Daily WHUFC News - 3rd September 2016

Payet helps France to friendly victory
WHUFC.com

Dimitri Payet's France faced Angelo Ogbonna's Italy in Bari
Payet - who came on as a second half sub - helped his side to a 3-1 victory
Darren Randolph and Martin Samuelsen were both in action for their national
sides on Wednesday

Dimitri Payet was in action for France on Thursday evening as the Hammers
midfielder's nation faced Angelo Ogbonna's Italy in Bari. The UEFA Euro
2016 star came on as a second half substitute, replacing Manchester United
forward Anthony Martial and eventually helping ?Les Blues triumph 3-1. And
it was the Red Devils man who got France off to a flying start, bagging the
opener after just 17 minutes before former Southampton striker Graziano
Pelle leveled things up at the San Nicola. Didier Deschamps' side were back
in front seven minutes later with Olivier Giroud bagging for the visitors,
and PSG full-back Layvin Kurzawa completed the scoring in the international
friendly's final ten minutes. Italy, for whom Ogbonna was an unused
substitute, face Israel on Monday in their first FIFA World Cup qualifier,
while France are in action against Belarus the following evening. In the
other fixture involving a member of the Hammers squad on Thursday, Adrian
was made to wait for his Spain debut as they beat Roberto Martinez's Belgium
2-0 thanks to a David Silva brace.

On Wednesday, goalkeeper Darren Randolph's Republic of Ireland kicked-off
the international break with a convincing 4-0 victory over Oman at the Aviva
Stadium. The stopper, who impressed in the nation's UEFA Euro 2016 campaign
this summer, came on as a second half substitute, replacing Keiren Westwood
at the break in skipper Robbie Keane's final game for the Boys in Green. And
the former Hammer got on the scoresheet in his swansong, bagging the hosts'
second after half an hour following Robbie Brady's opener. Stoke City's
Jonathan Walters then notched either side of the break to put the clash
beyond Ireland's Arabian opponents. Martin O'Neill's outfit next take on
Serbia away from home in their first 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier on
Monday.

Also in action was exciting Norwegian winger Martin Samuelsen, who is
currently on loan at Blackburn Rovers. The 19-year-old, who is yet to make
an appearance for the Lancashire outfit, played just under half an hour
against Belarus in Oslo in the international friendly. It was his second
senior appearance for his country, having made his debut in a 3-2 win over
Iceland back in June. Samuelsen recently signed a new four-year deal with
the the Hammers before joining Owen Coyle's Blackburn alongside Stephen
Hendrie who is also on loan at Ewood Park. The Scandinavians take on Germany
in their first qualifier for the World Cup on Sunday evening.

Havard Nordtveit did not feature in the same fixture, while Gokhan Tore was
an unused substitute for Turkey in their home friendly against Russia.

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Cresswell - I'm on the right track
WHUFC.com

Cresswell is on the right track to making a first-team return
The talented full-back suffered knee ligament damage during pre-season
Cresswell would love to join Michail Antonio in the England squad this
season

Aaron Cresswell reveals he is on the right track to making a first-team
return and says the excitement of playing at the Club's new Stadium is
helping him recover from a knee injury which has forced him to miss the
start of the season. Cresswell was ruled out for up to four months after he
suffered suffered ligament damage during a challenge in the Hammers'
pre-season fixture against German club Karlsruher in July. After consulting
a specialist, the talented full-back is now on track to step up his rehab
and he cannot wait to get out on the pitch at the Club's magnificent new
home. "I'm on the right track," said the 26-year-old. "The main thing is
that the knee is healing properly and that I don't rush back and have to
start again. I can't cut corners and I'm working with the physio. "I'm
certainly not rushing things and I've seen a specialist and he's happy with
the way things are working out and I'm certainly happy. No matter if it's a
couple of weeks or however long it is, it's about getting it right. I'm
prepared to put the hard work in and the rewards are at the end of it. "I'm
trying to get fitter and stronger and ready for the Premier League. To miss
the opening game was very frustrating for me but in a way it's a good thing
because it's something brilliant to come back for. "Hopefully I can get the
knee right and come back fitter and stronger. I went to see the ground at
the back end of last season and straight away, there was a wow factor. "It's
gutting to play all the games over the last two seasons and that last game
at the Boleyn and then to miss the opening game against Juventus and then
Bournemouth. "But, that's part and parcel of football and I've got to learn
to deal with it and get on with it. I'm prepared to put the hard work in and
the rewards are at the end of it."

One of the big rewards for Cresswell is forcing his way into the England
set-up and establishing himself on the international stage this season. The
Hammers full-back was tipped to earn a call-up for the Euro Finals during
the summer, but missed out on a place in Roy Hodgson's final 23-man squad.
But with a change of manager during the summer and his former boss Sam
Allardyce taking over the managerial reigns, he is now hoping to achieve his
boyhood dream of representing his country. Cresswell was thrilled to see his
team-mate Michail Antonio earn his first call-up for the World Cup Qualifier
against against Slovakia on Sunday and says it is just rewards for a player
who has made the successful journey from non-league into the Premier League.
Cresswell added: We're all delighted for Michail and it's fully deserved. He
was fantastic last season and he's carried that form on this season and has
already got two goals which I'm sure he's delighted with. "I just hope it
all goes well for him and he gets on the pitch on Sunday and shows Sam
Allardyce what he can do. "Of course, it would be a proud moment for me
personally and my family (if I can do the same as Michail), but first and
foremost I want to get myself fit and well and build myself up and get ready
for the games. As I said, hopefully it will happen one day though."

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Hammers proud to support Non-League Day
WHUFC.com

West Ham United are delighted to support the seventh consecutive Non-League
Day, which provides a platform for clubs to promote the importance of
volunteer led community football while giving fans across the country the
chance to show support for their local non-league side. Taking place this
Saturday, Non-League Day is the perfect opportunity to enjoy a non-league
match, while supporting partner charity Men United which helps raise
awareness for prostate cancer. Hammers' hero Michail Antonio is one of a
number of Premier League stars to have started their careers in the lower
leagues having started out at Tooting & Mitcham. Now celebrating his first
international call up, the then 17-year-old scored an impressive 33 goals in
45 appearances, kick-starting an upward trajectory that has seen him reach
the top flight of English football. Fellow stars that followed a similar
path to Antonio include the likes of Jamie Vardy, Chris Smalling and Yannick
Bolasie among others – and who knows, you may stumble across a future star!
The match closest to the Hammers fantastic new home – and coincidentally
home of the Hammers' PL2 side - is Dagenham & Redbridge's Vanarama National
League match with Boreham Wood, 3pm KO. With hundreds of games taking place
across the country, there's sure to be a game near you. To find your nearest
non-league fixture, please click here. For any further information, special
events and reduced entry offers, be sure to check out @nonleaguedayuk.

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Shop signing at New Stadium Store
WHUFC.com

Simone Zaza, Manuel Lanzini, and Pedro Obiang to kick-off Club's first
autograph session at state-of-the-art Stadium Store, on Thursday 8
September, 14.30-16.30pm.
Store located on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park immediately next to London
Stadium
Fans can meet their Hammers' heroes - and enjoy the Store's cutting-edge
facilities

West Ham United trio Simone Zaza, Manuel Lanzini and Pedro Obiang will be
meeting avid Hammers at the Club's fantastic new Stadium Store, between
2.30pm-4.30pm, on Thursday 8 September.

Having recently signed on loan from European giants Juventus, Simone Zaza
will make his first public appearance as a Hammer before what could be his
debut against Watford on Saturday 10 September.

Alongside the Italy international, Hammers heroes Manuel Lanzini, who made
his return to action against Manchester City, and Pedro Obiang will also be
attending Thursday's event.

As well as having the opportunity to pose for selfies and snap up
signatures, fans will also have the chance to explore the Store's
first-class facilities – whether passing through the iconic John Lyall Gates
or using the brand new Magic Mirror feature to try on our brand new away kit
with virtual technology.

While the Store pays homage to West Ham's illustrious history, the shop
signing session provides a chance to reflect on the progress made since
moving to the Club's new home at London Stadium.

Our dedicated shirt printing area hosts twelve printing machines in order to
cope with popular demand – and fans can take advantage during Thursday's
event by having the name of their favourite Hammer emblazoned across the
famous Claret and Blue kit.

In addition, the new Store has 25 tills available (more than twice as many
as at the Boleyn Ground), meaning you'll be able to pay and walk away with
your purchase straight away.

Plus, if you wish to personalise other West Ham merchandise, you can adorn
souvenirs from mugs and mouse mats to key rings and mock newspaper clippings
with any name you wish, at the simple touch of a screen.

Finally, tasty treats as well as hot and cold beverages will be available to
order from our in-store West Ham United Coffee Co. coffee shop, where you
can sit down, kick back and sip on a soothing hot drink before exploring the
rest of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Please note that the times and individual players appearing at the shop
signing are subject to change. The players will start the session at 2.30pm,
with the event ending at 4.30pm.

For directions to the new Stadium Store, please click here.

To shop online, please visit the Official West Ham Store.

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West Ham's Aaron Cresswell determined not to rush comeback
By Erik Andreassen
Last Updated: 02/09/16 5:32pm
SSN

West Ham's Aaron Cresswell is determined not to rush his return to action
two months after suffering a knee injury. The left full-back sustained
ligament damage during a pre-season game against Karlsruhe in July, ruling
him out for four months. The injury was a major blow to the 26-year-old, who
had missed just one Premier League match over the previous two seasons. "No
matter if it's a couple of weeks or however long it is, it's about getting
it right. I'm prepared to put the hard work in and the rewards are at the
end of it," Cresswell told West Ham's official website. "I'm certainly not
rushing things and I've seen a specialist and he's happy with the way things
are working out and I'm certainly happy. "Hopefully I can get the knee right
and come back fitter and stronger. I went to see the new ground at the back
end of last season and straight away, there was a wow factor."

Cresswell missed out on a place in Roy Hodgson's England squad for Euro
2016, but is hopeful of attracting the attention of former boss Sam
Allardyce, now in charge of the national side, who signed him for the
Hammers from Ipswich in 2014. "It would be a proud moment for me personally
and my family, but first and foremost I want to get myself fit and well and
build myself up and get ready for the games," he added. "Hopefully it will
happen one day though."

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Sergio Aguero handed three-match FA ban for violent conduct and will miss
Manchester derby
Jason Burt, chief football correspondent
2 SEPTEMBER 2016 • 7:50PM
Telegraph

Sergio Agüero will miss the Manchester derby after being punished with a
three-match ban for violent conduct despite his club arguing that referee
Andre Marriner should have seen the incident in which he was accused of
elbowing West Ham defender Winston Reid.

Manchester City also argued that the "standard punishment would be clearly
excessive" with other film footage apparently inconclusive as to whether
Agüero attempted to make contact with Reid during last Sunday's Premier
League match.

After Agüero contested the Football Association charge an independent
regulatory commission was set up to consider the case. It rejected Agüero's
argument – and City's that a three-match suspension was harsh – with the
striker now missing the fixture away to Manchester United next Saturday
lunchtime, another Premier League match, against Bournemouth and the EFL Cup
tie away to Swansea City.

"The club denied the charge and submitted further that, if it was to be
found proven, the standard punishment would be clearly excessive," the FA
said in a statement. "On finding the charge proven at a hearing today, an
independent regulatory commission went on to reject the club's further claim
to decrease the three-match ban."

Once Marriner had stated in his referee's report submitted the day after the
match that he did not see the 76th-minute incident between Agüero and Reid
it was always going to be difficult for the City striker to escape
punishment given the apparent evidence.

If Marriner had said he had seen the incident, for which he took no action,
Agüero could have escaped punishment retrospectively as it would have been
deemed to have been "dealt with". One angle appeared to show Marriner
looking towards the players as they contested the ball but the referee
insisted he had not seen the Argentinian's elbow.

Incidents which are not seen at the time by the match officials are referred
to a panel of three former elite match officials who all watch it again
independently. They have to make a unanimous decision, which they did, with
Agüero charged. He then contested the decision which was reviewed again
yesterday by a different panel.

The loss of such a vital player to City for the Manchester derby will be a
huge setback for manager Pep Guardiola – and a boost to United – in what is
already shaping up to be a key encounter in the title race, with both teams
having won their opening three league matches.

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Diego Poyet targeted by Championship clubs after West Ham exit
14:06, 2 SEP 2016 UPDATED 14:07, 2 SEP 2016
BY JOHN CROSS
Poyet left the London Stadium by mutual consent this week but is not short
of offers to get back into the game
The Mirror

Diego Poyet is a target for several Championship and European clubs after
becoming a free agent. West Ham and Poyet came to a mutual agreement to
terminate his contract on deadline day after they agreed to let him look to
further his career elsewhere. Former Charlton midfielder Poyet, who has had
loan spells at MK Dons and Huddersfield, is open to a move abroad as well as
looking at options in England. Poyet was in demand when he signed for West
Ham two years ago and turned down other big clubs in the Premier League. The
21-year-old, who is the son of Real Betis coach Gus Poyet, played for
Uruguay in the under-20s World Cup last year. Poyet parted on good terms
with West Ham and is now keen to get his career going again.

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Michail Antonio says West Ham want top four as soon as possible
HITC
Sean Lunt

The Hammers were busy this summer in their attempts to improve on last
season. West Ham United winger Michail Antonio has told Goal that they are
determined to get into the top four and beyond as soon as possible. The
Hammers were in impressive form last season, enjoying a strong first
campaign under Slaven Bilic. They have since moved to the London Stadium,
with the hope being that the stadium is the first step towards them becoming
a major force both domestically and in Europe. They are intent on breaking
into the top four as soon as possible, making 10 signings this summer with
that aim in mind, and Antonio says those signings show they are not resting
on their laurels. "We've not settled on our laurels saying we've had a great
season let's keep the same players and see if we can do it again," he told
Goal. "We've gone out and brought quality players so we're pushing on and
looking to get in there as soon as possible."
Unfortunately for West Ham, it is now likely to be harder than ever before
to break into that top four in future. The so-called 'big' sides have all
added this summer to ensure they will be in there by the end of the season,
while those with outside chances such as Liverpool and Everton are also
potential competitors. That leaves as many as seven teams all looking to get
in and the Hammers will have to be at their best to ensure they are
contenders.

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Stan Collymore says Michail Antonio should start for England, suggests he
could play as number 10
HITC
Tom Nightingale

The West Ham winger/right-back was handed his first senior call-up by new
Three Lions boss Sam Allardyce. Stan Collymore has written in his column in
the Mirror that Michail Antonio should be handed a start for England against
Slovakia on Sunday, and has suggested that he has the attributes to play as
a number 10 off the main striker as well as down the right.
Antonio was handed a maiden senior call-up to the Three Lions set-up in Sam
Allardyce's first squad as boss ahead of the first 2018 World Cup qualifier
this weekend. The 26-year-old was something of a surprise inclusion but many
have argued that he deserves his place in the squad for his impressive form
over the last 12 months, as well as his versatility. The former Nottingham
Forest man impressed hugely in his first Hammers season last term, scoring
nine times in 31 appearances mainly from the right wing. He has two goals
from his first three league appearances this season too, despite having been
frequently used as a makeshift right-back by Slaven Bilic. Collymore
believes he has earned the chance to start for his country, and though
debate rages about whether he should be played in defence or midfield, the
former striker has a more radical idea about where he could be utilised.
Collymore wrote in his Mirror column: "Michail Antonio's England call-up has
delighted me. He's an incredible physical specimen, with loads of pace and
ability. Also, he seems very humble. "I wonder if, with a little tactical
jiggery-pokery from new Three Lions boss Sam Allardyce, he couldn't at some
stage start playing off the frontman as a No.10 as well as operating down
the right-hand side. "Antonio has the trickery and physicality defenders
hate. If I were Big Sam, I'd throw him straight into the team against
Slovakia on Sunday and see how he gets on down the right, because it has
been something of a problem position of late." Collymore's suggestion of
playing Antonio in a central attacking position will likely raise eyebrows,
but the player himself will certainly feel he is deserving of a chance at
international level, in whatever position that may be.

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