Daily WHUFC News - 2nd March 2017

PL2 side continue play-off chase at London Stadium WHUFC.com

Come to London Stadium on Tuesday 7 March to watch the next generation of
Hammers stars in action as our Premier League 2 team take on Stoke City.

The young Hammers won their first game at London Stadium two weeks ago,
beating Fulham 2-0 in front of nearly 1,200 fans, and are looking good as
they aim to qualify for the Division Two play-offs this season.

You can now book your tickets in advance to see the likes of January signing
Nathan Holland, young Portuguese star Domingos Quina and 18-year-old captain
Declan Rice.

Book your free tickets now - on General Sale

Season Ticket Holders can gain free admittance when booked within the Season
Ticket window - but please be aware that all tickets need to be booked in
advance due to a capacity limit for this game.

Tickets available on the day of the fixture are limited, so supporters are
encouraged to book in advance to avoid disappointment.

All supporters can claim their ticket now by visiting
eticketing.co.uk/whufc, calling 0333 030 1966, or visiting the London
Stadium Ticket Office in person.

Non-Season Ticket Holders can purchase tickets for just £5 adults and £3
under-16s and over-65s.

Tickets are on General Sale now!

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Matchday Stadium Tours now available!
WHUFC.com

Matchday Stadium Tours available for the first time ahead of the visit of
Chelsea Tours take you to the inner sanctum of West Ham United's home merely
hours before kick-off Visit the Home dressing room, players' tunnel and
pitchside at London Stadium

Make the most of your visit to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park with a Matchday
Stadium Tour!

In addition to the fantastic standard non-matchday Stadium Tours available,
we are now introducing a special Matchday Stadium Tour experience for the
remaining home Premier League games this season.

Limited spaces are available on the Matchday Stadium Tours, which include a
range of special features, including being led around London Stadium by an
expert tour guide and enjoying access to the inner sanctum of the Hammers'
home merely hours before kick-off!

This unique Matchday Stadium Tour takes you to the places you cannot usually
access in the countdown to kick-off, including the Home dressing room prior
to the players' arrival.

You will also experience that magical walk down the tunnel, and see London
Stadium through the eyes of Slaven Bilic from his seat in the dugout - not
forgetting a host of unique photo opportunities and vantage points inside
the Stadium bowl!

Matchday Stadium Tours kick-off on Monday 6 March, ahead of West Ham
United's derby with Premier League leaders Chelsea, with places priced at
£30 for Adults and £20 for Under-16s.

Tours depart every 30 minutes, but places are limited so book today by
clicking here.

Alternatively, if you would like to enjoy your Matchday Stadium Tour ahead
of the visit of Premier League champions Leicester City on Saturday 18 March
(kick-off 3pm), book your place here.

*Please note that the Season Ticket Holder buy one get one free offer does
not apply to Matchday Stadium Tours.

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From the Treatment Room
WHUFC.com

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


Hello everybody.

The Treatment Room is as empty as it has been in a long time, which is
obviously a good thing, not just for the Medical and Sports Science team,
but for the manager in terms of player availability. While we have to be
honest enough to say that, no matter how well we prepare, the next injury is
only a matter of time away, the current situation is a positive one.

Andy Carroll returned to training with the squad on Wednesday after working
for the previous four days individually on the pitch. It is never ideal when
a player cannot train and recover regularly. Andy has barely trained this
past month, but Andy has now returned to full training in preparation for
Chelsea.

We also have good news regarding both Diafra Sakho and Angelo Ogbonna.
Diafra is now entering a critical phase of his rehab as he steps up the
intensity of the fitness work he is doing on the pitch. It is still
difficult to say how long it will be until Diaf is ready to return to
action, as this depends very much on how his body responds to the increasing
level of physical work on the pitch.

Finally, Angelo is back with us at Rush Green and is working on his rehab on
a daily basis after undergoing surgery on his knee after our win at
Middlesbrough in late January.

Stijn Vandenbroucke
Head of Medical and Sports Science

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CARROLL PUSHING FOR CHELSEA RETURN AND THE TRUTH ABOUT CHINA BY
EXWHUEMPLOYEE ON 1 MARCH 2017 AT 1:21PM TheWestHamWay.co.uk

Andy Carroll has been in training all week and is said to be inline to make
his return against Chelsea. Fortunately the groin strain that he had
sustained has eased and this has enabled him to return to training. Whilst
nursing the groin strain he picked up another more obscure injury which
further delayed his return to training both of which he appears to be over.

There has been strong reports in the press linking the big forward with
moves to China. There was truth in this and the club did receive interest
from the new super powers but the club decided that they didn't want to sell
him at that point. The factors behind this decision was that at the time he
was in great form and that there was no other option that could come in and
replace him. It is thought that these clubs could make a return move for
the player in the summer and that these offers would be considered. The
club very much hope that Carroll can keep fit until the season and continue
the form that he was in before the injury. Everyone at West Ham knows how
good he is on his day but unfortunately injuries mean that he cannot be
relied upon. A further decision will be made.

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West Ham's Andy Carroll returns to training ahead of clash with Chelsea on
Monday Night Football Last Updated: 01/03/17 1:01pm SSN

Andy Carroll has given West Ham a boost by returning to training ahead of
their Monday Night Football clash with Chelsea. The striker has been absent
for nearly a month with a groin injury, with his last appearance coming in
the 3-1 win, that he contributed a goal to, at Southampton on February 4.

Follow
West Ham United ? @WestHamUtd
The Big Man is back in training!@AndyTCarroll prepares for the
@premierleague leaders #COYI
12:17 PM - 1 Mar 2017
67 67 Retweets 313 313 likes

With the Hammers out of the FA Cup, the injury has meant he missed only
two games but he could now feature when Chelsea return to the London Stadium
on Monday. West Ham have drawn both of their games in Carroll's absence, 2-2
at home to West Brom and 1-1 at Watford last weekend. Carroll has managed
only nine Premier League starts this season, scoring six goals.

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IT'S PAYBACK TIME FOR ANDRE AYEW
By Iain Dale 1 Mar 2017 at 09:51
WTID

Andrew Ayew is a mercurial player, and one who has done little to impress in
his short time at West Ham. In a way it's not his fault. In his first game
against Chelsea he was injured and had to come off after 35 minutes. He was
out until December and then found it difficult to get a starting place. He
could have replaced Payet but then had to go to the African Cup of Nations.

In all, Ayew has only played 13 games (most of the as substitute) and scored
2 goals. In his career he has a scoring record of just over 1 in 4, 79 goals
in 359 games. Last season he scored 12 goals in 34 games for Swansea.

Given that Michail Antonio is suspended for the Chelsea game and it's almost
certain he will replace him in the starting lineup. This is the time for
Andre Ayew to step up to the plate. But he will have to play very well to
displace Lanzini, Snodgrass or Antonio in the starting lineup. I'm not yet
quite sure what Ayew's best position is for Ayew – should he play alongside
Andy Carroll, just behind him, or on the right?

We paid £20 million for Ayew – our biggest ever transfer fee. Ayew must know
he's been a bit of a disappointment so far. He can't be blamed for getting
an injury but can be blamed for letting himself get so unfit, that even when
he had recovered from the injury he couldn't play because his fitness wasn't
up to scratch.

It's now payback time.

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Revealed: West Ham rejected £32million bid from China for Andy Carroll as
striker remains in Slaven Bilic's plans Mirror Football understands that a
host of Chinese Super League clubs were keen on signing the England striker
The Mirror BYMATT LAWLESS 15:19, 1 MAR 2017

West Ham rejected a £32million bid for Andy Carroll from China before their
transfer window closed on Tuesday. Mirror Football understands that a host
of Chinese Super League clubs were keen on signing the England striker.
Reports have suggested that a letter was sent by the Premier League to the
player's agent, Mark Curtis, to sound out interest from Hebei China Fortune,
Tianjin Quanjian and Shandog Luneng Taishan. But it is understood that no
such official document was released and the Hammers have no intention of
moving on the player they signed permanently from Liverpool in 2013 for
£16m. "There was a bid from China of £32m for Andy Carroll, but it was
knocked back," a source close to the club revealed. "The board still believe
he's the best No.9 in the UK and vital to West Ham at both ends of the
pitch."
Carroll returned to training on Wednesday after missing West Ham's last two
games with a groin problem. He has not played since scoring in West Ham's
Premier League win over Southampton last month. Manager Slaven Bilic is now
hopeful that the 28-year-old will return to action on Monday when the
Hammers host league leaders Chelsea. Carroll's potential return would
provide a welcome boost for Bilic with Michail Antonio suspended for the
London derby. The former Liverpool forward's team-mate James Collins,
meanwhile, believes the striker should win an England recall. Carroll has
scored six goals in 16 appearances this season but has not played for his
country in over four years. Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate will soon pick
his next squad for the forthcoming games against Germany and Lithuania later
this month, and Wales star Collins believes Carroll should not be ignored.
"I think [Andy Carroll] should be [in the England squad]," said the
defender, speaking to the club's official website. "A fit Andy Carroll is a
handful for any defender. "I know if I was playing against him and he was in
the opposite team, I'd be in for a tough afternoon. It gives [England]
something different. "What Andy can do; I've never trained against a lad or
played against a lad who is as physical and as good in the air as Andy, so I
think it's a no brainer for him to be in the squad as something different to
what they're used to."

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Belgian star Youri Tielemans could fill Dimitri Payet's boots at West Ham
after wonder week HITC Damien Lucas

West Ham United are looking for inspiration long term after the departure of
talisman Dimitri Payet and a Belgian star could be just the man. The Hammers
have become more of a team since Payet left to return to Marseille last
month. Slaven Bilic's rejuvenated side have seen results improve drastically
as a result and the club are sitting in ninth place after the 1-1 draw at
Watford last time out.
While talented midfielder Manuel Lanzini provides skill, guile and
excitement for supporters there is no question the Hammers miss the magic of
Payet, no matter how inconsistent the Frenchman could be at times.

After a disastrous summer of recruitment before the start of the season and
the loss of Payet, West Ham will be in dire need of top quality
reinforcements in the next window if they have any realistic hopes of
challenging the top six in their new 66,000 seater Olympic Stadium - as it
will be from next season. And one player who would represent superb business
and more than fill the void left by Payet is Anderlecht starlet Youri
Tielemans. The brilliant 19-year-old Belgian was already on the radar of
some of Europe's top clubs before an unforgettable week which saw him net
three wonder goals. The attacking midfielder has already played a staggering
128 games for the Belgian runners-up despite his tender years. And he has 25
goals to boot, three of them coming in an astonishing seven days as he found
the net from fully 25 yards with his right and left foot. But with fans
demanding more from West Ham co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold in the
transfer market it would represent a real statement of intent were the club
to go after such an established talent who Bilic could build a side around.

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West Ham gave agent 'permission to sell Andy Carroll to China' behind his
back A letter to Carroll's former agent appears to confirm that the club
gave permission for a deal to be agreed that would take him to the Far East
Jack de Menezes @JackdeMenezes The Independent Football

Andy Carroll's future at West Ham has been thrown into serious doubt after
the club attempted to sell the England striker to China behind his back, it
has been revealed. The Times reports that West Ham wrote to Mark Curtis, the
former agent of Carroll, giving him "exclusive authority" to structure a
move for the forward to either Tianjin Quanjian, Hebei China Fortune or
Shandong Luneng Taishan.
It emerged during the January transfer window that West Ham had rejected
three offers for Carroll, with interest from China persisting given that
their deadline day did not come until Tuesday 28 February. But it has now
been reported that West Ham gave permission for Curtis to try and sell
28-year-old Carroll on their behalf, with a letter sent by Andrew Pincher,
the club's secretary, on 15 February confirming an agreement following a
meeting with West Ham co-owner David Sullivan. The letter, seen by The
Times, read: "Following your meeting with David Sullivan [the West Ham
co-owner], I write to confirm you have the exclusive authority of the board
of directors to represent West Ham in discussions with football clubs in
China in order to explore interest and options for the potential sale and
permanent transfer of the registration of Andy Carroll during their first
and current transfer window. This exclusive authority shall expire on March
1, 2017."
However, it adds that West Ham would have agreed to a deal only if they had
a replacement in place, which raises questions over whether a move would
have been immediate or if it was in advance of a summer move. Asked this
week about the agreement, Curtis said: "As far as I am aware, West Ham are
not interested in selling Andy."
Carroll missed three-and-a-half months earlier in the season as his
persistent injury troubles struck again, having been severely hampered by
his fitness since arriving at West Ham from Liverpool in 2013. The forward
returned at the start of December though and put together a strong run of
form, scoring six goals in 11 Premier League matches, but he was again
struck down by injury after suffering a groin strain. Slaven Bilic hopes to
have him back for the visit of Chelsea on Monday night.

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WEST HAM EYEING A MOVE FOR STEPHANE RUFFIER LUKE OSMAN @LukeOsmanRS
readWestHam

West Ham are reportedly one of three teams chasing Saint-Etienne goalkeeper
Stephane Ruffier. According to a report from French news outlet GFFN, The
Hammers are keen on making their move for the experienced shot-stopper in
the summer transfer window, but are joined by Liverpool and Everton in their
pursuit of the Frenchman. The 30-year-old has been in good form for the
Ligue 1 side this season and has been a consistent figure out in France. The
Hammers could be looking to delve into the market for a new goalkeeper when
the summer window does roll around, with Darren Randolph and Adrian being
the current goalkeeping options at the club. The report claims that the
Premier League trio have all been casting a keen eye over Ruffier's form in
recent weeks, visiting Saint-Etienne's matches to watch over their target.
Ruffier has represented France's National Team in the past and is perceived
as one of the country's best 'keepers.

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WEST HAM WILL BE INTERESTED IN MICHY BATSHUAYI LOAN MOVE MICHAEL OLIVER
@MichaelOIiver ReadWestHam

During West Ham's shambolic striker hunt of summer 2016, they came close to
signing Michy Batshuayi from Marseille only to see Chelsea swoop in with a
late bid and pip the Hammers right at the death.

Reports surfaced yesterday that Chelsea were growing increasingly frustrated
with Michy Batshuayi's inability to grasp Antonio Conte's tactical demands
from his strikers and that they were willing to offload their £33m man a
year after he joined the club.

The 23-year-old is yet to start a Premier League game for Chelsea this
season and was kept on the bench even when Diego Costa missed some games
earlier in the season which is a slamming indictment of how the Blues view
the Belgian right now.

With just one goal in 16 sub appearances, Batshuayi will ask for a loan move
from Stamford Bridge next season and West Ham will be amongst those
interested in securing his services, the London Evening Standard understand.

West Ham will again be looking for a striker to come and ease the pressure
on Andy Carroll and Batshuayi, a player who the club have looked at
extensively and are seen to sign, will seemingly be on the market once
again.

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Steve Clarke: Why Chelsea will struggle against West Ham STEVE CLARKE
believes Chelsea could struggle when they face West Ham on Monday (8pm).
By DAVID WRIGHT
PUBLISHED: 12:25, Wed, Mar 1, 2017 | UPDATED: 12:54, Wed, Mar 1, 2017
Express.co.uk

Chelsea have lost on their last two trips to West Ham, having left the
London Stadium with a 2-1 defeat in the EFL Cup earlier this season. And
Clarke, a former coach at both West Ham and Chelsea, believes the Hammers'
recent upturn in form could halt the Blues' rise at the top. Slaven Bilic's
side have lost just once in their last six Premier League games after a
disastrous opening couple of months to the season. But Antonio Conte's men
go into the clash 10 points clear at the top of the table and without a
defeat in their last 12 outings in all competitions. "I think it'll be a
difficult game for Chelsea," Clarke told Sky Sports. "Having worked at West
Ham, I know how much the people at the club like to beat Chelsea. I know the
supporters really enjoy it. "West Ham went through a tough spell earlier on
in the season but they seem to have come through that. "They've got a little
more confidence, a bit more swagger about them, the results have picked up
at the London Stadium. "And I do think it'll be a difficult night for
Chelsea. "Looking at the strength of Chelsea, I think everyone's looking at
them and thinking how to beat this team or how to suss them out.
"Will somebody work them out or find a way to beat them? At the moment they
just seem unstoppable. "I'm sure they'll go there on Monday night full of
confidence and fully expecting to add another three points to their tally."

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Andy Carroll must make sacrifices like Zlatan Ibrahimovic to stay at West
Ham JAMES OLLEY Evening Standard

Andy Carroll's biggest battle has always been with himself. The West Ham
striker has had weaknesses in body and mind that have prevented him from
fulfilling his potential; the latest instalment of that narrative came this
week when his current employers were reportedly courting Chinese cash for
his signature in the final throes of their transfer window. There was
insufficient will on all sides to force anything to happen before last
night's deadline passed. It was rumoured Carroll's availability was touted
to test the water and although Tianjin Quanjian, Hebei China Fortune and
Shandong Luneng tabled offers, West Ham rejected all-comers as nobody met
the valuation. Manager Slaven Bilic would prefer to wait until the summer
before sanctioning a sale but his patience is said to be wearing thin and
the mere fact such an option was even discussed is proof Carroll again finds
himself in the last-chance saloon.
Carroll's penchant for a night out has by his own admission compromised his
career to date. "The drink doesn't help," he said in a January interview.
"In the past I was a big drinker. I have been tarnished with that and I
don't enjoy that. That is the old me."
Last September, an injured Carroll was pictured in a fast food restaurant at
6.45am after a "team bonding" session turned into an all-nighter.

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DECLAN RICE SET TO SIGN NEW LONG-TERM CONTRACT MICHAEL OLIVER
@MichaelOIiver ReadWestHam

This season, West Ham have already handed out new long-term contracts to two
of their most promising young defenders in Reece Burke and Reece Oxford and
a third is set to follow suit.

West Ham insiders The West Ham Way have revealed that centre-back Declan
Rice is set to put pen-to-paper on a new long-term contract with the club
after impressing for the U23 side of late.

Rice, who turned 18 last month, has also been tracked by Arsenal this season
but West Ham want to keep the Republic of Ireland U19 international at the
London Stadium for the foreseeable future.

FA rules state that you can't hand a U18 player terms longer than three
years which explains why West Ham waited until Reece Oxford turned 18 in
December before securing him on a four-and-a-half-year contract until 2021,
and the same applies for Rice, who turned 18 last month.

West Ham have a talented crop of players coming through the ranks at the
moment. While the likes of Burke, Oxford and Rice may lead the list, Marcus
Browne, Toni Martinez, Martin Samuelsen and Domingos Quina are all in and
around the first-team squad and should have bright futures in east London.

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West Ham boss Slaven Bilic and skipper Mark Noble reveal problems of moving
to the London Stadium and training bust-ups: 'I purposely pick a fight if
training is not good enough'
West Ham boss Slaven Bilic implemented a policy of hand-shaking in training
The manager believes 'it takes time moving house' about London Stadium woes
Captain Mark Noble revealed he causes a stir in training to keep players
sharp Noble said they knew the London Stadium was 'never going to be Upton
Park'
By Kieran Gill for the Daily Mail
PUBLISHED: 22:30, 28 February 2017 | UPDATED: 23:03, 28 February 2017

There is a policy in place at West Ham, by order of Slaven Bilic. Before
breakfast, before the lacing up of boots, before breaking a sweat, it is
simple: shake hands. 'The day before, the players can have an argument then
go home,' says Bilic, sitting next to Mark Noble at their Rush Green
training ground. 'The next morning, when they shake hands, the argument is
over. All gone. It doesn't cost them anything. It takes time but it's good.
That's what I ask from the players.' Noble's standards are so high he
admits 'I purposely pick a fight if training is not good enough' He turns to
Noble, who takes over. 'It's a way of showing respect. Sometimes it takes me
20 minutes because I'm shaking the kitchen staff's hands.' Team-mates, tea
ladies, coaches, chefs - the West Ham rule applies to all at Rush Green. It
is time well spent as far as the club's charismatic Croat is concerned.
Bilic and Noble are talking in the former's office. Training is done for the
day, and the coach and captain are reflecting on the week's work.

In the corner is a guitar and there are Christmas cards still out - all
personally signed by Bilic's Premier League peers, including Jose Mourinho,
Antonio Conte and Ronald Koeman. Noble is explaining how his priority is to
put out fires before his boss needs to bother getting his hands dirty.
'I've always seen myself as the buffer between the boss and the players,'
Noble says. 'The gaffer doesn't have to look after every single small
problem that goes on. I'll try to nip it in the bud before it gets to him.
'Sometimes, if training is not quite right, I will purposely make a point of
saying something or having an argument with someone who I know will have one
back with me. It lets the lads know it's not good enough and it's better
coming from me than it would be from the boss. 'The last thing he wants to
do is interrupt every two minutes. For a player that becomes, "Oh he's off
again.".'
This stirs something in Bilic. When the 48-year-old gets animated on one
side of the sofa, Noble knows to hold on tight to that arm-rest on the
other. 'That's the key,' says Bilic. 'If I have to interfere on an hourly
basis, then you lose things. Firstly, you don't want to do it. Secondly, you
lose your authority. 'When you interfere it's got to be like.' He claps. 'If
it's something like that it cannot be every day. It cannot be every hour.
That's it.' It's been a bumpy season for West Ham. They had trouble settling
into the London Stadium. They had an injury crisis. They had Dimitri Payet -
and then they didn't. On Thursday night Bilic and Noble will be on the
claret carpet for the London premiere of Iron Men, a film which documents
West Ham's departure from the Boleyn Ground after 112 years. There have been
high-profile problems but Bilic is positive.
'Last season was easy,' says Bilic. 'We were like a big jumbo jet that went
up 12,000 metres and never went down. We never felt turbulence. This season
we were fighting, and when you fight for something it makes you stronger.
'It can be very hard to go through it, the turbulence. But once you are, it
can be worth it, because the experience we had this season is unbelievable.
'This can turn out to be a great season, better than last year. Not in terms
of results but in terms of what us, individually, as a team, as a club has
been through.'
Next Monday, Chelsea are the visitors. Their last meeting - a 2-1 win for
West Ham in the League Cup in October - was marred by violence between fans.
Yet Bilic feels the London Stadium is finally discovering its own identity -
one different to the Boleyn. Another topic, another analogy. 'It takes time
when you move house,' Bilic says. 'When you move from a tiny house to a big
mansion, OK, it's a better house but you need to find out things. 'First,
family inside, suddenly you are not close. Your daughter is watching
television in her bedroom. Not to mention you have to learn the ropes:
school, friends, everything. It makes no sense to try to compare with the
Boleyn Ground because it is incomparable.'
Noble weighs in. 'It was never going to be Upton Park,' the 29-year-old
says. 'We knew this season was going to be tough. 'Look at Leicester's
situation. Manchester United, one of the richest clubs in the world, are not
guaranteed top four... when you sit down, look at the facts and stats, we
haven't done too bad.' Bilic is only the 15th manager in West Ham's history
and, with his current contract up in 2018, a new deal will be discussed this
summer. The coach and captain finish by disclosing they have had
disagreements and will continue to do so in the club's best interests. Yet
there is a silver lining to any future arguments between the pair - all will
be forgiven after the following day's handshake.

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Andre Marriner is the referee for West Ham vs Chelsea - and that's good news
for Hammers fans Footbal London BYSAM INKERSOLE 06:30, 1 MAR 2017

Andre Marriner has been appointed as the referee for West Ham's clash with
Chelsea and that is good news for the Hammers. Marriner was the official for
the EFL Cup final at the weekend when Manchester United beat Southampton 3-2
at Wembley and will take charge of his second high-profile game in eight
days next Monday. The spotlight will be on the London Stadium in front of
the Sky Sports cameras as Antonio Conte's champions-elect come to town on
the pitch, but also the bitter rivalry between the two sets of fans off the
pitch. But, Marriner's appointment is good news for the Hammers as the
official takes a more lenient view towards the east Londoners in games he
has reffed with West Ham involved this season. Of the 13 different officials
that have taken charge of West Ham games, Marriner has given the third-least
fouls against players in claret and blue at 11 per game, compared to Graham
Scott who gives 15 fouls per game against the Hammers.
West Ham say they have not introduced any specific new measures to combat
trouble against Chelsea (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) Marriner also
gives the third least fouls per tackle ration when West Ham players
challenge for the ball at 0.67 per game. The worst offender among refs for
that is Lee Mason, who gives a foul against West Ham every 1.86 tackles
made. Marriner hasn't given a penalty against the Hammers this season
either. There is one stat which could be bad for West Ham, though. When
Marriner is the man in the middle, he has dished out seven yellow cards to
Hammers players. Only Anthony Taylor (8) has handed out more bookings.
For Chelsea, Marriner penalises them an average of eight times per game, at
0.56 tackles per foul and has given out five yellow cards to Blues players.
So we should expect, hopefully, a fairly free-flowing game at the London
Stadium on Monday night.

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West Ham should offer big money to tempt West Brom star admired by Slaven
Bilic this summer HITC Damien Lucas

West Ham United need to get it right in the summer transfer window and West
Bromwich Albion man could be the answer. The Hammers have turned their
season around since Christmas and are sitting in the relative comfort of
ninth place in the Premier League. In truth it is likely to be the highest
they can finish given the gap to the likes of Everton above them while there
is no danger of Slaven Bilic's side being dragged into any kind of
relegation dogfight. While the mediocrity of midtable may not provide an
exciting end to the season for fans of the East London club, it does give
Bilic and co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan plenty of time to prepare
their summer recruitment. The Hammers got things badly wrong last summer as
they diluted their squad with a glut of poor quality free transfers and flop
loan signings despite promising supporters big name marquee signings as they
took up residence at their new 60,000 seater Olympic Stadium home. Having
lost star man Dimitri Payet in January the club faces a big task to bring in
better quality players to compete with the Premier League elite.
An over reliance on injury prone striker Andy Carroll has once again been
shown up this season and the club will want a proven forward in the summer.
And they could do a lot worse than bid big for West Brom's excellent Salomon
Rondon. The 27-year-old Venezuelan international is well on his way to
double figures this season and has impressed with his powerful displays
which have helped the Baggies in an unexpected bid for European football.
West Brom are historically a selling club, though, and the right offer might
tempt them to do business. However the Baggies have proved in recent seasons
with their stance over Rondon - who attracted recent interest from China -
and Saido Berahino that they are serious about establishing themselves as a
top 10 side. The Hammers would undoubtedly face competition for his
signature but would represent a step up in terms of stature and ambition,
playing in front of 66,000 people every other week from next season.
West Ham would have to shell out a club record fee in excess of the £20.5
million they paid for Andre Ayew to land him. But it would be for a player
Bilic clearly rates highly. The Hammers manager used Rondon as an example of
smaller clubs being able to buy "great players" thanks to Premier League
money, as reported by the Daily Mail at the time. Bilic will just hope that
doesn't mean they can hold onto him too.

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West Ham will be playing for their pride against Chelsea, says Hammers
co-chairman David Gold SAM LONG Evening STandard

West Ham's pride will be at stake during Monday night's Premier League
fixture against London rivals Chelsea, according to co-chairman David Gold.
The Hammers currently occupy ninth place and are attempting to mount a late
charge towards the European places, having recovered from a poor start to
the season. Meanwhile, Antonio Conte's side have already been installed as
'Champions elect' courtesy of a 10-point lead at the top of the table. The
Blues are on course to win their fifth top-flight title of the modern era
and will be installed as clear favourites at the London Stadium. But Gold is
adamant Slaven Bilic's players will be determined to cause an upset and
finish the campaign on a high. "We now prepare for another big game on
Monday night. They are running away at the top of the league and we want to
beat the league leaders," he told West Ham's official website. "It is very
important for the pride of our football club that we come away with a good
result. We are looking a decent side now and we can win these games. "I am
gaining confidence from the way we are playing. There is great camaraderie
in the squad and it would be great for us to have a good end to the season,"
Gold added. West Ham lost to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on the opening
weekend of the season but did manage to knock the west Londoners out of the
EFL Cup in October. Chelsea boast the second-best away record in the
division this term while the Hammers have only won five of their 13 league
games on home turf.

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