First and Last - Julian Dicks
WHUFC.com
As West Ham United continue the final season at the Boleyn Ground, we've
asked our players for some memorable lasts from their careers and lives, as
well as some firsts. Today, coaching assistant Julian Dicks goes under the
spotlight…
FIRSTS
What was the first car you owned?
It was a Ford Fiesta 1.1 Popular Plus. I remember John Lyall taking me down
in his Jaguar to the Ford garage and called the manager saying 'This boy
wants a discount' and I got one! I paid about £1,500 for the car.
What was the first CD you bought?
It would have been something like Iron Maiden. I remember they actually came
to the training ground back in 1990 so it was good to see them and I saw
(Iron Maiden guitarist and Hammers fan) Steve Harris at the game last
weekend which was good.
Can you tell us about the first goal you scored for West Ham?
It was against Arsenal at Highbury. We were 2-0 down and I got the ball from
a throw-in and chested it down before smashing it past David Seaman into the
back of the net. I actually saw the goal on YouTube the other day so I have
good memories of it.
Who would be the first person you would call up for a pub quiz?
I would probably say either Slaven or Iain Dowie. Iain wasn't the best
looker in the world but he had a good brain on him so I would probably call
him up!
Who would be the first player you would vote off the X Factor?
I would have to say my former team-mate Ilie Dumitrescu. I remember when he
signed from Tottenham and his English was spot-on but his singing was
rubbish.
LASTS
What was the last concert you went to?
Ages ago! It was Guns 'N' Roses and I saw them play at the Cologne Stadium
in Germany. It was not long after that they broke up but it was a good
concert.
Which of your former teammates is the last you would want to be stuck in a
lift with?
It depends on the circumstances. I would not want to be stuck in a lift with
Ian Bishop if he was drunk! Or Iain Dowie as he is quite boring!
Who is the last player you would take fashion advice from?
It has to be Alex Song. His dress sense is awful and I don't get it at all.
What is the last book you read?
It was Jose Mourinho's book. I don't ready many books but I found that quite
interesting as I quite like him. I like to know how he has achieved what he
has done and how he treats players. It was interesting.
What is the last thing you want to hear from a manager after a game?
I remember Billy Bonds telling me I had been fined two weeks' wages for
getting sent-off which wasn't very nice!
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Slaven Speaks - Sunderland
WHUFC.com
Ahead of Saturday's game with Sunderland, Slaven Bilic held his weekly
pre-match press conference. During the briefing, the manager answered
questions on Sam Allardyce's return to the Boleyn, team news and …
Is it true Andy Carroll and Winston Reid could be back for Saturday?
SB: "They are back in training so that is a positive. Manuel Lanzini has
been back in training for a while so that's good, and he is getting back to
full fitness. Andy is back which of course is good. Winston is improving,
maybe not for Saturday but soon. But it is looking good, touch wood."
How important is it to have players coming back at this time of the season?
SB: "Very important, the whole squad has done brilliantly throughout the
season, whenever we have had injuries. They have all been great. Now we are
approaching the final quarter of the season it is crucial we continue to do
well."
Cheikhou Kouyate had his red card rescinded, are you surprised at that
decision?
SB: "For me it was obvious, this wasn't a nasty or bad challenge. We hoped
and we expected this decision so we are happy. It's great to have this
option in England, in most other countries you can't even discuss it. So it
is great that you can appeal these decisions, referees are only people and
they can make mistakes. So it's important because the stakes are so high, it
is good for English football."
Saturday's game is obviously the first time Sam Allardyce is back at Upton
Park, how do you think the fans should reflect on his time in charge?
SB: "Well they should respect him, he done great for West Ham. He is one of
the most famous and long serving English managers, 20 years or so, very
successful and charismatic one. He got us back from the Championship and
then stabilised the club in the Premier League so he has done amazing job
and he should be praised big time."
Now it seems likely that the last game at the Boleyn Ground will be
Manchester United in midweek, how do you feel about that?
SB: "We still don't know for certain but it is likely. I think it'll good,
Manchester United are huge so it is a big game for a huge stadium. I think
it'll be a great night, it would be anyway. But it'll be about Upton Park
and the history so it will be a fantastic day and a fantastic occasion."
Do you think Sam Allardyce will keep Sunderland in the league?
SB: "He has done a good already stabilising them and they are harder to
beat, they are more organised. They got four points against Liverpool away
and Manchester United, any club in the world would take that. Even when they
were 2-0 down at Anfield, they didn't give up. There's still a long way to
go but they have a big chance to stay up."
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Ritson relishing Spurs' clash
WHUFC.com
Defender Danni Ritson is buzzing about the prospect of playing an official
FA Women's Premier League under the famous lights at the Boleyn Ground on
Tuesday 8 March – International Women's Day. The Ladies club have announced
that their upcoming Southern Division fixture with Tottenham Hotspur Ladies
has been moved to Upton Park from their usual surroundings at AFC
Hornchurch's Bridge Avenue Stadium. It is the first time that the West Ham
Ladies will host an official league fixture on the hallowed turf and a big
moment for Ritson and her teammates.
"I simply cannot wait for the Upton Park fixture," admitted the 20 year-old.
"Under the Boleyn Ground lights, one of the last times ever, while my
teammates and I are pulling on the famous Claret and Blue shirts and
preparing to walk out onto the pitch to the sound of our friends, family and
the West Ham fans singing Bubbles is something that any footballer would
dream of.
"It is the Club's final season at Upton Park and it's been a special season
that we are lucky enough to be a part of, especially when it's an official
league match too!" Tickets for the big game are priced at £5 for Adults and
just £1 for Children and can be purchased through turnstiles on the night.
The Hammers will hope for a better showing against Spurs after a difficult
few weeks results-wise, with Tottenham inflicting a penalty shootout defeat
over their London rivals in the Capital Cup quarter-finals. A 7-0 home
defeat by Blackburn Rovers in the FA Women's Cup third round was followed by
an 8-0 league loss to Charlton Athletic at AFC Hornchurch. Ahead of the
Boleyn Ground date, the Ladies host Coventry City in the league on Sunday,
with kick-off at 2pm.
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Chadwell Chatter
WHUFC.com
Hello everyone,
I am extremely proud to announce and have to admit that I am blown away that
tickets for my Testimonial has now sold out – that is something special.
When we first announced it I thought I would be lucky to get 20,000 with the
amount of money that the fans have to spend during a season, but when I
think about the support that our fans show, nothing surprises me.
I am grateful and humbled by it and I just want to make the day special for
everybody.
I have got some great names playing and can announce that Gianfranco Zola
wants to play some part! He called me and I was over the moon to speak with
him. He asked about the Testimonial and I said I would love him to be there.
I have also spoken to Glen Johnson and Paul Konchesky recently and he wants
to play which is great because they were in the Academy.
There are still some Corporate Hospitality packages available from £99 -
don't forget we will be raising money for three great charities in the DT38
Foundation, Richard House Children's Hospice and Help for Heroes.
It has been an amazing few weeks for the Club, especially the feeling around
the place after our FA Cup victory over Liverpool which was an amazing night
for the players, staff and the fans.
We then went to Norwich and went two goals down which was undeserved, but we
showed a great reaction to come back into the game and everyone, including
the substitutes, played their part.
We then had the FA Cup win at Blackburn last weekend which was another
special day for the 7,200 fans who made the long journey to Ewood Park. It
felt like a home game for us. We don't want to stop there and want to keep
progressing.
The players we have got now and the players who are coming back from injury
shows the quality we have got in the squad.
We have now got four of our strikers fit which is phenomenal and everyone is
pulling their weight and you are going to need that for the cup run that we
are going on and the Premier League.
We need all the players and we have got some real quality here.
The intensity goes up in training because everyone is playing for places in
the side. We have also got players coming back from injury who need to get
fit and the standard of training this year has been really high – with the
squad we have got now it is a little bit special.
We believe as a squad and as a team that we can score goals. We believe in
our ability and in our players.
We have got some players who are playing at the top of their game and we
just need to make sure they keep enjoying their game and we keep winning.
With the way it has gone this season we have been behind in some games and
have come back. The Premier League is a rollercoaster and nothing is
guaranteed at all.
We need to keep that belief going and as Julian Dicks has said about the
boss, he makes his feelings known when he needs to, but he really believes
in his players.
I am looking forward to seeing Big Sam back at the Boleyn Ground on
Saturday. I spent four successful years playing under him and we got
promoted under him, which was massive for the Club.
He was brought into the Club to get us promoted from the Championship back
into the Premier League and he did that. He then stabilised us in the top
flight.
I will look forward to seeing Sam, but hopefully only after we have beaten
his Sunderland team.
Finally, we are honouring Bobby Moore and our heroes from the Sixties this
weekend. As a West Ham fan, an Academy product and being from Canning Town,
I always heard stories of what Bobby achieved and what sort of player and
man he was.
It's an honour for me to be following in his footsteps and captaining this
great Club of ours.
Come on You Irons!
Nobes
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Boleyn Memories - Roberta Moore
WHUFC.com
Roberta Moore has special memories of the Boleyn Ground and seeing her
father Bobby become one of the greatest ever players to have performed for
the east London club. This week marked 23 years since the former England
World Cup winning captain sadly passed away but he will never be forgotten
at West Ham United. The 1960's themed game against Sunderland on Saturday
sees a number of Bobby's former team-mates make a return to the Boleyn
Ground and Roberta says it promises to be a special day as she looks back at
some magical memories. Roberta said: "I remember on Saturday lunch-time dad
would have a steak at home and then we would wave him off to the game. We
always parked in the same parking spot and everyone was so friendly. It felt
like we were going home. "We would always sit in the same three seats and
keep our eyes on dad the entire time.
"He would lift his arm up and give us a secret wave every match – at
half-time we would always go downstairs to the wives lounge and I don't
think I ever made the second half! "My dad used to own the shop directly
opposite the ground and I had a Saturday job so along with my cousins we
would sit outside selling rosettes and we used to work there during
half-term. "On Christmas Day the training would be at the ground and I also
used to sweep the terraces and help the groundsman. I don't think my mum was
too impressed when I used to come home grubby. "The ground has lots of
memories for me and it is where my father spend the majority of his career.
For us a family it is all about West Ham United. I feel a lot of warmth from
everyone at the club. "I remember when my father passed away it was very
special seeing all the flowers and tributes and it is a very special place.
"I remember coming over for the 20th anniversary and when everyone lifted up
the Bobby Moore cards and had the number six shirt I felt that my dad was
here! "I will be back for the Sunderland game on Saturday and it will be
very special to see the players from the 1960's again. To be moving onto the
new Stadium is a fantastic opportunity and I am sure my father would be 100
per cent behind the move."
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Former Player Blog - Tony Cottee
WHUFC.com
Tony Cottee is rated one of the best ever strikers in the club's history
scoring 146 goals in 336 appearances and came the closest to winning the top
flight title when he was part of the famous Boys of 86' team which finished
third back in 1986. Cottee is still an avid Hammers fans and feels the club
have the ideal chance to make it a memorable end to the campaign.
It has been a brilliant season for the club. They made a really good start
and need to continue that in terms of their league form and pick up as many
points as possible.
The good start has enabled the team to focus their efforts on the FA Cup and
they have had some good performances in the last few games.
I think it is fair to say that former West Ham teams might have gone under
in some of those games – I'm thinking of the West Brom result last year when
everyone had such high hopes.
We went to Blackburn last Sunday and came through with flying colours. We
can look forward to the quarter final with Manchester United and the league
is still very important.
If we could manager to win a few games in a row who knows where we could end
up?
We have got to keep ticking away with the games and we have got some big
fixtures coming up against Sunderland and Tottenham at the Boleyn Ground.
I am down at the training ground and there is a real camaraderie among the
boys and a great team spirit. It is almost like a bit of a throw-back to
thirty years ago with the team that I was part of which finished third.
Everyone is very relaxed.
You look at the performances on the pitch and they don't seem to fear
playing against anyone.
The wins at Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City have given the players
great confidence and hopefully they can do the same against Manchester
United.
In my experience of the game, I only had that 1985/86 season when I was part
of a team that had good individuals around you and on our day could beat
anyone in the country.
I always say that we didn't think we could win games, we knew we would win
games. Myself and Frank McAvennie knew we would score goals and the defence
knew they would not concede goals.
It feels the same with this team that if they do concede like they did
against Blackburn last Sunday, they will still score two or three. There is
the belief there and you only get it two or three times during your career –
this is one of those seasons.
The boys have got the belief. It is probably the best squad we have had for
the last 15-years.
You have to get all aspects right. It is okay to have the creative players
but you need your goalscorers and defenders and a good goalkeeper. All the
ingredients need to be merged together.
Dimitri has been fantastic and I have enjoyed watching Lanzini when he has
played this year. The Kouyate's and Obiang who are in the team don't always
get the praise but they do a great job in the midfield.
I am a big fan of Mark Noble and he has been consistent and this has
probably been his best season.
He is the captain and is a huge influence in the dressing room. He is a
leader and I can't think of anyone better who I would want to see lift the
FA Cup this season.
We have got four or five very good forwards at the club and it is a very
good squad. You have to seize the chance. As good as our season was thirty
years ago we only finished third and didn't win the FA Cup.
When the chance comes along you need to take the chance and the moment. My
advice to all the guys is take your chance and try and qualify for a
European spot.
Don't just reach the semi-finals – try and get to the FA Cup Final and win a
trophy.
I have special praise for my two mates Slaven Bilic and Julian Dicks who
have done a fantastic job this season.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those
of West Ham United
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Slaven Bilic: Sam Allardyce deserves 'warm' West Ham reception
BBC.co.uk
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic says his predecessor Sam Allardyce should be
"appreciated" by fans when he returns to Upton Park this weekend.
A hostile reception is expected for the current Sunderland boss, who left
West Ham by mutual consent in May last year. Despite winning promotion to
the Premier league in the first of his four years at the club, Allardyce was
not popular because of his style of play. But Bilic believes "everyone
connected with the club" should "appreciate him". Bilic added: "He took over
West Ham in a moment when they were in the Championship and got them back
straight away. "He stabilised them in the Premier League and did an amazing
job. "Do I think he will get a warm reception? I think so, and I hope so."
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West Ham United v Sunderland
SAT, 27 FEB 2016PREMIER LEAGUE
12:45
Venue: Boleyn Ground
BBC.co.uk
TEAM NEWS
West Ham's Cheikhou Kouyate is available after winning an appeal against his
red card against Blackburn. Diafra Sakho is unlikely to be risked but Andy
Carroll and Winston Reid, who like Sakho have returned to training, could
both feature.
Sunderland's Jan Kirchhoff may be fit despite being forced off in their last
game with a hamstring problem. Sebastian Larsson and Younes Kaboul could
both be available, although they are unlikely to start. Duncan Watmore and
Jeremain Lens remain sidelined.
MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES
Simon Brotherton: "Sam Allardyce returns to Upton Park for the first time
since leaving West Ham last summer with renewed hope of keeping Sunderland
in the Premier League. "He's hoping the players will be feeling
reinvigorated after warm-weather training in Dubai and can build on recent
results. "A 2-2 draw at Liverpool was followed by a 2-1 home win over
Manchester United last time out, leaving them just a point from safety.
"West Ham have certainly prospered under Slaven Bilic this year, but
Allardyce deserves credit for getting the side promoted from the
Championship and then establishing them in the Premier League during his
time there."
Twitter: @SimonBrotherton
WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic on the reception Sam Allardyce will receive:
"They [Hammers fans] should respect him, he did great for West Ham.
"He is one of the most famous and long-serving English managers, 20 years or
so, very successful and charismatic. "He got us back from the Championship
and then stabilised the club in the Premier League so he has done amazing
job and he should be praised big time."
Sunderland head coach Sam Allardyce: "From experience, taking players to
Dubai in the warm-weather training scenario, the players will come back much
more capable, much more eager to overcome the position and try to get better
results. "It certainly gives everyone enough time physically to recover and
recuperate mentally. "We will certainly see a performance where the players
have enough energy to win the game."
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
West Ham have only lost one of their last seven games against Sunderland,
although four have been drawn (W2, D4).
The Hammers have won seven and lost just one of the last 10 Premier League
home games against the Black Cats.
Sunderland's last win away to West Ham was a 3-0 victory in May 2011.
West Ham United
The Hammers are unbeaten in their last 12 home games in all competitions
(W7, D5).
Victory would give West Ham their highest total of points after 27 Premier
League games.
West Ham have conceded 61% of their goals before half-time - the highest
proportion in this season's Premier League.
Dimitri Payet has scored or set up 12 Premier League goals this season -
twice as many as any other West Ham player.
Sunderland
Sam Allardyce's side have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 13
league and cup games, conceding a total of 27 goals.
Sunderland have allowed their opponents 158 shots on target against them
this season, more than any other team in the top flight.
The Black Cats have conceded seven Premier League penalties this term - the
joint-highest figure, along with Norwich.
Sunderland could score in nine consecutive top-flight away matches for the
first time since a run of 10 in a row from April to October 1956.
SAM's verdict
Most probable score: 1-0 Probability of draw: 26%
Probability of home win: 53% Probability of away win: 21%
SAM (Sports Analytics Machine) is a super-computer created by Professor Ian
McHale at the University of Salford that is used to predict the outcome of
football matches.
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Merson's predictions: Arsenal to win at Man Utd, Spurs to beat Swansea
Last Updated: 26/02/16 12:18am
SSN
Sky Sports' Paul Merson is back to look ahead to another round of Premier
League fixtures, including Arsenal's trip to Manchester United, Tottenham v
Swansea and West Brom's clash with Crystal Palace. Also on Merse's radar
this weekend is Southampton v Chelsea, Leciester v Norwich City, West Ham v
Sunderland and Watford v Bournemouth. It proved to be a tough round of
predictions last time out with the Magic Man managing just two correct
scores and one correct result.
West Ham v Sunderland - 12.45pm
It will be a tough return to Upton Park for Sam Allardyce. Sunderland have
dug in in recent weeks and got some very good results but West Ham are a
very good side. Dimitri Payet is in outstanding form and firing on all
cylinders for Slaven Bilic's side. I think Sunderland will struggle to cope
with him so I'm backing him to score the first goal and West Ham to win 3-1.
PAUL PREDICTS: 3-1 (Sky Bet Odds 14/1)
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Slaven Bilic happy for West Ham stars to include former boss Sam Allardyce
in their goal celebrations
22:30, 25 FEB 2016
BY NEIL MCLEMAN
The Croat has joined owner David Sullivan in calling for a warm reception
for the Sunderland manager on his return to Upton Park
The Mirror
Slaven Bilic is happy for West Ham players to show their appreciation for
Sam Allardyce - by including their ex-manager in their goal celebrations on
Saturday. The Hammers boss has joined owner David Sullivan in calling for a
warm reception for the Sunderland boss on his return to Upton Park. Despite
a strained relationship with the Irons fans, Allardyce led West Ham out of
the Championship and kept them in the top flight for three seasons. Bilic
claimed Allardyce "did a great job here" and laid the foundations for a side
now sitting seventh in the Premier League and through to the last eight of
the FA Cup. And the Croat said: "The fans and everyone connected him with
the club should appreciate him.
"I don't know what fans think of him but you can't change the facts and the
facts are in his favour big time. Whoever says differently, it's not
business, it's personal. Sam did a great job here. "He left me an organised
training ground, key players, he made my job a bit easier and I appreciate
it. I think and I hope he will get a good reception. "It is a more special
game for Sam that he is coming back to the place, the stadium where he was
the manager for a few years. "I don't think it will distract the
concentration but I don't mind if we score a goal for them to go and hug
him. As long as we score a goal, I wouldn't mind that. They can do it four
or five times!" Andy Carroll is available while Diafra Sakho and Winston
Reid are back training. Dimitri Payet will be out to continue his hot streak
but insists he will have no regrets if he fails to make the France squad for
Euro 2016. Payet has scored nine goals and set up eight since joining last
summer but France boss Didier Deschamps suggested Payet, who last played for
his country in June, has it all to do to an earn a recall because he has so
many attacking midfield options.
Payet said: "I've already missed a World Cup, I know what it is. The Euros
is in a corner of my head but there is no spirit of revenge. "There is a
group that has been built since the beginning of the new season, in which I
do not appear. "It is like that. We must live with it, and I am doing well.
It must respect the choices of the coach. He is the boss. I give the maximum
and if that is not enough, I know that I won't regret."
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West Ham's Dimitri Payet says he'll have no regrets even if he fails to make
France's Euro 2016 squad
17:00, 25 FEB 2016 UPDATED 17:06, 25 FEB 2016
BY ADRIAN KAJUMBA
Didier Deschamps said the Hammers playmaker isn't guaranteed a Euro 2016
place due to his form for the national side, but Payet insists he's doing
all that he can
The Mirror
Dimitri Payet insists he will have no regrets if he fails to make the France
squad for Euro 2016. Payet has been in sensational form since joining West
Ham last summer, scoring nine goals and setting up eight. Despite his
sparkling displays France boss Didier Deschamps suggested Payet, who last
played for his country in June, has it all to do to an earn a recall. He
explained Payet has been left out of his plans because he doesn't play as
well for his country as he does his club and France also have plenty of
attacking midfield options. Payet, 28, said: "I've already missed a World
Cup, I know what it is. The Euros is in a corner of my head but there is no
spirit of revenge."There is a group that has been built since the beginning
of the new season, in which I do not appear. "It is like that. We must live
with it, and I am doing well. It must respect the choices of the coach. He
is the boss. I give the maximum and if that is not enough, I know that I
won't regret." Payet has also set his sights on winning his first ever piece
of silverware to cap his brilliant first year in England. Payet, who has
inspired West Ham into the FA Cup last eight, said: "I'd like to raise a
trophy, open my record, play major international competitions. "I had an
extraordinary year both in terms of football that family. I am the father of
a third boy since I arrived in London. I lack nothing. Everything is fine."
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Ipswich striker set for switch to Hammers
Posted by Sean Whetstone on February 25, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H
Ipswich Town striker Sam Ford is set to join West Ham following his recent
trial spells with the Hammers. Ford's two-year scholarship with Ipswich is
up at the end of the season. The 17-year-old is said to have impressed
West Ham, where former Ipswich youth coach Liam Manning is now on the staff.
Last month Ford scored while playing for the West Ham under 18's in a 2-1
victory over Aston Villa and he scored again during the U21's match against
Wolves.
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FA cup game likely to be played on Sunday
Posted by Sean Whetstone on February 25, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H
The official announcement for the dates and kick-off times for the FA Cup
quarter-finals has been delayed until tomorrow it has been revealed this
evening. The FA sent an email to the club at 4pm to confirm the delay.
West Ham have been told the delay has got nothing to do with Manchester
United's result in he Europa league tonight. The dates and times will be
released at the same time as the April TV picks which could also include
some of West Ham's games.
However, sources close to the FA have suggested to Claret and Hugh tonight
that the Manchester United v West Ham United sixth round match is likely to
be played on Sunday 13th March with a 4pm kick off.
Adults will have to pay up to £55! Adult Season ticket holders will need to
fork out between £37 and £47 for a ticket, members £40 to £50 and non
members £45 to £55 for a ticket. Club coaches will cost between £35 and £40
per person.
The club confirmed that the Hammers have been allocated 9,000 away tickets
for the Manchester United match in the FA Cup quarter-final. As we
explained, Manchester United have a special dispensation with the FA
limiting their allocation of Old Trafford to 9,000 (just 12% of their 76,000
capacity). It is the same number we took up north in 2001 when Paolo Di
Canio scored the only goal while Barthez waited for a taxi and again in 2003
when we lost 6-0.
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Gobby Allardyce shows his usual lack of class
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 25, 2016 in Hugh's Blogs, News,
Whispers
C and H
"You always want to go back to your old club and do well for the team you
are in charge of now. I had a really good four years and took great pride in
taking the football club that was lost, down and out and struggling with
getting relegated and reinvented it personally with the amount of work me
and the background staff put in to push the club back to where it wants to
be, which was obviously in the Premier League, and stayed there for the
three years I was there."
"I did really well, I enjoyed working with the players, I think I had a very
good relationship with most players in my time there and I think we all
enjoyed our time together. Certainly I did but it came to an end and
rightfully so for both parties concerned at the time and we move on, so now
I am Sunderland and dedicated to Sunderland and dedicated to plot a tactic
to disappoint the West Ham fans on Saturday."
Sam Allardyce February 25, 2016
Sam Allardyce reactsI had intended to leave it. As I wrote last night, he's
gone and that is enough for me but no, Allardyce can't allow you to keep a
promise even to yourself as he again displays an ego bigger than several
houses and a lack of grace which leaves you lost for words.
Can you believe the conceit – "his re-invention of West Ham…a club that was
lost and down" and that he virtually single-handedly raised us from the
dead.
Just four words for you Allardyce: "Shut the ….up." Maybe a season of his
absence had softened me up. Today he again showed himself to be as
dislikeable as ever.
He was handed more money by far than any other Championship manager and
scraped through the play-offs on a day we were second best and should have
been up automatically weeks earlier.
Today he had the opportunity to explain how pleased he was we were doing so
well and of thanking the Davids for the opportunity to manage a great club
whether he meant it or not. But no as usual it's all me me me.
This is a man whom you simply cannot like and his football stinks the place
out. The hard work of which he speaks also brought us £18 million AC, £10
million Matt Jarvis, £6 million Modibo Maiga, Alou Cisse and others.
Let it be said for the final time. He is a manager who produces a brand of
football designed for those without a brain and as a person has absolutely
no class at all.
Look at the words of David Sullivan and Slaven Bilic towards the geezer
today and realise how mature people should behave towards each other.
Sullivan:
I have said it before that I felt he did a perfectly good job during his
four-year spell. He did all we asked of him and I am a fan of Sam. He left
the Club in a considerably better state then when he arrived and, for that,
the Board were truly grateful.
He took us back into the top flight with a memorable victory in the Play-Off
Final at Wembley and then managed to cement our position in the Premier
League. I can't criticise Sam because he did a good job and I like him. But
I think from both sides it was time for a change
Bilic:
"He took over West Ham in a moment when they were in the Championship and
got them back straight away. He stabilised them in the Premier League and
did an amazing job.Do I think he will get a warm reception? I think so, and
I hope so."
Thank God he's history – this is a man who I really do loathe at absolutely
every level.
No class Allardyce…no class whatsoever!
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West Ham boss Slaven Bilic praises Sam Allardyce ahead of Upton Park clash
By Jonathon Moar
Last Updated: 25/02/16 12:48pm
SSN
West Ham boss Slaven Bilic believes his predecessor Sam Allardyce did a
'great job' during his time as manager of the club. Allardyce brings his
Sunderland team to the Boleyn Ground on Saturday, returning for the first
time since his departure at the end of last season. He took charge of West
Ham in June 2011, leading them back to the Premier League at the first
attempt following relegation the previous season, and Bilic believes
Allardyce deserves credit for his work at the club. "Sam did great for West
Ham," he said. "He has managed for 20 years very successfully, and he took
West Ham at a moment when we were in the Championship. "He got us up
straight away and stabilised us in the Premier League, so he did a great job
here."
Despite keeping the Hammers in the top division for three years, Allardyce
was not offered a contract extension last summer, and was replaced by former
West Ham defender Bilic. Allardyce subsequently replaced Dick Advocaat at
Sunderland in October,leading the club to just one point from safety, and
Bilic admits he is expecting a difficult outing against his side this
weekend. "Sunderland are very organised, they are showing not only the
quality but the character. They got four points from Liverpool and
Manchester United. "There is still a long way to for them, but they have a
big chance to stay in the league. Bilic is also delighted to have Cheikhou
Kouyate available for the match. The midfielder was sent off in last week's
FA Cup win at Blackburn, but will be in the squad after having the red card
rescinded. "It was obvious that Cheikhou's red card would be overturned,
because it wasn't a bad challenge and it wasn't a goalscoring opportunity,"
added Bilic.
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What now for West Ham? Super Sunday panel discuss next step
Last Updated: 25/05/15 8:56am
SSN
Minutes after the final went on a 2-0 defeat at Newcastle, West Ham
announced the departure of Sam Allardyce after the club decided not to renew
his contract. West Ham's search for a new boss has begun but the Super
Sunday panel of Jamie Redknapp, Jamie Carragher and Graeme Souness could not
agree on whether the decision to replace Allardyce after four years at the
helm is right for the future of the club.
Here's what they had to say…
Jamie Redknapp: "If you've got Sam Allardyce as your manager you're pretty
much guaranteed to stay up. He knows what he's doing. He knows his way
around the transfer market. It's a dangerous game. "When I read about the
people West Ham are trying to get you think they are setting their
aspirations high. There's talk about Rafa Benitez but it looks as if he's
going to Real Madrid. Even Jurgen Klopp has been mentioned. I don't think
he'll go there but West Ham's the sort of club that if you can get it right
and they get to the Olympic Stadium, anything can happen. "It could be a
fantastic club to be a manager of. It's in London and a lot of people want
to be in London. It's a big club. "By moving to the Olympic Stadium the club
is a valuable proposition for a manager. There's talk about how much they're
offering the next manager to come in. It is vast amounts of money. "Somebody
coming into the British game will look at London and think Olympic Stadium,
West Ham and think it's a great move. It's a great move for somebody and if
you can get them going and spend some money, who knows? I'm not saying
they're a big club because not many clubs win things but it's a good club."
Graeme Souness: "Is it the right thing for West Ham? Are West Ham going to
jump from where they are now to being a club that can challenge for the
Champions League places? That's not going to happen overnight. "Sam knows
his way around the Premier League. Tried and trusted. It's one of those. Be
careful what you wish for. "From my time of football I'm fed up of hearing
[about] the West Ham way. What is the West Ham way? They are a yoyo club. I
think it's a club that by moving to the Olympic Stadium could go to another
level but there's no guarantee of that."
Jamie Carragher: "In terms of Sam Allardyce it's always about his style of
football and the West Ham way. "I'm not criticising Sam Allardyce because I
think he is a guarantee of staying in the Premier League but it's getting to
the stage where West Ham fans just want to go to the match. "They don't
expect to win anything or really challenge for the top four but they want to
watch Alan Devonshire, watch Paolo Di Canio and watch players like that.
"When you watch a Sam Allardyce team there are not those types of players in
it. That's what the people who are watching West Ham every week are telling
me. "Whether you agree with that or not that's what they want. They want to
go and be excited by watching West Ham."
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Under 18s make the Final Group Stages
February 24, 2016
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
ExWHUEmployee
Congratulations to the Under 18s team who have qualified for the Final
Stages of the Under 18s league and go into an elite group with the top four
Northern teams and are one of the top four Southern teams. After Arsenal's
4-0 loss to arch rivals Spurs, West Ham's place was confirmed when they
secured the fourth spot behind Chelsea, Reading and Fulham. The four
northern teams who make up the rest of the final group are Manchester City,
Everton, Liverpool and Blackburn. The teams will all play each other once
to decide who will be crowned 2015-2016 Under 18 League Champions.
The team has shown massive improvements each year and have done really well
to qualify for the final stages. Each year the quality of the Under 18 team
seems to improve with more and more players pushing for first team spots.
Some of the players who have really stood out during the campaign are
midfielder Declan Rice and fellow attaching midfielder Grady Diangana who
has added some real flair to the side. Other notable performances have come
from Idris Kanu, Alfie Lewis, Tunji Akinola (who played all but one game)
and Marcus Browne (who has recently made the sub bench for the first team
against Blackburn Rovers).
The success of the team has to be put down to two things. Firstly we have a
talented bunch of youngsters who have the desire to be the next products of
the famous academy. The other is the management partnership of club legend
Steve Potts and his assistant Mark Philips. The two have really got the
best out of the team and the football is worthy and fitting of "The West Ham
Way". It is an exciting time for the academy and we will be following their
success in the final stages and letting you all know how they are getting
on.
The future is very bright in more ways than one for our great club!
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Big Sam aims to disappoint West Ham fans
Posted by Sean Whetstone on February 25, 2016 in Videos, Whispers
C and H
Former Hammers manager, Sam Allardyce says he is only looking forward to
returning to the Boleyn ground if Sunderland can get a result over on West
Ham. Speaking to Sunderland's official youtube channel Sam said "You always
want to go back to your club and do well for the team you are in charge of
now. I had a really good four years and took great pride in taking the
football club that was lost, down and out and struggling with getting
relegated and reinvented it personally with the amount of work me and the
background staff put in to push the club back to where it wants to be which
was obviously in the Premier League and stayed there for the three years I
was there." "I did really well, I enjoyed working with the players, I think
I had a very good relationship with most players in my time there and I
think we all enjoyed our time together. Certainly I did but it came to an
end and rightfully so for both parties concerned at the time and we move on,
so now I am Sunderland and dedicated to Sunderland and dedicated to plot a
tactic to disappoint the West Ham fans on Saturday"
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Legends to be honoured at OS
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 25, 2016 in News
C and H
West Ham will lay signature stones to their legends at the Olympic Stadium.
With West Ham seats being installed and outside, a legends area has now been
created which will feature a new sculpture as well as large blocks for club
legends voted for by fans. Bobby Moore, Sir Trevor Brooking and Paolo Di
Canio are among the heroes to be honoured A club statement read: "World Cup
winning trio Bobby Moore, Sir Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters head the list of
those to be immortalised at the new Stadium, alongside decorated management
duo Ron Greenwood and John Lyall,
"Long-serving legends Billy Bonds and Sir Trevor Brooking, who boast a
remarkable nine Hammer of the Year accolades between them, will rightfully
be celebrated in Champions Place too.
"Cult hero Julian Dicks, now a member of Slaven Bilic's coaching staff, is
among the eleven, together with the mercurial Paolo Di Canio, and, in his
Testimonial year, Club captain Mark Noble earns his place in esteemed
company. "The dearly departed Dylan Tombides completes the line-up, as the
second anniversary of his tragic passing approaches. The prodigiously
talented Dylan, who lost his brave battle with testicular cancer in April
2014, will forever be remembered with great affection by the Club he loved."
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Lanzini ready for Sunderland
Posted by Sean Whetstone on February 25, 2016 in News
C and H
Head of Medical and Sports Science Stijn Vandenbroucke has give us his
latest update on WHUFC.com. He confirms Lanzini is ready to face Sunderland
but says Sakho, Reid and Carroll all need a few more days to get their
fitness back. Stijn told the club's website: "It was also pleasing to see
Manuel Lanzini back in action.He is training this week with the first-team
squad and will be available for selection for the Sunderland game on
Saturday." "We also have positive news with the return of three key players
to first-team training this week." "Diafra Sakho, Winston Reid and Andy
Carroll are all back in training and will now spend the next few days
building up their fitness." "Diafra has obviously been out for three months
and will need a bit more time, while Andy and Winston will hope to play some
part in the games that we have got coming up next week." "The planned
integration of these players back into the games is very important as they
enter the final stages of their rehab/training/playing." "The difficult
exercise is that the players and staff don't get carried away in the last
phase, the return to play phase." "We try to integrate each player that
returns from injury into games, minimising the risk of a re-injury but
maximise the team performance." "But I am confident that Sakho, Reid and
Carroll will all play their part in a busy schedule for the club when we
face Sunderland, Tottenham and Everton in the space of a week." Depending on
injuries we will have to see game-by-game who is available and take it from
there"
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No return date for injured striker
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 25, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H
Slaven Bilic has a tough decision ahead of the Sunderland game as he bids to
pose major striking problems for Sam Allardyce's Black Cats. David Gold has
this morning confirmed that Enner Valencia will be unavailable for the game
and that leaves Slav with a choice between Andy Carroll and Emanuelle
Emenike. DG tweeted: Valencia will not be available for the Sunderland
game."
The Ecuador striker has damaged his ankle and the likelihood is that the
Nigerian Emenke will start following his two goals last weekend with Carroll
making his entrance from the bench.
Valencia is understood to be training on his own having seen a specialist
but that there is no decision on whether he will be available for the games
against Spurs and Everton. Winston Reid looks certain to return to the
centre of defence but once again Slav faces a big decision in deciding who
makes way for the Kiwi.
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Irons set to complete two more deals
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 25, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H
West Ham are aiming to complete deals for Manu Lanzini and Cheik Kouyate by
next month. Having locked Dimi Payet into a new long term contrct the club
is now aiming to sort out the other two midfielders by the end of March.
David Sullivan – as the club's major contract broker – wants both deals done
in order to leave the summer clear for new signings. Lanzini- at 8 million
euros – will be completed as soon as he has shown there is no recurrence of
his recent injury following his brilliant comeback against Blackburn Rovers
at the weekend. Talks are currently continuing with Kouyate but there is no
pressure as he is locked into a deal until 2018. A source told ClaretandHugh
exclusively: "He has 2.5 years left PLUS a 2 year option, so there is no
rush. However, we expect it to be sorted within a month. As for Lanzini, we
can invoke the contract any time we want until the end of April and we are
just checking his injury is not recurring."
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Sam Byram talks exciting Hammers start and Leeds United FA Cup regret
London 24
07:10 25 February 2016 Brad Pinard
West Ham new-boy Sam Byram admits his time at Upton Park has been 'perfect'
so far. 2 The impressive Essex-born full back joined West Ham a month ago
from Leeds United for around £3.5million and is seen as one of the best
young defenders in the country. After making his debut live on Sky Sports in
a draw at home to Manchester City, Byram has been able to settle into life
down south since then with his uncle's roast dinners and moving to plush
apartment in Canary Wharf. 'I have really settled in well, it was strange at
first moving all the way down here," Byram told London24Sport. "My first two
weeks living in a hotel was a bit different but I am in my apartment now and
settled in with the staff and the players. It has been a big help having
some family here. Going round for a lovely Sunday dinner made it all feel
more homely for me.
"At the time it was a big decision (between West Ham and Everton) and I had
a few sleepless nights but a month in I don't think it could have gone
better. Everyone has been so nice and I think it has been the perfect
decision. "I said to my brother the other day, he is thinking of moving down
here, that the way it is going I think I could see myself living here the
rest of my life. It depends how I do but if I can do well and keep my head
down, there is no reason I would look elsewhere."
West Ham have enjoyed a spectacular season, battling in and around the
European places in the league and into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
Since arriving in east London, Byram has had to endure watching some games
from the sidelines due to being cup-tied. The 22-year-old started the FA Cup
third round clash for Leeds United against Yorkshire rivals Rotherham just
ten days before he agreed to join West Ham. Of course Byram was not to know
the FA Cup would be the pinnacle for West Ham's season and he simply isn't
the sort of person to refuse to play a game, but the defender admits he may
have had second thoughts about playing in that Rotherham game if he knew how
the months would unfold. "It has been very frustrating for me. Coming in for
a week and then the next week I am missing the game," he said. "There has
been a lot of big games and results I have missed. The weekend just gone at
Blackburn and then the Liverpool last minute winner. It is frustrating
watching but I am new and working hard to bed my way in. "Nothing was solid
at the time (of the FA Cup game) but the game for Leeds was. At the time I
was a Leeds player and I wanted to give everything I could for Leeds in the
game. The manager wanted me to play and I couldn't refuse. I enjoyed every
game I played for Leeds. "Looking back now I would probably have been a bit
more reluctant to play but at the time I couldn't look too far ahead." Byram
looks set to start for the Hammers against Sunderland on Saturday with James
Tomkins still injured.
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Dimitri Payet praised for his defensive work by West Ham team-mate Michail
Antonio
Frenchman Dimitri Payet has thrilled the Premier League this season
The former Marseille man has nine goals in 25 games for West Ham
But team-mate Michail Antonio says there's more to Payet than tricks
By REUTERS
PUBLISHED: 09:15, 25 February 2016 | UPDATED: 09:15, 25 February 2016
Daily MailOnline
Influential West Ham midfielder Dimitri Payet is not just a flair player and
has shown a 'gritty' side to his game by not neglecting his defensive
duties, team-mate Michail Antonio has said.
Payet, who has scored nine goals in 25 appearances in all competitions this
season, has been rewarded for his impressive form with a new contract
despite only joining the club from French side Marseille in June last year.
'His vision, his work-rate... he is not one of these flair players that
makes everyone else get the ball for him and then does damage,' Antonio told
the club's official website. 'He will go and win the ball back himself and
then cause damage. He does both... the gritty side and the flair.' Ahead of
Saturday's Premier League encounter with second-bottom Sunderland, Slaven
Bilic's men sit seventh in the table, just a point behind the European
qualifying places with 12 games remaining. The Hammers will have striker
Andy Carroll and defender Winston Reid available for the visit of the Black
Cats. Chairman David Gold took to Twitter on Wednesday to reveal the pair
had recovered from respective groin and hamstring problems in time for the
clash at Upton Park.
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Will it be a boos up for Sam Allardyce? As Sunderland boss prepares for
first return to Upton Park since West Ham departure
Sam Allardyce takes his Sunderland side to former club West Ham
The Hammers supporters were unhappy when Big Sam was in charge
Sportsmail looks at what sort of reception the 61-year-old may receive
PUBLISHED: 22:26, 24 February 2016 | UPDATED: 00:59, 25 February 2016
Daily MailOnline
Sunderland have had a lot more on their mind recently with the Adam Johnson
sex case, but Sam Allardyce has been concentrating on the football (and
beating Manchester United). Now relegation-threatened Sunderland travel to
Upton Park on Saturday for a return to Big Sam's old stamping ground. He is
likely to receive a hostile reception from many West Ham fans after his four
years in charge, despite having won promotion at the club. His playing style
was often criticised and he was not a popular manager. Here, Sportsmail's
writers predict what kind of welcome awaits.
Matt Lawton, Chief Sports Reporter
I hope that West Ham fans still recognise what Sam Allardyce did for their
club, not only securing promotion to the Premier League after only one
season in the Championship but maintaining a solid position in the top
flight. Criticism of his football style was harsh — Sam deserved more
respect than he got even if things have clearly improved under Slaven Bilic.
But I suspect his comments back in October — when he called the club's fans
'brainwashed' and 'deluded' — will be held against him. After all the stick
he received, he was well within his rights to respond — but I doubt
supporters will see it that way.
Ian Ladyman, Football Editor
David Sullivan, West Ham's owner, admitted in these pages recently what all
West Ham fans had known for a while — that Allardyce sees football
differently from them. Hammers like to dream while Big Sam views the world
pragmatically. Fair enough, but there was nothing dreamlike about West Ham's
time in the Championship, was there? That was where they were when Allardyce
took over. When he left, they were established once again as a Barclays
Premier League club. Slaven Bilic is doing great things this season but it
was his predecessor who laid the platform. Some polite applause would
reflect that nicely when he returns.
Matt Barlow, Football Reporter
After taking West Ham up at the first attempt and keeping them there for
three years, Allardyce might expect a polite ripple of applause by way of
thanks. It wasn't always pretty, there were dodgy signings and things said,
but forget the myth that Upton Park has witnessed nothing but heavenly
football since Ron Greenwood's era. The base for this season's success was
laid during Allardyce's tenure. West Ham can pay Dimitri Payet £125,000 a
week because they are secure in the top flight. Big Slav goes from B to C
because Big Sam went from A to B, and perhaps did it so well that they could
have bade him farewell a year sooner, since there was clear animosity
brewing.
Allardyce and the fans formed their own mutual lack-of-appreciation society.
He likes gravy with his pie. They prefer liquor. He likes a long ball and a
big man up front and short sleeves in the snow, and hides it behind the fact
that he once signed Jay-Jay Okocha. They prefer a short corner and a
playmaker clutching his shirt cuffs for extra warmth while slicing audacious
volleys off target. Sam will feel the need to say something smug and mildly
offensive. They will boo and, underlining the message with hand gestures,
tell Sam he's going down with the Villa.
Neil Ashton, Football News Correspondent
It will be a mixed reception. Those who recognise the work Sam did to take
West Ham back into the Premier League — and keep them there — will receive
him warmly.
Those who detested his football would be hypocritical to do anything but
give him grief. Any boss who keeps a team in the top flight should be
carried into the stadium shoulder high. It won't be that way for Big Sam,
but he won't care.
Tony Moore, Designer and West Ham season ticket holder
It's inevitable that the fans will boo Big Sam on Saturday, they booed even
when we won a game! When he first took charge I was with the majority who
said it was a great appointment. It wasn't pretty but he dragged us out of
the Championship so when he returns to Upton Park I will stand and clap. The
applause won't last long, however. The football style, the constant 'What is
the West Ham way?' rant and even his shiny shoes all started to grate. A
year ago I said I'd rather go down playing good football than stay up
playing the Big Sam way. So when the managers take their seats, there will
be a huge sigh of relief that Allardyce will be in the away dugout.
Sami Mokbel, Football Reporter
West Ham fans intent on booing Allardyce need to get over themselves. They
got what they wanted — Big Sam left, and, what's more, they now have a
manager in Slaven Bilic who plays the 'West Ham way'. Allardyce has moved on
and Hammers fans should, too. Expect a lot of gleeful booing from those in
claret and blue when Allardyce returns to Upton Park in charge of a team
fighting for their Premier League lives. It's sad, but somebody who calls
himself 'Big Sam' can handle it. Allardyce and West Ham always felt like a
marriage of convenience but this odd couple achieved good results together.
He took the club back to the Premier League, kept them there and left them
in a much better state than when he arrived.The divorce was messy and
spiteful words have been said, but Allardyce deserves the fans' thanks.
Lee Clayton, Head of Sport and West Ham season ticket holder
'We've got Payet, Dimitri Payet, I just don't think you understand. He's
super Slav's man, he's better than Zidane, we've got Dimitri Payet.' That's
how the song goes. But without the Upton Park Sam, West Ham would never have
had the Upton Park Zidane. The club was in the Championship, with a huge
debt, and signing free transfers and journeymen like Nicky Maynard and Sam
Baldock. Allardyce turned it around. Yes, the last half of a season was
excruciating for season ticket holders, but clap him. He deserves it. Give
the man a standing ovation (I will)...and then watch the latest Payet
masterclass (he's not really better than Zidane, but he's very, very good).
Don't use up all the emotion — and goals — against Sunderland, though...it's
Tottenham next on Wednesday.
Craig Hope, Football Reporter
He should — and probably will — get a good reception. Without him the club
would not be heading in the exciting direction it currently is, and perhaps
that is appreciated more in hindsight.
Bilic appears to be taking them to the next level, yes, but Allardyce's part
should not be underestimated.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Friday, February 26
Thursday, February 25
Daily WHUFC News - 25th February 2016
Bobby Moore - Gone but never forgotten
WHUFC.com
Today marks the 23rd anniversary of the passing of West Ham United's
finest-ever player and captain - Bobby Moore OBE...
Bobby Moore OBE, West Ham United's greatest-ever player and England's 1966
World Cup-winning captain, sadly passed away on this day 23 years ago. The
central defender made 646 league and cup appearances for the Hammers,
scoring 27 goals. Moore was born in Barking on 12 April 1941, making his
debut for his local club in a 3-2 win over Manchester United at the Boleyn
Ground as a 17-year-old on 8 September 1958. It was the start of a
glittering career that is remembered fondly by football fans the world over.
As a West Ham player, Moore lifted the FA Cup in 1964 and the European Cup
Winners' Cup in 1965. A year later, he was back at Wembley to complete an
unforgettable hat-trick by lifting the Jules Rimet Trophy following
England's 4-2 victory over West Germany. Moore would go on to star at the
1970 World Cup finals in Mexico before moving to Fulham, for whom he played
against the Hammers in the 1975 FA Cup final. Following his retirement,
Moore moved first into management and then into the world of broadcasting
before his life was cut short by cancer in February 1993. He was just 51.
Fellow Hammers legend Billy Bonds MBE recalls Bobby's memory fondly. He
said: "Mooro was an absolute icon. I respected a lot of team-mates and
opponents down the years but he was the only person in my entire career, who
made me feel that way. "He was fantastic to me from the day that I arrived
and I loved him as a player and as a person. Bobby Moore had a presence both
off and on the field. "There was no side to him at all and, having lifted
the World Cup, he'd been the most famous person on the planet on that July
afternoon at Wembley in 1966 but, despite all of that, Bobby wasn't the
slightest bit lairy. Mooro treated everyone the same, no matter who they
were. "Bobby Moore wasn't a particularly good header of the ball and he
wasn't very quick either but, boy, his timing was impeccable. He didn't need
to be good in the air or fast because he could read the game so well - he
always seemed to be in the right place at the right time to nick the ball
off a centre-forward. "And he was just so good at bringing the ball out of
defence and starting attacks, too."
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Antonio - Payet is a dream to play with
WHUFC.com
West Ham United midfielder Michail Antonio reveals it is a dream to play
with Dimitri Payet and says he helps to get the best out of everyone in the
squad. Payet stole the show once again during the Emirates FA Cup Fifth
Round tie against Blackburn when he scored another sublime free-kick and
then went on a great solo run and produced a great piece of skill to score
his second at the end of a convincing 5-1 victory at Ewood Park. The French
star has been rewarded for his superb form this season with a new contract
which will keep him at the Boleyn Ground until 2021. And Antonio hopes he
can continue to play his part in a memorable season for the Club as they
look to reach Wembley and win the Emirates FA Cup this season. Antonio said:
"Dimitri Payet is a dream to play with and he is definitely the best player
I have played with in my career. "His vision, his work-rate – he is not one
of these flair players that makes everyone else get the ball for him and
then does damage. He will go and win the ball back himself and then cause
damage. "He does both – the gritty side and the flair. "You saw in the
Blackburn game that players are looking to mark Dimitri and it allows other
players like Victor Moses to burst clear into holes and that is how he
scored a goal. "Manchester United at Old Trafford (in the quarter finals) is
a big game and is where I started playing again in the first-team and it is
a great stage to play on."
Antonio also has nothing but praise for the way Slaven Bilic has managed to
get the best out of the whole squad and says it was one of their best
performances of the season against Blackburn on Sunday. Antonio added: "We
gelled perfectly on Sunday and Blackburn got the brunt of it. I think that
is probably the best we have performed all-round. "Defensively and in attack
we all gelled well together and switching the play, that is the best we have
performed. "Slaven remains calm and even in games when he feels we should be
doing better, he will come in and say 'boys we have the ability to get back
in there and I believe in you.' "Even if we don't get the points he wants us
to show we can do better and make him proud."
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Bobby Moore and the Sixties
WHUFC.com
Lifelong West Ham United fan and author Tim Crane looks ahead to Saturday's
Barclays Premier League visit of Sunderland, which will be themed in honour
of Bobby Moore and the Sixties - the golden era in Hammers history...
It is now 23 years since Bobby Moore prematurely left our world. His legacy
remains colossal and will outlive us all. His combined domestic, European
and world successes have never been matched by any Englishman in the history
of our game. On Saturday, his former teammates have returned to the Boleyn
Ground as a mark of respect for their captain. It is a poignant reunion of
the Club's history makers. These are the very players who helped realise the
dreams of thousands. They are the reason so many of us follow the Club, the
great performers whom our forefathers took us to see through clicking
turnstile and swaying crowds. They fulfilled expectation, beat the best,
brought home the silverware via the streets of east London and, a couple of
them – Sir Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters – even managed to help Bobby lift
the World Cup. Quite simply, they raised the bar of achievement at West Ham
United and are the measure for any future player wearing the famous Claret
and Blue shirt. Only seven Hammers in the history of the Club have won both
the FA Cup and a European trophy. Alongside Bobby Moore, they form the
Magnificent Seven and we are fortunate to have four of them with us here
today – Ken Brown, Sir Geoff Hurst, Jack Burkett and Ron Boyce. The
remaining two, Jim Standen and John Sissons now live in California and Cape
Town, respectively and were unable to attend today's match. Both took the
time to call and relay their warmest wishes to both the Moore and Greenwood
families as well as their teammates for today's tribute. Increasing the
frisson of excitement with their attendance today are European Cup Winners'
Cup winner Brian Dear, FA Cup winners Peter Brabrook and Eddie Bovington,
former goalkeeper and part of the successful 1965 European campaign Alan
Dickie, 1963 FA Youth Cup final four-goal hero Martin Britt and the
goalkeeper and forward from that youth side, Colin Mackleworth and Peter
Bennett respectively. Last but not least Bobby's centre-half partner from
the late 1960s, Alan Stephenson. These heroes will be presented to the crowd
on matchday, giving the Claret and Blue Army an opportunity to thank them -
and the late, great Bobby Moore - for the part they played in an
unfogettable decade in West Ham United history.
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Champions Place legends announced
WHUFC.com
West Ham United are delighted to reveal the Legends stones set to take
centre stage in the new Champions Place landmark outside the new Stadium on
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
As voted for by supporters on whufc.com, World Cup winning trio Bobby Moore,
Sir Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters head the list of those to be immortalised
at the new Stadium, alongside decorated management duo Ron Greenwood and
John Lyall.
Long-serving legends Billy Bonds and Sir Trevor Brooking, who boast a
remarkable nine Hammer of the Year accolades between them, will rightfully
be celebrated in Champions Place too.
Cult hero Julian Dicks, now a member of Slaven Bilic's coaching staff, is
among the eleven, together with the mercurial Paolo Di Canio, and, in his
Testimonial year, Club captain Mark Noble earns his place in esteemed
company.
The dearly departed Dylan Tombides completes the line-up, as the second
anniversary of his tragic passing approaches. The prodigiously talented
Dylan, who lost his brave battle with testicular cancer in April 2014, will
forever be remembered with great affection by the Club he loved.
First team players Cheikhou Kouyate, Pedro Obiang and Development Squad
goalkeeper Sam Howes visited the Hammers new home to unveil West Ham and
England legend Bobby Moore's stone on the site of Champions Place.
On seeing the stone in situ Obiang said: "Every football player, every
football fan wherever you come from knows about Bobby Moore and I know West
Ham fans are very proud of his history with the Club. It's special to see a
tribute to this history sitting so close to a new Stadium that holds so much
promise for the future."
The specially-designed landscaped area outside the north entrance to the
former Olympic Stadium will become the new home of the famous Champions
Sculpture as well as thousands of supporters' stones, inscribed with
personalised messages.
At the heart of the installation will stand an initial eleven larger Legends
stones, each dedicated to a Hammers hero or magical West Ham moment and a
permanent tribute to the Club's glorious history.
With the first set of stones scheduled to be laid in June, further Legends
stones will be added as the Hammers' Champions Place installation grows over
the coming weeks and months.
It is not too late to purchase your own Champions Place stone and
personalise it with your own name or message but, in order to have your
stone in situ for the historic first game of the 2016/17 season, supporters
have until Tuesday 8 March to place their orders.
Your stone will sit permanently alongside the stones commemorating the
Club's greatest legends and memories, an immortal tribute to your support
for West Ham.
Do not miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make your mark in
history or buy a gift for a friend or family member that will never be
forgotten. Order your stone here today > championsplace.whufc.com.
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Adrian wants to silence Black Cats' roar
WHUFC.com
Adrian is looking forward to coming up against his old boss Sam Allardyce
when West Ham United lock horns with Sunderland on Saturday. Big Sam was the
man who brought the Hammers' No13 to English football back in the summer of
2013, and as such the Spanish stopper feels a debt of gratitude to the Black
Cats' boss. However, that will be put to one side at the Boleyn Ground this
weekend as he looks for a vital three points in West Ham's quest to move
back into the top six. He said: "I have many reasons to thank Sam Allardyce
because he brought me to West Ham United.
"He went to Seville to watch me in some games before he signed me and
Sunderland need to work hard to save their situation in the Premier League.
"After Saturday I hope they can keep their Premier League position because I
have appreciation for Sam. "For us every game in the Premier League is
important, but this is especially important because we didn't get the three
points in our last league game [at Norwich] and we need another three points
urgently to stay near the top of the table."
Adrian is likely to return to the team after watching on from the sidelines
as the Hammers took Blackburn apart in the FA Cup last weekend – and he says
that result will give the Londoners plenty of confidence as they return to
league action. He added: "We are playing at home with our fans behind us, so
I think we have a lot of confidence after the FA Cup game at Blackburn. "It
was a great game on Sunday, we played so well, and when you have time to
score one more goal you need to score. "We need to keep going like that in
the FA Cup, but also to get the three points in the next game."
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From the Treatment Room
WHUFC.com
Head of Medical and Sports Science Stijn Vandenbroucke with his latest
update – in association with Spire Roding Hospital...
Hello everyone,
We have had a memorable few days with our important FA Cup win over
Blackburn on Sunday and it was great to see the players come away with such
an emphatic victory. It was also pleasing to see Manuel Lanzini back in
action. He is training this week with the first-team squad and will be
available for selection for the Sunderland game on Saturday.
We also have positive news with the return of three key players to
first-team training this week. Diafra Sakho, Winston Reid and Andy Carroll
are all back in training and will now spend the next few days building up
their fitness. Diafra has obviously been out for three months and will need
a bit more time, while Andy and Winston will hope to play some part in the
games that we have got coming up next week. The planned integration of these
players back into the games is very important as they enter the final stages
of their rehab/training/playing. The difficult exercise is that the players
and staff don't get carried away in the last phase, the return to play
phase. We try to integrate each player that returns from injury into games,
minimising the risk of a re-injury but maximise the team performance. But I
am confident that Sakho, Reid and Carroll will all play their part in a busy
schedule for the club when we face Sunderland, Tottenham and Everton in the
space of a week. Depending on injuries we will have to see game-by-game who
is available and take it from there.
James Tomkins and Joey O'Brien are both working on their rehab and it will
be a couple more weeks before they can start training again.
Enner Valencia has seen a specialist and is doing individual training at the
moment. We will know in the next few days if he has a part to play in the
three games that we face next week.
Stijn Vandenbroucke
Head of Medical and Sports Science
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Trio return ahead of Sunderland test
KUMb.com
Filed: Wednesday, 24th February 2016
By: Staff Writer
Slaven Bilic has a major selection headache ahead of this weekend's home
clash with Sunderland - and for a change, it's a positive one. Strike duo
Diafra Sakho and Andy Carroll - along with central defender Winston Reid -
have all returned to first team training today, leaving the manager with a
considerable dilemma ahead of this weekend's Premier League encounter at the
Boleyn Ground.
Sakho - who has been out of action since the end of November with a thigh
muscle injury - was widely considered to be the club's first choice striker
prior to being sidelined. However loan signing Emmanuel Emenike - the only
available striker for last weekend's trip to Blackburn - scored twice at
Ewood Park on Sunday, staking his claim for a start against the North East
side this Saturday.
Meanwhile Carroll, who has once again endured a stop/start season is also in
contention having shaken off the minor knock sustained during the 1-0 defeat
at Southampton a fortnight ago. At the other end of the field Winston Reid's
return means both Angelo Ogbonna and James Collins, who has been in
imperious form this season both find themselves facing a challenge for a
first team spot. There is also further good news on the defensive front with
recent signing Sam Byram once again available for selection. The young full
back was Cup tied for last weekend's trip to Lancashire, having featured for
former club Leeds United in an earlier round of the competition. Although
neither Enner Valencia or James Tomkins will be available for this weekend's
clash with former manager Sam Allardyce's current side, Manuel Lanzini - who
returned against Blackburn on Sunday - is expected to feature once again.
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West Ham welcome Andy Carroll and Winston Reid back from injury
By Jonathon Moar
Last Updated: 24/02/16 1:19pm
SSN
Andy Carroll and Winston Reid could return to the West Ham squad for
Saturday's Premier League clash with Sunderland at the Boleyn Ground.
The club's co-chairman David Gold took to Twitter to suggest the pair will
swell manager Slaven Bilic's selection options this weekend. "Andy Carroll
and Winston Reid should both be available for the Sunderland game," wrote
Gold. "Andy Carroll and Winston Reid should both be available for the
Sunderland game" Carroll's latest injury setback saw him sustain a groin
problem during the warm-up ahead of the 2-2 draw at Norwich on February 13,
although he still managed to come on as a second-half substitute. Central
defender Reid suffered a hamstring strain during the 2-1 FA Cup fourth-round
replay win over Liverpool on February 9 and was initially expected to be
sidelined for four weeks. Saturday's game sees West Ham take on former
manager Sam Allardyce for the first time since his departure from the club
last summer.
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ExWHUEmployee's Exclusive Column: Marseille to be raided? New deals offered
and triggered?
February 23, 2016
WestHamWay.co.uk
ExWHUEmployee
What a performance this weekend. It was such lovely football and so
refreshing to see how we attacked Blackburn with such fluency. Payet
obviously stole the show and got all the plaudits. The guy is seriously
class and is so talented. Bilic and Payet seem to have a fantastic
relationship. It was almost fate that had brought them together here.
Bilic had tried to sign him in Turkey in previous years but wasn't able to
pull it off. We had been scouting him for a number of months and David
Sullivan has close links to his agent and so we had pretty much set up the
deal before Bilic arrived. There were some doubts from Payet whether he
would stay in France or move to us but the appointment of Bilic persuaded
Payet to move.
Emenike also showed his class during this game and as I said in last week's
column, will and now already has, proved the early doubters wrong. It does
frustrate me that our fans are so quick to write off new players before they
have even had a chance to settle in and produce their best form. This also
happened with Randolph, sometimes it just takes some players slightly longer
to settle than others and let's be fair, Emenike was hardly given much of a
chance. We have to accept now that the recruitment lead by Tony Henry and
supported by very good scouts, reliable agents and David Sullivan's own
knowledge, have brought us many good players in recent years. It must also
be said how brilliant I thought Antonio was, out of position at right back.
The guy has a great attitude and has been brilliant since he broke into the
team.
Today we were greeted by the West Ham Way Writer Jack Sullivan showing us
photos of him wearing a Marseille shirt with Batshuayi on the back. I have
mentioned a number of times in my articles and tweets that this is our
number one striking target for the summer. We also have a number, and by
that I mean about five players from them,that we would be tempted in. The
quote I was told last week is that we will move "heaven and earth" to land
Batshuayi and the club are really thinking outside the box because there are
a number of clubs interested in him. Payet is also a close mate of his so
things are well in our favour. I would be surprised if we didn't sign him,
although it is a long way from a done deal at this stage.
There are a few players that are close to triggering clauses within their
contracts, on season milestones, which will change their terms of their
deals. Many youth contracts are also being evaluated at the moment. I
cannot say much more but these season milestones could prove to be quite
significant to player retention and summer targets.
We have many players lined up for summer moves already and some of the names
that I have seen are extremely exciting. For example if we do not land
Batshuayi, which is unlikely, we have a number of other names in the frame.
Including one very big name which people would say is "b4llsh5t" and not
believe me on but he is just one of a number of options being considered.
The club want to land a number of "marque" signings to celebrate the move to
the stadium.
It looks like, due to either us or Man U being guaranteed to be in the
semi-finals of the FA Cup, that the league game against Man U will now move
to be the final game of the season at Upton Park. I am personally sad that
it is going to be on a midweek evening because with most of us having work
the next day and needing to travel home, it is not going to be quite the
opportunity to party, like we could have at the weekend. This decision is
however way out of the clubs hands and there isn't anything we can do.
We should have Winston Reid back for the weekend and Carroll could also be
involved. We will update you factually near the kick off time to what the
team shall be.
The FA Cup was a tough draw but not one that we should fear. I think we can
beat anyone on our day and some of my favourite away memories have been at
Old Trafford and I hope this will be another.
The club plan to sit down with Bilic soon and negotiate a longer term deal
for our brilliant manager. Everything feels so positive about the club at
the moment and the chairmen are fully aware and excited by this. Slav has
delivered everything that they wanted to and Sam didn't manage to. So they
want to reward him for this.
As for Sam, he obviously returns this weekend. Whilst there was many
disappointing things about his spell as manager towards the end, I
personally think we should respect what he achieved at the club during a
difficult time. Whilst he certainly wasn't everyone's cup of tea we were
certainly in a much better position when he left, than when he took over.
We have now moved on to bigger and better things.
Evan Jones of the West Ham Way, will be filming outside the John Lyall gates
at the match on Saturday and they should be easy to spot as they will be
sporting new West Ham Way t-shirts (which you can buy if you are interested
or win!). We will be interviewing the Sullivan's again, the lads from Sex,
Drugs and Carlton Cole and we want to hear from you, the fans, before and
after the match. We want to know your thoughts on Big Sam, the match, Payet
and anything else that you want to share! The best interview, as chosen by
you lot, will win a prize so do come, stop and chat.
COYI
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Sullivan gives big Batshuayi hint
Posted by Sean Whetstone on February 24, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H
Chairman's son Jack Sullivan gives a hint that summer transfer target Michy
Batshuayi is a firm favourite in the Sullivan household. Last night the
youngster tweeted a picture of himself in a Batshuayi shirt. A Marseille fan
recently asked the 22 year old striker whether the rumours about West Ham
were true. His answer in French roughly translates as 'I don't know, it's
not really my problem right now', as Batshuayi looks to put the rumours
behind him until the end of the season. Hardly a denial was it!
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Mooro's boot boy Galey pays his CandH tribute
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 24, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H
Tony Gale recalls his greatest hero and says that Mooro would have been the
leading player in the country had he been in the Premier League of 2015-16
and says: "He was always a member of football's royalty for me who tried
tofollow him." Tony Gale walked in Bobby Moore's footsteps for much of his
career – starting as a kid at Fulham where he became the great man's boot
boy!
He said: I would have been about 15 and it was an honour because this was
the man I'd tried to model myself upon since I started kicking a football.
And with him coming towards the end of his career I remember reading him
saying a newspaper that I was the guy who should follow him into the England
tea after I'd inherited his No 6 shirt at Craven Cottage. "Later I did the
same at West Ham and even went on to work for Capital Gold just as he did –
Bobby Moore was my greatest influence and I want to believe that most of
what you saw in my game was influenced by him."
Bob was always seen as a very private person with only a few very close
friends and Galey said: "That was perfectly understandable to me. He was the
most famous person in England and he had to remain closed in. "But he was a
lovely, lovely bloke and the way I always saw him as a member of footballing
royalty and I'll tell you this, had he been playing today he would have been
the best player in the country. "He was by far the best of his day back then
on often rubbish pitches. Today he would have been king of the game and the
so called pace of the Premier League wouldn't have been a problem – he was
always bigger than all that."
Galey explained that he was as neat and tidy off the pitch as he was on it
recalling: Everybody else would throw their kit everywhere but Bobby took
care to fold it up and put it back the way he found it – what a bloke. I
remember too he had a beautiful yellow Jag. "I grew up watching him and
Franz Beckanbauer and other great defenders but if I have to call it. Bobby
was the best. Sir Alf Ramsey called him the heartbeat of his team – he was
that and more. "I look back now at those World Cup matches and he absolutely
ran everything from start to finish. What a man, what a player and he was
ours and I salute him today."
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DG's tribute to the great man
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 24, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H
David Gold puts it very simply declaring: "Bobby was the greatest English
footballer of all time and way up at the top of the international tree." Yet
– like everybody else you speak to about the man – DG remembers a man who –
given his status – was "embarrassingly humble." He said: "I'm delighted
ClaretandHugh is giving Bobby this Boleyn Farewell because he is the man who
is frst mentioned whenever and wherever West Ham is discussed. We all owe
him so much as a club and a country. "Seeing him lift the FA Cuo back in
1964 is probably my greatest memory of this club and then the Cup Winners
Cup – what wonderful years to precede the World Cup Final when he became a
national icon. But he was always ours "It is probably because he was a
national icon and so loved that nobody complains when us lot talking about
the Irons winning the World Cup – his legend will never die. "When he joined
Sport Newspapers I, like everybody else, wanted to talk about special
moments I'd seen with him involved. But he just didn't want to talk about
them. He was embarrassed. A wonderful humble man and the greatest footballer
I ever saw. It's a pleasure to pay tribute to such a great human being."
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Farewell Boleyn: Thank you Scotty Parker
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 24, 2016 in Farewell Boleyn, News,
Whispers
Reader Ben Kelly is the latest CandH reader to give us his favourite Boleyn
memory!
C and H
Scott-Parker-006It was in 1997 that I experienced my first Boleyn Ground
game at the tender age of seven alongside my aunt and uncle, both of which
desperate to secure my allegiances to West Ham United.
A 2-1 victory over Liverpool with goals from John Hartson and Eyal Berkovic
certainly helped peak my interest into the football club.
Furthermore, I could have been forgiven for believing that it was a forgone
conclusion that West Ham would win any game I attended, as my second game
finished in yet another 2-1 victory later that season, against Blackburn
Rovers.
Unfortunately, as I wish I had realised at the time, my early encounters
with the football club were proven to be a false dawn.
My Aunt and Uncle had need not worry because, as for so many Hammers fans,
the club had chosen me long before I was conceived, with a long line of West
Ham fans both on my mother and father's side.
The inherent curse is that, no matter how bad the times have got, and there
have been more than enough, my dedication and support for the football club
has never dwindled.
However, my sanity has certainly been tested, especially in the immediate
aftermath of Icelandic exit and David Sullivan and Gold's arrival at the
club.
With West Ham coming off a strong 2008-09 campaign under Gianfranco Zola, I
was full of expectation for the following season, especially with, what I
considered, a strong squad of England internationals such as Robert Green,
Matthew Upson & Dean Ashton.
Unfortunately, 2009-10 proved to be a very difficult campaign for the
Hammers, fighting of relegation and surviving by the skin of our teeth
against Burnley, Hull City and the cash-stricken Portsmouth.
However, the one and only reason why we survived in 2009-10 was because of
the greatest player I have ever seen play at Upton Park, Scott Parker.
Everyone has their own respective favourite players and perfectly valid
reasons behind that, whether it be Paolo Di Canio, Joe Cole, Carlos Tevez or
even, dear I say it, Marco Boogers.
For me, Parker emulated everything that I love and what I stood for both on
the football pitch and in life itself, 100% effort, never giving up on a
lost cause and filing the unforgiving minute with 60 seconds of distant run.
I will never forget the winning goal against Wigan Athletic at the end of
the 2009-10 season that effectively secured our Premier League status.
Driving towards goal late in the game, Parker struck the ball from outside
the box into the bottom corner and sprinted towards Zola to embrace his
Italian boss after a whirlwind season.
In my opinion, Parker should have taken both the PFA and FWA player of the
year awards that season, an acclaim which was eventually given to Wayne
Rooney. What was unfathomable was that, despite a distinctively under par
supporting cast, the midfielder had achieved the impossible and saved us
from the drop almost single handily.
The following season, with the sacking of Zola and arrival of Avram Grant,
the team situation became distinctively worse and we were once again thrown
into another relegation dog fight.
In a season which yielded only seven victories, West Ham fans could have
been forgiven for giving up on the club and waiting for the inevitable
relegation. However, we all kept returning to Upton Park to support the team
and to watch Parker play.
Carlton Cole revealed to us all the type of character Parker was for West
Ham and how he laid his body on the line for the club when no one else
would. Half-time at the Hawthornes and 3-0 down against West Bromwich
Albion, the former Chelsea man gave an impassioned speech to his team-mates
and got them fired up to fight back and claim an unlikely draw.
More so was Parker's performance against Liverpool at Upton Park and
Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane with the illness and sad passing of his
father. Against Liverpool, our no. 8 dominated the midfield against Steven
Gerrard and co, scoring a brilliant goal from outside the box passed the
diving Pepe Reina.
Against Spurs, just hours after his father's passing, Parker produced one of
his finest West Ham performances, battling with a strong Tottenham team to
help earn us a point in a difficult away fixture.
Despite being relegated, Parker won the FWA player of the year and only lost
to the emerging Gareth Bale for the PFA award.
Understandably, Tottenham came knocking for our warrior in the midfield once
we had become a Championship club. However, this was not to deter Parker
from his West Ham duties and he duly made four further appearances for the
club, scoring against Watford at Vicarage Road.
Times are changing for the better at West Ham, with the arrival of quality
and skilful footballers into the team and much credit has to be given to the
owners for picking the club up whilst it was on its knees.
Our bright future awaits us in Stratford come August and I am excited for
the adventure that awaits us all ahead once the curtain falls upon the
Boleyn Ground.
Bobby Moore, Trevor Brooking, Billy Bonds and Paolo Di Canio should all be
considered the kings of Upton Park.
However, the warrior of E13, the man who raged against the dying of the
light and filled that unforgiving minute with 60 seconds of distant run was
Super Scotty Parker.
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'SUCCESS BREEDS SUCCESS' AND WILL ALWAYS CONTINUE TO DO SO!
By S J Chandos 24 Feb 2016 at 08:00
WTID
The quality of the 1-5 victory over Blackburn Rovers cannot be praised
highly enough. Although we had our customary sluggish start, and fell a goal
behind, it was superb the manner in which we roared back to claim an
emphatic passage in to the FA Cup quarter-finals. As previously stated, we
must improve the urgency with which we start matches, as it could prove
costly against different opposition. Yet, regardless, the passing and
movement was a joy to behold and we looked likely to score every time that
we attacked their half. Especially when Lanzini was re-united with Payet in
midfield. It really reminded us what we have been missing in recent weeks.
And with the impending return of Sakho, Carroll, Reid and Tomkins things can
hopefully only improve in the run-in to the season's end. The quarter-final
draw could have been better, but we have no need to fear Manchester United
these days. Lets be positive and see it as an opportunity to excel. If we do
win the FA Cup this season, no one can say we did not earn it or had an easy
ride to glory. Which will make the achievement all the more impressive and
satisfying.
The display at Rovers only further underlined to me the scale of improvement
in the quality of the squad that the club have assembled and how crucial
this summer's transfer dealings are going to be taking us further forward.
This is most definitely not a time for complacency, nor a myopic retreat in
to some comfort zone notion of success on the 'never, never.' The
opportunity is there now and the club must grasp it. That means retaining
our best players (which I have every faith we will do this summer),
upgrading one or two and securing the extra quality to ensure that we can
compete at an even higher level next season. For me, a 'gradualist' or
'incremental' approach may have been correct in a different set of
circumstances. However, the quality of the club's recruitment over the past
two seasons has taken us behind that point. No, the 'iron is hot' and we
need to strike it without delay. Low expectations/lack of ambition have
always been the problem at West Ham in the past. As a club we will
positively benefit from some raised expectations/standards. It is healthy
and higher expectations/standards always accompany success anyway, so we
might as well reconcile ourselves to it! And the very best way of doing that
is by realising them.
We need Champions League qualification next season. Otherwise, we will
remain vulnerable to losing our best players to those clubs that can offer
it. I do not think this is a threat in the short-term, but if we continually
fall-short on CL qualification it could become a different matter. Are there
any fans who can deny that players of the quality of Payet, Lanzini and
Sakho deserve to play in the CL? So, lets ensure that they do, sooner rather
than later, and it is in a West Ham United shirt. Also, CL qualification (or
imminent potential to achieve it) will be a factor in attracting top quality
players to the club in future. 'Success breeds success' and we must not be
afraid of it. On the contrary, we must embrace it, with the realisation that
we are entering unfamiliar territory(with new pressures and demands) called
'sustained success.' The new stadium beckons and actual developments show
that all the negative soothsayers were wrong about the OS. They argued that
the club would struggle to fill a stadium of that size. Well, the season
tickets have been sold, demand outstrips supply and it will be necessary to
expand the OS's capacity to keep pace. That has happened largely because of
the decisive action taken by the board in recruiting Slaven Bilic and
backing him in the transfer market. Which, in turn, has led to a revolution
on the pitch, the style of which, has motivated people to want to watch the
team in action. Yes, success definitely does breed success and we must keep
the accelerator pressed to the floor. Standing still next season will
effectively mean slipping back, as the existing PL elite utilise their
substantial transfer resources in an attempt to reinforce the status quo.
Lets not make that mistake! I am certain the board are aware of this and
will do whatever is necessary to keep the club ahead of the curve.
So, it is Allardyce's Sunderland up next, which is a match with added spice
– for obvious reasons. After the glory of the FA Cup, it is back to the
business of locking-on and attempting to chase down that 4th spot. We sit
seven points behind Man City, in 4th, and anything is still possible if we
both maintain our form and have a bit of luck with other results. We may end
up not doing it this season, but I want to be able to say, come the season's
end, that we kept chasing that 4th place, maintained our PL results and
finished as high as we could. At the very least, that means a top six
finish. I certainly do not want to see PL results trail off, as we focus on
progressing in the FA Cup. With the quality of our squad (and injuries
permitting), we should be able to do both.
Obviously, there is going to be a lot of attention on Sam Allardyce and his
problematic relationship with the Hammers fans. Ideally, I would like to see
our fans rise above it all and focus on supporting the team. However,
realistically, there are always going to be supporters who will relish the
opportunity to 'have a go.' So, it is likely that there is going to be some
off-the-pitch hostility towards our ex-manager. However, I prefer to focus
on the response on the pitch. This is the perfect opportunity to make a
major point to Mr Allardyce that there is a 'West Ham Way,' this is what it
looks like and your team has just been steamrollered by it!. I would love to
see the team beat Sunderland with stylish and expansive attacking play and
secure a substantial victory. In short, ram home the point where it counts –
on the pitch, rather than fan hostility off of it.
Sam Allardyce has secured Sunderland a bit of momentum and is capable of
setting up his side to nick a win if we are off our game and/or players have
their heads elsewhere. No one wants Allardyce to walk away feeling justified
in his controversial comments about the club and its fans, so it is up to
Bilic and the team to ensure that does not happen. After Saturday's match I
sincerely wish Sunderland well. They are a good community based club, with
industrial origins and working-class traditions (much like us), and I would
like to see them survive the drop.
However, we need to use this match to further underline our new found
professionalism and ability to maintain PL results and position. If we are
on our game I see a comfortable Hammers win. So, I am going for a 3-0
victory, with anything extra an added bonus. COYI!
SJ. Chandos.
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West Ham defender Angelo Ogbonna has cheeky message on Twitter for Italy
coach
HITC
Mathew Nash
The Italian had a message for Antonio Conte as he looks to end his absence
from national selection. West Ham United have been in excellent form this
season and much of that form is down to some shrewd recruitment in the
summer. The club of course brought in star player Dimitri Payet, but the
impact of Italian defender Angelo Ogbonna cannot go unnoticed. He was signed
from Juventus in a deal reported by the BBC to be worth around £10 million.
He has since gone on to feature 20 times for the club this season and even
found the back of the net with a crucial header to knock Liverpool out of
the FA Cup. His form will, he hopes, be catching the attention of his
national team boss Antonio Conte. He posted this cheeky photo and message
for the Italy head coach on his Twitter account yesterday:
Angelo Ogbonna ? ?@OgbonnaOfficial
Who knows if Mr. Conte has my English number??!!
#WholivedhopingdiedIcantsayhow #NationalTeam #Azzurri #Italy
6:16 PM - 23 Feb 2016
Ogbonna currently has 10 caps for the Italian national team, after making
his debut in 2011. However he last played for Italy back in October 2014 as
a late substitute against Malta and has not been in contention for some
time. Hopefully the West Ham player can catch the eye of Conte and get his
chance to shine in the European Championships this summer.
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West Ham transfer news: Victor Camarasa tops wishlist as Slaven Bilic
prepares for life at Olympic Stadium
The 21-year-old is rated as one of the best young midfielders in La Liga
Jack Pitt-Brooke @jackpittbrooke 51 minutes ago0 comments
The Independant
West Ham United have targeted Levante midfielder Victor Camarasa as they
begin to prepare for their first season in the Olympic Stadium. Slaven
Bilic's side, sat in seventh in the Premier League, are facing the prospect
of European football next season and have identified the Spain under-21
international as part of their summer of ambitious recruitment. Camarasa is
rated as one of the best young midfielders in La Liga, and is an integral
part of the side who are currently struggling second from bottom in the
table. If Levante are relegated to the Segunda Division they will have to
sell Camarasa, and West Ham are confident that they could sign him for as
little as £3million this summer. Stoke City were thought to be interested
in him during last month's transfer window, before settling for the
higher-profile Gianelli Imbula of Porto instead, while Newcastle United were
also keen. 21-year-old Camarasa is an imposing box-to-box midfielder who has
caught the eye this season with his ability from dead-ball situations and
eye-catching goals from long range. If he came to West Ham he would
compliment their already powerful midfield options of Cheikhou Kouyate, Mark
Noble and Pedro Obiang. West Ham have already started their ambitious
planning for their new era by tying Dimitri Payet to a new £125,000 per week
deal which will last until 2021. With more contracts on the way for their
biggest players, as well as a summer of signings, West Ham are hoping to
step into the ranks of England's bigger clubs. "Many other clubs are selling
clubs," Slaven Bilic said at a press conference last month. "But we are
moving stadium, we are talking and acting like we are going to try – not
overnight – but trying to go up as a club. For me, the most important thing
regarding that is not to sell your best players." Speaking before Payet
signed a new deal, Bilic said that him staying at the club would help to
attract new players. "Keeping Payet would attract other players as well,"
Bilic said. "Because they would think not only about playing with Payet, but
that West Ham thinking big and long term."
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Despite MacAnthony comments, West Ham should keep Martin Samuelsen next
season
HITC
Vincent Ralph
The young Norwegian is ready for more minutes in West Ham United's
first-team. Recent comments from Peterborough United chairman Darragh
MacAnthony during a question and answer session on Periscope suggested that
West Ham United midfielder Martin Samuelsen could be a loan target again
next season provided Posh earn promotion to the Championship. The
18-year-old has been brilliant since he arrived at the League One club, his
standout performance to date coming in the FA Cup fourth round replay
against West Bromwich Albion when he outperformed his more experienced
opponents from beginning to end. That match may have gone the Baggies' way
following a penalty shoot-out but it also proved emphatically that Samuelsen
is a future Premier League star, and while MacAnthony may feel the Hammers
will loan the youngster out at a higher level next season, they would be
wise to keep him at Upton Park. Manager Slaven Bilic has seen what injuries
can do this season and while he has the players to cope, Samuelsen would
have been a wonderful option from the bench. Of course at just 18 the
Norwegian will take time to reach the top of his game but he should be
training day after day alongside the likes of Dimitri Payet and Manuel
Lanzini; players he can learn from and ultimately emulate. You only need to
watch Samuelsen play for a few minutes to see he has what it takes, and
while a Championship loan spell would make a degree of sense, it would be a
braver and arguably smarter choice to keep him at West Ham and slowly give
him the chance to shine.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Today marks the 23rd anniversary of the passing of West Ham United's
finest-ever player and captain - Bobby Moore OBE...
Bobby Moore OBE, West Ham United's greatest-ever player and England's 1966
World Cup-winning captain, sadly passed away on this day 23 years ago. The
central defender made 646 league and cup appearances for the Hammers,
scoring 27 goals. Moore was born in Barking on 12 April 1941, making his
debut for his local club in a 3-2 win over Manchester United at the Boleyn
Ground as a 17-year-old on 8 September 1958. It was the start of a
glittering career that is remembered fondly by football fans the world over.
As a West Ham player, Moore lifted the FA Cup in 1964 and the European Cup
Winners' Cup in 1965. A year later, he was back at Wembley to complete an
unforgettable hat-trick by lifting the Jules Rimet Trophy following
England's 4-2 victory over West Germany. Moore would go on to star at the
1970 World Cup finals in Mexico before moving to Fulham, for whom he played
against the Hammers in the 1975 FA Cup final. Following his retirement,
Moore moved first into management and then into the world of broadcasting
before his life was cut short by cancer in February 1993. He was just 51.
Fellow Hammers legend Billy Bonds MBE recalls Bobby's memory fondly. He
said: "Mooro was an absolute icon. I respected a lot of team-mates and
opponents down the years but he was the only person in my entire career, who
made me feel that way. "He was fantastic to me from the day that I arrived
and I loved him as a player and as a person. Bobby Moore had a presence both
off and on the field. "There was no side to him at all and, having lifted
the World Cup, he'd been the most famous person on the planet on that July
afternoon at Wembley in 1966 but, despite all of that, Bobby wasn't the
slightest bit lairy. Mooro treated everyone the same, no matter who they
were. "Bobby Moore wasn't a particularly good header of the ball and he
wasn't very quick either but, boy, his timing was impeccable. He didn't need
to be good in the air or fast because he could read the game so well - he
always seemed to be in the right place at the right time to nick the ball
off a centre-forward. "And he was just so good at bringing the ball out of
defence and starting attacks, too."
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Antonio - Payet is a dream to play with
WHUFC.com
West Ham United midfielder Michail Antonio reveals it is a dream to play
with Dimitri Payet and says he helps to get the best out of everyone in the
squad. Payet stole the show once again during the Emirates FA Cup Fifth
Round tie against Blackburn when he scored another sublime free-kick and
then went on a great solo run and produced a great piece of skill to score
his second at the end of a convincing 5-1 victory at Ewood Park. The French
star has been rewarded for his superb form this season with a new contract
which will keep him at the Boleyn Ground until 2021. And Antonio hopes he
can continue to play his part in a memorable season for the Club as they
look to reach Wembley and win the Emirates FA Cup this season. Antonio said:
"Dimitri Payet is a dream to play with and he is definitely the best player
I have played with in my career. "His vision, his work-rate – he is not one
of these flair players that makes everyone else get the ball for him and
then does damage. He will go and win the ball back himself and then cause
damage. "He does both – the gritty side and the flair. "You saw in the
Blackburn game that players are looking to mark Dimitri and it allows other
players like Victor Moses to burst clear into holes and that is how he
scored a goal. "Manchester United at Old Trafford (in the quarter finals) is
a big game and is where I started playing again in the first-team and it is
a great stage to play on."
Antonio also has nothing but praise for the way Slaven Bilic has managed to
get the best out of the whole squad and says it was one of their best
performances of the season against Blackburn on Sunday. Antonio added: "We
gelled perfectly on Sunday and Blackburn got the brunt of it. I think that
is probably the best we have performed all-round. "Defensively and in attack
we all gelled well together and switching the play, that is the best we have
performed. "Slaven remains calm and even in games when he feels we should be
doing better, he will come in and say 'boys we have the ability to get back
in there and I believe in you.' "Even if we don't get the points he wants us
to show we can do better and make him proud."
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Bobby Moore and the Sixties
WHUFC.com
Lifelong West Ham United fan and author Tim Crane looks ahead to Saturday's
Barclays Premier League visit of Sunderland, which will be themed in honour
of Bobby Moore and the Sixties - the golden era in Hammers history...
It is now 23 years since Bobby Moore prematurely left our world. His legacy
remains colossal and will outlive us all. His combined domestic, European
and world successes have never been matched by any Englishman in the history
of our game. On Saturday, his former teammates have returned to the Boleyn
Ground as a mark of respect for their captain. It is a poignant reunion of
the Club's history makers. These are the very players who helped realise the
dreams of thousands. They are the reason so many of us follow the Club, the
great performers whom our forefathers took us to see through clicking
turnstile and swaying crowds. They fulfilled expectation, beat the best,
brought home the silverware via the streets of east London and, a couple of
them – Sir Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters – even managed to help Bobby lift
the World Cup. Quite simply, they raised the bar of achievement at West Ham
United and are the measure for any future player wearing the famous Claret
and Blue shirt. Only seven Hammers in the history of the Club have won both
the FA Cup and a European trophy. Alongside Bobby Moore, they form the
Magnificent Seven and we are fortunate to have four of them with us here
today – Ken Brown, Sir Geoff Hurst, Jack Burkett and Ron Boyce. The
remaining two, Jim Standen and John Sissons now live in California and Cape
Town, respectively and were unable to attend today's match. Both took the
time to call and relay their warmest wishes to both the Moore and Greenwood
families as well as their teammates for today's tribute. Increasing the
frisson of excitement with their attendance today are European Cup Winners'
Cup winner Brian Dear, FA Cup winners Peter Brabrook and Eddie Bovington,
former goalkeeper and part of the successful 1965 European campaign Alan
Dickie, 1963 FA Youth Cup final four-goal hero Martin Britt and the
goalkeeper and forward from that youth side, Colin Mackleworth and Peter
Bennett respectively. Last but not least Bobby's centre-half partner from
the late 1960s, Alan Stephenson. These heroes will be presented to the crowd
on matchday, giving the Claret and Blue Army an opportunity to thank them -
and the late, great Bobby Moore - for the part they played in an
unfogettable decade in West Ham United history.
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Champions Place legends announced
WHUFC.com
West Ham United are delighted to reveal the Legends stones set to take
centre stage in the new Champions Place landmark outside the new Stadium on
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
As voted for by supporters on whufc.com, World Cup winning trio Bobby Moore,
Sir Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters head the list of those to be immortalised
at the new Stadium, alongside decorated management duo Ron Greenwood and
John Lyall.
Long-serving legends Billy Bonds and Sir Trevor Brooking, who boast a
remarkable nine Hammer of the Year accolades between them, will rightfully
be celebrated in Champions Place too.
Cult hero Julian Dicks, now a member of Slaven Bilic's coaching staff, is
among the eleven, together with the mercurial Paolo Di Canio, and, in his
Testimonial year, Club captain Mark Noble earns his place in esteemed
company.
The dearly departed Dylan Tombides completes the line-up, as the second
anniversary of his tragic passing approaches. The prodigiously talented
Dylan, who lost his brave battle with testicular cancer in April 2014, will
forever be remembered with great affection by the Club he loved.
First team players Cheikhou Kouyate, Pedro Obiang and Development Squad
goalkeeper Sam Howes visited the Hammers new home to unveil West Ham and
England legend Bobby Moore's stone on the site of Champions Place.
On seeing the stone in situ Obiang said: "Every football player, every
football fan wherever you come from knows about Bobby Moore and I know West
Ham fans are very proud of his history with the Club. It's special to see a
tribute to this history sitting so close to a new Stadium that holds so much
promise for the future."
The specially-designed landscaped area outside the north entrance to the
former Olympic Stadium will become the new home of the famous Champions
Sculpture as well as thousands of supporters' stones, inscribed with
personalised messages.
At the heart of the installation will stand an initial eleven larger Legends
stones, each dedicated to a Hammers hero or magical West Ham moment and a
permanent tribute to the Club's glorious history.
With the first set of stones scheduled to be laid in June, further Legends
stones will be added as the Hammers' Champions Place installation grows over
the coming weeks and months.
It is not too late to purchase your own Champions Place stone and
personalise it with your own name or message but, in order to have your
stone in situ for the historic first game of the 2016/17 season, supporters
have until Tuesday 8 March to place their orders.
Your stone will sit permanently alongside the stones commemorating the
Club's greatest legends and memories, an immortal tribute to your support
for West Ham.
Do not miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make your mark in
history or buy a gift for a friend or family member that will never be
forgotten. Order your stone here today > championsplace.whufc.com.
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Adrian wants to silence Black Cats' roar
WHUFC.com
Adrian is looking forward to coming up against his old boss Sam Allardyce
when West Ham United lock horns with Sunderland on Saturday. Big Sam was the
man who brought the Hammers' No13 to English football back in the summer of
2013, and as such the Spanish stopper feels a debt of gratitude to the Black
Cats' boss. However, that will be put to one side at the Boleyn Ground this
weekend as he looks for a vital three points in West Ham's quest to move
back into the top six. He said: "I have many reasons to thank Sam Allardyce
because he brought me to West Ham United.
"He went to Seville to watch me in some games before he signed me and
Sunderland need to work hard to save their situation in the Premier League.
"After Saturday I hope they can keep their Premier League position because I
have appreciation for Sam. "For us every game in the Premier League is
important, but this is especially important because we didn't get the three
points in our last league game [at Norwich] and we need another three points
urgently to stay near the top of the table."
Adrian is likely to return to the team after watching on from the sidelines
as the Hammers took Blackburn apart in the FA Cup last weekend – and he says
that result will give the Londoners plenty of confidence as they return to
league action. He added: "We are playing at home with our fans behind us, so
I think we have a lot of confidence after the FA Cup game at Blackburn. "It
was a great game on Sunday, we played so well, and when you have time to
score one more goal you need to score. "We need to keep going like that in
the FA Cup, but also to get the three points in the next game."
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From the Treatment Room
WHUFC.com
Head of Medical and Sports Science Stijn Vandenbroucke with his latest
update – in association with Spire Roding Hospital...
Hello everyone,
We have had a memorable few days with our important FA Cup win over
Blackburn on Sunday and it was great to see the players come away with such
an emphatic victory. It was also pleasing to see Manuel Lanzini back in
action. He is training this week with the first-team squad and will be
available for selection for the Sunderland game on Saturday.
We also have positive news with the return of three key players to
first-team training this week. Diafra Sakho, Winston Reid and Andy Carroll
are all back in training and will now spend the next few days building up
their fitness. Diafra has obviously been out for three months and will need
a bit more time, while Andy and Winston will hope to play some part in the
games that we have got coming up next week. The planned integration of these
players back into the games is very important as they enter the final stages
of their rehab/training/playing. The difficult exercise is that the players
and staff don't get carried away in the last phase, the return to play
phase. We try to integrate each player that returns from injury into games,
minimising the risk of a re-injury but maximise the team performance. But I
am confident that Sakho, Reid and Carroll will all play their part in a busy
schedule for the club when we face Sunderland, Tottenham and Everton in the
space of a week. Depending on injuries we will have to see game-by-game who
is available and take it from there.
James Tomkins and Joey O'Brien are both working on their rehab and it will
be a couple more weeks before they can start training again.
Enner Valencia has seen a specialist and is doing individual training at the
moment. We will know in the next few days if he has a part to play in the
three games that we face next week.
Stijn Vandenbroucke
Head of Medical and Sports Science
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Trio return ahead of Sunderland test
KUMb.com
Filed: Wednesday, 24th February 2016
By: Staff Writer
Slaven Bilic has a major selection headache ahead of this weekend's home
clash with Sunderland - and for a change, it's a positive one. Strike duo
Diafra Sakho and Andy Carroll - along with central defender Winston Reid -
have all returned to first team training today, leaving the manager with a
considerable dilemma ahead of this weekend's Premier League encounter at the
Boleyn Ground.
Sakho - who has been out of action since the end of November with a thigh
muscle injury - was widely considered to be the club's first choice striker
prior to being sidelined. However loan signing Emmanuel Emenike - the only
available striker for last weekend's trip to Blackburn - scored twice at
Ewood Park on Sunday, staking his claim for a start against the North East
side this Saturday.
Meanwhile Carroll, who has once again endured a stop/start season is also in
contention having shaken off the minor knock sustained during the 1-0 defeat
at Southampton a fortnight ago. At the other end of the field Winston Reid's
return means both Angelo Ogbonna and James Collins, who has been in
imperious form this season both find themselves facing a challenge for a
first team spot. There is also further good news on the defensive front with
recent signing Sam Byram once again available for selection. The young full
back was Cup tied for last weekend's trip to Lancashire, having featured for
former club Leeds United in an earlier round of the competition. Although
neither Enner Valencia or James Tomkins will be available for this weekend's
clash with former manager Sam Allardyce's current side, Manuel Lanzini - who
returned against Blackburn on Sunday - is expected to feature once again.
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West Ham welcome Andy Carroll and Winston Reid back from injury
By Jonathon Moar
Last Updated: 24/02/16 1:19pm
SSN
Andy Carroll and Winston Reid could return to the West Ham squad for
Saturday's Premier League clash with Sunderland at the Boleyn Ground.
The club's co-chairman David Gold took to Twitter to suggest the pair will
swell manager Slaven Bilic's selection options this weekend. "Andy Carroll
and Winston Reid should both be available for the Sunderland game," wrote
Gold. "Andy Carroll and Winston Reid should both be available for the
Sunderland game" Carroll's latest injury setback saw him sustain a groin
problem during the warm-up ahead of the 2-2 draw at Norwich on February 13,
although he still managed to come on as a second-half substitute. Central
defender Reid suffered a hamstring strain during the 2-1 FA Cup fourth-round
replay win over Liverpool on February 9 and was initially expected to be
sidelined for four weeks. Saturday's game sees West Ham take on former
manager Sam Allardyce for the first time since his departure from the club
last summer.
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ExWHUEmployee's Exclusive Column: Marseille to be raided? New deals offered
and triggered?
February 23, 2016
WestHamWay.co.uk
ExWHUEmployee
What a performance this weekend. It was such lovely football and so
refreshing to see how we attacked Blackburn with such fluency. Payet
obviously stole the show and got all the plaudits. The guy is seriously
class and is so talented. Bilic and Payet seem to have a fantastic
relationship. It was almost fate that had brought them together here.
Bilic had tried to sign him in Turkey in previous years but wasn't able to
pull it off. We had been scouting him for a number of months and David
Sullivan has close links to his agent and so we had pretty much set up the
deal before Bilic arrived. There were some doubts from Payet whether he
would stay in France or move to us but the appointment of Bilic persuaded
Payet to move.
Emenike also showed his class during this game and as I said in last week's
column, will and now already has, proved the early doubters wrong. It does
frustrate me that our fans are so quick to write off new players before they
have even had a chance to settle in and produce their best form. This also
happened with Randolph, sometimes it just takes some players slightly longer
to settle than others and let's be fair, Emenike was hardly given much of a
chance. We have to accept now that the recruitment lead by Tony Henry and
supported by very good scouts, reliable agents and David Sullivan's own
knowledge, have brought us many good players in recent years. It must also
be said how brilliant I thought Antonio was, out of position at right back.
The guy has a great attitude and has been brilliant since he broke into the
team.
Today we were greeted by the West Ham Way Writer Jack Sullivan showing us
photos of him wearing a Marseille shirt with Batshuayi on the back. I have
mentioned a number of times in my articles and tweets that this is our
number one striking target for the summer. We also have a number, and by
that I mean about five players from them,that we would be tempted in. The
quote I was told last week is that we will move "heaven and earth" to land
Batshuayi and the club are really thinking outside the box because there are
a number of clubs interested in him. Payet is also a close mate of his so
things are well in our favour. I would be surprised if we didn't sign him,
although it is a long way from a done deal at this stage.
There are a few players that are close to triggering clauses within their
contracts, on season milestones, which will change their terms of their
deals. Many youth contracts are also being evaluated at the moment. I
cannot say much more but these season milestones could prove to be quite
significant to player retention and summer targets.
We have many players lined up for summer moves already and some of the names
that I have seen are extremely exciting. For example if we do not land
Batshuayi, which is unlikely, we have a number of other names in the frame.
Including one very big name which people would say is "b4llsh5t" and not
believe me on but he is just one of a number of options being considered.
The club want to land a number of "marque" signings to celebrate the move to
the stadium.
It looks like, due to either us or Man U being guaranteed to be in the
semi-finals of the FA Cup, that the league game against Man U will now move
to be the final game of the season at Upton Park. I am personally sad that
it is going to be on a midweek evening because with most of us having work
the next day and needing to travel home, it is not going to be quite the
opportunity to party, like we could have at the weekend. This decision is
however way out of the clubs hands and there isn't anything we can do.
We should have Winston Reid back for the weekend and Carroll could also be
involved. We will update you factually near the kick off time to what the
team shall be.
The FA Cup was a tough draw but not one that we should fear. I think we can
beat anyone on our day and some of my favourite away memories have been at
Old Trafford and I hope this will be another.
The club plan to sit down with Bilic soon and negotiate a longer term deal
for our brilliant manager. Everything feels so positive about the club at
the moment and the chairmen are fully aware and excited by this. Slav has
delivered everything that they wanted to and Sam didn't manage to. So they
want to reward him for this.
As for Sam, he obviously returns this weekend. Whilst there was many
disappointing things about his spell as manager towards the end, I
personally think we should respect what he achieved at the club during a
difficult time. Whilst he certainly wasn't everyone's cup of tea we were
certainly in a much better position when he left, than when he took over.
We have now moved on to bigger and better things.
Evan Jones of the West Ham Way, will be filming outside the John Lyall gates
at the match on Saturday and they should be easy to spot as they will be
sporting new West Ham Way t-shirts (which you can buy if you are interested
or win!). We will be interviewing the Sullivan's again, the lads from Sex,
Drugs and Carlton Cole and we want to hear from you, the fans, before and
after the match. We want to know your thoughts on Big Sam, the match, Payet
and anything else that you want to share! The best interview, as chosen by
you lot, will win a prize so do come, stop and chat.
COYI
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Sullivan gives big Batshuayi hint
Posted by Sean Whetstone on February 24, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H
Chairman's son Jack Sullivan gives a hint that summer transfer target Michy
Batshuayi is a firm favourite in the Sullivan household. Last night the
youngster tweeted a picture of himself in a Batshuayi shirt. A Marseille fan
recently asked the 22 year old striker whether the rumours about West Ham
were true. His answer in French roughly translates as 'I don't know, it's
not really my problem right now', as Batshuayi looks to put the rumours
behind him until the end of the season. Hardly a denial was it!
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Mooro's boot boy Galey pays his CandH tribute
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 24, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H
Tony Gale recalls his greatest hero and says that Mooro would have been the
leading player in the country had he been in the Premier League of 2015-16
and says: "He was always a member of football's royalty for me who tried
tofollow him." Tony Gale walked in Bobby Moore's footsteps for much of his
career – starting as a kid at Fulham where he became the great man's boot
boy!
He said: I would have been about 15 and it was an honour because this was
the man I'd tried to model myself upon since I started kicking a football.
And with him coming towards the end of his career I remember reading him
saying a newspaper that I was the guy who should follow him into the England
tea after I'd inherited his No 6 shirt at Craven Cottage. "Later I did the
same at West Ham and even went on to work for Capital Gold just as he did –
Bobby Moore was my greatest influence and I want to believe that most of
what you saw in my game was influenced by him."
Bob was always seen as a very private person with only a few very close
friends and Galey said: "That was perfectly understandable to me. He was the
most famous person in England and he had to remain closed in. "But he was a
lovely, lovely bloke and the way I always saw him as a member of footballing
royalty and I'll tell you this, had he been playing today he would have been
the best player in the country. "He was by far the best of his day back then
on often rubbish pitches. Today he would have been king of the game and the
so called pace of the Premier League wouldn't have been a problem – he was
always bigger than all that."
Galey explained that he was as neat and tidy off the pitch as he was on it
recalling: Everybody else would throw their kit everywhere but Bobby took
care to fold it up and put it back the way he found it – what a bloke. I
remember too he had a beautiful yellow Jag. "I grew up watching him and
Franz Beckanbauer and other great defenders but if I have to call it. Bobby
was the best. Sir Alf Ramsey called him the heartbeat of his team – he was
that and more. "I look back now at those World Cup matches and he absolutely
ran everything from start to finish. What a man, what a player and he was
ours and I salute him today."
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DG's tribute to the great man
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 24, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H
David Gold puts it very simply declaring: "Bobby was the greatest English
footballer of all time and way up at the top of the international tree." Yet
– like everybody else you speak to about the man – DG remembers a man who –
given his status – was "embarrassingly humble." He said: "I'm delighted
ClaretandHugh is giving Bobby this Boleyn Farewell because he is the man who
is frst mentioned whenever and wherever West Ham is discussed. We all owe
him so much as a club and a country. "Seeing him lift the FA Cuo back in
1964 is probably my greatest memory of this club and then the Cup Winners
Cup – what wonderful years to precede the World Cup Final when he became a
national icon. But he was always ours "It is probably because he was a
national icon and so loved that nobody complains when us lot talking about
the Irons winning the World Cup – his legend will never die. "When he joined
Sport Newspapers I, like everybody else, wanted to talk about special
moments I'd seen with him involved. But he just didn't want to talk about
them. He was embarrassed. A wonderful humble man and the greatest footballer
I ever saw. It's a pleasure to pay tribute to such a great human being."
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Farewell Boleyn: Thank you Scotty Parker
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 24, 2016 in Farewell Boleyn, News,
Whispers
Reader Ben Kelly is the latest CandH reader to give us his favourite Boleyn
memory!
C and H
Scott-Parker-006It was in 1997 that I experienced my first Boleyn Ground
game at the tender age of seven alongside my aunt and uncle, both of which
desperate to secure my allegiances to West Ham United.
A 2-1 victory over Liverpool with goals from John Hartson and Eyal Berkovic
certainly helped peak my interest into the football club.
Furthermore, I could have been forgiven for believing that it was a forgone
conclusion that West Ham would win any game I attended, as my second game
finished in yet another 2-1 victory later that season, against Blackburn
Rovers.
Unfortunately, as I wish I had realised at the time, my early encounters
with the football club were proven to be a false dawn.
My Aunt and Uncle had need not worry because, as for so many Hammers fans,
the club had chosen me long before I was conceived, with a long line of West
Ham fans both on my mother and father's side.
The inherent curse is that, no matter how bad the times have got, and there
have been more than enough, my dedication and support for the football club
has never dwindled.
However, my sanity has certainly been tested, especially in the immediate
aftermath of Icelandic exit and David Sullivan and Gold's arrival at the
club.
With West Ham coming off a strong 2008-09 campaign under Gianfranco Zola, I
was full of expectation for the following season, especially with, what I
considered, a strong squad of England internationals such as Robert Green,
Matthew Upson & Dean Ashton.
Unfortunately, 2009-10 proved to be a very difficult campaign for the
Hammers, fighting of relegation and surviving by the skin of our teeth
against Burnley, Hull City and the cash-stricken Portsmouth.
However, the one and only reason why we survived in 2009-10 was because of
the greatest player I have ever seen play at Upton Park, Scott Parker.
Everyone has their own respective favourite players and perfectly valid
reasons behind that, whether it be Paolo Di Canio, Joe Cole, Carlos Tevez or
even, dear I say it, Marco Boogers.
For me, Parker emulated everything that I love and what I stood for both on
the football pitch and in life itself, 100% effort, never giving up on a
lost cause and filing the unforgiving minute with 60 seconds of distant run.
I will never forget the winning goal against Wigan Athletic at the end of
the 2009-10 season that effectively secured our Premier League status.
Driving towards goal late in the game, Parker struck the ball from outside
the box into the bottom corner and sprinted towards Zola to embrace his
Italian boss after a whirlwind season.
In my opinion, Parker should have taken both the PFA and FWA player of the
year awards that season, an acclaim which was eventually given to Wayne
Rooney. What was unfathomable was that, despite a distinctively under par
supporting cast, the midfielder had achieved the impossible and saved us
from the drop almost single handily.
The following season, with the sacking of Zola and arrival of Avram Grant,
the team situation became distinctively worse and we were once again thrown
into another relegation dog fight.
In a season which yielded only seven victories, West Ham fans could have
been forgiven for giving up on the club and waiting for the inevitable
relegation. However, we all kept returning to Upton Park to support the team
and to watch Parker play.
Carlton Cole revealed to us all the type of character Parker was for West
Ham and how he laid his body on the line for the club when no one else
would. Half-time at the Hawthornes and 3-0 down against West Bromwich
Albion, the former Chelsea man gave an impassioned speech to his team-mates
and got them fired up to fight back and claim an unlikely draw.
More so was Parker's performance against Liverpool at Upton Park and
Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane with the illness and sad passing of his
father. Against Liverpool, our no. 8 dominated the midfield against Steven
Gerrard and co, scoring a brilliant goal from outside the box passed the
diving Pepe Reina.
Against Spurs, just hours after his father's passing, Parker produced one of
his finest West Ham performances, battling with a strong Tottenham team to
help earn us a point in a difficult away fixture.
Despite being relegated, Parker won the FWA player of the year and only lost
to the emerging Gareth Bale for the PFA award.
Understandably, Tottenham came knocking for our warrior in the midfield once
we had become a Championship club. However, this was not to deter Parker
from his West Ham duties and he duly made four further appearances for the
club, scoring against Watford at Vicarage Road.
Times are changing for the better at West Ham, with the arrival of quality
and skilful footballers into the team and much credit has to be given to the
owners for picking the club up whilst it was on its knees.
Our bright future awaits us in Stratford come August and I am excited for
the adventure that awaits us all ahead once the curtain falls upon the
Boleyn Ground.
Bobby Moore, Trevor Brooking, Billy Bonds and Paolo Di Canio should all be
considered the kings of Upton Park.
However, the warrior of E13, the man who raged against the dying of the
light and filled that unforgiving minute with 60 seconds of distant run was
Super Scotty Parker.
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'SUCCESS BREEDS SUCCESS' AND WILL ALWAYS CONTINUE TO DO SO!
By S J Chandos 24 Feb 2016 at 08:00
WTID
The quality of the 1-5 victory over Blackburn Rovers cannot be praised
highly enough. Although we had our customary sluggish start, and fell a goal
behind, it was superb the manner in which we roared back to claim an
emphatic passage in to the FA Cup quarter-finals. As previously stated, we
must improve the urgency with which we start matches, as it could prove
costly against different opposition. Yet, regardless, the passing and
movement was a joy to behold and we looked likely to score every time that
we attacked their half. Especially when Lanzini was re-united with Payet in
midfield. It really reminded us what we have been missing in recent weeks.
And with the impending return of Sakho, Carroll, Reid and Tomkins things can
hopefully only improve in the run-in to the season's end. The quarter-final
draw could have been better, but we have no need to fear Manchester United
these days. Lets be positive and see it as an opportunity to excel. If we do
win the FA Cup this season, no one can say we did not earn it or had an easy
ride to glory. Which will make the achievement all the more impressive and
satisfying.
The display at Rovers only further underlined to me the scale of improvement
in the quality of the squad that the club have assembled and how crucial
this summer's transfer dealings are going to be taking us further forward.
This is most definitely not a time for complacency, nor a myopic retreat in
to some comfort zone notion of success on the 'never, never.' The
opportunity is there now and the club must grasp it. That means retaining
our best players (which I have every faith we will do this summer),
upgrading one or two and securing the extra quality to ensure that we can
compete at an even higher level next season. For me, a 'gradualist' or
'incremental' approach may have been correct in a different set of
circumstances. However, the quality of the club's recruitment over the past
two seasons has taken us behind that point. No, the 'iron is hot' and we
need to strike it without delay. Low expectations/lack of ambition have
always been the problem at West Ham in the past. As a club we will
positively benefit from some raised expectations/standards. It is healthy
and higher expectations/standards always accompany success anyway, so we
might as well reconcile ourselves to it! And the very best way of doing that
is by realising them.
We need Champions League qualification next season. Otherwise, we will
remain vulnerable to losing our best players to those clubs that can offer
it. I do not think this is a threat in the short-term, but if we continually
fall-short on CL qualification it could become a different matter. Are there
any fans who can deny that players of the quality of Payet, Lanzini and
Sakho deserve to play in the CL? So, lets ensure that they do, sooner rather
than later, and it is in a West Ham United shirt. Also, CL qualification (or
imminent potential to achieve it) will be a factor in attracting top quality
players to the club in future. 'Success breeds success' and we must not be
afraid of it. On the contrary, we must embrace it, with the realisation that
we are entering unfamiliar territory(with new pressures and demands) called
'sustained success.' The new stadium beckons and actual developments show
that all the negative soothsayers were wrong about the OS. They argued that
the club would struggle to fill a stadium of that size. Well, the season
tickets have been sold, demand outstrips supply and it will be necessary to
expand the OS's capacity to keep pace. That has happened largely because of
the decisive action taken by the board in recruiting Slaven Bilic and
backing him in the transfer market. Which, in turn, has led to a revolution
on the pitch, the style of which, has motivated people to want to watch the
team in action. Yes, success definitely does breed success and we must keep
the accelerator pressed to the floor. Standing still next season will
effectively mean slipping back, as the existing PL elite utilise their
substantial transfer resources in an attempt to reinforce the status quo.
Lets not make that mistake! I am certain the board are aware of this and
will do whatever is necessary to keep the club ahead of the curve.
So, it is Allardyce's Sunderland up next, which is a match with added spice
– for obvious reasons. After the glory of the FA Cup, it is back to the
business of locking-on and attempting to chase down that 4th spot. We sit
seven points behind Man City, in 4th, and anything is still possible if we
both maintain our form and have a bit of luck with other results. We may end
up not doing it this season, but I want to be able to say, come the season's
end, that we kept chasing that 4th place, maintained our PL results and
finished as high as we could. At the very least, that means a top six
finish. I certainly do not want to see PL results trail off, as we focus on
progressing in the FA Cup. With the quality of our squad (and injuries
permitting), we should be able to do both.
Obviously, there is going to be a lot of attention on Sam Allardyce and his
problematic relationship with the Hammers fans. Ideally, I would like to see
our fans rise above it all and focus on supporting the team. However,
realistically, there are always going to be supporters who will relish the
opportunity to 'have a go.' So, it is likely that there is going to be some
off-the-pitch hostility towards our ex-manager. However, I prefer to focus
on the response on the pitch. This is the perfect opportunity to make a
major point to Mr Allardyce that there is a 'West Ham Way,' this is what it
looks like and your team has just been steamrollered by it!. I would love to
see the team beat Sunderland with stylish and expansive attacking play and
secure a substantial victory. In short, ram home the point where it counts –
on the pitch, rather than fan hostility off of it.
Sam Allardyce has secured Sunderland a bit of momentum and is capable of
setting up his side to nick a win if we are off our game and/or players have
their heads elsewhere. No one wants Allardyce to walk away feeling justified
in his controversial comments about the club and its fans, so it is up to
Bilic and the team to ensure that does not happen. After Saturday's match I
sincerely wish Sunderland well. They are a good community based club, with
industrial origins and working-class traditions (much like us), and I would
like to see them survive the drop.
However, we need to use this match to further underline our new found
professionalism and ability to maintain PL results and position. If we are
on our game I see a comfortable Hammers win. So, I am going for a 3-0
victory, with anything extra an added bonus. COYI!
SJ. Chandos.
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West Ham defender Angelo Ogbonna has cheeky message on Twitter for Italy
coach
HITC
Mathew Nash
The Italian had a message for Antonio Conte as he looks to end his absence
from national selection. West Ham United have been in excellent form this
season and much of that form is down to some shrewd recruitment in the
summer. The club of course brought in star player Dimitri Payet, but the
impact of Italian defender Angelo Ogbonna cannot go unnoticed. He was signed
from Juventus in a deal reported by the BBC to be worth around £10 million.
He has since gone on to feature 20 times for the club this season and even
found the back of the net with a crucial header to knock Liverpool out of
the FA Cup. His form will, he hopes, be catching the attention of his
national team boss Antonio Conte. He posted this cheeky photo and message
for the Italy head coach on his Twitter account yesterday:
Angelo Ogbonna ? ?@OgbonnaOfficial
Who knows if Mr. Conte has my English number??!!
#WholivedhopingdiedIcantsayhow #NationalTeam #Azzurri #Italy
6:16 PM - 23 Feb 2016
Ogbonna currently has 10 caps for the Italian national team, after making
his debut in 2011. However he last played for Italy back in October 2014 as
a late substitute against Malta and has not been in contention for some
time. Hopefully the West Ham player can catch the eye of Conte and get his
chance to shine in the European Championships this summer.
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West Ham transfer news: Victor Camarasa tops wishlist as Slaven Bilic
prepares for life at Olympic Stadium
The 21-year-old is rated as one of the best young midfielders in La Liga
Jack Pitt-Brooke @jackpittbrooke 51 minutes ago0 comments
The Independant
West Ham United have targeted Levante midfielder Victor Camarasa as they
begin to prepare for their first season in the Olympic Stadium. Slaven
Bilic's side, sat in seventh in the Premier League, are facing the prospect
of European football next season and have identified the Spain under-21
international as part of their summer of ambitious recruitment. Camarasa is
rated as one of the best young midfielders in La Liga, and is an integral
part of the side who are currently struggling second from bottom in the
table. If Levante are relegated to the Segunda Division they will have to
sell Camarasa, and West Ham are confident that they could sign him for as
little as £3million this summer. Stoke City were thought to be interested
in him during last month's transfer window, before settling for the
higher-profile Gianelli Imbula of Porto instead, while Newcastle United were
also keen. 21-year-old Camarasa is an imposing box-to-box midfielder who has
caught the eye this season with his ability from dead-ball situations and
eye-catching goals from long range. If he came to West Ham he would
compliment their already powerful midfield options of Cheikhou Kouyate, Mark
Noble and Pedro Obiang. West Ham have already started their ambitious
planning for their new era by tying Dimitri Payet to a new £125,000 per week
deal which will last until 2021. With more contracts on the way for their
biggest players, as well as a summer of signings, West Ham are hoping to
step into the ranks of England's bigger clubs. "Many other clubs are selling
clubs," Slaven Bilic said at a press conference last month. "But we are
moving stadium, we are talking and acting like we are going to try – not
overnight – but trying to go up as a club. For me, the most important thing
regarding that is not to sell your best players." Speaking before Payet
signed a new deal, Bilic said that him staying at the club would help to
attract new players. "Keeping Payet would attract other players as well,"
Bilic said. "Because they would think not only about playing with Payet, but
that West Ham thinking big and long term."
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Despite MacAnthony comments, West Ham should keep Martin Samuelsen next
season
HITC
Vincent Ralph
The young Norwegian is ready for more minutes in West Ham United's
first-team. Recent comments from Peterborough United chairman Darragh
MacAnthony during a question and answer session on Periscope suggested that
West Ham United midfielder Martin Samuelsen could be a loan target again
next season provided Posh earn promotion to the Championship. The
18-year-old has been brilliant since he arrived at the League One club, his
standout performance to date coming in the FA Cup fourth round replay
against West Bromwich Albion when he outperformed his more experienced
opponents from beginning to end. That match may have gone the Baggies' way
following a penalty shoot-out but it also proved emphatically that Samuelsen
is a future Premier League star, and while MacAnthony may feel the Hammers
will loan the youngster out at a higher level next season, they would be
wise to keep him at Upton Park. Manager Slaven Bilic has seen what injuries
can do this season and while he has the players to cope, Samuelsen would
have been a wonderful option from the bench. Of course at just 18 the
Norwegian will take time to reach the top of his game but he should be
training day after day alongside the likes of Dimitri Payet and Manuel
Lanzini; players he can learn from and ultimately emulate. You only need to
watch Samuelsen play for a few minutes to see he has what it takes, and
while a Championship loan spell would make a degree of sense, it would be a
braver and arguably smarter choice to keep him at West Ham and slowly give
him the chance to shine.
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