Daily WHUFC News - 4th December 2016

Honest Bilic apologises for defeat
WHUFC.com

Slaven Bilic apologised to everyone associated with the Club following
Saturday's defeat
West Ham United were beaten 5-1 by Arsenal at London Stadium in the Premier
League
Manager gave a brutally honest press conference in which he vowed to turn
things around

Slaven Bilic issued a heartfelt apology to everyone associated with West Ham
United following Saturday's 5-1 Premier League defeat by Arsenal. The
Hammers were left crestfallen as Alexis Sanchez's hat-trick took the shine
off Andy Carroll's goalscoring return. Speaking to a packed press conference
at London Stadium, Bilic was refreshingly and brutally honest in his
assessment of the situation. Here is a transcript of what the manager had to
say:

Slaven, at 1-0 down after 70 minutes you were right in the game and must
have thought you could get something, then everything went wrong. What
happened?

"We had some good spells in the game, like we've had good spells in the
season but we have to be honest and say we don't do it in every game for the
full length of the game, so they deserved it. "We had some spells at 1-0 for
them, even 2-0 for them, but for 90 minutes, they were very aggressive. We
knew they had that pace up front and sometimes they like to play on a big
pitch, so they let you have something and attack you in the big space and
they can be lethal. "I'm very disappointed, I feel frustrated and humiliated
to be fair and I must say sorry to the fans, the Club and everyone who has
anything to do with West Ham United because it was really bad. "Maybe the
result [was unfair], if you look at the spells of the game, there were
moments when we were alive until the last 20 minutes, but you can't say they
didn't deserve it."

Arsene Wenger said your team were lacking confidence. Do you agree?

"Confidence is one of the reasons. Arsene is very polite and he told me some
good things before the end of the game, but of course you can't have
confidence when you are 16th and your expectations are to be seventh, eighth
or whatever. "Confidence is a chain-reaction. I said it to the players – be
responsible for this, because somewhere down the line, from pre-season
onwards, we lost our intensity in training. "We don't do it in every
training, we do it occasionally, and that's why we can't do it over 90
minutes in the games. We have to bring it back because we can't rely only on
quality. Every team in this league has enough quality, but if you don't have
intensity on the level that is required, like we don't have it at the
moment, this is the reflection."

Is it down to you or the players?

"You know me and I'm not trying to make excuses and I'm not trying to say
who is guilty. I said it to the staff and to the players and it is my
responsibility as the manager and I have to get it back as quickly as
possible because we don't have it at the moment. "We can't lie and say this
and that. We can't hide behind referees' decisions or injuries. Overall,
it's not good. We've had 14 games and we've had some great games – Chelsea
in the EFL Cup, Palace, the majority of the game at Spurs, Old Trafford –
and we've worked hard in games like against Bournemouth, and we had eight
injuries today, that's all true, but (bangs his chest) this is the main
reason. That's a fact."

If intensity is not there in training or on matchdays, what can you do?

"We are not the first or the last to lose it, or not look like the same team
from five games before or from last season. It is there and it is in us,
starting with me, and it is in the players, so we have to start doing it
consistently on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and every day... "It's
there. We can do it, because these players have done it, but the dedication
to the cause is missing."

Do the players need to take more responsibility?

"I take the responsibility. Players are there to give everything in training
and in matches and the manager is there to take the responsibility and I
have absolutely no problem whatsoever with that. "There is no point talking
about who is taking responsibility after the game. We need it before the
game, during the game and in every training. "We can talk for ages here now,
but the fact is 100 per cent right and that is we didn't forget to play
football or forget to be creative and all that, but somewhere along the
line, somehow, we lost our intensity."

Are you in a relegation battle and do the players know they are in one?

"Of course we are in a relegation fight and of course the players know that.
It's not that they don't care. I spoke to all of them but something is there
between caring and being crazy."

Do you think the players believe their talent is enough to get them out of
it?

"That's a good question. To be fair, it doesn't look like we know that it
isn't enough. They and me are together. We didn't play tonight like we know
we can, and we are in the same position we were in before the game. "It's
about time for us – not for them – to realise what position we are, the
situation we're in at the moment and the only thing we have to do to get us
out of this zone."

You know what happens when players don't respond to a manager – the manager
gets sacked. Do you think you are in that kind of territory?

"It's your job to ask me that and it's a normal question in this kind of
situation, where the expectations are higher than the situation we are in.
"I'm a very positive, open person and try to be open and honest. I am very
optimistic and will never give up. I am positive I can turn this around.
"Do I enjoy to be in this situation? No. Do I feel pressure? Yeah, but I
don't want to feel like I'm feeling now. Am I positive? Yes I am. Did I do
enough last season to get some credit? I think I did.
"At the same I'm 48 and have been in football for 30 years so I know how it
works in football, and I have absolutely no problem with that. "Do I like my
job? Yes, I like it."

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Sanchez hat-trick completes comfortable victory for Arsenal
WHUFC.com

Alexis Sanchez scored a hat-trick as Arsenal completed a comfortable 5-1 win
over West Ham at London Stadium.

Slaven Bilic's side were keen to build on their impressive point against
Manchester United last week, but they came into game suffering a number of
key injuries to key players such as Aaron Cresswell, Cheikhou Kouyate and
Michail Antonio and were unable to cope with a rampant Arsenal team.

Sanchez was the star performer for the north London Club with an impressive
display, while Mesut Ozil and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also got on the
scoresheet to make it a miserable afternoon for the east London side.

Bilic will be doing everything he can to lift his players this week ahead of
another tough game against Liverpool at Anfield next Sunday and will be
hoping the return of some key players will help turn his side's fortunes
around.

The Hammers manager was forced to make several changes to his team including
reverting Edimilson Fernandes to a right wing back role and bringing Arthur
Masuaku back into the starting eleven following a two month injury absence.

But just when Bilic thought his luck could not could get any worse on the
injury front, he suffered the worst possible start to the game when James
Collins picked up a hamstring injury and was forced to leave the field after
just seven minutes.

The injury forced the Hammers manager to change the shape of the team and
Arsenal certainly made the most of it.

The away side could have opened the scoring on 17 minutes when Mesut Ozil's
corner picked out Shkodran Mustafi who rose the highest inside the box and
directed a header just past the post.

But the Hammers hit back and also had a good chance to break the deadlock on
19 minutes when Dimitri Payet played a great through ball into the path of
Manuel Lanzini who weaved his way into the penalty area and held off the
challenge of two Arsenal defenders before seeing his shot well turned round
the post by Petr Cech.

Arsenal made their dominance count when they opened the scoring 24 minutes
following a mistake by Angelo Ogbonna after he struck the ball straight
against Francis Coquelin.

The rebound fell to Sanchez who took the ball around Winston Reid and
squared for Ozil who had the easy task of knocking the ball into an empty
net.

Arsenal could have doubled their lead shortly after half-time when Ozil's
free-kick picked out Theo Walcott who headed the ball just over the bar.

This was not proving to be an easy afternoon for the home side and Randolph
kept them in the game with a superb double save on 69 minutes to keep out
close-range shots from Aaron Ramsey and Ozil.

Arsenal continued to mount pressure on the West Ham goal and added a second
on 72 minutes when Mustafi played the ball into Sanchez who took the ball
past Arthur Masuaku and fired a powerful low shot past Randolph into the
corner of the net.

Sanchez added his second of the game on 80 minutes when he found space ahead
of Ogbonna and drilled a shot past Randolph.

The Hammers pulled back a consolation goal back on 83 minutes after Dimitri
Payet's free-kick hit the bar and substitute Carroll reacted the quickest to
head the ball over the line.

But it was not enough to stop Arsenal scoring two late goals.

Arsenal made it four on 84 minutes when Oxlade-Chamberlain found himself
unmarked on the edge of the box and curled a shot past Randolph into the
corner of the net.

Sanchez completed his hat-trick and made it five on 86 minutes when he
delicately chipped the ball over the advancing Randolph to complete a
disappointing perfomance for the home side.

West Ham: Randolph; Collins (Arbeloa 7), Reid, Ogbonna; Fernandes (Ayew 63),
Noble (Carroll 72), Obiang, Masuaku; Lanzini, Payet, Fletcher

Subs not used: Adrian, Nordtveit, Feghouli, Zaza
Bookings: Fletcher, Reid, Arbeloa

Arsenal: Cech; Gabriel, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal; Coquelin, Xhaka;
Walcott (Ramsey 660, Özil (Iwobi 87), Oxlade-Chamberlain; Sánchez

Subs not used: Gibbs, Pérez, Ospina, Holding, Elneny

Bookings: Coquelin, Koscielny, Mustafi

Referee: Craig Pawson

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Slaven Bilic: West Ham boss 'humiliated' by 5-1 defeat against Arsenal
BBC.co.uk

"Humiliated" West Ham manager Slaven Bilic says Saturday's 5-1 Premier
League home defeat by Arsenal leaves him "under pressure". Alexis Sanchez's
hat-trick helped the Gunners go second in the table with victory at London
Stadium. Andy Carroll, returning from injury for his first game since 18
August, scored West Ham's consolation with a header. "I don't want to feel
like this. I apologise to the fans and anyone to do with West Ham," Bilic
told BBC Sport. "It was bad. I feel disappointed. I feel humiliated and it's
my responsibility. "I feel under pressure. I put the pressure on myself. But
the pressure is not a problem. Things have to change."

Arsenal profited from an error by Angelo Ogbonna for their opening goal,
scored by Mesut Ozil after Hammers centre-back James Collins came off
injured.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also netted for the Gunners - between Sanchez's
second and third goals. West Ham, beaten 4-1 by Manchester United in the EFL
Cup on Wednesday, have not won in the league since a home victory over
Sunderland on 22 October. They are one point above the relegation zone, and
will drop into the bottom three if Hull win at Middlesbrough on Monday. "I
am not looking for excuses. Yes we had injuries and mistakes, but we were
not good enough," Bilic said on BT Sport. "I have to be honest and say we
don't have the intensity. We don't have it the same as last season, even in
training. "We were in a serious situation before this game, which we don't
like. The players know that, but it's not only about knowing. It's about
sacrificing and dedication for the game."

Match of the Day pundit Chris Sutton said Bilic's criticism of his players
is a concern. "When your manager is questioning your commitment and
intensity there should be alarm bells ringing," said the former Blackburn
striker. "I can't see them getting anything out of Liverpool in their next
game and then they have Burnley, Hull, Swansea and Leicester. They are huge
games for West Ham."

The Hammers finished seventh in the league last season but have won only
three games since leaving Upton Park for London Stadium. "Of course we are
in a relegation fight and of course the players know that. It's not that
they don't care," Bilic added. "Am I positive I can turn this around? Yes I
am. Did I do enough last season to get some credit? I think I did. "We can
do it because these players have done it, but the dedication to the cause is
missing."

Analysis

Ex-QPR striker Bradley Allen at London Stadium for BBC Radio London

Arsenal were at their brilliant best and, once they got themselves in front,
it was just a matter of time before they built on their lead. West Ham have
to thank their keeper for keeping the scoreline down. It was a thumping
victory for the Gunners and they are genuine challengers for the league
title.

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REF WATCH – WEST HAM V ARSENAL – CRAIG PAWSON
BY BRIAN KNOX ON 3 DECEMBER 2016 AT 11:12PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk

Written by Sam Royden-Ryell

With Crystal Palace and Sunderland getting 3 points in the Saturday 3
o'clock kick offs, West Ham are now one point above the relegation zone and
it's a position we do not want to be in going into the New Year. Andy
Carroll scored a hat-trick against Arsenal at Upton Park last season, and he
was fit enough to be named on the substitute bench after his recent injury.
The referee appointed to officiate this London derby was Craig Pawson.
Before the game, there was a minute silence for the 72 people who died in a
plane crash in Columbia. 19 players and officials from Brazilian football
team Chapecoense died in the crash and the minute silence was respectfully
observed by both sets of players and fans.

The first 45 minutes of the game I will never get back. It's embarrassing
that we were playing at home and were not showing any desire, fight or
hunger to get back into the game. We didn't make an effort to run at Arsenal
with the ball, battle for the second ball or close Arsenal down quickly – it
wasn't great viewing. With all the injuries piling up, it's a pivotal time
of the season and we cannot afford to be in a relegation fight come New
Year.

The first 20 minutes Craig Pawson frustrated me. He missed a couple of clear
fouls in my opinion and the majority were against West Ham. His positioning
was good and he was on top of the play. Pawson issued one caution in the
first half and that was for Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin for kicking
the ball away.

Craig Pawson was busier in the second half issuing five yellow cards, which
saw West Ham get completely torn apart by Arsenal. The first caution of the
second half, second of the game, was for West Ham's young forward Ashely
Fletcher. Fletcher caught Laurent Koscielny after the ball slightly got away
from him. Winston Reid was the second West Ham player to be cautioned after
the West Ham defender went through the back of Alexis Sanchez. As a player,
as soon as you come charging through the back of another player, it's
automatically going to be a caution. The second Arsenal player to be
cautioned was Laurent Koscielny for taking out Ashley Fletcher. The West Ham
forward was quick to turn and beat Koscielny which resulted in Koscielny
bringing Fletcher down to stop him progressing.

West Ham got their consolation goal from substitute Andy Carroll. Andre Ayew
was fouled by Shkodran Mustafi, who received a caution for his foul 25 yards
from the Arsenal goal. It was Dimitri Payet's free-kick which ricocheted off
the crossbar into the path of Carroll who was quickest to react. It didn't
take long before Arsenal got their 4th and 5th of the match but Alexis
Sanchez was offside for his hat-trick and 5th Arsenal goal. The assistant
referee was in line with the last player in the West Ham defence and decided
against the decision which in my opinion was incorrect.

Álvaro Arbeloa was called into action within the first 4 minutes of the game
after James Collins went off with what looked like a calf injury. The two
time Champions League and FIFA World Cup winner was in no mans land for the
majority of the match and left the right hand side completely unattended for
Arsenal to exploit. Arbeloa was the final player that Pawson cautioned after
a trip within stoppage time.

In my opinion, Craig Pawson frustrated me with certain decisions throughout
the game, decisions that easily should have been made which were missed. It
is frustrating that the assistant referee didn't see that Alexis Sanchez was
offside. As an official, you need to be switched on regardless of how long
is left in the match and the score, even though West Ham were 4-1 down and
disallowing the goal wouldn't have made a difference to the result.

A note on West Ham, it's embarrassing to watch the performances this season
and it's difficult to see how we're going to get out the current rut. Slaven
Bilic's comment post-match are very alarming as he's said that the players
don't even train with the right intensity and in fairness to Bilic, you
don't have to have a pro licence to see that player's aren't pulling their
weight this season. The board have got a huge decision on Bilic and whether
to keep their faith in him or let him go. Our next game is away to Liverpool
next Sunday and with the form Liverpool are in at the moment, it could be
double figures.

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West Ham manager Slaven Bilic vows to fight on after Arsenal humbling
By Jack Wilkinson and PA Sport
Last Updated: 03/12/16 11:02pm
SSN

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic vowed not to walk away from the club after
their 5-1 humbling at the hands of Arsenal. The Hammers went a sixth Premier
League game without a victory on Saturday evening as the Gunners won on
their first trip to the London Stadium, to leave their city rivals
languishing a point above the relegation zone. Asked whether the club's
recent performances have put his position in jeopardy, the former Croatia
boss told Sky Sports: "I am very optimistic, I never give up. "I'm positive
I can turn this around. Do I enjoy this? No. Do I feel pressure? Yes. But I
am positive. "Did I do enough last year to get some credit? Yes, I think I
did. But I know how football works." Bilic was then asked whether he would
walk away from the club, to which he replied staunchly: "No."
West Ham's lethargic and abject display was of stark contrast to that of
Arsenal, who were inspired by a sensational display from Alexis Sanchez.
After setting up Mesut Ozil for the opener, the Chile international scored a
brisk second-half hat-trick to condemn the Hammers to what Bilic admitted
was a humiliating defeat. "I'm very disappointed, frustrated, and
humiliated," added Bilic. "I want to say sorry to the fans and to the club.
It was really bad. "I feel responsible. Somewhere along the line we lost
the intensity in training. We don't do it all the time, only occasionally,
and that's why we can't do it in games. "We can't rely only on quality if
you don't have the intensity required at this level. It's my responsibility
as a manager and I have to get it back. "We are in a relegation
fight. Of course the players know. It's not that they don't care. But it
doesn't look like we know that. "We are together. It's about time we
realised our situation and what we have to do to get ourselves out of it."

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