Daily WHUFC News - 11th November 2016

Like My Dreams – Brooke's story
WHUFC.com

West Ham fan Brooke Lawrance has bravely battled cerebral palsy since she was a toddler
Ten-year-old Season Ticket Holder has a lifelong goal walking the Hammers out unaided
Courageous youngster and sister Nadine were mascots for Saturday's visit of Stoke City

Brooke Lawrance had two wishes. The first was to walk unaided. The second was to lead her beloved West Ham United out at London Stadium. The courageous ten-year-old has battled cerebral palsy – a neurological condition that weakens the muscles, affecting movement and co-ordination – since she was diagnosed with the condition as a toddler.

Initially, the prognosis was bleak, with Brooke confined to a wheelchair for the vast majority of her young life, with her dream of walking seemingly set to be forever unfulfilled. Then, following the amazing 'Brooke's Wish to Walk' fundraising drive led by her parents Sarah and Pete which saw well-wishers from all over the country raise £75,000, Brooke travelled to the United States in November 2012, where she underwent pioneering surgery.

Supported by her sisters Nadine and Neve and little brother Sam, the brave youngster has spent the past four years going through rigorous physiotherapy sessions, including regular trips to visit a specialist in Scotland and spending hours on a treadmill at the family's Ipswich home. While Brooke still requires her wheelchair to make long journeys, she has progressed from using a walker to building up her core muscles using specially-adapted walking sticks.

In May 2013, Joint-Chairman David Gold shed a tear as she led West Ham out at the Boleyn Ground. After the game, Brooke met Kevin Nolan, who handed her his 'very sweaty' match-worn boots!

"It was really nerve-wracking with 35,000 people staring at me, but fun too!" she recalled. Three-and-a-half years on and, with the support of her family, Brooke continues to work to get stronger every day, all the time with aim of realising her wish to walk. "During the week, I go on the treadmill every night and we build it up," she explained. "I also see a man up in Scotland who gives me a certain programme to follow to improve and to get better. "My family help me a lot. Whenever I need something, they always offer to help. My sisters help me transition from one place to another and have really helped me by giving up their whole lives and childhood for me. "When everyone else is going on their six-week holiday, we go to Scotland so I can get treatment."

The love and support in the Lawrance household is there for all to see, as is their satisfaction at seeing Brooke being rewarded for the commitment she has shown to her arduous regimen of therapy. The result is that she is now living a fulfilling and rewarding life. "I am now able to go to mainstream school and I love it," she explained. "Me and my friend who is a Man United fan talk about West Ham and how much better West Ham are than Man United – that's fun!"

On Saturday, before West Ham's Premier League fixture with Stoke City, Brooke, older sister Nadine, mum Sarah, dad Peter and grandfather Brian – all Season Ticket Holders – travelled down the A12 to London Stadium. "We are busy all week with school, Cubs, Beavers and other family activities, and we have Brooke's strengthening exercises every night, so matchdays are our day off!" Sarah explained. There, Brooke enjoys her view from one of the more than 200 seats provided for supporters with special Accessibility requirements. "I like the new Stadium!" she smiled. "I was pretty shocked because I thought it would be the same as the old ground, where I was sat right at the front and couldn't see too well. "The new seats are really impressive and I have a really great view. After the match, we normally talk about it on the way home. We normally talk about the officials, but I won't go into that!" "It's so much easier to get to and to get around," Sarah confirmed. "She couldn't bring her electric wheelchair to the old stadium, but it's great at the new ground. We all love it and we love our seats!"

On Saturday, though, the Lawrance's matchday routine was slightly different to normal. The family were invited to Club London, where they were welcomed by centre forward Andy Carroll, who invited them into the hallowed surroundings of the Players' Lounge. There, he informed Brooke and Nadine that they would be mascots, handing them each Home kits emblazoned with their names and numbers, Brooke's with Carroll's No9, and Nadine's with her favourite Aaron Cresswell's No3. The look on the girls' faces was a picture, but nothing to the mixture of shock and excitement which they showed when Carroll took them to meet the squad – Dimitri Payet, Mark Noble, Cresswell and all – in the Hammers dressing room. "I like Adrian, like my Mum does!" Brooke smiled, "I also like Dimitri Payet, like everyone else!"

For her parents, the sight of their little girls meeting their heroes was one they will never forget. "Words cannot describe the feeling seeing my daughters' faces!" said Peter. "We will always remember this day and take it away and it will live long in our memories. We cannot thank the Club enough, because it has totally blown us away. "Football has always been our little release, but this day has been extra-special." After collecting photographs and autographs they will cherish forever, the family headed pitchside, meeting Hammers legend Tony Gale on the way, before receiving a warm welcome from Joint-Chairman David Gold. Come ten to three, the girls led their heroes onto the pitch, Brooke with captain Noble and Nadine with Cresswell. With her proud parents and grandfather watching on from the stands, and more than 50,000 fans singing 'Bubbles' at the tops of their voices, Brooke smiled. One of her two wishes had been well and truly fulfilled.

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Cricket greats enjoy London Stadium visit
WHUFC.com

England greats Michael Vaughan and Graeme Swann visited London Stadium on Saturday
Pair were joined by fellow Ashes winner and former Australia captain Ricky Ponting
Trio have been working with BT Sport on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

West Ham United have played host to three sporting greats at London Stadium. Former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan, spinner Graeme Swann and Australia great Ricky Ponting were guests of the Hammers at the Premier League fixture with Stoke City. The three Ashes winners made the short trip from BT Sport's base at nearby Here East, where they had spent the previous night commentating on Australia's Test match with South Africa. For Sheffield Wednesday fan Vaughan, who captained his country to their unforgettable 2005 Ashes victory over Ponting's Australia, the visit gave him the opportunity to see London Stadium in football mode for the first time.

Newcastle United supporter Swann, rated England's best spin bowler of all-time, expressed a hope that the Magpies would be promoted and visit next season, while AFL fan Ponting was grateful for the opportunity to attend his first live Premier League match. "As a Sheffield Wednesday fan, I like West Ham, for obvious reasons!" he smiled. "I'm actually on a scouting mission, because as long as you lot stay up, we'll be coming here next year! "I have to say, I was here for the Olympics [in 2012] and it's an amazing venue. What they've done with Stratford and around this area of London is quite remarkable. "I'm here to watch some good football and especially Dimitri Payet, who reminds me of a good Sheffield Wednesday man Chris Waddle, who lit up Hillsborough on many occasions. It looks like Payet does exactly the same here at West Ham."

For a big football fan like Vaughan, the chance to see a Premier League match on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park was one he could not pass up. "We're at BT – myself, Graeme, Ricky and the presenter Greg James, but he's gone to bed – but Kevin Pietersen has got the good gig as he's down in Australia in the 35-degree heat. "To be honest, it's great to be able to finish work and just nip over the road and watch a bit of football, it's almost like the perfect dream."

Vaughan joined Essex Cricket counterpart James Foster in backing calls for cricket to be played at West Ham's new home during the summer months. "If you want to broaden the horizon of support for cricket, there are so many pieces of technology now that mean you can drop pitches in," he confirmed. "I was in the US recently and we dropped pitches into baseball stadia in New York, Houston and Los Angeles and it worked, and I can certainly see it working at London Stadium. It would be a great venue for Twenty20 cricket. "What cricket has got to do is rip up the textbook, because it doesn't really matter where you play. If you promoted and marketed it properly that Essex or England were going to play T20 here, then you'd sell it out. It's absolutely perfect for cricket."

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Woods - Scotland game holds special memories
WHUFC.com

Woods in action at Hampden ParkEngland against Scotland will always hold special memories for goalkeeping coach Chris Woods and he hopes the Three Lions can go one better on Friday night and claim another big win at Wembley.

Woods played 43 games for his country but one of the most memorable was facing the old rivals Scotland in the Rous Cup back in May 1987.

Over 64,000 fans made it a hostile atmosphere at Hampden Park and it was even more daunting for Woods as he was playing for Rangers at the time.

England came away with a 0-0 draw but Woods said the experience will always stay with him and knows exactly what the current squad will be going through as they prepare to face a big derby encounter.

Woods said: "This game brings back a lot of memories. I played in the Rous Cup and it was nice to play in that game and not concede a goal!

"I was playing at Rangers at the time and I remember having a weird feeling going into the game as I thought I might not get a bad reception as I was playing up there.

"But when it is England against Scotland it was just as hostile as if I was not playing for Rangers. All the support that I had from the Rangers fans probably went out of the window that day!

"I will always remember the journey to the game and Scotland fans wearing their kilts and showing off their backsides to us!

"It always nice remembering the journey and seeing all the fans on the way to the ground because once you arrive, you get into the zone and completely focus on the game.

"Everybody knew the occasion and that we didn't want to lose to our old rivals. There was not any need for Bobby Robson to put any more importance on it. We had done all our preparation and we obviously got a few butterflies going out there, but once the game started we were fully focused on trying to win the game.

"Scotland wanted to show that the English league is not miles ahead of them and England were hoping to show they were better. It just added more spice to the game.

"The game finished 0-0 and I remember Charlie Nicholas hitting the bar but we came away with a draw and you could see how much it meant to both sets of supporters.

"It promises to be another great game on Friday and I hope England can get the right result."

Woods has nothing but praise for Aaron Cresswell getting his maiden call-up to the England squad and hopes this is the start of a long international career for the talented full-back.

Woods added: "He has kept working hard and we have obviously changed the system recently and pushed him a bit further forward.

"The balls that he puts in are so dangerous and it is a great asset to have for the team.

"It is great news for Aaron to be included in the squad and hopefully it is the start of a long international career for him."

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Payet included in Player of the Year shortlist
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 10th November 2016
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United's Dimitri Payet has been shortlisted for this year's Football Supporters' Federation Player of the Year award.

The French international is one of six players nominated for the award, which will be announced in early December.

The other players nominated alongside Payet are Sergio Agüero (Manchester City), Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur), Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool), Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City), and Mesut Özil (Arsenal

This year's FSF's will take place at the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, London, on Monday 5th December. Other categories this year include Radio Show of the Year and Supporter Liaison Officer of the Year.

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West Ham winger Dimitri Payet stars in new 'survival of the fastest' Nike advert
18:29, 10 NOV 2016 UPDATED 18:30, 10 NOV 2016
BY AARON FLANAGAN
Payet has recalled the time where he realised he could use his speed to gain an advantage and also touched on why the Euro 2016 final defeat motivates him
The Mirror

Dimitri Payet is the star of Nike's latest advert, the 'survival of the fastest'. The France international talks about how much his speed has had a major influence on his game during the two-minute clip. Payet shot to stardom last season after his bargain move to West Ham, before he starred for France during their run to the Euro 2016 final in their homeland. Speaking in the video, Payet says that he will is now using the loss in the final to Portugal as motivation for the future.
The 29-year-old told Nike of the moment that he realised that his pace was going to have a major impact on his career, during his time as a youth team player.
He said: "When I was between 8 and 10 years old, I realised that I was faster than the others. "I remember a trial game with a famous club in La Reunion — it was a game in which I felt that I was faster. "I knew the opposition's best defender was placed against me. At each action during the game, I managed to be faster than him and I really disturbed him. "At this moment, I realised that if I was able to do that with this kind of defender, a quality player, it was something I have to do to move forward with my game."

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RAVEL MORRISON SEEKING A RETURN TO ENGLISH FOOTBALL
MICHAEL OLIVER @themikeoliver_
ReadWestHam

Ravel Morrison has reportedly gone AWOL at Lazio and fled to England to seek a return to English football, says Il Tiempo (h/t Sport Witness). The former Manchester United attacking midfielder was released by West Ham in February 2015 after three indifferent years at the club and signed a four-year contract with Lazio in a bid to get his career back on track. However, in the last 18 months, the ex-England U21 starlet has made just eight appearances for Lazio combining for just 159 minutes of action, with just four of those appearances coming in Serie A.
In the summer, Morrison was heavily linked with a return to English football with Aston Villa who decided against the move in the eleventh hour, but that hasn't stopped Ravel pursuing a career back home. Morrison packed his bags and left Italy to seek refuge back in England and hopefully a fresh start would present itself. He's refusing to answer calls from Lazio, including from club owner Claudio Lotito who is still hopefully he can sell the attacking midfielder in the future but is severely lacking in takers. The 23-year-old is still picking up his weekly wage which seems him earn in excess of €1m-a-year and does not want to return to Lazio and Italy. While the majority of Morrison's time at West Ham was spent out on loan with the likes of Birmingham, Cardiff and QPR, his best moments came whilst wearing the claret and blue where he flashed some genuine world-class potential. There are subsets of the West Ham fan base that would like Ravel Morrison to return to the club after being forced out by Sam Allardyce, but I wouldn't hold your breath.

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Senegal's Cheikhou Kouyate fires Bafana warning ahead of World Cup qualifier
Posted: 10 November 2016 Time: 15:06

Senegal skipper Cheikhou Kouyate says he and his teammates are looking to keep up a winning streak when they take on Bafana Bafana in their World cup qualifier in Polokwane on Saturday. Senegal were the only country with a 100 percent record in their recently completed 2017 African Nations Cup qualifiers winning six out of six matches, and then last month began the group phase of the World Cup qualifiers with a 2-0 home win over the Cape Verde Islands. "We are here to earn points, we are here to play in a final," said the West Ham United midfielder in the build-up to the Group D qualifier at the Peter Mokaba Stadium. "The series of wins we have had have been a big boost in confidence for the team. And we all have the motivation to go and play at the World Cup."
Senegal top the standings after beating Cape Verde in their opening group match last month at the same time as South Africa drew 1-1 away in Burkina Faso. The Lions of Teranga have been in the country since Monday and moved to Polokwane on Tuesday to continue their preparations.

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LLDC could ask West Ham to contribute to the cost of policing inside the London Stadium
KEN DYER
Evening Stadnard

West Ham will reportedly be asked to contribute to the cost of policing inside the London Stadium. The costs — as well as those of the stewarding — are the responsibility of the landlords, the London Legacy Development Corporation, and have risen due to the increased police presence at the ground following trouble at a number of games this season. West Ham have still to hear from the LLDC on the issue but a spokesman said: "Matters of safety and security are discussed by all stakeholders at regular meetings of the Safety Advisory Group."
As revealed by Standard Sport last month, the Hammers have set out improved plans to eradicate crowd trouble within the London Stadium. Ahead of the home match with Stoke City, the club put in place a five-point plan that included physical changes to the infrastructure of the former Olympic Stadium, with focus being placed on improving the segregation of away fans. Creating higher barriers and a 10 metre wide sterile area on the lower concourse walkway (the scene of much of the violence in Wednesday's match) Segregating home and away fans upon exiting the stadium through the construction of a physical barrier on either side of the away supporter turnstiles Permanently banning perceived "risk groups" from the stadium and issuing video cameras to a group of stewards inside the stadium

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Aaron Cresswell is shocked by his England call up... but this is why the humble Hammer shouldn't be
11:46, 10 NOV 2016
OPINION BY BIANCAWESTWOOD
After recovering from injury, West Ham's vibrant and reliable left back has earned well-earned attention from national team boss Gareth Southgate
The Mirror

It's been a funny old season for Aaron Cresswell so far. It started in the worst way possible after suffering a knee ligament injury in a pre-season friendly win over German side Karlsruher in July. Three months of anguish on the side-lines followed as West Ham were having a defensive nightmare going five league games without a win and conceding 15 goals, and all he could do was watch from the stands.

Last week I spoke to him in an interview for Sky Sports about what it was like: "It was very frustrating. It's the first big injury I've ever had. Hopefully the last. To sit there and see the lads aren't doing so well, you want to help in any way you can and of course I still had months to go. Frustration was really kicking in but it made me a stronger person and you learn to deal with these things".

Thanks to a lot of hard graft and dedication to his recovery he was able to make his return at Selhurst Park last month. You could say he had an impact. He went from putting in an inch-perfect assist for Manuel Lanzini's opening, and ultimately winning, goal to getting two yellow cards in the space of 51 seconds and an early bath.
Most fans and pundits agree both bookings were pretty severe decisions. "I've looked back and even Howard Webb said it was very harsh," he told me. "I set Manu up for the goal and it was all going well. At the time I was thinking surely not then the referee spoke to the linesman, the linesman made the decision and he's given me the second yellow card. "So I've walked down the tunnel. It happened so quickly I was so disappointed. To be on the sidelines for three months and then to be shown a red card, I hadn't missed a game in two years then this happened - luckily I didn't have long to wait."

He can laugh about it now. Unfortunately for West Ham their results are still no laughing matter and they haven't improved in the league dramatically since Cresswell's second coming, an away defeat and a home draw to Everton and Stoke respectively. Having said that he did enjoy his debut match at the London Stadium in the EFL Cup win against Chelsea and he does seem to be flourishing in the new wing back system adopted by manager Slaven Bilic. "I like to get forward and create things. It seems to work well to have that extra man at the back so you have a licence to go forward. That's what I prefer to do in my game. Get further up the pitch. Link up with Dimi (Payet) on the left and Manu (Lanzini) and Nobes (Mark Noble) coming across. It suits me."

It has been difficult for Cresswell to influence games as much as he'd like when the team are playing without a recognised striker to target but his work-rate, ability and creativity has made him a firm favourite with the Hammers fans. Now he's caught the eye of Gareth Southgate and earned a fully-deserved first call-up to the England squad.

On his selection, Cresswell told the Hammers' official website: "I just want to enjoy the experience and do my best in training and, if I can do that, then I hope I can achieve my dream of pulling on an England shirt, which is what I've wanted to do ever since I started playing football as a little kid in Liverpool. "My main focus has always been on playing for West Ham and doing the best I can for my club. As long as I was giving 100 per cent, that's all I could do. I am sure the training is going to be at a real high tempo and I can't wait to be part of it."

Competition in the left-back spot has been fierce in this country with the likes of Leighton Baines, Danny Rose, Kieran Gibbs, Luke Shaw and Ryan Bertrand all ahead of him but Cresswell has finally been noticed and many would say it's about time.
The first time I became aware of Aaron Cresswell myself was when I almost forgot his name on Soccer Saturday. In my defence it was when I'd just started match reporting. I was nervous, desperate to do well, still very inexperienced on live TV, there were two Aarons playing for Ipswich that day and I had a tiny, momentary, lapse of memory when Ipswich went ahead just before half-time through a Tommy Smith header "Aaron……." Everything went quiet for what seemed like an age, mind goes blank…whatshisname?!? I frantically screamed at myself…."CRESSWELL with the corner!"

I got it right eventually and I certainly never forgot his name again. Not only because of that scary moment of panic in front of the Sky Sports-viewing nation but because he was the stand out player that day and has been virtually every time I've seen him since. I watched him numerous times in the Championship that season and the one following. He never failed to impress me and I wasn't the only one to have my head turned.

Sam Allardyce, tasked with delivering "more attacking football" to West Ham, signed Cresswell in the summer of 2014 and the full back certainly didn't falter. If there were any doubts about whether he could make the leap from the second tier to the Premier League they were soon laid to rest. He slotted into the team immediately. His pace and presence on the left really stretched the pitch, forcing opposing defenders to work hard and think fast - he provided not only a creative outlet from defensive areas which the Hammers had lacked in previous seasons, but ensured the team transitioned from defence to attack at a much quicker rate than before. He's dangerous on set pieces, he supplies a good number of assists, crosses into the box with pinpoint accuracy, despite his diminutive stature he's strong on the ball, has a high pass completion rate and can put in a decent tackle.

As well as all that, he can actually defend, and I don't think that Cresswell would mind me saying that Big Sam really helped him improve that area of his game. His awareness is sharp and he has a composure that settles the nerves of those watching him. In short he's got everything you want. Although his debut season heralded the end of the Allardyce era at Upton Park, Cresswell finished as Hammer of the Year. Since then he's gone from strength to strength. When we spoke last week about breaking into the England set-up it was clear he wasn't expecting a call but said how much of a proud day it would be for him and his family. I had the pleasure of sitting with his father at the Farewell Boleyn game and he spoke constantly about his pride for his boy. He must be fit to bursting.

Cresswell is a humble guy from a down-to-earth family on Merseyside who still cleans his own boots from time to time and hasn't forgotten where he came from. He grew up a Liverpool fan and played for them as a youngster and at 14 years old was moved from centre midfield to left back. Initially he was upset and concerned he wouldn't be able to score goals and grab all the glory. Instead he decided to study Ashley Cole and soon realised it was a position in which he could develop and eventually establish himself. The next set-back came when he was released. It broke his heart. What he couldn't know then was that it was probably a blessing in disguise. He ended up playing three seasons in League One at Tranmere, followed by three at Ipswich where he played in 138 matches.

The talent was always there but the rejection, the experience, the relentless fixtures and sheer physicality of lower league football toughened him up, got him his move and gave him the preparation and the determination to thrive in the top flight. At £3.5 million he was a snip. The bad news for West Ham is that having been brought into the international sphere he will attract unwanted attention from all quarters. Not least from the boyhood club that rejected him all those years ago because James Milner, as competent as he is, can't play left back forever. Cresswell has stressed that he is more than happy to stay at West Ham. He is an integral part of the team, he is well loved by his team mates and his relationship with Bilic is strong but playing for the club you supported as a boy is a very seductive prospect, even if they once threw you away.

West Ham fans will be hoping Cresswell is thinking 'once bitten twice shy'. If he's not and he carries on shining for his club and gets the chance to shine for his country, inevitably it's the Hammers' hearts that will be next to break.

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Watch the touching moment West Ham fan Brooke Lawrance fulfilled her dream by leading out the Hammers at London Stadium... after meeting Andy Carroll and Dimitri Payet
10-year-old Brooke Lawrance suffers with Cerebral palsy
She was told by doctors that she would never be able to walk
The young West Ham fan had two dreams; to be able to walk unaided and lead out the team she supports before a match
Mother Sarah said: 'We will always remember this day and take it away and it will live long in our memories.'
By PETE SOUTH FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 11:30, 10 November 2016 | UPDATED: 11:35, 10 November 2016

Young West Ham fan Brooke Lawrance fulfilled a lifelong dream on Saturday when she led the Hammers out before their game against Stoke at the London Stadium. The 10-year-old suffers from Cerebral palsy - a neurological condition that weakens the muscles, affecting movement and co-ordination - and was told she would never be able to walk. However a campaign led by her parents, Sarah and Pete from Ipswich, helped to raise £75,000 which gave Brooke the chance to travel to America to receive pioneering surgery. Although she requires regular physiotherapy and visits a specialist in Scotland, the young Hammer has made impressive progress and now uses specially adapted sticks to build up her core muscles.
While Brooke's not yet able to walk unaided, she was able to tick one item off her bucket list after West Ham invited her for a surprise visit on to the pitch before their 1-1 draw with Stoke last weekend, along with her sisters. The family were invited to Club London where they were welcomed by Andy Carroll, who invited them into the Players' Lounge before the game. There, he informed Brooke and sister Nadine that they would be mascots, handing them each Home kits emblazoned with their names and numbers, Brooke's with Carroll's No9, and Nadine's with her favourite Aaron Cresswell's No3. The youngster responded: 'I'm shaking right now!'. After meeting the team, including Mark Noble and star midfielder Dimitri Payet who signed a match programme for her, Brooke led the team out on the pitch and shook hands with the Stoke players as well.
The family headed pitchside, meeting Hammers legend Tony Gale on the way, before receiving a warm welcome from Joint-Chairman David Gold. Mrs Lawrance said: 'She doesn't get a day off, she's forever doing physio and strengthening every day, and a day like this is just amazing to push her and show her that one day she will be able to walk out the team unaided, with no sticks or wheelchair.' Father Pete added: 'Words cannot describe the feeling seeing my daughters' faces!' said Peter. 'We will always remember this day and take it away and it will live long in our memories. We cannot thank the Club enough, because it has totally blown us away.' 'Football has always been our little release, but this day has been extra-special.'
West Ham were unfortunately unable to provide the Lawrance family with a win on the day, instead playing out a 1-1 draw against Mark Hughes' side. A Glenn Whelan own goal handed the Hammers the lead after the hour mark, however a 75th minute effort from Bojan Krkic levelled things up. The result leaves West Ham just one point above the relegation zone on 11 points, with Stoke two points ahead in 12th.

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Tottenham injury news: Vincent Janssen being assessed by doctors and could miss West Ham clash with suspected concussion
TOM COLLOMOSSE
Evening Standard

Vincent Janssen is being assessed by Holland doctors after suffering a memory blackout. The Tottenham forward suffered suspected concussion after a collision with Belgium goalkeeper Simon Mignolet in last night's friendly between the countries and "lost 20 minutes of his memory". Players are usually not allowed to return to action for at least six days after a possible concussion incident, meaning Janssen is highly likely to miss Holland's World Cup qualifier in Luxembourg on Sunday.
Holland coach Danny Blind said: "Vincent Janssen is going to be a very difficult story. The physician told me it is a concussion. He lost 20 minutes of his memory and doesn't know what happened. We have to be careful with that and talk it through."
Janssen may also be a doubt for Tottenham's next match against West Ham, on November 19, although more will be known after he has been assessed in the coming days.
The 22-year-old forward has scored three times for Spurs — all from the penalty spot — since joining the club from AZ Alkmaar last summer in a deal worth nearly £18million.

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Quote unquote: Pardew's 'When you're the King…'
Date published: Thursday 10th November 2016 9:24
football365.com

The first thing to say is that it's absolutely true. When a 'behind the scenes' figure at a football club writes a book, you're always liable to suspect they may have, well, exaggerated a few things for effect. Some stories you will treat with a degree of suspicion, no matter how funny or plausible, or how much you would like them to be true. But this one is true, independently confirmed as such to Football365. It's absolutely true.

Stevie Bacon was West Ham's club photographer for around 35 years and, by all accounts, something of a 'character'. There was a terrace song dedicated to him. There was even a burger named after him (called, imaginatively enough, the Steve Bacon Burger), sold at Upton Park. Or the Boleyn Ground. Or whatever the hell that pile of rubble in east London used to be called.

In 2012 he, as you might expect from someone who had been around a club like West Ham for such a long time, published a book. This was the story of a man who watched a football club change over a generation, and the book featured assorted anecdotes of japes with and opinions from John Lyall, Lou Macari, Billy Bonds and Harry Redknapp. One passage about the latter includes the phrase 'people questioned why he bought certain players….' The foreword was written by Trevor Brooking. One chapter begins 'Avram Grant is a miserable character'.

But in among some relatively tame tales and standard banter, one story – one chapter, in fact – stands out, like floodlights on a misty winter evening, bright and cutting through the dark. 'I don't like Alan Pardew,' begins chapter six. 'There, I've said it,' as if this was Stevie finally breathing a sigh of relief and letting loose what he had held for the entire tenure of a West Ham manager. 'In fact, I don't think I've ever known a more arrogant person in my life,' he continues, 'There was one occasion when I threatened to stick a fork in his hand. I was sort of joking, but there were definitely times when I felt like swinging at him. Or telling him to fork off, if you follow my drift.' We do, Stevie. We do.

Arrogance is not a surprising accusation to level at Pardew, a man you'd imagine is fond of a mirror, but in a piece of reportage such as this, you'd want some evidence to back up Bacon's statement. And he provides it. Boy, does he. If you'll excuse simply copying a healthy tract from the book, here it is:

'Let me tell you a story. In fact, it's called the 'King story' among those who were present and who believe it's a perfect example of Pardew's arrogance. We were staying at a hotel in the North East ahead of a game at Sunderland during Alan's first season in charge and were about to have our Friday evening meal…I sat down with Pardew…and fitness coach Tony Strudwick, who now works for Manchester United and has done very well for himself. We ordered our meals and suddenly Pardew asked us all what were were having. I think Eddie said he'd gone for the chicken, while I'd chosen the steak.

'Pards then turned to Struds, who revealed whatever it was he'd asked for. 'That sounds good,' said Pards. 'Tell you what; if yours is better than mine when it turns up, I'm having that. That was one of the things he'd always say: I'm having that. 'See that bloke's haircut. I'm having that.' He said it all the time. Anyway, I wasn't 'having that' at all. So I said 'Well, you're certainly not having my dinner. You'll get a fork in the back of your hand!' Pardew sort of laughed, before turning back to Struds and saying, 'Yeah, if yours is better than mine, I'm having that.'

'Our meals eventually arrived and Pards looked at Tony and said, 'Yeah, I was right, yours definitely looks much better than mine; I'm having that.' And he went to swap the plates over. 'You can't do that!' I said. 'What do you mean?' he asked. 'You can't just take somebody's else's dinner,' I said in disbelief. And he replied, without any hint of a joke, 'When you're the King, you can do anything.'

The King. Apparently this became a running joke, and people who had previously worked with Pardew at Reading told Bacon that was how he referred to himself there, too. As revelations go, Pardew being rather fond and full of himself is not exactly the most difficult to believe (this is, after all, the man who did that dance at Wembley last season), and this seems to be simply the confirmation of what we already knew.

Not that arrogance is necessarily a bad thing (indeed, it's probably essential for anyone involved in football), but what's presumably enjoyable for Bacon, and indeed anyone who appreciates a little light schadenfreude, is that Pardew doesn't exactly have the goods to back up his lofty opinion. After being sacked by West Ham he spent just under two years at Charlton, leaving with protests ringing in his ears, and was then sacked by Southampton before lucking out by getting the Newcastle job. His subsequent reputation seems to be built largely on his one good – excellent – season there, and as the award-nominated Daniel Storey detailed recently, things are starting to go south at Crystal Palace. Those links with the England job do look a little more far-fetched at the moment. Not that Pardew would think so, of course. It's also worth noting that West Ham lost the game to Sunderland, before which the 'King' meal took place. All about timing, this game.

In some respects, it doesn't really matter whether the story is true. It fits with our idea of Pardew, and thus becomes a story we want to believe, without knowing if it is true. But just remember: it is absolutely true.

Nick Miller

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West Ham keeper Darren Randolph won't look to leave Hammers to keep Republic of Ireland spot
HITC
Jordan Harris

The West Ham stopper has been first-choice for his country recently, but not for his club. West Ham United goalkeeper Darren Randolph has insisted that he will not look to leave the London Stadium just to keep his place as the Republic of Ireland's number one, The Irish Sun reports. The 29-year-old has established himself as Ireland's first-choice in recent times and took his place between the sticks for all of their games during the summer's European Championships. However, he has seemingly found it much tougher to make a similar impact for the Irons as he is yet to make a Premier League appearance this season as Adrian continues to be Slaven Bilic's preferred choice in the top flight. But despite the limited opportunities, Randolph suggested that a move away from the Hammers is not on his mind currently, even if his place in the national team comes under threat. "I'm not going to give up on Premiership football already," he said, as reported by The Irish Sun. "This is just the start of my second season. "I'm not just going to up and leave all of a sudden. I've had an enjoyable year but hopefully that's not the end of it."
To be fair to Randolph, he has featured regularly in both the Europa League and EFL Cup this term, so has not been stuck on the sidelines for the entire campaign.
And if he can continue to impress for his country and when given a chance for his club, then perhaps he will manage to move himself up the pecking order at West Ham anyway.

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NO DOGS NO DRAMA
By Blind Hammer 10 Nov 2016 at 08:00
WTID

Blind Hammer says Andy Carroll should reject a strategy of using "Killer Dogs" for personal security.

There is no doubt that being the subject of an attempted armed attack is an event that would shake and traumatise most of us. The Sun reported last week that armed men on motorbikes attempted to intercept West Ham's Andy Carroll in Chigwell, on his way home from training at the Rush Green complex. Carroll described how one of the bikers threatened him with a gun through his Car window. The Sun then reported that Carroll was able to escape these bikers after a high speed pursuit involving other cars in crashes.

The motive for the threat and attempted waylaying of Carroll is not clear, though the Sun reported that Carroll was driving his "£100,000 Mercedes Benz" which I suppose is a possible robbery motive. Kidnapping and bodily harm are even more sinister possibilities. The Mail followed up this story with a report that Carroll has been anxious about threats from Criminal gangs for several months.

An uncharitable view of this incident, which I have heard expressed, is to cynically observe that this is another example of Carroll being involved in another news escapade, alongside difficult news reports of his inappropriate drinking whilst supposedly trying to establish his fitness to return to West Ham as a desperately needed striking option. The argument goes that people who have lurid and disordered life styles can attract the wrong kind of attention. Paul Gascoigne is often cited as perhaps an example of alcohol providing a chaotic descent into mire from which only footballing ineffectiveness can emerge.

There does seem something strange going on. Certainly most of us are not participating in life styles which attract the attention of criminal gangs. Despite this I genuinely felt that this uncharitable cynicism was unfair to Carroll and my instincts were to provide support for what must have been a horrendous ordeal.

My unequivocal support for Carroll has now started to undergo severe strain after news emerged in The Mail of the security measures Carroll is to deploy in response to these threats.

Carroll is to employ a personal bodyguard, which is entirely supportable and understandable. What is more controversial is the report The Mail made in relation to Carroll having so called "Killer Dogs" trained to provide protection.

The Mail reported that Carroll 'bought two £15,000 "fearsome" mastiff dogs over fears he was being targeted by criminal gang months before his attempted carjacking. As he feared for this own and his family's safety , he ordered two seven and a half stone Cane Corsos mastiff guard dogs are apparently are completing their training and will be delivered soon.

The Mail also reported that the company producing the Guard Dogs described them as "perfectly safe". Now I am a dog lover. Many of you know I have a lovable, amazing, clever and gentle Guide Dog called Nyle. However the fact I am the owner of this wonderful kind and gentle dog does not make me unaware of the dangers in other dog breeds. I have the advantage of a family with a huge collected knowledge of dogs. My Sister has owned and run a large Kennels for a variety of dog for over 30 years. She has, along with her Husband, bred dogs for a similar time. Her Husband is an acknowledge dog expert and has judged at high profile dog competitions in the UK and abroad.

They will both tell you, as will many other Kennel Owners, that there is no such thing as a "safe" Guard Dog. Dogs which are bread and trained for attack can never be safe dogs. There are loads of example they can recite of dogs which can behave perfectly acceptably for years, then completely unpredictably attack even a stranger or even their own master. When discussing this article with my sister she reminded me of a Kennel User who had both his arm and leg broken after his guard Dog attacked him. This came out of the blue after years of no problems, and almost as disturbingly the dog appeared perfectly normal and calm after the attack. The dog was euthanized but the owner had to spend 3 months in hospital recovering from his injuries.

The clue is in the description "Killer Dogs". Legislation has been enacted in this country to try and curb the actions of irresponsible owner encouraging dangerous dogs. The maximum penalty for dangerous dog ownership leading to an attack has now been increased to a potential 14 years imprisonment. Specifically the Cane Corsos breed Carroll is recruiting for his family's protection have been involved with vicious attacks, including the killing of Craig Sytsma, 46, in Michigan in 2014.

Andy Carroll is suffering a disturbed existence at the moment. By recruiting dangerous dogs into his family at this time is in my view an appalling lack of judgement which could come back to haunt him.

Dogs are clever but they are not human, They obey orders most of the time, but sometimes they do not and, as dogs, sometimes have poor understanding and discretion in relation to the safety of themselves and others. With gentle breeds this is manageable. With dangerous dogs it is potentially disastrous. Andy Carroll is embarking on a course which could bring even more disastrous drama into the lives of either his family or other families associating with these dogs.

As a West Ham football supporter I love it when Andy Carroll plays for us. He offers an extent of skill of physicality which can barely be matched across the globe. If he had retained fitness the combination of the extraordinary talents of Payet and Carroll could unlock any football defence on the planet.

It grieves me now with almost a physical pain to realise that perhaps it is in Carroll's best interest that he now move on to find a more sober, less dramatic life style away from the cauldron that appears to be developing for him in Essex. Whether any other club could pay his wages is a moot point but for all concerned, including Carroll's family, a fresh start is probably the best course. Carroll desperately requires an environment without drama, where he can get his head down to try and achieve some of his unfulfilled potential in the remaining years of his career. It is with this strategy, rather than the inviting of dangerous dogs into his home, that I feel Carroll should now concentrate.

COYI

David Griffith

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Black Stars hit by the death of Coach Afrane; aim to beat Egypt in his honour
Published on: 10 November 2016

The sad news of the passing on of celebrated Ghanaian coach E. K. Afrane has not only hit the country but has struck the senior national team the Black Stars like a thunderbolt according to deputy skipper Andre Ayew and has promised that they will beat Egypt to honour the late coach. The veteran coach perished in an accident when he was being transferred from Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra to the Okomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi for further treatment. The ambulance that was carrying him along with two nurses and his son swerved and somersaulted into a nearby river under a huge bridge on their way to Kumasi where the coach finally bid farewell to the world. And Andre Ayew in an interview ahead of their clash with Egypt in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers say the team is down with the death of Coach Afrane but will beat Egypt to honour the coach. "It's a sad news and we send our condolences to the entire family," Ayew said.
"Coach Afrane is a big coach whose demise means Ghana has lost a great person. He qualified the Black Queens to our first ever senior World Cup. "He has coached all our national teams and that is an enviable achievement. He also coached all the big clubs in Ghana including Kotoko and Hearts. We are really sad and we express our condolences to the entire family and will try to win the game in his honour, " he added. Ghana is currently in camp in Dubai preparing for the cracker with the Egyptians in Alexandria on Sunday.

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