Daily WHUFC News - 15th January 2018

Noble: It sets us up perfectly for Tuesday
WHUFC.com

Mark Noble is already looking forward to taking to the pitch again after
Saturday's 4-1 victory at Huddersfield Town pushed the Hammers up to
eleventh in the Premier League table. West Ham put in a terrific attacking
performance in the second half at the John Smith's Stadium meaning Noble and
his teammates will approach Tuesday's Emirates FA Cup replay against
Shrewsbury Town confident of making progress. Noble, who opened the scoring
with a 25th minute goal at Huddersfield, just wants the positive momentum to
continue, so for him the visit of the Shrews cannot come quickly enough. He
said: "The win at Huddersfield sets us up perfectly for Tuesday's game.
Obviously after wins like Saturday's you look forward to the next game more
than anything. "It was a great away win and now Shrewsbury at home, under
the lights, will be fantastic on Tuesday night. "Our league position now
gives us a little bit of a buffer to attack the FA Cup. It's a game we can
look forward to instead of having to worry about resting players. Shrewsbury
will be a tough opponent, but we have the players to win on Tuesday night."

West Ham skipper Noble was naturally delighted to get on the scoresheet as
the Hammers registered their second away win of the season. He explained: I
don't score that many, so it's nice to get one – especially as it was a goal
in open play and not a penalty. I was getting some treatment before the game
and for the first time in two-and-a-half years Craig our masseur said to me
'I think you're going to score in open play today'. "He's never said that
before, so I'm kind of hoping he says it next week as well! When I do get a
goal it's enjoyable, especially in front of our fans for the team you
support. "The manager has attention to detail and a massive will to win. We
work long hours on the training ground on our shape and set plays, and no
matter how big a player is, you need to be told what to do and he's not
afraid to tell the players what he expects from them. "He did that at half
time on Saturday. We defended well in the first half, but we were sloppy
going forward. He told Manu and Marko that they needed to look after the
ball a little bit more and in the second half they were incredible."

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Kmita grabs hat-trick as Hammers hit Brislington for six
WHUFC.com

A hattrick from Rosie Kmita and a wonder-goal by Amber Stobbs inspired West
Ham United Ladies to a dominant 6-0 win over Brislington in the FA WPL Plate
second round. Two goals from the winger inside 26 minutes put the Irons in
control at half-time and Molly Peters added a third for the Hammers on the
hour. Stobbs fired home a sensational effort from distance on 70 minutes
before Kelly Wealthall added a fifth. And, with just moment remaining, Kmita
was on hand to grab her third goal, ending a perfect afternoon away for the
West Ham Ladies. It took less than ten minutes for the Hammers to take the
lead in Sunday's match as Mollie Kmita, who just moments earlier saw her own
shot well saved, played in a scrumptious cross, which sister Rosie headed in
from close range. The match could, and probably should, have been level just
minutes later however. Jodie Arkell managed to touch the ball past
goalkeeper Grace Staunton but the Brislington forward's shot bounced back
off the cross-bar. The Hammers then saw two shots in less than a minute
strike the woodwork. The first came from Peters, who had a shot saved and
tipped onto the bar by Vicky Powell, and then Stobbs clattered the woodwork
with a free-kick. On 26 minutes, it was 2-0. A delightful flick from Stobbs
played Peters in, behind the Brislington defence. The striker selflessly
played the ball across to Kmita, who coolly stroked in her second of the
game. For a brief moment, it looked like the Hammers had scored another just
a few minutes later. Andria Georgiou's low effort clattered the base of the
far post and rolled along the goal line, but the referee deemed Powell had
collected the ball before it rolled in for West Ham's third.

Just 15 minutes into the second half the Irons killed the game off as Peters
grabbed a deserved goal, squeezing the ball home after a battle for
possession in the Brislington penalty area. The introduction of Chantelle
Mackie, Jasmine Auguste and Kelly Wealthall in the first 20 minutes of the
second period saw West Ham revert to a more familiar 4-3-3, with the latter
testing Powell just a few moments after she entered the fray. With 20
minutes left on the clock Stobbs netted a fantastic effort, finding the top
corner with an unstoppable drive from around 25 yards out. Wealthall then
joined in, tucking home the team's fifth finish just moments later. Leanne
Mabey came close to adding to the score-line with a superb header, but a
late hand from Powell denied the defender what appeared to be a certain
goal. But with a minute left on the clock Rosie Kmita was in the right place
again, toe poking her finish past Powell and into the far corner for her
hat-trick.

Brislington: Powell; Whelan (c), Bray, Jones, Heal; Osman, Gunter, Vandries,
Maggs; Arkell, Warole
Substitutes: Kirby, Jefferies, Coles, Vogt, Adams

West Ham United: Staunton; Wheeler (Mackie 46'), Mabey, Austin; M Kmita,
Burr (Auguste 46'), Cooper (c), Georgiou (Wealthall 64'), R Kmita; Stobbs,
Peters
Substitutes: Mackie, Auguste, Wealthall

Goals: R Kmita 10' 26' 89', Peters 60', Stobbs 70', Wealthall 76'

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Arnautovic and Lanzini - The clinical double-act inspiring the Hammers
WHUFC.com

Double-acts have etched their names into the history of many a football team
down the years – and now Marko Arnautovic and Manuel Lanzini are beginning
to scratch their own into the modern history of West Ham United. In the last
eight Premier League matches, Arnautovic and Lanzini have combined to score
eight goals and record nine assists. Amazingly, the Austria and Argentina
internationals have each missed one game in that span – Arnautovic at
Tottenham Hotspur and Lanzini at home to Newcastle United. While it is early
days, admittedly, the form of the Hammers' front two is showing signs of
being one of the great attacking duos of recent times. Where there were once
Hartson and Kitson, Nolan and Carroll and McAvennie and Cottee, now there is
Arnautovic and Lanzini. The unlikely pair's outstanding, incisive interplay
has played a huge role in West Ham's recent resurgence – never more so than
in Saturday's 4-1 Premier League victory at Huddersfield Town.
In the first half, Lanzini came within inches of playing in Arnautovic on at
least three occasions, but it was during 16 devastating second half minutes
that we saw the two internationals at their very best. After scoring West
Ham's second goal with a lethal finish just eleven seconds after Lanzini had
kicked-off, Arnautovic turned provider. For Lanzini's first and the Hammers'
third, he collected a pass, beat Jonathan Hogg with the drop of a shoulder
and played in the No10, who fired low past Jonas Lossl with an unstoppable,
accurate finish into the bottom left-hand corner. Five minutes later, the
No7 showed his strength and skill to hold off defenders before the ball
broke to Lanzini, who fired unerringly into the roof of the net. In two
outstanding moments, the game was over.

A glimpse at the pass matrix from Saturday's win shows Arnautovic found
Lanzini eight times in total – just one less than the team-high nine times
which central midfielder Pedro Obiang and Lanzini passed to one another.
Lanzini passed to Arnautovic on six occasions. Of the eight shots West Ham
took, five were unleashed by the dynamic duo. Of the six that hit the
target, four left the boots of the forward pair. Of the four goals the
Hammers scored, three were netted by Lanzini and Arnautovic. West Ham, and
their frontmen in particular, were clinical.

In 17 Premier League appearances this season, Lanzini has eight assists to
his name, including penalties won, and six in his last seven appearances, in
addition to two goals he netted at the John Smith's Stadium. Three of those
last six assists have been for Arnautovic. After a slow start, Arnautovic
has caught fire since the win over Chelsea on 9 December. In seven
appearances, including his match-winner against the Blues, he has scored six
times and registered three assists. Two of those assists were for Lanzini on
Saturday. It may be too early to truly compare these two to the great
double-acts of seasons past, but there are very real signs that this is a
partnership that is here to stay. And long may it continue.

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Lanzini: Marko's assists were perfect
WHUFC.com

Manuel Lanzini had plenty to thank Marko Arnautovic for after his strike
partner set him up for a sublime double at Huddersfield Town on Saturday.
Lanzini notched the Hammers' third and fourth goals as a ruthless West Ham
team put the Terriers to the sword in Yorkshire. Both were laid on by
Austria international Arnautovic, who also scored himself to continue his
fine run of form, and Lanzini was full of praise for his partner in crime.
He said: "It's easy playing with Marko because he is a fantastic player. He
has a good touch, good mentality and he likes to play like me. Together, we
play very well. "His assists were perfect and maybe we need to play more
with me as No9 and him No10!"

Lanzini was also delighted with the performance as a whole, as the Hammers
recorded their biggest away win since Boxing Day 2016. He continued: "We
played very well and we needed the win for our mentality. To win like this
is amazing and we need to keep going like this. "This game was good, not
just for me but for everyone in the team. "We need to keep going and train
hard to stay like this, playing well to take more points."

The Hammers were backed by a vocal travelling army of 2,300 fans and Lanzini
had special thanks for their support. He added: "The fans were fantastic,
always. Wherever we play, they are fantastic for us."

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West Ham can still improve after Huddersfield rout, says David Moyes
By PA Sport
Last Updated: 14/01/18 1:45pm
SSN

David Moyes believes West Ham's Premier League revival is well under way
following Saturday's emphatic 4-1 win at Huddersfield. Mark Noble's opener
was cancelled out by Huddersfield's Joe Lolley before the interval, but
Marko Arnautovic scored within 30 seconds of the restart and then laid on
two goals in five minutes for his strike-partner Manuel Lanzini. The Hammers
extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to five matches and secured
Moyes his 200th Premier League win as a manager. The former Everton and
Manchester United boss joins an elite group - including Sir Alex Ferguson,
Arsene Wenger and Harry Redknapp - to have reached the milestone and he
senses his side are now building some momentum. "I thought today there were
signs," said Moyes, whose landmark win was witnessed by Ferguson, after the
match. "It was a much better performance. A bigger threat and we passed it
well at times. "We've still got to go to another level with it, but I've got
to say - and I know the two boys up front will get a lot of the credit -
that I thought the team performance generally was really good."

West Ham began the day two points and four places behind the Terriers, but
leapfrogged their opponents into 11th place in a congested table. David
Moyes praised his forwards but insisted it was a team effort as West Ham won
4-1 at Huddersfield in the Premier League. For us to beat one of our rivals
is a big thing," said Moyes. "I don't think any of the teams are much better
than the other so the games are going to be close, but we're beginning to
win on the road. "We won at Stoke and here and we've started to get a wee
bit of form at the London Stadium as well. Hopefully that will bode well
between now and the end of the season."

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SEEMS UNLIKELY, BUT COULD TOM DAVIES SIGN FOR WEST HAM?
By Iain Dale 14 Jan 2018 at 16:51
WTID

Lots of transfer rumours in the Sunday papers. The one that intrigues me is
speculation in the Daily Mirror that David Moyes would like to sign Tom
Davies from Everton. Apparently Sam Allardyce doesn't rate him and is
looking to sell a few fringe players. He never really was a manager who
liked to give youth a chance, as we know only too well.

I really rate Davies. Every time I have seen him play he has impressed me.
He's a nippy little player very skilful and tenacious in his tackling. What
more do you want from a midfielder? He's also got a good brain and sees
things a split second before other players.

He's only 19. He's played 46 games in the Premier League, scoring two goals,
but has been left out of Everton's starting lineup over the last few games.
Yesterday he didn't even make the bench.

Given that Mark Noble is heading towards his 31st birthday, I reckon Tom
Davies would be a great signing with the future in mind. How much would he
cost? I've no idea, but a cheeky £6-8 million bid might be a good opening
gambit!

Everton fans seem outraged by the suggestion that Tom Davies could be London
bound. One suggested that an offer of £185 million plus Manuel Lanzini ought
to suffice!

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West Ham set to reward Declan Rice with 'double your money' new contract at
the end of the season
The 18-year-old is enjoying a breakthrough season
Football London
ByTashan Deniran-Alleyne
16:45, 14 JAN 2018

West Ham United defender Declan Rice will reportedly be rewarded with a new
contract at the end of the season. This campaign has been a breakthrough one
for the teenager as he's made 17 first-team appearances across all
competitions and has retained his place in central defence and looked rather
comfortable since the switch to three at the back following the club's
decision to change managers a couple of months ago. Furthermore his
versatility has been on show as he's played in midfield as well as his
natural position at centre half, while also featuring in a wing back role
too, proving to be a useful member of the squad under both Slaven Bilic and
now David Moyes. Rice's assured performances despite his relative tender
years haven't gone unnoticed either and there's plans behind the scenes to
ensure the 18-year-old's long-term future remains at the London Stadium
instead of somewhere elsewhere in the top flight of English football.
According to West Ham news website Claret & Hugh, the youngster will
definitely be offered a 'double your money' wage at the end of the season to
reflect his importance to the team. In addition, the report states that Rice
is currently contracted to the Irons until 2019, but it's understood that
there's an option to extend his deal by a further year. It's certainly been
a remarkable rise for Rice as it wasn't too long ago that he was on the
books at Stamford Bridge but was let go prior to completing a move to the
Hammers. Now it's up to him to continue improving as he seeks to become a
regular for United in many years to come - and early signs are extremely
encouraging. Rice was a late introduction in Saturday afternoon's 4-1
victory over Huddersfield Town and could be in contention to be involved in
next week's FA Cup replay against Shrewsbury Town.

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West Ham news: David Moyes wants to axe Robert Snodgrass' Aston Villa loan
deal
WEST HAM manager David Moyes wants to cancel Robert Snodgrass' loan spell
with Aston Villa.
By ALEX HARRIS
PUBLISHED: 15:48, Sun, Jan 14, 2018 | UPDATED: 15:48, Sun, Jan 14, 2018
Express.co.uk

West Ham want to bring Robert Snodgrass back from Aston Villa, it has been
claimed. Snodgrass, 30, is enjoying a fine campaign for the Championship
promotion hopefuls, chipping in with six goals and six assists. The
Scotland international is due to spend the whole season at Villa Park.
According to the Sunday People, Moyes is eager to see Snodgrass in action as
he embarks on a rebuild of the Hammers' squad. However, he has been
thwarted in his efforts to bring Snodgrass back to the London Stadium.
Villa dished out a £2million loan fee to seal the loan deal and would demand
full repayment if he was to return. Moyes is reluctant to use his January
kitty to agree on a settlement and would prefer to target the cash at new
signings, with Everton's Tom Davies a top target. Steve Bruce is adamant
Snodgrass will not return to the London Stadium early. Last month, Bruce
insisted Snodgrass would stay for the remainder of the season.The Villa boss
added: "He was a no brainer for us. "He's not just hit the ground running,
he is popular in the dressing room. "He's likeable, he's a good lad to have
around. He is never dull. He is always bright and breezy." Snodgrass joined
West Ham in a £10.2m deal from Hull City last January but struggled to
impress. He was embarrassed by Hammers co-owner David Sullivan last month,
who said his "kids begged me not to sign" the Scot and Jose Fonte from
Southampton. Snodgrass hit back on Twitter, writing: "Everyone tagging me
in this like your all surprised. Thanks for your support MR CHAIRMAN." He is
under contract with West Ham until June 2020.

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