Daily WHUFC News - 8th December 2016

The Big Interview - Alvaro Arbeloa
WHUFC.com

Alvaro Arbeloa has enjoyed many high points during his career winning the
World Cup with Spain and the Champions League with Real Madrid. The
33-year-old is now facing a challenge of a different kind as he looks to
help West Ham move away from the bottom three and get their season back on
track as they prepare to face his former club Liverpool on Sunday. Arbeloa
has a wealth of experience at the top level and hopes he can use some of
that to help his team-mates get back on the winning trail and make amends
for the disappointing home defeat against Arsenal last weekend.....

Alvaro, the team is experiencing a difficult spell at the moment. Is this a
time when we need our experienced players and people who have won trophies
at the highest level to lift the other players in the dressing room?

AA: "Of course this is a very tough time for everyone at the Club and we are
facing pressure because we need points. "The main thing we can do as players
is to work even harder during the week and when we are on the pitch, we need
to stay together and fight until the end. "We need to be ready for
everything and focused on the game. We need to do everything perfect and do
our best. That is the only thing we can do now."

How much of a different challenge is this for you now, because you have won
major honours for both club and country and are now having to help the team
move away from the bottom of the table?

AA: "This is a different challenge but I am used to this kind of pressure
because when I played for Real Madrid, if we lost one game it was really bad
so I know what to expect. "Every week and every day at Madrid we were under
pressure so I am used to it but this is a different kind of situation. "We
have to train with a high intensity and we have to show our best form."

You have been fortunate enough to play in a number of successful teams. Can
you see the quality in the squad that will help turn the Club's fortunes
around?

AA: "Of course I can see that. When I see my team-mates I know that they
have quality. "I think the players are hurting a great a deal after what
happened on Saturday. We have a great manager and great players. "We have
been hit by a number of injuries, but there is nothing we can do about that.
We are training as hard as we can and we need to stay together as a team and
get more points."

The Hammers had a memorable victory against Liverpool last season winning
3-0 on Merseyside. Can the team get a similar kind of result on Sunday?

AA: "It will not be easy but of course we can get a victory. They lost 4-3
against Bournemouth last weekend so it is possible. "West Ham won at Anfield
last season so there is no reason why we cannot do that again."

Have you been back to Anfield since leaving Liverpool and what do you
remember about the occasion?

AA: "I went back with Real Madrid two-years ago and we had an amazing game
winning 3-0. We had a great performance that night because Liverpool were
playing well at the time. "It was my first time back for a number of years
and it felt a bit strange going into a different dressing room. "But it was
great for me to sample the atmosphere again. The supporters were always
great towards me and it was nice for me to come away with a victory."

Can you see any comparisons between Liverpool and West Ham and the amazing
support that the fans show towards the team?

AA: "Liverpool are a massive Club and there is a good feeling between the
fans and the team. "I can see a lot of comparisons with West Ham because
when I first came to London I knew they also had really good fans and there
is a great connection between the players and the fans. "I could see that
when I used to play for Liverpool at the Boleyn Ground and I could feel that
from the West Ham fans. It is important to have that kind of support and
they are among the best supporters in England."

What would be your standout memories from your time at Liverpool?

AA: "I have really good memories but it was obviously disappointing to lose
the Champions League Final against AC Milan in Athens.
"For me every game that I played at Anfield was amazing and I remember
beating Real Madrid 4-0 at Anfield which was a great night and it was an
amazing final season that I had there when we were fighting for the title
with Manchester United. "I played with some great players like Steven
Gerrard, Javier Mascherano, Fernando Torres and they are legends at the
Club. "I once again see similarities with West Ham as they both have great
anthems when you walk onto the pitch and you can feel something special when
you go onto the pitch."

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Ashton - Everyone needs to stick together
WHUFC.com

Memories came flooding back for former striker Dean Ashton when the Emirates
FA Cup third round draw was made on Monday night. The Hammers were drawn at
home against Manchester City and who could forget Deano's memorable brace
against City back in March 2006 which helped the Hammers come away with a
2-1 victory and set the Club on the way to their first FA Cup Final since
1980. Ashton enjoyed a number of memorable moments in a claret and blue
shirt but his performance at the Etihad Stadium ranks alongside one of his
best and he would now love to see the Hammers cause another big upset. The
former Hammers striker is well aware that the Premier League is the number
one priority, but feels a good cup run could only bring more confidence into
the squad at a time when everyone needs to come together.....

I had a great time at West Ham United but the Manchester City game in the FA
Cup is one of those games I get reminded about and the fans always talk to
me about the first goal I scored. It was a special night for everyone at the
Club and we felt at that stage that it was going to be our year. We came
into the game with a lot of confidence as we had been on a good run of form,
including a big away win over Arsenal. I had managed to get a few goals and
was showing what I could bring to the Club. I still love watching the
Manchester City game back and the first goal that I scored. I managed to
produce a flashy bit of skill after receiving a pass from Nigel Reo-Coker
and took the ball around Sylvain Distin who is no slouch and I managed to
smash the ball past David James into the corner of the net. It was with my
weaker left foot but I was so happy to see the ball go in and I still enjoy
watching the celebrations that followed. The victory brought even more
confidence into the squad and after beating Middlesbrough in the semi-final
at Villa Park, we came so close to beating Liverpool in the Final.
I know this is a tough draw for West Ham but the FA Cup is slightly
different and we don't know what kind of a team Pep Guardiola will put out
on the day. If we can manage to get a win, it will bring so much confidence
into the squad and it can help with the league form as it will give the
players a big lift. We found that after winning at the Etihad Stadium on
that Monday night and we were flying that season. This is a tough time for
West Ham at the moment but everyone needs to stick together. The Club is not
being helped by injuries to key players and the weekend defeat against
Arsenal was very disappointing. But we need to show more fight and be harder
to beat and that will allow players such as Payet and Lanzini to show a bit
of magic and nick a goal at the other end.
This is a tough run of fixtures but the team will have good memories of
their performance against Liverpool at Anfield last season and they need to
take that into the game. I believe this is a good time to play Liverpool
following their 4-3 defeat against Bournemouth on Sunday and I see it being
a close game.
When I look at the squad I believe there is enough quality to turn the
situation around but we need the strikers to start scoring again. We
obviously need players like Andy Carroll to come back and it will make such
a difference.

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Stopper Trott signs first pro deal
WHUFC.com

West Ham United are delighted to announce that promising goalkeeper Nathan
Trott has signed his first professional contract to keep him at the Club
until 2020. The stopper is one of the country's most highly-rated keepers
and recently earned his first England call-up, joining up with the U19 squad
in October. Starring for the Hammers' Premier League 2 side this season,
Trott has won plenty of plaudits and pledged his future to the east
Londoners by penning a three and a half year deal. Trott has trained with
the first team at the Club's Rush Green base on a number of occasions and,
having put pen to paper on his first professional contract, is keen to push
on and impress further this campaign. He said: "I think it's a massive
achievement for me and my family and I can only thank the people who are
around me and support me every day to get where I am today. Nathan Trott"I
think my family have just supported me along the way. As a kid, everyone
wants to be a footballer but everyone knew I was really serious about
becoming a professional and each year they have just supported me. "I want
to give myself extra time for me to work and I want to try to prove to fans
that I can become a really great player. "I want to establish myself as the
No1 for the U23s and play week in, week out and get used to the feeling of
being No1. "

The Hammers recently secured the future of equally promising talent Domingos
Quina and have showed a lot of faith in young players, giving the likes of
Reece Oxford and Marcus Browne their senior bows over the last two seasons.
Bermudan-born Trott revealed the confidence the Club has in youngsters
played a huge role in his decision to sign before praising the work of those
in the Academy of Football. "It was probably the main factor in me wanting
to sign here," he continued. "Your work is always seen around the Academy
and you'll be given the chance if you deserve it. "[At the Academy], Terry
[Westley, Academy Manager] and Liam [Manning, Academy Coach and Assistant
Manager] have been very supportive of me and and my coach JJ [Jerome John,
Academy Goalkeeping Coach] as well.
"Those three are probably the main three who have pushed me. It's important
that now they keep onto me. "I also like the competition [at the Club]. I
don't see it as a negative thing. I think it helps me to become a better
player myself, especially when you're training with first team goalkeepers
like Randolph and Adrian. I think you get better as you train with people
who are better than you."

Finally Trott, who describes himself as a goalkeeper who depends on his
reflexes and has brilliant footwork, explained what it would mean to him to
make his first team bow at the Club's new London Stadium home one day. "It
would be a dream for me to make my debut at the new Stadium. Obviously
that's my main goal, and I want to work my way through the ranks at West Ham
and hopefully in a couple of years or sooner I can make my debut at London
Stadium."

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Any Old Irons
WHUFC.com

Darren Randolph, Adrian and Julian Dicks paid a visit to the Any Old Irons
project
West Ham United Foundation and partners bring together older Hammers for
friendship and fun
Initiative held at East Ham Working Men's Club in Upton Park

Darren Randolph and Adrian enjoyed a trip down memory lane recently, at the
launch of a joint initiative between the West Ham United Foundation and
national charity Friends of the Elderly, aimed at bringing together Hammers
fans aged 65 and over. The pair were joined by Hammers legend and current
first-team coaching assistant Julian Dicks at Any Old Irons, a project
celebrating and exploring the Club's rich history, and giving those involved
the opportunity to bond over their shared love of West Ham United. Randolph,
Adrian and Dicks enjoyed a lively question and answer session with the group
of older supporters and then spent time chatting to them personally at the
event in east London. Any Old Irons is another brilliant initiative from the
West Ham United Foundation, offering support to older people in the West Ham
community

Randolph said: "It was fantastic to meet some of our older supporters and
see the passion they have for the Club. Some of them have been following
West Ham for a very long time and they had some great stories to tell. It's
so nice that they are able to get together at an event like this and share
their love of the club."

Dicks added: "Any Old Irons is another brilliant initiative from the West
Ham United Foundation, offering support to older people in the West Ham
community. "By bringing together Hammers' fans who may not be socially
active, Any Old Irons helps keep vulnerable fans connected. It's great to
see so many supporters from different generations bonding over our club and
their shared memories."

Run in conjunction with the Premier League and the Professional Footballers'
Association (PFA), Any Old Irons is part of the Football Friends programme.
The initiative gives participants the opportunity to connect with other fans
and locals in their community, bringing them together for fun and
friendship. Those attending can also learn how to stay in touch with their
fellow fans and the Club using digital technology.

Don Adams, 67, from east London, took part in the first Football Friends
programme in March 2015. After retiring six years ago, Don found there was
nothing of interest for him to get involved with. He said: "You hear so many
things aimed at senior women but little that also includes men. The Football
Friends programme has changed my life. "It's got me out of the house, it's
got me interacting with other people and I've made new friends."

The Any Old Irons event, held at East Ham Working Men's Club, also provided
an example of the club's ongoing commitment to providing support for the
community in the Upton Park area. The project is possible thanks to funding
and resource provided by West Ham United Foundation, Friends of the Elderly,
the Premier League and PFA.

The PL/PFA Fund supports community projects delivered by professional
football clubs, by allowing them to work in partnership with local agencies
and charities who deliver programmes that will help and support those taking
part. The Fund allows clubs to focus on areas of need for their local
community and develop partnerships that will look to address these.

Sally McLachlan, Senior Engagement Manager at Friends of the Elderly, said:
"We are really excited to be launching our rolling Football Friends
programme, Any Old Irons, with West Ham United Foundation. We know that
loneliness is an issue for older people for many different reasons. This
programme not only helps to overcome loneliness, but it also supports
prevention, giving participants the confidence to become involved in their
local community once again."

The project takes place at East Ham Working Men's Club and is open to anyone
over the age of 65. Places are limited and will be allocated on a
first-reserved basis - those interested in attending should call Friends of
the Elderly on 0330 332 1110.

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Brooking - We need our big strikers back among the goals
WHUFC.com

Sir Trevor Brooking believes West Ham have shown they have the capabilities
to compete with the big teams in the Premier League and feels the return of
key strikers such as Andy Carroll and Andre Ayew will transform the way the
team is performing.

Brooking was at London Stadium to see the Hammers suffer a disappointing
home defeat against Arsenal last Saturday and knows it could have been a
different story if Slaven Bilic had been able to call upon his established
forwards if they had been fully fit.

The Hammers manager has suffered a number of injury problems this season,
particularly to his forward line and has been forced to do without the
services of Carroll, Diafra Sakho and Club record signing Ayew for the
majority of the season.

Brooking certainly knows a thing or too about getting on the scoresheet,
having scored over 100 goals for the east London Club and feels the return
of players such as Carroll and Ayew will make the Hammers a much stronger
outfit ahead of a crucial period of games.

Brooking said: "You can see the capability that the team has after we played
so well to get a victory over Chelsea in the EFL Cup and no-one has beaten
them in recent weeks.

"But we have suffered a number of injuries, so the form of certain players
has not been as strong and scoring goals has been a big issue. We have just
got to be patient.

"We have got a flurry of games coming up and we need to see how the team
emerges going into the New Year and that will give us a clearer picture of
what is ahead.

"We need more goals and I was really upset that Diafra Sakho got injured
again because he came back really well and made a difference in the
Tottenham game.

"He scored against Manchester United at Old Trafford but then got injured
again. He is a player who can turn defences around and it is a big loss.

"We saw last season what a threat Andy Carroll can be and he needs to stay
fit. When he is fit he is a handful and our biggest challenge has been to
score sufficient goals.

"I hope Andy can gradually come back and Andre Ayew can start to show his
best form. We also need to get Diafra fit again because he was starting to
show what we can do when we have a decent striker up there."

BrookingBrooking would love to see West Ham repeat what they achieved at
Anfield last season when they ended 52 years without a victory to secure a
memorable 3-0 win over Liverpool.

But with Jurgen Klopp's side going for the title this season, the Hammers
legend knows the difficult task facing his former Club and hopes they can
get something before they face two massive home games against Burnley and
Hull.

Brooking added: "Liverpool have got a couple of injuries at the moment but
it is not an easy place to go and they are a bit like Chelsea this season
that they don't have European distraction and were always going to be
challenging for the title.

"They have got a lot of strength in depth and it will be a tough game. We
had great result there last year but I can't remember having the best of
times at Anfield during my playing days.

"The only game I can remember something positive from was when little Pop
Robson was playing for us and we were 2-0 up with ten minutes to go but they
came back and got a draw, even though we played them off the park.

"It is always a great place to play and the atmosphere and banter between
the fans is great.

"You normally look forward to it, but with the ways things are going and the
gaps in the squad, we want to emerge from it without to much damage.

"The next two home games against Burnley and Hull are massive and we want to
try and get back on a winning run."

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Slaven Bilic: West Ham boss sets top-10 Premier League target
BBC.co.uk

West Ham boss Slaven Bilic expects his side to finish in the top half of the
Premier League, despite sitting one place above the relegation zone. The
Hammers are winless in their past five league games and are just a point
away from the bottom three. Speaking to BBC Sport's Gary Lineker before
Saturday's 5-1 loss to Arsenal, Bilic, 48, said he was "confident" that his
side will finish "minimum top 10". "We are not happy with the position we
are in at the moment," he added.
The interview features on The Premier League Show at 22:00 GMT on Thursday
on BBC Two. West Ham, who relocated to the former Olympic Stadium over the
summer, finished seventh last term but have won just two home games in the
league this season. Bilic, who received the backing of club owner David
Sullivan at the weekend, accepts that there is pressure to improve results.
"We are in a position we are not happy with and where we have to bite our
nails," said the Croat.
"We are not directly talking about relegation but straight after your game
you have to look at the results here and the results there. It's not ideal
"I feel the support of the fans, the team and the board. My next few games
are my test."

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