Daily WHUFC News - 7th December 2016

Hammers pay tribute to brave Jack
WHUFC.com

Jack one at West Ham United has been deeply saddened by the passing of brave young Hammer Jack Howard. The 12-year-old succumbed to kidney cancer after a courageous fight boosted by the support of thousands of fellow West Ham fans from all over the world. After supporters and well-wishers raised more than £250,000, Jack travelled to California for pioneering treatment in September, having received a Facetime message from his heroes Dimitri Payet and Sam Byram. Sadly, Jack did not recover from his illness and he returned home last month after it became clear the treatment had not worked. Speaking on behalf of the squad, Payet and Byram paid tribute to him. "It's hugely saddening to hear about Jack's passing," said Byram. "His energy, positivity and strength were inspiring. "You could tell how passionate he was, so it's very hard news to take. My thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time." "I really enjoyed our conversation with Jack a few weeks ago, so it's very sad news," echoed Payet. "I'd like to say thank you to everyone who helped treat him and wish his family well."

Jack's aunt, Keely Howard, who led the campaign to raise funds for his treatment, spoke on behalf of his parents Nick and Zoe in paying tribute to the valiant schoolboy. "It's been overwhelming and we're really grateful for all the help and support, and Jack was grateful," she said. "As parents they did everything that they could, but unfortunately he slipped away. "He was with his Mum and Dad in bed when it happened and is now in peace with his West Ham shirt on. "The family are so grateful. They never thought they'd get that support and they're grateful that they had the opportunity to go to the States and give that treatment a go."

Jack, who loved nothing more than cheering his Claret and Blue heroes on from the stand, had previously undergone chemotherapy and radiotherapy in 2013. He also had a kidney removed before going into remission in February 2014, but the cancer returned in December last year. Six months later, doctors thought he only had weeks to live. The Club became aware of the fundraising drive, with Payet and Byram cheering Jack with an unexpected call. Joint-Chairman David Sullivan donated £5,000 towards his treatment, while a West Ham-themed non-uniform day at his school, Gravesend Grammar. You could tell how passionate Jack was, so it's very hard news to take. My thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time

At the Premier League visit of Southampton to London Stadium, fans of both clubs dropped thousands of pounds into collection buckets outside the ground. Tragically, Jack took a dangerous turn just a fortnight before flying to Los Angeles, with UK doctors again unsure if he had days or weeks to live. Jack underwent a strenuous course of treatment in hospital, where he received messages of support from The Rolling Stones and LA Galaxy defender AJ Delagarza, but the brave young Hammer passed away at the weekend. The thoughts of everyone associated with West Ham United are with Jack's loved ones at this sad time.

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Masuaku ready for a big change against Liverpool
WHUFC.com

Arthur Masuaku is confident he will soon be able to re-produce his best form and has no doubts his team-mates will have a big point to prove when they face Liverpool on Sunday. Masuaku has only just returned from a two-month injury absence after he suffered knee ligament damage during the EFL Cup game against Accrington Stanley back in September. The French defender appeared as a substitute during the EFL quarter-final tie against Manchester United last week after Aaron Cresswell injured his groin and was named in the starting line-up for the home defeat against Arsenal on Saturday. Masuaku says it will take him a bit of time to regain full match sharpness but is working hard every day to put things right and hopes to enjoy more success on the pitch when the Hammers travel to Anfield on Sunday. The 23-year-old admits the players were bitterly disappointed with the outcome against Arsenal and says they are determined to put things right and help turn their season around. Masuaku said: "I'm continuing to work hard in training and show my energy. "This is one of my first spells where I have been out of the team for this long, so I am just doing what I can to return to action. "The defeat against Arsenal on Saturday was not easy and it was a big defeat for us to handle. "Since the beginning of the season we have been enduring a difficult spell but we simply need to keep working hard to change things. "We cannot use the change in system as an excuse for the result as we have played with both a back four and a back five. We simply need to show better concentration."

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Manchester United ballot now open
WHUFC.com

The Claret Members' ticket ballot for West Ham United's Premier League fixture with Manchester United at London Stadium on Monday 2 January 2017 is now open.

Claret Members who joined prior to this ballot opening can enter the ballot to secure tickets for the visit of the Red Devils between that date and the closing date of 9pm on Monday 19 December.

To enter, Claret Members are required to login to their Ticketmaster account here, select the fixture and add to basket. Applicants should ensure that correct bank details are provided sufficient funds are available when the ballot is processed on Monday 19 December.

Fans wishing to apply with other Claret Members should include all client reference numbers in the one transaction, and, if successful, will be seated together.

Supporters entering the ballot have the option of selecting up to a maximum of two price points. If you are happy to accept any price band, and thereby increasing the likelihood of being successful, kindly select your preferred area of the Stadium and leave the second option blank.

The ballot closes at 9am on Monday 19 December and successful supporters will be notified via email that day.

The window for Bondholders to select their own seats is also open and closes at 9am on Saturday 17 December.

Accessibility tickets are available in all areas for this fixture.

Disabled supporters can apply in the ballot by calling our Accessibility line on 0333 030 0174, visiting the Ticket Office at the London Stadium which is open 9am-5pm Monday to Saturday and 10am-4pm on Sundays or by emailing accessiblity@westhamunited.co.uk

Hospitality packages for this fixture are available to buy now. For further information and to purchase, email corporatesales@westhamunited.co.uk or call 020 8114 2442.

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Burnley priority window now open!
WHUFC.com

Burnley priority window now open to Season Ticket Holders, Claret Members and Waiting List members
Hammers host the Clarets at London Stadium on Wednesday 14 December at 7.45pm
Tickets start from £12.50 for Kids and £25 for Adults

West Ham United are pleased to offer supporters on our Season Ticket Waiting List a priority window to purchase tickets for the Premier League home match against Burnley on Wednesday 14 December at 7.45pm. Following the completion of the Members' ticket ballot, a number of extra tickets came back late from the unsold away allocation, which the Club made available due to the extraordinary demand to see fixtures at London Stadium. To reward the loyalty and patience of supporters who joined the Season Ticket Waiting List, we are now offering them a priority window to purchase these remaining tickets.

Buy Burnley tickets now

This is the first time the Club has been able to deliver this benefit to those on the Waiting List, as every other fixture - including the visit of Burnley before these tickets were returned - has sold out to the Members' ballot. The tickets will be sold on a first come, first served basis and are set to sell quickly due to high demand, so hurry to avoid disappointment.

Tickets start from £12.50 for Kids and £25 for Adults.

You can book these tickets online, by clicking here, by telephone on 0333 030 1966, or by visiting the Ticket Office in person.
Although opportunities like this are limited due to the demand for match tickets at London Stadium, going forward we hope there will be further opportunities to offer priority to supporters on the Waiting List and enable our wider fan base to attend matches.

*These tickets are currently available to Season Ticket Holders, Claret Members and supporters on the Season Ticket Waiting List. The priority window for all groups ends at 9am on Thursday 8 December.

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EXWHUEMPLOYEE EXCLUSIVE: OXFORD TO FINALLY SIGN A NEW DEAL!
BY EXWHUEMPLOYEE ON 6 DECEMBER 2016 AT 11:01AM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk

We have received some positive news at last, highly rated youngster Reece Oxford should sign a new deal by the weekend. Talks have been going on for a while and we were the first to also report that we had beaten off competition from Manchester United and Manchester City for the academy product a few weeks ago. Reece turns 18 on the 16th December when a longer term deal can be concluded. The terms are expected to be a wage of £20k a week plus performance related bonuses and clauses. Reece is currently out with an injury but he is expected to return to training in the next few weeks to give some options to a leaking defence.

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Boardroom backs Bilic
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 6th December 2016
By: Staff Writer

Co-chairman David Sullivan has give Slaven Bilic the dreaded 'vote of confidence' following Saturday's humiliating defeat at the hands of neighbours Arsenal.

Bilic's side conceded four goals in the space of 14 second half minutes as not for the first time this season, they ran out of ideas and energy as the game entered its final phase.

Yet despite the embarrassing result - which followed a 4-1 defeat at Manchester United and defeat at Tottenham, despite leading 2-1 after 88 minutes - Sullivan insists the under-pressure Croat has his full backing.

"Slaven cares passionately about the football Club and this defeat will be hurting him as much as anyone," he told the club's website. "I have no doubts that he is doing everything he can to address the situation and everyone is working together to ensure we turn our season around.

"We cannot forget the amazing job that Slaven did in his first season. With a bit more luck he could have taken us into the top four. His passion, commitment and outstanding track record at the highest level were among the many reasons we appointed Slaven in the summer of 2015.

"Despite what some people have said, there is still a great spirit among the players and everyone is working towards the same objective. We all need to stick together and get behind the team. We are all part of the West Ham United family and in hard times families pull together."

Yet partly mitigating the team's dreadful opening half of the campaign was the sheer number of injuries that have been sustained since the summer, added Sullivan.

"You cannot hide away from the fact that we were missing a number of influential players through injury for the Arsenal game, including both our first choice wing-backs," he added.

"Michail Antonio and Aaron Cresswell are key members of our team and are players who make a big difference to the way we play.

"Just when we thought the injury situation is clearing up, we then lost Diafra Sakho for another six weeks and Cheikhou Kouyate damaged his hamstring the night before the Arsenal game.

"To make matters worse, James Collins then had to leave the field after just seven minutes and all the planning that Slaven and his backroom staff had prepared for the game had gone out the window."

"Hopefully we will see a few of these players back in action next week and the team will show a vast improvement as we prepare for a massive week with big games against Liverpool, Burnley and Hull."

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SLAVEN BILIC – DEAD MAN WALKING?
BY EXWHUEMPLOYEE ON 5 DECEMBER 2016 AT 9:31PM
TehWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by @lee_wilko_12

This article from myself will cover my views on the current situation at the club regarding the board, Slaven Bilic and everything in between.

Another week passes and another West Ham defeat (well two this week actually). A midweek cup defeat at the hands of Manchester United and a Saturday evening mauling by Arsenal. It is turning into a regular feeling for me this season, every time we play I get my hopes up and pray we get the three points and we see a great performance and then after it all I am left disappointed and deflated. After Saturday's performance I saw West Ham Twitter go into overdrive, from abuse for the players, board and Bilic himself. Every account I follow had things to say regarding the situation and I saw a lot of very valid points, as well as a few stupid comments, which is normal.

I think it is safe to say this season has been an unmitigated disaster, from an early Europe exit and a summer of signings we all wished didn't happen, to what seems now like a relegation battle. As I mentioned in my previous column, I thought summer was tragic and we failed in every way to bring in not only the right type of players, but for the right positions. After the season we had in 2015/2016, we needed the type of quality to get us further into Europe and a good league finish, it was our best chance in a long time to sign some real quality players. The season before we played some great stuff and looked like a team on the up and could push even higher up the table the following season. A brand new stadium, Europe, a manager who was getting the results we had been begging for and a team that played so well together, worked tirelessly for each other and with passion and desire. The majority of Hammers fan went into the Summer window praying for a new right back, at least two forwards, a winger or two and a midfielder for some strength in depth. What we got was a joke to say the least, two cheap owners who refused to open their chequebooks, but instead decided to use their "cunning" to try and get players on free deals and loan deals. That was the first of many bad things to come in a season that has been horrible thus far and I wish was already over. Yet again we get knocked out of Europe in the qualifiers, so straight away people were not happy with the club, going out once to a team of essentially part-timers is in some form okay and could be seen as a fluke on their part, but for it to happen a year later to the same team is shocking.

Fast forward and a few games into the season and it isn't looking good, we haven't had a good start with results, the stadium is not liked by the fans, crowd trouble in every game and fans starting to turn on the board. In regards to the stadium, I know it is not Upton Park and it never will be, but the atmosphere definitely can be the same, the League Cup game against Chelsea was great, the noise levels and energy from the fans was electric. That is exactly how it should be and if were winning week in week out the stadium would start to feel more like home and teams would start to fear going there. At the moment with the way things are teams aren't afraid to come here, it isn't intimidating in the slightest, we sure as hell make noise when it is going right, but when it is going wrong it is silent. I do feel all in all the stadium will eventually be loved by the fans, but right now it isn't. I don't think the stadium was ready for us to move in and use as a home ground at all. There are so many problems with it, from seating to stewards and the fact we sell popcorn, which I find embarrassing beyond belief. If these issues get sorted, I can see it eventually becoming our new home, but right now it is far from that. It feels like the equivalent of moving from a lovely house you've owned for years, to renting a crappy one-bedroom flat. I feel like the seating needs to be sorted ASAP, get family sections and get a safe standing area, look at Celtic and their safe standing section, it is phenomenal, the noise is deafening and the energy of that stadium is something else, it is always bouncing. In regards to the stewards it really does feel like they are really out to catch the fans out, winding our fans up, ejecting them from the stadium and putting their names forward to get them banned is pathetic. We need to hire some real stewards who can do their jobs and can make the stadium a safe place to be in and can control any trouble if it does kick off, because right now if Millwall came to our ground for a game it would be absolute chaos, none of them would have a single clue what to do. Get the stewarding and seating sorted and you'll have the fans feeling happier and get the stadium feeling like home.

The fans are what make this club what it is, without us this club would be nothing. The passion you see from the West Ham fans every week is insane, when goals go in there are limbs flying everywhere and when we lose you better believe it hurts us just as much as the players. I feel like the board didn't think a great deal about how much the move would affect the fans, you think about the fans that have been visiting Upton Park since they were little kids and are now fully grown adults, they go from this place they call home, to a giant empty soulless bowl of a stadium which was built for The Olympics, not football.

Onto Slaven Bilic, I love this man, he is passionate and you can tell he cares very deeply for this club and his job. I think he is taking a hell of a lot of stick for the results this season, which can be understood, but at the same time he can only do so much. What are you supposed to do when your players cannot even do the simplest things correctly? I am pretty sure we are top for errors leading to goals, we cannot score goals, we cannot defend, we can barely string passes together, let alone win a game convincingly. I think I am going to get a lot of stick for this, but I don't want him sacked. I think he is the man to lead us forward, he is a huge step up from Sam Allardyce, who would get a 1-0 lead and then defend for the rest of the game. I do agree the post-match interview comments were very strange, such odd comments to make, saying we can't even get any intensity in training let alone games. If Bilic has lost the dressing room then I think his days will be numbered, just look at Jose Mourinho at Chelsea last season, one of the most decorated managers in football, he lost the confidence of the players and that was it for him. Last season I saw us play some of the best football I have ever seen at West Ham, we outplayed the big teams in almost every game with them. Injuries as always are a massive thing at the club and for the life of me I don't know why. It feels like we are the only club in the league that always has multiple first team players injured. Have we even had a fully fit squad at all this season? Every single week without fail there is someone new getting injured. I think the blame lies with the players for the results this season, the team seems so disjointed and they are acting like they haven't played together before. We are struggling to do anything right at the moment and we have three huge games coming up after Liverpool, which will be crucial to our season. If we can get a couple of wins back to back, it could really turn our season around, but it just feels like right now that isn't going to happen.

Now onto the reason I think we are in this mess, David Gold, David Sullivan and Karren Brady. I now believe a strong majority of West Ham fans have had enough of them and want them gone, I know they don't control the results but they are accountable for the Summer Window and these "promises" we were sold for the new stadium. I could sit here for hours writing every single thing these people have done wrong for and to our club, but I am not going to do that. However, there are so many off the top of my head, starting with the summer transfer window, we were told a bunch of lies about how we were going to splash the cash and buy big and get a £30 million striker, which never happened. Sullivan coming out and spouting his mouth off about this in the first place was stupid enough, as clubs knew we would spend big and push the price up. Offering Carlos Tevez £150k a week wages and making it public knowledge, if I am a player and West Ham come bidding for me, then I know they have offered big wages and I will want high wages, as they are clearly willing to pay them. I don't know who has the final say on transfers, but it always seems Sullivan signs players he wants, I always have and always will believe the manager should decide, as he is the one in charge of the team and knows what he needs. Some of the signings made during the Gold/Sullivan era have been laughable, Modibo Maiga, Nikica Jelavic, Marouane Chamakh and John Carew to name a few. Lies upon lies regarding the new stadium, we were promised so much and we have been given so little. The stadium West Ham fans were sold and the one we got are two completely different things. It is even the stupid little things such as changing the badge after David Gold said they were never going to do it. Karren Brady's comments about no arrests being the real winner was embarrassing and she really should keep her opinions to herself.

In my eyes, I think it is time the board left or found some investment, as I feel and know a lot of other fans feel like this club isn't West Ham anymore. We are not a football club anymore, we are a brand, we are not fans, we are customers. It really feels like now it is all about the money we are making. We have been sold a bunch of lies for the past couple of years and if all three of them left, you wouldn't see me shed a tear. I am not saying get some rich Arab investors so we can hope to be the new Manchester City, because I don't want that. They aren't a football club in my eyes, they are filled with plastic fans and they can't even fill their stadium up every week, which is pathetic. I just want the old West Ham back, the family club, didn't matter if we won or lost, the fans laughed and had a good time, we weren't a brand we were a football club that you loved with all your heart and cheered on for 90 minutes every week. We are starting to lose our identity and I have even seen some fans that don't care anymore. The board have screwed us over this season with their stupid penny pinching in the summer window and it has cost us. We are in a relegation battle and we need to start picking up points fast and get ourselves up the table.

COYI

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Banned fan reinstated
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 6th December 2016
By: Staff Writer

The season ticket holder who was banned from the Olympic Stadium for displaying a flag calling for the removal of vice-chair Karren Brady has been told that he is welcome to return to the venue. Following KUMB's story yesterday, the fan in question was contacted by the club and told that the ban - which had been instigated at the behest of stadium operators LS185 and the Met Police - had been lifted.
A friend of the banned fan told KUMB: "West Ham contacted him and said his case was being dealt with and to expect a decision either way by the evening. "They called back and said the ban was from the stadium owners, LS185, not from the club. The Police and LS185 decided on the ban and were unsure when it would be lifted. "However he is now allowed back with immediate effect."

The flag displayed outside the ground before it was confiscated and the owner banned The fan in question has also been invited to a meeting with West Ham United's current Managing Director, Angus Kinnear, to discuss his concerns.

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Goodnight, little Jack
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 6th December 2016
By: Staff Writer

Young West Ham supporter Jack Howard, who had been receiving treatment for cancer in the US, has passed away. The 12-year-old's family confirmed the sad news via Twitter this morning, bringing to an end Jack's four-year battle against the disease. Jack, who was visited by West Ham players such as Dimi Payet and Aaron Cresswell during his latest stay in hospital was suffering from a Wilms tumor, a kidney-related cancer that is mostly found in children. Kind-hearted friends and West Ham fans had pitched in to raise the funds necessary to send Jack to the States in order to undergo pioneering treatment back in September. The fund currently stands at an astonishing £177,785. The thoughts of everyone at KUMB.com are with Jack's family at this difficult time.

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London Stadium could stage 2019 Cricket World Cup matches
BBC.co.uk

London Stadium will be considered as a venue for the 2019 World Cup, if it is found suitable for staging cricket. The England and Wales Cricket Board have been asked by the International Cricket Council to suggest high-capacity venues. The 60,000-seat capacity of the former Olympic Stadium is much larger than any cricket ground in the UK. But a feasibility test of the venue - including the size of the potential playing surface - is yet to take place. Only if that test were passed would London Stadium potentially be put forward as an addition to the 11 venues currently vying to host matches. Those grounds are Lord's, The Oval, Trent Bridge, Edgbaston, Old Trafford, Headingley, Cardiff, Southampton, Chester-le-Street, Taunton and Bristol. Of that list, Lord's has the highest capacity at around 30,000.
However, the ICC is keen to replicate the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, which saw attendances in excess of 90,000 in Melbourne and games held at other large stadiums in Sydney, Adelaide and Auckland. Of those, Auckland's Eden Park, traditionally a rugby ground, has dimensions that left the straight boundaries incredibly short. London Stadium, which has been considered for T20 matches by county side Essex, would have to be able to accommodate a playing surface large enough to host international cricket. It would also need to be available, but with the tournament running from 30 May to 15 July, it is unlikely to encroach upon the needs of tenants West Ham United or affect the annual Anniversary Games athletics meeting.

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Wigan Athletic are set to lose Reece Burke as West Ham United want to recall him according to a report from the Essex Live.
The72.co.uk

The Hammers have currently got a serious problem in the right back area due to a number of injuries and poor performances. Their usual man in that spot Sam Byram, who as signed from Leeds United last season, is not close to a return after suffering a serious thigh injury while James Collins was recently consigned to the treatment table when he was forced off with an injury in the 5-1 loss to Arsenal.

West Ham do have Alvaro Arbeloa as a reserve right back and he was brought on after James Collins was injured, but he'd go on to have a complete horror show with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain simply tearing him apart in that position, which has made their head coach Slaven Bilic very reluctant to play him again.

And because of that Bilic has looked to Burke who has been on loan to Wigan for most of the season. The young defender has been a massive success for the Latics this season and even got his first goal of the season at the weekend in the match against Huddersfield Town. He is also coming off a brilliant season after he picked up a number of Player of the Season awards while on his loan spell with Bradford City.

And with Arbeloa lacking any sort of form and fitness, West Ham are set to recall him and end his spell at Wigan so they can sort out of their own defensive problems.

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Former West Ham forward Mauro Zarate eager to prove himself at Fiorentina despite difficult start
By talkSPORT - @talkSPORT
Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Mauro Zarate has no regrets about leaving West Ham for Fiorentina. The striker left the Hammers for the Italian side back in January for a fee of around £1.6m. But since the move he has struggled to settle and he has played just 98 minutes of competitive football this season. It has sparked rumours Zarate could be on the move again, but his agent - Fabio Firmani - insists that is not the case.
"Zarate is absolutely not thinking about the transfer market," Firmani told FirenzeViola. "He feels great in Florence and he's very grateful to the city from a human point of view for the affection he received in a difficult time. "He'll always feel indebted to the Florentines, and now he's totally focused on the Viola shirt. His first desire is to do well with Fiorentina, if the club change their plans then they'll tell us. "As with all situations, they could change their mind in January but so far I haven't heard anything about that."

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West Ham co-chairman David Gold in fresh Twitter gaffe as Hammers fan dupes him with picture of TV star
A Hammers fan sent an innocent-looking tweet, asking Gold for a retweet in support of his Irons-supporting brother starting at a new school
BYJAMES WHALING
11:26, 6 DEC 2016UPDATED11:29, 6 DEC 2016
The Mirror

West Ham co-chairman David Gold is no stranger to a Twitter gaffe - and the former Birmingham chief has been duped once more. A Hammers fan sent an innocent-looking tweet, asking Gold for a retweet in support of his Irons-supporting brother starting at a new school. However, the tweet was accompanied by Inbetweeners character Will McKenzie, complete with trademark briefcase, stood next to his mother. The tweet read: "Evening @ davidgold how are you? My little brother has just started his new school, only West Ham fan! Any chance of an RT? # WestHamFamily."
Gold quoted the original, and added: "Good luck young man. dg."

The London Stadium supremo has previously hit the news for wishing Hammers defender Winston Reid a happy birthday, only to accompany the tweet with an image of Kyle Knoyle. This came after he infamously announced the signing of Pedro Obiang alongside a snap of Angelo Ogbonna, before going on to sign Ogbonna as well. West Ham United Chairman David Gold poses for photographers outside the Olympic stadium on March 24, 2015 Last November, Gold retweeted a picture of a missing person appeal, seemingly failing to recognise the man in the image was in fact Irons flier Michail Antonio.
Oh, David.

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Former Manchester City and Manchester United star Carlos Tevez poised to link up with Gus Poyet at Shanghai Shenhua
Carlos Tevez in action for Boca Juniors
By talkSPORT - @talkSPORT
Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Shanghai Shenhua are closing in on a mega-money move for former Manchester City, Manchester United and West Ham star Carlos Tevez.
The striker is currently playing for his boyhood club Boca Juniors in Argentina but he now could be off to China. Shanghai Shenhua, who are coached by former Sunderland boss Gus Poyet, are in negotiations with the player over a deal worth around £600,000-a-week.
And Shanghai president Wu Xiaohui has revealed that talks have progressed well after weeks of discussions. "We have done a lot of work and it's safe to say that there has been a definite breakthrough in the negotiations," Wu told Shenhua News. "But for a variety of reasons, we have not nailed down the deal. Their club have problems that are still yet to be solved and I will spare you the details. "We will continue to put greater effort into this and strive to give our supporters a pleasant surprise as early as possible."

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West Ham consider loan moves for Manchester United's Marouane Fellaini and Chelsea goalkeeper Asmir Begovic
EXCLUSIVE
KEN DYER
Evening Standard

Relegation-threatened West Ham are pondering a loan move for Manchester United's Marouane Fellaini next month. The East London Premier League club are just one point and one place above the relegation zone and have conceded nine goals in their last two games.
Hammers manager Slaven Bilic feels the Belgium international could provide some much-needed physicality, either as a holding midfielder or to supplement a misfiring forward line. West Ham have badly missed the physical presence of the injury-prone Andy Carroll since the start of the season, although the striker did return as a sub last weekend in the 5-1 humbling by Arsenal — and scored. A move for Fellaini, 29, could suit both clubs. Manchester United fans have been far from convinced about the former Everton player, even more so after he came on in the second half against his former club at Goodison Park on Sunday and conceded a clumsy penalty that denied his team three points.
West Ham could also make a January loan move for Chelsea's reserve goalkeeper Asmir Begovic. Adrian, West Ham's first-choice keeper, has had an indifferent season and was recently dropped by Bilic, with Republic of Ireland international Darren Randolph replacing him.
The 29-year-old former Stoke keeper is second choice behind Thibaut Courtois at Stamford Bridge and would welcome the chance of first-team football.

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Bromley's Blair Turgott shows his flair on the grand stage!
Posted on 6th December 2016 by Matt Badcock in England C, National League with 0 Comments
thenonleaguefootballpaper.com

THERE can't be many footballers who have their own profile on the online film bible Internet Movie Database – Blair Turgott does.

It reads: Blair Turgott is an actor, known for Green Street (2005). Now, anyone who has seen the flick in question will know Lord of the Rings star Elijah Wood is an American journalist turned West Ham hooligan.

So, what on earth is the Bromley and England C winger doing in it?

"It was crazy," says the former Hammer. "I don't even know how it came about. I was at West Ham and our manager came in and said there's a film our team had to be in.

"At the time we didn't know what it was about. We went to this school to film and Frodo came over! We basically played a game and they recorded it.

"We had another scene in a classroom. In the film they were drawn against Millwall in the cup and we had to cheer. It was rated 18 and I was only nine or ten, but I really wanted to watch it. A few of my goals were in there – it was alright.

"It was a great experience, but crazy. People have told me I'm down as an actor – maybe it could be something to look into after football!"

He's well used to mixing with the stars is young Blair. On his twitter account is a picture with football megastar Lionel Messi from when Argentina trained at West Ham ahead of a friendly with Croatia at Upton Park in 2014.

With the West Ham first team enjoying a week off on the international break, the youngsters were drafted in to train with Sergio Aguero, Angel Di Maria and the main man himself.

"We didn't really touch the ball that much because it was all about them – it was shadow work, but it's one to tell the grandkids about," Turgott smiles.

But the main story he wants to tell his descendants is about his football career. Turgott made one appearance for West Ham – in the infamous 5-0 FA Cup defeat to Nottingham Forest – with most of his first team action coming on loan.

He was at Bradford City for their incredible League Cup run where they beat Arsenal and Aston Villa on the way to the final at Wembley.

Knock-backs

Spells at Coventry City and, last season, at Leyton Orient followed before the 22-year-old dropped into Non-League with National League Bromley in the summer.

"There were League One and League Two teams I could have gone to on trial in the summer, but it was about getting security and going somewhere I can show what I'm about," he says, perched on the end of his bed in England C's Tallinn hotel.

"Hopefully it's taking one step back to go two steps forward. That's the aim. I've been on loan at clubs and I'm quite experienced for my age – I've played games. For me it's about getting a run of games. Bromley have given me that opportunity. Hopefully I can repay them with my performances."

Already his electric performances have caught the eye of England C boss Paul Fairclough, who immediately picked him from the contingency squad for the Estonia trip after drop outs.

It's not the first time he's pulled on the Three Lions. As a youngster he represented his country through the age groups from U16s up to U19s alongside Raheem Sterling, Nathaniel Chalobah and Jordan Pickford.

He went to the U17 World Cup in Mexico and scored for the U19s in the same stadium England C beat Estonia U23s 2-1. His latest call of international duty, alongside other players who have slipped down the leagues, can give him the confidence to rise again.

"The gaffer said a lot of us have had knock-backs," he says. "We're all here for different reasons. But the common factor is we've all played at a decent level. So we all know where we want to be.

"Everyone's journey is different. A lot of the boys have been released, had injuries and setbacks for different reasons. For me it's about trusting the journey.

"You've got to stay strong mentally and just have confidence in yourself to make it."

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Valencia open talks with Zaza
By Football Espana staff

Valencia have opened talks with Italian striker Simone Zaza - currently on loan at West Ham United from Juventus - according to reports in Spain. The Hammers loaned the Italian international from Juve in August for an initial €5m but a clause exists in his contract that if he plays 14 games for the London club, they must sign him on a permanent deal for €21m - a clause he is three matches away from triggering. However, Zaza has not been selected for either of the past two matches and a report in AS suggests they are unwilling to select him further to ensure the clause is not triggered and allow a January move elsewhere. The report goes on to say that Valencia have made contact with the former Sassuolo striker who 'did not say "no"' and a move in January would be favoured by Los Che who are keen to bolster their attacking options, with former Azzuri boss Cesare Prandelli eager to sign the 25-year-old.

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Football troublemakers play cat-and-mouse at London Stadium
Patterns of bad behaviour are settling into habits, allowing police to adapt their tactics
BYGILES BROADBENT
10:06, 6 DEC 2016UPDATED10:06, 6 DEC 2016
wharf.co.uk

A determined minority of trouble-makers are giving the London Stadium a very public stress-test, finding weaknesses on match day that were never there in theory. A cat-and-mouse game is going on, with supporters intent on causing a disturbance probing vulnerabilities with police changing their tactics in response. That is the conclusion of those responsible for West Ham match-day security, including the police, the stadium operator, the London Legacy Development Corporation and the club itself. They are now suggesting that the Stoke game was a turning point which saw a "maturing" of plans when trouble-makers and security staff reached an equilibrium that saw an end to the kinds of embarrassing scenes that marred the Chelsea match.
The London Assembly, which is examining the issue, was told that the hardcore minority were creatures of habit – and they were in the process of exploring and settling into "new norms". Commander BJ Harrington, who oversees football policing in the capital, said:"We are learning those challenges and we are learning to adapt our tactics – for example, which pubs certain supporters are beginning to use – which allows us to put control around those pubs. "When those norms of behaviour have been set out by the fans we can understand how to react to those threats and prevent those issues. They are learning so we are learning."
London Legacy Development Corporation chief executive David Goldstone said the club was 11 matches into a 99 year relationship while West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady said: "We all accept that they were teething problems, which there always are when you move to a new stadium. "We have learnt from some of the issues, we have implemented strong and decisive action and we are adamant that we want to eradicate it. "
She pointed out there had been 18 arrests in 11 games. "We're coming to the half way point at the season Arsenal had 60 arrests for the whole season last year and Manchester Utd had 57 arrests." The London Stadium also presented "unique" challenges in the capital because of its openness and accessibility inside and out, said Cmdr Harrington. He said: "The Olympic Park is a wide open expanse – most stadia in London have natural segregation by streets, by furniture, by cars – here you have multiple points of entry and in policing terms very difficult to segregate."

Chief executive officer of operator London Stadium 185 Linda Lennon said: "It's easier for people to get round the stadium so one of the things we've started to introduce is much more hard checking of tickets. "The actual segregated areas have been extended, we've created a sterile area so supporters can't throw things down on other supporters and we've created a dedicated segregation route outside of the stadium."

The chief operating officer of Westfield Stratford City Peter Miller said retailers had noticed a drop in sales on match days but there was no evidence shoppers were being deterred. Asked whether the London Stadium simply wasn't suitable for football, Karren Brady said: "The stadium has been designated a Uefa Category Four status, the highest possible, which means that it can, for example, host a Champion's League Final so it is absolutely suitable."

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West Brom and West Ham both keen on Ryad Boudebouz after seven goals in 15 games
HITC
Olly Dawes

Southampton, West Bromwich Albion and West Ham United are reportedly keen on Montpellier playmaker Ryad Boudebouz. According to Algerian newspaper Le Buteur, Montpellier playmaker Ryad Boudebouz is a target for Southampton, West Bromwich Albion and West Ham United. Boudebouz, 26, was billed as a top young talent in French football during his time with Sochaux, but left for Bastia in 2013, where eight goals in 66 games earned him a move to Montpellier in 2015. The attacking midfielder grabbed an impressive 11 assists and two goals in his first season with Montpellier, but his goalscoring exploits this season have seen him make headlines in Ligue 1.

Boudebouz has struck seven goals and two assists in just 15 appearances this season, making him one of the most impressive players in French football this season – and his performances haven't gone unnoticed. Algerian newspaper Le Buteur report that three Premier League clubs – Southampton, West Bromwich Albion and West Ham United – are all interested in signing Boudebouz, and watched him score once in Montpellier's 3-0 thumping of Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday. The Algerian international, who has 24 caps for his country to his name, will certainly be familiar to Southampton boss Claude Puel, as he managed against Boudebouz during his spells in charge of Lyon and Nice. Southampton do have attacking midfielders at the club already with the likes of Sofiane Boufal and Dusan Tadic, but Boudebouz can also play out wide, and could be seen as another versatile attacking option for the Saints. West Brom are looking for more creative players having seen Nacer Chadli and Matt Phillips thrive this season, and a skilful, tricky playmaker like Boudebouz could fit the bill for the Baggies, who are expected to spend in January. A move to West Ham would be a major surprise though, as manager Slaven Bilic has an abundance of attacking midfielders at his disposal already. Dimitri Payet, Manuel Lanzini, Michail Antonio, Andre Ayew, Gokhan Tore and Boudebouz's international team-mate Sofiane Feghouli. Marseille are also believed to be keen on Boudebouz, meaning we could see a real fight for the playmaker's signature next month after such an impressive start to the season.

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West Ham paired with rivals Millwall in FA Cup third-round draw rehearsal
VAISHALI BHARDWAJ
Evening Standard

West Ham may have drawn a tricky FA Cup third-round opponent in the form of Manchester City on Monday evening, but it has emerged that the club had earlier been drawn to face their arch-rivals Millwall in the rehearsal. Premier League and Championship sides entered the FA Cup third-round draw, which was made by Steven Gerrard and Ian Wright at the BT Tower on Monday evening, after a host of clubs - including Millwall - booked their place in the draw by winning their second-round ties over the weekend. Millwall came from behind to beat Braintree Town 5-2 on Sunday, and ensure they entered the FA Cup draw a day later. The League One club, who currently sit in ninth place in the standings, went on to draw Premier League side Bournemouth in the third round - but it could have been very different. BT Sport presenter Jake Humphrey, who oversaw the draw, revealed that Millwall were in fact drawn to play their fierce rivals West Ham in the third-round rehearsal just hours before the actual one was conducted. Millwall and West Ham share a long and fierce rivalry - with the two teams' League Cup meeting at Upton Park in 2009 producing terrible scenes of violence both inside and outside the stadium. The game, which ended 3-1 to West Ham after extra time, saw fans invade the Boleyn Ground pitch and riot police guide fans towards the tube station while one man was stabbed in the chest following fighting between rival sets of supporters. West Ham will face Manchester City at the London Stadium in the third-round of the FA Cup, which is due to be played across the weekend of 6 to 9 January 2017, while Millwall will host Bournemouth.

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West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan backs Slaven Bilic - 'We all need to stick together'
SAM LONG
Evening Standard

David Sullivan says West Ham cannot forget the "amazing job" under-fire manager? Slaven Bilic did last season, despite an underwhelming start to the current campaign. Bilic led the Hammers to seventh place in the Premier League table last term and the club was engulfed by a wave of optimism ahead of their move into the London Stadium. But the mood among supporters has quickly changed and West Ham are languishing just one point above the relegation zone following Saturday's chastening 5-1 defeat to Arsenal.
The team's disappointing form has seen pressure build on Bilic's position and Sullivan, who held talks with his manager yesterday, has urged the club to stay united as they attempt to climb away from trouble. "Slaven cares passionately about the football club and this defeat will be hurting him as much as anyone," Sullivan told West Ham official's website. "I have no doubts that he is doing everything he can to address the situation and everyone is working together to ensure we turn our season around. "We cannot forget the amazing job that Slaven did in his first season at the club. With a bit more luck he could have taken us into the top four. "His passion, commitment and outstanding track record at the highest level were among the many reasons we appointed Slaven. "Despite what some people have said, there is still a great spirit among the players and everyone is working towards the same objective. "We all need to stick together and get behind the team. We are all part of the West Ham United family and in hard times families pull together," Sullivan insisted. West Ham face Liverpool, Burnley and Hull City in the build up to Christmas and need to put more points on the board ahead of a busy festive period.
While Sullivan believes Bilic's side need to "show a lot more" if they are to returning to winning ways he is adamant a mounting injury list has played a key role in the team's problems. "You cannot hide away from the fact that we were missing a number of influential players through injury for the Arsenal game, including both our first choice wing-backs. "Michail Antonio and Aaron Cresswell are key members of our team and are players who make a big difference to the way we play. "Just when we thought the injury situation is clearing up, we then lost Diafra Sakho for another six weeks and Cheikhou Kouyate damaged his hamstring," Sullivan added.

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West Ham must go big for Celtic star if ambitious bid for Sturridge fails
HITC
Damien Lucas

West Ham United are in desperate need of extra firepower and should raid Celtic if a move for Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge fails.
The Hammers are languishing in 17th place in the Premier League, one point off the bottom three as their disastrous second season under Slaven Bilic unravels with each passing week. Knocked out of Europe by Romanian minnows FC Astra, eight defeats from 13 games and the second worst defence in the league tells its own story. But West Ham's profligacy is as much to blame with Diafra Sakho the only Hammers striker to have scored a single goal this season, 20 competitive games in. Sakho and fellow African Hammers striker Andre Ayew both look likely to be away for the African Nations in January further exacerbating the situation. Bilic has been linked with a move for Liverpool and England striker Daniel Sturridge to try and solve that problem, as reported by the likes of The Express.
But Jurgen Klopp last week insisted none of his squad was up for sale in January despite Sturridge slipping down the pecking order at Anfield. Should that move fail to materialise, the East Londoners should waste no time raiding Scottish champions Celtic for former Fulham striker Moussa Dembele. The 20-year-old Frenchman has scored 17 goals in 28 appearances for the Hoops since signing from Fulham in the summer. And the Paris Saint Germain academy product has the attributes West Ham need to start scoring the goals that will help them climb the league. His pace and movement would give fellow Frenchman Dimitri Payet an outlet and he could also work well alongside fit again Andy Carroll.

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West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan hands backing to under-fire Slaven Bilic - "In hard times families pull together"
The Hammers have fallen to 17th in the Premier League, having won just three of their 14 matches so far this term
BYALEX RICHARDS
08:35, 6 DEC 2016UPDATED08:35, 6 DEC 2016
The Mirror

West Ham United co-chairman David Sullivan has handed his backing to under-fire manager Slaven Bilic. The Hammers were beaten 5-1 at the London Stadium by Arsenal on Saturday, disintegrating in the second period as Arsene Wenger's men scored four times in the second 45'. Bilic was highly critical of his side after the game, hitting out at his players' lack of intensity on the training field.
Having led the side to a seventh place finish in his debut campaign last term, Bilic's side have won just three games so far this term, and currently lie 17th in the table, one point above the drop zone. However Sullivan, who held talks with Bilic on Monday, has urged the club to stay united, and says that the "amazing job" Bilic did last season cannot be forgotten. "We are refusing to make excuses though and the players will know that the performance was not good enough and we need to show a lot more if we are to get back on the winning trail. "I saw Slaven's comments after the game and as always he was completely honest with his assessment. Slaven cares passionately about the Football Club and this defeat will be hurting him as much as anyone. "I have no doubts that he is doing everything he can to address the situation and everyone is working together to ensure we turn our season around. "We cannot forget the amazing job that Slaven did in his first season at the Club. With a bit more luck he could have taken us into the top four. "His passion, commitment and outstanding track record at the highest level were among the many reasons we appointed Slaven in the summer of 2015. "Despite what some people have said, there is still a great spirit among the players and everyone is working towards the same objective. "We all need to stick together and get behind the team. We are all part of the West Ham United family and in hard times families pull together."
West Ham head to Liverpool on Sunday, looking to end a run of six games without a win.

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West Ham boss Slaven Bilic makes decision following Rio Ferdinand's offer to return as coach
HITC
Jordan Harris

West Ham United have struggled this season, prompting their former defender to offer to return in a coaching capacity. A report in the Daily Mirror has suggested that Slaven Bilic has rejected Rio Ferdinand's offer to return to West Ham to work with the defence following their terrible start to the season. Ferdinand recently stated that he would like to help his first professional club after watching them fall to another heavy defeat at the weekend, and the Mirror reports that the Hammers hierarchy were keen for the move to happen.
However, the Mirror now adds that Bilic - who played alongside Ferdinand during their time together with the Irons - has insisted that he is happy with the backroom team he currently has at his disposal, and thus, does not intend to bring the 38-year-old in, despite the growing pressure on his shoulders.
While the presence of Bilic and current West Ham coach Julian Dicks suggests that the club do have enough knowledge to help the back-line, it is clear that things need to change at the London Stadium if the Hammers do not want to be dragged into a relegation battle.
Currently, the Irons are one place and one point above the bottom three following their 5-1 defeat at home to Arsenal at the weekend. And while they have hardly been prolific in front of goal, the slightly more alarming statistic is the fact that only bottom side Swansea City have conceded more league goals this term. Therefore, it is somewhat understandable if the board decided that a person with Ferdinand's experience coming in would be a good addition, but Bilic appears to be confident about the current backroom team's chances of turning the club's fortunes around.

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