Daily WHUFC News - 16th March 2017

Young Hammers up for national accolades
WHUFC.com

Josh Cullen and Declan Rice have both been nominated for youth Ireland Player of the Year awards
They have also been called-up to their national sides for the upcoming international break
A number of other young Hammers have received call-ups

Josh Cullen and Declan Rice have both been nominated for Football Association of Ireland Player of the Year awards in their respective age groups. Cullen, currently on loan at Sky Bet League One side Bradford City, has been nominated for the U21 award and Rice, captain of the Hammers U23 side, is up for the U17 award. Both players have enjoyed a fantastic year for club and country, with Cullen flourishing on loan with the Bantams. The 20-year-old has established himself as a key part of Stuart McCall's midfield and earned a large number of man-of-the-match awards. He's also made 8 appearances for the Republic of Ireland U21s, scoring once in a win over Andorra at the end of 2015. Rice, meanwhile, has been one of the top performers for the PL2 side this season, captaining the team to the last 16 of the Premier League Cup and to a play-off position in Premier League 2. He's also played a key role for ROI's U17s, U19s and even been selected for the U21s, and the nomination caps of a terrific year for Rice. Both players have also been awarded call-ups for Irish youth sides in the upcoming international breaks. Cullen will represent the U21s as they host Kosovo in Dublin on Saturday in their first 2019 UEFA European Championship qualifier, whereas Rice is in the U19 squad for the trip to Belgium.

There are also a number of other West Ham United youngsters who have received international call-ups. Cullen and Rice's fellow Irishman Conor Coventry is currently with the U17s, as they face three Elite Qualifying round matches against Faroe Islands, Slovakia and Cyprus. Winger Anthony Scully is on standby for Ireland's U19s.

Meanwhile, Dan Kemp and Reece Hannam are on standby for England youth sides. Kemp is ready to step in for the U18s, who are on a training camp in Qatar, whereas Hannam is on standby for the U17s as they face three Elite Qualifying round matches against Czech Republic, Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Martin Samuelsen, on loan at Peterborough United, has received a call-up to Norway U21s for their matches against Portugal and Russia.

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Fonte draws confidence from experienced trio
WHUFC.com

Jose Fonte confident he will soon produce his best form in a West Ham United shirt
Portugal defender drawing on experience of working under Pochettino, Koeman and Bilic
Experienced centre-half also possesses great self-belief after successful recent seasons

Jose Fonte says the experience of working under three top-class managers will help him overcome a challenging start to his West Ham United career. The experienced centre-half has tasted victory just once in his opening six Premier League appearances for the Hammers – a 3-1 win at his former club Southampton in February, where he received flak from the same supporters who, until recently, considered him a hero.
A UEFA Euro 2016 winner with Portugal last summer, Fonte spent this final four years at St Mary's Stadium under the guidance of former Argentina defender Mauricio Pocchetino and long-time Netherlands centre-half and sweeper Ronald Koeman. At West Ham, the 33-year-old is now working with former Croatia centre-back Slaven Bilic, and Fonte is confident everything he has learned from that high-profile trio of mentors will help him to produce his best form in a Hammers shirt. "It helps massively to have a coach who played in the same position as me," said Fonte, who will hope to experience his second victory in Claret and Blue when Premier League champions Leicester City visit London Stadium on Saturday afternoon. "In my last few years I've been lucky in that I've had Mauricio Pochettino, Ronald Koeman and now Slaven, so I've had the opportunity to learn from the best and I will improve however I can with him. I just want to get better. "You take anything you can from your managers, but the small details make the difference. You've got to pay attention, because when managers like them speak, they know what they are talking about. You take everything that they say and try to replicate it in the game. In my last few years I've been lucky in that I've had Mauricio Pochettino, Ronald Koeman and now Slaven, so I've had the opportunity to learn from the best and I will improve however I can with him "They were experienced managers and great players, so you've got to take what they say in. With Pocchetino, for example, we worked a lot on improving the physical aspect on the training ground, on interceptions, on playing out from the back, making the right angles, sliding across to be in the right positions all the time, and the distances between the players in the back four – small details that you pick up along the way. "With Koeman, he gave me a lot of confidence and believed in me a lot. I'm very grateful for what he has done for me. He gave me the armband when he arrived and put a lot of trust in me and that's one aspect that really helps you, because he gave me the confidence to perform. "You can see on the touchline that Slaven is very different than most managers. He is honest, direct and a football person himself. He was a centre-back himself, he has character and an aura and I'm just pleased to be working with him and learning from him. "I'm old enough now to deal with any situation. Obviously, it's nice to have the confidence of the manager and everyone, but you need to have some self-confidence and belief, because if you don't, it doesn't matter if others believe in you."

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Hammers to host DT38 Foundation Awareness Day
WHUFC.com

West Ham United to host DT38 Foundation Awareness Day at London Stadium on Saturday
Male health and cancer charity set up in memory of late Hammers striker Dylan Tombides
Day begins with 3.8-mile walk from The Boleyn Tavern to London Stadium on Saturday morning

Saturday's Premier League match with Leicester City marks the third annual DT38 Foundation Awareness Day, promoting the charity set up in the memory of late West Ham United striker Dylan Tombides.

'Dyl' was just 20 when he lost his battle with testicular cancer in April 2014 but the impact he made around Upton Park, both on and off the pitch, will never been forgotten.

And the mission of the DT38 Foundation - set-up by the Tombides family - has made great strides in tackling the stigma surrounding male health.

At the heart of their work across communities lies the message 'delay is deadly, get educated'.

The DT38 Foundation Awareness Day begins on Saturday morning with scores of dedicated supporters completing a 3.8 mile walk - sponsored by Lysis Financial - from The Boleyn Tavern to London Stadium.

Also involved today is Scott Howes, the father of Academy of Football goalkeeper Sam Howes, who is running the London Marathon for DT38 Foundation next month. During today's game, Scott will run 13.8 miles on a treadmill inside the Stadium to raise funds for the cause.

DT38 Foundation is funded by donations from sponsors and the public and from today fans have the opportunity to pledge their support by donating £3 to the cause by texting DIDGE to 70660*.

Just one of the major projects unveiled by DT38 last year was the launch of Didge, a children's book that uses Dylan's inspiring story to educate young people about the importance of health and wellbeing.

A literacy programme around Didge is now being rolled out to primary schools across east London in partnership with the West Ham United Foundation.

DT38 has also teamed up with Spire Roding Hospital to offer free testicular cancer screenings on 20 May as part of their ongoing programme to encourage more men to check or be checked for signs of the disease.

To book your free testicular cancer screening appointment, call 07568 429746 or email Armin.SABOTIC@spirehealthcare.com.

Dylan's eye for goal and natural flair saw him shoot his way through Academy of Football and come to the attention of the Australia U17 side.

It was in 2011, while representing the Joeys in the FIFA U17 World Cup in Mexico, that Dylan was diagnosed with testicular cancer.

With a determination and bravery that astounded everyone around him, he continued to train harder than ever while battling the disease.

In 2012, against all the odds and after months of grueling chemotherapy, Dylan made his first-team debut in a League Cup tie against Wigan Athletic.

Tragically, the disease returned and, on 18 April 2014, cancer took Dylan's life, but it can never take his legacy.

Dylan's mother, Tracy Tombides founded DT38 in his memory.

"The players and staff of West Ham United have done so much to support DT38 since the start and we are eternally grateful," she said. "The Hammers have played a major role in helping us begin to achieve our mission, which is to educate as many people as possible, of all ages, about the risks of testicular cancer. I am also very grateful to Scott Howes and Lysis Financial for their brilliant support today.

"This is our third Awareness Day with West Ham and there is so much going on and I'm tremendously excited about the opportunity to reach even more people with our potentially lifesaving messages.

"Early detection of testicular cancer can be the difference between life and death and as a parent who has lost a child to this horrific disease, I urge you to digest the information that DT38 Foundation is sharing about the importance of self-checking and early detection of testicular cancer."

To find out more about the DT38 Foundation visit the charity's website now.

*Registered Charity No. 1160269. You may be charged for this SMS, please check with your network provider. DT38 Foundation will receive 100% of your donation. Please obtain bill payer's permission. Non-premium charity phone line: 07775 309216.

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Angelo's World
WHUFC.com

Hello everyone,

Everything is really good at the moment and I am pleased to say that the surgery went really well. I cannot wait to get back playing again and I am taking it step-by-step and looking forward now.

The recovery will be a lot quicker than I first expected as the surgery was a big success. I just want to get back playing and to help our team.

I wish that I will play again this season and will get back as soon as possible. The time I spend with my team makes me so happy and I can feel their support.

The support around me from the team, the manager and the fans has been fantastic and I can feel that. I can work without any pressure.

The plan now is to keep my rehab going and when my knee is ready I can get back to training again.

I have to stay strong mentally and I don't have any problems with that. My behaviour will stay the same. I have a lot of good friends here and I am not alone.

It was hard for the team at the beginning of the season but we have all stayed together and we are now starting to get some good results.

Jose Fonte has been a great signing and he brings so much experience to the team. Snodgrass is the same and it is better to have players who know the Premier League. Our situation is not the same as it was two months ago.

The best targets for us in the remaining part of the season is to just take it game-by-game and not look too far ahead.

Maybe one of our problems at the start was all the expectations that were being placed on the team from outside.

It is good to have a dream, but we need to stay quiet with our expectations and just look forward to the next game.

Away from football I am loving life as a new dad. It is something completely new and a new life.

It is a good experience, not just in my life but for every new dad. It is so nice to come back from training and spend time with my son.

I will continue to work hard in my rehab and I look forward to speaking with you in the near future.

Angelo

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LUNCHTIME ROUND UP: CARROLL FOR ENGLAND? STURRIDGE LINKED WITH HAMMERS, TORE TO LEAVE
BY DAN CHAPMAN ON 15 MARCH 2017 AT 12:40PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk

Hello Hammers. Here is today's lunchtime round up.

Andy Carroll is in line for a shock England recall when Gareth Southgate names his squad this weekend. (Mirror)

I really do not want Andy to get a call up, because we all know what will happen if he does. He will go away a fit striker, and he will come back with an injury.

West Ham are the clear favourites to sign Daniel Sturridge this summer. (Football Insider)

I do not want Sturridge at West Ham. He is a good striker on his day, but he is injured way too often for my liking. He would be just a waste of money in my opinion.

Mark Noble says he is glad West Ham are back on track after a nightmare eight months. (Daily Mail)

I wouldn't say we are back on track just yet, because I still think we are capable of much more. However, we are not in the mess like we were earlier in the season.

Winston Reid has insisted that there are no attitude problems amongst the squad. (Tribal Football)

I don't think there are attitude problems as such, but I do think some players are becoming complacent too early, and we do not need that.

Gokhan Tore has confirmed that he plans to return to Besiktas in the summer. (HITC)

One of the worst signings in West Ham history. He is such an awful player and I am happy that he will be going back to Turkey.

Slaven Bilic has insisted that this season is not over for the Hammers just yet. (HITC)

The season is not over until May, and we still have a lot to play for. Every place is valuable, and we should be working hard to finish as high as possible.

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Super Mario linked with West Ham switch
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 15th March 2017
By: Staff Writer

West Ham are being linked with a move for Simone Zaza'a former strike partner. Mario Mandzukic has spent the last two seasons with Juventus, from whom the Hammers acquired Zaza last summer - albeit for little more than six months. However Zaza'a botched move to England hasn't deterred the Hammers from casting an eye ove the Old Lady once again, with the 30-year-old Croatian international reported to be on the hit-list this summer. The 6'3" striker could be seen as a natural replacement for Zaza or Andy Carroll, whose future at West Ham remains in the balance even though he is on the verge of an England recall.

* Elsewhere today Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge is once again being linked with a move to London. This time it's the Daily Star who are suggesting West Ham are ready to spend up to £25million to lure the England international to the Olympic Stadium.

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West Ham add Sampdoria striker Luis Muriel to their summer transfer shopping list
Colombia international with 10 goals and nine assists this season has a £24million release clause in his contract
The Mirror
BYDARREN LEWIS
22:30, 15 MAR 2017

West Ham have been alerted to in-form Sampdoria striker Luis Muriel. The 25-year-old Colombia international, who's scored 10 goals and contributed nine assists in 28 games for the Italians this season, has a £24million release clause in his contract. The Hammers are hunting a proven goal-scorer to solve their problems up front once and for all. England international Andy Carroll has attracted interest from China recently. He has also, along with Diafra Sakho and last summer's club-record buy Andre Ayew, had his season badly affected by injury. The Londoners are already monitoring the situations involving Liverpool's little-used Daniel Sturridge , Chelsea misfit Michy Batshuayi, a target last summer before moving from Marseille to Stamford Bridge, and AC Milan marksman Carlos Bacca, who they have been linked with in the last two transfer windows . Italy international striker Simone Zaza , was bombed out in January halfway through a supposed season-long loan from Juventus after struggling badly and failing to score a single goal for West Ham. Muriel, meanwhile, has admitted to being flattered by the increasing interest in him. He said: "The future? I'm happy at Sampdoria, because we've won two derbies [against their city rivals Genoa] for the first time in 57 years. "But I've had several offers from Juventus, Inter, Milan and Roma in Italy, but also from abroad — in Spain and England."

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The curious case of the West Ham striker - why have they not been given a chance?
Has Bilic's stubbornness been the downfall of the Hammers?
Football London
BYSAM INKERSOLE

If - sorry, when - Andy Carroll is injured, it seems as though the walls are quite literally falling in at West Ham. "Why haven't we signed a striker?" "Where are our other strikers?" "Boy, we really could do with a striker right now."

Those are the kind of things we are used to hearing this season when the big number nine hasn't been available for selection. But there are other strikers at the club but they are not seeing any game time whatsoever - Ashley Fletcher and Jonathan Calleri.

Both were brought in by Slaven Bilic in the summer but have barely featured for the Hammers first team, with both more often than not plying their trade for the U23 PL2 team.

When Carroll has been injured, we've seen Michail Antonio get the nod in a central striker role, with Fletcher and Calleri warming the bench.

Fletcher was handed the start away at Manchester City way back in the early stages of the season and Calleri bagged a handful of substitute appearances without scoring. Both, during their time on the pitch, have looked at the very least capable, if not outstanding.

Both should have been given more of a chance this season to stake their claims as an alternative to Carroll, with West Ham struggling in the goalscoring department all season.

But, manager Slaven Bilic has thought otherwise, preferring to use Antonio and nigh-on ignoring Fletcher and Calleri.

These are strikers who have scored goals at former clubs but since they arrived in east London, haven't been given a sniff. Is it stubborness from Bilic that he simply refuses to use them? Why bring them in the first place if that was the case?

It's easy to sympathise with Argentine Calleri. It's his first time in England, didn't know the language well and was thrusted into the starting line up away at Astra Giurgiu because of Carroll's injury for his debut.

It hasn't really worked out for him, but he did manage to get a goal in the 3-1 win away at Middlesbrough. That coud have seen him kick on but Calleri has barely seen any game time since then.

Fletcher was instrumental for Barnsley last season, enough for Bilic to bring him in. Minus that start away at Manchester City and in the EFL Cup against his former club Manchester United, what chances has he been given?

That's the problem - neither of them have been given enough of a chance to show what they can do. If they weren't good enough, then they wouldn't be at the club in the first place. We've seen Bilic be stubborn with his team selection this season and the striker situation is a perfect example of that.

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ANDY CARROLL IN LINE FOR SHOCK ENGLAND RECALL
MICHAEL OLIVER @MichaelOIiver
ReadWestHam

Andy Carroll's fine form of late has not gone unnoticed. The Mirror are reporting that due to the lack of available striking options right now, England manager Gareth Southgate is considering calling up Carroll to fill the void.

Wayne Rooney missed Manchester United's last game through injury and is considered in a deeper role for England these days, while the ankle ligament injury Harry Kane suffered last week will keep him out for the foreseeable future and Daniel Sturridge remains sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Southgate is expected to call up Marcus Rashford and Jamie Vardy to the squad on Thursday but has reservations over the fitness of Danny Welbeck who has been used sparingly by Arsenal after recovering from his latest spell in the physio room.

Christopher Lee/Getty Images SportChristopher Lee/Getty Images Sport

Having been in attendance of several of West Ham's last few games, Southgate has been making regular checks on the fitness of Andy Carroll who has scored four goals in his last six games, and there could even be a return to the squad for Michail Antonio.

Sunderland's Jermain Defoe is also under consideration but there is increasing speculation that Carroll will get the nod tomorrow for the games against Germany and Lithuania next week.

Carroll scored in his last international appearance for England against Sweden at Euro 2012 but injuries have limited his availability over the last few years but now he's fit and back in the goals he's put himself back in the conversation.

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WEST HAM LINKED WITH MOVE FOR BOBBY WOOD
MICHAEL OLIVER @MichaelOIiver
ReadWestHam

Recruiting a new striker or two is something West Ham need to focus on in the summer transfer window and one of their reported targets has made a move to make a summer transfer more likely.

Hamburg striker Bobby Wood has changed agents from SportsTotal to the Volker Struth group as he continues to assess his options at the end of the season with interest mounting in him.

West Ham have been linked with a move for the USA international but BILD notes that there is growing interest in his services from England.

The 24-year-old has spent his entire professional career in German football starting out life with 1860 Munich before making a £680,000 switch to Union Berlin in the summer of 2015.

Wood made his breakthrough with the 2. Bundesliga outfit, scoring 17 goals in 32 games for the club which earned him a move to Germany's top tier with Hamburg.

So far this season, Wood has netted nine goals in 23 games in all competitions and could be set for a move to the Premier League if West Ham are willing to make a concrete offer for the striker.

With Jonathan Calleri not being kept on when his loan expires in the summer and Enner Valencia likely to make a permanent move following a year out on loan with Everton, the Hammers will be short of options in attack and Wood seems like a player Slaven Bilic is keen on.

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Leroy Rosenior urges Celtic star Moussa Dembele to avoid signing for Tottenham, wants him to join rivals instead
HITC
Olly Dawes

Leroy Rosenior wants to see Celtic star Moussa Dembele join Arsenal instead of Tottenham or West Ham. Pundit and former manager Leroy Rosenior has told bwin.com that Celtic striker Moussa Dembele should snub the likes of Tottenham and West Ham United in order to join Arsenal. Dembele, 20, built up a strong reputation for himself at Fulham, hitting 17 goals in all competitions last season before his contract expired, triggering his move to Celtic last summer. The French attacker has enjoyed a remarkable season in Scotland, smashing 32 goals in 45 games for the Bhoys – and that record in front of goal has unsurprisingly triggered major interest from English clubs.
Glasgow Live recently reported that Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham have all been watching Dembele in action ahead of possible moves to sign him, whilst the Daily Record report that after West Ham United sounded Celtic out about a January deal, Chelsea will make a summer bid for him.

Having lost Fraser Forster, Virgil van Dijk and Victor Wanyama in recent years, Celtic won't want to sell another key player to the Premier League, but Dembele looks set to make a big-money move at some point in the near future. The striker may well have his pick of clubs this summer, and pundit and former manager Leroy Rosenior has offered some advice to the striker should he look to leave Glasgow this summer. Rosenior has told bwin.com that whilst Dembele made the right move in joining Celtic last summer, he needs to play against greater competition, given how the Bhoys are dominating Scottish football.
Rosenior added that Dembele should avoid moves to Chelsea, Spurs and West Ham and instead join Arsenal, suggesting that the Gunners are the best developer of players from those four London clubs. "I think Moussa made the right move," said Rosenior. "However, and this is no disrespect to the Scottish League, Celtic aren't facing enough competition – they're too far ahead. He's playing in a side that dominates games week in, week out. His confidence will be sky high at the moment and the next step for him will be the most important one." "To me, Arsenal are the perfect club for his next step. He needs Premier League competition to really showcase what he can do. He's quick, strong and a lethal finisher and has all the attributes to play in the best league in the world. He knows London but to be honest, if I was him, I would avoid Spurs, Chelsea and West Ham and go to Arsenal – a club that develops players," he added.

Rosenior's claims about Arsenal's ability to develop players is somewhat surprising; whilst that was once true about Arsene Wenger's Gunners, Tottenham have emerged as arguably the top club for developing young players in England, as Mauricio Pochettino has helped the likes of Danny Rose, Eric Dier, Dele Alli and Harry Kane become top players – and Dembele should be heavily considering Spurs as his destination of choice should they come calling this summer.

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STARLET REVEALS "SHOCK" AT SPEED OF WEST HAM TRANSFERFeatured Image
Date: 14th March 2017 at 6:00pm
Written by: David Tully

West Ham midfielder Edimilson Fernandes has revealed the speed at which his move to the Hammers happened in the summer. The Swiss starlet moved from FC Sion for an undisclosed fee in August.

Speaking to Swiss publication Blick, the 20 year old explained how in the space of a few days he went from knowing nothing about the interest from the Hammers to becoming a West Ham player:

"Imagine this: I had not heard anything concrete. And they tell me to get on the plane immediately! I'm not ready yet, was my first thought. But then everything went ultra fast."

"The first interview with coach Slaven Bilic was on the same evening, who asked me if I could start the next day. But I did not even have my football boots! Still I did the first training. Then the medical check. And the signature under the contract until 2020. That was almost a shock!"

Fernandes has performed impressively during the appearances he has made so far for the Hammers. He has featured in 22 matches this campaign, and he has made seven starts already in the first team.

The midfielder's quick rise to prominence has also been reflected at international level where he made his senior debut in a World Cup qualifier for Switzerland against the Faroe Islands back in November. Fernandes came on as a second half substitute during the match, coming on for Valentin Stocker in the 69th minute, as the Swiss sealed a 2-0 win to top Group B.

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Why Mario Mandzukic could be the answer for West HamFeatured Image
Date: 14th March 2017 at 6:36pm
Written by: Marcus Oades

West Ham became the first Premier League side to succumb to defeat to Bournemouth in 2017 following their 3-2 defeat at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday. Slaven Bilic's men led through Michail Antonio's ninth goal of the campaign after just ten minutes, only for a Josh King brace either side of half time to give Eddie Howe's side the advantage. Andre Ayew did level proceedings seven minutes from time as the Hammers looked set to extend their unbeaten away run to four matches, only for King to complete his hat-trick in the final minute to secure the Cherries first league victory of 2017. The result maintains their six-point gap to the bottom three, and also means that Howe's side are just three points behind West Ham in 11th despite their wretched run of form since the turn of the year.
On what was a frustrating day for the Hammers, things have looked a bit brighter since as they have today been linked with a move for Juventus striker Mario Mandzukic in the summer. And what a signing he would be for the East London club.

The 30-year-old signed for the Serie A champions in 2015, and netted 13 times in 36 games for Massimiliano Allegri's side last term, but hasn't been as prolific this time round, and looks to be the club's third choice striker following the return to fitness of starlet Paulo Dybala, as well as the stunning goal-scoring form of €90 million man Gonzalo Higuaín. Mandzukic has managed just five goals in 26 league appearances for Juve this season, and with just a handful of others in their cup competitions and Champions League campaigns, the Croatian international looks set to be nearing the end of his time in Turin. And that could be West Ham's gain, as Mandzukic could be exactly the sort of striker they need to consolidate themselves in the top half of the Premier League, and indeed push for the European spots. That's because the 30-year-old has been prolific at every club he has been at, as well as at every level he has competed at. Whether that's the 63 goals in 128 games he scored for Dinamo Zagreb between 2007 and 2011, or the 48 in 88 for Bayern Munich between 2012 and 2014, Mandzukic knows where the back of the net is.
It equates to 188 goals in 444 club games in his career, and given that it he has had spells in Croatia, Germany, Spain, and Italy, that is an impressive return for a player many never really felt was near the top of the game, despite his goal-scoring record.

Add in that he has netted 25 times in just 73 games in European competition, including in Bayern Munich's Champions League final win over Borussia Dortmund in 2013, and Mandzukic knows what it takes to effect a game of huge magnitude in both domestic and European competition.

That can only benefit the Hammers, and it's his experience and guile gained from 444 club games that can help a West Ham side that sometimes look blunt going forward, as Mandzukic has scored all sorts of goals during his career, be it towering headers, tap-ins, or pile-drivers from outside the box.

It's not just his goals though, Mandzukic is exactly the type of striker you want in your side, as his defensive work is excellent, and his work-rate and energy off the ball gives defenders little time to settle into a game, and indeed on the ball.

Bilic will know first-hand of Mandzukic's capabilities given that the 30-year-old played for the Hammers boss during his stint in charge of Croatia, and he'll surely want to beat former club Besiktas to the striker's signature this summer.

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Slaven's Stubborn Nature Holding West Ham back
by Scott Johnson13 hours agoFollow @greensthammers

West Ham have suffered from a number of poor results in recent games. Although the players must take their share of the blame, so must Slaven Bilic. When a manager comes in players expect a bit of movement in regards to the previous style of play. It also takes a while to get used to who the best players are in what positions. But West Ham have suffered from an unreasonably long period of unrest.
Slaven Bilic has been trying to force players out of position for a while now. You only have to look back the Antonio into right back saga to see what that can do to a player. But his reluctance to accept certain players' limitations is a huge hurdle for the Hammers.

Standing firm or Stubborn?

Some pundits and fans will say that Slaven is simply sticking by what he thinks is best. As any manager will tell you it is important he believes in the team. However there comes a point where it is not the best course of action, and you have to look at the evidence that comes in the form of results on the pitch.

Bilic's refusal to put Byram in at right back is causing a huge issue. Combining that with the presence of Noble in the midfield despite his poor performances means that there is no real progress from the side despite a much better squad than we have seen in recent years.

Andre Ayew, our record signing, must be wondering what he has to do to get a game. He is only getting played briefly but he is still scoring and assisting goals. The fact the extremely blunt Feghouli is starting ahead of his is crazy. There needs to be some adjustment to form and position.

Byram needs to go in at right back. It upsets the shape of the team to force a midfielder in there. Kouyate should start in the middle with Obiang, and Ayew should be part of the attacking lineup from the first minute. Without adjustments, Bilic is signing his own P45.

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Payet, Tevez and the best West Ham XI of Premier League era to be sold by the club
We have come up with the best 'Sold XI' the Hammers have got rid of
Football London
BYSAM INKERSOLE
19:40, 14 MAR 2017

In days gone by, West Ham were often considered a selling club. Bring players through the Academy of Football, give them their big break in the first team and then ship them off to other clubs at a higher price. There are also some players brought into the club that maybe haven't performed well and have been moved on but hit their stride elsewhere. With that in mind, we have racked our brains at football.london and have come up with the best 'Sold XI' that the Hammers have got rid of. We've got them in a 3-2-3-2 weird formation that includes Javier Mascherano at centre half, which is his current position at Barcelona before you get mad at us...

David James

The England stopper joined the Hammers in 2001 and enjoyed a three-year stint in east London, making 91 appearances before being moved on to Manchester City to replace the retired David Seaman.

Javier Mascherano

We all remember that day when Alan Pardew shocked the football world by signing Mascherano and his compatriot Carlos Tevez. The Argentinian rarely featured though during his spell at Upton Park, much less so than Tevez, before he was quickly shifted on to Liverpool where he'd make 94 appearances before moving to Barcelona, where he still plies his trade.

Rio Ferdinand

Ferdinand started his career with the Hammers in 1996 and – with a brief loan spell at Bournemouth – before going on to make 127 appearances in claret and blue. He'd leave the Hammers in the year 2000, signing for Leeds United for a then British transfer record and world's most expensive defender in an £18m switch.

Glen Johnson

Johnson only made 15 appearances for the Hammers first team but has gone on to greater success since he left West Ham after coming through the famous academy under Tony Carr. Johnson was quickly snapped up by Chelsea for £6m, the first purchase under the new ownership at Stamford Bridge under Roman Abramovich and breaking into the England set up.

Michael Carrick

Carrick won the FA Youth Cup in the 1998/99 season with West Ham before making his breakthrough into the first team in the 2001/02 campaign. Carrick would make 136 appearances for the Hammers before he was sold to Tottenham Hotspur for £3.5m. A subsequent move to Manchester United has seen him win the Premier League five times and the Champions League in 07/08.

Scott Parker

Parker signed for the Hammers in 2007 for £7m from Newcastle United and in a four-year dtay, made more than 100 appearances for West Ham, scoring ten goals. Following the Hammers relegation to the Championship and despite starting the first four games of 2011/12 season, Parker handed in a transfer request and moved to Tottenham Hotspur.

Frank Lampard

One of the best talents to come through the famed West Ham academy, Lampard made his first start for the first team in 1996. After six years with West Ham, Lampard had enough and decided he wanted to move, with Chelsea snapping him up and he would go on to be their record appearance maker with 429. He also won the Premier League three times, the Champions League and the FA Cup four times in his glittering career.

Dimitri Payet

This is still sore…
Payet signed for the Hammers for £10.75m in the summer of 2015 and would go on to become a superstar at Upton Park. However, it all ended very sourly this season when the 29-year-old refused to play for the club and eventually sealed a £25m move back to Marseille after 18 months in east London.

Joe Cole

Cole is another product of the West Ham youth system and was touted as the best young prospect in English football, with the Hammers turning down a £10m bid from Manchester United for the winger. After winning the Hammer of the Year title in 2003, Cole decided to move on and Chelsea was his destination for £6.6m. Cole had made 126 appearances for West Ham, scoring ten times.

Jermain Defoe

Born in Beckton, Defoe was spotted by the Hammers while he was Charlton and signed him to a professional deal as a 16-year-old. He scored 29 in 93 games – and 18 goals in a season on loan at Bournemouth – before making a controversial switch to Spurs in 2004 for an initial £6m fee.

Carlos Tevez

Tevez was brought in on the same day as Javieer Mascherano in that infamous double deadline day deal which rocked the world of football.
After a difficult start to life in the Premier League, Tevez was handed his first start by Alan Curbishley in 2007 and would score seven goals in 26 games, including that famous winner at Old Trafford that ensured Premier League survival for the Hammers. He'd move to Manchester United that summer and scoop two Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy at Old Trafford

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England recall beckons for West Ham's Andy Carroll as injuries leave boss Gareth Southgate struggling for strikers
With Harry Kane, Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge all out for Germany and Lithuania double-header, Jermain Defoe is in the frame too
The Mirror
BYDARREN LEWIS
22:30, 14 MAR 2017

Gareth Southgate is considering a shock England recall for Andy Carroll. And the 28-year-old West Ham striker, who has scored four goals in his last six games, could be joined in the latest Three Lions squad by team-mate Michail Antonio. The Hammers pair are in the frame because Southgate has been hit by a rash of injuries up front, with Tottenham's Harry Kane, skipper Wayne Rooney of Manchester United and Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge all out. Southgate, who could also call up 34-year-old Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe, has been making checks on Carroll's fitness. Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur holds his ankle as he goes down injured during The Emirates FA Cup Quarter-Final match between Tottenham Hotspur and Millwall at White Hart Lane on March 12, 2017 in London, England.
He will make a final decision in the next 24 hours before naming his squad at St George's Park on Thursday for next Wednesday's away friendly with Germany and a World Cup qualifier against Lithuania at Wembley four days later. The 6ft 4in Geordie, who last played for England four years ago, returned from a slight groin injury to start West Ham's most recent league games — losses to Chelsea and Bournemouth. Carroll has made no secret of his desperation to force his way back into the international fold after injuries saw him fall down the pecking order. Wide-man Antonio, in line for a new deal at the London Stadium, was last called up by Sam Allardyce in August for his one and only squad as England boss but did not figure in the subsequent four matches under then-interim boss Southgate.

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Slaven Bilic's training methods questioned as Reece Oxford "surprised" by Reading's intensity
Oxford has been off the pace at new club Reading
Football London
BYSAM INKERSOLE
07:49, 15 MAR 2017

Reading boss Jaap Stam has criticised at West Ham's pre-match preparation, saying that loanee Reece Oxford has been surprised at the Royals' training intensity. Oxford signed with the Championship side on loan for six months on deadline day, but until this past weekend the 18-year-old talent had yet to appear for his new club. That changed on Saturday when Oxford came on as a substitute in Reading's 3-0 defeat away at Preston North End in the but the teenager only managed to get 18 minutes of action under his belt after replacing Paul McShane. Stam's comments about Oxford's lack of preparation appear be a thinly veiled dig at the regime at Rush Green, which is something that another Hammers loanee, Enner Valencia, has also hinted at. Speaking at his press conference ahead of Friday's game against Sheffield Wednesday, former Manchester United defender Stam said: "Reece Oxford has been surprised at the level of intensity in training at Reading, compared to at West Ham. "Young players need to improve. You need to be on top of them and give them good advice, so that's why training is intense."
Back in September, Valencia – who is on loan at Everton this season – also threw shade at Hammers training methods, saying: "I have enjoyed training with my new team-mates, it's different to my last team - it is a little bit harder."

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Pitch size myth at West Ham's London Stadium busted by new report
HITC
Damien Lucas

The size of the pitch at West Ham United's new stadium has been cited as one of the reasons for their struggles this season. The Hammers have turned what was threatening to be a disastrous season around of late and they are now sitting in 11th place in the Premier League, although their form has dipped again recently. Many supporters and pundits have pointed the finger of blame for the huge contrast in form compared to their best ever Premier Leagues points total last term squarely at their controversial new 60,000 seater ground. Some fans believe blaming the stadium move is too easy an excuse, citing that other teams are having no trouble performing there.
But comments this season from Slaven Bilic himself, Scotland boss Gordon Strachan and Stoke City boss Mark Hughes have all suggested the size of the pitch and sight lines have impacted performances. The myth that the Hammers are suddenly playing on a pitch size completely alien to them has been well and truly busted, though, by a new report revealing Premier League surface sizes. And the report, published by the Daily Star, reveals West Ham in actual fact share the same size pitch as no fewer than eight fellow top flight clubs.
The London Stadium pitch is 7,140 square metres. That's the same size as Watford's Vicarage Road surface, West Brom's Hawthorns pitch, Sunderland's Stadium of Light, Swansea City's Liberty Stadium, Bournemouth's Vitality Stadium - where the Hammers lost 3-2 last time out - the pitches at both Old Trafford and the Etihad and Arsenal's Emirates. Only two pitches are bigger, Middlesbrough's Riverside (7,245sqm) and the biggest of the lot, Hull City's massive KCOM Stadium which is 8,436sqm. Stoke City's Bet365 ground (6,400sqm) and the pitches at London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace (6,700sqm) are the smallest. Yes it is bigger than the pitch at Upton Park but not significantly enough to cause the team any undue problems.

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THE FULL BACK PROBLEM
By Tony Hanna 15 Mar 2017 at 08:00
WTID

The past few games have had their share of frustrations. Late goals conceded, being caught on the break, penalties conceded etc etc. The teams resurgence after the Payet saga that saw wins against Palace, Southampton and Boro has now diminished and we have now acquired just two points from the last four games. The winter break in Dubai might just have put the boys in holiday mood for the rest of the season? I made mention many moons ago in an article I wrote on the site about club managers and staff not seeing, or certainly not reacting to things that fans see quite plainly on the pitch that are going wrong. Perhaps I am deluded? Perhaps these highly paid professionals do know much better than us what is going on and we are just mere mortals that do not understand? But I am not going to insult anyone's intelligence here; many of us have been watching football nearly all our lives. Some of us watched West Ham play before some of today's players and managers were born. Fans, in general know football. Slaven might tell me otherwise? (ps; This article was written prior to Mark Noble's comments, so perhaps he might tell me otherwise as well)?

So, when we have been saying for two seasons now that we need a right back, why has the club done next to nothing? Sam Byram was always going to be a gamble. Youngsters stepping up from the lower divisions always are. In fairness, Bilic had no intention of playing him as early as he did, against Man City last January, but needs must at the time. He was meant to be one of those "works in progress" and wasn't even in the squad the day he made his debut. A late injury to James Tomkins got him onto the bench and then an injury to right back Carl Jenkinson in the 13th minute ensured he got an earlier than anticipated debut. Since then Bilic has used him sparingly when he has been fit. The Antonio project failed miserably and so far so has the ploy of playing one of our best midfielders there as well. What other club would play their leading goal scorer at right back? Perhaps in an injury crisis as an emergency, but for months on end when it clearly wasn't working? So, the summer transfer window comes around and a club of our stature would move heaven and earth to get a right back in, right? Nope! Well, we sort of did in the signing of Arbeloa but he was last seen flying over the Bermuda Triangle! The same thing happened on the other side at the beginning of the season. We went into a full season with one recognised, experienced left back. The only reason we bought Masuaku at the last moment was because Cresswell got a bad injury, otherwise we would have started the season with one left back and no right back, if you discount experiments, an ageing loan and the kids. This is simply not good enough. To make matters worse the winter window arrives and goes and still no developments?

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Shifting Kouyate back into the right back role has clearly taken the pressure off Bilic when it comes to determining the midfield set up. If we had a first class right back in place he would have some very difficult decisions to make should Kouyate be vying for one of those places? Whatever the lad might be saying to the media, I can't imagine he is overjoyed at playing right back and I would not be surprised if he is not at the club come next season. Bilic has been playing a lot of square pegs in round holes for a while now and as I said earlier, us fans are no mugs. We can see things that aren't working. We can see players when they are out of form, especially badly out of form. Which brings me to my next subject. A few weeks ago I wrote an article on what was our best midfield? Whilst the object was to gain readers opinions on the range of players available to choose from, it was thinly veiled to gauge what fans thought regarding Mark Noble's place in the team? I will not be as subtle with my next subject – Aaron Cresswell. My personal view is that the player has had a very poor season to date. The inability to stop crosses coming in, the rearing away from any physical challenges and the strange positional play that continually drags Winston Reid out from a central position to cover for Cresswell who in turn runs back to move into the central void left by Reid? This is in no way meant to come across as a personal attack on Cresswell. It is just my view that he is badly out of form. That can happen to any player and when it does occur we should be in a position to act and replace him with a competent alternative for as long as needed.

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The marauding runs and clever interplay with Payet are a distant memory. For what it's worth I have never rated Cresswell as a good defender, but what he brought in an attacking sense was at times superb and very entertaining. However, the master of the whipped in outswinging cross has rarely been seen in recent months and the defensive side of his duties are now being laid to bare. With his cover Masuaku being injured himself for many months now, Creswell has had no competition for his place. Earlier in the season Masuaku did get his chance, but at West Brom he put in an awful performance, coming up with an extraordinary handball in our own area conceding a penalty. Whilst that does nothing for the confidence of the fans or the player himself, the majority of other games he has played he has looked quite an assured player who is very comfortable on the ball. However, his sending off this week in the PL2 match puts another question mark on his suitability. A lot of fans have questioned the form of both Ogbonna, before his season ending injury, and Fonte since his arrival from Southampton. In my view if these central defenders are being let down on the flanks they are not going to be seen anywhere near their best and blaming them may be premature?

Back in my days of playing, at one time we had a superb back four. Booth was a combative right back and decent on the ball, Johnson was a Collins type defender, Myers was our Bobby Moore – tactically excellent and a great reader of the game, and Brophy was a young but very good left back. They all worked well together in front of the best keeper in the district. Then one year Booth decided to quit the club for personal reasons and Brophy joined the Navy. We brought in two full backs that were not really up to the same standard but what was telling was the drop off in play of both our centre backs, Johnson and Myers. From nowhere they were making mistakes and getting pulled ragged at times. The moral of the story is that two very decent centre backs who had always been solid were now a mess playing with two fullbacks that were not quite up to scratch. Ironically, one of the fullbacks really improved when we played him in midfield! I think you can draw your own conclusions from my little story when you relate it to West Ham?

So, no need to hit the panic button just yet, but Bilic must stop playing players that are out of form providing he has decent cover for them, and he must put a squad together next season where every position has a round peg in a round hole and has sufficient cover. At this point in time that means acquiring a proper right back and cover for him should Bilic have no intention of playing Byram if injuries demand. It also means getting a decent left back if Bilic is convinced Masuaku is not good enough. If that is the case get rid. If he does think he is good enough he should be playing him now, if only to refresh Cresswell and send the appropriate message that he needs to get his act together. It also means spending the large part of the kitty on a striker and letting either Carroll or Sakho go. I would love to keep both but history shows that their combined injury records makes that too huge a risk and I doubt both would stay if we got a new first class striker in anyway?

The upcoming Leicester game is another one where I feel the team need to respond and get out of the blocks right from the start to get the crowd behind them. We appear to be starting games very slowly and especially at home we seem determined to play it very tight from the start. This is statistically backed up as we are the worst team in the PL for leading at home half time stats – only once in 14 matches! To counter that, Leicester have been losing a staggering four more matches away from home at half time than any other PL club, trailing in 10 of their 13 away matches at the break. Thoughts?
A few weeks ago I wrote that I would be doing a Q&A with former Hammer Eddie Bovington. Unfortunately Ed has been unwell recently and that is why he hasn't been able to participate. I am pleased to say that Eddie is now well on the mend and the Q&A has been conducted. It will be published during the two week break after the Leicester game.

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