Daily WHUFC News - 19th October 2017

Noble: Our squad is stronger than ever
WHUFC.com

Mark Noble is ready to play his part against Brighton & Hove Albion on Friday evening. The captain was an unused substitute for Saturday's 1-1 Premier League draw at Burnley, but his experience, input and encouragement still played a big role in West Ham United securing a point, despite playing for more than an hour with ten men. And Noble says his absence from the starting XI was a representation of just how strong the Hammers' squad is, now the Club's injured players have returned to action. "Whether I am involved from the start or not [on Friday], I will prepare the same way and give the same input in the dressing room and on the pitch, either way," he said. "I have played regularly for this Club for over a decade now, but we now have a bigger and stronger squad than ever and that means the manager will take decisions to pick certain players for certain matches. "Some people might think a player being left out of the starting XI is a big talking point, but it isn't, for me. It's just the result of the Club having a big squad full of quality players and only eleven of them can start the game. "We saw against Swansea that substitutes can make a massive difference when they come on and, at the end of the day, football is a results game and our substitutes helped us get a positive result in our last home game."

Looking ahead to Friday's London Stadium meeting with newly-promoted Brighton, Noble says another strong defensive showing will be the foundation for another home victory. West Ham have won three out of four games at London Stadium in all competitions this season, five of the last eight dating back to March, and three points against the Seagulls would move them into the top half of the Premier League table for the first time this season. "All that matters at this stage is putting points on the board and sometimes you have to sacrifice your playing style to win games, and we probably did that a bit against Swansea City here last time out. At the end of the day, a win is a win, and that is all that matters. "That victory was built on the fact we defended well and had kept a clean sheet going into the final stages of the game, then we brought Manu, Arthur and Diaf on and they combined to make the difference in the end. "Hopefully, now we have moved up the table a bit and got a few more points, we can play with a bit more freedom and enjoy ourselves."

Standard Tickets for Friday's Premier League fixture with Brighton & Hove Albion are available now via the Ticket Exchange.
The match will also be screened live in the UK by Sky Sports, with kick-off at 8pm.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers proud to host royal visit
WHUFC.com

West Ham United were proud to welcome the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry to London Stadium, where the Club played host to a graduation ceremony of 150 apprentices from The Royal Foundation's inspiring apprenticeship initiative Coach Core, who partner with Hammers. Coach Core improves the availability and quality of sports coaching whilst creating much needed employment for young people, and West Ham's home proved the perfect backdrop for an event about opportunity, hard work, and achievement, which included participation from a number of Coach Core apprentices who have now been employed as part-time coaches in the West ham United Foundation.

Vice-Chairman Karren Brady welcomed the illustrious guests and accompanied them on a tour which included practical demonstrations, which were supported by manager Slaven Bilic, captain Mark Noble and Chicharito. In her speech at the graduation ceremony, Vice-Chairman Brady spoke about the Club's commitment to the community, and the desire to change lives through education. "This Stadium represents for us far more than simply being a venue for Premier League football matches," she said. "When we secured it as our future home in 2013, it was our vision that London Stadium would become the heart of a community and a place where young people can see opportunity, success and a bright future, whatever their background. "My Board are fully committed to making a genuine difference to people's lives and a key focus for us has been doing so via something which is close to my heart – advancing the education and development of children and young adults." "We have in recent years worked with, mentored and delivered opportunities for 120 apprentices with an incredible 87 per cent from Newham and the surrounding Olympic boroughs. "Our work with the fantastic Coach Core began when we arrived here at the Stadium last summer and has seen all of the 2016/17 cohorts end up in part or full-time employment here at the Club, such was their potential and talent."

The Duke and Duchess were impressed at the quality of coaching displayed with some key names in sports providing masterclasses, including Max Whitlock, Judy Murray and Will Greenwood. The West Ham United first team trio of Bilic, Noble and Chicharito held their own football masterclass, but were also in demand for autographs and selfies, before sharing a conversation with all three Royals in attendance. "It was my first time meeting royalty and, of course, it was a huge honour to meet and talk to them," Bilic said. "They are very down to earth and know about football, while we also had a very interesting discussion about the project. "We spoke about how important Coach Core has been in giving kids a chance, with a clear path to a good education and the opportunity for a better life. When I was young there wasn't opportunities like this available. "The kids are enthusiastic - it means so much to them and it was a big pleasure to spend some time with them. "I'm very proud to be a part of this Club and all of us connected to West Ham are very proud to be a part of this project."


In a lighthearted moment which brought smiles to the faces of all in attendance, Noble produced a gift for The Duke and Duchess - West Ham United shirts for Prince George and Princess Charlotte. "It was just a little something from all of us at West Ham United – we wanted to make them feel as welcome as possible," said Noble. "I met Prince Harry years ago at Upton Park but it was meeting my first time meeting Prince William and Princess Kate - it was fantastic to see them all.

Noble added: "We spoke about the Stadium and what West Ham being in Stratford has done for the local area. "Coach Core has given young people a chance to get involved in sport, which is very important in my eyes. It was a pleasure to play a small part in helping them."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Vice-Chairman delighted to welcome royal guests to London Stadium
WHUFC.com

West Ham United Vice-Chairman Karren Brady gave the below speech at Wednesday's visit of the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry to the Coach Core graduation ceremony at London Stadium...

Your Royal Highnesses, ladies, gentlemen and distinguished guests, I am delighted to welcome you this afternoon to the home of West Ham United, the iconic London Stadium. Today is a celebration. A celebration of opportunity, of hard work, and of achievement. A celebration for the talented and impressive young people who sit before me today. A celebration that the pledge we made here at West Ham to provide life-changing opportunities for those in our community continues to come to fruition. And, most importantly, a celebration of the strong partnership formed with Coach Core over the last 15 months and their proud record of delivering for young people. All of this makes London Stadium the perfect venue for your graduation. This Stadium represents for us far more than simply being a venue for Premier League football matches. When we secured it as our future home in 2013, it was our vision that London Stadium would become the heart of a community. A place where young people can see opportunity, success and a bright future, whatever their background. The belief that sport can truly change lives runs through the DNA of our club, and our award winning Foundation is widely hailed as leading the way in the Premier League.

Since arriving here in 2016 we've invested over £2.5m in community output in Newham and the surrounding Olympic boroughs alone , directly benefiting over 25,000 local residents around London Stadium. In this coming season we will invest a further £3.2m. This is before you consider our work back in Upton Park and East Ham which continues to buck the trend too, spearheading another major regeneration in London. My Board are fully committed to making a genuine difference to people's lives and a key focus for us has been doing so via something which is close to my heart - advancing the education and development of children and young adults. We have in recent years worked with, mentored and delivered opportunities for 120 apprentices with an incredible 87% from Newham and the surrounding Olympic boroughs.

Our very own West Ham United skill school – the first of its kind in the Premier League - launches later this month and will take our pledge to upskill the future leaders and champions of industry one step further. Funded through the government's apprenticeship levy we have taken on a further 27 new apprentices already as part of this initiative. But today is all about you - the 150 young people who sit here today thanks to the work of Coach Core, positively brimming with potential and ready to make a real difference.

Our work with Coach Core began when we arrived here at the Stadium last summer and has seen all of the 2016/17 cohorts end up in part or full time employment here at the Club, such was their potential and talent. Take Sonny Vaye, here with us today. Sonny has been with West Ham for close to two years now having joined as a sports trainee and then being signposted by the Club to become a Coach Core apprentice. He participated in our Film School project, producing a short film to be aired at BT Sports studios, and has even been selected to participate in the FA's photography initiative of Wembley to Soweto. I am proud to say Sonny is also now a coach for our Foundation and on Friday night he will be one of the photographers at our Premier League match against Brighton.
So the bar is set high for this intake! No pressure!

It's fantastic to see Sir Keith Mills here today who I must also pay tribute to. You should be immensely proud to have played such a key part in the bid for London 2012, delivered the finest Games the world has ever seen, and to have spearheaded such a stunning regeneration in one of London's most deprived boroughs.

All of us here this afternoon are continuing to play our part in that success story, and those graduating today from the incredible Coach Core programme are just the latest generation to benefit. May today's fantastic event, celebrating our graduates' tremendous success and the exceptional work of Coach Core and the Royal Highnesses, whose personal dedication and genuine determination to support apprentices has driven the programme forward, mark just the beginning of a wonderful journey, and the springboard for all of your future success.

We are truly proud to host a group of such exceptional individuals.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Adrian 'unhappy' at playing second fiddle
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 18th October 2017
By: Staff Writer

West Ham goalkeeper Adrian is looking to leave the club in the next transfer window due to a lack of playing time. The Spanish goalkeeper, who has made just two appearances thus far this season - both in the Carabao Cup - is fed up with sitting on the bench, especially in a World Cup year. Despite having never featured for Spain at full international level, the 30-year-old stopper is keen to enhance his chances of being picked for Russia 2018 - something that he feels is impossible at West Ham at present. "The coach is not giving me much game time this year, Adrian told Spanish daily Marca. "The possibility of playing for the national team also disappears when you are not playing. "The market will re-open [in January] and an agreement must be reached because I am not happy in this situation. I wouldn't mind trying other leagues. I want to enjoy every Sunday - and that is achieved by playing."

Adrian, who joined West Ham on a free transfer in the summer of 2013 received his first call-up to the Spanish squad in in August 2016 for the games against Belgium and Liechtenstein when taking the place of his country's most-capped player, Iker Casillas. However he has not been involved since - whilst losing his first team spot at West Ham to the on-loan Joe Hart.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Oxford should stay in Germany
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 18th October 2017
By: Staff Writer

Borussia Monchengladbach sporting director Max Eberl says that on-loan Reece Oxford should persevere with his season-long loan - despite not having played a single competitive match for his new club. West Ham's teenage star was sent to Germany on loan for the season in order to gain some much-needed first team experience. However he is yet to play a single minute in the Bundesliga - leading to suggestions that his develop would be better served back home in England.
But not so, says Eberl - who insists that the England youth international should remain in Germany for the forseeable future. "It would make no sense for Reece to go back [to England] in December," he told the Times. "There is a clause that they could take him back if he plays too few games. But we hope to be able to show Reece and West Ham very soon that he can have a perfect development here this season. "The example for him is Andreas Christensen - not an English player, but another top, talented defender from a Premier League club. Andreas played two years here at the top level, made a huge improvement and is now playing for Chelsea."

Monchengladback are currently 5th in the Bundesliga having won four and drawn two of their opening eight league fixtures. Oxford has been an unused sub in every match bar the opening game of the campaign.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hernandez has epilepsy, claims former colleague
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 18th October 2017
By: Staff Writer

A medical aide claims that West Ham's big summer signing, Javier Hernandez, lives with epilepsy. In a report published by El Universal, Dr Rafael Ortega - who is employed by Chivas de Guadalajara, Hernandez's former club as Director of Medical Services - claims to have treated the Irons star for six years, who it is said suffered several seizures during that period. According to Ortega, a former professional footballer himself, Hernandez has suffered from epileptic fits since he was a youth. However medical advancements have allowed the Mexican international to enjoy a largely uninterrupted career. The news is said to have come as something of a surprise, given that Hernandez has never previously spoken about the condition, which causes sufferers to experience sudden loss of consciousness or convulsions.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Noble: being sub 'no big deal'
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 18th October 2017
By: Staff Writer

Mark Noble says he has no issue with being named as a substitute for last weekend's 1-1 draw at Burnley. West Ham's club captain was an unused substitute as the Hammers drew 1-1 with the Clarets at Turf Moor, leading to yet more speculation that his time as a guaranteed first team squad member are numbered.
However Nobes chose to take a more philosophical approach to his omission - insisting that the team should always come first. "Some people might think a player being left out of the starting XI is a big talking point, but it isn't, for me," he told whufc.com. "It's just the result of the club having a big squad full of quality players and only eleven of them can start the game. "Whether I am involved from the start or not I will prepare the same way and give the same input in the dressing room and on the pitch, either way. "I have played regularly for this Club for over a decade now, but we now have a bigger and stronger squad than ever and that means the manager will take decisions to pick certain players for certain matches. "All that matters at this stage is putting points on the board and sometimes you have to sacrifice your playing style to win games."

West Ham's - and potentially Noble's - next test comes against Brighton & Hove Albion at the Olympic Stadium this Friday evening.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Adrian open to West Ham exit in bid to boost Spain chances
By Sky Sports News
Last Updated: 18/10/17 12:23pm
SSN

Adrian has revealed he is hoping to leave West Ham in January after falling out of favour under manager Slaven Bilic. The Spanish goalkeeper is yet to feature in the Premier League this season, with Bilic opting to start summer signing Joe Hart. Adrian, whose only appearances have come in the Carabao Cup wins against Cheltenham and Bolton, believes he must leave the Hammers in order to boost his chance of inclusion in Spain's World Cup squad. "The coach is not giving me much ball this year, but the data is there. It only remains to fight," the 30-year-old, who signed a new two-year deal in the summer, told Radio Marca. "The possibility also to play for the national team when you are not playing also disappears. The market will be reopened and an agreement must be reached because I am not happy in this situation. "Try other leagues? I would not mind. I want to enjoy every Sunday and that is achieved by playing." Adrian joined West Ham from Real Betis on a free transfer in June 2013 and has since featured 125 times for the club. He earned his first call-up to the Spain squad in August 2016 for the matches against Belgium and Liechtenstein, but did not feature.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
THE ROYALS VISIT THE LONDON STADIUM
The Mirror

West Ham could soon have a royal following after the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were given replica football shirts for their young children. The couple were handed the gifts by club captain Mark Noble as they visited the London Stadium, alongside Prince Harry, for the graduation ceremony of dozens of sports coaching apprentices, as part of the Coach Core scheme. The claret and blue shirts were emblazoned with George and Charlotte's names and ages, 4 and 2, respectively. But whether the children will wear the shirts is still in question - with William supporting another team in claret and blue. As he was welcomed by West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady, Aston Villa fan William joked: "Right colours, wrong team."

Speaking of his presents, Noble said: "It was just a little gift from West Ham really. "We know William is an Aston Villa fan - whether they (the shirts) will get put on or not, I don't know. "It's just a gesture from us to welcome them to the club."

Noble was speaking to the Duke and Duchess as they watched practical sports sessions in action, including football, gymnastics, tennis and rugby. Among the famous faces involved in the sessions was tennis coach Judy Murray, the mother of Andy and Jamie Murray. She said it was "amazing" for William and Kate to be at the event, adding: "For them to be here is a huge inspiration for the young people." She said she spoke to the Duchess about her children and how parents can develop coordination skills at a young age, including playing with balloons. Ms Murray stuck with the theme of West Ham - whose fans sing "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles", adding: "I was telling them to try bubbles as well." She said: "The Prince and the Duchess are very sporty, both of them, and I'm sure they will be keen for their kids to enjoy sport as well."

Before the graduation ceremony William, Kate and Harry, attended a reception to meet key figures who have helped deliver the programme, as well as hearing about future plans for Coach Core. The scheme, designed by the Royal Foundation, is designed to teach apprentices, aged between 16 and 24, technical sports skills alongside coaching, with an emphasis on employability. The organisation says 98% of its graduates are in full-time employment or education, while 80% retain strong ties with their employers and continue to engage in community sport.

Why Prince William loves Aston Villa

Prince William revealed why he snubbed more successful clubs like Manchester United to become an Aston Villa fan prior to presenting the FA Cup at Wembley at the 2015 final. "I got into football big time, and was looking around for clubs," he said. "All my school friends were either Manchester United or Chelsea fans, and I didn't want to follow the run of the mill teams. "I wanted to have a team that would give me more of an emotional rollercoaster, which looking back, was a bad idea! Aston Villa have always had a great history."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
SHOULD TONI MARTINEZ BE PROMOTED TO THE SUBSTITUTES BENCH ON FRIDAY?
By S J Chandos 18 Oct 2017 at 08:00
WTID

The youth set up at West Ham is looking remarkably healthy with the merging talent in the pipeline. Not only has Declan Rice made the break through this season, but youngsters such as Holland, Quina and Martinez are also pushing hard for inclusion at first team level. Indeed, of these latter youngsters, perhaps Spanish youngster Martintez is making the strongest case for inclusion in the match day squad. Those claims must surely be upgraded with his brilliant hat trick for the U-23s against the Manchester United U-23s and the impending non-availability of Carroll due to suspension.

No one can accuse Martinez of not 'doing the business' at U-23 level. He has the outstanding record of scoring 23 goals in 26 appearances since he joined the club. Yes, it could be legitimately argued that there is a clear difference between 'hitting the back of the net' at U-23 level and in the PL, but surely his goal scoring record positively merits a break through to the first team. Especially as Carroll's absence means that there could very well be a vacancy for a striker on the bench against Brighton. I would argue that in these circumstances it is only right that Martinez is included on the bench, with Sakho and Hernandez starting on Friday evening. After all, if Bilic is being genuinely meritocratic in his selection policy then there is little to deter such a move. What is the alternative, to rely on Ayew as an auxiliary striker?

The opportunity is there to elevate Martinez to the bench and Bilic should not only take it, but be seen to take it. He should do so because Martinez strongly merits it and he must be seen to reward outstanding performance. If you perform like Martinez and make no impact at first team level what does that say about the longer-term prospects of West Ham's Academy products? The failure to progress when excelling means that youngsters will get discouraged and look to move on and new prospects will be reluctant to join a club where their chances are perceived as limited. That is a situation to be avoided at all costs for the future of the club.

So, the question is: is Bilic brave enough to take this decision or will he back slide on it? We need to re-establish the club's reputation for not only producing its own talent but also successfully managing the transition to the first team. We have the talent and it needs improved access to first team opportunities at the club, as well as appropriate, and developmental, loan deals. At this juncture in the season it is probably Martinez who is pushing hardest for an opportunity.

The opportunity is there on Friday evening, so lets see it happen!

SJ. Chandos.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

http://vyperz.blogspot.com