Daily WHUFC News - 27th September 2017

Nathan Holland aiming to build on 'special moment'
WHUFC.com

Winger Nathan Holland made his first-team debut against Bolton Wanderers last Tuesday, but he's not satisfied just yet… It is a special moment, a debut. The build-up, the nerves, the atmosphere; they're experiences you will always remember after walking onto the pitch for the first time in the senior team.

Nathan Holland, therefore, will not be forgetting last Tuesday night in a hurry. 19-years-old and with an exciting career ahead of him, the winger was introduced by Slaven Bilic with half an hour left to play in the Carabao Cup win over Bolton Wanderers "It's a dream come true," the youngster says, still on a high after his maiden appearance. "I made it onto the bench last year but didn't get a chance, so getting out there was amazing. "I was nervous. It was a big crowd, the biggest I've played in front of. When I got on, [Mark] Nobes pulled me in and said 'Just do your thing'. "I won an early corner and as soon as I got a touch on the ball it felt real. I got to do what I love; play football, but on that stage. I really felt comfortable and enjoyed myself after that."

Holland only joined West Ham United in January, leaving boyhood club Everton on Merseyside for east London, and despite the considerable distance, he feels at home here. The influence of the club captain, he says, as well as the many of the other senior players, has been vital for him. "When I was away on pre-season with them, the lads that have been around here a long time – Nobes, Ginge [James Collins], Winston [Reid] – as well as [Aaron] Cress and Mick [Antonio] helped me a lot," continues Holland. "They give me tips and you've got to take them on board from top players. "Also in the Academy, Terry [Westley] has been like a Dad to me, ever since I first came here. "Sometimes he's hard on me, but he's always got my back and he can only help me achieve my potential."

And that potential is pretty frightening. Two goals and many more impressive appearances for the U23s last season proved that, and he feels he still has a lot more to offer. "I'm looking at the season [as a whole] now, rather than just breaking straight into the Premier League team. It's a campaign-long aspiration. "It's a big squad and you have to work hard to get your chance. Now I just need to keep working hard with the U23s and then I'll hopefully get another chance soon. "I am training with the first team a lot and the gaffer has shown his faith in me; I can see that he believes in me. "He is a great coach and he's built a good relationship with everyone. He wants to win so badly every game so hopefully we can repay him by keep getting more wins now and have a good season."

With a first-team debut under his belt, the teenager can probably already regard this campaign as a good season. Determined as he is, though, he is not content.
It is certain; more is to come from Nathan Holland.

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Motivated Mollie inspired by fan support for West Ham Ladies
WHUFC.com

The season is still young but there has been a moment of astonishment already for Mollie Kmita. The summer acquisition has admitted the West Ham United Ladies' first home match, against Cardiff City, came with a level of support from fans that she never dreamed of experiencing. Rush Green was packed with fans on that beautiful Sunday in August, as the Ladies defeated the South Wales side 4-3, claiming their first victory of the campaign. It heralded the continuation of the new journey the West Ham Ladies are undertaking, under the guidance of Greg De Carnys and Karen Ray. "That first home game, against Cardiff, was a really interesting moment for me," Kmita confessed. "That match was a real eye-opener as to just how much support we get from our fans, and how well they all want us to do. "Their support for us so far has been amazing and we as players can't express how much we appreciate it. That day and that moment serve as real motivation for me. I want to keep experiencing the feeling I felt that day throughout the season."

A former Tottenham player, Kmita moved to the Hammers as a part of the busy summer of recruitment. Despite being one of the newer members of the team, she already feels right at home at West Ham. "Everyone has been very welcoming," Kmita said: "The staff here are great! They honestly have given me all I could hope for in my first few weeks of joining a new club. "The girls have also been amazing in helping me settle in. I'm very grateful to them all."

Already this campaign, Kmita has been asked to play across the pitch, a responsibility that she herself admits she was not sure that she would be able to rise to. But the support provided has given Kmita the confidence to try these different roles and so far, she is delighted with how she is performing. Kmita added: "The opportunity to test myself in different positions already this campaign has been challenging for me. It has forced me to step out of my comfort zone which is something I would have been hesitant to do previously. "But being at West Ham has allowed me to have the self-confidence to believe I can put myself in these situations and succeed."

Kmita has clearly bought into the project at West Ham Ladies and is eager to continue her own personal development while, at the same time, helping the Irons to build themselves up in the Premier League Southern Division. "The support we as players are given on and off the pitch means I personally feel I have all I need to develop as a player, and a person, at West Ham. I want us to become a real force and I know we have all we need to do that. "This season I feel is a chance for us to really set our standards and create our identity for the campaigns to come. We're all behind the project and we are only just beginning!"

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Top 3 non-obvious rivalries: Chris Scull remembers...
WHUFC.com

West Ham TV's Watch With... presenter Chris Scull makes lists of things and asks if you remember them...

Spurs at home last weekend, and the rivalry between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United is well established, but there are many more rivalries that don't quite attract the total white hot ire of those in attendance. Rivalries which form a mere footnote in the annals of footballing animosity. So this week, I'd like to shine a light on the lesser known, non-obvious rivalries.

3. Wigan Athletic

In some respects, I don't actually mind Wigan: the toy town football stadium next to an Asda, the rugby markings crudely covered with green spray paint on the pitch and the Jimmy Bullard connection. Yet mostly, they are a team I have begun to loathe and fear in equal measure.

We've only met 21 times in our history, winning eleven, drawing two and losing eight. Sure, not a terrible record. But I can't overstate the impact of those eight defeats. Every one of them making the blood boil through some manner of poor play on our behalf or other bewildering incident.

As for one of those draws, special mention to 9 May 2004 when Brian Deane scored a last minute equaliser to make it 1-1 at the JJB, slip Wigan out of the Play-Offs, and slip Crystal Palace in (who would then beat us in the final). Even with that draw, Wigan conspired to help us lose.

However, the most infamous defeat of ours by Wigan came on 15 May 2011. 2-0 up after 26 minutes, coasting to victory, only for Wigan to score three times in just over half an hour of football; the last coming in the final minute to condemn us to relegation. I'll never forget the delight on the faces of those Wigan fans; all five of them cheering our relegation. So, for that reason, in at No3 are Wigan Athletic.

2. Sheffield United

I suppose there's a fairly good case for saying our rivalry with Sheffield United doesn't belong in the 'non-obvious' category. But I was there when we last met in the League Cup on 26 August 2014 and I remember thinking that no-one seemed as angry as they should have been.

The backstory is, of course, that West Ham played Carlos Tevez throughout the 2006/07 season, and despite him being fairly rubbish for half that time, West Ham were fined £5.5m as his contract was partially owned by a third party. Of course, Tevez had a storming second half of the season and West Ham survived on a total of 41 points.

But there were also two stand-out awful Tevez performances; the first a 1-0 win over Sheffield United on 2 November 2006 in which Carlos was substituted in the 66th minute and stormed out of the ground. And another on 14 April 2007 when West Ham lost 3-0 at Bramall Lane, to Sheffield United.

Which goes some way to fueling my complaint that a team who gets relegated on 38 points, has no right to complain; especially when they would have stayed up had they not lost at home to Wigan on the final day. So, for general whinging and buck-passing, in at No2, Sheffield United.

1. Luton Town/Showaddywaddy

I've never read Robert Banks' classic 'An Irrational Hatred of Luton'. But I've always blindly suspected that the title refers to the first game of football that made me cry: Luton Town v West Ham, FA Cup sixth-round replay, 23 March 1994.

As a West Ham fan, I've always had modest ambitions. Namely; just to see my side compete in the semi-final of a cup competition. Just close enough to play in a neutral venue and have the slightest sniff of silverware.

So, when West Ham were drawn at home to lower-league Luton Town in the quarter-finals of the 1994 FA Cup, this was surely to be a walkover, we were a mere Three Steps To Heaven. Perhaps Luton wouldn't even turn up? But they did turn up. In the first game, we drew 0-0 at home.

Then in the replay, we somehow lost 3-2 in a defeat that still hurts me to my core; with the son of Trevor from Showaddywaddy, Scott Oakes, scoring a hat-trick. That was the night I realised that life ain't no Dancin' Party.

Scott Oakes said after the game: "My Dad used to stuff all his guitars and musical instruments in my bedroom when I was young, but it really put me off music and turned me on to sport." So not only do we have the music of Showaddywaddy to blight our lives, we also have to endure their unfair and unsporting legacy; defeat at Kenilworth Road in 1994 and personally, the saltwater that rolled around my Pretty Little Angel Eyes that night.

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FIFA 18: Hammers goalkeeper talks eSports
WHUFC.com

Nathan Trott tips himself as one of the Club's best video gamers. We spoke all things FIFA with the promising young goalkeeper…

What are your earliest memories of playing FIFA?

I think my first one was either FIFA 09 or 10, when I was little. I just used to go and play it after school and that's when I got into it. Since then, I've had every single game – in fact, I have bought every game on the release day since! There was a year when I tried to play Pro Evolution Soccer, but FIFA has always been my game.

Which teams do you normally play with on FIFA 17?

On 17, I normally play with the pacey teams with strong players. I like to select teams who nobody else really goes for, so I go for Sporting Lisbon a lot or other teams with some hidden gems.

What's your playing style on the game?

I'm quite defensive. I like to counter attack and then defend aggressively to try and win the ball back. I'm all about pace and strength going forward – they are my two big things when it comes to scoring goals on the game!

Who, from West Ham United, gives you a good game?

I play against a lot of the Academy lads and there are a few who give me good games. Malyk Hamilton is really good, and Jahmal Hector-Ingram is up there too. Those two are probably the hardest too I have played. But I still fancy myself as the best! I definitely back myself, I'm No1 in the whole Club!

What about the worst?!

I'm not going to drop any names! I wouldn't say there's anyone who is really bad – if they are, they just don't play me! I never really beat anyone 10-0 or anything like that, as I'm quite a defensive player. But I like to grind out results against the better lads! Most people are on the same level, but nobody is on my level! I won't embarrass anyone.

How much are you looking forward to FIFA 18?

Yeah, I can't wait for the new game to come out. Hopefully I'm going to be on the game for the first time this season as well, so it will be interesting to see my rating. Hopefully it's decent and respectable! I think that's what everyone looks for first, their own rating. I'll go through all the stats! People get so disappointed if FIFA get the wrong strong-foot of the player or bad stats for certain things! Hopefully none of that happens for me!

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TIME TO APPOINT PABLO ZABALETA AS CAPTAIN OF WEST HAM UNITED
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 25 SEPTEMBER 2017 AT 8:30PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by @farehamhammer

These views are of the author and not necessarily those of the site.

Make no error about it, the 2-3 score line flattered us. Till Spurs had a man sent off and took their foot off the gas, we were comprehensively outplayed. The North Londoners sliced through our midfield like a knife through butter. The shot on target ratio target was something like 10-2 in Tottenham's favour. We started well enough, and we were giving as good, as we got in a feisty opening 20 minutes. However, all went pear shaped when the only man with real pace in our team, Michael Antonio, had to be taken off through injury. I was ABSOLUTELY STUNNED when Bilic brought Carroll on as the replacement for Antonio. It was a game crying out for Sakho. Pressing from the front, getting amongst them but the manager defied all conventional wisdom to bring on a virtual statue.

On paper we have a squad that should finish between 10th-7th, however that means nothing if they are not delivering on the pitch. Somebody has got to grab the squad by the scruff of the neck, and turn things round and quickly… otherwise we are on our way to The Championship. It is as simple as that. Fear not we have that man amongst us! He was man of the match against Spurs, in fact he has been the stand out performer this season by a long way. That man is Pablo Zabaleta. Having spent nine years at Manchester City, Zabaleta knows what it takes to be a winner, having won his fair amount of trophies with Manchester City. By his very conduct on and off the pitch, it is clear that Zabaleta wants to be a winner again. He has not come to wind down, he has come to us because he believes in time, West Ham United are going places. We are a work in progress! Keep your eyes on the prize!

No doubt that won't be popular, with the Mark Noble for sainthood brigade, as this will mean Noble is no longer Captain. Noble should no longer be in the team, I will come back to that in a moment. The Zabaleta/Noble captaincy issue reminds me so much of The Parker/Nolan Captaincy situation. Big Sam came in with The Club on the bones of its arse, and decided that Nolan was going to be his lieutenant and enforcer in chief on and off the pitch. Scott Parker, put in a transfer request and soon afterwards joined Spurs. Yes I know it is not exactly the same as the Noble/Zabaleta situation, but it has its similarities. With Nolan as Club Captain, there was no way Parker was going to hang around anyway. Too many cooks spoil the broth as they say. Now we get to the kid from Canning Town, who so happens to be Captain of West Ham. There has been so much sentimental hogwash spouted, as why Mark Noble, should be in the team and many have been out and about beating the Noble drum.

We've been told that he is "upset" at the criticism he has faced. Yes, wishing him injury is vile and uncalled for, but valid criticism? What do you want Mark? The manager to give you a free pass into the team because you're 'West Ham'? And then expect supporters to say nothing, when you cost us in match after match? Brilliant that would be for team morale then Mark. Do you really think your teammates would respect you, if selected on that basis? Yet that is EXACTLY what some of the Noble patriots are demanding. Why should he be in the team? "Because you can see he is really up for it!!" But performance wise he should not be in the team. "Did I say he is good enough??! But he is really up for it and should be in the team!" ok. Another: "Mark bleeds Claret and blue and hates The Spuds. He deserves to be in the team!" You point out Noble's short comings, and the response? "Still Mark bleeds claret and blue and should be in the team!" FFS! Talk about One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest!

Other Noble patriots, have adopted the tactic of rubbishing any West Ham player who has ONE bad game, as justification that Noble should be in the team. Forgetting how many stinkers, Noble has had on the trot. I wonder how Obiang felt, when he spent match after match on the bench just so that Noble could keep his place in the team. Despite being different class to Noble. Others kid themselves that Kouyate and Obiang don't work. Given time they will develop into a good partnership, with Obiang holding and Kouyate driving forward. Even if we signed Messi and it meant Noble would lose his place in the team. The Noble patriots would rather Messi be on the bench than Noble lose his place, which is barmy!! Let's say it as it is: Noble has no pace, offers nothing going forward, no goal threat, master at passing the ball anywhere but forward. When closed down quickly, the ball is passed straight to the opposition, "Like he does it on purpose" or he gets dispossessed allowing the opposition a free run at goal. He gives away free kicks in dangerous positions. Christ how many times has he hacked away at the opposition and been fortunate not to be sent off?

When he does venture forward and gets near the opposition penalty area, once more he gets dispossessed, and is too slow to get back as a result our defence has no protection. Funny that in the previous three games without Noble, we had three clean sheets. Yet as soon as he is back we start conceding again. Some thought he was great yesterday, others share my viewpoint that he was once again poor and that standard everyone expects from a premier league footballer diminished. He then started charging about, that lasted about twenty minutes, after that slow and cumbersome, especially on the turn. Even against Bolton he looked poor. A great guy is The Boy from Canning Town but selecting players on sentimentality cost you matches. Something that West Ham cannot afford. We have not got a bad squad time to ditch the sentimental hogwash, and do the right thing for West Ham! It must be Captain Pablo Zavier Zabaleta. Do that and we most certainly will have more good days than bad days. Over to you Slaven!

We are more than a football club, we're a way of life!

COYI!!!
Farehamhammer!!!
(Edited By Danny Twigg)

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West Ham co-owner David Gold reveals Michail Antonio will be back soon
Last Updated: 25/09/17 11:27pm
SSN

West Ham co-owner David Gold has revealed Michail Antonio's groin injury is not as bad as was first feared. Antonio limped off against Tottengham at the weekend and West Ham boss Slaven Bilic revealed after the game that the winger had suffered a groin problem, and would be having a scan to reveal the extent of the injury. However, Gold revealed on Twitter, that the injury was only expected to keep Antonio out for the next game at home against Swansea on September 30.
Gold said: "We are hopeful that Michail will only miss the Swansea game."
Antonio spent the summer recuperating from a hamstring problem and only started against London rivals Spurs after passing a fitness test on Friday. The 3-2 defeat to Tottenham left the Hammers in the bottom three with just four points from their first six games.

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Michail Antonio to miss just one West Ham match after suffering groin injury in Tottenham loss
KEN DYER
ES Sport

West Ham are hopeful Michail Antonio's groin injury will cause him to miss only one match. Antonio limped off in the first half of Saturday's 3-2 derby defeat by Spurs and is certain to sit out this weekend's home match against Swansea. The injury is not thought to be too serious, however, and Antonio, who had just returned from a lengthy spell out following a hamstring operation, should be fit to return after the October international break for the clash at Burnley. West Ham badly missed Antonio's pace and power against Tottenham. Andy Carroll replaced him and, soon after, the striker misplaced a pass which led to the first of Harry Kane's two goals. Manuel Lanzini is back in training after a knee injury and has a chance of making the bench for the Swansea match

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'I can see that he believes in me' - Nathan Holland opens up on relationship with Slaven Bilic
The winger impressed after making his debut in the Carabao Cup last week
Football London
BYROB GUEST
20:45, 26 SEP 2017

West Ham youngster Nathan Holland has given an insight into Slaven Bilic's relationship with the rest of the first team. The Croat has come under intense pressure so far this season, especially following four defeats from the club's first six league games. Although the Hammers were unlucky against Spurs last Saturday, Bilic's position as manager could come under severe scrutiny if they lose to Swansea City this weekend. While Holland has said the player's are looking to repay the manager with more wins, the 19-year-old also opened up on his own relationship with Bilic after coming into first-team contention. The former Everton youngster, speaking to the club's official website, said:"I'm looking at the season [as a whole] now, rather than just breaking straight into the Premier League team. It's a campaign-long aspiration. "It's a big squad and you have to work hard to get your chance. Now I just need to keep working hard with the U23s and then I'll hopefully get another chance soon. "I am training with the first team a lot and the gaffer has shown his faith in me; I can see that he believes in me. "He is a great coach and he's built a good relationship with everyone. He wants to win so badly every game so hopefully we can repay him by keep getting more wins now and have a good season."

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Despite £8m profit, Bilic's decision to sell misused West Ham flop Havard Nordtveit now looks like a mistake
HITC
Olly Dawes

Havard Nordtveit is thriving with Hoffenheim after leaving West Ham United. West Ham United chose to let a number of players leave the club over the summer, with Slaven Bilic overseeing changes after a disappointing campaign last season. The likes of Darren Randolph, Alvaro Arbeloa, Sofiane Feghouli, Gokhan Tore, Ashley Fletcher and Enner Valencia were among the players to leave, as well as Havard Nordtveit. Norwegian international Nordtveit, 27, was seen as a bargain signing for West Ham last summer, as the former Arsenal youngster arrived on a free transfer from Borussia Monchengladbach after years of impressing in the Bundesliga. However, after just 16 Premier League appearances, Nordtveit was allowed to leave for Hoffenheim, with Sky Sports reporting that the fee involved was £8million – a major profit on a free transfer. Despite the profit, the decision to let Nordtveit go after just one season seems like something of an error, as he is now thriving in a Hoffenheim side that enables him to play in one of his favoured positions.
Nordtveit is currently playing as a centre back for Hoffenheim, and has been part of a six-game unbeaten start to the season for Julian Nagelsmann's side, underlining his importance when playing in a familiar role in five of those games. Mostly a centre back or defensive midfielder, Bilic almost always played Nordtveit as a right back or right wing back, and given his lack of pace, it's no surprise that he failed to play his best football there. Now, Nagelsmann is making Bilic and West Ham look foolish for letting him leave, especially when the Hammers have leaked 13 goals in six games this season; no Premier League team has conceded more. Conversely, Hoffenheim have conceded just three goals in five games with Nordtveit at the back, as he continues to impress away from the London Stadium, making many wonder just why Bilic seemed so reluctant to play him as a centre back or holding midfielder for much of last season.

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CONFIRMED: Swansea star Jordan and West Ham ace Andre axed from Ghana squad to face Uganda in qualifier
Published on: 26 September 2017
GhanaSoccernet.com

West Ham United's Andre Ayew and his brother Jordan have been sensationally dropped from Ghana's squad to face Uganda in a crucial 2018 World Cup qualifier next month, it has been confirmed. The two players have been left out of the 26-man squad announced by coach Kwesi Appiah on Tuesday.
GHANAsoccernet.com reported that the two brothers have been axed from the squad earlier on Tuesday. The two players were both absent as Ghana thumped Congo 5-1 in Brazzaville last month. Swansea striker Jordan missed the match after complaining he had a stomach bug but recovered later to feature against Newcastle United. West Ham United star Andre withdrew from the squad after claiming he had suffered suffered injury. But theories also exist surrounding a family dispute between the players' father, Abedi Pele, and coach Appiah, which is thought to stretch back to 1992. The pair played together in the early 90s but fell out in spectacular fashion over the captaincy of their country. Pele was controversially handed the armband before the African Nations Cup in Senegal 1992. The Ghana FA stripped Appiah of the team's captaincy with the excuse that Abedi could communicate well in both French and English .

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Javier Hernandez slams 'untrue' Cristiano Ronaldo story
The Mexican striker took to social media to rubbish a report involving the Real Madrid superstar
Football London
COMMENTS
BYANDY HA
10:08, 26 SEP 2017

West Ham United striker Javier Hernandez has denied a report claiming that Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo donated £880,000 to the victims of the recent earthquake in Mexico. The earthquake, which struck the Mexican city of Puebla last week, has claimed over 320 lives, and caused widespread damage to surrounding areas. The story, which was originally made public by a Spanish journalist based in the United States, stated that Ronaldo contacted Hernandez about how best to use the funds, but the West Ham striker labelled the claims a 'lie'. Hernandez, who played with Ronaldo at Real Madrid, posted on Twitter: 'Lie, I have not been contacted. But I hope to help our country in any way!'

Follow
Chicharito Hernandez ✔@CH14_
Mentira, a mi no me ha contactado. Pero ojalá pueda ayudar a nuestro país de cualquier manera! #YoXMéxico https://twitter.com/mediotiempo/status/912397786590666753 …
10:09 PM - Sep 25, 2017
52 52 Replies 545 545 Retweets 1,424 1,424 likes

There was no confirmation from Ronaldo's representatives about whether any contact took place, but the star did show his support to a young boy who lost his life after a school was crushed in the earthquake. The boy, named Santiago, was a big Real Madrid fan and his relatives wrote to the Portuguese forward to request a message.

Cristiano Ronaldo ✔@Cristiano
En este momento de dolor, envío a la familia de Santiago y a todas las familias que han perdido sus seres queridos un enorme abrazo.
7:57 PM - Sep 24, 2017
14,172 14,172 Replies 120,466 120,466 Retweets 319,515 319,515 likes
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Ronaldo in response posted a picture on Twitter of himself holding a signed Real Madrid shirt with a personalised message on it, captioning the post with: 'To my no.1 one fan, Santiago. In this moment of pain, I send a huge hug to Santiago's family and to all the families who have lost their loved ones.'

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Could West Ham's Reece Oxford finally get a chance to impress after Gladbach's defensive horror show?
HITC
Vincent Ralph

The West Ham United youngster is yet to feature since moving to Germany on loan. When West Ham United sent Reece Oxford on loan to Borussia Monchengladbach, they would have been hoping the teenager would finally get the regular game time his talent deserves. However, six matches into his temporary stint in the Bundesliga, the Hammers youngster is yet to make his debut. It is another frustrating situation for a player who showed, as a 16-year-old, that he has what it takes to succeed in the Premier League. But memories of his outstanding debut against Arsenal have long since faded, and the now-18-year-old needs to ensure his time at Gladbach does not go the way of his ill-fated spell at Reading last season. There could be light at the end of the tunnel, with the German club suffering a 6-1 defeat against Borussia Dortmund at the weekend, while Oxford again watched from the bench. That defensive horror show could finally prompt a change of personnel and, if it does, Oxford could finally be in line to show what he can do. The West Ham player was not signed to simply make up the numbers, or at least he shouldn't have been. After one failed loan spell, the Hammers hierarchy should have insisted on regular minutes for the centre-back to ensure he returns ready to stake a claim at the London Stadium. As a result, it will be interesting to see Gladbach's next team selection, and West Ham boss Slaven Bilic may be more eager than most to see if Oxford finally gets the call.

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West Ham ace Domingos Quina should have big Sheffield United regrets
HITC
Dan Coombs

Failing to land move to from West Ham to Sheffield United is a missed opportunity for Domingos Quina. West Ham United teenager Domingos Quina came close to signing a loan deal with Sheffield United on deadline day, SkySports reported. And while the Blades should be disappointed not to have clinched a move for the talented youngster, it is Quina who shoul have bigger regrets. Quina, 17, signed for West Ham from Chelsea's youth academy in 2016 but has not yet progressed to the first team. He got an opportunity in the Carabao Cup, but he is not yet in the picture when it comes to Premier League appearances. Sheffield United were offering him a chance of regular football on loan, and for Quina it is a missed opportunity. The winger has lost out on joining a side who are among the most exciting teams in the Championship at present. Their 4-2 win over rivals Sheffield Wednesday at the weekend was sensational, but it was no fluke either. The Blades are in fourth place in the division and just two points off top spot. There is no guarantee Sheffield United will return for him in the January transfer window, but if Quina is approached, he must leap at the chance. This has the potential to be a memorable season for Chris Wilder's team, and Quina would be lucky to be a part of it.

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Thomas Tuchel rejects West Ham approach as Slaven Bilic edges closer to the exit
The German manager has been out of work since leaving Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season
The Mirror
COMMENTS
BYADRIAN KAJUMBA
12:12, 26 SEP 2017UPDATED12:53, 26 SEP 2017

Thomas Tuchel has ruled himself out of the running to potentially replace Slaven Bilic at West Ham. Mirror Sport revealed last month that the Hammers were already considering alternatives to boss Bilic following defeats in their opening two games. Former Borussia Dortmund boss Tuchel is one name the East Londoners had in their sights. But the out-of-work 44 year-old, who left Dortmund after winning the German Cup last season has rejected West Ham's interest after being sounded out. Bilic has steadied the ship since it first emerged that the Hammers were putting the feelers out for a possible successor.
Two wins and a draw from three games, after they returned to playing at the London Stadium this month following the summer's World Athletics Championships, helped ease the pressure on the Croatian. But Saturday's 3-2 defeat to bitter rivals Tottenham was a blow and a philosophical Bilic admitted he is now always under pressure after a possible West Ham exit was first mooted at the end of last season. He said: "It's part of my job. I know that. Once that [Slaven is in danger] is opened, then it basically doesn't stop. "Game by game, or two games by two games, it's the way it is in modern football. Once you open that page…"

West Ham are now searching elsewhere while Bilic, whose current deal expires at the end of the season, continues his efforts to try and steer the third-bottom Irons up the table. Huddersfield's David Wagner, Fulham's Slavisa Jokanovic would be candidates if the Hammers job became available while an ambitious move for Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri has also been considered.

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Football fans caught up in Westfield shopping centre acid attack which left six injured
The incident took place on Saturday at the shopping centre in Stratford, near West Ham's London Stadium
The Mirror
BYJOE MEWIS
09:41, 25 SEP 2017

Two West Ham supporters were among the six people injured an acid attack at the Westfield shopping centre on Saturday evening. A balaclava-clad gang sprayed a number of victims near the West Stratford City shopping centre and Stratford station in east London, with three people being taken to hospital. The incident is believed to have occurred following an 'altercation' between two groups of young men, with a 15-year-old boy later being arrested as police said that the incident was not terror-ralted. Police said none of the injuries is life-threatening or expected to be life-changing. According to the Star, the two West Ham fans were in a McDonald's restaurant near the London Stadium and were caught up in the commotion.
Witness Zak Abdi recorded footage at the scene after he had been shopping with friends. He told Mirror Online: "I was about to leave the station and a few guys were scattering, and there were guys on the floor in agony, with their friends all around them. "The police locked off the whole area, it was just hectic. "The police did what they can."
In a statement, a spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: "Police were called just before 8pm on Saturday, 23 September to the area around Stratford Shopping Centre to reports of a group of males spraying what is believed to be a noxious substance. "London Ambulance Service and London Fire Brigade have attended. A number of people have been reported injured at different locations - believed to be six people. We await further details. One male has been arrested on suspicion of GBH."

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OFFSIDE: TO INTERFERE OR NOT TO INTERFERE?
By Tony Hanna 26 Sep 2017 at 08:00
WTID

Lots has been read and said about Saturday's game against Spurs but the main topic of my Tuesday article this week is going to focus on the rules of the game that led to the first goal of the match and also influenced the two other goals we conceded. I am sure that I am not alone in wanting changes to the game that would improve it as a spectacle and also to make it a fairer and less cynical sport. I doubt anyone likes the diving, time wasting and feigning injury tactics that we see so often, and those are just at the tip of the iceberg of the sports problems. The professional foul can be blatant and it can also be mischievously deceptive. The small tug of the shirt or an arm can often be as critically important as the crude trip without any intention of playing the ball.

However, one of the most controversial aspects of the game is the offside rule. For all the years I played the game it was fairly simple. A very basic analysis was if you or any of your team mates are in an offside position when the ball is played forward inside the opposition half then the ref blows his whistle and awards a free kick to your opponents. Linesmen didn't always get it right but I doubt the reinvented assistant referees would either? However, the rule was black and white and had very little scope for an officials "interpretation". Always a good thing that – in my opinion! The continued changes made in the Premier League era to the old law have certainly seen more goals scored but in my view it has also been detrimental to the essence of the game. Playing the offside trap under the old rules in the 70's could actually be practised to an art form. I remember watching a local amateur team one day and they had it down pat using a sweeper. It left such an impression on me that I can write about it now some 45 years later! I never thought that something so technical could be so polished from a team playing at an amateur level. The famous Arsenal back line movement playing the offside trap inspired the writers of the Full Monty movie to use it to simplify their dance routines! However, we now have players wandering back from offside positions and providing they don't make an immediate move for the ball, play continues. Sometimes the ball is played to a team mate in an onside position and they can score despite other members of the team being offside? How can a defence realistically play the trap in those circumstances? How is a rule that allows a player to stand in an offside position whilst his side score a goal not offering an advantage to that team? As Bill Shankly famously said "if a player's not interfering with play he shouldn't be on the bloody pitch?" Brian Clough went further by adding that if any of his players weren't interfering with play at all times they shouldn't be paid.

In 1990 for the "good of the game" and to promote attacking football the offside law underwent its first radical change in over 60 years. The advantage was now given to the attacking team. If the attacker was in line with the penultimate defender, he was now onside. This was one of the best rule changes FIFA have ever made in my opinion. It kept the old rule in place except for the small tweak which did seem to make a difference. It was easy for the match officials to rule on and I think everyone was happy? The tinkering since has ebbed and flowed and I do believe the authorities have tried to do the right thing by the fans, but in my opinion they have just created more problems and more room for controversy with the inconsistencies around players not interfering in play or gaining an advantage from being offside.

I have been mulling over writing an article on this subject for a while now but Harry Kane's first goal on the weekend was the perfect trigger for today's piece. Under the current rules (Law 11) it was a fair goal. But the circumstances surrounding this goal show why the new ruling is an ass. Erickson receives the ball and plays a pass out to Alli who is in an onside position, however when the ball is played, Kane who is more central, is around two to three yards offside. Kane is not ruled offside because he is not interfering with play? However, Kane keeps running towards goal and because of his original "non-interference" offside position has a three yard start on his marker Fonte. Ogbonna chases Alli who's lost Cresswell but the Tottenham player crosses the ball to Kane who is steaming into the box. Kane scores because he is unmarked and that was because Fonte had no chance of making up the three yards on a player that had been deemed not interfering with play? Apparently. Now if anyone thinks that the law is not flawed if that is allowed to happen then I give up.

To go further, a look at the second goal and when the Spurs attack starts Kane is six yards offside, again not interfering (or gaining an advantage)…..and scores 6 seconds later? With Spurs third goal two players are in offside positions when Erickson shoots and scores from just inside the box. Yet despite both being in around the six yard box at a set piece they are not interfering with play either? I have no doubt we have scored many goals in similar circumstances but this rule has become an absolute farce, especially when you look at Kane's first goal which was completely irretrievable once he gained his head start advantage on Fonte from the ruling. All three goals we conceded highlight the laziness we now accept from players to get back onside under the current rules but the last two were at least scored under the ethical reasoning of why the laws were changed. In fact, all three goals awarded against us were correctly given by the officials under the current Law 11 of the game providing you allow for the referees interpretation. The current rules deciding an offside position seem to have moved away from "interfering" a little and now the key words are "gaining an advantage" and perhaps this may be more relevant to why I think Spurs first goal should have been disallowed?

Now, the offside rule is for all to exploit and not just Spurs. We have scored goals in similar fashion as have all teams, well except Crystal Palace this season in the PL of course – sorry, I couldn't help myself. However, the continued tampering of the pre-1990 rule has led to more confusion than anything else, but my main beef is whether the current rules are fair or not and whether they are open to too much interpretation from the officials? For instance in the 9th minute of the game Reid played a ball forward and Antonio and Chico were in offside positions. They both showed no interest in the pass realising they were off but Noble ran onto the ball from an onside position and the flag went up immediately? When you compare this decision to the Kane debacles it made no sense. As fans all we want is consistency from the officials and unfortunately we are not getting it whilst this rule still opens up too many grey areas. We certainly weren't the beneficiaries of it on the weekend and I am firmly in the Shankly / Clough camp regarding players interfering with play (or gaining an advantage by not interfering).

One of the great exponents of taking advantage of the earlier changes to the offside rule was Ruud Van Nistelrooy. He continually breached the defensive line and had the uncanny knack of just putting himself onside when it mattered. No wonder he scored so many goals and I am sure his nous in reading the play around the offside rule contributed to many of them. You can only play to what the current rules are and you can't blame the players for taking advantage of them. Indeed, credit has to be given where they do take advantage of them. In my opinion though, I find it a shame that this is one rule FIFA have interfered with too much. I am sure there will be differing opinions on this subject but enjoy the debate.

my apologies for not being able to attach a youtube video clip of the goals to support my article. I did have one yesterday but it has since been pulled down as I guess it may not have been legal

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