Daily WHUFC News - 3rd June 2017

International round-up: Fernandes stars in Switzerland win
WHUFC.com

Edimilson Fernandes won his second senior cap for Switzerland as Vladimir
Petkovic's men defeated Belarus 1-0 on Thursday. Switzerland's friendly win
came courtesy of a ninth minute goal from Stoke City's Xherdan Shaqiri, as
they warmed up for their FIFA World Cup Qualifier against the Faroe Islands
in the best possible way. Fernandes played 65 minutes, starting alongside
former Hammer Valon Behrami in Neuchatel as the Swiss gained a sixth
consecutive win.
After making his first senior international start, the midfielder was
naturally delighted, and said: "I think I can say that it went well. I am
satisfied. "[Playing on the right] isn't my normal position, but I felt
comfortable. I have got used to this position, even though it is not
necessarily mine. "I always feel good here, with the Swiss team, and
everything is really positive for me at the moment."

Darren Randolph was also in international action on Thursday, starting in
the Republic of Ireland's 3-1 defeat to Mexico in New Jersey. Ireland found
themselves 3-0 down inside 54 minutes in the friendly match, with Stephen
Gleeson notching a late consolation. It represented Randolph's 20th
international cap, and Ireland have further matches against Uruguay and
Austria later this month.

Meanwhile, Dan Kemp was an unused substitute as England U20s sealed their
place in the Toulon Tournament's semi-finals with a 7-1 win against Cuba.

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TRANSFER WINDOW: WHAT SHOULD WE EXPECT?
BY EXWHUEMPLOYEE ON 2 JUNE 2017 AT 10:11PM
TheWestTamWay.co.uk

This is written by Elliott Sheaf (@topcornermag on twitter and
topcornermagazine.com)

It's strange to think that, at the time of writing, the final game of the
Premier League season was over only a week or so ago. It already feels at
least a month past, so keen was I to forget such an underwhelming campaign
perhaps, but also because silly season is in full swing and we start to look
forward to a fresh start come August.

We have already completed one pretty nifty looking deal with the signing of
Pablo Zabaleta on a free and have been rumoured to be making initial bids in
the endless search for any overpriced striker who can withstand a brisk
breeze. However in my daily trawl of social media for a sniff of potential
transfer activity, I am constantly shocked at the amount of fans expecting
us to be spending bigger than ever this summer, as if the problem all along
has been lack of financial backing from the board.

The reason this surprises me so much, is due to an article I recently wrote
for my football magazine (shameless plug for Top Corner Magazine), in which
I researched any financial and transfer information I could find from last
season and compared against each teams eventual finish to see if there was
any correlation. As a West Ham fan and season ticket holder, what I found in
relation to us was a little surprising…



Last season our transfer net spend (transfers in minus transfers out) was
6th highest in the league, hardly a club not being backed financially,
whilst our wage bill and club turnover was 8th highest. Taking in to account
all other clubs averages, my admittedly simple maths shows that a finish
somewhere between 6th and 8th not only would have been realistic, but should
have been expected.

One way of looking at this could be that come the end of the season we were
only a couple of points short of this target, so overall it wasn't a bad
achievement considering the myriad of off the field problems and move away
from Upton Park. I think I see it a little differently however, considering
the lack of quality outside the top 6 and that my research showed we were
one of the biggest underachievers last year in comparison to our finances
(third behind Sunderland and Middlesbrough).

My point being, the problem last season wasn't that the Dave's weren't
stumping up the cash, it's that we bought utter shite at inflated prices.
The signings of Snodgrass and Fonte were symbolic of this, although the
latter did improve after we reverted to three at the back, and I'm sure we'd
all rather forget Zaza and Calleri even if only loans.

It's undeniable that we need at least one centre forward this window, and
possibly another attacking midfielder to replace the hopefully departing
Snodgrass (Ryad Boudebouz anyone?), but beyond this I'm hoping for a quiet
window and a rethink of the club transfer philosophy. We have enough depth
and cover within our ever improving youth system, especially at the back, so
no need for another influx of new players thrown at the wall in hope that
some of the shit sticks.

The transfer window can be a frustrating time for a hammer, which isn't
helped by promises from the board of mega deals and media attention beyond
most other clubs our size, but I think this year we should be more grounded
in our expectation compared to last. I'm happy to build slowly, as long as
we're building something.

That's the last I will be thinking about the 2016/17 season I hope, I
already can't wait for next year where an uninterrupted pre-season and a few
sensible buys will make the world of difference.

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SLAVEN BILIC IS MOST CERTAINLY THE MAN FOR THE JOB!!
BY EXWHUEMPLOYEE ON 2 JUNE 2017 AT 10:24PM
TheWestTamWay.co.uk

Written by Fareham Hammer @farehamhammer

He's the man, he's the man, he's the man, Slaven Bilic most certainly is
West Ham's man and so he should be! Whether we like him or his style of
football or not, Sam Allardyce did an incredible job as manager of West Ham.
When Allardyce arrived at The Club we had just been relegated. We were like
a boxer who had been knocked out, totally demoralised. Out for the count!
Allardyce with the help of Kevin Nolan, picked The Club up by the proverbial
jockstraps and stabilized them. He changed the mentality of The Club.

Big Sam's spell in charge of us, reminded me so much of George Graham's
spell at Arsenal. Like West Ham, Arsenal were virtually down and out at the
time of Graham's arrival. George Graham set about making Arsenal difficult
to beat. The football bored the pants of the supporters, Arsenal became very
difficult to beat. Often drawing matches or grinding out ugly 1-0 wins.
Hence the cry from the Arsenal Supporters at the time of "1-0 to The
Arsenal" "It was George Graham", who laid the foundations for the "sexy
football", which Arsenal became so associated with under Arsene Wenger. It
took Wenger three or four seasons, till he got Arsenal to really turn on the
style of football, which was so pleasing to the eye. Not just to Arsenal
Fans but to neutrals as well.

The reason why it took Wenger time to turn things round totally, was because
some players who played for Graham, were not suitable for the style of
football he wanted to play. Bit by bit, he moved players on and brought
others in. Till he got the perfect balance, enabling him to deliver the sexy
football he so craved. I believe Slaven Bilic is in the exactly the same
position as Arsene Wegner found himself in at Arsenal, when he took over. He
knows EXACTLY what players and style of football he wants. But he is going
to take another season or so, before he can deliver the football he so
desires on a regular basis. Football on the deck, flowing inventive
football-football the West Ham Way.



Some will say at times last season, the football was as dire as when Big Sam
was in charge. True! But that was down to a few factors. Losing the hugely
creative influence of Payet and a mass of injuries. As a result we did not
have enough players left in the squad, who could play football, the way
Slaven Bilic loves to play. Some will say I'm biased, as far as the hugely
charismatic Bilic is concerned. That does not mean that I think he has not
got any faults, he has which I will get to in a minute.

Let's face it his first season was something dreams are made of. Slaven
Bilic, arrived at the club, with a reputation of playing sexy football.
Largely due to the wonderful football his Croatian team played while he
managed them. Being an ex-player of the club, he had an advantage over
someone who had no previous connection with us. As fans were always more
likely to be patient with one of their own. Well that first season will
forever live with me. Winning at Manchester City, Arsenal and at Liverpool!
For God sake!! The last time West Ham had beaten Liverpool in ANY game at
Anfield was 1963. When The Beatles produced their first album, Bob Dylan
produced his classic, Blowing in The Wind and President John Kennedy was
assassinated. Many of us were not even born them! Living the dream?? Tell me
about it!

The second season was always going to be a tough ask. We had the move to The
London Stadium, Payet causing huge unrest, injuries and a poor transfer
window did not help things. Then there was Bilic's, disastrous attempts at
playing Antonio at right back, at times taking too long to make
substitutions and then getting his tactics wrong. No he did not lose the
dressing room and the rest! He made mistakes! He is HUMAN! Do you know what
the beauty of it all is? Slaven Bilic unlike Sam Allardyce, is not
egotistical and acknowledges his mistakes and learns from them. A very
humble man is our Slaven. Although not a soft touch as Morgan Amalifanto and
Alvaro Arbeloa found out. There is only one king of the West Ham jungle and
that is Slaven Bilic. Last season was a tough one for everybody associated
with The Club. Bilic, players, The Board and of course us the fans. "What
does not break you makes you stronger in life". I'm certain that will be the
case with West Ham, cool heads are required. We are in good hands with the
man, the man, the man… West Ham man Slaven Bilic. We are more than a
football club, we're a way of life!

COYI!!

Farehamhammer!!!

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Sheringham set for management return
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 2nd June 2017
By: Staff Writer

Former Hammer Teddy Sheringham is set to return to management.

Sheringham, now, 51, is odd-on to be announced as the new manager of Swindon
Town imminently, according to BBC Radio 5 Live's Ian Dennis.

He will effectively replace former boss Luke Williams as manager of the
Wilshire-based club, who resigned last month following Swindon's relegation
to League Two.

Sheringham's only previous managerial stint was an ill-fated one at
Stevenage between 2015 and 2016.

The former England international was sacked after just nine months at the
helm following a poor run of results in which The Boro took just three
points from a possible 24.

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West Ham set to loan Reece Oxford to Borussia Monchengladbach for a year to
gain more first-team experience
Teenager seen as a big part of the Hammers' future will spend a season in
the Bundesliga
The Mirror
BYJOHN CROSS
22:30, 2 JUN 2017

West Ham's Reece Oxford is joining Borussia Monchengladbach on a season-long
loan. The England prospect, 18, is going to Germany to help his development
as manager Slaven Bilic sees the versatile defender as a big part of the
Hammers ' future. Oxford has found his opportunities limited at West Ham
despite signing a long-term deal. After a disappointing loan spell at
Championship playoff finalists Reading saw him make just five league
appearances, they want to see him go out and get more games under his belt.
Classy Oxford can also play in midfield, and the hope is the Bundesliga
experience will boost his chances of becoming a first-team regular for his
parent club.

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West Ham ready to fight Newcastle and Watford over transfer of Kamil
Grosicki from relegated Hull
The Tigers are prepared to part with Poland winger they signed in January if
they can recoup the £7.7million he cost
The Mirror
BYBILL COOPER
22:30, 2 JUN 2017

West Ham have joined Watford and newly-promoted Newcastle in the £7.7million
chase for Hull's Kamil Grosicki. Poland international Grosicki wants to
continue playing in the Premier League, and the relegated Tigers will strike
a deal if they can recoup the fee they paid French side Rennes for him five
months ago.
New Hornets boss Marco Silva, who signed Grosicki for the Yorkshire club,
wants the 28-year-old to follow him to Vicarage Road and is ready to pay the
price Hull are asking. But so, too, is Toon chief Rafa Benitez, who is
looking to strengthen his squad following their first time return to the top
flight. And now Hammers boss Slaven Bilic has targeted Grosicki as he bids
to strengthen his wide midfield options. Bilic feels he needs another winger
- despite having former Hull star Robert Snodgrass, Andre Ayew and Michail
Antonio, who can all operate down the flanks.

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