Daily WHUFC News II - 28th October 2017

Slaven Bilic column: I am expecting a big performance today
WHUFC.com

West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic is expecting a big performance at
Crystal Palace today after a confidence-boosting comeback victory over
Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley on Wednesday evening...

Hello everyone,

We have certainly seen the contrasting emotions that football can bring over
the course of the past seven days. There is no denying that our defeat
against Brighton at London Stadium was a painful experience, and there was
not much I could say after the game to make things seem better. But in this
game there is simply nothing to be achieved from dwelling on negatives or
feeling sorry for yourself, and our victory on Wednesday at Wembley was a
reward for the character and belief that the players showed. It is not the
first time we have come from 2-0 down to win - it happened in my first
season as manager up at Everton. And I have to say that there were
similarities between the two games, in that even when we were 2-0 down, I
saw signs that convinced me that we were still in the game. We had enough of
the ball and dealt with the opposition well enough to be in a position to
turn it around. Of course, goals change games, and the main thing on
Wednesday is that we took our chances when we got them, but it wasn't a
complete shock to me that we managed to produce a fightback. I was also
happy with what I saw in the dressing room following the game. After a
victory like that, it is important to let the players enjoy the moment and
share the celebration together - that is how a team builds a special bond.
But there was a determination and focus among them, that we all want to
carry into this afternoon's game at Selhurst Park.

Crystal Palace, like us, haven't had the start to the season they would have
hoped for. They are a club who have already made some big changes this
season, and they are desperate for a positive run. We go into the game on
the back of very different results - us beating Tottenham in the way we did,
and them losing 4-1 to Bristol City. They are a wounded animal, as we were
after last Friday's game. For that reason, we have to be completely focused
and make sure that we start the game in the same way we finished off on
Wednesday. But that doesn't mean it automatically happen, and it isn't just
a case of putting out the same players who came from behind against Spurs.
My job is to pick the team that I believe has the best chance of beating
Crystal Palace, based on how we expect them to set up and which of our
players we believe are best suited to the type of encounter we are likely to
face. Of course, confidence and form is a big part of that selection
process, and there are some players who came into the team on Wednesday and
performed well enough, in the second half particularly, to deserve to be
considered for today's game. But, as a manager, that is what you hope for.
That you get to a position where players who haven't been in the team
regularly take their chance when given an opportunity and give you a
selection headache for the next game. I don't ever take anything for
granted, but I am hoping and expecting a big performance today. We go into
the match fresh from the positive experience of Wednesday and having beaten
Crystal Palace twice last season.
Manu Lanzini scored in both those victories, and he is a big player for us.
Wednesday was an important game for him - he is now reaching the physical
levels he needs to be at his best, and that is a very promising sign. I know
that the majority of our fans at Selhurst Park today will have been at
Wembley on Wednesday, and I hope we can all share and feel that momentum
once the game kicks off today. It is another London derby, another huge
game, and we are all determined to repeat that feeling we had walking back
into the dressing-room at Wembley after the final whistle in midweek.

Come on you Irons!

Slaven

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Joe Hart welcomes competition from 'top goalkeeper' Adrian
WHUFC.com

Joe Hart says West Ham United can only benefit from players competing for
places - including his own! England's No1 was among those impressed by the
Hammers' sensational comeback from two goals down to defeat Tottenham
Hotspur 3-2 at Wembley in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening. West Ham's
win was made possible, in part, by the performance of Adrian in goal and,
rather than be worried about how it may impact on his own position, Hart
welcomed the Spaniard's impressive display. ''It's good," said Hart, who has
started all nine Premier League games so far this season, while Adrian has
played in all three Carabao Cup ties. For the No25, competition for his
place is nothing new, with the likes of Andreas Isaksson, Shay Given, Costel
Pantilimon and Willy Caballero all challenging Hart for his place at
Manchester City.
At international level, he has consistently held off the challenge of a
succession of challengers for his starting spot, including Jack Butland,
John Ruddy, Fraser Forster, Tom Heaton and Jordan Pickford. "I have been a
part of strong goalkeeping line ups everywhere I have gone. This is no
different. Adrian is a top goalkeeper and capable of big performances like
he proved on Wednesday night. "I enjoy working with him every day and we
leave it up to the manager to work out what's going on and we will try and
give our best for the team.''

Indeed, Hart believes West Ham have two players battling for every position
in Slaven Bilic's side, particularly in the light of the performance put in
by a much-changed team at Wembley in midweek. Bilic's selection for
Saturday's Premier League fixture at Crystal Palace is eagerly-awaited, with
the likes of Mark Noble, Aaron Cresswell, Angelo Ogbonna and Andre Ayew all
pushing for starts after being left out for the 3-0 Premier League defeat by
Brighton & Hove Albion last Friday. "When everyone is fit at our Club, we
have a good enough squad to make it difficult for the manager. There's
strength in depth in every position so that's why he gets paid his money and
he will pick the best team to win.''

Saturday's game will see Hart come up against a manager he knows well in Roy
Hodgson, the man who picked him 46 times for his country, took him to three
major tournaments and named him England captain for the first time in Spain
in November 2015. The Hammers stopper believes the 70-year-old has the
experience and knowhow to get Palace out of their current predicament,
pointing to last weekend's 2-1 win over champions Chelsea as proof. "It's
been a tough time for them but I'm sure they are trying to address that in
house and they have the same kind of hunger and desire as us - it's who
shows the quality on the day. "You can't beat Chelsea with one man. They'd
have beaten Chelsea with all their players playing out of their skin. It
helps having players like him. They have quality throughout their team. I
don't think there's any team in the Premier League that doesn't possess at
least three standout players and the rest are very, very good. "Roy has got
lots of experience and can help. He's managed at international level to a
high level and up to the levels of Liverpool in the Premier League, so he's
knows what it takes to manage an important team and I am sure he will be
drilling his players for a massive game."

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CRYSTAL PALACE MATCH PREVIEW
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 27 OCTOBER 2017 AT 9:38PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by @deportivohammer

Well, I can honestly say that I did not see that result coming. I checked
the score as I left work and saw that we were 2-0 down and my heart sank, I
took a slow walk back to my car for the 15 min journey home. Whilst arriving
home I checked again to find we had got 2 goals back. I quickly turned on
the computer in time to see Ogbonna glance his header into the Spurs net. I
decided to wake up my boys so they could witness another great West Ham
moment.Lets hope its not the only one this year.

Which leads me onto Crystal Palace bottom of the league with just the one
win this year coming against an unlikely opponent in Chelsea. But I think
its safe to say that they have been awful this year. Roy Hodgson has come in
to replace Frank De Boer and managed to get the team to find the net, which
was more than his predecessor did. Although losing heavily midweek against a
Championship side Bristol City can not be the best preperation for what is
looking very much like a relegation scrap.

West Ham on the other hand, obviously had a great result against rivals
Tottenham midweek but we can not forget how bad our previous league game
was. Losing 0-3 at home to anyone is embarrassing but to Brighton. The
players should be ashamed of their performance. Which is why I was so
surprised Wednesday evening. Form has not really been great for West Ham we
seem to be incapable of getting some consistency in our performances. This l
feel needs to be addressed and maybe we need to stop playing players on
reputation.

James McArthur is facing a late fitness test and Chung-Yong is a doubt for
the game One time West Ham transfer targets Benteke and Wickham are both out

West Ham have a better fitness report, with the only absentee from the squad
being defender James Collins. Sakho has decided he wants to turn up again.
But Mikhail Antonio will have a late test on a bruised rib.

Predicted Line ups :

Crystal Palace: Speroni, Ward, Dann, Sakho, Van Arnholdt, Cabaye,
Milivojevic, McArthur, Schlupp, Townsend, Zaha.

West Ham United : Hart, Cresswell, Zabaleta, Fonte, Reid, Ogbonna, Noble,
Kouyate, Lanzini, Ayew, Hernandez.

Difficult one to try and predict this week with many fringe players putting
in a good shift midweek it will be interesting to see if he continues to
play around with the players and the formation. We know from Ex that Byram,
Rice, Holland, Martinez and Sakho will not be involved though. I have gone
for 3 at the back again as it seems to be our most solid formation
defensively. This is not something I would agree with. I would go out to
attack Palace and get an early goal and hopefully they would lose
confidence. But Slav knows his job is on the line and can not afford anymore
slip ups like Brighton. I think we will win again tomorrow but make hard
work of it as usual. 2-1 to the Hammers with goals coming from Lanzini and
Hernandez

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WHAT ARE THE ODDS? CRYSTAL PALACE AWAY
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 27 OCTOBER 2017 AT 9:50PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by Martin Backhouse @martinbackhouse

Who else is still buzzing after Wednesday night?! What a second half that
was. However, that's done now and the main focus is back on the league; it's
Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday.

Betway have us priced up at a generous 9/4 to win it, with the draw at
23/10. We've beaten Palace the last three times we've visited their neck of
the woods, and we are actually unbeaten in the Premier League against them
under Slaven Bilic (W3 D1 L0). Crystal Palace have also won only seven of
their 23 Premier League home games since the start of 2016-17 (W7 D2 L14),
which is another reason why I think we're such good value this weekend.

Crystal Palace have lost 12 of their last 14 Premier League games to nil.
Over 2017, 17 of their 29 Premier League games have seen them lose without
scoring. With this in mind, it might be worth having a few pennies on the
1-0 and 2-0 scorelines, which are available with our sponsors at 8/1 and
12/1 respectively. That stat coupled with the fact that they have scored
just two goals in their nine Premier League games so far this season, makes
the prices on those correct scores very tempting.



Manuel Lanzini has scored in all four of his Premier League games against
Palace (four goals). He has netted more league goals vs the Eagles than any
other West Ham player. In fact, nine of Manuel Lanzini's 14 Premier League
goals have come in London derby matches (64%). If you fancy him to score
again on Saturday you can enjoy 15/2 on him to bag the opener, and he's 11/4
to score anytime. Will it be Andy Carroll or Chicharito up top? Or both? If
you think either of the two will net this weekend, they're available at 9/2
and 4/1 to score first respectively, with both priced at 21/10 to score
anytime.

There's just one #betyourway market available as I type this. West Ham to
win, under 3.5 goals, Hernandez to score and Milivojeciv to be booked is
priced up at 25/1! Be sure to have a check prior to kick off as I'm sure
there will be plenty more to choose from!

What will I bet on? I'm lumping on a West Ham win at 9/4, with a few pennies
on a 1-0 and 2-0 win. We've also beaten Palace 3-1 at their place a couple
of times recently, so I'll be backing that too at 22/1! Good luck with your
bets. COYI

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Joe Hart says West Ham's trip to Crystal Palace is biggest game of the
season
Last Updated: 27/10/17 4:39pm
SSN

Joe Hart says West Ham's trip to Crystal Palace on Saturday is "humongous",
and their biggest match of the season. The Hammers currently sit 16th in the
Premier League, above the drop zone only on goal difference, while Roy
Hodgson's struggling Crystal Palace are bottom with three points from nine
games. A win for Palace could change the complexion of the bottom end of the
table, and goalkeeper Hart says the clash at Selhurst Park is their cup
final. Hart told Soccer Saturday: "We've had wins, big wins, and not
followed them up. Saturday is a humongous game, no matter what had happened
at Wembley, Saturday is a huge game. We want to bring that second half form
into Saturday. "We're approaching it as the biggest game of the season.
Crystal Palace are our cup final right now. We need to get some points on
the board, and we need to get the group of fans behind us, who are
struggling at the moment, and I understand why.
"That's the most important thing. Palace are probably having the same
meetings, discussions as we are, they have the same feelings about the game
as us. It's a huge, important game, and we need to be right. "We want to be
in games, in charge of games, and don't want to have to react, but we did
what we had to do. But that was one of however many games we've had this
season, and one of the highlights, but there has been a lot that hasn't been
good enough."
Fresh from a dramatic comeback at Wembley, where West Ham came from 2-0 down
to beat Spurs 3-2 in the Carabao Cup fourth round, Hart added that the win
is only a good result if they take it into their next game. "It's only a
good result if we can build on it," Hart said. "We have [done ourselves
justice] in short bursts. We've not had any games where we've been blown
away by anyone, but we've had 20 good minutes, then five minutes off, and
you can't afford that in this league. "You can't afford to not concentrate.
It's not a question of not giving 100 per cent - I genuinely believe we have
a squad of players who want to give their all - but the channelling a
direction of our intensity needs to be at the right times."
Hammers boss Slaven Bilic has come under pressure in recent weeks after some
poor performances, but Hart says he and his team-mates are invested in what
the Croatian is trying to do. "I don't think we have to prove that we're
playing for the manager, we turn up for training every day for him; he tells
us what to do and we do it. "Speculation will always be rife in football,
and that's people's jobs: to talk, create the atmosphere outside [of the
club]. But we stay strong inside, train hard, ask a lot of each other, and
we're going to have to keep doing that. "We ask a lot of the manager,
hopefully he's going to ask a lot from us, and when we come together, we've
seen what we can do, so there's no excuse for us not to do it."
Hart is currently at West Ham on loan from Manchester City, having lost his
place as No 1 at the Etihad Stadium once Pep Guardiola arrived last summer.
The 30-year-old's England place is also under threat from Jack Butland and
Jordan Pickford, but Hart insists that despite a rollercoaster two years, he
has nothing to prove to his critics outside of the game. "I've still got
plenty of time, plenty of football left in me, so I want to make the most
out of my [time at West Ham]. It's not changed my hunger and desire for
football. "I need to keep Slaven Bilic happy, I need to keep playing well
for Gareth Southgate, my team-mates, other than that I've got nothing to
prove to anyone. Simple as that."

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West Ham "senators" have boss Slaven Bilic's vote to steer his strugglers
away from relegation trouble
Fifth-bottom Hammers counting on the leadership of senior pros who have won
major trophies and captained their countries
The Mirror
Neil McLeman
22:30, 27 OCT 2017UPDATED23:25, 27 OCT 2017

Slaven Bilic has backed his West Ham "senators" to lead the club clear of
the drop zone and repay his faith in them. The Hammers eased the -pressure
on their beleaguered boss in midweek with a stunning League Cup fightback
against Tottenham, led by the recalled Mark Noble. But the heat will be back
on if they lose another -Premier League derby, away to bottom club Crystal
Palace on Saturday. With Michail Antonio fit again, Bilic has -selections
problems having made nine changes against Spurs from the team humbled by
Brighton a week ago. But he will rely on his battle-hardened core of senior
pros at Selhurst Park. "Mental strength is most -important thing," he said.
"That's why you need leaders, those kind of senators in your team. We've
enough of them, a few captains of national teams. "We've people who won
major trophies with their national teams or with -previous clubs. We've a
good mixture of them and young -players who will hopefully achieve what
their colleagues achieved. "That mental strength is key today, especially in
the Premier League when you have a -feeling it's like big brother, you are
there 24/7, on the radar, every move being analysed."
Bilic has been careful to avoid public criticism of his men, even after the
3-0 home defeat to Brighton. "You have your principles and have to make them
believe in you," he said. "And if you stay behind them in the bad times,
then they feel trust." Noble was dropped for the previous two league games
but his spat with Tottenham's Danny Rose at the start of the second half was
the catalyst for the League Cup comeback. Bilic said: "Was it a coincidence
or was it more important than the first goal? Nobody knows. Maybe it helped.
"Mark Noble has that in him. He's the captain who loves to be the captain.
He is Mr West Ham, has been all his life, and he is first for that." Bilic
did not play down the significance of today's visit to Selhurst park. "I
know our situation," he said. "Our situation -determines my situation. It's
a massively important game."

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