have a good manager and a good team. It has not been a great start but they have the quality to turn things around and I can only see positive things in the future. It is a London derby and the London Stadium will be rocking. West Ham are desperate for points and Arsenal are having a very good season and are playing well.
It will be a tough game but I feel West Ham are turning the corner a little bit in the Premier League and they have got match winners. With 57,000 people inside the Stadium, the atmosphere will be electric and hopefully they can produce a good performance to get the three points. I am a big fan of Andy Carroll. He has got his own style of play but he is a 100 per cent committed. He is a fans favourite and they love to see an old fashioned centre forward. If you give him the ammunition he could cause a lot of problems for Arsenal and get among the goals with his presence. It is a blow that Sakho has been ruled out for six weeks but great news to have Andy back in action. I am now working for Norwegian TV and the people who live there are big Premier League fans. They are attracting a number of West Ham fans and that is why I have come over to England to do a piece previewing the game and looking around London Stadium.

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West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady calls for perspective over London Stadium problems
Last Updated: 01/12/16 3:54pm
SSN

West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady has been forced to defend the London stadium's suitability as a football venue. Brady, the stadium operators and the Metropolitan Police on Thursday morning faced a two-hour grilling from the London Assembly Police and Crime Committee following the crowd trouble at the ground this season. West Ham's move from Upton Park to the former Olympic Stadium has been marred by violence in the stands, most notably at the recent EFL Cup match against Chelsea. But while Brady admitted there have been some 'teething problems' at the club's new home, she called for some 'perspective' into the disorder. Commander BJ Harrington, of the Metropolitan Police, revealed there were six arrests at the Chelsea match and 18 in total at the stadium this season - nine of whom were West Ham supporters. Some fans were arrested after CCTV footage was reviewed, bringing the total to 27. There have been 71 banning orders, although some of those have been successfully appealed due to cases of mistaken identity. Brady said: "We are coming up to the halfway point of season and there have been 18 arrests at matches. At Arsenal last season there were 60, and at Manchester United there were 57. "At an Aston Villa match recently there were 14 arrests. We have had teething problems and accept that any disorder is disruptive, but we want to put some sort of perspective on it. "We have taken strong and decisive action and we are adamant that we want to eradicate the problems. "The majority of West Ham supporters are passionate and well behaved. We are talking about a very small minority which we have successfully identified and banned."

Some have blamed the trouble on the large concourses in the stadium where flashpoints - such as at the Chelsea match - can occur, while the large open spaces of the Olympic Park make segregation of fans difficult. But Brady said: "The stadium itself is a designated UEFA category four stadium, the highest possible status a stadium can be granted. It can host a Champions League final, so it is absolutely suitable for football."
Commander Harrington also insisted the levels of disorder are not out of the ordinary when compared with other clubs. "It's a new stadium, newly used for football, and a minority are exploiting it," he said. "There are multi-entrance points, transport hubs, and all these things spectators are learning. "The migration round the stadium is an issue. If you are intent on disorder you can move around the stadium. "Most stadia in London have natural segregation; streets, buildings etc. A large space is very hard to segregate because there are no natural barriers. "Plus it's still a novelty to come to the London Stadium and people are coming to cause disorder. "Whilst still unacceptable the disorder, in comparison with other areas in London, has not been not significant except at the Chelsea game. There have been seven matches (out of 11) with no disorder reported."

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Slaven Bilic disappointed with slow West Ham in 4-1 defeat by Manchester United
Last Updated: 01/12/16 12:42am
SSN

Slaven Bilic admitted he was disappointed with West Ham's performance in the 4-1 defeat by Manchester United. The EFL Cup quarter-final loss came just three days after the Hammers earned a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford in the Premier League, but Bilic's side were second best in every department on Wednesday. A goal early in the first half and early in the second period stung West Ham, and Bilic rued his side's slow starts. "I'm very disappointed, they deserved it," said the Croatian. "You can't have a slow start anywhere, especially not here because they're good anyway, but when they're one up they hit on the counter attack, have amazing quality and are very direct and punish you. "They could've scored a second one after the first but we defended and then came back into it. "At half-time we said we couldn't allow them to do it again but it was exactly the same start in the second half. "It's hard to come back twice and then they scored the third one and that's them totally in control of the game. You can't expect anything here when you have such a slow start to the game. "I can't put my finger on [why we were different to Sunday], but definitely we were lacking because we played two games in three or four days. It was totally different."

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Michail Antonio prefers wing role but is happy as long as West Ham win
Last Updated: 01/12/16 2:44pm
SSN

West Ham's Michail Antonio admits his favourite position is on the wing but says he is happy with his current role under manager Slaven Bilic. The 26-year-old played right-back last season, but after struggling in that position in the game against Chelsea on the opening day, h e has since been moved further forward. The Hammers have deployed a back three in recent matches and Antonio has played right wing-back, where he has scored six goals this season making him West Ham's top scorer. "My favourite position is playing on the wing. I prefer to play left wing, that's my favourite role," said Antonio, speaking at an event to showcase the new Facebook-owned Oculus Touch controllers. "I would like to be a winger in a four, like a 4-4-2, but right now I'm playing wing back and playing well so I just have to take it and keep going. "I haven't spoken to the manager about it. I don't feel the need because since we've changed it we've been doing well. "I'm a team player. I played right back last season for half the season and now I'm playing wing-back but I'm scoring goals, I'm playing well so I can't really complain."

West Ham have struggled to find any consistency this campaign and sit 16th, just a point above the relegation zone, ahead of Saturday's game at home to Arsenal. Despite winning just three of their opening 13 matches and after the EFL Cup quarter-final 4-1 loss to Manchester United, Antonio believes Bilic bears little responsibility for the team's poor position in the table. "You see he is very passionate but he's a person you always feel you can go and speak to," Antonio added. "When we were losing and things weren't going well, he sat us all down and said, 'I can't put it down to your performances because we've been playing well. It's down to individual mistakes so what can I do to stop these mistakes?'
After Arsenal, West Ham face a difficult trip to Liverpool is followed by games against Burnley, Hull and Swansea before they finish the year away to champions Leicester. "We never thought we would be in the position that we are," Antonio said. "The lucky thing is everyone is beating everyone so if we go on a good run we'll be back up to where we feel we should be. "We're showing the resilience we have and that we are a threat. Now in the second half of the season we're going to pick up and keep going.

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midfielder Dimitri Payet
HITC
John Verrall

Dimitri Payet has scored just once in the Premier League for West Ham United this season. Kevin Nolan has defended West Ham United midfielder Dimitri Payet on the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast Show, which was broadcast on TalkSPORT on 1st December. Payet has received criticism of West Ham fans for his performances this season, which have fallen short of the high standards that he set last term. The French international's attitude has been called into question, with some West Ham fans concerned that he now wants to play elsewhere. However, Nolan has defended Payet - and suggests that it was always going to be very difficult for him to reach the same level as he did during his first season in English football. West Ham United's Dimitri Payet looks dejected after a penalty appeal is not given "There's a lot of media hype over Payet and the way he spoke about PSG. But I never take that translation [seriously], it's happened for years and years," Nolan said. "When a team isn't playing as well as it was last year - and Payet was unbelievable last year - it's difficult to reproduce that again. I don't care how good you are. It's the physicality and the pressure of the spotlight on the Premier League."
Payet has been linked with a number of Europe's leading clubs, with interest rising in his services. West Ham have already stated that they will be keeping hold of Payet in January, but their resolve could be tested. Payet has made 14 appearances for West Ham in all competitions this season, but he has only scored twice and claimed six assists. West Ham are currently in 16th place in the Premier League table, after a highly disappointing start to the campaign.

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West Ham's Ashley Fletcher ready to follow ex-teammate Marcus Rashford and shine in the Premier League
The 21-year-old left Old Trafford in the summer to join West Ham, having impressed on loan at League One Barnsley last season
BYDAVID MCDONNELL
13:00, 1 DEC 2016UPDATED13:04, 1 DEC 2016
The Mirror

Ashley Fletcher has vowed to emulate fellow Manchester United academy product Marcus Rashford by making a name for himself on the Premier League stage. West Ham striker Fletcher left United in the summer to play more regularly and scored against his former club in Wednesday's 4-1 EFL Cup defeat at Old Trafford. Rashford and Fletcher played together in United's academy, but the latter chose to join West Ham on a four-year deal in the summer after his contract with the Reds had expired. Fletcher, 21, is leading the West Ham attack in the absence of injured front men Diafra Sakho and Andy Carroll, and wants to prove himself on the biggest stage – just like Rashford has done. "He's a quality player, doing it on the top stage for United and England," said Fletcher. "I wish him all the best.
"He's going to be a very important player for United and England in the years to come. But I don't have any regrets with my situation. I'm really happy at West Ham. "Hopefully [I can achieve what he has] - who knows? - I can maybe show myself like that one day too. "I've always known that one day I could play in the Premier League and, fortunately for me, West Ham have given me the opportunity. I'm glad I can showcase my skills and keep trying to improve in this team. "I sat down with them [United] in the summer and asked what their plans were for me. Theirs didn't really match mine, but there's no bitterness. "I love United. I grew up watching them and was here from the age of 13. I've got fond memories and a lot of friends here. I'm thankful to them. "It was purely because I wanted to play in a first-team and United couldn't guarantee that. West Ham could, so that was simple."

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Ashley Fletcher: I do not blame Marcus Rashford's rise for my Manchester United exit
By RICHARD TANNER
PUBLISHED: 12:58, Thu, Dec 1, 2016 | UPDATED: 13:08, Thu, Dec 1, 2016
Express.co.uk

Fletcher's first goal for West Ham in last night's EFL Cup quarter-final defeat was a special one for him personally because it came at Old Trafford against the club he had been associated with since the age of 13 but decided to leave in the summer. One of the main reasons for turning down Manchester United's offer of a two-year contract to stay was the concern about a lack of first-team opportunities, with Rashford's stunning and unexpected emergence last season likely to have pushed him further down Jose Mourinho's pecking order.
Ironically, Fletcher, 21 - two years older than Rashford - was regarded by United's youth coaches as the more likely player to make a first team breakthrough. And had he not been out on loan at Barnsley at the time, it might have been him rather than Rashford who would have been thrown in against FC Midtylland in the Europa League in February when Anthony Martial and Wayne Rooney were injured.
But Rashford played, scored twice and the rest is history and Fletcher insists he has no regrets. "There is no bitterness, " he said. "I sat down with them [United] in the summer and asked what their plans were for me. Theirs didn't really match mine. "I love Manchester United, I grew up watching them and was at the club from the age of 13. I have got fond memories of the club and a lot of friends here. I am thankful to them."

Asked if Rashford's emergence had been a reason for his departure, he added: "It was purely because I wanted to play in a first team and United couldn't guarantee that. West Ham could, so that was simple. "What Marcus has done speaks for itself. He is a quality player, doing it on the top stage for United and England. I wish him all the best. He is going to be a very important player for his club and country for years to come. "I don't have any regrets with my situation. I am really happy at West Ham. Hopefully, who knows, I can maybe show myself like that one day too."

Fletcher admits the gloss was taken off his first goal for the Hammers because they were beaten 4-1. He added: "Obviously I've got mixed emotions. I'm glad I got my first goal, and for it to be at the Stretford End is special, but going down 4-1, we left disappointed. "I had about 10 or 11 of my family here and the majority of them are United fans so I didn't know if they were celebrating or not! But I'm sure they were cheering me on. "I've been saying to my family all week that I'll score in one of the two games against Untied. Unfortunately it didn't come on Sunday [in the 1-1 Premier League draw] when I had the chance in the last minute but fortunately it came in the League Cup game. I'm really happy for me and the family."

It was only Fletcher's second start – his other was against Manchester City – with his other appearances coming from the bench. But he hopes he has given manager Slaven Bilic food for thought . "The goal is definitely good for my confidence," he said. "To score against those two centre-halves, Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones, who I have seen in the team when I was here, was unbelievable. To score against David De Gea as well gives me a lot of confidence as well. I just want to stay in the team now and help them move up the league. "I have always known that one day I could play in the Premier League and fortunately for me West Ham have given me the opportunity to play and I am glad that I can showcase my skills, and keep trying to improve in this team. "Hopefully I can get a run in the side. The manager put faith in me at Old Trafford and I would like to think I have repaid him a little bit with the goal but there is competition for places - Andy Carroll is going to be back soon. It is going to be interesting."

Fletcher says the priority now is to steer the Hammers away from the wrong end of the Premier League table. "Obviously we wanted to do well in the League Cup but our main focus is the league," he said. "We need to improve our league position. We have got a big game on Saturday against Arsenal so we will look to that game."

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West Ham have banned 71 thugs from the London Stadium following crowd trouble
BENEDICT MOORE-BRIDGER
Evening Standard

West Ham have banned 71 thugs after crowd trouble at the London Stadium, it emerged today. The club's move to the 60,000 capacity former Olympic Stadium has been beset with crowd issues, most notably when violence flared after West Ham's 2-1 EFL Cup win over Chelsea last month. Supporters from both sides clashed in the closing minutes of the match, with seats being ripped up and coins thrown across a segregated area. The club, which issued a five-point plan to help stop unrest, had promised to ban 200 supporters.
Speaking to the London Assembly Police and Crime Committee today, West Ham Vice-chairman Karren Brady said 71 thugs had now been banned. She insisted the stadium was "absolutely suitable for football" following criticism of security standards, and said: "The majority of fans are passionate and well behaved. We've worked hard to identify troublemakers and that has been successful."
A total of 500 officers were deployed at the West Ham v Chelsea match, the equivalent to a single borough's entire force. Met Commander Ben-Julian Harrinton told the committee clubs should contribute more to the cost of policing matches, with West Ham matches costing £426,000 so far this year, and a total bill for the Met of £8 million across London. They reclaim £700,000 from clubs, he said, while Ms Brady said her policing costs were included in the £2.5 million rent the club pays.

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West Ham striker Jonathan Calleri has headed home to South America
By Essex Chronicle | Posted: December 01, 2016
By Tommy Wathen

West Ham's Argentine striker Jonathan Calleri has had a strange start to his time in the Premier League, making a number of appearances but failing to make an impact. The striker, 23, who joined the Hammers on a season-long loan back in August from Uruguayan Segunda Division side Deportivo Maldonado, has only made six first-team appearances for Slaven Bilic's side this season – only having FOUR shots in the 130 minutes he has played. Despite his less than impressive stats, fans are beginning to question where the former All Boys, Boca Juniors and Sao Paulo has been of late, having not been including in Bilic's last six squad selections. Since he last featured in the 1-0 Premier League victory over Sunderland at the London Stadium in October, Calleri was sent into Terry Westley's Development Squad to keep up his match fitness.

During the 1-1 Premier League 2 draw with Blackburn Rovers at the Chigwell Construction Stadium, Calleri pulled his hamstring in the 63rd minute and was replaced by Academy striker Sam Ford – giving indications that Calleri could be set for a number of weeks on the sidelines. Interestingly though, it is now believed that Calleri has headed back to his native South America to see family and work on his recovery in more familiar surroundings. The question on every West Ham fan's lips though is whether the end is in sight for Calleri, after falling out of favour in the first-team. It is thought that Calleri could now use his time in South America to negotiate an end to his loan contract in January and search for a new club that suits him better, although with the current first-team strikers struggling to find the back of the net, there is still a possibility that Bilic could give Calleri a second chance once healed. The Hammers have already got their sights out for new attacking power in January though, with Daniel Sturridge, Mario Mandzukic and Kamil Grosicki just three names linked to a London Stadium move.

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Manchester United 4 West Ham 1: Slaven Bilic counting cost of EFL Cup defeat with new injury setbacks
KEN DYER at Old Trafford
Evening Standard

Bad news has never seemed far away from Slaven Bilic's West Ham this season and his team's EFL Cup quarter-final exit was no exception.
Bilic was faithful to the competition and to the fans when he picked six players — including star man Dimitri Payet — who had managed a 1-1 Premier League draw at Old Trafford just four days earlier. And why not? When you are a club like West Ham, the cups remain the most feasible route to success but there are also dangers, as Bilic again discovered as his team went out following an emphatic defeat — and collected two more injuries. The Hammers boss resisted the temptation to rest most of his first-choice players before another exacting challenge on Saturday, this time against Arsenal at home. At least one of the changes — 21-year-old former United youngster Ashley Fletcher — was enforced after Diafra Sakho, whose goal earned a precious point on Sunday, was ruled out for six weeks with a thigh injury. That was more wretched news for the striker who had only just returned after another lengthy lay-off.
Bilic had hinted strongly that Andy Carroll, out for three months with a knee injury, would return but the manager decided in the end to delay his comeback until this weekend. The danger was that after such a quick turnaround, West Ham risked suffering further injuries — and that is exactly what happened last night. The tie was finely balanced at 1-1 when Aaron Cresswell went off with a muscle problem just before half-time. There was even worse to follow in the second half when, with United leading 2-1, West Ham's top scorer Michail Antonio stretched a groin muscle and had to be replaced. Bilic admitted afterwards he was perplexed by the number injuries that his team have already suffered this season. He said: "I don't why this happens to us when we have to play a couple of games in the space of a few days. "Maybe it is fatigue. Aaron told me that both groins were tight but that he hasn't pulled anything. "With a couple of days rest, I hope he will be ready for Saturday. "With Michail we still don't know. He was holding his groin since the beginning of the second half and we don't know if he will be available."
Bad luck, however, could not explain the way West Ham began the match, sloppily conceding a goal after two minutes when Zlatan Ibrahimovic finished off a terrific United move. Fletcher restored West Ham's spirits 10 minutes before half-time, scoring his first goal for the club, but his team-mates had not learnt their lesson and three minutes into the second half they were behind again, when Anthony Martial scored for United. Martial added another in the 62nd minute while Ibrahimovic scored a fourth with almost the last kick of the game. By then, though, their main orchestrator Payet, looking increasingly distracted, had been taken off. Bilic will be hoping that his main man will rediscover his mojo before they face Arsenal.

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Boss looking to ditch West Ham misfit – report
By London Football News 01/12/2016

West Ham boss Slaven Bilic wants to get rid of Jonathan Calleri, according to The Sun. The Argentinean striker is currently out with a hamstring injury and could be unavailable for up to six weeks. West Ham have been tipped to offload the likes of Simone Zaza, Gokhan Tore and Alvaro Arbeloa after they failed to impress since moving to east London. And The Sun say Calleri, 23, is another player the club will be looking to move on when the transfer window reopens in January. He has not scored or started a league match since being brought in on loan from Deportivo Maldonado in the summer. 'A Hammers insider' is quoted as saying: "Calleri is another player that could be outward bound this winter. "The club have not fully made up their minds, but it is not looking good for him. He has just not settled. "He has flopped in all honesty but came here under a lot of hype with claims he was the greatest thing to come from Argentina in years." Meanwhile, the Guardian say West Ham are planning a move for Callum Wilson and would be willing to pay up to £25m for the Bournemouth striker.

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Lewis Page has been given permission to play against Cambridge United in the FA Cup
Thu 01 Dec 2016
Author: Billie Marshall
image: http://www.ccfc.co.uk/cms_images/page-h144-3443468_613x460.jpg

The 20 year-old is now eligible to face the U's in this weekend's Emirates FA Cup fixture... West Ham United have granted the club permission to play Lewis Page in the Sky Blues' 2016/17 FA Cup campaign for the remainder of his loan spell. The defender joined City on an initial five-month loan deal at the beginning of August and has featured on 20 occasions since making the move. The Sky Blues second round fixture will be played at Cambridge's Cambs Glass Stadium on Sunday 4th December, with kick off at 2pm.

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Violence at West Ham ground discussed today
08:15 01 December 2016 Jon King
Newham Recorder

Violence at West Ham United football matches will be discussed today following clashes at the club's new home. A lack of police presence at matches, stewarding and crowd control measures have all come under fire. And with a large number of visitors to the Olympic Stadium and the surrounding area, safety fears have intensified with risks to public order and concerns about terrorism growing. Meeting at 10am this morning, London Assembly members on the Police and Crime Committee will quiz those responsible for protecting the public including the Met, London Stadium, Newham Council and Westfield Shopping Centre.

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West Ham accused of dodging its policing costs
city.am

West Ham has managed to dodge over £43,000 in policing costs for their recent home game against Stoke. The information was revealed to Labour London Assembly Member Andrew Dismore by Sadiq Khan as part of Mayor's Questions. Dismore criticised former mayor Boris Johnson for a deal between West Ham and the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) which has allowed the club to avoid paying any money towards its own policing costs. The £43,350 was a charge for special policing services for West Ham, but under the deal between West Ham and LLDC during Boris Johnson's time as London mayor, there is no provision for West Ham to shell out for the cost of the policing. Dismore said: "Taxpayers are going to be really angry to hear that West Ham aren't even having to contribute to policing costs within their stadium under Boris' sweetheart deal. With the costs for policing these games creeping up it's bizarre that the former mayor entered a deal where West Ham don't even pay their fair share. "This botched deal goes from bad to worse, and all because Boris Johnson didn't take the time to look at the detail. "Not only did we see the costs of the stadium conversion rocket, taxpayers were then told they'd be paying through the nose for retractable seating. We wait with baited breath to see what else the review will uncover."

The new controversy comes after City A.M. revealed how the West Ham owners were free to cash in on the club's deal for the Olympic stadium to the tune of around £31m.

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Slaven Bilic's Old Trafford gamble failed - the travelling West Ham fans deserved better
The Hammers were beaten 4-1 by Jose Mourinho's Manchester United, who advanced to the EFL Cup semi-finals
BYDAVID MCDONNELL
06:42, 1 DEC 2016UPDATED06:49, 1 DEC 2016
The Mirror

The 4,000 West Ham fans who made the trip to Manchester for the second time in four days deserved better than this. They deserved to see their side put up more of a fight, particularly after Sunday's gutsy 1-1 draw at Old Trafford in the Premier League. But with the Hammers just a point off the relegation zone and with a huge Premier League game at home to Arsenal on Saturday, Slaven Bilic chose to rest some of his key men. Capatin Mark Noble, defender James Collins, midfielder Manuel Lanzini and first-choice keeper Darren Randolph were all consigned to the bench, ahead of the crucial Arsenal game. With forward Diafra Sakho already out for six weeks, Bilic could ill afford any more enforced losses, although he ended up losing Aaron Cresswell and Michael Antonio, both now major doubts to face Arsenal. Although escaping the spectre of relegation and ensuring Premier League survival is their priority this season, West Ham could and should have produced more here. They had enough quality on the pitch to compete with United and were in the game at half-time with the score 1-1, courtesy of Ashley Fletcher's equaliser. But Bilic's side wilted after the break and proved obliging opponents for United, accepting their fate and rolling over like obedient puppies as United strolled to an easy win. Bilic admitted his side were well beaten and was left to bemoan his side's sloppy start, conceding after just 94 seconds. "I'm very disappointed," said Bilic. "They deserved it. You can't have a slow start anywhere, especially not here, because they're good.
"At half-time we said we couldn't allow them to do it again, but it was exactly the same start in the second half. "It's hard to come back twice and then they scored the third one, and that's them totally in control of the game. You can't expect anything here when you have such a slow start to the game."

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