Daily WHUFC News - 18th February 2018

Pask delighted with winner and clean sheet at table-toppers
WHUFC.com

West Ham United U23 defender Josh Pask described scoring the winner in
Saturday's 1-0 victory over Premier League 2 leaders Liverpool as a 'great
feeling' and praised his side for battling to earn a clean sheet. The
Hammers went into the game without a win in their previous four matches -
and without a defensive shutout in the three before - but showed their
determination as they stayed strong to condemn Liverpool to their fourth
defeat in five games. And that was inflicted courtesy of Pask's third minute
strike, a left-foot volley that perfectly nestled in the far corner after
Marcus Browne's corner-kick delivery. The centre-back, who made his comeback
from a hamstring injury against Tottenham Hotspur on Monday, admitted he was
delighted to grab the goal but highlighted just how important the zero was
for West Ham in the scoreline. "We hadn't won in a few games so we came into
the match really determined to get the points and maybe it wasn't our best
performance this season but the main thing is that we have won and got the
points," he said. "We'll take that all day. On the ball, we've played well
this season and today it was a bit different in that they had the ball a bit
too, but we stuck in there and held on to get the win. "It's my second goal
of the season and of course I'm delighted with it. To come back from injury
and play only my second game and get the winner, obviously that's a great
feeling for me.
"I've been out with a hamstring but I'm glad I'm over that now and it was
good to get the three points today as well as score the winner. I'll take
that."

The Hammers had conceded a goal within the first five minutes on five
occasions this term and the importance of concentration from the first
whistle was highlighted by manager Terry Westley prior to the clash. Pask
explained this time, thanks to his goal, it was nice to be on the other end
of that this weekend.
"It was a massive thing for us, making sure we stayed in the game in the
first half," he continued. "This season, we have gone a goal down too many
times and we've always been fighting to get back into it throughout. "So it
was really important for our confidence that we didn't concede first half
and then that gave us the belief that we could see the whole game out and
win despite scoring just the one. "With the goal, I tried to play it across
goal with the header, and fortunately it bounced back to me off the
defender's back, and it was in a good position for me to hit with the left
foot on the volley, and I struck it nicely so it was great to see it go in."

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Westley: We showed grit and determination in Liverpool win
WHUFC.com

West Ham United U23 boss Terry Westley praised his side's ability to show
their different qualities on Saturday as the Hammers picked up an impressive
1-0 win at league leaders Liverpool. Josh Pask's third minute goal was
enough to see the visitors take all three points home from Merseyside in
Premier League 2 Division 1, although as the Reds pressed in the second half
Westley's team were forced to battle hard to earn the win. The boss praised
his back four in particular, as the Hammers showed their grit and
determination to pick up their first victory in five. Westley said: "The
back four; Ben Johnson, Josh Pask who scored, Tunji Akinola and Vashon
Neufville, and add the keeper Nathan Trott, were very, very good today. "But
the wole team showed that determination throughout the whole game. We saw
the game right the way through against a very good Liverpool team. "You
always get different qualities in a game; good attacking play, solid
defending. Today was all about us being gritty, being so determined and
seeing the game through. And we did that. "We made some great tackles, we
stopped opportunities, and going the other way, we made our own
opportunities and could have stretched the game further. It was an all round
good performance and it's great to come away with the win."

Elsewhere on the pitch, captain Marcus Browne - who bagged his first goal of
the season last week in Monday's London derby against Tottenham Hotspur -
impressed, while there was also a debut for 15-year-old Dan Chesters as a
late substitute. Westley was pleased with the performances of one or two
more, and admitted his side are have probably now secured their fate ahead
of next season. "Marcus Browne, the captain, really stood out again today,
he showed character and really drove the team forward at times. Then there
was also young Grady [Diangana] who was playing out of position but he
showed all the different qualities he needs when he goes into the senior
group. "It turned out to be a really good day for us. We've let in goals
within the first three minutes in about five games this season, and when you
do that, you're always on the back foot. "We made a real point of definitely
being ready today and travelling up and preparing well and that we didn't
let the game slip away in the early stages. "It would take a lot for other
teams to catch us now, so we've probably secured ourselves for next season
and now we're back in the top six and that's the mark we've always looked
for. We'll take that all day and we'll travel home very pleased with our
work."

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Manchester United fixture to be rearranged
WHUFC.com

West Ham United's Premier League fixture with Manchester United at London
Stadium will be rearranged after the Red Devils reached the Emirates FA Cup
sixth round. Jose Mourinho's side were due to visit Stratford on Sunday 18
March at 1.30pm, but their fifth-round victory at Huddersfield Town on
Saturday evening means they will now be in FA Cup action that weekend. A
date and kick-off time for the rearranged Premier League fixture with
Manchester United at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park will be confirmed in due
course.

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Austin hoping for winning Swindon return
WHUFC.com

West Ham United Ladies defender Chenise Austin is hoping for a winning
return to her former club when the Hammers take on Swindon Town Ladies on
Sunday.
The centre-back joined the Irons in July 2017 on the back of an excellent
campaign with Swindon, and has impressed since linking up with the east
London side.
Her presence in defence has helped the Hammers on an impressive run of form.
The team is unbeaten in 2018 - a run extending six matches in all
competitions - with West Ham conceding just twice in that time. "We're very
happy", Austin told whufc.com. "It definitely puts a lot of smiles on faces.
At the end of the day, football is something we love doing and it's always
nice to be winning and to be performing well together. The team has really
clicked recently. I suppose you could say 'new year, new start'. We've had a
bit of pressure off of us, because we've played a few cup games in that
time. They count, but in a different way." She continued: "I think it comes
down to attitude. Since the New Year, we've come out and played well, and we
want to continue that this weekend."

The ladies go into Sunday's game on the back of a 7-0 defeat of Keynsham
Town, while this weekend's opponents remain rooted to the bottom of the
Women's Premier South division after a loss to C&K Basildon. Austin is
looking forward to her return to the club that she played at for three years
and to gracing the field at Fairford once again. The Hammers have claimed
four wins in their six matches so far in 2018, with draws in the other two
games, with three of those victories coming on the road. In those contests,
Karen Ray's side have netted an incredible 16 goals, with the Hammers
scoring six in consecutive away games during January. A win on Sunday would
be West Ham's fifth of the season in the league.

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Aston Villa to miss out on permanent deal as West Ham's Robert Snodgrass
plots return to London
There is a willingness on both sides to try and make it work
Football London
ByGreg Johnson
Editor
07:00, 17 FEB 2018UPDATED12:47, 17 FEB 2018
WEST HAM

West Ham midfielder Robert Snodgrass is determined to return to the club and
try to break into the side under David Moyes next season. The Scotland
international, currently on loan with Aston Villa until the summer, was a
January signing for Slaven Bilic in 2017 but fell out of favour with the
Croatian.
However, he has impressed in the Championship this campaign and could slot
into a team as another goal threat out wide or behind the strikers.
Snodgrass has scored six goals and grabbed eight assists for the Villains
playing down the right wing for Steve Bruce. The midfielder turns 31 in
September and West Ham want to give him another chance at proving himself at
the London Stadium. He will be back in the capital this weekend to take on
Fulham as his current side look to keep up the pressure in the race for
promotion to the Premier League. Birmingham Live report that the feeling in
the city is that Snodgrass will go back at the end of the season, with his
parent club keen to give him another run in the team. According to the
Evening Standard, the player himself wants the move too despite enjoying his
time with Villa.

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