Daily WHUFC News - 12th January 2017

Francois van der Elst - 1954-2017
WHUFC.com

Former Hammer Francois van der Elst has passed away at the age of 62
Forward made 70 appearances for West Ham United, scoring 17 goals between
1982-83
Striker also excelled in the colours of Anderlecht and the Belgian national
team

West Ham United are saddened to learn of the tragic passing of former
Hammers and Belgium forward Francois Van der Elst, at the age of 62.
Francois suffered a cardiac arrest on New Year's Eve and was placed in an
induced coma in intensive care at hospital in Aalst, but sadly lost his
battle for life this week. Born in Opwijk on 1 December 1954, Francois first
came to the attention of Hammers fans when he scored two goals against us
for Anderlecht in the 1976 European Cup Winners' Cup final. His performance
alongside the great Robbie Rensenbrink played a key role in a thrilling
final that Anderlecht won 4-2 at the Heysel Stadium in Brussels. He went on
to win another Cup Winners' Cup winners medal with Anderlecht in 1978, was
given the nickname 'Mister Europe' by the club's fans after scoring 20 goals
in 43 European appearances.
In January 1982, after a brief spell with New York Cosmos in the USA,
Francois arrived at Upton Park in a £400,000 deal. He made his debut as a
substitute for Alan Devonshire in a 1-0 defeat at Brighton on 16 January and
went on to make a further 21 appearances that season, scoring five goals.
The following campaign, he became a regular in John Lyall's team, making 40
appearances and scoring nine First Division goals. A skilful, intelligent
forward, Francois became a firm favourite among the Upton Park faithful who
appreciated his creativity and eye for goal. In the summer of 1983, after 70
appearances and 17 goals for West Ham, he returned home to Belgium to sign
for Lokeren, where he finished his playing career in 1986.

Francois won 44 caps for the Belgium national team, including an appearance
in the 1980 UEFA European Championship final against West Germany. He also
appeared at the 1982 FIFA World Cup finals in Spain and scored 14 goals for
his country. In retirement, Francois ran a billiards hall in his home
country, where he remained in regular contact with the Belgian Irons
supporters' club, who incidentally have a group trip to London Stadium
planned for this weekend's Premier League fixture with Crystal Palace.

Everyone at West Ham United would like to pass on our sincere condolences to
Francois' family at this sad time.

Further tributes to Francois will appear soon on whufc.com and in Saturday's
Official Programme.

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Dimi wins Goal of the Month
WHUFC.com

Dimitri Payet has won the whufc.com Goal of the Month for December, after
his stunning free-kick at Liverpool topped the voting charts.

Payet's curling strike at Anfield - his sixth successful free-kick
conversion for the Hammers - took 41 per cent of the vote to beat off
competition from within the first team and Academy for the top prize.

Dan Kemp's cool finish after a glorious passing move for the Premier League
2 side at Wolves took second, while Andy Carroll's fierce strike at the back
post in the 4-1 win a Swansea City was fourth.

You can watch Dimi's winning goal again in our video above!

Congratulations to competition winner Joe Palmer, who was drawn out of the
hat to win a shirt signed by Payet.

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Former Player Blog - Hayden Mullins
WHUFC.com

Hayden Mullins played 179 league games for West Ham United between 2003-09,
forming part of the squads which won promotion from the Championship in 2005
and reached the FA Cup final a year later. Now coaching Watford's U23 side
alongside former Leeds United and Liverpool star Harry Kewell, Mullins was
delighted to return to the Hammers with members of the 2005/06 side for the
recent game against Manchester City...

Friday was the first time I've been to the new Stadium and it looks
beautiful. I'm sure going forward it will be a great move for the Club. I
can remember being at West Ham with the guys who came back last weekend and
it was a fantastic time. We socialised together, trained hard together and
had a laugh together and we knew on the pitch we were all together and it
made a massive difference. The lads back then were a fantastic and
underrated team. We could have mixed it with some top teams and we did.
Going into that season, we all knew what we could do even though we knew we
were getting written off. We knew what we had in our squad and we were all
very hungry. We'd all grown up watching the Premier League and we wanted to
get our break in it and we did and finished with a Cup final and European
place. It was a privilege to play in that squad. The lads back then were a
fantastic and underrated team. We could have mixed it with some top teams
and we did. Going into that season, we all knew what we could do even though
we knew we were getting written off. We knew what we had in our squad and we
were all very hungry. I look back at my time here as a great period in my
career. It was when I came here and I was in my prime at 23 or 24. I played
with some fantastic players along the way. It's a great club with great
fans, passionate fans, and you know, three trips to the Millennium Stadium,
promotions, the two Argentines, Marlon, big Dean, Gabbs…it was just a
brilliant period in my career. I finished playing in 2015 and Notts County
were my last club and I had a few offers to play in India, but I wanted to
look at coaching and it is a way I want to do things now. I went into
Brentford briefly before going back to Reading where I was the Academy loan
manager. But it's a really different role and it's networking but coaching
is the real passion and the thing I want to do. I was lucky enough to get
the position to coach the U23s at Watford which is what I'm doing now and I
really love it.
West Ham play another of my former teams on Saturday and Palace are a
dangerous team on their day. They have quick, powerful players…Zaha,
Townsend, Puncheon, Benteke…they are a dangerous team. Big Sam will come
here not wanting to lose and they need a result. So do West Ham though. They
need to win their home games now and if they can do that, they will steer
clear of the bottom three and start looking up.

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Hammers pay tribute to Frankie
WHUFC.com

West Ham United legends have lined up to pay tribute to former teammate
Francois van der Elst, who has passed away at the age of 62.

The Belgian forward made 70 appearances in Claret and Blue between January
1982 and May 1983, during which time the Hammers re-established themselves
back in the top flight after winning the Second Division title in 1981.

Van der Elst was as popular in the dressing room as he was on the terraces,
where his elusive play caught the imagination at a time when overseas stars
were few and far between.

Right-back Ray Stewart told whufc.com: "It's terribly sad news, and tragic
for his family to have lost him at the age of just 62.

"Frankie was a great player and a great guy, too. I got really friendly with
him as we lived near each other in Brentwood and used to travel in to
training together.

"I used to drop him off at the airport if he was heading back to Belgium for
whatever reason, and he'd let me use his car while he was away! We just
clicked as pals, he was very easy to get along with and we spent a lot of
time together.

"As a player, he was wonderful to play with, very intelligent, skilful and
really fitted into the way that we played under John Lyall at West Ham then.

"I'd not spoken to him for a good few years but I still thought about him
and all the good times we shared – I have so many great memories from that
time."

Sir Trevor Brooking, who played in the 1976 European Cup Winners' Cup final
against Anderlecht, in which Van der Elst scored two of the goals for the
Belgian side in a 4-2 victory, said: "At that time, Anderlecht were one of
the most highly-respected teams in Europe, made up of Belgian and Dutch
players who were really on top of their game.

"It was always going to be tough for us, especially as it was on home soil
for them, which made it an away game for us rather than being a neutral
venue, but we started well and took the lead.

"Then Frank Lampard's unfortunate backpass let them back in and they got
stronger as the game went on. Francois and Robbie Rensenbrink were really
the two key players in their team and showed the quality they had with the
goals they scored.

"Their performances obviously stayed in the memory, and then of course John
Lyall managed to bring him in the season after we won promotion, adding to
what was already a very good side.

"Technically, he was very good, and his style of play suited the way that
John, and Ron Greenwood before him, wanted to play.

"He was also a popular lad among the squad, well-liked by everyone, and
obviously had an affinity with the supporters who saw him as the type of
player suited to West Ham.

"It's sad to hear of his loss, and obviously my condolences go to his family
at this time."

Tony Cottee, who made a memorable goalscoring debut playing alongside Van
der Elst against Tottenham Hotspur in January 1983, recalled both happy and
sad memories of the Belgian playmaker.

"Francois was a lovely guy," said Cottee. "He was in the team when I made my
debut against Spurs, so I've obviously got great memories of that, and he
was great to play with – very creative and skilful.

"I also remember him breaking my heart in the 1976 Cup Winners' Cup final,
though, when he scored two great goals for Anderlecht. There were a few
tears in my house that night!

"It was a bit surreal to be playing with him just over six years later. He
wasn't at West Ham for too long, but he made an impact and was a big
favourite with the fans.

"You'd also have to say he was something of a pioneer, back in the days when
it wasn't too common for English clubs to sign foreign players.

"He was one of those who paved the way for the future foreign players to
come in – a genuine top player who was a success here, and he won't be
forgotten."

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From the Treatment Room
WHUFC.com

Head of Medical and Sports Science Stijn Vandenbroucke issues an update – in
association with Spire Roding Hospital...

Hello everybody,

The treatment room is less busy than it was a few weeks ago as we prepare to
face our old manager Sam Allardyce this weekend. We do not have a lot of
injuries at present and hopefully we can keep it that way.

We played four games in the space of eleven days over the Christmas and New
Year period, with the second-lowest number of resting non-match days in the
Premier League during that time. We also made the fewest number of changes
to the team of any Premier League club.

James Collins returned to training with the squad this week and will be
available for selection against Crystal Palace in the Premier League.

We are happy that Sam Byram and Reece Oxford returned in the Premier League
2 game against Norwich City on Monday and did well.

Domingos Quina, who has been in the first-team squad regularly in recent
weeks, also came through well, while Ashley Fletcher got a goal and another
positive 90 minutes under his belt, which is always good.

Diafra Sakho is continuing to recover from the back surgery he underwent in
the week before Christmas.

Arthur Masuaku unfortunately injured his knee in training on 8 December. He
works very hard and is a top professional. Unfortunately, there is no magic
potion to instantly fix structures like the medial cruciate ligament (MCL)
and we take the time needed to rehab and prepare him for the rest of the
season.

Alvaro Arbeloa is still recovering from the calf injury he suffered in the
Arsenal game on 2 December and is continuing his rehab.

Gokhan Tore is continuing his rehab with his parent club Besiktas in
Istanbul after he underwent surgery on a significant knee injury.

Stijn Vandenbroucke
Head of Medical and Sports Science

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Cresswell – We all want the same thing
WHUFC.com

Aaron Cresswell says West Ham United fans can inspire the team to victory on
Saturday
Hammers host Crystal Palace in a local derby at London Stadium
Fixture will see former manager Sam Allardyce return to east London for a
second time

Aaron Cresswell says the Claret and Blue Army can play their part in making
Sam Allardyce's latest return to West Ham United an unhappy one.

Recently-appointed Big Sam brings his Crystal Palace team to London Stadium
for the first time on Saturday, seeking his first victory as Eagles manager.

Cresswell was signed by Allardyce and won the Hammer of the Year award under
him in 2015, but the left-back says there will be no room for sentiment and
urged Hammers fans to make life as difficult as possible for his former
boss.

When Allardyce returned with Sunderland last season, he suffered a 1-0
defeat at the Boleyn Ground, and the No3 says a similar result is achievable
with the backing of another sell-out home crowd.

"Of course it makes a massive difference when the fans are right behind us,
encouraging us and supporting us," said the England international. "As
players, a positive atmosphere makes it easier for us to relax and
concentrate on the job, while it also makes it more difficult for the
visiting team to do the same thing.

"We all know that results haven't been going as well as we'd all have hoped
as late, and I can fully appreciate and understand that it can be
frustrating watching at times, but we all want the same thing at the end of
the day.

"I remember when I sat in the crowd when I was out injured and it can be
electric. That noise definitely gives the lads a lift and has helped them to
win games."

Cresswell made a triumphant return from a knee injury in the 1-0 victory
over Palace at Selhurst Park in October, when he assisted Manuel Lanzini's
winning goal before being controversially sent-off for two bookable
offences.

That win lifted the Hammers out of the bottom three, and another success on
Saturday could see Slaven Bilic's side rise into the top half for the first
time since August.

Palace, meanwhile, have won just once in their 12 subsequent Premier League
matches to slip to 17th – a run which saw Big Sam replace Alan Pardew in the
dugout just before Christmas.

"We've got another London derby against Crystal Palace on Saturday and it's
one we all badly want to win," Cresswell observed. "They're not going
through a great time themselves at the minute and we need to exploit any
weaknesses they have.

"We put in one of our best performances of the season at Palace and got the
win we deserved, with the lads putting in a real shift after I got sent-off!

"You can be sure we will prepare properly for the game on Saturday and, with
50-odd thousand fans behind us, we'll give it absolutely everything we've
got to get the three points."

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LUNCHTIME ROUND UP: IMPROVED SNODGRASS BID, ROMA DEAL AGREED?, FONTE LINKED
WITH HAMMERS!
BY DAN CHAPMAN ON 11 JANUARY 2017 AT 12:44PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk

Afternoon Hammers, here is a round up of the news this Wednesday lunchtime:

West Ham have made an improved offer of £5m for Hull winger Robert
Snodgrass. (Sky Sports) He isn't at the top of my list for what we need this
window, but I think he would still be a great signing if we pulled it off.

Sky Sports pundits Jeff Stelling and Phil Thompson have slammed West Ham
over their transfer conduct. (HITC)
I agree with them on this. We are way too open about our business every year
and it makes things so much harder. The board need to learn from their
mistakes and be quiet when we are doing deals.

Roma have come to an agreement on personal terms with Sofiane Feghouli, but
need West Ham to lower their loan demands. (Sports Witness)
Its a shame if true, but if we can replace him with Snodgrass then I am all
for it.

West Ham have blocked an attempt from Rangers to take Domingos Quina on
loan. (Mirror)
West Ham will make a move to sign Joe Hart in the summer transfer window.
(Clubcall)

This would be a massive statement of intent from us. He is a brilliant
goalkeeper, a great leader and very vocal. He would be an outstanding
signing to make.

West Ham are hoping to sign two strikers this January, with Scott Hogan and
Jermain Defoe linked. (Star)

I think its clear that we won't be getting Defoe now. However, Hogan I think
we will get. If we are getting another striker as well as Hogan, I would go
for someone like Batshuayi, Long or even Berahino.

West Ham have made a bid of £4m for want away Southampton defender Jose
Fonte. (Sun)

I would take Fonte all day. Yes he is 33 but he has been one of the stand
out defenders in the league for a number of years now. He wants to leave so
he would be relatively cheap too. I'm all for this deal.

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Francois Van Der Elst 1954-2017
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 11th January 2017
By: Staff writer #3

Kumb is saddened to hear of the passing of former Hammer Francois Van Der
Elst. The former Belgian international passed away this morning after having
a heart attack on New Year's Day. Van Der Elst was part of the Anderlect
side that defeated the Hammers in the 1976 European Cup Winners Cup final,
scoring twice in a 4-2 win for the Belgian side playing on home turf. Van
Der Elst left Anderlecht in 1980 to play for New York Cosmos in the then
North American Soccer League but he returned to Europe in January 1982,
signing for the Hammers for a reported £400,000 fee. Overall the Belgian
winger made 70 appearances for the Irons scoring 17 goals in the process
before returning home to Belgium where he played for Lokeren until finally
retiring in 1986. kumb.com sends its condolences to the Van Der Elst family
at this sad time.

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Tony Cottee: West Ham cannot hide behind London Stadium excuses - poor
transfers may force Dimitri Payet exit
EXCLUSIVE
JOHN DILLON 2 hours ago0 comments
Evening Standard

Tony Cottee believes West Ham are at risk of losing Dimitri Payet unless
they match the winger's ambitions in the transfer market. Payet has cut a
frustrated figure this season as West Ham have struggled to match their form
of the 2015/16 campaign, with the Hammers currently languishing 13th in the
Premier League table as they struggle to adapt to their new London Stadium
home. France star Payet has made no secret of welcoming transfer
speculation, despite Slaven Bilic insisting that the 29-year-old will not be
sold during the January transfer window. West Ham are seeking January
recruits themselves, but have had a third bid for Scott Hogan rejected as
Brentford stand firm over the striker's £15million asking price. Lifelong
fan Cottee, who played 337 times for West Ham and scored 146 goals, says the
board must be more decisive in the transfer market if they are to retain key
players like Payet. "We have two massive games against Crystal Palace and
Middlesbrough now," Cottee told Standard Sport. "It's been a very
frustrating season and everyone seems to be hiding behind excuses. "But
people can't keep blaming the stadium for the poor performances. I like it,
even though it's not really a football ground. It's the same for both sides
on the pitch. "This is down to the players and most of the 12 new signings
haven't performed. "Payet looks a frustrated player to me. He could leave if
they don't make some decent signings.
"All the club keep talking about is signing this one or that one. And
nothing happens. Why do they keep telling everyone who are they putting in
bids for? Just sign someone. "I am speaking as a supporter, not a media man.
It's a poor policy."
Saturday's match against Crystal Palace also marks the return of Sam
Allardyce to east London. Palace boss Allardyce left the Hammers under a
cloud after being sacked in 2015, but Cottee says that the ex-England
manager deserves a warm welcome from his former club. "I'd also say that Sam
Allardyce should get a round of applause on Saturday, although I am sure he
won't," Cottee added. "He did a good job at West Ham. I've always said that.
"He did what he was asked to, then he moved on. He stabilised the club after
relegation."

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WEST HAM JOIN THE CHASE FOR FONTE
LUKE OSMAN
ReadWestHam

West Ham are the latest Premier League club to join the chase for
Southampton central defender Jose Fonte, according to the Daily Mail.

Slaven Bilic looks to be interested in bolstering his defensive options in
the coming weeks of the transfer window and it now seems as though he has
identified Fonte as a plausible move to solve the leakage of goals.

Bilic's need for defensive reinforcements was only encouraged further by
West Ham's 5-0 collapse at the hands of Manchester City in the FA Cup third
round against Manchester City on Friday night in front of a packed-out
London Stadium.

Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images SportJordan Mansfield/Getty Images Sport

Fonte handed in a transfer request at St Mary's last Friday and it looks as
though a move away from the south coast could be on the cards for the
Portugal international after seven years with the club.

The 33-year-old won the European Championships with his country back in the
summer and would provide an experienced head at the back for West Ham, but
face competition from Everton for his signature.

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West Ham make improved transfer bid for Hull's Robert Snodgrass - Sky
sources
By Michael Cantillon
Last Updated: 10/01/17 9:38pm
SSN

West Ham have made an improved bid of £5m for Hull city midfielder Robert
Snodgrass, according to Sky sources. The Hammers had initially made a bid of
£3m for the Scotland international, but this was rejected by Hull on Friday.
As reported by Sky sources in December, Snodgrass has rejected the offer of
an improved deal at Hull and is out of contract at the end of the season.
Snodgrass, 29, has been a key performer for Hull this season despite the
club's troubles, registering seven goals and two assists. New Tigers manager
Marco Silva started the Scot in the club's EFL Cup semi-final first leg
against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Tuesday.
Hull sit bottom of the Premier League having won only three games this
campaign and are without a win in the division for nine fixtures. Hull next
face Bournemouth in a crucial clash at the KCOM on Saturday. As well as
Snodgrass, West Ham are in the hunt for at least one striker having had a
£6m bid for Sunderland's Jermain Defoe rejected, as well as a trio of bids
for Brentford's Scott Hogan all short of the £15m asking price. The Hammers
are also interested in taking Chelsea forward Michy Batshuayi on loan.

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WEST HAM CONSIDER MOVE FOR CUCO MARTINA
MICHAEL OLIVER
readWestHam

Right-back has been a real issue for West Ham this season. The Hammers
brought in Alvaro Arbeloa to be competition for Sam Byram but he's been a
huge disappointment, not to mention the former England U21 international
Byram has been out since October with a hamstring injury. Havard Nordtveit
and Michail Antonio have both spent time at right-back as a stop-gap but
neither have enjoyed much success at the position. To help find the answer,
the Hammers are believed to be considering a move for Southampton's reserve
defender Cuco Martina but face competition from Hull for his signature
according to the ESPN. The 27-year-old Curacao international right-back has
been long-linked with an exit from Southampton after seeing an Everton move
fall through in the summer as the result of Jeremy Pied suffering a
long-term injury. Only under contract until the end of the season, Martina
could be offloaded this month by Claude Puel if he wishes to generate some
cash to spend during the January transfer window.

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West Ham United make bid for Southampton defender Jose Fonte
HITC
John Verrall

West Ham United are keen to snap up Southampton defender Jose Fonte.
According to a report in The Sun, West Ham United have submitted a £4
million offer for Southampton defender Jose Fonte. Fonte has submitted a
transfer request at St. Mary's, with the Saints willing to listen to offers
for the centre-back. Southampton boss Claude Puel has admitted that Fonte
could leave Southampton in the January transfer window, with a number of
clubs circling. Everton are thought to be keen to snap up the experienced
Euro 2016 winner, but West Ham have attempted to jump to the front of the
queue by making a bid. The Hammers' reported offer of £4 million is some way
short of Southampton's valuation of the centre-back, which has been reported
as £12 million (Daily Mirror).

West Ham have been on the hunt for bargains since the transfer window
opened, with similarly small bids being lodged for Sunderland's Jermain
Defoe and Hull City's Robert Snodgrass. If Fonte was to move to West Ham, he
would be in competition with the likes of Winston Reid, James Collins and
Reece Oxford for a place in Slaven Bilic's first-team.

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West Ham in for Southampton's Jose Fonte... as Crystal Palace also show an
interest in the 33-year-old defender
Jose Fonte has handed in a transfer request at Southampton
The 33-year-old is being looked at by West Ham and Crystal Palace
Fonte will not feature against Liverpool in the EFL Cup semi-final tie
Everton had bid £9million for the 33-year-old in the summer
By Simon Jones for MailOnline
PUBLISHED: 13:35, 11 January 2017 | UPDATED: 13:53, 11 January 2017

West Ham have posted an interest in Southampton's Jose Fonte, as well as
Crystal Palace. Everton bid £9million for the 33-year-old in the summer and
remain admirers but have concerns with Ashley Williams and Phil Jagielka
also over 30. Fonte will not feature against Liverpool in Southampton's EFL
Cup semi-final tie with Liverpool amid the uncertainty over their captain's
future. The defender has 18 months left on his current contract with the
Saints but handed in a transfer request last week. Southampton's director of
football Les Reed says Fonte had the chance to sign improved terms but has
now asked to leave the club. Everton are expected to formalise their
interest in Standard Liege striker Ishak Belfodil with an £8.5m offer. The
Algerian is training with Liege at their winter camp in Spain.

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West Ham planning to hijack Barcelona's bid to sign Palmeiras star Yerry
Mina
The Hammers face competition from some of Europe's top clubs for the
defender's signature
The Mirror
BYJOHN CROSS
13:53, 11 JAN 2017

West Ham are trying to jump in on a deal for Colombia defender Yerry Mina.
The 22-year-old plays for Palmeiras in Brazil and is very highly regarded
with Barcelona lining up a deal for next summer. But West Ham are interested
and trying to see whether they could do a permanent switch or an option
further down the line. It has been put to West Ham and they are keen but
they know Europe's top clubs are chasing him so it will be a hard deal to
get across the line. But they are hoping the attraction of regular football
might work. Manchester City have also checked on Mina. West Ham are also
locked in talks to sign Brentford striker Scott Hogan after seeing a third
bid rejected.

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Tony Gillan: Sunderland should deny Jermain Defoe a move to West Ham United
14:00Wednesday 11 January 2017
Sunderland Echo

If there is one thing that everyone knows about Sunderland AFC it is the
importance of Jermain Defoe to them. "Everyone" includes the people who run
West Ham United. Even those of the meagrest intelligence have worked out
that the absence of Defoe, for whatever reason, will see tumbling odds on
the club avoiding relegation; something that is distinctly in the balance
even if he plays every game. SAM, the Sport Analytics Machine used by
University of Salford boffins to make footy predictions, reckons that
keeping Defoe is worth £41.3m to Sunderland. It also supposes that selling
Defoe would increase the chances of relegation from 58.7 to 66 percent. I
hope they kept the receipt for that machine, or that it's only on hire from
Rediffusion; because £41.3m and 66 percent sound like implausibly
conservative figures. David Moyes has described Defoe as "priceless," which
is almost literally true. Sunderland are in significant debt and relegation
would cost them £100m – per season outside the Premier League. Try not to
think of Leeds United, Sheffield Wednesday or Nottingham Forest at this
point; it hurts. Then there is the cost of replacing Defoe in a league where
decidedly average strikers are sold for £15m. True, he's now 34. But Didier
Drogba was still playing for Chelsea at 37. And a striker of Defoe's
capabilities but a few years younger could set a club back £40-£50m. I can't
therefore imagine that the denizens of the Taxpayers Arena were anything
like astounded when their allegedly serious bid of £6m was turned down like
a bedspread. It was a quick response too; a two-word reply taking so little
time to type. Even if reports of a slightly less silly £15m bid are correct,
we have to wonder: are West 'Am dwelling in an alternative fiscal universe?
Their other recent punt of £3m to Hull City for Robert Snodgrass would
suggest that they are. Another possibility is that they are attempting to
secure their own future, by unsettling the best players at clubs that are
currently in the bottom three. This can't possibly be true of such a
delightful, well-liked club with such unstintingly ethical owners. Cleanse
yourselves of the very notion So they must be making a moral stand against
the ascending and obscene amounts of money changing hands in football today.
Yeah, that's it. We would therefore urge Sunderland to adopt the same
approach for their own January recruitment. Having set the financial level,
David Moyes could land Winston Reid for a case of Merrydown Cider and a meal
for two in the Blue Bell. A bid of 200 quid and a Game Boy should suffice to
see André Ayew in red and white stripes. Dimitri Payet would come to
Sunderland in exchange for the contents of my shed. I exaggerate of course.
I don't have a shed. West Ham and the doolally Chris Sutton among others,
seem to assume that Defoe would gleefully take the opportunity to play for a
smaller club in a dreadful stadium, because it happens to be in London.
Things may look very and horribly different in the summer. But Defoe has not
publicly stated, or even suggested, that he wants to leave Wearside. Quite
the opposite in fact. He seems happy. If he was to unpleasantly surprise us
by asking for a move this month it should be denied to him. Normally I am
very much of the opinion that if a player wishes to leave – then he should
leave (for a suitable fee). But this is an exceptional case. Sunderland
would in all likelihood be better off playing an unhappy Defoe than whatever
the alternative might be.

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Phil Smith: Disrespectful West Ham just didn't get it with derisory Jermain
Defoe offer
Defoe is the subject of fierce speculation
PHIL SMITH 14:00
Sunderland Echo

Well, at least we now have some kind of idea what West Ham were thinking.
Why they sized up Jermain Defoe, everything he's worth to Sunderland, and
came up with £6 million. Tears on the half way against Newcastle, bedlam in
the corner against Chelsea. Three great escapes that he more than made his
stamp on. A player who has given hope, and warded off a growing apathy. Not
all on his own, of course, but not far off either. £6 million? 'How much do
you think you could sell Defoe for when he's 36? Dg', read the message, the
latest public intervention from West Ham discussing another club's player.
That followed numerous glowing references from Slaven Bilic, and a bizarre
gossip column that appeared on the official club site all but confirming the
bid. At least there was a semblance in sense in what Gold offered.
Defoe certainly has next to no sell-on value for the next club to have him,
and for all his supreme and admirable fitness levels, he probably will
struggle to stay at his level past 2019 at the latest. So in purely economic
terms, there was logic. Yet the derisory offer from the Hammers showed that
when it comes to Defoe and Sunderland, they just don't get it. Nor do the
plethora of pundits wheeled out to say how desperate Defoe would be to head
South, how West ham should 'break the bank'. It was at best simplistic, at
worst disrespectful. Experience will tell Sunderland fans that this tale may
well have some legs in it yet, that West Ham's apparent 'cooling' may well
not be the end of the story. For there are certainly reasons why returning
to West Ham might appeal to the 34-year-old. Redemption at the club where it
all started and ended so sourly may appeal, and any striker of stature would
want to play in front of Dimitri Payet. It is certainly hard work leading
the line for Sunderland, often with little service and isolated from the
action. Defoe may well feel, too, that his best chance of a last shot at
international football would be better served from playing elsewhere. Worth
pointing out, too, that bidding on players is part of the game. West Ham are
as entitled to do it as anyone. What rankled, however, was the undertone to
West Ham's pursuit, and the coverage of it, that seemed to presume that
there was no way Defoe could be happy in the North East. So, Mr Sutton, et
al, let's get that right. Sunderland have been extraordinarily lucky to have
Jermain Defoe, but it is an arrangement that has served the striker just as
well. How many 34-year-old footballers can secure a lucrative, three-year
deal, as he does? At the top tier, hardly any. When Defoe arrived at
Sunderland, he had been exiled in the MLS, unhappy and unproductive.
Sunderland made a major financial commitment and rebuilt his career. With
the Black Cats, Defoe has not only enjoyed an Indian summer to his career
but completely reshaped his legacy and perception. Long-standing doubts
about him, his overall contribution to the game, whether he could lead the
line up on his own, all have been emphatically answered. With Sunderland he
can as good as guarantee a starting spot for two and a half seasons, a
chance to chase down his idols on the Premier League goal scoring chart.
With West Ham, who knows which strikers they could move on to come the
summer. Defoe has repaid the faith shown in his abilities in full, embracing
the region, the fanbase and the responsibilities of being the club's marquee
player. It may well end at some stage, but there's no reason why it is
inevitable. Indeed, it's tempting to wonder what would have happened had the
boot been on the other foot. Imagine, for a moment, if Sunderland had placed
a £10 million for Payet. Then David Moyes had begun talking him up in press
conferences, what a special player he is. Then the club site leaked a bid,
before Ellis Short started discussing the Frenchman on Twitter. A plethora
of North East pundits began talking about Payet, how good he would be for
Sunderland, what they should spend on him. The level of ridicule would be
both vast and perfectly justified. It has been another episode that reveals
the underlying stereotypes towards the region from other areas of the
country. What many don't seem to appreciate is that Defoe has seen another
side of the coin. The adulation, the passion, the intensity. Whether that is
enough to keep him at the club until 2019 remains to be seen, but it's high
time we had more voices redressing the balance.

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West Ham knock back Rangers loan bid for 17-year-old Domingos Quina
Rangers were interested in taking West Ham starlet Domingos Quina on loan
Slaven Bilic thinks the 17-year-old could get a first team chance this
season
Rangers boss Mark Warburton wanted Quina to bolster his midfield options
By Sami Mokbel for MailOnline
PUBLISHED: 12:33, 11 January 2017 | UPDATED: 12:33, 11 January 2017

West Ham have scuppered Glasgow Rangers' bid to sign Domingos Quina on loan.
The Ibrox club want to take the 17-year-old midfield until the end of the
season but West Ham have insisted that Quina is not available. Slaven Bilic
believes he could get first team opportunities this season. Portugal Under
18s starlet Quina - who is a target for the English Football Association -
is regarded as one of their top prospects and signed for West Ham from
Chelsea last year after turning down interest from Arsenal and Manchester
United. Back in November Quina put pen to paper on his first professional
contract at the east London club that ties him down until 2019. Quina, a
former Benfica schoolboy, has featured in a number of first team squads
recently, including the recent defeats by Manchester United and Manchester
City. The former Chelsea youngster made headlines in October when he scored
a 40-yard wonder goal against Leicester for the U23s. A Premier League
youngster who is heading north of the border is Arsenal's Jon Toral. The
21-year-old was due to spend the season with Granada but the deal has been
cut short in order to allow Toral to join Mark Warburton's team until the
end of the season. Toral, who previously worked with Warburton at Brentford,
will add to Rangers' midfield options following Niko Kranjcar's injury and
Joey Barton's departure earlier this season.

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Sky Sports pundits Jeff Stelling and Phil Thompson slam West Ham owners over
their transfer conduct
HITC
Damien Lucas

West Ham United co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold lambasted by pundits
after links to players from Sunderland, Celtic, Brentford and Hull City. The
Hammers have once again been linked with a plethora of players after torrid
first half of the season.
Slaven Bilic's side sit 13th in the Premier League and have been dumped out
of the Europa League, EFL Cup and most recently the FA Cup off the back of a
5-0 home thrashing at the hands of Manchester City last time out. The
majority of supporters have pointed the finger of blame at owners David
Sullivan and David Gold for their failure to live up to promises over
transfer spending in the summer.
The duo had publicly pledged on the club's official website back in May that
they were willing to spend over £30 million on a marquee striker signing, an
article which has now been deleted. Some supporters feel it was merely a
ploy to sell season tickets at their new 60,000 seater Olympic Stadium home
as Bilic saw his squad diluted with a clutch of poor signings - many on free
transfers or on loan - and only Edimilson Fernandes has made a positive
impact.
Now with the opening of the January window West Ham are once again the main
club making the headlines with the media seemingly made aware of all the
club's targets and bids. Every spit and cough of moves for the likes of
Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe, Brentford star Scott Hogan, Celtic forward
Moussa Dembele and Hull City playmaker Robert Snodgrass has been plastered
across the tabloids.
Fans are fed up of seeing their club's transfer business aired in public and
vice-chairman Karren Brady even called an end to a bizarre columnist dubbed
'The Insider' - which openly discussed transfer targets and business - on
the official website. Now Sky Sports pundits Jeff Stelling and Phil Thompson
have criticised the owners for their transfer conduct on Soccer Saturday.
"If you look at the transfer window you know Liverpool might sign whoever,
we don't hear anything about it," Stelling said on Soccer Saturday.
"Manchester City, we don't hear anything about it, we don't hear anything
about Manchester United. "We seem to hear about every single target that
West Ham are interested in, why is that, why do they do their business in
public... or fail to do their business in public?" Stelling asked former
Liverpool legend Thompson. "The owners very much seem to get involved in
them (and) they want praise when they get one right," Thompson replied. If
West Ham are truly serious about challenging the Premier League elite after
their move to Stratford then they must start by having a bit more class in
the transfer market. The scattergun approach and overbearing nature of
Sullivan's involvement in transfers has undoubtedly undermined Bilic's
second season at a time when the club should be looking ahead to a bright
future not over their shoulder worrying about relegation.

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West Ham block Rangers' move to sign highly-rated starlet Domingos Quina on
loan
Rangers were keen to bolster their squad and have a history of taking
youngsters on loan from English clubs, having done the same with Arsenal's
Gedion Zelalem
The Mirror
BYJOHN CROSS
11:34, 11 JAN 2017
SPORT

West Ham have blocked Rangers' attempt to sign Domingos Quina on loan. The
Scottish giants were keen to take the 17-year-old midfield starlet until the
end of the season. But West Ham have insisted that Quina is going nowhere as
they believe he could get first team opportunities this season. Rangers were
keen to bolster their squad and have a history of taking youngsters on loan
from English clubs, having done the same with Arsenal's Gedion Zelalem.
Portugal under-18s starlet Quina is regarded as one of their top prospects
and signed for West Ham last year after turning down interest from Arsenal
and Manchester United.

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Don't do an Allardyce, Danny Gabbidon tells Slaven Bilic to stop ignoring
these players at West Ham
HITC
Damien Lucas

Former West Ham United defender Danny Gabbidon has criticised Slaven Bilic
ahead of Saturday's crucial match against Sam Allardyce's Crystal Palace.
The Hammers were thrashed 5-0 in the FA Cup by Manchester City at the London
Stadium last time out. The humiliating defeat follows an embarrassing early
exit from the Europa League to Romanian minnows Astra during qualifying, a
4-1 defeat in the quarter-final of the EFL Cup to Manchester United and a
torrid season in the Premier League which has Bilic's side sitting 13th in
the table at the halfway stage. Most supporters point the finger of blame at
broken promises from the West Ham board over transfer spending following the
big move to the Olympic Stadium. Some are beginning to turn on the Croatian,
who last term led the East Londoners to their best points tally - and first
positive goal difference - since 1986. And Gabbidon, a former Hammer of the
Year during his time in East London, has been critical of Bilic on Twitter,
insisting he cannot keep ignoring the club's emerging young talent. The
Hammers have the likes of Reece Oxford, Reece Burke, Josh Cullen, Antonio
Martinez, Marcus Browne and Martin Samuelsen coming through the ranks.
Burke, Cullen and Samuelsen have been farmed out on loan, Oxford has been
used sparingly since his big break through and has just returned from injury
while Martinez and Browne have not got a look in despite impressing for the
club's development side. The pair combined to score a superb goal against
Norwich's development side earlier this week and it prompted Gabbidon to
call on Bilic to start using them in the first team. Indeed should West Ham
manage to get to a position of relative safety in the Premier League the
emergence of some of the club's young stars may be the only positive to come
out of a torrid second season under Bilic. After all the Hammers are famed
for their Academy and have lost touch with that in recent years. The manager
made his name by nurturing Croatia's golden generation of stars and giving
them a chance and he continued that good work at Besiktas too as they
struggled financially. But since giving Oxford his debut against Arsenal
aged just 16 last season Bilic has disappointed some fans with his seeming
reluctance to turn to youth, which was a major frustration supporters had
with his predecessor Sam Allardyce.

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