Daily WHUFC News -

Bilic looking up after Watford win
WHUFC.com

Slaven Bilic said Wednesday's 3-1 win over Watford meant West Ham United
would continue to look up the Barclays Premier League table, rather than
over their shoulders at those behind them.
A deserved victory over the Hornets – secured by Andy Carroll's volley and
two Mark Noble penalties – mean the Hammers remain in sixth position, three
points behind Manchester United and four behind fourth-placed Arsenal. An
Adrian penalty save and an eye-catching return to action from Diafra Sakho
completed a decent night's work from West Ham, even if the manager claimed
his side should have scored 'four or five more goals'. "It was a good win
and a good night for us after a few draws and a lot of difficult games when
we were unhappy at the end because we think that we deserved more out of
them," said Bilic, whose side made it a Club-record 15 Premier League home
games without defeat. "It's nice to win at home and we played really good
football. We could have scored four or five more goals. It's a really good
feeling for us. "It was a really important game for us, because we said to
that players before that it was like a decisive one. We told them in
pre-match that this game would determine whether we would look up and think
'Maybe we've got a chance [of top four] if we win, or if we lose we would
look below us'. "Of course there are still clubs below us and it's not over
but it's good. We're looking up and it's nice to have five points cushion to
Southampton or nine points to Stoke. It's a good position. "Now we have a
break and a rest, then we'll have some balanced training to be really fit
for the last four games in which we'll give everything we can to win them."

There were many aspects of Wednesday's game for Bilic to be happy about –
Carroll's volley from Dimitri Payet's fine pass, Noble's nerveless
penalties, Sakho's all-round display and Adrian's late stop to deny Troy
Deeney from 12 yards. "Yes, brilliant, it was a team performance," he
agreed. "Every game, you have different individuals who are stepping up and
getting the credit, but the credit should go to the team because they were
all good. "Of course it's nice to have Sakho back with the work-rate and the
quality and everything. It's good to see the combinations, to see Andy
scoring the goal from the beautiful ball from Dimitri. "They were a great
couple of penalties, make no mistake, against a guy who saved a couple of
penalties on Saturday. And it was about time Adrian saved one because I was
told he was good. I was like 'Any chance?!' so it was a good night for us.
"OK, you could say they had half their mind on Wembley [and the FA Cup
semi-final] and named a weaker side by resting players, but I've seen enough
times in football when second options or mixed teams played brilliant
football. "All their players were international players and it was a
dangerous game for us, and that's why I was pleased not only with the three
points but the way we got them."

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Noble proud of new club record
WHUFC.com

Mark Noble admits is a great achievement to set a new Club record and go 15
Premier League games unbeaten at the Boleyn Ground and hopes they can extend
that impressive run until the end of the season. Noble has been instrumental
in helping the Hammers make Upton Park a fortress this season and enjoyed
another memorable evening against Watford as he scored two penalties to help
Slaven Bilic's side come away with a 3-1 victory. West Ham have not been
beaten at home in the top flight since the defeat against Bournemouth back
in August and have kept alive their hopes of securing a European place with
a formidable home record. Noble says he has been proud to lead the players
this year and says the new Club record is a fitting way for them to finish
their final ever season at the Boleyn Ground. Noble said: "Apart from the FA
Cup we are unbeaten here since August which is unbelievable with the last
every year at the Boleyn. "It is a great achievement from us and we want to
keep it that way. There has been a lot of hard work, determination and skill
that has helped us along the way. "For me to lead the boys through that is
fantastic. We want to keep doing that until the end and see what happens."

It turned out to be another impressive evening for the club skipper after he
made it 25 goals from 28 penalties to continue his formidable spot-kick
record. Noble added: "I am delighted with my record from the penalty spot. I
was a bit disappointed that we got our first away penalty in six years
(against Leicester) and I wasn't on the pitch! "But I managed to get two
goals tonight and they were two important ones as we were only 1-0 up and it
was a dangerous game for us. The penalty put us two goals in front and gave
us that cushion before getting another one. "I just try and relax when I
take them. I pick my spot and remain confident. I have never changed the way
I take them. I always believe in myself and 25 out of 28 is not bad.
"We keep pushing and we have had a lot of bad luck against us in recent
games. We could have been a lot higher but tonight we got what we deserved.
"Watford changed a lot of their players because of the FA Cup semi-final at
the weekend and good luck to them. But it was a potential banana skin for us
and we had to put a performance in. "It was a great ball from Dimi for
Andy's finish and that is six in six for big AC now and another assist for
Dimi. It was a good night."

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Carroll - It's positive all round
WHUFC.com

Andy Carroll was delighted to continue his rich vein of form by extending
his goalscoring run to six in six games on Wednesday. Carroll got the
scoring started in the Hammers' 3-1 victory against Watford, knocking home
Dimitri Payet's cross before Mark Noble's double have his team an
unassailable advantage. It ended a run of four straight draws and maintained
the push for European qualification, so understandably the No9 was full of
smiles at the final whistle. "It was very good to get back to winning ways,"
he admitted. "We've been looking for it for a while and should have had a
couple in the last couple of weeks. "It has been tough for the lads not
getting the win, so it was great for us on Wednesday. "We knew there were
going to be changes from them, but we didn't really know who was going to
play. "The tactics were to go out there, get at them, press them and that
was exactly what we did. "I felt like we were in control of the game from
the beginning. We were in their half and kept hold of the ball, so it was
positive from us all round. "I think we can get our hands on European
qualification. We haven't been beaten for a long time and we're going in the
right direction so hopefully with a few more wins we'll get there."

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Chadwell Chatter
WHUFC.com

West Ham United goalkeeper Adrian dedicates his fifth Premier League penalty
save to his baby son Enzo...

Hello everyone,

I was so happy to save my first penalty for my son Enzo against Watford on
Wednesday night! It was his first game and I give this penalty to him
because it's the first penalty I've saved since he was born, but he probably
didn't see anything because he was sleeping! He is so calm – unlike me! He
sleeps well at night, for five hours at a time, and is a good little guy.
I'll tell him about the save when he's grown up! It's another one for my
count and it's always nice when you save a penalty. I think it was my fifth
penalty save in the Premier League and I'm happy for this. On the other hand
I am not happy to not keep a clean sheet, even if it was a great finish for
them. The three points were the most important thing. We played really well
from the start, we pushed them, pressed them and had great chances. I think
it was a great game for us and a massive three points after some draws. I
have confidence in Mark when we get a penalty. Some people in the crowd were
singing 'Adrian, Adrian!' for the second one, but I stayed in goal! Mark is
a great penalty-taker and he showed that again on Wednesday night. I don't
know how I make it hard for penalty-takers. You have to ask them! I just
keep fighting and try to win the duel against them. This time, I was lucky
to save this penalty with my elbow.

As I said, after the tough run of draws during which we deserved more
points, it was important that we got a win at home. It's a massive three
points for us with two games left at Upton Park and we will fight until the
end. Manchester United won and Liverpool won, so I don't know how many
points we need to get to finish in the top six, but we'll try to win all the
games. Sometimes you can win, sometimes you can draw or lose but I think
we're showing great form from the start of the season. This season is
massive for the Club and also for us and we're going to try to stay in a
high position. We have time off now and we need to rest also as goalkeepers!
Of course, we were thinking we'd still be in the FA Cup but we were unlucky
to go out now. We need to relax in these days off with our families and
enjoy them and then come back on Saturday with 150 per cent of our battery
for the last four games.

Come on you Irons!
Adrian

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Payet in PFA Team of the Year!
WHUFC.com

Dimitri Payet has been voted into the 2015/16 Premier League PFA Team of the
Year by his fellow professionals. The France international attacking
midfielder has enjoyed an outstanding debut season with West Ham United,
scoring nine goals and recording nine assists in 27 Barclays Premier League
appearances. Aside from inspiring the Club's European challenge, Payet has
added three more goals and assists apiece in the knockout competitions as
the Hammers reached the Emirates FA Cup quarter-finals. The No27 is joined
in the Team of the Year by four players each from Tottenham Hotspur and
Leicester City, Arsenal right-back Hector Bellerin and Manchester United
goalkeeper David de Gea. The outstanding 29-year-old is also among six
players shortlisted for the individual PFA Men's Player of the Year award.
Payet is just the West Ham player to be voted into the top-flight Team of
the Year by his fellow professionals. England playmaker Trevor Brooking
earned a place in the First Division side in 1977/78 – a season that ended
in the Hammers' relegation – while Billy Bonds was also voted into the First
Division Team of the Year in the FA Cup-winning 1974/75 season. More
recently, Mark Noble and James Tomkins were voted into the Championship Team
of the Year in the promotion season of 2011/12, while Michael Carrick was in
the Division One (now Championship) selection in 2003/04. Prior to that,
Julian Dicks (twice), Ludek Miklosko (twice), Ian Bishop, Trevor Morley and
Martin Allen were all voted into the Second Division side in the 1990s. The
title-winning 1980/81 season saw West Ham players fill the Second Division
side with no fewer than eight players, while Brooking, Billy Bonds and Alan
Devonshire were also included the previous year.

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Former Player Boleyn Memories
WHUFC.com

Valon Behrami enjoyed a memorable two-and-a-half year spell with the Hammers
making 63 appearances and scoring five goals. The Swiss international has
now made a return to the Premier League with Watford but says he will never
forget his relationship with the West Ham supporters and will be full of
emotions as the Club prepare to play their final ever game at the Boleyn
Ground next month. I have some amazing memories from the Boleyn Ground and
it was amazing to play here. I had a great time as a player and it helped me
grow up as a person as well. Even though we suffered a bad result on
Wednesday night, it was a great feeling to come back here. I was sad that it
was going to be my last ever game playing at the stadium as the atmosphere
is fantastic. There is something magical about the Boleyn Ground but I know
it is a good step for the club for them to move. I had a number of good
games and I was a different player at that time. It was amazing for me to
play in the Premier League in my first year but things started to change
when I picked up a knee injury. I started to feel negative things in my body
and I had to make a return to Italy. But I have now come back to England a
different player and I have a different feeling now. I was a youngster when
I joined West Ham and I needed to learn a lot of things. But my spell at the
Hammers taught me a lot of things and I will always be grateful to the Club.
I had a great relationship with the fans and the passion they showed towards
me on the field. They made me run more and fight harder. It was amazing. t
will be an emotional night when they play their final ever game at the
Boleyn Ground and it will be unforgettable. This ground has seen so many
moments over the year and has so much history. I will definitely watch the
game and it will be an amazing feeling.

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Payet named in PFA Team of the Year
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 21st April 2016
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United's Dimitri Payet has been named in the Professional
Footballer Association's Team of the Year for 2015/16. The 29-year-old
Hammer, who has enjoyed a thoroughly-productive first season at the club is
one of only three players not at Leicester City or Tottenham to be nominated
in the select XI.
In addition to goalkeeper David De Gea - who Payet embarrassed at Old
Trafford in the FA Cup last month with a trademark 30-yard free kick -
Arsenal full back Hector Bellerin has been named in the team.

However it is a selection dominated by the Premier League's current top two,
with four players from each included. Leicester's Wes Morgan, N'Golo Kante,
Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy join Tottenham's Danny Rose, Toby Alderweireld,
Dele Alli and Harry Kane in this year's PFA select.

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West Ham captain Mark Noble wants to give Boleyn Ground the perfect send-off
By Nick Lustig
Last Updated: 21/04/16 2:22pm
SSN

Mark Noble says West Ham are determined to give the Boleyn Ground the best
possible send-off by leaving with their unbeaten record intact. The Hammers
set a new club record of 15 home Premier League matches without defeat when
they claimed a 3-1 victory over Watford on Wednesday night, with Noble
grabbing two of the goals. They have only two home games remaining, against
Swansea and Manchester United, before bidding farewell to their home of 112
years and moving to the Olympic Stadium in Stratford. Victory over the
Hornets maintained West Ham's push for European qualification and Noble is
desperate to ensure the club end a memorable campaign on a high. "Apart from
the FA Cup we are unbeaten here since August which is unbelievable in the
last ever year at the Boleyn," he told West Ham TV. "It is a great
achievement from us and we want to keep it that way. There has been a lot of
hard work, determination and skill that has helped us along the way. "For me
to lead the boys through that is fantastic. We want to keep doing that until
the end and see what happens."
Noble scored two penalties, after Andy Carroll had opened the scoring, to
help West Ham claim their eighth home win of the season. The long-serving
midfielder now boasts an impressive record of 25 successful spot-kicks from
28 attempts. "I am delighted with my record from the penalty spot," he
added. "They were two important ones as we were only 1-0 up and it was a
dangerous game for us. "I just try and relax when I take them. I pick my
spot and remain confident. I have never changed the way I take them. I
always believe in myself and 25 out of 28 is not bad."

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Slaven Bilic still hasn't quite got the grasp of acceptable language for
media interviews
13:07, 21 APR 2016 UPDATED 13:07, 21 APR 2016
BY JOE MEWIS
The West Ham boss saw his side pick up another three points with a 3-1 win
over Watford last night, but turned the airwaves blue following the game
The Mirror

West Ham boss Slaven Bilic has proved to be an instant success in the
Premier League, guiding the Hammers to the brink of a European place during
his first season in charge. But while everything is clicking on the pitch
for Bilic, it would appear that the passionate Croatian is still getting the
hang of his post-match media responsibilities. When quizzed by BBC 5Live
following his side's 3-1 win over Watford, Bilic used a spicy turn of phrase
to describe his side's efficiency in the box. "We weren't taking the p*** in
front of goal," he replied when asked if they should have scored more, as he
sent the reporters scrambling for cover. The Hammers did manage three goals
though, with Andy Carroll netting his sixth goal in six games. Mark Noble
added two from the penalty spot to put the hosts 3-0 up in their penultimate
game under the lights at Upton Park, before Sebastian Prodl pulled one back
for the Hornets. Watford winger Nordin Amrabat was sent off in stoppage time
after picking up a second yellow. The win saw the Hammers keep their hopes
of a European place alive, with Bilic's side sitting three points behind
Manchester United in fifth-place. And the Hammers' good form is clearly
exciting the Croatian - as you can hear in the interview above.

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Newham twist in OS agreement
Posted by Sean Whetstone on April 21, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

Buried in the small print of the rental agreement for the former Olympic
Stadium between West Ham United and stadium owners Newham and LLDC is a
clause that West Ham must agree to certain legacy benefits.

One of these legacy benefits is a target that 75 per cent of all West Ham
employees working within the stadium should be sourced from within the
borough of Newham.

The clause says "There will be a target of 75 per cent of employees being
sourced from within the London Borough of Newham, subject to the obligations
of the Parties under English and EU law. in respect of jobs at the Stadium."

"In support of achieving this target the Grantor will working
collaboratively with the London Borough of Newham employment programmes
(currently "Workplace") to develop appropriate training to prepare residents
for job opportunities, subject to English and EU law."

The same legacy benefits also thought to apply to the stadium owners E20
Stadium LLP and French stadium operators Vinci Stadium and their sub
division London Stadium 185 Limited.

Historically match day stewards at West Ham are supporters but the vast
majority live outside the borough of Newham so this may a challenge going
forward. The same may be true for the employee's of the club's store, cafe,
finance team, marketing and press teams all of which will be based at the
stadium from August. I wonder whether Mr Gold, Sullivan or Lady Brady will
consider moving to Newham to help reach this target.

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Relax, it really is good news as issue gets sorted
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 21, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

Sometimes news seems too good to be true and when you have been around this
game a long long time it's best to check, check and check again when there's
a suspicion that may be the case. That's why I have spent a considerable
part of my day ensuring that all is as it seems on the Diafra Sakho front
and I'm very relieved and happy to declare that most certainly seems to be
the case.

Reports last weekend that the striker had a bust-up with another player on
the training ground and stormed out have been circulating for too long to be
ignored. And even former player Tony Gale during a commentary on the Watford
match last night laughed when being told he had returned from injury: "Oh
from injury is it? There may have been a bit more to it than that because we
now Slaven stands for absolutely no nonsense."

It's fairly widely accepted that something went off after training when
Sakho was told he wasn't in the team for Arsenal – later an injury emerged
and once a week had passed the player came out declaring peace and goodwill
in all directions. This s all very much par for the course and can sometimes
be entirely dismissed as the club covering things with some cosmetic window
dressing room leaving plenty of room for cynicism.

Not this time however, because after checking with our top source who has
given us some of the best stories we've run ClaretandHugh is happy to
announce: Sak and West Ham are hand in glove again! We were told as
categorically as we have been told anything: "Everything has been settled at
all points – there are no problems at all. "He made a difference last night
– worked really hard. His body language was good and he and the manager are
absolutely fine. "He's a West Ham player and will remain so -he is
incredibly important to the team and the style of football we want to play.
It's all sorted."

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We've got Pele
Posted by Sean Whetstone on April 21, 2016 in News, Videos, Whispers
C and H

James Collins showed he remains a firm favourite with the fans after they
invented a new take on the Dimitri Payet Song. Supporters in the Sir Trevor
Brooking lower stand sung "We've Pele, Ginger Pele! I just don't think you
understand. He's Super Slavs man, he's better than Zidane. We've got Ginger
Pele!" The Ginger Pele was warming up at the time in front of the Sir Trevor
Brooking and West stand. When he stopped to tie his boot laces a young
Hammers fan approached him to chat with him and Collins immediately gave him
his training top as a memento. Collins came on for a cameo role in the 93rd
minute as Bilic ran the clock down to the Hammer's 3-1 win over Watford.

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Sakho breaks silence
Posted by Sean Whetstone on April 21, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

Diafra Sakho has finally broken silence after being noticeable absent on
social media for the past few weeks. Heo took to his personal twitter and
instagram to send a personal message to the fans after his return to the
starting line-up during yesterday's 3-1 win over Watford. The striker posted
a photo him embracing Slaven Bilic when he came off together with a message
saying: "Great team effort and important 3 points! It has been a difficult
season for me with injuries, but I would like to thank the fans for all
their support. I am very grateful. I hope the injuries are behind me now & I
will continue to give 100% to the team. #COYI" Bilic applauded Sakho after
he was substituted for Victor Moses in the 77th minute and there were smiles
from both sides and a short embrace when he left the field of play. Whatever
has gone on in the last two weeks it appears both parties have put it behind
them now and kissed and made up.

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We salute Irons fan power and the Watford boss
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 21, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

Our fantastic fans reached a new high last night – we all know you are the
best in the land but this morning I pay humble homage to you all and indeed
Watford manager Quique Sanchez Flores.
There had been very little publicity given, indeed CandH had been asked to
spread the word about the round of applause for Dylan Tombides, on 38
minutes. Yet as the clock ticked to the seventh minute before half time
thunderous acclaim ripped out around Upton Park in memory of the much loved
teenager who lost his battle against cancer. It was an incredible display of
Fan Power from those who have taken the youngster into their hearts and
never intend to forget him. It was a deeply moving moment but what was
fabulous was to see the Hornets boss join in the full minute despite being
caught in the heat of what was eventually a losing battle. Sadly I can't
find a picture of the moment which is a shame because it really was very
special so I've done the best I can in the image above. You lot really are
the best and Mr Flores we all salute your humanity – some things are bigger
even than the game!

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Hammers route to Europe
Posted by Sean Whetstone on April 21, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

A top eight finish in the Premier League this season for West Ham could be
enough to qualify for European football again next season. West Ham
currently occupy sixth place, three points behind fifth placed Manchester
United, four behind fourth placed Arsenal and five behind third placed
Manchester City. Liverpool are breathing down our necks in seventh two
points behind us while Southampton are fivepoints behind in eighth place.

UEFA Champions League qualification

The most straight-forward qualification outcome is that the clubs who finish
in the top four positions in the 2015/16 Premier League will qualify to
compete in the 2016/17 UEFA Champions League.

1. UEFA Champions League – group stage
2. UEFA Champions League – group stage
3. UEFA Champions League – group stage
4. UEFA Champions League – play-off stage

If a club who do not finish in the top four of the Premier League win the
UEFA Champions league, they automatically take a place in the group stage of
the Europe's elite club competition at the expense of the fourth-placed
club, who will instead appear in the UEFA Europa League.

UEFA Europa League

Generally speaking there are three UEFA Europa League places given to
English clubs who fulfil the following criteria: winning the FA Cup, winning
the Capital One Cup and finishing fifth in the Premier League.

However, if the Capital One Cup winners Manchester City finish in the top
four, their UEFA Europa League place goes to the next-highest ranked team in
the Premier League (nominally the sixth-placed team).

Champions-League-FinalIf Manchester United win the FA Cup and finish outside
the top four, their UEFA Europa League place goes to the next-highest ranked
team in the Premier League (nominally the seventh-placed team).

Finally If Liverpool win the Europa League and finish in the top seven they
will qualify for Champions League play off stage. It means a Europa league
place could go down to eighth place should Manchester United also win the FA
Cup.

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West Ham can still claim Champions League spot, claims Slaven Bilic
West Ham maintained their push for the top four by beating Watford 3-1
Just four points separate The Hammers in sixth and fourth-placed Arsenal
The Gunners have a game in hand and face West Brom on Thursday night
By MARTHA KELNER FOR THE DAILY MAIL
PUBLISHED: 00:17, 21 April 2016 | UPDATED: 00:17, 21 April 2016

Slaven Bilic insisted the race for the top four is not over yet for West Ham
and piled the pressure on Arsenal and Manchester United ahead of them. The
Hammers' emphatic victory over Watford took them to within three points of
United and four points of Arsenal, who currently occupy fourth place, but
the Croatian said they should be feeling nervous about his side creeping up.
Bilic said: 'This is not over. We have had a really good season make no
mistake but I am not happy and think we should have won more points. 'We
will give everything in this last four games to win all of them. Where that
will take us we don't know but we are going to give everything and if we
play like this or even better we have a chance against every team.'
It seemed West Ham would be left ruing missed opportunities this season
after dropping eight points in their last four games before hosting the
Hornets. But this win means Thursday's game at the Emirates between Arsenal
and West Brom, who beat them in the reverse fixture earlier this season, is
of monumental importance. 'We have the pressure because we are not in this
situation every year,' said Bilic. 'Just like Leicester have the pressure,
whatever they say, but the pressure is there otherwise they wouldn't be that
nervous like they were on Sunday [when they drew against West Ham]. The
pressure is on us as well, but it's great pressure, positive pressure, not
like the pressure that Sunderland and Newcastle and Norwich are now feeling.
'This is the pressure that you should be grateful for and should worship and
should go to church and pray that it's going to be the same for the next few
seasons.' Meanwhile, Quique Sanchez Flores fiercely defended his record as
Watford manager after Sportsmail reports that he could face the sack despite
taking his side to 12th in the season and an at least an FA Cup semi-final.
'I don't know why the rumours are coming,' said Flores, 'I don't know why in
this important moment in the season for Watford they are talking about me.
'It's not time to talk about me, it's time to talk about the FA Cup, it's
time to talk about keeping the club in the Premier League next year.'

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PENALTIES GALORE
By Zaman Siddiqui 21 Apr 2016 at 07:00
WTID

This match may have been a penalty shootout, as half of all goals scored
came from penalties, though it could have been more had it not been for
Adrián! He has once more shown us why he is our number one goalkeeper. He
has not lost any home match this calendar year, which serves to emphasise
what a huge asset he is going into our new home. Furthermore, Noble has
converted 17 out of 20 (85%) penalties in the Premier League. To be honest,
I was a bit nervous as Watford's goalkeeper saved two penalties last weekend
against West Brom to give his side a 1-0 win. But the skipper did what we
expected of him. In recent years, we haven't been awarded our fair share of
penalties. Just to emphasise how rarely we get a chance from the spot, it is
the first time we have now scored in back-to-back PL games for the first
time since December 2009.

A victory yesterday was crucial. We are in contention for a spot in the top
5 competing against the two most successful sides in English football –
Manchester United and Liverpool. They have not, however, lived up to their
standards in recent years. That said, they have picked up more points than
us in the final five games of the season. For instance, in the last three
seasons, we have managed to pick up an average of 4.7 points from the last
five games, however, Manchester United have picked up 6.7 points, and
Liverpool have picked up 8.3 points. The point differences may appear small,
but even a point could make the difference between finishing 5th and 6th.
This informs us that recent history favours the incumbents. In the context
of the season, we need not worry, as we still have a match against
Manchester United, however, Liverpool have a game in hand.

Moreover, we have a chance to create history. We shouldn't let history
dictate where we will finish. For example, Manchester United are currently
on a run of 2 league matches unbeaten, Liverpool are on 6, and we are on 9.
This suggests that our form is better than theirs. Additionally, both of the
incumbents have lost 9 matches in the Premier League, however, we have only
lost 6. This means that we are good at getting a result, in spite of being
in a dire situation on occasion.

Another reason why the win was needed is because Watford play Crystal Palace
in the semi-final of the FA Cup. Imagine losing to a side with different
priorities. Flores rightly made seven changes, as his plan "was to try to
conserve and be fit for the weekend." Good luck to them at Wembley. Also, it
is the first time they started a league match without the striking duo of
Deeney and Ighalo since October 2014. That was back in the Championship!

Andy Carroll has done very well for himself scoring in three consecutive PL
matches for the first time in his career. It is more than his physical and
aerial presence that he brings to the side. He also provides multiple
outlets be it from the flanks to cross or through the centre creating space
for team mates. This can leave the opposition a tad perplexed what with our
range of options at our disposal. I used to resent Carroll starting matches,
as I felt he had a greater impact being subbed on. I partly felt that way,
because I used to doubt his fitness. However, of late, he has been utilised
more effectively early on in games. That is why he has started scoring
earlier rather than later. What's more, he is our second highest goalscorer
this season in all competitions. No prizes for guessing who is top…

Our grand entrance into the Olympic Stadium will be one to cherish. We have
a new club record of 15 home league matches unbeaten. Also, no team can do
the double over us, meaning we have beaten the best and the rest. As if
there weren't enough records to commemorate our final season at the Boleyn
(such as a positive goal difference for the first time in the PL), we are
only two points away from a Premier League record points total.

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