Daily WHUFC News -13th August

Hammers proud to create local jobs - WHUFC Official Site

West Ham United's anchor tenancy at the London Stadium was always intended
to bring jobs to the area around Stratford, and new figures published today
show the contribution that the Club have directly made towards that goal.

The London boroughs of Newham, Tower Hamlets and Barking & Dagenham have the
highest rates of unemployment in the capital, and youth unemployment is a
particular problem in each borough. One of the key reasons the 2012 Games
were staged in East London was to bring investment, regeneration and jobs to
the capital's most deprived area.

Maintaining that legacy was a key component of West Ham's bid to become the
anchor tenant at the former Olympic Stadium, and as a result of the Club's
presence, Stratford will have an extra guaranteed footfall in excess of 1.2
million people each season, supporting the businesses and jobs located in
the area, and attracting even greater investment in the years to come.

However, West Ham has also sought to play a direct part in that effort by
employing the maximum number of local residents in additional posts created
by the Stadium move, working in concert with our partners in the London
Borough of Newham through their Newham Workplace service.

So far a total of 81 additional staff have been recruited to work in the
Club's new Stadium Store and Ticket Office facilities on Queen Elizabeth
Olympic Park. Of these, 40 per cent live within 3 miles of the Stadium, and
three-quarters live in the London Borough of Newham or its six surrounding
boroughs. Furthermore over 80% of those recruited within these boroughs are
aged 16-24.

West Ham Vice-Chairman Karren Brady is proud of the progress that has been
made, saying:

"The concept of an Olympic Legacy for London was founded on the promise that
a long-term future for the new Stadium would continue to bring jobs,
business and regeneration to the most deprived area of London for many
decades to come. And it is West Ham United's anchor tenancy at the Stadium
is what makes that successful long-term future both possible and
sustainable.

"Anyone who has visited Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in the past week and
witnessed it thriving with over 110,000 West Ham supporters in the space of
four days trying out all the facilities and amenities, shopping and eating,
and enjoying all that the Park and Stratford as a whole have to offer would
be in no doubt about the very tangible regeneration and economic benefits
West Ham's presence in the Stadium is bringing to East London.

"But more than that, we are also actively playing our part by providing jobs
for local residents, and giving vocational training and opportunities to
thousands of local youngsters through our Foundation. We are proud to play
our part in delivering the legacy Britain was promised."

In addition to the new recruits, West Ham has gone to great lengths to
ensure that the staff responsible for stewarding at the Boleyn Ground were
able to take up new roles with the contractors responsible for stewarding at
the London Stadium.

We are currently recruiting for staff to work across the Club's Stadium
store, warehouse and online store from September in the build up to
Christmas. We hope to hire as many local residents as possible, and details
of the recruitment process can be found here.
http://www.whufc.com/Club/Recruitment/Vacancies

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October and November fixture changes confirmed - WHUFC Official Site

The Premier League have announced their fixture changes for October and
November.

West Ham United's away game at Crystal Palace will remain on Saturday 15
October, but will now kick-off at 5.30pm.

Meanwhile, the Hammers' trip to Everton has been moved to Sunday 30 October,
with kick-off set for 1.30pm.

In November, the London derby at Tottenham Hotspur will now kick-off at
5.30pm on Saturday 19 November.

Finally, Slaven Bilic's men will now head to Manchester United on Sunday 27
November, with kick-off at 4.30pm.

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Keep us Americans Out of Your Owner's Suite - thewesthamway
by Brian Knox on 11 August 2016 at 10:03pm

By @WestHamAmerican

A wealthy gentleman from my hometown recently (2012) purchased an NFL
franchise. I have known him for a few years and know him to be a shrewd
businessman, a generous philanthropist, and he loves sports…especially
American football. For a few seasons he was a minority owner of the
Pittsburgh Steelers, and had his sights set on outright majority ownership
of an NFL club. Being from Tennessee, he had always wanted to purchase our
own local NFL team but the owners not wanting to sell, he found the
opportunity in Ohio by purchasing the, perennially horrible, Cleveland
Browns for $1 billion.

NFL ownership is an elite fraternity as there are only 32 teams without
promotion or relegation. The NFL is by far the most profitable investment
in American sports. Even a horrible team will bring in millions in revenue
from the broadcast rights and merchandising. Also, NFL teams have protected
markets. They would never allow a city like Manchester to have two
successful clubs in the same town (or London to have 4-7) so your club will
have dominance in the local media coverage and scant competition for stadium
attendance.

Even under his ownership, though, the Browns have continued to struggle;
finding neither great coaching nor great quarterback play during his four
seasons in the owner's box. But another issue I suspect he faces is his
status among the local longtime supporters as an "outsider owner." No
matter his efforts at community outreach and presence in Cleveland he will
never be "one of them"; Especially since he continues to live most of the
year at his family home.

That brings me to Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Gold. This week there has been
plenty of heat on social media directed at our West Ham owners due to not
signing some players we had all hoped for, not liking the seating
configuration in the London Stadium, not liking being told to not stand up
in front of elderly patrons for 90 minutes of play, not liking potential
stadium name sponsors, and numerous other grievances. I hope true fans
would pause and take stock of how fortunate you are to have owners that are
both local and true fans of West Ham United. There will be bumps in the
road, but overall the heights this club is reaching are astounding. For a
benchmark, just remember that 32 months ago we lost to Forest 5-0 in an FA
Cup tie. And our owners have paid adequate reverence to the club's storied
history throughout this run.

When I look around the Premier League, I see a number of clubs that have
sold out to American investors. Not to knock my fellow countrymen, but even
in the large clubs this casts an uneasy feeling upon the clubs' supporters.
The Glazier family from Florida purchased Manchester United and burdened the
club with crushing debt. Their post-Ferguson life has been rocky, but
possibly brighter days are ahead. The Liverpool ownership by John Henry has
had starts and stops as Liverpool scouts have frequently complained that the
board tries to run player scouting like they do their Boston baseball team;
high on computer modeling of player statistics, low on longtime scouts'
expertise. Randy Lerner's time as owner of Aston Villa led to relegation
(and yesterday's loss to a League 2 side). And finally Stanley Kroenke's
ownership of Arsenal has seen… "a more frugal" use of funds in the transfer
market than what a club with their resources should do. A lot of criticism
aimed at Arsene Wenger for unaggressive transfer moves probably should
really find its way to a board that views the Gunners as an investment and
not a passion.

When the ownership of a sports team is crazy about their team and wore their
colours, even before they were successful businessmen, then I feel that you
have something special; a reverence for the fans, for the history, for the
local community. There is a bit more emphasis on a strong youth academy.
There are plenty of unseen charities supported that a distant American owner
wouldn't make a priority.

I think I'm the biggest West Ham fan in all of the United States; however, I
probably don't need to ever own the club. Mainly, because I don't think I
would ever move to London. It's hard to own a community institution when
you are so removed from the community. Maybe if I came into a large amount
of wealth I could purchase a minority stake in WHUFC. What little I've
gotten to know of Jack and Dave, I think we would have a pretty fun time
with it. But my dreaming of billions aside, West Ham's passionate fans
should lighten up on our board. They are doing a great job managing wages,
moving to a new facility, and growing the brand while keeping in touch with
the past. Each time you find a complaint to share with @DavidGold remember
there is some American hedge fund manager that would love to try to "invest"
in Stratford's Premier League club. He would say "We've Got Payet" all the
way until a record transfer to Real Madrid came across his desk. Then it
would be "We HAD Payet."
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West Ham injury news: Manuel Lanzini returns to training as Argentine steps
up recovery - The Standard
James Benge
Friday 12 August 2016

Manuel Lanzini has returned to training at West Ham in a bid to be fit
earlier than Slaven Bilic had expected.
The Argentine midfielder injured himself whilst preparing for the Rio
Olympics with his national team last month and Bilic feared Lanzini could be
out for up to five weeks.
It appears, though, that Lanzini's recovery may be ahead of schedule with
West Ham's head of medical and sport science Stijn Vandenbroucke confirming
that the 23-year-old had started running again and returned to training.
"Manuel injured his knee while on Olympic Games duty with Argentina,"
Vandenbroucke said. "He was wearing a knee brace for four weeks. Manuel is
out of the brace and has entered a new phase in his rehab and started
running on Wednesday."
West Ham's early season games – away to Chelsea, a two-legged Europa League
playoff with Astra Giurgiu and a debut league game at the London Stadium
against Bournemouth – may come too soon for Lanzini but Bilic will be
encouraged to see his midfielder back at Rush Green.
Turkish winger Gokhan Tore, a summer arrival on loan from Besiktas, also
resumed training today whilst Vandenbroucke confirmed both Andre Ayew and
Arthur Masuaku had no fitness concerns since signing for West Ham this week.
He said: "They have been training with their previous clubs and joined us
with similar levels of fitness as the rest of the squad which is good, but
new players are always a little bit more at risk."
Club record signing Ayew and Masuaku could both make their debuts at
Stamford Bridge on Monday night. Dimitri Payet will also play a part, though
Bilic warned that he does not expect his star man to be fit for 90 minutes.
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Slaven Bilic excited as West Ham prepare for Chelsea
By Mike Patterson

Last Updated: 11/08/16 11:26am

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic is looking forward to locking horns with
Chelsea and their new head coach Antonio Conte when the Premier League
season gets underway on Monday, live on Sky Sports.
Bilic's side make the trip across London to Stamford Bridge after a busy
pre-season campaign which has seen them progress to the Europa League
play-off round.
The Blues will represent tough first opponents for West Ham as they look to
put last season's disappointment behind them under Italian Conte, but Bilic
is ready for the challenge.
"We are excited about the first game. We have had a good pre-season and have
a good squad," he said.
"We are expecting the new signings to improve us. We expect a tough game
against Chelsea on Monday."
Bilic is a big fan of Conte who took over at Chelsea following Italy's
quarter-final exit at Euro 2016.
"Antonio Conte is a great manager and wants to change the way they approach
the game and the principles. I rate him very highly," he added.
"I am sure he will do a good job there. But we beat the big teams away last
season and it was a good experience for us."
West Ham have a couple of extra days to prepare for their opening fixture
and Bilic said France playmaker Dimitri Payet, who returned late to
pre-season training after the Euro 2016 final, could be involved.
"We still have four days to go," said Bilic at his press conference on
Thursday. "We will see how we are going to start on Monday night. We have
Plan A and Plan B. We have that already.
"We are still waiting to see on a couple of positions who is going to start.
Dimitri Payet is one of the players. He came back very fit.
"He doesn't need a long pre-season, an individual one, but he is definitely
not fit for 90 minutes so we are going to see. But he came back in really
good shape, motivated and everything."
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Chelsea vs West Ham team news: Injury updates, possible line-ups and more -
Mirror
07:45, 13 Aug 2016
Updated 10:51, 13 Aug 2016
By James Whaling

The Blues and Hammers contest the season's first London derby on Monday
evening in Antonio Conte's first competitive game in charge
Antonio Conte will take charge of his first competitive game as Chelsea
manager as they host West Ham in the season's first London derby on Monday
evening.
The Italian has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the Blues' Premier League
opener, with Kurt Zouma remaining sidelined as he steps up his return to
full fitness from a knee injury.
Big summer signing N'Golo Kante is likely to be thrown in from the start as
he looks to continue the form that saw him become a vital cog in Leicester's
title-winning wheel.

Slaven Bilic could hand out several Hammers debuts, with Andre Ayew, Sofiane
Feghouli, Havard Nordtveit, Gokhan Tore and Arthurd Masuaku all bidding for
a first Irons appearance.
West Ham will be without Aaron Cresswell and Manuel Lanzini, however, who
have both been ruled out with knee injuries.
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Lanzini gets return date - Claret & Hugh
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on August 13, 2016 in News, Whispers

lanziniManu Lanzini is targeting the match against Watford on September 10
for his return to the squad.

The Argentine playmaker is making good progress from the knee injury he
suffered prior to the Rio Olympics and hopes to be back for the clash at the
London Stadium.

Optimisic Manu is making decent progress and is recognised in the dressing
room as a quick healer whilst he has told friends that they can expect a
Hornets return within the next three weeks.

The news has also been confirmed by the well respected
http://www.physioroom.com/ who also claim that he will be back on that date.

The site has a good track record for projected returns but claim that Aaron
Cresswell will not be seen until November 26 .The Irons take on Manchester
United the following day – a Sunday – at Old Trafford.
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Is this Slav's line-up for Chelsea? - Claret & Hugh
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on August 13, 2016 in News, Whispers

Ok with the big game around the corner the guessing game starts – how will
Slav line up the lads for a big night at Stamford Bridge?

We have no major inside information as the manager himself has admittd it
remains open but having looked closely at pre-season we reckon this looks
something like the line up he will use – with Payet in for Feghouli and
Cressie back plus a little formation reshuffle – when everybody is
available.

Those not included here will, we believe, be used mainly for Europa and
Domestic Cup games plus being drafted in when we have injuries or
suspension.

So here's how we believe the team will look for Monday night: Adrian:
Antonio, Reid, Ogbonna Masuaku; Nordveit; Feghouli, Noble, Kouyate; Ayew,
Carroll.

Should that turn out to be the case we believe that James Collins can
consider himself unlucky as Winston Reid has looked uncertain in the
pre-season.

However, we don't expect the manager to start to season by leaving out a
player who has been key for us in recent seasons on the bench.

Natually we hope we have the right side of defence wrong and that Sam Byram
is in there with Antionio pushed forward. Sadly we have our doubts.

Slav has indcated strongly in his pre-season presser that Dimi is likely to
be on the pitch at the end having coming back in good condition.

ClaretandHugh verdict: 2-2
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Slaven Bilic hints at why he chose Andre Ayew over Carlos Bacca
Date: 12th August 2016 at 9:59pm
Written by: Matt Bourne

Slaven Bilic has praised West Ham's new signing Andre Ayew for his
determination to join the Hammers this summer.

Ayew became West Ham's record signing this summer and Bilic has publicly
praised Ayew's desire to join the Hammers:

"We lost some players who were on loan to us — Victor Moses, Emmanuel
Emenike, Alex Song – and one player that we didn't want to lose – James
Tomkins – and we wanted to replace them with what we hope are better
players," stated Bilic.

"And I'm sure Andre is one of them. He is a top player, he is a winner. He
played for a long time at Marseille, where you have to be a strong character
because the pressure is there 24/7 week in, week out, and he coped with
that.

"And he wanted to come — you want players who want to come to West Ham. The
players on our list were also on the list of clubs bigger than us and
sometimes you have to convince a player to come here. But he was very
excited and we are glad."

It seems that Bilic could be referring to West Ham's pursuit of Carlos
Bacca. The striker has been linked with a move to the Hammers all season but
it has been difficult to convince the Colombian to join the club. It also
explains why Bilic opted for Ayew over Bacca, highlighting the player's
Premier League experience and willingness to play for West Ham.

The Irons are preparing for their opening fixture of the Premier League
season away to Chelsea on Monday and Ayew is expected to play a part at
Stamford Bridge.
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England chance for West Ham pair? - Vital England

The West Ham boys haven't had England chances many feel several could, if
not should, have had over the years.

Will the arrival of Sam Allardyce, who is the one who signed some of those
for West Ham over the years whereas others he managed and often championed
for England involvement during and after his time with the Hammers, change
this?

Mark Noble is arguably the most surprising player not to be capped by
England in the present era. Big Sam taking over 'could' see that chance
finally come with Andy Carroll also hoping for a recall.

Like I say others at the Olympic Stadium would have one eye on a call up too
but Noble has always made it clear he holds England hope.

Having won 20 caps at U21 level that senior call hasn't ever come for the
29-year-old and he doesn't feel, when quoted by sky sports, Big Sam's
appointment changes these chances as when asked he answered:

'Not one little bit to be honest.'

Noble added he enjoyed playing for him at West Ham and thinks he'll do well
with England too as he's 'the right man' for the job:

'I'm going to enjoy playing here and obviously I played under Sam for four
years and thoroughly enjoyed my football under him. I thought he was a great
manager and I loved him as a person and I think he is the right man for the
job. I think he will do well, 100 per cent, his man-management qualities and
what he expects from his teams, what he gets out of the players, I think he
is the right man.'

Noble finished by saying he spoke to Big Sam after he kept Sunderland in the
Premier League last season but hasn't spoken with him since his England
appointment.

His phone is 'always on' if he wants to get in touch though!

Carroll's another of those West Ham players who must have the 'best chance'
of an England recall as Big Sam always put a lot of faith in him and of
course has previous with him at club level with the Hammers and Newcastle.

Slaven Bilic though, also quoted by sky sports, warned him that he's got to
show his best form for West Ham this season for his England chance to come
again:

'The last England boss was also English, but my players shouldn't dream
about England because of a good season or a change of manager. They must
play well for West Ham.'

A couple of goals against Juventus recently wouldn't have done Carroll's
chances any harm but as Bilic said he's got to produce at club level for
West Ham this season to warrant that place in the England squad.

27-year-old Carroll clearly has his mind set on that:

'Obviously England is right in my head. I want to be back in the England
shirt, but I can't get there just on the manager being my old manager at
West Ham. I think it would be unfair to even think that. I've just got to
work hard at training, listen to the staff here, play the games I play,
score goals and create chances and hopefully he will pick me.

'Nothing is a guarantee. Obviously he knows what I am capable of, in and out
of training and in games, that's nice to know. But for me I have to just
carry on playing for West Ham as best as I can and hopefully push myself
in.'

Both of these players 'probably' have a better chance of England involvement
now that Big Sam is the manager although touting players for national
selection when you're the manager of the at club level is different to
selecting them for the Three Lions when that manager is you isn't it.

If Big Sam genuinely thinks these two (and others at West Ham) are the best
options for his squad he'll select them, but previous isn't likely to be
something that makes England involvement any more likely.

Follow @VitalEngland.
Like Vital England on Facebook.

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