Daily WHUFC News - 24th August 2017

Noble - The lads are digging in
WHUFC.com

Mark Noble says Hammers are ready to return to Premier League action after
Dubai trip
West Ham United travel to Watford on Saturday seeking a third straight away
victory
Captain delighted by welcome the squad received during their time in the
Arabian Gulf

Mark Noble says the Hammers are refreshed and raring to go ahead of
Saturday's Premier League trip to Watford. The West Ham United squad spent
five days in Dubai over last weekend, where they combined daily training
sessions with the opportunity to relax, recharge and bond in a different
environment. While the sun failed to shine in the unseasonably cold Arabian
Gulf, the captain said the time away would benefit the squad in their final
13 fixtures. "The weather wasn't great in Dubai, but we had four really good
training sessions and a bit of downtime where we could relax and just chill
out, and I think it's great," he told whufc.com. "We had a couple of meals
together, the whole squad, and it's great to get everyone together in one
room and enjoy everyone's company."

The visit also gave the Dubai Hammers supporters' club and other fans based
in the United Arab Emirates a rare opportunity to rub shoulders with their
heroes.
Noble was impressed with the turnout at the Club's open training session.
"I couldn't believe how many fans there were!" he revealed. "About 300
people came and to be fair that was during the best couple of hours sun we
had! "They got to see a really good training session and enjoyed meeting the
boys after. It was just a really good four or five days in all, but
obviously we now have a really big game on Saturday to think about."

Speaking of Saturday's meeting with Watford at Vicarage Road, Noble says the
Hammers are determined to eradicate the memory of their London Stadium
meltdown against the Hornets back in September – upsetting two of his former
West Ham teammates in the process. "Like we have done a lot of times this
season, we were punished for our mistakes against Watford," the No16
recalled from the 4-2 defeat. "I've watched Watford a lot and they're a good
team, have good players and they're good at home so we have to be really on
it to get a result there. "Valon Behrami (pictured) I've known for years now
and I've played against him many times. He's a top geezer. I enjoyed his
company at the Club. "Then obviously Mauro [Zarate] scored some really
important goals for us and you can't forget them. He's got a lot of talent
and we're going to have to be aware of him."

Slaven Bilic's squad have lost just three of their last 12 Premier League
matches and Noble says they can extend that record in Hertfordshire. "After
what happened over Christmas [with the Dimitri Payet situation], the past
six weeks have been great," he observed. "The lads are digging in for each
other and we've signed some really good players, players who want to play
for the team and work for the team. It's been really good the last six
weeks. "When you look at the league now, it's probably what everyone expects
it to be. With the top six, the money they have at their disposal is massive
and last year was probably a freak year, like everyone knows. The rest of
the league is up for fight. "We were struggling early on but we managed to
put a few results together and get back mid-table and now we're looking
upwards. This year's leveled out again and this year's back to what it
should be."

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Carroll faces late fitness test
WHUFC.com

Carroll has been sidelined with a groin injury
The Hammers striker is hoping to resume training on Friday
Cresswell, Masuaku and Ayew will all be fit for selection

Slaven Bilic will give Andy Carroll every chance of proving his fitness for
the Premier League fixture against Watford on Saturday.
Carroll has been sidelined with a groin injury and was forced to miss the
last game against West Brom at London Stadium. The West Ham United forward
travelled with the first-team squad to Dubai last week and has been working
hard in the gym this week as he looks to regain full fitness. Bilic is
hoping that Carroll will be able to start training again on Friday and will
then make a late decision on whether to include him in the squad for the
game at Vicarage Road.
Bilic said: "He was part of the squad and went to Dubai, but unfortunately
(the injury) is a little bit slower than we expected and hoped for.
"Regarding the game against Watford, he'll try to run today (Thursday) and
if he's good then maybe he has a chance to be in the squad for Saturday. To
be fair I don't think about Chelsea now. "I don't want to rule him out for
Watford. With Andy you never know, if he can run today and train tomorrow
then maybe he will be in the squad for Saturday. "This is not a big injury
but he needs to play, he needs to be available and hopefully he will train
tomorrow, whether he will be available for Saturday, that would be great but
if not definitely Chelsea. "He didn't train yesterday but he was in the gym
for an hour and a half. He's a big lad, he gives everything and he is
looking after himself."

With the exception of Angelo Ogbonna who is ruled out with a knee injury and
Diafra Sakho, who is working his way back to fitness after a back injury,
the Hammers boss should have a full squad to choose from for the Watford
game. Aaron Cresswell has resumed training following a slight knock which
forced him to come off at half-time during the 2-2 draw with West Brom.
Arthur Masuaku is also available for selection following his knee injury,
while Club record signing Andre Ayew is also pushing for a first-team start
after getting another two weeks of training under his belt.

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Reid to feature in BT Sport film
WHUFC.com

Winston Reid attended West Ham United Foundation's Disability Football
scheme
Visit was captured by BT Sport Films crew and will air in the Score show on
Saturday afternoon
Initiative one of many launched and run in conjunction with the Premier
League and BT Sport

West Ham United Foundation's Disability Football scheme will feature in the
build-up to Saturday's live BT Sport broadcast of the Hammers' Premier
League fixture at Watford. Defender Winston Reid paid a visit to the
initiative, launched at London Stadium in conjunction with the Premier
League and BT Sport last summer, where he found the Foundation helping
people of all backgrounds to enjoy their football. The BT Sport Films team
followed the No2 to Beckton, where they met 25-year-old Hammer Hakeem
Ranger. Ranger, who has learning difficulties and global delay, started
attending the Foundation's Football Skill session over a year ago to
overcome shyness and a lack of confidence. In the film, Ranger explains how
his attendance at the programme has brought about an improvement in his
social and physical well-being, and has led to him now becoming a mentor
himself, inspiring other young people to get involved.

The film will be screened on the flagship BT Sport Score live matchday show
on BT Sport 1 between 2.30pm and 5pm on Saturday 25 February. The Premier
League and BT Disability programme is raising the profile of the project and
clubs' broader inclusion work to millions of people. To watch West Ham TV's
own feature on Reid's visit to the Disability Football scheme, click here.

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Bilic - It was a great trip
WHUFC.com

The first-team squad flew out to Dubai for five days
The Hammers players trained every day
Bilic feels the new signings have already settled into the squad

Slaven Bilic is confident the warm-weather trip to Dubai has galvanised the
whole squad and brought everyone closer together as they prepare for the
Premier League game at Watford.

The first-team squad and backroom staff flew out to the Middle East and
spent five days together as the players continued to train hard and
re-charge their batteries ahead of the final few stages of the season.

Bilic has no doubts the players have benefitted from the short trip overseas
and hopes they will be back to their best when they make the short trip to
Vicarage Road on Saturday.

Bilic said: "Dubai was very good. We trained very hard, more than if we had
stayed here and there was also some team bonding. It was really good,
although the weather was not the greatest.

"I think it was a great trip and we benefited from that. We didn't play at
the weekend and had a gap so it was good for all the players to be together
and we all trained once a day.

"We used it to do a bit of fitness, bit of intensive small games, work on
defence, it was all good."

Bilic says it was also a good opportunity for recent new signings Jose Fonte
and Robert Snodgrass to spend more time with their new team-mates .

Both players have settled straight into their new surroundings following
their moves to the east London Club in the January transfer window and Bilic
has no doubts they will help improve the team spirit even more.

Bilic added: "Players like Snodgrass and Fonte don't need time. They are
'homegrown', they just changed the jersey.

"Team bonding is good for the players who didn't open themselves totally.
You come to training and just talk to your best friend and then go home.

"This was a bit different, you are together 24-7 and you open yourself to
the whole team. That was really good."

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SIGNINGS WHO COULD SOLVE OUR ONGOING STRIKER PROBLEMS
BY EXWHUEMPLOYEE ON 23 FEBRUARY 2017 AT 9:40PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
By Irons_Home

Hi all, I am already on my third piece this week and I am thoroughly
enjoying them and love receiving feedback and comments on what you like and
what can be improved. I will try to get 2-3 articles out a week for the
website and would love the feedback to continue on every piece.

A great goalscorer is the hardest thing to find in football. West Ham have
been struggling to find one since Dean Ashton who was forced to retire at
the age of 26. Ever since West Ham have failed to sign a striker who
consistently scores goals. Under Sullivan and Gold West Ham have signed 32
strikers in 7 years who have in total managed 128 goals in 643 games which
is quite appalling goals to game record. Players like Zaza, Benni McCarthy
and Mido have definitely not set the world on fire. Carroll in my opinion is
our most dangerous striker in recent times when fit and is seriously hitting
form with 4 goals in 2017.With Diafra Sakho also injury prone, Jonathan
Calleri only scoring once and Ashley Fletcher still raw, we need some other
options. Here are some signings who could be a consistent scorer in claret
and blue.

Alexandre Lacazette

It was a long summer chasing the Frenchman from Lyon with our highest bid at
£42.5 million which Lyon swiftly rejected. According to reports, Lyon have
put a £60 million price tag on him and will be made available in the summer
which may signal the board to go back for him. Quick, strong, a great
athlete who definitely has an eye for goal. Lacazette would be perfect in
our system. With already 20 goals in 19 appearances for Lyon in Ligue 1. I'm
sure given the chance he would justify his price tag. Although with clubs
such as Arsenal and Liverpool rivalling us for his signature, we would need
to pay very big to land him. Could Sullivan pull it off? If he joined, would
he flop? I'd love to see him in claret and blue but we may not be 'big'
enough for him.

Carlos Bacca

Again, another long summer dragged out over this transfer. Constantly
getting updates on my phone about this transfer with different Italian and
therefore unreliable sources saying the deal is done, it got everyone
excited. The deal was far from done with Bacca rejecting West Ham and
wanting to stay at AC Milan for at least another season. With a year passed
since last summer it is looking even likelier that Bacca will leave AC Milan
with fans turning against him and getting boos every time he makes an
appearance. This season he has scored 10 goals in a total of 1481
minutes-averaging a goal every 148.1 minutes (he has also started on the
bench 4 times). Bacca seems to have all the attributes, pace, skill,
clinical, eye for goal, link up play. He would seem to fit in our system and
if he joins and scores goals, we should all forget about when he rejected
us.

Daniel Sturridge

Very well known in the Premier League, Sturridge is regarded as one of the
most clinical when fit. Keeping him fit is the problem, consistently injured
he seems a great match for West Ham. But the risk could be taken as when he
is fit, he scores goals. Having only played 754 minutes this season, he has
returned with 7 goals which seems incredible as players need a run of games
after injuries to find form and especially strikers who need to regain
fitness to score goals. Sturridge is a natural goalscorer, if any club
managed to keep him fit he would easily score 25+ goals. At 27 and when fit
not starting for Liverpool, Sturridge needs to play regular first team
football and West Ham seem a great match but could we keep him fit? Probably
not but his quality in and around the club would lift us but it would be a
gamble with his injury record.

Jermain Defoe

In my eyes, THE most clinical striker in the Premier League. At 34 Defoe is
still scoring regularly for a bad Sunderland side with poor service. Leaving
us at a young age was a mistake and Jermain has admitted that and says he
has unfinished business with the club and was interested in re-joining in
January as most of his family support the Hammers. Already grabbing 14 goals
this season in a relegation threatened side, Defoe has still got his
marvellous goal scoring ability. The English duo of Jermain Defoe and Andy
Carroll could terrorise defences, tall and small strikers always seem to
work. Carroll's flicks down to Defoe would be incredible and almost
guaranteed a goal. It was obvious Defoe was not leaving Sunderland in
January with him being irreplaceable, why would they sell their only hope of
surviving? Although it is more likely he will be given the green light to
move in the summer when Sunderland have more time to replace him, but could
£10m-£15m be too expensive for an ageing Defoe who is only a short-term
option?

Michy Batshuayi

Another long summer transfer target, Batshuayi was not interested in joining
us as he knew bigger clubs were after him. Although after we bid £28m for
Michy all he seemed interested in was his wage which Chelsea could offer
much more than us, currently on a rumoured £80,000 a week with bonuses. Now
he is rotting on Chelsea's bench having not started a single premier league
game and only playing and starting in a handful of cup competitions, Michy
seems not rated by Antonio Conte who may be interested in shipping him out
permanently or on loan for the 17-18 season. Personally, I think we should
go back in for him and actually see what he can do in the Premier League
although some fans may not accept him but people and players make mistakes,
he would be a good option.

So out of those 5 options who would you sign? It is clear to everyone we
need a striker to ease our problems.

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AFTERNOON ROUND UP: WILL CARROLL MAKE THE SQUAD?
BY BEN COOPER ON 23 FEBRUARY 2017 AT 2:04PM
TheWestHaMWay.co.uk

Good afternoon Hammers. Here is a compilation of today's paper stories.

Andy Carroll doubtful for West Ham's weekend clash with Watford, admits
Slaven Bilic (Evening Standard)

Shaka Hislop has urged Manchester United ace Luke Shaw to join Premier
League rivals West Ham on loan. (Daily Star)

Who is Nathan Holland? The West Ham winger compared to Ryan Giggs and Steve
McManaman. (Evening Standard)

Barratt unveils Upton Gardens plans for West Ham's former home. (The Wharf)

Kevin Nolan: The ex-West Ham United and Newcastle United star aiming to keep
Notts County up (Somerset Live)

West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady opens 3G football pitch in Beckton
(Newham Recorder)

West Ham can't offer Carlos Tevez money, but could they offer happiness?
(HITC)

West Ham United's Terry Westley puts a date on possible Nathan Holland loan
move. (HITC)

Football doesn't make sense! West Ham fans react to Simone Zaza's wonder
goal against Real Madrid. (Evening Standard)

What are your thoughts? Would you like to see Shaw join? Is Holland destined
for greatness? Would you visit Upton Gardens when it is built? (I am not
sure I would)

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Hammers target on the move, says Aulas
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 23rd February 2017
By: Staff Writer

Lyon are finally set to sell key striker and long-term West Ham target
Alexandre Lacazette this summer. The French international was one of Slaven
Bilic's primary targets last year but decided to remain at OL for at least
one more season. However the Ligue 1 side have now reluctantly agreed to
allow the 25-year-old to leave, nine months after West Ham had a £26million
bid rejected and a further offer worth £31million similarly snubbed.
Club president Jean-Michel Aulas is understood to have told L'Equipe today
that he won't stand in Lacazette's way, should he hand in a transfer
request. Yet West Ham's chances of persuading the striker to move to the
Olympic Stadium are still considered slim, at best, with Lacazette still
said to favour a move to a club participating in the Champions League. With
the player said to favour a move to England or Spain, that would potentially
open the door to the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Seville - all of whom
will be seeking to boost their attacking options this summer.

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Darren Randolph's journey from Motherwell's bench to first choice goalkeeper
at West Ham
KEN DYER
Eveing Standard

Life is good at the moment for West Ham's Darren Randolph, but it has not
always been that way. Five years ago, following six largely unfulfilled
seasons learning his trade at Charlton Athletic, Randolph's goalkeeping
career was slowly going nowhere rather than moving forward. Not only was his
first-team place at Scottish Premiership club Motherwell far from assured,
but he was also well down the pecking order in his ambition to one day be
first-choice goalkeeper for the Republic of Ireland. It is easy to
understand, then, the broad smile on the face of the 29-year-old from Bray
as he reflects on the past 18 months, when he has risen to No1 goalkeeper
for both club and country. "It's been a long road, a tough road, but I've
always had belief and confidence that I could play," he said. "It was just
getting the chance."
The son of Ed Randolph, an American college basketball star who crossed the
Atlantic to play professionally in Ireland, the goalkeeper has waited
patiently for his opportunity. Internationally, he first consolidated his
place for Ireland in the Euro qualifiers — and then cemented it in the
finals. For West Ham, he did as well as he could when picked for cup ties
last season, but with Spanish stopper Adrian seemingly immovable, was
perhaps looking to move on again. Then, against Watford in early September,
Adrian made the first of several mistakes which two months later culminated
in Randolph earning his promotion.
Since then, the laconic Irishman has kept his place and should be between
the posts again on Saturday — against Watford at Vicarage Road. "Four or
five years ago, I wasn't even getting picked every week for Motherwell and I
was fourth choice for the Republic of Ireland," he recalled. "Contrast that
with the last 18 months, where I've played in the qualifiers and the finals
of the Euros for Ireland, plus the World Cup qualifiers and I'm playing for
West Ham in the Premier League. "Yes, you could say it's been a good time
for me but I've had to be patient. I started at Charlton when they were in
the Premier League but they went down to League One and it's hard to get
back to the top once you're not there any more. "I knew when I came to West
Ham that I had to be patient. Last season, I got a chance in our FA Cup run
and that led to the international scene, which was a massive help in terms
of confidence."

West Ham's two goalkeepers could not be more different. While Adrian is now
and again prone to excitability, Randolph is so laid-back as to be almost
horizontal. "People are always asking me why I'm so chilled out, but it's a
case of finding out what works for me. It's taken me some time to work that
out," he said. "There are other players who are more lively and vocal but
it's down to the individual. "People have said that, to them, it looks as
though I think it's too easy — but I don't. When I'm out there it feels as
though I'm moving at 100mph, even though I might not be. "I am my fiercest
critic. I never walk off a pitch thinking I've had the perfect game. It can
be one goal-kick that doesn't go quite right — that sort of thing eats away
at me. "Some goalkeepers don't get on but Adrian and I have a good
relationship," he continued. "To be a goalkeeper, though, you have to be
single-minded, a bit more dismissive about what others might think in
comparison with outfield players."

Randolph knows that a goalkeeper's prospects can change quickly. Already
this season he has seen speculation that England No1 Joe Hart could be
headed for West Ham this summer . "There's nothing I can do about that," he
said. "That's not my decision, I don't own the club. If you have someone
like him and he's available, he's going to be linked with clubs. "That's
football. As a professional, you just keep playing until someone better
comes in through the door."

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Feghouli, Collins, Arbeloa and other West Ham players who should be sold
this summer
Our Hammers writer Sam Inkersole assesses some of Slaven Bilic's squad as he
looks towards next season
Football London
BYSAM INKERSOLE
10:36, 23 FEB 2017

We've already looked at who West Ham should look to sign this summer. But,
what about the flip side? Who should stay and who should go from E20? There
may be room for sentiment in some West Ham supporters' eyes for some players
in the summer but the reality is, a few players will be moved on. Loan deals
will be coming to an end while senior players may look elsewhere for some
regular football.
Not many, but a few, will be heading off to pastures new but who do Hammers
writer Sam Inkersole think deserves another crack and who should be let go?
Judging by his thoughts, it could be another busy summer for Slaven Bilic.

Sofiane Feghouli – bin

This might seem harsh but, for me, he is not consistent enough to warrant
being a Premier League player. If I had the choice between him and Andre
Ayew, I would have the Ghanaian in my side all day long. Feghouli offers
glimpses of quality but more often than not, is incredibly frustrating to
watch. He gives the ball away too often, goes missing in games and at times,
his touch is abysmal. I appreciate he has bagged a couple of goals but for
me, Ayew is an all-around better player. Plus, the Algerian came in on a
free so if they could get £10m for him this summer, it's good business.

James Collins – bin

Another harsh one maybe, but Ginge is now so far down the pecking order at
the club, it's not worth keeping him. With Reece Oxford, Reece Burke and
Angelo Ogbonna to come back, plus the signing of Jose Fonte, it's time for
Collins to move on. I don't think any West Ham fan would begrudge Ginge
moving on in the search of regular first-team football. He's still got a
couple of years left in him and he doesn't deserve for those to be sitting
on the bench in E20.

Jonathan Calleri – bin

Unless he goes on an absolute tear-up in the latter stages of the season,
Calleri won't be back in east London next season. He's got to get into the
side first and even with Andy Carroll's injury, he hasn't been able to do
that. It was always going to be a punt anyway, taking someone who hasn't
even played outside South America and throwing him into the Premier League.
But, unfortunately, Calleri doesn'ty appear to be quite up to scratch. A
move to Spain will probably suit him better.

Havard Nordtveit – keep

Controversial call this one, but I'd keep Nordveit. We all really remember
him for his less-than-impressive cameo against Spurs back in October when he
came on to see the Hammers to a point, only to concede a penalty in injury
time converted by Harry Kane and West Ham lost 3-2. But apart from that
moment of madness, the Norwegian has been extremely dependable and offers
cover in a number of positions for the squad. He is a squad player, nothing
more than that, but he is a good squad player to have nonetheless. I'd keep
him.

Adrian – keep

Adrian is out of contract in the summer. West Ham have a decision to make
this summer which can go one of three ways – retain Adrian and make him
number one, retain him and keep him as number two to Darren Randolph or buy
a new first choice keeper and let either Randolph or Adrian go. Adrian made
a couple of clangers which led to him being dropped and replaced by Randolph
for that 3-2 loss to Tottenham, but Randolph has struggled to keep clean
sheets and hasn't been without his faults. This one is up to Adrian. If he
says he wants to fight for the number one spot then offer him a new deal and
keep him at the club. If he feels it's time to move on, let him go. I'd keep
hold of him so he can prove himself to get that number one jersey again and
if he doesn't, he can certainly provide strong competition for whoever the
incumbent is.

Gokhan Tore – bin

You know, the Turkish winger West Ham signed on loan for the season in the
summer? You might have forgotten about the former Chelsea wide man
(literally and metaphorically) as his season has been ravaged by injury.
He's currently in Turkey rehabbing and it's unlikely he will be welcomed
back to east London. Even when he was fit, his displays were abysmal and
there is absolutely no need to bring him back permanently.

Alvaro Arbeloa – bin

Apart from going down in legend with his photo with some Hammers fans in a
Stratford pub, the experienced Spaniard has offered next to nothing during
his stay with the club. He's spent more time on the treatment table than
anywhere else and when he did come on as a substitute against Arsenal, he
got ran absolutely ragged. Likely to return to Spain as a free agent, his
move here hasn't quite worked out how it was hoped.

Diafra Sakho – keep/bin

Wow, get off the fence… I'd keep him unless the Hammers go all out and buy
another striker in the summer transfer window. That £30m man we were all
promised last year. If they do then there is reason to let Sakho go, but if
they don't then they can't afford to do such a thing. It's tough to see who
would take the front man off the books in E20 because of his wretched recent
injury record and chronic back problem – we all know the Hammers tried to
shift him on before and will likely do so again. On his day though, he is a
very good option in the Premier League so it really is a toss of a coin as
to whether he is worth the risk keeping or not.

Enner Valencia – bin

If the club didn't want the Ecuadorian then they wouldn't have loaned him
out to Everton. Simple. He's barely pulled up any trees there and it's
probably time for the Hammers to cut their losses on Valencia and get shot
of him. Isn't up to scratch for the Premier League. He's a hard worker,
sure, but for a front man he doesn't score anywhere near enough goals and is
unlikely to be able to do that in claret and blue.

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Slaven Bilic gives Andy Carroll injury update and discusses West Ham's Dubai
trip and Watford match
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic offered the latest on Andy Carroll's fitness
at his weekly press conference
Football London
COMMENTS
BYSAM INKERSOLE
10:50, 23 FEB 2017UPDATED10:52, 23 FEB 2017

West Ham boss Slaven Bilic has hinted Andy Carroll could be a part of the
matchday squad for the trip to Watford in the Premier League this weekend.
The big striker missed the 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion with a groin
injury and hasn't trained much since but is expected to at least attempt to
run today. The West Ham manager was speaking to the press ahead of the cash
with the Hornets and here are some of the best bits from his conference.

On Dubai trip

"We trained really hard, I got what I wanted from it. There was good team
bonding. It was a good trip. "We worked on fitness and formation in Dubai.
We had one session a day and used it to do both. We also worked on defence
too and I am very happy with how it went. The weather wasn't as sunny as we
hoped!"

On Carroll

"Andy's injury is progressing slower than I hoped. He'lll run today, if he
is good, maybe he'll be in the squad. "Maybe he will be in the squad but it
depends how he trains today and Friday. "This is not a big injury for Andy
but he needs to recover properly.

On Watford

"We are a different team from when we last played Watford. A lot has changed
since September. "We had many injuries, many carrying knocks. Now, it is
totally different. We are in good form now. Ok, maybe we didn't want the
long gap but we are in good spirits."

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ndy Carroll doubtful for West Ham's weekend clash with Watford, admits
Slaven Bilic
KEN DYER
Evening Standard

Slaven Bilic has admitted that his injury-prone striker Andy Carroll remains
doubtful for Saturday's trip to Watford. Carroll has been struggling with a
persistent groin injury for several weeks and Bilic said: "Andy came with is
to Dubai last week but his recovery has been slower than we hoped. I was
expecting him to train over there. He will try to run today and I don't want
to rule him out yet for Watford. With Andy you never know. "If he trains
tomorrow, then maybe he will be in the squad. "When he is fit he is a top
striker but I told him in Dubai and again yesterday about the small things
that are damaging his rhythm and are not good for him, for us or for his
call-up for England. "The same thing happened last season. He was great in
the beginning of the year and then he was injured and didn't play for a few
weeks. This is not a big injury but he needs to play, he needs to be
available. "As far as I know he is looking after himself. He was in the gym
yesterday for an hour and a half."
Bilic believes the five-day trip to Dubai was good, both for his players'
fitness and morale. "Dubai was really good," he said. "We trained more than
we would have done here and it was also good for team bonding. "It was a
great trip and I think we are going to benefit from it."
West Ham lost 4-2 to Watford at home in September but Bilic said: "We are a
different team now. A lot of things have changed. When we played them in
September we had a lot of players injured and we had to push players in who
were not totally fit because we had no other options. "We are in much better
shape now."
The West Ham manager was also asked about Wayne Rooney's future should he
leave Manchester United. "He is 31, he definitely has the quality to stay in
Europe and he will have enough choices," he said. "On the other hand he has
done everything, he has nothing to prove and it is difficult for players
like that to find new challenges. Where can you go after Manchester United?
"It is his decision of course though. He is, for me, a proper Premier League
legend along with Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Thierry Henry."

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