Daily WHUFC News -

Superb effort by U17s in Germany
WHUFC.com

Jeremy Ngakia scored the fastest goal in the Wiesbaden Liliencup's 25 year history as West Ham United's U17s finished third at the indoor tournament in Germany at the weekend. The prestigious competition takes place near Frankfurt and the Hammers travelled to the tournament for the very first time. Their group featured U18 regulars Conor Coventry, Ben Johnson and Reece Hannam, and the young Irons showed their class from the get-go. The Hammers were drawn in a group along with Young Boys (Switzerland), SV Darmstadt, SV Wehen Wiesbaden, Mainz 05 and Schalke 04 (all Germany).
Despite playing on German soil and against an array of well-supported German teams, the U17s swept the floor with their opponents, only dropping points in one match throughout the whole group stage. They topped Group B with 13 points ahead of Young Boys, who the Hammers beat 2-1 in a match that will be remembered for Ngakia scoring the fastest goal in the tournament's history. The Group B winners set up a semi-final against Group A runners-up Hamburg, but were unfortunately beaten 2-1 in a close fought contest. However, the Hammers ended the competition on a positive note, thrashing Young Boys 3-0 in the third place match.

Our congratulations goes to all the U17 players and staff for their fantastic achievements!

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Harewood - I couldn't wait to get my shirt off!
HUFC.com

West Ham United defeated Middlesbrough on Saturday - as they did in 2006 FA Cup semi-final
Marlon Harewood was the Hammers' match-winner at Villa Park eleven seasons ago
The former striker reminisced over that unforgettable campaign on a recent visit to London Stadium

If you ask any West Ham United supporter to list their cult heroes, the name Marlon Harewood will appear high on many of them. The whole-hearted centre forward enjoyed three-and-a-half eventful seasons with the Hammers, reaching two Play-Off finals and one FA Cup final and causing a touchline scuffle between then-manager Alan Pardew and Arsenal counterpart Arsene Wenger. The Hampstead-born striker moved to east London in November 2003 after five seasons scoring regularly for his first club Nottingham Forest, with the £500,000 fee paid by Pardew turning out to be one of the many bargains of his successful reign. In 2004/05, Harewood banged in 23 goals in all competitions to help the Hammers to promotion back to the Premier League. The following season, his extra-time strike against Middlesbrough took Pardew's side through to the Club's first FA Cup final in 26 years.
In November of the same year, 2006, the forward's last-gasp goal scored a much-needed 1-0 win for the struggling Hammers over Arsenal at the Boleyn Ground. With the mounting pressure on him momentarily lifted, Pardew celebrated wildly along the touchline, angering Wenger to such an extent that the pair engaged in some unsavoury handbags.
In spring 2007, Harewood lost his starting place as Pardew's replacement Alan Curbishley opted for a front pairing of Carlos Tevez and Bobby Zamora, and in July the likeable frontman was sold to Aston Villa for a £4m fee. A decade on, the 37-year-old has recently hung up his boots after completing a career spanning 12 clubs, including Chinese outfit Guangzhou R&F and non-league Nuneaton Town, and is concentrating on his successful luxury car business AC13 Premier, providing eye-catching wheels to footballers up and down the country.
Earlier this month, Harewood was back in east London as a guest of the Hammers for the Emirates FA Cup tie with Manchester City, where he and former strike partner Dean Ashton caught up with West Ham TV presenter Chris Scull. "The FA Cup semi-final back in 2006 was an amazing day, wasn't it?" Harewood recalled. "It was an amazing day for me and for the team as well. Helping the lads to get to the final by getting that goal was a great achievement for me and for the team that year. "I couldn't wait to get my shirt off to celebrate!"

Unfortunately for Harewood, his memories of the final as less positive, particularly when Scull reminded him of the late chance that went begging at the Millennium Stadium. Pepe Reina had tipped Nigel Reo-Coker's header onto the post and when the ball fell to a cramp-stricken Harewood, he could only slice his shot wide. It was an amazing day for me and for the team as well. Helping the lads to get to the final by getting that goal was a great achievement for me and for the team that year

A few minutes later, Liverpool were celebrating a penalty shootout victory and the Hammers were left wondering what might have been.
"It's scary how so many people all remember that moment from a 120-minute plus game!" he recalled with a wry smile. "I couldn't even walk and it's funny how people don't think about me walking, but of me missing the chance! "At that time I was just walking around the pitch because I couldn't get anywhere and we were holding out, then we had a free-kick in the last minute and everyone was in the box, the ball came over and I just tried to swing my leg, and everyone remembers that momen in my life now – especially West Ham fans, obviously! "I was usually penalty-taker and I couldn't take one because I couldn't walk! I would have loved to have taken one and hopefully I'd have scored, but you can't really tell until you've taken one to find out what would have really happened. I'd definitely have been up there."

Fast forward to the present day and Harewood was introduced to the Claret and Blue Army to a rousing reception at London Stadium.
"It's definitely an upgrade and it's nice to come here and watch the lads play," he concluded.

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Cresswell lauds attacking duo
WHUFC.com

Aaron Cresswell hails the form of Manuel Lanzini and Andy Carroll
Attacking duo have been in outstanding form for West Ham United in recent weeks
Hammers are on a run of five wins in their last seven Premier League matches

Aaron Cresswell says Manuel Lanzini and Andy Carroll are showing the form every West Ham United player knows they are capable of.
Argentine Lanzini has revelled in the No10 role he has filled in the Premier League wins over Crystal Palace and Middlesbrough, scoring once against the Eagles and assisting twice at Boro. The left-back has thoroughly enjoyed watching the former River Plate starlet in action and has backed him to continue his form when Manchester City visit London Stadium on Wednesday 1 February. "We always knew Manu was capable of that, and we saw it last season as well," Cresswell confirmed. "We know the whole team had a bit of a dip in the first ten games of this season but he is starting to show what he showed last season. "Hopefully for us he will continue that, take the No10 role and take chances and make chances."

Another player who has been in unstoppable form in recent weeks is Carroll, scoring five times in ten appearances since his return from a knee injury in December. Like everyone else in the Hammers' dressing room Cresswell has been delighted for the popular No9 and observed that the recent upturn in form has coincided with a strong team spirit in the squad. Andy has been fantastic since he has come back from injury and has been one of the most important players in our team," the No3 observed. "If he keeps scoring, hopefully that can keep pushing us up that table."

"We've got five wins in the last seven games which is very positive and if we keep that up, we'll be further up that table come the end of the season. All we can do as professionals is do our job and do it well for the Club and the lads we've got in that dressing room will do that. "Manchester City one of the toughest teams to play against and it was obviously disappointing to go out of the FA Cup the way we did, but we want to rectify that and put things right."

While Manchester City have beaten West Ham in both previous meetings this season – 3-1 in the Premier League at the Etihad Stadium in August and 5-0 at London Stadium in the Emirates FA Cup third round ea lier this month – Cresswell says confidence is high ahead of next week's fixture after victory at Middlesbrough. "That's back-to-back wins, which is not easy," he observed. "We did it over Christmas when we got three wins after a draw, so it's always positives and always puts you up the league, so we want to keep the positivity around the place and keep doing that and we'll be OK. "We played some good stuff in the first half on Saturday and, in some ways, it was disappointing not to score more than two. That said, Andy scored just before half-time, which always helps, and then we managed to get the third goal late on and kill the game off."

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Chelsea match moved
WHUFC.com

West Ham United can confirm that the Premier League fixture with Chelsea at London Stadium will now be played on Monday 6 March at 8pm.
The match has been moved to be broadcast live on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football, with the derby set to capture the imagination of football fans the world over. The Hammers and the Blues have met twice already this season, with Antonio Conte's side securing a controversial 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge in the reverse fixture in August, before Slaven Bilic's side edged a thrilling EFL Cup fourth-round tie by the same scoreline in Stratford in October. In all, the two London clubs have met 41 times in the Premier League, with Chelsea holding the overall edge with 23 wins to West Ham's eleven, with seven draws. Last season, the Hammers scored a memorable 2-1 win over the Stamford Bridge club on their final visit to the Boleyn Ground in October 2015, when Mauro Zarate and Andy Carroll scored the goals. Ticket details for this fixture will be announced shortly on whufc.com.

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Here to help
WHUFC.com

London Stadium stewards are settling into life at West Ham United's iconic new home
Many stewards are Hammers fans who previously worked at the Boleyn Ground
Among them are school secretary Helen Matthews and sales adviser Naveed Zahid

Every London Stadium matchday, around a thousand committed stewards give their all to ensure supporters experience a safe and enjoyable visit. The team is drawn from across east London and beyond, from all backgrounds and occupations, but all have two goals in mind – customer service and crowd safety. Employed by stadium operator London Stadium 185, stewards are involved in a wide variety of roles, working on the turnstiles, in the general admission and corporate seating areas and Club London lounges and bars, tunnel and dressing room areas and outside the Stadium on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Andrew Bracken is an experienced crowd safety professional and one of a group of outstanding safety officers employed to train and manage London Stadium's stewards. The 33-year-old from north London has enjoyed watching his team grow and settle into life at London Stadium as part of the West Ham family.
"Our staff here have a two-pronged approach – there is a customer service element and a crowd safety element – and they are the only things a steward is responsible for," he explained. "Primarily, it is a customer service role and hopefully the crowd safely element is not required. "If we can be helping customers get to their seats and helping them deal with any queries that they have, particularly in a new stadium like this, that's what we want them to do."

Bracken explained every steward is fully trained and either has, or is working towards, the NVQ Level 2 Certificate in Spectator Safety. "In terms of inclusivity, literally anyone and everyone, male or female, can work in what is a customer service role", explained Bracken "It's nice to have a diverse team drawing people from all over east London and offering everything great about the local area."

Six months on from moving into London Stadium, Bracken believes the stewards – like the supporters – are starting to feel at home.
"I think we've come on leaps and bounds," he confirmed. "At the start we had the same psychological barriers to overcome as the supporters moving into a new venue which we weren't used to. "It took time to bed in, but the fans have started to settle in, as have the staff. We're starting to build that rapport that the fans and stewards had at the old ground. Hopefully, that familiarity will breed friendship."

Many of the thousand-plus enthusiastic stewards – the number varies based on a number of match-specific factors – have travelled with West Ham from the Boleyn Ground to London Stadium. Among them are school secretary and mother Helen Matthews and London City Airport sales adviser Naveed Zahid. Both are enjoying their new home and encouraged other Hammers fans to join them in caring for the needs of their fellow supporters. "I come from a family of West Ham supporters and lived locally to the ground in Plaistow, the job was advertised and I've now been stewarding at the Club for 15 years," Matthews, 52, revealed. "I enjoyed it at Upton Park and I've been doing it ever since. "We have a great relationship with the fans and some of them have even invited me to their weddings and send me Christmas cards! It really is a good job and a fun job. "Crowd safety is the main priority, as is making sure the fans have the best-possible experience when they come to the match, whatever the result. "As long as you know nothing untoward has happened in your area and the fans have had a good experience and will enjoy coming back, you can go home happy and take real satisfaction from the job you have done."

Zahid may be just 23, but he has already been stewarding at Hammers matches for seven seasons, and is looking forward to doing so for many more years to come. "I really enjoyed my role as a steward at Upton Park and am enjoying it at London Stadium too," he said. "It's a very good opportunity to take on, as you gain a lot of experience from it and can learn a lot from your supervisors and managers. "I've done my NVQ Level 2 and have an SIA (Security Industry Authority) Licence and am working towards my Level 3 to become a supervisor and then take on a full-time role. "I enjoy every matchday, getting to know people and the fans. I see a lot of the same people from Upton Park and it's been pleasurable getting to know them again at London Stadium. "I'm watching the crowd rather than the game, but I do enjoy seeing myself on Match of the Day!"

*If you are interested in becoming a London Stadium matchday steward, please email supporterservices@westhamunited.co.uk for information about how to apply.

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West Ham and Burnley have Robert Snodgrass bids accepted by Hull - Sky sources
By Sky Sports News HQ
Last Updated: 25/01/17 10:20pm
SSN

West Ham and Burnley have bids accepted for Hull City's Robert Snodgrass, Sky sources say. West Ham, Burnley and Middlesbrough have all been bidding for the Scotland international since the transfer window opened, and the Clarets were successful with an offer of around £10m on Wednesday. The Hammers responded by raising their own offer - a third - which was accepted by Hull later in the day. Sky Sports News HQ understands Middlesbrough's current offer also totals £10m but is structured differently to the new bid from Burnley. Snodgrass is Hull's top scorer this season, with nine goals in all competitions, and was on target in the 1-1 draw with Burnley at Turf Moor back in September. Hull activated an option to extend the 29-year-old's contract in December, and his current deal is now due to expire in the summer of 2018. The club's new head coach Marco Silva has been busy adding to his squad since his arrival in the first week of January and sources say the club are looking to bring in four or five additional new players before the window shuts. Evandro Goebel has joined on a permanent deal from FC Porto, while Oumar Niasse and Omar Elabdellaoui have signed on loan from Everton and Olympiakos respectively. And on Monday, Silva was able to complete the signing of winger Lazar Markovic from Liverpool on loan for the rest of the season. They have also allowed Jake Livermore to join West Brom for a fee in the region of £10m, while goalkeeper Allan McGregor has signed for Cardiff on loan.

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Manuel Lanzini can become West Ham's main playmaker, says Aaron Cresswell
By Nick Lustig
Last Updated: 25/01/17 3:16pm
SSNHQ
Aaron Cresswell has praised Manuel Lanzini for his recent good form and backed the Argentine to become West Ham's main playmaker.
The Hammers have won back-to-back Premier League matches without wantaway midfielder Dimitri Payet, who is currently training with the club's U23s as negotiations continue over his proposed return to Marseille. Lanzini has stepped up in the France international's absence, scoring in the 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace and providing two assists in last Saturday's 3-1 at Middlesbrough. "We always knew Manu was capable of that, and we saw it last season as well," Cresswell told the club's website. "We know the whole team had a bit of a dip in the first 10 games of this season but he is starting to show what he showed last season. "Hopefully for us he will continue that, take the No 10 role and take chances and make chances."
Cresswell also praised fit-again Andy Carroll after the forward followed up his sensational bicycle kick goal against Palace with another two strikes at the Riverside. Carroll returned from a three-month lay-off with a knee injury in December and has featured 10 times for Slaven Bilic's side, scoring five times. "Andy has been fantastic since he has come back from injury and has been one of the most important players in our team," Cresswell added. "If he keeps scoring, hopefully that can keep pushing us up that table."

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Peter Odemwingie sides with Dimitri Payet in his dispute with West Ham
Last Updated: 25/01/17 1:28pm
SSN

Peter Odemwingie believes football supporters show no loyalty to players let go by clubs and has sided with Dimitri Payet in his dispute with West Ham. Payet is currently attempting to force through a move back to the former club Marseille and has been training with West Ham's U23s since informing manager Slaven Bilic of his desire to leave. Odemwingie infamously attempted to secure a Deadline Day switch from West Bromwich Albion to Queens Park Rangers in January 2013, which saw him drive to Loftus Road despite no fee being agreed between the clubs. He was subsequently disciplined by the Baggies for his actions, but did return to first-team action under then-manager Steve Clarke before sealing a move to Cardiff City In September 2013. "Personally, I will always take the side of the player because you can't go against the club, you are just an individual," the 35-year-old, now of Rotherham United, told Premier League Daily. "You will get to a stage where if the club chooses to move you, sometimes a club gets a transfer list of players they don't want, but fans don't stick up for those players who the club said they did not want. "They are showing no loyalty to those players that maybe came back from injury and all they think is that they want to go for better players. Fans don't talk about players that the club has moved on. "Every individual has a choice to make for himself and it's his own decision. "In the case of Payet, he has done well for the club, they are not making any losses and a good judgement has to be made because Slaven Bilic said last week this situation is not good for anyone."

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Marseille tell West Ham they will pay no more than £25m for Dimitri Payet
By Sky Sports News HQ
Last Updated: 25/01/17 12:24pm
SSN

Marseille have told West Ham they will not pay more than £25m to sign Dimitri Payet, Sky Sports News HQ understands. Sky sources understand a split has emerged between Marseille officials, with some wanting to abandon their pursuit of the 29-year-old and some still keen to continue negotiations with West Ham. A source involved in the negotiations has told SSNHQ that it is looking more likely the French club's pursuit of Payet will go to Deadline Day when they will try and take the France international on loan.
Payet has been training with West Ham's U23s since informing manager Slaven Bilic of his desire to leave the club before the close of the January transfer window. The Hammers have rejected three bids for Payet from his former club, the last of which was worth £22.5m, and value him at £30m. Payet, who joined West Ham from Marseille for £10.75m in the summer of 2015, wants to return to the south of France because of family reasons. He has scored 15 goals in 60 appearances for West Ham and was rewarded with a new five-and-a-half year deal last February. West Ham have won back-to-back Premier League matches without Payet, which has lifted them into the top half of the table.

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Rangers in advanced talks with West Ham over Reece Oxford loan
By Andrew Dickson
Last Updated: 25/01/17 1:24pm
SSN

Rangers are in advanced talks to sign West Ham defender Reece Oxford on loan until the end of the season, according to Sky sources.
The centre-half, who can also play as a defensive midfielder, recently signed a new deal with the Hammers tying him to the London Stadium until the summer of 2021. He could now join Mark Warburton's squad as Rangers push for a second-place finish in the Scottish Premiership and success in the Scottish Cup. Before signing his contract last month, Oxford had been linked with a move away from West Ham and Manchester United were among those credited with an interest in him. Oxford became West Ham's youngest-ever first-team player at the age of 16 years and 198 days when he started their Europa League qualifier against Andorran side FC Lusitanos in July 2015. He went on to make a total of 12 appearances for the club in 2015/16 and became the second youngest Premier League player of all time as he impressed in a 2-0 win at Arsenal. This season his outings have been more limited - he has played only twice at senior level - but he has just recovered from an ankle injury. Oxford, an England U20 international, will become Rangers' third loan signing of the January transfer window if he moves following the arrivals of Jon Toral from Arsenal and Bournemouth midfielder Emerson Hyndman.
The teenager would compete for a starting berth with Clint Hill, Danny Wilson, Rob Kiernan and Philippe Senderos.

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Mauro Zarate returns to the Premier League with Watford
Date published: Wednesday 25th January 2017 3:33
Mauro Zarate West Ham TEAMtalk

Watford have signed Argentinian forward Mauro Zarate from Fiorentina, the club have announced. The 29-year-old has penned a two-and-a-half-year deal from the Serie A outfit where he has scored four goals in nine starts this season. Zarate returns to the Premier League following previous spells with West Ham, QPR and Birmingham.

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West Ham United considering Glasgow Rangers' approach for Reece Oxford
Aiden Cusick

Glasgow Rangers boss Mark Warburton is trying to land the West Ham United defender on loan. Glasgow Rangers have made a loan enquiry for West Ham United's Reece Oxford, according to the Daily Mail. And it is claimed the Hammers are mulling over whether or not to allow the teenage defender to move to Ibrox on a temporary basis. Rangers have already acquired two loan signings from English Premier League sides this month, with Emerson Hyndman and Jon Toral arriving from Bournemouth and Arsenal respectively. And with the pair both midfielders, it is likely that the versatile Oxford is being earmarked for a central defensive role by Gers boss Mark Warburton. Oxford burst on to the scene on the opening day of last season, impressing in West Ham's 2-0 win at Arsenal at the age of 16. Now 18, the England youth international is yet to feature in a Premier League fixture this season, but remains part of the Hammers' long term plans having signed a new four-and-a-half year deal in December.

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Dimitri Payet's transfer standstill is holding up a complex chain of moves affecting at least five clubs
The Frenchman's protracted departure is affecting clubs at home and abroad, as well as up and down the football pyramid
Jack Pitt-Brooke @jackpittbrooke
The Independent Football

Negotiations between West Ham United and Marseille for Dimitri Payet has created a chain of transfers that cannot be completed until Payet is sold. The chain leads through the Championship all the way down to Coventry City, currently at the bottom of League One.

Payet has made no secret of his desperation to return to Marseille for family reasons. West Ham accept that a sale is the best option for all parties but they have not yet received an offer anywhere near their valuation from the French club.

Marseille have made three bids for Payet so far, the third of which was just under £23million. West Ham's initial asking price was £35m, far beyond Marseille's reach, but there is now confidence in France that West Ham will sell for somewhere just above £25m. Marseille are in no rush, though, and want to push West Ham all the way until the end of window to get the best deal for the player they sold to West Ham for £10.7m in 2015.

But until Payet is sold to Marseille, West Ham are reluctant to close the deal for Scott Hogan, the Brentford forward they are chasing. West Ham and Brentford have agreed a basic fee close to £12m but are still haggling over add-ons that could take the total deal closer to £15m. No deal between the clubs has been reached yet but Hogan has been left out of Brentford's side recently in expectation that it will.

Brentford have already lined up the players they want to sign when Hogan is sold. Dean Smith wants more talented youngsters in his side so has targeted Sergi Canos, so impressive at Griffin Park last year, and Ben Stevenson of Coventry City. Norwich City will sell Canos for £2.5million, the fee they paid for him, but Brentford cannot make a formal bid until they have the Hogan money. Canos would like to return to Brentford, but Leeds United are also keen.

Brentford made two bids of £500,000 and £1m for Stevenson at the start of the month and wanted the deal done quickly. Coventry were initially looking for £1.5m but now that they know Brentford are likely to sell Hogan, they want closer to £2.5m for their most talented youngster.

The likelihood is that all four deals will be completed by the end of the month although Payet will have to be sold for the rest of the deals to happen, leaving Brentford, Norwich and Coventry waiting.

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Rangers make enquiry about a loan for West Ham defender Reece Oxford
Sportsmail understand Rangers made contact with West Ham this week
West Ham consider Reece Oxford to have tremendous potential
Slaven Bilic has said Oxford has the ability to become a world class player
By Riath Al-Samarrai for MailOnline
PUBLISHED: 12:02, 25 January 2017 | UPDATED: 12:04, 25 January 2017

Rangers have made contact with West Ham in a bid to take defender Reece Oxford on loan until the end of the season. Sportsmail understands an enquiry was made this week and is being mulled over by West Ham, who see tremendous potential in the 18-year-old but have been unable to give him game time this season. Slaven Bilic has previously stated his belief that Oxford will go on to become 'world class' and it is known that Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal monitored him before he was handed a four-and-a-half year deal on his birthday in December. But an ankle injury kept him out for two months this season, with the centre-back appearing only in the Europa League qualifiers at the start of the campaign. He made West Ham's bench three times in January, but is yet to play in a league game this season. Rangers now hope West Ham will be tempted to let Oxford leave temporarily this month to gain some playing time. Speaking in December, after West Ham extended Oxford's contract, Bilic said: 'I really believe he has got everything. 'On paper he has all the abilities to become a world-class player and it is now up to him to train hard and for us to manage him well for him to fulfil it.' Oxford was the second youngest player to start a Premier League match when he made his competitive debut against Arsenal, aged 16, at the start of last season.

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West Ham unlikely to match £10m Robert Snodgrass fee agreed between Hull and Burnley
JAMES BENGE
Evening Standard

West Ham are not expected to match the roughly £10million fee agreed between Burnley and Hull for Robert Snodgrass. The Scottish winger has been at the centre of a bidding war involving several Premier League clubs, including the Hammers, who saw a £6m bid rejected earlier in the transfer window. Bournemouth, Middlesbrough and Crystal Palace have also been linked with Hull's top scorer but Standard Sport understands that interest in Snodgrass has cooled at the London Stadium since West Ham saw their second bid rejected. Sofiane Feghouli's improved form at least partly explains why West Ham may have moved on from Snodgrass, who would be competing with the Algerian for a wide berth in Slaven Bilic's side that can also be filled by Michail Antonio, Andre Ayew and Manuel Lanzini. Hull head coach Marco Silva has already made plans for life without Snodgrass, bringing in Lazar Markovic on loan from Liverpool. Snodgrass will not feature for Hull in tomorrow's EFL Cup semi-final against Manchester United.

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Leave him to rot' - Rio Ferdinand slams Dimitri Payet for 'lack of respect' to West Ham
The former Hammers and Manchester United man has had his say on the Frenchman's behaviour
BYOLIVER HARBORD
10:52, 25 JAN 2017
Football.London

Former West Ham defender turned pundit Rio Ferdinand has launched an extraordinary tirade on wantaway midfielder Dimitri Payet.
The Frenchman still remains in east London following three rejected bids by the Hammers from Payet's former club, Marseille, to take him back to France. It's been more than a fortnight since the 29-year-old downed tools, informing Slaven Bilic he no longer wanted to play for the club and has been banished to the U23s at Chadwell Heath ever since. In the meantime, the Hammers have won two games in a row without Payet in the side against Crystal Palace and Middlesbrough, showing that he and his toxic ways are no longer welcome. Payet has been booted out of the players' Whatsapp group and banned from the next team night out.
West Ham are expecting a fourth bid from Marseille before the transfer window shuts but with the club in no rush to sell and preferring a summer sale with a more open market, it's not a necessity that the attacking midfielder will be on his way in January.
Speaking to the Alan Brazil Breakfast Show on TalkSport, Ferdinand – who came through the youth ranks at West Ham before going on to play for Leeds and Manchester United – said manager Slaven Bilic and the club must continue to take their hard-line stance with the exile.
Ferdinand said: "If I was the gaffer there I would say, 'listen, until I get what I want for you money-wise, you can sit and rot'. That's the way I'd be. The club is bigger than any football player, and if the respect has been taken out of the situation then you've got to deal with it accordingly. "I can understand the frustration and the anger among the West Ham fans. I think every West Ham fan – or every football fan – if you gave them a chance to play for their club they would cut their right arm off to play. They can't understand why he's being paid so much money [but refusing to play]."A bit more respect is due from Payet because without West Ham, would he have gone to the Euros [last summer]? Would we all be speaking about him? And would he be on the type of money he is now? I don't think he would because West Ham gave him the platform to become what he is now. "Sometimes, not just from clubs but from players as well, there are short memories in this game. He's got to be a bit more respectful, although saying that we don't know the ins and outs of the story and what's gone on behind the scenes, so we have to reserve judgement in some capacity."

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Sofiane Feghouli admits struggling to settle but insists he won't do a Dimitri Payet at West Ham
HITC
Damien Lucas

West Ham United midfielder Sofiane Feghouli has lifted the lid on his struggles but insists he won't be doing a Dimitri Payet. France star Payet rocked the Hammers earlier this month when he told manager Slaven Bilic he would never kick a ball for the club again if they did not sell him back to former club Marseille. Payet is reportedly homesick and is desperate to return to France to be with his family who failed to settle in London. Bilic and West Ham's co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan insist Payet will only be sold if Marseille meet their valuation and he is currently training with the club's development team away from the first team squad. Captain Mark Noble, Andy Carroll and Winston Reid have all hinted the team spirit is better without Payet's brooding attitude. Results on the pitch have backed that up with back-to-back 3-0 and 3-1 wins over Crystal Palace and Middlesbrough respectively pushing the Hammers into the top half of the Premier League table. In Payet's absence one of Bilic's summer signings Sofiane Feghouli has stepped up to the plate with vastly improved performances. The skillful Algerian looked like he may be offloaded to Roma after struggling to impress during West Ham's torrid first half of the season.
And while the former Valencia man has admitted on the club's official website he has struggled to adapt to life in London, he insists his family will not be forcing him to do a Payet. "To begin with it was tough when I was struggling to be given a chance," Feghouli told whufc.com. "London doesn't quite feel like home just yet, but it's a lovely city and people are very open here. "It's hard when things aren't going as well on the pitch, it's harder to feel at home but things are looking up in that regard and I'm very happy here.
"My family is very happy here too. The Club always does everything they can to help new players settle in, too."

A first league goal for the Hammers against Palace seems to have done Feghouli the world of good as he slowly rediscovers the confidence which made him a favourite at Valencia. His lack of game time saw him left out of Algeria's African Nations squad. But that could turn out to be a blessing in disguise after they were knocked out after just two games.

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IVAN PERISIC: THE MAN THAT SLAV MADE
By Zaman Siddiqui
WTID

Guest post by Aleksandar Babac

NOTE FROM ZAMAN: The author writes from a Croatian perspective on the potential signing of Ivan Perisic. He is also the creator of the largest West Ham-based Croatian Facebook page.

"I was very honoured when Slaven Bilic called me for my first international duty with the Croatian national team – it was just a month after my 22nd birthday. A month later, for my second cap, Slaven put me into the starting XI for a friendly against France. Slaven showed me that he counted on me and I will remember that moment for the rest of my life."
With those chosen words, Ivan Perisic, the world class Inter Milan left-winger, spoke about Slaven Bilic. Croatian fans and newspapers are absolutely delighted about the possibility that Slaven could line up an ambitious move for the experienced 27 year-old, who could become only the sixth Croat in the Claret and Blue jersey. He will take the place of Payet.

However, in the last few days, media from Croatia, France, and Spain have said that the move is very unlikely to take place. Internazionale Milano must sell some players in accordance with Financial Fair Play rules, and they are ready to sacrifice Ivan Perisic on whom they have already put a price tag of €40M.

But just who is Ivan Perisic? Well, he is one of the best Croatian players at the moment and is a star for Inter. This fast, powerful, and skillful left winger is very strong in aerial duels. On top of that, he is good on both feet.

Ivan was born in Split (the second-largest city of Croatia) and started his youth career in Hajduk Split… just like our very own Slav! He was just 17 when he moved to Sochaux in Ligue 1. Four years later in 2011, he was the top league scorer playing for Club Brugge at the time, and received the best player award in the Belgian Jupiler League.

After Slaven's call to the Croatian National team, Ivan established himself as irreplaceable member of the Croatian team earning 55 caps and scoring 16 goals. Under Slaven's command, Ivan participated at EURO 2012 playing in the group matches. Scoring six goals in the EURO 2016 qualifying round, Perisic become Croatia's top scorer in qualification adding two more in the tournament, which included the winner against Spain.

Bilic actually "invented" Ivan Perisic, and there is a strong bond between them. Ivan's style of play is the product of Hajduk's youth academy which he joined in 2000. At the time, Slaven was the manager of the club. Croatian fans simply adore Ivan Perisic, as well as Slav! In 2014, Croatian supporters officially gave him the Vatrena Krila – an award for the "Best and Biggest Hearted Player". In the same year, Slaven won the lifetime achievement award.

But it is not just Croatian fans who adore him. He is often booked for his rather passionate goal celebrations with the fans… and keep in mind he scores a lot of goals, so the cards do pile up! During his eight seasons spent at Clubb Brugge, Borussia Dortmund, Wolfsburg, and Inter Milan, he has scored 72 league goals in 235 matches, which statistically makes him more effective than the money-grabbing snake.

Whilst the chances of us actually signing him are slim to none, there is a sense of optimism here that Slaven will do all he possibly can to bring Perisic to the East End of London. George Dobson will have to make way with his no. 44 shirt for the new marquee signing!

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West Ham to allow bigger flags at London Stadium... but only if they are approved by club
JAMES BENGE
Evening Standard

West Ham fans have been granted their wish to bring flags to the London Stadium… but only if they are approved by the club in advance.
In a meeting between vice-chairman Karren Brady and fan representatives the London Stadium match day experience was a key concern.
The club have entered negotiations with the stadium operators to allow fans to bring bigger flags to the ground; current regulations limit the size of any flag to 2m x 2m. However to have any new flag approved supporters must contact the club 72 hours in advance, with West Ham confirming in their statement on the club website that the following information must be provided:

A picture of the flag
Dimensions of the flag
Confirmation it is manufactured to British Standard and is flame retardant
Supporter's season ticket seat number

Brady also announced new measures to improve stewarding at the stadium, which experienced several high-profile cases of supporter unrest in the early months of the season. These measures include inviting all ex-West Ham stewards to work at the London Stadium and consistently deploying staff in the same area "wherever possible". "We always knew it would take time for everyone – the team, the board, supporters and stewards – to settle into life at our new home, but we are confident that we are moving in the right direction," Brady said. "We are working with the other stakeholders to ensure that we can take real action to deal with the issues our fans have raised."

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MLS Moves: Orlando City snags Spector
by Ridge Mahoney, January 25th, 2017 1:39AM
Soccer America Daily

More than a decade after kick-starting his career with the U.S. Residency program in Bradenton, Florida, Jonathan Spector has returned to the state to play for its MLS team. Orlando City confirmed Tuesday the acquisition of Spector, 30, as a Discovery Player. He has played more than 270 league matches in England, and earned 36 U.S. senior caps from 2004 to 2015. "It's no secret we have been looking for another defender," said Lions general manager Niki Budalic in a team statement. "Jonathan brings the leadership and character we've been looking for. His experience will be a valuable asset to build a competitive squad."

The native of Arlington Heights, Ill., started his pro career with Manchester United after playing for the U.S. at the 2003 FIFA U-17 world championships in Finland. He played on loan with Charlton Athletic and represented the U.S. in the U-20 World Cup in 2005 before joining West Ham United, for which he played 115 league and cup games from 2006 to 2011. He then joined Birmingham City of the League Championship and played 179 games prior to his release this week that paved the way for him to sign with Orlando City. He had played 23 matches (22 in the League Championship) for Birmingham City this season prior to his release. "I've been playing in England for 14 years and now just sort of felt like the right time to make the move back to the States for a number of reasons," said Spector in a team press release. "For one, it will obviously be a great opportunity for me and my family, but also important is the opportunity to play in the States again.

"I've had a few different clubs there over my 14-year career thus far and I don't know, it just seems right coming back to Florida, and certainly what the ownership and Niki is doing here as well as [head coach] Jason Kreis, I spoke to him. He talked to me about the club, certainly the support of the club here from the fans and within the community. It all just kind of felt right and everything seems to be falling into place for me in this very short period of time."

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West Ham star Winston Reid looks to have aimed a not-so-subtle dig at Dimitri Payet
HITC
Damien Lucas

Kicked out of the team WhatsApp, criticised by Mark Noble and Andy Carroll, has Winston Reid now had a pop at West Ham United outcast Dimitri Payet? A forlorn Slaven Bilic told the world's press earlier this month that his talismanic Frenchman was effectively on strike and refusing to play for the club. Despite not reaching the same levels he set last season and at the European Championships with France, this term Payet has still statistically been West Ham's most creative player this season. But his attitude and application has been questioned by Hammers fans all season, long before the recent revelations that the player is desperate to force through a return to former club Marseille. Bilic, along with Hammers co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold, have insisted the player will not be sold unless their valuation is met. In Payet's absence, West Ham have won back-to-back league games 3-0 and 3-1 against Crystal Palace and Middlesbrough respectively to climb to a season high 10th place in the table. It has prompted many to suggest that a brooding Payet was actually having a negative impact on the team as a whole. And now Hammers favourite Winston Reid has seemingly posted a not-so-subtle dig at the Frenchman on Instagram. The New Zealand skipper posted a picture of him and his teammates celebrating after victory on Teeside with the simple message: "Teamwork, perfect." It comes after Andy Carroll told Sky Sports that the Payet situation would not derail the team's morale and insisted no player is bigger than the club. Mark Noble also revealed his previously close relationship with Payet was no more, telling The Sun he has not spoken to him 'for weeks'.

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West Ham forward Andre Ayew denies reports he contracted malaria on Africa Cup of Nations duty
SAM LONG
Evening Standard

West Ham forward Andre Ayew has denied reports claiming he has contracted malaria while on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations. Ayew plays for Ghana and is currently in Gabon representing his nation as they bid to lift the trophy for the fifth time in their history. Ghana have already booked their place in the quarter-finals of the tournament, having beaten Uganada and Mali in their opening two games. The Black Stars face Egypt in their final Group D this evening and Ayew has moved to deny incorrect reports suggesting he has been suffering from the infectious disease. "'I wasn't feeling well," he told West Ham's official website. "I had some temperature and therefore had little training for two days but the medical team treated me well. "I felt I could help and I gave it my all and I'm very happy we got the qualification."
Ghana, who are managed by former West Ham boss Avram Grant, need to avoid defeat against Egypt to ensure they finish top of their group. Meanwhile, Ayew's fellow Hammers representative Cheikhou Kouyate will also feature in the latter stages of the tournament.
The midfielder represents Senegal, who have progressed to the quarter finals, where they will face Cameroon.

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