Daily WHUFC News - 2nd January 2018

West Ham United v West Brom: All you need to know
WHUFC.com

West Ham United welcome former manager Alan Pardew and his West Brom team to
London Stadium on Tuesday.

Read on for all the information you need ahead of our first fixture of 2018.

Where and when?

West Ham's contest with West Brom will be played on Tuesday 2 January 2018
at London Stadium.

The fixture is scheduled for a 19:45 kick-off.

How to follow:

This fixture has not been selected for broadcast coverage in the UK. For
worldwide broadcast schedules, click here.

Live match updates will be provided through the official West Ham Twitter
account.

You can also follow the game live via our Matchday Blog on whufc.com.

You can also follow the match on our official Instagram, Facebook and
Snapchat channels.

Audio coverage from BBC Radio London Sport can be found online here.

Meet the opposition:

Team news:

Manager David Moyes confirmed in his press conference on Friday that captain
Mark Noble is nearing a return to action after a short spell out with
injury.

At the time of talking, however, Michail Antonio had not returned to the
training fields, with the manager unable to definitely say if the forward
would be available for Tuesday's match.

What they say:
"We need to defend much better and deal with the ball in the air much
better. We have to defend as a team. We now have a week to rest, to train
hard and recover our bodies and minds to be 100 per cent to face West Brom."
Adrian

Match Officials:

Referee: Mike Jones
Assistant Referees: Simon Beck and Andy Garratt
Fourth Official: Neil Swarbrick

How to get there:

There are four Underground stations that supporters should utilise to reach
London Stadium: Stratford Station, Stratford International, Hackney Wick and
Pudding Mill Lane.

By Train

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Obiang: Everything can change with three points
WHUFC.com

Pedro Obiang is ready to kick-off a big week in West Ham United's season
when they take on West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday night. The Hammers face
the struggling Baggies in their first match of 2018, looking for a vital
three points as they aim to climb out of the division's bottom three. Last
time out they were pegged back in controversial circumstances as AFC
Bournemouth claimed a last-gasp leveller in Boxing Day's 3-3 draw and Obiang
says the team need to take the next step and claim all three points when
they face the Baggies. "It was frustrating because with the position we're
in, three points would have helped us very much but we have to make the best
of it and we have West Brom on Tuesday now," the No14 said. "It's the first
game of the New Year, and for us – and for them – it is a very important
one. We need points and it will probably be a different game from the one we
drew with them there earlier in the season. "Both teams have new managers
from then, and we both know that with three points everything can change.
It's happened with Everton and we are looking to do the same."

Obiang has been impressed with the David Moyes impact since the Scot took
over as manager in November, but says there is more to come from the team.
"The biggest change is with the mentality," he continued. "We have to keep
going and we're still working for that, he's come here to do good things
with us and we want to do it. "He's a strong personality and he's tried to
put that in us. He's trying to give us a plan to follow little by little.
Maybe we haven't done it perfectly so far, but we are close to getting to
the level he wants."

One player who has really kicked on over the last month is Marko Arnautovic,
scoring five goals in as many league games, and Obiang wants to take
inspiration as he looks to improve his own form. "Marko has done great
things," he said. "He found himself in a bad situation at the start of the
season and worked a lot to come back. He concentrated a lot on that because
he knew how important it was for the team and for the supporters. "After
that, he's changed us too. Now we need to arrive at his level and help him
to become even stronger than he is. "I can do better and I need to work
[hard to do that]. That's the only way I know, and little-by-little take
some results. You have to start from there, you have to think about what you
can do now and that's what I need."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Moyes: The players are taking it all on board
WHUFC.com

David Moyes says he has been impressed with the response of his players
since arriving at the Club a couple of months ago. The Hammers are looking
to climb out of the Premier League's bottom three with victory against West
Bromwich Albion on Tuesday, following a December which saw them take eight
points from six matches. That saw them arrest a slide which yielded only
three from the previous eight and Moyes believes there is more to come from
the team as they head into 2018. "I've got to say I'm really enjoying it
here," the manager said. "I've not enjoyed bits of the last couple of games
but I'm enjoying being at the club. "The players are good, I'm enjoying
working with them, the players are having it. We are laying into them
because we want the performances to be better, and behind the scenes we are
not letting them get away with anything. "We are trying to raise the
standards, we're trying to raise all the things to give us a chance of
getting away from the wrong end of the table."

One of the elements Moyes wants to see more from his side on Tuesday is a
return to the defensive solidity shown at the start of December. Since
keeping three clean sheets in a row against Chelsea, Arsenal and Stoke, the
Hammers have conceded three against both Bournemouth and Newcastle and Moyes
knows they can't afford to do so again when they take on the Baggies. He
added: "I've thought we've always had the ability to score but we are still
liable to concede goals and that's party down to individual mistakes. "I
wouldn't put it down to the unit not being right, but individual mistakes,
that was the case at Bournemouth [and that's what we need to avoid]."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Betway Insider's View of the Opposition: West Brom
WHUFC.com

Even the award of a controversial penalty could not stop West Brom's winless
run in the Premier League stretching to 19 matches against Arsenal on New
Year's Eve. Ominously for the Baggies, no team has ever avoided relegation
having waited so long for a victory. And, with five extra rest days since
their last game thanks to their fixture away to Spurs being rearranged, West
Ham have good reason to feel confident of extending their visitors' barren
run to 20 games. But, after recent thrillers against both Newcastle and
Bournemouth, Hammers fans should expect to witness a slightly calmer affair
on Tuesday night. Many thought that, by replacing Tony Pulis with Alan
Pardew – a manager who, by his own admission, loves to attack – West Brom
would lose their last vestige of defensive solidity. But, to give their new
manager credit, he took just six games to match the three clean sheets that
Pulis achieved in 12. That increased resilience has mean that six of their
first seven matches under Pardew have produced three goals or less, as has
also been the case in six of West Ham's nine home games this season. The
problem for West Brom has been at the other end, where they have they have
amassed the second-fewest number of goals in the Premier League and failed
to score in five of their last eight away games. A bet on West Ham to keep a
third clean sheet in four home games, then, looks good value.
Predictably, we're sticking with Marko Arnautovic when it comes to
predicting who might find the net for the home side. The Austrian has been a
revelation of late with five goals in his last five league games that have
already helped to earn points against fellow strugglers in Stoke, Newcastle
and Bournemouth. Another in the Hammers' first game of 2018 could prove
vital in ensuring they are not leapfrogged by the Boing Boing Baggies
between now and the end of the season.

Recommended bets:
West Ham to win and under 3.5 goals – 11/8
West Ham to keep a clean sheet – 11/10
Marko Arnautovic to score – 7/4

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Chicharito sets sights on glorious 2018
WHUFC.com

Chicharito has his sights set on a glorious 2018. The West Ham United
striker is set to lead the line for Mexico at the FIFA World Cup finals in
Russia this summer, where he is aiming to lead El Tri to their
most-successful tournament ever. With 100 caps and a record 49 international
goals to his name, it would not be in the slightest bit surprising if the
29-year-old did just that. "It's going to be a great tournament," said
Chicharito, whose Hammers host West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League on
Tuesday evening. "We have an interesting draw and it's going to be hard,
because we have the world champions Germany, then we have Sweden and South
Korea. "You cannot say which of those teams is going to qualify for the next
stage. Germany is obviously the favourite, but all the other three will be
trying to get through. "We have a good preparation period over the next six
months, with a lot of games in the month before the World Cup which will be
crucial to help us be ready and be as fit as we can be to be at the top
level at the tournament. "We are not only aiming for the quarter-finals. We
don't want to set a limit on our ambitions. We want to aim as high as we can
because we know we have the potential. Every team in the World Cup has a
chance and we want to do our best ever, to get to the final and even win the
World Cup."

As a new calendar year dawns, Chicharito took time to reflect on 2017 – a
year in which he enjoyed great moments on and off the pitch. "Last year was
unbelievable for me, talking not only in football but outside of the pitch
in my personal life. It went pretty well and I've been very, very happy. The
last month or two has been more difficult, first because I was injured and
then because I've not been as involved as I wanted to be, obviously, but it
was a great year overall.
"I became the all-time record goalscorer for my national team, I broke 100
caps as well, played in the Confederations Cup and made a very good
impression around the world that Mexico is improving as a football team. "It
was not a bad year at all and hopefully 2018 will be even better!"

And Chicharito is hoping to kick-off 2018 by scoring a vital victory over
one of his former teammates at London Stadium. The Mexican spent four
seasons playing alongside West Brom defender Jonny Evans at Manchester
United between 2010-14, winning the Premier League in both 2011 and 2013. On
Tuesday evening, however, they will be in direct opposition as both teams
seek three priceless Premier League points. "We spent four years together in
Manchester United and Jonny is a great player and a great lad. That's why he
spent most of his career in Manchester United. "Together we won two Premier
League titles and almost won the Champions League in my first season there
in 2010/11, when we lost to Barcelona at Wembley. "Jonny is a great player
and he is trying to do his best with West Brom, who are in a similar
position to us in that they are trying to fight relegation. I think he's
going to do as well as he can, like myself, to help his team."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham United v West Bromwich Albion
TUE 02 JAN 2018PREMIER LEAGUE
19:45
Venue: London Stadium
BBC.co.,uk

TEAM NEWS
West Ham winger Michail Antonio has yet to resume training after a groin
problem, while Mark Noble is also a doubt because of a hamstring injury.
Reece Oxford is back from a loan spell at Borussia Monchengladbach, but Sam
Byram, Jose Fonte and Edimilson Fernandes are all still injured.
West Brom striker Salomon Rondon is struggling with a hamstring problem.
Midfielders Nacer Chadli and James Morrison are again ruled out by
respective hip and Achilles problems.

MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES
Chris Wise: "West Ham and West Brom both changed their manager in November
but start the new year in the bottom three. "If David Moyes can keep getting
a tune out of Marko Arnautovic then the Hammers have a crucial creative
spark. He's scored five goals in as many top-flight games but, given his
overall Premier League record, it's tough to see him maintaining that form
until May. "West Ham will need to add quality to their already inflated
squad in January but their need for match-winners isn't as great as
Albion's. "The Baggies will be glad to see the back of 2017 after seven
league wins all year, and it's now over four months since the last one
arrived. "It's game number eight for Pardew, so victory at one of his former
stomping grounds would be very welcome."

Twitter: @chriswisey

WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY
West Ham manager David Moyes: "The most important thing for us is to focus
on how we can get ourselves away from the bottom. "I don't like harping back
to it but I think we might have been 13th if that decision had gone for us
[at Bournemouth] on Boxing Day. "It would have made us feel a lot better and
our league position look a lot better. "So all we can do is focus on
ourselves and keep our home form as good as we can as well. We need to win
our home games."

West Brom head coach Alan Pardew: "We've got to do something in the
[transfer] window. "When you look at teams with seven wins in a calendar
year it's telling you something. "As much as we've changed the intent and
tried to change the psychology, a change of character in the dressing room
might help everybody so I'll be pushing to hopefully get somebody in."

LAWRO'S PREDICTION
West Ham are improving under David Moyes but West Brom will pick up results
soon as Alan Pardew changes the way they play. Facing his old club, I fancy
Pardew to find a way to take a point.

Prediction: 1-1

MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head

West Ham are unbeaten in their last eight Premier League home games against
West Brom, although six of those have ended in draws, including each of the
last four.
West Brom haven't kept a clean sheet in both league games against West Ham
in a season since 1976-77.

West Ham United

West Ham have scored eight times in their last three league games - as many
as in the previous 11 matches.
The Hammers have won just one of their last six Premier League games at the
London Stadium (D2, L3).
Eighteen points from 20 games represents their worst tally at this stage of
a top-flight season since 2013-14 (15 points).
Marko Arnautovic has five goals in his last five Premier League games, as
many as he managed in his previous 38 appearances.
Adrian has kept three clean sheets in six league appearances this season,
the same number of shut-outs that Joe Hart has recorded in 14 games.
Adrian's save percentage of 70.4% is also superior to Hart's 55.2%.

West Bromwich Albion

The Baggies are winless in 19 top-flight games - only three clubs have
endured longer runs without a victory in the Premier League: Derby with 32,
Sunderland with 26 and Norwich with 21.
West Brom have won just one of their last 19 Premier League away games (D7,
L11) and are winless in the last nine.
The Baggies have scored just seven goals in their last 12 league games on
the road, and never more than once in a match in this run.
They have netted just five Premier League away goals this season,
registering only 24 shots on target - both figures are the second lowest in
the top flight (behind Crystal Palace and Swansea respectively).

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
You'll win nothing without kids
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 1st January 2018
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United fielded the joint second oldest squad in the Premier League
for the opening half of the 2017/18 season. As revealed by the following
graphic from Experimental 3-6-1, only West Bromwich Albion fielded an older
team on average (29.3 years) in league matches for the opening half of the
current campaign.
Both clubs enter the New Year in the bottom three, with West Ham one place
above Albion in 19th spot. As you can see from West Ham's chart (average age
28.7), the most popular age of a first team player is 27 - although the
graph is rarely populated below this age with the ages 29 and 30 being the
next most highly represented. West Ham are joined in second place by
Premier League newcomers Brighton & Hove Albion, whose average age is raised
by the likes of Glenn Murray (34, 19 apps) and Bruno (37, 18 apps).
Newcastle - who beat the Hammers 3-2 recently - have the league's youngest
squad (click here to enlarge) The chart is based on the total number of
league minutes played by each team so far this season, with each grid line
representing players of that particular age. The major age milestones are
denoted by slightly thicker lines (as per the labels on the left). The
width of the coloured graph at each step corresponds to the percentage of
minutes accounted for by players of that age.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Call it off, urge Albion
KUMb.com
Filed: Tuesday, 2nd January 2018
By: Staff Writer

West Ham's next Premier League clash is under threat after opponents West
Bromwich Albion asked for the game to be cancelled. The Baggies, who are
currently one place below the Hammers in the table are set to visit the
Olympic Stadium tonight but have called for the match to be postponed at the
eleventh hour, according to BBC Sport. West Brom drew with Arsenal on Sunday
and have officially complained about a fixture schedule that means they will
travel to east London having played 48 hours earlier - as will be the case
for West Ham and Tottenham on Thursday, should tonight's match proceed as
planned. "We all know there's pressure on TV companies for ratings and
everything else and games," said Albion boss Alan Pardew. "I understand
that. But the league's got to be stronger and say two days is not right."
However the manager, at least, is preparing with view to the fixture
proceeding - and conceded that he would have to rest certain individuals who
featured at the weekend. "Of course I am. There's some players who won't be
able to cope with that," he said. "I'd be putting them at risk."

Although it seems inconceivable that the Premier League would consider
postponing the match at such a late stage, Albion's request does at least
highlight the crazy scheduling that was a consequence of the unusually late
decision to postpone West Ham's trip to Tottenham - originally planned for
New Year's Eve.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
A year to forget...
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 1st January 2018
By: Paul Walker

It's now over, the worst year I can recall in West Ham's history. I don't
know about you lot, but I couldn't wish 2017 further away!

Our most famous fan, Her Madge, once described a particularly unpleasant
royal year with something horrible in Latin. Now my Latin stretches to
'Paolo Di Canio' and pizza, and that's about it, but I suspect the Queen,
who had seen three royal marriages collapse in 1992, would understand me
lifting her expression to describe 2017 as 'West Ham's annus horribilis.'

Being the worst year in our history is only my view, I am sure some of you
can find some equally appalling times, but I have been there and witnessed
all the relegations and if my old man was still around, he would talk you
through 1932!

It's the whole club, the atmosphere, the public image. Everything seems to
be at odds, with the playing side of things just adding to the air of gloom.

Our performances on the pitch in 2017 were truly shocking, we won only 13 of
44 league and cup games and our Premier League record these past 12 months
is P39 W10 D 11 L18 F 46 A 69 Pts 41. That's the back end of a near
disastrous first season at the London Stadium, with the first half of the
current campaign.

Now that coming from the most expensively assembled squad in our history and
by far the highest paid (we have one of the top 20 wage bills in the world)
takes some believing and accepting.

It is barely a 39-game spell just good enough to avoid relegation; 40 points
is the usual line in the sand, but we all know you can go down with 42
points, don't we?

The year saw us sack Slaven Bilic, give David Moyes the reigns and, until
now at least, not see much difference. Moyes has been in charge now for 10
matches (including one cup tie), winning two, and we have gained nine
points.

Slav's last nine games produced three wins. And from his final eight league
matches we produced eight points. So with all the huffing and puffing, the
extra training, changes in tactics and formations and now a potential
rebuilding of the squad, we are going nowhere fast.

That's a bit harsh on Moyes, who took on a tough job with a squad void of
confidence or, it seemed, interest. Any manager needs time, but in our
current plight, Moyes will not get any before the darkness of pending
relegation closes in.

We need to win a minimum of six of our final games 18 games, and we have to
play all of the top seven in that time.

Moyes started OK. Sorted out the 'goals against' column and we could all see
people running about more. But the frozen look on his face during the
Newcastle debacle said it all. You could almost hear him thinking "I thought
I'd sorted a few things out" as he saw us return to a pub team defending.

You see, David, it's not like that at West Ham. Half our squad don't seem to
be able to concentrate or remember the jobs they have been given, the rest
weren't even listening in the first place. That reminds me of a funny story
I once heard about our former defender Tommy Taylor in the Ron Greenwood
days.

Tommy was asked what he thought of Ron's renowned coaching brilliance and
tactical details. Tommy, who had been pictured staring at the sky during one
training session, just said that he didn't really understand much of it
anyway. Times, you would think, have not changed much over the years.

Now my reasoning for the 'worst ever' tag is based not only on our
performances on the pitch, but also off it. I cannot recall a spell where so
many fans were dissatisfied with the club, our owners, the new ground, and
generally how we are being treated in this new supposedly glossy corporate
world.

I must say, though, there are plenty of our fans, mainly the newer variety,
who do like the newness and the comforts of our new home, being part of a
56,000 crowd and not having to stand in urine in the toilets. They like the
cheap tickets for kids, Westfield, the various travel outlets and so on.
Their views are valid, varied and not to be dismissed.

But, having said all that, I cannot recall so many action groups promising
revolution, so many people at odds with our owners, so much rancour. Some
fans groups and sites are at loggerheads with each other, some are plotting
action to give David Sullivan a good kicking, figuratively speaking if
course. They believe they have been lied too, at the very least mislead over
the move.

For their part, our much-maligned board are at odds with our landlords, are
involved in legal action over the terms of the contracts while we are
seemingly preparing for a full-on confrontation with the Mayor of London.

All of this has provided a backdrop of unrest as the team have floundered
too often on the pitch. I don't want to feel like this, I don't like seeing
my own friends and match day mates unhappy and angry about what should be
our day of enjoyment, a good laugh, a few beers and a good shout and
singsong. Where did all that go?

And sadly I cannot see things getting too much better. Sullivan is
approaching another transfer window knowing that the previous three since we
left the Boleyn have been far from satisfactory. Moyes reckons the squad
assembled is unbalanced in key areas, and somehow a lot of this has to be
put right in the next month. Some hopes there on current form!

Sullivan and the board have seen fit to shift a lot of the blame towards
Slav for the transfer window problems, as well as complaints about fitness.
Who is to blame for the transfer shambles, who knows. Let's just say
Sullivan has played a part.

Slav has stepped forward twice now to defend himself. Once in the Mail on
Sunday, where he defended his transfer dealings and questioned Sullivan's
knowledge, and the second being an appearance on Goals on Sunday when he
rubbished the stats about our players not running enough. On both occasions
he looked calm, cool and very sure of his ability.

He no doubt felt he had to put his side of things, because the implied
accusations were damaging his reputation and therefore his chances of
further employment.

Sullivan has just soldiered on, and I don't want to get into the nonsense of
his son's lavish London bachelor pad and all that boasting about money. It
wasn't the time for such graceless expressions of wealth . I'll leave it
there.

That last episode just underlines that we are always in the papers for the
all the wrong reasons. It's why, for me, this has been the worst year I can
remember, and I have been watching the Irons since 1958.

Oh for a few months of peace and quiet, an improving team and how about a
year when we won more than we lost, we scored more than we conceded and we
stopped being an embarrassing under-achieving team and club. Some hopes, I
hear you say.

Happy new Year everyone. COYI!

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

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
David Moyes says West Ham's Premier League status takes precedence over FA
Cup
Last Updated: 01/01/18 11:24pm
SSN

West Ham manager David Moyes admits the Premier League must take preference
over the FA Cup, but says he still rates the competition extremely highly.
The Hammers are currently in the relegation zone of the Premier League and
Moyes insists the FA Cup must not "damage" the club's efforts to retain
their top-tier status this season. Starting with a home league match against
West Brom on Tuesday, the east London side travel to Wembley to face
Tottenham on Thursday, followed by a trip to Shrewsbury in the FA Cup next
Sunday. And Moyes explains why he has no choice but to prioritise the
relegation scrap, rather than focus on a possible run in the FA Cup. The
Scot said: "Do I want to win the FA Cup? One-hundred per cent. But I don't
think it can be so we damage our league season. "And if we got through? Then
our next two games are on a Tuesday against Crystal Palace, and against
Brighton on the Saturday after the fourth round. "If I could win the Cup I
would definitely try to win the Cup, but I couldn't do it if I thought it
would affect the Premier League."
Former West Ham boss Sam Allardyce angered Upton Park fans four years ago
when he selected an under-strength team, which lost 5-0 at Nottingham Forest
in an FA Cup third-round tie. Moyes added: "I remember that. But do you not
think, the position you are in now, the focus would only be on your Premier
League status? "Because, if you've not got Premier League status and then
you're talking about winning the Cup, you've still got to beat all the teams
to get there. "So it's a difficult one. It's not an easy one to say what
would be the way."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham v West Brom preview: Mark Noble and Michail Antonio doubtful
Last Updated: 02/01/18 6:32am
SSN

Mark Noble and Michail Antonio are doubtful for West Ham as they host West
Brom in the Premier League on Tuesday. Captain Noble is struggling with a
hamstring injury and winger Antonio has yet to resume training after a groin
problem and could miss out at the London Stadium. The Hammers currently sit
one place and two points above West Brom in the final two relegation spots,
and David Moyes is hoping their home form can aid West Ham's survival bid.
"I think the most important thing for us is to focus on how we can get
ourselves away from the bottom end," he said. "So all we can do is focus on
ourselves and keep our home form as good as we can as well. We need to win
our home games."
Jay Rodriguez also believes West Brom are gaining momentum in their quest to
save their season after he scored an 89th-minute penalty to earn a 1-1 draw
against Arsenal on Sunday. "It's all about momentum now and we're putting
our game to other teams which is something we are working hard at," he told
the club's official website. "Every lad is working to the maximum and we
just need that little bit of luck, maybe, to kick us off. It's been
difficult but I really hope the momentum has changed and things will be more
positive."

Team news
Elsewhere for West Ham, Reece Oxford is back from a loan spell at Borussia
Monchengladbach, but Sam Byram (hamstring), Jose Fonte and Edimilson
Fernandes (both ankle) are still out.

West Brom are expected to make changes with just 48 hours between games, and
Alan Pardew could recall James McClean, Oliver Burke, Grzegorz Krychowiak
and Allan Nyom. Salomon Rondon (hamstring) is still struggling while Nacer
Chadli (hip) and James Morrison (achilles) are out.

West Ham are unbeaten in their last eight home Premier League games against
West Brom, though six of those have ended in draws (W2) including each of
the last four.

West Brom haven't kept a clean sheet in both league games against West Ham
in a season since the 1976-77 top-flight campaign.

West Brom have won just one of their last 19 Premier League away games (D7
L11) and are winless in the last nine.

The Baggies have scored just seven goals in their last 12 Premier League
games on the road and never more than once in a match in this run.

West Ham have won just one of their last six Premier League games at the
London Stadium (D2 L3).

Alan Pardew won his first two Premier League meetings with West Ham,
hammering them 4-0 with Charlton in February 2007 and 5-0 with Newcastle in
January 2011 - since then, he's won two of nine clashes with the Hammers (D3
L4).

West Ham have picked up 18 points from 20 Premier League games this season -
their worst tally at this stage of a top-flight season since 2013-14 (15
points), while they'd won 22 points after 20 games last season.

Marko Arnautovic has netted five goals in his last five Premier League
games, as many as he managed in his previous 38.

Merson's prediction
West Brom have been making chances but they just haven't got a goalscorer.
They are creating more under Alan Pardew but their problem at the end of the
season will be the lack of goals. West Ham will get back to winning ways
here.

PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (8/1 with Sky Bet)

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
MATCH PREVIEW: WEST HAM V WEST BROM
By Dan Coker 2 Jan 2018 at 08:00
WTID

Firstly, I'd like to take this opportunity to wish all West Ham Till I Die
readers a very Happy New Year!

Blast from the past


26th September 1959 – Craig Douglas was number one with 'Only Sixteen',
Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee were in UK cinemas with Hammer Horror
production The Mummy and West Ham United outside-left Malcolm Musgrove
(pictured) bagged a brace in the Hammers' 4-1 victory over West Bromwich
Albion in front of 30,570 at the Boleyn Ground.

This took Musgrove to five goals from his first ten appearances of the
season. Outside-right Mike Grice and inside-forward Phil Woosnam scored the
Hammers' other goals as the Baggies were put to the sword in a game which
saw the Hammers move into the top six in their second season back in the top
flight.

Two-goal Musgrove would be the Hammers' top scorer for the season with an
impressive 20 goals from 48 appearances on the left wing. He would also be
voted Hammer of the Year. The Hammers would end the 1959/60 season in 14th
position in the First Division, while West Brom would finish fourth. Burnley
won the title and Wolves won the FA Cup.

West Ham United: Noel Dwyer, John Bond, Ken Brown, Noel Cantwell, Andy
Malcolm, John Smith, Mike Grice, Phil Woosnam, Vic Keeble, John Dick,
Malcolm Musgrove.

Club Connections

West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion have shared a decent number of
players over the years. These include:

Defenders: Danny Gabbidon, Peter McManus, David Burrows, Steve Walford, Gary
Strodder, Harry Kinsell.

Midfielders: Peter Butler, Alan Dickens, Franz Carr, Freddie Fenton, Morgan
Amalfitano, Nigel Quashie.

Strikers: Geoff Hurst, Tudor Martin, David Speedie, Jeroen Boere, Frank
Nouble, John Hartson, Chippy Simmons, Vince Haynes, Tommy Green, David
Cross.

Archie Macauley played for West Ham and managed West Brom, while Sam
Allardyce played for the Baggies and managed the Hammers. Bobby Gould played
for both clubs and also spent a period as manager at The Hawthorns.

This week's focus though is on another man who has managed both clubs. Alan
Pardew was born in Wimbledon on 18th July 1961 – a former glazier, Pardew
signed for Crystal Palace from non-league Yeovil in 1987 at the age of 25
and remained at the club for four years. He signed for Charlton in 1991 and
scored the winning goal against West Ham in August 1992. He had a brief loan
spell at Tottenham in the summer of 1995, featuring for them in the
InterToto Cup, before moving to Barnet.

Pardew moved into management with Reading, first as caretaker manager in
March 1998 before landing the job permanently a year later after the
departure of Tommy Burns. Having lost the 2001 Second Division Play-Off
Final, Pardew took Reading up automatically the following season and
followed that up with another play-off position finish in the First Division
in 2003.

Following the sacking of Glenn Roeder in August 2003, West Ham courted
Pardew's services but were given short shrift by Reading chairman John
Madejski who, when Pardew resigned his position, enforced a period of
gardening leave on his former employee. With Trevor Brooking steering the
ship capably in a caretaker role, the 42-year-old Pardew eventually became
West Ham's tenth permanent manager in October 2003. He drew his first game
at home 1-1 against Nottingham Forest, with Jermain Defoe's header
equalising Andy Reid's long-range effort. He had to wait until his eighth
game in all competitions for his first win, which arrived on 29th November
2003 against Wigan who were thrashed 4-0. An impressive comeback from 2-0
down to win 3-2 against Sunderland a month later kept the Hammers' promotion
push alive.

Pardew lost Defoe to Tottenham in January 2004 but ensured Bobby Zamora came
to the Boleyn as part of the deal. Zamora joined fellow Pardew signings
Hayden Mullins, Brian Deane and Marlon Harewood in east London, while three
new faces would arrive from Wimbledon in the shape of Nigel Reo-Coker, Adam
Nowland and Jobi McAnuff. Andy Melville arrived from Premier League Fuham,
with Ian Pearce moving to Craven Cottage. England goalkeeper David James
departed for Manchester City.

Pardew's men dumped Premier League Wolves out of the FA Cup at Molineux in
the fourth round courtesy of goals from Deane, Harewood and David Connolly
but would be defeated in a fifth round replay by Fulham. The Irons finished
fourth in the First Division, 12 points behind the automatic promotion
places, but would defeat Ipswich in the Play-Off Semi-Final second leg at a
raucous, rocking, revitalised Upton Park – Matthew Etherington and Christian
Dailly scoring the goals on a night few who were there will ever forget.
Pardew's interest in the psychology of the crowd played a part in building
the atmosphere before kick-off. After such a wonderful display against
Ipswich, the Play-Off Final was a damp squib, Crystal Palace defeating the
Hammers 1-0 in Cardiff.

The Hammers started 2004/05 in the newly-named Championship with England
international Teddy Sheringham added to their ranks but Michael Carrick was
to move to Tottenham. Jimmy Walker, Malky Mackay, Chris Powell, Luke
Chadwick, Shaun Newton, Carl Fletcher, Gavin Williams and Sergei Rebrov also
joined the club that season. Pardew also put his faith in youth, handing a
debut to a young Mark Noble and finishing the campaign with Academy products
Anton Ferdinand and Elliott Ward as his first-choice centre-back pairing.

The Hammers endured a difficult campaign, although along the way they won at
eventual title winners Sunderland through Harewood and Sheringham strikes
and also tore up Ipswich's unbeaten home record on New Year's Day, Harewood
again scoring alongside Etherington. Premier League Norwich were also
knocked out of the FA Cup in the third round before Sheffield United
defeated the Irons on penalties in the next round. West Ham sneaked into the
Play-Offs with a final-day win at Watford, ending the season in sixth place
just ahead of Pardew's former club Reading. A Zamora-inspired 2-0 win at
Ipswich in the second leg of the Play-Off Semi-Final ensured a 4-2 aggregate
triumph and the Hammers weren't to be denied a second time, securing
promotion in Cardiff with a 1-0 win over Preston with Zamora notching the
winner.

A ninth-placed Premier League season followed, Pardew's boys starting with a
3-1 comeback win at home against Blackburn before Aston Villa were downed by
a Harewood hat-trick. New signings Roy Carroll, the returning Shaka Hislop,
Danny Gabbidon, Paul Konchesky and Yossi Benayoun were settling in nicely,
Benayoun rounding off the aforementioned win over Villa with the fourth goal
in a 4-0 win. Pardew again showed his eye for a goalscorer by breaking the
club's transfer record to sign Dean Ashton in January 2006 and the Hammers
enjoyed a run to the FA Cup Final for the first time in 26 years, beating
Norwich, Blackburn, Bolton, Manchester City and Middlesbrough along the way
before Liverpool agonisingly defeated the Hammers on penalties in Cardiff.
League wins at Highbury and against Tottenham to deny Spurs a place in the
Champions League (helped in some small part by a dodgy lasagne) made 2005/06
a season to remember. Pardew was mere minutes away from lifting the FA Cup
which had also eluded him as a Crystal Palace player in 1990.

The summer of 2006 saw quantity but a lack of quality arrive at the club
with Tyrone Mears, Jonathan Spector and John Paintsil all signed to contest
the right-back spot. Rob Green was an inspired signing in goal, George
McCartney and Carlton Cole would serve the club well and Lee Bowyer added
experience in midfield. The astonishing signings of Javier Mascherano and
Carlos Tevez, alongside a takeover of the club by Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson and
Eggert Magnusson, destabilised the club however. The Hammers went seven
games without a goal and 11 without a win in all competitions, being knocked
out of the UEFA Cup by Palermo and the League Cup by lowly Chesterfield. The
crowd showed their support for the manager by chanting 'Alan Pardew's Claret
and Blue Army' before a 2-1 win over Blackburn, while a late 1-0 win over
Arsenal in November 2006 saw Pards and Arsene Wenger have a much-publicised
spat on the touchline.

Pardew was sacked during the week after a 4-0 defeat at Sam Allardyce's
Bolton on 9th December 2006. He was replaced by former Hammer Alan
Curbishley. Pardew was appointed manager of former club Charlton on
Christmas Eve but, despite a 4-0 win over Curbishley's West Ham in February
2007, could not keep the Addicks in the top flight. He went on to manage
Southampton before making a Premier League return at Newcastle in December
2010, replacing former Hammer Chris Hughton. He decided to move to former
club Crystal Palace in January 2015.

Now 56, and having left Selhurst Park last season, Pardew is now manager of
West Bromwich Albion having replaced Tony Pulis at the end of November. His
first game in charge was a goalless draw with former club Crystal Palace at
The Hawthorns. He has been in charge for seven games and is yet to record a
win – as stated above, his first win as West Ham manager came in his eighth
match. Hammers supporters will be hoping it's not eighth time lucky again
for Pards! The Baggies have drawn four and lost three of Pardew's seven
games in charge, scoring three goals and conceding seven.

Referee

Tuesday's referee will be Chester-based Mike Jones, who will take on his
first Premier League Hammers appointment of the season – his most recent
league match involving West Ham was the 2-1 defeat at Hull in April. He also
refereed our 4-1 League Cup quarter-final defeat at Man Utd in November 2016
and our 2-1 defeat at Stoke on the final day of the 2015/16 season.

Jones is perhaps more infamous for a shocking display during our FA Cup
quarter-final defeat at Stoke in 2011, when he allowed both goals for the
home side to stand despite blatant infringements on Matthew Upson and Thomas
Hitzlsperger respectively. He also awarded the Potters a penalty for a
Matthew Etherington dive (which was saved by Rob Green) and astonishingly
gave Stoke a free-kick for a tangle which should have seen James Tomkins
awarded a penalty.

Possible line-ups

West Ham United will be without Sam Byram, Jose Fonte, Edimilson Fernandes
and Michail Antonio, while Mark Noble is a doubt. Reece Oxford is back from
his loan spell at Borussia Monchengladbach. Adrian has kept three clean
sheets in six league appearances this season, the same number of shut-outs
that Joe Hart has recorded in 14 games.

West Bromwich Albion are without James Morrison, Nacer Chadli and Salomon
Rondon. Alan Pardew has stated he will be forced into changes with some of
his players not able to cope with another game so soon after the New Year's
Eve match against Arsenal. The Baggies are unbeaten in their last four trips
to West Ham and are bidding to keep a clean sheet in both league games
against the Hammers in a season for the first time since 1976/77. West Brom
are winless in 19 top-flight games – only three clubs have endured longer
runs without a victory in the Premier League: Derby with 32, Sunderland with
26 and Norwich with 21.

Possible West Ham United XI: Adrian; Zabaleta, Collins, Ogbonna, Cresswell,
Masuaku; Kouyate, Obiang, Lanzini; Arnautovic, Ayew.

Possible West Bromwich Albion XI: Foster; Hegazi, Dawson, Evans; McClean,
Brunt, Livermore, Yacob, Gibbs; Robson-Kanu, Rodriguez.

Enjoy the game – Come On You Irons!

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Brom complain to the Premier League about West Ham fixture
West Bromwich Albion have complained to the Premier League
The Independent Sport

West Bromwich Albion have complained to the Premier League, urging them to
reschedule Tuesday's clash at West Ham United because of the vast difference
in recovery periods for the two teams. West Brom snatched a 1-1 home draw
against Arsenal on Sunday and while they are set for a second game in 48
hours, West Ham have not played since last week's 3-3 draw at Bournemouth
but are in action again on Thursday against Tottenham Hotspur. Reports said
West Brom chairman John Williams spoke to Premier League chief executive
Richard Scudamore about Tuesday's match with 18th-placed West Ham at the
London stadium.
"We all know there's pressure on TV companies for ratings and everything
else and games -- I understand that. But the league's got to be stronger and
say two days is not right," West Brom manager Alan Pardew said.
West Ham's televised fixture at Spurs was scheduled for New Year's eve but
moved because of safety concerns over the reduced capacity at underground
stations around Wembley Stadium which meant the arena would only accommodate
43,000 spectators. Asked if he was forced to make changes to his side
because of the frequency of games, Pardew said: "Of course I am. There's
some players who won't be able to cope with that. I'd be putting them at
risk."
West Brom are 19th in the table with 16 points from 21 games and are winless
in 19 games.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Swansea reportedly keen on West Ham duo
BY LONDON FOOTBALL NEWS 02/01/2018

The Guardian say Swansea City are interested in signing Diafra Sakho from
West Ham but a deal to take Andre Ayew back to the Welsh club is seen as
unlikely.
It comes after reports linking both strikers with a possible move to the
Liberty Stadium – and West Ham with Swans duo Alfie Mawson and Ki
Sung-yueng.
There has been speculation that a swap deal could be agreed during this
month's transfer window. The Guardian say West Ham are keen to offload Ayew
and Swansea would be interested in taking him back but that his wages are a
barrier to a deal. Meanwhile, The Sun say Borussia Monchengladbach have
offered West Ham £20m for Reece Oxford. It comes after the 19-year-old
defender was recalled from his loan spell at the German club, who are
reportedly determined to sign him on a permanent basis. The Sun also ssay
Arsenal have received a boost in their apparent bid to sign Schalke's Leon
Goretzka after it emerged that reports he has agreed a move to Bayern Munich
proved to be wide of the mark. And The Sun have picked up on reports in
Arturo Vidal's native Chile claiming that Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has
spoken to the Bayern Munich midfielder on the telephone about a possible
move to Stamford Bridge.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

http://vyperz.blogspot.com