Daily WHUFC News - 16th November 2017

International round-up: Hart keeps clean sheet in draw with Brazil
WHUFC.com

West Ham United's Joe Hart kept an impressive clean sheet for England on Tuesday as the Three Lions held Brazil to a 0-0 draw. Hart had to watch from the side-lines on Friday as the Three Lions drew with Germany, with Everton's Jordan Pickford given the nod to play between the sticks in that contest by manager Gareth Southgate. But the 30-year-old was returned to the national side starting XI in Tuesday's match and gave an excellent performance in goal. Notably, Hart was forced into strong saves from efforts by Philippe Coutinho and Paulinho, and the shot-stopper did no harm to his chances of representing England at next summer's World Cup in Russia.

Elsewhere in international friendlies, Marko Arnautovic played 86 minutes for Austria as his side claimed a 2-1 win over Uruguay. The 28-year-old started up front for his nation in this match and was taken off just moments before his side secured the win with an 87th minute winner.

Senegal boasted two West Ham players in their squad in Cheikhou Kouyate and Diafra Sakho, and the former featured in the whole contest as their side bested South Africa in a World Cup qualification match. The win came from a very late winner for Senegal with Kouyate impressing in defence, while Sakho remained an unused substitute.

Declan Rice and Josh Cullen both started and played the full match for the Republic of Ireland U21s against Norway in their UEFA U21s Championship qualification contest. The two Hammers youngsters were on the wrong end of a 2-1 defeat by the Norwegians, but remain second in their group.

Martin Samuelsen, despite being in Norway's squad, did not feature in the contest.

Reece Oxford was named a part of the England U20s for their friendly with Germany but the Three Lions fell to a 2-1 defeat, with two first half goals doing the damage against the loaned defender's team.

At U19s level Domingos Quina scored for Portugal in their friendly against Spain to help his nation comeback to claim a 2-1 win. The Spanish U19s side took the lead in the 21st minute but Quina equalised in the 73rd minute, before Portugal won the tie in time at the very end of the match.

Elsewhere Academy goalkeeper Rihards Matrevics played the full 90 minutes between the sticks for the Latvia U19s in their UEFA U19s Championship Qualification match against San Marino U19s.

Matrevics and his teammates claimed victory thanks to a finish in first half-stoppage time and three further goals in an 18-minute spell in the second period, which puts Latvia U19s second in Group 1.

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Skipper craving winning return at London Stadium
WHUFC.com

West Ham United U23 captain Moses Makasi is craving a winning return to the side when his team host Derby County at London Stadium. The midfielder has missed the Hammers' last four matches due to an ankle injury but is fit and ready for his comeback in the Premier League 2 fixture on Friday. Makasi's side have coped well in his absence, picking up three wins – against Manchester United and Manchester City's U23s as well as League One Bristol Rovers ­– and a goalless draw with Chelsea. And a victory over Derby in Terry Westley's side's second London Stadium fixture of the season would see the Hammers climb two places into second in the league table. "Personally, coming back from injury feels great and I'm ready to go again in the Derby game," said Makasi ahead of the clash. "Coping with injuries from a mental point of view is hard because all you know is playing football, so watching on the sidelines is never easy. "But you have just got to get on with it, stay focused and get back into the best possible shape and be ready for selection. That's what I think I have done and I'm ready to go again."

With Makasi on the sidelines, 17-year-old Conor Coventry and Portuguese youth international Domingos Quina have been the side's regular deep-lying midfielders, while the likes of Grady Diangana and Joe Powell, both of whom naturally play in wide positions, have also filled in. And the U23s' senior man has been impressed to see them perform so well in recent weeks to maintain the Hammers' impressive positioning in Division One. "They've done really well to get some positive results in the last few games and it just shows the depth in the squad that we have. "We've had some great younger players like Conor coming in, stepping in and showing they're ready for this level of football. It's really positive and hopefully it continues for the rest of the season."

In their last fixture at London Stadium, Toni Martinez bagged a hat-trick as the hosts beat Manchester United 4-2, while last season, the side picked up four points in their three main stadium games. And Makasi hopes that good form in front of the home supporters in E20 can continue this week. "Stadium games are always exciting to play in as we don't get that many opportunities to do so. We always want to put on a good performance for the fans and let's we do that against Derby.
"Our style of attacking football gets supporters excited and we want to continue that against a good Derby team. "They've scored a lot of goals this season and will be a good test for us, but we believe we can come out with another victory."

West Ham Season Ticket Holders and Claret Members can attend Friday's fixture free of charge, while adults and concessions are priced at £5 and £3 respectively.
All supporters do, however, have to book their seat in advance of visiting London Stadium and can do so here.

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Nathan Holland will return stronger – Terry Westley
WHUFC.com

Academy manager Terry Westley has backed Nathan Holland to return stronger after the Hammers youngster underwent surgery on a hamstring tear on Tuesday.
The 19-year-old midfielder has been in terrific form for West Ham's U23 side this term, scoring three goals in eight league games to help propel the team into the top four of the Premier League 2 Division 1 table. Holland has also made his first team debut this term, coming off the bench in September's 3-0 Carabao Cup victory over Bolton Wanderers, but now faces a spell on the sidelines after suffering his injury. Westley said: "Nathan has undergone surgery and it has been successful. The surgeon is very happy and now he needs to recover. "There is never a good time to get injured and he is bitterly disappointed as he will miss out on the chance to show David Moyes and Alan Irvine – two people he knows from his time at Everton – what he can do over the next few weeks. "But I know that Nathan will return stronger when he is fit to play again around February. He will stay close to the group, and we will send him to games. "He will watch a lot of football and focus on that side of his development during the time he'll be off the pitch."

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Hart – We're building momentum with England
WHUFC.com

Joe Hart was delighted to keep the 42nd clean sheet of his England career as the Three Lions resisted a Brazil team full of attacking talent in Tuesday's friendly draw at Wembley. Hart has a good record against five-time World Cup winners Brazil, having never lost to the South Americans in three meetings – and saving a penalty from Ronaldinho in 2013 – so a second draw of the week to follow up Friday's goalless stalemate with Germany represented a good international period for the 30-year-old. He had to watch from the sidelines as his young deputy Jordan Pickford was given the chance to shine against Germany, but Hart was ready to reclaim his place between the posts for his 75th cap against Brazil, saving well from Phillippe Coutinho and with his chest from Barcelona's Paulinho late on. He explained: "I've got to use everything that's in my armoury and that last one he hit it hard. I felt that if I tried to adjust and use my hands it would have gone through me, so I just knew my angles and threw my body at it. "Of course it was important to keep a clean sheet. [We're building] momentum and the lads performed well in front of me and they didn't give me much to do. "It was certainly a night where we had to dig in. They are a fantastic team with so much attacking threat, but we minimalised their chances, and I had to be there when they did get them. "It doesn't put any extra pressure on me that I was the most experienced player on the back line, because there's no pressure when you've got the quality that I've got in front of me. "It doesn't matter how old you are, all the greats in the game had to start at some point and I'm sure they were brilliant when they started. We've got people who are young in age, but they're in one of the most competitive leagues in the world and they're performing well for their country. "The only way we can get people back on our side, is by performing as we have, showing guts, determination and will to play for our country, and turn that into wins."

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Reid ready for World Cup decider
WHUFC.com

Winston Reid is looking to use his big game experience as New Zealand aim for just their third appearance at a FIFA World Cup. The All Whites face Peru in the second leg of their intercontinental play-off in the early hours of Thursday morning knowing a victory – or score draw – will send them to Russia. Reid has figured at a World Cup before, in South Africa seven years ago, and having played a starring role in Saturday's 0-0 draw against the South Americans, he is ready to upset the odds again. "We're used to playing in big environments," he said. "We play big games outside of our country against big opponents so we're well travelled. If you look at our recent history we play all of our big games away from home. "We're used to pressure, we're used to playing a play-off game every four years and we're looking forward to the game – we're all very excited. "Peru have not qualified for a World Cup for 30 years. There is pressure on Peru to win the game. We're used to pressure and travel so we are confident about the game."

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Zabaleta, Ogbonna and Martinez delight supporters at new Basildon Store
WHUFC.com

West Ham United fans grabbed the chance to meet Pablo Zabaleta, Angelo Ogbonna and Toni Martinez on Tuesday at a signing event to mark the opening of the Club's new Store in Basildon. Hundreds of supporters flocked to the new Store at Basildon's Eastgate Shopping Centre to meet the Hammers trio, pose for photographs with the players and receive autographs. Zabaleta has met West Ham fans before at a signing event at the Stadium Store in Stratford and the defender was once again delighted to have the opportunity in Basildon. "It's brilliant," Zabaleta told whufc.com: "We really appreciate the fans waiting to come and see us and it's good to spend some time with them. We're enjoying ourselves and we're glad to see the supporters are as well." he Argentinian's sentiments were echoed by teammates Ogbonna and Martinez, who were also thrilled to give fans a memorable experience at the Basildon store. Ogbonna continued: "It's really good to be here seeing all these fans. I'm really proud to represent the Club here in Basildon." "It's always great to meet the fans," Martinez added: "We're are lucky to have such a loyal fan base who want to come and see us, and I am really enjoying it." The Mayor of Basildon, David Harrison, was also in attendance at the Store signing and was on hand to welcome Zabaleta, Ogbonna and Martinez to the borough. "I think this store means a lot for Basildon and a lot for the borough," Mayor Harrison beamed. "There's so many West Ham fans in this area. I'm looking at the crowds here and I can tell this is going to be wonderful. "I say welcome to West Ham United. Seeing the players making all the kids happy is absolutely brilliant. I've been chatting to the players. They're so pleased to be here and I think that's important to see. It's what West Ham in the community is about." For 15-year-old Lewis, a lifelong West Ham fan, the chance to meet three of his heroes was too good to pass up. "I only live five minutes away but I couldn't miss this," Lewis said. "It has been amazing. I got my shirt signed, I got pictures. It's been brilliant to see them and have a store here in Basildon."

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Pablo Zabaleta: It's time for us to step up
WHUFC.com

Pablo Zabaleta has welcomed the impact new manager David Moyes has had on the West Ham squad and feels there are reasons to be positive for the season ahead. The double Premier League title winner who joined the Hammers this summer said the training sessions under the new coaching team have been well received. "Trainings been pretty good" said the 32 year-old. "We've been working really well over the past few days." Zabaleta joined teammate Angelo Ogbonna and U23 star Toni Martinez to meet fans at the Club's new shop in Basildon's Eastgate shopping centre. More than 350 supporters descended on the store to meet the Hammers stars. Zabaleta, who is available for squad selection in this Sunday's clash at Watford after serving his suspension against Liverpool, added: "Of course, it's going to be a tough game but we have a good squad – we need to work well and be focused on our next game." "If you look at the performances this season – especially against the top sides – we need to improve in every way – offensively, defensively and we need to be a more creative team, we need to try and not concede too many goals – we need to step up." The Buenos Aires-born star continued: "It is time to be positive and look forward to the season. There's a long way to go and everything depends on us which is good.

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Hernandez seeking January move?
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 15th November 2017
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United striker Javier Hernandez is being linked with a return to Mexico - just six months after he moved to London. According to Claro Sports journalist Nicolas Romay, the 29-year-old forward requested to leave the club in order to join Chivas in the forthcoming winter transfer window - only to have his appeal instantly rejected by West Ham. The former Manchester United and Bayer Leverkusen striker is reported to have been upset by the decision to replace Slaven Bilic with David Moyes, under whom he worked briefly at Old Trafford.

Jessie Cervantes ✔@jessiecervantes
.@NicolasRomay nos informa que @CH14_ pidió permiso al @WestHamUtd para jugar en @Chivas el año previo a #Rusia2018 hasta ahora se lo niegan. #chicharito #JessieEnExa
1:51 PM - Nov 15, 2017
2 2 Replies 8 8 Retweets 10 10 likes

Hernandez started just five Premier League fixtures under Moyes before the latter was fired just nine months into his tenure as replacement for Alex Ferguson. Earlier this week Moyes stated that Hernandez would be given a clean slate. "He's a top goal scorer, a brilliant finisher," said Moyes. "It was difficult for him at Manchester United because I had Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck and Shinji Kagawa, so there was lots of competition. "But he'll be treated the same here. If he's playing well and scoring, no problems - if he's not, it will be the same as the rest."

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International Hammers
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 15th November 2017
By: Staff Writer

Several Hammers were in action last night as a host of international friendlies were staged around the globe. Cheik Kouyate was involved as the Teranga Lions downed visitors South Africa in the Stade Leopold Senghor with a 2-1 win in their final World Cup qualifier. Goals from Opa Nguette and Kara Mbodji - the latter's coming deep into added-on time - were enough to give Senegal, who ended Group D with 12 points from six games the win. Fellow Hammer Diafra Sakho was an unuused substitute. Over in Austria, West Ham's record signing Marko Arnautovic played for 86 minutes as his country secured a surprise 2-1 win over Uruguay. Leipzig's Marcel Sabitzer opened the scoring before Edison Cavani levelled for the visitors. Moments after the 29-year-old Hammer was replaced, Austria - who have failed to qualify for next summer's World Cup Finals - grabbed the winning goal through Louis Schaub, ending the South American's five-match unbeaten run.
West Ham's only other full international on show was on-loan Joe Hart, who played a full 90 minutes for England as they laboured to a goalless draw with Brazil at Wembley.
A host of Hammers youngsters were involved at various other levels; Declan Rice and Josh Cullen featured for the Republic of Ireland as they went down 2-1 in Norway, a game in which Martin Sameulsen was an unused substitute. Meanwhile Domingos Quina (Portugal Under 19s), Reece Oxford (England Under 20s) and Rihards Matrevics (Latvia Under 19s) also represented their respective nations last night.

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It's your own fault, says Obiang
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 15th November 2017
By: Staff Writer

West Ham midfielder Pedro Obiang says that Italy's failure to qualify for next summer's World Cup Finals is the result of too many foreigners in the youth systems of Serie A clubs. The Spanish midfielder spent five years in Italy having moved from Atletico Madrid to Sampdoria as a 16-year-old, so is ideally placed to comment on the emphasis on attracting foreign talent. And whilst that policy may boost the chances of Serie A clubs competing at the highest level in European club competition, the effect on the national team has been devastating, according to the Hammers midfielder.
Last night the Azzurri failed to qualify for the World Cup Finals for the first time since 1958 after failing to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg of their World Cup qualifying play off against Sweden. And according to the 25-year-old Hammer, that is largely due to the sheer number of non-domestic players involved at Serie A clubs and their secondary squads. "In your Academies there is more attention paid to foreigners," Obiang told Il Secondo XIX in the wake of Italy's exit. "But it is pointless to make scapegoats of foreigners - after all you have won the World Cup with [Argentine-born] Mauro Camoranesi and [Brazilian born] Eder has scored some great goals for Italy."
Gian Piero Ventura's side were sent crashing out of the tournament after drawing 0-0 with the Swedes, having lost the first leg 1-0. A tearful Gianlugi Buffon announced his international retirement immediately after the final whistle.

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Holland happy with op
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 15th November 2017
By: Staff Writer

Hammers youngster Nathan Holland says he is looking forward to playing again after undergoing an operation to repair a torn hamstring. The teenager underwent surgery yesterday after he sustained the injury during a training session at Rush Green - but told followers on Twitter that the op "couldn't have gone any better".
Meanwhile Academy Director Terry Westley revealed that the doctor who performed the operation was equally happy with the result. "It's been successful. The surgeon is very happy and now he needs to recover," he said. "He is bitterly disappointed as he will miss out on the chance to show David Moyes and Alan Irvine what he can do over the next few weeks. "But I know that Nathan will return stronger when he is fit to play again around February. He will stay close to the group, and we will send him to games. He will watch a lot of football and focus on that side of his development during the time he'll be off the pitch."
Holland joined West Ham in January of this year on a free transfer from Everton and had been tipped to make the bench for a Premier League match due to his excellent recent form. He is expected to be out of action for several weeks.

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David Moyes says West Ham must sort out defence
Last Updated: 15/11/17 7:19am
SSN

David Moyes says West Ham would be "stupid" not to sort out their defence ahead of his first game in charge at Watford on Sunday, live on Sky Sports. West Ham, who hired Moyes last week after sacking Slaven Bilic, have conceded 23 goals in 11 games, the worst defensive record in the league. The Scot said: "We would be stupid if we didn't look back. "We've looked at the goals we've conceded and we have got the worst defensive record in the league. We've got to try and find a way of stopping that."
West Ham are currently 18th in the Premier League standings and Moyes feels a change in attitude is needed in the London club. "Ultimately, they've got to be a bit more humble for each other, work for the team, and score goals together and defend together. "We must start from scratch and give the players a chance to start again."
The former Manchester United boss revealed his priority is to make his squad work harder in order to get more wins than his critics have forecast under him.
"I can only do that by getting the players onside and making sure they are doing the right things," he added. "They're telling me they want to work hard, be organised and disciplined. I hope once I've done that, they won't be complaining." This week Moyes added Stuart Pearce, Alan Irvine and Billy McKinlay to his management at West Ham.

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THE RETURN OF 'PSYCHO': MOYES' COACHING APPOINTMENTS
By Dan Coker 15 Nov 2017 at 18:15
WTID

Back in June 2015, I wrote a piece introducing Bilic's Backroom Boys. Now that David Moyes has confirmed his own backroom team, I thought it would be a good opportunity to introduce the new coaching team at West Ham United.

First up – Alan Irvine. The Glasgow-born 59-year-old was a winger who started his career with Queen's Park in 1977 before spending three years at Everton between 1981 and 1984. He moved to Crystal Palace, making over 100 appearances for the Eagles, before returning to Scotland in 1987 with Dundee United. He closed his career with a three-year spell at Blackburn, retiring in 1992 after helping Kenny Dalglish's men win promotion to the Premier League.

Irvine was Academy Director at Ewood Park between 1993 and 1998 and held a similar role at Newcastle from 2001 to 2005, bringing through Steven Taylor and Peter Ramage. He then moved to Everton in 2005 where he became David Moyes' assistant. He graduated to management in November 2007 with Preston, guiding them from a relegation battle to 15th place at the end of his first season. He took them to the play-offs in his only full campaign in charge, but lost to Sheffield United in the semi-final. After a run of one win in ten games, he was sacked in December 2009.

Irvine was appointed manager of Sheffield Wednesday in January 2010 but the club were relegated to League One at the end of the season. He was dismissed in February 2011. He returned to Everton in the summer of 2011 to become manager of the club's academy. Three years later, Irvine was back in management, this time at Premier League level with West Bromwich Albion. He was sacked after seven months, in late December 2014. In the summer of 2016 he became assistant manager at Norwich and became caretaker manager eight months later after the departure of Alex Neil, steering the Canaries through the final two months of the campaign.

Billy McKinlay is a 48-year-old former midfielder who won 29 caps for Scotland, appearing for his country at Euro '96 and the World Cup in 1998. Like Moyes and Irvine, he was born in Glasgow. Starting his career with Dundee United, for whom he made over 200 appearances, McKinlay moved south of the border to reigning Premier League champions Blackburn in 1995. He spent five years with Rovers before spells at Bradford, Clydebank, Leicester and Fulham. His coaching career began as reserve team manager at Craven Cottage and he was also named as assistant manager of Northern Ireland. He left Fulham in December 2013 and was appointed first team coach at Watford nine months later. He was very quickly named head coach after the departure of Oscar Garcia, but was himself replaced after just eight days in charge, Slavisa Jokanovic being named as his replacement.

McKinlay worked under Moyes at Real Sociedad between November 2014 and November 2015. After leaving Spain he was named manager of Norwegian side Stabaek but he resigned in July 2016 after less than eight months with the club. He worked as a scout under Moyes at Sunderland and became first team coach at the Stadium of Light just last month – he was appointed joint caretaker manager alongside former Hammer Robbie Stockdale but has since relinquished this role to move to the Hammers.

And last but not least – Stuart Pearce. 'Psycho' needs very little introduction to West Ham supporters, having spent two years at the club between 1999 and 2001. He made his Hammers debut in a 1-0 win over Tottenham on the opening day of the 1999/2000 season and even made an England return in September 1999 at the age of 37 – he was the third-oldest outfield player to appear for England after Stanley Matthews and Leslie Compton. The official West Ham United website this week released a 'Six things you probably didn't know about Stuart Pearce' article – point three on the list was that Pearce played for the Hammers in Europe as a member of the InterToto Cup-winning side which got the Hammers into the UEFA Cup. This is, in fact, not true – 'Psycho' did not play a single minute of any of the six InterToto games and was out with a broken leg when the Hammers competed in the UEFA Cup.

Pearce made five league appearances in claret and blue before suffering the aforementioned broken leg against Watford – typically, he wanted to carry on playing! He made a return to action in February 2000 but only lasted three games before breaking the same leg. 2000/01 saw better times for Pearce though – he played in 34 of the Irons' Premier League matches, with a further eight appearances coming in the domestic cups. Pearce ended the season as a 39-year-old but had played 40 matches at the top level of English football. He also scored three goals for the club: a consolation direct from a free-kick in a 2-1 home defeat to Arsenal in October 2000; a typically thunderous strike to give the Hammers a 2-1 lead at Southampton a month later in a game the Hammers would win 3-2; and an equaliser to make it 1-1 in an FA Cup quarter-final with Tottenham at a rain-drenched Upton Park in March 2001, a game the Irons would sadly lose 3-2. He was voted Hammer of the Year at the end of the 2000/01 season.

Hammersmith-born Pearce had started his career at non-league Wealdstone in 1978 before moving to Coventry in 1983. Two years later he was signed by Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest and he would make over 400 appearances for the club. He turned down a move to the Hammers in 1997 to sign for Newcastle but did team up with Harry Redknapp two years later. After being beaten to the vacant managerial post at Upton Park by Glenn Roeder in the summer of 2001, Pearce left east London after 50 appearances to end his playing days with Manchester City, who romped to the First Division title and promotion to the Premier League under Kevin Keegan. Pearce had also won 78 caps for England and was part of the team which reached the World Cup semi-finals in 1990 and the last four of Euro '96 – England's two greatest performances at a tournament since 1966.

Pearce's first stint as a manager came as caretaker at Nottingham Forest in 1997. He became a coach under Keegan at Manchester City before becoming manager of the club in 2005. He became manager of the England Under-21 team in February 2007 whilst still in charge at City but was sacked by his club three months later. He guided the Under-21s to the semi-finals of the European Championships in 2007 and the Final in 2009 – his captains at both tournaments were provided by the Hammers, Nigel Reo-Coker and Mark Noble respectively. He also worked as a coach with the England senior team under Fabio Capello and managed the Great Britain Olympic team at London 2012. He left his role as Under-21 manager in the summer of 2013 and spent seven months back in charge at Forest in the 2014/15 campaign.

Welcome to all three, and good luck. Best wishes too to Winston Reid tonight, as his New Zealand side look to claim the last remaining place at the 2018 World Cup in their play-off in Peru.

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WILL YOUTH GET MORE FIRST TEAM OPPORTUNITIES UNDER DAVID MOYES?
By S J Chandos 15 Nov 2017 at 08:00
WTID

No one can fail to have been impressed with the performances of the young England sides, in the recent friendlies, against Germany and Brazil. England coach Gareth Southgate has shown a clear determination to give young players a run out in these games and it has seemingly paid off. This has occurred against the background of the recent U-20s and U-17s England World Cup victories and a renewed confidence about the quality of young English footballers in the pipe line. Yet, the fact remains that the majority of of those youngsters are very likely to be frozen out of the first team picture at their parent clubs and loaned out. This shows that regardless of potential or actual capability most PL clubs are currently still prioritising expensive foreign imports over home grown talent. However, many people in the English game are increasingly asking why this should continue to be the case? The view gaining currency that PL clubs must increase the first team opportunities for this emerging domestic talent for the long term good of the English game.

West Ham are a club renowned for their Academy and the production of top class talent. Unfortunately, however, in recent years Hammers managers have shown a distinct reluctance to give youngsters adequate first team opportunities. Sam Allardyce never seemed to have any faith in our Academy and Slaven Bilic also showed a surprising reluctance to hand youth their chance. Yes, Bilic blooded Reece Oxford, as a 16 year old, against Arsenal, but he subsequently failed to show sufficient commitment to developing his talent at first team level. Admittedly he called up Declan Rice this season, but also quickly dropped him after the Irish youngster made a mistake against Newcastle United. While, Reece Burke performed admirably whenever called to first team duty, but regardless has been continually loaned out to gain further experience; and Bilic also showed a real caution in calling up prolific U-23s striker, Toni Martinez, to the first team squad, even when injury and suspension decimated our available striker options.

New Hammers manager, David Moyes, has commented on the situation of young English talent failing to break through at PL level. He has expressed his admiration for the performance of the England U-17s, in winning the WC at their age range, and suggested that perhaps PL squads are too 'cluttered' and this is stopping youngsters making the break through. Moyes quickly followed this up by calling up a number of the U-23s to train with the first team squad and hinted heavily that they will get their opportunities under his managerial regime. Obviously, Declan Rice is reasonably well established now in the senior squad and others, such as Martinez, Samuelson and Holland, are pushing hard for inclusion. In addition, it is more than possible (considering his lack of game time in Germany) that Moyes could call Reece Oxford back from his loan deal in January and re-integrate the youngster back in to the senior squad.

Naturally, while we struggle, in and around the relegation zone, the emphasis will be upon experienced players lifting us clear of trouble. However, there is little doubt that, in the right circumstances, Moyes will give youngsters their big break. And that is the way that it should be at a club with West Ham's long standing reputation for youth development. The hope is that we can pull away from trouble quickly and afford ourselves the opportunity to fully test the abilities of the likes of Martinez at first team level. Indeed, the opportunity for the Spanish goal poacher could even come, sooner rather than later, if Hernandez fails to recover from injury in time for the Watford match. With Carroll likely to start, then Martinez could possibly claim at least a place on the bench for this Sunday's match.

Arguably, PL squads should benefit from having good quality youngsters performing well and pushing for first team places. It keeps the senior players on their toes and gives them the extra motivation to maintain their own standards. One of the problems at West Ham has been that regardless of how well a youngster is doing in the U-23s, or indeed in training, there was little chance that he would be promoted. The Academy needs to continue producing players that are going to lay claim to a first team place and add to the competitive mix of the squad.

Hopefully, Moyes understands that and will deliver on his promising early statements/actions relating to our U-23s. I certainly think that it will go a long way to getting Hammers fans to warm to Moyes if he is seen to be serious about developing the Academy and promoting players to first team duty.

SJ. Chandos.

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West Ham target Brighton's Lewis Dunk to be their first transfer under new boss David Moyes
Club with the Premier League's worst defensive record want centre-back now earning calls for an England place
The Mirror
ByAlex Crook
22:30, 14 NOV 2017

West Ham boss David Moyes wants to make Brighton star Lewis Dunk his first Hammers buy. Centre-back Dunk has impressed during the promoted Seagulls' solid start to life in the Premier League and Moyes believes he would improve the brittle ­backline he has inherited from the sacked Slaven Bilic. The third-bottom Hammers have conceded a Premier League worst 23 goals after 11 games, keeping only three clean-sheets in those matches. However, Albion would demand a huge fee to sell the 25-year-old, who only signed a new five-year contract in August. Brighton-born, 6ft 4in Dunk has played 180 league games for his hometown club in League One, the Championship and now the top flight since his debut seven years ago. His partnership with Republic of Ireland ace Shane Duffy has led to calls for him to be named in the England squad.

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West Ham's Javier Hernandez to miss David Moyes' first THREE matches in charge after injury on international duty
That's the bad news for the Hammers' new manager — but there is also good news about a long-term transfer target
The Mirror
ByDarren Lewis
22:30, 14 NOV 2017

New West Ham boss David Moyes has been hit by a huge blow with the news that Javier Hernandez is out for two weeks. The former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker damaged a hamstring in Mexico's 3-3 draw with Belgium last Friday and will miss manager Moyes ' first game in charge, at Watford on Sunday.
Hernandez, signed from Germany's Bayer Leverkusen for £17million in the summer, will also be absent for subsequent matches at home to Leicester and away to one of Moyes' former clubs, Everton. West Ham are also likely to be without defender Winston Reid, who is not expected to return from international duty — the second leg of New Zealand's World Cup qualification play-off in Peru doesn't kick off until the early hours of Thursday UK time — until Friday.
Meanwhile, the Hammers could be set for a boost with Portuguese heavyweights Sporting Lisbon ready to reopen talks over a move to the London Stadium for Portugal international midfielder William Carvalho. A bitter row erupted after West Ham's aborted late summer move for the 25-year-old. It led to vicious insults being traded between the clubs. But Sporting's president Bruno de Carvalho has now suggested a deal could yet be done said: "There was this soap opera regarding West Ham, but it is not interesting. "It is not important because there was nothing. He added: "If we close this soap opera [I will deal with West Ham again]. It is not good for anybody, because the fans deserve better — the truth, our respect. The fans are the most important thing at the club."

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