Daily WHUFC News - 3rd March 2018

Update for supporters ahead of Swansea City fixture
WHUFC.com

Swansea City are confident that Saturday's Premier League fixture will go
ahead as planned. As of Friday afternoon, the Liberty Stadium pitch was in
perfect playing condition and there were no concerns regarding the stadium's
walkways and surrounding areas. With temperatures set to rise above freezing
in South Wales and no further snow forecast on Saturday, the host club fully
expect the match to kick-off as scheduled at 3pm. Supporters planning to
travel to the Liberty Stadium, via road or rail, are urged to allow as much
time as possible to complete their journeys. Further information can be
found on the Highways Agency and National Rail websites and social media
accounts. The Club will also update supporters immediately should the
situation change via our own website and social media channels. On behalf of
West Ham United, captain Mark Noble thanked fans for their peerless support,
saying: "We would like to thank the Claret and Blue Army for their
outstanding loyalty and continued support for the team, and wish all fans a
safe trip to and from Saturday's game."

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Swansea City v West Ham United: All you need to know
West Ham United
Created by West Ham United
on Mar 2, 2018

West Ham United will be aiming to get back on winning track on Saturday when
David Moyes's side takes on Swansea City.

Read on for all the information you need to know ahead of this contest.
Where and when?

Swansea City and West Ham United will meet at the Liberty Stadium on
Saturday 3 March 2018.

The fixture is scheduled for a 3pm kick-off.

How to follow:
This match is not being broadcast live in the UK, however supporters
overseas may be able to watch on television. Click here for broadcast
details in your territory.

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.

Meet the opposition:
Team news:
Having successfully returned to action last weekend against Liverpool, West
Ham United fans will be hoping to see more of Manuel Lanzini against Swansea
City.
Andy Carroll, Pedro Obiang and Edimilson Fernandes remain unavailable, as
does Arthur Masuaku. Manager David Moyes will confirm more details in
regards to his available squad during his pre-match press-conference on
Friday morning.

What they say:
"We've got some great characters in that dressing room and we need to focus
on Swansea, go there and get a good result." James Collins

Match Officials:

Referee: Martin Atkinson
Assistant Referees: Peter Kirkup and Adrian Holmes
Fourth Official: Roger East

How to get there:

Trains run regularly from London Paddington to South Wales and take roughly
three and a half hours to reach Swansea, with a change at Bridgend. The
station is roughly two miles from the ground, with regular buses to and from
the Stadium.

By Train
The journey from London to Swansea is straight down the M4, leaving the
motorway at Junction 45 and following the A4067 south. By car, the journey
is 229 miles and will take roughly four and a half hours.

By Car

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Hammers must be ready for resurgent Swansea – Joao Mario
WHUFC.com

West Ham United must be at their best this weekend if the team is to
overcome a resurgent Swansea City side, according to Joao Mario. The Hammers
return to Premier League action on Saturday against a Swansea team that have
only been defeated once in their last six matches in the top flight - a run
that has coincided with the appointment of Carlos Carvalhal as their new
manager. That loss came in their last fixture, against Brighton and Hove
Albion, but Mario is aware the Swans will be keen to continue their good
form when the Irons visit the Liberty Stadium. The midfielder has kept track
of Swansea this season, with Portugal teammate Renato Sanches currently on
loan at the south Wales side, and knows the danger Swansea possess. "Since
Carvalhal arrived, they have been doing great," Mario told whufc.com. "One
of my really good teammates from the international team – Renato Sanches –
is down there as well, so I've been following them a bit this season.
"They've recovered well since the new coach went in. Okay, they lost their
last game, but they've been playing much better and have moved into a much
stronger position than they were in. They are at home and they will
definitely be dangerous, with their home fans cheering them on. It's going
to be a tough game for sure, and we need to make sure we are ready and at
our best."

Both sides in this Saturday's contest suffered 4-1 defeats last time out in
the league, and Mario has called on the Irons to forget about that result
against Liverpool and put everything into the coming fixture. Liverpool are
a strong team and they are in a really good moment, so it was difficult for
us, but I guess it was just one game. We need to let that game go into the
past and focus on this Saturday now and try to get the three points." ario
has started the last four Premier League matches for West Ham, having signed
on loan from Inter Milan in January, and is relishing his role at the east
London side. The 25-year-old acknowledges the English game is a more
physical style of football, but Mario is enjoying his position and is now
focused on putting wins on the board. The Premier League is a new type of
competition, and it's taken a little getting used to," he explained.
"Everyone talks about how intense and physical this league is and, 100 per
cent, it's a completely different type of football. It's a different world.
"I like this kind of football though. I think it's been great for me. I'm
developing, I'm improving and I'm really enjoying myself. I'm just keen to
keep getting better. "Of course, It's always better when you're starting
matches and I have been playing regularly. I've liked the last few matches
because I've been involved and I just want to help the team pick up as many
points between now and the end of the season, starting against Swansea."

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Betway Insider's View of the Opposition: Swansea City
WHUFC.com

For Premier League clubs outside the top six, one result can change
everything. Take West Ham, who could move into the top half of the Premier
League with a victory at Swansea on Saturday. Lose, however, and the Hammers
will be level on points with their opponents, who are currently inside the
relegation zone on goal difference. The game is a big one, and the Swans
come into it with confidence, having won six successive home matches in all
competitions. Three of those were in the FA Cup against Championship sides,
however, while that sequence's most recent fixture – the 2-0 win over
Sheffield Wednesday in midweek – means West Ham come into the match as the
fresher of the two teams. It is difficult to call the result, but it can be
said with certainty that there will be goals at both ends. West Ham have
scored in eleven successive Premier League matches, while Swansea have done
so in their last six at home in all competitions.

The Hammers have several goalscoring threats, with Michail Antonio, Mark
Arnautovic and Chicharito all finding the net in recent weeks. The best
value is Arnautovic, the club's joint-top scorer this season with seven and
likely a guaranteed starter at the Liberty Stadium. Swansea were unusually
open in last weekend's 4-1 defeat at Brighton – their first defeat in 10
matches in all competitions – and the Austrian's pace and power can be just
as decisive if the same happens again this weekend. That is likely to be
later on in the match when the game has opened up. Carvahal's teams are
naturally cautious – he only went for it in the second half at the Amex when
his side were 1-0 down – while the strength of this West Ham side is on the
counter. But David Moyes' side will have to defend well throughout. Swansea
have scored inside the last 10 minutes in each of their last four home
matches.

Recommended bets
Both teams to score
Marko Arnautovic to score
Goal scored between 76-90 minutes

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Moyes: Lanzini, training in the snow and a crucial trip to Swansea
WHUFC.com

David Moyes met with the media on Friday morning, ahead of this weekend's
Premier League clash with Swansea City, to preview Saturday's contest. The
manager discussed rumours of a potential new contract for Manuel Lanzini,
training in the snowy conditions this week, and Swansea's recent good form
under Carlos Carvalhal.

'Overall, the squad is fine'

David Moyes offered a positive team news update for the Swansea City
fixture, with only long-term absentees missing from the manager's squad,
while Arthur Masuaku also not available due to suspension. However, it
appears Moyes will be able to call on most players for the match in south
Wales. The boss said: "I think we're okay. We've got a few people with
knocks and bruises, like all clubs, and a bit of the sniffles here and
there, but overall, we are fine."

Snow sessions

The snowy weather has called havoc up and down the country this week, with
Moyes admitting the ice and frozen conditions has also had a slight effect
on the planned sessions. "I'd be lying if I said it didn't," Moyes
continued. "We've not got an undersoil heated pitch here, but overall, we've
managed. "We've been outside everyday but it's been really cold. As we well
know, everybody has been training in the snow for the last few days, and
we're no different." 'We must be mindful of how well Swansea have done' The
Swans have been in decent form heading into this weekend's fixture, losing
just once in their last six league matches. The south Wales club bested
Sheffield Wednesday in their last match – in the FA Cup in midweek – and
Moyes has been impressed with the confidence he's seen in the Swans. The
Scotsman admitted: "I didn't learn so much from Swansea beating Sheffield
Wednesday because they left out several players out who would normally
start, but what we've seen from Swansea is that they have improved, there's
no doubt about that, and they've gained confidence. "That's a little bit
like ourselves in that they've gained confidence from results and they've
had some incredible results against Liverpool and Arsenal. They've got a
good record at home so we know we're in for a really difficult game."
Although the Swans are in 18th, and the Hammers are in 13th, only three
points separate the two sides, leading to calls that this match is crucial
for both teams. However, Moyes said: "Ever since I came in on day one, every
game has seemed to be a big game to be fair. We've handled them well, played
well, and picked up some good results. "But, we've also got to be mindful of
how well Swansea have done in the last six to eight weeks. It's a tough game
for us as well, going there. We've had some good results away from home and
I hope we can continue that. "It's a really important game for both clubs.
We know that another three points gets us closer to the safety point, but we
also know that there are other games to come. We all have games to play and
every game is going to be built up as really important and the most
important one is the next one. It's really important for us to go to Swansea
and get something out of the game."

'All teams have a great chance of staying up'

Swansea's form has coincided with the appointment of Carlos Carvalhal,
seeing the Swans moving from the foot of the table to having a good chance
of remaining in the top flight. Moyes believes that every side in the
Premier League still has a chance of keeping their place, however, and says
each team must keep picking up points – something every club will have the
chance to do. "I think that's football," he said, when asked about Swansea's
recent form under Carvalhal. "Even at the moment, talking about West Brom
being isolated, I think there's enough games still to stay up. All the teams
are in with a great chance. All the games will be really important.
"Obviously, your home games will be important. We've got a few home games to
come, which we have to try to use to our advantage, but there's also been a
lot of draws at the bottom end of the table as well. We know, if we can keep
picking up points, we hopefully will find ourselves still a Premier League
club next season."

'It's the tightest relegation battle I can remember'

Just eight points separate Stoke City, in 19th in the top flight, from ninth
in the Premier League, meaning a win or two could move a team into the top
half of the division. For manager Moyes, this campaign's battle against
relegation is one of the closest he can recall, and the boss can see this
year's fight running until the end of the season. "I think it's been the
tightest since I can remember, that's for sure. I think the top of the table
is getting further away, but I think the bottom is tightening up, and I
don't think anybody can guarantee they will be safe. I think the newly
promoted clubs coming up come up with momentum – you see that with
Huddersfield and Brighton for example, and those clubs coming up make it
difficult for other teams as well. There's going to be a fight on and it
looks as if it could go close to the very end of the season."

'We want everybody together'

The boss took the time to praise the loyal Claret and Blue supporters for
their efforts in getting behind the team since his appointment in November.
"I've got to say, since I've been here, the support has been good. I think
they've realised we need their support and their backing, and they've been
with the team." Moyes is eager to see that level of support for his side
continue for the rest of the campaign, with the manager knowing how
important the fans are to the Club. He continued: "We want everybody
together and I think that to give West Ham the best chance and for us to
start competing again and be challenging some of the top teams in the future
we need everybody together. I don't know all the grievances of the
supporters, but what I do know is that I've really enjoyed the effort
they've put in helping us, both away from home and at home. "I'm going to
need them between now and the end of the season – we've got a lot of work to
do to make sure we're a Premier League team. The more they get behind us the
better."

'You always want to keep your best players'

Reports in the media this week have suggested that the Hammers are keen for
Manuel Lanzini to sign a new contract, with discussions allegedly already
underway.
While Moyes described the Argentine – whose good form has earned him an
international call-up – as one of the Club's best players, the boss says
those discussions have not yet taken place. "You always want to keep your
best players but the truth is, there's no truth in what you are saying. We
wouldn't look at it again until we find what league we are in."

VAR's teething problems

Finally, Moyes was asked for his thoughts on the Video Assistant Referee,
after further press scrutiny of VAR this week. The technology was utilised
in Tottenham Hotspur's FA Cup match with Rochdale, and Moyes believes the
issues are mainly 'teething problems'. "I didn't see the game but I heard
about the incidents and I do think it is teething problems. I do hope we get
it. I don't want the game to be stopped for every single decision but every
time something goes wrong you're going to be questioning it. "I do think we
talk too much about referees and nearly every decision is brought up. We
should be more interested in the football, the style, the players, how the
game is played than worrying about the decisions too much."

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Lanzini dreaming of World Cup after being named in Argentina squad
WHUFC.com

Manuel Lanzini is back in action and taking aim the 2018 FIFA World Cup
after being named in Argentina's squad for friendly internationals with
Italy and Spain.
West Ham United's talented No10 made his debut for La Celeste against Brazil
in June 2017 and quickly followed that with a second cap in Singapore. The
25-year-old was then named in his country's squad for World Cup qualifiers
against Uruguay and Venezuela last September, only to be forced to withdraw
after suffering a knee injury. Lanzini, who now has another chance to
impress, revealed he met with Argentina manager Cesar Sampaoli recently and
has been told he has the opportunity to be part of the final 23-man squad
who will travel to Russia.

"We have friendly matches with Italy and Spain and then of course the World
Cup to look forward to, and it is one of my ambitions to be in the squad,
but I need to play well here for West Ham because Argentina have very good
players," said the playmaker, who was previously capped at U20 level, but
also missed out on the 2016 Olympic Games after being injured while
preparing for the tournament. "I have a chance and even if it is the
smallest chance I hope I can go with the national team. It's one of my
dreams to go to the World Cup, as it is for every player, but I need to play
very well here first. "The coach was in London last month and I spoke with
him and he told me how I stand and I hope I can impress him between now and
the end of the season."

Argentina finished third in South American qualifying and have been drawn to
face Iceland, Croatia and Nigeria in Group D in Russia this summer. Before
then, they will take on Italy at the City of Manchester Stadium on 23 March
and Spain in Madrid four days later.

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Marcus Browne shortlisted for Premier League 2 Player of the Month award
WHUFC.com

Marcus Browne has revealed that a positive mindset played a big part in his
nomination for the Premier League 2 Player of the Month award for February.
The talented attacker returned from frustrating knee and back injuries to
captain West Ham United's U23s to a superb 1-0 Premier League 2 Division 1
victory at Liverpool. Browne, who also impressed as skipper in a 1-0 home
defeat by Sunderland earlier in the month, is now looking to build on his
impressive comeback by catching the eye of first-team manager David Moyes
and add to the solitary senior appearance he made in the UEFA Europa League
back in August 2016. "The knee problem – patella tendinitis – got really bad
and I had some time out," the 20-year-old recalled, "but when it got better,
I felt it was the right time to feature in a game, but then my back began to
become sore. "I told the physio and medical department and I rightly got
taken out of training to give it time to settle. Initially we thought it
would heal in a few days, but it didn't and it just refused to get any
better and was giving me a lot of grief for a long period of time. "It's so
frustrating being injured, especially coming back from a long-term injury
and then picking up another one so soon. Coming in every day, the boys would
be going out to train and I'd have to go and work with the physio department
team in the gym trying to get myself back. "I was limited to just really
low-level things in the gym, and I couldn't get on the pitch. Instead, you
have to focus on other things, such as eating right and looking after
yourself."

The Academy of Football, which Browne joined at the age of eight, helped
with that, with Head of Player Care and Psychology Lori Hedman-Nice spending
hours with the promising forward. "I've spent a lot of time with Lori,
working hard to try and put my mindset in the best place it could possibly
be returning and getting through my injury. I'd sit in her office for up to
three hours breaking everything down and trying to put plans in place to
help me. "Football is what I do and it's what I'm good at so nothing else
really crossed my mind apart from getting myself physically right and back
in the team."

All the hard work clearly paid off, with Browne joining Blackburn Rovers'
Lewis Hardcastle, Chelsea's Reece James, Derby County's Lewis Walker,
Manchester United's Tahith Chong and Stoke City's Tyrese Campbell in being
named on the Premier League 2 Player of the Month Shortlist for February.
The winner will be announced on Friday 9 March at 9.30am on the Premier
League website and @PLYouth Twitter handle.

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Antonio: I've told Stuart Pearce I want to be a beast again
WHUFC.com

Michail Antonio has told Stuart Pearce he will rediscover the 'beast' inside
him and make a late run for England's 2018 FIFA World Cup squad. Antonio
played under Pearce at Nottingham Forest in the Championship in 2014/15,
when the forward enjoyed the most productive season of his career,
registering 14 goals and 15 assists to secure a big-money move to the
Premier League with West Ham United. The pair were reunited in east London
when Pearce joined David Moyes' backroom staff in November, and now the
manager's assistant has the No30 to emulate him by representing his country
at a major tournament. "I want to be that player who comes in late and gets
picked for England's World Cup squad, as seems to always happen," Antonio
confirmed. "It's definitely a massive opportunity for me, as it is for all
the English players in the Premier League. "Now I'm back and I'm fit, I
don't want to rule myself out. I'm going to go out there and try to impress
in any way that I can and take every opportunity I am given. "I'm going to
strive for it and hopefully I can get my name in the squad and be on that
plane."

Pearce himself missed out on selection for his first major tournament, UEFA
Euro 1988, through injury, but recovered to be selected for the 1990 FIFA
World Cup finals, Euro 1992 and Euro 1996, famously scoring in two penalty
shootouts in the latter. Twenty years on and Antonio revealed the coach has
encouraged him to force his way into his his former England teammate Gareth
Southgate's thinking. "Stuart has pulled me aside and told me he doesn't
think I'm playing at my pinnacle and that, when he had me at Forest, I was
unstoppable, but I've not shown him that since I've been here. "I've had
some injuries, but I told him 'I am back now and I'll become the beast that
you had at Forest again'. "I just need to steer clear of injuries. I got an
assist against Watford, then came on and scored at Liverpool, so I'll be
looking to continue that over the last ten games of the season."

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Supporters announce constructive talks result in end to protest
WHUFC>com

The supporters' groups who had planned a march at the London Stadium on
March 10 have announced they have cancelled the protest following
constructive meetings with the Club. Vice-Chairman Karren Brady said: "We
are grateful the supporters' groups have taken this decision and in doing so
have acknowledged that together we are stronger. We have held constructive
talks aimed at improving the London Stadium, making it look and feel like
the home of West Ham United, improving the match-day experience and other
areas of concern. "We will endeavour to communicate the changes as and when
they happen so that everyone can have confidence in the process. I want to
assure our supporters our primary goal is to make them proud of the Club
they follow."
Joint-Chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold added: "Our supporters are the
heart and soul of the Club, a rich part of its glorious past and, most
importantly, the cornerstone of its future. We fully understand our role to
act only as custodians on their behalf. "We have always sought to have an
open and transparent relationship with our supporters and we will continue
to work with all our supporters' representatives in the best interests of
our football club. We have listened carefully to what they are saying and
have already begun a programme of improvement. "Whilst we know it will take
time, we hope and believe that the work we are carrying out together will
deliver a real, long-term benefit for all supporters of West Ham United."

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Swansea City v West Ham United
SAT 03 MAR 2018PREMIER LEAGUE
15:00
Venue: Liberty Stadium
BBC.co.uk

TEAM NEWS
Andre Ayew is expected to make the first start of his second Swansea spell
in Saturday's game against his previous club West Ham. Swansea have no new
injury concerns following their FA Cup replay win over Sheffield Wednesday.

West Ham's squad is also likely to be unchanged, with Andy Carroll, Pedro
Obiang and Edimilson Fernandes still long-term absentees. Arthur Masuaku
serves the fifth match of his six-game ban for spitting.

MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES
John Motson: "These two clubs have both threatened at times to pull away
from danger but they remain in the mire. "Swansea crumbled a bit at Brighton
last weekend but a win on Saturday would move them level with West Ham. "The
Swans have good reason to go into this game with a certain amount of
confidence, having not lost at home since Carlos Carvalhal's first game in
charge. It's an important period for them, with Huddersfield and Southampton
up next. "West Ham also lost 4-1 last time out and their form has been mixed
under David Moyes. He is increasingly able to pick from strength as the
squad's injuries clear up but I feel he might be the happier of the two
managers with a point on Saturday."

WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY
Swansea head coach Carlos Carvalhal: "The advantage we can take is that we
have come from the bottom and we are progressing. "The opposite is more
harder if you are a team that was in eighth or 10th place in November or
December and starts losing games to be in the battle to stay up. "Teams down
the bottom lose more games than they win, but we are doing exactly the
opposite. This means we are strong."
West Ham manager David Moyes on supporter unrest with the club board: "We
need the supporters with us. I don't know all their grievances but since
I've been here I've really enjoyed the effort they have put in both away
from home and at home, and I'm going to need them until the end of the
season. "We have a lot of work to do to make sure we are still a Premier
League team and the more they get behind us the better."

LAWRO'S PREDICTION
Both teams will be looking to steady the ship a little bit, and I don't
think a draw is a bad result for either of them. It is important that West
Ham get something because they are only three points above the relegation
zone.

Prediction: 1-1

MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head

Swansea have lost the last three meetings, with their only win in 10 coming
at Upton Park in May 2016 (D3, L6). The Swans have never suffered four
straight league defeats against West Ham.
The Hammers won the corresponding fixture 4-1 last season and are unbeaten
in four Premier League visits to the Liberty Stadium since losing their
first match there in August 2012.
Swansea City

Carlos Carvalhal's side have won three successive home games in the Premier
League; they last won four in a row in May 2016.
They could earn seven victories in a row at the Liberty Stadium in all
competitions for the first time since November 2004.
Swansea suffered their first defeat in six top-flight games against Brighton
& Hove Albion last weekend. They haven't lost back-to-back league fixtures
since Paul Clement's final two matches in charge in December.
The Swans have only lost two of their 14 league and cup matches since
Carvalhal took charge (W7, D5). They had won just five of their previous 23
games before his appointment.
Swansea have scored 10 goals in eight Premier League games under Carvalhal -
just one fewer than they did in the 20 before his appointment.
Carvalhal and David Moyes were opposition managers in the 2009-10 Europa
League round of 32, when Carvalhal's Sporting won 4-2 on aggregate despite a
2-1 defeat at Goodison Park in the first leg.
Andre Ayew scored 12 goals in 50 games for West Ham before rejoining Swansea
on transfer deadline day in January.
West Ham United

They have earned 20 points in their last 13 league games - twice as many as
in their first 15 fixtures this season.
Nonetheless, the Hammers have only won once in five league games and are in
danger of suffering three straight away defeats.
Both of West Ham's away victories this season have been by a three-goal
margin: 3-0 at Stoke and 4-1 at Huddersfield. They've not won three away
games by at least three goals in a top-flight season since 1926-27.
David Moyes' side have scored in 11 successive Premier League games. The
club has only enjoyed one longer run - 18 matches between February and
September 2016.
Marko Arnautovic has directly contributed to 10 Premier League goals (7
goals, 3 assists) since Moyes took charge in November, more than any other
West Ham player.
SAM's verdict
Most probable score: 1-1 Probability of draw: 28%
Probability of home win: 41% Probability of away win: 31%
SAM (Sports Analytics Machine) is a super-computer created by @ProfIanMcHale
at the University of Liverpool that is used to predict the outcome of
football matches.

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Moyes concerned by weekend trip
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 2nd March 2018
By: Staff Writer

David Moyes says that Saturday's trip to Swansea is still on - although he
believes the Premier League should consider postponing the fixture. The
country remains under a blanket of snow following showers throughout the
week with temperatures having barely risen above frozen. And Moyes admitted
to being concerned at having to made the four-hour road trip via the M4 on
Friday afternoon. "The Met Office is saying people shouldn't travel,
especially through Cardiff and down the M4," he told the media during his
pre-match press conference. "It is a concern at the moment and I'm guessing
it shouldn't be any different for football teams and fans. I think the
Premier League may need to look at that."
The manager - who also revealed that he has a fully fit squad bar "a few
people with knocks and bruises" - also admitted that the battle to avoid
relegation will likely run until the end of the season. "It's the tightest
it's been since I can remember," he mused. "The bottom of the table is
tightening up and the top of the table is getting further away. No one can
guarantee they are going to be okay. Those newly promoted clubs have made it
difficult for other teams. There's a fight on that will go to the end of the
season. "Ever since I've come in, every game has been a big game. We've
picked up some good results, but we've got to be mindful of how well Swansea
have done. "We've got to be mindful, going there. "We've had some good
results away from home, but the home games are important to most clubs.
There's a lot of draws at the bottom end of the table. If we keep picking up
points we will be a Premier League club next season."

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Supporters bemused as club announce constructive talks result in end to
protest
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 2nd March 2018
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United have announced they have reached an agreement with the Real
West Ham Fans Action Group to cancel next weekend's proposed protest - yet
fans have declared they intend to march regardless.

A statement was published on the club's website last night in which
vice-chair Karren Brady claimed that talks with various West Ham groups had
concluded to their satisfaction, with the march - planned for the morning of
10 March - having been cancelled.

"We are grateful the supporters' groups have taken this decision and in
doing so have acknowledged that together we are stronger," she said.

"We have held constructive talks aimed at improving the London Stadium,
making it look and feel like the home of West Ham United, improving the
match-day experience and other areas of concern.

"We will endeavour to communicate the changes as and when they happen so
that everyone can have confidence in the process. I want to assure our
supporters our primary goal is to make them proud of the Club they follow."

The vice-chair's thoughts were backed by David Gold and Sullivan, who
released a joint statement moments after the news was confirmed.

"Our supporters are the heart and soul of the Club, a rich part of its
glorious past and, most importantly, the cornerstone of its future. We fully
understand our role to act only as custodians," read the statement.

"We have always sought to have an open and transparent relationship with our
supporters and we will continue to work with all our supporters'
representatives in the best interests of our football club. We have listened
carefully to what they are saying and have already begun a programme of
improvement.

"Whilst we know it will take time, we hope and believe that the work we are
carrying out together will deliver a real, long-term benefit for all
supporters of West Ham United."

However the club's congratulatory tone was in stark contrast to that of many
supporters, who reacted to the news by insisting that they would continue to
march in order to deliver a vote of no confidence in the Board - despite the
RWHFAG having decided to pull out of any further negotiations.

One Facebook group that said they still intend to proceed with the protest
are Crossed Hammers, who saw their membership figure rise by almost a third
to 6,000 in the space of just two hours last night. At the same time, club
forums and social media were ablaze with activity from fans insisting that
they too would persist with plans to march.

Meanwhile, vice-chair Brady's claim that "the supporters groups" had agreed
to cancel the protest was dismissed by several of those who had previously
been involved in negotiations with the club.

Representatives of Hammers Chat, WHUISA and KUMB all subsequently revealed
that they had not been canvassed prior to the decision to cancel being made,
whilst expressing their surprise at the club's claims. As a result, many
supporters have effectively declared the agreement to be null and void.

Already today attempts to resurrect the march have begun, with supporter
groups combining their efforts with view to pushing ahead with the protest
which has been dubbed 'M10M'.

KUMB understands that dialogue has already been opened with Police and local
authorities with view to staging the march along the same route previously
agreed to by the Met and the RWHFAG.

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Swansea v West Ham preview: David Moyes admits concerns over Storm Emma
Last Updated: 02/03/18 8:48pm
SSN

West Ham manager David Moyes admits he has concerns over travelling to
Swansea for the Premier League encounter at the Liberty Stadium, with
adverse weather severely affecting parts of the UK. Hammers supporters will
make the 380-mile round trip this Saturday, with dozens of sporting fixtures
already postponed due to the sub-zero conditions gripping the British Isles.
The majority of the UK is under severe weather warnings, and south Wales is
one of the areas most affected by the snow. Several clubs will carry out
pitch inspections on Friday, and Moyes said: "The Met Office is saying
people shouldn't travel, especially through Cardiff and down the M4. "It is
a concern at the moment and I'm guessing it shouldn't be any different for
football teams and fans. I think the Premier League may need to look at
that."

Should the game go ahead, West Ham can go six points clear of 18th-placed
Swansea, but the hosts have won their last three games on home soil. Moyes
knows his side still faces a battle over the remainder of the season to
retain their Premier League status, and he denied speculation linking Manuel
Lanzini with a move to Liverpool. When asked about the future of Lanzini,
Moyes added: "You always want to keep your best players but there's no truth
in that yet. We won't look at that until we know what league we are in."

Swansea manager Carlos Carvalhal saw his side respond to the disappointing
4-1 defeat by Brighton with a 2-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday this week
as the club reached the FA Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 1964.
The Portuguese feels the result has lifted the players, but he is wary of
the threat West Ham pose to his side, and he believes a strong backing from
the home fans will be needed in order to secure another vital three points
towards safety. "They are a good team with some good players," the Swans
boss said. "I know the manager - I played against him in Europe when I was
at Sporting and he was at Everton.
"He is a good manager and we have a lot of respect for West Ham. We expect a
difficult game because they have a style that can create problems for
opponents.
"But we know that style and we will try to block it. Then like all teams
they have some weaknesses and we will try to exploit them."

Team news

Andre Ayew is set to make the first start of his second Swansea spell when
his former club West Ham visit the Liberty Stadium. Ayew has made a couple
of substitute appearances since rejoining the Swans from West Ham in
January, but he is now ready to start in attack alongside his brother
Jordan. Swansea have no new injury concerns following their FA Cup replay
win over Sheffield Wednesday, and Lukasz Fabianski, Kyle Naughton and Alfie
Mawson are all set to return for the Premier League clash after being rested
in midweek.
Moyes admitted he has "one or two knocks" that are being assessed ahead of
the trip to Wales, but there are no fresh injury concerns. Lanzini came
through an hour in the defeat by Liverpool and he is set to start once more,
while Javier Hernandez could be recalled having been dropped at Anfield. The
Hammers are still without the suspended Arthur Masuaku, joining long-term
injury absentees Pedro Obiang, Edimilson Fernandes and Andy Carroll in being
unavailable but Patrice Evra could be handed his second start.

Opta stats
After beating them 4-1 in the penultimate match at Upton Park in May 2016,
Swansea have lost each of their last three Premier League meetings with West
Ham United. West Ham are unbeaten in four top-flight league visits to the
Liberty Stadium since losing their first-such match there (0-3 in August
2012), drawing three before winning 4-1 in this exact fixture last season.
Swansea City lost their last Premier League game at Brighton (1-4), but
haven't lost back-to-back games in the competition since Paul Clement's
final two games in charge in December.
West Ham's away games in the Premier League this season have seen 52 goals
scored in total (F19 A33) - only Liverpool's (56) have seen more. Andre Ayew
has scored two goals in the last four Premier League meetings between these
sides; once for Swansea in May 2016 before switching to West Ham that summer
and once for West Ham in this exact fixture last season.

Merson's predictions

Will Carlos Carvalhal continue his good start to life at Swansea? He needs
to as it's all getting rather tight at the bottom. Despite their good form
they are back in the bottom three and it's a bit like the Crystal Palace
story. Palace had that unbelievable run but look where they are now. For
Swansea, they've lost one game in six but after the defeat to Brighton they
are back in the relegation zone. This is now a massive football match and a
must-win game for Swansea. I'm backing them to get it. In regards to West
Ham, they've gone a little bit under the radar but we will be talking about
them if, as I expect, they lost to Swansea. West Ham can't afford to lose
this game. Again it's a massive game because if West Ham win then they will
go six points ahead of Swansea and they will be thinking that will be
getting them close to what they need to survive.

PAUL PREDICTS: 1-0 (6/1 with Sky Bet)

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David Moyes says West Ham need to be united if they are to challenge the top
clubs
By Mark Crellin
Last Updated: 02/03/18 11:45am
SSN

West Ham manager David Moyes says he is glad that supporters have called off
a planned protest march for Saturday week. Fans had planned to stage the
march ahead of the home game with Burnley in order to protest about how the
matchday experience has changed since the move from Upton Park to the London
Stadium. But, following talks with vice-chairman Karen Brady, the protest
has been called off and Moyes is glad that the club can focus on a crucial
part of the season. "We want everybody together," said Moyes. "I think to
give West Ham the best chance and for us to start competing again, and try
to challenge some of the top teams in the future, we need everybody together
- we need the supporters with us. "I am going to need them between now and
the end of the season, we have got a lot of work to do to make sure we are a
Premier League team."

Moyes thinks the Hammers fans have been very supportive of the club since he
was hired in November, adding: "I think the supporters have been great.
"They have realised we need their backing and they have been with the team,
so long may that continue." The Real West Ham Fans Action Group said in a
statement: "The reason we called the march - to get the board to listen to
us, to acknowledge our legitimate concerns and to work with is, has been
achieved. "On this basis, the RWHFAG see no further reason to march. "This
means that £20K plus - the vast bulk of the money raised, less expenses for
stickers, flyers etc - will now be going to the Isla fund and presented at
half-time at an upcoming game."

Money is being raised for young Hammers fan Isla Caton, who is battling
Neuroblastoma and is undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment.

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