Daily WHUFC News - 17th February 2017

Bilic and Jurcevic fined
WHUFC.com

West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic and his assistant Nikola Jurcevic have
both been fined £8,000 after they admitted an FA misconduct charge and
accepted the standard penalty.

The pair were charged with improper conduct in relation to incidents in the
90th and 19th minutes respectively during the game against West Bromwich
Albion on Saturday 11 February 2017.

Bilic and Jurcevic will therefore be available to sit in the dugout at
Vicarage Road for West Ham's Premier League fixture with Watford on Saturday
25 February.

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From the Treatment Room
WHUFC.com

Head of Medical and Sports Science Stijn Vandenbroucke issues his latest
update – with Spire Roding Hospital...

Hello everyone,

I will start by updating on Andy Carroll, who picked up a injury earlier
this year. We got Andy fit enough to face Middlesbrough and then also to
face Southampton, but the West Bromwich Albion game came too quick and Andy
is now working towards the Watford game.

Aaron Cresswell did not train for most of last week with an injury, trained
on Friday and was made available for selection on Saturday.

Unfortunately, he took another knock which took him out of the game at
half-time, so we will see how he progresses over the next few days. We
anticipate that he will be available to face Watford.

Arthur Masuaku is back in full training with the first-team squad, having
trained with the PL2 squad for ten days.

As the fans who attended the Family Fun Day will have seen, Diafra Sakho
started running on the pitch on earlier this week as he continues his rehab
from back surgery. However, it will be some time before he is fit enough to
be available to selection.

Havard Nordtveit, Sam Byram and Alvaro Arbeloa are all fit and have traveled
with the squad to Dubai, where they will benefit from the warm-weather
training camp.

Angelo Ogbonna is progressing well, no longer requires crutches and is
walking normally following his knee surgery. He was at London Stadium
working on building up his rehab on Wednesday.

We traveled to Dubai overnight on Wednesday and unfortunately the forecast
is for rain over the four days we are there, but it still represents a
change of scenery for the squad and a possibility for us to work intensively
with the players who need some extra fitness work.

Stijn Vandenbroucke
Head of Medical and Sports Science

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Bilic - We will work hard in Dubai
WHUFC.com

Slaven Bilic says West Ham United will work hard on their fitness in Dubai
Hammers jetted to the Emirate for a four-day warm-weather training camp on
Wednesday evening
Manager is also pleased with the 'maturity' in his squad following the
Club's January transfer business

Slaven Bilic says his side will be working harder in Dubai than had they had
remained on home turf at their Rush Green training ground.
West Ham United jetted out to the Middle East overnight on Wednesday and
will spend four days training in more welcome temperatures of around 80
degrees. While the weather forecast for the Emirate is for rain to fall over
the duration of the Hammers' stay, the manager says the change of scenery
will be beneficial to the players and backroom staff in both body and mind.
Slaven Bilic"To be fair I told the Chairman [David Sullivan] that we're
going to train more there than we should do if we stayed here," Bilic told
Premier League Productions during Wednesday's successful London Stadium
Family Fun Day. "It's very common in England [to go away to a warm-weather
training camp], but since I've been here for a year-and-a-half, we have
never been anywhere, because last year we were in the FA Cup and all that.
"So, we're going to go there for four days and we're going to train hard, so
we're going to raise our fitness for the remainder of the season, but also
the players have to recharge their batteries and all that, so it's a mixture
of both. We're going there to train."

Bilic has taken a near-full first-team squad to Dubai, with Arthur Masuaku
returning to full training this week and Diafra Sakho also travelling to
work on his rehab following back surgery. Andy Carroll and Aaron Cresswell
will also work on their fitness after picking up knocks in recent weeks,
while Andre Ayew is back after a short break following his exertions at the
Africa Cup of Nations with Ghana.

With Robert Snodgrass and Jose Fonte joining the Club in January, the
manager believes his squad is in position to finish the 2016/17 Premier
League season strongly on their return. "We lost a world-class player in
[Dimitri] Payet but we got two players in Snodgrass and Fonte who are the
those [type of] players you need around the skipper [Mark Noble] to make
your 'government' if you know what I mean!" he continued. Slaven
Bilic"Snodgrass is British and Fonte is Portuguese but he is also
'home-grown' because he has been here for ten years now, so we are more
thick as a team, more mature, you know."

Bilic says that maturity means he can trust his squad to iron out 'small'
issues within the dressing room without the need for his interference,
allowing him to maintain the manager/player relationship he requires to take
the tougher, bigger decisions. "It's vital and crucial because, as a
manager, of course you are the boss and have the power and responsibility
but, especially when it comes down to small things, you can't tell the
players the same thing every day, because then you are losing power," he
explained. "So, the best thing is when the players sort it out among
themselves and you don't have to interfere, which is why it's important for
me to have a core of English or British, let's say home-grown, players.
"With that, it is much easier to have a successful group of players."

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"I play for the team and not for myself"
WHUFC.com

Cheikhou Kouyate says he will do anything to help West Ham United win
Senegal star has played in three different positions for the Hammers since
mid-December
No8 is delighted that teammate Sofiane Feghouli has found form in recent
weeks

Cheikhou Kouyate says he will do anything to help West Ham United win. The
No8 has become the Hammers' Mr Versatile in recent weeks, playing at
centre-half, right-back and in his favoured central midfield role since
mid-December. While he would clearly prefer to start every game in the
engine room, Kouyate is not about to start knocking on Slaven Bilic's door
and complaining. Cheikhou Kouyate"I'm good, not bad, thank God I'm feeling
OK!" said Kouyate, who has recently returned from captaining Senegal to the
Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals. "It's been a very busy year for me but
all players like to play many, many games, so it's good for me because I've
not had any injuries. "If you're a player and you are injured for a few
weeks, it's very frustrating, so thank God I'm feeling good. "I know I am
known as our Mr Versatile at the moment, but I don't really like this title!
Every time we don't have a left-back, I play at left-back and every time we
don't have a right-back, I play at right-back, which is very hard! "I prefer
to play in midfield, but every time I play, whether it is there or at
full-back, I will give everything for the team. I play for the team and not
for myself."

Kouyate is set to make his 100th appearance in Claret and Blue in the
Premier League fixture at Watford a week on Saturday. The popular African
has again been a central figure for West Ham this season, starting 20 of the
Club's 25 Premier League fixtures and scoring the first-ever goal at London
Stadium against NK Domzale of Slovenia back in August. Two-and-a-half years
after moving to east London from Belgian giants RSC Anderlecht, the
27-year-old enjoys being an important member of Bilic's side. "This is my
life, this is my Club and I want to enjoy every game I play and to help my
teammates. We have a very, very, very good team spirit at the moment and
every time I step onto the training field or onto the pitch, I give my best
for the team. "I never, never look for ways which are good for Kouyate, but
instead I always look for what is best for the team. This is my philosophy.
"The last few weeks have been good for the team. We have worked hard because
we needed some points after losing a lot of games and points. "We lost two
points at home to West Brom, and we know why we lost them, so we will stay
strong and work hard because we need to put some more points on the board."

Another player who will help West Ham to do just that is Kouyate's fellow
African Sofiane Feghouli, who has hit a rich vein of form since forcing his
way into the team on Boxing Day. With two goals and two assists, the
Algerian has settled into life in English football after a hamstring injury
ruined the early part of his Hammers career. Kouyate, for one, is delighted
for the No7. "Sofiane had a very difficult start to the season but now he is
doing very, very good," he observed. "Now, he is playing and he is scoring
goals, and every player needs to be playing to be happy. "I am happy for him
and have my fingers crossed for him that he doesn't suffer another injury
and continues to score. "We have many important players in the team and now
Andre is back and I'm back, so that's not bad for the team. We are not
looking back, but only looking forward to what is possible. We need to work
hard, stay humble and play as a team."

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Sir Trevor Brooking unveils plaque
WHUFC.com

Sir Trevor Brooking unveiled the plaque before the West Brom game
Memorial unveiled outside Club Store
Joint-Chairman David Gold and soldiers from the West Ham pals also present


Gone but never forgotten.

Supporters convened outside the Club Store as Sir Trevor Brooking unveiled a
plaque in memory of the Pals of the West Ham Batallion at London Stadium
last week .

Brooking joined members from the 13th Battalion of the Essex Regiment,
better known as the West Ham Pals and Joint-Chairman David Gold for a
special ceremony before the West Brom game on 11 February.

The installation and unveiling of this new memorial – paid for by West Ham
United and kindly produced by funeral directors HL Hawes & Son of East
London and Essex – underlines the traditional close connections to the local
area like no other.

The plaque provides once again a place where the volunteers to the West Ham
Battalion can be properly Remembered.

Sir Trevor has a close relationship with the West Ham Pals after he unveiled
a similar plaque outside the Boleyn Ground back in 2009 and knows the
importance it has to everyone connected with the Club.

Brooking said: "It was a great idea by the Club to have a similar plaque to
the one we had at the Boleyn Ground. At that stage we were approaching 100
years and reflecting on a brutal war where tens of thousands of lives were
lost.

"We are into a generation now where we could easily forget the sacrifices
that were made during that war so it is important that people do remember
the events which took place and to have the plaque outside the club store is
very important.

"The West Ham Pals was the first start-up of people joining the Army and a
lot of the Eastenders went there. It was good to see representatives from
the Army and a lot of them are West Ham fans.

"It is great that we have been able to keep the link going at London Stadium
and the plaque will ensure that we never forget."

Joint-Chairman David Gold was also honoured to be part of the unveiling and
says it is vital that the Club maintain a strong connection with the local
regiment and never forget the soldiers who lost their lives.

Mr Gold said: "I was honoured to be involved in the unveiling. There is a
great connection between the Batallion and West Ham and it is important we
never forget the events which took place during the First World War.

"It was a terrible period in our history and it is important that we
remember and honour the people who lost their lives. I am proud to be part
of the ceremony and proud that West Ham have been part of it."

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Carroll a doubt for Watford trip
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 16th February 2017
By: Staff Writer

Andy Carroll is a doubt for the trip to Vicarage Road nine days from now,
according to Chief Medic Stijn Vandenbroucke.

The big striker, whose career at the club has been plagued by a succession
of injuries has been playing through another longstanding (and unexplained)
injury according to Vandenbroucke, who revealed that Carroll was by no means
certain to regain fitness in time for the Watford clash.

"Andy picked up a injury earlier this year," he told whufc.com. "We got him
fit enough to face Middlesbrough and then also to face Southampton, but the
West Bromwich Albion game came too quick. Andy is now working towards the
Watford game."

However there was rather better news regarding the clubs full backs - all of
whom have suffered major injury concerns this campaign. "Aaron Cresswell did
not train for most of last week with an injury and was made available for
selection on Saturday," he added.

"Unfortunately, he took another knock which took him out of the game, so we
will see how he progresses over the next few days. We anticipate that he
will be available to face Watford. Arthur Masuaku is back in full training
with the first-team squad, having trained with the PL2 squad for ten days."

Meanwhile fellow causualty Arvelo Arbeloa, who has made just two starts for
the club since signing on a free transfer last summer has joined the first
tema party who flew to Dubai last night.

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West Ham duo Andy Carroll and Aaron Cresswell targeting returns against
Watford
By Nick Lustig
Last Updated: 16/02/17 12:55pm
SSN

West Ham are hoping to have Andy Carroll and Aaron Cresswell available for
their Premier League match away at Watford on February 25.
Forward Carroll missed the 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion last Saturday
because of a minor groin problem, while left-back Cresswell was withdrawn at
half-time after suffering a dead leg. Despite the injuries, both players
travelled with the Hammers squad to Dubai for their five-day training camp
and will continue to work on their fitness ahead of the trip to Vicarage
Road. "We got Andy fit enough to face Middlesbrough and then also to face
Southampton, but the West Bromwich Albion game came too quick[ly] and Andy
is now working towards the Watford game," West Ham's head of medical and
sports science Stijn Vandenbroucke told the club's website.
"Aaron Cresswell did not train for most of last week with an injury, trained
on Friday and was made available for selection on Saturday. "Unfortunately,
he took another knock which took him out of the game at half-time, so we
will see how he progresses over the next few days. We anticipate that he
will be available to face Watford."
West Ham have been boosted by the return of Arthur Masuaku to full training
following a knee injury, while fellow defenders Havard Nordtveit, Sam Byram
and Alvaro Arbeloa are also back to full fitness. Long-term absentee Diafra
Sakho is back running following back surgery, but it will be some time
before he is considered for selection.

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Michail Antonio unsure over new West Ham contract
By Nick Lustig
Last Updated: 16/02/17 7:37am
SSN

Michail Antonio is unsure whether he will sign a new contract at West Ham,
but insists his head has not been turned. Antonio has been exceptional for
the Hammers since joining from Nottingham Forest for £7m in September 2015
and was rewarded with an improved four-year deal by the club last July.
Reports in the national press have linked him with a move to Premier League
leaders Chelsea, but Sky sources understand West Ham have no intention of
selling the 26-year-old winger.
Sky sources also understand Antonio will be offered fresh terms in the
summer if he continues his good form into the second half of the season,
having scored eight goals this campaign. "Right now, nothing is really
happening on the contract talks," Antonio told Sky Sports News HQ. "We'll
just see how things go. At the moment my head is not being swayed in any
way. I just want to play my football and whatever happens happens. When
asked whether he will sign a new deal, Antonio said: "We'll see."
Antonio enjoyed a superb debut season in the Premier League, scoring eight
goals in 26 matches as the Hammers finished in seventh place and secured
qualification for the Europa League in 2015-16. He received his first
England call-up last September, but did not feature in Sam Allardyce's one,
and only, match in charge of the national team - a 1-0 victory away at
Slovakia. Antonio retained his place in the national set-up for the matches
against Malta and Slovenia, under then-interim boss Gareth Southgate, but
once again did not manage to make an appearance. He has been a bright point
in what has been a turbulent campaign for West Ham - their first at the
London Stadium - helping Slaven Bilic's side recover from a dreadful start.
West Ham sit 10th on 32 points after a run of six wins in 10 matches.

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Jose Fonte looking forward to building partnership with Winston Reid
The Hammers defender reveals he is finally settling down after move from
Southampton
Football London
BYSAM INKERSOLE
13:30, 16 FEB 2017

Jose Fonte says he is looking forward to getting to know his West Ham
teammates after a manic few weeks after signing from Southampton.
Fonte has barely had time to settle following his £8m move the Saints to
east London, immediately thrown into the starting line-up for the 4-0
reverse to Manchester City on February 1 having not played for three weeks
and only having two training sessions with his new team. The Hammers have
won at Fonte's former side and drawn with West Brom since then but now head
off to Dubai for five days today (Wednesday) and the Portuguese defender
says he is going to use the time away to not only train, but also to get to
know his new mates.
Fonte, speaking exclusively to football.london, said: "It's the main thing
[getting to know them]. "Since I signed it has been interesting few weeks
with the Man City not being the best start, but then went to Southampton and
did great. We played well against West Brom and deserved to win but we are
now going to go away, get the relationships deeper, know everyone better,
gel, develop partnerships. "That's how I and we will get better, bonding and
getting to know everyone else. The gaffer will have more time as well."
Fonte appears to be the first-choice partner to Winston Reid in the heart of
the Hammers defence and the Euro 2016 was quick to heap praise on his New
Zealand counterpart. "He has been a great player and professional, proven
throughout the years," Fonte said. "When you play alongside good players, it
is easy to adapt but relationships take games, but we are both experienced,
I know his strengths and with a few more games the partnership can only get
better. I look forward to playing with him but also with James Collins, who
is a great defender. We have great options, I am just trying to do my best."
The Hammers return to action on the 25 of this month when they travel to
Watford before a home game with Chelsea. After that, trips to Bournemouth
and Hull while hosting Leicester are on the cards, winnable games you'd
think. "There is always pressure on ourselves to win every game," Fonte
said. "We are a big club, we have a massive fan base, this fan base deserves
the best, we need to approach every game to win but we know there are no
easy games in the Premier League. This is the jungle so we will prepare the
best ways and go for the win in any game."

And what does Fonte think about his new home?

He said: "I love the stadium. Fortunately I was lucky to play at Dagenham,
Oldham, Hartlepool in League One, no disrespect to them, but for me it makes
me feel great. I appreciate everything, this is a great stadium and it's all
a player could wish for."

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Behind the scenes at West Ham's family day at the London Stadium
West Ham gave back to their loyal supporters on Wednesday by hosting their
family day in Stratford
Football London
BYSAM INKERSOLE
12:11, 16 FEB 2017

The walk from Stratford International to the ground was a sea of fans of the
future, young West Ham fans who may not always get the chance to come the
team's new home, finally able to do so. On the warm up track outside the
ground, a number of activities were taking place – obviously football
themed. Kids were having their faces painted in claret and blue, having
photos with the mascots, and generally just enjoying themselves. The Hammers
cleverly sorted this out around the half term break, meaning kids and their
families could enjoy the day.
Inside the ground, Mark Noble was taking a training session for his old
primary school team on the pitch. It was handy as I was told the youngsters
hadn't won a game all year. Maybe they will go on to grab a few more wins
before the end of the season now. Then the big moment for all the youngsters
in attendance, their heroes ran on to the pitch. One by one they were
introduced and cheered loudly.
As the lower tiers of the stadium began to fill up, the players were put
through their paces by Slaven Bilic and his team, starting with the usual
warm ups, then being separated off. Some of the squad took on shooting
drills, others continued fitness work while others engaged in a jovial game
of one bounce over a net.
Next up was a full on, 10v10 clash across two-thirds of the London Stadium
pitch. Mark Noble threw in some crunching tackles while Andre Ayew and
particularly Ashley Fletcher showed some extremely sharp finishing. A couple
of players who weren't taking part – Andy Carroll and Aaron Cresswell –
emerged from the tunnel to rapturous applause and watched on from the
sidelines. Both are nursing injuries but are expected to make the trip to
Dubai later today. The session then finished with a crossbar challenge. All
of the squad had a dig but only one person hit – Noble. He was the first up
as well, the rest was pretty tragic.

The players were whisked off to get changed before Noble and Bilic were put
up in front of the press – the press being around 100 schoolchildren, who
grilled the duo on everything from their toughest opponent to Bilic being
asked by a 12-year-old how he felt about Dimitri Payet.
After that, the players took more time out for 300 kids, who watched a magic
show in one area, while others played FIFA with their heroes, signed
autographs for the youngsters, played table tennis, and took some
much-needed time out. Following a round of interviews with the press – one
of which with Jose Fonte you will see on football.london exclusively later –
and the day was done, with the players whisked off to Heathrow Airport to
head off to Dubai for their warm-weather training.

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Injured West Ham duo Diafra Sakho and Angelo Ogbonna join Hammers training
camp in Dubai
By Essex Chronicle | Posted: February 16, 2017
By Tommy Wathen

West Ham United stars Diafra Sakho and Angelo Ogbonna have both traveled
with the first team to their intense training camp in Dubai - despite both
being long-term injury casualties. Sakho has only made two appearances for
Slaven Bilic's side so far this season as he battles various injury
problems, whilst Angelo Ogbonna played regularly until January when he had
surgery on a knee injury that will keep him out of action for the rest of
the 2016/17 season. Avid users of social media would've spotted, on both the
club's official channels and the player's personal accounts, that the two
players have indeed traveled to Dubai and will continue their rehabilitation
close to their team mates. Sakho is believed to be running freely now and is
close to returning to first team training to improve his fitness ahead of a
return to the pitch on match days, whilst Ogbonna is gently working on some
basic movements and stretches after only going under the knife a few weeks
ago.

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West Ham's Arthur Masuaku insists he does not see fellow left-back Aaron
Cresswell as a direct rival
SAM LONG
Evening Standard

Arthur Masuaku says he does not regard fellow West Ham left-back Aaron
Cresswell as a direct rival. Masuaku joined the Hammers from Olympiakos in
the summer and started the opening five games of the Premier League season
for Slaven Bilic's side. But the 23-year-old has struggled with a knee
ligament injury in recent months and has had to watch Cresswell return from
his own fitness issues and reclaim a regular starting berth. The England
international could face a battle to keep his place with Masuaku edging
towards full fitness but the Frenchman is adamant he does not want to put
too much emphasis on an individual duel with Cresswell for game time.
"For me it is not about competition. Aaron is a very good player and we are
just here to play our football and help the team," Masuaku told West Ham's
official website. "I want us to play the best that we can play and I don't
see Aaron as a rival. He is my team-mate and we are all here to help each
other. "I hope that I can show my best form to the fans now. This is my
target," he added.
Meanwhile, West Ham are set to make the most of their early exit from the FA
Cup courtesy of a warm weather training camp in Dubai this week. Bilic's
side are not in action again until they travel to Watford on February 25,
with solidifying a place in the top 10 set to be the aim for the remainder
of the campaign.

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Lanzini claims West Ham's Jonathan Calleri is a great player, despite no
Premier League starts
HITC
Olly Dawes

Manuel Lanzini has defended West Ham team-mate Jonathan Calleri. West Ham
United playmaker Manuel Lanzini has told TyC Sports in his native Argentina
that he thinks Jonathan Calleri is a 'great play er'.The Hammers have
regularly signed Argentinian players over the years, but the success rate
has largely been something of a mixed bag. Carlos Tevez was a hero at Upton
Park during the 2006-07 season, but the likes of Lionel Scaloni, Mauro
Zarate and even Javier Mascherano struggled to make an impact in claret and
blue. Manuel Lanzini has been a success though, scoring six goals last
season and five so far this term, and fans were hoping for another hit when
Jonathan Calleri arrived from Deportivo Maldonado last summer. Calleri
arrived with a burgeoning reputation from his time in South America, having
scored 23 times in 59 games for Boca Juniors, before hitting 16 goals in 31
appearances for Sao Paulo. However, Calleri has so far struggled to make an
impact for West Ham, as he has yet to start a Premier League game, making
nine substitute appearances for the club. His goal in the recent 3-1 win
over Middlesbrough was his first goal for the club, and with Andy Carroll
again injured, he may receive more playing time in the coming weeks and
months before his loan ends. Now, team-mate Lanzini has defended Calleri,
telling TyC Sports in his native Argentina that the striker is a 'great
player' and has simply been unlucky that West Ham endured such a poor start
to the season, meaning he couldn't make an impression. "He is a great
player," said Lanzini. "It was bad luck that the team started badly this
season. There was a change of formation and line-ups, he was unlucky to
enter a group with success and confidence," he added.

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West Ham ready to ditch summer transfer flop Arthur Masuaku for a fraction
of what he cost
The £6m buy has been in the wilderness since December's Arsenal drubbing and
Slaven Bilic wants to get rid
The Mirror
BYDARREN WITCOOP
22:30, 15 FEB 2017

West Ham are resigned to taking a big hit on £6million misfit Arthur Masuaku
in the summer. The error-prone French defender has flopped since joining the
Hammers from Greek club Olympiacos in August. Masuaku has been frozen out
since the 5-1 drubbing at home to Arsenal in December, and his Hammers
future looks bleak. Manager Slaven Bilic is keen to flog the 23-year-old,
and his former side in Athens have first refusal on any future deal. But
Olympiacos are only willing to pay a fraction of the price they initially
earned from Masuaku's sale. On-loan Watford full-back Juan Carlos Paredes is
seen as a cheaper option and they are looking to tie up a permanent move for
the Ecuadorian.

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West Ham boss Bilic would sign 'discounted' Real Madrid star ahead of
Barcelona's Messi
REAL MADRID star Luka Modric would be Slaven Bilic's No1 transfer target at
West Ham.
By JACK STAPLEHURST
PUBLISHED: 00:01, Thu, Feb 16, 2017 | UPDATED: 06:02, Thu, Feb 16, 2017
Express.co.uk

The Hammers boss has close ties to the midfielder, having managed him at
international level with Croatia. Bilic still speaks with the 31-year-old
and took Modric's advice on board when chasing Sunderland striker Jermain
Defoe - a former team-mate at Tottenham - last month. Despite his history at
Spurs, the West Ham manager would bring the world-class talent to the London
Stadium, given the opportunity. Modric remains an influential player at the
Bernabeu under Zinedine Zidane but could return to England later in his
career. And even Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi would be second choice to
Modric for Bilic. When asked at a young Hammers fans event if he could buy
any player in the world, who would he buy, Bilic initially replied: "Messi."
However, the West Ham boss then added: "But, there's one player that I would
maybe get before Messi, and that's Modric. "Of course [it's because he's
Croatian]… and I get a discount." Slaven Bilic joked he could sign Modric on
the cheap due to his relationship with the player. Having lost former
talisman Dimitri Payet, the Madrid ace would certainly be a replacement in
terms of quality and ability. But West Ham's main focus come the summer
transfer window will once again be on signing a top striker.

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David Gold exclusive: 'The fans are great, it's only right the players give
something back'
West Ham hosted their annual family day on Wednesday
Football London
BYSAM INKERSOLE
06:30, 16 FEB 2017

West Ham co-chairman David Gold has hailed the club's supporters after the
Hammers hosted their family day at the London Stadium.
More than 10,000 supporters – mostly children and their families – came
along to E20 on Wednesday to take part in activities outside before being
invited into the stadium to watch an open training session for the first
team. Speaking exclusively to football.london, a beaming Gold was delighted
to see so many youngsters in the stadium as they are future of the club.
"The fans are great, they spend their money and it's good that the players
can give a little back and the club," he said. "It's a special day. It's
predominantly kids coming to see their heroes and it was a hugely successful
day. "We have done this in the past in a much smaller way at the training
round or Upton Park, doing it here was special. We can cope with more. There
were 10,000 fans here today - more than half of them youngsters. It was so
good to see. "Many of them will come on a match day but they are further
away, they won't get to really see their heroes up close. The players came
over, signed autographs and all that and brought joy to the youngsters.
"This will be an annual thing here, for sure. It's good for the fans of the
future and it's giving back something."

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Slaven Bilic and Mark Noble got asked about Payet by a young West Ham fan
and this was the response
A young West Ham fan wanted to know exactly what the manager and captain
thought of Payet
Football London
BYSAM INKERSOLE
17:00, 15 FEB 2017UPDATED17:07, 15 FEB 2017

Slaven Bilic has been grilled on the Dimitri Payet departure - by a
12-year-old lad. As part of the family fun day at the London Stadium, Bilic
and West Ham skipper Mark Noble did a press conference for around 100 lucky
kids. One such youngster asked how Bilic felt when Payet told him he didn't
want to play for the Hammers anymore. The Frenchman went on strike at the
club and was forced to train with the U23s before he was eventually sold
back to former club Marseille for £25m. Noble alongside puffed out his
cheeks and said "I'm glad you asked him that." Bilic responded to the
youngster: "I was of course sad and disappointed but he wanted to go. He had
his reasons. "It made me sad but Dimitri wanted to leave and we eventually
let him. We wish him luck at Marseille."

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Jose Fonte explains reasons behind picking No23 shirt at West Ham
ALEX YOUNG
Evening Standard

Jose Fonte has explained the reasoning behind picking the No23 shirt at West
Ham. The centre-back swapped Southampton for the London Stadium in January,
arriving on a two-and-a-half-year deal for a £8 million fee. The 33-year-old
wore the No6 shirt at Southampton and continues to wear the same number for
the Portugal national team. But with the shirt number retired in honour of
club legend Bobby Moore, Fonte turned to simple maths and some sporting
icons for his next pick. "First of all, No6 was not available - my favourite
number - as it was obviously retired with the great Bobby Moore, so I
couldn't get that one," he told Sky Sports. "So I went for No23 because that
was available, because two times three equals six and many great sports
personalities use 23. I like that number."
Basketball great Michael Jordan and LeBron James have also donned the No23
during their careers. David Beckham has also cited Jordan's exploits in
sport as a key reason behind himself picking No23 when joining Real Madrid
from Manchester United.

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