Daily WHUFC News - 8th February 2017

Randolph – We know we can cause teams problems
WHUFC.com

Darren Randolph says the Hammers were never worried at Southampton, despite falling behind early on to Manolo Gabbiadini's rocket.
Just three days after suffering a 4-0 defeat to Manchester City, the visitors showed admirable resolve to bounce back and turn that deficit at St Mary's into a 3-1 victory – a result which took them up to ninth in the Premier League table. With six wins from their last nine league games, Randolph is confident Slaven Bilic's men can continue to head in the right direction. The No1 said: "It was the perfect way to bounce back. We have done that every time we have had a bad result and we managed to do it again on Saturday. We knew it would be a tough game, but that we could do it a lot better than on Wednesday night. "We weren't worried going behind, because we had been playing pretty well, we played some good stuff and thankfully enough we equalised almost straight after and it put the pressure back on them and we continued to play some very good football. "Against the top six, you need to try and stop them playing, which takes away from the way you play. "Against the other teams we know we can cause them all sorts of problems and that was proved once again today."

Randolph had little chance with Gabbiadini's opener on Saturday, but more than played his part by making six saves to frustrate the home forwards. He explained: "I was happy with my performance. On Saturday, with the first shot they had they scored. To be honest I don't think if I had my hand in the top corner I would have saved it then, it was past me before I knew where to look. "In the second half I made more saves at key times and I was happy to make them. "I wish I could keep a clean sheet every week, but goals happen and it is how you react after that as a keeper, you just have to think about how you are going to save the next one. "I did make a save after their goal in the first half, so obviously that makes you feel better and in the second half I made some saves and that has helped us to get a victory."

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Hammers back Safer Internet Day
WHUFC.com

As millions of people around the world unite to promote online safety, West Ham United Foundation is encouraging fans to pledge their support to the Safer Internet Day campaign. West Ham United Foundation have joined the hundreds of schools and organisations from across the UK who are supporting the global awareness campaign in a bid to 'be the change' and make the internet a better place.

Coordinated by the UK Safer Internet Centre, today is a great opportunity to talk to friends and family about the safe, responsible and positive use of technology as we strive to help create a more welcoming online community.

As we call upon Hammers fans to 'be the change', here's how you can get involved in Safer Internet Day…

Help your family and friends to have a positive time online by giving them the information they need to stay safe. See advice at www.saferinternet.org.uk
Promote positive messages online, whether this is by backing a cause, helping a friend, reporting abuse
Make the internet a better place by making someone smile online. Post online using #SID2017 and join the #giveasmile social media campaign by sharing a smiley emoji or selfie.
Visit the UK Safer Internet Centre website where you can take the Safer Internet Day quiz, see what's happening on the day, and find out more about what you can do to help your friends and family to stay safe online.

Safer Internet Day is organised in the UK by the UK Safer Internet Centre, which is a partnership of three charitable organisations, Childnet International, the South West Grid for Learning and the Internet Watch Foundation.

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Foundation team reach Premier League finals
WHUFC.com

The Wapping Irons team consists of Nathaniel Kemp, Selin Coskan, Jolina Bradley, Sade Harris, Freya Stewart-Williams, Syed Nafsan and Sophie Dimitrijevic
The Wapping Irons team are presented with certificates at last week's London finals. The team members are Nathaniel Kemp, Selin, Coskan, Jolina Bradley, Sade Harris, Freya Stewart-Williams with support from Syed Nafsan and Sophie Dimitrijevic.

For the fourth consecutive year West Ham United Foundation will have a representative in the prestigious PL Enterprise finals, due to be held at Ernest and Young in March.
Having beaten off competition from Clubs including QPR, Norwich City, Crystal Palace and Fulham at last week's London based final, held at the Emirates Stadium, Wapping Irons, a team from Wapping High School, will now face the final panel of judges in a bid to be crowned PL Enterprise Challenge winners 2017.

The PL Enterprise Challenge is an annual event inviting Premier League and Football League Club community organisations delivering Premier League Enterprise initiatives to create competition between schools, community groups and young people in their communities.

Wapping Irons, who won the West Ham United heats, beating last years Hammers finalists in the process, have been working with WHU Foundation staff to answer a challenge set by Premier League Chief Executive, Richard Scudamore. This seasons challenge is:

"You have been asked to create a plan to increase both your club's international fan base and it's income streams, specifically from the USA. Your fully costed proposal should consider how you can use your club's assets to generate interest and enthusiasm in the USA, how your club can engage fans in the USA via the club's digital channels, how your club can attract more American fans to travel to experience a live match in your stadium. The Board at your club is prepared to invest in the initiative but will want to see a return over a number of years. Your business plan should make it clear what the scale in the expected return will be."

Jolina Bradley, a member of the Wapping Irons team, said: "As a presenter, I had the opportunity to present what we had been practicing for months now and it was an experience like no other. I feel like the moment we stepped on the stage the experience had transformed from this small little project that we came up with in the classroom to this official presentation that felt very professional.

Jolina continued: "In my opinion, the best part was getting feedback from the judges who are trained and experienced professionals which will really help us in the finals. There was this second when we had won of just utter realisation and I am still in shock if I'm honest! It was an amazing experience and I would recommend it to anybody! I gained confidence, speaking skills and team work most importantly."

The Challenge provides a fantastic opportunity for pupils to gain valuable work experience and develop skills in an exciting and alternative learning environment, as well as giving them the opportunity to learn about different aspects of West Ham United, including Marketing, Customer Service and Finance.

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The Big Interview - Aaron Cresswell
WHUFC.com

CresswellAaron Cresswell has nothing but praise for the impact the supporters had on the team during the impressive 3-1 win over Southampton on Saturday.

Over three thousand Hammers fans made the trip down to the south coast and more than played their part as they helped inspire the team to another impressive away victory.

Cresswell is now hoping to experience another special atmosphere at London Stadium on Saturday when they face West Brom as they look to climb even higher up the Premier League table....



Aaron, it was a great victory over Southampton at the weekend. What do you the put the performance down to and how much credit should the players take for the way everyone has come together?

AC: "It was obviously a great win considering we had not won down there for a number of years.

"The way team came back from 1-0 down and it was a great finish from the lad, showed great togetherness. It was pleasing to see.

"Over the last few weeks I don't think we have had any choice but to come together and we have showed a great team spirit. Apart from the Manchester City game it is showing in our performances and we want to continue this run."



If you analyse the starting line-up there are a number of positives to take at the moment, with Jose Fonte and Robert Snodgrass coming into the team and Pedro Obiang scoring his first goal for the Club last weekend. How pleased were you to see Pedro get on the scoresheet?

AC: "Everything is coming together and someone like Pedro does not always get the recognition he deserves.

"He fully deserved his goal and the performances he has put in the season. He has been fantastic.

"I hope he continues this form as he is a great lad."



Andy Carroll got among the goals once again with another impressive finish. Do you feel like that he is unstoppable at the moment?

AC: "I saw an impressive stat the other day saying he has scored 20 goals in his last 33 starts and

I think any team in the Premier League would take that goals to games ratio.

"Andy has got four in four and hopefully he can continue this great run of form."



You know Andy so well. Have you sensed a change in him?

AC: "I have seen a change and his performances have been fantastic.

"He has been unlucky with injuries but we all hope he can stay fully fit now and get as many goals as he can for us.

"He is going into every game believing he can score and for any striker it is all about confidence. When you have that mindset that no-one is going to stop you it can only bring the best out of him.

"It is fantastic to see Andy when he has that belief and I really hope he can continue this."


How pleasing is it to see new signing Robert Snodgrass settle straight into the squad and can you already see the quality that he will bring to the team over the coming weeks and months?

AC: "Snods has been fantastic since he came into the Club. It is not easy when you move from one end of the country to the other and he has pretty much gone straight into the side.

"He started on Saturday and played in front of me and has fitted in straight away with the other lads and is a great lad. His performance showed that."



You also have a new defensive partner in Jose Fonte. How much have you been impressed with his leadership qualities since he arrived at the Hammers?

AC: "It was always going to be a big day for him going back to his former club Southampton so quickly and it was tough for him, having spent such a long period down there.

"But he is another player who has settled in straight away and is a great leader and has a lot of experience.

"You could see straight away the leadership qualities he will bring into the squad and you get that feeling that he has the quality. He is a fantastic defender."



We now face another big game against West Brom on Saturday who sit just one place above us in the table. How much would we like to close the gap and set our sights even higher in the table?

AC: "They are just five points ahead of us in the table and I am sure they will want to stay in the top half but there are still 14 games to go and we want to get past them.

"We hope we can close the gap with a victory on Saturday. We have had a few good results this season when the crowd have really got behind us.

"It certainly helps when the crowd are behind you and it helps in our performance."

The away following at Southampton last weekend was very impressive. How much do the players recognise the fantastic support and how much would you love to see another special atmosphere inside London Stadium on Saturday?

AC: "We spoke about the great support from the fans after the game on Saturday and at times it felt like we were the home side.

"It can make a big difference and the fans were behind us for the whole 90 minutes. We hope we can keep giving them something to shout about.

"The atmosphere in the recent game against Crystal Palace was unbelievable and if we can replicate that every week it will be fantastic."

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PAYET WHO? PLAYERS WHO COULD REPLACE PAYET
BY EXWHUEMPLOYEE ON 6 FEBRUARY 2017 AT 9:41PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by Irons Home @Irons_home

Hi all, this is my second piece writing for The West Ham Way. Here is my opinion on players who could replace the void in terms of quality not attitude which was disgracefully left by Dimitri Payet.

I just want to say a few words on Payet. Let's not lie here, in terms of quality the best we've had since the likes of club legend Paolo Di Canio. Payet last season was a world beater, could single handily win you a game, alongside Manuel Lanzini and Aaron Cresswell when all three interlinked it was fantastic to watch. Payet had it all, vision, trickery, free-kick specialist, his chances created were phenomenal and every fan was behind him. I'm pretty sure now every fan hates him. Not even a thank you to the club or Bilic for what Slav has done and the club has done for him, we made him an international name coming from quite an awful French league to the best league in the world was a huge risk which seemed to pay off. As well as making a £15m profit on a player with a horrible attitude, West Ham seem the real winners here.

It seems we are doing very well without Payet, although the summer transfer window seems a perfect opportunity to improve the quality of our attacking midfield since he has left.

Gylfi Sigurdsson

In my opinion the best player in the bottom half of the table. Absolutely quality and should be our top target in the summer. Every time I see Swansea play, he is always catching my attention, his free-kicks could be arguably better than Payet's. Having already scored 8 goals and grabbed 9 assists in a relegation threatened side, Sigurdsson has more than enough quality to impress the West Ham faithful. Much like Payet, Gylfi can operate centrally behind the striker or on the left side of an attacking 3 behind the striker. I would love to see him in Claret and Blue next season and hoping Swansea go down as they will be forced to sell their talisman although there will be huge competition from other clubs such as Everton who have made several enquiries in January for the attacking midfielder. Him with the likes of Lanzini and Antonio will create tonnes of chances and would be a great addition, we should all be opting for him to become a West Ham player at a reported £25m value, would you buy Gylfi for that.

Ivan Perisic

The Croatian attacking midfielder is a well-known player around Europe having been at Inter Milan for 2 seasons and had made a real name for himself in Germany. Having played 55 times for his national side, he has bagged 16 goals which is decent at international level especially as he plays left midfield for them. Much like Payet, Perisic is often cutting inside on his favoured right foot to either go alone on goal, or to deliver a teasing cross into the box, which would favour our style of play with the biggest aerial threat in world football already at West Ham. He Croatian link could favour our chances of landing Perisic as he is already proven throughout Europe any club would love to have him. Although would leaving Inter Milan to come to West Ham be a downgrade? I would hope not as we have a lot to offer as a club, if we have any chance of landing someone of this quality then we will have to finish very strongly in the second half of the season and also be prepared to pay a hefty fee for the Croatian midfielder but he would seem to be worth every penny.

Alex Oxlade Chamberlain

This may be surprising to some but the Ox could be a really good addition for West Ham. Still young at the age of 23, Chamberlain is a real athlete who oozes pace but some may say lacks a bit of end product. He can play anywhere across midfield, as a winger, in central midfield, and attacking midfield due to his great athleticism. Also, when Arsenal have a fully fit squad, the Ox is not given a look in with players such as Alex Iwobi performing when given the chance by Arsenal. Even a season long loan deal with an option to buy in 2018 could be a great deal for all parties, especially if Chamberlain wants to cement a place in the England team. Chamberlain would offer much needed pace to the West Ham attack with only Michail Antonio having real quickness about his play, Chamberlain could be a very good signing for West Ham. We may face tough completion though as Leicester have been after him in the past but he may want to stay in London and favour us if we really have the intention of signing him.

Manuel Lanzini

Already at the club, our little gem could be better than the prime Payet. Already having made a name for himself at the last season at the Boleyn Ground, Lanzini has always been an integral part of the West Ham team. Having started as a winger for us, Slav has moved him centrally where he has flourished due to his link up play and movement with and without the ball. Lanzini is only 23 and has huge potential, he is also fans favourite as shown by his "Ain't nobody like Lanzini" chant. We all love him. Players like him are the reason why us fans go to watch the sport, he gets you off your seat with his pieces of skill, little turns and nutmegs he does are magical. Having not started vs Southampton due to having the flu, I'm sure Lanzini will be back at top form and stepping up even more now his mate Payet has left the club.

Ashley Young

A surprise mention goes to the out of favour winger. Not many would welcome this addition but honestly I think he could be good for us. Much like Downing, he needs to move to a smaller club than Manchester United and get regular game time to show his talents. Although he is 31 I believe he still has a lot to offer for any Premier League club other than the proven top 6. He is a proven Premier League player and has been in this league for over 10 years and we may just sign Premier League proven players in the summer because of the huge failures in the last summer window with the likes of Zaza and Gokhan Tore signing. Young was rumoured to be going to China this month and that still could potentially happen as the Chinese transfer window does not close until the end of February. Young's crossing abilities really appeals to me maybe due to Antonio's inconsistent crossing abilities, Young has a consistent technique of delivering a cross through open play or from a set-piece, especially with the likes of Andy Carroll in the team. If we could manage to lower Ashley's wages and either get him on loan or on a permanent contract, I believe this would be a good addition to the squad if we want to push for European qualification.

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Why West Ham will be out to rewrite the history books when the face West Brom
The Hammers face Tony Pulis' side on Saturday looking to improve on a poor recent record against the Baggies
Football.London
BYROB GUEST
12:56, 7 FEB 2017

Fresh from Saturday's morale-boosting 3-1 win at Southampton, West Ham will be looking to make it back-to-back wins with West Brom next on the agenda. The Hammers will be hoping the first game between the sides at the London Stadium will help improve their wretched home form against Tony Pulis' side. In eight home games in the Premier League era the club have only won twice against the Baggies, with five draws and one defeat. You have to go back four years for the Hammers last home win against West Brom, with in-form striker Andy Carroll at the double in a 3-1 win. Prior to that, West Ham's only other win in the Premier League era was 12 years ago, as Teddy Sheringham's solitary goal was enough to seal the win for Alan Pardew's team. Pulis' side have been one of the surprise packages of the season and are eighth in the table, five points ahead of the Hammers, following a run of four wins from six games.
The sides met earlier in the campaign at the Hawthorns with the Hammers falling to a 4-2 defeat, as the Baggies raced into a four-goal lead after an hour. West Brom have yet to record a Premier League double over West Ham but in order to do so they will have to improve their away record. The Baggies have only won three times on the road this campaign, with victories at Crystal Palace, Leicester City and Southampton. Their only success in eight attempts at Upton Park came in September 2002 with Jason Roberts netting in a 1-0 victory in their first season in the Premier League. West Ham will be looking to right their wrongs of their last game at the London Stadium and a much-needed home win over the Baggies could move them to within two points of the visitors.

Premier League home record v WBA
West Ham 0 West Brom 1, 11 September 2002
West Ham 1 West Brom 0, 5 November 2005
West Ham 0 West Brom 0, 16 March 2009
West Ham 2 West Brom 2, 10 Nov 2010
West Ham 3 West Brom 1, 30 March 2013
West Ham 3 West Brom 3, 28 December 2013
West Ham 1 West Brom 1, 1 Jan 2015
West Ham 1 West Brom 1, 29 Nov 2015

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Andy Carroll 'chuffed' with latest goal in hot streak for West Ham
SAM LONG
Evening Standard

West Ham striker Andy Carroll is delighted to have developed a clinical edge in front of goal in recent weeks. The 28-year-old struggled with injury at the start of the season but has enjoyed a rich vein of form since returning to fitness for Slaven Bilic's side. A calm finish in the Hammers' 3-1 victory over Southampton on Saturday took Carroll's tally to five goals in his last seven top-flight appearances. And the forward is pleased to be contributing so regularly, despite not carving out many chances at St. Mary's Stadium. "I'm happy with how it's going in front of goal for me at the minute. It was probably one of the only chances I had in the game, so it was nice to put it away," Carroll told West Ham's official website. "It was a good result for us on Saturday. We didn't deserve to go 1-0 down, but when we did I think it changed the game for the better. "We realised we were in a game, pushed up and got a goal straight away for myself. I was well chuffed with it, we carried on and got another just before half-time. "It was important to cancel out their goal so quickly. That's exactly what we did."

Questions were widely asked of West Ham's mental toughness after a chastening 4-0 defeat to Manchester City earlier this month. But the Hammers bounced back at the first time of asking against Claude Puel's side and Carroll is adamant there is plenty of belief in West Ham's camp. "We've been playing well lately. We've bounced back straight away from the Man City game and proved that we're playing well by getting three points. "We've got a very good team and we're always capable of winning games," Carroll insisted. West Ham face West Brom at London Stadium this weekend and will solidify their place in the top half of the table with victory over Tony Pulis's side.

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West Ham Still Have Best Stadium Announcers
Submitted by nevillenixon on Tue, 07/02/2017 - 11:01
westhamfans.org

Since the move from the Boleyn Ground to the London Stadium there have been a few problems, most of which blown out of all proportion by media hounds and jealous supporters of other clubs less fortunate. The 'branding' of West Ham United London has been slick and efficient which is what is necessary to survive in the cut throat world of high end business supply, and whether you like it or not that is what the Barclays Premiership is all about now. Back in the day when it was possible to buy peanuts for a tanner a bag from the bloke in the brown jacket who would throw you the packet and then get you to pass the money down the line, global exposure was something that was read about in the now defunct News of the World, and it wasn't about football club branding! The London Stadium represents a giant leap forward and despite it's niggles will become an incredible home for West Ham once things have settled down a bit, of course success on the pitch will make all the difference and it is hoped that the remainder of the season will see Hammers pushing higher up the league, although achieving last season's heady heights is unlikely but not impossible.

One match day aspect that has fortunately been retained from the Boleyn is the match day announcement team, they are still accessible and are able to make a young fans day. Slightly self indulgent this, but despite incredibly short notice they managed to squeeze in a 'happy birthday' during the announcements at half time during the match against Manchester City to ed junior who had been incandescent with rage at the score, the smile on his face and the hug he gave when they announced his birthday were priceless! Never to be forgotten, it takes quite a lot to impress a seventeen year old nowadays....His happiness was compounded by the victory over Southampton which he saw as pay back to their gloating fans who had used the canvas covering the gaps at the London Stadium as a trampoline as they mocked the home fans!

A couple more victories and even the most paranoid of supporters, still scarred by the relegation with 46 points nightmare, will be able to breathe easy and look forward to another season at the 'top table'. Settling in at a new stadium was always going to take time, and perhaps expectations were a little unrealistic? However there is a whole new generation of young Hammers fans coming through and to them the London Stadium will be home, at least the oldies will have the stadium announcers to remind them of the past. - Ed

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Transfer ALERT! Lyon put £60m price tag on Arsenal and West Ham target Alexandre Lacazette
Arsenal and West Ham Alexandre Lacazette
By talkSPORT - @talkSPORT
Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Lyon have told Arsenal and West Ham it will cost them £60million if they want to sign Alexandre Lacazette. The striker was the subject of strong interest from the Premier League pair last summer and he has now revealed he is ready to leave at the end of the season. That has alerted both Arsenal and West Ham, who are expected to make fresh approaches for Lacazette following his recent comments. However, if either club has ideas about signing the France international they must be wary he won't come cheap as - according to reports in France - Lyon have set his asking price at £60m. The French club are very reluctant to let their star striker go and as such they will only sell if his valuation is met. Both Arsenal and West Ham had bids rejected for Lacazette last summer which were around £30m.

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West Ham United star Andre Ayew to rejoin London club today after disappointing AFCON campaign
Published on: 07 February 2017

Ghana international Andre Ayew will rejoin his club team mates today after playing in the Africa Cup of Nations for the last three weeks. Ayew, a 20.5 million pounds signing from Swansea City had a disappointing Africa Cup of Nations campaign by his own high standards. In his absence West Ham United have fought well to move to the top half of the English Premier League and are 9 points clear off the relegation zone despite losing super star Dimitri Payet to Marseille and Ayew to the Africa Cup of Nations. Ayew played in and lasted the entire duration of all the six games in Gabon where he managed 2 goals albeit they were all from the spot. His return to West Ham United is coming at a good time to the club who enjoyed coming from a goal down to win 3-1 against Southampton over the weekend. In other news Swansea City's new signing Jordan Ayew is also set to move to the Welsh club today.

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West Ham prepared €100m offer for Real Madrid star after selling Dimitri Payet to Marseille
By Essex Chronicle | Posted: February 07, 2017
By Tommy Wathen

According to reports in Spain, West Ham United tabled an offer of around €100 million for Real Madrid and Columbia playmaker James Rodriguez in January - but the player decided to remain with Los Blancos. The 25 year-old midfielder has only started four La Liga matches for Madrid this season and has made a further five appearances from the substitutes bench - scoring just one goal. Spanish website don balon are reporting that after the Hammers sold Dimitri Payet back to French Ligue 1 side Olympique de Marseille for £25 million last month, the East Londoners were interested in a record-breaking deal for Rodriguez, but despite appreciating the offer from West Ham, the player decided that his career would progress better at a higher standard club. It is understood that the €100 million figure would've been made up between transfer fee and contract value, although it would still smash the Hammers current record-signing of Andre Ayew for around £20 million from Premier League rivals Swansea City.

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West Ham supporter blog: Pedro Obiang has been a shining light, but Bilic will stick with Noble
By Essex Chronicle | Posted: February 07, 2017
By Tommy Wathen

West Ham United have missed Cheikhou Kouyate during the 2017 African Cup of Nations, but the brutal blow was made easier to deal with by a number of outstanding performances by Spanish midfielder Pedro Obiang. Over the past few months, Obiang has helped to steady the Hammers ship and has become one of the leading names on manager Slaven Bilic's team sheet, putting captain Mark Noble's position at threat.
Obiang put in yet another man-of-the-match performance away to Southampton on Saturday [February 4], setting up Andy Carroll for West Ham's equaliser with an inch-perfect through-ball, before smashing a low shot into the bottom corner to give the visitors all three points.
After watching the Hammers pick up a third Premier League victory in their past four games, 19 year-old West Ham fan George Benson from Bishop Auckland, County Durham blogs about how the Hammers almost lost a prized asset during the summer. "It's astonishing to think that back in August, Pedro Obiang was way down the pecking order at West Ham and almost returned to Italy after interest came in from AC Milan and Fiorentina. Thankfully, both clubs couldn't agree a fee for the 24 year-old and since then, Obiang has found himself an integral part of the West Ham midfield. "Pedro Obiang has been one of the shining lights in what has been a slightly underwhelming campaign thus far for the Hammers. He has protected our back four (or even five) from threats, whilst looking comfortable when passing the ball long and not just side-to-side. He did that despite manager Slaven Bilic continuously tinkering with players and formations throughout the season. "The midfielder's performance against Southampton on Saturday was truly brilliant and reminiscent of captain Mark Noble's during our final season at the Boleyn Ground. His assist for Carroll was a pass that was like cutting a knife through warm butter and a pass that West Ham midfielders have often failed to see this season. His goal, which came just before half time to put West Ham ahead, was great effort and hopefully something that the Spaniard can add to his game going forward. He also has the highest tackle success rate in the Premier League with 91%! "With Kouyate returning from the African Cup of Nations, 77% of supporters who voted on an Essex Live poll at @WestHamEC are expecting Bilic to drop club captain Mark Noble. In truth, Noble hasn't played anywhere near the level he was at last year. In my opinion, he should've been selected for an England call-up last season, but too many side ways passes and silly fouls make him look lost sometimes on the huge pitch at the London Stadium. Saying that, I still expect Bilic to stick with his captain and play him in the starting 11 - meaning that either Kouyate or Obiang may have to become a regular from the substitutes bench."

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THE LIFE AND CAREER OF SLAVEN BILIC
By Zaman Siddiqui 7 Feb 2017
WTID
Guest post by Aleksandar Babac

NOTE FROM ZAMAN: The author has written an enthralling piece on Super Slav! He is also the creator of the largest West Ham-based Croatian Facebook page.

There was definitely something in the air that hot September in 1968 when Slaven Bilic was born in Split on Wednesday the 11th. Seven days later, in the same hospital room, his childhood friend Toni Kukoc was born. They grew up together in the same building, and joined Hajduk's youth football academy together. But the coaches there told them that they weren't talented enough. Toni decided to play basketball professionally and later made sporting history, side by side with Michael Jordan, winning three consecutive NBA Championship titles with the Chicago Bulls.

Slaven was persistent with football, as with all things he does. He grew up in the city block of Spinut, near Hajduk's training ground with his parents and his brother, Domagoj, who gave him the nickname Nane, as he couldn't say Slaven. Allegedly, Slav used to eat a lot of bananas as a child, so Domagoj once mispronounced banana saying "Nane" and the nickname stuck. He still keeps it to this day in Croatia. Slav's father was a university professor and dean at the Faculty of Law at Split University where Slav graduated in 1993 and became a lawyer. "You're a lawyer. What are you doing playing football?" – was a common question asked by many of his teammates.

Slaven Bilic is anything but a typical footballer. He started his youth career in Hajduk Split at the age of 9 – the club became his greatest passion. In fact, there isn't a single person born in Dalmatia who doesn't love Hajduk, football and Split. It is a magical triangle right on the Dalmatian coast! In Hajduk Split, he finished his playing career 24 years later, and made his first steps in becoming a manager. Even in his younger days, Slaven showcased absolute loyalty to the team. There were two dressing rooms at the club – one classy (only for the chosen first team stars) and the second for the rest. When they called him in to use the first dressing room, he refused because he got used to the small one where all his friends were.

In 1991, the team won the final of the final Yugoslav Cup against Red Star in Belgrade. He was one of the most talented of Hajduk's footballers in a generation alongside skipper and former Hammer Igor Stimac, as well as Alen Boksic, and Robert Jarni. Even now, Slaven says that winning that trophy was one of the most memorable things of his entire career. Soon after his graduation in 1993, he moved to the Bundesliga where he joined Karlsruher. Ten months later, he became team captain, the first-ever foreign skipper in the top German league. It was such a big honour and accomplishment for such a young player from the newborn Balkan country of Croatia.

We know that the Olympic Stadium was his destiny, but on July 5th 1992, he debuted for the Croatian national team versus Australia at Olympic Park Stadium in Melbourne. What a coincidence! Six years later, he was a member of the Golden Generation of the Vatren ('the Blazers'), achieving the most glorifying moment in Croatian football history finishing in 3rd place at World Cup in France 1998.

"My son, do you have some cigarettes? I need them for the bench… and when you will take off that earring?" – a question asked by Miroslav Ciro. Blazevic, the selector for the Croatian national team, who was the manager on the bench from 1994 to 2000. Slav replied: "I won't. The earring reminds me of my time at law school". As a matter of fact, Slaven started smoking during his faculty years, whilst all other team mates were sleeping. Ciro was very strict, and influential, but also very generous and emotional – just like Slav.

Nane learnt a lot from Ciro. The coach always stated that Slaven was like a son to him. In fact, we could say that Ciro had an influence on Slaven to pursue his dream of becoming a manager. Harry Redknapp brought him in 1996 for a fee of £1.3M, setting the club's record for the highest fee paid for an incoming player at the time. His dreams had finally come true, as Slaven finally lived in the country of rock music and where football was invented. In the same place, six months later, Slaven played his first and final European Championship. Croatia lost 2-1 at Wembley in the quarter-final against Germany after Igor Stimac was sent off. Slaven cried upon the confirmation of his team's defeat when the whistle blew.

Who could've imagined that ten years later, Slaven would become the Croatian national manager, and Igor Stimac would succeed him 6 years after? Who could've imagined that Slav would go back to Wembley 11 years later to defeat England 3-2 in the final qualifying match of the EURO's in 2008? Who could've predicted back then that England needed a draw in order to qualify, with it going down to the wire of the dozen matches? Slaven made a risky sub with former Hammer Mladen Petric scoring the winner for Croatia in the 77 minute.

A year later, Slaven moved to Merseyside, joining Everton in the summer of 1997. Terms were agreed much earlier, but he stayed with us until the end of the season to help the team not get relegated. The same year, he was presented as Hammer of the Year runner-up to Julian Dicks. Bilic became one of the most influential Croats in England with some offering him a position in the Croatian embassy. He was very influential for many generations of young players, as well to the Toffee's Wayne Rooney, who had his full size poster beside the bed. Although Slaven was one of the most valued defenders in the Premier League, many didn't know that his playing career finished just a month before the World Cup in France 1998.

"'We need you, my son. Just for one match – just for the Argentina match" said Ciro, who begged Slaven to play. Slaven replied: "But boss, how I will play with a hip fracture? I can't even walk, it hurts so much!" After giving it some thought, Slav said: "What the hell, it's now or never." He decided to go and to play at the World Cup, and was roommates with ex Real Madrid and Barcelona star, Robert Prosinecki, who later became Slaven's assistant on the Croatian national bench. As players, two of them were smokers, so they shared a smoking room and Ciro tolerated it.

It wouldn't have been the same without Slav. He was phenomenal and sophisticated, 'a good spirit' of the team and a good leader, sacrificing his health and playing with a fractured hip. Under the watchful eye of the medics, he received physio treatment every single day. He played seven full matches, elapsing 630 minutes during the 28-day tournament. Slaven and Igor Stimac got a chance for revenge for the EURO 96 defeat, which they took with a superb 3-0 win in Lyon against Germany in the World Cup quarter-final. It was a breathtaking moment for all of the football world to witness. Another former Hammer, Davor Suker, was the tournament star, scoring the most goals and winning the coveted Golden Boot award.

"I apologize for not wearing a tie" – were the first Slaven's words when he was unanimously appointed the manager of Croatian national football team. He managed the Croatian team for 6 years – only Ciro lasted longer. He showed courage and determination in each match. After that terrific win against England in Wembley back in 2007, many of us Croats knew that we had a manager with whom we could achieve big things. Even then, celebrating this victory, he showed his compassion comforting young Rooney, having known him since he was a teenager playing for Everton. After two EURO tournaments in 2008 and 2012, Slaven resigned from the national team but developed and introduced many young players to the big stage at the national level. Under his command, he gave debuts to Lovren, Corluka, Perisic, Mandzukic, and Rakitic.

When Slaven was born in September 1968, the no.1 hit on the UK Charts list was The Beatles Hey Jude. Their LP was the first album that Slaven bought as a kid – this is where his love of music and the British way of living began. Music influenced his life, and attitude. When he speaks about music, it is as if he is another person.

A passionate lyricist and guitarist, he wrote and played the Supporters anthem Vatreno Ludilo performed by his hard-rock band, Rawbau, often using Dalmatian buzzwords like Ludilo, and Strava (meaning "madness" and "scare") to describe his admiration for Iron Maiden, Guns N' Roses, The Rolling Stones, and Judas Priest to name a few. During his playing career at West Ham, the Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman said he couldn't believe that Slav called him "a legend". From those days in London, Slaven developed a nice friendship with Iron Maiden's founder Steve Harris, who once asked him to join them on stage and play guitar at a Croatian concert.

"I was really living life to the full" – something Bilic would effectively say many times in interviews about his life in London.

"For me, London is the greatest city in the world. It represents everything for me: England, the British lifestyle, humour, music, football, Only Fools and Horses, Monty Python, The Rolling Stones – that's England for me. In the streets of London you can see everything: pubs, buskers, aristocracy, subcultures… When you see this mix of nations, religions, and cultures, you become inspired."
Slaven Bilic, a football manager, international player, guitarist, polyglot and a lawyer is definitely not the best and for sure not even the most talented Croatian footballer in history, but he has such a unique and strong personality which makes him a person to admire. Our rebel with a cause will always remain 'a good boy' of football. He is a respectable gentleman, Bilic – always was and will be the kid from the block.

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West Ham fan banned from football caught in Middlesbrough - but says 'he didn't read his order'
Tony Hackett, 57, was found at the Jury's Inn hotel in Middlesbrough on the same day of the West Ham v Boro game
BYMIKE BROWN
Evening Gazette

A West Ham fan banned from football matches travelled to Teesside on the day his team played Middlesbrough - saying he hadn't fully read his banning order. Tony Vincent Hackett, 57, was barred for five years from entering any town or borough where the Hammers were playing, for a four hour time period either side of the match. That order was placed on him on January 13 at Blackfriars Crown Court in London for violent disorder - where he received a one year prison sentence, suspended for 24 months. But just over a week later on January 21, Hackett travelled up to Middlesbrough to "visit a friend" at the Jury's Inn hotel on Fry Street, in the town centre. He didn't attend the Riverside to see the Londoners defeat Boro 3-1 - he watched the match in the hotel, he told a court - but admitted to Teesside Magistrates' Court he had breached the order by being on Teesside. An officer from the Met Police, working with counterparts in Cleveland to police the match, recognised Hackett in Middlesbrough from a previous away match. Andrew Foster, defending, said Hackett had not been given a copy of his order after the hearing and only contacted the court when a friend of his told him he should have been reporting to a police station as part of the ban. He was then emailed a copy by his solicitor on January 18 and printed it out, but admits he did not read it fully and originally thought the ban only extended to half a mile away from whichever ground West Ham were playing at. In fact, the distance was two miles - and he was banned altogether from town centres on matchdays. Encouraging magistrates to sentence Hackett today, Mr Foster said: "He has not travelled to Middlesbrough to attend the game. He's come alone, not with a gang, and not with football hooligans. He had printed out a hard copy of the order and put it in his bag, but admits he hadn't read it fully."
But prosecutor Rachel Dodsworth asked the bench to send the case to Blackfriars Crown Court, where Hackett could face a more serious sentence. Magistrates agreed and committed Hackett, of Hillview Road, Kirby-in-Ashfield, Nottingham, to crown court for sentence at a date to be confirmed. Seven men were arrested before, during and after the Premier League clash between Boro and West Ham at the Riverside. It followed on from violence which marred the club's visit to the London Stadium in October, which Boro fans described as an "absolutely terrifying experience". West Ham fans broke a cordon and flooded the away end, while bottles and coins were hurled at Teessiders.

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Trevor Sinclair praises West Ham United board over one decision
HITC
Subhankar Mondal

West Ham United winger Robert Snodgrass, who moved from Hull City in the January transfer window, featured against Southampton in the Premier League at the weekend. Trevor Sinclair has taken to social networking site Twitter to praise West Ham United for signing Robert Snodgrass from Hull City in the January transfer window. The former West Ham winger made the comment following the London club's 3-1 victory over Southampton away from home at St. Mary's Stadium in the Premier League at the weekend. The 29-year-old winger started the match at the London Stadium on Saturday afternoon and played for the entire 90 minutes. Snodgrass is a very good winger, and he should prove to be a brilliant signing for West Ham. The Scotland international has featured in two Premier League matches for the Hammers since his move from Hull, creating one chance in the process. The former Leeds United and Norwich City winger scored seven goals and created 45 chances in 20 Premier League matches for Hull this season. West Ham are ninth in the Premier League table at the moment with 31 points from 24 matches. Meanwhile, Hull currently find themselves third from bottom in the league table with 20 points from 24 games, just a point behind 17th-placed Swansea City.

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REAL STAR REPORTEDLY TURNS DOWN AUDACIOUS WEST HAM APPROACHFeatured Image
Date: 6th February 2017 at 8:00pm
Written by: David Tully

Real Madrid midfielder James Rodriguez reportedly turned down a big money move to West Ham in the January transfer window, according to Don Balon. In what seems to be a highly unlikely rumour, the Spanish publication assert that the Hammers were prepared to make an offer worth "close to 100 million euros" to land the Colombian playmaker.

The 25 year old was said to be grateful for the offer but he feels he must remain with a Champions League club in order to keep his lucrative sponsorship deals. He wants to either remain at Real Madrid to work himself back into Zinedine Zidane's first team plans or move to another club who are challenging for titles.

Don Balon says the move came after West Ham decided to sell Dimitri Payet for €30million to Marseille. It seems likelier though that if any attempt was made for Rodriguez it would have been on the lines of a loan bid, in view to buying the player.

Real's transfer ban means they couldn't sell or buy anyone in the January transfer window, although they could loan players. Perhaps West Ham's move for Rodriguez included a loan fee and a commitment to pay all of his wages which could have increased the value of their offer, although a €100m (£86m) deal would still seem too much.

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Statistic proves Slaven Bilic is on his way to becoming West Ham's best manager for 25 years
HITC
Damien Lucas

Slaven Bilic is well on his way to becoming West Ham United's best manager for a quarter of a century according to a key statistic.
The Hammers endured a torrid start to the Croatian's second season in charge of the East London club. It is a far cry from last season's record-breaking farewell to the club's Boleyn Ground home of 112 years which saw Bilic's side record their best ever Premier League points total and first positive goal difference since the club came so close to winning the title in 1986 as they finished just four points off the Champions League places. West Ham struggled badly in the first half of the season, going out of the Europa League, EFL Cup and FA Cup and stuck near the bottom of the table lacking any kind of form or consistency. Results have picked up drastically of late, though, with six wins from the last nine league games coinciding with the Dimitri Payet situation and eventual exit before the January transfer window slammed shut.
Despite now sitting comfortably in ninth place, Bilic's future has been the subject of intense media speculation in recent weeks with former Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini being tipped to replace him, as reported by the likes of The Times. Bilic himself told the press he is struggling to understand why his job would be under threat. And a new statistic has also made the speculation look laughable after it emerged the former Besiktas manager is well on his way to becoming the club's best manager for a quarter of a century. That's because Bilic is now the fastest West Ham manager to reach 25 wins since in the inauguration of the Premier League in 1992. Since 1992 West Ham have had 10 managers including Billy Bonds, Harry Redknapp, Glenn Roeder, Trevor Brooking (in a caretaker role), Alan Pardew, Alan Curbishley, Gianfranco Zola, Avram Grant, Sam Allardyce and Bilic. While Bonds, Roeder, Pardew and Allardyce had short spells outside the top flight while in charge none matched Bilic's fantastic success rate which has seen him reach 25 wins in just 62 Premier League games, drawing 18 and losing 19. It makes Bilic the fastest Hammers manager to reach the milestone and he has done so with a 40% win percentage.
Trevor Brooking's time in caretaker charge sees him hold a maximum 100% winning record during his short spell which ended in relegation on a record 42 points. But if, as we are constantly being told, football is 'all about winning' then this surely makes Bilic one of if not the best West Ham manager in 25 years.

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