Daily WHUFC News - 15th March 2017

The Big Interview – Winston Reid
WHUFC.com

West Ham United's vice-captain Winston Reid was not happy with the way the
Hammers played at AFC Bournemouth on Saturday. The No2 admitted the
Hammers' first-half display at Vitality Stadium, where the Cherries missed
one penalty and saw another saved but still went in level at 1-1, was simply
not good enough. Then, to further frustrate the centre-half, the hosts went
ahead, were pegged back by Andre Ayew's late leveller, before taking all
three points through Joshua King's last-minute winner. Two short of 200
appearances for the Club, Reid is the second-longest serving player in
Slaven Bilic's squad behind Mark Noble, and he took the weekend setback
personally…

What a dramatic game, Winston…

"It was just bad. Let us just think about the game. The first half was
probably one of the poorest we have played in a long time.
"In saying that we created a couple of chances, so it is not like we were
just bombarded. They had a rough time lately, so we knew they were going to
fight, but if we can't match them for effort… "Forget about the game, but if
we are not going to even compete with them, then we are going to get
punished and to be honest, with two penalty kicks we could have been behind
by a couple already at half-time.
"We came in at half time, we spoke and said we had to correct that because
they were getting in far too easily, but just three minutes into the second
half we conceded another goal at a set play so considering what we had said
that wasn't good. "Then, we have always been able to come back into games
and that is probably the credit that we can give to the boys, because we did
get back into the game by scoring a goal. "But at the end we just give it
away. You can't come away from home and make basic errors like that. Don't
get me wrong, we can all sit here and have a go at the referee, but that is
out of our control. As a group, we need to at least see the game out and be
a bit cleverer. That third goal was just far too easy."

Bournemouth threw men forward with abandon at every opportunity, so how do
you stop a team which plays like that?

You have to expect that, they are at home and they are good there. The
minimum a Premier League team is going to do at home is come at you – 100
per cent. It is not rocket science. It is a little bit frustrating that we
as a group are not doing it. "We started poor at Watford, we started poor at
Southampton and came back from that and we started poor there again on
Saturday, and that is just off the top of my head. "In the past we have been
able to come back and we did again on Saturday, but we have thrown it away."

Do you have any complaints about the two penalties awarded to Bournemouth?

"It is hard to be a referee these days. Some decisions don't go your way and
you can't always hope that the referee is going to get everything right.

You said Bournemouth showed desire, but did they show greater desire than we
did?

"No, no, no. I promise you, if you could see the way we have been training,
because the fans don't get to see that. We have been working really hard,
the boys are fit, doing a lot of training and everyone is working hard. "So
I think we have been a bit naïve lately in some ways. You know before you
come away from home that the crowd is going to be up for it. Bournemouth
were in a tough position so they were going to come out of the blocks quick,
you know it, it is simple. You have to match them and if you don't do that…
It is not like we are playing different systems, we pretty much matched them
up. But in the first half they won all the second balls and when they came
forward they were overlapping and everything. We have to work together and
work as a unit and if you don't do that, you get found out."

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Boss praises battling ten men
WHUFC.com

The Hammers' U23 side travelled to Newcastle United on Monday and earned a
battling point in the north east
They played over an hour with ten men and drew 0-0 after Arthur Masuaku was
shown a straight red card
Boss Terry Westley was also delighted with a number of individual
performances at St. James' Park

West Ham United U23s manager Terry Westley praised his battling youngsters
as they fought for over an hour with ten men to earn a share of the spoils
against Newcastle United at St. James' Park. The Hammers travelled to the
north east to take on the Magpies on Monday night and were reduced to ten
men when Arthur Masuaku was shown a straight red card for an off-the-ball
incident. But, with wingers Dan Kemp and Nathan Holland filling in on both
sides to help the defence, Westley's men stood firm to record a goalless
draw, and could have even nicked all three points in Premier League 2 with a
number of good chances. After the valuable point, the boss said: "Any game
here, even with eleven men, was going to be a tough game, whoever we
brought. "They've had a very good run of results, they're very settled, they
have the same group of players and it was always going to be a very tough
game. "They're in good form and here at St. James', it was always going to
be a difficult game. It made it doubly hard losing a man that early. "You
can't fault our boys' character, desire to play and we also had one or two
really good opportunities maybe to even win the game and get a bit greedy.
"To come away from here with a point, with ten men in these circumstances –
we have two games to go and all to play for."
Marcus Browne was back in the starting XI after making a temporary return
from loan club Wigan Athletic while there was also an opportunity for Tunji
Akinola who replaced the injured Josh Pask early on. And Westley was pleased
with a number of individual performances after the draw. "It's probably the
best I've seen [Ashley] Fletcher play in a game for us, against a physical
side and they're a lot older than us," he continued. "He took the ball in
for us, had a great chance at the back post at the end of the first half,
and he's a player who can go in your first team and do a job for you. "He
was robust, he threatened the space in behind, and he challenge for balls in
the air. Marcus also came back from Wigan as he hasn't had a game for a few
weeks, and he gave us that steely running in midfield. "Tunji came on at
centre-back and did really well to step in when Josh Pask came off injured.
Dan Kemp also filled in on the right hand side, and we didn't have to tell
him too much because he's an intelligent player. It was a really good
performance for us."

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Trott - We showed great character
WHUFC.com

West Ham United PL2 drew 0-0 away at Newcastle United on Monday night
The Hammers were forced to play 60 minutes with ten men after Arthur
Masuaku's red card
Goalkeeper Nathan Trott believes the team showed great character to see the
game out

Nathan Trott praised the character displayed by West Ham United PL2 in their
0-0 draw away at Newcastle United. The Hammers began brightly but were
forced to play the majority of the fixture with ten men after Arthur
Masuaku's red card on 30 minutes. However, Terry Westley's men showed
fantastic discipline in the second half and could have easily taken all
three points. Nonetheless, it was a valuable point and keeper Trott, who
made a string of superb saves on the night, thinks the draw speaks volumes
for the squad's togetherness. "I think we showed great character in the game
especially with ten men," he said. "The lads showed discipline and I think
it was an important point at the end of the day. "Teamwork-wise, we're
probably the best in the league. I think that will take us forward in the
upcoming games. "We were congratulated in the dressing room afterwards for
keeping our heads and discipline, because obviously it's hard to play with
ten men."

Trott came to the Hammers' rescue on a number of occasions in the second
half, as the ten men in claret and blue began to tire in the final 20
minutes. But that was only after the visitors missed a host of chances to
take all three points. Marcus Browne, Edimilson Fernandes and Ashley
Fletcher were all thwarted at some stage by Newcastle keeper Matz Sels. The
point sees the Hammers stay in fifth position in Premier League 2, as they
prepare for another visit to St. James' Park on Saturday in the last 16 of
the Premier League Cup.
"No one has picked up three points [tonight] so everyone is still quite
close together and I think we can still finish in the play-offs," Trott
added. "Having eleven men will be more of an advantage [in the next game]
and that will hopefully help us play the football that we can normally play.
If we can do that on Saturday, we can come out victorious for sure."

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Noble - You've got to stick at it
WHUFC.com

Captain Mark Noble admits the 2016/17 has been the most-challenging of his
career
Off-field issues and inconsistent form and results have contributed to
inconsistent campaign
But skipper insists the Hammers remain 'in great spirits' and will finish
the season strongly

Mark Noble readily admits he will never be the sort of player who 'does four
step-overs', but that does not reduce his value and importance to West Ham
United.

The captain also concedes that his second season as skipper has been among
the most demanding periods of his long career, with the lifelong Hammer
dealing with stadium and training ground moves, the Dimitri Payet situation
and indifferent form and results.

But, with very nearly 400 first-team appearances spanning more than 12 years
under his belt, the No16 is a big, strong character, and says he and the
Hammers will continue to strive to finish the season strongly.

"Football is a game of moments now and if someone does four step-overs,
they've had an incredible game!" said Noble. "That's not something I do.
It's just football, you've got to live with it.

"We had a fantastic season last year but we were second-from-bottom not so
long ago and we dragged ourselves up to ninth. We've lost a couple of
places, but we're still in great spirits and I'm pretty sure we'll be fine.

"It's probably been the hardest [period] of my West Ham career over the
last eight months, because we've had so much to deal with off the pitch.
Obviously the move to the new Stadium and a move to a new training ground,
the Dimi situation, so much has gone on and we lost four of our best players
[Manuel Lanzini, Aaron Cresswell, Andy Carroll and Andre Ayew] to injury in
pre-season, which is hard to replace.

"You've got to stick at it, the players have dug in and over the last couple
of months it's been really good. Although we've lost a couple of games, in
this day and age you're not allowed to lose games, even if one of them was
against Chelsea!"

Noble also pointed out that West Ham players are not the only ones who have
come under scrutiny this season, alluding to other experienced Premier
League figures whose achievements have seemingly been forgotten.

"I don't like talking about people I don't know but it happens in football,"
he continued. "The things Arsene Wenger has done for Arsenal and some people
want him out... Players like Wayne Rooney, some people want him out of the
Manchester United team...

"I think the big characters, that's why we are captains of our clubs,
because we can handle that pressure."

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Everton now on sale to Claret Members
WHUFC.com

The Claret Members window to purchase tickets for the Premier League visit
of Everton on Saturday 22 April is now open - so hurry to secure your seat
at London Stadium!

With demand for tickets expected to continue at the same extraordinarily
high level experienced all season, purchasing within the priority window -
which runs until 3pm on Friday 24 March - will give you the best chance of
securing a ticket.

The Hammers will be giving their all to secure a top half Premier League
finish and you can be there to witness the big moments.

Buy your Everton ticket here

With priority access to all fixtures at London Stadium, Membership really is
the best way of ensuring you can be there for the thrilling run-in this
season - and by joining now you can enter the ticket ballot for the
unmissable visit of the Toffees.

Access to tickets is just one of the great benefits Claret Membership gives
you, bringing you closer to the team in our debut London Stadium season.

Claret Membership benefits include:

Priority access to tickets
Reduced booking fees, saving you £1 per game
£5 discount on official coach travel
Exclusive retail offers throughout the season
An exclusive gift pack
Join the Season Ticket Waiting List for the reduced price of £5
Don't miss the game against Everton – be there by becoming a Claret Member
today!

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AN INTERVIEW WITH DIRECTOR OF IRON MEN PAUL CROMPTON
BY EXWHUEMPLOYEE ON 14 MARCH 2017 AT 8:13PM
TheWestHamWayco.uk

The new film Iron Men, detailing the move from the Boleyn Ground to the
London Stadium came out last week, and has had rave reviews. I sat down to
talk to the Director Paul Crompton about his experiences filming the
documentary and his views on the move in general.

I sat down to watch Iron Men, and I absolutely loved it. When it first
announced, I assumed it would be a cash grab but then I watched it, and it
just hit me. Its got a very good reception from people as well.

It's nice to have real genuine hard-core West Ham fans say positive things,
either to your face at the pub or on Twitter and Facebook or whatever. Its
really nice, because, your first thought was a common one, we have had this
a lot; that the film would be a puff piece for the club.

It is an independently made film from people who want to tell a true story
and cover this seismic move. There's a big responsibility in that, and you
have to work with the club as well so there's an interesting relationship
there.

Talk me through how the idea for the film came about?

When I first moved to London a friend of mine had two season tickets at
Upton Park, whenever his mate couldn't turn up to a game he asked me, so
from 12 or 13 years ago, I was going to Upton Park two or three times a
season, that was all. It was enough to get a feel of the place. Even though
I'm not a West Ham fan, I do have a sort of knowledge of what its like to be
a West Ham fan.

I work with Steve Havers, like me, is a TV producer. Steve is a huge West
Ham fan; his support goes back in his family for generations. He wanted to
tell this story. About a year and a half or two years ago we emailed them,
but we weren't the first to ask about documenting the move. There's a sort
of beauty contest there, it happens all the time in TV.

You see a moment on the horizon that would be a great thing to film but so
do 75 other people sat in offices up and down the country. But we pitched
this and had meetings and in the end I think we won it because we were a
small company, with the right spirit. It was like a job interview, so I
think it was useful that Steve was a hard-core West Ham fan, and we got the
gig. It's a boring answer, but it's one of those things that 95% of the time
don't go your way, but this time it did.

Talk me through the production of the film, you start with the Manchester
United FA Cup quarter final replay, which was actually my last game at the
Boleyn. How did you go about filming it all? The documentary does very well
at weaving in and out of different narratives, how did you cope with that?

There are certain things that you don't have control over – the Premier
League fixture list is one of them. We were slaves to that. Because of the
FA Cup replay, it meant West Ham would have to play their final game of the
season on a weekday night against Manchester United. There is quite a
bookend there already, two games against Manchester United, start with
United beating West ham, and ending with a rousing victory.

But what goes in-between? That's all decided in the editing suite. You know
the characters you've found along the way, some are employees of the club
and some are fans. When it comes the season we keep it in a very linear way.
There are three matches in the film, the middle match, the Swansea game, the
last Saturday match at Upton Park we used to find fans stories, and fans
thoughts on leaving Upton Park. You don't set out with a clear idea on
paper. When you are doing documentaries, especially ones like this, you can
see the timeline structure but you really don't know the full story until
you get into the editing suite

What was your favourite part of the film?

There are two answers to this, one, after the final Manchester United game,
I knew instantly that we had a brilliant finale to the film. Football is a
funny old game, but it ended up being a very fitting football match for the
finale. On a smaller scale, the Rib Man, meeting him and trying out the best
ribs in the world, that was fantastic, and I'd like to say he has become a
bit of a friend and I hope to see him again soon (that's not a plug but it
sounds like a plug)

The strongest part of the documentary for me is that you do not shy away
from the issues and concerns that really were a key part of the move. How
did you go about portraying that in a way that the club would be happy
about? Were you aware of how many issues the West Ham fans had with the
move?

It was a story I followed as a football fan anyway, I read about it in the
newspapers long before I was involved in the film, so I knew enough about it
and I saw West Ham fans on the weekly news shouting and screaming about it
not being right.

I thought that something was going on there, it was an inevitability with
modern football that this would happen. Certain west ham fans were more
vociferous than other ones, but even the quiet ones had major doubts and
there is no way that we could do this film without putting the doubts and
the concerns in it. One of the major people in the film stopped going, and
even others only go to away games. Some didn't feature that prominently but
it is important to reflect that. This is a historic move that (without
overdoing it) is the biggest thing that has happened to the club and you
have to reflect that accurately and be fair to everyone. I am fairly sure
the club would prefer it from a PR point of view that those voices weren't
in the film but that's just how the way it is. They can't deny that this was
happening, and that it was the voice of the fans at the time.

Let's talk about the final day and how it was portrayed in the film. The
Manchester United bus arrived and the scenes surrounding it live in infamy.
But the whole debacle was played down in the film. Why did you do that? Was
it a case of driving the narrative forward or to avoid the unflattering
parts of the final day?

I was thinking that if this film is going to be for more than just West Ham
fans. Something bigger, something that anyone can watch, if you live in
Australia or something. You can actually watch this film and get wrapped up
in the story and I think that was my thought throughout it, the film wasn't
only for west ham fans but for everyone in the film. You can touch on it,
you can very lightly touch on it, but it didn't seem to me as an important
part of the story. But its there if you know it.
It doesn't draw you in and it doesn't want to make you love the West Ham
fans if you see those scenes on Green Street. It was definitely an editorial
decision to add more emotion to those who watch the film who aren't West Ham
fans, who just want an entertaining story.

As a football fan you go into this final day, the narrative is set for
something spectacular. Then again we are West Ham. Does the 3-2 win make the
film? Would the film have had the same impact if it was a 0-0 draw or we
lost 2-1?

I think that football match was an absolute gift for the film makers. It was
beautifully shot and all the football action was absolutely terrific. I
couldn't have scripted it. So yes it made it a much stronger piece of
storytelling and a fantastic piece. Being a Manchester United fan I had a
quandary, we could have leapfrogged Manchester City and made it to the
Champions League. West Ham beating us in that special way made it great for
the film. At the same time, I don't think we deserved to be in the Champions
League that year, so the right thing happened.

What was it like working with the team and the board, the two key people are
Mark Noble and David Gold. Was there a conscientious decision to spend more
time with Gold than Sullivan?

From a story point of view, they both have stronger ties to the story. Noble
was brought up in Canning town, and Gold brought up a stones throw from
Upton Park. Where else in the world do you have the owner and the captain
with that kind of backstory? It makes West Ham feel even more special and
the story even more powerful. So there was a conscientious decision to spend
time with those two character, not only because they are both interesting
people but they are great on camera and that was another gift to the film.

One of the main issues with moving was that businesses and the area would be
after moving, what's your opinion on that?

My opinion doesn't really matter but it is sad that the area has lost
something major. I've been in the area since the move primarily to look at
how Upton Park is doing with the Barrat Homes transformation. I actually
filmed it but didn't want to put it in because it was too sad. I've been in
the Boleyn pub for a lunch break, it's a big pub and now its empty. That's
sad. Where else is it going to get its business now? Same with Nathans pies
across to the road, I don't know how much they brought in on match days but
it must be a lot less now. You've got to feel for these people, that's
livelihoods going down the drain.

But what can you do? It's this migration of tens of thousands of people en
masse. They go from being in that area for such a long time then not being
there, its one of those awful things about the decision to move grounds.
David Gold says in the film there will be winners and losers, in Stratford
there are winners, and sadly around Upton Park, there's definitely losers.

Have you managed to visit the new stadium yet? What do you think of it?

I've been quite a few times now, the first thing I realised was, the first
time I went to Stratford station and saw the stadium, you walk towards it
and half and hour later its still miles away!

I have thought about this quite a lot, and my long and painful calculation
is that I think it's the right thing to do. I know its controversial but
it's a bigger ground, there is no more halftime chaos that there was an
Upton park. You couldn't get a drink unless you set off halfway through the
first half. Financially it's the right thing to do. What West Ham have to do
now is to learn to play without relying on the fans breathing down the necks
of the opponents, you can't do that at the London Stadium. West Ham have to
learn to play better football. That's a tip from an expert.

Are you happy with the feedback for the film?

Thrilled, its been warmly received, to the point where its sold out on
Amazon. It's in the club shop and HMV, they're replenishing the shelves at
Amazon as we peak. The comments from people have been fantastic, its been
really well received, and West Ham guys are tough guys to pleased.

I'm really pleased Bilic has dragged the team through the first period where
it looked like they couldn't win at the new stadium. He's a lovely guy and I
hope he has a long and successful career at west ham.
You can follow James Gooderson on Twitter @james_Gooderson and Paul Crompton
@Major_Rawles
This interview has been edited for optimum viewing.

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West Ham should keep Adrian, says Parkes
WHUFC.com
Filed: Tuesday, 14th March 2017
By: Staff Writer

Former West Ham shot-stopper Phil Parkes believes current reserve goalkeeper
Adrian should be offered another two-year contract.

Writing his column for Blowing Bubbles Monthly, Parkes says the goalkeeping
situation is one area of the squad Slaven Bilic need not worry about.

"The truth is, there are no great 'keepers out there," he said. "Many of
them are much of the same with the exceptions of Ben Foster and Jack
Butland. This means Slaven's not going to find anyone much better than what
he has.

"I still believe Adrian has the potential to become a much better 'keeper
than he is as he was quite a late starter and is still learning. Over the
next couple of years he will get better - and I have a lot of faith in
Darren Randolph too."

Elsewhere in the March issue of the popular monthly magazine, Blowing
Bubbles chats to Trevor Morley on his time in east London, rumours about his
sexuality and his new life living in Scandinavia.

Blowing Bubbles also argues that Robert Snodgrass will put Dimitri Payet to
shame with his honest efforts and calls for the club to offer Slaven Bilic a
new contract.

They also ask if Roman would have made us happy if he had bought West Ham,
and if fan-favourite Adrian get another chance at the club?

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Come together
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 14th March 2017
By: John Courtney

What to write for a post that may or may not be published? This is new to me
and I'm never short of a word or 100 to say when asked my opinion in any
walk of life, but you learn to pick and choose your moments as you get
older.

Is it growing up? Who knows. I always said I never want to grow up and that
being silly and childish is what keeps you feeling young.

I work with an AC Milan/Chelsea fan, an Ipswich fan (who I secretly have a
soft spot for) and a Spurs fan (enough said, although he is one of the rare
non-irritating sort).

When I asked each of them if they had to write an article on their team,
what would it be about Mr Italian shrugged and went for an espresso. Mr
Ipswich, boring football under McCarthy (we've been there) and Mr Spurs, 40
years of hurt (you see, it is being inferior to Arsenal whatever they say).
So it brings me to me and what would I write about?

We all have opinions about our club and the way it's being run. The new
gaff, Upton Park (I refuse to call it the The Boleyn), new fans, old fans,
stand up, sit down…the list could go on forever. What struck me before the
Chelsea game, is what team are they?

They are certainly not the Chelsea who were on a par with us until the late
90s, winning the odd Cup and flirting with relegation in the 80s, actually
being relegated and Stamford bridge generally being a toilet (putting it
politely). Chelsea are that club now who buy players to stop other clubs
getting them.

Yes that's right, a player moves there to sit on the bench and not play!
(Are you reading this, Michy Batshuayi Tunga? No?) Can you think of any
other profession that would happen in? (No I'm struggling too.) But it's
their prerogative, they can do what they like (apparently) with their
Russian sugar-daddy's money.

We on the other hand have G&S to contend with. Our saviours! David Gold
seems like a nice old Granddad, who you humour and listen to tell those
repetitive stories, because he is nice, not a bad bone in his body and
probably says too much.

Mr Sullivan is the man who I cannot understand. A billionaire, a successful
businessman who has done very well. But why oh why does he open his mouth
and tell the world what he is going to do? Why? Because he is going to do
nothing of the sort.

He is a businessman and business comes first. He wants bums on seats. Paying
customers and what better way to sell tickets than promising the earth? I
actually believed we were going to buy Alexandre Lacazette last season.

Yup the hottest striker in Europe was going to sign for us, my club little
old West Ham and with Payet too! (We know how that ended up.) Yet we ended
up with possibly the worst player I've ever seen in a West Ham shirt (sorry
Razor Ruddock/fill in as applicable) - step forward, Mr Zaza.

His sons tweet too much. We all do. But things West Ham, no! Absolutely not.
I cringe when I read them, I want to curl up and die when I see some of
them. But that is modern day West Ham, that is what we all have signed up
for.

The question is, do I want us being taken over by Red Bull or some rich
Qataris ahead of their 2022 World Cup? Some days, absolutely - but then we
are just like Chelsea. No identity, a toy for the prawn sandwich brigade
when they are not watching Fulham or six nations rugby.

So what do we actually want from West Ham? Last season was everything in a
nutshell and in over 30 years of being a fan, was my favourite ever
campaign. Think about it, everything about it was magical, we were messing
with the big boys and the football we played was fabulous. It wasn't just
Payet, it was everyone.

I would argue that for the last 10 games, we were in fact too reliant on
him. The Chelsea game, Man United, Liverpool, Man City; we went with
expectations high and were going to give whoever rocked up a bloody good
game - and we did.

So I think our expectations were probably unrealistic this season (mine
included). Cast your mind back to that first day of our season in the
Championship (Cardiff at home, 1-0 loss). If you have had offered us this
situation now we'd have all ripped your arm off.

Even the season in the Championship was really enjoyable. (Something
Sunderland need to do to come good again. Learning how to be a team and win
again.) But with success comes expectation and if we are all not 4–0 up in
20 minutes against this lot in the bottom half then some people around me
want Slav hung drawn and quartered! It's unrealistic.

Anyone can beat anyone on their day and yes, we don't help ourselves
sometimes, but you know what? I don't think any one of us could do a better
job. So why do we do it? I've no idea.

My friends who I sit with, the whole West Ham fan base all want the same
thing, our team to win, fight for the shirt and hopefully play well.
(Invariably we don't or we out-West Ham ourselves.) Thinking about last
season, I wouldn't swap it for anyone else's. Because it's what makes us
great. It's what makes us West Ham. It was our season. No, we didn't win
anything, but that didn't matter to me.

So if we have lost our identity a little, imagine what it will be like under
different owners and a new stadium!? I know Chelsea fans who preferred it
when they were shit and Man City fans that feel the same. But do we want a
taste of the top table? We have to ask ourselves that.

I think there is room for both - an easy solution. Current owners - actions
speak louder than words, don't talk about it, do it! Mr Sullivan, get your
sons off twitter! Slav, play a right back, give Noble his Kouyate back.
Aaron, Dimitri isn't in front of you any more, calm down and do your day
job. Andy, please stay fit, Darren/Adrian do the simple things right.

I honestly believe we have the makings a of a decent team and if we played
players on form and in position, I've no doubt we could push on. Reece
Burke/Oxford, are amazing prospects, let us play them. That is how you find
out if they are good enough. (Think about John Stones for a moment.)
Sensible well thought out additions, quality not quantity!

As for the ground, a singing section, stewards who care and can actually do
a job. Programmes sold inside, enough beers to hand out to the masses at
half time rather than wait for an eternity, simple things done well make
such a difference. (And while we are at it, TFL letting more than 30 people
in a DLR station too!)

As for the club, treat the supporters like family, answer emails and
queries, don't just shrug your shoulders. You want our money, listen to us.

There were so many things I wanted to say in this post but ultimately I want
to leave that ground at 5pm on a Saturday - win, lose or draw - and come
home with an experience like we used to. I want to bottle last season and
open when I'm feeling low. (This week, anyone?)

Seeing Upton Park being demolished is like a snuff movie that I cannot help
but look at. I wish I didn't. I left that night in May last year and we were
done. It was the send-off we all wanted.

We cannot look back, we need to move forward. Everyone needs to do their
part and after this season of mediocrity (back to the West Ham I know and
love) I'm ready to. The question you have to ask yourself is, are you?

Not because I love everything currently about the club, I do not. However I
think the club is in need of some TLC right now so how about all of us pull
together in the right direction to make it what we know it can be and should
be? It's not hard. It's now time for EVERYONE to move forward.

It may sound like waffle, but it's my waffle. COYI.

Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are those of the
author and do not necessarily represent the views of, nor should be
attributed to, KUMB.com.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
My hardest season yet, says Noble
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 14th March 2017
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United captain Mark Noble says that the current season has been the
toughest yet for him at the club. The 29-year-old told Sky that off-field
issues had made the current campaign the "hardest" of his time at the club,
for whom he first signed at the age of 11 after leaving Arsenal's Academy.
And he responded to calls by some fans on social media for his replacement
in Slaven Bilic's team by accusing supporters of failing to "understand the
game".
"It's probably been the hardest [period] of my West Ham career because we've
had so much to deal with off the pitch,"he said. "The move to the new
stadium, the Dimi situation, so much has gone on and we lost four of our
best players to injury in pre-season, which is hard to replace. "You've got
to stick at it. The players have dug in and though we've lost a couple of
games, in this day and age you're not allowed to lose games. If I am really
honest, a lot of people who now go to football don't really understand the
game. "Football is a game of moments now and if someone does four
step-overs, they've had an incredible game," he continued. "That's not
something I do. It's just football, you've got to live with it. "The things
Arsene Wenger has done for Arsenal and some people want him out. Players
like Wayne Rooney, some people want him out of the Manchester United team.
That's why we are captains of our clubs, because we can handle that
pressure."

Noble has made 31 appearances for West Ham so far this season, scoring five
times. He is currently one game away from a two-match ban, having collected
nine bookings so far this term (eight in the Premier League and one in the
EFL Cup).

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Arsenal striker in the frame?
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 14th March 2017
By: Staff Writer

West Ham are being linked with a move for Arsenal's unsetlled forward Lucas
Perez. 28-year-old Perez joined the Gunners last summer in a £17million
switch from Spanish side Deportivo but is reported to be looking for a way
out already, having failed to break into the first team at the Emirates on a
regular basis. And, so say The Times, West Ham have have lodged an enquiry
into Perez's availability with Irons boss Slaven Bilic reported to be an
admirer of the Spaniard, who has hit the target eight times in his 22
appearances for Arsenal in all competitions. It was reported during the last
transfer window that an unnamed Chinese club were keen to sign Perez,
although the Gunners were said to have instantly rejected a £26million offer
- even though that would have represented a near £10m-profit in a matter of
months.
Beginning his pro career with Ahletico Madrid's 'C' team, Perez moved on to
Rayo Vallecano in 2009 and PAOK in 2013 before making a dream move to his
hometown club in July 2014, initially on loan. After two seasons with the
Branquiazuis at Estadio Riazor, he moved to England in August of last summer
but has failed to settle - hence West Ham's purported interest.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham captain Mark Noble hits back at fans calling for him to be dropped
By Nick Lustig
Last Updated: 14/03/17 8:31am
SSN

West Ham captain Mark Noble admits the last eight months have been the most
difficult of his career, but has hit back at fans calling for him to be
dropped. In recent weeks, Hammers manager Slaven Bilic has defended Noble's
place in his team, with a certain section of the club's support suggesting
the 29-year-old should be left out. Noble, who joined West Ham at the age of
11, is closing in on 400 appearances for his boyhood club and has insisted
he can handle the pressure laid at his door.
"If I am really honest, a lot of people who now go to football don't really
understand the game," Noble told Sky Sports News HQ. "Football is a game of
moments now and if someone does four step-overs, they've had an incredible
game. "That's not something I do. It's just football, you've got to live
with it. The things Arsene Wenger has done for Arsenal and some people want
him out. "Players like Wayne Rooney, some people want him out of Manchester
United team. That's why we are captains of our clubs, because we can handle
that pressure."

West Ham have endured a difficult first season at London Stadium, with a
number off-the-field issues affecting the club and the playing squad. The
sale of star midfielder Dimitri Payet in particular proved to be a huge
disruption for the first-team squad, with the France international stating
he would never play for the club again before eventually sealing a move back
to Marseille in January. "It's probably been the hardest [period] of my West
Ham career because we've had so much to deal with off the pitch," Noble
said. "Obviously the move to the new stadium, the Dimi situation, so much
has gone on and we lost four of our best players to injury in pre-season,
which is hard to replace. "You've got to stick at it, the players have dug
in and though we've lost a couple of games, in this day and age you're not
allowed to lose games."

West Ham, who lie 11th in the table, welcome Leicester to London Stadium on
Saturday, aiming to secure their first win in five Premier League matches.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Andy Carroll says he is ready to win back his place in the England squad
The Hammers forward has played at the highest level for England and wants to
show Gareth Southgate he is good enough to compete on the international
stage
The Mirror
BYMARC ISAACS
18:58, 14 MAR 2017UPDATED19:02, 14 MAR 2017

West Ham United striker Andy Carroll says he is ready to win back his place
in the England team and feels he can make a big difference in Gareth
Southgate's squad. Southgate is set to name his squad for the double-header
against Germany and Lithuania at the end of March on Thursday and has
striking problems to deal with after Harry Kane suffered an ankle injury
against Millwall in the FA Cup quarter-final. Wayne Rooney also missed
Manchester United's FA Cup defeat against Chelsea through injury and reports
have suggested that Southgate will consider naming a bigger than normal
party to deal with the injury crisis.
Carroll has just returned from a groin problem, but looked back to his best
form in the early part of the year which included him scoring one of the
goals of the season against Crystal Palace. Southgate could now turn his
attentions to the former Liverpool and Newcastle forward and Carroll feels
he is good enough to compete on the international stage once again. Carroll
said: "Of course I want to be back in the England squad. I have got nine
caps and I definitely want a lot more. Hopefully I can stay fit for West
Ham, score more goals and hopefully it will come. "It was unbelievable for
me to play at the Euro Finals for my country. I managed to score, but taking
that out of the equation it was still fantastic and a great trip. "If I
could be involved in the World Cup it would be fantastic."
Carroll feels he can bring different qualities into the England set-up and
says there are a number of players at West Ham like Michail Antonio and
Aaron Cresswell who have also shown the quality this season to play for the
national side.
Carroll added: "It is nice when people say I should be in there and I do
feel I can offer something a little different so hopefully fingers crossed I
can keep working hard and the opportunity will come. "The manager has been
to a few of our games and a few of our players have a chance like Cressy and
Michail. Hopefully I am one of them."

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West Ham still plan summer decision on Slaven Bilic despite talk a deal for
new contract was near
Joint-chairman David Sullivan spelled out he expects better at the weekend
after Bournemouth loss made it one win on six
The M irror
BYDARREN LEWIS
18:14, 14 MAR 2017UPDATED22:05, 14 MAR 2017

Slaven Bilic's future will be decided at the end of the season. Despite
claims last week that a new deal was close for the popular West Ham boss,
club chiefs will look at his performance in one of the annual reviews that
follow every campaign. The Hammers, who host champions Leicester this
weekend, were stunned 3-2 at Bournemouth last Saturday with the home side
pulling off their first win of 2017 to make it just one win in six for
Bilic's boys. Joint-chairman David Sullivan responded by voicing his
disapproval and warning Bilic that his side needs to improve. Sullivan said:
"'I was very disappointed and frustrated with the manner of our defeat. "We
went down there determined to bounce back from the Chelsea game, but we
didn't play as well as we know we can. "Slaven, the players and the staff
all know we have to do better. "We have conceded too many goals early in
halves in recent games and, while we've managed to get ourselves back into
games like the ones at Southampton and Watford and at home to West Brom,
there will be matches where we cannot equalise. That situation cannot go on.
"I am sure Slaven, his backroom staff and the team were not happy with what
happened and they will think about it a lot over the next few days."

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham United vs Leicester City: Roger East named as referee for Premier
League champions clash
By Essex Chronicle | Posted: March 14, 2017
By Tommy Wathen

Premier League referee Roger East has been announced as the man to take
charge of West Ham United's home league fixture with champions Leicester
City on Saturday [March 18]. The 51 year-old from Wiltshire has only
officiated six Premier League fixtures so far this season - only one of
which involved either the Hammers or the Foxes.
Back in August 2016, East took charge of Leicester's home 2-1 victory over
Swansea City - where Jamie Vardy and Wes Morgan scored to give Claudio
Ranieri's side the result. During that game, East awarded the Foxes a
penalty when Riyad Mahrez was fouled inside the penalty box, although Swans
keeper Lukasz Fabianski managed to save the spot kick, Over the course of
the season, he has also been covering games within the English Football
League, including eight EFL Championship games, five EFL League One matches
and one single EFL League Two fixture. East will be joined at the London
Stadium by assistant referees Darren Cann and Mark Scholes, along with
fourth official Andre Marriner on the touchline.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's players have been guilty of 'naivety' away from home, says
Winston Reid
SAM LONG
Evening Standard

West Ham's players have been guilty of 'naivety' during Premier League away
fixtures in recent weeks, according to Winston Reid. The Hammers have won
just four games on their travels this season and came up short against
Bournemouth on Saturday, despite taking an early lead against Eddie Howe's
side. The Cherries went on to secure a thrilling 3-2 victory, thanks to Josh
King's hat-trick, as Slaven Bilic's side missed the chance to climb into the
top half of the table. West Ham appeared to be caught cold by the intensity
of Bournemouth's play and Reid is frustrated the Hammers were unable to
match their fired-up opponents. "We have been a bit naive lately in some
ways," he told West Ham's official website. "You know before you come away
from home that the crowd is going to be up for it.
"Bournemouth were in a tough position so they were going to come out of the
blocks quick, you know it, it is simple. "The minimum a Premier League team
is going to do at home is come at you - 100 per cent. It is not rocket
science. "You have to match them. We have to work together and work as a
unit and if you don't do that, you get found out," Reid added. West Ham will
return to the comforts of the London Stadium this weekend when they host
champions Leicester on Saturday afternoon. The Foxes have endured their own
plight on their travels this term and have picked up just three points away
from the King Power Stadium.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Newcastle held by ten-man West Ham
14/03/2017
PremierLeague.com
Newcastle 0-0 West Ham, PL2
Hammers earn 0-0 draw at St James' Park despite early dismissal of Arthur
Masuaku

Newcastle United were held to a goalless draw by 10-man West Ham United at
St James' Park. Hammers left-back Arthur Masuaku was dismissed after 30
minutes following an off-the-ball incident, but although Luke Charman hit
the crossbar midway through the second half, the home side were unable to
capitalise. The stalemate means fourth-placed Newcastle remain a point ahead
of West Ham, in fifth, with Aston Villa also in play-off contention a point
further back.

Follow
West Ham United ? @WestHamUtd
"It was an important point."@Nathan_trott believes the draw at @NUFC could
be a vital one ?? http://bit.ly/2ny2J3W #COYI
10:00 AM - 14 Mar 2017
Retweets 13 13 likes

The two sides meet again in the Premier League Cup, once more at St James'
Park, on Saturday lunchtime. After that, Newcastle are next in league
action at home to Fulham at Northumberland FA on Monday April 10, while West
Ham entertain Middlesbrough at London Stadium on the same evening.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The one that got away - how West Ham nearly signed N'Golo Kante for just £5m
The Chelsea midfielder is now widely regarded as one of the best in the
league
Football London
BYSAM INKERSOLE
08:49, 14 MAR 2017

Hindsight truly is a wonderful thing. N'Golo Kante put in another man of the
match performance for Chelsea as they beat Manchester United 1-0 in a feisty
FA Cup quarter final last night, with the French midfielder absolutely
bossing proceedings and showing up Paul Pogba as an over-priced hype
machine. Kante is on track to win successive Premier League titles with two
different clubs, the first time any player has ever done that, having joined
the Blues from Leicester. He is an overwhelming favourite to win the Player
of the Year in the Premier League and, this is not an understatement at all,
has a very strong case to claim he is the best midfielder on the planet
right now. Kante was brought to England by Claudio Ranieri the summer before
last but back in July 2015, Kante could have so easily been seen in claret
and blue. West Ham enquired to Kante's former club Caen nearly two years ago
about signing the diminutive midfielder and was valued at a measly £5m. He
ended up joining the Foxes for £5.6m and lit up the Premier League as
Leicester completed the most incredible season and won the title. A £32m
switch to Chelsea followed last summer and Kante has gone from strength to
strength, while Leicester have struggled without him and Antonio Conte's men
have flourished. Back in 2015, Kante wasn't signed by Slaven Bilic and
instead they plumped for…sigh…Alex Song. At least we have Pedro Obiang now
who is one of the better defensive midfielders in the Premier League but we
can all agree, he's not on Kante's level.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham fans have already renewed a record number of season tickets - after
just 24 hours on sale
Hammers supporters are already looking ahead to 2017/18
Football London
BYSAM INKERSOLE
10:00, 14 MAR 2017

A record number of West Ham fans have already renewed their season tickets
for last season after only 24 hours on sale. After the renewal process
opened yesterday, a fantastic 18% of supporters have already renewed to keep
hold of the cheapest season tickets in the Premier League. That's nearly
9,500 of the 52,000 season ticket holders already registered. That figure
surpasses comfortably any other previous opening day total for renewals in
the club's history and joint-chairman David Sullivan is clearly delighted.
He said: "To have already had nearly a fifth of our season ticket holders
renew for next season's campaign in the first eight hours is a fantastic
example of why West Ham fans are so special. "This is exactly the kind of
loyalty and togetherness that embodies our fanbase. "We are delighted to
have continued our promise of affordable Premier League football at London
Stadium by freezing Season Ticket renewal prices for next season, and we are
so happy to see so many supporters benefiting from it."
An adult season ticket price has been frozen for a second successive season
at £289 for the year, while an under 16 ticket price also remains at £99.
The waiting list for season tickets is a whopping 55,000 so if you're going
to renew yours, you better be quick.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
WHAT'S WRONG WITH WEST HAM? THE SORRY PLIGHT OF A CLUB IN NEED OF A PLAN
By Seb Stafford-Bloor Mar 14 2017 3:55PM
http://www.fourfourtwo.com.au

The east Londoners were promised an exciting future, but remain blighted by
dysfunction. From a distance, the London Stadium looks every inch the
sporting venue it's supposed to be. Walk towards it from the Westfield
Shopping centre and its eclipsing size and radiant video screens will take
you in. Cranes loom in the distance and on every side theres's evidence of
sprouting modernity; yep, this is a place of great progress. But the
stadium, like its tennant football club, looks better from afar. The
impression inside the ground is of just enough having been done to make it
feel like West Ham's home. Andy Carroll's thundering volley has been
stencilled onto the fascia, the club's crest beams out over the London
skyline, and the colours appear with enough frequency to be convincing.

The stadium's press box sits high up, almost in the atmosphere, affording a
view so detached it's almost voyeuristic
But step closer and see what a strange sort of home this is. The stewarding
and segregation issues have been well covered and the team's form hasn't
helped with the transition, but there's something incurable in the air; an
irritation, maybe, or perhaps even regret? There's a very real sense that
nobody actually wants to be here and that those who do are engaged in
self-deception.

The stadium's press box sits high up, almost in the atmosphere, affording a
view so detached it's almost voyeuristic. But it's a revealing perspective:
it shows the gaps between the tiers and the incongruous details which were
likely never considered during the planning phase.

Shortcuts are becoming a theme at West Ham.

One of last summer's great sagas involved the club's hunt for a forward to
smash across the stadium's bows. Bold promises were made and transfer
targets were callously leaked onto social media by the ownership's children;
the club were newly rich and wanted the world to know. Even, ridiculously,
the clubs they intended to negotiate with.

Across Europe they traipsed, £31m cheque in hand, but with no joy: Alexandre
Lacazette passed, Michy Batshuayi said no and only Simone Zaza could be
convinced to join – but even then only on loan.

Still, a player people knew: a name. Regrettably, that seemed to be the
priority. Not the creation of a balanced squad nor the systematic curing of
its weaknesses, but the pursuit of a 'sit up and take notice' moment – and a
set of headlines.

Until as recently as January 2017, the club were taking the bizarre step of
publishing transfer intentions on their own official website. The Insider
column, presumably birthed by nepotism, was both staggeringly naive and a
transparent attempt to dictate the news cycle.

It has subsequently been put out of its misery, but its memory helps guards
the perception of amateur decision-makers bumbling through an
ultra-professional world.

West Ham's transfer policy has been vague for some time, with no clear
indication as to how powers are separated and decisions are made. What's
more clear, however, is that they have grown increasingly less efficient
under joint-chairmen David Gold and David Sullivan.

According to transfermarkt.com, the club have made a net loss on all their
market activity in each season from 2011 onwards. The last time they
recorded a net profit was 2010, but that was a reality obfuscated by the
sale of Carlos Tevez, the true beneficiary of which remains unclear.

It's troubling for two reasons: firstly, although the loss itself is largely
offset by the current broadcasting contract, West Ham don't appear to have
received much in return for their expenditure. They have re-emerged from
relegation and become relatively safe within the top flight, but there's
little evidence of progression in the sides they construct.

They are built for seasons rather than eras and rarely mature into more than
the sum of their parts.

Secondly, they only occasionally buy or develop players who become desirable
to other clubs. They may have recently sold Dimitri Payet back to Marseille
at a healthy profit, but there are few other players in the current squad,
barring Winston Reid and Michail Antonio, who would definitively command
fees greater than their purchase price.

Losing players is galling for supporters, but still a necessary part of
healthy Premier League life. As too is the elevation of academy prospects
which, once a club hallmark, has become a rarity.

While not damning, it's certainly indicative of dysfunction and, when
compared to the strategy of clubs like Southampton, Everton and Tottenham,
casts West Ham's recruitment in an unflattering light. Clubs of their size
and standing naturally prioritise progression up the league table, but
generally also defer to certain imperatives. Players are important, but so
too are assets.

Perhaps there's no greater evidence of wastage than in the succession of
loan deals completed in the years following promotion. In the seasons since,
West Ham have signed Emmanuel Emenike, Alex Song, Marco Borriello, Marouane
Chamakh, Antonio Nocerino, Pablo Armero and Roger Johnson. Roger. Johnson.

Loans, when not bookended with a permanent contract, represent pure loss: a
fee is due to the parent club, wages are paid out (possibly shared), and
those costs can never be recovered through a sale.

The only real benefit is in performance itself and, perhaps, through the
achievement of certain short-term objectives. They are, in effect, stigmata
of an organisation seeking quick bounce rather than a more gentle or
sustainable progress. In this case specifically, West Ham have almost
universally been unsuccessful: with the exception of Song (reported wages:
£140k per week), none of the aforementioned players left a trace of impact
at Upton Park.

Worse still, the past isn't obviously instructing the present: 2016/17
delivered another batch of costly, pointless loan deals, with neither
Jonathan Calleri nor Gokhan Tore faring any better than Zaza.

Regrettably, this transfer malaise neatly frames what West Ham are: a club
with plenty of ambition, but who are either unsure of how to satiate it or
incapable of doing so. The 2016 off-season was a pertinent example of just
that: they had the wherewithal to be bold, but floundered like a club who
hadn't really planned their steps. And that, unfortunately, is a thread
which binds much of their activity, from their recruitment to their stadium
delivery, and is reflective of an operating procedure which continues to
create problems.

In the absence of a more considered culture, they appear to have become
overly reactionary, with organisational energies sapped by the need to
firefight this never-shortening list of issues. There is always either an
unhappy player, a crippling squad shortage, or a logistical or PR battle
which needs plotting. Progressive clubs tend to radiate calm, logical order,
whereas West Ham seem to exist in mild chaos.

There is always some kind of drama.

These needn't be terminal problems. Irrespective of the mood surrounding the
London Stadium tenancy, it has lifted the club into a theoretically
advantageous situation. Without the enormous overheads involved in
constructing a ground (and the planning issues that would have been faced in
the East End), they have been defaulted up the food chain.

That will count for little, however, unless clear thinking prevails and they
allow themselves to be led by a coherent ideology. If they don't, they will
continue to stumble around this world, unsure of whether they actually want
to be a successful side or just to walk around with a strut.

West Ham remain one of this country's great clubs, garnished as they are by
substantial history and enviable tradition, but that identity has never been
weaker than it is right now. The gap between what they are as a club and
what they should be is, unfortuantely, as broad as the chasm between the
London Stadium's pitch and its stands.

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Should Slaven Bilic go big for Brighton star Anthony Knockaert who could top
Dimitri Payet for talent
HITC
Damien Lucas

West Ham United need to get it right in the summer transfer window and
Brighton playmaker could be the answer. The Hammers have turned their season
around since Christmas and despite a dip in form of late are sitting in the
relative comfort of 11th place in the Premier League. In truth, midtable is
likely to be the highest they can finish given the gap to the likes of
Everton above them while there is no danger of Slaven Bilic's side being
dragged into the relegation dogfight. While the mediocrity of midtable may
not provide an exciting end to the season for fans of the East London club,
it does give Bilic and co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan plenty of
time to prepare their summer recruitment. The Hammers got things badly wrong
last summer as they diluted their squad with a glut of poor quality free
transfers and flop loan signings despite promising supporters big name
marquee signings as they took up residence at their new 60,000 seater
Olympic Stadium home.
Having lost star man Dimitri Payet in January the club faces a big task to
bring in better quality players to compete with the Premier League elite.
And Bilic should go big - as the Hammers would undoubtedly have to - in a
bid to land a like for like replacement for Payet in the shape of Brighton's
Anthony Knockaert. The 25-year-old is on course to be named the Championship
Player of the Season and has 13 goals from 36 games this term as well as
countless assists. A skillful number 10 in the Payet mould, Knockaert has
also proved he is willing to work for his teammates and has been leading the
fight from the front to help Brighton to the verge of promotion to the top
flight.
Knockaert is nearly five years younger than his compatriot Payet and has a
slightly better goal record over his career so far with 57 goals in 240
games (1 every 4.2 matches) compared to Payet's 94 in 462 (1 every 4.9
matches). Knockaert would also likely hit the ground running given he is
already settled and accustomed to football in England, something Bilic has
highlighted will be a big factor in future transfers. While Brighton look a
good bet to be promoted, Huddersfield will be just three points behind them
and Newcastle if they win their game in hand. Whether the Seagulls do go up
or not, the Hammers might be able to tempt them with a big money bid which
would give Chris Hughton extra funds to improve his squad for the demands of
the Premier League or a renewed push for promotion next season.
Signing Knockaert would send out the right message and fits with West Ham's
policy of recruiting young, hungry players with good fitness records. Given
the Brighton star's talents, Bilic would undoubtedly face competition for
his signature but a move to West Ham would represent a step up for the
player in terms of stature and ambition, playing in front of 66,000 people
every other week from next season. West Ham would undoubtedly have to shell
out a club record fee in excess of the £20.5 million they paid for Andre
Ayew if they were to have any chance of landing the former Standard Liege
and Leicester City man.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
BETTING UPDATE: WEST HAM INSTALLED FAVOURITES TO SIGN PROVEN PL PLAYMAKER
FacebookTwitterWhatsAppEmailShare
14th March, 2017, 6:17 AM
By Harry Sykes

West Ham have been installed as the bookmakers' favourites to sign Swansea
playmaker Gylfi Sigurdsson this summer. Sky Bet have priced the Hammers at
5/1 to land the 27-year-old, placing them ahead of Everton (8/1) and
Newcastle (10/1) in the market. There is likely to be considerable turnover
in the West Ham playing squad this summer following a series of flop
signings in the main 2016 transfer window.
Slaven Bilic's squad have struggled to score goals and create opportunities,
with their 28 Premier League fixtures yielding 38 goals.
They also sold Dimitri Payet for £25million in January, which left a major
creative hole in their squad. Sports site Bleacher Report claimed last week
that Everton are keeping a close eye on Sigurdsson and that he is one of
their principal summer targets. It is said that an offer of between
£20million and £25million could be enough to seal the deal for a player who
is proven in the Premier League.
Sigurdsson has had another impressive season for relegation-threatened
Swansea, scoring nine goals and supplying 11 assists in 30 matches in all
competitions, with all but one of those strikes coming in the Premier
League. He joined the Swans from Tottenham in the summer of 2014 for
£9million after being a fringe player at White Hart Lane under Tim Sherwood
and Andre Villas-Boas.
Yes, Sigurdsson is technically excellent, proven in the Premier League and
has pretty hand stats. He consistently delivers for a side who have fought
against relegation in the past two seasons. But that does not mean he is the
answer for West Ham. The 27-year-old is at his most effective when the game
stops, in dead-ball situations. The problem is he is not quite such a
superstar when someone is needed to take charge of a game and design it in
their image. West Ham are better off putting more trust in Manuel Lanzini,
who has the potential to invigorate those around him and carry the ball
forward to scare the opposition.

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WEST HAM TRACKING MANDZUKIC
LUKE OSMAN @LukeOsman
ReadWestHam

West Ham are reportedly considering a move for Juventus striker Mario
Mandzukic. According to a report from talkSPORT today, the Hammers are
looking to test Juventus' resolve to keep the Croatian forward by moving in
for him when the summer transfer window opens.
Slaven Bilic has been looking around the market for quality attacking
options for some time now and it looks as though he's certainly keen on
bringing his compatriot to the London Stadium ahead of next season. However
if he is to pursue his interest in Mandzukic, he will need to fend off
interest from his former team Besiktas, who are also looking to move in for
him. Mandzukic has fallen down the pecking order at Juventus due to the
excellent form and partnership of Gonzalo Higuain and Paulo Dybala this
season, leaving the 30-year-old as a substitute mainly. Besiktas are claimed
in the report to have made him their number one target.

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