Preview - Southampton
WHUFC.com
The background
It's a quick turnaround and return to action for West Ham United as they
host Southampton on Monday, just 48 hours after picking up a Boxing Day
point at Aston Villa. The Saints arrive in E13 for the 5.30pm kick-off on
the back of a superb 4-0 win over Arsenal, which denied the Gunners the
chance to overtake Leicester City at the head of the Barclays Premier League
table. West Ham, meanwhile, have not won in their last eight now, but have
only lost two of those encounters, drawing their last five. That latest draw
came at Villa Park, when Aaron Cresswell ended a three-game wait for a goal,
only for Jordan Ayew's second half penalty to ensure the spoils would be
shared.
The Hammers go into their final game of 2015 tenth in the table with 26
points from 18 starts – two points and two places better off than the
Saints.
The history
West Ham and Southampton were promoted back to the top flight together in
2012 and have established themselves in the Premier League once more since.
The two clubs have met 164 times in all competitions, including the early
Southern League days, with West Ham winning 72 times to Southampton's 46.
However, it was the Saints who had the upper hand last term, winning 3-1 at
the Boleyn Ground in August, before the Hammers held on with ten men to draw
0-0 at St Mary's in February. Jussi Jaaskelainen made his only Premier
League appearance of last term in that match, coming off the bench after
Adrian's red card and making a series of fine stops.
The match
Team news
West Ham United
Slaven Bilic will check on James Tomkins' and Aaron Cresswell's fitness
after the pair were forced off during Saturday's draw at Aston Villa.
Tomkins suffered a facial injury, while Cresswell felt tightness in his
hamstring and both will need to be assessed. However, Andy Carroll (groin)
and Manuel Lanzini (hamstring) could return after spells on the sidelines.
Southampton
For the Saints, they will again be without Graziano Pelle and Cedric Soares.
Pelle will be absent for a few weeks with a knee problem, while Soares has a
groin injury.
Match info
- Monday's referee is Michael Oliver. He will be assisted by Harry Lennard
and Daniel Cook. The fourth official is Andre Marriner.
- The last three Premier League games between these sides at Upton Park have
produced a total of 13 goals.
- None of the last 12 Premier League games between these two played at West
Ham's ground have ended in a draw (nine wins for West Ham).
- The Hammers lost their opening two league games at home this season but
are unbeaten in the subsequent six.
- West Ham have recorded five successive top-flight draws for the first time
since October 1968 - they've never drawn six in a row before in the
division.
- Saints were unbeaten in their first six Premier League away games this
season but have lost their last two on the road.
- They have won just two of their last 15 Premier League away games (W2, D5,
L8), scoring 11 goals.
Ticketing, travel, coverage and other info
- As part of our Farewell Boleyn season, we will be looking back at the
greatest goals scored at the famous ground at this fixture. Look out for
plenty of special features.
- Tickets for this game have SOLD OUT. However, tickets may become available
online as Season Ticket Holders relist.
- There will be no service on the Hammersmith & City line on Monday, but the
District line will be serving Upton Park as usual. Click here for the latest
on TfL services and here for National Rail.
- Sunny spells are predicted for Monday, with temperature at kick-off of 10C
(50F).
- If you're not heading to the game, make sure you keep up to date on the
action on our digital channels. The whufc.com match centre has live audio
commentary and text updates, in-running stats, photos and more, while you
can get involved with the conversation on social using the hashtag #WHUSOU.
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Song - We should have won the game
WHUFC.com
Alex Song felt West Ham United were hard done by in both penalty areas
during Saturday's 1-1 Barclays Premier League stalemate at Villa Park. The
No4, who replaced goalscorer Aaron Cresswell with quarter of an hour to
play, was aggrieved to see Mike Dean penalise Angelo Ogbonna for a coming
together with Rudi Gestede and then saw penalty appeals of his own dismissed
when Ashley Westwood appeared to handle late on. Mark Noble had earlier had
similar claims for a spot-kick waved away and, all in all, Song was left
with the impression that on another day, the Hammers might well have
departed Villa Park with all three points.
"Am I satisfied with a point? I would say no," he confirmed. "With the
penalty decision, I think there was a foul before Angelo [Ogbonna] committed
the foul. But the referee made the decision and we have to accept it. "I
controlled the ball, I moved forward and I saw the players in front of me.
So I decided to shift it and it touched his arm. Unfortunately for me the
referee's not seen it. Afterwards you have to carry on working. I don't want
to make excuses but I think we should have won the game."
The point keeps Remi Garde's Villa rooted to the foot of the Premier League
table, but Song, who was sporting protective goggles for the first time,
said he saw plenty on Boxing Day to suggest the Villans are far better than
their lowly position suggests. He continued: "Of course we expected a tough
match like that. It's Boxing Day, that's what happens! They showed today
that frankly they don't deserve to be in this position. "They pushed, they
tried to get the three points, but we held them off and, in the end, I think
it's a shame that we've not won the match."
As Song knows only too well, there is little time to stew on Saturday's
happenings, with Southampton set to visit the Boleyn Ground on Monday. The
former Arsenal man is well versed with England's atypical festive football
traditions and has set his sights on three points against the Saints. "It's
non-stop, we're used to it. That's England, you don't get time!" We've got
to rest up and be ready for Monday because it's an important home match for
us. "We have to win, we have to get back to winning ways and, particularly
after Saturday's result, we have to give everything to win the game against
Southampton."
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Tactically speaking - Southampton
WHUFC.com
An in-depth analysis of how Southampton could approach Monday's Barclays
Premier League visit to the Boleyn Ground, with WhoScored.com...
Under manager Ronald Koeman, Southampton have developed a reputation for
playing with high-intensity and energy, never giving their opponents a
moment's peace. With attacking full-backs, athletic, technically-gifted
central midfield players and speedy, powerful wingers capable of firing
accurate crosses into the opposition penalty area, Southampton's attack is
balanced. So far this season, the Saints have gone forward 34% of the time
down both flanks, and 32% through the middle – and you can't get much more
balanced than that!
As you might expect for a side coached by a Dutchman, Southampton also
prefer to open teams up using possession-based football, with 80% of their
passes considered to be 'short' by statistical analysis website
WhoScored.com.
WhoScored also show Southampton have scored eleven of their 21 Barclays
Premier League goals from open play, and just one from a counter-attacking
situation.
Possession-wise, Southampton average 447 passes per game, complete 79.9% of
their passes and enjoy 51.3% of the ball – all three good for tenth-best in
the top flight.
While those stats might not be too impressive, the Saints have turned that
possession into 14.7 shots per game, and 4.8 shots on target per game – both
fifth-highest in the league.
So why, you might ask, are Koeman's men sitting in mid-table, rather than
challenging for the top four, as they did for much of last season?
Well, put simply, before their Boxing Day thrashing of Arsenal, Southampton
had not finished enough of the chances they have created. Koeman's men have
unleased 250 shots on goal this season – 155 of them from inside the penalty
area – but just 20 of them had ended up in the back of the net.
Those ratios naturally improved on Boxing Day, when they had 14 shots, five
on target and scored four goals.
Tactically, Southampton are almost certain to revert to the 4-2-3-1
formation that Koeman has favoured in 15 of his side's 18 league matches.
A flat back four will be anchored by two big, strong, ball-playing
centre-halves in captain Jose Fonte and Virgil van Dijk.
Out wide, Portuguese Cedric and England international Ryan Bertrand are both
archetypal modern full-backs, who love nothing better than to fly up their
wings in support of the attack, but also possess the pace, athleticism and
desire to recover into defensive positions when required.
On Boxing Day, Cedric was replaced by Curacao-born youngster Cuco Martina,
who marked his first start in England's top-flight with a clean sheet and a
sensational long-range strike that drew comparisons to Roberto Carlos's
free-kick for Brazil against France in 1997.
Ahead of the back four, Oriel Romeu and Victor Wanyama are the deep-lying
defensive shields. Romeu is a more traditional defensive midfielder, but it
is Wanyama who leads the team in interceptions (41) and tackles (49).
Both will drop deep to receive the ball from the centre-halves or
goalkeeper, but are more likely to seek out their more attack-minded
colleagues than to bring the ball forward themselves.
Ahead of them, Sadio Mane and Dusan Tadic are Southampton's versatile and
dangerous wingers. Senegalese Mane has pace, power and good technical
ability, meaning he can drop deep to receive the ball, spin and run in
behind or cut inside with the ball at his feet to shoot.
Tadic is a more traditional wide-man, who prefers to beat his man and get
crosses into the box. Both wingers will drift inside to allow their
respective full-backs room to run into out wide.
In the middle of the attacking midfield three, Steven Davis loves to get
forward and support or run beyond the centre forward.
Up front, Pelle is a target man in every sense of the word and loves nothing
better than receiving the ball to his chest or feet and bringing others into
play. Once he has done that, the Italian will get himself into the box to
attack the huge number of crosses Southampton deliver – their 351 was second
only to Manchester United's 395 before Boxing Day.
However, it remains to be seen if Pelle will regain his place after Shane
Long bagged two goals against the Gunners on Saturday evening.
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Collins - We're still picking up points
WHUFc.com
James Collins believes the Hammers have shown good resilience to dig in and
claim points amid their injury problems in recent weeks.
Shorn of several attacking players, goals have dried up for the Hammers as
winter has set in, not helping their cause as they aim to end an eight-game
wait for victory against Southampton on Monday. Whilst victories have not
been forthcoming, the Hammers have been hard to beat with six of those eight
ending all-square and Collins says that the steady accumulation of points
has been important. "I'm not making excuses, but if you take Vardy and
Mahrez out of Leicester's team, they won't be top of the league," he
explained. "That's pretty much what's happened to us with our attacking
players. "[The good thing is] We're not losing games, we're picking up
points. We'd have liked to get three on Saturday but we'll take a point away
from home."
West Ham were in a winning position at Villa on Boxing Day, having taken the
lead through Aaron Cresswell's 45th minute strike, so Collins was
disappointed to end up with a draw on that occasion. "It's disappointing
really, after going 1-0 up and playing well in the first half," he admitted.
"Second half we should have been better and they got on top a little bit.
"We were expecting a tough second half, with their position they're in and
in front of their own fans, but we have to be better than that. We got the
goal we've been looking for the last couple of weeks, so to draw is
disappointing."
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West Ham v Southampton
KO 17:30
27 December 2015
Last updated at 13:26
Barclays Premier League
Venue: Upton Park Date: Monday, 28 December
TEAM NEWS
West Ham pair Aaron Cresswell and James Tomkins were both substituted
because of injuries against Aston Villa and now face fitness tests.
Andy Carroll could return, but Manuel Lanzini, Victor Moses, Dimitri Payet,
Winston Reid and Diafra Sakho are likely to miss out again.
Southampton will again be without Graziano Pelle and Cedric Soares. Pelle
will be absent for a few weeks with a knee problem, while Soares has a groin
injury.
MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES
Simon Brotherton: "Even in this most unpredictable of seasons I don't think
many would have predicted that Southampton would give Arsenal a 4-0 thumping
on Boxing Day, certainly not me anyway. "And what about that goal! Cuco
Martina's wonder strike makes him the first player from Curaçao to score in
the Premier League, meaning players from 93 different nationalities have now
scored in the competition. " West Ham's game at Aston Villa didn't hit those
sort of heights, but was decent enough and Slaven Bilic wasn't unhappy with
a point despite feeling a couple of big decisions hadn't gone their way.
"It's five draws in a row for the Hammers as they continue to tread water
while several key players recover from injury."
Twitter: @SimonBrotherton
LAWRO'S PREDICTION
Southampton looked like they had had the hurry-up from Ronald Koeman when
they thrashed Arsenal on Boxing Day night. They have been a bit too nice and
very inconsistent but the Arsenal game was a significant win. West Ham will
be fine this season but I can see the Saints rolling them over.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
The last three Premier League games between these sides at Upton Park have
produced a total of 13 goals.
None of the last 12 Premier League games between these two played at West
Ham's ground have ended in a draw (nine wins for West Ham).
Southampton are aiming to win successive league away games at West Ham for
the first time since 1992.
West Ham United
The Hammers lost their opening two league games at home this season but are
unbeaten in the subsequent six.
West Ham have recorded five successive top-flight draws for the first time
since October 1968 - they've never drawn six in a row before in the
division.
They have conceded just two goals in their last five matches.
The last time the Hammers won their final league game of a calendar year was
in December 2008 (2-1 v Stoke City).
Southampton
Saints were unbeaten in their first six Premier League away games this
season but have lost their last two on the road.
They have won just two of their last 15 Premier League away games (W2, D5,
L8), scoring 11 goals.
Sadio Mane has six assists in 18 league appearances this season - twice as
many as he had in 30 Premier League appearances last season.
Shane Long has scored five and assisted two goals in his last seven Premier
League starts for Southampton.
They last won their final league game in a calendar year in December 2010,
beating Huddersfield 4-1.
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Sales before signings, warns Sullivan
KUMb.com
Filed: Sunday, 27th December 2015
By: Staff Writer
David Sullivan says West ham will not be making any signings during the
January transfer window unless the club are able to move on some fringe
players first.
The club's co-owner told Sky Sports that the club overspent in the summer
and have consequently exhausted the available wage budget, as dictated by
the FFP rules regarding maximum wages.
"Unless some leaves the club, we don't have a penny to spend on wages," he
said. "But we'll only let fringe players go or if somebody made an offer
that we couldn't refuse. We're not going to be selling players for £10,
£20million as we're a non-selling club."
And Sullivan added that he doesn't expect to lose Andy Carroll during the
window, despite several reports linking him with a return to the North East
- and specifically Sunderland, where former Hammers boos Sam Allardyce is
now manager.
"Andy is doing a great job; he's part of the club, part of the team and i
think it's very unlikely he'd want to go anyway," added Sullivan.
"He's got a baby and a fiancee in this area and I wouldn't think there's any
club he'd go to apart from Newcastle. Even if Sunderland or another club
offered him more money, I don't think he'd go there. He'd have no interest."
And Sullivan also revealed that he was keeping faith with manager Slaven
Bilic, despite West ham having failed to win a game since the end of
October.
"We've only lost four game in the league all season, which is pretty good,"
he surmised. "The goals have dried up because we've got five strikers out.
The goals would dry up for any team if they lost their five main strikers
and first choice players."
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Defensive duo doubtful for Southampton clash
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 26th December 2015
By: Staff Writer
Aaron Cresswell and James Tomkins are both doubful for Monday 's game
against Southampton after both were substituted during this afternoon's 1-1
draw at Aston Villa. Full back Cresswell was substituted midway through the
second half after feeling a hamstring whilst Tomkins, playing out of
position at rigth back was replaced at half time after his eye closed up
following a first half challenge.
Slaven Bilic, speaking after the game about the two key players told
reporters: "It's very frustrating to have both full-backs out of the game.
"With Tomkins it's a situation that long-term is nothing serious, but his
eye is shut and the problem is the game is in a couple of days time.
Cresswell felt some tightness and it was a precaution. We have to wait until
tomorrow." On the positive side, Bilic expects to have both Andy Carroll and
Manuel Lanzini - neither of whom were risked at Villa Park today - available
for selection once again following recent injuries.
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West Ham v Southampton preview: Aaron Cresswell and James Tomkins expected
to feature for Hammers
By Charlotte Marsh
Last Updated: 27/12/15 8:50pm
SSN
Aaron Cresswell and James Tomkins are expected to feature for West Ham as
they host Southampton in the Premier League on Monday evening.
The Hammers have drawn their last five top flight games - including a 1-1
draw with Aston Villa on Boxing Day - and haven't taken all three points
since their 2-1 win against Chelsea on October 24. They now sit 10th in the
Premier League table on 26 points - two ahead of Southampton who currently
occupy 12th place. After a run of five winless league games, the Saints got
back to winning ways in emphatic fashion against Arsenal on Saturday,
beating them 4-0 at St Mary's.
Team news
West Ham's injury worries grew on Saturday after Cresswell (hamstring) and
Tomkins (head) were both forced off against Aston Villa but boss Slaven
Bilic is hopeful they will be fit for the game, but is waiting on Nikica
Jelavic after he missed the 1-1 draw. Dimitri Payet (ankle), Winston Reid,
Victor Moses (both hamstring), Diafra Sakho and Manuel Lanzini (both thigh)
are likely to sit out again, but Andy Carroll (thigh) may return. Djair
Parfitt-Williams could feature in the squad again after the young striker
was an unused substitute against Villa.
Graziano Pelle and Cedric Soares missed Southampton's win over Arsenal and
manager Ronald Koeman confirmed the pair will remain absent at Upton Park.
Italy striker Pelle is facing a few weeks on the sidelines with a knee
complaint, while right-back Cedric has a groin injury.
Opta stats
None of the last 12 Premier League games between these two at the Boleyn
Ground have ended in a draw (nine wins for West Ham).
Southampton will be looking to win successive league away games at West Ham
for the first time since April 1992.
Mark Noble has scored three goals in his last three Premier League
appearances against Southampton at the Boleyn Ground.
The last time West Ham won their final league game of a calendar year was in
December 2008 (2-1 v Stoke City).
Southampton last won their final league game in a calendar year in December
2010 (4-1 v Huddersfield), losing two and drawing two of their year-ending
league games since.
Southampton have lost just one of their last five Premier League trips to
London (W3 D1 L1).
West Ham are unbeaten in their last six Premier League home games, but four
of these have been draws (W2 D4 L0).
Southampton have won just two of their last 15 Premier League away games (W2
D5 L8), netting just 11 goals in this run.
Merson's prediction
West Ham are slowly starting to get a few of their injured players back and
that will be a big boost for them. On the other hand Southampton were on a
terrible run of form until that Arsenal result. I have to go for a home win
with West Ham winning 2-1, though.
It should be an entertaining game between two decent sides, but I think the
Hammers will just have too much for the Saints.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (10/1 with Sky Bet)
Betting
Southampton are Sky Bet's 23/20 favourites for the victory with West Ham 5/2
and the draw priced at 9/4. The Saints muted any suggestions they could be
in for a relegation battle with their 4-0 thumping of Arsenal on Boxing Day,
reflected in their odds on facing the drop drifting to 100/1. Andy Carroll
heads a wide-open first goalscorer market at 11/2.
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West Ham captain Mark Noble concerned by injury crisis
By PA Sport
Last Updated: 27/12/15 2:44pm
SSN
West Ham skipper Mark Noble believes their injury crisis would affect any
team in the Premier League. The Hammers host Southampton on Monday after
Boxing Day's 1-1 draw at Aston Villa and Noble believes their missing men
would have made the difference. James Tomkins (head) and Aaron Cresswell
(hamstring) were forced off at Villa Park, but the club hope they will be
fit to face the Saints with Dimitri Payet, Victor Moses, Manuel Lanzini,
Andy Carroll and Nikica Jelavic already struggling with injury. "I'm the
first one to say we have a good squad but we miss the players we've got."
Noble said. "We miss the players who create stuff and score goals. Take away
Jelavic, Carroll, Dimitri, Lanzini and Moses, it's going to hurt any squad.
"We have managed to cope with it and I'm proud of the players for digging in
and picking up the points. "These teams are playing their full squads and
we're asking six or seven players to play when they are not fit. We lost
Tomks at half-time and Cress with 20 minutes to go. "It's only 48 hours
(between games) and we'll do a warm down (on Sunday) and start looking
forward to Southampton. We need to get three points. "We have come through a
tough spell with a lot of games with a squad which is depleted but the boys
have dug in well and I'm proud of them." Saturday's point means Slaven
Bilic's side have drawn their last five games and have not won in eight
matches to sit 10th in the table. Cresswell's strike against Villa - West
Ham's first goal for 388 minutes - was cancelled out by Jordan Ayew's second
half penalty after Rudy Gestede went down under Angelo Ogbonna's challenge
but Noble felt the Villa forward fouled Ogbonna in the build-up. "I thought
it was a foul leading up to the penalty. It's just the way it's going for
us," Noble told the club's official website. "We scored a good goal with
Cress and you hope you can hang on. We knew they were going to be tough. We
wanted to come and get the three points and we were heading that way until a
bad decision."
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West Ham winger Michail Antonio vows to come good despite slow start to
Upton Park career
22:30, 27 DEC 2015
BY JAMES NURSEY
Antonio has by his own admission been "rusty" since a £7million deadline-day
switch from Nottingham Forest, but he is now finally getting a run in the
side
The Mirror
Michail Antonio has reassured West Ham co-owner David Gold he will come good
in the Premier League. Gold infamously retweeted a message from a prankster
last month asking him to raise awareness of a person who had gone "missing"
in Manchester. The tweet was subsequently deleted when Gold realised it was
a picture of Antonio, whose Hammers debut was as substitute in a 2-1 win at
Manchester City in September. Antonio has by his own admission been "rusty"
since a £7million deadline-day switch from Nottingham Forest. But the winger
is now finally getting a run in the side due to injuries after making his
third consecutive start in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Aston Villa.
His cross-field pass led to Aaron Cresswell's stunning opener and the
wideman is anxious to prove himself. Asked about being determined to show
his qualities to Gold, Antonio replied: "Definitely, but I take it as all
banter. I didn't take it anything seriously. He has put it up as banter and
I have taken it as banter. "One thing I have faith in is my ability. Right
now I do feel a bit rusty, I need to get sharper, but I feel I will get to
that point and once I do I believe I can terrorise the Premier League as
well as the Championship.
"I am a player where I try and excite the fans and run at players. I always
give 100 per cent. Right now I feel I am doing all right, but I need to do
more back in the team as an attacker to get more assists and more goals. I
had quite a bit of a break but as the games are coming on I feel myself
getting better and getting sharper. "Hopefully Monday things will start
building on until I start playing my game."
West Ham host Southampton today with Slaven Bilic's side still set to be
without key man Dimitri Payet and fellow attacking wideman Victor Moses. And
Antonio is anxious the Hammers end a run of five successive draws to
re-ignite their push for Europe. He added: "Right now we are going through a
bit of a draw rut but it could be worse, we could be getting no points. "We
can't complain with our form but it is about getting more goals now."
Bottom club Villa dominated, but found old boy James Collins in fine form at
the back and keeper Adrian nearly invincible. The visitors took the lead
against the run of play from Cresswell's left-foot screamer before Villa
levelled from Jordan Ayew's penalty after Rudy Gestede was fouled. Villa
boss Remi Garde, still searching for his first win, reflected: "It's a bit
frustrating. I am sad for the players because they deserved three points."
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CandH: Today's Hard News round-up
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 27, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
Here's the hard news you may have missed that was brought to readers earlier
in the day:
This morning
David Gold claims James Tomkins will be available for the clash against
Southampton at the Boleyn tomorrow. JT of course received a nasty gash under
the right eye in the early stages of the match at Villa yesterday and came
off at half time for Carl Jenkinson. Speaking on Twitter Gold said: "I think
Tomkins will be available for selection. dg."
Manu Lanzini was this morning descibed as having a "small chance" of making
it into the squad for tomorrow's clash against Southampton at the Boleyn.
ClaretandHugh was told: "Things don't look too bad for us. Andy looks ready
and Tomkins is likely to get the nod. We will wait until before kick off to
make the decision on Aaron Cresswell."
This afternoon:
ClaretandHugh has been told this afternoon Aaron Cresswell has suffered a
minor hamstring injury which gives him only the slightest chance of making
the game against the south coast side. Andy Carroll has a real chance of
being included and, as reported earlier, Manu Lanzini is described as having
a "small chance" of making the squad.
Southampton will again be without Graziano Pelle and Cedric Soares for
tomorrow's visit to to Upton park. Both players were absent for the Boxing
Day win against Arsenal and manager Ronald Koeman confirmed they will again
be missing at Upton Park. Italy striker Pelle is facing a few weeks on the
sidelines with a knee complaint, while right-back Cedric has a groin injury.
The Saints were mightily impressive against the Gunners and are unlikely to
make major changes.
Provisional squad: Stekelenburg, Gazzaniga, K Davis, Martina, Caulker, Van
Dijk, Fonte, Yoshida, Bertrand, Targett, Clasie, Wanyama, Ward-Prowse,
Romeu, S Davis, Tadic, Ramirez, Mane, Long, Juanmi.
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Sullivan puts it on the record
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 27, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
This will not come as news to regular readers of ClaretandHugh but it's
worth reporting just to ensure it's firmly on the record.
We were – many weeks ago – the first site to report that there will be
absolutely no action in the transfer market this January given that there is
no cash to spend and we are up to the limit on FFP.
Matt Jarvis has left for Norwich City but chairman David Sullivan has today
repeated the position reported by ourselves – there's no dough to spend.
Speaking to Sky Sports News: "Unless somebody leaves the club who is on our
wage bill at this moment in time we don't have a penny to spend on wages.
"We would only let fringe players go, or if somebody made an offer we
couldn't refuse. We're not going to be selling players for £10 million, £20
million. We're a non selling club."
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Carroll: The conspiracy theory
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 27, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
If I was as s cynical as I've sometimes liked to pretend I would have a very
big Andy Carroll conspiracy theory.
As it is I will settle for wondering why the manager wasn't a lot more
definite in his reply when asked if the big centre forward was for sale four
days ago.
On December 23rd when asked if AC was on the market next month, Bilic said:
"I don't think so, I don't think so. We need players, we need him fit, we
need him back. He fits into my plans. I said this from the start and that
didn't change."
"Think so…need him fit – he's in my plans" Hmmm. It's the manager's
decision on whether players will be allowed to go. Ok he can be over-ruled
but "I don't think so" isn't the most emphatic declaration of intent.
In the meantime the lad's been missing from action again and if we are
entirely honest about it there's no question the board may well feel that
they were had right over when the former manager decided to stake his entire
reputation on bringing him to the club.
All of this came to mind yesterday when in conversation with some senior
people I was told that to all intents and purposes Carroll was fit but may
not be risked at Villa "just in case."
The 'just in case' was left hanging in the air but it begged a question for
me and it was this: 'Just in case he breaks down again and we can't sell him
in January?!"
Of course I may have this 100 per cent wrong and he could easily be back in
action tomorrow but ya know what? I really do believe that if an offer of
around £7m – £8m were to come in it may well be accepted.
I share the view that when all are fit Andy Carroll is towards the back of
the queue for a starting place regardless of the "he fits my plans"
statement from the boss.
Ok, it's only a conspiracy theory but I invite your views!
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers report on Cresswell fitness
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 27, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
Aaron Cresswell is set to miss tomorrow's match against Saints with a
hamstring injury.
The left back – an ever present since arriving from Ipswich – left the
action after feeling a 'tightening' during the game against Aston Villa.
And ClaretandHugh has been told this afternoon that the defender has
suffered a minor hamstring injury which gives him only the slightest chance
of making the game against the south coast side.
And it means that Stephen Hendrie could be set to make his debut since his
arrival from Scotland after being included in recent squads.
Andy Carroll has a real chance of being included and, as reported earlier,
Manu Lanzini is described as having a "small chance" of making the squad.
David Gold reported on Twitter earlier in the day that James Tomkins is
expected to make the match despite a nasty gash under his right eye which
closed up during the latter stages of yesterday's game.
However, that will depend on whether the bruising relents and the player can
see from BOTH eyes!
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Hammers on Lanzini chances for Saints
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 27, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
Manu Lanzini was this morning descibed as having a "small chance" of making
it into the squad for tomorrow's clash against Southampton at the Boleyn.
With the Hammers desperate for some real flair the Argentinian is the most
strongly eyed player among the fans right now.
He and Andy Carroll were expected to be involved in the 1-1 draw against
Villa yesterday but neither made it amid reports that although fit, the
manager had decided to take absolutely no risks with either of them.
And this morning when ClaretandHugh approached our senior source on Lanzini
we were told: "There's a small chance of him making the bench."
The Hammers will be hoping that after the trouncing of Arsenal yesterday
evening the Saints will arrive at Upton Park over confident of their
chances.
We were told: "Things don't look too bad for us. Andy looks ready and
Tomkins is likely to get the nod. We will wait until before kick off to make
the decision on Aaron Cresswell."
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Monday, December 28
Sunday, December 27
Daily WHUFC News - 27th December 2015
FT - Aston Villa 1-1 West Ham United
WHUFC.com
Barclays Premier League, Villa Park, Saturday 26 December 2015
West Ham United drew for the fifth Barclays Premier League fixture in a row
after failing to land a Boxing Day knockout at bottom club Aston Villa. The
Hammers looked on course for a welcome first win in eight games when Aaron
Cresswell smashed home in first-half stoppage time, only for Jordan Ayew's
penalty to grab Villa a deserved point. The first half was a competitive
affair, even if the quality of play in the final third may not have been up
to the standard demanded by Slaven Bilic and Remi Garde. With injuries again
depriving Bilic of six first-team players, including five attackers, the
visitors struggled to create the clear-cut opportunities needed to put the
game beyond Villa after Cresswell's long-range strike.
West Ham's early momentum was slowed by another injury, with James Tomkins
suffering a nasty cut below his eye after clashing heads with Alan Hutton.
Despite resuming after lengthy treatment Tomkins would be replaced at
half-time. In the meantime, both sides went close once in the opening 25
minutes, Rudy Gestede heading Jordan Veretout's left-wing cross narrowly
wide before Mauro Zarate tested Brad Guzan with a low drive which the
American tipped past the post. After a period in the ascendancy, Villa then
lost Carlos Sanchez to a hamstring injury and then a goal to Cresswell, who
collected Michail Antonio's cross-field pass before firing a low, left-foot
shot past Guzan and into the bottom right-hand corner.
West Ham replaced Tomkins with Carl Jenkinson at the break and, after a
brief period of pressure from the visitors, Garde's men took control and
created a succession of decent chances. Gestede headed over before Adrian
dived to his right to keep out goal-bound efforts from Veretout and then the
big Benin striker, who proved to be a real handful on his return to the
starting XI. West Ham attacked sparingly, with Collins' glancing header over
the bar their only chance of note. Just after the hour-mark, Villa got their
reward for an improved showing when Angelo Ogbonna was penalised for
bundling over Gestede, and Ayew sent Adrian the wrong way from the penalty
spot.
Having levelled, Villa caused a few further moments of panic, but it was
West Ham who had the next half-chance, but penalty appeals were ignored
after Mark Noble's fierce volley thundered into Leandro Bacuna. Ashley
Westwood then volleyed over as Villa went back on the front foot, and
Collins had to be in exactly the right place to deny former teammate Hutton,
whose header looked destined for the Hammers net.
Bilic sent on Alex Song and Reece Oxford in a bid to slow the hosts' charge
and the move paid off, with Pedro Obiang testing Guzan, who then kept out
Valencia's dipping free-kick in the final minute of added time. In the final
analysis, West Ham may have surrendered their lead, but with so many regular
starters absent, this was another point earned through teamwork and
resilience. The Hammers will hope to welcome back some of those absent
players when they welcome Southampton to the Boleyn Ground on Monday 28
December at 5.30pm.
Aston Villa: Guzan, Hutton, Okore, Lescott (c), Bacuna, Westwood, Sanchez
(Gil 38), Gana, Veretout (Adama 83), Ayew, Gestede
Subs not used: Bunn (GK), Clark, Sinclair, Richardson, Grealish
Goal: Ayew (61 pen)
Booked: Bacuna, Hutton, Lescott
West Ham United: Adrian, Tomkins (Jenkinson 46), Collins, Ogbonna, Cresswell
(Song 75), Obiang, Noble (c), Kouyate, Zarate (Oxford 85), Antonio, Valencia
Subs not used: Randolph (GK), Hendrie, Cullen, Parfitt-Williams
Goal: Cresswell (45+2)
Booked: Ogbonna, Collins, Kouyate
Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral)
Attendance: 38,661
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Mixed feelings for Cresswell
WHUFC.com
Aaron Cresswell admitted the joy of scoring his first goal of the season was
tempered by frustration of letting Aston Villa grab a Barclays Premier
League draw on Boxing Day.
The left-back hammered his side in front in first-half stoppage time at
Villa Park, but the visitors were pegged pack and forced to settle for a
fifth stalemate in succession through Jordan Ayew's second-half penalty.
Injury added to insult for the No3, who was forced off with a minor
hamstring injury with 15 minutes remaining, ending his ever-present
top-flight record stretching back to his arrival in summer 2014.
"It's frustrating because, especially in the first half, I thought we had
some very good spells and we thoroughly deserved our lead at half-time,"
Cresswell told whufc.com.
"Going into the second half, it's disappointing that we didn't hold onto the
lead, but we're knew they were going to fight until the end because they're
in a massive relegation fight.
"We're just disappointed we had to settle for a draw and didn't come away
with the three points."
Before suffering second half heartache, Cresswell was able to celebrate his
first goal since April, collecting a cross-field pass from Michail Antonio
before blasting low past Brad Guzan from 25 yards.
The defender revealed how he expected to get forward regularly after Slaven
Bilic opted to start with a 4-4-2 diamond formation that saw the four
midfielders play compact and narrow, opening up space for him to run into.
"We knew myself and Tonks were going to get a lot of the ball and Michail
has switched the ball fantastically, I took a touch and shot and thankfully
it's gone in the bottom corner.
"It's nice to get goals and assists, but first and foremost as a defender
it's about clean sheets. We've conceded one goal in four games which is not
too bad when you look at it.
"Obviously we want to get the three points more than clean sheets and the
goals. That said, it's another point on the board and we've got a lot of
games coming up over the next two weeks and we've got to look forward to
Southampton now."
Cresswell was unsure whether the decision to penalise Angelo Ogbonna for a
foul on Rudy Gestede for Ayew's penalty was the correct one, while also
pointing to a late incident inside the Villa box, when Ashley Westwood
appeared to handle Alex Song's through-ball.
"I initially thought it was a foul on Angelo at first, but I think it was a
penalty. I'd have to see it again, though, looking at it from where I was on
the pitch.
"We could have had a couple of penalties ourselves there. I was sat inside
the dressing room in the last ten minutes watching the game on TV and Alex
had a little ball that he tried to dink over, their lad has clearly
handballed it and the ref hasn't given it."
While there was some frustration at failing to beat the Premier League's
bottom side, who have won just once all season, Cresswell said the Hammers
had to take pride in the fact they have become so hard to beat despite their
recent injury issues.
"Every team in the Premier League has got international and they're all
fantastic players. I said last week that an away point is never the worst
result in the world, but of course we fancied ourselves coming here, as
they're low on confidence whereas ours is quite high.
"It's bitterly disappointing we didn't hold onto the lead and take the three
points."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bilic - We'll take the point
WHUFC.com
West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic had mixed feelings after Aston Villa
came from behind to claim a point against his team on Boxing Day. The
Hammers led 1-0 at the break thanks to Aaron Cresswell's fine strike, but
were pegged back by Jordan Ayew's second half penalty.
It extended the Londoners' draw streak to five, and Bilic said all things
considered, with their injury list, the result should be seen as a positive.
"Before the game we are looking to win it, and especially at half-time when
we are 1-0 up," he said. "Of course we knew they would come at us, but we
hoped we could frustrate them by keeping the ball or hurt them with the
space behind. "Unfortunately we didn't do it and they were awarded a penalty
which gave them a lift. To be fair, when you consider the whole situation
with injuries before the game, and even during the game, we will take the
point as a good one away from home."
The award of Villa's spot kick, for a foul on Rudy Gestede by Angelo
Ogbonna, was also a source of frustration for the Gaffer. He explained: "For
me, I had a good angle and Ogbonna was in front of Gestede. The only reason
Gestede came in front of Ogbonna is that he pulled his shirt. "It's not just
a quick one, it lasted, so for me it was a foul. But then he's given a
penalty, and then there's been a couple of handballs which at least one
should have been rewarded with a penalty. "We didn't, we can't change it.
We can moan, but what's the point of that?"
Bilic now faces a wait to see whether James Tomkins and Aaron Cresswell will
make Monday's visit of Southampton after departing the action early due to
injury. He added: "It's very frustrating to have both full-backs out of the
game [during the course of it]. With Tomkins it's a situation that long-term
it's nothing serious but his eye is shut and the problem is the game is in a
couple of days time. "Cresswell, he felt some tightness and it was a
precaution [to take him off]. We have to wait until tomorrow."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Aston Villa 1 West Ham 1
26 December 2015
Last updated at 21:58
By Aimee Lewis
BBC Sport
A Jordan Ayew penalty helped bottom-of-the-table Aston Villa come from
behind to earn a draw against a West Ham team which has not won since 24
October. In an evenly contested game, Villa twice went close in the first
half through Rudy Gestede before Aaron Cresswell scored with a low strike.
The spirited hosts levelled through Ayew after Gestede was clumsily felled
by Angelo Ogbonna. As Villa searched for the winner, Alan Hutton went close
with a header. But the right-back's effort was cleared by James Collins as
West Ham held on for their fifth successive draw to remain ninth in the
league.
Villa have now battled back to earn a point in successive league matches,
but Remi Garde's team desperately need to start collecting three points if
they are to overcome the odds and maintain their Premier League status.
Garde has yet to oversee a Villa victory since succeeding Tim Sherwood as
manager at the beginning of November, although there may be some solace in
the desire his side displayed against a well-organised West Ham side despite
falling behind just before half-time. The grim reality, however, is that
Villa have not won since the opening day of the season and are now 10
matches without a win at Villa Park and nine points from safety. Only three
of the previous 23 sides who were bottom of the Premier League on Christmas
Day have avoided relegation, although the last two sides in that position -
Leicester in 2014 and Sunderland in 2013 - did both survive.
Although Villa fans might look at their mid-table rivals with envy, Slaven
Bilic's side are enduring a slump of their own slump after promising
early-season form. The Londoners' winless run has coincided with the absence
of the injured Dimitri Payet - scorer of five goals in an impressive start
since his arrival from Marseilles - and the France international's return in
the New Year will be welcomed by Bilic's injury-hit side. West Ham are
defensively sound - enjoying three successive clean sheets prior to this
match - but currently lack cutting edge in front of goal.
Not many sides would have been as obliging as Villa in giving Cresswell the
freedom to roam down the left, before cutting inside and striking low into
the far corner from the edge of the box to end West Ham's 388-minute goal
drought. The Hammers had their chances, with Cheikhou Kouyate hitting the
crossbar before Cresswell opened the scoring, but a draw was a fair result
as the visitors' verve died away after the break and the hosts came back
into it.
Man of the match - Jordan Ayew
Gestede was instrumental for Villa, but it was Ayew who led the hosts'
attack and scored a great penalty to give his team hope of survival. The
24-year-old summer signing has now scored five goals for Villa in nine games
and was adventurous and industrious.
What the managers said
Aston Villa boss Remi Garde: "I knew this game was crucial for us. I wanted
to win. A draw was not the goal for this game. "We only missed the points.
What we put into this game was probably the best we can do. I think we
deserved more than we got. I am frustrated and also a bit sad for my
players. "We are still in a very bad position but when I see my team play
it's very encouraging. The performance we gave was not a bottom one. We have
to score goals and be more efficient in the offensive parts."
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic on Villa's penalty: "I am not happy with that
of course. From my point of view I saw Rudy Gestede was pulling Ogbonna's
shirt. With that it gained him an advantage and he got in front of Angelo.
For me it was a foul. "He gave a penalty but if he gave that he should have
given a penalty for one of the handballs for us. Unfortunately, he didn't.
"It's mixed emotions for us. When you are leading 1-0 at half-time against a
team which is fighting for their lives and nervous, you expect to win the
game. "They scored a penalty and then got the momentum so it was a fair
point. With the injuries and everything that happened we showed good
character. We got a point away from home which is good. Hopefully we will
have a few players back very soon."
The stats you need to know
Aston Villa are now winless in 17 Premier League games - only four teams
have ever had a longer run in the division (Derby 32, Sunderland 26, Norwich
21 and Nottingham Forest 19 - QPR also had a run of 17).
West Ham have recorded five successive top-flight draws for the first time
since October 1968.
Aaron Cresswell scored his first Premier League goal since April and his
first for the Hammers away from Upton Park.
Aston Villa have won just one of their past 15 games on Boxing Day (Won 1,
Drawn 5, Lost 9).
The Hammers have earned 16 points on the road so far this season, the same
tally as in the whole of last season.
What next?
Prior to this match, Garde had said his team needed "at least 10 victories"
from their remaining 21 matches to avoid relegation, and one of those
victories must surely come against fellow strugglers Norwich on Monday.
On the same day, West Ham will hope to end their eight-match winless run
against a Southampton side which enjoyed a thumping 4-0 win over Arsenal on
Boxing Day.
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Defensive duo doubtful for Southampton clash
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 26th December 2015
By: Staff Writer
Aaron Cresswell and James Tomkins are both doubful for Monday 's game
against Southampton after both were substituted during this afternoon's 1-1
draw at Aston Villa. Full back Cresswell was substituted midway through the
second half after feeling a hamstring whilst Tomkins, playing out of
position at rigth back was replaced at half time after his eye closed up
following a first half challenge.
Slaven Bilic, speaking after the game about the two key players told
reporters: "It's very frustrating to have both full-backs out of the game.
"With Tomkins it's a situation that long-term is nothing serious, but his
eye is shut and the problem is the game is in a couple of days time.
Cresswell felt some tightness and it was a precaution. We have to wait until
tomorrow."
On the positive side, Bilic expects to have both Andy Carroll and Manuel
Lanzini - neither of whom were risked at Villa Park today - available for
selection once again following recent injuries.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Aston Villa 1-1 West Ham Utd
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 26th December 2015
By: Staff Writer
West Ham were denied the opportunity to record their first win in eight
games deep into injury time.
Mike Dean, so often the scourge of West Ham over the years dropped another
clanger at Villa Park this afternoon when he failed to award Slaven Bilic's
side a cast-iron penalty for a clear hand ball by Ashley Westwood from an
Alex Song shot.
However to concede a spot kick at the death would have been harsh on the
hosts, who - despite having failed to win a Premier League game since the
opening day of the season in August - were by far the better side in a game
Hammers fans will be keen to forget.
Slaven Bilic's side, bereft of its key attacking personnel were distinctly
second best and despite having drawn a fifth successive game, have now taken
just six points from the last possible 24 - a sequence that has seen them
slip towards mid-table obscurity following a promising start to the
campaign.
Yet it was the Hammers who took the lead on the stroke of half time through
Aaron Cresswell, scoring his first goal of the season, against the run of
play.
Two minutes after Cheik Kouyate's glancing header had skimmed the crossbar,
and deep into first half injury time, the left back took advantage of acres
of room on the left-hand side to drive towards the penalty area from where
he unleashed a powerful drive that beat Brad Guzan's low to his left.
For a Villa side already bereft of confidence, that should have been a
killer blow. However the Hammers inexplicable allowed the hosts to take
control of the second period from the restart and the only surprise was that
it took them so long to equalise.
Tinged with controversy, the goal that levelled the game came from the
penalty spot after Angelo Ogbonna was adjudged to have felled Rudy Gestede
inside the penalty area. West Ham claims that Villa's striker impeded the
Italian international appeared to have some merit - even if they were
entirely ignored by referee Dean.
As the game wore on, only one side looked like winning the game and Adrian
was called into action time and time again - whilst James Collins, fresh
from signing a new two-year contract extension, ensured parity was
maintained with a goal-line clearance 16 minutes from time.
Yet it was West Ham who should have been afforded the opportunity to take
all three points when substitute Alex Song's shot was clearly handled by
Westwood in the third minute of added-on time. Despite protestations from
Bilic's men, the Villa midfielder was allowed to proceed unpunished by the
referee - and the game subsequently ended in a stalemate.
The draw extends West Ham's unbeaten run to four games, following earlier
draws against West Brom, Man United and Stoke. However concerns over
United's ability to break opposition teams down continue to arise.
Today saw Bilic start with nine players who were part of Sam Allardyce's
squad last season - and the performance was not dissimilar in style to those
produced on the road by Big Sam during his tenure at the club, with West Ham
apparently content to sit deep and play a containing game.
Although marginally better than last weekend when they managed just 27 per
cent possession against Swansea (it was 41 per cent today), on the road
Bilic's team are currently a shadow of the side that began the campaign in
such inventive, attacking fashion.
Whilst much of that is down to the absence of key creators such as Dimitri
Payet, Manuel Lanzini and Victor Moses - and a key striker in Diafra Sakho -
the team appear to be content to merely tread water until their return.
That said, Bilic will no doubt have been the happier of the two managers at
the final whistle - with the point leaving Villa four points adrift at the
foot of the table still waiting for their first win since the opening day of
the season.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bilic disappointed with a point
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 26th December 2015
By: Staff Writer
Slaven Bilic has expressed his disappointment after Aston Villa came from
behind to earn a share of the spoils at Villa Park this afternoon. West Ham
were leading at half time thanks to Aaron Cresswell's excellent strike in
first half injury time. However the hosts came back to earn a point thanks
to Rudy Gestede's second half penalty - which arrived in dubious
circumstances, according to Bilic.
"I am not happy with that," he admitted post match. "From my point of view I
saw Rudy Gestede was pulling Ogbonna's shirt. With that, it gained him an
advantage and he got in front of Angelo. For me it was a foul. "He [referee
Mike Dean] gave a penalty, but if he gave that he should have given a
penalty for one of the handballs for us. Unfortunately, he didn't. "They
scored the penalty and then got the momentum, so it was a fair point. With
the injuries and everything that happened we showed good character and we
got a point away from home, which is good. Hopefully we will have a few
players back very soon."
Yet the manager - whose team have collected just six points from the last
possible 24, despite going unbeaten in their last five matches (all of which
have been drawn) - revealed that he was disappointed to lose the lead once
again. "It's mixed emotions for us," he said. "Before the game we are
looking to win it, and especially at half-time when we were 1-0 up. When you
are leading at half-time against a team which is fighting for their lives
and nervous, you expect to win the game. "Of course we knew they would come
at us, but we hoped we could frustrate them by keeping the ball or hurt them
with the space behind. Unfortunately we didn't do it and they were awarded a
penalty which gave them a lift. "To be fair, when you consider the whole
situation with injuries before the game, and even during the game, we will
take the point as a good one away from home."
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We deserved to win, says Garde
KUMb.com
Filed: Saturday, 26th December 2015
By: Staff Writer
Aston Villa boss Remi Garde believes his side deserved to beat West Ham at
Villa Park this afternoon.
The French manager is still seeking his first win since becoming Villa boss
two months ago next week. However he felt his team, four points adrift at
the bottom of the Premier League were hard done by against an under-strength
Hammers side today.
"This game was crucial for us. I wanted to win," he told the media
post-match. "A draw was not the goal for this game. We only missed the
points, what we put into this game was probably the best we can do. I think
we deserved more than we got. I am frustrated and also a bit sad for my
players.
"We are still in a very bad position but when I see my team play [like that]
it's very encouraging. The performance we gave was not a bottom one but we
have to score goals and be more efficient in the offensive parts."
Yet Garde - who team found themselves 1-0 down at half time before grabbing
a second half equaliser from the penalty spot - also found time to praise
West Ham's defensive capabilities.
"West Ham defended very well," he added. "We knew they would because they
have had three clean sheets in a row in their last three games. We knew it
would be difficult to score goals today.
"But if you include the last 45 minutes at Newcastle, we've played good
football for a long time now - we just haven't been rewarded with the goals
which is a little bit frustrating.
"But the way we put them under pressure today was a very nice feeling. The
players did very well - what I was looking for. I am just very disappointed
for the lads because they fought very hard for 90 minutes."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Slaven Bilic believes West Ham should have been awarded a penalty at Aston
Villa
Last Updated: 26/12/15 8:34pm
SSN
West Ham boss Slaven Bilic felt his side should have been awarded a penalty
in their Boxing Day draw with Aston Villa. The Hammers took the lead at
Villa Park thanks to Aaron Cresswell's strike in first half stoppage time
before Villa hit back through Jordan Ayew, who converted a penalty after
Angelo Ogbonna was adjudged to have fouled Rudy Gestede. The visitors then
saw two penalty claims waved away by referee Mike Dean, as both Leandro
Bacuna and Ashley Westwood escaped punishment for handling the ball in the
area. "We had two appeals for handballs and, for me, if the referee gave
them that penalty, he should have given us at least one, but he didn't,"
Bilic told Sky Sports. The Croatian questioned Dean's awarding of Aston
Villa's penalty, adding: "In my opinion, Ogbonna was in front of Gestede and
the only reason Gestede was able to get in front of Ogbonna was to because
he pulled his shirt. "For me it was a foul, the referee gave a penalty. We
can't change it, we have to move on, that's it."
The result at Villa Park was West Ham's fifth consecutive draw, although
Cresswell''s strike, his first since April, ensured the Hammers avoided
becoming the fourth team to play out four straight goalless draws. And Bilic
had no qualms with the final result, praising his side for their resilient
display as the club continues to deal with a severe injury crisis. "It was a
fair result; it was a good English game, very direct," he added. "We are not
totally happy because we were winning at half-time and we were expecting not
only to hold on but to resist their attacks and then have space to hurt them
and score a second one which would have probably killed the game off.
"Unfortunately we weren't able to score and after the break they were
awarded a penalty. After 1-1 it could have gone either way so with all those
things, and when you consider all of the injuries before the game and during
the game, it's a good point for us. The guys are battling, the guys are
fighting. We are not playing the way we played before and we are not playing
the way we would like but we are showing that character and we are picking
up points and not losing games. "Hopefully a few players will be back soon
and it's very important to go through this period but not losing games at
least."
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Four Premier League sides keen to sign Bournemouth's Matt Ritchie in January
22:30, 26 DEC 2015
BY TOM HOPKINSON
But Cherries boss Eddie Howe knows he cannot allow one of his top stars to
leave if they are to retain their Premier League status this season
The Mirror
Everton boss Roberto Martinez wants to sign Matt Ritchie from Bournemouth.
The Goodison Park gaffer is one of a number of Premier League bosses who
would love to have the 26-year-old in the ranks, with West Ham and West Brom
also keen. Even Manchester United are keeping tabs on the player, as we
first told you back in the summer. The problem for Martinez and his rivals,
however, is that Cherries boss Eddie Howe knows he cannot allow one of his
top stars to leave if they are to retain their Premier League status this
season. Ritchie, who signed a new three-and-a-half-year contract at
Bournemouth 11 months ago, has consistently been a stand-out performer for
the Dean Court side since they won promotion.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers slip to tenth in league
Posted by Sean Whetstone on December 26, 2015 in Sean's Blogs, Whispers
C and H
One year ago today West Ham sat in fifth place after a Boxing Day two nil
away defeat Chelsea. After 18 games last term we managed nine wins, four
draws and five losses. We had 31 points and a goal difference of +8
conceding 21 goals but scoring 29 goals before Boxing day 2014.
Fast forward 365 days, we have won six games, drawn eight games and lost
four games. We have 26 points and a goal difference of +4, scoring 26 goals
but conceding 22 in the opposite direction.
Of course it is dangerous to compare the style of Sam Allardyce with Slaven
Bilic or put these two stats next to each other to tell us anything
meaningful.
It is strange season where Leicester City lead the league at the time of
writing, Crystal Palace sit in fifth place with 30 points and Manchester
United drop to sixth after four losses on the trot and no win in seven games
for the first time since 1990. Watford are also a surprise package sitting
in seventh place above us.
Some have argued we were in a false position when we sat in third place
earlier this season and a top six finish is unachievable this season. Our
wins against Arsenal, Man City, Liverpool and Chelsea seem a distant memory.
We have have not won in eight games since we beat Chelsea on 24th October
and today recorded our 5th draw in a row.
It is first time since October 1968 that West Ham have recorded five draws
in a row in the top flight.
If you were wondering when is the last time we didn't win in eight games it
was only last season although it included the West Bromwich Albion game in
the FA Cup. (7 league games and 1 FA Cup match) From Liverpool 31st Jan to
Arsenal 14th March.
Before that it was eleven games without a win with three West Ham managers
in charge. Avram Grant. Kevin Keen and Big Sam which included 9 losses and 2
draws. That bad run started with Stoke in the FA Cup 13th March. Keen took
charge for the last game of the season which we lost 3-0 to Sunderland. Sam
took charge first game of the following season and lost 1-0 to Cardiff City.
Before that run it was eight straight losses under Pardew 2006-07 includes 3
Cup games including 2 against Palermo. Roeder also had a twelve game run
without a win. My thanks to Steve Marsh for the historic stats above.
Poor old Aston Villa are now winless in 17 Premier League games - only four
teams have ever had a longer such run in the division (Derby 32, Sunderland
26, Norwich 21 and Nottingham Forest 19 - QPR also had a run of 17).
I am all for respecting the point but we need turn a corner very soon if we
don't want to slip further down the Premier League table.
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Sorry Irons - that simply wasn't good enough
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 26, 2015 in Hugh's Blogs, News,
Whispers
C and H
Match verdict
That was unacceptable - no ifs, no buts.simply not on!
However, within 10 mins of the game finishing there was a Twitter poll
running asking if Slaven Bilic was the right manager, or whether we need a
new boss. That too is equally unacceptable, indeed ridiculous.
Various things shocked me today but chiefly that Villa appeared to want it
so much more than us. Running that a close second was the fact that we
failed to control the ball al over the pitch or picked up second - or indeed
sometimes - third balls.
It was very very poor but for the record Villa scored their equaliser from a
very soft Ogbonna 'foul' and we should have had a couple ourselves notably
at the end when Westwood clearly used his arm inside the box to stop a
Hammers advance.
That is mentioned merely for the record and does not excuse the lightweight
performance which we really should have gone on to win after Aaron
Cresswell's beautiful angled shot which gave us the lead in first half
injury time.
Villa though cam out like men possessed in the second half and sadly we let
them play all round us before equalising when Ogbonna - running behind
Gestede was adjudged by ref Mike Dean to have brought him down. It was
marginal at best! Ayew however, took the coolest of spot kicks lifting the
ball high past Adrian.
However, we should have had one of our own in the 69th minute when Bacuna's
hands were up to push away a Noble piledriver which Dean presumably saw as
ball to hand. Doubtful.
Seven minutes later James Collins headed off the line and right at the end
Valencia saw a great free kick pushed around a post but it has to be said
that Villa were guvnors for much too long.
There are two ways of vewing the current run of results. You can see it as
all totally unacceptable and question the manager or you can be positive and
view it as an unbeaten run of five games in a very difficult time.
Today simply wasn't good enough against a team with a work ethic and not
much else. Hopefully Manu Lanzini will be back on Monday and Dimi Payet for
Liverpool.
That will make a difference but there's also a worry that we are stuck into
a defensive mode from which the players may find it hard to emerge.
We're in ninth place with another winnable match to come on Monday - it
needs to be won.
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Leroy: 'It's time to break the cycle and get positive'
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 26, 2015 in Leroy's Blogs, News,
Whispers
C and H
Leroy Rosenior
Ok, we've all been very understanding of the injury crisis and accepted the
goal-less draws that have come our way over the last three games. BUT, we
simply cannot go to Villa Park this afternoon and defend for our lives and
just hope that something happens to break for us in their penalty area .
Villa are bottom of the League and their defence is very poor so we have to
make it pay. We cannpt be in a mood of gifting them ground, points and any
kind of morale boosting result. We really do need to get on the front foot
and make it happen for us. I think I was proved right about Jelavic - he's
not got any line leading virtues for me and I'd be tempted to play Antonio
through the middle and push Kouyate up behind him with Zarate down the left.
Look, these are not poor players. They have a lot about them and if we let
them loose they can beat Villa who really are not a good side. We need a win
- plain and simple. This defensive way of playing is all well and good and
it's been understandable but the trouble is once you get into this mindset
it isn't easy to break it when the flair players come back. The back four
looks after itself and with Noble and Song in front doing the holding, there
is plenty of opportunity for Kouyate to join in with the likes of Zarate,
Valencia and Antonio. We have enough to in this and I expect us to 2-1. But
Jelavic? He's not for me!
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Gold thrilled with Bilic decision
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 26, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
David Gold is delighted that Slaven Bilic insisted that James Collins was
offered a new deal at the club.
Ginge goes back to his former club Villa this afternoon clearly wanting to
celebrate the two year deal with a much needed victory.
And Gold - speaking exclusively to ClaretandHugh - said: "If there was ever
a player who deserved it James is that man. His dedication to this club has
been immense and he couldn't be more pleased. I'm delighted for him.
"Slaven made the decision and we are all pleased to bits because we love
Ginge and it means he will probably see his career out with us."
Ginge spent three years at Villa between his two spells for the Irons and a
win up there this afternoon would be a perfect Christmas present for him and
the team."
Gold said: "He's shown such enormous application and was immense against
Swansea. He is the perfect role model for the young players at the club. A
real club man."
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Barclays Premier League, Villa Park, Saturday 26 December 2015
West Ham United drew for the fifth Barclays Premier League fixture in a row
after failing to land a Boxing Day knockout at bottom club Aston Villa. The
Hammers looked on course for a welcome first win in eight games when Aaron
Cresswell smashed home in first-half stoppage time, only for Jordan Ayew's
penalty to grab Villa a deserved point. The first half was a competitive
affair, even if the quality of play in the final third may not have been up
to the standard demanded by Slaven Bilic and Remi Garde. With injuries again
depriving Bilic of six first-team players, including five attackers, the
visitors struggled to create the clear-cut opportunities needed to put the
game beyond Villa after Cresswell's long-range strike.
West Ham's early momentum was slowed by another injury, with James Tomkins
suffering a nasty cut below his eye after clashing heads with Alan Hutton.
Despite resuming after lengthy treatment Tomkins would be replaced at
half-time. In the meantime, both sides went close once in the opening 25
minutes, Rudy Gestede heading Jordan Veretout's left-wing cross narrowly
wide before Mauro Zarate tested Brad Guzan with a low drive which the
American tipped past the post. After a period in the ascendancy, Villa then
lost Carlos Sanchez to a hamstring injury and then a goal to Cresswell, who
collected Michail Antonio's cross-field pass before firing a low, left-foot
shot past Guzan and into the bottom right-hand corner.
West Ham replaced Tomkins with Carl Jenkinson at the break and, after a
brief period of pressure from the visitors, Garde's men took control and
created a succession of decent chances. Gestede headed over before Adrian
dived to his right to keep out goal-bound efforts from Veretout and then the
big Benin striker, who proved to be a real handful on his return to the
starting XI. West Ham attacked sparingly, with Collins' glancing header over
the bar their only chance of note. Just after the hour-mark, Villa got their
reward for an improved showing when Angelo Ogbonna was penalised for
bundling over Gestede, and Ayew sent Adrian the wrong way from the penalty
spot.
Having levelled, Villa caused a few further moments of panic, but it was
West Ham who had the next half-chance, but penalty appeals were ignored
after Mark Noble's fierce volley thundered into Leandro Bacuna. Ashley
Westwood then volleyed over as Villa went back on the front foot, and
Collins had to be in exactly the right place to deny former teammate Hutton,
whose header looked destined for the Hammers net.
Bilic sent on Alex Song and Reece Oxford in a bid to slow the hosts' charge
and the move paid off, with Pedro Obiang testing Guzan, who then kept out
Valencia's dipping free-kick in the final minute of added time. In the final
analysis, West Ham may have surrendered their lead, but with so many regular
starters absent, this was another point earned through teamwork and
resilience. The Hammers will hope to welcome back some of those absent
players when they welcome Southampton to the Boleyn Ground on Monday 28
December at 5.30pm.
Aston Villa: Guzan, Hutton, Okore, Lescott (c), Bacuna, Westwood, Sanchez
(Gil 38), Gana, Veretout (Adama 83), Ayew, Gestede
Subs not used: Bunn (GK), Clark, Sinclair, Richardson, Grealish
Goal: Ayew (61 pen)
Booked: Bacuna, Hutton, Lescott
West Ham United: Adrian, Tomkins (Jenkinson 46), Collins, Ogbonna, Cresswell
(Song 75), Obiang, Noble (c), Kouyate, Zarate (Oxford 85), Antonio, Valencia
Subs not used: Randolph (GK), Hendrie, Cullen, Parfitt-Williams
Goal: Cresswell (45+2)
Booked: Ogbonna, Collins, Kouyate
Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral)
Attendance: 38,661
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Mixed feelings for Cresswell
WHUFC.com
Aaron Cresswell admitted the joy of scoring his first goal of the season was
tempered by frustration of letting Aston Villa grab a Barclays Premier
League draw on Boxing Day.
The left-back hammered his side in front in first-half stoppage time at
Villa Park, but the visitors were pegged pack and forced to settle for a
fifth stalemate in succession through Jordan Ayew's second-half penalty.
Injury added to insult for the No3, who was forced off with a minor
hamstring injury with 15 minutes remaining, ending his ever-present
top-flight record stretching back to his arrival in summer 2014.
"It's frustrating because, especially in the first half, I thought we had
some very good spells and we thoroughly deserved our lead at half-time,"
Cresswell told whufc.com.
"Going into the second half, it's disappointing that we didn't hold onto the
lead, but we're knew they were going to fight until the end because they're
in a massive relegation fight.
"We're just disappointed we had to settle for a draw and didn't come away
with the three points."
Before suffering second half heartache, Cresswell was able to celebrate his
first goal since April, collecting a cross-field pass from Michail Antonio
before blasting low past Brad Guzan from 25 yards.
The defender revealed how he expected to get forward regularly after Slaven
Bilic opted to start with a 4-4-2 diamond formation that saw the four
midfielders play compact and narrow, opening up space for him to run into.
"We knew myself and Tonks were going to get a lot of the ball and Michail
has switched the ball fantastically, I took a touch and shot and thankfully
it's gone in the bottom corner.
"It's nice to get goals and assists, but first and foremost as a defender
it's about clean sheets. We've conceded one goal in four games which is not
too bad when you look at it.
"Obviously we want to get the three points more than clean sheets and the
goals. That said, it's another point on the board and we've got a lot of
games coming up over the next two weeks and we've got to look forward to
Southampton now."
Cresswell was unsure whether the decision to penalise Angelo Ogbonna for a
foul on Rudy Gestede for Ayew's penalty was the correct one, while also
pointing to a late incident inside the Villa box, when Ashley Westwood
appeared to handle Alex Song's through-ball.
"I initially thought it was a foul on Angelo at first, but I think it was a
penalty. I'd have to see it again, though, looking at it from where I was on
the pitch.
"We could have had a couple of penalties ourselves there. I was sat inside
the dressing room in the last ten minutes watching the game on TV and Alex
had a little ball that he tried to dink over, their lad has clearly
handballed it and the ref hasn't given it."
While there was some frustration at failing to beat the Premier League's
bottom side, who have won just once all season, Cresswell said the Hammers
had to take pride in the fact they have become so hard to beat despite their
recent injury issues.
"Every team in the Premier League has got international and they're all
fantastic players. I said last week that an away point is never the worst
result in the world, but of course we fancied ourselves coming here, as
they're low on confidence whereas ours is quite high.
"It's bitterly disappointing we didn't hold onto the lead and take the three
points."
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Bilic - We'll take the point
WHUFC.com
West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic had mixed feelings after Aston Villa
came from behind to claim a point against his team on Boxing Day. The
Hammers led 1-0 at the break thanks to Aaron Cresswell's fine strike, but
were pegged back by Jordan Ayew's second half penalty.
It extended the Londoners' draw streak to five, and Bilic said all things
considered, with their injury list, the result should be seen as a positive.
"Before the game we are looking to win it, and especially at half-time when
we are 1-0 up," he said. "Of course we knew they would come at us, but we
hoped we could frustrate them by keeping the ball or hurt them with the
space behind. "Unfortunately we didn't do it and they were awarded a penalty
which gave them a lift. To be fair, when you consider the whole situation
with injuries before the game, and even during the game, we will take the
point as a good one away from home."
The award of Villa's spot kick, for a foul on Rudy Gestede by Angelo
Ogbonna, was also a source of frustration for the Gaffer. He explained: "For
me, I had a good angle and Ogbonna was in front of Gestede. The only reason
Gestede came in front of Ogbonna is that he pulled his shirt. "It's not just
a quick one, it lasted, so for me it was a foul. But then he's given a
penalty, and then there's been a couple of handballs which at least one
should have been rewarded with a penalty. "We didn't, we can't change it.
We can moan, but what's the point of that?"
Bilic now faces a wait to see whether James Tomkins and Aaron Cresswell will
make Monday's visit of Southampton after departing the action early due to
injury. He added: "It's very frustrating to have both full-backs out of the
game [during the course of it]. With Tomkins it's a situation that long-term
it's nothing serious but his eye is shut and the problem is the game is in a
couple of days time. "Cresswell, he felt some tightness and it was a
precaution [to take him off]. We have to wait until tomorrow."
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Aston Villa 1 West Ham 1
26 December 2015
Last updated at 21:58
By Aimee Lewis
BBC Sport
A Jordan Ayew penalty helped bottom-of-the-table Aston Villa come from
behind to earn a draw against a West Ham team which has not won since 24
October. In an evenly contested game, Villa twice went close in the first
half through Rudy Gestede before Aaron Cresswell scored with a low strike.
The spirited hosts levelled through Ayew after Gestede was clumsily felled
by Angelo Ogbonna. As Villa searched for the winner, Alan Hutton went close
with a header. But the right-back's effort was cleared by James Collins as
West Ham held on for their fifth successive draw to remain ninth in the
league.
Villa have now battled back to earn a point in successive league matches,
but Remi Garde's team desperately need to start collecting three points if
they are to overcome the odds and maintain their Premier League status.
Garde has yet to oversee a Villa victory since succeeding Tim Sherwood as
manager at the beginning of November, although there may be some solace in
the desire his side displayed against a well-organised West Ham side despite
falling behind just before half-time. The grim reality, however, is that
Villa have not won since the opening day of the season and are now 10
matches without a win at Villa Park and nine points from safety. Only three
of the previous 23 sides who were bottom of the Premier League on Christmas
Day have avoided relegation, although the last two sides in that position -
Leicester in 2014 and Sunderland in 2013 - did both survive.
Although Villa fans might look at their mid-table rivals with envy, Slaven
Bilic's side are enduring a slump of their own slump after promising
early-season form. The Londoners' winless run has coincided with the absence
of the injured Dimitri Payet - scorer of five goals in an impressive start
since his arrival from Marseilles - and the France international's return in
the New Year will be welcomed by Bilic's injury-hit side. West Ham are
defensively sound - enjoying three successive clean sheets prior to this
match - but currently lack cutting edge in front of goal.
Not many sides would have been as obliging as Villa in giving Cresswell the
freedom to roam down the left, before cutting inside and striking low into
the far corner from the edge of the box to end West Ham's 388-minute goal
drought. The Hammers had their chances, with Cheikhou Kouyate hitting the
crossbar before Cresswell opened the scoring, but a draw was a fair result
as the visitors' verve died away after the break and the hosts came back
into it.
Man of the match - Jordan Ayew
Gestede was instrumental for Villa, but it was Ayew who led the hosts'
attack and scored a great penalty to give his team hope of survival. The
24-year-old summer signing has now scored five goals for Villa in nine games
and was adventurous and industrious.
What the managers said
Aston Villa boss Remi Garde: "I knew this game was crucial for us. I wanted
to win. A draw was not the goal for this game. "We only missed the points.
What we put into this game was probably the best we can do. I think we
deserved more than we got. I am frustrated and also a bit sad for my
players. "We are still in a very bad position but when I see my team play
it's very encouraging. The performance we gave was not a bottom one. We have
to score goals and be more efficient in the offensive parts."
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic on Villa's penalty: "I am not happy with that
of course. From my point of view I saw Rudy Gestede was pulling Ogbonna's
shirt. With that it gained him an advantage and he got in front of Angelo.
For me it was a foul. "He gave a penalty but if he gave that he should have
given a penalty for one of the handballs for us. Unfortunately, he didn't.
"It's mixed emotions for us. When you are leading 1-0 at half-time against a
team which is fighting for their lives and nervous, you expect to win the
game. "They scored a penalty and then got the momentum so it was a fair
point. With the injuries and everything that happened we showed good
character. We got a point away from home which is good. Hopefully we will
have a few players back very soon."
The stats you need to know
Aston Villa are now winless in 17 Premier League games - only four teams
have ever had a longer run in the division (Derby 32, Sunderland 26, Norwich
21 and Nottingham Forest 19 - QPR also had a run of 17).
West Ham have recorded five successive top-flight draws for the first time
since October 1968.
Aaron Cresswell scored his first Premier League goal since April and his
first for the Hammers away from Upton Park.
Aston Villa have won just one of their past 15 games on Boxing Day (Won 1,
Drawn 5, Lost 9).
The Hammers have earned 16 points on the road so far this season, the same
tally as in the whole of last season.
What next?
Prior to this match, Garde had said his team needed "at least 10 victories"
from their remaining 21 matches to avoid relegation, and one of those
victories must surely come against fellow strugglers Norwich on Monday.
On the same day, West Ham will hope to end their eight-match winless run
against a Southampton side which enjoyed a thumping 4-0 win over Arsenal on
Boxing Day.
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Defensive duo doubtful for Southampton clash
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 26th December 2015
By: Staff Writer
Aaron Cresswell and James Tomkins are both doubful for Monday 's game
against Southampton after both were substituted during this afternoon's 1-1
draw at Aston Villa. Full back Cresswell was substituted midway through the
second half after feeling a hamstring whilst Tomkins, playing out of
position at rigth back was replaced at half time after his eye closed up
following a first half challenge.
Slaven Bilic, speaking after the game about the two key players told
reporters: "It's very frustrating to have both full-backs out of the game.
"With Tomkins it's a situation that long-term is nothing serious, but his
eye is shut and the problem is the game is in a couple of days time.
Cresswell felt some tightness and it was a precaution. We have to wait until
tomorrow."
On the positive side, Bilic expects to have both Andy Carroll and Manuel
Lanzini - neither of whom were risked at Villa Park today - available for
selection once again following recent injuries.
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Aston Villa 1-1 West Ham Utd
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 26th December 2015
By: Staff Writer
West Ham were denied the opportunity to record their first win in eight
games deep into injury time.
Mike Dean, so often the scourge of West Ham over the years dropped another
clanger at Villa Park this afternoon when he failed to award Slaven Bilic's
side a cast-iron penalty for a clear hand ball by Ashley Westwood from an
Alex Song shot.
However to concede a spot kick at the death would have been harsh on the
hosts, who - despite having failed to win a Premier League game since the
opening day of the season in August - were by far the better side in a game
Hammers fans will be keen to forget.
Slaven Bilic's side, bereft of its key attacking personnel were distinctly
second best and despite having drawn a fifth successive game, have now taken
just six points from the last possible 24 - a sequence that has seen them
slip towards mid-table obscurity following a promising start to the
campaign.
Yet it was the Hammers who took the lead on the stroke of half time through
Aaron Cresswell, scoring his first goal of the season, against the run of
play.
Two minutes after Cheik Kouyate's glancing header had skimmed the crossbar,
and deep into first half injury time, the left back took advantage of acres
of room on the left-hand side to drive towards the penalty area from where
he unleashed a powerful drive that beat Brad Guzan's low to his left.
For a Villa side already bereft of confidence, that should have been a
killer blow. However the Hammers inexplicable allowed the hosts to take
control of the second period from the restart and the only surprise was that
it took them so long to equalise.
Tinged with controversy, the goal that levelled the game came from the
penalty spot after Angelo Ogbonna was adjudged to have felled Rudy Gestede
inside the penalty area. West Ham claims that Villa's striker impeded the
Italian international appeared to have some merit - even if they were
entirely ignored by referee Dean.
As the game wore on, only one side looked like winning the game and Adrian
was called into action time and time again - whilst James Collins, fresh
from signing a new two-year contract extension, ensured parity was
maintained with a goal-line clearance 16 minutes from time.
Yet it was West Ham who should have been afforded the opportunity to take
all three points when substitute Alex Song's shot was clearly handled by
Westwood in the third minute of added-on time. Despite protestations from
Bilic's men, the Villa midfielder was allowed to proceed unpunished by the
referee - and the game subsequently ended in a stalemate.
The draw extends West Ham's unbeaten run to four games, following earlier
draws against West Brom, Man United and Stoke. However concerns over
United's ability to break opposition teams down continue to arise.
Today saw Bilic start with nine players who were part of Sam Allardyce's
squad last season - and the performance was not dissimilar in style to those
produced on the road by Big Sam during his tenure at the club, with West Ham
apparently content to sit deep and play a containing game.
Although marginally better than last weekend when they managed just 27 per
cent possession against Swansea (it was 41 per cent today), on the road
Bilic's team are currently a shadow of the side that began the campaign in
such inventive, attacking fashion.
Whilst much of that is down to the absence of key creators such as Dimitri
Payet, Manuel Lanzini and Victor Moses - and a key striker in Diafra Sakho -
the team appear to be content to merely tread water until their return.
That said, Bilic will no doubt have been the happier of the two managers at
the final whistle - with the point leaving Villa four points adrift at the
foot of the table still waiting for their first win since the opening day of
the season.
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Bilic disappointed with a point
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 26th December 2015
By: Staff Writer
Slaven Bilic has expressed his disappointment after Aston Villa came from
behind to earn a share of the spoils at Villa Park this afternoon. West Ham
were leading at half time thanks to Aaron Cresswell's excellent strike in
first half injury time. However the hosts came back to earn a point thanks
to Rudy Gestede's second half penalty - which arrived in dubious
circumstances, according to Bilic.
"I am not happy with that," he admitted post match. "From my point of view I
saw Rudy Gestede was pulling Ogbonna's shirt. With that, it gained him an
advantage and he got in front of Angelo. For me it was a foul. "He [referee
Mike Dean] gave a penalty, but if he gave that he should have given a
penalty for one of the handballs for us. Unfortunately, he didn't. "They
scored the penalty and then got the momentum, so it was a fair point. With
the injuries and everything that happened we showed good character and we
got a point away from home, which is good. Hopefully we will have a few
players back very soon."
Yet the manager - whose team have collected just six points from the last
possible 24, despite going unbeaten in their last five matches (all of which
have been drawn) - revealed that he was disappointed to lose the lead once
again. "It's mixed emotions for us," he said. "Before the game we are
looking to win it, and especially at half-time when we were 1-0 up. When you
are leading at half-time against a team which is fighting for their lives
and nervous, you expect to win the game. "Of course we knew they would come
at us, but we hoped we could frustrate them by keeping the ball or hurt them
with the space behind. Unfortunately we didn't do it and they were awarded a
penalty which gave them a lift. "To be fair, when you consider the whole
situation with injuries before the game, and even during the game, we will
take the point as a good one away from home."
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We deserved to win, says Garde
KUMb.com
Filed: Saturday, 26th December 2015
By: Staff Writer
Aston Villa boss Remi Garde believes his side deserved to beat West Ham at
Villa Park this afternoon.
The French manager is still seeking his first win since becoming Villa boss
two months ago next week. However he felt his team, four points adrift at
the bottom of the Premier League were hard done by against an under-strength
Hammers side today.
"This game was crucial for us. I wanted to win," he told the media
post-match. "A draw was not the goal for this game. We only missed the
points, what we put into this game was probably the best we can do. I think
we deserved more than we got. I am frustrated and also a bit sad for my
players.
"We are still in a very bad position but when I see my team play [like that]
it's very encouraging. The performance we gave was not a bottom one but we
have to score goals and be more efficient in the offensive parts."
Yet Garde - who team found themselves 1-0 down at half time before grabbing
a second half equaliser from the penalty spot - also found time to praise
West Ham's defensive capabilities.
"West Ham defended very well," he added. "We knew they would because they
have had three clean sheets in a row in their last three games. We knew it
would be difficult to score goals today.
"But if you include the last 45 minutes at Newcastle, we've played good
football for a long time now - we just haven't been rewarded with the goals
which is a little bit frustrating.
"But the way we put them under pressure today was a very nice feeling. The
players did very well - what I was looking for. I am just very disappointed
for the lads because they fought very hard for 90 minutes."
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Slaven Bilic believes West Ham should have been awarded a penalty at Aston
Villa
Last Updated: 26/12/15 8:34pm
SSN
West Ham boss Slaven Bilic felt his side should have been awarded a penalty
in their Boxing Day draw with Aston Villa. The Hammers took the lead at
Villa Park thanks to Aaron Cresswell's strike in first half stoppage time
before Villa hit back through Jordan Ayew, who converted a penalty after
Angelo Ogbonna was adjudged to have fouled Rudy Gestede. The visitors then
saw two penalty claims waved away by referee Mike Dean, as both Leandro
Bacuna and Ashley Westwood escaped punishment for handling the ball in the
area. "We had two appeals for handballs and, for me, if the referee gave
them that penalty, he should have given us at least one, but he didn't,"
Bilic told Sky Sports. The Croatian questioned Dean's awarding of Aston
Villa's penalty, adding: "In my opinion, Ogbonna was in front of Gestede and
the only reason Gestede was able to get in front of Ogbonna was to because
he pulled his shirt. "For me it was a foul, the referee gave a penalty. We
can't change it, we have to move on, that's it."
The result at Villa Park was West Ham's fifth consecutive draw, although
Cresswell''s strike, his first since April, ensured the Hammers avoided
becoming the fourth team to play out four straight goalless draws. And Bilic
had no qualms with the final result, praising his side for their resilient
display as the club continues to deal with a severe injury crisis. "It was a
fair result; it was a good English game, very direct," he added. "We are not
totally happy because we were winning at half-time and we were expecting not
only to hold on but to resist their attacks and then have space to hurt them
and score a second one which would have probably killed the game off.
"Unfortunately we weren't able to score and after the break they were
awarded a penalty. After 1-1 it could have gone either way so with all those
things, and when you consider all of the injuries before the game and during
the game, it's a good point for us. The guys are battling, the guys are
fighting. We are not playing the way we played before and we are not playing
the way we would like but we are showing that character and we are picking
up points and not losing games. "Hopefully a few players will be back soon
and it's very important to go through this period but not losing games at
least."
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Four Premier League sides keen to sign Bournemouth's Matt Ritchie in January
22:30, 26 DEC 2015
BY TOM HOPKINSON
But Cherries boss Eddie Howe knows he cannot allow one of his top stars to
leave if they are to retain their Premier League status this season
The Mirror
Everton boss Roberto Martinez wants to sign Matt Ritchie from Bournemouth.
The Goodison Park gaffer is one of a number of Premier League bosses who
would love to have the 26-year-old in the ranks, with West Ham and West Brom
also keen. Even Manchester United are keeping tabs on the player, as we
first told you back in the summer. The problem for Martinez and his rivals,
however, is that Cherries boss Eddie Howe knows he cannot allow one of his
top stars to leave if they are to retain their Premier League status this
season. Ritchie, who signed a new three-and-a-half-year contract at
Bournemouth 11 months ago, has consistently been a stand-out performer for
the Dean Court side since they won promotion.
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Hammers slip to tenth in league
Posted by Sean Whetstone on December 26, 2015 in Sean's Blogs, Whispers
C and H
One year ago today West Ham sat in fifth place after a Boxing Day two nil
away defeat Chelsea. After 18 games last term we managed nine wins, four
draws and five losses. We had 31 points and a goal difference of +8
conceding 21 goals but scoring 29 goals before Boxing day 2014.
Fast forward 365 days, we have won six games, drawn eight games and lost
four games. We have 26 points and a goal difference of +4, scoring 26 goals
but conceding 22 in the opposite direction.
Of course it is dangerous to compare the style of Sam Allardyce with Slaven
Bilic or put these two stats next to each other to tell us anything
meaningful.
It is strange season where Leicester City lead the league at the time of
writing, Crystal Palace sit in fifth place with 30 points and Manchester
United drop to sixth after four losses on the trot and no win in seven games
for the first time since 1990. Watford are also a surprise package sitting
in seventh place above us.
Some have argued we were in a false position when we sat in third place
earlier this season and a top six finish is unachievable this season. Our
wins against Arsenal, Man City, Liverpool and Chelsea seem a distant memory.
We have have not won in eight games since we beat Chelsea on 24th October
and today recorded our 5th draw in a row.
It is first time since October 1968 that West Ham have recorded five draws
in a row in the top flight.
If you were wondering when is the last time we didn't win in eight games it
was only last season although it included the West Bromwich Albion game in
the FA Cup. (7 league games and 1 FA Cup match) From Liverpool 31st Jan to
Arsenal 14th March.
Before that it was eleven games without a win with three West Ham managers
in charge. Avram Grant. Kevin Keen and Big Sam which included 9 losses and 2
draws. That bad run started with Stoke in the FA Cup 13th March. Keen took
charge for the last game of the season which we lost 3-0 to Sunderland. Sam
took charge first game of the following season and lost 1-0 to Cardiff City.
Before that run it was eight straight losses under Pardew 2006-07 includes 3
Cup games including 2 against Palermo. Roeder also had a twelve game run
without a win. My thanks to Steve Marsh for the historic stats above.
Poor old Aston Villa are now winless in 17 Premier League games - only four
teams have ever had a longer such run in the division (Derby 32, Sunderland
26, Norwich 21 and Nottingham Forest 19 - QPR also had a run of 17).
I am all for respecting the point but we need turn a corner very soon if we
don't want to slip further down the Premier League table.
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Sorry Irons - that simply wasn't good enough
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 26, 2015 in Hugh's Blogs, News,
Whispers
C and H
Match verdict
That was unacceptable - no ifs, no buts.simply not on!
However, within 10 mins of the game finishing there was a Twitter poll
running asking if Slaven Bilic was the right manager, or whether we need a
new boss. That too is equally unacceptable, indeed ridiculous.
Various things shocked me today but chiefly that Villa appeared to want it
so much more than us. Running that a close second was the fact that we
failed to control the ball al over the pitch or picked up second - or indeed
sometimes - third balls.
It was very very poor but for the record Villa scored their equaliser from a
very soft Ogbonna 'foul' and we should have had a couple ourselves notably
at the end when Westwood clearly used his arm inside the box to stop a
Hammers advance.
That is mentioned merely for the record and does not excuse the lightweight
performance which we really should have gone on to win after Aaron
Cresswell's beautiful angled shot which gave us the lead in first half
injury time.
Villa though cam out like men possessed in the second half and sadly we let
them play all round us before equalising when Ogbonna - running behind
Gestede was adjudged by ref Mike Dean to have brought him down. It was
marginal at best! Ayew however, took the coolest of spot kicks lifting the
ball high past Adrian.
However, we should have had one of our own in the 69th minute when Bacuna's
hands were up to push away a Noble piledriver which Dean presumably saw as
ball to hand. Doubtful.
Seven minutes later James Collins headed off the line and right at the end
Valencia saw a great free kick pushed around a post but it has to be said
that Villa were guvnors for much too long.
There are two ways of vewing the current run of results. You can see it as
all totally unacceptable and question the manager or you can be positive and
view it as an unbeaten run of five games in a very difficult time.
Today simply wasn't good enough against a team with a work ethic and not
much else. Hopefully Manu Lanzini will be back on Monday and Dimi Payet for
Liverpool.
That will make a difference but there's also a worry that we are stuck into
a defensive mode from which the players may find it hard to emerge.
We're in ninth place with another winnable match to come on Monday - it
needs to be won.
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Leroy: 'It's time to break the cycle and get positive'
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 26, 2015 in Leroy's Blogs, News,
Whispers
C and H
Leroy Rosenior
Ok, we've all been very understanding of the injury crisis and accepted the
goal-less draws that have come our way over the last three games. BUT, we
simply cannot go to Villa Park this afternoon and defend for our lives and
just hope that something happens to break for us in their penalty area .
Villa are bottom of the League and their defence is very poor so we have to
make it pay. We cannpt be in a mood of gifting them ground, points and any
kind of morale boosting result. We really do need to get on the front foot
and make it happen for us. I think I was proved right about Jelavic - he's
not got any line leading virtues for me and I'd be tempted to play Antonio
through the middle and push Kouyate up behind him with Zarate down the left.
Look, these are not poor players. They have a lot about them and if we let
them loose they can beat Villa who really are not a good side. We need a win
- plain and simple. This defensive way of playing is all well and good and
it's been understandable but the trouble is once you get into this mindset
it isn't easy to break it when the flair players come back. The back four
looks after itself and with Noble and Song in front doing the holding, there
is plenty of opportunity for Kouyate to join in with the likes of Zarate,
Valencia and Antonio. We have enough to in this and I expect us to 2-1. But
Jelavic? He's not for me!
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Gold thrilled with Bilic decision
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 26, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
David Gold is delighted that Slaven Bilic insisted that James Collins was
offered a new deal at the club.
Ginge goes back to his former club Villa this afternoon clearly wanting to
celebrate the two year deal with a much needed victory.
And Gold - speaking exclusively to ClaretandHugh - said: "If there was ever
a player who deserved it James is that man. His dedication to this club has
been immense and he couldn't be more pleased. I'm delighted for him.
"Slaven made the decision and we are all pleased to bits because we love
Ginge and it means he will probably see his career out with us."
Ginge spent three years at Villa between his two spells for the Irons and a
win up there this afternoon would be a perfect Christmas present for him and
the team."
Gold said: "He's shown such enormous application and was immense against
Swansea. He is the perfect role model for the young players at the club. A
real club man."
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Saturday, December 26
Daily WHUFC News - 26th December 2015
Preview - Aston Villa
WHUFC.com
The background
West Ham United make a festive trip to Aston Villa on Boxing Day looking to
end an eight-game wait for victory.
The Hammers have drawn their last three games without a goal being scored -
a record Premier League streak for the Club - so will be hoping to break
their duck against bottom-of-the-table Villa.
Having been hurt by an extensive injury list to their attacking players,
West Ham's goal threat has been blunted in recent weeks, but fine defensive
work has meant they have continued to pick up points.
Villa haven't won since the opening day of the season and have only picked
up seven points to date.
One of those came last time out as Jordan Ayew's goal earned them a 1-1 draw
at fellow strugglers Newcastle United.
The game kicks off a busy Christmas for the Hammers, with games against
Southampton and Liverpool to follow.
The history
West Ham United and Aston Villa have met 108 times in all competitions going
into Saturday's fixture.
West Ham hold the edge with 39 wins to the Villans' 38. Last season the pair
drew 0-0 at the Boleyn Ground, but at Villa Park Tom Cleverley's goal gave
the hosts a 1-0 victory.
The Hammers' record win over Villa is the 7-2 success they enjoyed in 1958.
The match
Team news
West Ham United
Slaven Bilic will once again be without defender Winston Reid on Saturday as
he continues his recovery from a thigh injury.
Diafra Sakho is also out due to a thigh problem, while the Villa game comes
too soon for Dimitri Payet (ankle).
Manuel Lanzini has a slight chance of returning after his hamstring trouble
while Andy Carroll may also feature after missing the trip to Swansea with a
groin injury. Victor Moses (hamstring) is out.
Aston Villa
Aston Villa captain Micah Richards is expected to miss a fourth consecutive
game because of a knee injury.
Full-backs Joe Bennett and Aly Cissokho have both been recalled from loan
spells but will not be eligible to play until January.
Match info
- Saturday's referee is Mike Dean. He will be assisted by Mark Scholes and
Ian Hussin. Peter Bankes is the fourth official.
- West Ham have won just one of their last eight games at Villa Park (D2,
L5).
- Villa are bottom of the top division at Christmas for only the third time
in their history, after 1935/36 and 1958/59. They ended up being relegated
on both of those previous occasions.
- The Villans are enduring two unwanted club league records: 16 matches
without a win, and nine home matches without a victory since beating West
Ham in May.
- They have kept just two Premier League clean sheets this season - only
Norwich, with one, have a worse record.
- West Ham have drawn three successive league games 0-0 for the first time
in their history.
- The Hammers have shared the points in their last four matches
Ticketing, travel, coverage and other details
- There will be a limited number of tickets available to Hammers fans at
Villa Park. Click here for details.
- No trains will be running from London to Birmingham in Boxing Day. Click
here for traffic news.
- Saturday is set to be a cloudy day with temperatures reaching 13C (55F) at
kick-off.
- If you're not heading to the game make sure you keep up to date on our
digital channels. The whufc.com Match Centre has live audio commentary and
text updates, in-running stats and pictures and more. You can get involved
with the conversation on social using the hashtag #AVLWHU
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Cresswell eyeing Villa Park victory
WHUFC.com
Ever-present left-back Aaron Cresswell insisted his side will not
underestimate the challenge Aston Villa pose when the two sides face each
other at 3pm today.
Despite the hosts having accumulated just seven points so far this season,
Cresswell maintained that the Hammers will have to be at their best if they
are to come away from Villa Park with maximum points.
Speaking ahead of the Boxing Day clash, Cresswell said: "It's going to be
another tough game as every Premier League game is. We're fully aware of the
quality they have, there's no easy game as some recent results have shown.
It's a crazy league this season, just look at Bournemouth's results against
Chelsea and Manchester United.
"I genuinely don't think you ever say we're guaranteed three points. Yes,
Villa haven't won in ten games but it's a bonkers this season, anyone can
beat anyone, particularly around Christmas."
Meanwhile, the Hammers are looking for their first win in nine games as
injuries have depleted the Hammers' frontline.
In the absence of the likes of Dimitri Payet, Manuel Lanzini, Diafra Sakho
and Victor Moses, the defensive rear-guard have more than proved their worth
by securing three consecutive clean sheets.
Cresswell continued: "I think those clean sheets does give us confidence; we
haven't won in a while but we've kept clean sheets which is the next best
thing, we have to take the positives out of every game, and that has been
the main thing.
"Clean sheets, particularly away from home are massive. Any point away from
home is not a bad result, both Manchester United and Swansea City were tough
games, so to come away with two points and two clean sheets is certainly not
the end of the world."
Currently eighth with 25 points from 17 games, the Hammers face a tricky
festive period of games, hosting Southampton on the Monday 28th before the
early kick off with Liverpool on Saturday 2 January.
Reflecting on a positive first half of the campaign, Cresswell is hoping to
maintain their form in the second half: "We got a few big wins at the start
of the season which was great. The first half of the season as a whole is a
positive one, the injuries haven't helped, touch wood we don't pick up any
more and we'll get a few players back soon. We're all looking forward to the
second half of the season.
"I'm not sure exactly when the injured lads are going to be back but it
sounds like they'll be back a bit earlier than expected, we're all looking
forward to having them back as soon as possible.
"There's plenty of positives for us to take into 2016, we want to finish in
that top half, then we have the move to the new stadium to look forward to."
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The (ex) Rev's Christmas Message: expect a miracle!
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 24th December 2015
By: Elwin Cockett
As traditional now as the Queen's annual address, Archdeacon of West Ham and
Chair of Chelmsford Diocesan Board of Education Elwin Cockett shares his
annual Christmas message with the readers of Knees up Mother Brown ...
If Christmas is a time for poignant memories of people and times past,
that's doubly true for West Ham fans this year.
Leaving the Boleyn Ground is something that we've known was going to happen
for some years, but suddenly, as 2016 looms, it is all too real. Only a few
months' games are left now and, whatever routine we follow on a match day,
whether it involves Ken's Café or Nathan's, a pint in the Queens or the
Boleyn, or simply that familiar stroll down Green Street from the station to
the ground, all that's going to change before we know it.
All of us have our best memories of Upton Park. For me, standing on the
North Bank as a teenager is among them, and then, years later, getting to
know many of the remarkable people who have made West Ham United what it is.
When the wonderful Sir Geoff Hurst introduced himself to my daughter - at
that time a little girl - by saying "Hello, I'm George Best!", she knew
straight away that he wasn't because she knew his face very well from all my
memorabilia.
One privilege I will never forget was leading a memorial service for
'Budgie' Byrne, one of that cohort of players who lit up English football in
the mid-sixties.
Budgie's wife, Margaret, asked whether I could arrange the service, which
took place St Margaret's Church in Barking, followed by lunch together and
then a match at Upton Park. After the game, once the crowd had gone, his
family, friends and team-mates gathered around the centre circle to end the
day as we'd started it, remembering Budgie as a husband, a father, a mate
and as a player in the most successful West Ham team of all time. Steve
Bacon's photo of that moment is very special to me.
Speaking of Steve Bacon, the iconic club photographer, it was good to see
the West Ham family rallying round when he was hospitalised earlier this
year. Steve, if you're reading this, thousands of West Ham fans are wishing
you all the best, mate.
Perhaps the most poignant loss for me this year was that of Gina Allen, who
died after a courageous battle with cancer. For many years, Gina was the
staff member responsible for enabling disabled fans to watch West Ham, and
numerous supporters loved her for that. But she was also one of those people
that any organisation needs – a positive, caring person who always looks out
for the needs of others. She is much missed.
One happier memory is of how KUMB.com readers have responded to my appeal
for funds to build Grace's Place, a children's literacy centre in rural
Ghana. There are real challenges to pulling together such a project, but
with your help – and the help of the wonderful Kosmo Vinyl and the lovely
people at KUMB, I'm sure that we can make Grace's Place everything that we
want it to be for the children of that part of Africa. Thank you to everyone
who has contributed so far.
Finally, if Christmas gives an opportunity to look back, it's also a time to
look ahead, and we West Ham fans have SO much to look forward to. I haven't
always been a fan of developments in recent years, but I have to admit that
Karren Brady, David Gold and David Sullivan have done an amazing job in
getting us to where we are.
2016 sees the start of a whole new era for our club, and one that we can be
very excited about. When we remember how things were for West Ham following
the banking crisis, when wise men everywhere were writing us off, the club's
re-birth seems nothing short of a miracle. So, well done to our owners, and
perhaps it's a reminder that we should all remember to look for the best –
to look for a miracle, even - rather than going on about 'same old West
Ham'.
So, in the same spirit, let me close with a bit of poetry from my favourite
writer, U.A.Fanthorpe. She wrote some great Christmas poems, and this is one
of the greatest. It's a reminder to go on looking for a miracle, every day.
Merry Christmas, everyone – and a very happy New Year.
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Slaven Bilic urges Villa boss Remi Garde "don't be a realist if you want to
stay up"
22:30, 25 DEC 2015
BY NEIL MCLEMAN
"He doesn't have a car that can drive 100mph and he says he wants to drive
150mph" says West Ham boss ahead of their Boxing Day clash
The Mirror
Slaven Bilic has claimed Aston Villa cannot afford to be realistic if they
want to stay up this season. New boss Remi Garde has set the Premier
League's bottom club a target of winning 10 of their last 21 games to stay
up – after failing to win in their last 16. Mission Impossible will have to
start with the Frenchman's first win against West Ham at Villa Park on
Boxing Day. But the Hammers proved miracles can happen when Alan
Curbishley's team beat the drop by winning seven of their final nine games
in 2007. And current Hammers boss Bilic said: "What is the point of being
realistic and what does it mean? "He doesn't have a car that can drive
100mph and he says he wants to drive 150mph. He has a football team – it's
live, it changes, he's optimistic. "Would he say he doesn't have a chance?
On the contrary, he is acting exactly like anybody would do. He is working
with them, he has seen a lot of positive things. They are fighting for their
lives. They have some quality players who can harm you. "What he wants is a
little bit of luck, to win two or three games and then it changes like that.
There are so many games left. They have a chance."
Bilic played against the former Arsenal midfielder – and got to know him
when Garde coached Dejan Lovren at Lyon. READ MORE: Aston Villa will
struggle to attract players in January if they remain adrift at the bottom,
admits Remi Garde "It's a brave decision to take on Villa but it's the
Premier League, it's a massive club, it's Villa," said the former Croatia
coach. "To manage every club nowadays is a very brave decision. You would
say the same if Guardiola signs for whoever he signs for. You have to be
brave to be involved in football. Who wouldn't take it, let's be honest?"
"We are coping well without the injured players," Bilic insisted. "We have
shown character and team spirit. And, when they come back, they will be
like new signings."
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Half term report card: How the Hammers rated
Posted by Sean Whetstone on December 25, 2015 in Sean's Blogs, Whispers
C and H
The Board: David Sullivan, David Gold and Karren Brady A+
The board have once again put their money where their mouths are, they
invested heavily in the summer and continue to address the legacy debt
problems. They took a huge risk in appointing Slaven Bilic which has paid
off handsomely. They are building towards our move to the Olympic Stadium
while respecting the past of the Boleyn Ground.
The Manager: Slaven Bilic and his back room staff B+
Great start by the former Hammers player, he has achieved beyond most media
and fan expectations so far. The fans and players are fully behind him and
there is a different atmosphere at West Ham following the departure of Sam
Allardyce last season. A dream start for the Croatian with wins against
Arsenal, Liverpool, Man City and Chelsea. Only marked him slightly down on
his choice of Jelavic for a permanent transfer, some of his substitutions
and no win in seven games but can improve second half of the season.
The Players: B+
Payet, Sakho and Lanzini have been the stand out players this season before
injuries and deserve an A+. Add to them solid B+ performances from Adrian,
Cresswell, Reid, Ogbonna, Collins, Noble, Kouyate and Zarate. Carroll,
Jenkinson, Moses and Song could do better and rate C for me. Too early to
say on Antonnio but I will gibe him a B- with room to improve.
Entertainment Value: B+
We certainly got our hallowed 'West Ham way' back this season. West Ham have
been a joy to watch when we were at full strength without injuries. Watching
games is no longer a chore (mostly). Three nil-nil results in recent times
and no win in seven games has taken the edge off the first half of the
season and the previous entertainment value. The Swansea game was a perfect
example of poor entertainment value but the whole very good and promising
for the future.
The Results: A
To be in eighth position in the Premier League on Christmas day is a great
achievement having been as high as third in the League at one point.
Finishing in eighth position at the end of the season would be a great
effort for Bilic's first season in charge but we could push on for a top six
finish with a bit of luck and no more injuries.
The Fans: A+
As always we have some of the best fans in the world, our away support and
experience is amazing and every one of our home League games at the Boleyn
Ground has been a complete sell out this season. Even our European games to
virtually unknown teams were well attended and our FA Cup match against
Wolves is due to sell out too.
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Jarvis deal won't tempt Irons
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 25, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
West Ham are unlikely to to be tempted into the January market despite
making room in the budget via the sale of Matt Jarvis to Norwich.
With £2.5 million in the bank and £40k a week freed up from his wages, the
club might have considered a move but sources inside the club have made it
clear that's highly improbable. Despite concluding a clever deal, the board
are set to keep the cash in their pockets having learned some lessons from
the January 'madness.' ClaretandHugh was told last night: "It's not a place
where we want to go given past experience. Where you get loan players better
than the ones we have. Have any of our January past loans really contributed
very much? £2.5 million is hardly a fortune and could probably be put to be
better use in the summer."
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Moncur jnr would love Irons return
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 25, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
George Moncur has spoken for the first time about his departure from the
club he loves – West Ham United. But don't expect a bitter outburst from the
Colchester midfielder who, with nine goals out of midfield so far this
season, has beaten his goal tally for last term.
The 22 year old was ditched by Sam Allardyce in 2014 and said: "I would love
nothing more than to go back to my club one day but I have to show that I am
worth that and believe that despite our league position I am playing well.
"I'm more than happy with my own game but we need to get off the bottom of
the table and out of the relegation spots."
George remembers being told his West Ham days were a thing of the past but
refuses to issue an angry outburst against then manager Sam Allardyce. He
said: "The manager has to make decisions. It was very, very hard to swallow
but you have to get on with it and one day I want to believe I'll make my
way back there. "It's the club where my Dad played for so long. I love the
place. Praps one day but I need to show I am good enough to play at the
highest level."
He believes the Hammers – despite their injury list – are a club on the up
under Slaven Bilic declaring: "He has had some great results and Dimi Payet
and Lanzini have really lit the club up. They are going to be fine and are
looking good. "They play some great football and I catch them whenever it's
possible. I still love the club with a passion" and again he muses "Perhaps
one day!"
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Jarvis finances revealed in full
Posted by Sean Whetstone on December 25, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
After lengthy negotiations for the switch from Wolves Matt Jarvis finally
joined the Iron on August 23, 2012. Now ClaretandHugh can reveal exclusively
for the first time the precise details of the deal which comprised an
initial £7.5 million, rising to £10.75 million. His five year contract was
worth around £40,000 per week netting him a cool £10.4m over the five year
period.
The Hammers have paid £10.2m of that (excluding agent fees) of the
potential £10.75m transfer fee. Our most senior source told us: "He cost us
£10.2m in total. Not a great purchase by Sam from his agent Mark Curtis. The
fee was £7.5m, plus a £1m bonus on the first two occasions we stayed up, £1m
on appearances-with about £700k paid out plus 5 per cent to the league when
you buy a player, plus an agents fee of £750k."
He scored just 6 goals in all competitions at a cost of £2.8m per goal and
made 90 appearances at a cost of £188,888 per match. That said, his
departure will save a further £2m in wages in his final year of his contract
releasing pressure on the financial fair play wage cap and we have already
saved a further £2m by sending him out to loan to Norwich this season. A
£2.5m price tag is probably the best deal we could do in the current market
but it still leaves a net loss of £8.5m on his transfer fee.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
DG voices his Villa doubts
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 25, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
David Gold has tweeted the Christmas news nobody wanted to hear. The Hammers
are set to be without both Andy Carroll and Manuel Lanzini at Villa Park
tomorrow as the team going looking for a much needed three points. The
injury update from the medics was not good this morning but Gold appears to
have confirmed things given his usually upbeat forecasting. He said: It
doesn't look like Andy Carroll or Manuel Lanzini will make it for the Villa
game however Enner Valencia is fully fit and could start. Dg We will all be
hoping the Valencia option is available given the off key performance of
Nikicia Jelavic against Swansea at the weekend. The team is likely to look
much the same as it was for the game in Wales although some reports from
inside the club are saying that Carl Jenkinson could get a longer spell of
match action although is unlikely to be on from the start.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Irons hope defender's 'wake up call' works out
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 24, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
Carl Jenkinson was told tonight: "We want the player back we saw last
season." The Arsenal right back has been well out of favour of course after
a poor start to his second Boleyn lon spell and club insiders have claimed
that having been sent a "serious wake up call" he is ready to come back and
stake his claim big time. Jenkinson is costing the club around £4 million
in loan fee and wages but has been a shadow of the player we saw last
season. And although the calm Slaven Bilic never makes a song and dance of
his dilemmas he has been very disappointed the player has failed to fire so
far. He has responded with a steel fist inside the velvet glove by not
hesitating to drop him in order to give him a dose of shock treatment. And a
top insider told us this evening: "For all the pleasant and amiable approach
from the manager, he knows exactly how to operate in circumstances. "Jenks
has had a wake up call. We all expected him to be left out for one game but
it's extending now although we get the impression he will soon get his
chance again. "We all want to see the player who performed so well last
season and hope the spell on the sidelines will have had the desired
effect."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
The background
West Ham United make a festive trip to Aston Villa on Boxing Day looking to
end an eight-game wait for victory.
The Hammers have drawn their last three games without a goal being scored -
a record Premier League streak for the Club - so will be hoping to break
their duck against bottom-of-the-table Villa.
Having been hurt by an extensive injury list to their attacking players,
West Ham's goal threat has been blunted in recent weeks, but fine defensive
work has meant they have continued to pick up points.
Villa haven't won since the opening day of the season and have only picked
up seven points to date.
One of those came last time out as Jordan Ayew's goal earned them a 1-1 draw
at fellow strugglers Newcastle United.
The game kicks off a busy Christmas for the Hammers, with games against
Southampton and Liverpool to follow.
The history
West Ham United and Aston Villa have met 108 times in all competitions going
into Saturday's fixture.
West Ham hold the edge with 39 wins to the Villans' 38. Last season the pair
drew 0-0 at the Boleyn Ground, but at Villa Park Tom Cleverley's goal gave
the hosts a 1-0 victory.
The Hammers' record win over Villa is the 7-2 success they enjoyed in 1958.
The match
Team news
West Ham United
Slaven Bilic will once again be without defender Winston Reid on Saturday as
he continues his recovery from a thigh injury.
Diafra Sakho is also out due to a thigh problem, while the Villa game comes
too soon for Dimitri Payet (ankle).
Manuel Lanzini has a slight chance of returning after his hamstring trouble
while Andy Carroll may also feature after missing the trip to Swansea with a
groin injury. Victor Moses (hamstring) is out.
Aston Villa
Aston Villa captain Micah Richards is expected to miss a fourth consecutive
game because of a knee injury.
Full-backs Joe Bennett and Aly Cissokho have both been recalled from loan
spells but will not be eligible to play until January.
Match info
- Saturday's referee is Mike Dean. He will be assisted by Mark Scholes and
Ian Hussin. Peter Bankes is the fourth official.
- West Ham have won just one of their last eight games at Villa Park (D2,
L5).
- Villa are bottom of the top division at Christmas for only the third time
in their history, after 1935/36 and 1958/59. They ended up being relegated
on both of those previous occasions.
- The Villans are enduring two unwanted club league records: 16 matches
without a win, and nine home matches without a victory since beating West
Ham in May.
- They have kept just two Premier League clean sheets this season - only
Norwich, with one, have a worse record.
- West Ham have drawn three successive league games 0-0 for the first time
in their history.
- The Hammers have shared the points in their last four matches
Ticketing, travel, coverage and other details
- There will be a limited number of tickets available to Hammers fans at
Villa Park. Click here for details.
- No trains will be running from London to Birmingham in Boxing Day. Click
here for traffic news.
- Saturday is set to be a cloudy day with temperatures reaching 13C (55F) at
kick-off.
- If you're not heading to the game make sure you keep up to date on our
digital channels. The whufc.com Match Centre has live audio commentary and
text updates, in-running stats and pictures and more. You can get involved
with the conversation on social using the hashtag #AVLWHU
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cresswell eyeing Villa Park victory
WHUFC.com
Ever-present left-back Aaron Cresswell insisted his side will not
underestimate the challenge Aston Villa pose when the two sides face each
other at 3pm today.
Despite the hosts having accumulated just seven points so far this season,
Cresswell maintained that the Hammers will have to be at their best if they
are to come away from Villa Park with maximum points.
Speaking ahead of the Boxing Day clash, Cresswell said: "It's going to be
another tough game as every Premier League game is. We're fully aware of the
quality they have, there's no easy game as some recent results have shown.
It's a crazy league this season, just look at Bournemouth's results against
Chelsea and Manchester United.
"I genuinely don't think you ever say we're guaranteed three points. Yes,
Villa haven't won in ten games but it's a bonkers this season, anyone can
beat anyone, particularly around Christmas."
Meanwhile, the Hammers are looking for their first win in nine games as
injuries have depleted the Hammers' frontline.
In the absence of the likes of Dimitri Payet, Manuel Lanzini, Diafra Sakho
and Victor Moses, the defensive rear-guard have more than proved their worth
by securing three consecutive clean sheets.
Cresswell continued: "I think those clean sheets does give us confidence; we
haven't won in a while but we've kept clean sheets which is the next best
thing, we have to take the positives out of every game, and that has been
the main thing.
"Clean sheets, particularly away from home are massive. Any point away from
home is not a bad result, both Manchester United and Swansea City were tough
games, so to come away with two points and two clean sheets is certainly not
the end of the world."
Currently eighth with 25 points from 17 games, the Hammers face a tricky
festive period of games, hosting Southampton on the Monday 28th before the
early kick off with Liverpool on Saturday 2 January.
Reflecting on a positive first half of the campaign, Cresswell is hoping to
maintain their form in the second half: "We got a few big wins at the start
of the season which was great. The first half of the season as a whole is a
positive one, the injuries haven't helped, touch wood we don't pick up any
more and we'll get a few players back soon. We're all looking forward to the
second half of the season.
"I'm not sure exactly when the injured lads are going to be back but it
sounds like they'll be back a bit earlier than expected, we're all looking
forward to having them back as soon as possible.
"There's plenty of positives for us to take into 2016, we want to finish in
that top half, then we have the move to the new stadium to look forward to."
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The (ex) Rev's Christmas Message: expect a miracle!
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 24th December 2015
By: Elwin Cockett
As traditional now as the Queen's annual address, Archdeacon of West Ham and
Chair of Chelmsford Diocesan Board of Education Elwin Cockett shares his
annual Christmas message with the readers of Knees up Mother Brown ...
If Christmas is a time for poignant memories of people and times past,
that's doubly true for West Ham fans this year.
Leaving the Boleyn Ground is something that we've known was going to happen
for some years, but suddenly, as 2016 looms, it is all too real. Only a few
months' games are left now and, whatever routine we follow on a match day,
whether it involves Ken's Café or Nathan's, a pint in the Queens or the
Boleyn, or simply that familiar stroll down Green Street from the station to
the ground, all that's going to change before we know it.
All of us have our best memories of Upton Park. For me, standing on the
North Bank as a teenager is among them, and then, years later, getting to
know many of the remarkable people who have made West Ham United what it is.
When the wonderful Sir Geoff Hurst introduced himself to my daughter - at
that time a little girl - by saying "Hello, I'm George Best!", she knew
straight away that he wasn't because she knew his face very well from all my
memorabilia.
One privilege I will never forget was leading a memorial service for
'Budgie' Byrne, one of that cohort of players who lit up English football in
the mid-sixties.
Budgie's wife, Margaret, asked whether I could arrange the service, which
took place St Margaret's Church in Barking, followed by lunch together and
then a match at Upton Park. After the game, once the crowd had gone, his
family, friends and team-mates gathered around the centre circle to end the
day as we'd started it, remembering Budgie as a husband, a father, a mate
and as a player in the most successful West Ham team of all time. Steve
Bacon's photo of that moment is very special to me.
Speaking of Steve Bacon, the iconic club photographer, it was good to see
the West Ham family rallying round when he was hospitalised earlier this
year. Steve, if you're reading this, thousands of West Ham fans are wishing
you all the best, mate.
Perhaps the most poignant loss for me this year was that of Gina Allen, who
died after a courageous battle with cancer. For many years, Gina was the
staff member responsible for enabling disabled fans to watch West Ham, and
numerous supporters loved her for that. But she was also one of those people
that any organisation needs – a positive, caring person who always looks out
for the needs of others. She is much missed.
One happier memory is of how KUMB.com readers have responded to my appeal
for funds to build Grace's Place, a children's literacy centre in rural
Ghana. There are real challenges to pulling together such a project, but
with your help – and the help of the wonderful Kosmo Vinyl and the lovely
people at KUMB, I'm sure that we can make Grace's Place everything that we
want it to be for the children of that part of Africa. Thank you to everyone
who has contributed so far.
Finally, if Christmas gives an opportunity to look back, it's also a time to
look ahead, and we West Ham fans have SO much to look forward to. I haven't
always been a fan of developments in recent years, but I have to admit that
Karren Brady, David Gold and David Sullivan have done an amazing job in
getting us to where we are.
2016 sees the start of a whole new era for our club, and one that we can be
very excited about. When we remember how things were for West Ham following
the banking crisis, when wise men everywhere were writing us off, the club's
re-birth seems nothing short of a miracle. So, well done to our owners, and
perhaps it's a reminder that we should all remember to look for the best –
to look for a miracle, even - rather than going on about 'same old West
Ham'.
So, in the same spirit, let me close with a bit of poetry from my favourite
writer, U.A.Fanthorpe. She wrote some great Christmas poems, and this is one
of the greatest. It's a reminder to go on looking for a miracle, every day.
Merry Christmas, everyone – and a very happy New Year.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Slaven Bilic urges Villa boss Remi Garde "don't be a realist if you want to
stay up"
22:30, 25 DEC 2015
BY NEIL MCLEMAN
"He doesn't have a car that can drive 100mph and he says he wants to drive
150mph" says West Ham boss ahead of their Boxing Day clash
The Mirror
Slaven Bilic has claimed Aston Villa cannot afford to be realistic if they
want to stay up this season. New boss Remi Garde has set the Premier
League's bottom club a target of winning 10 of their last 21 games to stay
up – after failing to win in their last 16. Mission Impossible will have to
start with the Frenchman's first win against West Ham at Villa Park on
Boxing Day. But the Hammers proved miracles can happen when Alan
Curbishley's team beat the drop by winning seven of their final nine games
in 2007. And current Hammers boss Bilic said: "What is the point of being
realistic and what does it mean? "He doesn't have a car that can drive
100mph and he says he wants to drive 150mph. He has a football team – it's
live, it changes, he's optimistic. "Would he say he doesn't have a chance?
On the contrary, he is acting exactly like anybody would do. He is working
with them, he has seen a lot of positive things. They are fighting for their
lives. They have some quality players who can harm you. "What he wants is a
little bit of luck, to win two or three games and then it changes like that.
There are so many games left. They have a chance."
Bilic played against the former Arsenal midfielder – and got to know him
when Garde coached Dejan Lovren at Lyon. READ MORE: Aston Villa will
struggle to attract players in January if they remain adrift at the bottom,
admits Remi Garde "It's a brave decision to take on Villa but it's the
Premier League, it's a massive club, it's Villa," said the former Croatia
coach. "To manage every club nowadays is a very brave decision. You would
say the same if Guardiola signs for whoever he signs for. You have to be
brave to be involved in football. Who wouldn't take it, let's be honest?"
"We are coping well without the injured players," Bilic insisted. "We have
shown character and team spirit. And, when they come back, they will be
like new signings."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Half term report card: How the Hammers rated
Posted by Sean Whetstone on December 25, 2015 in Sean's Blogs, Whispers
C and H
The Board: David Sullivan, David Gold and Karren Brady A+
The board have once again put their money where their mouths are, they
invested heavily in the summer and continue to address the legacy debt
problems. They took a huge risk in appointing Slaven Bilic which has paid
off handsomely. They are building towards our move to the Olympic Stadium
while respecting the past of the Boleyn Ground.
The Manager: Slaven Bilic and his back room staff B+
Great start by the former Hammers player, he has achieved beyond most media
and fan expectations so far. The fans and players are fully behind him and
there is a different atmosphere at West Ham following the departure of Sam
Allardyce last season. A dream start for the Croatian with wins against
Arsenal, Liverpool, Man City and Chelsea. Only marked him slightly down on
his choice of Jelavic for a permanent transfer, some of his substitutions
and no win in seven games but can improve second half of the season.
The Players: B+
Payet, Sakho and Lanzini have been the stand out players this season before
injuries and deserve an A+. Add to them solid B+ performances from Adrian,
Cresswell, Reid, Ogbonna, Collins, Noble, Kouyate and Zarate. Carroll,
Jenkinson, Moses and Song could do better and rate C for me. Too early to
say on Antonnio but I will gibe him a B- with room to improve.
Entertainment Value: B+
We certainly got our hallowed 'West Ham way' back this season. West Ham have
been a joy to watch when we were at full strength without injuries. Watching
games is no longer a chore (mostly). Three nil-nil results in recent times
and no win in seven games has taken the edge off the first half of the
season and the previous entertainment value. The Swansea game was a perfect
example of poor entertainment value but the whole very good and promising
for the future.
The Results: A
To be in eighth position in the Premier League on Christmas day is a great
achievement having been as high as third in the League at one point.
Finishing in eighth position at the end of the season would be a great
effort for Bilic's first season in charge but we could push on for a top six
finish with a bit of luck and no more injuries.
The Fans: A+
As always we have some of the best fans in the world, our away support and
experience is amazing and every one of our home League games at the Boleyn
Ground has been a complete sell out this season. Even our European games to
virtually unknown teams were well attended and our FA Cup match against
Wolves is due to sell out too.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Jarvis deal won't tempt Irons
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 25, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
West Ham are unlikely to to be tempted into the January market despite
making room in the budget via the sale of Matt Jarvis to Norwich.
With £2.5 million in the bank and £40k a week freed up from his wages, the
club might have considered a move but sources inside the club have made it
clear that's highly improbable. Despite concluding a clever deal, the board
are set to keep the cash in their pockets having learned some lessons from
the January 'madness.' ClaretandHugh was told last night: "It's not a place
where we want to go given past experience. Where you get loan players better
than the ones we have. Have any of our January past loans really contributed
very much? £2.5 million is hardly a fortune and could probably be put to be
better use in the summer."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Moncur jnr would love Irons return
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 25, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
George Moncur has spoken for the first time about his departure from the
club he loves – West Ham United. But don't expect a bitter outburst from the
Colchester midfielder who, with nine goals out of midfield so far this
season, has beaten his goal tally for last term.
The 22 year old was ditched by Sam Allardyce in 2014 and said: "I would love
nothing more than to go back to my club one day but I have to show that I am
worth that and believe that despite our league position I am playing well.
"I'm more than happy with my own game but we need to get off the bottom of
the table and out of the relegation spots."
George remembers being told his West Ham days were a thing of the past but
refuses to issue an angry outburst against then manager Sam Allardyce. He
said: "The manager has to make decisions. It was very, very hard to swallow
but you have to get on with it and one day I want to believe I'll make my
way back there. "It's the club where my Dad played for so long. I love the
place. Praps one day but I need to show I am good enough to play at the
highest level."
He believes the Hammers – despite their injury list – are a club on the up
under Slaven Bilic declaring: "He has had some great results and Dimi Payet
and Lanzini have really lit the club up. They are going to be fine and are
looking good. "They play some great football and I catch them whenever it's
possible. I still love the club with a passion" and again he muses "Perhaps
one day!"
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Jarvis finances revealed in full
Posted by Sean Whetstone on December 25, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
After lengthy negotiations for the switch from Wolves Matt Jarvis finally
joined the Iron on August 23, 2012. Now ClaretandHugh can reveal exclusively
for the first time the precise details of the deal which comprised an
initial £7.5 million, rising to £10.75 million. His five year contract was
worth around £40,000 per week netting him a cool £10.4m over the five year
period.
The Hammers have paid £10.2m of that (excluding agent fees) of the
potential £10.75m transfer fee. Our most senior source told us: "He cost us
£10.2m in total. Not a great purchase by Sam from his agent Mark Curtis. The
fee was £7.5m, plus a £1m bonus on the first two occasions we stayed up, £1m
on appearances-with about £700k paid out plus 5 per cent to the league when
you buy a player, plus an agents fee of £750k."
He scored just 6 goals in all competitions at a cost of £2.8m per goal and
made 90 appearances at a cost of £188,888 per match. That said, his
departure will save a further £2m in wages in his final year of his contract
releasing pressure on the financial fair play wage cap and we have already
saved a further £2m by sending him out to loan to Norwich this season. A
£2.5m price tag is probably the best deal we could do in the current market
but it still leaves a net loss of £8.5m on his transfer fee.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
DG voices his Villa doubts
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 25, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
David Gold has tweeted the Christmas news nobody wanted to hear. The Hammers
are set to be without both Andy Carroll and Manuel Lanzini at Villa Park
tomorrow as the team going looking for a much needed three points. The
injury update from the medics was not good this morning but Gold appears to
have confirmed things given his usually upbeat forecasting. He said: It
doesn't look like Andy Carroll or Manuel Lanzini will make it for the Villa
game however Enner Valencia is fully fit and could start. Dg We will all be
hoping the Valencia option is available given the off key performance of
Nikicia Jelavic against Swansea at the weekend. The team is likely to look
much the same as it was for the game in Wales although some reports from
inside the club are saying that Carl Jenkinson could get a longer spell of
match action although is unlikely to be on from the start.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Irons hope defender's 'wake up call' works out
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 24, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
Carl Jenkinson was told tonight: "We want the player back we saw last
season." The Arsenal right back has been well out of favour of course after
a poor start to his second Boleyn lon spell and club insiders have claimed
that having been sent a "serious wake up call" he is ready to come back and
stake his claim big time. Jenkinson is costing the club around £4 million
in loan fee and wages but has been a shadow of the player we saw last
season. And although the calm Slaven Bilic never makes a song and dance of
his dilemmas he has been very disappointed the player has failed to fire so
far. He has responded with a steel fist inside the velvet glove by not
hesitating to drop him in order to give him a dose of shock treatment. And a
top insider told us this evening: "For all the pleasant and amiable approach
from the manager, he knows exactly how to operate in circumstances. "Jenks
has had a wake up call. We all expected him to be left out for one game but
it's extending now although we get the impression he will soon get his
chance again. "We all want to see the player who performed so well last
season and hope the spell on the sidelines will have had the desired
effect."
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
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