Daily WHUFC News - 26th March 2018

Auguste: Ladies 'set the standard' in Swindon win
WHUFC.com

Jasmine Auguste believes that West Ham United Ladies set the standard that
they must hit each game during the 6-0 win away to Swindon Town Ladies. A
blistering second half performance put the Irons on their way to nine
competitive matches without defeat, after Leanne Mabey's first half finish
put the Hammers in front. A pair of goals apiece for Kelly Wealthall and
Ellie Zoepfl, and a first finish for the club for Molly Clark, earned the
Hammers another three points. Auguste has been a consistent figure in the
backline this season and, having seen the improvements in the side since the
turn of the year, the left-back believes the Ladies are showing the standard
they can operate at. "I feel like we're setting our standard now," Auguste
told whufc.com: "We all know what we're working towards and what we are
building to. It sets the standard - to keep clean sheets and be unbeaten.
"Earlier in the season we were struggling to win games and were letting in
silly goals, but now we're nine games unbeaten in 2018, which makes us
really happy and shows our ambition."

On the result, she continued: "We're buzzing. We're definitely in a good
moment. We worked hard and the defensive aspect of the game was strong all
the way from front to back. "To go nine games unbeaten, and not concede
today, is excellent, and we're all really happy to come away with the
result. It's been a good 2018 for us so far."

Mabey opened the scoring on 30 minutes for West Ham, stabbing home after
Swindon failed to clear a corner. The Ladies should have been further ahead
prior to the half-time whistle though, with Rosie Kmita and Molly Clark both
wasting chances. The scoreline started to reflect West Ham's quality in the
second period as Wealthall headed home just moments after the restart.
Zoepfl then powered in a low shot before Clark's powerful effort nearly
burst the net. Wealthall and Zoepfl then doubled their individual tallies
late on. Auguste added: "I think, to be honest, the first half was awful. We
all went into the changing room at half-time feeling a little embarrassed
about the performance. We knew we had to pick it up in the second period and
really put in the effort. We came out more tenacious, hungrier, and got the
rewards with five goals in the second 45."

Auguste provided the assist for West Ham's final goal, crossing in for
Zoepfl to head home, and was a threat on the left-flank throughout the
fixture. Despite being pleased with her contribution, Auguste is targeting
a goal of her own between now and the end of the campaign. "It's good to get
an assist," Auguste said: "I think I've been doing a lot of good defensive
work but it's nice to go forward and get that assist. "It would have been
nice to get a goal as well, but I'll take the assist from this game,
although a goal is 100 per cent on the agenda between now and the end of the
season. I'll definitely get one at some point. "Playing full-back means I
can get into those attacking positions, get forward for corners and stuff,
so it's definitely something I want to do before the season is over."

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Hammers hit Swindon for six to go nine unbeaten
WHUFC.com

A tenacious and clinical second half from West Ham United Ladies saw the
Hammers beat Swindon Town Ladies 6-0, and extend their unbeaten run in 2018
to nine contests. A 30th minute strike from Leanne Mabey was the only
difference between the two sides in the first period, with the versatile
midfielder netting from a loose ball in the penalty area. The Irons turned
on the style in the second period, with Kelly Wealthall heading home just
seconds after the restart. Ellie Zoepfl then got on the scoresheet, firing
home after a terrific ball. The two forwards both doubled their individual
match tallies as Wealhall swept home and Zoepfl headed in, while Molly Clark
netted her first goal for the Club with a powerful strike. The Hammers had
their first opportunity on three minutes as Clark played Rosie Kmita into a
dangerous area, but the winger's shot was straight at the goalkeeper. Clark
herself saw an effort well saved, as did Wealthall, before Kmita saw a goal
ruled out for offside following a through-ball from Amber Stobbs. On the
half hour mark, the Hammers were ahead. A corner wasn't cleared by the home
side, and as the ball bobbled in the box Mabey was the first to react,
striking home a low shot. Right-back Chantelle Mackie had the opportunity
to double the advantage, bursting into an unfamiliar forward position, but
Swindon's Barrett was able to deny the No.2 her first goal of the campaign.

Just 22 seconds after the restart, the Hammers doubled their advantage. A
cross from Zoepfl was connected with excellently by Wealthall, leaving the
goalkeeper stranded as the header found the far corner. Mackie saw another
effort well saved and a powerful strike by Clark was expertly blocked, but
Zoepfl killed the game off with a clinical finish, following an exquisite
ball from the midfielder. The American forward then struck the woodwork
with a curling effort, but Wealthall made it four after being played into
space by substitute Andria Georgiou. Clark got a deserved goal with a
powerful strike inside the area on 85 minutes and Zoepfl doubled her
personal tally with a header from a Jasmine Auguste cross.

West Ham United Ladies: Connatser; Mackie, Wheeler, Austin, Auguste; Mabey
(Chong 78'), Clark, Stobbs (c) (Georgiou 69'); Zoepfl, Wealthall (Peters
78'), Kmita
Substitutes: Chong, Georgiou, Peters
Goals: Mabey 30', Wealthall 46' 71', Zoepfl 65' 87', Clark 85'

Swindon Town Ladies: Barrett; Lawrence, New, Presswell, Smith (c); Colford,
Nightingale, Pickering, Arrell; Roberts, Taylor
Substitutes: Mugford, Nash, Brown, Bridger

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WHY HAS IT ALL GONE WRONG THIS SEASON? THE JANUARY TRANSFER WINDOW? THE
SUMMER TRANSFER WINDOW? OR SOMETHING ELSE?
By DavidBlackmore 25 Mar 2018 at 19:00
WTID

A precise definition of the mythical 'West Ham Way' is something that has
baffled scientists and football fans since long before James Collins could
even grow facial hair.


But one phrase that definitely fits it quite well is 'never doing things the
easy way.' And if West Ham are to survive in the Premier League this season
– by no means a given – then they will certainly not have done it the easy
way, and much of that will be self-inflicted.

In the Pub Talk section of the new edition of "Blowing
Bubbles":http://www.blowing-bubbles.co.uk/read-our-latest-issue.html , the
magazine's writers put their heads together to try and work out where it has
all gone so – well, meh – this season, and Emily Pulham points her finger
directly at the January transfer window as a prime example of how to make a
bad situation worse.

"We keep selling players and ending transfer windows with less players than
we started with," she said. "We sold our joint top scorer to a relegation
rival. We sold a centre back outside the transfer window and didn't bother
to replace him. We don't even have a full team sheet, and it's not helped by
David Moyes making poor team selections from what's left. We're not future
proofing the team, we are frogmarching towards relegation."

David Meagher says the fact that the transfer window is being looked at to
fix problems tells its own story.

"When you are relying on January to solve problems then you are in real
trouble as unless you splash big money, most of the time you are taking
another club's problems. Our performance in the transfer window over the
last two seasons has been terrible, and the proposed change in our transfer
team is much needed."

To read more from the pub talk crew, including their views on Andre Ayew and
Jordan Hugill, pick up a copy of the new edition of Blowing Bubbles out now.
There you will find exclusive columns from former Irons legends Phil Parkes
and George Parris, the latest news from the increasingly tetchy stand-off
between fans and the club's owners, find out what the future holds in store
for the Bobby Moore statue, and in a startlingly honest interview, Kieron
Dyer explains why he will probably go down in history as West Ham's worst
ever signing.

All this and more can be found in the latest edition of Blowing Bubbles –
"Out now":http://www.blowing-bubbles.co.uk/read-our-latest-issue.html

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Karren Brady: West Ham's London Stadium move was right, 90% of season
tickets have been renewed
ALEX YOUNG
ES Sport

Karren Brady has defended West Ham's much-maligned London Stadium move,
highlighting a high season ticket renewal rate. Co-owners David Sullivan and
co-chairman David Gold have come under increasing criticism from fans of
late following the move to athletics stadium and a perceived failure to
adequately invest in the playing squad. Tensions reached boiling point
earlier this month as five fans invaded the pitch during West Ham's match
against Burnley as others in the stands protested towards the owners. Ahead
of the 3-0 home loss to the Clarets, Brady had penned an open letter to
disillusioned fans promising talks over improving the atmosphere at the
stadium and playing staff. When asked by The Guardian if it was time to walk
for Gold, Sullivan and herself to walk away from the club, vice-chairman
Brady was defiant in her response. "I've never walked away from anything
I've done, and I'm not going to start now," she said. "I genuinely believe
the move we made to the stadium is the right one. That's why we had 52,000
season ticket holders, and why 90 per cent of those renewed."
West Ham are next in action on Saturday as they host relegation rivals
Southampton.

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WEST HAM STAR LANZINI PICKS UP INJURY WITH ARGENTINA
BRIAN GOSDEN @BrianGosden
ReadWestHam

West Ham midfielder Manuel Lanzini has reportedly sustained an injury during
international duty with Argentina. The playmaker has been struggling for
consistent game time this season as a consequence of injury woes and it
seems he is once again struggling for fitness. Lanzini is a vital player for
the Hammers and ahead of a crucial period for the club, David Moyes will be
desperate to have him fit and available. West Ham's clash against
Southampton next weekend is arguably the biggest of their season so far.
Argentina played against Italy on Friday night at the Etihad Stadium and
Lanzini featured. However, it seems since then, the 25-year-old has picked
up a knock, with the extent of the problem unknown at this stage. West Ham
fans will be desperately hoping that Lanzini can return to fitness ahead of
their game against Saints at the end of the month.

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Report: West Ham interested in Newcastle's Jamaal Lascelles
HITC
Subhankar Mondal

West Ham United are reportedly interested in signing Jamaal Lascelles from
Newcastle United in the summer transfer window. West Ham United are
interested in signing Jamaal Lascelles from Newcastle United in the summer
transfer window, according to The Sun. It has been reported by the British
tabloid that the Hammers are planning a £15 million move for the former
Nottingham Forest central defender. The report has claimed that Lascelles
could be tempted by a bigger deal with the Hammers, and that his agent is
close to the London club's camp. Lascelles is one of the best defenders in
the Premier League outside the top six, and his performances for Newcastle
so far this season have been very encouraging. The 24-year-old would be a
very good signing for West Ham, especially if the London club have to pay
£15m. However, it will be interesting to see if Newcastle are open to the
idea of selling one of their best and most important players.
Lascelles, who earns £40,000 per week as salary according to Spotrac.com,
has established himself as a key player in Rafael Benitez's team at St.
James' Park.

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West Ham United plan Manuel Pellegrini approach
HITC
Olly Dawes

West Ham United are reportedly keen on Manuel Pellegrini. According to The
Sun, West Ham United's board have identified Manuel Pellegrini as the man
they want to take charge of the club next season, and have already made
contact over a possible move. The Hammers appointed David Moyes as Slaven
Bilic's replacement back in October, and whilst the Scot looked to have
steadied the ship, four heavy defeats in five games means the Hammers are
hovering above the relegation zone again. Moyes may not even stay if he does
keep West Ham in the Premier League, and it now seems that owners David Gold
and David Sullivan have another plan in mind as they attempt to appease
disgruntled fans. It's claimed that West Ham have settled on Manuel
Pellegrini as the manager they want to come in this summer, and have already
made contact with the Chilean's representatives over making a move to the
London Stadium. Pellegrini, 64, has had a lengthy, 30-year managerial
career, which even saw him manage Real Madrid during the 2009-10 season, but
he will be best remembered for his time with Manchester City. The former
Villarreal boss guided City to the Premier League title in 2014, and was
hugely popular at the Etihad Stadium before being replaced by Pep Guardiola
in the summer of 2016, after also winning two League Cups. Now managing in
China with Hebei China Fortune, Pellegrini is one of the few available
Premier League title winners that could be lured to West Ham, with Gold and
Sullivan now seemingly making an audacious bid. Yet having already won the
Premier League title, the trouble at West Ham right now and the huge
contract he has in China, luring Pellegrini back to England won't be easy
for the Hammers, and they will certainly need alternative targets in case
they can't land their leading man.

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Liverpool 'targeting West Ham and Argentina star Manuel Lanzini' as they
look for summer reinforcements
PLUS: Mo Salah is set to reject the advances of Real Madrid this summer and
offer hima new £200k-a-week deal
The Mirror
ByFootball Spy
05:00, 25 MAR 2018

Jurgen Klopp wants Manuel Lanzini as part of his front line, according to
reports in Argentina. The West Ham forward is reportedly one of the top
names on Klopp's summer transfer wishlist, as he looks to find a full-time
replacement for Philippe Coutinho, who left in January. Lanzini was on the
scoresheet for Argentina in their 2-0 win over Italy in Manchester on Friday
night. In a report assessing his performance, Diario Ole claim that Lanzini
is high up on Klopp's wishlist and that Liverpool could move for him this
summer. However, Lanzini said earlier this week that he was "very happy" at
West Ham and was not intending on moving. Mo Salah will stay at Liverpool –
even if Real Madrid come calling. And Kop chiefs are ready to hand him a
bumper new deal worth £200,000-a-week after a stunning first season at
Anfield. Liverpool are aware of the Spanish giant's intentions to rebuild
this summer with some stellar signings – and Salah is high on their hitlist.
But the 25-year-old said: "I like the Premier League. It suits my style and
I love playing here."
Liverpool will have to pay Emre Can more than £200,000-a-week if they want
him to stay. The Germany international, who is out of contract at the end of
June, is looking for a new deal that would make him the highest-paid player
at Anfield. Liverpool's owners are unlikely to meet the 24-year-old's
demands and there is a growing sense that the midfielder will be on his way
at the end of the season. Premier League leaders Manchester City and Italian
giants Juventus are among his admirers. The Reds have offered him a new
deal, which the player has rejected, although further talks are expected
with the club before his future is resolved.

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Republic of Ireland boss Martin O'Neill hopes to put doubts over Declan
Rice's future to bed as soon as possible
Martin O'Neill hopes to lock Declan Rice to the Republic of Ireland in
September
The West Ham star made his debut against Turkey but could still play for
England
O'Neill says the situation is different to Jack Grealish, who turned Ireland
down
By Craig Hope for MailOnline
PUBLISHED: 23:41, 24 March 2018 | UPDATED: 23:42, 24 March 2018

September 6. That is the date when all of the talk over Declan Rice's
international future can finally be put to rest and Martin O'Neill will fret
no more. It easy to see why the Republic of Ireland boss is nervous, he
himself spoke of the 19-year-old West Ham defender in the same breath as
Paul McGrath and Roy Keane in the wake of his composed debut against Turkey
on Friday night. O'Neill has also been here before with English-born
players, most recently with Reading midfielder Liam Kelly - who rejected the
call-up for last week's training camp and friendly match - and most
infamously with Aston Villa's Jack Grealish, who declared his allegiance to
England after much discourse.
Rice, it would appear, is committed to the Irish cause, admitting he had a
tear in his eye at the thought of his grandparents during the national
anthem in Antalya.
But FIFA rules mean he could yet defect and not until his possible
involvement in the Nations League fixture against Wales in just over five
months' time will O'Neill know for certain that Rice's international future
lies with Ireland. 'Well, I can't say that (he will play competitively for
Ireland) until it's actually over the line,' said O'Neill. 'There is a
difference with Jack (Grealish). He was playing at Under-21 level and then
there was talk about the senior side at that particular stage.. We courted
him for some time but he and his father decided that (England) was the route
he wanted to go down. 'I, for instance, was speaking to Declan but I didn't
really want to be putting him under a great deal of pressure. It would be
terrible if he was lost to us but hopefully that will not be the case. 'His
father was there (on Friday night), he made journey across to see him play
which is always encouraging. I think he's always felt really wanted here.
Long before this ever materialised, long before we were talking about
anything, we had him down last season at Fota Island and that made an
impression on the young man. 'I don't think anyone could have foretold what
was going to develop in the course of time. In short, I hope he stays with
us and I genuinely believe he really does enjoy it and naturally we'd be
very disappointed if he went the other way, but that will be a decision he
and his family has to make at some stage or other. I hope it's positive.'
Rice was man-of-the-match during the 1-0 defeat to Turkey, stepping into
midfield in the second half after starting in a three-man defence.
And O'Neill reflected: 'I think he is strong, I think he is athletic. I
think he has got good enough control at this minute. That will improve. It
will definitely improve the more games he plays at club level. 'To put that
sort of pressure on him, to put him up with Paul McGrath or Roy Keane,
that's asking a heck of a lot for a young man but he certainly has enormous
potential. I think his debut was very impressive from a 19-year-old.'

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