Daily WHUFC News - 2nd May 2016

Kouyate - It's great to score again
WHUFC.com

Cheikhou Kouyate was in fine spirits after Saturday's 3-0 win over West Brom
with his first-half goal changing the balance of the game and allowing the
team to push on and grab two more.

After struggling to take advantage of his chances in the past couple of
weeks, the Senagalese was delighted to get on the score sheet.

He said: "The first 15 minutes were a bit difficult, we were too rigid and
the opposition were playing well and had a couple of chances. Luckily,
Adrian and Antonio were there to save us. After we scored the first goal,
the game became easier for us.

"I am really pleased to have scored. In the past few weeks, I have had a few
chances and I just couldn't score. Dimitri Payet didn't stop telling me that
I never score, so today is a good day for me and my goal came at just the
right time to make things simpler for us."

Kouyate feels that captain Mark Noble continues to go underrated and doesn't
understand how an England call-up continues to evade him. With three
'finals' to go, he feels the fans will continue to play an important role
and hopes that the can guide the Hammers to success.

He added: "First of all, Mark is a leader. He is our captain and he is
constantly pushing us forward and he is always positive. Having him in our
team helps us relax and in the last two games he has scored four goals. He
deserves it and I don't see why he shouldn't get a call-up for the national
team.

"As I said before today, we had four 'finals' to go. We have played one of
them and so we have three to go. We will take it match-by-match, starting
with a difficult match against Swansea next weekend and of course, we will
play that to win. We know that it won't be easy, but we are at home and we
will give our all to get the win.

"The fans have been fantastic all season. We know that today is a big game
and they have pushed us on towards success. A team is not just made up of
players, but you've also got the staff, the Chairmen and then today, the
supporters who have had an incredible impact on the team. We can only thank
them."

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Preview - The Legends: England v Germany
WHUFC.com

The Boleyn Ground will play host to some very familiar faces from the worlds
of sport and showbusiness when England Legends take on their Germany
counterparts on Bank Holiday Monday – in association with Betway.

Hammers fan and actor Ray Winstone will take charge of a star-studded
England squad that includes former West Ham defenders Rio and Anton
Ferdinand, ex-Hammers Teddy Sheringham, David James, Dean Ashton and Trevor
Sinclair, as well as one-time England stars Sol Campbell, Darren Anderton,
Steve McManaman and Peter Bearsley.

Alongside them will be former heavyweight boxing world champion David Haye,
who once fought at the Boleyn Ground, as well as Homeland star Damien Lewis,
fellow actor Mark Strong and comedians Jack Whitehall and Lee Mack.

The Germany squad will be led by former Chelsea star Michael Ballack, who
will be able to call upon former Hammer Thomas Hitzlsperger and 1990 FIFA
World Cup winning captain Lothar Matthaus.

The squad will be managed by ex-Germany and Scotland coach Berti Vogts, who
will also be able to call upon the likes of goalkeeper Jens Lehmann,
defender Guido Buchwald, Euro 96 winners Fredi Bobic and Mario Basler and
2002 World Cup central defender Jens Nowotny.

Winstone has welcomed the opportunity to lead England on the 50th
anniversary of the Three Lions' 1966 World Cup win – a victory inspired by
West Ham trio Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters.

He said: "I was at the World Cup in 1966 and as an England fan and a real
Hammers fan, this match celebrating England's greatest ever sporting triumph
on the ground that I love, with some of the club's greatest servants, is a
fitting way to celebrate all that is great about West Ham and English
football."

Seats for this fantastic send-off to the Boleyn Ground are on General Sale
here now!

West Ham United Season Ticket Holders' Standard Tickets are priced at £20
for Adults, £10 for Over-65s and Under-21s and £5 for Under-16s.

Non-Season Ticket Holders' Standard Tickets are priced at £25 for Adults,
£15 for Over-65s and Under-21s and £10 for Under-16s.

Alternatively, you can watch this special Farewell Boleyn fixture in style,
with VIP packages available from £99 plus VAT. For more information or to
buy now, please call 0871 091 1811 (calls cost 10p/min plus network extras).

Fans travelling to the game by public transport should note the following
important information:
There will be no TfL Rail service between Ilford and Shenfield,, while
Network Rail carry out overhead power and track works, as part of its
Railway Upgrade Plan and the Crossrail Project. Rail Replacement bus
services will operate, calling at all stations between Ilford and Shenfield.
The same works also mean there will be no Greater Anglia mainline services
between Liverpool Street and Chelmsford/Wickford/Ingatestone. Rail
Replacement bus services will operate between
Chelmsford/Wickford/Ingatestone - Newbury Park Underground station (Central
line).
There will be no London Overground service between Romford and Upminster due
to Crossrail works. Please use local London Buses services instead.
A revised Sunday timetable will be in operation on c2c Rail services. Also,
due to Network Rail undertaking late notice maintenance work between
Purfleet and Grays, the line will be closed between Barking and Grays. Rail
replacement buses will run between Grays - Barking via Rainham.

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West Ham have put themselves under pressure for next season, says Mark Noble
By Lyall Thomas
Last Updated: 01/05/16 1:35pm
SSN

Mark Noble admits West Ham have put themselves under pressure to deliver
next season as they reach the conclusion of a superb Premier League
campaign. The Hammers won 3-0 at West Brom on Saturday to move fifth in the
table and within five points of the Champions League spots with three games
remaining. They are all-but mathematically guaranteed a place in the Europa
League next term and captain Noble insists his team are full of confidence,
whoever they play. "We've put ourselves under pressure now for next season.
We've used the whole squad when we've needed to and we've just gelled this
year," he said. "Especially in the second half against West Brom - that was
a really encouraging performance from us. That's back-to-back wins and
another two home games to come. "I think we feel confident every time we
play. We're just going to keep trying to win games. The way we're playing at
the minute, we feel confident against anyone. Don't get me wrong, this West
Brom team were great against Tottenham in the week and we had to work hard
for our win."

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James Collins backs Mark Noble for England call-up on Goals on Sunday
By Patrick Surlis
Last Updated: 01/05/16 2:46pm
SSN

James Collins says he cannot understand why his West Ham team-mate Mark
Noble has not been given an England call-up. Noble scored twice for the
Hammers in their 3-0 win over West Brom on Saturday, leading manager Slaven
Bilic to hail his "exceptional" captain. And speaking on Goals on Sunday,
Collins backed Noble to earn a place in Roy Hodgson's squad. "I can't
understand why he hasn't had a chance," Collins said. "I've played with him
for nearly 10 years and he's top drawer. "If he gets goals in his game, like
he has done recently, then he deserves a crack. I don't think there are too
many midfielders that do a better job than him. "He's got everything on the
pitch, and he's great around the training ground. His passing is exceptional
and he's getting forward more now. "I don't think people realise how good a
player he is until you play with him. He trains better than anyone I've ever
played with, and he trains how he plays."
Noble is not the only English West Ham player to be tipped for the national
team, and Collins feels the likes of Aaron Cresswell, Michail Antonio and
Andy Carroll should also be considered. When asked by Ben and Kammy if those
three players deserve a look, Collins added: "I'd say yes because they are
my pals. I think they must have a chance. "We are probably the only club in
the top six or eight that hasn't had somebody in the squad. "We've had a
tremendous season, and all the lads mentioned have had great seasons. Andy
had a few little niggles early on, but since he has come back he's been
tremendous and I think he brings something different to the England team.
"Aaron at left-back has been playing brilliantly well too, and I think they
all should have a chance. "I don't know if there's a reason why West Ham are
getting overlooked but the names mentioned are easily good enough to play
for England."

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Lanzini injury update
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on May 1, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

Fears that Manu Lanzini could miss the weekend match against Swansea were
cleared up earlier this afternoon. The Argentine midfield playmaker was
subbed three minutes from the end – being replaced by Reece Oxford – amid
fears that he had suffered a knee injury. But a well placed insider told
ClaretandHugh: "We were all holding our breath and Manu was iced up in the
dressing room afterwards but he is absolutely fine and will be ok for the
next match. He took a knock on his knee but all is well. "Finally, as we go
into the climax of the season, we have a full squad and everybody is fit.
Winston Reid felt no reaction from his recent injury problem. "It's very
good news and we are particularly pleased about Manu because he was showing
some of his best form at times during the game against Albion.

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Big Irons target learning English
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on May 1, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

Alexandre Lacazette now looks certain to be leaving Olympique Lyonnais this
summer with the Premier League his clearly favoured option. ClaretandHugh
reported earlier today that talks between the player's agent and his
advisers appeared to becoming more positive although sources at the club
continue to insist nothing has yet been formally agreed. However, we have
learned over the last few hours that the highly rated French striker has
been taking an intensive English language learning course over the past few
weeks. And his girlfriend, who was looking for a job in France, has now
stopped her search with the move to England becoming more likely. We also
understand from sources in France that Lacazette's replacement has been
lined up in Wissam Ben Yeddera who is currently with Toulouse. Lyon have a
£27m price tag on him and we understand the Irons are ready to offer around
£23m, although a senior source at the club told us: "He's known to be on our
list but to say anything more than that would be unhelpful at this point."
Lacazette is fast and mobile and has been compared to Manchester United's
Anthony Martial. He is right-sided. Despite scoring 20 goals this season his
asking price has dropped after the club attempted to sell at around £40
million last term.

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Amazing Slav gives 10 year old VIP treatment
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on May 1, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

Amazing Slaven Bilic made a young lad's wildest dream come true after the
West Brom match and showed himself to be perhaps the finest person to ever
manage the Hammers. ClaretandHugh was contacted by follower and the young
man's father, David Parry, who could barely believe what was happening when
the Irons boss approached him at the end of the game we had won 3-0. What we
absolutely love about this story is that Slav clearly kept the whole thing
private and wasn't looking for any sort of personal glory.

David takes up the story: "I go to most games. Yesterday (Sat) with my 10
year we were at the game. At the end of the match Slav sees my son with his
scarf and asks me if its ok for Benji to go into the dressing room. Is it??
Slav took him off, he had photos with the team and was given shirts. He
listened to Slav address the team. What a fantastic experience! What a
fantastic person Slav is. He really is a people's fan. I wanted to share a
one off experience with you. Benji is still on cloud 9!!
Slaven Bilic, we have said this any times before – you are a quality human
being – what a gesture… what a bloke. And Benjii told ClaretandHugh: "I want
to publicly thank Slaven from the bottom of my heart – it was amazing."

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Exclusive: Gold tells why he hailed fans but makes sure he isn't seen as a
wally with a brolly!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on May 1, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

David Gold has explained how he was moved to salute the Irons fans at West
Brom after yesterday afternoon's fine victory. The co chairman walked the
entire circumference of the Hawthorns pitch to join the fans in their
celebrations at the end of the 90 minutes. And his actions brought universal
praise across the social networks with the fans thrilled that he showed
himself a man who always has them on his mind. And speaking exclusively to
ClaretandHugh a few minutes ago (Sun) DG said: "You have to remember I was
once one of them. I know how they were feeling and wanted them to know we
knew how much they cared.

"There was no question of me being 'wally with a brolly' though. Rain is
only rain and it was important and instinctive to me that I went to greet
them. "I had been down to the dressing room to congratulate he lads and as I
came away I could hear our fans still singing and decided to go out there
and join them. "They'd had a longish journey up and had the same going home.
They were there in the cold and wet and I wanted them to know how much we
appreciate them – they are a fantastic lot."

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