Daily WHUFC News - 20th February 2018

Kouyate keen to slow Sadio Mane and 'do something special'
WHUFC.com

Cheikhou Kouyate and Sadio Mane will be proud teammates when Senegal play at their first FIFA World Cup finals in 16 years – but not before they have gone head to head in the Premier League. Kouyate's West Ham United and Mane's Liverpool meet at Anfield on Saturday, when the Hammers will seek to become the first team to defeat the Reds on home turf in the top flight this season. Mane's national-team captain knows all too well the threat posed by the speedy attacker, who scored a UEFA Champions League hat-trick against FC Porto in his last appearance, but is confident West Ham can achieve 'something special' this weekend. "We are going to play against one of the best teams in the league and there are some good players there, including Sadio Mane," said Kouyate "I know him and I like to play against my friends. Every time we play, he wants to win, but maybe he won't this time because we also want to win there. "We have a few days to work hard because we have a big, big game at Anfield and we want to go there and do something special for the fans."
After going up against one another on Saturday, Kouyate and Mane will join forces in Russia this summer, when they will tackle Poland, Japan and Colombia in the group stage. On their only previous appearance in 2002, the Lions of Teranga reached the quarter-finals, with future Hammers Papa Bouba Diop and Henri Camara scoring in historic victories over reigning champions France and Sweden.
Sixteen years on and, after missing out on qualification for the last three tournaments, Kouyate will lead a new generation of stars from the West African nation on a quest for World Cup glory – a responsibility he takes very seriously. "I'm very proud because 15 million people in Senegal are behind us. I am the captain and my people are behind us, so I need to lead my team. "It won't be easy, though, as this is a World Cup and every game is hard. Every game is a final and we are going there to give our best, because all of Senegal are proud of the team. Everybody in the country loves football. "This will be my first World Cup, and the same for my teammates, but first I have to think about the end of the Premier League season and saving West Ham, and only then can I start to think about the World Cup."

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A Hammers' Dozen - West Ham's impressive last 12 matches in numbers
WHUFC.com

A Premier League season is played out over 38 games, of course, but West Ham United's form over their last dozen matches has been very encouraging, both literally and figuratively.

After losing at Watford and Everton in his first three games in charge, manager David Moyes challenged his players to cut out individual mistakes, take greater individual responsibility and work harder for the team - and they have certainly responded.

Since being edged out late on at runaway leaders Manchester City, the Hammers have collected 20 points from their last 12 top-flight fixtures, a record which would place them sixth in the table if the season had started on Saturday 9 December.

Only leaders Manchester City, with 29 points, Tottenham Hotspur (27), Liverpool (25), Chelsea and Manchester United (both 21) have amassed more over the same period, and those five clubs currently occupy the top five places.

That day, Moyes' side kicked-off their impressive run by beating champions Chelsea 1-0 at London Stadium – one of five victories they have recorded since then.

Four nights later, Arsenal were the visitors to Stratford, where West Ham kept a second clean sheet in succession to hold the Gunners to a goalless draw – one of five draws achieved in their last 12 games.

Furthermore, only three clubs have lost fewer games than the Hammers' two – Manchester City, Tottenham and Liverpool (one each).

And only four have a better goal difference over the same span, with West Ham's +7 one goal better than Jose Mourinho's Manchester United and two better than Arsenal.

Overall, West Ham have scored 21 goals in those 12 matches, the fifth-highest of any Premier League club since 9 December, with Marko Arnautovic leading the way with seven goals, in addition to three assists.

Nine different players have hit the net – Ayew, Arnautovic, Carroll, Chicharito, Collins, Lanzini, Noble, Obiang and Sakho – with Chicharito and Noble each scoring three times and both Carroll and Lanzini twice.

West Ham's 21 goals came from eleven right-foot shots, five left-foot shots, three headers and two penalties.

Defensively, West Ham may have kept just three clean sheets in those 12 matches, but they have conceded more than one goal on just three occasions – the defeats at home to Newcastle United and at Brighton & Hove Albion and the dramatic 3-3 Boxing Day draw at AFC Bournemouth – and conceded just 14 goals in total.

That improved defensive solidity – the Hammers had conceded 32 goals in their opening 15 Premier League matches at an average of 2.13 goals/game, compared to just 1.17 goals/game over their most-recent 12 games – has been based on Moyes' consistent selections at the back.

Goalkeeper Adrian and centre-half Angelo Ogbonna have both played all 1,080 minutes, followed by right-back – and occasional defensive midfielder – Pablo Zabaleta (1,069) and Aaron Cresswell (976).

West Ham's form will surely be tested in their next two matches, away to Liverpool and a resurgent Swansea City – who have themselves collected 18 points from their last 12 games to climb off the bottom of the table – but Moyes and his players can travel to Anfield and the Liberty Stadium with confidence drawn from their recent upturn in performances and results.

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Holland 'can't wait to be back playing' after returning to training
WHUFC.com

Nathan Holland is targeting a quick return to action following his return to the training fields, having missed the last three months with a hamstring tear.
Holland underwent surgery in mid-November to repair the damage and has been on the sidelines since, bringing an abrupt end to an excellent run of form for the winger, with the 19-year-old netting three goals in eight league games for West Ham's U23s. The pacey wide-man is now back out on the training pitches at Chadwell Heath and is eager to restart his campaign as soon as possible. "It feels great to be back on the grass and training again," a beaming Holland told whufc.com. "I've been working hard in the gym and now I'm back out on the grass, and the hard work behind closed doors has paid off. I'm hoping that shows now I'm outside again. "Hopefully I won't have to wait too long for the chance to get back on in a game. I'll be ready to be in a squad when Terry thinks I'll be ready. Hopefully I can just kick on, like I was never injured in the first place, but I can't wait to be back playing games again with the boys."

With his injury, Holland has been forced to miss out on training sessions and matches, but the youngster believes his period out of action will make him a better player in the long run. He continued: "Considering how long I've been out injured, I think I have coped mentally very well. I feel like it has actually made me mentally stronger and determined to recover. While it's been frustrating, I think the experience overall has helped me in some ways and made me a better player. "It is very tough watching the boys training when I've been inside but I can't wait to get out there and help them."

Holland's injury lay-off unfortunately coincided with the appointment of David Moyes as West Ham United first team manager, taking away the opportunity for the Academy prospect to impress the new boss. Holland made his first team debut against Bolton Wanderers in the third round of the Carabao Cup, in September, and Moyes has proven he is willing to give young players a chance, with the likes of Toni Martinez, Domingos Quina, Josh Cullen, Reece Oxford and Reece Burke all playing under the Scotsman. The winger admits his spell on the sidelines came at a frustrating time but is confident he can get back to his best in the very near future. "The timing was very frustrating as I felt I was developing well, but as they say everything happens for a reason, and now I will be back more motivated, prepared and determined to do well and can hopefully carry on where I left off."

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Phillips: West Ham Academy can be proud of recent achievements
WHUFC.com

West Ham United U18s coach Mark Phillips says the Academy of Football can take pride in their recent achievements.

Phillips, who forms a two-man management team with Hammers legend Steve Potts, have worked closely on the development of teenager Declan Rice, who has made 22 first-team appearances since making his debut last May, as well as fellow youngsters Reece Oxford and Nathan Holland, who have both featured at senior level this term. Working under the guidance of Academy Director Terry Westley, the coaching duo have also provided a host of scholars for the U23s, including Ben Johnson, Alfie Lewis and 15-year-old Dan Chesters, who debuted for Westley's side in their own 1-0 Premier League 2 win at Liverpool on Saturday.

"While our results have not been that good this season, and people point out that 'You're down the bottom of the league', the Academy's main priority is the long-term goal of getting players into the first-team squad, which we have done again this season," said Phillips. "If we are getting scholars and even schoolboy players into the U23s, then that can only be a good thing, because it means Terry believes they are good enough to play at that level. "It only seems like yesterday that Steve and myself had Declan as our U18s captain and centre-back, but now he's gone onto the first team and is showing why we all had so much belief in him as a schoolboy. "Dan Chesters did really well in two behind-closed-doors we played last week and Terry wanted to give him a chance in the U23s. He played for the last ten minutes or so at Liverpool and helped the team close out a really good win."

Phillips says the U18s themselves are growing in confidence after making it back-to-back wins by beating Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.

The Hammers' scholars followed up a 2-1 home victory over Leicester City by overcoming the Seagulls at Little Heath, with goals from Odysseas Spyrides, Yiannis Constantinou – his first at U18 level – and Bernardo Rosa securing a 3-1 success. "It was a good team performance," Phillips confirmed. "After a goalless first half, Odysseas put us ahead six minutes after the break. "Brighton equalised a few minutes later through their Icelandic striker Stefan Ljubicic but, to our credit, the boys regrouped and got themselves back in control and then managed the game really well after Yiannis and Bernardo had scored. "With the U23s playing up at Liverpool on the same day, we were without Alfie Lewis, Ben Johnson and Dan Chesters, so we were also delighted that two of our U15s, goalkeeper Serine Sanneh and midfielder Amadou Diallo, played the full 90 minutes and did really well. "We are away to Norwich City, who are bottom of the table, on Saturday and we go to Norfolk with confidence we can make it three league wins in a row."

West Ham United U18s: Sanneh, Hannam, Wells, Alese, Ashby, Dalipi, Barrett, Diallo, Rosa, Watson, Spyrides (Constantinou 67)
Subs not used: Jinadu (GK), Okotcha, Appiah-Forson, Parkes

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Versatile Cresswell relishing latest return to Liverpool
WHUFC.com

Aaron Cresswell is hoping for another happy homecoming when the Hammers head to Anfield on Saturday. The Liverpool-born defender spent time with the Reds as a schoolboy before embarking on a successful professional career with Tranmere Rovers, Ipswich Town and, since the summer of 2014, West Ham United.

In his four seasons in Claret and Blue, Cresswell has returned to face his old club on four occasions, playing his part with an assist in the Hammers' historic 3-0 Premier League victory in August 2015, drawing twice and losing just once.

"I was back in Liverpool at the weekend, taking my four-week-old Sonny to see his family for the first time and spend a few days with them, which was nice, but this time around it will be all business," said the No3. "It's a huge game every season, not just for me because I come from Liverpool and used to play for them as a kid. "It's going to be tough. They're doing so well this season, especially with the front players they've got, so we're going to have to be at our best and hopefully we'll get something out of the game."

Cresswell himself is likely to be important to West Ham's chances of continuing their recent good form at Anfield, wherever he lines up for manager David Moyes. The England defender has played as a full-back, wing-back and left centre-half in the Hammers' last three Premier League matches, showing his versatility. The 28-year-old has also chipped in with a joint-team high five assists, illustrating his value to the team at the attacking end of the pitch.

While he is not getting ahead of himself, Cresswell knows his ability to fill a variety of positions effectively will also not harm his chances of earning a place in Gareth Southgate's squad for this summer's FIFA World Cup finals in Russia.

"I'd never played in a central role before but, if I'm honest, I quite like it! Whoever is in front of me or to the left of me, whether it's Arthur, Michail or whoever, I am happy and as long as the team is getting points, I couldn't care less where I am playing! "In a way, it suits my game and still gives me some sort of licence to push on and, if the wing-back runs forward and has to turn back, I'm there to take one touch and put the ball into the box. Defensively, I can sweep up as well and slot over when the wing-back goes forward "Of course, it can't hurt my international prospects but I'm realistic and I know the situation and how tough it's going to be to make that World Cup squad. As long as I do my best for West Ham, whatever happens, happens. "My main focus at the minute is West Ham and keeping us in the Premier League."

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Ogbonna fighting fit and back to his best
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 19th February 2018
By: Staff Writer

One of the contenders for this season's Hammer of the Year award has spoken of his delight to just be playing pain-free again. Angelo Ogbonna has been a virtual ever-present under both Slaven Bilic and David Moyes this season, having fought his way back from a serious and persistant knee injury that kept him sidelined for four months between January and May last year. Having recovered in time to feature in the starting XI at Burnley on the final day of last season (a 2-1 win), the Italian international enjoyed the benefit of a full pre-season which has helped him produce his most consistent form since joining West Ham.

Unusually he has also scored three goals - against Bolton and Tottenham in the Carabao Cup and the opener in United's 2-1 defeat at Manchester City. And it's that kind of form that has seen Ogbonna's name mentioned as a contender for end-of-season awards - although he's just enjoying being injury-free. "I am definitely benefitting from having the operation on my knee," he told whufc.com. "Everybody knows it was an injury I had for a long time and they advised me to have the surgery, so I had it done. It has really helped me. "Since I had the surgery, our head physiotherapist Dominic Rogan has worked with me on my rehabilitation, helped me to do things right and get myself ready to play at 100 per cent. "Now I feel very good. Of course, I feel a little bit tired sometimes but everything is mental so if you are prepared mentally, you can perform to your best physically."

Ogbonna also paid tribute to new manager David Moyes, whom he credited with improving the squad's overall fitness and various other attributes - introducing a system that is perhaps more popular abroad. "He is not just like an Italian manager, but like a European manager," he added. "Today, everything in football is improving. We are doing lots of things - tactics, positional work, technical work, running - and in the Premier League this is essential, because you have to be fit. We improved a lot in the last month or two. "We changed the shape [defensively] but it's not just that. We run much better than before, not only in distance but in the quality of our running."

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THE TIME FOR CHANGE IS NOW - NOT IN THE SUMMER!
By HamburgHammer 19 Feb 2018 at 08:00
WTID

Weekends without a West Ham game are always different, especially at the current time for me personally. I've been mentioning my brother's fight in hospital after his life-saving surgery. It's been a rollercoaster the last few days where I've seen my bro having to return to the Intensive Care Unit yet again after struggling to breathe without technical support, so it was back onto various tubes and drugs again for a number of days, but he's now back on the regular ward and looks a lot more lively already, albeit very weak and tired still – and the weekend's football results haven't exactly helped his recuperation.

Starting on Friday, Concordia lost 1:2 to Victoria Hamburg, away. In one of football's most popular storylines the winning goal was scored by Victoria in the final minute of the 90 by a fullback who had played his final game for Concordia just two months earlier before making the switch across town. Yes BSB, it was your favourite lad, Yannick Siemsen, the bloody traitor! ;-)

The game was remarkable for another reason off the pitch as I suddenly spotted among the 287 crowd a big guy with a claret and blue scarf and beanie.
Of course he could have been Villa, Scunthorpe, Burnley or Trabzonspor, but no, he was indeed a fellow Hammer!

Turned out he was a local groundhopper, watching the game with a groundhopper mate from Cologne – both having adopted West Ham as their English team. Needless to say we exchanged numerous stories about watching the Hammers and football in England and we even briefly discussed the current plight of Millwall.

Then on Saturday followed yet another nail in the coffin for Hamburg SV, as of yet the only German club that has played top flight football in every single season that the Bundesliga has been in existence. Losing 1:2 against Lverkusen was no surprise as such since Leverkusen have better quality in the squad in every respect and department. But HSV are running out of games to put things right fast and it seems that this time luck has finally deserted them.

The loyal fans are painfully aware of this and were keen to vent their growing anger by trying to invade the pitch during and after the game, but the authorities with the help of some well trained German Shepherd dogs made sure it remained an attempt only. We all know what happened to the likes of Leeds, Nottingham Forest or Coventry once they went down through the trapdoor.

There are no guarantees and the way back up is a massive challenge. Finances at Hamburg SV are shockingly bad, so there is even talk that the club may not even be allowed to play in Bundesliga 2 should they get relegated. For the City of Hamburg it'd be an unmitigated disaster to no longer have a team in Bundesliga 1. But the club has been run like a circus without acrobats and tigers for years now – still the fans have flocked to home games like lambs to their slaughter.

Which brings me to our upcoming Liverpool game. We all know the stats. Anfield over the years has been an unhappy hunting ground for us, until recent times of course.
If you're looking for a good omen, look no further than the 1:0 win our U23s nicked from Merseyside on Saturday. I'm sure we'd all be overchuffed with a similar scoreline come next Saturday! Liverpool can field some of the top players in the league and when they get going they score for fun and might give you a drubbing.

If we can frustrate them though, destroy their build up play time and time again, stand firm in the tackle and keep the home crowd quiet we are in with a chance. With players returning from injury we are likely to field a strong starting XI and even a halfway decent bench of substitutes. Manuel Lanzini seems to be a quick healer as he is rumoured to join his teammates for first team training sessions again today. Even if he may only get half an hour at Liverpool it'll be good to have him back in the side fullstop.

Another player returning from injury is Nathan Holland. Before he suffered said injury he was on the fringes of the first team squad, so surely it's good for Moyes to have options now. Holland by all accounts is highly touted, with a deft touch, good dribbling skills and an eye for goal too. Good to have him back!
Another thing happening today is a meeting between some members of the Real West Ham Fans Group, the lads behind organising the march in March.

By all accounts the board's aim will be to talk them out of going through with the march. As far as I understand it though the march is done and dusted and will go ahead as planned regardless. If anything they will let the board (or their representatives rather as I doubt if either of Gold, Sullivan or Brady will be present) know the reasons behind the march and why the fans actually see the need to take their criticism and anger out onto the streets.

Which brings me to my final train of thought here. In a recent video message Sullivan said there would be changes to the way West Ham scout and sign new players.
There has been talk about Sullivan "trying to move away a bit" from getting personally involved in the process of signing players, the way it should be really.
But "trying" to "move away a bit" will not be enough – you need to trust the manager on this completely and if you don't, then hire a professional Head Scout or Chief Negotiator to help Moyes with bringing in the players the manager wants and needs.

Saying that neither the club nor Moyes can really afford themselves the luxury to wait until the summer to make a decision about the manager's future at West Ham.
Neither is it wise to implement a new transfer procedure at the club later this summer instead of here and now.

I am certain other clubs are already busy preparing themselves for the shortened summer transfer window. Once that one is open you want your targets lined up so you can try to get deals over the line sharpish.

You cannot give other clubs a headstart by waiting to pick and choose your manager for next season (and also shake up the internal set up in terms of transfer business).

I'd be well happy to see Moyes stay, if only because I yearn for longevity and a long-term approach at West Ham. Short fixes and a new manager every 18 months is not conducive to progressing the club in the league.

I reckon Moyes has the support of the clear majority of our fanbase and the board should follow suit and truly support the manager to the best of their abilities (and I don't mean this in a sarcastic way!). COYI!!!

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Should West Ham target Angus Gunn loan this summer?
HITC
Jordan Harris

Manchester City are reportedly willing to loan Angus Gunn out to a Premier League side, so should West Ham United move? After this season, it may be incredibly difficult to argue that West Ham targeting a Manchester City goalkeeper on loan in the summer would be a wise idea. The Hammers signed Joe Hart last year on a season-long loan, but the move has turned out to be a hugely disappointing one for everyone concerned, with the Englishman struggling for form and losing his place to Adrian earlier in the campaign. The chances of West Ham pursuing another deal for Hart in the summer appear slim at best. But perhaps the Irons should consider a move for another stopper on the Cityzens' books if they manage to ensure that they will be playing Premier League football next season.

Angus Gunn has been excellent out on loan with Norwich City this term and appears to have the potential to be one of the country's best in the coming years. He received a call-up to the England senior side at the end of last year after a promising spell with the under-21s. Unsurprisingly, Norwich are keen to re-sign the 22-year-old for next season, according to The Sun (print edition; 18th February 2018; page 60), but City are only ready to sanction the deal if the Canaries secure promotion out of the Championship. Given that Daniel Farke's men are currently eight points back of the play-off places, it appears that it may be a big ask to expect Norwich to get themselves back into the hunt for the top six. Therefore, should West Ham manage to stay up, they should consider moving to sign Gunn on loan for the next campaign as he appears to have the quality to put a lot of pressure on Adrian and perhaps move above him in the pecking order if given a chance.

West Ham may feel that they have much more pressing concerns in other areas of the squad this summer, so addressing their goalkeeper situation without spending a significant amount would be a shrewd move, and Gunn is arguably the ideal target if they did decide to go down that path.

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OGBONNA LOOKS BACK ON BILIC'S TIME AT WEST HAM
TOM MASON @tom_mason18
ReadWestHam

West Ham defender Angelo Ogbonna has taken a dig at his former manager Slaven Bilic, who left the club in November with the Hammers struggling in the Premier League. The Croatian manager was given his marching orders following a heavy defeat to Liverpool in what was an embarrassing performance, ending his two-and-a-half-year stay at the club. Since his departure, the Hammers have improved and are up to 12th place in the Premier League. However, they are still in danger of suffering relegation this season with few points separating the teams at the bottom of the table. The Italian has been much improved under David Moyes and is one of the first names on the team sheet.

Ogbonna, as quoted by Football London, spoke about the impact that the former Manchester United manager Moyes has had on the team since his arrival. When the team was doing really bad, we changed the manager and he has brought a lot of energy and a lot of positive things, but the most important thing he brought was discipline because with discipline, you can build whatever you want. We improved a lot in the last month or two. We changed the shape [to three-at-the-back], but it's not just that. We run much better than before, not only in distance but in the quality of our running.
Ogbonna will hope that he can be a big part of West Ham's plans in the final stretch of the season as Moyes aims to secure his side's Premier League future.

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DAVID MOYES WANTS JOHN MCGINN AS FIRST SUMMER SIGNING
JOSHUA HARDY @joshuahardy__
ReadWestHam

According to the Evening Standard, David Moyes wants to sign £5m-rated Scottish midfielder John McGinn, if he is to stay as West Ham manager after this season. When Moyes was appointed in November, it was surrounded by fear and worry from the West Ham faithful, after the Scottish manager failed in his last three managerial jobs.
However, Moyes has turned the fans around, with many class performances and results against the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham, as well as fellow relegation rivals Stoke, West Brom and Huddersfield. Despite this amazing turn-around, there is still doubt whether if Moyes will stay in the job, even if The Hammers stay up this season, as many see it as a step in the wrong direction. If Moyes is to stay, one of his first targets for the summer transfer window will be John McGinn, who plays for Hibernian and has scored six goals. He also has got the same amount of assists in 33 games this season. West Ham have scouted the midfielder several times this season ahead of a move.

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Decision time nearing for Celtic as West Ham reportedly line up John McGinn
HITC
Olly Dawes

West Ham United are reportedly plotting a move for Hibernian's John McGinn.

According to the Daily Record, West Ham United are plotting their move for Hibernian midfielder John McGinn after watching him in action against Aberdeen on Saturday afternoon.

McGinn, 23, has been the heartbeat of the Hibernian midfield since his 2015 move from St Mirren, notching 16 goals in 123 games whilst even earning five caps for Scotland at international level. The midfielder is attracting major interest off the back of his displays for Hibs though, and the Daily Record report that West Ham sent assistant manager Billy McKinlay to watch McGinn in action against Aberdeen this past weekend.

West Ham appear to be plotting their summer move for McGinn, and that means that Celtic may well be handed just a matter of months to decide whether to launch their own bid. Back in February 2017, Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers told The Scottish Sun that he was a big fan of McGinn, even claiming that any manager would love to have him, praising his work rate, defensive work and tactical understanding.

Many have earmarked McGinn as a future successor to Scott Brown in the Celtic midfield, as whilst McGinn hasn't so far managed to get the best of Brown in a game, some believe he has the potential to play a similar role for club or country. Rodgers' comments on McGinn last year suggest that he is firmly on Celtic's radar, despite having a host of midfielders already, and West Ham's interest may turn this into a make or break situation for Celtic regarding their interest in McGinn. Celtic still have time to make their move, but if they do see him as being a successor to Brown, then they may have only a matter of months to decide to challenge West Ham – or face losing him to the Premier League.

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West Ham defender Patrice Evra becomes a cabby for the day as he drives a taxi to training and sings to his 'grumpy' passenger
Patrice Evra posts weekly 'Monday Motivation' videos on Instagram
The West Ham defender is yet to make his debut for his new club since arriving
Evra posted a video on Instagram on Monday as he drove to training in a taxi
He encouraged his followers to 'be happy' while singing to Storm Queen
By Jaime Wright For Mailonline
PUBLISHED: 12:55, 19 February 2018 | UPDATED: 14:43, 19 February 2018

Patrice Evra has released his latest instalment to his 'Monday Motivation' video chain as he drove to West Ham training in a taxi. The French defender has made a habit out of delivering his motivational videos to all of his Instagram followers this season, in an attempt to encourage people to take up a more positive outlook on life. Last week, he was dancing in the streets of London to Marvin Gaye, this week he chose Storm Queen as he took up a new position as a London cab driver.

In the video, Evra pulls up in a silver taxi, listening to Storm Queen's 'Look Right Through'. 'Good morning, they don't talk to me. Good morning,' he sings as he dances in his new method of transport, and seemingly getting the lyrics wrong - which could be a twist in the song to fit his 'Monday Motivation' theme. 'I am crazy! I'm on the way to training with my new cab. Do you like it?'

Evra then follows his entrance up with: 'I love this game,' which is a re-occurring statement he makes in all of his videos. 'Be happy and share your happiness with everyone, and check my first passenger,' he continues. The camera pans to face the back seat, revealing a very unhappy passenger, who shakes his head, which could be partly due to the fact he is being forced to have his window open on a drizzly London day. Evra adds: 'He's so grumpy, but I don't care. Be free and I like to share my happiness with people. Because it's Monday, and the weather is sh...' A brief pause to remember where he was, before making the necessary adjustments. His joy for life is infectious and he genuinely seems to enjoy spreading his happiness to his followers. However, Evra will be keen to take his happiness onto the pitch of the London Stadium, with the defender still yet to make his Hammers debut since his January arrival.

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Former Premier League player Blair Turgott used 85-year-old's stolen card to gamble £16,000 at Mayfair casino
The 23-year-old is accused of withdrawing the cash before using it for chips
Blair Turgott made one first-team appearance for West Ham in January 2014
Card used by Turgott had been stolen from Peter Dixon, 85, by another fraudster
Turgott has one previous conviction for careless driving from May 2014
By HENRY VAUGHAN, PRESS ASSOCIATION SPORT
PUBLISHED: 16:43, 19 February 2018 | UPDATED: 17:16, 19 February 2018

A former Premier League footballer gambled £16,000 at a Mayfair casino using a card stolen from an 85-year-old pensioner, a court has heard. Ex-West Ham winger Blair Turgott, 23, is accused of withdrawing the cash before exchanging it for chips during a night at the Playboy casino in central London's Park Lane. Turgott, who made one first-team appearance for the Hammers, in the team's FA Cup defeat to Nottingham Forest in January 2014, cashed out £16,900 at the end of the night, leaving with a £900 profit, a jury was told.

Prosecutor Kaj Scarsbrook said the card used by Turgott, who is from Bromley in Kent, had earlier been stolen from Peter Dixon, 85, by another fraudster posing as a bank employee. The victim said in a statement that the funds withdrawn from his account were intended for his children's inheritance. 'I was initially horrified I had been defrauded and feel foolish at handing my card over,' he added.

Turgott, wearing dark trousers and a brown jacket over a white shirt, appeared in the dock at London's Southwark Crown Court, where he denies fraud and converting criminal property on the night of Friday September 30, 2016.

The court heard the victim was called by a fraudster earlier that day posing as a Barclays Bank employee, who said he needed to collect Mr Dixon's debit card so a new one could be issued. Shortly after, a man in his 20s knocked on his door and Mr Dixon handed over his card. But Mr Dixon went to his branch the following Monday after his wife, Christine Dixon, 83, became suspicious. 'Their bank told them, perhaps unsurprisingly, this man had absolutely nothing to do with them and had, effectively, stolen the card,' the prosecutor said.

Jurors heard about £17,000 was taken from Mr Dixon's current account, with CCTV showing Turgott made two £8,000 withdrawals at the Playboy casino. 'He exchanges that money for casino plaques and spent the evening gambling,' said Mr Scarsbrook. 'At the end of the evening, he cashed out £16,900 cash, having made a profit of £900 that evening gambling.'

The prosecutor said at least one other person was involved in the alleged fraud, telling jurors they must decide if Turgott was 'being dishonest'. He added: 'Somehow the card and its details ended up in Mr Turgott's possession. 'The prosecution say that in itself is suspect, as is using someone else's card to fund your gambling.' Turgott rose through the youth ranks at east London club West Ham, with loan spells at clubs including Colchester United and Bradford City. He left West Ham to join Coventry City, and has more recently played for Leyton Orient and Bromley. The court heard he has one previous conviction, having pleaded guilty to careless driving in May 2014.

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