Daily WHUFC News -

Johnson signs first pro deal
WHUFC.com

West Ham United are delighted to announce that highly-rated defender Ben
Johnson has put pen to paper on his first professional contract which will
keep at the Club until 2020. The full-back, who turned 18-years-old on
Wednesday, has enjoyed a superb campaign so far this season, breaking into
and becoming a regular for the Hammers' U23 side. The youngster also got his
first taste of senior team action at the end of last year when he travelled
and was named on the substitutes' bench for the fixture at Manchester City
in December. Johnson has already trained with David Moyes' first team squad
on a number of occasions and, having secured his long-term future with the
Club, is looking forward for more opportunities in the coming years. He
said: "I'm very delighted to sign. It's been a long time coming, but I've
worked hard and I feel it's fully deserved. I'm feeling good. "I've always
dreamt of being a footballer. I think I just wanted to put my head down and
enjoy my football – take it season by season, which I am doing, and I think
I've reaped the rewards this season especially. "Towards the end of last
season, I had an injury and I was out for quite a long time. I felt I just
needed to come back with a bang and I just did – came back, worked hard, put
my head down fully focused and just had a good season. I need to kick on
now."

Johnson – who spent much of his youth playing as an attacking midfielder or
winger – has been coverted to full-back over the last 12 months, something
he thinks has helped him kick-on when making the step up to the U23s. And
the youngster, who has now been at the Club for ten years, also believes the
right-back spot has given him the opportunity to impress the first team
manager. "I play at right back at the moment and I think I get up and down
and get crosses in," he explained. "I think I need to improve my defending
but I think overall I'm reliable on the pitch and that's what you need in
the team. Last season I spoke to [Alvaro] Arbeloa who's gone now, and this
year I've spoken to [Pablo] Zabaleta and Sam [Byram] as well. They're all
nice, great people and I think they will help me and if I'm good enough I
will be in the team. "Hopefully so it's good experience learning from
someone who's won multiple titles and someone who's come through and played
at the different levels – that's what I want to aspire to be. "I have to
credit Mark [Phillips] and Steve [Potts, the U18s coaches] for sticking me
at right-back, and I've kicked-on there. It's helped me get to where I am
right now."

There were many fans wondering 'Johnson who?' when his name was announced on
the bench for the Manchester City match, and the defender admitted it was as
much of a shock to him as anyone. "I think it all went so quick!" he
laughed. "I was just training with them on the Saturday and then they just
told me to wait a bit and then I'm travelling. "So I didn't have much time –
I had all my stuff just in case – but it hadn't really sunk in. I think it's
only just sunk in a few days ago that I was on the bench and I could go and
play for West Ham one day hopefully. "It was nerve-wracking but when I got
there I thought, it's my job, so I just need to focus and this is where I
want to be so be it really. Just keep improving myself to get to that point
and hopefully get more minutes and get on the pitch."

Johnson has been out with an injury of late, but is set to make his return
within the next fortnight as the Hammers' U23s look to secure a top half
finish in their first season at Premier League 2 Division 1 level.

Terry Westley's men face Swansea City on Monday night before hosting
Sunderland a week later.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers skipper Noble takes inspiration from brave Isla
WHUFC.com

West Ham United captain Mark Noble took inspiration from brave young Hammers
fan Isla Caton at Saturday's 1-1 draw with AFC Bournemouth. Three-year-old
Isla, who is battling Neuroblastoma, was the Club's very special guest at
the game and led the team out as mascot before the action got underway. She
is currently undergoing an intense 15-month course of chemotherapy and
radiotherapy at Great Ormond Street Hospital to fight the disease – the same
one which tragically took the life of young Sunderland fan Bradley Lowery
last year. Her family are attempting to raise £190,000 for Isla to undergo
specialist treatment in the United States and, as Noble explained, the
Hammers were only too happy to help out. "We're in a fortunate position
where we can try to help people," he explained. "In cases like Isla's where
we can pull together and get the little girl some treatment – it would be
wrong if we didn't try to do that. "I'm really happy that the people of West
Ham came together on Saturday, made it a special day for the little girl and
also helped out the family."

Isla, with her parents Nicola Caton and Michael Hook, enjoyed Saturday's
match alongside Bradley Lowery's mother Gemma and the whole family were
overwhelmed by the support they received. Nicola explained: "Isla became
unwell last January. She was rolling around crying, rubbing her legs, she
was in so much pain. We went for an ultrasound and it was discovered she had
Neuroblastoma. "There's a vaccine in America, it's only a phase one vaccine
so it's not available here, but we've spoken to a few families who have had
it and, please God, their children seem to be doing really well. "Football
fans throughout the country have done so much for us and we are so grateful
to each and every person. That's why Isla had 'cancer has no colours' on her
shirt. We are grateful to everyone and West Ham are like our family so we
want to say thank you so much."

Isla's father Michael Hook added: "We contacted the Bradley Lowery family
pretty much from the start. They agreed to take Isla on board, and we are so
happy we went with them. The fit was perfect, they are so nice, so down to
earth and they are a football family as well, so there was a connection
there. "We have stood there with Isla and the only thing we know how to do
is fight. And we will fight all the way. We will fight every step of the way
to get her the money and I'm determined to get her to America. "People have
been amazing. You get people, strangers, contacting you every week offering
to do something for Isla. It makes you have faith in humanity. Isla's
fundraising campaign has been backed by the Bradley Lowery Foundation, the
charity which was set up in memory of the gallant six-year-old who died last
year after forging a close bond with Bournemouth's former Sunderland and
West Ham striker Jermain Defoe, to fund treatment for youngsters suffering
from the same disease which took his life, as part of their
#CancerHasNoColours awareness-raising initiative. You can make a donation to
#TEAMISLA via a bucket collection outside the Stadium Store at London
Stadium, texting the dedicated SMS donation service ISLA14 £1 (or another
amount) to 70070, or online at
www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/thebradleyloweryfoundation/islacaton

For more information about Isla's fight, and those of other courageous
youngsters battling Neuroblastoma, visit bradleyloweryfoundation.com

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Pearce urges Hammers youngsters to take FA Cup chance
WHUFC.com

Stuart Pearce has urged West Ham United players to take their chance to
impress in Saturday's Emirates FA Cup fourth-round tie at Wigan Athletic.
Injuries to first-team regulars mean a number of fringe players and
promising youngsters will likely be handed opportunities to start at the DW
Stadium. And Pearce, who scored in Nottingham Forest's 1991 final defeat by
Tottenham Hotspur with a trademark free-kick, says featuring in the world's
most-famous knockout competition and staking a claim for regular Premier
League football should serve as huge incentives to do well. "I've never been
one of those coaches or managers who worries about having certain players
out through injury, and make no mistake we have got a few injuries at the
moment," said the manager's assistant, who also started the 1998 final for
Newcastle United. "I always see it as a great opportunity for players to
come in and stake a claim, especially young players. "Going back to the
start of my career in non-league football [at Wealdstone], I only ever got a
game, not because I was that good and put a senior player out of the team,
but because they couldn't get time off work. "However you get in the team,
once you get in there, you've got to make sure you stay in it."

With Crystal Palace visiting London Stadium on Tuesday evening and another
important Premier League fixture at Brighton & Hove Albion to follow on
Saturday week, David Moyes may opt to rest one or two senior players at
Wigan. But, whoever the manager selects, Pearce says the coaching staff will
have full faith in their ability to defeat the EFL League One leaders and
earn West Ham place in the fifth round. However, the 55-year-old knows the
Latics will present an equally, if not stiffer test than that posed by the
club one position behind them in the table, Shrewsbury Town, who the Hammers
finally overcame in a hard-fought replay.

"It's a game this Club wants to win, of course. You tell me of a football
club which goes into a game not wanting to win it, and that is a club where
there is something inherently wrong. "I thought the draw to go to Shrewsbury
away was an absolute stinker, bearing in mind I know League One because I
worked at Portsmouth leading into working here at West Ham, and I know how
strong Shrewsbury and Wigan are. "The Shrewsbury games turned out exactly
how I expected them to be, home and away, and Wigan will be no different.
They will be a team looking to take a Premier League scalp and we're going
to have to be fully at it to get a result, there is no doubt about that. "If
we can win, all of a sudden, as you start ticking rounds off in the FA Cup,
it can galvanise a football club.
"There might be a dismissive mentality in the early rounds, but as the
rounds tick on, you've only got to look at the line-ups clubs field in the
semi-finals and finals to see how seriously the FA Cup is taken at the
business end."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Team news: Senior stars ruled out, Portugal midfielder having medical
WHUFC.com

David Moyes says injury absences means he will need to think long and hard
about his team selection for Saturday's Emirates FA Cup fourth-round tie at
Wigan Athletic.

West Ham United travel to the EFL League One leaders without the likes of
Manuel Lanzini, Marko Arnautovic, Andy Carroll, Diafra Sakho, Michail
Antonio, Edimilson Fernandes, Winston Reid and Jose Fonte, restricting
Moyes' options when it comes to resting his other senior players. With
important Premier League fixtures against Crystal Palace and Brighton & Hove
Albion to follow next week, the Hammers manager will consider his options
carefully before deciding the final 18 to travel to the DW Stadium. "I'd
like to say it was an opportunity this weekend to rest a few tired legs, but
I want to get through in the FA Cup if I can," he said. "But I think I've
always said our priority is the Premier League and we have to ensure we're a
Premier League club. "There is nothing more I'd love to give the West Ham
supporters a day out at Wembley in a final if I could. Ask any club and
they'd all say the same thing, that they'd Iike to win a trophy, but there
is also a bigger picture which has to be looked at as well, which is trying
to make sure that we're in this league next season. "The finances to it are
far greater than we'd get by winning the FA Cup. I do think I'd like to win
it, I've been to finals so I know what it feels like to be there, so if it
can happen again, great, but again I have to reiterate the priority has to
be to remain a Premier League club."

While they will not be available to face the Latics, Moyes confirmed that
two of his senior players are edging ever closer to first-team returns after
recovering from calf and ankle injuries respectively. "There are a few
getting closer to coming back. Michail Antonio is doing a bit of training,
Jose Fonte is doing a little bit of training, so we're getting a few more
back as go along, but every club is the same. "We've all had really
difficult schedules over Christmas and the New Year and the games are taking
their toll. With us now having Premier League midweek fixtures in January,
it is not easy, especially after FA Cup ties. "I don't think Antonio, Fonte
or Winston Reid will be available for the Wigan match."

On a more positive note, Moyes confirmed that Portugal international
midfielder Joao Mario was having a medical with a view to completing a loan
move to West Ham on Thursday afternoon. "Your sources would be correct," he
told a Sky Sports reporter, when asked to confirm reports. "I'm not going to
tell you any more until he has done his medical. Once we have got the
medical out of the way, I think we'll be able to tell you what he will bring
to the side, so hopefully we'll be able to give you some more news at the
right time. It would be a loan move."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
FA Cup hero Burke hoping for happy Wigan return
WHUFC.com

Reece Burke wants to be West Ham United's Emirates FA Cup hero again when he
returns to Wigan Athletic on Saturday. The young defender, who spent last
season on loan with the Latics, scored the Hammers' extra-time winner in
their 1-0 third-round replay victory over Shrewsbury Town at London Stadium.
And the 21-year-old is hoping manager David Moyes hands him another
opportunity to shine at the DW Stadium this weekend. "Hopefully I'll get
some more minutes under my belt. I don't know what the manager will do with
the team, but we have got a few injuries and obviously, having played in the
two other FA Cup games against Shrewsbury, I hope to get another
opportunity," said Burke. "I played at right-back in the first game, then
centre-half in the replay, and we kept two clean sheets which I was really
happy with. To also score the winner in extra-time was obviously a good
moment for me too. "It's always good to nick a goal as a centre-half, but
obviously that won't be the first thing that comes to mind if I play on
Saturday, as that will be defending and trying to stop them. We'll try and
get a clean sheet first and, if I get another chance to score, I'll try to
take it!"

Along with fellow Academy graduate Josh Cullen, who also impressed in the
two ties with Shrewsbury, Burke was recalled from a loan spell at
Championship club Bolton Wanderers earlier this month. The Newham-born
defender admits it took time to get back up to the speed of Premier League
training, but is relishing the opportunity to show Moyes and his staff what
he can do at Rush Green on a daily basis. "It's a bit different here than
at Bolton, I'd say. It's a slightly different game and it took me a little
while to get used to it again, but the more you train and hang around with
the lads, the more you learn about how they train. "I feel I am up to speed
now and am feeling quite sharp. I don't know if it's my time yet to play
week-in, week-out in the Premier League, but, if not, loan football is where
I need to be to playing regularly and developing and trying to reach that."

Burke's loan spell with Wigan last season was a challenging time, as a
series of injuries restricted him to just ten appearances as the Greater
Manchester club were relegated from the Championship. He is hoping to forge
a better memory of the DW Stadium this weekend. "It was a very difficult
season for me, probably the worst of my career so far, but you can't pick
and choose when you get injuries and unfortunately I managed to pick up a
lot in one season. "I had to have a hernia operation, then came back from
that and got myself injured again, so it wasn't a season I was happy with.
"I've learnt from it, got myself back right and this season I have not
picked up any injuries yet, touch wood, so hopefully I can carry on and stay
fit."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Moyes: Transfers, injuries, the FA Cup and Wigan's fine form
WHUFC.com

West Ham United manager David Moyes sat down to meet the media ahead of
Saturday's Emirates FA Cup fourth-round tie at Wigan Athletic. The manager
was quizzed about his plans for the final week of the January transfer
window, both in and out, the importance of the FA Cup as opposed to Premier
League survival, and the Latics outstanding form in EFL League One.

Here is what the boss had to say...
Transfers, injuries and scouting trips

The injuries we have suffered to first-team players in recent weeks didn't
necessarily mean I felt we needed to bring in more attacking options, but it
made me think I need to get some players in. That's not as easy as it
sounds. It's easy to say to everybody that it might happen, but it's not so
easy to do because the market is now allowing it. There are lots of clubs
who might want our players as well and then we're not in a position to sell,
either, so from that point of view, you're not expecting other clubs to do
business either so it's quite difficult to get anything done. We'll have to
see, but I have to say we have lost players, and a few key players as well.
We have never, at any time, said we want anybody to go. If that's what
happens and something comes up, then we'll need to look at it but, at the
minute, nothing has come up and, as far as I'm concerned, we're as we are. I
think we've had an offer for Andre Ayew but it won't be accepted at this
present time because of our situation, so we wouldn't be in a hurry to do
it. We'll have to keep our players but we'll see if that changes at all. I
have seen reports saying myself and Stuart Pearce have been out on scouting
missions in recent weeks and that, to me, isn't strange. Managers go out and
watch games and whether we go to different countries or stay in England, we
want to be as up to date as we possibly can be. We got to a lot of games but
reports that I went to Spain to watch a certain player were incorrect.

We want to win the FA Cup, but the Premier League remains our priority

Next week is a massive week for us in the Premier League, with a home game
against Crystal Palace, followed by a trip to Brighton & Hove Albion. The
bottom half is as tight as I can remember and there is certainly nobody
being cut away at the moment, so we have got to try and keep ourselves away
from the bottom.
We're in a healthier situation at the moment, but we know that can easily be
changed. But our focus at the moment is the game in the FA Cup. We want to
try and get a positive result. We're in a good place, we've had some good
results and put in a good performance against Bournemouth at times in the
game, so we want to try and build on that. The players have shown exactly
what they can do. We've demanded more of them and I have to say some of them
have really done well and others have improved throughout the squad, so from
that point of view, we've all got to work together, but we're nowhere near
the finishing line yet. We've got to keep the blinkers on and stay focused
on getting enough points to, first of all, be a Premier League club next
season. You've got to go into every competition to try and win it and I'll
definitely attempt to try and win it, but there is a little bit of a caveat
in the back of that, which is that we have got a Premier League game on
Tuesday, whether that's right or not, and another one on Saturday. With the
injuries we've got, it's starting to take its toll on us, but I'm positive.
The team has got a bit of momentum going at the moment and I want to win
again. I want to ensure the players know it is an 'all the time' thing we've
got going and not just something they can do now and again and hopefully we
can do that."

I'll do my homework on table-topping Wigan

I have watched a few Wigan Athletic games and will watch some more between
now and Saturday afternoon as well. I hope everyone realises that Wigan are
a good side and they're playing good football as well. The strange thing is
that it is only five seasons since they won the FA Cup and were relegated
the same year from the Premier League. If you look back and ask the Wigan
people what they would rather have happened, I think they'd say they'd
rather still be in the Premier League. They knocked my Everton team out in
the sixth round that season and I've played and managed against Wigan a lot
over the years. I don't think we've got a score to settle but I certainly
think it will be a tough game for us. Paul Cook has done a really good job,
but they've obviously got to focus on getting back into the Championship and
maybe the Premier League in the future as well.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Joao Mario: Inter Milan midfielder completes loan move to West Ham
By Simon Stone
BBC Sport

Inter Milan and Portugal midfielder Joao Mario has completed his loan move
to West Ham. Manager David Moyes has been keen to add more creativity to his
squad, especially after injuries to Manuel Lanzini and Marko Arnautovic.
Mario, 25, signed for Inter from Sporting Lisbon for £35m in August 2016.
But he failed to make the expected impact as he struggled to adjust to the
tactical nature of Serie A. He has not been helped by the Serie A side's
chaotic managerial situation, having sacked two managers last season and
replacing a third in the summer, when Luciano Spaletti took over from
Stefano Vecchi.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Joao Mario: West Ham close to signing Inter Milan midfielder
By Simon Stone
BBC Sport

West Ham are close to completing a loan deal for Inter Milan and Portugal
midfielder Joao Mario. An agreement is in place for Mario, 25, to join the
Hammers before the transfer deadline on 31 January, although paperwork is
still to be completed. Manager David Moyes has been keen to add more
creativity to his squad, especially after injuries to Manuel Lanzini and
Marko Arnautovic. Mario signed for Inter from Sporting Lisbon for £35m in
August 2016. But he failed to make the expected impact as he struggled to
adjust to the tactical nature of Serie A. He has not been helped by the
Serie A side's chaotic managerial situation, having sacked two managers last
season and replacing a third in the summer, when Luciano Spaletti took over
from Stefano Vecchi.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Two year deal for young prospect
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 25th January 2018
By: Staff Writer

Ben Johnson has been awarded his first professional contract by West Ham
United. The 18-year-old full back, who first joined the Hammers as an
eight-year-old has put pen to paper on a two-year deal that ties ties him to
the club until 2020, at the earliest. Having established himself in the
club's Under 23 side in the opening half of the current campaign, Johnson
also made the first team bench for the first time at Manchester City last
month - and says that's where he aims to be again before too long. "It's a
good feeling to stay here," he told West Ham's website. "I just want to get
my head down, enjoy my football and take it season by season which I've been
doing. "I have to credit Mark [Phillips] and Steve [Potts] for sticking me
at right-back, and I've kicked-on from there. It's helped me get to where I
am now. "Last season I spoke to Arbeloa and I've since spoken to Sam [Byram]
and Zabaleta as well. They're all nice people and they have helped me. It's
good experience learning from someone who's won multiple titles - that's
what I aspire to do."

Johnson, who is currently sidelined through injury now hopes to emulate his
namesake Glenn Johnson, who made 16 appearances for West Ham's first team
before being sold to Chelsea in a £6million deal following West Ham's
relegation from the Premiership in 2003.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
We're in it to win it, insist Pearce
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 25th January 2018
By: Staff Writer

David Moyes is set to field a second string at the DW Stadium this weekend
when West Ham tackle League One Wigan Athletic in the 4th round of the FA
Cup.
Already hamstrung by a lengthy list of injuries, Moyes saw Manu Lanzini and
Marko Arnautovic join the out-of-action following last weekend's 1-1 draw
against Bournemouth - who, coincidentally, were beaten by Wigan in the
previous round after a replay. All of which means probably starts for the
likes of Toni Martinez, Josh Cullen and Domingos Quina when the Hammers
travel north tomorrow -a "great opportunity" to impress, according to first
team coach Stuart Pearce. "I've never been one of those coaches who worries
about having certain players out through injury," Pearce told whufc.com.
"And make no mistake, we have got a few injuries at the moment. "I always
see it as a great opportunity for players to come in and stake a claim,
especially young players."

Pearce - who made his name at Nottingham Forest, where Sam Allardyce
controversially fielded a team of inexperienced youngsters in the same
competition four years ago - also dismissed suggestions that the club were
preparing to 'throw' the tie in order to concentrate on retaining their
Premier League status. "It's a game this club wants to win, of course," he
insisted. "You tell me of a football club which goes into a game not wanting
to win it - that is a club where there is something inherently wrong. "I
thought the 3rd round draw (Shrewsbury away) was an absolute stinker, I know
how strong Shrewsbury and Wigan are. The Shrewsbury games turned out exactly
how I expected them to be, home and away, and Wigan will be no different.
"They will be a team looking to take a Premier League scalp and we're going
to have to be fully at it to get a result, there is no doubt about that. "If
we can win, ticking rounds off in the FA Cup can galvanise a football club.
There might be a dismissive mentality in the early rounds, but as the rounds
tick on, you've only got to look at the semi final and final line-ups see
how seriously the FA Cup is taken at the business end."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Inter Milan midfielder Joao Mario to seal West Ham loan
By Sky Sports News
Last Updated: 25/01/18 11:49am
SSN

Inter Milan midfielder Joao Mario is due in London on Thursday to complete
his loan move to West Ham, according to Sky sources. Sky sources understand
the 25-year-old could sign in time to make his debut against Crystal Palace
in the Premier League on Tuesday. West Ham also have the option to make the
deal for the Portugal international permanent in the summer for £26m. The
Transfer Talk panel discuss whether Arsenal can clinch a deal to sign
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Manager David Moyes is keen to sign at least two players before the close of
the transfer window having previously insisted he inherited an "imbalanced
squad".
He has since lost attacking trio Andy Carroll, Manuel Lanzini and Marko
Arnautovic to injury. Mario has featured intermittently for Inter following
the arrival of Luciano Spalletti as manager and has failed to score in 15
matches this season. He joined the Italian side for £35m from Sporting
Lisbon in 2016 after helping his country to victory at Euro 2016.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
SHOULD WE SHELL OUT FOR SHELVEY?
By Blind Hammer 25 Jan 2018 at 08:00
WTID

Blind Hammer looks at the case for meeting Shelvey's wage demands.

West Ham are down to the bare bones in our creative midfield. This crisis
has arisen at a critical season defining period. The familiar injury blight
which routinely afflicts our squad has returned with a vengeance. The
offensive threat of Manu Lanzini and Marko Arnautovi? are reportedly missing
for at least a month and possibly longer. Past Hammer of the Year Antonio
has been a shadow of his former self. The risk is that he will be rush back
for the Palace game and will in turn break down again. The plan B of the
long ball to Andy Carroll, bypassing the need for midfield development is in
turn precluded by his potentially seasoning ending injury. Sakho also has
the injury blight and no interest in playing. Hernandez shows no evidence he
can function in a team which relies on direct play. He, more than any,
requires creativity to feed him. Ayew is constantly linked with moves away;
suggesting Moyes does not see him as a long term option.

Moyes has all Window insisted he will hold his nerve with what he has got
but these pressures are likely to force even his cautious approach to crack.
With the ridiculously compressed lower half of the table West Ham, like half
the league, are only 2 bad results away from plunging back into the
relegation mire.

We have far too little squad depth in the number 10 role. The lack of this
cover and the extensive minutes that Lanzini was forced to play in both cup
and League meant that injury was pretty much inevitable. It also meant that
for some time now Lanzini has had no pressure for his place in the team.

Additional midfield creativity is needed then not just for cover but for
competition in the squad. In this role various names have arisen. Wilshire's
recovery of form at Arsenal seems to have cemented his future there, rather
than at the London Stadium. Samir Nasri ticks all the boxes of experience as
a proven previous Premier League performer. Yet there is no evidence that he
is currently pulling up any trees for Antalyaspor. Rather, although only 30,
he seems a player drifting to the end of his career, a player with his best
days very much behind him. We need a faded star whose legs have gone,
remember Álvaro Arbeloa, like we need a hole in the head.

So that inevitably brings us to a consideration of Newcastle United's
midfielder Jonjo Shelvey. Shelvey has been consistently linked with a move
to West Ham throughout the Window. On the face of it there is much to
recommend such a move. Newcastle apparently needs to sell to fund further
recruitment. Shelvey is in the right age bracket, 5 years younger than Nasri
at 25 with his best years ahead of him. On the other hand, since he joined
Newcastle two years ago, he has been an inconsistent performer, despite
impressing on his debut against West Ham. The main question mark hangs over
his disciplinary record. He has picked up two red cards this season. On the
other hand he has earned praise for his long-range shooting and his ability
to pick out passes. These prize and rare attributes gained Shelvey England
recognition. Why then would Newcastle release such a talent? The fact is
that for whatever reason Shelvey is not delivering. He has yet to register a
goal or an assist this season.

Despite these drawbacks my instinct is that Shelvey could be a good fit for
West Ham. We are unlikely to attract a world class number 10 even if we
could afford the staggering transfer fee which would accompany such a move.
Shelvey would most fit the profile of affordability, potential talent and
proven experience. As a bonus as a childhood Hammer supporter Shelvey is
allegedly also keen on the move.

There is undoubtedly some attitudinal and disciplinary baggage. With our
current management setup, this does not over concern me. Moyes has already
shown that he can manage big and allegedly difficult personalities like
Arnautovic. No matter how big a personality Shelvey may consider himself, I
doubt that he will over awe characters like Moyes or Pearce.

So why have we not sealed a deal? According to reports West Ham, whilst
keen, are balking at Shelvey's £90,000-a-week wages. It is not clear as to
whether these are demands or simply match what he is currently on.

If Shelvey was recruited on these wages he would immediately catapult into
the highest wage bracket at the club. Most damagingly he would almost
certainly exceed the wages currently paid to Lanzini.

I can understand Sullivan's reluctance to disturb wage structures. Already
West Ham appear willing to pay over the odds. Any potential move away from
West Ham for Ayew is likely to flounder because clubs cannot, apparently,
afford his wages. Even defenders like Fonte are reportedly on wages of
£65,000 a week, making moves away unlikely. This is no small issue. One of
the structural problems which eventually led to Aston Villa's relegation was
the ridiculous and unwieldy wage burden which eventually crippled the club.

However west ham also require some realism in their wage structure. If
Shelvey's wages do indeed dwarf Lanzini's this will need to be rectified
anyway. If not then Lanzini will feel the need to move on. The fact is that
West Ham are paying 2 of their highest wages to Hernandez, and Hart, over
£100,000 a week, both of whom can best be described as average performers.
It is likely that at least hart, and probably Hernandez will be released
from the wage bill in the summer. The alleged £85,000 that the perennially
unfit Carroll is supposed to pull in a week, places the £90,000 for a fit
young developing creative midfielder of international pedigree in context.

Shelvey could provide an important element to the club. He would provide not
just competition but support to Lanzini. If either is struggling to master
play then either could be relieved from the bench. In the event we are
having to chase a game then both could be thrown on to a do or die effort to
break down a defence. With these options it would be much harder for teams
to simply target Arnautovi? for rough treatment to eliminate the West Ham
threat. My view is that the Board should make this happen, even if the
result is a renegotiation for Lanzini.

COYI
David Griffith

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Joao Mario closes in on West Ham loan move as David Moyes confirms medical
JACK ROSSER
ES Sport

West Ham are closing in on their first January signing after David Moyes
confirmed that Inter Milan midfielder Joao Mario is in London undergoing a
medical.
The Portuguese, who played alongside Hammers defender Jose Fonte on their
way to winning Euro 2016, is set to move to London Stadium on loan as Moyes
looks to bolster his ranks. The former Manchester United has been looking to
add numbers this month, making it clear just how short he feels he is in
terms of squad numbers. That need has only been heightened in recent days,
after it was confirmed that star pair Marko Arnautovic and Manuel Lanzini
would be out for the best part of a month, while Andy Carroll is sidelined
for three months. When pressed on whether reports of Mario flying to London
were correct, Moyes revealed: "Your sources are correct. "It is a loan, we
I'll be able to tell you more once it's done."

Considering just how short Moyes' squad is, the Scotsman has been at pains
to make it clear he did not want to sell anyone this month. He did, though,
admit that the club had snubbed an offer for Andre Ayew, a target for former
club Swansea City, but that it would not be accepted 'as it is'. "I never
said we want anyone to go. If someone comes up we will look at it but as far
as I am concerned, no-one is going," Moyes told reporters. "I think there
has been an offer [for Ayew] but we wouldn't accept the current bid as it
is."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham launch £12million bid
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 25th January 2018
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United have launched a bid to sign exciting Norwich midfielder
James Maddison. According to The Guardian's Jacob Steinberg, the Hammers
have opened with a £12million offer for a player valued at roughly double
that by the Championship club. The 21-year-old - who has made 31 appearances
in all competitions for the Canaries this season - has been the topic of
much speculation in recent weeks, with several clubs having expressed an
interest. Tottenham, Manchester City, Liverpool and Leicester City have all
been cited as possible destinations for the England Under 21 international,
who began his pro career at Coventry before joining Norwich in February
2016. Maddison is contracted to the Championship club until the summer of
2019. He was watched by West Ham manager David Moyes at the weekend.

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

http://vyperz.blogspot.com