Burke: We want to express ourselves more at home
WHUFC.com
Reece Burke is hoping to be given another chance to shine when the Hammers take on Shrewsbury Town in their Emirates FA Cup third round replay on Tuesday.
The 21-year-old defender returned from spending the first half of the season on loan at Bolton Wanderers to start in the first running of the tie in Shropshire last weekend. He started the game alongside Josh Cullen, who like him had only just come back from Bolton, and although Burke wanted to get the tie won first time around, he is sure the Hammers will make progress at London Stadium. "It's tough going to grounds like theirs," he said. "It was a scrappy game, but we're looking forward to playing them at home now and hopefully we can express ourselves on the floor a bit more. " I have played League One football before so I knew what to expect. It's a different kind of game [to which we're used to] and we want to play a little better at home. "First half, hands up, they had the better chances but you have to stay in the game. We did and we've got the replay."
Burke and Cullen played 27 times between them for Bolton before coming back to West Ham last week and the Academy products are relishing their opportunity to impress – even if the latter did have to contend with having a tooth knocked out during the game. Burke added: "It all happened quite quickly, but Sunday was obviously an opportunity for the manager to watch me play. "It started off not so good for Bolton this season and we were struggling to get a win, but things picked up recently. I was back in the team and results got better, so hopefully they can continue with that. "For Josh, last season his tooth got knocked, but it came out on Sunday. Luckily he was able to have it put back in. It was that kind of game – their centre-half was bleeding too and fair play to Josh, he's an aggressive little player. He put his head on the line for the team."
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Upson: Developing local coaches is so important
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's Official Coaching Association is set to kick-off on Monday and former Hammer Matt Upson believes the scheme will help develop coaches in the local community, something he believes is of paramount importance. The ex-West Ham skipper, who alongside Paul Konchesky will be attending a Question and Answer session at the first session on Monday 15 January, is honing his own coaching skills at the Club's famed Academy of Football. The former England international is regularly seen mentoring young players at Chadwell Heath, and the same can be said for Konchesky, who played for the Club between 2005 and 2007.
The pair will be keen to share their experience on Monday evening and Upson believes it can go a long way in helping progress the local talent. He said: "I think it's really important to develop the local coaching community, it's so vital to have a good quality standard of coaching. "There is so much talent around, so much is unrecognised, or goes under the radar or is missed but it's great for us to get some coaches in, spread the knowledge around and make the community and the local area as strong as it can be. "Having members of staff around who understand the club can only be a positive thing. That doesn't necessarily make us good coaches or the best, but you bring some experience. "Getting the opportunity to coach and be on the pitch doing so is only going to help me. I need that experience and hopefully I can pass it on [at the Coaching Association event]."
The duo have both been coming into the Club's Academy base since the start of the season to help the youngsters, but it's off the training pitch Upson believes he can have the greatest impact on the lads. "I think the main thing we can offer is life advice for the players," he continued. "They already have really good coaching available to them, and good technical work that they've had since they were very young. "Some have come through the Academy since they were six or seven years old, so they're all capable and physically good but the biggest thing we can pass on is with the advice off the pitch." Konchesky added: "They are getting really good coaching so as long as they can take that on, we can help with the rest of it such as the off the pitch stuff."
The first Official Coaching Association session takes place on Monday 15 January and you can secure your spot here. Alternatively, book onto all four sessions – which run from January through to April – by clicking here.
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THE TRANSFER WINDOW FRUSTRATION
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 9 JANUARY 2018 AT 10:27PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by Malcolm Atkins – @malatk
I started this with by trying to send Ex a tweet, decided I had too much to say so went with an article.
To the few that have read my stuff or engaged with me on social media it is apparent I have been at the positive end in terms of views about the board. I remain of the view that they are a lot better than they are often portrayed on social media, albeit they do not always help their own case; however this transfer window standpoint is really winding me up.
Fans, board, manager, ITK's all know fairly clearly where the main deficiencies are at the club. We need re-enforcements in central midfield and we lack pace. We also need to address depth in the defence. OK – let's look at Burke and Oxford before buying a defender especially with Rice looking a real prospect. Midfield and pace though? No solution on the horizon – and we are eight days into the window, despite these issues being apparent for months. Ex has tweeted about the complexities of other clubs needing replacements before they sell, I respect Ex's information and opinion but we seriously need to step up in filling these gaps and stop making excuses – time and again we have come into a window knowing what we need and still seem to be trying to plug the gaps by deadline day and this is because the board are haggling, negotiating, trying to get the best deal, the situation is too serious and the board need to accept that fees have moved on. Liverpool have just signed a centre back for 75 million quid, albeit knowing they were getting 150 million quid for Coutinho. Now I am not suggesting we can compete, but the much vaunted "next level" surely cannot mean we are looking to do deals for 6-8 million in this climate.
Our need is clear and acute – surely we can find a couple of players somewhere in world football in the 15- 20 million pound bracket that would address the deficiencies – if we pay a bit over the odds to get another 3-6 points in the next 3-4 weeks surely that would be worth it in terms of being safe and increasing prize money – especially as there will be an upside in merchandise etc. If for example they really want Jonjo Shelvey; is anyone seriously suggesting if they don't up the bid by a couple of million quid that Newcastle, in their situation won't do business? Money talks and if West Ham want to be considered a big London club worthy of 57,000 every other week then we need to up our game and we need to do it now.
David Gold and David Sullivan – it is time to step up.
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Sakho in Palace talks
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 10th January 2018
By: Staff Writer
Diafra Sakho could be staying in London for the time being - but almost certainly not with West Ham. The Senegal international, who has been looking for a way out of the club for more than a year is reported to be in talks with West Ham's Premier League rivals Crystal Palace, with view to a permanent move. West Ham are holding out for a feee in the region of £12million for the Senegal international, who is yet to start a single game for United this season due, it is thought, to a clause in his contract guaranteeing him a bumper bonus should he be selected in a starting XI. Should Sakho complete a move to Selhurst Park he would join namesakes Mamadou Sakho and Bakary Sako at the south London-based club.
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Livermore escapes FA rap
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 10th January 2018
By: Staff Writer
West Bromwich Albion midfielder Jake Livermore will not charged by the FA despite attempting to attack a supporter in the stands during last week's Premier League match with West Ham at the Olympic Stadium.
The 28-year-old former Tottenham player jumped across an advertising barrier before attempting to confront an individual in the East Stand who, it was claimed by Livermore, had made a comment regarding his drug use following the loss of his baby son.
Yet despite the player's actions, which could have affected the safety of other supporters in the vicinity, the FA confirmed this morning that no further action would be taken. He was however urged not to repeat his actions and to allow stadium security to deal with any similar issues, should they arise in the future.
Following the incident, an individual was removed from the stadium by security staff - although it is yet to be determined whether Livermore's claims were accurate. KUMB understands that, at this point, no bans have been issued to any individual involved in the fracas.
Meanwhile supporters situated in the area at the time have offered different versions of what they believed they heard, with some suggesting Livermore incorrectly interpreted what was said. Despite this, the media - and the FA - have accepted the player's version of events.
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Russia captain Fyodor Smolov wants to sign for West Ham
Last Updated: 10/01/18 7:09pm
SSN
Russia captain Fyodor Smolov wants to sign for West Ham, Sky Sports News understands. The 27-year-old striker wants to move to London from Russian Premier League team Krasnodar and West Ham are expected to make a bid for him if they sell Diafra Sakho this month. Smolov has scored 59 times in 90 games for Krasnodar and 11 times in 28 games for Russia.
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Crystal Palace in talks to sign Diafra Sakho from West Ham
By Kaveh Solhekol
Last Updated: 10/01/18 5:51pm
SSN
Crystal Palace are in talks to sign Diafra Sakho from West Ham, Sky Sports News understands. According to one source, Sakho will have a medical at Palace this week, while another claims no formal bid has been made for the player. Sakho, who was at the West Ham training ground on Wednesday morning, revealed in October that he remains keen on leaving the Hammers after failing in a summer Deadline Day move to Ligue 1 side Rennes. The Senegal international is yet to start a Premier League game this season, scoring four goals in the 17 games he has featured in this term. Eagles boss Roy Hodgson is keen to sign another striker in the January window after seeing first-choice Christian Benteke make a faltering start to the campaign with just one goal in 16. Sky in Italy are reporting that the south London club have made a bid for Fiorentina striker Khouma Babacar.
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Burnley's Scott Arfield considered by Brighton, Crystal Palace and West Ham
By Sky Sports News
Last Updated: 10/01/18 2:32pm
SSN
Burnley midfielder Scott Arfield is attracting interest from Brighton, Crystal Palace and West Ham, according to Sky sources. The 29-year-old has less than six months remaining on his contract and would be available on a free transfer in the summer. Sky Sports News understands Burnley have offered Arfield a new deal, but the Canada international is yet to agree fresh terms to stay at Turf Moor. The trio of clubs are yet to formalise their interest with an offer. West Ham manager David Moyes is a long-term admirer of Arfield having previously wanted to sign him during his time at Sunderland. Moyes revealed in December that he was keen on adding to his squad as he attempts to preserve his side's place in the Premier League. Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson, like Moyes, is eager to strengthen his ranks having lost Jeffrey Schlupp, Andros Townsend, Scott Dann and Jason Puncheon to injury. Following the Eagles' 2-1 FA Cup third-round defeat to Brighton on Monday, Hodgson admitted he was in the market for six or seven new players, with Arfield understood to be on his shortlist. Both clubs will also face competition from Brighton
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HOW MUCH IS ANDY CARROLL ACTUALLY WORTH & SHOULD WE SELL HIM TO CHELSEA?
By Iain Dale 10 Jan 2018 at 08:47
WTID
Andy Carroll on his day is one of the most exciting players in the Premier League. He heads the ball like few others. He chests the ball down like no one else. His on the floor skills are underrated and his first touch can be sublime. He scores some outstanding goals. And yet… and yet… apart from at Newcastle, he's never really delivered the goods. One day he looks world class. The next day he's injured. Usually for some time.
Andy Carroll was 29 this week. In his entire career, he's only played 265 games, scoring 70 goals at a ratio of 1:38. He probably has one big move left him. It is now heavily rumoured that Chelsea would like to buy him as cover for Morato. Given Andy Carroll complains he doesn't get enough game time at West Ham, it would certainly be an odd move for him to make. But on the other hand, he'd be (maybe) playing in the Champions League, and which player wouldn't be enticed by that?
He is undoubtedly irritated at not being a first choice starter for David Moyes, as is Javier Hernandez. But can we really afford to lose a player who is a potential matchwinner, as he showed against West Bromwich Albion last week? With Sakho likely to leave this month, and the club said to be willing to entertain offers for Hernandez it's difficult to see a logic for allowing Carroll to leave. I think there are two circumstances where that could happen. The first is for a huge offer of in excess of £25 million to come in, and the second would be if Chelsea would be willing to do some sort of swap deal for Michy Batshuayi. Chelsea are rumoured to want to send him out on loan for the rest of the season if they can find a replacement. He's a player David Sullivan tried to sign a couple of summers ago, and I think he'd be a great acquisition for West Ham – but surely not as a loan player.
If Andy Carroll's head is in the right place he can still be a worldbeater, but can he be relied upon? That's the big question.
So, stick or twist?
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Crystal Palace confident of tying up Diafra Sakho deal as Roy Hodgson eyes reinforcements to fire Eagles to safety
The Eagles are also keen to reignite their interest in Fiorentina frontman Khouma Babacar
The Mirror
ByDarren Lewis
18:01, 10 JAN 2018UPDATED21:18, 10 JAN 2018
Crystal Palace believe they will wrap up the signing of Diafra Sakho by the end of the week. The Eagles are also keen to reignite their interest in another Senegal frontman, Khouma Babacar of Fiorentina. Sakho, 28, is understood to be eager to end his unhappy spell at West Ham by moving to Selhurst Park. Sakho exploded into life with the Irons when he signed for them in August 2014, scoring eight goals in ten games - including strikes in seven consecutive matches. But he has been plagued by injury and has fallen out with the club over a number of issues, including his lack of regular first-team action. He is set to get that at Palace where Roy Hodgson is looking for reinforcements up front. Christian Benteke has netted just once in his 16 games so far this season. Babacar, 24, has netted five in 17 this season but bagged a total of 14 in 31 matches last term. Palace were interested in him last summer but were unable to get a deal done. They are more confident of bringing him to London this month before the window closes.
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