Daily WHUFC News - 25th January 2017

Kouyate eyes AFCON title
WHUFC.com

Cheikhou Kouyate says Senegal want to win the AFCON for the first time in
their history
Lions of Teranga completed unbeaten group stage by drawing 2-2 with Algeria
on Monday
Captain Kouyate and company face Cameroon in the quarter-finals on Saturday
evening

West Ham United's Cheikhou Kouyate and Senegal are safely through to the
quarter-finals of the 2017 CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The Lions of Teranga completed an unbeaten group phase by drawing 2-2 with
Algeria in a thrilling game in Franceville on Monday evening, setting up a
meeting with Cameroon. With Senegal already sealing their place in the last
eight courtesy of 2-0 victories over Tunisia and Zimbabwe, captain Kouyate
was rested for the meeting with the Desert Foxes. With former Hammer Mohamed
Diame taking his place in the middle of the park, Senegal twice led, only to
be pegged back by two goals scored by Leicester City striker Islam Slimani.

Aliou Cisse's side will take on the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in
Franceville on Saturday 28 January, with the tie being screened live by
British Eurosport at 7pm GMT. Kouyate says Senegal are determined to win the
continental title for the first time in their history, having been beaten by
their next opponents in their only previous appearance in the final back in
2002. "We'd been crying like children for ten years," said the No8. "This
year, we've decided to come here and show that Senegal has grown, that this
generation wants to write the history of Senegalese football. "The hardest
bit is to come. The start was to try and get out of the group. We're not
going to stop now, and we'll do everything to make the Senegalese people
happy."

Elsewhere, Andre Ayew's Ghana are already guaranteed to join Senegal in the
quarter-finals, having beaten Uganda – courtesy of the West Ham forward's
penalty – and Mali in their opening two Group D fixtures. The Black Stars,
managed by Avram Grant, need to avoid defeat against Egypt to top the group
and set up a last-eight clash with either DR Congo, Morocco, Ivory Coast or
Togo.

The 2017 AFCON final will be held in Libreville on Sunday 5 February.

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Ticket Exchange explained
WHUFC.com

Our fantastic Ticket Exchange service has given thousands of West Ham
supporters the chance to attend home fixtures which have previously sold out
this season, as well as giving Season Ticket Holders the opportunity to earn
money to redeem against their Season Ticket renewal.

Once home match tickets for a fixture have sold out, the Ticket Exchange
service will be switched on, giving Season Ticket Holders who are unable to
attend the match the option to list their seat for another supporter to
purchase.

Not only will the Season Ticket Holder give another supporter the chance to
attend the match, but if their seat is purchased, they will receive the
seasonal value of their seat for that fixture in Loyalty Cash, minus a 10%
Ticketmaster administration charge.

To view the value each Season Ticket Holder would receive if their seat was
purchased, along with instructions on how to relist a seat, please click
here.

With tickets for both our upcoming fixtures against Manchester City and West
Bromwich Albion sold out, Season Ticket Holders can list their seat for
these matches by clicking here.

Availability for other supporters to buy these relisted seats will fluctuate
depending on when Season Ticket Holders list their seat so we recommend
checking eticketing.co.uk/WHUFC regularly to secure seats.

The Ticket Exchange will close three hours before kick-off on the day of the
fixture. Ticket Exchange terms and conditions can be found here.

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The Big Interview - Sofiane Feghouli
WHUFC.com

After a blistering start to his West Ham United career, scoring in the
Club's first ever match at London Stadium, Sofiane Feghouli became
frustrated with injury troubles soon after. He endured a few difficult weeks
in east London before beginning to make an impact as a substitute in Claret
and Blue. However, the Algerian has bounced back in style, starting the
Hammers' last four matches, scoring in the side's 3-0 home win against
Crystal Palace.

How important was it to score your first Premier League goal for West Ham
United against Crystal Palace recently at London Stadium?

"It was very important. It was also a reward for my efforts so far. It was
my second start in the Premier League and in my first one against Manchester
United, I was very frustrated to get the red card. "Against Palace, I played
the full 90 minutes, we won convincingly and obviously I scored so it was
great."

How special was Andy Carroll's goal in that game?

"I am very happy for him. It was an incredibly difficult goal to score and
it took great technical ability to do so. It was certainly the best I've
seen in the Premier League this season and hopefully he can score many more
to help us get into the top ten this season. "It was fantastic and I can
only congratulate Andy on that particular goal!"

It important was it to build upon the Palace result with the win against
Middlesbrough?

"It was very important. The Palace game was huge because it was a derby
match, making the game extra special for all our supporters, and I was very
happy. Then, it was a huge boost to our confidence to go and win against
Middlesbrough."

Do you think the Club has turned the corner, and things are much more
positive than earlier in the season?

"The whole week at a Club after a win is always very positive. We need to be
humble as players though, and recognise there are always areas to work on.
We are capable of working and moving even further and we know if we give our
all and show our quality, that's what we can do."

What is the mood like around Rush Green at the moment?

"The atmosphere is very good. Everyone is working very hard at the moment,
although we're always doing that. It was hugely important to win on Saturday
against Middlesbrough for our supporters."

What does it mean to you to be starting in the Premier League now after
missing a large chunk of the season with injury?

"Of course, for a player it's always hard when you're not starting games,
and to begin with it was tough when I was struggling to be given a chance.
"When you get that though, you need to take it, so I've been working hard in
training and I feel when I have started the last few I have done that. I am
hoping to continue to start matches and help the team now going forward."

What challenges did you face as a player coming over to West Ham having
never played in England before?

"Coming to the Premier League, you want to prove yourself and adapt quickly.
West Ham have an ambitious project, to be competing in the top half of the
Premier League and I have a contract here for three years, so I hope to be
doing that. "London doesn't quite feel like home just yet, but it's a lovely
city and people are very open here. It's hard when things aren't going as
well on the pitch, it's harder to feel at home but things are looking up in
that regard and I'm very happy here.
"My family is very happy here too. The Club always does everything they can
to help new players settle in, too."

Do you feel as though the fans are now starting to see the best of you as a
player?

"I haven't been here long, so no; I think it will still take some time to
show my absolute best. I know that there is more for me to show to both my
teammates and the supporters of the Club."

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London Stadium to be a sea of Claret and Blue
WHUFC.com

Following feedback at the Vice-Chairman's successful meeting with key fan
sites and bloggers last week, West Ham United are delighted to announce that
supporters will be able to apply for large flags to be displayed on
matchdays at London Stadium.

The initiative forms part of the board's ongoing commitment to improve the
matchday experience and ensure supporters feel at home in London Stadium.

Recent innovations have included the introduction of Supporter Liaison
Officers with 30 scheduled to be assisting fans at Manchester City on 1
February and experienced stewards being positioned in the same areas to
build a rapport with supporters.

London Stadium already allow supporters to bring flags into the stadium on a
match by match basis provided they are no larger than 2m x 2m, however West
Ham United is now working with London Stadium to ensure that the stadium
feels even more like home on matchdays.

To arrange to have your larger flag displayed, contact the club on
supporterservices@westhamunited.co.uk at least 72 hours before the home
match you are attending with the following information:

A picture of the flag you wish to display
Dimensions of the flag
Confirmation it is manufactured to British Standard and is flame retardant
Your season ticket seat number

Once it has been authorised by the Supporter Services team, fans can send
their flags into the Club, or drop them off at the West Ham United Stadium
Store, where club Cfficials will safely store them before displaying them
around the stadium bowl on matchdays.

The Club will endeavour to display as many flags as possible but the number
and location in the stadium bowl will be at the discretion of the Club and
Safety Officer.

*Stadium operator London Stadium 185's policy states flags should not carry
any discriminatory, racist or abusive language nor should they contain any
element that may be considered or interpreted as inflammatory, offensive or
with any overt political slogans. Flag poles are not permitted for health
and safety reasons and certain restrictions may apply to ensure the health
and safety of our supporters which is always our primary concern.

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Accessible Shuttle Bus update
WHUFC.com

West Ham United are reminding supporters that the popular complimentary
Accessible Shuttle Bus Service is available to fans with both permanent and
temporary accessibility needs.

Any supporter with a mobility issue can arrange a permit by emailing
accessibility@westhamunited.co.uk at least 48 hours ahead of kick-off to
secure their place on the innovative free Accessible Shuttle Bus.

Accessibility is a key commitment for the Club and we are proud to be home
of one of the Premier League's most accessible stadia. The Accessible
Shuttle Bus is just one example of that commitment to affordable and
accessible football, and already assists more than 500 fans each and every
matchday.

The Club has recently increased the number of buses from seven to 12 on a
matchday in order to meet demand and reduce waiting times, which are
currently average less than 30 mins.

The buses begin departing two hours before kick-off, picking up supporters
from platform 13 at Stratford station and bringing them within 50m of the
Stadium - to Car Park Two, allowing access to Podium Level at the Stadium
via the lifts in the Stadium Store.

To ensure the Accessible Shuttle Bus Service operates as efficiently as
possible, all Accessibility Season Ticket holders and existing permit
holders are advised that cards and permits will be routinely checked ahead
of departure.

To maintain the smooth running of this valuable service and keep waiting
times as low as possible, the Club would like to reiterate that:

The Accessible Shuttle Bus Service is available for any disabled Season
Ticket Holder, as well as one carer.
All those wishing to use the Accessible Shuttle Bus will need to board the
bus together and show their Access Cards. One card will show the disabled
supporter's name, and the second will have the carer's name.
Access to the Accessible Shuttle Bus is also extended to Claret Members with
accessibility needs, who will have an Access Card with their name on it, and
a paper ticket with a carer printed on it.
All senior and infirm citizens will also be allowed to use the buses but
will need to request a permit in advance in order to use the shuttle bus.
Similarly, any supporter who is pregnant, or those that have a temporary
disability (i.e. a broken leg) can also arrange a permit. Any other
supporters with a mobility problem will have to produce a letter from their
doctor or consultant confirming that they are not able to walk.
All those eligible to apply for a permit need to email
accessibility@westhamunited.co.uk at least 48 hours before kick-off. When
emailing, please include the relevant match in the subject heading of all
correspondence.
Supporters who are eligible and currently make use of the service will be
emailed in advance of our home match against Manchester City to kindly
remind that cards and permits must be produced ahead of travel.

The Club remain fully committed to assisting both home and away supporters
with accessible requirements. We will continue to monitor demand at each
home match, with the club keen to continue to improve wait times, which now
average under 30 minutes.

Supporter Liaison Officers will support the ecently reinforced and dedicated
accessibility team to ensure effective running, monitoring and reporting on
queue times.

Anyone wishing to use the Accessible Shuttle Bus Service at future matches
should contact accessibility@westhamunited.co.uk for further assistance.

For full information on the shuttle service please visit our Matchday Guide
here.

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WINSTON REID – COLOSSUS
BY EXWHUEMPLOYEE ON 24 JANUARY 2017 AT 9:58PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
By Michael Bray

When Winston Reid arrived in East London back in 2010, you would have been
forgiven for not being particularly familiar with his career to date. A
young New-Zealander who moved to Denmark aged 11, Reid's raw potential was
evident in his displays for the All Whites during the World Cup in Germany.
Despite this being his first real test at the highest level, West Ham
decided to take a punt on the young Maori-born defender.

Fast-forward to January 2017, and the merit of this decision is without
doubt. In a season where the Club has faced numerous challenges both on and
off the pitch, Winston Reid's qualities as both a defensive colossus and a
natural born leader have been required on a regular basis. Angelo Ogbonna
has rightly received praise from West Ham fans this week, following the
revelation that he has been admirably playing through injury. There is a
general consensus that this is the reason for his below par performances
since the start of the season – as opposed to the second-season syndrome
that appeared to have taken hold. This is not a criticism of Ogbonna, when
fit and on form he is a solid defender (grappling in the box issues aside)
who can read play and has an eye for a pass. However, what his issues this
season really highlight is the importance of Winston Reid to our defence, as
watching from the East Stand it has often felt as if he has played in
central defence on his own.

Perhaps a strange yet apt example of this is the recent FA Cup defeat to
Manchester City. Yes, we conceded five goals, and on face value it would be
easy to suggest the defence were solely culpable for this. However on a
disastrous evening for the Hammers, Reid made countless blocks, battled in
the air and intercepted play intelligently. He also was visibly livid when
we conceded, which was a symbol of his professional pride and something that
the fans want to see. It is without question that were Reid not on the pitch
at the London Stadium that evening, it could well have been a cricket score.
The behaviours Reid showed against City are synonymous with his whole
campaign, and have contributed massively to our points total in the league.
The fact that five of our eight wins this season have been by a 1-0 score
underlines how important his habit of winning headers, blocking shots and
intercepting play on such a consistent basis really is. When the team has
needed commitment, leadership and grit to get through to the final whistle,
Reid has consistently shown his worth.

In the past Reid has been linked with signing for one of the big boys, the
most likely of which at one point looked to be the Gunners. Purely looking
at Reid as a defender he has what it takes to play at this level. However,
doubts over his ability on the ball are presumably the reason that Arsenal's
interest was never more than Newspaper gossip. Having said that, as he has
grown in confidence this season he has shown an improvement in this side of
his game. Passing qualities aside, Reid is the perfect fit for West Ham
right now and has been outstanding this season. His consistently strong
performances have been a monumental factor in our climb up the table, and
without him we may well have been in a relegation dogfight.

By Michael Bray.

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DAVID CONNOLLY'S EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: HE REFLECTS ON HIM BEING AN "ANGRY
ANT" AND HIS PARTNERSHIP WITH DEFOE
BY EXWHUEMPLOYEE ON 24 JANUARY 2017 AT 9:34PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by David Connolly

We are delighted to announce that David Connolly will join our already
impressive list of ex players writing for the club. We hope to receive more
regular articles from our former Irish international forward this season

FOLLOWING YOUR SPELL AT WATFORD YOU SECURED A MOVE TO DUTCH GIANTS
FEYENOORD. HOW DID THIS MOVE COME ABOUT AND WHAT WAS IT LIKE TO PLAY FOR
THEM?

I was lucky to make my debut for Ireland I was 18 I think and coming to the
end of my contract at Watford. I had scored a hat trick in a World Cup
qualifying game for Ireland and then played against Portugal and Holland, in
Feyenoord's stadium and I impressed them. I was free transfer and it just
happened to be they liked me and wanted a goalscorer.

It was an amazing club, the first day at training there was around 5000
people watching and they had to put up temporary stands. This level of
passion was an ongoing theme, as training was often watched by many fans,
even the open day inside the stadium attracted 50,000 fans throughout the
day or more. I scored on my debut and there were players such as Ronald
Koeman, Henrik Larsson, Giovanni Van Bronckhorst and Jerzy Dudek there it
was incredible and the level of training was just phenomenal.

I quickly learned technically I was behind these players and the average
player had great football ability which drove me to practise, practise
practise but I felt I was always playing catch up.

I scored 2 against Ajax away in the most fierce match, Feyenoord hadn't
beaten Ajax away in 26 years, me this little kid from where I came from
scoring twice and being carried off on Jerzy Dudek's shoulders it was
surreal to be honest. One left foot, one right foot and an assist, it was a
great game. They had Christain Chivu at the back and Van de Vaart. The
season I left they offered me a new contract and we were in The Champions
league again but there were new people in charge at the top and in the end I
chose to come back to Wimbledon. I was just on the verge of signing again
when my Ireland teammate Kenny Cunningham rang me to see if I would join
Wimbledon, they had just been relegated but it was a chance to come back
home and I took it.

As it turns out that season Feyenoord won The UEFA Cup!

YOU MADE THE 2002 IRELAND WORLD CUP SQUAD. CAN YOU DESCRIBE THAT EXPERIENCE
AND WHAT WAS YOUR TAKE ON ROY KEANE'S SPECTACULAR FALL OUT?

The process of getting there was probably something people take for granted,
but we had lost in three play offs, I had played in each, all such huge huge
matches: Euro 2000 Playoffs defeat against Turkey, 1998 World Cup playoff
defeat against Belgium and a 2004 Euro Playoff loss to Switzerland. These
games were so big the pressure was so huge it's what you play football for.
Thankfully we won the 2002 World Cup Play off and I played and was proud to
be selected for such a significant game.

In the other play offs we lost out on the away goals rule, this time we went
through on it and to play a small part against Spain in the last 16 was
special. I guess we look back on what could have been as we came close to
beating Spain but I missed a penalty in the shoot out which was a real low
and we went out on penalties. South Korea were next up in the quarter finals
and you just never know where we could have reached.

I sat next to Roy on the flight there and he could be brilliant company with
a great sense of humour but he could also quite easily cut you down and that
was how he was built, like us all, we are made differently but we got on
well, he roomed next door and I lent him some DVDs etc as teammates do. The
fall out was such a shame as with him I feel obviously we would have
progressed I really do and it created a very unpleasant situation for
everyone and in particular Mick McCarthy who is a great man. I believe at
that point there was some friction and always had been with Mick and Roy as
past teammates. I actually could see a lot of good in both and liked them
both a lot and respected them.

Roy felt things weren't done as well as they should be and he was right I
guess at such an event he couldn't believe Ireland had no kit on our first
training day or that we had no Gk's for training. The GK coach Packie Bonner
had worked them so hard come the game time, they couldn't join in. Roy was
right we all felt the same, he vocalised it his way and the rest is history.

Ironically, I was recording the trip with a video camera and I brought it
everywhere but when the meeting was called I left it in my room, as it was,
I was sat next to Roy when it all kicked off in the meeting room, you
couldn't write it.

YOU STARTED YOUR CAREER UNDER A CERTAIN GLENN ROEDER WHO GAVE YOU YOUR FIRST
TEAM DEBUT AND THEN JOINED HIM AGAIN AT WEST HAM. WHAT DID YOU THINK OF
GLENN AS A MANAGER?

I was very happy to join West Ham and had worked with Glenn before at
Watford so it was nice to hear I was wanted by such a great club. I was on
the back of scoring 24 goals in 28 games in The Championship which was the
highest in all the leagues in England and I won a golden boot so I was in
good form. I wanted to move there above other clubs as it was such an
historic club and the players they had, I took a pay cut to join but I
considered it worth it.

HOW DID YOU FEEL AFTER ROEDER DESCRIBED YOU AS "AN ANGRY ANT" AFTER BEING
LEFT OUT FOR THE FIRST GAME?

I had to battle and scrap for everything and always stood up for myself and
my family, it's just how you are made I believe. I didn't like bullies and I
did have a clear sense of right and wrong and couldn't entertain people who
maybe did things a different way. I struggled to see the grey then, I saw
most things as black and white such as being treated unfairly when
undeserving of it. I didn't agree with and would stand up for myself when
maybe someone less would let things slide I couldn't to my detriment.

I also cared deeply about my football and possibly was a little sensitive!

DID YOU ENJOY YOUR TIME AT THE CLUB?

I am very proud to have worn the West Ham shirt, it is an iconic club with
such a rich history, I never dreamed I would play for such clubs. So many
players I played with would have bitten their arm off to play for such clubs
and I appreciate how lucky I was, but I always did know how lucky I was, I
never took it for granted.

Yes, I started off like a house on fire and loved playing with such great
players, particularly Jermain Defoe who inspired me with his finishing
ability, I fed off wanting to have his power and accuracy and I just wish I
had stayed as a forward rather than be moved to a number 10.

I was probably just on the tails of being the player or forward I wanted to
be when Alan Pardew took over and he then moved me deeper.

He ironically wanted to sign me before he moved to West Ham but after the
most prolific period of my career with 24 in 28 for Wimbledon and then on
similar number of goals per games at the start of my West Ham career, I was
pushed slightly further back with more defensive responsibilities which
affected my greatest strength. Although I had the game to be a number 10 I
wanted to score goals and that was why I left in the end, I wanted to play
up front as a 9.

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE MEMORIES OF YOUR TIME HERE?

Scoring on my debut was fantastic, as was the early part of my first season,
when we were in a 442 playing with Jermain. The win over Ipswich away was
great as Jermain scored a goal only he could, smashing it in left foot with
such power from outside the box at the GK's near post, whilst I scored my
favourite Hammers goal-a left foot volley as below.

WHAT WAS YOUR BEST GOAL?

A volley against Ipswich I think, I put in one of our lads and his shot was
blocked I remember, the ball bounced outside the area and I was able to
volley it left foot in a difficult technique past the GK. I practised my
finishing so much to improve technically I considered it a pleasure but I
just wanted to be as good as I could be and this goal was maybe the result
of hours of practice especially, as it was my left foot!

I did score 3 goals for Ireland all with my left foot, and I consider
details like these important as I just tried to improve every part of my
game and in the end it takes you where it takes you!

THERE WAS TALK AT THE TIME THAT YOU AND JERMAIN DEFOE REFUSED TO PASS TO
EACH OTHER IN MATCHES AS YOU BOTH WANTED TO SCORE THE GOALS. IS THIS TRUE?
WHAT WAS YOUR RELATIONSHIP LIKE WITH HIM?

As above I thought he was amazing and inspired me to push on and we got on
great, we both wanted to score goals and you need players with such a
desire. He lived for football like me and he is such a great talent, I have
no idea where the stories came from. I sometimes passed when I could have
shot and Jermain sometimes too, that is the decision making you make but
honestly I loved playing with him.

DO YOU STILL KEEP IN TOUCH WITH ANY OF THE PLAYERS FROM YOUR WEST HAM DAYS?

Sadly not, football can be so transient but I popped into the training
ground a few years ago and spoke to a few of the boys still there such as
Mark Noble and I bumped into Teddy Sheringham recently. I saw Bobby Zamora
little while ago, so when I see the players its great but with so much
moving around and in the season everyone is so focused on their game keeping
these relationships becomes harder and harder which is a shame.

IN YOUR TIME AT WEST HAM YOU WERE MANAGED BY ROEDER, BROOKING AND PARDEW.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH EACH MANAGER?

I would like to think each would have me in the trenches beside them and
could count on me as a solid character, honest would run through a brick
wall regardless if selected or not, I didn't sulk I just tried harder.
Injuries and the like affected this though and the hours of practice ruined
my groins and hips and I had over six operations in this area in my career
which robbed me of so many games.

WHY DID YOU LEAVE THE CLUB AND DID YOU WANT TO GO?

I was told: Bobby Zamora, Marlon Harewood and myself were put up for sale
after the play off final defeat ( I don't know if this is true) once I heard
that I felt if Alan had lost confidence in me then it was time to go. As I
say, I was playing deeper as a 10 and I didn't enjoy it as much as a 9.

If a bid came in for any of us I heard it was who would go first. Leicester
had just been relegated from The Premier League and I felt I needed to play
as a 9.

YOU PLAYED FOR FIVE OTHER CLUBS AFTER LEAVING WEST HAM. DO YOU HAVE ANY
PARTICULAR FAVOURITE MEMORIES FROM THAT PERIOD?

I joined Wigan in their debut Premier league season after leading the
Championship scoring charts at the start of the season for Leicester City
and scored on my debut- a great feeling. It was a wonderful part of the
club's history finishing as high as we did with a top 10 finish. I also
played every round of the our League Cup run to the final v Manchester
United ( I scored the winner past my Ireland teammate Shay Given in the
quarter final, a special moment) but got injured in the Semi-final v
Arsenal. Another injury having a negative effect on my career.

I missed a lot of game time and was down the pecking order when I got back
fit, so rather than sit there I dropped down a division to Sunderland.

Winning the league with Sunderland in my first season was brilliant, I was
top scorer and got on so well with everyone, the fans and team-mates. What a
great set of fans and when I look back I feel the clubs I played for
reflected my personality, honest, hard working, passionate who loved
football such as West Ham, Sunderland, Portsmouth and Feyenoord. They are
working class, honest and I got on with the fans at these clubs very well I
think, as I loved my football and I am a football fan, it's the best sport
in the world.

With Southampton we won back to back promotions and as a 35/36 year old
playing with the young lads coming through such as Adam Lallana, Morgan
Schneiderlin and Rickie Lambert was fantastic. They were great lads and I
can't speak highly enough of these lads and others, who were top pros, they
loved their football. I was the older player who they came to for some
advice and their enthusiasm and ability was like West ham all those years
previously where their ability inspired you.

These lads have gone onto great things and it's no surprise they were such
brilliant people and that is what the game is about.

The season we won promotion I started off on fire and then my groins started
hurting again as they did at Sunderland and I had another operation, and
when I got back in, I injured my knee going in on the GK and suffered a bad
grade 2 medial ligament injury and at 36 was released sadly.

Just as I was returning back to The Premier League I was released and then
spent considerable time attempting to get back playing which at 36 and after
so many injuries wasn't easy.

A physio friend was helping me recover and he was at Portsmouth, they were
in an awful situation and so was I, I just wanted to go where I would find
good people and I did that. Once I was fit I scored something like 7 in 11
games and despite being relegated for the financial situation, I found a
great club with amazing fans who packed in every week regardless what league
their team was in. It was such a pleasure to play for them, I became
Captain/ Player Coach and enjoyed my time before coming full circle back to
the first club I came to when I returned from Holland, Wimbledon.

Now in charge was Neal Ardley, I was 38, my body had gone through so much, I
had plenty of time on my contract left but running around after Akinfenwa
was a young player's game. So after scoring the winner v Luton, I said to
Neal thanks so much for going out on a high but spend your money on a
younger player who can offer you a little more.

I guess I signed for clubs where people knew me: from Glenn Roeder and Alan
Pardew who signed me at Southampton after working together at West Ham. To
Roy Keane at Sunderland to Neal Ardley at Wimbledon, so I feel lucky and
proud people thought I was a decent enough sort.

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Transfer window, Payet and Bilic
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 24th January 2017
By: Jamie Norwood

So one week to go in the January transfer window and just the one deal done
- Jose Fonte.

I think he will be a really good signing for us. He has a lot of experience
and is a leader. He and Reid should form a formidable partnership.

Meanwhile, the Dimitri Payet saga goes on…. For me, we just need to get rid
of him. If that means taking £25million instead of £30million, so be it. The
club's morale is worth the £5million 'hit'.

To refuse to play for the club that has given him so much is unacceptable
and there is no way back from that. He was idolised by the whole club, the
fans sung his name every game and Slaven Bilic adored him.

Do you remember back in the Euros when Bilic was a pundit for ITV and he
celebrated Payet's goal by jumping on the table? Fast forward a few months
and Payet refuses to play for him.

Well since all this has come out we have won 3-0 and 3-1 and you can see
that it has brought the whole squad together. In a way, the Payet situation
has been a blessing; the fans have been fully behind the squad and the
manager.

I don't care if he comes out and 'apologises' (Or the PR department tells
him what to say) - he is done at this club for me.

Moving on from Payet and we have yet to sign a striker, which we have needed
for what seems like an eternity. Simone Zaza was brought in but wasn't good
enough, Jonathan Calleri? Not convinced at all. And Ashley Fletcher is one
for the future.

So once again we are relying on Andy Carroll to stay fit and we all know
that is a dangerous game. I find it very frustrating that the transfer
window opened 24 days ago and we still haven't brought someone in.

We have been 'close' to signing Scott Hogan from Brentford for the last
couple of weeks, yet reports say we are haggling over the transfer fee. We
also made a ridiculous bid for Jermain Defoe which was never going to be
accepted.

Another position we have needed strengthening for a while is right back.
However with Sam Byram back from injury, Mr Sullivan has given us a subtle
hint on the official website that we won't be buying a right back this
month. Im not sure what has happened with Arbeloa!

A recent report from Deloitte says that we have the 18th highest revenue in
world football at £143.8million. What I would like to know, is where this
money is?

We've moved into a bigger stadium with 52,000 season ticket holders, we sold
the Boleyn Ground and the only real money we spent in the summer was on
Ayew, the rest were loan deals and free transfers.

So why are we making ridiculous bids? Is it just so the board can say "we
tried" again?

Why are we haggling over two or three million for Hogan? £15million is small
fry in today's market. Look at Middlesbrough for example, they have just
spent £16million on Patrick Bamford and Rudy Gestede, two players who have
struggled in the Premier League.

Crystal Palace paid Leicester £12million for Jeffrey Schlupp and are about
to spend another £12million on Patrick Van Aanholt. The transfer fees these
days are ridiculous but it is what it is, we as a club have got to get used
to the fact that £15million isn't so much for a player anymore.

Another player we have been linked with is Robert Snodgrass. Who looks like
a replacement for Payet. Snodgrass, really? Is he the sort of signing that
will improve us or take us to the next level?

Is he a better player than what we have? Feghouli, Antonio, Lanzini, Ayew?
If he comes in I'll get behind him, but I'm not convinced at all. For me, we
should be looking at players like Gylfi Sigurðsson. Whether Swansea would
sell this month is debatable but we should be replacing quality with
quality.

One thing we should have learnt from last summer is that quantity over
quality is not a good idea. Our team has pretty much remained the same as
last season, as the summer signings were not good enough.

If we have to wait until the end of the season to bring that quality in then
so be it – although we have been promised this before. One week to go, let's
see what happens!

I would also like to say "well done" to Karren Brady. I am normally quite
critical of the Board, especially on the promises they made with the stadium
move! But meeting with fans last week was a great idea.

It shows that they are looking to bridge a gap between the Board and fans.
It was feeling as if we were getting a bit 'detached' from the club, so it
is really positive to see her reach out to fans and organise the meeting. I
hope this continues!

I would like to finish by saying that I am so pleased for Slaven Bilic over
these last couple of weeks. You could see he was under pressure and the
Payet situation really had affected him. But two massive wins have got us
looking up, instead of over our shoulder.

The players have stuck behind him and so have the fans. I hope we can
continue this form now and that Bilic is rewarded with a new contract soon
as he is the perfect manager for us in my opinion. 'Super Slav'.

Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are those of the
author and do not necessarily represent the views of, nor should be
attributed to, KUMB.com.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham interested in signing M'Baye Niang from AC Milan - Sky sources
Last Updated: 24/01/17 3:50pm
SSN

West Ham are interested in signing AC Milan forward M'Baye Niang, according
to Sky in Italy. Milan value the 22-year-old at £13m, but would consider a
loan with an option to buy in the summer. Sky in Italy understand Crystal
Palace, Everton and Genoa are also interested in signing Niang, who has
scored three goals in 18 Serie A appearances this season. Niang netted five
times in 14 matches during a brief spell on loan at Genoa in 2015 and Sky
sources understand that a move back to Genoa is his most likely destination.
Meanwhile, West Ham are in talks with La Liga side Las Palmas over a deal
for Jonathan Calleri. The Argentine forward has endured a difficult spell
with the Hammers since joining on a season-long loan from Deportivo
Maldonado in August, but did score his first goal for the club in last
Saturday's 3-1 win at Middlesbrough. Las Palmas president Miguel Angel
Ramirez claims West Ham have delayed making a decision on the proposed deal
as they weigh-up whether to cancel Calleri's loan spell with the club.
"[Jonathan] Calleri and Hernan Toledo are two players that interest [us],"
Ramirez told Spanish newspaper Marca. "We were expecting an answer from West
Ham in order to make the Calleri thing (deal) official, but they have asked
us for a few days."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham could be forced to loan out Dimitri Payet as Frenchman remains
desperate to return home
The Hammers have rejected several bids from Payet's former club Marseille
but could let him leave temporarily in order collect their £35million asking
price in the summer
The Mirror
BYJOHN CROSS
19:19, 24 JAN 2017UPDATED21:56, 24 JAN 2017

West Ham could be forced to loan out wantaway midfielder Dimitri Payet as
the transfer saga turns ugly. Marseille insist they will not improve on
their latest offer - which was £25million plus £3m in add-ons - leaving
Payet in limbo as he is demanding to go. West Ham will not accept anything
less than £35m but that now seems impossible with the deal deadlocked.
However, Marseille are hoping that a loan deal could be brokered with a
fixed price in the summer with Payet insisting he wants to return to France
to save his family. High flying Ligue 1 outfit Nice are also looking into a
loan deal for the Euro 2016 star. Meanwhile, Payet was training with the
Irons' Under-23s on Tuesday at the Hammers' Chadwell Heath training ground.
Payet is refusing to play for the East London club, and last featured as a
substitute in the 5-0 FA Cup defeat by Manchester City on January 6. The
29-year-old created a legendary reputation for himself at West Ham in the 18
months after joining from Marseille but is now public enemy No 1 among
supporters. Despite being the Hammers highest-paid player on £125,000-a-week
he is determined to quit the club this month. He has told the club he is
facing a family crisis, with wife Ludivine determined to raise the couple's
three children in their homeland.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Dimitri Payet excluded from winter training camp in Dubai as West Ham
prepare for life without pariah
West Ham boss Slaven Bilic planning winter training camp in Dubai next month
Hammers outcast Dimitri Payet will not be welcomed by team-mates on trip
The Hammers have won both matches since the Payet saga started
By SAMI MOKBEL FOR THE DAILY MAIL
PUBLISHED: 22:32, 24 January 2017 | UPDATED: 22:50, 24 January 2017

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic is planning a winter training camp in Dubai
next month - and exiled Dimitri Payet is not welcome. The Hammers have begun
organising a trip to the United Arab Emirates with Bilic keen on a few days
of warm weather training ahead of the season climax. The current plan is for
the squad to fly to Dubai after the home clash against West Bromwich Albion
on February 11, though the trip is yet to be finalised. Following the clash
against Tony Pulis' side, West Ham do not have a fixture until February 25
when they travel to Watford. And it looks inevitable that Payet, if he is
still a West Ham player, will not be welcomed on the trip by Bilic or his
team-mates. As it stands, there is no way back at West Ham for Payet, with
senior players making clear the Frenchman would not be welcomed back into
the senior set-up. The Hammers have won both matches since the Payet saga
started and players fear that if the forward was given a route a back into
the first-team fold, it would have a detrimental impact on team spirit.
Bilic's squad has been disrupted by the furore surrounding Payet's ongoing
first-team absence as he looks to force through a return to Marseille. And
the proposed trip to Dubai will not only provide Bilic's men with an
opportunity to train in warmer conditions weather but will also allow the
squad to draw a line under the Payet affair. Such training camps have become
common place in the Premier League in recent years. Tottenham are currently
in Barcelona before returning to face Wycombe in the FA Cup this weekend.
Marseille, despite intimating to the Hammers that they are walking away from
their interest in Payet, are poised to table a fourth offer by the end of
the week. The French club's latest bid, worth £22.8million, was rejected by
the Hammers on Monday. But there is a growing belief at Marseille that West
Ham will accept an offer lower than their £30million asking price believing
the London club have no option but to sell a player who looks to have no
future at the club whatsoever.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
AINT NOBODY, LIKE LANZINI; WHY LANZINI'S TIME IS NOW
DYLAN BREGMAN @breggertelli
readWestHam

It's been a difficult month for the club given the Dimitri Payet saga, but
back-to-back wins have displayed a strong togetherness within the squad and
illustrates that they're committed to the cause.

Many people questioned how West Ham would play without Payet but the man who
lived in his shadow for 18 months, Manuel Lanzini, has seemed to take the
reins as the team's primary creative influence and the Hammers have not
missed a step yet.

During the 3-0 win over Crystal Palace, Lanzini played in Payet's familiar
left-wing role, a position which isn't the Argentine's preference, but he
made the transition seamlessly. He was immense out there. He used his pace,
control and agility to his advantage many times to beat James Tomkins who
was again shafted out at right-back (ironic, seeing as he left the club
because he was forced to play there). Lanzini also, however, more
impressively found little pockets of space infield, from there he had time
to turn, get his head up and orchestrate an attack.

Lanzini may not be as good as Payet technically speaking, but he's still a
young talent; the 23-year-old looked very comfortable on the ball and rather
impressively he did his defensive duties superbly. He got his body in front
of the attacking players, won free kicks and released any pressure from the
West Ham defence.

He also once again showed us his composure whilst through on goal. After a
great defensive header from Winston Reid and a lovely through ball, Lanzini
ran with the ball from the halfway line and when faced by Wayne Hennessey he
looped the ball over his head as cool as you like.

Many rumours have been going around about who Bilic should try and sign to
replace Payet, but in the little jewel, the Hammers might have their
heir-apparent already in the building.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
WEST HAM DISCUSS DIMITRI PAYET LOAN MOVE TO MARSEILLE
MICHAEL OLIVER @themikeoliver_
ReadWestHam

West Ham and Marseille appear to be no closer to agreeing upon a fee for the
transfer of Dimitri Payet.

Since the Frenchman handed in a transfer request to try and force through a
move back to his former club, Marseille have seen three bids rejected by
West Ham for Payet, the latest worth £23.2m was turned down late last week.

The Hammers have been firm on their stance that they won't sell Payet on the
cheap and value him at £35m but that hasn't stopped the Ligue 1 side from
trying to sign the 29-year-old and now they're trying a new tactic.


According to Sky Sports' Kaveh Solhekol, a deal which sees Payet move to
Marseille on loan for the rest of the season with an option to buy in the
summer has been discussed between them and West Ham.

This would seemingly appease everyone. Marseille get their man, Payet get's
his move back to his former club and West Ham get his wages off their books
in addition to a sizeable loan fee and a large cash sum at the end of the
season if Marseille want to sign Payet permanently which we all know they
do.

The only downside for the Hammers is they don't get the fee for Payet now
and have a chance to reinvest that cash during the current transfer window.
Then again, given clubs increase their demands this month, maybe that's not
the worst thing.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
M'BAYE NIANG COULD LEAVE MILAN THIS MONTH
MICHAEL OLIVER @themikeoliver_
ReadestHam

West Ham have been linked with a move for AC Milan forward M'Baye Niang this
month, and they've been handed a potential boost in their pursuit. According
to Sky Sports who cite their Italian colleagues, West Ham, Everton and
Crystal Palace all want to bring the Frenchman to the Premier League, while
Genoa and Torino are also interested. A former France U21 international,
Niang was a highly-rated prospect at SC Caen prior to signing for AC Milan
in a £2.5m deal in August 2012 but the 22-year-old has yet to really
establish himself in the first-team at the San Siro. Having been shipped out
on half-season loans in each of the last two seasons to Montpellier and
Genoa respectively, Niang could well be once again set to leave Milan in a
January transfer window.

Milan manager Vincenzo Montella speaking to Milan TV (h/t the Mirror) has
revealed that Niang could leave and that he is discussing it with the
management. "Niang might leave the club," Montella told Milan TV. "He's
discussing it with the management. He won't be called up for the game
against Juve as I thought he would definitely have been distracted."

Sky claim that Milan are asking for £13m to sell the striker but they would
be open to sending him on a third loan in as many years with an option to
buy in the summer. Arsenal have also been linked with a move for Niang who
they once had on a pre-season trial prior to him joining Milan.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
AC Milan forward M'Baye Niang could leave San Siro amid Arsenal and West Ham
transfer talk
Milan boss Vincenzo Montella has admitted that the 22-year-old could be on
the move this month
The Mirror
BYJOE MEWIS
14:35, 24 JAN 2017

AC Milan boss Vincenzo Montella has revealed that French forward M'Baye
Niang could leave the club this month. Niang has been the subject of reports
linking him with a move to Arsenal and West Ham during the January transfer
window and Montella has confirmed that he will not play in the Rossoneri's
Coppa Italia quarter-final against Juventus. "Niang might leave the club,"
Montella told Milan TV. "He's discussing it with the management. He won't be
called up for the game against Juve as I thought he would definitely have
been distracted." Reports in Italy this week have linked the 22-year-old
with Torino, with Genoa being another mooted destination.
Montella spoke further about the former Caen man at a press conference,
hinting that his progress has stalled in recent months.
"He's always been involved in normal situations. Sometimes he's been on the
fringes but he's never been out. As long as he's a Milan player he'll get
the consideration he deserves. "He has made himself available right from the
start and he's trying to grow so he can manage his talent better. "He's a
player who has had his ups and downs and there are things he needs to
improve. We tried, and we got to a point where we were delighted with the
results - the boy was, too - and I'm not talking about technical results.
"He got to a certain point and then stopped, and I won't pretend to know
why, nor do I want to say." Niang's contract at the San Siro runs until June
2019.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Andy Carroll: The morale in the West Ham dressing room is 'fantastic'
VAISHALI BHARDWAJ
Evening Standard

Andy Carroll has revealed the morale and spirit within the dressing room at
West Ham is "fantastic" and "stronger" than ever before.
Carroll scored twice against Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium on
Saturday to help West Ham record back-to-back victories in the Premier
League, which lifted the east Londoners into 10th place in the standings.
Slaven Bilic's men have now won five of their last seven top-flight games,
with the last two coming without their star player Dimitri Payet who
recently told West Ham he wants to return to Marseille. With Payet's future
at West Ham remaining uncertain, Carroll revealed that the team have "come
together even stronger" in recent weeks to help reverse the Hammers'
underwhelming first half of the season. "I think the lads have come together
even stronger recently with everything that's going on and you can see on
the pitch everyone is working," the striker told West Ham's official
website. "The morale in the dressing room is fantastic. All the lads are
having a laugh before and it's great to be around. Everyone wants to work
for the manager and it's brilliant. "It was tough at the beginning of the
season but we came out of that and we're just thinking about each game as it
comes." Bilic was full of praise for Carroll after his display against Boro,
particularly as it came a week after the England international scored a
stunning acrobatic goal in the 3-0 win over Crystal Palace. Bilic said:
"He's as good as gold. I keep saying the same words about him week in, week
out. I'm a big fan of him, but for a reason - he gives you everything."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham rebel Dimitri Payet looks happy to be training with the reserves as
Marseille weigh up a fourth bid
Wantaway forward Dimitri Payet looked happy during training on Tuesday
Payet is aiming to leave West Ham United and move to former club Marseille
He has been demoted to the under 23s squad by manager Slaven Bilic
By Matthew Smith For Mailonline
PUBLISHED: 13:45, 24 January 2017 | UPDATED: 13:45, 24 January 2017

Dimitri Payet has asked to leave West Ham United and is refusing to play for
the first team, but those who watched him in training on Tuesday would be
forgiven for thinking there is no problem at all. The 29-year-old France
international is training with West Ham's under-23 squad after being dropped
from the first team by manager Slaven Bilic, following his refusal to play
against Crystal Palace a fortnight ago. Payet did not look like he was
missing the action however, giving a thumbs up to the cameras as he went
through his drills. The forward looked in good touch, showing strength and
close control and he trained along with the club's youth and fringe
footballers. It would be a stretch to say West Ham are missing him however -
they have won both games, at home to Palace and away to Middlesbrough, since
his self-enforced exile. Payet is angling for a move back to Marseille, the
club from whom he joined the Hammers, with his wife and three children
having already returned to France. However the move is by no means a
guarantee, with three bids having already been turned down. Marseille went
back to West Ham with a third bid for Dimitri Payet on Monday – but only
increased their offer by 1million euros (£860,000). It came across as an
insult to the Premier League club, who feel Marseille created this problem
with wantaway Payet and now will not cough up the cash to end it. West Ham
insiders say the French club are trying to sign the forward on the cheap
after they offered £22m last week. That was up from their first offer of
only £20m. It is unlikely that Marseille would be willing to match his
£125,000-per-week wages too – a contract which made him the best-paid player
in West Ham's history. On Monday night Marseille insiders indicated that
they are prepared to pull out of the Payet transfer saga after seeing their
third offer turned down but West Ham are wary of it being a tactic.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
'Clear as Mud' West Ham youth development policy gains a soupcon of clarity
Posted on January 24, 2017 by Gavin Thurston
http://www.claretandblues.com/

All the noises coming out from Slaven Bilic during recent weeks seem to be
pointing towards the first team squad development being a 'long term
project'. I know some may disagree but I'm always encouraged when I hear
this. Jumping from one speedboat turn to another has hampered the growth of
the team and led to fire-fight after fire-fight historically IMO. Although I
wasn't a fan of his I did appreciate the much-needed stability that Mr
Allardyce brought to the club and it would seem that's now being built on by
the current management. Yes – there are glaring areas for improvement.

Top of the list is a strong, reliable goal-scoring centre-forward who's not
injury prone and a right-back, but it's on the latter of those positions
that we've seen the interesting re-introduction of Sam Byram in the last
couple of games. Maybe by coincidence we've seen two good victories but
isn't it great to see another young player emerging, growing and beginning
to establish himself in the squad? Let's hope he can have a similar impact
to Aaron Cresswell, who also made the step up from a Championship club.

Slaven's pre match post on the official site this weekend made interesting
reading. Again I was encouraged by what he wrote
http://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2017/january/21-january/manager-matchday.

To quote the piece: – "I was asked in the pre-match press conference about
the possibility of more young players going out on loan and the chances of
Toni Martinez breaking into the first-team squad. "Will he (Toni) be good
enough? You never know. He should be good enough. He has scored a lot of
goals but it is very hard to judge players from different levels and
different leagues. "Last year I saw British clubs putting young players in
and I am asking are they putting them based on training and then I found out
they have a policy of 15 games so they send them on loan for a year or too
and then if they are good, they take them back and put them in the team.
"For me that is the key. The U23s is really good for young players but the
stage comes when the players should go. Is it one season, two seasons….

"We have all been there. Even the big players like Frank Lampard and Rio
Ferdinand, you should play and live with the people who are feeding their
families out of those Saturdays and Sundays and that is the key. We send
them and look at them. "We then decide if he is good enough and put him in a
game or he is not good enough, let's release him or sell him. "Frank and Rio
both went out on loan. Rio was great in training but he didn't get a chance
ahead of myself, Marc Rieper and Julian Dicks. "He went to Bournemouth and
that is what Harry Kane did and many others like that. That is why Josh
Cullen is on loan and Reece Burke is on loan. Marcus Browne has gone into
the Championship and that is the way for me. "Reece Oxford had a situation
with the contract and now it is signed, but he also didn't train for six
weeks because of injury, but now he is back and it is too late for a loan.
He might get a chance here.
"The plan with Reece is he has a great future with us and he should be in
West Ham if he is centre-back three or four, but not five. If that is the
case he should go out on loan for one year to emerge and improve and then
come back and play. That is the very simple philosophy but definitely the
best one."

Yesterday Toni Martinez was loaned out to Oxford United. I'll be watching
with a keen eye at what the lad does there as I genuinely believe he's quite
a prospect. If he keeps up a similar rate of scoring to what he's been doing
in the U23s then I'm optimistic t hat his debut won't be too far away. With
Josh Cullen and Reece Burke, both out on loan as well, hopefully they will
all get great experience of first team football if not at a lower level and
will develop further strength to their games. It probably hasn't escaped
your notice that the club have also recruited a youth team prospect from
Everton. Nathan Holland, who's represented England at all levels up to U19,
has signed on a 3 ½ year deal.

Historically we've had some very successful exchanges with the Merseyside
clubs. Alvin Martin joined West Ham at a young age and, going the other way,
we let a certain Ray Houghton go. There have been many more but, generally,
they've gone on to do extremely well.
http://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2017/january/22-january/england-u19-star-
holland-signs As for Reece Oxford I know it's been discussed many times
before but with Slaven's comments it seems clear that, if James Collins
stays, he's less likely to get a chance this season and may follow Martinez
out on loan to a lower level. Depending on the level that he goes out to
play at that may not be a bad thing.

There are many others that we could discuss. Martin Samuelson promises much
but doesn't seem any closer to the first team than he did at the start of
last season when he made a couple of appearances in the Europa League
qualifiers. The club don't always get it right, Junior Stanislas is looking
pretty good nowadays, but when they the players tend to go on to be legends.
Personally I hope that these lads keep knocking on the door but start
knocking even harder. Despite the imminent departure of a certain midfielder
I think the quality of the squad is, generally, improving. I know that this
Summer wasn't the best in terms of recruitment but, good or bad, it seems to
be getting harder and harder for kids to break through. I like nothing
better than seeing 'The Academy' produce first-teamers.

Other clubs' fans seem to take great pride in the 'He's one of our own'
chant and I'd love to be in a similar position in the future. At least, with
Slaven's statements, a little more clarity has been brought to the usual
'clear as mud' subject of youth development through the ranks.

Onwards and upwards, Hammers.

COYI!

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Payet Plays the Perfect Pupil despite Post-truth Propaganda
http://www.verywestham.com/

Poor Dimitri Payet - no seriously! Having made the bold step of demanding a
transfer back to France he finds himself in an impossible situation. Having
essentially terminated any hope of playing again for West Ham - a club he is
contracted to until 2022, Marseille have decided to try to take advantage of
the situation and are refusing to meet West Ham's quite reasonable £30
million valuation of the talented player.

Meanwhile, the media are having a field day with a variety of stories that
are Trump-esque in their flimsiness. It was revealed that his car had been
vandalised - with the strong insinuation that it could only have been done
by angry Hammers fans despite no evidence of same and a host of other
parties who have a considerably greater vested interest in Payet's future.

This was then followed by reports that Payet had arrived late for training
and stormed off early - both of which have been strongly denied by the club.
Through all of this Payet has maintained a dignified silence but in the
modern climate failure to manage the media generally results in their
filling the gaps with speculative misinformation.

Hammers fans could be forgiven for feeling that the media have it in for the
club ever since we were awarded the Olympic Stadium. As yet another
investigation has commenced the media seem only too delighted to give air
time to various parties who were unsuccessful in their bids. Even Auntie
Beeb ran a feature with the more than a little tiresome Barry Hearn
indulging in another sour grapes-fest.

It's open season on the Hammers just now, but at least the team are putting
in some decent performances that have pushed us into mid-table obscurity! As
the club are trying to bring back our old Upton Park stewards to the London
stadium and fans are starting to adapt to the largesse of our posh new home
there can be no doubt that things are definitely improving in what has been
a trying season. Meanwhile, as Hearn and Co. persist with their whingeing,
we look set to add another 3000 seats to the match day capacity. West Ham
are a VERY big club now and there can be no doubt that the future will bring
lots of players who are vastly more talented than Payet to the club.

Upwards and onwards - but definitely without Mr Payet

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Everton battling West Ham to finally sign AC Milan's M'Baye Niang following
2012 trial
HITC
Olly Dawes

Everton are reportedly hoping to land M'Baye Niang - over four years since
he was on trial at Goodison Park. According to Sky Italia's Gianluca Di
Marzio, Everton have joined West Ham United in the race to sign AC Milan
attacker M'Baye Niang – and Crystal Palace are also keen. Niang, 22, was
heavily linked with a move to England when he emerged in his native France
with SM Caen, where he hit five goals in 30 games before earning a 2012 move
to AC Milan. Whilst he arrived with high expectations, Niang scored just
once in his first season with the club, and was then sent out on loan to
Montpellier and Genoa in consecutive seasons as he struggled to live up to
the hype. However, Niang – who can play out wide or up front – hit eight
goals in 19 games last season as he started to realise his potential, and
he's notched three goals and two assists in Serie A this term. Now, Sky
Italia's Gianluca Di Marzio reports that Niang is attracting major interest
ahead of next week's transfer deadline, with Everton now joining West Ham
United in the race to land the French attacker. Everton boss Ronald Koeman
is looking for attacking reinforcements, and having allowed Gerard Deulofeu
to join Milan on loan, whilst Romelu Lukaku also needs some support, Niang
makes sense as a possible target either on loan or permanently. Interest
from the Toffees is particularly interesting given that, as reported by Sky
Sports, Everton took Niang on trial in the summer of 2012 in the hope of
luring him to Goodison Park permanently – only for him to choose Milan.
Niang is allegedly tempted by a move to England, meaning Everton could
finally land him, more than four years since his trial with the club – but
with Crystal Palace and West Ham both allegedly keen, there could be a real
fight on for Niang's signature.

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ortFootball
West Ham striker Jonathan Calleri a target for Las Palmas but Spanish side
await Hammers' response
JAMES BENGE
Evening Standard

Las Palmas hope to bring Jonathan Calleri to La Liga from West Ham, their
president has confirmed. Calleri scored his first goal of the season in
Saturday's 3-1 win at Middlesbrough but has found first team opportunities
hard to come by under Slaven Bilic, completing just 152 minutes in the
Premier League. The Argentine striker is on loan from Deportivo Maldonado
but Las Palmas chief Miguel Angel Ramirez hopes to convince the Hammers to
cancel that loan so that they can bring in Calleri as well Fiorentina's
Hernan Toledo, another loanee from the Uruguayan second tier. "Calleri and
Hernan Toledo are two interesting players," Ramirez said. "We expected a
response from West Ham to make Calleri official but we've been asked for a
few days."
Having sent Toni Martinez on loan to Oxford and with Diafra Sakho out until
March with a back injury West Ham are unlikely to countenance Calleri's
departure until they can find a replacement. They remain keen to bring in
Scott Hogan but are yet to meet Brentford's £15million asking price.

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Las Palmas 'convinced' Calleri will sign amid concerns of Jese deal

Jonathan Calleri is set to leave West Ham only months after joining. Las
Palmas president Miguel Angel Ramirez says he is confident his team will
soon complete the signing of striker Jonathan Calleri but is reportedly
pessimistic about the arrival of Paris Saint-Germain forward Jese Rodriguez.
Calleri joined West Ham United on a season-long loan from Uruguay's
Deportivo Maldonado in August but is yet to start a Premier League game and
is reportedly keen to leave the London outfit during the winter transfer
window.
After weeks of negotiating Calleri's transfer with West Ham, Ramirez is
frustrated a deal has not been done yet. The 23-year-old made his seventh
league appearance at the weekend for West Ham, scoring his first goal in a
3-1 win at Middlesbrough. However, the delay is no cause for concern for the
Las Palmas supremo. "West Ham asked us for one more day but I'm convinced he
will arrive," Ramirez said of Calleri to AS. Calleri is expected to be Las
Palmas' first reinforcement in the winter transfer window. However, Ramirez
has all but given up hope of bringing Jese on loan to the club.

Adriana Garcia is a Valencia-based football writer who covers La Liga for
ESPN FC.
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West Ham's Toni Martinez comments on loan move; says he had another option
HITC
Vincent Ralph

The West Ham United forward will spend the rest of this season at Oxford
United. West Ham United teenager Toni Martinez has been speaking to the
Witney Gazette following his loan move to Oxford United. The 19-year-old has
been in sensational form for the Hammers' under-23 side this season, scoring
12 goals in 11 appearances, and he will now spend the rest of the campaign
with the League One club as he continues his development. It is a major coup
for Oxford and it seems they beat another team to his signature.
"I had another option, but I think this is the best one for me," Martinez
told the Witney Gazette. "It's a good challenge. "The most important thing
for me was there was interest from the manager (Michael Appleton). "My
objective is to play as many games as possible and score goals to help the
team."
Oxford are currently 12th in League One, eight points outside the play-off
places, and while it would be foolish to expect too much too soon from the
West Ham youngster, he will be hoping to fire them up the table in the
months ahead. Some West Ham fans were hoping to see the 29-year-old make his
Hammers debut this season. However now they will be watching eagerly as he
bids to convince his manager Slaven Bilic that he is ready for the next
campaign.

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West Ham's James Collins targeted by Crystal Palace boss Sam Allardyce
By Essex Chronicle | Posted: January 24, 2017
By Tommy Wathen

According to reports on Tuesday [January 24], West Ham defender James
Collins is being targeted by Crystal Palace manager Sam Allardyce this
month. The former Hammers boss is desperate to strengthen his squad during
this month's Transfer Window to avoid the Eagles being centre of a
relegation scrap come the closing months of the season. Collins, who has
made over 160 appearances for West Ham within two spells at the club, has
found game time hard this season with Winston Reid and Angelo Ogbonna
seemingly looking like Slaven Bilic's preferred starters. Now that Bilic has
spent £8 million on Southampton captain Jose Fonte to replace Ogbonna, who
has been ruled out till the end of the season, Collins may decide to leave
the London Stadium and secure regular action elsewhere. A report by Football
Insider are claiming that Allardyce has drawn up a five-man shortlist, that
includes Collins, Sunderland's Lamine Kone, Everton's Phil Jagielka,
Panathinaikos' Chris Samba and Anderlecht's Kara Mbodji.

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Selfless Angelo Ogbonna is Dimitri Payet antidote and should be remembered
as a West Ham legend
Damien Lucas

Angelo Ogbonna has written himself into West Ham United folklore. When West
Ham were struggling this season fingers were occasionally pointed at Italian
centre back Angelo Ogbonna. Games against Everton and Arsenal in particular
spring to mind as examples which showed the former Juventus defender just
was not the same player he was during his first and West Ham's last season
at Upton Park.
Of course more often than not in the first half of the season there were
plenty of others performing worse than 'Oggie' as he is affectionately known
to the Hammers faithful. So good was Ogbonna last season that Antonio Conte
showed a keen interest in bringing his former Juve and Italy player to West
Ham's London rivals Chelsea after his appointment in the summer, as reported
by Football Italia. It was a relief to all including Slaven Bilic that he
stayed but the speculation led many to presume his below par performances
were somehow linked.
Who can forget BT Sport pundit Rio Ferdinand's assessment of Ogbonna
"ambling" around against Arsenal - a game Bilic's side lost 5-1.
At Everton a few weeks before Ogbonna was also far too slow to react to
danger and cost his side in a 2-0 defeat. Of course Ferdinand and West Ham's
supporters were not to know the truth, not until after the club's 3-1 win
over Middlesbrough at the weekend. It was after that game Bilic - following
the £8 million signing of Southampton captain Jose Fonte - revealed Ogbonna
was set to go under the knife for a knee operation and would be out for the
season. It was a problem that Ogbonna had been playing through pain with all
season. Playing through pain for the club, for the manager, for his
teammates with a serious injury which clearly had been impeding his ability
to get around the pitch in the way he and his fans had become accustomed.
Ogbonna risked ridicule, his reputation and his future for West Ham this
season and not once did he use it as an excuse for his or the team's poor
performances. In fact Ogbonna has been far from the club's worst performer
despite his injury. Had Southampton known of his issue the price for Fonte
would surely have been higher so he has also saved the club money with his
conduct. The plan was to send the Italy international for an operation at
the beginning of January once reinforcements were brought in but Bilic had
to ask him to play one more game until Fonte's signing was pushed through.
Not that he would have minded given his superb attitude. The selflessness of
Ogbonna's act, let's not beat around the bush the player may well have been
risking his career, deserves widespread recognition and applause. And it
comes as the antidote to a player at the other end of the respect spectrum,
Dimitri Payet, who has been sulking and brooding all season long until
effectively going on strike earlier this month to force a return to former
club Marseille. Ogbonna's actions have restored many West Ham fans' faith in
football and though it may sound strong he should be remembered as a legend
as a result.

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West Ham to make improved £8 million bid for Hull City winger Robert
Snodgrass
Matt Law, football news correspondent
23 JANUARY 2017 • 10:00PM

West Ham United are poised to make an improved offer for Robert Snodgrass
and still hope to sign the Hull City winger before the transfer window shuts
next week. Hull rejected an opening £6 million bid for Snodgrass, but West
Ham are expected to return with another offer in the region of £8m that
could see negotiations progress. Relegation battlers Hull value Snodgrass
closer to £10m and that figure could be reached by performance-related
add-ons. Snodgrass was left out of the Hull squad for the defeat to Chelsea
and the club have signed Liverpool winger Lazar Markovic on loan, which will
further boost West Ham's hopes. When asked about the future of Snodgrass
after Hull's defeat at Stamford Bridge, manager Marco Silva said: "The
player was not available for the game. About the proposals, I don't know
anything new on this. I'll speak with the player again and we'll see. "I
hope the player stays with us. I hope he is available. We'll see if he
starts to train again with us or not. A small injury in the knee, nothing
special. But he had some problems in the past with his knee. Nothing
special."

Other than increasing their offer for Snodgrass, West Ham will bid again for
Brentford striker Scott Hogan, who was also left out of his team's squad at
the weekend. Brentford have been holding out for £15m for Hogan, who West
Ham have already bid twice for but the Hammers hope a third offer will be
enough to clinch the signing of the 24-year-old. West Ham remain braced for
another offer from Marseille for £35m-rated wantaway star Dimitri Payet,
despite the French club claiming they will pursue other targets. Marseille's
most recent offer of £26.5m was rejected by the Hammers, but the Ligue 1
outfit could still try again to re-sign Payet before the January transfer
window closes.

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Marseille return with third offer for Dimitri Payet but still refuse to meet
West Ham's £30million asking price
Dimitri Payet has refused to play for West Ham as he looks for a move away
Marseille have offered West Ham £22million for the France international
The offer came across as an insult to the Hammers, who value Payet at £30m
By Kieran Gill for the Daily Mail
PUBLISHED: 22:31, 23 January 2017 | UPDATED: 23:48, 23 January 2017

Marseille went back to West Ham with a third bid for Dimitri Payet on Monday
– but only increased their offer by 1million euros (£860,000). It came
across as an insult to the Premier League club, who feel Marseille created
this problem with wantaway Payet and now will not cough up the cash to end
it. West Ham insiders say the French club are trying to sign the forward on
the cheap after they offered £22m last week. That was up from their first
offer of only £20m. Marseille have made no secret about their ambition to
sign their former player but behind the scenes are refusing to meet West
Ham's £30m asking price. Jacques-Henri Eyraud, Marseille's president, and
Payet's agent Jacques-Olivier Auguste have been in London for talks with
West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan previously.
West Ham are unhappy and it could still see Payet stay put, despite the
29-year-old refusing to play for Slaven Bilic's side again.
It is unlikely that Marseille would be willing to match his
£125,000-per-week wages too – a contract which made him the best-paid player
in West Ham's history. On Monday night Marseille insiders indicated that
they are prepared to pull out of the Payet transfer saga after seeing their
third offer turned down but West Ham are wary of it being a tactic. The
stand-off is ongoing with Payet continuing his strike and not welcome in
Bilic's senior side. West Ham have won successive games since their best
player was taken out of the first-team squad.

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WEST HAM LOOK SET TO MEET SNODGRASS ASKING PRICE
STE HOARE @Stehoare
ReadestHam

West Ham look set to finally offer Hull City a deal which will eventually
reach their asking price for Robert Snodgrass, according to a report by Matt
Law of The Telegraph. The Tigers have reportedly been holding out for £10m
for the Scottish winger and West Ham are apparently gong to bid £8m plus
performance-related add-ons that will see the fee eventually become £10m.

Whether Hull deem this as acceptable remains to be seen as they could simply
be looking for £10m straight up rather than a deal that relies on add ons.
However, this does show that the Hammers are willing to spend £10m on the
player so it is not beyond the realms of possibility that they could decide
to offer the amount without add ons if that's what the Tigers request.

Hull have just signed Lazar Markovic on loan so they may feel like they now
have an adequate replacement if they do let Snodgrass leave

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West Ham insulted by latest Dimitri Payet offer from Marseille
HITC
Jordan Harris

West Ham United have now rejected three bids for Dimitri Payet, and the
latest appears to have really annoyed the Hammers hierarchy.
A report in the Daily Mail has suggested that West Ham have rejected a third
offer from Marseille for Dimitri Payet after the Ligue 1 side barely
increased their previous bid. The Mail reports that the 29-year-old wants to
leave the London Stadium and has refused to play for Slaven Bilic's side.
While West Ham are happy to acquiesce to the playmaker's demands, they want
to receive £30 million before they give any deal the green light, the Mail
reports. However, Marseille appear desperate to land him for significantly
less.
After previous bids of £20 million and £22 million, the Mail reports that
the French side - who West Ham blame for the creation of this saga - have
simply added £860,000 to their most recent offer. Perhaps unsurprisingly,
the Mail adds that the Irons hierarchy have rejected the bid and feel
insulted by the way that Marseille are refusing to clean up the mess they
have made - in West Ham's eyes - by meeting the asking price. It is
understandable that West Ham have been left frustrated by the way that
Payet's former team have acted this month, as it is clear that he has had
his head turned by a move back, and it appears to have damaged his
relationship with his current side, perhaps beyond repair. And if the
Hammers are unable to get a deal done during the remaining days of the
window, and Payet remains on strike, then his value could plummet over the
coming months to the point where someone may be able to land him in the
summer for less than what Marseille are putting on the table now.

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