Daily WHUFC News - 29th May 2018

Fernandes named in provisional Switzerland World Cup squad
WHUFC.com

Edimilson Fernandes moved one step closer to featuring at the 2018 FIFA
World Cup finals after being named in Switzerland's preliminary 26-man
squad. The Swiss became the last of the 32 competing countries to name a
provisional group, with the 26 selected taking part in a training camp and a
warm-up friendly with Spain in Villarreal on Sunday 3 June. Coach Vladimir
Petkovic will name his final 23-man squad the following day, Monday 4 June,
with Fernandes hoping to join his cousin and namesake Gelson and former West
Ham United midfielder Valon Behrami on the plane to Russia, where they will
face Brazil, Serbia and Costa Rica in Group E Aside from uncapped
goalkeepers Gregor Kobel and Yvon Mbogo, Fernandes is the least experienced
player in Petkovic's 26-man squad with three caps, all of which have ended
in victory. The versatile 22-year-old made his senior debut in a World Cup
qualifier against the Faroe Islands in November 2016 and has since featured
in a friendly win at home to Belarus and World Cup qualifying win over
Andorra. Former FC Sion player and Swiss Cup winner Fernandes totalled 16
appearances for the Hammers last season, as his campaign was twice
interrupted by ankle problems. He could be one of four West Ham players at
this summer's tournament alongside Chicharito (Mexico), Cheikhou Kouyate
(Senegal) and Manuel Lanzini (Argentina), while loanee Joao Mario (Portugal)
is also Russia-bound.

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West Ham United Ladies granted WSL status
WHUFC.com

West Ham United Ladies are delighted to announce that the team has been
granted a licence to play in the FA Women's Super League, the restructured
top tier of women's football, for the 2018/19 season. The Irons will be one
of 11 teams to compete in the 2018/19 campaign of the FA Women's Super
League; the first full-time, professional division for female players in
England. David Sullivan is delighted with the Ladies' successful application
to join the WSL and is eager for the new campaign to begin. "Earning Women's
Super League status is an incredible achievement for everyone involved in
our Ladies team, and I would like to say congratulations and well done to
the side for their hard work in reaching the WSL," the Club's Joint-Chairman
told whufc.com. "Now, the hard work really begins for everyone involved. I
have every confidence that Managing Director Jack Sullivan and General
Manager Karen Ray will lead our team to the forefront of women's football in
the top division. "Once again, I would like to express my thanks to everyone
involved in our Ladies side for their determination and I look forward to
seeing what the team can accomplish going forward."

The Hammers have enjoyed huge success in 2018, with the side winning two
trophies – the FA WPL Plate and the Goodmove.co.uk Women's Cup – while also
claiming wins in 12 of their 15 competitive fixtures this calendar year.
Managing Director Jack Sullivan is hopeful of seeing that success continue
to grow when the WSL campaign kicks off in August. He said: "This is a great
day for the Club and a proud one for all involved. The hard work from
everyone at the Club has paid off and we are really excited for what lies
ahead. We are very happy to be at the top of the women's footballing
pyramid, but we all know that the hard work has only just started. We want
to be competitive, which means a very busy summer on and off the pitch. "We
want to see as many fans as possible to watch our Ladies team and women's
football. This is an incredible opportunity for the Club to galvanise the
local community and West Ham United supporters."On a personal level, I feel
I have learned a lot this year and I am already looking forward to what the
new season will bring for West Ham Ladies."

The restructure of women's football will see the current FA WSL1 rebranded
as the Women's Super League – West Ham's division for next season – while a
new national league is to be established at tier 2, which will be known as
the FA Women's Championship. Promotion and relegation will be applicable
throughout all tiers of the women's football pyramid. General Manager Karen
Ray has also offered her thanks to everyone who has supported the Ladies
this season and is relishing the challenge of playing in the WSL. Ray added:
"I couldn't be prouder of this achievement for the Club and what an amazing
way to top off an incredible 2018 so far. This process has really
highlighted the unity and togetherness from everyone who proudly works for
West Ham United. "Despite the big step up, I am confident we will rise to
the challenge and relish the opportunity to join some of the best women's
clubs in the world at the top of the football pyramid in England. We know
the hard work that lies ahead and we are extremely excited to begin the next
chapter of the Ladies' journey. "This is the perfect time for us to thank
everyone who has shown a truly vested interest and dedication to the
progression of both West Ham United Ladies and women's football in England."

Season Tickets for West Ham United Ladies' first campaign in the FA Women's
Super League are on sale now from just £15! Follow the link here for more
information!

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Chicharito: We want to create history at the World Cup
WHUFC.com

Chicharito is dreaming of creating history with Mexico as El Tri step up
their FIFA World Cup finals preparations by facing a Wales team managed by
his former teammate Ryan Giggs. Mexico's all-time leading goalscorer with 49
goals will earn his 101st cap in the United States as Juan Carlos Osorio
looks to cut his final squad to 23 players for the upcoming trip to Russia.
Speaking to the media ahead of Monday night's friendly in Pasadena,
California, the West Ham United striker would dearly love to lead his
country all the way for the first time in their history. Mexico have been
eliminated at the Round of 16 in each of the last six World Cups – the last
two with Chicharito in the side – and never gone past the quarter-finals in
16 attempts, but the 29-year-old is dreaming of lifting the trophy on 15
July. However, the Little Pea knows circumstances will need to conspire in
Mexico's favour if they are to pull off a major shock in Moscow. "There
isn't one thing that will make us create history," he said. "What we want is
try everything so that the universe conspires in our favour and we can
deserve to win. Even though the beauty of football is that you can't
guarantee that."

Before his thoughts turn totally to Russia, and Group F fixtures with
Germany, South Korea and Sweden, Chicharito will first tackle a Wales side
managed by a man he knows very well – Ryan Giggs. While the Hammers forward
is looking forward to catching up with Giggs, he is eager to get one over
his old pal as Mexico play the first of three pre-World Cup friendlies, with
warm-up fixtures with Scotland and Denmark also on the agenda. "It's going
to be very good to see Ryan again. Ryan is in a new role now and to be
manager of his country is great. "But the most important thing is we are
preparing well, we know we are going to the World Cup and Wales aren't. But
that doesn't mean we are not taking them seriously, we will be very
respectful and we want to improve compared to our other previous matches.
"It's going to be a very nice moment in Los Angeles where we have a lot of
Mexicans to support us."

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Legend recovering after heart op
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 28th May 2018
By: Staff Writer

Hammers legend Ken Brown is recovering in hospital after having a pacemaker
fitted. The 84-year-old, who was born in Forest Gate and spent 14 years as a
Hammer between 1953 and 1967 is said to be in good shape after undergoing
the operation according to son Kenny, who tweeted the following message:
Ken, who was the latest recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award at last
month's Player Awards starred in West Ham's promotion-winning season of
1957/58, the 1964 FA Cup victory against Preston and the 1965 Cup Winners
Cup success against 1860 Munich. A regular visitor to the Boleyn Ground and
the Olympic Stadium in recent seasons, Ken went on to manage Norwich,
Shrewsbury and Plymouth before retiring but always remains most closely
associated with West Ham. And it was not just his family wishing him well -
former players such as Mick Dennis and Martin Betts also took to social
media in order to wish Ken a speedy recovery.

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End of the road for Snodgrass, say Villa fans
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 28th May 2018
By: Staff Writer

On-loan winger Robert Snodgrass is unlikely to return to Aston Villa next
season, according to fans of the Championship club - although most would be
open to a second season. The 30-year-old Scottish international spent the
entirety of the 2017/18 campaign on loan at Villa Park and received
generally positive reviews for his season's efforts, despite Villa's
campaign ending in hugely-disappointing circumstances following their
play-off final defeat against Fulham at Wembley on Saturday. However Villa
fans posting on popular Forum Villa Talk believe they are unlikely to see
Snodgrass for a second season in the Championship despite him being surplus
to requirements at West Ham, for whom he featured on just 15 occasions
before being sent out on season-long loan. And that's largely as a result of
Villa's parlous financial situation, which will almost certainly mean they
have to part company with high-earners such as Snodgrass and John Terry, who
was costing the Midlands-based club some £60,000-per-week. "Snoddy has been
great but West Ham are unlikely to let him leave for a low fee," wrote Villa
fans Eastie. "So he's probably not going to be here [next season]." "He has
been fantastic for us but the last four weeks have shown that (a) the
Championship or lower Premier League is very much his level and (b) he is
not worth whatever West Ham will want for him, added Ponky. "I doubt he'll
be available on loan again next season which is probably just as well, as we
desperately need some pace out wide."

Despite having been a success during his season on loan, a lack of speed and
acceleration is one area of Snodgrass' game that has been criticised by
Villa supporters - although at Championship level that isn't necessarily a
huge problem, say some. "He doesn't have pace but it's not a flaw," wrote
skarroki. "But he's a very talented player and should not be in the
Championship. "We were lucky to get him on loan for a season and if he's
not here next season it's because he's got much better options at a higher
level, not because we'd rather risk playing an inconsistent winger from the
Academy. His drive and personality can only have a positive effect on the
dressing room and I will be gutted to see him go."

Fellow Villain markavfc40 was in full agreement. "If he had pace he would be
starting week in, week out for a top half Premier League side," he wrote.
"Technically he is very good and his work rate is excellent. I'd like him to
stay but he won't and him leaving does allow us to improve on a lack of pace
in the team."

Yet not all Villa supporters felt that losing SNodgrass will be to the
detriment of the team as a whole. "He often fails to beat his man, his ball
delivery has been disappointing and his free kicks are an abomination,"
wrote sidcow.

"I know his attitude is great and he gives his all, but ultimately he's
meant to be a winger and therefore should frequently beat his man and get in
a deadly cross. I'm just not seeing what other people are and I won't be
devastated if we cannot get him back."

Villains on Snodders

"He is elite level Championship, low level Premier League standard. As you
say, he more than makes up for it with other qualities, but he lacks pace,
which can be identified, exposed and dealt with accordingly, a flaw."
- A'Villan

"Good player for us but one who won't be with us next year, of all the loan
players I think he has helped the most."
- Jimzk5

"Love his mentality and he has put some great performances in, but the final
showed how painfully predictable he is with that lack of pace and cutting
inside every single time, holding onto the ball for longer than he should.
He also made the wrong decision in what could have ended up as our most
clear cut chance of the game.
- Tom13

"I don't see Pellegrini playing him so he may be out on loan again. It's
well documented that his issue as West Ham was he Bilic wouldn't play him on
his favoured side , which we have but it's meant that when things are not
going right we don't switch the wingers over. I do like him though and he
has done well and comes across as a decent character but I think that's he
last of his time here."
- Nabby

"He monopolieses our set pieces and his delivery isnt that great (must be
better in training), his work rate is excellent and he's a below average
Premier League player but probably one of our better players. Let him go
unless he's cheap."
- tinker

"Snodgrass' set pieces have gone beyond shocking. I'm sick of seeing him hit
free kicks into a wall and over-hitting corners. He is slow as well. Would I
take him back on loan? Possibly, but for me his lack of pace is a massive
problem. We are shit offensively at counter attacking as our midfield are
like snails."
- Demitri_C

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Hammers promoted in controversial circumstances
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 28th May 2018
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United Ladies will play in the highest division of the Women's
Super League next season - despite ending the 2017/18 mid-table in the third
tier. It was confirmed this morning that the Ladies, who finished 7th out of
12 in the Women's Premier Southern Division last season have been
controversially granted a place in the newly-named professional Women's
Super League. Controversial because Sunderland, who finished a respectable
7th in last season's Premier Division have been dumped into the Premier
Northern Division in order to accommodate the Hammers, who are one of 11
teams that will be forming the reformatted league.

In order to become a professional concern, any club must raise a minimum of
£350,000. West Ham, who have satisfied that criteria will begin their new
campaign on the weekend of 18/19 August. West Ham's co-chairman David
Sullivan, whose son Jack was placed in charge of the Ladies in 2016, said:
"Earning Women's Super League status is an incredible achievement for
everyone involved in our Ladies team. "I have every confidence that Managing
Director Jack Sullivan and General Manager Karen Ray will lead our team to
the forefront of women's football in the top division and I look forward to
seeing what the team can accomplish going forward."
Sullivan Jnr took control of the Ladies team in October 2016 after former
Chairman Stephen Hunt lodged a formal complaint with the FA. Hunt accused
the club of discriminating against the team who had to pay for their own
transport to games, wear out-of-date kit and train on the side of the road
having been locked out of the club's Beckton training ground.

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STICK OR TWIST: THE STRIKERS
By Iain Dale 28 May 2018 at 08:56
WTID

So far I haven't advocated selling many players. Our squad is thin enough as
it is. However, will this be different with our strikers?

Andy Carroll
Andy only made 16 appearances, mostly from the bench, last season, scoring
three goals. In his entire career at West Ham he has made 114 appearances,
scoring 33 goals. Season by season, he has appeared 24, 15, 14, 27, 18 and
16 times. On his day he is unbeatable, but each time he returns from injury
it takes him a few games to get into gear. We've never really played to his
strengths, either. He has one year left on his contract, and will probably
play it out. If we could get £10-£15 million for him I'm afraid I'd
recommend selling, but with a lot of regrets.

Javier Hernandez
Chicarito was bought last summer with much fanfare and started off well,
scoring three goals in his first few games. Since then he suffered several
injuries and then found it difficult to get back into the team once
Arnautovic hit form. He's clearly unhappy and is looking for a move after
the World Cup, where he will be in the shop window. If we keep him, our
forward line would need to be built around him. Is that really likely if
Arnautovic remains at the club?

Marko Arnautovic
Probably the easiest 'stick' of the lot. He had a fabulous season once David
Moyes was appointed. However, it's entirely possibly that once of the top
six could come in for him, and he might find it difficult to reject the
chance of European football at this stage in his career. Let's hope he
really is as committed to West Ham as he makes out.

Jordan Hugill
Since he was signed for £10 million in January he's played for all of 33
minutes, despite being on the bench for virtually every game. We might well
recoup much of the money if we sell in the summer, but if we leave it and he
doesn't get much playing time, that's a hell of a lot of money to lose.
Sell.

Toni Martinez
Back from a loan spell in Spain, where he scored only once in 8 games,
Martinez is hitting the point of no return. He scores for fun in the Under
23s but can't seem to translate that into first team form. Even his loan
periods in the lower leagues haven't been prolific. I think now is probably
the time to sell him to a lower league side for £1 million or thereabouts.

Conclusion
We need to sign at least one quality striker this transfer window, but given
Arnautovic will be an automatic first choice (you'd think), will it be that
easy to attrach anyone top class? We need to have a pool of five, rather
than four strikers to choose from, in my view. It's a position where we've
always lacked strength in depth.

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West Ham set to appoint Mario Husillos as head of recruitment... despite his
involvement in Malaga's relegation from La Liga
West Ham are close to appointing Mario Husillos as new head of recruitment
Husillos' role at Malaga has been under scrutiny after the side were
relegated
Manuel Pellegrini recommended Husillos having worked with him at Malaga
By Sami Mokbel for MailOnline
PUBLISHED: 19:45, 28 May 2018 | UPDATED: 19:45, 28 May 2018

West Ham are closing in on appointing Mario Husillos as their new head of
recruitment. MailOnline exclusively revealed the Hammers' move for the
Argentine on May 19 and the club are now in advanced discussions about
bringing Husillos to the London Stadium from Malaga. New manager Manuel
Pellegrini and Husillos forged a close relationship during their time
working together at Malaga. And Pellegrini is understood to have recommended
his old colleague to co-owner David Sullivan. Husillos' role at Malaga has
been under scrutiny following the Spanish club's relegation from La Liga.
If, as expected, the South American transfer fixer is appointed, will play a
key role in the club's recruitment policy alongside Pellegrini. It remains
to be seen, however, the level of input the club's owners have in their
forthcoming transfer dealings. Tony Henry, who previously held the role of
head of recruitment, was sacked by West Ham earlier this year following
racist remarks about potential signings of African descent.

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