Daily WHUFC News - 9th January 2017

Byram set to make return to action
WHUFC.com

Sam Byram will make his return from injury for West Ham United PL2 on Monday
evening
Byram has been on the sidelines since the 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough on 1
October
West Ham PL2 take on Norwich City at the Chigwell Construction Stadium (7pm
kick-off)

Sam Byram is finally set to make a return to action when he lines up for the
PL2 side against Norwich City on Monday night and hopes to play a major role
for the first-team in the second half of the season.

Byram has been sidelined for the last three months after picking up a
hamstring injury during the 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough back on 1 October.

The talented full-back has been working hard behind-the-scenes to regain
full fitness and is ready to step up his rehab when he lines up for Terry
Westley's side at Dagenham & Redbridge's Chigwell Construction Stadium.

Byram arrived with a big pedigree following his move from Leeds back in
January 2016 and is now hoping to get his career back on track and show he
is good enough to play at the highest level.

Byram said: "The injury feels good and it has been about 12 weeks now. I did
a week with the U23s and the first-team and I am just trying to get some
match fitness.

"The plan is for me to get a good run-out on Monday and then keep pushing up
the training so I can make a return to the first-team. I am still doing all
my strength work with the physios and slowly building up to getting back
when I am needed.

"This has been the first major injury of my career. I have had little
niggles which have kept me out for maybe four or five weeks, but this is the
longest I have been out and it has been a new experience.

The plan is for me to get a good run-out on Monday and then keep pushing up
the training so I can make a return to the first-team
Sam Byram
"The first three or four weeks I was tearing my hair out because there was
nothing I could do and I didn't know what to do with myself!

"But my brother came down and kept me company. As soon as I could get off
the crutches and start doing some work in the gym it made it go a lot
quicker.

"Luckily we have come through a bad patch and improved our performances
which has taken us up the table. When we were not getting the results, it
made it even more frustrating that I could not help out."

Byram has nothing but praise for the way the medical team have helped him
make a full recovery – especially senior physio Dominic Rogan who got him
through the tough times at the start of the injury.

Byram added: "The physios have been great with me and I have worked closely
with Dom who has kept a smile on my face at a time when I was a bit down. He
made me want to improve and get stronger and it has made me a better athlete
from the time I have been away from the pitch.

"I have only had a brief experience of London Stadium with the Juventus game
and a couple of the Europa League ties so it has been frustrating watching
and I just want to get on the field of play.

"I just want to impress the manager and hopefully get back into the team. I
feel like I have improved since I joined the Club and it is just a case now
of building up games."

You can see Sam Byram and his West Ham United PL2 teammates take on Norwich
City at Dagenham and Redbridge's Chigwell Construction Stadium on Monday
evening (7pm kick-off).

It's free to watch for season ticket holders - otherwise, it is £5 for
adults and £3 for concessions.

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London Stadium capacity clarification
WHUFC.com

Following an incorrect and misleading article in a national newspaper today
claiming that West Ham United are struggling to fill London Stadium, the
Club would like to clarify the position for the benefit of our supporters.

London Stadium currently holds 66,000 seats. The capacity at present is
restricted to 57,000 by licensing regulations, leaving 9,000 seats that must
remain empty for every home match. In addition to this, there are always a
number of Season Ticket Holders who are unable to attend specific matches
for various reasons – an issue that every Premier League club is familiar
with.

While this may give the impression that matches are not sold out, the fact
is that all 57,000 seats are sold for every match. The Club have 52,000
supporters on the Season Ticket Waiting List – hence its wish to increase
the capacity to 60,000 this season and 66,000 next season.

West Ham United encourage all Season Ticket Holders who are unable to attend
to offer their tickets for resale on our Ticket Exchange facility, to enable
their fellow supporters who wish to purchase tickets for matches to be able
to do so.

Furthermore, in line with the Club's contractual and social commitment to
our local community, a small number of tickets – 50 for most Premier League
games, and more for friendlies and cup matches earlier in the season– are
made available for free to Newham Council and its residents.

West Ham are extremely proud to represent the London borough of Newham,
nationally and globally, and are fully committed to doing everything we can
to support our local community

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Information for West Ham United matchday rail ticket holders
WHUFC.com

West Ham United would like to advise supporters who purchased a Greater
Anglia Matchday season ticket at the start of the season that it may be
possible to apply for a part-refund if affected by Network Rail's planned
upgrade works on the line.

We are aware that Greater Anglia have written to supporters confirming that,
for passengers who purchased their season tickets and subsequently decided
against using it as a result of the engineering works, an arrangement is in
place for a proportional refund to be implemented (taking into consideration
the used ticket portion) by their Business Travel department, while the
administration charge has also been waived.

Rail season ticket holders who believe they may be eligible to receive a
part-refund are advised to contact Greater Anglia on 0345 600 7245 or at
contactcentre@greateranglia.co.uk

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Noble remains confident
WHUFC.com

Mark Noble has no doubts the players will show their fighting spirit once
again to help get their season back on track and knows the importance of
getting another big result against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

The Hammers skipper was honest as always in his assessment of the team's
Emirates FA Cup defeat against Manchester City and says Pep Guardiola's side
were just too strong for the Hammers on the night.

After suffering recent defeats against Leicester and Manchester United in
the Premier League, Noble knows the importance of seeing his side get back
on the winning trail.

The West Ham players came together when it was needed to secure crucial home
wins over Burnley and Hull last month and Noble feels they will be ready
once again when they play a big London derby against Palace at London
Stadium next Saturday.

Noble Noble said: "We knew it was going to be a tough game against City.
They were just too good on the night – it is as simple as that. When you
have got the type of players they have, they can rest a few against Burnley
on Monday and still get a result.

"We played against Manchester United with ten men and had to come out and
play again and I think it was a bit much for us.

"Every season is different. Chelsea came tenth last season and have just won
13 games in a row.

"We had a tough game here on Monday and the boys dug in to try and get a
result against a very good Manchester United side.

"We tried to do the same again on Friday night but when we went 1-0 down it
was an uphill battle for us.

"I did say a couple of weeks ago there is no point playing well and losing
games. In this day and age with the pressure involved all that matters is
the three points."

Noble is looking forward to meeting up with former manager Sam Allardyce
once again when he returns with Palace next Saturday, but will be hoping to
celebrate another home victory and help the team push towards the top half
of the table.

Noble added: "We have played against Sam before. Football moves on so fast
and Sam will enjoy coming back.

"He had a great time here as manager and what he did for this football club
getting us promoted and helping stay in the Premier League. He should be
well respected.

"We have now got two big games coming up that we want to get points out of.
Everyone needs to dig in and win games."

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U18s battle to win over Southampton
WHUFC.com

U18s assistant boss Mark Phillips praised the ruthlessness of his side as
they ran out 2-0 winners over Southampton at Little Heath.

It was the Hammers' first game after the festive break and goals from Joe
Powell and Korrey Henry, the same combination that earned a 2-0 win over
Leicester before the break, saw them prevail.

The Hammers' aim of finishing in the top four of the U18 Premier League
South well and truly on, and they took another large step towards that goal
with the win.

"It looked like both teams hadn't played for about a month. It was quite an
even game but we took our chances a bit better than they did," said
Phillips.

"I thought a second goal would have put them (Southampton) to bed. They had
lots more possession in the second half but as a defensive unit, I thought
we did well.

"We worked hard to do the ugly parts of the game, which is what you have to
do sometimes to win."

Manager Steve Potts was without two key players for the match – regular
captain Tunji Akinola and the instrumental Alfie Lewis were both ruled out
through illness.

This meant there were starts for Jeremy Ngakia and Bernardo Rosa, with Ben
Wells returning to the fold after missing the last few games through injury.

The first half was evenly matched, with the home side looking more
threatening from wide areas and it was winger Joe Powell who forced the
first meaningful chance, sending a long range effort straight at Southampton
keeper Alex Cull.

Powell was given a second bite at the cherry moments later after Rosaire
Longelo was fouled 25 yards from goal.

The 18 year-old shaped up to cross but instead curled the ball past Cull for
his second free-kick goal in as many games.

The goal gave the Hammers lots more confidence and they were on top for the
rest of the half.

They could have doubled their lead ten minutes before half-time when a
sweeping move ended in top scorer Jahmal Hector-Ingram being unable to get
on the end of a Powell cross.

In the second half, West Ham had to rely on Rihards Matrevics on a number of
occasions, producing some terrific reactive stops, but they always looked to
add to their lead.

Hector-Ingram skewed a strike just wide, but after managing the game very
well, the Hammers got their just rewards in stoppage time.

Korrey Henry gained a yard of space on the edge of the box and found the
bottom corner from 25 yards to seal the three points.

"I thought Jeremy (Ngakia) improved as the game went on and did well.
Another mention has to go to Jahmal who was being sick on the side of the
pitch before kick-off! He did really well to come through 90 minutes.

"I also thought Korrey Henry had a brilliant game. Not only scoring, but his
all-round game was excellent."

West Ham: Matrevics; Ngakia, Eggleton, Wells, Neufville (Hannam, 61);
Coventry, Henry; Powell, Rosa (Mingi, 74), Longelo (Hamilton, 46);
Hector-Ingram.

Subs not used: Forde, Hudson.

Goals: Powell 17, Henry 90+3.

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West Ham in talks to sell Sofiane Feghouli to Roma - Sky sources
By Sky Sports News HQ
Last Updated: 08/01/17 12:24pm
SSN

West Ham are in talks to sell winger Sofiane Feghouli to Roma, according to
Sky sources. Feghouli joined West Ham on a free transfer from Valencia in
the summer and signed a three-year deal at the club, but has started only
one Premier League match this season. Sky sources understand a deal is
likely to be a loan until the end of the season with Roma given the option
to make the move permanent in the summer. Roma head coach Luciano
Spalletti confirmed ahead of his side's match away at Genoa on Sunday that
he was interested in bringing the 27-year-old to the Stadio Olimpico. "The
focus is shifting towards Feghouli - that is true," he said. "You are
writing it anyway, so there is no point disguising the fact. The other
options have cooled rather. "He is someone who will come to replace [Juan]
Iturbe, who Torino have added to their squad. "So far we have done well to
cover the gaps, but playing every two or three days we are going to need to
bolster our numbers a bit."
Feghouli, who was not included in the Algeria squad for this month's African
Cup of Nations, was shown a straight red card on his full Premier League
debut in the 2-0 defeat to Manchester United on January 2. He has featured
15 times for the Hammers in total and scored one goal.

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West Ham have second bid for Brentford striker Scott Hogan rejected - Sky
sources
Last Updated: 08/01/17 7:15am
SSN

West Ham have had a second bid for Brentford striker Scott Hogan rejected,
Sky sources understand. The Hammers had a £10m offer for the 24-year-old
turned down on Thursday. A "buttock injury" kept Hogan out of the Brentford
squad for their FA Cup third round tie against Eastleigh but the Bees expect
him to return to training on Monday or Tuesday. Talks with West Ham - who
themselves exited the FA Cup with a 5-0 home defeat to Manchester City on
Friday night - remain ongoing. Hogan has 18 months left on his current
contract at Brentford and is willing to leave in January in order to secure
Premier League football. The 24-year-old is valued at around £15m by the
Sky Bet Championship club and Sky sources revealed on Monday that Bundesliga
side RB Leipzig were also interested in signing him. Hogan, who joined
Brentford from Rochdale in a £750,000 deal in 2014, has scored 14 goals in
26 appearances this season.

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West Ham to table THIRD bid for £15million-rated Brentford striker Scott
Hogan
Slaven Bilic is desperate to land a striker and could also make another
attempt to sign Sunderland's Jermain Defoe after being told Moussa Dembele
is not for sale
The Mirror
BYJOHN CROSS
12:18, 8 JAN 2017

West Ham will make a third bid for Scott Hogan in a desperate attempt to
improve their strike force. Hammers boss Slaven Bilic is targeting the
Brentford striker who is valued at £15m by the Championship club. Talks are
ongoing despite Brentford knocking back a second bid of £10m and the deal
still looks likely to happen.
West Ham have publicly insisted they have given up on Jermain Defoe but
could yet go back if Sunderland do sell with Crystal Palace still sniffing
around. But Hogan, 24, is now their No.1 target having been told that
Celtic's Moussa Dembele is going nowhere until the summer. Hogan, 24, has
hit 14 goals in 26 games and cost Brentford only £750,000 from Rochdale
which will represent a great return for the Londoners. West Ham flop Simone
Zaza has held talks with Valencia as the Hammers look to offload him.

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West Ham ready to try again for Hull's Robert Snodgrass with a
player-plus-cash offer
The relegation-threatened Yorkshiremen rejected their £3million bid, so the
Hammers hope £2m plus striker Ashley Fletcher will get them the Scot
The Mirror
BYSTEVE STAMMERS
22:30, 7 JAN 2017

West Ham are to make a new bid for Robert Snodgrass – and striker Ashley
Fletcher could be used as a makeweight to persuade Hull City to sell. The
Hammers have had a £3million offer for Scotland midfielder Snodgrass
rejected, but are ready to move again for the 29-year-old. The inclusion of
Fletcher would appeal to Hull. They have been linked to former Barcelona and
Inter Milan star Samuel Eto'o but they have as yet been unable to persuade
Turkish club Antalyaspor to let the 35-year-old move on loan. But if West
Ham were to offer 21-year-old Fletcher – signed for a nominal fee from
Manchester United – in a package that would also include £2m cash, then the
move could be revived. Snodgrass is vital to Play-off Final winners Hull's
attempts to avoid an instant return to the Championship, scoring seven goals
and contributing two assists in 19 league appearances this season.

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Upton Park was never the Bernabeu - Now the London Stadium is being used as
an excuse for West Ham's failure
Manchester City ran out 5-0 winners over West Ham at the London Stadium
The reaction to the results is as if big teams shivered at going to Upton
Park
The locals' negativity towards West Ham's new stadium home is contradictory
By MARTIN SAMUEL - SPORT FOR THE DAILY MAIL
PUBLISHED: 22:30, 8 January 2017 | UPDATED: 22:30, 8 January 2017

And, yet, after another depressing capitulation, this time against
Manchester City, the airwaves and message boards were full of disgruntled
West Ham fans who could not recall their team rolling over like this at the
old place. Shipping five goals to City and Arsenal at home in the same
season is being blamed on the move to the London Stadium, as if the best
teams once shivered when imagining a trip to east London. Happily, there are
record books for the times when memories fail, so we can see Manchester City
lost once in seven visits to Upton Park in the period from March 1, 2009.
West Ham's home record against Arsenal was even worse, a single victory in
14 matches since October 3, 1999. As for Manchester United — 2-0 winners on
January 2 — they also recorded two-goal margins of victory in 2014, 2011 and
2009, and Chelsea won by a margin of three goals or more at Upton Park in
2013, 2010, 2008, 2007 and twice in 2006. So let's not pretend. Upton Park
had its moments — not least in the final year — but it was never mistaken
for the Bernabeu by visitors.

The negativity felt by the locals towards West Ham's new stadium is a
contradiction anyway. On one hand, fans are furious because the team keep
losing, on the other they say they did not want to move to a new stadium,
because West Ham was more about community, good football, and having a laugh
with your mates, and it didn't matter that they wouldn't win the league. So
which one is it? It cannot be outrageous that West Ham keep losing, but
equally outrageous that the club should have left Upton Park because success
was never the aim. Does the result matter or not?
In the 17 years between 1964 and 1981, West Ham won three FA Cups and the
European Cup Winners' Cup, and lost in the final of the European Cup
Winners' Cup and the League Cup. In the 35 years since, the club reached one
FA Cup final, beaten by Liverpool, and were relegated four times between
1989 and 2011.
So whatever magic existed at Upton Park, it wasn't working, in finite terms.
Stay, and West Ham could only get smaller and smaller, onwards to
irrelevance, as their London rivals expanded. Leave and there was a hope of
becoming more competitive if the club pulled together. Sadly, the stadium
has now become an excuse for failure. This has to change if West Ham are not
to plunge headlong into catastrophe. Buying poorly in the summer has more to
do with West Ham's poor form this season than concrete.

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