Daily WHUFC News - 22nd September 2017

West Ham to face Spurs at Wembley in Carabao Cup fourth round
WHUFC.com

West Ham United will take on Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley Stadium in the
Carabao Cup fourth round. The Hammers won through to the last 16 with 2-0
victories over Cheltenham Town and Bolton Wanderers and will continue their
quest for a maiden League Cup trophy when they tackle Spurs. Fourth round
ties will be played on Tuesday 24 or Wednesday 25 October. The two clubs
will meet this Saturday in the Premier League at London Stadium, with
Standard Tickets available now via the Ticket Exchange. Teenager Declan Rice
has started both Carabao Cup victories this season and is dreaming of
following in the footsteps of West Ham greats by lifting a piece of major
silverware. "There is so much history in the cups with West Ham, the FA Cup
and League Cup, so we want to go on a good run and get to Wembley again,"
said the 18-year-old. "I saw a really good video with Bobby Moore and Billy
Bonds and I'd love to experience the same feelings they did by winning a
trophy. "If you want to be a top player, you have got to win trophies and I
want to emulate them."

West Ham will visit Wembley for the first time since the 2012 Championship
Play-Off final, when they secured promotion by beating Blackpool. The two
London rivals have met five times previously in the League Cup. West Ham
prevailed in 1966 and 2013, while Spurs came out on top in 1975, 1987 and
2003. The Hammers have reached the League Cup finals twice, finishing as
runners-up on both occasions. West Bromwich Albion ran out 5-3 aggregate
winners in 1966, while Liverpool edged out the east London side after a
replay in 1981.

In more recent years, West Ham have reached the semi-finals in 2011 and
2014.

A confirmed date and kick-off time and ticket details will be announced on
whufc.com in due course.

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Ladies can't be faulted for effort in Charlton defeat – De Carnys
WHUFC.com

West Ham United Ladies manager Greg De Carnys has hailed the work rate of
his players despite their midweek loss to Charlton. De Carnys's side fell to
a 6-0 home defeat to the league leaders on Wednesday evening in a difficult
encounter at Rush Green, with the away side netting three goals in each
half. Although the history books will show a heavy defeat for West Ham De
Carnys is still proud of his players for their effort, saying this match
required his team to work harder than they've done in other matches this
campaign. The manager also believes the score is flattering to Charlton but
has hailed the obvious quality that the away team showed, adding that they
are in the very title battle that West Ham are aiming to also compete in. De
Carnys told whufc.com after the match: "The score-line is difficult to take
but I don't think it tells the full story of the game. We conceded two early
goals which made the score-line look worse. "Charlton are a really good side
and they're top of the league for a reason. They've scored a lot of goals
all season. I think tonight was down to both how good Charlton are and a few
things we need to work on. I can't fault the effort of my team. I think they
worked harder than they probably have done all season. "It's not nice when
you don't have the ball as much as the opposition and in most of the games
this season we've had the ball more. Charlton have obviously got some
quality which is going to take them far, but that's something that we want
to emulate. We want to get to where they're at."

Although Charlton scored three goals in each half of the match De Carnys
feels there was a marked improvement in his team in the second period,
particularly defensively as Charlton were allowed less time on the ball. The
three goals the away side netted in the second period came as a result of
quick counter-attacks as West Ham searched for a way back into the game, and
De Carnys is both proud of how his side responded to his half-time talk and
ready to take lessons from this defeat. He added: "I think through the game
we got better. It was a lot harder for them to break us down in the second
period. We will take that forward and learn from it. I'm pleased that we
improved as the game went on. "Against teams like Charlton, with the players
they have, you've got to make sure you don't give them any space in
dangerous areas. It's not the way you necessarily want to play every week
but it's certainly something you have to call on at times. "There's things
we've learned from this game that we can take into our other games. Over the
course of the 90 minutes we've learned a lot."

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Rice – I'd love to play against Spurs
WHUFC.com

Declan Rice is hoping to build on the considerable experience he has already
gained at the start of the 2017/18 season by featuring in Slaven Bilic's
side to take on Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday. The 18-year-old was back at
centre-half for the Carabao Cup victory against Bolton Wanderers in midweek
and impressed as the Hammers kept a third straight clean sheet. Having
played in four of the first five Premier League games of the season,
Republic of Ireland U21 international Rice would relish the opportunity to
take on West Ham's north London rivals. "I hadn't played at centre-half
since pre-season, so Tuesday was my first time back there and it did feel a
bit different again getting used to it, but after the first half I felt back
at it and more comfortable. "The manager said in the pre-match [meeting]
that places are open and that really fired me up. Hopefully I caught the eye
on Tuesday and now we've got two more training sessions before the Spurs
game and hopefully I get selected for that one. "It would be the best
feeling ever to play. You can only gain experience from playing against
players like Kane, Alli and Eriksen and that's what's going to stand me in
good stead."

Looking further ahead, Rice would love to take the Hammers' Carabao Cup run
further, with Tuesday's victory putting them potentially three victories
from a Wembley appearance. He added: "There's so much history in the cup for
West Ham and we want to go on a good run and get to Wembley. "We dominated
possession against Bolton and that was the thing, we had to make a
statement. We had to win, get through to the next round and now we'll hope
for a good cup run."

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West Ham United launch shirt auction in aid of Mexican earthquake relief
WHUFC.com

West Ham United will auction all match-worn shirts from this weekend's
London derby against Tottenham Hotspur, with all proceeds going to the
victims' families and survivors of this week's devastating Mexican
earthquake.

The Club will then double the figure raised by the auction, before donating
the total amount to an appeal organised by Hammers striker Javier Hernandez
and his fellow Mexico international Miguel Layun to aid the relief effort in
Mexico City and the surrounding area.

The devastating 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck southern Mexico on Tuesday,
leaving thousands of families homeless and killing more than 200 people,
with the death toll expected to rise significantly.

West Ham's Chicharito and Porto's Layun have announced the #YoXMexico
initiative to aid their compatriots by raising funds that will help deliver
food and supplies to those most affected by the disaster, via Red Cross and
Los Topos, an organisation specialising in cleaning debris.

"We have all been moved by the news and devastating effects of Tuesday's
earthquake in Mexico," said joint-chairman David Sullivan. "While disasters
like this can seem very far away from us, it is important that we still help
where we can.

"Javier has joined forces with Miguel Layun to raise funds to help his
fellow countrymen in their time of need, and we hope this auction will be
able to raise a significant amount which can go towards their fund.

"Although only a small gesture from the club, we will double any amount
raised by the auction, which we hope can make a small difference to the
people of Mexico."

Hammers striker Chicharito said, "Being so far from Mexico and seeing the
suffering of our compatriots in the distance has been very painful.

"So, after discussing it, we decided to take the initiative for Mexico and
give our people a helping hand.

"We know that many see us as a source of inspiration, but in this case, what
has inspired us is to see millions of Mexicans take to the streets and to
lend a hand without asking for anything in return.

"We hope, with this initiative, to help those who need it and motivate more
people to do it with us.

"Miguel and I are very grateful to have the backing of everyone at West Ham
United and all of its supporters at this difficult time for our country.

"It is a fantastic gesture and we hope it can help us raise funds that will
make a difference in Mexico."

Listed on officialwesthamauction.com will be the squad who featured against
West Bromwich Albion, but any players who do not feature in Saturday's squad
will then be replaced by a player who does. The auction will finish on
Tuesday 26 September at 9pm.

Winners of the auction will be able to decide whether they would like their
shirt signed by the corresponding player or left unautographed.

To donate directly to #YoXMexico please visit youcaring.com/yoxmex or follow
#YoXMexico on Twitter at @YoXMexico

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Holland: West Ham debut was 'a dream come true'
WHUFC.com

Nathan Holland has described making his West Ham United first team debut
against Bolton Wanderers as "a dream come true", hailing the experience as
"amazing". Having impressed with the U23s since joining the Hammers in
January, Holland was given his chance in Slaven Bilic's team on Tuesday
evening in the Carabao Cup when he came on for fellow debutant Sead
Haksabanovic just after the hour mark. The 19-year-old was included in a few
first team squads at the back end of last season but the winger failed to
make the field. Having finally made his debut, Holland is delighted to get
his first appearance for the Hammers.
"It's a dream come true," Holland told whufc.com: "Since I joined the club
in January I've been working hard to get to this moment. I made it onto the
bench last year but didn't get a chance. Getting out there was amazing."

As Holland took to the pitch supporters were met with a picturesque moment -
one which will live with fans for a long time - as Academy graduate and
first team captain Mark Noble pulled the winger in for an embrace. That
quiet word ahead of play restarting helped to quell Holland's nerves as he
played in front of 35,806 supporters at the London Stadium. "As soon as I
came on Nobes pulled me in and said, 'just do your thing'", Holland
revealed. "I was a bit nervous to be honest. It was a big crowd, the biggest
crowd I've ever played in front of. My early run with the ball and winning a
corner helped settle me quite a lot. As soon as I got a touch on the ball it
felt real. "I felt really comfortable after that and I really enjoyed
myself, and I want to do it more now."

Having now had a taste of top level football Holland is targeting more
showings for Bilic's side throughout the season, and is hoping he can
continue to show why he is good enough for the first team. Holland added:
"Getting more minutes in the first team is my aspiration for this campaign.
It's a big squad and you have to work hard to get your chance but I'm really
happy with how I've done against Bolton. "Now I just need to keep working
hard with the U23s and then I'll hopefully get another chance again soon."

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Bilic: On Spurs, Chicharito, Arnautovic and clean sheets
WHUFC.com

Hammers boss Slaven Bilic held his usual pre-match press conference at Rush
Green on Thursday ahead of Saturday's huge London derby against Tottenham
Hotspur. The manager spoke about the Club's recent record against Spurs, and
what his side need to do to get another positive result on Saturday. He was
also quizzed on Chicharito, Marko Arnautovic and shutting out goals ahead of
the London Stadium fixture…

'We know what it's like to win'

Slaven Bilic's men have, of course, won their last two home matches against
Spurs, most recently ending Tottenham's title hopes with a 1-0 victory at
London Stadium in May. Manuel Lanzini – who will remain on the sidelines
this weekend – scored the winner that night, and Bilic is hoping the
positive memories against the north Londoners will push the hosts to another
win this weekend. He said: "We've been great against Spurs recently,
especially at home, but also away in the last one away we lost 3-2. We were
winning 2-1 with two minutes to go. "We played good and beat them twice. We
always get a special performance, OK, it's a derby, and I'm wishing to get
these performances no matter who we play. But it's a special atmosphere and
we all remember those. "Everyone who was involved talks for months [about
those games] and we still remember the game in May and the one at Upton
Park, so those are the patterns we want to repeat on Saturday. "We ended
their hopes of winning the league but it gives us no psychological
advantage. But the advantage comes when you remember good memories and good
patterns to repeat what we have actually already done against that team.
"We're not entering that game for the first time – we have done it before
and can do it again."

Bilic on Chicharito

In the Hammers' last two Premier League matches, the manager has played
Mexican forward Chicharito one side of striker Andy Carroll. The former
Manchester United striker has been utilised more centrally throughout his
career, but Bilic moved to explain that he has spoken with 29-year-old, who
understands the situation. "I spoke to him and in the press before the
Bolton game," Bilic continued. "OK, he's not playing as close to the goal
[as he is used to] but then he's not playing as a wide man. "We played with
basically three strikers and against Huddersfield and he had a few chances
and lots of time in the box. Against West Brom it was harder anyway, because
of how they defend. "But he's a great lad and I explained that sometimes he
has to sacrifice for the team. The team will need him again in that position
but we will look to put him in the natural position but he can be useful
there. He agrees, as a good professional that he is."

Impressive Arnie

One man who has impressed on his return to the starting XI after suspension
is creative winger Marko Arnautovic, who grabbed two assists in midweek
against Bolton Wanderers. The Austrian came off the bench at West Brom last
weekend, but will be pushing for a spot in the starting XI, giving Bilic a
real selection conundrum at London Stadium for the Saturday early kick-off.
"He got Man of the Match [on Tuesday] and I agreed [with that]," Bilic told
the media. "He had two assists and a few chances and in a lot of things we
created that we played good he was in 90 per cent of them. "I said I expect
that from him and I want to see it more regularly. "Sometimes you get
satisfied, but he's got ability and has to do it all the time. We are
expecting that from him. We'll help him and push him but he has to do that
all the time."

Shutting out Pochettino's men

Tottenham scored more goals in the Premier League than any other team last
season and main man Harry Kane won his second consecutive golden boot. And
that's why, Bilic believes, shutting out Mauricio Pochettino's side in an
attempt to keep a fourth consecutive clean sheet will be of huge importance
if the Hammers are to pick up a positive result on Saturday. "Of course
those results and clean sheets and four points and 3-0 against Bolton helps
us, for our confidence. Every little thing helps. "Suddenly, we're better on
the ball, more compact, we can jump more and it's all linked. To think we
have done it now, it would be completely wrong and we have to build on this
and not lose the basic things. "I watched the [Spurs] Swansea game and they
deserved it. They were closing them down, they were deep when needed but
occasionally pressing them and breaking their rhythm. To be fair they
limited Spurs on strikes from 20 yards outside the box. "That's what you
have to do, limit them to semi-chances. Then they had some luck that is
always necessary against big teams. But that's the pattern we have to
repeat."

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How Ron Greenwood sent Bobby Moore on his way to football immortality
WHUFC.com

Matt Dickinson explains how It took the vision of Ron Greenwood to set West
Ham and England's finest player Bobby Moore on his way to football
immortality...

Bob Dylan sang that the times were a'changing. English football was
a'changing, too. Among all the great revolutions of the sixties, the decade
of rock and roll and rockets to the moon, the arrival of the back four was
not sexy or swinging but it has endured long after mop tops and psychedelic
prints have gone out of fashion.

At the 1958 World Cup finals, Brazil had caused a stir and not just because
of a teenage sensation called Pelé. With attacking full-backs and two
centre-backs, the South Americans popularised a new 4-2-4 strategy. In
England, Greenwood was one of the trendsetters, recognising the benefits of
the back four – and, most importantly, how it could work perfectly for Bobby
Moore.

Moore had moved around several positions. Greenwood had seen him in the
junior England teams as a traditional centre-half. In the WM formation which
English clubs had slavishly followed for decades, the position was
essentially destructive. In the Soccer Syndrome, John Moynihan wrote that
the stopper's only task was to track the centre-forward 'like a casino
manager watching a con man'.

According to Brian Glanville, it had 'become the Frankenstein's monster of
modern football', the least demanding position on the field with no
creative responsibility. There were skilful exceptions, but mostly it had
been a role for tall bruisers, and Moore could be exposed there.

In West Ham's youth team, some of his team-mates fretted when he faced quick
centre-forwards or specialists in the air. They worried about Moore being
isolated in that key position because of his lack of pace and reluctance to
join the aerial battle. 'Bobby didn't particularly like heading the ball
because it was untidy,' says Ken Jones, who covered Moore's career for the
Daily Mirror. 'Bobby wasn't interested in untidy.'

In the first team, Moore had mostly been used as a destructive half-back, a
midfield scuffler sent out to close down a particular opponent but one day
in February 1962, Greenwood pulled Moore aside on the training ground ahead
of a match against Leicester City. He explained that he was withdrawing him
into defence: 'I want you to drop back, to play deeper and play loose.' He
was playing him as a 'spare' centre-half alongside Ken Brown, effectively
making a back four.

They hardly sound like the words to change a career, and certainly not the
course of English football. No one hailed the new role at the time, but
Geoff Hurst is in no doubt about the deep and lasting significance of that
tactical switch. 'Perhaps Ron's masterstroke,' he says, which is quite an
accolade considering that Hurst himself was transformed, in a brilliant
piece of coaching alchemy, from a middling midfielder to a powerhouse
centre-forward who would make an historic impact.

A masterstroke it was. Moore immediately thrived in his role off Brown,
seeing problems and smothering them. As Brown battled with the
centre-forward, Moore tidied up, bringing order to the defence the way he
brought it to his sock drawer and his rack of shirts.

He was always more perceptive than most thanks to the lessons of Allison.
Dropping back from the hustle and bustle of midfield allowed his awareness
to flourish. It was the skill which, many years later, would prompt the
great Scottish manager Jock Stein to say 'there should be a law against
Moore – he can see things 20 minutes before everyone else'.

With the game now laid out in front of him, Moore could use good judgement
to help compensate for the lack of pace. His distaste for heading was no
longer such an obvious drawback as he learned to drop off and, far more
elegantly, take the ball on his chest.

As Moynihan put it, Moore was 'a smooth, streamlined young Londoner with the
appearance of a male model, whose methods have been built for the new
emancipated soccer of 4-2-4 and 4-3-3'. The game was changing and Moore had
all the qualities to adapt with it. 'Moore had found his niche,' Greenwood
said, with pride and delight.

Ken Jones, for decades one of Fleet Street's most perceptive readers of the
game, believes that it is hard to overstate how the new tactics shaped
Moore's career: 'I'm convinced that the change in the way the game was
played helped to make Bobby Moore a truly great player.' Without Greenwood
Moore might not have been a world-class defender; he might not have been a
defender at all.

This was not just about tactics boards. Great players redefine positions by
their own unique, and unmistakeable, qualities. Plenty of English teams
embraced the new era but it was Moore who showed just how in influential the
new role could become.

He described himself as a 'sweeper' which, Greenwood noted proudly, 'was not
a position anyone had heard of before'. Yet the label does not quite fit.
Typically, Moore was being too self-deprecating. He was not stationed behind
a back line in the libero position that was becoming so common in Italy into
the sixties, but just to the left of a stopping centre-back with the
freedom to stride forward. 'Sweeper' does not begin to do justice to Moore's
range and influence; watching him build play from the back was like watching
a team with rear- wheel drive.

One of Greenwood's constant demands of his players was 'can you hurt them?',
demanding that his players always look for an attacking opportunity. at
included Moore in central defence. He was encouraged by his manager always
to look for the quick pass that could turn defence to attack.

He had the accuracy to do it. The sight of Moore striding into midfield and
chipping the ball forward would become so commonplace that the players used
to joke that Geoff Hurst must have a bull's-eye on his chest, so frequently
could Moore find the target. He played like a gridiron quarter-back,
initiating moves with flighted, angled passes.

Allison had always encouraged him to play from deep, and Greenwood preached
from the same gospel. When Moore's ambition proved costly in one game,
possession lost and a goal conceded as he tried to carry the ball out of
defence, Greenwood told the press that he would much prefer to see a
well-intentioned mistake of over-elaboration than a clearance hoofed into
the stands.

To a twenty-first-century eye, Moore's range of influence is startling. What
central defender of the modern era would you see breaking forward so boldly,
imposing a pattern on the game from centre-half? Modern football has its
ball-playing defenders and those with adventurous spirit, but in a game with
such aversion to risk, the surging centre-back is almost as extinct as the
old five-man attacks. To wish for another Moore may be as romantic, and as
pointless, as yearning for another Sinatra.

An extract from: 'Bobby Moore: The Man in Full' by Matt Dickinson, published
by Yellow Jersey Press, priced £9.99

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Team news: Starting spots up for grabs against Tottenham
WHUFC.com

Places in the starting XI for West Ham United's Premier League clash against
Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday will be up for grabs after Tuesday's
impressive 3-0 Carabao Cup win over Bolton Wanderers, Slaven Bilic has
confirmed. The boss was impressed with the likes of Marko Arnautovic, who
grabbed two assists in midweek, as well as club captain Mark Noble,
returning to the side after injury. Diafra Sakho scored his second of the
season and will be pushing for more minutes against the north Londoners,
while Declan Rice was back in the team and performed superbly at
centre-back. It gives Bilic, who confirmed Pedro Obiang will miss Saturday's
fixture, a selection headache as the Hammers look to make it three wins from
three home games against their London rivals. Spanish midfielder Obiang
completed 90 minutes at West Bromwich Albion last weekend, however was
missing when Bolton visited east London on Tuesday. And the manager informed
the media during his pre-Spurs press conference that the 25-year-old will
miss out this weekend. He said: "Pedro got injured at West Brom. It was one
of those injuries where the player finishes the game all well, no problems,
but he picked up an injury. "So, it's nothing major or big, but he won't
play on Saturday. He won't be in the squad. "Hopefully he'll be ready for
Swansea but that's basically it to be fair."
Meanwhile, the boss also gave an update on Manuel Lanzini, winner of last
season's memorable victory over Mauricio Pochettino's team in May. The
creative Argentine has scored three goals in his four appearances against
Spurs, but will not be able to add to his tally on Saturday. "Lanzini has
started training with us, with the team," continued Bilic. "But Saturday is
way too early for him."
To have skipper Mark Noble back in the fold after he recovered from a minor
knee injury is huge boost for the Hammers however, the Croatian went on to
admit.
"It is important to have Mark, he's our skipper. He's the club captain, he's
responsible for a good atmosphere and shape and everything and discipline in
the dressing room, on and off the pitch. "It's great to have him back in the
team and where he fits, he's really good player and important person and
player."

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West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur
SAT, 23 SEPT 2017PREMIER LEAGUE
12:30
Venue: London Stadium

West Ham's Argentine playmaker Manuel Lanzini scored the winner in this
fixture last season.

TEAM NEWS

West Ham will welcome back captain Mark Noble, who has missed the last two
league games with a knee injury. Midfielder Manuel Lanzini will not feature
despite a return to training, while Pedro Obiang is missing after picking up
a knock at West Brom.

Spurs full-back Ben Davies is set to be recalled after dropping to the bench
last week because of an ankle injury. Victor Wanyama remains out with a knee
injury, while Erik Lamela and Danny Rose are still long-term absentees.

MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES

Guy Mowbray: "Forget all the Wembley nonsense - it's West Ham away that is
the real Spurs curse. "Successive 1-0 defeats at the homes of the Hammers
have effectively ended their title challenges in the last two seasons… and
then there was 'Lasagne-gate' in 2006! "If Slaven Bilic's side were to make
it three wins in a row in this fixture, they'd also register a hat-trick of
straight successes at the London Stadium for the first time, amidst signs
that they're repeating last year's slow start made better in Autumn. "Spurs
will rightly be favourites though, and really need to win even at this early
stage of the season. A seven or eight-point gap to the leaders takes a lot
of narrowing."

Twitter: @Guymowbray

WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic: "They [Tottenham] are the team that plays the
most attractive football and for me they are definitely one of the
contenders to win the league. "We always put in a special kind of
performance against them. We still remember the game in May. Those are the
patterns that we want to repeat on Saturday. "If we repeat everything -
because against them you need a complete performance - then we have a
chance."

Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino: "For all the excitement and
desire they [West Ham] show to beat us, we must show the same. "It is a
derby. When you play a derby they try to give their best and try to win. It
is our enemy, I understand very well that. "We know what it means for our
fans to play against West Ham. We will try to stay and be ready to compete,
fight and be aggressive."

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

West Ham have won three of the past four home league meetings with
Tottenham, keeping a clean sheet in each victory.
The Hammers could win three consecutive Premier League home fixtures against
Spurs for only the second time. They enjoyed a run of four in a row from
1997 to 1999.

West Ham United

West Ham are vying to win their opening two Premier League home games for
the first time since 2012-13.
They could also keep three consecutive clean sheets for the first time since
April, a run which culminated in the 1-0 home win over Tottenham.
The Hammers have won three of their last five top-flight home games and kept
four clean sheets during that period.
Javier Hernandez has failed to score in any of his eight appearances against
Tottenham.
Slaven Bilic has won all three of his home matches as a manager against
Mauricio Pochettino by a 1-0 scoreline - twice with West Ham, and previously
while in charge at Besiktas in the 2014-15 Europa League group stage.

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham could equal their club record of five successive Premier League
away wins, set from December 2013 to January 2014.
They have scored 18 goals and conceded just two in their current four-match
winning streak away from home. Their +16 goal difference is the top flight's
best return over four away games since 1892.
Spurs could win their opening three away games of a season for the first
time since 1991-92.
However, they could lose three Premier League London derbies in a row for
the first time since August 2005.
Harry Kane has scored nine goals in his last four Premier League away games.
Kane also has five goals in his last five league games against West Ham.
Follow Match of the Day on Instagram for the best photos from the world of
football.

SAM's verdict
Most probable score: 0-1 Probability of draw: 23%
Probability of home win: 18% Probability of away win: 59%
SAM (Sports Analytics Machine) is a super-computer created by @ProfIanMcHale
at the University of Liverpool that is used to predict the outcome of
football matches.

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Bilic clears the air with Chicharito
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 21st September 2017
By: Staff Writer

Slaven Bilic has revealed that he has spoken to new signing Javier Harnandez
about playing out of position. The £16million Mexican international, famed
for scoring the vast majority of his goals from in and around the six-yard
box has been stationed on the left side of Bilic's front three in recent
outings. And Bilic revealed during his press conference this morning that he
had spoken to Hernandez about the situation. "I've spoken to him," said
Bilic. "The truth is somwhere in between. Ok, he's not playing closest to an
opponent's goal but in those games we've basically played with three
strikers. He's not playing wide. "In the game against Huddersfield he had a
few chances and spent a lot of time in the box. Against West Brom it was
harder anyway because of how they defended. It was hard for us to create
chances. "I told him he's a great lad and explained to him to him that
sometimes, he has to make sacrifices for the team. The team needed him in
those couple of games and the team's going to need him again in that
position. "We're going to look to continue in his natural position, but when
he plays in this position he can be very, very useful. As a professional and
a great lad, he agrees of course."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
MARK NOBLE
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 20 SEPTEMBER 2017 AT 10:36PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by Katie Shergold @flump9

One of the main topics that has been discussed this season, is Mark Noble
and whether he should still be playing for West Ham. After seeing so much
negativity (honestly I am so tired of using that word when discussing West
Ham), I thought it was about time that I gave my verdict on the situation.

There is no doubting that his form isn't quite up to where he was a few
seasons ago, his legs clearly aren't working as well as they could be and
sometimes he just doesn't bring anything to the game. He is 30 years old
and to be competing at the top of your game week in week out is clearly not
easy, but to write him off completely and the hatred towards him just seems
completely unnecessary to me. I don't believe Noble should be playing every
week, but I still believe he is a valuable member of our squad. His
experience and mentality alone is great for our youngsters coming through
the ranks and for that reason I consider him an important player.

Some fans have called for him to retire, others have wished injury upon him
and a number of them have just given him hordes of abuse. Regardless of
whether you think he should be a first team player anymore, surely nobody
can genuinely believe he deserves such negative, callous and offensive
comments being made towards him. It was only last year when many were
calling for him to be playing for England and his testimonial match was a
sell-out at Upton Park. Noble has been such a loyal servant to the club,
playing over 400 games since his debut in 2004. How can all of that be
forgotten?

This weekend we have a huge game at The London Stadium and I have seen a few
polls regarding whether Mark should start. The majority were against him
starting, with some rather harsh comments being thrown around once again,
however I think Saturday is the exact game that we need Noble to start. He
understands the importance of the game, what it means to the fans and I just
know he will be fired up and hopefully be at the top of his game. If there
was one game I would want Mark Noble to play, it would be against Tottenham
at home, maybe not for the full 90 minutes but he is a definite starter for
me.

Nobody can ever doubt Mark Noble's contribution, attitude, desire, passion
and unwavering loyalty. Yes, we have probably seen his best days at West
Ham and Slav can't play him every game purely down to his loyalty, but I for
one will always think fondly of Noble and I am thankful for everything he
has done for the club. He will always be 'Mr West Ham' to me.

@flump9 on Twitter

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
WEST HAM UNDER 23S V LIVERPOOL UNDER 23S MATCH REPORT
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 20 SEPTEMBER 2017 AT 10:26AM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
By Scott Boyle (@scootb1967)

The hosts came into the game off the back of consecutive defeats away to
Tottenham and Leicester after a promising start to life in PL2. Liverpool on
the other hand came into the game as the only remaining unbeaten team in the
league with four wins out of four putting them top of the table.

Less than a minute in and the visitors showed just how much of a threat they
are with a neat combination between ex-West Ham schoolboy Ovie Ejaria and
Rhian Brewster resulting in a low drive from Ejaria which Nathan Trott in
the Hammers goal saves smartly with his legs.

The early part of the game was quick and the intensity led to an open
attacking game and within 5 minutes West Ham created their first chance of
significance with good work from Dan Kemp down the right, and the wide man
was able to pull the ball back to Marcus Browne on the edge of the box but
the midfielder blazed his shot high and wide over the Liverpool goal.

Liverpool's rotational movement was causing all sorts of problems for the
West Ham defence and Brewster nearly capitalised on the space available
after Cameron Brannagan's ball split the back four but is shot was well
saved by Trott who turned it round the post for a corner. The resulting
corner was only half-cleared by West Ham and Harry Wilson; who doesn't need
a second invitation to shot with his left foot, fired into the far corner to
put the Reds 1-0 up with 13 minutes on the clock.

West Ham went searching for an equaliser and nearly got it through defender
Josh Pask but his header went narrowly wide from Browne's free kick after
Martinez was hauled down just outside the box to the left.

And the young Hammers were made to pay after a terrific pass from Matty
Virtue put Wilson in behind the West Ham defence and his side footed volley
found the far corner for his second and Liverpool's second goal of the game.

It looked a long way back for West Ham in truth but a good ball down the
left found Jahmal Hector-Ingram and the West Ham drove into the box but was
brought down illegally by Liverpool's Nathaniel Phillips to win West Ham yet
another penalty. The Spainard Toni Martinez, fresh from scoring 4 in his
last 3 games took the spot kick but a magnificent save from the fully
stretched Kamil Grabara in the Liverpool net prevented him from adding to
his tally and West Ham never really got going again after that miss.

In fact, it could have been worse for the hosts just before half time had
Herbie Kane not flashed his effort over the bar after more good work from
the Welshman Wilson; on the left this time, was forced wide by Alex Pike and
his cut back to the onrushing Kane went flying over the bar. West Ham fans
will be hoping his Tottenham namesake Harry is as wasteful this Saturday!

The first half ended with Liverpool in control and Terry Westley tried to
get his side back in the game second half with Grady Diangnana replacing the
quiet Martin Samuelson but again it was Liverpool who took charge of the
game and just 3 minutes in the second half, Rhian Brewster cut in from the
right and let fly with a left footed shot past the near post from 25 yards
out.

And five minutes later it was nearly three as Liverpool ramped up the
pressure and Harry Wilson again found a gap in the West Ham defence but his
effort went wide of the far post via a deflection from fullback Alex Pike.

West Ham did have a half-chance on the hour though when Marcus Browne's
inviting set-piece delivery was sliced out awkwardly by the Liverpool
defence but the resulting corner amounted to nothing.

Liverpool brought on Yan Dhanda in the 70th minute, a young man who's been
getting rave reviews and he immediately made an impact when he was first to
the ball and headed a powerful effort towards goal but Trott was there again
not only to stop the ball but hold it as well despite the power behind it.

West Ham were second best throughout the game in fairness but a rare attack
in the 85th minute led by substitute Noha Sylvestre was dragged wide from
the Swiss born defensive midfielder when it looked like the better option
might have been to slide through the overlapping Dan Kemp.

Four minutes were added on by the officials in two minutes into that,
Liverpool were unlucky not to score an excellent goal. Building from the
back through the Goalkeeper Grabara, who rolled the ball into the path of
Phillips and he clipped a lovely ball into the feet of Harry Wilson and his
exquisite first touch opened up space for the Welshman to play the ball
through to Dhanda and his shot was destined for the top right had it not
been for another excellent stop by the impressive Nathan Trott.

A miserable day for the young Hammers was made even worse after Noha
Sylvestre was taken off after the whistle on a stretcher with a cast around
his right leg. Let's hope it's not as bad as feared.

West Ham: Trott, Pike, Johnson, Makasi, Pask, Akinola, Kemp, Hector-Ingram,
Martinez, Browne, Samuelson
Subs: Sylvestre, Diangnana, Scully

Liverpool: Grabara, Whelan, Johnston, Phillips, Masterson, Brannagan, Kane,
Virtue, Brewster, Wilson
Subs: Juanma, Dhanda, Adekayne

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It's Spurs in the Cup
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 20th September 2017
By: Staff Writer

West Ham will face Tottenham at Wembley in the last 16 of the Carabao Cup.
The homeless North Londoners will host West Ham at the national stadium in
the fourth round of the competition, after the two clubs were drawn out of
the hat first.

Ties to be played in the week commencing 24th October; the full fourth round
draw was as follows:

Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham Utd
Bristol City v Crystal Palace
Swansea City v Manchester Utd
Arsenal v Norwich City
Chelsea v Everton
Manchester City v Wolves
Leicester City v Leeds Utd
Bournemouth v Middlesbrough

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Top 10 West Ham strikers
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 20th September 2017
By: Staff Writer #3

We got to a thinking recently, what with the recent acquisition of Chica and
the dilemma we've faced up front in recent years. Who has been our most
prolific striker or strike partnership at West Ham?

Over the years, decades and since the dawn of our football club we've
produced some of the best strikers to have graced a football pitch. We've
produced strike partnerships that have terrified defences across the land.
But, who's the best and who would you place at the top of the tree for West
Ham?

This is our list, starting from 10...

10. Clyde Best (1968-1976)
47 goals in 186 appearances; Made his debut at a young age for the 60's,
just 18 and was the first black player to appear in West Ham colours on the
pitch.

9. Jon Sissons (1962-1970)
37 goals in 213 appearances; Jon is the youngest player to score in an FA
Cup final. Part of the team, in the early 60's, that brought some celebrated
years to West Ham.

8. Carlos Tevez (2006-2007)
Seven goals in a dismal season for the player and club but he's temperament
and work ethic earned him respect from the fans. And ultimately, it was his
winning goal in the last game of the season at Old Trafford that helped get
him on to this list.

7. Dean Ashton (2006-2009)
15 goals in just 33 appearances, he never regained his past form after
suffering a nasty ankle injury whilst away on international duty with
England.

6. Vic Keeble (1957-1960)
45 goals in only 76 appearances, before, just like with Dean he suffered an
injury that placed him on the side-lines. One for the oldies, Vic had a
fantastic strike rate which would've, no doubt, placed him amongst the
greats if he had been lucky enough to continue his career.

5. Paolo Di Canio (1999-2003)
Scoring 48 goals in 118 appearances. A personality that endeared him to the
hammers fans, not a shrinking violet but more of an explosive stick of
dynamite. He had his fair-share of controversy on the pitch but his
dedicated and passion to the cause won the hearts of many hammers fans.

4. Frank McAvennie (1985-1987)
A break to Celtic then back from 1989 – 1992: scoring 49 goals in 153
appearances – One part of a terrifying duo with Tony Cottee, moved to Celtic
then returned in 89, snubbing Arsenal to get his hammers kit back on.

3. David Cross (1977-1982)
77 goals in 179 appearances. The winner of the Golden Boot award in the 1980
– 81 season, he was also part of the team that overcame Arsenal in the 1980
FA Cup Final.

2. Tony Cottee (1982-1988)
Re-joined 1994 – 1996: 116 goals in 280 appearances. A diehard hammers fan
and a true out an out striker who stalked the oppositions box like a panther
hunting down prey. His partnership with McAvenie was one of the best to come
out of London.

1. Sir Geoff Hurst (1958-1972)
249 goals in 503 appearances. A great record of winning with West Ham; FA
Cup in 1964, European Cup Winners in 1965 and he'll always be fondly
remembered for his hat-trick in the World Cup Final of 1966. One of the
countries all-time greats.

***

What do you guys think? Would Sir Geoff Hurst be your number one, or are you
a child of the '80s who roared for Cottee?

Fancy West Ham's chances this season, for any kind of silverware? If you are
a betting type why not put your money where your mouth is and check out the
offers available from the Footy Accumulator guys. Check them out weekly for
accumulator bets and get the best odds on Chica finding the target too.

We've managed to land Chica, though it's not been the best start to the
season, we're at least beginning to look promising. You'll not get great
odds for us staying up, but where do you think we'll end up? You'll get good
odds for getting our finishing position right.

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Bilic transcript: West Ham boss on Spurs, Pochettino, Hammers resurgence and
more
Here is every word the West Ham boss said at his pre-match press conference
Football London
BYSAM INKERSOLE
15:06, 21 SEP 2017

Full transcript: Every word from West Ham boss Bilic on Carroll, Hernandez
and West Brom

You have a good record against Tottenham recently, how does it help raise
your game?

It is good at home, and we have played good against them away as well. The
last one we lost 3-2 but e were 2-1 up and played really good. We always put
us a special kind of performances and no it's my wish to get those kind of
performances against wheoever. It's always a special atmosphere. We all
remember those kind of performances, the fans and the players and everyone
involved in those games. We still remember the game in May or the first one
in 2016 at Upton Park. Those are the patterns we want to repeat on Saturday
and knowing we are playing against a top team. But if we repeat that kind of
everything, we need a complete performance, we have a chance.

Does beating Spurs at home last season give you an advantage?

No, this is a new season and a new game. No matter that we ended their hopes
of winning the league, it gives us a psychological advantage but it was
recent, just a few months ago and it gives you good memories and more than
anything, good pattern to repeat what you have actually done against that
team. We are not entering this kind of game for the first time, where the
players need to think about their tasks, not on paper, they have done it
already which if you have done it successfully before, it is always good.

You said last May that Spurs are the best team in the league, do you stand
by that?

In this league you have a few teams, one is best one month, one the next but
I think so yeah, they are the team that plays the most attractive football
and for me are one of the contenders to win the league. They have individual
quality, pace, patterns and the team they have been building up for three
years now. They are adding to the squad well with new players, mostly young
ones and that for me makes them maybe the best team or the most attractive,
definitely.

Any advice to Spurs on how they can adjust to Wembley as you went through it
last season?

We have been there. I can't give them advice and say only it is natural,
what happened to them it happened to us in the first part of last season. It
happens, basically to all clubs. You can have a great game but if you look
at teams moving stadiums, not Juventus who moved but to a compact one than
when you talk about to those other moves, bigger stadiums, it can affect
you. That is maybe just a bad spell or luck in some of those games but when
we are talking of away games for us, they were at the kind of White Hart
Lane games for Spurs. They are old fashioned, small pitch, but they have the
quality at the end of the day as they won against Dortmund so they'll be
fine.

What do you put your good recent run down to?

We are more stable now, we went step by step. We wanted to sort the basic
things, to get the stability and stop conceding, stop the opponent creating
chances, keep shape, keep distance between the lines, between the players no
matter what the result or minute of the game. We needed to take risks as a
team too and we have done it. Now the confidence is back, we an feel it and
want to build on that.

Javier Hernandez - how is he feeling not playing his natural position?

I spoke to him and explained before we played Bolton this but OK, the truth
is somewhere in between. OK, he is not playing closest to the opponents goal
but he is not playing wide, we have played with three strikers. Against
Huddersfield he had a few chances and a lot of time in the box, against West
Brom it was harder with how they defend and to offer something, create
chances but I told him he is a great lad. I explained sometimes he has to
sacrifice for the team and the team need him those games and we will need
him again in that position but we are going to look to put him in his
natural position. He can be useful in this position too as a good
professional, he agrees.

How important is it to have Mark Noble back?

It is important to have him always, Mark is our skipper and he is the
captain, club captain, responsible for good atmosphere and shape, discipline
in the dressing room and on the pitch and its great to have him back in the
team. Where is he going to fit? He is a really good player and is important
person for us.

Marko Arnautovic - does he need to show now in big games his class?

Not only big games, but I didn't mean that way, I meant through praising
him. He got the man of the match and I agreed, he had two assists, a few
chances and a lot of things we created he was 90 per cent of it. But I said
that I expect that from him and I want to see it more regualry. Sometimes he
is satisfied and then goes OK, that's it but he has everything he needs to
do it minute after minute, we expect that from him. We will push him but he
has to, with our help, move the borders.

You've not conceded a goal in September...

That's good, definitely. The team, we expected that of course. It's not only
with est Ham but with every club, good run or bad run, class is permanent
but the confidence can vary during the season and during games. It goes if
you have a good ten minutes, suddenly you start playing but if the opponent
scores and is all over you, you are not that confident. Of course, the
results, clean sheets, four points, 3-0 against Bolton, every little thing
helps and it helped us of course. You see suddenly we are better on the
ball, more compact, can jump higher, so it's all linked. We have to build on
this and not lose those basic things. It's not that we are only using those
basic things when backs to the wall, they have to be used in every game in
every day, thats why they are call basics, you do them wrong and you are
dead, you don't have a chance.

How do you beat Spurs?

We have to show it, we don't know how we will win this one but what I know
is we have to be complete, just to basic things hasn't Spurs isn't gonna get
you three points but without them you have no chance. So we will do them and
also, some extra things on the pitch to hurt them.

Swansea seemed to do the right things, you need to replicate that?

Yeah, exactly. I watched that game and they deserved it of course, they
closed them down. They played deep but occasionally pressed and broke on
them and then, to be fair, they limited Spurs to strikes from 20 yards,
outside the box and on the half chances, too. They had a bit of luck with is
always necessary against big teams but they deserved it. That is the pattern
that w have to repeat. OK, we will show some clips to the players but we
don't need to watch other teams and show them, we need to show them how West
Ham will do that. They have been there on the pitch last season it happened.

How much of an influence has Pablo Zabaleta had?

Pablo was very good against Southampton that we lost but he was really good
in that game but of course, the characters like him they are very important,
especially when want to be compact, close them down and keeping the good
shape on the pitch.

Spurs are very good defensively, what do you have to do to break them down?

Spurs, OK, they are very strong at the back and not letting you get too many
chances to come close to their box or in it. With a lot of players I mean,
but as we showed last season, when we created chances, most of the game we
defended but not in our box we tried to get out and get the ball off them as
high as possible but where we were really good was breaking quick, Lanzini,
Ayew, the wingers. Because they play attractive football and don't lose the
ball often, with good transitions, when you take the ball off them there is
a lot of space, you have to make good recovery and i expect our quality
players to use their opporunities.

What is the injury news ahead of the game?

Lanzini started training today, with us and the team but of course it is way
too early for him. It's only Pedro Obiang that got injured in the game
against West Brom and he will not be in the squad for Saturday. It was one
of those injuries where he finished the game, all well, no problem so it's
nothing major or big but he isn't going to play on Saturday Hopefully he
will be ready for Swansea but that's it.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
GOLDEN DAYS FOR ENGLISH YOUNGSTERS – GOOD LUCK REECE
By Goatygav 21 Sep 2017 at 18:00
WTID

It's a big congrats to Reece Oxford for his 'Golden Boy' nomination from me.
The responses to the recognition he's earned have been mixed from the West
Ham supporting element of social media but I'm chuffed for him. He's one of
our own – why wouldn't you show your backing for him.

Out of the twenty five nominees for the award this time six are English. The
highest number of any single country on the continent. Something else to
celebrate. Linking to my piece from last week it looks like there may be
some initial sparks of talent coming through from the investment in the
elite youth that Sir Trevor oversaw during his time in charge of development
at the F.A. The under nineteen world cup winning team gives further evidence
of this.

Rashford, who was runner up last year
Reece is in good company amongst his fellow nominees. The list includes
Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Solanke, Rashford, who was runner up last year, and
Gabriel Jesus. To Reece's on-line detractors I would contend that there are
many experts sitting on the panel that have drawn up the final twenty five
of Europe's brightest prospects. Clearly they see something in the lad. That
is a clear indicator, at the very least, that he should get a chance to
learn and grow in to an even better player – hopefully, eventually, for West
Ham.

English players have won twice
Previous winners of the U21 most exciting talent award include Aguero,
Pogba, Fabregas, Rooney and one of my favourite European players Isco.
Interestingly when you look at the nationality of winners, compared to the
nation that the player's clubs are in, English players have won twice, since
the award's introduction in 2004, and players at English clubs have won six
times. Players at clubs in the best technical league in Europe, Spain, have
won three times. Personally I'd have expected that number to be much higher
but 'them is the facts'. Equally as surprising is the fact that the two
English winners, Rooney and Sterling, are joined by two from Spain, two from
Brazil, two from Argentina, two from France and only one from each of
Germany, Italy, Portugal and the Netherlands.

players at English clubs have won six times
So what's best for Europe's elite young talent in terms of their own
careers. The best continental flair is often snapped up by English clubs
nowadays, which some argue is denying our lads chances, but how about
players going in the other direction? Rather than loans to the Championship,
as was usually the case over the last 10-15 years, is it not better for our
future prospects to spend a season or two in other top European leagues? I
believe so. In terms of development I'm of the opinion that they can learn
aspects of the game that they wouldn't do in England – giving them a more
rounded knowledge, and experience, and developing them in to more complete
players. At under twenty one level we're definitely in the mix in terms of
the best players coming through. So what's going wrong seems to be to do
with what happens after twenty one. Here's where the F.A. needs to focus and
where English players are getting left behind for no, apparently, good
reason. As a nation we appear good a coaching youth but don't have managers
in charge at the top level who are able to bring the youth through to the
top level.

And so back to Reece Oxford. His loan spell at Borussia Monchengladbach has
not provided him with any first team action as yet. That said he has been on
the bench for all of their Bundesliga fixtures except the opener against
Essen following his pre season goal against Malaga. Monchen have started
well with two wins and two draws from their first five leaving them seventh
in the table. Personally I think it's only a matter of time before he gets
on from the bench. Wouldn't it be a great opportunity if it were against
league leaders Dortmund this weekend? Whichever game it is, if it comes to
pass, I wish him all the best and hope that he grabs his opportunity with
both hands. Call me old fashioned but I don't want to see a West Ham
entirely devoid of any home grown talent. Rice and Oxford snapping at the
heels of the likes of Reid, Ogbonna, Fonte, Kouyate, Noble and Obiang in the
squad would restore some pride in, what was long ago known as, 'The Academy
of Football'.

Finally a well done to the team for progressing to the next round of the
League Cup (I give up trying to keep up with what it's called). The exciting
prospect of a great game at Wembley, and progression to the quarter finals,
in the fourth round awaits.

COYI! West Ham 4 the Cup!

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West Ham vs Tottenham: Premier League prediction, team news, line-ups, start
time, live, TV, head to head, odds
ALEX YOUNG
46 minutes ago
ES Sport

West Ham host Tottenham on Saturday, kicking off the weekend Premier League
action, looking for a third consecutive home win over their rivals for the
first time since 1999. In a derby which has arguably grown in stature in
recent years due to eventful matches, last-gasp winners and the pertinence
of results; the Hammers most recently ending Spurs' title hopes with a 1-0
win in May. Manuel Lanzini, the goalscorer four months ago, is not available
this weekend but a win for the hosts on Saturday lunchtime will move them to
within one point of Spurs after an inconsistent start from both.

Start time

West Ham host Tottenham at the London Stadium with kick-off scheduled for
12.30pm on Saturday, September 23.

TV and live online coverage

The match will be televised live on Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage
starting from 11.30am. Alternatively, you can follow all the build-up and
action from 11.30am with Standard Sport's London Football live blog.

Team news

West Ham are without James Collins for the next few weeks after the
centre-back sprained his ankle against West Brom. The Wales international is
joined by Pedro Obiang (muscle) and Manuel Lanzini (knee) on the sidelines,
but Mark Noble could make his first appearance in almost a month and
Edimilson Fernandes is nearing a return.

Tottenham have no fresh injury concerns. with Victor Wanyama (knee) not
expected back before the end of September, with Danny Rose (knee) and Erik
Lamela (hips) the long-term absentees. Mauricio Pochettino, though, will
have to rethink his setup after two tougher-than-expected games against
Swansea and Barnsley, with Ben Davies expected to return to move Heung-min
Son back to the bench. Harry Kane will also return after sitting out the
League Cup win, while Serge Aurier could feature having missed the previous
two games.

Predicted line-ups

West Ham starting XI: Hart; Fonte, Reid, Ogbonna; Zabaleta, Kouyate, Obiang,
Cresswell; Antonio, Chicharito; Carroll

Tottenham starting XI: Lloris; Alderweireld, Sanchez, Vertonghen; Aurier,
Dembele, Dier, Davies; Eriksen, Dele; Kane

Betting odds (via betfair)

West Ham to win: 9/2
Tottenham to win: 8/13
Draw: 3/1

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham tracking TWO Bologna stars ahead of January transfer window
By talkSPORT - @talkSPORT
Thursday, September 21, 2017

West Ham are tracking Bologna pair Simone Verdi and Adam Masina ahead of the
January transfer window. The Hammers are keen to bolster their squad when
they next get a chance, despite splashing the cash in the summer. And,
according to Tutto Mercato, West Ham have set their sights on landing both
Verdi and Masina. Verdi is able to operate out wide or as a forward and he
has impressed so much that Bologna rewarded him with a new four-year deal in
June. Masina, on the other hand, has been playing at left-back and West Ham
are keen to strengthen that area. The Hammers are said to have scouted the
pair as recently as Tuesday and they could firm up their interest in
January.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Paul Merson's predictions: West Ham v Tottenham
Last Updated: 21/09/17 3:17pm
SSN

Merse got one perfect score last weekend - he successfully tipped
Bournemouth to beat Brighton 2-1 - but just three correct results as teams
including Tottenham and Liverpool slipped up at home. Who is the Magic Man
tipping to win this weekend? Read on to find out...

West Ham v Tottenham - live on Sky Sports Premier League, Saturday, 12.30pm

West Ham have turned a corner after good performances against Huddersfield
and West Brom but I can't look past Tottenham here. They have been very good
away from home - what they did at Everton was brilliant - and I can see them
scoring three again. The Hammers were good against Huddersfield and solid at
The Hawthorns but Tottenham are a cut above both. Spurs need to sort out
their Wembley problem because it will ruin their Premier League chances if
they aren't careful.

PAUL PREDICTS: 1-3 (Sky Bet odds 11/1)

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
ONE ON ONE WITH: JOSE FONTE
By Simon Banks 21 Sep 2017 at 13:01
WTID

Who's better, Alderwield, Van Djik or Lovren? Why it's time referees used
video replays and why he won't be taking dancing lessons from Michail
Antonio.

IN January 2010, Jose Fonte signed for Southampton Football Club in the
third tier of English football for a £1.2m fee from Crystal Palace.

Back to back promotions followed as he went on to make his Premier League
debut at 29 years of age and earn a first International call up two years
later.

After seven seasons at Saints and International glory at Euro 2016 with
Portugal, Jose Fonte is now a West Ham United player after signing for £8m
in January. Now, nine months on, he says he can achieve even more in his
career. Simon Banks went to West Ham's Rush Green training ground to find
out more.

Q. There must have been a lot of teams interested in signing you after your
successful career at Southampton, why West Ham?

A. "The manager was a big part of that, he made it clear that he wanted me
[to join West Ham] and sold me the ambition of the club, I saw the project
that they have and what they want to achieve in the future and I wanted to
be a part of it. The fact that I am in London now helps a lot too, because a
lot of my family members live in London, it just all made sense and I am
very happy."

Q. What can you learn from the likes of Slaven Bilic and defence coach
Julian Dicks?

A. "The manager and Julian [Dicks] have had great careers as defenders and
are loved by the fans here. They will be able to help me to improve, no
mater how old you are you are always learning. I hope that I can develop
even more under the coaching staff here and go on to achieve things here."

Q. It must have been difficult to return to Saint Mary's in a different
club's colours, what emotions were you going through?

A. "I'm not going to lie, it was a very strange day he first time. Obviously
emotional because of our past together and after forming a lot of memories
as part of the club, I have some very great memories of playing [for
Southampton]. It was a little strange to go back so early on [in my career
for West Ham] just two weeks after I signed, so I was just trying to be
really focused and try not to pass to the wrong team! The fact that we got
the three points was most important."

Q. How much of a baptism of fire was it making your debut for West Ham
against a firing Manchester City? (4-0)

A. "It was a very proud moment [to make my West Ham debut] and you always
remember your first game for a club, obviously it wasn't a start that I
wanted and Man City are very strong and don't need any help to win games, so
the fact that we gifted them three goals was very disappointing but the most
important thing is that we bounced back in a tough game against Southampton
after that."

Q. When you first started your playing career in Portugal, were you always a
central defender?

A. "I started playing football as a striker when I was young then as I got
older I moved into central defence in my early teens. As soon as I started
getting taller the further back I started playing! The rest from there is
history."

Q. When you were growing up who did you like to watch?

A. "I had many players I looked up to [when I was young] the players I liked
most were Alessandro Nesta and Paolo Maldini, they were my favourites
because they were excellent defenders. I also looked up to Figo and Rui
Costa for the national team, I always watched the best players closely as a
kid."

Q. If you wasn't a footballer, what do you think you would be?

A "I have a big passion for motor sport and I used to do a lot of Go-Karting
when I was young, so I think I would maybe be some kind of racing driver or
maybe a basketball player, I like playing basketball and I'm tall too."

Q. You had to wait until you were 31 to earn your first international cap
for Portugal, why do you think you had to wait so long?

A. "When I got to the Premier League I thought to myself that I might be on
the radar [for an international call up] but I was 29 years old. For the
first two years it didn't happen because the coaches at the time didn't
fancy me or had other options, but I never gave up. I played my best and the
new manger came in and gave me a chance and it was one of the proudest
moments in my career that I am very grateful for."

Q. Just how exactly did Fernando Santos and the team pull off such a
successful campaign at Euro 2016?

A. "We weren't one of the favourites to win and that worked in our favour
really because it removed some of that pressure. The manager [Fernando
Santos] put the pressure on us though, from day one he told us we are going
to win it, and because of the great team spirit we had, we also believed it
too.
Getting through the group stage was tricky but once we got through we were
unstoppable. It was a credit to the fantastic manager, staff and players who
were all pulling in the same direction, looking back it was an incredibly
proud moment."

Q. Your wife is English and you've lived here for a long time now, what do
you make of the English national team and why do you think they continue to
underachieve on the big stage?

A. "There is so much talent in the England team, the quality is there along
with great young players, good staff and training facilities, so I don't
know what is missing. England has everything to succeed, so hopefully under
[Gareth] Southgate they can come together and establish good team spirit. An
unbreakable team spirit is the most important thing, that's what helped us
succeed last year and if England have that, they have the quality to match."

Q. What is Cristiano Ronaldo like and just how vain is he?

A. "On a personal basis, he is a great person and great to watch in training
but not when he is against you!
If some people think he is vain or arrogant then that is a bit harsh on him,
but if he is a little bit it is because he has the right to be, he works
hard and he has achieved so much in the game, so good on him. Everyone in
Portugal appreciates what he has achieved and everyone is proud of him."

Q. Pepe is known for being quite a controversial character, what is he like
to partner with on the pitch and is he always so fierce or is he just
misunderstood?

A. "On the pitch, he is one of the greatest central defenders that I have
played with and off the pitch, one of the nicest guys in football. When he
is on the pitch he transforms into a different kind of animal because he is
an athlete and super competitive and a very good player."

Q. You've been part of some of the most solid centre back pairings in recent
times, who is the best you've played along side?

A. "I have been lucky to partner probably some of the best defenders in
recent years, with Pepe, Toby [Alderwield], Dejan [Lovren] and [Virgil] Van
Djik.
Off the pitch, Dejan and I have a great relationship and we enjoyed
successful times at Southampton. Van Djik is probably the best I have played
with, he is without a doubt one of the biggest stars out there and he is
strong, gifted, skilful and has everything he needs to play for any team in
the world."

Q. Who is the toughest player you have faced in club or international
football?

A. "I have to say [Sergio] Aguero, because of his height and low centre of
gravity it makes him very hard to play against. He is a very good finisher
and one of the very best around, so it is always a good challenge playing
against him. I would say Luis Suarez during his last season with Liverpool
as a close second because he was unplayable."

Q. There's an argument that players are becoming too soft and referees are
getting too whistle-happy in the modern game, how difficult does that make
defending in the modern game?

A. "I think referees protect [attackers] a little bit and that just means
you have to be at the top of your game. We all want the game to be fluid but
the referees have a tough job because some players are so quick and things
happen in a split second and it is difficult to make decisions, so it is
always going to be controversial."

Q. Do referees need video technology?

A. "I think it is about time that referees were given the help of video
replays, because decisions like that [Gabbiadini's disallowed goal in the
EFL Cup Final] are so vital to get right. Other sports around the world use
it and referees could check and in 30 seconds would know yes or no, I think
it would help and be in the best interests of everybody."

Q. Who would make it into your five-aside team of players you have played
with?

A. "In goal, I'll have to go for Rui Patricio because he was unstoppable in
Euro 2016 and made some brilliant saves in the final and was goalkeeper of
the tournament. In defence, I would go for Pepe because he is a brilliant
player and very athletic. In midfield, Adam Lallana on the left and Sadio
Mane on the right, both are excellent. Obviously, Ronaldo up front. No
explanation!"

Jose Fonte's West Ham teammates.

Biggest joker: "The biggest joker is Mark Noble, he is always laughing and
joking with everyone."

Hardest worker: "I would say the hardest worker in the team is myself! But
we have a hard working squad of players here."

Best dressed: "The best dressed at the club is very difficult one to call,
I'll go for Kouyate, even though Noble thinks that he is!"

Worst dressed: "The worst dressed has to be Angelo [Ogbonna], he came into
training with wide flared tracksuit bottoms that were very strange."

Most skilful: "The most skilful player has to be Manual Lanzini."

How will you celebrate when you score? "If I scored for West Ham I would of
course celebrate and it would be a special moment, but I wouldn't dance like
Michail [Antonio] he's dancing is awful!"

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Diafra Sakho has cleared the air with West Ham boss Slaven Bilic after the
striker looked for a summer transfer
Diafra Sakho had travelled to France to push for a move to Rennes this
summer
The striker made his season debut and scored on Tuesday night against Bolton
West Ham boss Slaven Bilic said: 'Sakho's attitude and mood is spot on'
READ: West Ham to face London rivals Tottenham in Carabao Cup fourth round
By Kieran Gill for the Daily Mail
PUBLISHED: 22:30, 20 September 2017 | UPDATED: 00:10, 21 September 2017

Diafra Sakho and Slaven Bilic have cleared the air and the West Ham striker
is now ready to give his all for the club after his attempts to leave in the
summer.
The 27-year-old had travelled to France for a medical with Ligue 1 Rennes
but never received permission from the Premier League club that he could
leave. Sakho started for the first time since the summer saga on Tuesday
night and scored against Bolton at the London Stadium in the Carabao Cup.
'Sakho's attitude and mood is spot on,' Bilic said. 'Really spot on. He's
very motivated in training. He looks really good. That's why he's playing
for us. 'He is coming on. I do not have any complaints whatsoever. A few
times I said that his attitude was not good or whatever, so I'm not lying,
I'm not trying to hide things. 'But his determination and everything now is
really good. He looks really good, he's injury free, and he's willing to
train and play good for West Ham United.'

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Tottenham and West Ham to liaise with Metropolitan Police after bitter
rivals were paired in last 16 of Carabao Cup
Tottenham were drawn against West Ham in round four of the Carabao Cup
Metropolitan Police will liaise with both Premier League clubs ahead of tie
Spurs can expect to at least treble the 24,000 crowd that watched Barnsley
win
Tottenham and West Ham will likely put out statements in week before match
By Kieran Gill for the Daily Mail
PUBLISHED: 00:32, 21 September 2017 | UPDATED: 00:57, 21 September 2017

Police are facing a challenge after Wednesday night's Carabao Cup draw set
Tottenham and West Ham up for a midweek clash at Wembley Stadium. The
Metropolitan Police will liaise with both Premier League clubs ahead of the
fourth-round tie, which is to be played on Tuesday October 25 or Wednesday
October 26. A heavy security presence can be expected. Tottenham can expect
to at least treble the 24,000 crowd that went to watch them beat Barnsley,
with Dele Alli scoring the only goal of the game on Tuesday. Spurs and West
Ham will likely put out statements in the week before to warn that any
trouble will not be tolerated as they aim to avoid the tie being
overshadowed by the behaviour of fans. They will also want to inform fans of
transport and the best way to gain entry into the 90,000-capacity ground. It
will include asking supporters to arrive early to ensure that they can get
through security checks, such as bag searches, ahead of kick-off. The tie
between Mauricio Pochettino and Slaven Bilic's bitter rivals is the pick of
the ties for the last 16, which sees Chelsea face Everton at Stamford
Bridge.
They are two of just three all-Premier League ties, completed by Manchester
United's trip to Swansea.
Elsewhere Arsenal host Championship outfit Norwich and Wolves will take on
Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. Roy Hodgson's Crystal Palace go away
to Bristol City while Championship-toppers Leeds face Leicester at the King
Power Stadium. The final clash picked out of the pot sees Bournemouth host
Middlesbrough. Dates and times of the fixtures are to be finalised at a
later date but will take place on October 23/24.

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