Daily WHUFC News - 11th March 2016

Ford steering his way to goal
WHUFC.com

New signing Sam Ford has already hit the ground running with West Ham
United...

As first impressions go few players, both on and off the pitch, have made a
better one than striker Sam Ford. The 17-year-old forward initially
impressed during a trial when he scored a late winner for the U18s in a 2-1
victory over Aston Villa in mid-January. That goal, alongside impressive
displays in training, convinced Academy Director Terry Westley to offer the
former Ipswich Town youngster a contract and it did not take the forward
long to repay the faith. In fact, it only took 12 minutes of his Development
Squad debut, as Ford burst from the halfway line before beating two men and
finishing nonchalantly to put the Hammers ahead against Wolverhampton
Wanderers. He followed that up with a second Dev Squad strike in Monday's
1-1 Barclays U21 Premier League draw with Blackburn Rovers at Rush Green.
Reflecting on his near perfect start to life in Claret and Blue, Ford said:
"I scored in my first game for the U18s, made my debut for the U21s the
other day and scored there too. Now, I just want to crack on and score as
many goals as possible. "I've been training with Terry's Development Squad
quite a bit. The intensity is very high and the standard is a lot higher,
but I'm enjoying it and it can only make me a better player. "All the boys
are good and I feel settled, everyone really gets on with each other. The
quality and the expectations are there straight away, there is a certain
standard expected from you and hopefully that becomes natural."

With an impressive average of a goal every other game, a record every
striker would be happy with, Ford says he has arrived at the Hammers for an
'exciting' time for the Club. He continued: "West Ham is a massive club, and
I can't wait to carry on. It is a very exciting time with the new stadium,
everyone is talking about West Ham, it is definitely something to look
forward to and hopefully I'll be involved playing their one day."

While that may be somewhere in the not so distant future, for now, Ford is
happy to concentrate on playing for the Development Squad, and with an
upcoming Barclays U21 Premier League Cup semi-final with Liverpool to look
forward to, he has silverware in his sights. He explained: "The Academy is a
good place to be at the moment, everyone is excited for the semi-final and
the rest of the season. "I feel comfortable with the lads now; I've had time
to build relationships off the pitch which helps as well. I'm staying in
digs which is helpful, too. "A lot of the younger players have been involved
in the first team recently. I really just want to play football and get to
the highest level possible. Making my Premier League debut is the dream."

The 17-year-old is equally impressive off the pitch as he is on it,
possessing a maturity beyond his years. Having previously worked with
Academy coach Liam Manning at Ipswich Town, Ford praised the effect his old
mentor has already had on his blossoming career, concluding: "I'd like to
think Liam likes working with me! I like working with him, he's a great
coach and hopefully he'll help me to progress as far as possible. "Of
course, the Premier League is the best in the world so that's where I want
to go."

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First and Last - Dimitri Payet
WHUFC.com

As West Ham United continue the final season at the Boleyn Ground, we've
asked the players for some memorable firsts and lasts from their careers and
lives. Dimitri Payet goes under the spotlight…

FIRSTS

What was the first car you owned?

It was a Mercedes SLK 200 convertible which I bought back in 2006 when I was
playing for Nantes in my first year there.

What was the first CD you ever bought?

I think it was a Bob Marley album The Best of Bob Marley.

Can you remember your first goal in professional football?

I was playing for Nantes and scored during a 4-1 win over Metz in January
2006. I was just 18 years old and had only just come on as a substitute.

Who would be the first player you would call up for a pub quiz?

I have to say Mark Noble as he has been playing for 60 years and knows
everything!

Who would be the first player you would vote off The X Factor?

Cheikhou Kouyate. His voice and style – nothing about him would get him
through to the next round when it comes to singing!

LASTS

What was the last Concert you went to?

It was to see a French rap group called Sexion D'Assaut in Marseille.

Which of your team-mates is the last you would want to be stuck with in a
lift?

I have to say Cheikhou Kouyate again. He is always on his phone so it would
be boring for me to be stuck on my own!

What is the last thing you watched on television?

The Champions League.

Who is the last player you would take fashion advice from?

Ginge. What he wears might be the fashion in Wales but not for me!

Who is the last out of the dressing room after a match or training?

Mark Noble. I don't think he has a house!

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Former Player Blog – Ronnie Boyce
WHUFC.com

1964 FA Cup semi-final hero Ronnie Boyce is targeting another landmark
victory over Manchester United. Nicknamed 'Ticker' due to his outstanding
work-rate, the East Ham-born midfielder scored twice at a rain-soaked
Hillsborough to take West Ham United to Wembley. Now 73, Boyce is looking
forward to watching Sunday's sixth-round tie from Old Trafford with
interest…

It's been a terrific season and I'd love it if we could get into Europe.

It most definitely looks like the West Ham way is back. The acquisitions we
made last summer have been particularly good and they seem to have just
fitted into the team.

For me, I think Europe is definitely on and we might even be able to achieve
a little bit more than that. We'd be satisfied with getting back into
Europe, though, because it's been a while!

They are quality players and I'm not surprised. The boy Dimitri Payet plays
very well and I like that sort of player. Michail Antonio has also done
great for the Club.

Mark Noble is a local boy which is lovely and it's nice to see an East Ender
like myself in that side.
I'm sure the supporters are very pleased with the effort they're all putting
in and the results they have got recently.

It's 52 years now since we went up to Hillsborough and beat Manchester
United in the rain to get to the FA Cup final.

We weren't expected to win the game, to be honest, because they had players
like Bobby Charlton, Denis Law and George Best, of course.

The rain was the big thing. As soon as we woke up on the morning of the game
until we pulled back into Kings Cross on the train in the evening, it never
stopped.

It was a great day for me personally but also for the Club overall. I
managed to get a couple of goals when it had been said before that I wasn't
a natural goalscorer. I hit one from outside the box and a header from
inside.

It was great for the Club, who had come up in 1958 and then we went on to
win the first major trophy in our history. It was a marvellous day and we
can do it again on Sunday.

Let's face it, Manchester United aren't playing great at the moment. They're
not the usual Man United side and we're playing out of our skin, so I see no
reason why we can't get the win up there.

I'll be watching the game on TV and cheering the lads on, for sure.

It's been a much improved season for the Club and, with the progression that
has been made, I don't see any reason why it can't continue.

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those
of West Ham United

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West Ham aim to increase Olympic Stadium to 60,000 capacity
By Nick Lustig
Last Updated: 10/03/16 8:29am
SSN

West Ham are looking into the possibility of increasing the Olympic Stadium
capacity to 60,000 before they move in next season as a result of high
ticket demand. The Hammers are set to begin their 99-year tenancy at the
54,000-seater Olympic Stadium in Stratford in August and co-chairman David
Gold told Sky Sports last month that he expects the club to sell every
single seat at their new home. West Ham, who are preparing to leave the
Boleyn Ground, their home for the past 112 years, at the end of the season,
are now hoping to up the capacity of their new ground by 6,000. "The board
are also pleased to confirm that following extraordinary demand for tickets
at the Hammers' new world-class home, West Ham are now doing everything in
their power to expand the capacity to 60,000," a statement on the club's
official website read. The London 2012 Olympic venue has been downsized from
an 80,000-seater athletics stadium and now includes a retractable seating
system, which will bring fans closer to the pitch on match days. Currently,
the stadium can be increased to 60,000 in athletics mode and to 80,000 for
concerts.

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Kouyate gives Old Trafford verdict
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 10, 2016 in News
C and H

Cheik Kouyate is ready to move into the back four at Old Trafford this
weekend declaring: " I am prepared to do anything for the benefit of the
team." The Senegal midfielder has been in outstanding form all season and
says: " I played at the back in the Champions League with Anderlecht and so
I am comfortable playing in that position. I played at the back in the
Champions League with Anderlecht and so I am comfortable playing in that
position. I would even be willing to play in goal if needed. " Cheik is
confident the Hammers will not leave Old Trafford empty-handed declaring
""We are all aware of the size of their club; they are one of the biggest
teams in the country. We know what to expect from a game there, a nice
stadium, good playing surface and a great atmosphere. Speaking to the
official site he added: "I have some great memories of playing for the
Senegalese national side during the London Olympics in 2012 at Old Trafford,
when we played against Team GB and we held them to a 1-1 draw. "I hope that
we can go to Sunday's game and play in the same way, we know that it won't
be easy, but with the team spirit as it is at the moment, we know that we
can get something from the game."

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McAvennie's "rubbish" FA Cup clash verdict
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 10, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H
EXCLUSIVE

Frank MacAvennie fully expects West Ham to beat Manchester United on Sunday
at Old Trafford. The former Hammers striking legend believes Slaven Bilic's
men will have too much for Louis van Gaal's outfit and delivered a damning
verdict on United saying: "I honestly think United are rubbish this season."
He believes the Hammers – on a surge of form and confidence – should go to
Manchester as favourites but doesn't believe the bookies will see it that
way. He told ClaretandHugh exclusively said: "We could be value for the game
and I really do fancy us. It'sa long rime since I've seen such a poor United
team and with us having proved how good we are on the road I an't see us
losing and believe we will win. "We were unlucky up therein the League match
and there's certainly no reason for any fear – it's them than should be
worrying about us. "Okay we have some problems at the back but Slav has
shown he is more than capable of coping with those situations and I honestly
think United are rubbish and that we will get the result." Current Match
odds with Sky Bet: Man U 10/11 Draw 5/2 Irons 3/1

One word VALUE!

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Noble stands out for England starting XI
Posted by Sean Whetstone on March 10, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

Mark Noble leads a Claret and Hugh poll of West Ham fans who think he will
be included in Roy Hodgson's England squad which will be announced next week
for International friendlies against Germany and Holland.

Nobes picked up 30.74% of the poll with 289 from 940 voting for the in-form
West Ham midfielder.

Left back Aaron Cresswell followed in second place with 221 votes and 23.51%
of the vote while Michail Antonio closely trailed in third place with 196
votes on 20.85%

Andy Carroll registered just 34 votes and 3.62% of the vote while James
Tomkins got one sympathy vote.

199 of 940 who voted, totalling 21.17% believe no West Ham player will be
included when the squad for the International friendlies is announced.

Today Sky Sports back the poll by revealing that Mark Noble should make the
England starting eleven based on statistics.

Sky said "England's best-performing midfielders dictate that a 4-4-2 diamond
should be used across the middle of the park. According to the statistics,
youngsters Barkley and Alli should partner Drinkwater and Noble. This means
that there is no space for England regulars Raheem Sterling, Jordan
Henderson or James Milner in the starting Xl."

However in a final twist of fate Mark Noble will have logistical nightmares
if he is called up for the Germany v England friendly on 26th March in
Berlin as his 35,000 sell out Testimonial is just 3 days later on Easter
Monday and the Holland friendly match at Wembley is on Tuesday 29th March
one day after his testimonial. He would need special permission to leave the
England training camp.

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emale West Ham footballer has head stamped on by Tottenham rival - but
laughs about it
18:43, 10 MAR 2016 UPDATED 18:44, 10 MAR 2016
BY AARON FLANAGAN
Whitney Locke was able to laugh off the incident as her side won the London
derby 1-0, but was lucky to avoid serious injury
The Mirror

A female footballer for West Ham was lucky to avoid serious injury after
having her head stamped on during a London derby. But Striker Whitney Locke
has laughed off the incident - because they won the match. Locke suffered a
brutal studs-to-the-head challenge from Spurs' Alexandra Keown as she lay on
the floor at Upton Park. The referee quickly stopped the game for the head
injury, but did not see the extent of the challenge and Keown got off scot
free. But Locke was not too fussed that the challenge was missed after the
game because the Hammers claimed a determined 1-0 win. Taking to Twitter
after the match, she said: "Getting my head stamped on during the game lol!!
But we won !! COYI"
But while the incident was not spotted by the officials, it was by the
supporters. One member of the crowd tweeted: "I didn't see the incident but
she obviously got clog from the crowd the rest of the game" The game, which
was played on Wednesday night under the Boleyn floodlights, was decided by a
Katie Bottom penalty in the 69th minute. Hammers co-owner David Gold offered
his congratulations to the team following the match.

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OXFORD TO START AT OLD TRAFFORD?
By Iain Dale 10 Mar 2016 at 10:31
WTID

West Ham's defensive woes continue, with the news that neither Winston Reid,
nor James Tomkins will be available for selection this weekend for the trip
to Manchester United. According to Claret & Hugh Reid hasn't trained until
today. Tomkins rejoins training next week. James Collins won't be available
again until after the international break.

It looks, therefore, like Reece Oxford will partner Angelo Ogbonna in
defence again. I imagine Kouyate will again play as part of a defensive
three. This doesn't worry me at all. Reece Oxford needs the game time and to
get more experience, and there's nothing like being thrown in at the deep
end. He will learn more every game he plays.

With Pedro Obiang also putting in a fantastic defensive performance in every
game he plays I don't think we need be worried about the lack of
availability of our regular central defenders. Cresswell is in brilliant
form and Antonio has adapted to more defensive duties like a fish in water.
We should go into this game with a lot of confidence, especially as many
more of our attacking players are now available for selection. Moses and
Valencia will be back for Sunday, and so it Joey O'Brien. Whether he will
replace Michail Antonio remains to be seen. His form in the few games he
played last month was outstanding.

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Song recalled by Cameroon
March 10, 2016
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
BKHammer
West Ham midfielder Alex Song has been recalled by Cameroon for their 2017
Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Africa as per BBC Sport.

Song has not played for his national team since Cameroon's poor 2014 World
Cup campaign in Brazil where he lashed out at Croatia's Mario Mandzukic off
the ball during their Group A defeat in Manaus.

Song's inclusion in new coach Hugo Broos' first squad is a surprise after
the 28-year-old announced his international retirement last year.

Broos has named two newcomers in the squad with Sochaux forward Karl Toko,
23, and Anatole Abang of the New York Red Bulls included.

Malaga goalkeeper Idriss Carlos Kameni was hoping to be fit for the match
following knee surgery, but Broos has not taken a risk on him and has turned
to Ajax's Andre Onana instead.

The qualifier against South Africa takes place on 26 March at the Limbe
Omnisport Stadium.

Cameroon are currently top of Group M with maximum points from their first
two games.

Cameroon squad:

Goalkeepers: André Onana (Ajax); Guy Roland Ndy Assembe (Nancy;) Fabrice
Ondoa (Tarragona)

Defenders: Allan Nyom (Watford); Nicolas Nkoulou (Marseille); Aurélien
Chedjou (Galatasaray); Henri Bedimo (Lyon); Bitolo Ambroise Oyongo (Montreal
Impact); Adolphe Teikeu (Sochaux); Sébastien Bassong (Norwich)

Midfielders: Jonathan Ngwen II (Unisport Bafang); Stéphane Mbia (Heibei,
China); Alex Song (West Ham); Franck Kom (Etoile du Sahel); Landry N'Guemo
(Akishar); Dany Ndi (Sporting Dijon); Sébastien Siani (KV Oostende); Tony
Tchiani (Colombus Crew); Marvin Matip (Inglostadt)

Forwards: Vincent Aboubakar (Porto); Christian Bekamenga (Metz); Eric Maxime
Choupo Moting (Schalke); Benjamin Moukandjo (Lorient); Jacques Zoua (GFC
Ajaccio); Edgard Sali (St. Gallen); Anatole Abang (New York Red Bulls); Karl
Toko (Sochaux).


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n unsung hero this season, are these the reasons Obiang is keeping Song out
of the team?
Date: 10th March 2016 at 5:58 pm
Written by: Kevin Bradford
ForeverWestHam

The flair that has been brought into West Ham's football this campaign has
caught the eye of fans and pundits alike. Rightly so, the attacking assets
now at the club have drawn many of the plaudits, and on the surface, they
have been responsible for propelling the team towards one of the most
successful seasons in the past 30 years. But behind all the flash football,
quite literally, there has been a newly discovered resilience and defiance
lead in no small part by one of the lesser lauded summer signings. Spanish
midfielder Pedro Obiang has emerged as one of the silent success stories of
the season. At just 23-years-old, it is his first run in the Premier League.
And far from appearing out of his depth, he has played with a composure and
solidness that seems to rub off on the teammates around him. With almost 150
senior appearances under his belt during his time at Sampdoria, Obiang is
experienced beyond his years. His role is very much to mop up the danger and
play things simple. He has been shielding the backline expertly, and moves
the passing quick enough to relieve the pressure. And his maturity has
certainly not gone unnoticed. Slaven Bilic now appears to favour him in the
holding role ahead of the more senior figure of Alex Song. The former
Cameroon captain was hailed as the reason for The Hammers' resurgence at the
start of last season, but has failed to replicate the form on a regular
basis. His lethargic demeanour does not sit well with all fans, and his
apparent apathy has almost proved costly on a number of occasions. No doubt
on his day he is world class. His performance against Manchester City showed
that. But what Obiang has shown is less is more. His back-to-basics
methodology is similar to that of Michael Carrick, and it enables the likes
of Payet, Antonio, Kouyaté and Lanzini to roam forward. Song has proved he
can marshal the midfield, but always plays in a way that suggests he wants
to be more involved. His ability to play the incisive passes in and around
the box was one of the reasons Bilic may have used him as a more attacking
substitution against Everton. That came at 2-0 down though, with nothing to
lose. From the start of the game, it now seems Obiang is going to be the
safe bet, and he will certainly revel in the role. He appears to have no
ambitions to be more attacking, and that is ideal for his manager. If his
continued composure can last the run-in, his quiet effectiveness alongside
the headline makers will earn the prize it deserves.

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