Daily WHUFC News - 11th February 2017

Preview - West Bromwich Albion
WHUFC.com

When and where?

West Ham United v West Bromwich Albion
Premier League
Saturday 11 February 2017, 3pm GMT
London Stadium

What's the story?

West Ham United will look to close to within striking distance of West Bromwich Albion when they host the Baggies at London Stadium on Saturday.

A run of six wins in their last nine Premier League games has taken Slaven Bilic's men into the top half of the Premier League table and three points from the Baggies would take West Ham to within two points of the Midlanders.

The Baggies are enjoying a fine season, having taken 36 points from their opening 24 games as Tony Pulis continues to make his mark at the Hawthorns.

Much of their success has been built on a formidable home record, with seven wins and two draws from their 12 matches on home turf.

Away from the Hawthorns, they have won three times, with four draws and five defeats making up the balance – and their last away win came on New Year's Eve when they triumphed 2-1 at Southampton.

For the Hammers, they again showed their ability to bounce back from a setback by winning at Southampton themselves last weekend, just three days after suffering a 4-0 loss at the hands of Manchester City.

Andy Carroll continued his hot streak – with his fourth goal in as many games – before Pedro Obiang and Mark Noble struck to secure that 3-1 success.

Now, with back-to-back wins in their sights, West Ham have the target of hauling in the Baggies to aim at.

Team news

The Hammers will make late decisions on the fitness of Andy Carroll, Aaron Cresswell and Cheikhou Kouyate.

The trio all missed training for part of the week following Saturday's game at Southampton, but boss Slaven Bilic is hopeful of having them available.

Arthur Masuaku was due to resume training at the end of this week, but will miss this fixture, as will Diafra Sakho, who is absent with a back problem, and Angelo Ogbonna, who has undergone knee surgery.

Havard Nordtveit and Sam Byram are back in contention.

West Brom are able to call upon defender Jonny Evans again, after he missed five matches with a calf problem. Midfielder Claudio Yacob is also back after recovering from stomach cramps.

Player head-to-head

Head to Head

How do I get to the game?

Click here for your Matchday Guide, containing all the essential info on matchday at London Stadium.

If you're travelling to the game by train, click here for up to the minute news. The latest on the Tubes, London Overground, TfL Rail and roads can be found here.

How can I watch the game?

The game is not being broadcast live in the UK, however you can follow all the action live on whufc.com, with audio commentary, social media updates, in-running stats, photos and more. Join the conversation on social using the hashtag #WHUWBA

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Noble - We've got a great mood in the camp
WHUFC.com

West Ham United skipper Mark Noble is eying a seventh win in ten Premier League games when they welcome West Bromwich Albion to London Stadium on Saturday.

The Hammers have climbed to ninth in the table following a good run of form which has seen them take 18 points from a possible 27.

With three more on the line in E20, Noble is determined to build on last week's success at St Mary's by making it back-to-back wins.

"We've had a really good week on the training pitch and we've got a great mood in the camp," he explained. "To go away to Southampton, who are a really good team, and to play like we did and get the result that we did last weekend was brilliant.

"I was delighted to score my fifth goal of the season to help us secure the points. We've all got jobs to do for the team and my job maybe isn't to score goals, but to break play up and get our forward players playing.

"That said, to get on the scoresheet is great. Everyone loves scoring goals, so even though it took a deflection it's still my goal!

"We've won six out of last nine now, and I've always said it – even at the beginning of the season when we were getting some stick – that our team spirit is great.

"This changing room is really good. We believe in the manager, we're solid in this changing room and it's a good place to be.

"We're sitting in ninth now, we've got a good points tally in 31, and we've turned things around in a way that everyone who knows West Ham knows how – winning games by working hard."

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Bilic - Our first target is 40 points
WHUFC.com

Slaven Bilic is expecting another tough encounter when the Hammers face West Brom on Saturday but is hoping to see his side move a step closer to the crucial 40 point mark. The Hammers will be looking for revenge following the 4-2 defeat at the Hawthorns back in September and come into the game full of confidence following the impressive win over Southampton last Saturday. The victory moved West Ham up to ninth in the table and are now just five points behind Saturday's opponents. Bilic knows the importance of getting another victory before the team prepare for a short break due to the Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round ties being played next weekend.

The Hammers boss knows the dangers that Tony Pulis side will pose on Saturday and says his team will have to be at their very best once again if they are to come away with the right result at London Stadium. Bilic said: "They are doing great, their whole season has been quite amazing for their standards. "Even the games they lost, and there are few of them, like against Chelsea, it was a hard one for Chelsea. They are very hard to beat, very dangerous, compact, organised and that is what you get with Tony Pulis. "They have a great balance in the team with experience and organisation, but also with the stamina of the players and the individual quality of the players. "The players up front are physically strong, very pacy, strong in transition and also very versatile."

With the Hammers moving into the top half of the Premier League, Bilic will be hoping they can cement their position in the top ten and move even higher up the table. But the West Ham manager says he has only got one target on his mind for the time being and that is to ensure they reach the 40 point mark in the coming weeks. Bilic added: "It is the first target, we have a few targets of course. Not only us. There is no point talking about target number two or number three before you reach your first target which is 40 points. We have a hell of a lot to do to reach it."

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Carroll wins January Goal of the Month
WHUFC.com

West Ham United are delighted to announce that Andy Carroll's stunning wonder strike against Crystal Palace has been named January's Goal of the Month. The big No9's acrobatic effort capped off a flowing move which helped the Hammers to an emphatic 3-0 victory over the Eagles at London Stadium. Carroll fought off strong competition, including Olivier Giroud's scorpion-kick, to win the coveted award, which was decided by a combination of a panel of experts including Sir Alex Ferguson and Thierry Henry, and a public vote.

Speaking after picking up the award, Carroll beamed: "I'm delighted to have won the Goal of the Month competition, especially given how good some of the other goals were. "As soon as I hit it I knew it was in, I got a good connection and knew it would hit the back of the net. It's definitely the best goal I've ever scored, one I'm very proud of. "I enjoy every goal I score, but that one was certainly a little bit more special – I don't think I'll ever get bored of watching that one back."

Since netting his spectacular strike, Carroll has enjoyed an impressive run of form, scoring twice against Middlesbrough as well as netting away at Southampton – a total of four goals in as many games. Following Dimitri Payet's success in October's competition for his mazy solo effort against Middlesbrough, which was also scored at London Stadium, Carroll's January triumph doubles the Hammers tally – the only side in the Premier League to boast two winners so far this season.

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Quina – We were unlucky
WHUFC.com

Portuguese midfielder Domingos Quina thought West Ham United PL2 were the better side in their 2-2 draw with Leicester City
The Hammers were taking on their opponents in the Premier League Cup and were made to come from behind twice
Quina believes his side were unlucky but can go a long way in the competition

Young West Ham United starlet Domingos Quina thought his U23 side were unfortunate not to get all three points when they hosted Leicester City in the Premier League Cup on Thursday. The Hammers were made to come from behind twice at Victoria Road and scored their second equaliser – Nathan Holland bagging his first in Claret and Blue – with just four minutes remaining. But Quina, who was exceptional on the night for Terry Westley's men, thought the youngsters deserved all three points in east London. "It was a hard game for us. First half we did OK, but their two goals from our mistakes. Second half, we played much better and managed to get the draw which we deserved. "I think we played much better than them and were unlucky not to get the win overall. "It's hard to get into the box when they sit deep and do all that defending but we just had to keep playing football. It's hard to create chances because you are just going side to side but we are happy with the draw."

Nearly all of the Hammers' play came through the summer signing, who starred in the more advanced role of No10 on Thursday, as opposed to his more regular position this season as a deep midfielder. I think we played much better than them and were unlucky not to get the win overall. It's hard to get into the box when they sit deep but we kept playing our football. "I had a lot of the ball but all our attacks came through everybody in the team," Quina continued. "I had the opportunity to make a lot of the final passes but all the team were working hard to create chances and to eventually get the goal. "I really enjoy playing in ten, but it's hard to get the ball as much as when you are deeper which is where I've played a lot this season. "You have to be more clever with how you play and you need to make sure you are always moving."

West Ham were victorious in the Cup competition last season, beating Hull City over a two-legged final, eventually clinching the trophy after a penalty shootout final victory on Humberside. And Quina, though new to the team this season, believes they can repeat last campaign's heroics and go all the way again this term. He said: "I reckon we can do it and reach where the team did last season.
"We need to keep working hard in every game and build confidence and work in training and we'll have the chance."

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Dominant Hammers please boss Westley
WHUFC.com

West Ham United PL2 recorded a 2-2 draw with Leicester City in the Premier League Cup on Thursday
Declan Rice bagged his first of the season while Nathan Holland notched a first in Claret and Blue
Terry Westley was pleased to see his team dominate proceedings

West Ham United U23 boss Terry Westley was delighted to see his team dominate in their Premier League Cup clash against Leicester City on Thursday, though the hosts could only record a 2-2 draw. The Hammers were taking on the Foxes for the second time this season in the competition having beat them back in 2016. A win would have all-but sealed Westley's side's place in the knockout stages of the tournament, but the manager was pleased with his team's display despite only picking up a point. He said: "Again, we played some really good stuff and we dominated the game from start to finish. We created a lot of opportunities but we weren't clinical enough.
"In the defending third we gave away too much and two goals was too many for me. "It's a good point because Leicester don't get any closer to us in the little league format of this group and now we turn our attentions to Monday when we take on Nottingham Forest in this competition. "A win would have probably guaranteed us a place in the last 16, and if you score two at home, you probably expect to win so we're disappointed with the two we let in."

The Hammers fell behind early when Admiral Muskwe robbed Josh Pask of possession and slotted past Raphael Spiegel, however skipper Declan Rice equalised soon after, beautifully flicking home from a corner. On the stroke of half time, Muskwe added a second for the visitors and they looked to be heading back to Leicestershire with all three points until, four minutes from time, January signing Nathan Holland popped up to earn West Ham a draw. "I felt as long as we kept playing our football and didn't resort to going long or get desperate, [we would equalise]," continued Westley. "We were saying that from the sideline. "If you keep doing the right things and keep probing, eventually you get your rewards and it was a good goal from Nathan Holland. He just used the defender to bend it and it was a good finish and a good goal by Declan [Rice] earlier in the game. "Nathan's settled well and we have a good group who have welcomed him and think he's talented. He's shown his quality in training and again tonight he has shown flashes. "Sometimes in youth development you look at the game and say who was the standout layer? In Domingos Quina, we had the best player by an absolute country mile tonight. "His work rate, defensively, with the ball, making opportunities, he was the standout one."

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From the Boardroom - David Gold
WHUFC.com

This has been another great week for the Club following the impressive performance against Southampton last weekend and the players are full of confidence as we prepare for another big home game.

We have won six of the last nine games and we are in great form at the moment. We have managed to get our season back on track at just the right time.

There is a feel-good factor around the training ground and the spirit is good, the results are good and what more could we ask for.

Hopefully we can make it back-to-back wins once again and get a victory over West Brom at London Stadium.

We know it is going to be a hard game as Tony Pulis has his team well organised and they manage to grind out results.

They are five points clear of us in the table, but this is a great chance for us to close the gap.

There were so many positives to take from the 3-1 win over Southampton last weekend.

I was so pleased to see Pedro Obiang get his first goal for the Club and he is a real talent.

His passing, tackling, energy is exceptional and he deserves his place in the team.

He has been unlucky not to score before last Saturday and it wouldn't surprise me if he now goes on a goalscoring run and scores a lot more for the Club. He is a regular in the team and is a fans' favourite.

It was another big day for Andy Carroll and he deserves all the headlines he is getting at the moment.

I've always been a big fan and he is such an important player for the team. He is in great form and his work-rate is fantastic.

He has a little niggle at the moment but we are managing it in the right way and he will be protected.

You cannot under-estimate what Andy brings to the team and it is not just his goalscoring but the other areas of the team he helps out.

He puts in everything for the team and shows incredible commitment.

I know Gareth Southgate is coming to the game and hopefully he will see the quality from Andy once again. I have no doubts that he deserves a recall to the England squad.

It is also another great opportunity for the likes of Michail Antonio and Aaron Cresswell to impress the new England manager and it is great that we have so many players being talked about for a place in the national squad.

I recognise the fans support on a weekly basis and once again they were fantastic down at Southampton last week.

I am so proud that we have fans who show such passion towards their football club and they play such a big role in helping us perform well.

I hope there will be another big atmosphere on Saturday and the players can get another victory under their belts before we head into a short break.

We are certainly looking up now and everything is coming together.

Enjoy the game on Saturday.

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Five Talking Points - West Brom
WHUFC.com

Five hot topics of discussion ahead of Saturday's home fixture against Tony Pulis' West Bromwich Albion…

Out for revenge

Though many West Ham United fans will have done their best to erase September's defeat to West Brom from their memory, Slaven Bilic's side were well and truly humbled in the Midlands earlier this season. Going 4-0 down before adding a bit of respectability to the scoreline, it was not the visitors' finest hour at the Hawthorns. But Saturday's meeting could well be a different story at London Stadium. While the Hammers visited West Brom on the back of three consecutive defeats earlier this season, the current form guides suggests this fixture could see revenge for the hosts. Having beaten Southampton, Middlesbrough and Crystal Palace well in three of their last four matches, West Ham will be hoping their momentum can see them through to another victory on Saturday against the side one place above them in the table.

International teammates

There will be a few friendly faces in the tunnel for Robert Snodgrass before the game on Saturday, with the Scotsman coming up against three of his international teammates; Darren Fletcher, Matt Phillips and James Morrison. The former is West Brom's skipper, while Matt Phillips is enjoying a terrific first season at the Hawthorns, and has four goals and eight assists to his name. Meanwhile, Morrison has also been grabbing the goals recently for Albion; he's scored three times in the team's last five outings. So, Snoddy; let your new colleagues know how best to stop the Scotsmen at London Stadium!

Big Call for the Big Man

Andy Carroll has not trained this week for the Hammers, meaning Slaven Bilic has a huge late call on his hands; to play his key forward or not. In his Thursday press conference, the boss said: "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." With so much influence in the way the Hammers play, Carroll's inclusion in Saturday's starting XI could have a massive bearing on the final result.

Heads up

West Ham have Andy Carroll and Michail Antonio – West Brom are one of the Premier League's notoriously physical sides. The aerial battles all over the pitch on Saturday are likely to be vital. Barely anybody can stop AC in the air when he's on form, but if there is a central defensive partnership that will have a real go, that's Gareth McAuley and Jonny Evans. Then, West Brom will also have to worry about the threat of Michail Antonio in the air as well. We all know his incredible headed goals record. Albion do have Allan Nyom and Craig Dawson as their first choice full-backs though, so Pulis' side are certainly no pushovers when it comes to heading the ball.

Ayew ready?

Having returned from AFCON after his Ghana side lost out in the semi-finals, Andre Ayew is back in contention and could make his return in a Claret and Blue shirt on Saturday. The forward, signed from Swansea City in the summer, is still yet to show his best at London Stadium but many Hammers fans will be hoping the Gabon-based tournament will have sparked the 27-year-old's top form. Ayew featured in four of his side's six matches in the competition, and has returned to east London, as Cheikhou Kouyate did last week, to help West Ham on all fronts. Are we going to see him back on the pitch on Saturday?

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West Ham United v West Bromwich Albion
SAT, 11 FEB 2017PREMIER LEAGUE
15:00
Venue: London Stadium
BBC.co.uk

TEAM NEWS

West Ham will monitor Andy Carroll, who is nursing a minor groin problem, while Sam Byram and Havard Nordtveit are back in contention after injuries. The Hammers will assess Aaron Cresswell's tight hamstring and Cheikhou Kouyate's dead leg, but Diafra Sakho and Angelo Ogbonna remain out.

West Brom defender Jonny Evans returns after missing five games with a calf injury. Midfielder Claudio Yacob is also fit after recovering from stomach cramps.

MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES

Simon Brotherton: "This is a match between two sides who are going well in the Premier League - but who may find it hard to improve much on their current positions.

"West Ham have won six of the last nine league matches but they were thrashed 4-0 by Manchester City in their last home game, while West Brom were stung by the same scoreline at Tottenham last month on their most recent visit to London.

"Albion have generally been solid though and have only lost once to a team currently outside the top seven all season, in September's 1-0 defeat at Bournemouth.

"West Ham were in the midst of their early-season struggles when they lost heavily at The Hawthorns in the reverse fixture. This game should be much tighter."

Twitter: @SimonBrotherton

WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic on striker Andy Carroll: "He brings you everything, everything that you could ask from a centre-forward.

"He is great in the air, he is very physical, has a great touch and a great sense to combine with other players by playing the ball off.

"I don't know if [England boss] Gareth Southgate is a big fan, but when Andy is playing like that every manager would like to have him in his team or squad.

"Andy would help any team. Andy would help the German team, Andy would help the Croatian team, the Spanish team, because he is a top player."

West Brom head coach Tony Pulis: "They [West Ham] are a good team, they've got some good players.

"They've had a season of being very, very good and pretty bad at times and we just go there and hope we can compete.

"We'll have to - with [Andy] Carroll back now, they look a handful."

LAWRO'S PREDICTION

Both teams are ticking along nicely in the top half, and West Ham are showing what a good team they are now the Dimitri Payet saga is over.

The Baggies have got some talented players too but, away from home, their approach is to try to shut up shop.

Prediction: 1-1

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

West Ham are unbeaten in their last seven Premier League home games against the Baggies, though five have been draws.
West Brom's last top-flight win away to the Hammers came in September 2002, with Jason Roberts scoring the only goal to give the visitors their first ever Premier League away victory.
The Baggies' most recent away win at West Ham came in the second tier in November 2003, when they came back from three goals down to win 4-3.
West Ham United

Slaven Bilic's side have won six of their last nine league games, losing the other three.
The Hammers have won three of six league and cup games in 2017, scoring three goals in each of those victories.
Their three defeats all came against Manchester City or United, with the Hammers conceding a total of 11 goals and scoring none in those matches.
Andy Carroll needs one goal to become only the fifth player to score 30 Premier League goals for West Ham, following in the footsteps of Paolo Di Canio (47), Carlton Cole (41), Trevor Sinclair (37) and Mark Noble (33).
Carroll has four goals in five Premier League appearances in 2017 - no other Hammers player has more than one since the turn of the year.
West Bromwich Albion

West Brom have only lost one league game this season against a side currently outside the top seven - September's 1-0 defeat at Bournemouth.
The Baggies are averaging the lowest possession in the Premier League this season (37%) - and are the only side yet to have more possession than their opponents in any game.
Matt Phillips has set up eight Premier League goals this season - only Kevin de Bruyne, with nine, has a better record.
Albion's last two league goals have been scored by James Morrison, and both were scored in the sixth minute of the game.
Salomon Rondon has gone nine games without a goal in league and cup since netting a hat-trick against Swansea on 14 December.
James Morrison could make his 300th appearance for the Baggies in all competitions.
SAM's verdict
Most probable score: 1-1 Probability of draw: 26%
Probability of home win: 47% Probability of away win: 27%
SAM (Sports Analytics Machine) is a super-computer created by @ProfIanMcHale at the University of Salford that is used to predict the outcome of football matches.

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Grit and a beard: the Snodgrass effect
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 10th February 2017
By: Adam Smith

Three whistles sound and West Ham United net three crucial points in a 3-1 victory at Southampton. A dominant effort due to a well executed game plan can hardly be attributed to one man, but let me plead my case.

Nabbing any Premiership team's best player is a move that can rarely be criticised, and Robert Snodgrass had been just that for an abysmal Hull City squad in the 2016-17 Season. This move is made all more important by the Dimitri Payet saga that has been overshadowing the West Ham club for more than a month now.

With the exodus of the once beloved Frenchman the Hammers' midfield had a hole to fill. Bringing with him seven goals and three assists in 20 appearances, Snodgrass is a statistical improvement over Payet in this campaign. With a squad galvanized by recent events, a little bit of grit could inspire an exciting end of the season.

With his substitution in amidst a brutal 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Manchester City, the West Ham atmosphere seemingly changed on the pitch. The pace Snodgrass provided to a lacklustre offensive performance was not only noticed, but contagious. While the scoresheet would remain empty on the West Ham side, the brief overlap between Snodgrass' entrance and currently unstoppable striker Andy Carroll's exit had Irons fans eyes widen at the future possibilities.

In his first start as a Hammer, Snodgrass impressed with his offensive pressure - a result of his pace and intelligence. While providing offence in the form of two shots on goal, Snodgrass also suffered four fouls while committing three.

He undoubtedly impacted his new club, most noticeably in the first half when his curling corner found its way to Pedro Obiang for one of the most deserving goals for the Hammers of the Year front-runner. Then on a hardnosed run into the Southampton area, which resulted in a Noble free kick that sealed the game on an own goal tip.

Now that the Snodgrass era has officially begun in the East end of London, the midfield takes new form. Varied in approach, the West Ham midfield now adds the aggressive pressuring playstyle of Snodgrass. Currently holding down the midfield is the elusive and creative Manuel Lanzini, captain and Mr. West Ham Mark Noble, the tackling Obiang, and the explosive and versatile Cheikhou Kouyaté.

And while Snodgrass' impending collaboration with these lads over the next three-and-a-half years is exciting, his most important effect could come in the role as a mentor for the young players awaiting their opportunity, most notably attacking midfielder Edimilson Fernandes. Only early in their relationship as teammates, the pace and pressure Snodgrass habitually brings on the pitch is an aspect the Swiss international should fully embrace.

Early reports tell of an instant meshing of Snodgrass with his new teammates and of him taking on a leadership role amidst a club that is searching for a new age identity. His desire to come play for West Ham in pursuit of winning as he expressed in the media after his signing not only shows commitment to his club, but also to his new fan base.

However, the West Ham faithful are at a crucial crossroads in regards to the team's identity as well, as the club have moved from the sacred Boleyn Ground at Upton Park after a residency spanning 1904 – 2016. The move was sold as inevitable and necessary, as ownership sought to house the team in a championship building. What is certain is that if the fans are to turn the London Stadium into a fortress, as the Boleyn Ground was, the effort must improve from team and management. Snodgrass is a good start.

With Snodgrass and Jose Fonte brought in during the January transfer window manager Slaven Bilic had addressed issues within his squad, but there were also visible misses by West Ham management. The shallow depth at right back currently headed up by ailing youngster Sam Byram desperately needed bolstering.

It is also argued that the team could have used a striker to supplement the oft-injured Andy Carroll. While rumours poured in for both positions, it appears Bilic and the Board looked internally for their reinforcements. With the impending returns of striker Diafra Sakho, and defenders Arthur Masuaku and Havard Nordtveit in the coming weeks, the holes could be temporarily filled for Bilic's squad.

Bilic should be lauded for his response to the issues that required an immediate response. The Fonte signing added defensive, veteran leadership and allowed Italian international Angelo Ogbonna to undergo season-ending surgery. Likewise, the fleeing Frenchman had his set piece and playmaking spot filled by Snodgrass.

It appears Bilic remained true to his belief that the summer transfer window provides more value in signing, keeping his winter wallet closed after Fonte and Snodgrass signed. The newly added Snodgrass' ability to push opposing defenders on their heels, his set-piece skills, and his desire to relentlessly run wherever the ball goes – including into physical areas – is an aspect West Ham United had been lacking, and can mould its team around moving forward.

His early and inevitable offensive impact, compacted with his gracious attitude toward joining the club will propel his own trajectory. Fanfare and fame from the West Ham faithful will continue to grow and will inspire the crowd chanting, Do you remember the time before Robert Snodgra-a-a-ass?

The grit in his game which he ceremoniously manifests in a rugged beard is something West Ham United had been unknowingly searching for in their attacking midfield: another playmaker who will dawn the claret and blue for pride and team, over self. One in an ensemble, one step forward, one of many.

Quite simply, the Snodgrass Effect.

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Debut goal rescues point
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 10th February 2017
By: Staff Writer

New signing Nathan Holland scored his first goal for West Ham's Under 23s last night as they came from behind to secure a point with Leicester in the Premier League Cup. espite missing the likes of Marcus Browne, Kyle Knoyle and Martin Samuelsen, just three of several currently out on loan, Terry Westley's side managed to eke out a draw courtesy of Holland's equaliser three minute from the end of normal time at the Chigwell Construction Stadium. The Foxes - who West Ham beat earlier in the season in the same competition - took an early lead on six minutes when Josh Pask was robbed of possession on the edge of the penalty area, allowing Admiral Muskwe to finish beyond Raphael Spiegel. However West Ham were back on level terms four minutes later as captain Declan Rice converted a corner from an acure angle, with City 'keeper Daniel Iverson rooted to the spot. Leicester restored their advantage on the cusp of half time when Muskwe added a second after racing on to a through ball which he slotted beyond the advancing Spiegel. The lead was to last until the final few minutes when Holland secured a point for the Hammers.

What is the PL2?
The competition replaced the Under 21 Premier League at the beginning of this season, with the age limit raised to Under 23. Comprised of 2x12-team divisions, there is one automatic promotion place and a second available via play-offs. Each team may field an overage goalkeeper and up to three over-age outfield players, and must play at the club's main ground at least three times every season.

West Ham Utd: Spiegel, Knoyle, Pask, Rice, Neufville, Makasi, Sylvestre (Kemp 69), Diangana (Parfitt-Williams 82), Quina, Holland, Powell (Johnson 65).
Subs Not Used: Akinola, Trott.
Goals: Rice (10), Holland (86).

Leicester City: Iversen, Johnson, Knight, Moore, Pascanu, Choudhury (Watts 32), Miles, Debayo, Ndukwu (Wood 89), Muskwe, Mitchell.
Subs Not Used: Bolkiah, Yates, Kipre.
Goals: Muskwe 6, 46.

Referee: Adrian Quelch.

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West Ham United v West Bromwich Albion
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 10th February 2017
By: Preview Percy

Preview Percy on this weekend's visit of West Brom. Warning: contains mentions of illegal substances, fish fingers.......and Babylon Zoo

Next up it's West Brom at home. 3pm kick off is the order of the day. Trains? Usual rubbish between Liverpool Street and points east. Rail replacement buses and trips to Central Line stations are the order of the day in that part of the world. And to the person who asked on my twitter account (apparently I have one) for travel news from Southeastern I would point out that this isn't a request show and I am not Tony Blackburn.

So the Throstles then. Or Baggies if you prefer. Whatever. Having not a bad season as it happens. They're in 8th place on 36 points from their 24 played so far. That's one place and 5 points above our good selves. Something to aim at then. They've won four drawn one and lost one of their last six, the defeat coming in mid-January at White Hart Lane whilst they arguably dropped two points in the 1-1 up at Boro'.

Their latest outing was what you might call "interesting" from a political point of view. They finally managed to off Berahino who had been trying to escape from the Hawthorns since Bruce Forsyth was a lad. After being the first name mentioned in Sky's increasingly hyperbolic coverage of the transfer windows of the last three years, Berahino finally found a club willing to shell out for his services. Stoke were the ones to enrich the Albion coffers by what the work experience girl wearing a Babylon Zoo t-shirt without knowing who they were tells me was £12m. So far so good. However, a few weeks after the transfer it suddenly came out that Berahino had served one of those anonymous drugs bans that the authorities dish out for positive results from tests taken outside competition. He's not the biggest name in football to have served such a ban by the way (*cough hello Liverpool cough*). Stoke thought it odd that a ban that had been kept quiet for months should suddenly become public just before the two clubs were due to play, and the weekend was spent in something of a tense atmosphere, with managers going out of their way to not shake each other's hand much in the same way as a sane human being might want to avoid Piers Morgan. Pulis, for his part, was keen to let everyone know that Berahino was "not his problem".

Of course Pulis does have one tiny problem, that being the problem of having to stump up £3.77m to Crystal Palace. The story goes that he was due a bonus of £2m back in 2014 for keeping them up, the proviso being that he would have to remain manager until 31 August that year. All well and good but a few weeks before the bonus was due he popped into the chairman's office and asked if it would be ok if he got his bonus a few weeks early. His excuse was that he needed the cash as he was buying some land for his children. And thought I was lucky if I got a new pair of laces for my football boots as a birthday present when I was a kid. Palace agreed to the early payment but the cheque had barely cleared before Pulis quit – August 14 being the date. Now regular readers will be aware that I tend not to have any sympathy with Palace – anyone who willingly bases themselves in Croydon (the town that spawned the horror that is the former Mrs Percy) usually deserves anything that they get as far as I and most rational sane human beings are concerned. However even I am willing to concede that they might have had a point this time around.

The parties ended up at an arbitration tribunal where the High Court Judge in charge of proceedings was a wee bit scathing about Pulis. He described the aforementioned land transaction as "non-existent", said that Pulis had "deliberately sought to deceive" and had indulged in "disgraceful conduct", though it's not clear whether that particular comment referred to the litigation or to the way he sets his sides up to play football. The final score was that Pulis would have to repay the £2m bonus, plus another £1.77m in damages and costs to Palace. When his own costs are factored in his total bill could approach £6m. Ouch!

Back at Pulis's current club, having finally managed to get rid of Berahino they weren't too busy in the transfer market during the last window, despite Pulis's comments to the effect that he was "desperate" to sign new players. There was some irony in the fact that most of the money received from Stoke for Berahino went on Jake Livermore, a player who has had his own problems in the recreational pharmaceutical department in the past. With a career that has included having to spend large amounts of time in Harringay, Hull and now West Bromwich I suppose you would need a little something to blot out one's surroundings. God alone knows what he would have taken had he been transferred to Palace. The most unbelievable story about Livermore though is the fact that he actually has an England cap. A real one, awarded to him for playing for England and not one that he bought at a sporting memorabilia shop. Which just goes to show that they would probably pick Steven Hawking if he wore a Spurs shirt.

They were looking for cover in central defence where injury had left them short. They missed out on a couple of targets. Schneiderlin went to Everton whilst there was an element of sour grapes in the Birmingham Mail about Fonte whose decision to join us was attributed to the player "clearly [having] designs on living in London". Perhaps "he clearly had designs on not living in Smethwick" might have been a bit more accurate guys.

In the end they picked up Marc Wilson on loan until the end of the season. Wilson was a former charge of Pulis at Stoke but had not made a league appearance at Bournemouth all season. Wilson caused a little controversy at international level a while back. Born and raised in Lisburn he was capped by both Northern Ireland and the Republic at age level, eventually taking advantage of the Republic's policy of treating anyone born anywhere on the island as a citizen of the Republic. He was offered the chance to switch allegiance to the north before it was too late at full international level but he threw in his lot with the FAI rather than the IFA with the Popular Front of Judea keeping a close eye on proceedings. Splitters.

Despite the lengthy search for central defenders without designs on living anywhere nice, it may be that the answer to their problems, such as they were, were staring them in the face all along. The move of Craig Dawson from the right side of defence into the centre has earned the player rave reviews and, in the three games since he made the switch, they have conceded just the one goal. Frugal even by the standards of a Pulis-managed team. Shades, perhaps, of the famous Pardew promotion season where the Anton & Elliot combination did so well despite being the last pairing available.

The services of Allan Nyom will also be available to them. Nyom must be having a few mixed feelings at the moment, having decided to not bother with the recent African Cuppasoup despite being called up by Cameroon for whom he has been capped 16 times. Cameroon went on to win the tournament, possibly prompting a Homer Simpson-style "D-oh!" to emanate from the Nyom household as the late winner against Egypt went in. Still never mind Allan – unlike the Euros or World Cup there'll be another tournament along soon. It would be interesting to hear a good reason why they hold the damn thing every other year rather than every four years but, as with everything to do with the administration of world football I suspect that too much money is being made somewhere for them to change things.

The departure of Berahino (not that he was ever selected in recent times) does leave them a little short up front numerically speaking. Their main man in that role is Venezuelan international striker Salamon Rondon. He's currently their top scorer with seven this season. However, as we all know, there are dangers in relying on one main striker – particularly when you have to keep them fit.

They did bring in Hal Robson-Kanu at the start of the season. He had his fifteen minute flurry of fame in the Euros last summer whilst actually playing as a free agent, Reading having decided he was surplus to requirements. His exploits as one of the Englishmen who took the Welsh to the semi-finals earned him a contract with the Throstles but he seems to have reverted to his pre-Euro journeyman status. He was given three minutes plus stoppage in last weekend's victory over Stoke for example which suggested that his usefulness was seen more as a method of running the clock down at 1-0 up than as a goal threat. Which, of course, means he will score against us should he come on.

The other option up front is youngster Jonathan Leko. Leko made some sort of history against us at the back end of last season when he became the first player born in 1999 to play in the Premier League. Just as I was getting used to seeing players born in the 1980s playing as well. I presume by now some toddler born in the year 2000 has made their debut having just moved off rusks and on to those bizarre baby food mixtures (stewed prune and herring anyone?). If they have don't tell me – I don't want to know.

Well what's been happening elsewhere in the world of football. Hasn't the air turned blue around the Beckham household lately. Apparently a CBE isn't enough for him. No, he thinks he deserves a knighthood for services to leading England from one tournament disaster to the next. It'd be interesting to hear what he thinks Bobby Moore should have been given for actually winning the thing. The Lordship of a small galaxy perhaps? Thankfully the leaked emails should put paid to Beckham's ever getting anywhere near such an honour again. Which will go down well with the missus.

Us? Good win on Saturday I thought. Yeah I thought "here we go again" when the somewhat offside Gabbiadini thumped them into the lead. However I barely had a minute to formulate my next moan when the splendid Obiang put through Carroll to level the scores. At which point the cretin who set off a smoke canister joined Piers Morgan and Mike Dean on my list of people I'd like to shake warmly by the throat. I had nearly stopped coughing by the time we took the lead but the walk back to the Avram Grant Olympic Rest Home For The Bewildered's Happy Bus must have sounded like an outing from one of those old sanatoriums they used to dump people with tuberculosis in to any passer-by, such was the state of our lungs.

Apart from that the afternoon turned into one of those days when you feel sorry for anyone trying to work out what on earth was going on based purely on the audio. Quite what those of you stuck with the wireless made of the chants of "we love you big tits we do" I shudder to think. But I'm not going to spoil the surprise by telling you.

The only potential dark spot of an otherwise rather satisfactory afternoon was the exit of Andy "goal of the month so up yours Wenger" Carroll slightly earlier than one might have hoped. A slight groin niggle was the cited reason for the premature departure and the player is listed as a "slight doubt" for Saturday. As is Byram whose tight hamstring might be less problematic than was originally thought. The rest of the absentees are the usual suspects of course. I shan't bother you by going through the list as you'll be as fed up with reading the same old names as I am with writing them quite frankly.

And so to the thorny question of the prediction. They are a tough team to beat obviously. Pulis sends his teams out with that as a priority obviously. Not everybody will be as accommodating as Southampton were – let's face it that would be difficult. We're also a bit Jekyll and Hyde at the moment. However I think that we will have enough of a spring in the step to add the Baggies to the small number of scalps taken at the Olympic. So the £2.50 I was going to put towards the cost of a bra for a certain Southampton supporter will therefore be placed on a home win when I get down to Winstones The Turf Accountants. A narrow win but a win nevertheless. 1-0 to us then.

Enjoy the game!

When last we met at the Boleyn: Drew 1-1 (League - November 2015)
A Payet-esque free kick from Zarate gave us the lead in a first half we dominated. A Lambert equaliser in the second period which they dominated squared things up. Right result then.

Referee Michael Oliver Gullible enough to fall for every dive perpetrated by Man City the other week irrespective of level of authenticity.

Danger Man: Salomon Rondon – top scorer. Big chap. Puts himself about a bit. Can be a handful.

Percy's Poser: Last week we asked you why is Southampton to blame for the bland tastelessness of what food companies like to refer to as "fish fingers". The first correct answer out of the digital hat came from Mrs Portia Twisted-Flax from Rayleigh who tells us: "when the Birds Eye company first tested out fish fingers they chose the city of Southampton as their testing ground. The original fish fingers were quite tasty being made, as they were, of haddock. As a control to the experiment they tried some made with some rather ordinary cod. The numpties actually preferred this version to the infinitely more preferable haddock version, which is why most fish fingers today have all the taste of an episode of Mrs Brown's boys" Quite Mrs T-F – to whom a box of our local "Valu-Save Almost Cod Own-label Fish-Style Fingers" is on its way. Well done Portia!

For this week's poser we see how many of you have been paying attention to this column over the years it has been written. In the past I managed to uncover what may possibly the dullest fact about anywhere ever. So all you have to do is scour back through the archives and answer me this: West Bromwich is the largest town in the United Kingdom not to have its own what? The first prize out of the digital hat will win a Blu-ray box set of Adrian Chiles' greatest tv moments (there may be some delay while they gather together enough to make up a box set).

Good luck everyone!

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.

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WEST HAM UNITED V WEST BROMWICH ALBION PREVIEW
BY EXWHUEMPLOYEE ON 10 FEBRUARY 2017 AT 9:32PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by @DeportivoHammer

Nothing better than getting 3 points from an away game, which is exactly what was needed after getting yet another beating from Manchester City midweek. Bouncing back from a poor defeat is a great show of character and while Southampton may not be in the best of form at the moment, it's never easy to travel and win in the premier league.

This weekend we turn our focus onto West Bromwich Albion, a team I have never had any love for due to them being a kind of boring and irrelevant. Plus they have Tony Pulis as a manager who I feel loves the draw more than Big Sam did. But I should give them a bit of credit they managed to beat us 4-2 at the Hawthorns earlier this year and they sit one place above us in the table. Them in 8th place 5 points clear of us in 9th. They are also on a very good run of form with 4 wins and a draw in their last 6 games. Although I would like to add the opposition during this time we're not the best.

West Ham United on the other hand seem to be good one minute then poor the next. Consistency being the key to a successful season in the premiership. Last season we managed to draw a lot of games while not losing so many. But still 3 wins and 3 defeats from 6 doesn't sound as good as 3 wins in our last 4 games. I always like to put a positive spin on things.

Some bad news is that Andy Carroll has not trained all week and is a doubt for tomorrow's game. This would be a great shame as the man has been in great form in front of goal. But I also hope the club don't try and take a risk with this and only play him if he is totally fit. Kouyate and Creswell have also been struggling with knocks this week. Sakho, Ogbonna and Masuraku will definitely be out. But we should welcome back Andre Ayew from international duty. Sam Byram is also a doubt.

West Brom will be giving a late fitness tests to Jonny Evans and Brendon Galloway while Claudio Yacoub should be back in the squad.

Predicted line ups :

West Ham United : Randolph, Kouyate, Reid, Fonte, Cresswell, Obiang, Noble, Snodgrass, Antonio, Feghouli, Ayew.

West Bromwich Albion : Foster, Nyom, Dawson, McAuley, Brunt, Fletcher, Livermore, Philips, Morrison, Chadli, Rondon.

I have not included Carroll as I think we will be better off making sure he can complete the rest of the season, although I would have him on the bench if we are looking for a goal in the last 15 mins or so. Revenge surely has to be on our minds going into this game and I really hope Bilic gets the team fired up for this one as I do not feel they are as good as people are making them out to be. I predict we will win 2-1 with Carroll getting a late winner.

Deportivohammer.

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DAVID CONNOLLY: IN DEPTH ANALYSIS ON THE WBA TEAM-HOW TO BEAT THEM!
BY EXWHUEMPLOYEE ON 10 FEBRUARY 2017 AT 9:22PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by David Connolly

West Brom enter this game in 8th position, a magnificent achievement considering they have only taken 7 points from a possible 36 away from home.

A fine win last weekend against Stoke will see the Baggies in bullish mood, although they are stretched in terms of squad depth and quality.Tony Pulis, the West Brom manager, has been vocal in his concern over the need for signings.

The sale of Saido Berahino saw Jake Livermore arrive, in a one in one out move, but he has not increased his squad size and it is goalscorers he needs, not midfielders.At the moment they are too reliant on James Morrison, who seems in the form of his life, and their lack of possession away from home, typically around the 30-40% mark, is one possible reason for their tendency to concede late goals as the players tire from chasing the ball.

Solomon Rondon is their top scorer but hasn't been on the scoresheet since netting a hat-trick against Swansea in mid December and despite his quality, I feel Pulis may freshen things up and bring Hal Robson Kanu in to spearhead the attack.They did beat Southampton away on New Years Eve, and in Nacer Chadli and Matt Phillips have two terrific footballers who will have to be well shackled and this West Brom side has enough quality that they could cause West Ham problems.

Saying that, I feel their back four is an area to target, particularly the right hand side, and if Andy Carroll is fit, I would hope he will cause similar damage to the Baggies as he did to the Saints.

Nyom nowhere

Allan Nyom recently declared he was happy to have missed the Cameroon national team's African Cup of Nations victory, and I feel they may have been pleased too. He is one of the Baggies weakest links; he is slow to close the ball down, he cannot change direction when defending, due to the nature of how he defends with his arms behind his back and he rarely blocks any balls into the box.

Against Stoke, the Potters had a field day down the Baggies right flank as Nyom and Matt Phillips struggled to stem the tide of attacks, and only desperate defending inside the box prevented a goal against.

For West Ham, I would expect them to throw the ball continuously down the weaker West Brom side, away from the likes of Chris Brunt and Nacer Chadli on the left, and then its up to Carroll et al to get on the end of the ball in the box.

Nyon 1

The West Brom full back Nyom has his hands behind his back, despite being outside the penalty area and he allows another cross to enter the box.

Nyon 2

In a near identical situation, Nyom is once more outside the penalty area and yet again has his hands behind his back, no surprise this cross also ended up in the Baggies box as he is too far off to block but a clever pass inside was also on.

Blunt Brunt

To prevent the likes of Robson-Kanu and Rondon scoring, you have to cut the supply, and despite playing as a left back since Nacer Chadli's arrival, Chris Brunt has the quality to hurt teams if he is given time and space.

The Northern Irishman scored a cracker against Sunderland, picking up a second ball that fell outside the box, and he has been in fine form since his return from a serious knee injury which saw him miss EURO 2016.

In the Baggies formation, the main attacking threats come from the midfield getting up to support the lone front man, such as James Morrison breaking forward, or from getting the ball wide and delivering into the box for the likes of Rondon.

BluntWith Brunt now playing deeper in a full back role, he is often supporting behind the ball and as teams double up on Chadli to negate his threat, the West Brom winger is clever enough to recycle the ball back to Brunt.

With Brunt's delivery, the West Ham defence cannot afford to be as deep as Swansea City are here.

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WEST HAM AMONGST SEVERAL CLUBS OBSERVING MANCHESTER CITY DEFENDER BACARY SAGNA
BY EXWHUEMPLOYEE ON 10 FEBRUARY 2017 AT 9:38PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by Matthew Jones @MatthewJ_Joness

According to talkSPORT, West Ham United are one of a handful of clubs interested in snapping up Manchester City right-back Bacary Sagna on a free transfer at the end of the season.

The 33-year old has not consistently featured in Pep Guardiola's plans this season and is not expected to renew his contract in the summer. The former Arsenal defender enjoyed a solid Euro 2016 reaching the final of the competition, yet the Frenchman has featured predominantly on the bench for his club this season.

Occupying an FA Cup, League Cup and three Team of the Season awards, Bacary Sagna would offer an experienced, Premier-League proven option on the right-hand side of West Ham United's defence. The Manchester City defender is currently on £60,000 a week. With Sam Byram prone to injury and Álvaro Arbeloa ageing, Slaven Bilic is expected to be in the market for a first-team right-back this summer. West Ham fans will be familiar with their chairmen's admiration of free transfers, therefore this could possible be a deal which may suit both the board and the fan base.

The original article is here: http://talksport.com/football/transfer-news-everton-and-west-ham-both-keen-manchester-city-defender-bacary-sagna

Matthew Jones

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Randolph nominated in London awards
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 10th February 2017
By: Staff Writer

Darren Randolph has been nominated in this season's London Football Awards - the only West Ham player to be included.

West Ham's current first choice stopper is up against four other London-based goalkeepers for this year's award - Hugo Lloris (Tottenham), Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea), Alex Smithies (QPR) and Millwall's Jordan Archer.

However he is the only player from the club to be listed in seven categories - the nominees for which are as follows:

Premier League Player of the Year
N'Golo Kante (Chelsea), Dele Alli (Tottenham), Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal), Diego Costa (Chelsea), Danny Rose (Tottenham).

EFL Player of the Year
Scott Hogan (ex Brentford), Tom Cairney (Fulham), John Akinde (Barnet), Alex Smithies (QPR), Sone Aluko (Fulham).

London Women's Player of the Year
Eni Aluko (Chelsea), Jordan Nobbs (Arsenal), Karen Carney (Chelsea), Katie Chapman (Chelsea), Danielle Carter (Arsenal).

London Community Project of the Year
Feltham Young Offenders Institute (Fulham), Powerchair Football (Crystal Palace), DCD Football (Leyton Orient).

London Manager of the Year
Antonio Conte (Chelsea), Mauricio Pochettino (Tottenham), Neil Harris (Millwall), Neal Ardley (AFC Wimbledon), Slavisa Jokanovic (Fulham).

London Young Player of the Year (under 23)
Dele Alli (Tottenham), Hector Bellerin (Arsenal), Ademola Lookman (ex Charlton), Ryan Sessegnon (Fulham), Alex Iwobi (Arsenal).

London Goalkeeper of the Year
Hugo Lloris (Tottenham), Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea), Alex Smithies (QPR), Darren Randolph (West Ham), Jordan Archer (Millwall).
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West Ham v West Brom preview: Hammers hopeful over Andy Carroll
Last Updated: 10/02/17 12:55pm
SSN

West Ham are hopeful that Andy Carroll will be available for selection on Saturday as they welcome West Brom in the Premier League.
The striker had picked up a minor groin injury with doubts lingering over his inclusion, but manager Slaven Bilic is optimistic that he can be included in the squad. "It is not anything major. Andy felt something similar to what he had at Middlesbrough and hopefully he will be okay for Saturday," he said. "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 is a top player. He brings you everything, everything that you could ask from a centre-forward."

The Hammers welcome a West Brom side who are five points ahead of them in the Premier League table and are unbeaten in their last three top flight encounters. Tony Pulis' men can maintain the pressure on Everton in seventh place - four points ahead of the Baggies - with a victory at the London Stadium.

Team news

West Ham boss Bilic will check on Aaron Cresswell's tight hamstring and Cheikhou Kouyate, who has a dead leg ahead of Saturday's game.
Sam Byram (hamstring) and Havard Nordtveit (ankle) are back in contention but Diafra Sakho (back) and Angelo Ogbonna (knee) are long-term absentees.

Jonny Evans and Claudio Yacob are ready to return for West Brom, with Evans having missed the last five games with a calf problem while Yacob was sidelined for the 1-0 win over Stoke with the club concerned he had appendicitis. The midfielder required hospital treatment but the problem was not as bad as first feared and he is expected to be in the travelling squad.

Opta stats

West Ham are unbeaten in their last seven home Premier League meetings against the Baggies, though five have been draws (W2). West Brom's last top-flight win over the Hammers came in September 2002, with Jason Roberts scoring the only goal to give the Baggies their first-ever Premier League away victory. However, the Baggies' last away win at West Ham came in the second tier in November 2003; when they came from 3-0 down to win 4-3.
Mark Noble has scored three Premier League goals against West Brom - only against Southampton (4) has he scored more.
Carroll needs one goal to become only the fifth West Ham player to score 30 Premier League goals for the club after Paolo Di Canio (47), Carlton Cole (41), Trevor Sinclair (37) and Noble (33). Carroll has hit four goals in five Premier League appearances in 2017; no other Hammers player has more than one.
West Brom's last two league goals have both been scored by James Morrison and both were scored in the sixth minute of the game. Only Kevin De Bruyne (9) has assisted more Premier League goals than Matt Phillips this season (8). Phillips has both scored and assisted in three different Premier League games this season - no player has done so in more.
The Hammers have conceded four or more goals in three of their 12 Premier League games at London Stadium - they did so in just three of their last 106 games at Upton Park.
The Baggies are averaging the lowest possession in the Premier League this season (37 per cent) - they're the only side yet to have more possession than their opponents in a single Premier League game this season.

Merson's prediction

You simply cannot predict which West Ham team will turn up. One day Manchester City rip them to shreds and then the next they're tearing Southampton apart. West Brom are turning into one of those teams you would struggle to go against. Tony Pulis has built a really good team and they are, in my opinion, the best of the rest outside of the top six, which is quite an achievement.

PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (5/1 with Sky Bet)

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Mark Noble stands up for small kids as West Ham star reacts to academy discrimination claims
The Irons captain took to Twitter to highlight the importance of letting young players develop after the alarming results of a new study were published
The Mirror
BYARASH HEKMAT
17:06, 10 FEB 2017UPDATED17:16, 10 FEB 2017

Mark Noble has reacted angrily to news that hundreds of promising young footballers are being discriminated against at the country's top academies because of their size. The West Ham midfielder and captain took to Twitter to highlight the damage being done to the national game by letting so many promising youngsters slip through the net, urging the relevant authorities at England's schools and Premier League club academies to 'let kids develop'. A study conducted over several years at Manchester United indicated that hundreds of youngsters are slipping through the net because they are small for their size. The research was initiated by Sir Alex Ferguson during his tenure at the club and has now been published in the journal Science and Medicine in Football .

Follow
MARK NOBLE ✔ @Noble16Mark
Top young players slipping through the net because of size, not good for the country!!!! Let kids develop
11:43 AM - 10 Feb 2017
539 539 Retweets 1,246 1,246 likes

According to the Times, the study of 293 players between the ages of 9 and 16 showed that late developers were 20 times less likely to be selected by the time they were 16 than those who had matured more typically. It concluded that similar trends would likely be witnessed across Premier League academies, with a corresponding study of an academy in Qatar showing similar differences in selection rates. The study showed that just one of the 62 children enrolled in the club's under-16s academy in 2010 was considered a late developer. It also indicated that children born later in the school year were disadvantaged, although skeletal development was the biggest discriminating factor. There are many famous examples of late bloomers in football facing bigger obstacles at a younger age before going on to reach the highest echelons of the game. Roy Keane was famously told he was too small to play at a young age, while Lionel Messi - considered by many to be the greatest player of all time - was only able to embark on a career in football after receiving medical treatments to treat a growth hormone disorder. In recent years, many have perceived a shift in officiating of football across Europe to better protect smaller, more technically-minded players. However, this latest research suggests there is still some way to go before all youngsters are being judged on a level playing field.

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MPs call on West Ham to leave 1966 World Cup winners statue near to old ground
KEN DYER
Evening Standard

West Ham should commission a new statue at the London Stadium and let the one of the club's World Cup winners stay where it is, say three MPs. In a letter to the Standard today, Labour's Stephen Timms, Lyn Brown and Mike Gapes say the statue near the club's former home, the Boleyn Ground, is "a source of great pride to the local community". Newham council will decide whether it moves. Meanwhile, England coach Gareth Southgate will be at the London Stadium tomorrow, hoping to run the rule over Andy Carroll.
The striker has been receiving intensive treatment this week on a persistent groin problem and boss Slaven Bilic was due to decide whether Carroll would face West Brom after training this afternoon. Carroll, who has scored five goals in his past six games, could feature in Southgate's squad for the friendly against Germany in Dortmund on March 22 and the World Cup qualifier at home against Lithuania four days later.

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Robert Snodgrass talks Obiang, chicken nuggets and Oasis in strange West Ham Q&A
This Q&A session with the new Hammer threw up some interesting quotes...
BYSAM INKERSOLE
12:22, 10 FEB 2017
London Football

West Ham's newest recruit Robert Snodgrass has claimed he could hammer down ten or 12 chicken nuggets after being asked by a fan in a Q&A on Thursday. The Scotland international took part in the session, with questions thrown at him by Hammers fans on Twitter using the hashtag #AskSnoddy The 29-year-old has been an instant hit at the London Stadium – not only for some outrageous strikes he's been seen scoring in training – but also a fantastic display in his first start for the club last weekend in the 3-1 win over Southampton.
Snodgrass was asked the nugget question by Hammers fan @EvanCoolJ who himself says he could smash down 20 shareboxes of the fast food.
The attacking midfielder responded: "I've never really tried it but I reckon ten or 12, I'll give it a bash."
Staying on the food theme, Snodgrass was adamant that only brown sauce that should be put on a bacon sandwich, not ketchup, and that a fillet steak is his favourite meal.

Below is a full transcript of the Q&A.

Who is the best defender you have ever played against?
I'd probably say Gael Clichy is tough, especially when Manchester City are in full flow.

Is Pedro Obiang human?
I've seen, him, spoken to him and I can confirm that yeah, he is human. He's a good lad.

Brown or red sauce on bacon sandwich?
It needs to be brown sauce. Standard.

Favourite footballer going up?
Jimmy Johnson, I was always watching videos of him as a kid.

Favourite thing to eat?
I love a good steak, a fillet steak. You can't beat it.

How many chicken nuggets can you eat in one sitting? I can eat 20…20 shareboxes.
I've never really tried it but I reckon ten or 12, I'll give it a bash.

Wonderwall or Mr Brightside?
I've got to say Wonderwall, it's a classic.

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West Brom fans urged to join in for minute's applause in memory of West Ham fan
The travelling Baggies are being asked to applaud for James Miles
London Football
BYJOSEPH CHAPMAN
11:54, 10 FEB 2017

West Brom supporters attending the London Stadium on Saturday are being urged to partake in a minute's applause in memory of James Miles when Albion face the Irons. James was an avid West Ham fan who sadly passed away last Friday, having battled against a brain tumour for a number of years. He was only 28 years old. Known as "Jimbo" to his friends, Hammers obsessive James was a season ticket holder for over ten years and attended away matches too. His family are hoping to spread the word among fans, in both the home and away end, to take part. They are also hoping to project a photo of James onto the stadium's big screen having liaised with the club.
James' cousin Craig said: "He was so passionate about West Ham. "He had done a few away games when he first got his season ticket, but as he got ill he couldn't really go to many away games. "But he was always at home games, no matter what - he went to most of the player opening things such as book signings."
James had been suffering from his tumour for a number of years, having initially developed one in his younger years. Though through treatment he had the first removed, another came back with a vengeance. "(He had it for) four years but they think he could have had it from a young age," Craig continued. "They managed to get rid of one tumour but then another, more aggressive, one came back which was a grade four. "One of our family members have sent on what they want to be put on the big screen and a picture of James and have spoken to someone who said they will sort it, so fingers crossed," Craig added. "We have had loads of feedback from your (Albion) fans to say they will be standing and clapping on the 28th minute."

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Domingos Quina impresses again in West Ham U23s draw with Leicester
The Hammers twice came from behind to draw 2-2
London Football
BYSAM INKERSOLE
09:37, 10 FEB 2017

West Ham's next big thing Domingos Quina put in a sensational display for the Hammers PL2 side on Thursday night but was disappointed not to get the win over Leicester City. The Hammers youngsters came from behind twice at Dagenham to draw 2-2, new signing Nathan Holland finding the net as well, as Terry Westley's side earned a point. The 17-year-old played in a more advanced number ten position for the U23s last night and said that he felt the players deserved more than the single point. Quina said: "First half we did OK, but their two goals from our mistakes. Second half, we played much better and managed to get the draw which we deserved.
"I think we played much better than them and were unlucky not to get the win overall. "It's hard to get into the box when they sit deep and do all that defending but we just had to keep playing football. It's hard to create chances because you are just going side to side but we are happy with the draw."

The Portuguese star arrived in east London in May and immediately made an impression, scoring an outrageous 40-yard strike in the revers fixture earlier this season. Within six months, Quina had signed professional terms with the Hammers. He has been in the first team matchday squad a number of times this season since he signed his new deal but has yet to get any action in the Premier League, yet. Quina enjoyed his more advanced role for the U23s on Thursday and has backed the Hammers to defend their title they won last season by beating Hull City on penalties at the KCOM Stadium. "I really enjoy playing in ten, but it's hard to get the ball as much as when you are deeper which is where I've played a lot this season. "You have to be more clever with how you play and you need to make sure you are always moving." "I reckon we can do it and reach where the team did last season. "We need to keep working hard in every game and build confidence and work in training and we'll have the chance."

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Andy Carroll would make even Germany or Spain a better team, insists his West Ham boss Slaven Bilic
The striker's four goals in as many games have him in the England frame for next month's double header
The Mirror
BYADRIAN KAJUMBA
22:30, 9 FEB 2017UPDATED22:40, 9 FEB 2017

Slaven Bilic claims Andy Carroll would help any team – even World Cup holders Germany or Spain. Striker Carroll's international ­prospects are back on the agenda, following his recent scoring streak for West Ham . And Hammers boss Bilic backed his claims by insisting it is not just England who would benefit from having a player like his towering Geordie. Carroll has hit four goals in four games to put himself on Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate's radar, ahead of next month's friendly away to Germany on March 23 and a home World Cup qualifier against Lithuania four days later. Bilic said: "Andy would help any team. Andy would help the German team, the Croatia team, or the Spanish team... because he is a top player. "He brings you everything that you could ask of a centre-forward. He is great in the air, he is very physical, and he has a great touch. "He is very difficult, if not impossible, to mark in the box, he works hard for the team, he brings other players into the game – he has all the attributes that are required in a top player."
Carroll, 28, has won only nine England caps, the last coming in 2012, mainly due to the injuries that have disrupted his career. A groin injury has prevented the big striker from training this week ahead of Saturday's clash with West Brom but Bilic is hopeful he will be fit. "It is nothing big, very similar to the one he felt against ­Middlesbrough and he played after that," the Croat said. "Hopefully he will train on Friday and be OK." And while he will continue to be cautious with Carroll due to his injury history, Bilic would never have an issue with him getting an England call-up. Bilic said: "It is always good for us and the player to win a cap because that is the biggest proof he is in a good form."

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