Daily WHUFC News - 10th February 2017

Bilic- Late decision on Carroll
WHUFC.com

Slaven Bilic has revealed he will hand late fitness tests to influential
trio Andy Carroll, Cheikhou Kouyate and Aaron Cresswell ahead of the game
against West Brom on Saturday. All three players have missed training in the
early part of the week, but the West Ham manager said that Cresswell and
Kouyate were expecting to resume training on Thursday after they picked up
slight knocks during the 3-1 win over Southampton. Carroll came off early in
the second half at St Mary's Stadium after he felt a slight groin problem
and Bilic remains hopeful that he will be able to resume training on Friday.
After scoring four goals in his last four games, the Hammers boss knows the
importance of seeing Carroll declaring his fitness for the game at London
Stadium. Bilic said: "We have a few players who have not trained this week
and we will see on Friday. Kouyate, Carroll and Cresswell have not trained.
"Kouyate and Cresswell will train on Thursday and we will see on Friday
about Andy. "Andy is in good form and has been great for us. He felt his
groin and we didn't want to take a risk so we will make a decision on Friday
on whether he will be available for Saturday. "It is not something major
because if it was bigger it would rule him out of the game. It is still open
and is not a big injury. Basically it is very similar to the one he had
against Middlesbrough and he played after that. "There is no point talking
about a percentage and hopefully he will train on Friday and we will make a
decision for Saturday."

Bilic says he would have no problems naming Carroll in the starting line-up
despite his lack of training in the build-up to the game and feels they have
found the right balance in maintaining his fitness. Bilic added: "This is
the only week he has not trained with us since he came back from injury that
ruled him out for a long time. "He has basically trained 80 to 90 per cent
of the training sessions we have had and for me that is the key. "You have
to find a balance for every player, especially Andy who has had a history of
injuries. The players have to train to stay fit and to prevent injuries. "If
the player is match fit and has trained for a few weeks there is no harm if
they rest for the whole week. I know there have been examples of players who
never trained and just played like Ledley King, but they are one-offs. "But
players need to train to avoid injuries."

Carroll's impressive form in recent weeks has certainly not gone un-noticed
and there has been talk of a potential call-up to the England squad for the
forthcoming friendly against Germany and the World Cup Qualifier against
Lithuania at the end of March. Bilic has no doubts that Carroll would take
even more confidence from a recall to the national team, but insists he has
had no conversations with England boss Gareth Southgate. "It is always good
for us and the player to be called up. It is the biggest proof that they are
in good form especially when it happens to a mature player like Andy and he
would take that as a big boost of confidence.
"I have not spoken to him (Gareth Southgate) about it. We spoke last year
when he was manager of the U21s but I have not spoken to him about Andy
since he took over."

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Obiang wants more goals
WHUFC.com

Pedro Obiang is hoping to go on a goalscoring run and help the Hammers push
even higher up the table as they prepare for another big home game against
West Brom on Saturday.

Obiang has been one of the star performers for the east London Club this
season but has been left frustrated following his failure to get his name on
the scoresheet.

But after 54 games and 19 months in a claret and blue shirt, the Spanish
midfielder finally ended his goal drought when he scored the crucial second
goal during the impressive 3-1 win over Southampton last weekend.

Obiang quickly dedicated the goal to his seven-month old son Jeremih and has
now got the hunger to get even more as he looks to help the Hammers make it
back-to-back wins once again this weekend.

Obiang said: "These are good times for everyone connected with the Club at
the moment. I have finally managed to score my first goal and we have been
talking about this for weeks.

"It has finally arrived and I am really happy. I feel like the pressure has
been taken off my shoulders.

"I have watched the goal back a few times and hopefully there will be more
to come. People say when you score the first one, you have the possibility
to score more and I hope this will be the case.

"I have many plans and after my first goal I start to dream! I am really
happy because although I started on the bench, I then managed to play a
number of games and things have only improved for me this season. I need to
continue like this."

Obiang knows the importance of securing another victory before the team head
into a short break before the next Premier League game at Watford.

The 24-year-old has welcomed the arrivals of new signings Jose Fonte and
Robert Snodgrass and cannot praise his team-mates enough for the way they
have all come together in recent weeks to help get their season back on
track.

Obiang added: "This is a very important week as we want to take another
three points before we have a little break.

"We have a great dressing room and all the new players are made to feel
welcome so it is a good atmosphere.

"We showed against Southampton that we are a team. When we have suffered a
big defeat we have showed that we are a team and bounced straight back and I
hope we can stay on a positive streak and get another victory."

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Bilic - The players will work hard in Dubai
WHUFC.com

As a light flurry of snow fell at West Ham United's Rush Green training
ground this morning, Slaven Bilic watched his players pull on their hats,
gloves and thermal under-layers, and carefully monitored their movements as
they took extra care warming up in the freezing conditions.

This time next week, the horizon will look somewhat different, as the squad
enjoy the sunshine and warmth of a training camp in Dubai, giving them the
opportunity to enhance their training programme and refresh body and mind
ahead of the final third of the season.

After picking up six wins from their last nine Premier League matches and
climbing to ninth in the table, Bilic and his players will take advantage of
the two-week gap between Saturday's clash against West Brom at London
Stadium and the next match at Watford on February 25, and the Hammers boss
is in no doubt about the benefit of the trip.

"We are going to train more in Dubai than we would if we were here," said
the Hammers boss at his press conference ahead of the visit of Tony Pulis'
team this weekend.

"And it's not a question of where you are going, it's a question of what you
are doing while you are there.

"The players will have some free time of course, to clear their heads and
recharge the batteries, which psychologically is important for the remainder
of the season.

"First and foremost, though, we are going to train, and the team will do
some very important sessions."

The squad will fly out following next Wednesday's Family Fun Day at London
Stadium and return early the following week to prepare for the trip to
Vicarage Road.

While the trip will be the first of its kind that Slaven has led since
arriving as manager in the summer of 2015, the warm-weather training format
at this stage of the season certainly isn't a new idea for Premier League
clubs.

"It's very common in England," said Slaven. "A lot of teams do it when they
have time.

"Since I have been here, we haven't had a trip like this. Last year we
couldn't go anywhere because we progressed to the FA Cup quarter-finals.

"Now we have a two-week gap between our games and we are going to Dubai, for
a few reasons, but mainly to do some important training.

"Sometimes you have to look at the bigger picture, and I'm sure this trip
will be of great benefit to us."

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Noble dismisses Payet 'WhatsApp' rumours
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 9th February 2017
By: Staff Writer

Mark Noble says that rumours suggesting Dimitri Payet was excluded from a
players' group on phone app WhatsApp before he left the club are untrue.
West Ham's captain, speaking to Sky Sports ahead of this weekend's Premier
League clash with West Bromwich Albion dismissed the widely-circulated story
that appeared shortly after Slaven Bilic confirmed the Frenchman wanted to
leave London. "That is rubbish, it's totally rubbish," said Noble. "I think
he was only removed when he had actually signed for Marseille. That was once
it was done and his medical was done - obviously you don't want hundreds of
messages going to him when we are here."
However Noble insisted that the dressing was a far happier place now Payet
has returned to France. "He had a massive impact on our team because he was
a big player in the changing room", he added. "The players loved him and
would do anything for him. It got a bit disjointed and it was a tough time
for all of us. But it has become a happy place again. "I think it was on
the manager's mind. He didn't want to get rid of Dimi, but he wanted to get
rid of the situation. Obviously we had to deal with all of that and the best
way to do that was by winning games - and that's what we've done."

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THREE doubtful for Albion test, admits Bilic
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 9th February 2017
By: Staff Writer

Slaven Bilic is facing an anxious wait ahead of this weekend's clash with
West Bromwich Albion. The Hammers boss is waiting to hear whether three
players who featured against Southampton last weekend - Cheikhou Kouyate,
Aaron Cresswell and Andy Carroll - will be fit enough to face Tony Pulis'
side at the Olympic Stadium. "We have a few players who have not trained
this week," Bilic, speaking to the media this morning said. "We will see on
Friday. Kouyate, Carroll and Cresswell have not trained. Kouyate and
Cresswell will train on Thursday and we will see on Friday about Andy.
"Andy is in good form and has been great for us. He felt his groin and we
didn't want to take a risk so we will make a decision on Friday on whether
he will be available for Saturday. "There is no point talking about a
percentage and hopefully he will train on Friday and we will make a decision
for Saturday." "It is not something major. If it was bigger it would rule
him out of the game. It is still open and is not a big injury. Basically it
is very similar to the one he had against Middlesbrough and he played after
that."

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West Ham happier without Dimitri Payet, says Mark Noble
By Nick Lustig
Last Updated: 09/02/17 6:21pm
SSN

Mark Noble has admitted life at West Ham has become happier since the
departure of Dimitri Payet. Payet completed a £25m return to Marseille in
January after telling Hammers manager Slaven Bilic that he would no longer
play for the club. West Ham have responded by winning three of their last
four Premier League matches without Payet and Noble says the first-team
squad are far more settled bunch following the exit of the France
international.
"Obviously we were gutted. The manager, as you saw from his press
conference, was obviously gutted as well," the West Ham captain told Sky
Sports News HQ.
"He had a massive impact on our team because he was a big player in the
changing room. The players loved him and would do anything for him. "It got
a bit disjointed and it was a tough time for all of us. But it has become a
happy place again. I think it was on the manager's chest and mind. "He
didn't want to get rid of Dimi, but he wanted to get rid of the situation.
Obviously we had to deal with all of that and the best way to do that was by
winning games, that's what we've done."
Payet had been training with West Ham's U23s prior to his departure and did
not feature in last month's wins over Crystal Palace and Middlesbrough.
Reports in the national press had claimed the West Ham squad had removed
Payet from their WhatsApp text messaging group before his move back to the
Stade Velodrome. However, Noble has insisted that was not the case and says
the 29-year-old was only removed once he had completed his switch to the
Ligue 1 club. "No, that is rubbish it's totally rubbish," he said. "I think
he was only removed when he had actually signed for Marseille. "That was
once it was done and his medical was done because obviously you don't want
hundreds of messages going to him when we are here."

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Andy Carroll an injury doubt for West Ham's match with West Brom
Last Updated: 09/02/17 11:59am
SSN

West Ham boss Slaven Bilic has said Andy Carroll has not trained all week
and is a doubt for Saturday's match with West Brom. Bilic said a decision
will be made on Friday whether the in-form striker plays this weekend or not
but said the groin injury is nothing serious, with the club only taking
precautions due to his history with injuries. He said: "A few players have
not trained like (Aaron) Cresswell, Carroll and (Cheikhou) Kouyate but we
will wait and see on Friday. "It is not anything major. Andy felt something
similar to what he had at Middlesbrough and hopefully he will be okay for
Saturday. This is the only week he didn't train with us basically since he
came back from injury that ruled him out for a long time. "He trained 80-90
per cent of the sessions of the time he has trained with us and for me that
is the key. Of course you have to find a balance for every player,
especially for him who has had a history of injuries but the players have to
train to maintain fitness and to prevent injuries."
Bilic feels an England call-up for Carroll would give the striker a major
confidence boost. His form since returning from injury, with four goals in
his last four matches, has prompted talk of an international recall. His
last England appearance came in October 2012 in a World Cup qualifier
against San Marino. Bilic said: "It's always good for us, and the player, to
win a cap because that is the biggest proof he is in good form. "Especially
when it is happening to mature players like Andy, he will take that only as
another boost of confidence." The manager is expecting another hard game
against West Brom as his side look for a fourth league win in their last
five before they head to the Middle East for a mini-break. He said: "West
Brom are a very strong team and are hard to beat. They are great at
set-pieces and very versatile. It will be a tough game on Saturday. "The
first target for us is 40 points and we still have a lot to do to reach it.
Since I have been here we have not been away during the season. We now have
a gap [after West Brom] and we are going to Dubai. "We are going there to
train, work hard and re-charge the batteries. You have to think about the
bigger picture."

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West Ham trio Carroll, Kouyate and Cresswell major doubts for West Brom
visit
KEN DYER
Evening Standard
Andy Carroll is one of three West Ham players who are major doubts for
Saturday's Premier League match against West Brom. Carroll, who has been
tipped to be included in Gareth Southgate's next England squad, has scored
five goals in his last six matches and his absence would be a big blow for
manager Slaven Bilic. Carroll has been suffering from a groin injury in
recent weeks and Bilic said today that he will assess the striker's fitness
tomorrow before making a final decision. "We have a few players who didn't
train this week — Andy, Cheikou Kouyate and Aaron Cresswell," said the West
Ham manager. "Speaking about Andy, he's really in good form and he's been
great for us but we don't want to take a risk with him. "It's not something
major but it's similar to the groin pain he felt against Middlesbrough. This
is the only week he hasn't trained with us since he came back from injury
but, of course, you have to find a balance, especially with someone like
him, with his history."
With regard to Carroll's possible selection for England, Bilic said: "It's
always good for the player and us to be called up because it's the biggest
proof they are doing well."

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West Ham's first team set to recharge batteries with five-day training camp
in Dubai
SAM LONG
Evening Standard

West Ham will "recharge" their batteries ahead of the Premier League run in
with a five-day training camp in Dubai next week. The Hammers have picked up
nine points from a possible total of 15 since the turn of the year to climb
to ninth place in the table.
Slaven Bilic's side host West Brom at the London Stadium this weekend and
victory will reignite hopes that the east Londoners can mount a late
challenge for a top-seven finish. Having already been knocked out of the FA
Cup West Ham will not be in action again after facing Tony Pulis's side
until they travel to Watford on February 25. And Stijn Vandenbroucke - West
Ham's Head of Medical and Sports Science - has welcomed an opportunity to
give his players the chance to recover from the demands of the season so
far. "The manager will take the first-team squad to Dubai for a warm-weather
training camp next week," he told the club's official website.
"We will do five days of training in a welcome change of scenery, under what
we hope will be warm and sunny skies. "It will not be a holiday, but a
chance for players to recharge physically and mentally at the end of a long,
relentless period of football. "Some our players have had very little time
off since the summer of 2015, having played at UEFA Euro 2016 and not had a
winter break like their European counterparts. "With international matches
being played until the middle of June, it is important to take this
opportunity to change the training environment for a few days and freshen up
body and mind," Vandenbroucke added. Dubai and other areas of the Middle
East have become popular destinations for mid-season breaks for Premier
League teams. The climate is often a key factor, allowing players to unwind
away from the pressures of home turf, while training facilities on offer are
among the finest in the world.

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Why West Ham won't play any home games for the first MONTH of next season
The Hammers have asked the Premier League for a run of away games at the
outset of the season while the World Athletic Championships takes place
The Mirror
BYALEX SMITH
10:50, 9 FEB 2017

West Ham will not play a HOME game at the London Stadium for the first month
of next season. The Hammers have asked the Premier League to play their
first three matches of the 2017-18 campaign away due to the World Athletic
Championships, according to football.london . The IAAF competition, which
runs between August 4th and 13th, has been in the diary since 2011 but the
problem revolves around retractable seating. The seating in the E20 section
has to be removed for the athletics, which costs an eye-watering £8 million
each time it is done. Before this season, when the Hammers switched from
Upton Park, it took 15 days of 24-hour-work to place the seats. The Premier
League will start on August 12th. The east London club have requested to
have their opening weekend played on the road before switching the
designated home game the following match-day to their visitors' ground -
similarly to Liverpool this season. A club source told football.london: "We
have special dispensation to play the first game away from home, and then
will seek to switch the second game, therefore will play the first three
games away from home. Liverpool did the same this season due to their new
stand."
Slaven Bilic's men only won one of their first seven Premier League games in
the ground. The Hammers pay an annual rent of £2.5 million on the 99-year
lease at the former Olympic Stadium. Initially expected to cost £250 million
to build, London Stadium's costs eventually tripled to £752 million.

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Slaven Bilic on West Ham's latest team news, what Andy Carroll's injury is
and the Dubai trip
The West Ham manager faced reporters at Rush Green this morning and
discussed his side's injuries amongst various other topics
London Football
BYSAM INKERSOLE
10:55, 9 FEB 2017

Slaven Bilic spoke to the press ahead of West Ham's clash with West Brom in
the Premier League this weekend. There are injury concerns over Andy
Carroll, Aaron Cresswell and Cheikhou Kouyate heading into the game, while
the boss also spoke about Carroll's potential England recall. The Hammers
will head off to Dubai next Wednesday for a training camp as they have a
fortnight off, owing to the FA Cup fifth round taking place next weekend.
Here's all you need to hear from the manager ahead of the West Brom game.
"Carroll, Cresswell and Kouyate are not training today (Thursday). I am not
ruling them out of Saturday, they are only minor injuries. We are hopeful
they will train on Friday and then be OK for Saturday but we will wait and
see."

On Andy Carroll's fitness : "He is playing with a smile on his face, he is
one of the leaders in the team. "It's always good for us and the player
(Carroll) to be called up for England. When it happens to mature players
like Andy he will take it only as a boost of confidence. "His injury is
similar to the one he suffered against Middlesbrough. We have to be careful,
this is the first time he hasn't trained with us since his last injury. We
hope he will be OK for Saturday."

On the threat posed by West Brom : "They are doing amazing for their
standard this season. "They are very strong defensively, they are compact,
hard to beat, very difficult to play against. We know we will be in for a
tough game. "They also have very pacy strikers as well. They are a good
team, I am impressed by them."

On the Dubai trip next week : "It's a common thing to do here. We have a gap
so we decided to go away. "It is a chance for the players to recharge their
batteries but absolutely, we will be training hard. We have an important run
of games after it. "If anything, we will be training more in Dubai than we
would do here. The players will be working hard. They will be very important
sessions for us, they will do us good."

On why there has been an upturn in form : "Everything has clicked. "We have
had players come back from injury and then get match fitness and they have
gained so much confidence from going on a winning run. "40 points (three
more wins) is our first target. We have others in mind but we want to get to
the 40 points first of all and then we can look forward. That is the
priority."

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