Daily WHUFC News - 6th May 2016

Westley delighted with Champions 'Milestone'
WHUFC.com

Academy director Terry Westley spoke of his delight at seeing the Development Squad lift the Barclays U21 Premier League Cup trophy, following their penalty shootout victory over Hull City.
Already leading 1-0 from the first leg, Westley's charges put in a terrific performance at the KC Stadium, however they were pegged back right at the last as Hull equalised through Will Annan in the 93rd minute. After a stalemate extra time period, the Hammers emerged champions netting all five of their penalties while Raphael Spiegel made the all-important save to win 5-3 on spot kicks. Speaking to WHTV after the final whistle, Westley said: "It's great to win. At this level we usually talk about development, but tonight we really wanted to win.
"We took it right to the very end and overall I think we deserved to win. We have to credit to Hull because they more than gave us a game; they were good, hard to break down and had ability"
"Over the two games we created a lot of chances, and we really should have put the game to bed a lot sooner."

Among jubilant scenes at the end and during the Champions ceremony, Westley highlighted his team's spirit as the crucial factor: "To be pegged back right at the end and still come out on top is massive. We were dead on our feet out there toward the end. "We showed great character and determination to come back and it'll stand them in good stead for the future." In what has already been a successful season for the first team, Westley continued to praise the impressive number of Hammers who turned up for the match and sang their hearts out. Westley beamed: "This club is unbelievable. Every you go, there are fans. The awards dinner last night, there was more than a 1,000. Now tonight, three hours away, midweek our fans were magnificent.
"We had 10,000 at the first leg, 35,000 in the Europa League qualifier, it really is staggering."
Having ended the season on a massive high, for some players and staff the biggest in their careers, Westley hopes the experience will benefit them in the long run. He finished by saying: "This is a huge milestone, and a big learning curve for everyone involved. Right from the start of the journey in Exeter, everyone has come on a long way and we hope that progression continues. "Liam coming in, the owners backing us up. The physios, the analysts, medical, the kit man, everyone can be very proud of themselves because it is a team effort."

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Spiegel - I was confident for penalties
WHUFC.com

Raphael Spiegel said he was always confident of performing penalty shootout heroics in the U21s' Premier League Cup victory against Hull City on Wednesday night.

Terry Westley's men were 1-0 up going into the second leg final at Hull City's KC Stadium and after the Tigers levelled in the last minute of stoppage time, the match headed for spot-kicks after further stalemate in extra time.

But the Hammers smashed home all five of their strikes from 18 yards, while Hull's Daniel Batty was denied superbly by the Swiss stopper.

Thrilled to play his part in the victory, Spiegel said: "It feels amazing. It was a hard game and we conceded just before the final whistle and then we had to dig deep in extra time.

"We got to penalties and thank god we won it in the end. It's a great feeling. I was confident for the penalties, because I was prepared.

"I watched their penalties [before the match] and I was confident I was going to save one or two. I was close to the first one and the second one I saved. Our players did the job, and it's not easy to score a pen, especially in a final. They did brilliantly."

The keeper was impressive all evening for the Hammers, denying Hull once by tipping an effort onto the crossbar and collecting countless long balls into the box.

Quizzed more about the incredible shootout stop down low to his left, Spiegel continued: "It was a hard one to save, but I had a feeling he was going there and I put all my energy into that save.

"I was pretty confident during the game, and I had a solid match and did my job. In a penalty shootout, as a keeper you can only win, and it was brilliant with the fans who travelled. There was a great atmosphere. We are all happy and we're going to celebrate.

"It's brilliant. It's always nice to win a trophy. It's the best feeling and it's why you train hard every day. It will be an important experience for our young players to win a trophy and we learned a lot today."

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Chadwell Chatter - Andy Carroll
WHUFC.com

Hello everyone,

It was great to be at the end of season Player Awards this week and mix with the fans at the event. It was a good night and I really enjoyed it.
We have had a lot to celebrate this year and it has been a good season. All the lads enjoyed seeing the awards being handed out and we have enjoyed some good moments throughout the campaign. So much has happened over the last nine months and you sometimes forget the amazing results we have achieved during that time. On a personal level I am really happy with how things are going at the moment and I have managed to get a couple of 90 minutes under my belt so that is great for me. I am scoring goals and creating chances which is always nice and we are getting some great results.
I know a lot of people are talking about our final ever night at the Boleyn Ground when we face Manchester United next Tuesday and it will be a tough game. It will be a crazy night with everything that is going on but certainly one we will never forget. I can't wait to be involved and I am sure it will be entertaining. But before that game we are fully focused on the next big match against Swansea on Saturday. We can still qualify for a European place and we need to do everything to win our remaining three games. Hopefully the other results with teams around can also go our way. But we need to make sure that we get the three points on Saturday and do everything we can to ensure we give ourselves the best chance. I would love to stay among the goals and hopefully get into double figures before the end of the season – especially with the year I have had, but to get double figures would be great for me. I have a good record against Swansea and someone mentioned that I have four in four against them so hopefully I can continue that. I would love to repeat the goal I scored against them at the Liberty Stadium last season and it would be nice to make it five in five.

Andy

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View on the Visitors - Swansea City
WHUFC.com

South Wales Evening Post's football correspondent Gareth Vincent lifts the lid on Saturday's visitors

How would you summarise Swansea's season?

"A bit of a struggle really. Considering last season was Swansea's best ever season in the Premier League, there was a lot of expectation and hope. Swansea made a pretty good start to the season but obviously fell away. They're safe now but it's been a long season and it didn't look good in certain moments".

Which players have stood out for you, who should we look out for?

"Gylfi Sigurdsson has been Swansea's best player and has scored some very important goals. Added to that the captain Ashley Williams is a big influence, and I have to mention the contributions of Jack Cork and Leon Brittan."

How do you expect the Swans to approach Saturday's game?

"Now they are safe from relegation, the pressure is definitely off. There's certainly a feeling of disappointment that since they've been safe the performances have dropped away. Their last two away games have been defeats, 7-0 in total so their attitude has been questioned.

"Having said that, they've been Liverpool and Chelsea recently so they are capable of pulling off big wins."

Are you expecting a busy summer in south Wales?

"Yes, at every level there are lots of things yet to be decided. It looks like there are going to be changes as a takeover keeps on being talked about. Added to that, Francesco Guidolin's contract is up at the end of the season so there's a decision to be reached there.

"Player wise, I think a freshen up is also needed so I'd expect a few new faces through the door."

This is the last time Swansea will visit the Boleyn Ground, what memories do you have?

"Swansea's recent record at the Boleyn has been pretty miserable so this is a last opportunity to set the record straight before the Hammers move on!"

What's your prediction for Saturday's score?

"I think Swansea have every right to go for a positive result, they've got nothing to lose, but if I was a betting man, given their form, it's hard to look past the Hammers really."

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First and Last - Pedro Obiang
WHUFC.com

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

FIRSTS

What is the first goal you remember scoring?

My first professional goal was dedicated to the President of the Club who had recently died, it made the score 4-1 against Pescara FC. That was definitely one of the best goals I've ever scored.

What was the first football shirt you ever brought?

To be honest I wasn't that into collecting shirts when I was young but one of the shirts I always wanted was Clarence Seedorf and Gaizka Mendieta who was a huge player for Valencia.

Apart from those two, who else were your first football idols?

The one and only Zinedine Zidane! I also like Thierry Henry, he is the reason why I wanted to wear the number 14 shirt. I also really admire Xabi Alonso.

What was the first CD you bought?

It's actually a bit of a special story because my brother released a CD. Instead of waiting for him to give me one, I went out and bought it. In terms of the first CD I bought other than that, it was a Coldplay album.

Do you remember your first ever date?

Well, it's not easy. I wouldn't call it a date as such, I was 16, and we went to the cinema to see the first Twilight film. It was Christmas 2008, I didn't have a car then so I couldn't even pick her up to take her to the cinema!

LASTS

What was the last holiday you went on?

It was quite a different holiday to usual because I knew I was going to be joining West Ham. I spent a few days in my house in Spain, two days in Venice with my girlfriend and then I came here to London for two days to sort out the deal. After that, I caught a plane straight back to Malaga and then another few days in Italy.

What was the last meal you cooked for yourself or anyone else?

I can't say I really cooked it myself because I used the thermo-mix. I made focaccia which is a typical type of bread from Genoa. I used some tomatoes on top and some onions too.

Who was the last teammate to make you laugh and what did they do?

I'm in contact with all my past and present teammates on Whatsapp. There's a guy called Sergio Marcos who plays for Villarreal, he likes a joke and he sent me some videos of himself doing funny stuff at about four in the morning!

What was the last sporting event you paid to see?

The UEFA Champions League final last season between Barcelona and Juventus.

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Eriksen blames West Ham defeat for title capitulation
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 5th May 2016
By: Staff Writer

Tottenham's Christian Eriksen believes his team's defeat to West Ham United cost the North London club the Premier League crown. Back in March, Spurs arrived at the Boleyn Ground knowing that a win against West Ham would have taken them top of the table. However the game ended 1-0 to the Hammers, thanks to Michail Antonio's first half strike and Tottenham never managed to replace Leicester - who were crowned champions earlier this week - at the top of the table. "We threw it away a few games ago when we had the chance to go top, which we didn't," Eriksen told the Mail. "After that they [Leicester] showed consistency by winning games 1-0 for the whole season. So congrats to Leicester." Three days after being defeated at the Boleyn Ground, Tottenham were held 2-2 at White Hart Lane by bitter rivals Arsenal - since when, Leicester have remained at the top of the pile

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Hammers linked with MLS star
May 2, 2016
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
BKHammer

Nigerian striker Fanendo Adi, who has been linked with English Premier League club West Ham according to Africa Football, is the joint leading scorer in the nine-week-old Major League Soccer (MLS) after he powered home his seventh goal of the season in Portland Timbers 2-1 win over FC Toronto. The big, power-playing striker is now on same goals' tally with Chris Wondolowski of San Jose Earthquakes. Adi, who has previously featured in Denmark, Slovakia and Ukraine, scored in the 18th minute on Sunday to give his team a 1-0 lead. Last season, he scored 18 goals to help Portland Timbers clinch an historic MLS championship. His goals earned him a call-up by Nigeria for the recent AFCON qualifiers against Egypt, but the 25 year old has yet to make his international debut which would pose major work permit problems for any move to a Premier League side.

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Hammers want to sign KV Ooestnde's Bruno Godeau?
May 2, 2016
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
BKHammer

West Ham are interested in signing defender Bruno Godeau, reports Belgian website Voetball Nieuws. The report claims West Ham sent scouts to watch Godeau in action for KV Oostende in their Jupiler Pro League match against Zulte Waregem. Godeau, 23, is a former Belgian under-21 international and plays at centre-back. Godeau began his career with Anderlecht but left after failing to break into their first team and has forged a solid career for himself since, also overcoming a series of injuries. A sticking point for West Ham could be that Godeau only signed for Oostende in January, but it is hard to see the Belgian side resisting a decent offer. There's also the fact that the Hammers have a wealth of talent at centre-back with Reid, Ogbonna, Tomkins and Collins, not to mention young stars Reece Oxford and Reece Burke.

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Southampton join West Ham & Dortmund in race for Ljajic?
May 4, 2016
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
BKHammer

According to a report from Calcio Mercato, Southampton are the latest team to join the race for Adem Ljajic's signature this summer. The Serbian playmaker left Partizan Belgrade for Fiorentina in January 2010, and his record of 16 goals in 88 games for the Serie A giants handed him a move to rivals Roma. After another 15 goals in 75 games for Roma, Ljajic fell out of favour at Roma, and was sent out on loan to Inter Milan last summer - but with just four goals and three assists this term, he looks unlikely to earn a permanent move to the San Siro this summer. That leaves his future in question, and now Calcio Mercato report that both Borussia Dortmund and West Ham United are battling for his services, whilst Southampton have now joined the race too. Southampton have seen Ljajic's international team-mate Dusan Tadic thrive in recent weeks, but with doubts over the future of Sadio Mane, Ljajic could finally realise his Premier League dream with a move to the South Coast, playing either behind the striker or out wide. However, West Ham spent handsomely in the Italian market last year by landing Pedro Obiang and Angelo Ogbonna from Sampdoria and Juventus respectively, and could make another move by landing Ljajic. The Daily Mail recently claimed that the Hammers failed with a loan bid last summer - and are again pursuing him this time around, meaning a major transfer battle could ensue over Ljajic in the coming months.

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Man Utd to lose star player for Hammers clash
Posted by Sean Whetstone on May 5, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

Manchester United will be without Marouane Fellaini when they face West Ham next Tuesday. Fellaini will serve a three-match suspension with immediate effect after being charged with violent conduct which was not seen by the match officials but caught on video. The Manchester United midfielder along with Leicester City defender Robert Huth were involved in a 21st-minute incident during their match last Sunday. Both players accepted the charge, however Huth contested that the standard penalty of a three-match suspension would be 'clearly excessive'. This claim was rejected following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing today [Thursday 5 May 2016].

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Boleyn grounds contents for sale
Posted by Sean Whetstone on May 5, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

West Ham have emailed football clubs across the South East in a bid to sell the contents of the Boleyn Ground which are not deemed suitable for the memorabilia auction starting later this month.

The email contained a seven-page brochure in which the club lists over 20,000 items that are available to the highest bidder.

As well as larger items like the floodlights (which were purchased just three years ago for £3m) and scoreboards, the club is also selling one "large stick blender", a "slicer" and ten fridges from the kitchen, as well as a "police gaol". The boleyn1distribution list included sports clubs across the south of England as West Ham looks to strip the stadium bare before the stadium is demolished by developers.

West Ham has appointed Hilco global to run the auctions.

The Stadium Contents Online Auction will open on 18th May and close over two days, 8th and 9th June, while the Football Memorabilia Online Auction will open on 23rd May 2016 and close over two days, 13th and 14th June. A live Webcast Auction, meanwhile, will be held at the Boleyn Ground on 4th June

Supporters can now pre-register their interest in the Farewell Boleyn auction, by visiting www.auctions.whufc.com, where further information can also be found on the auctions and available lots. The auction brochure will cost £20.

Viewing will be available on Saturday 28 and Tuesday 31 May and Thursday 2 June 2016, between the hours of 10:00am and 4:00pm BST. Two people are admitted per catalogue. Please report to the Betway Stand entrance.

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Sakho's house is for up for sale
Posted by Sean Whetstone on May 4, 2016 in News, Whispers C and H

The house rented by Diafra Sakho is up for sale on house search website rightmove.co.uk for £2.8m. The six bedroom house in Emerson Park, Hornchurch, Essex is described by estate agents as the very best new home to be built in Emerson Park which is available for immediate occupation. It is believed the owner of the luxury house wanted to sell up so maybe we shouldn't read too much into Sakho moving out in a hurry. It was previously rented out to the West Ham striker at £7,500 per month.

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Zarate remains frustrated after move from Irons Posted by Sean Whetstone on May 5, 2016 in News, Whispers C and H

Former Hammer Mauro Zarate remains frustrated after his £1.6m move to Fiorentina. The Argentian has not been a regular in the Fiorentina first-team this season, starting just four times and has already been linked with another exit in the summer. However, his brother and agent is putting a brave face on it by insisting. "Despite the complicated period for the Viola, his season up until now has been positive and we're satisfied with this. Clearly he'd like to have more space. Like every player, his desire is to play as much as possible, but it's the Coach's choice and Paulo Sousa's decisions must be respected."
When he joined Fiorentina he hit out at West Ham by saying: "I'm happy to be back in Italy with a great team, and to show how I can play," said Zarate. "It's a good chance for me to get back on track. In England, it was good because English football is enjoyable, but I wasn't too comfortable with my role at the club and that's why I decided to come here. I prefer to play in a free, attacking role, one that allows me to roam. I've already spoken with Sousa and he has assured me I'll have that."

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Sullivan: Leicester are not massively better than us Posted by Sean Whetstone on May 5, 2016 in News, Whispers C adn H

West Ham Chairman David Sullivan was asked whether West Ham can recreate Leicester City's Premier League triumph. "I do" answered Sullivan speaking to Sky Sports cameras "I know how they have done it, they have got eleven penalties, lady luck shined on them, they had had virtually no injuries, so they have used 18 players all season. They have had two players who played out of their skin and scored more goals than they have scored in their entire lives. They signed a fantastic midfielder so one of their signings came good and that's how they have done it. But you don't see them as massively better than you (West Ham) are and in contrast Man City on a good day and Tottenham on a good day are real good teams and you would say better than Leicester. But the bottom line is, the table doesn't lie and Leicester are the champions. I think the big crunch is what happens next year, will four of the big top five teams go back to being at the top. If they don't then the whole structure has changed. If they do it was just a little blip this year. I think it has all changed"

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West Ham offer £31.5m for Marseille's Michy Batshuayi but face competition • Belgium striker also wanted by Juventus, Roma and Tottenham • Batshuayi has scored 16 Ligue 1 goals for Marseille this season Ed Aarons Thursday 5 May 2016 14.29 BST Last modified on Thursday 5 May 2016 15.14 BST The Guardian

West Ham United have offered €40m (£31m) to Marseille for Michy Batshuayi but face competition from a host of European clubs including Juventus to sign the Belgium striker this summer.
Slaven Bilic's side are long-term admirers of the 22-year-old, who has scored 16 goals for Marseille this season despite the club's struggles at the lower end of Ligue 1, and first attempted to buy him in January but were told he was not interesting in leaving until the end of the season. They have now returned with a firm offer which would smash their club record transfer but must now wait to hear whether it will be accepted. Despite Batshuayi insisting last week that he wanted to stay in France, Marseille are understood to be keen to sell the striker they bought for just £4.8m from Standard Liège in 2014 after chair Margarita Louis-Dreyfus had put the club up for sale last month.
Any deal is likely to be concluded before the end of the month with the player hoping to be selected in coach Marc Wilmots' Belgium squad for Euro 2016 next week. Juventus have also indicated that they would be willing to match West Ham's offer, with Álvaro Morata likely to be sold back to Real Madrid this summer and a potential target for Chelsea. Roma, who are in negotiations with the London club over the transfer of Batshuayi's Belgium team-mate Radja Nainggolan, are another of his suitors. Tottenham and Liverpool have had a prolonged interest in Batshuayi, who signed a contract extension with Marseille in January and have been asked to kept abreast of any developments, although it is understood they may not be willing to pay such a big fee. Borussia Dortmund, Atlético Madrid and Barcelona have been linked in the past and could enter the race at the last minute.
Batshuayi was also the subject of a similar offer from Stoke in January but his representatives have indicated that he would not be interested in moving to the Potteries. West Ham's current transfer record is the £15.5m they paid Liverpool for Andy Carroll in 2013, while they also paid £10.7m last summer to sign Batshuayi's former Marseille team-mate Dimitri Payet.

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