Daily WHUFC News - 17th January 2017

Manager on Monday
WHUFC.com

Slaven Bilic says team must build on positive momentum gained from Crystal
Palace win
Boss explains tactical switch at half-time which laid foundation for victory
Manager thrilled with team spirit and application from Hammers

Slaven Bilic hopes his players can use Saturday's win over Crystal Palace as
a positive turning point in their season. The Hammers ended a run of three
defeats without scoring a goal in the best possible manner – smashing three
past Crystal Palace in a second half performance of clinical finishing. More
important for the boss was the show of team unity and he has impressed on
them the importance of capitalising on the momentum gained. Bilic explained:
"The players always give everything, and at half-time I said to the guys, I
don't believe in those sayings 110 percent, 200 percent. There's only 100
percent, but sometimes it's true and this is the time when we have to give
150 or 200 percent. They did it. "I also expected that, I expected that [the
reaction] from the crowd and from the players, and I think it was a great
example that it's all about the team, not individuals. "It's a great moment
for us that we should use to build on. The season is very long, but you have
– like every club – a few crucial moments to drop or to build on and go up.
"We're going to do everything we can to use this kind of situation to lift
us up in every way. If we gain confidence and team character from this, then
it would help us be a better team. That's what we aim to do."

A tactical switch went a long way to the Hammers' victory on Saturday, as a
move to four at the back and shifting Michail Antonio closer to Andy Carroll
pressed Crystal Palace back. Bilic spoke of his reasoning for the change:
"It was an option for us to play with two strikers today, but because we
didn't have Nordtveit at right back we were limited in that position. "To
put Feghouli at right wing-back was a bit too long for him because he has to
defend also. To be fair the only reason we didn't put Sam Byram in from the
start was because he's only come back from a big operation recently. "We
were missing one person to be up there with Andy in the first half, and it
was a good decision for us to make at half-time, going with Sam, changing
the system and it worked really well."

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Noble - We can look forward now
WHUFC.com

Captain proud of the way West Ham United pulled together to beat Crystal
Palace
Hammers had endured a week full of off-field distractions but won 3-0 at
London Stadium
No16 says the squad will now look forward to Saturday's trip to
Middlesbrough with optimism

Mark Noble could not have been a prouder West Ham United captain after his
Club pulled together in Saturday's 3-0 Premier League win over Crystal
Palace. The London Stadium atmosphere was at its best as the Hammers ended a
challenging week with an emphatic win over Sam Allardyce's side. The
skipper, who returned to the side after illness saw him begin the Manchester
City Emirates FA Cup defeat on the bench, said a half-time tactical switch
from manager Slaven Bilic and three fantastic goals from Sofiane Feghouli,
Andy Carroll and Manuel Lanzini helped everybody put off-field distractions
out of their minds. "It was a definitely a satisfying end to a difficult
week," he confirmed. "Obviously we had the Dimitri Payet situation, Big Sam
[Allardyce] coming back and Tonks (James Tomkins), who is a friend of ours,
coming back too, so there were a lot of factors in play. "In the first half,
there were a few nerves there, but once we got that first goal I thought we
were the old West Ham. We went to two up-front to cause them a few more
problems and it worked, so it was a really commanding performance in the
end. "I'm just happy that the situation got sorted out. A win settles nerves
and puts everything on the backburner and we can look forward to
Middlesbrough."

As captain, Noble took on a leadership role at Rush Green last week,
reminding his teammates of the need to make up for the absences of Payet and
Africa Cup of Nations-bound Andre Ayew and Cheikhou Kouyate. "It gives
players the chance to step up, and I said all week in training to players
like Manu, Sofiane and Big Andy and Michail, who was brilliant, that we've
lost our best player and we need to step up because we need to score goals,"
the No16 continued. "I'm not taking credit for that (the goals we scored)
but they did it on Saturday!"

The highlight of a morale and confidence-boosting win over Palace came with
eleven minutes remaining and the Hammers leading by Feghouli's maiden
Premier League goal. Antonio lofted a cross towards the far post, where
Carroll took to the air before rocketing an unstoppable scissor kick beyond
Wayne Hennessey and high into the top right-hand corner. Noble himself had a
grandstand view of the Goal of the Season contender. "I was right behind it
and in line it was fantastic!" he smiled. "Andy caught it well and funnily
enough he hit the post with one on Thursday during the set plays and the
media said 'Save it for the weekend' so credit to you guys!"

West Ham rose to 12th with victory at the weekend and can climb into the top
half with a win at newly-promoted Middlesbrough on Saturday. With Boro
having not won since 17 December and not scored in their previous two
Premier League matches, Noble knows victory at the Riverside Stadium is well
within the Hammers' capabilities. "We played Manchester United and were hard
done by and then Manchester City in the Cup, which were two tough games
which we lost, so to bounce back and win 3-0 against a strong Palace team
was a really, really, really important result for the Club," he concluded.
"We have put a big gap between ourselves and the bottom three and we can now
move forward to Boro looking upwards rather than over our shoulders."

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Obiang - The whole Club pulled together
WHUFC.com

Team effort was the key to victory over Crystal Palace, says Pedro Obiang
Hammers No14 delighted for Sofiane Feghouli after Algerian nets first
Premier League goal for the Club
Spaniard keen to kick on with Hammers in sight of league's top half

Pedro Obiang says Saturday's 3-0 London derby over Crystal Palace was a true
team effort. The Spanish midfielder believes the three point haul was just
reward for the whole Club pulling together – from fans to the eleven on the
pitch – after a testing week. Sofiane Feghouli, Andy Carroll and Manuel
Lanzini scored the goals, but it was about more than just the headline
makers as the Hammers moved up to 12th in the Premier League table. "It was
a nice moment," beamed the No14. "We wanted to make the fans happy and it's
a great result. "We could feel the support for everybody. We've answered
with three points and everyone is happy."

As a Hammers player who took time to find his feet in east London, Obiang
was particularly happy for Feghouli, who notched his first league goal in
Claret and Blue to get his team rolling. He continued: "For everybody it's
difficult when you arrive as a new player in a new country, with new things.
In that situation you need to stay calm and Sofiane knows we need him. "Now
he has scored maybe [it will all change for him]. Sam Byram has come in too,
and whenever he has time to play he does really well. This is what a squad
is all about."

Obiang also felt a change in tactics at the break paid off, as the Hammers
were able to convert a 0-0 interval scoreline into their emphatic victory.
He added: "The manager and players know that sometimes you have to change
something. In the situation on Saturday, we needed to change how we attacked
because in the first half we gave a lot of space to them and they played. In
the second half it was totally different. "We needed to press, and we have
the players to play football. On Saturday we had Lanzini, Feghouli, Antonio
all playing really well and we need to continue."

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Loan round up
WHUFC.com

Four Hammers were in loan action in the Football League over the weekend
Two others were options on the bench for their respective loan sides
Josh Cullen was named Man of the Match again for Bradford City in his 21st
90 minutes of the season

There were a number of West Ham United players in loan action over the
weekend, and we start with those who played 90 minutes for their respective
temporary sides. First, Josh Cullen completed the full match for the 21st
time this season on loan at Bradford City as they took on Shrewsbury Town
away from home in League One. Despite the 1-0 defeat for the Bantams, Cullen
was named Man of the Match by City fans for the second week running, adding
the personal achievement to the long list of those he has collected this
campaign. The midfielder, who has been in impressive form since he returned
to Valley Parade for the second time, was also named the club's December
Player of the Month. Freddie Ladapo scored the only goal for the hosts in
this weekend's contest though, tapping in on his home debut – the striker is
on loan from the Hammers' Saturday opponents Crystal Palace.

The other Irons man to play the full match this weekend was Alex Pike,
making his debut for Cheltenham Town having joined the Robins during last
week. The defender, who has consistently been a key player in the Hammers'
Premier League 2 side this year, helped his new teammates to a 3-0 victory
over Accrington Stanley in League Two. The hosts were made to wait until
the first half to take the lead however, with skipper Danny Wright giving
Cheltenham the lead ten minutes after the restart. With a quarter of an hour
remaining on the clock, Diego De Girolamo drilled home to put the result
beyond doubt before Billy Waters put the icing on the cake with 12 minutes
left. Accrington's Scott Brown, sent off midway through the second half, did
not help matters for the struggling visitors.

Back in the third tier, Martin Samuelsen played for the third time in his
second loan spell at Peterborough United, though Posh were thrashed 5-1 at
Bury. Samuelsen, who was previously on loan at Blackburn Rovers before
Christmas, was introduced at half time after a disastrous first period for
Peterborough, who found themselves 4-1 down before the half hour stage.

Tom Nichols had given the visitors a dream start after just four minutes,
but James Vaughan levelled three minutes later before bagging another three
himself to make it 4-1 before Peterborough could work out what had gone
wrong. Vaughan's four-goal salvo left Samuelsen's side with little chance in
the second half, and George Miller grabbed a fifth to add to the misery for
Posh. Things were brighter elsewhere in the division for George Dobson
though, who played 16 minutes at the end of his Walsall side's terrific 4-1
thrashing of Sheffield United.

The Saddlers – who began the contest much the second favourites as they took
on the league leaders – got off to the dream start when Amadou Bakayoko
fired home with just five minutes played.

Jack O'Connell equalised from the spot on the ten-minute mark but a
fantastic second half performance from the hosts gave the Yorkshiremen no
chance at the Bescot Stadium.

Jason McCarthy, Joe Edwards and Erhun Otzumer all got on the scoresheet and
Dobson entered the field to shore up the midfield during the final minutes
to help see out the win.

Finally, Reece Burke and Enner Valencia were unused substitutes for their
respective sides at the weekend. Burke's Wigan Athletic were 2-0 winners at
Burton Albion while Valencia's Everton thrashed Manchester City 4-0 at
Goodison Park on Sunday.

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#WHUAREYA - Malyk Hamilton
WHUFC.com

Canadian winger Malyk Hamilton first came to England to trial for West Ham
United when he was ten years old, and even at such a young age, he has not
looked back since.

Under the guidance of the Hammers' Academy staff, the left-sider has
improved dramatically as a player and made his Canada U18s debut recently,
scoring for the side as well.

Hamilton now targets to cement his position in Steve Potts' U18s side and
also pointed to first team midfielder Manuel Lanzini as somebody he likes to
attempt to emulate.

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Byram – It's a great way to return
WHUFC.com

Defender Sam Byram delighted to play his part in winning effort against
Crystal Palace
23-year-old was making first team return after three months out injured
Former Leeds full-back hails team unity after clinical performance against
the Eagles

Sam Byram could not have asked for a better 45 minutes in which to make his
return to first team action than the second half against Crystal Palace.

Following a three-month absence from first team action due to a hamstring
injury, the 23-year-old full-back came off the bench at half time to help
the Hammers to a 3-0 victory over the Eagles on Saturday.

He was thrilled to be back in action at London Stadium, but even more happy
with a valuable three point haul for his team.

"It was a great game to make my return in," he smiled. "I thought we played
well in the second half. We were a bit slow moving the ball in the first
half, but we put together some good moves after half time and scored three
good goals.

"Being on the bench you've always got a chance [of coming on], so I made
sure I was ready, I had a good warm-up and was happy to make my return.

"I'm still feeling a little rusty to be honest! It's early for me to come
back but I'm absolutely delighted that it's come.

"I've got another week now until the next game to get some fitness in and
keep showing the manager what I can do in training."

After single-goal victories over AFC Bournemouth, Sunderland, Burnley and
Hull City at London Stadium this season, Byram is hoping to use a first
thumping win at the Club's new home as momentum to really kick-on in the
second half of the campaign.

He continued: "We've needed this, it does feel like a real lift. The team
were together afterwards and it was a great atmosphere around the place, so
hopefully it's upwards from here.

"There's been a lot in the news over the last week but we're a team and we
stick together. We showed on Saturday, particularly in the second half, that
we can pull together and that we've got a great squad."

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Legend Martin hails 'immense' atmosphere
WHUFC.com

Hammers legend Alvin Martin praised the 'immense' London Stadium atmosphere
Three-time Hammer of the Year was present for Saturday's victory over
Crystal Palace
talkSPORT pundit said supporters were there for the team when they needed a
boost

West Ham United legend Alvin Martin has described the atmosphere at London
Stadium on Saturday as 'immense' and praised the Club's supporters for their
tremendous backing of Slaven Bilic and his team.

The former Hammers captain, who made 596 appearances for the club between
1978 and 1996, was present for the magnificent 3-0 Premier League win over
Crystal Palace in his role as a summariser for radio station talkSPORT.

The three-time Hammer of the Year, now an athletic 58, believes that West
Ham's stunning second-half performance came at a perfect time.

"People talk about atmosphere but the supporters can only take it so far,"
he says. "To really lift it to another level, it has to be generated by what
happens on the pitch, and we saw that on Saturday.

"It was quiet and a bit edgy in the first half, but you could tell that the
fans wanted to get their teeth into it and have something to really shout
about.

"Then it exploded, particularly with the fantastic second and third goals,
and suddenly the atmosphere was immense.

"It is still going to take time for the memories to stack up, but when that
second goal flew in, well, that's about as good as it gets.

"What was wonderful about Andy's goal was that it came at the perfect time
when Slaven really needed it, and the fans really needed it.

"Slaven won some big matches last season in his first year with the Club,
but I would say that Saturday's was up there with the biggest in terms of
the week he'd had, and what he needed from the players and the fans.

"The players certainly delivered, and the fans proved yet again that the
team, and Slaven, can really count on them when it is needed. That is
testament to the loyalty and passion they show for this Club."

Work commitments with talkSPORT have meant that Saturday marked only his
third visit to London Stadium, but the former England international did not
hesitate when asked to give his overall description of the Club's new home.

"It's iconic," he said. "As a player, when you've finished your career, you
hope that you can talk about things you've won, great memories and great
seasons.

"And people always want to know, have you played at that stadium, or this
stadium? I'm very proud to have played at places like Wembley, and the
Azteca in Mexico – the kind of great stadiums you dream about playing in
when you're kicking a ball around in the street as a boy.

"And this is another one. I'm sure a lot of players will want to say that
they played here."

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Payet talks conclude
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 16th January 2017
By: Staff Writer

Representatives from Marseille are on their way back to France following a
meeting with West Ham chiefs regarding Dimitri Payet.
The French delegation flew into London earlier this morning for talks
regarding a possible move for the Euro 16 star, who has told West Ham that
he no longer wishes to play for the club and wishes to return to France.
And when asked by a KUMB source how the meeting went, Jacques-Olivier
Auguste, who was representing the French international, simply replied:
"Very well".
Also present this morning was Marseille president Jacques-Henri Eyraud, who
made his way to London via private plane, and other representatives from
L'OM. Marseille are hoping to seal a deal that will allow them to resign
Payet, who moved from the Stade Vélodrome to West Ham in the summer of 2015
in a £10.7million switch. Having already seen a £20million bid rejected, the
French club will have to raise their offer considerably in order to persuade
West Ham to accept - even though the Hammers maintain that they have no
intention of selling Payet during the current transfer window.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham United 3
Crystal Palace 0
by Gordon Thrower
KUMB.cm

Whatever happened to Harchester United?
So there we were at the end of a week when the old lazy journalistic cliché
using the words "from hero to zero" actually seemed apt for once. It was
cold and, if anyone gives a monkey's, the arthritis in my ankle had been
giving me grief. So yeah I think all in all some of us could be forgiven for
not really looking forward to this match, particularly given the type of
football often associated with the visiting manager.

Team news was that we were going to start with three at the back with
Collins returning to action for the first time in a bit. Payet was missing –
I forget why but I think there was something in the paper about it. Team:
Randolph, Collins, Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Antonio, Noble, Obiang,
Feghouli, Lanzini, Carroll.

Well in truth the first half was probably what everyone would have predicted
of this match beforehand. Given a home side that had been through a soap
opera of a week against a team whose last 12 months had been so bad one
might almost have thought that they were a celebrity.

There was little of note. Noble reacted petulantly to an off the ball kick
which prompted a lengthy lecture from ref Swarbrick that on another day
might have been a yellow. Later in the half Carroll did see yellow for a
late but non-malicious challenge on Ward whilst chasing him down in the
corner.

You'll gather that goalmouth action was at a premium given the focus on
matters disciplinary thus far. And you would be right, though there were two
good chances in the half, one for each side. Just short of the half hour
Noble found good space on the right and looked up to see Carroll holding
back on the penalty spot. If anything Carroll caught Noble's fine cross
slightly too cleanly and his first time effort cleared the bar by a couple
of feet to deny what would have been a fine goal.

Shortly after Noble gave away a free kick on the edge of the box, his tackle
bringing him the yellow he might have merited earlier. Townsend's cross was
challenged for by many but somehow found its way to Tomkins at the far post.
However the arrival of the ball appeared to take Tomkins by surprise and his
snatched effort went wide when it might have been easier to score. The miss
prompted chants of "he's one of our own".

The visiting manager will no doubt have been the happier of the two, a
suspicion confirmed when the teams emerged for the restart. We reverted to a
flat back four with Byram returning from injury to move into right back. The
consequent sacrifice of Ogbonna allowed Antonio to push up front and the
tactical change was key to a half that was as different to the one that had
preceded it as the performances of those involved in the previous night's
Bobby Moore tv "drama" had been to real acting.

There was an early taster as Carroll's first time effort from Antonio's
header straight after the restart went wide. Having seen it again it was a
lot close than I originally thought. The lively Feghouli was beginning to
get into the game a bit more and Carroll was beginning to receive the
service he thrives on, a fine Tomkins defensive header preventing us from
going one up.

Feghouli was instrumental in creating another chance for the no.9. Cabaye
clipped the winger and the resulting free-kick from Lanzini was deflected to
the left hand side of the box. Carroll made wonderful space for himself but
couldn't keep the shot on target.
Obiang then played a clever ball out to Byram whose angled drive may have
been a shot or a cross but failed to become either in the end, the ball
beating the far post.

We took the lead on 78 minutes. Carroll won the ball in the air and Noble
played a clever pass over the top for Antonio, who was greeted by an
onrushing Hennessy whose odds on getting the ball were longer than the walk
back to Stratford Station.

Antonio took the ball around the 'keeper and played the ball towards goal.
Shot or cross it proved to be the perfect delivery for Feghouli who banished
memories of his missed effort from similar range against Man City by tapping
in from inches. It was a lead that had been totally deserved on the balance
of play in the second period and it was a lead that was doubled shortly
after.

Byram had picked up a (correct) yellow from Swarbrick who (credit where due)
had had an unusually competent afternoon by the standards of what we have
seen recently. Cresswell then played a superb ball down the left wing to
Lanzini who held the ball up before laying it off to the supporting Antonio.

Antonio clipped a ball across goal and, well, I expect you have all seen I
by now. Carroll's finish was, quite simply, magnificent. I'm now watching it
for the 500th time and even in slow motion it's a blur. I would say its
right up there with DiCanio's effort v Wimbledon it the list of great goals
I have seen live. Excuse me while I press the "keep" button on my Sky Q
box….

Well I suppose if you are a team on an appalling run set up to try for a
draw one goal is going to make things difficult. A second one like that is
going to knock whatever stuffing you thought you had right out of you. It
was therefore little surprise that we made it three five minutes after
Carroll's effort.

In a vain attempt to try and wrest something out of the game Remy went down
their left but found his cross cut out by the splendid Reid. The Kiwi's
headed clearance found Antonio who burst forward and laid off the ball into
the path of Lanzini who bore down on goal before placing an exquisite lift
over the advancing Hennessy to make it 3-0.

It was a sublime finish that was vaguely reminiscent of one from last season
away at the same opponents. Scored by whatsisname. Not that the visiting
support would have realised – the so called "ultras" had departed after
Carroll's goal, presumably they needed an early night for their paper rounds
in the morning.

Lanzini picked up a yellow for "excessive celebration" which was statutory
but harsh – a celebration involving Pink Floyd's laser show and a million
quid's worth of fireworks wouldn't have seemed too excessive after a week
like that in my opinion. And that was pretty much it.

Yes I know it was only Palace but frankly after all that had been going on
the psychological boost of the win after all that's been going on was plain
to see. Throw in a goal like that and the feel good factor gained was out of
all proportion to the strength of opponent.

If nothing else the absence of, er, thingy seemed to unite players and fans
alike. The manager's name was sung throughout leaving nobody in any doubt
whose side the sympathies of the supporters lie. It's an ill wind and all
that….


Player Ratings

Darren Randolph
Largely untested. Dealt with what little Palace had to offer with relative
comfort.

Michail Antonio
Ok at wing back in the first half. Better as a foil for Carroll in the
second half. Provided assists for all three goals. All of that after getting
out of bed with a temperature approaching that of molten steel.

Aaron Cresswell
The lack of attacking threat from the visitors allowed him to get forward to
supplement the attack, which he did well.

Winston Reid
Another strong defensive performance from the Kiwi. I have but one question:
is he that angry off the pitch as well as on it?

Angelo Ogbonna
Did ok first half but was sacrificed in the switch to a flat back four.

Pedro Obiang
Another good solid runout from a player who rarely grabs the headlines.

Sofiane Feghouli
Continues to improve. Not the greatest defensively but today he didn't have
to be.

Mark Noble
Distinctly mediocre first half as pass after pass went astray. Improved in
the second half.

Andy Carroll
Even if you take the goal out of the equation this was AC at his best. Won
everything in the air both with his head and I his chest. Laid the ball off
well and brought players into the game on a regular basis. Then there was
the goal. MOTM.

Manuel Lanzini
Showed signs of coming out of the shadows. Pulled strings and we would all
be raving about his goal were it not for…..

James Collins
Did the throwing himself in front of the ball thing to his usual decent
standard. Not sure he would be first choce pairing with Reid in most matches
but "horses for courses" on this occasion…..

Substitutes

Sam Byram
(Replaced Ogbonna) Received wisdom has it that he is not highly rated behind
the scenes. There will be sterner tests to come – possibly against a team
who actually pose an attacking threat. However, his introduction and the
reversion to a flat back four was the catalyst for the second half. Still
early days.

Edimilson Fernandes
(Replaced Lanzini) A four minute cameo – little time to exert any influence.

Ashley Fletcher
(Replaced Antonio) A three minute cameo – so he had a minute less than
Fernandes to exert any influence.

Adrian San Miguel Del Castillo

Reece Oxford

Domingos Quina

Jonathan Calleri

Match Facts
Referee: Neil Swarbrick.
Attendance: 50,000.
Man of the Match: Andy Carroll.

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Payet can go, say West Ham
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 16th January 2017
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United are willing to sell Dimitri Payet - but not until Marseille
make a suitable offer. Earlier today KUMB.com revealed that representatives
from West Ham and Marseille, who flew in from France this morning, had met
to discuss the possibility of the French international returning to Ligue 1.
The Marseille party, who were represented by Club President Jacques-Henri
Eyraud and Sporting Director Andoni Zubizarreta were joined by Payet's agent
Jacques-Olivier Auguste.
It is understood that no fresh offer was made, although L'OM were instructed
to return with an improved offer closer to West Ham's valuation if their
intentions were serious.

The only bid made by Marseille so far, according to L'Equipe, was their
opening gambit of £22million, with a further £3million to follow dependent
on various clauses being met.

West Ham - who stated previously they have no intention of selling Payet -
will hold out for circa £35million for their star asset, who recently
revealed his desire to leave London due to personal issues.

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West Ham yet to agree deal to sell Dimitri Payet to Marseille
By Sky Sports News HQ
Last Updated: 16/01/17 6:27pm
SSN

Marseille have failed to reach an agreement with West Ham over a deal for
wantaway midfielder Dimitri Payet following talks on Monday, according to
Sky sources.
Sky sources understand West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan has rejected an
improved second bid worth around £20m from the Ligue 1 side and is refusing
to be bullied into a quick sale, with no financial need to sell the
29-year-old.

Marseille's president Jacques-Henri Eyraud held high-level discussions with
West Ham officials in London in a bid to secure a deal for Payet, who played
at Marseille for two seasons before joining the Hammers in the summer of
2015.

West Ham will not consider an offer of less than £30m for Payet, having
turned down a £19.1m bid for the France international from Marseille last
week. Sky sources understand Marseille are concerned that the longer
negotiations drag on, the more likely it is that other clubs will try to
sign Payet. Payet informed West Ham manager Slaven Bilic of his desire to
leave the club last week and was not included in the matchday squad for
Saturday's 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace.
He is currently not training with the first-team squad and will continue to
work with the under-23s. Sky sources understand West Ham would prefer Payet
apologised to the club and supporters and return to first-team training.
Payet has been a stand-out performer for West Ham since arriving for
£10.75m, scoring 15 goals in 60 appearances, and was rewarded with a new
five-and-a-half year deal in February.

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Simone Zaza admits he 'was not right mentally' at West Ham
Last Updated: 16/01/17 3:18pm
SSN

Simone Zaza is hoping to earn himself a long-term stay at Valencia after
admitting he "was not right mentally" during his time at West Ham. The
25-year-old Italy forward has cut short an inauspicious spell at the London
stadium to join Valencia on a deal until the end of the season. Zaza made 11
appearances for West Ham without scoring a goal after joining on a
season-long loan from Juventus and, admits he failed to adapt to the style
of English football. "It was a very difficult time for me," Zaza said. "When
I joined from Juventus I was very optimistic, I wanted to experience playing
in England because I thought it was the football that I liked and where I
could use my qualities. "Everything started badly from the outset, I think
the main blame lies with me because I was not right mentally, I was very
negative and in all the things that happened I never saw the positive side.
"There was an atmosphere, a culture very different to mine. That was a
problem. Now I'm here (in Spain) I feel bad not to have shown in England
what I'm capable of."
Zaza has moved to the Mestalla on an initial six-month deal and is keen to
make up for lost time in La Liga. "I'm really keen to play here, not only
for six months," Zaza added. "I think I can do well here. I like the city,
the people, everything. My hope is to play here. "I would like to score as
many goals as possible, but for me the most important thing is starting
well, being calm, focused. The key thing is get higher up the table."

Valencia are just one place and four points above the relegation zone in La
Liga, but earned themselves a morale-boosting 2-1 victory over Espanyol at
the weekend.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham captain Mark Noble 'angry and disappointed' with Dimitri Payet
By Michael Kelleher
Last Updated: 16/01/17 6:20am
SSN

West Ham captain Mark Noble says he is "angry and disappointed" with Dimitri
Payet and revealed he has not spoken to the unsettled star in weeks. The
French playmaker was left out of the Hammers' squad for Saturday's 3-0
victory over Crystal Palace after telling manager Slaven Bilic he no longer
wants to play for the club. Payet is understood to be keen to return to
France with officials from his former club Marseille set to hold talks with
West Ham on Monday to discuss a deal. When asked about Payet, Noble said: "I
am angry and disappointed, because I have always said that he is one of the
best players I have ever played with. "I had - and I say had because I
haven't really spoken to him for the last two or three weeks - a great
relationship with him, but I don't know his reasons.
"I am not going to comment on why he wanted to leave but I do know that if
someone doesn't want to play for the team then they are better off not even
playing."
Noble also reserved special praise for manager Slaven Bilic for the way he
has handled a difficult situation. "I thought the manager was right in what
he did because it is hard," Noble added. "You have to win games and if you
have your best player who doesn't want to play for you then obviously he has
had to do something about it. "I have been here all my life so I find it
hard to realise that someone wouldn't want to play for the club. It's a
massive club and he is absolutely adored - was adored here - by the fans.
But football and fans change quickly."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Marseille and West Ham to hold Dimitri Payet talks
By Sky Sports News HQ
Last Updated: 15/01/17 9:57pm
SSN

Marseille's president Jacques-Henri Eyraud will meet with high-level West
Ham officials on Monday to discuss a deal for Dimitri Payet, according to
Sky sources. The Hammers beat Crystal Palace 3-0 on Saturday without their
France playmaker, who this week told Slaven Bilic he no longer wants to play
for the club. West Ham will not consider offers of less than £30m for Payet,
who cost them just £10.5m when he arrived from Marseille in the summer of
2015. It is understood Marseille are the only club interested, and initially
a compromise deal was put forward which would have seen Payet loaned back to
Bilic's side for the rest of the season.
The prospect of that deal going through receded when West Ham supporters
made their feelings plain on Saturday, repeatedly chanting for last season's
player of the year to leave.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
European clubs chase Braithwaite amid West Ham interest
By Claire Bloomfield
Last Updated: 16/01/17 2:58pm
SSN

West Ham United are considering launching an improved bid for Toulouse
striker Martin Braithwaite, but will face tough competition from 'a number
of European club's', according to Sky Sources. Slaven Bilic's side tabled a
£8.5m offer for the Ligue 1 skipper last month but Toulouse rejected the
deal and claimed they were unwilling to let Braithwaite go for less than
£10m. The 25-year-old Denmark international, who joined his current club
from Danish Superliga outfit Esbjerg FB in the summer of 2013, has now
attracted further interest from Europe. The Hammers could face a bidding war
if they continue to pursue their interest in the player. Braithwaite has
scored seven goals in 17 league appearances so far this season and was
pivotal in helping Toulouse avoid relegation during the 2015-16 campaign.
Toulouse manager Pascal Dupraz, who has been impressed with Braithwaite's
development this season, was thought to be looking for a strike partner to
accompany the player but will now consider offers. A bargain buy at just
£2m, Braithwaite could hand the French club a significant profit should he
make a move during the January transfer window.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Marseille fail to agree terms with West Ham for wantaway star Dimitri Payet
The French international has downed tools and refused to train for the east
Londoners in a bid to force a move
The Mirror
BYDARREN LEWIS
16:14, 16 JAN 2017UPDATED16:26, 16 JAN 2017

Dimitri Payet remains a West Ham player after Marseille chiefs failed to
convince the Irons to sell him today. Mirror Sport understands there is
currently no chance of a deal as the French club is refusing to meet the
Hammers' asking price of at least £35million. Disgraced playmaker Payet has
made it clear to the club that he wants to rejoin his former club and that
he will neither train nor play if he is denied the move. Payet also
threatened to invent an injury preventing him from playing during an
explosive row last week. Marseille president Jacques-Henri Eyraud flew into
London today in a bid to convince the Irons to reach agreement.
The club have a lucrative deal on the table for the player whose wife is
understood to be keen on a move back to France and has already gone back
there with their children. But West Ham chiefs were dismayed that the
Marseille's proposal was way below their valuation of the playmaker and are
set to dig their heels in.
Meanwhile, Mark Noble revealed he has not spoken to Payet for "two or three
weeks". The Hammers skipper shed light on the extent of the breakdown in
playmaker Payet's relationship with some of his team-mates after the Hammers
beat Crystal Palace 3-0 without him. Payet stunned the club last week by
telling boss Slaven Bilic he no longer wants to play for them. But Noble
insisted he was in the dark, saying: "I have always said that he is up there
with one of the best players I have ever played with and I had – and I say
had because I haven't really spoken to him for the last two or three weeks –
a great relationship with him.
"I don't know his reasons and am not going to comment on why he wanted to
leave, but I do know that if someone doesn't want to play for the team then
he's better off not even playing."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce says West Ham were not that good in 3-0 win v Crystal Palace
HITC
Mathew Nash

The former Hammers boss is not sure what all the fuss was about after the
game. This weekend saw West Ham United put Crystal Palace and their former
manager Sam Allardyce to the sword at the London Stadium. The Hammers
comfortably beat Palace 4-0 with goals from Sofiane Feghouli, Andy Carroll
and Manuel Lanzini doing the damage. It was a game that helped relieve some
of the pressure at West Ham after three straight defeats and it is always
nice to get one over an old manager, as they did with Allardyce. But Big
Sam was clearly not of the opinion that West Ham even played that well. He
was speaking to the press today ahead of Palace's FA Cup replay against
Bolton Wanderers tomorrow when he stated his belief that West Ham were not
as good as it was being made out:

"In fairness, while everyone will say how good West Ham were on Saturday -
they weren't that good. We gifted them the goals. "Their first shot on
target was just before the 70 minute mark, so they couldn't have been as
good as everyone's said." In fairness to Allardyce the game was closer than
the result would suggest and West Ham only really started to dominate the
game when Michail Antonio was pushed forward later in the game. But the
scoreline, West Ham fans will argue, shows that they were the better team
against Palace by a fair distance and that Allardyce is perhaps eating the
sourest of grapes.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham demand more than £30m for Dimitri Payet as star's family prepare
for January move to Marseille
JAMES OLLEY
Evening Standard

Dimitri Payet's family have returned to France as the star continues to
apply pressure on West Ham in his bid force through a move to Marseille. The
29-year-old's wife Ludivine and his two sons Milan and Pharell have left
London in anticipation of the player returning to his former club. The
Hammers have not ruled out selling Payet this month despite co-chairman
David Sullivan declaring on Saturday that the wantaway winger would remain
at the club until the end of the season. Standard Sport understands the
Hammers are considering all possibilities given Payet's insistence he no
longer wants to stay in east London and could yet agree a reluctant sale
before the end of the current transfer window. The French club are due in
London this week to meet with West Ham officials over a possible deal with
the Hammers likely to demand in excess of £30million. Sullivan had written
in his programme notes before Saturday's home game against Crystal Palace
that "the board's position is that we do not want to sell Dimitri, we do not
need to sell Dimitri for financial or any other reasons, and we will NOT
sell Dimitri in the January transfer window."

However, those notes were written on Thursday and Sullivan is privately
believed to be more flexible regarding Payet's departure.
The club's hierarchy remain deeply disappointed with Payet's actions given
he signed a new £125,000-a-week deal last February - and was reportedly
given a £1million loyalty bonus in September after impressing for France at
Euro 2016 – but are determined not to let him leave on the cheap.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tony Evans: Fans missing the 'good old days' should remember when Bobby
Moore wanted to join Tottenham
TONY EVANS
Evening Standard

The word 'mercenary' has been bandied about a lot this week. It has been
used so often about Dimitri Payet that it is surprising Karren Brady has not
tried to trademark it. West Ham are not the only London club going through a
spell of breastbeating because one of their stars wants to leave. At
Chelsea, the fury directed at Diego Costa is palpable. Tianjin Quanjian of
the Chinese Super League are said to be prepared to pay the striker
£30million a year. Supporters who would switch jobs in an instant for a £30
per week pay hike rage at his apparent disloyalty.
Some yearn for the simpler, less craven days before money distorted modern
football. It's absurd. There is a splendid irony at the thought of Chelsea
being bullied financially over players. This is a club that helped transform
the game and inflate the transfer market in the immediate aftermath of Roman
Abramovich's takeover 14 years ago. Costa is highly paid and signed up for
the next two years but he has little allegiance to Chelsea. He knows that
contracts only matter to a club when a player is productive. It's a brutal
business when you become surplus to requirements. No matter how happy and
settled a player is, he is shown the door when he falls out of favour.
Those who refuse to leave are put through a series of indignities designed
to force them out. Training with junior teams is one tactic. At Chelsea,
Nicolas Anelka and Alex were banned from the first-team block at Cobham and
told to move their vehicles to the youth car park. It does not matter how
much a footballer earns, daily humiliations have a wearing effect. It is the
other side of the coin to a player going on strike. Both sides are loyal
only when it suits them.
Payet's loyalty has been a big talking point at the London Stadium. The
Frenchman is talented but the only reason he ended up in the East End for a
knockdown fee of £10.7m was his reputation as a troublemaker. For all his
flair, the 29-year-old was always likely to push the self-destruct button.
It is no surprise that Payet is looking for a way back to Marseille now
things are not going so well for Slaven Bilic's team.
If he is leaving for money then he is in good company. After all, West Ham
departed their traditional home for a clearly unsuitable new ground in
pursuit of extra lucre. The badge has been reworked to include the word
'London' and Brady, the vice-chairman, has talked about getting the "culture
right". She was not talking about heritage as fans recognise it. Brady was
referring to the culture of business. The new stadium and iconography are
designed to increase the value of the 'brand'. In such circumstances it's a
bit rich for supporters to talk about money-mad players.
If Payet knew about the team's history — and for all his badge kissing it is
unlikely he ever cared — he might look to the Bobby Moore Stand and feel
justified in forcing a way out. West Ham make an awful fuss about Moore but
they forget to mention that the golden boy of English football spent some of
his best years as a player simmering with discontent because he was denied
two opportunities to move to Tottenham. The claret-and-blue mythology of
mutual love, fidelity and affection between Moore and the club is built on
fiction. Those were different days when there was no Bosman freedom of
movement when a contract expired but players are still traded like chattels
when it suits their employer. The howls of outrage when the likes of Costa
and Payet try to turn the tables are hypocritical, even if their motivation
is pure greed.
Actually, mercenary is probably the right description for much of football's
mindset but less in the gun-for-hire sense than the
primacy-of-profit-over-ethics meaning of the word. It has been that way
since the first man was paid to kick a ball and there is no sign of it
changing now. Costa and Payet are a contemporary manifestation of how
things work but it was never any different. If Bobby Moore was alive, he
would attest that there was no such thing as the good old days.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Mark Noble angry at wantaway West Ham star Dimitri Payet: I had a great
relationship with him
SAM LONG
Evening Standard

West Ham captain Mark Noble has hit out at wantaway star Dimitri Payet and
insisted the Hammers are better off without him in the team.
Payet struck an instant chord with the West Ham faithful following his
arrival in east London at the start of last season. The France international
quickly established himself as a firm fans' favourite but, despite signing a
long-term contract in February 2016, is now attempting to engineer a move
away from the London Stadium. Payet has demanded a transfer and missed West
Ham's 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace after refusing to play for Slaven
Bilic's side. Standard Sport understands West Ham are 'increasingly minded'
to sell Payet this month, with Marseille keen to re-sign the 29-year-old,
and Noble is furious with his teammate's behaviour. "I had - and I say had
because I haven't really spoken to him for the last two or three weeks - a
great relationship with him, but I don't know his reasons," Noble told Goal.
"I am angry and disappointed, because I have always said that he is one of
the best players I have ever played with. "I am not going to comment on why
he wanted to leave but I do know that if someone doesn't want to play for
the team then they are better off not even playing," he added. Meanwhile,
Andy Carroll believes West Ham's "professional" performance in Payet's
absence proved to be the ideal response to the ongoing transfer saga. The
Hammers now occupy 12th place in the table and could climb into the top half
with victory over Middlesbrough next weekend.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
BRAVE BILIC THE KEY TO BETTER DAYS AHEAD
By HamburgHammer 16 Jan 2017 at 08:00
WTID

Take a bow Slaven Bilic! Our manager has been through what must have been a
few miserable months, capped by the last seven days which surely will have
been not your average rollercoaster of emotions for our Croatian manager,
more like the Nemesis ride at Alton Towers. Now, initially I had planned to
try and write my column without even mentioning Dimitri Payet just in order
to prove a point. But frankly, while a lot of us may consider him to be
history already and prefer to move on without ever hearing his name again,
the truth is that he is still legally a West Ham player and until his sale
has been completed he is still the massive bullfrog (or yellow-bellied toad
if you prefer) in the room so to speak, so he will of course feature in my
column after all.

But first things first! What a fantastic team performance that was. That's
right, TEAM. Which translates as Together Everyone Achieves More. The
keyword being together.
Our team hasn't been together for a long time, I would say not from the very
start of the season, coinciding with Payet's return from the Euro
Championships.
Where surely he was tapped up, maybe multiple times. I'm sure by now
everyone will have read about how our club and also Bilic bent over
backwards in order to make Monsieur Payet feel wanted, loved, appreciated –
hindsight is a wonderful thing, and in hindsight it appears that we have
rather overdone the royalty treatment.

Embed from Getty Images

We'll see what comes out eventually about Payet's true motives of wanting to
leave NOW rather than wait for the summer when apparently West Ham were
quite ready to sell him at that point for the right price, not wishing to
stand in the way of an unhappy or homesick player.
The way though in which Payet basically shat on everything he had at our
club, not acknowledging the role of our club in making him the household
name he is in international football today is truly sad. And a bit pathetic.

From the very beginning he was welcomed and worshipped like a true legend by
the Hammers fans, it felt as if he had been at West Ham for years already
rather than being a new signing. It indeed was a love affair, alas affairs
tend to usually end a) rather quickly and b) rarely on amicable terms – the
love between the player and the club, manager and fans is totally lost now
for obvious reasons.

But you know what? It's a mighty relief to finally have identified the main
root of our problems this season, at least in terms of the team (ignoring
the stadium move for a minute). It looks like indeed Payet's special
treatment he got from the club and management drove a massive wedge right
through the dressing room and also the training pitch at Rush Green. It must
have been so frustrating for the other players seeing it all being about
Payet without our star player backing up all that admiration (and money)
with even halfway decent performances on the pitch. The rest of the team
obviously felt disrespected and undervalued – and all over a guy who
essentially has been a one season wonder for us. Yet the board tied him down
to an improved long-term deal while refusing to afford our manager the same
courtesy, citing their desire to find out if Bilic was a one season wonder
first…

Embed from Getty Images

We will now see if the club are willing to let Payet rot for half a season
in order to get the right price for our prize asset or cave in and sell on
the cheap, just to get rid. With Chinese clubs becoming interested in him
too now Payet can not expect to go back to Marseille for ten million quid
and six bottles of vintage claret, although both he and Marseille for sure
would prefer that of course. I want the club to show some backbone here,
sending out a clear massage to the world that no West Ham player (no matter
how good he is) can just down tools and strop in order to push through a
transfer to his prefered destination for peanuts despite having signed a
long-term contract (and a loyalty bonus of 1 million quid too) just
recently.

Players are on long-term contracts for a reason. They can ask for a transfer
obviously if they no longer wish to stay, but certainly not on their terms.
Clubs need to be protected in a way that they get at least their fair share
should a player want to leave well before reaching the expiry date of his
contract.

So, to finish off the Payet issue: Sell him as quickly as possible, yes, but
only for a price that mirrors his true market value for his next club. That
is much closer to 35 or 40 million rather than 20 in my book. With China
involved maybe even 50 million. How our owners will decide to spend that
kind of money, if they spend any that is, is anybody's guess though.
I'm confident we will make at least a few signings in January, not
necessarily for NOW as we are pretty much safe from relegation already, but
maybe we will pick up some players for the future (like Hogan) now in order
to not miss out on them in the summer (similar to what we did when we picked
up Byram).

Embed from Getty Images

It was a pleasure to see our team perform, well, like a team on Saturday,
especially in the second half. All the players suddenly seemed to have found
another gear or two being freed from the shackles of forever running about
in the shadow of the French Messiah (he's not really, just a very naughty
boy!). The lads played (and celebrated the goals) like a team should,
together, happy to sweat blood and guts for each other. It also seemed to
unite the crowd at London Stadium and Lanzini's jump into the stands was a
nice touch.
(Although only West Ham players seem to get punished with a booking for this
kind of thing these days.)

I am not sure if Lanzini did it on a whim or whether it was premeditated (as
a nod to the Tevez celebration after he scored his first for West Ham or as
a subtle hint in the direction of a sulking Frenchman that he was neither
needed nor wanted back in the team anymore). Either way, it felt incredible
to hear the whole ground singing Slaven's praise and boy, did the man
deserve it!
If there is one guy this club should be built around, if our fanbase should
rally round one chap capable of putting some pride back into this club it is
not a player, but our manager.

Embed from Getty Images

Sure, he makes mistakes too as he is only a human being after all (trying to
turn Antonio into a RB obviously was a massive clanger). But for me he is
the perfect link connecting us to the passion, traditions and values that
are so dear to loyal Hammers fans all over the globe. If we want things to
improve for us in the next few years, we need to make sure to keep Bilic at
West Ham for a long time, so rather than throwing money at another bigger
than his boots primadonna player I would offer Bilic a contract extension
NOW.
Send out a signal that Bilic is our man for the future and then bloody
support him with transfer funds too. It'll be money well spent in my view.
(Well, Bilic didn't know that Tore would get a long-term injury at West Ham,
did he ?)

A final word needs to be said about Andy Carroll. That was a world class
goal indeed and it's highly encouraging to see him score goals like that
because it very much proves that on his day he is so much more than just a
battering ram, thundering in headers or knocking balls down for his
teammates. We may have to wait for another goal of that quality at London
Stadium for another 20 years or so.

Embed from Getty Images

The key for him will be to look after himself and stay injury-free, then the
sky will be the limit for him really. Oh yes, also try to play with two
strikers more in future.
I don't even think it matters that much if it is Sakho, Fletcher, Martinez,
Calleri (or Hogan?) – as long as you have another outlet upfront, staying
close to Carroll, pouncing to exploit any space or opportunity created by
Carroll's presence we will begin to score more goals on a regular basis.

What a great feeling to be talking about positives again for a change! It's
vital now that our board don't rest on their laurels or sit on their hands
and wallets. Our fanbase deserve to see investment in our team. Our manager
deserves support in his endeavour to build a great team. A great team for
West Ham will always be more about players working well as a unit, a
well-oiled machine, rather than trying to keep superstar primadonnas happy.
Maybe that just isn't the West Ham way.

Maybe it's a lesson learned the hard way with Payet. Maybe we don't need 40
million quid players after all, even in a 60.000 seater stadium. Maybe we
just need to sing more songs for Bilic and keep him happy, it's certainly
worth a try! COYI!
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Dimitri Payet to be sold 'sooner rather than later' as Slaven Bilic shifts
West Ham's focus onto Manuel Lanzini
Karren Brady and David Sullivan have both suggested he will be gone in the
summer
The Independent
Steve Tongue @stevetongue 7 hours ago0 comments

T-shirts emblazoned with what until recently was West Ham supporters'
favourite Dimitri Payet song ("He's Super Slav's man/ He's better than
Zidane") are on sale in the club store for a knockdown price. A much
improved second-half performance in his absence, bringing about a derby
victory on Saturday, will nevertheless instil greater determination to play
hard-ball this week over the disaffected midfielder's future.

A compromise is still possible, the most logical one being to cash in to the
tune of up to £30million if Marseille want the 29 year-old that badly, while
loaning him back until the end of the season. Vice-chair Karren Brady took
the pragmatic approach at the weekend, writing in her newspaper column: "He
has been on half-throttle for some time. With this attitude I suppose that
probably sooner rather than later he will be on his way. We have already
made him our highest-paid player but there has been plenty of evidence
recently of his lost motivation."

David Sullivan, the co-chairman, emphasised there was no financial necessity
to sell but only said the club would not do so "in the January transfer
window". Manager Slaven Bilic has been adamant about keeping his most gifted
player and presumably believes he could restore that lost motivation, but he
could also take positives from the other players' response to his half-time
talk on Saturday.
"I think it was a great example that it's always about the team, not about
an individual," he said of the sudden improvement that brought three fine
goals in a 20-minute spell, including Andy Carroll's goal-of-the-month
bicycle kick.

Carroll benefited from the smart decision to push Mikhail Antonio up
alongside him in support, the latter creating all three goals. The last of
them was chipped in sweetly by Manuel Lanzini, who could thrive with greater
responsibility as the main playmaker if Payet does not return to the side.
"We weren't a one-player team last season," Bilic said. "We have talked
about the importance of Manuel Lanzini last year. But of course from some
players on the ball you are expecting more and for sure, he is one of them."

Meanwhile Sam Allardyce's concerns at Palace are not so much about anyone
wishing to leave as who he can bring in to join Jeffrey Schlupp, a useful
addition from Leicester City. Arsenal defender Carl Jenkinson, who played
under him at West Ham, may well be next but Tuesday's FA Cup replay at home
to Bolton will be used to see if any of the shadow squad can improve on
Saturday's performance by players who their manager felt "capitulated" after
conceding the first goal.

He is still learning about the players he inherited from Alan Pardew and had
little time with two of them, Wilfried Zaha and Bakary Sako, before they
were off to the African Nations Cup. Chelsea loanee Loic Remy, he believes,
can offer "something different" in attack but the priority for a team only
one point off the bottom of the table is some clean sheets.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Simone Zaza ends unhappy spell at West Ham as Italian forward completes loan
switch to Valencia
Simone Zaza will join Spanish side Valencia for rest of this season
Italy international failed to establish himself at West Ham in miserable
spell
Terms of his loan to West Ham meant move would be permanent after 14 games
Deal has been cancelled with Zaza moving on to play for struggling La Liga
side
By Simon Jones for MailOnline
PUBLISHED: 23:54, 15 January 2017 | UPDATED: 23:55, 15 January 2017

Simone Zaza has cut short his loan spell at West Ham to join Valencia for
the rest of the season. The Italy international joined the Hammers on loan
from Juventus in the summer, but never found his feet in London, failing to
score in 11 appearances in all competitions. With the terms of his loan
dictating that the switch would become permanent if he made 14 appearances,
he fell out of favour and the deal has now been cancelled, freeing him to
join Valencia. 'Valencia Club de Futbol have completed the signing of Simone
Zaza on loan from Juventus until the end of the season,' a club statement
said. 'The player passed a medical with the club and signed his contract on
Sunday. 'The agreement will see him becone a Valencia CF player until the
conclusion of the 2016/17 campaign, with an option to buy.' The 25-year-old,
capped 16 times by Italy, helped Juventus to the Serie A title, Coppa Italia
and Italian Supercoppa while in Turin. But is already becoming
well-travelled in his career, having also played for Atalanta, Sampdoria,
Juve Stabia, Viareggio, Ascoli and Sassuolo.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Dimitri Payet has not spoken to me in weeks... I find it hard that somebody
would want to leave us, reveals West Ham skipper Mark Noble
Dimitri Payet wants to leave West Ham to return to former side Marseille
Payet was left out of West Ham's squad to face Crystal Palace at the weekend
West Ham won 3-0 without the services of their star playmaker
By Oliver Todd for the Daily Mail
PUBLISHED: 22:33, 15 January 2017 | UPDATED: 00:01, 16 January 2017

Mark Noble has revealed Dimtri Payet has not spoken to him in 'weeks' as the
wantaway star's relationships at West Ham collapsed.
Payet is stuck in a stand-off, frozen out of training and refusing to play
while his club are adamant he will not be sold. Now West Ham captain Noble,
who says he once had a great bond with the Frenchman, has given another
indication of how his situation has spiralled. Michail Antonio has been
directly involved in more Premier League goals than any other West Ham
player this season - 11 (8 goals, 3 assists). Payet was a popular member
of the London Stadium dressing room but it is increasingly clear he is
running short on allies after Saturday's victory over Crystal Palace. The
Hammers ran out 3-0 winners as those playing in Payet's place stepped up a
gear for their biggest home victory at the new ground. While his team-mates
take an extra day off ahead of going back to training on Tuesday there is no
indication of a return for Payet. Manager Slaven Bilic says against Palace
he saw 'a great example that it's always about the team — not about an
individual'. And West Ham supporters sang in support of their manager with
the addition of a chant for Payet, echoing his previous popular one, but now
telling him to: 'F*** off… We just don't want you anymore.' Skipper Noble
cannot fathom ever taking a stance like Payet and he says their friendship
has fallen apart as the star seeks a move away. 'I have always said that he
is up there with one of the best players I have ever played with,' Noble
recalls. 'I had — and I say had because I haven't really spoken to him for
the last two or three weeks — a great relationship with him, but I don't
know his reasons. 'I am not going to comment on why he wanted to leave but I
do know that if someone doesn't want to play for the team then they are
better off not even playing.'
Sportsmail understands other team-mates had noticed changes in Payet' s
behaviour before his fall-out with Bilic, too. The 29-year-old wants to
return to France and former club Marseille. 'I thought the manager was right
in what he did because it is hard,' Noble adds. 'You have to win games and
if you have your best player who doesn't want to play for you then obviously
he has had to do something about it. 'I have been here all my life so I find
it hard to realise that someone wouldn't want to play for the club. It's a
massive club and he is absolutely adored — was adored here — by the fans.
But football and fans change quickly.'
West Ham started slow on Saturday but after a change of system at half-time
Michail Antonio was pushed forward from right wing-back and it paid
dividends as he set up all three goals. First Sofiane Feghouli slid home
after Antonio had rounded Wayne Hennessey, then came Andy Carroll's
brilliant scissor kick from the former Nottingham Forest man's cross before
he sent Manuel Lanzini through to clip over the goalkeeper for a sublime
third. In that forward-thinking foursome of provider and goalscorers, Bilic
saw players who stepped up to levels he wouldn't usually believe were
possible. The Croatian coach doesn't usually subscribe to the footballing
cliches of effort levels exceeding the maximum 100 per cent — but Saturday
was different. 'I told them at half-time: "This is the time when we've got
to give 150 or 200 per cent"and they did it to be fair,' Bilic said. 'So I
have noticed it. But I also expected that — expected that from the crowd and
expected that from the players. If we gain confidence, if we gain team
character from this then it would help us to be a better team and that's
what we aim to do. 'We weren't a one-player team last season. But of course
from some players on the ball you are expecting more.' Kept out of the
bottom three only by goal difference, the situation for Sam Allardyce at
Palace became increasingly bleak. The former England manager, marked up as a
Premier League survival specialist, admits he is unsure whether he has
enough in his current squad to avoid relegation. Allardyce says the January
transfer window, which he relied on to revive a sinking Sunderland last
season, is more difficult than he can remember for years. He will try to add
to his side this week after sealing the £9million signing of Jeffrey Schlupp
from Leicester City. 'We have just got to get better, individually and
collectively, and if there's anymore to bring in we'll try our best to do
it,' Allardyce says. 'There's less players available, everybody wants to
keep hold of them and the inflated prices are very difficult to deal with
and the packages are very expensive. 'But when you're in great need,
sometimes you have to go there to make sure you get what you want.'

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