Late double denies Hammers
WHUFC.com
West Ham United 2-2 FC Slovacko
Pre-season Match, Tuesday 19 July 2016, Stadion Rohrbach, Rohrbach, Austria
West Ham United were pegged back late in the opening game of their tour of Austria as FC Slovacko struck twice in the final five minutes to deny Slaven Bilic's side victory. The Hammers were cruising after Mark Noble and Ashley Fletcher netted either side of the break and looked well on course for the perfect start to the tour. But Czech First League side Slovacko did not give up and earned themselves a share of the spoils when half-time sub Eldar Civic twice found space inside the area to fire home.
West Ham have a chance to go one better on Wednesday when they take on Russian side Rubin Kazan. Darren Randolph and Enner Valencia were named in the starting line-up following their return from featuring on the international stage for Ireland and Ecuador earlier this summer. After an early booking for Slovacko's Tomas Kosut for a heavy foul on Pedro Obiang, the Hammers began to seize control and Sofiane Feghouli sent over a delicious eleventh-minute cross which Martin Samuelsen headed over the top. Kosut was getting too tight to his man and Valencia took advantage to spin away from him with 22 minutes played. He knocked back to Feghouli, who clipped a cross towards Josh Cullen, but the Czech side cut his dangerous ball out. Slovacko then enjoyed their best spell of the half as Jaroslav Divis nodded wide from a decent position before three corners on the spin came to nothing. Eight minutes before the interval the breakthrough arrived when the Hammers made a strong period of possession count. After working the ball inside from the right, Cullen passed into Samuelsen, who had snuck into space on the opposite flank. The Norway international cut back to Noble, and the No16 did the rest, firing into the bottom right-hand corner. Valencia then blasted a free-kick over the top before Slaven Bilic made five changes at the break, giving Gokhan Tore and Ashley Fletcher first run outs in Claret and Blue.
Just two minutes into the second half, Slovacko thought they had drawn level when former Ipswich Town man Velice Sumulikoski rose highest to nod home. However, the referee spotted a push and the Hammers' lead stood intact. It was a lead that doubled four minutes later when two of the youngsters introduced at the break combined in devastating fashion. Domingos Quina shifted the ball onto his right foot to make space for a cross, and his pinpoint delivery found Fletcher, who steered his header into the bottom right-hand corner. Cheikhou Kouyate had a shot blocked by the legs of goalkeeper Milan Meca and Quina saw his effort from 25 yards deflect behind as the Hammers looked for a third. There was to be a late sting in the tail though, as Slovacko's Civic struck twice in the final five minutes to bring his side level. Both goals came from inside the box, and the equaliser was emphatic as he controlled Davicek's pass before slamming home.
West Ham United: Randolph (Spiegel 71), Byram, Burke, Rice (Martinez 74), Page (Antonio 46), Noble (Kouyate 46), Feghouli (Tore 46), Cullen, Obiang (Browne 69), Samuelsen (Quina 46), Valencia (Fletcher 46)
Subs not used: Adrian, Reid, Cresswell, Carroll, Antonio, Nordtveit, Makasi
Goals: Noble 37, Fletcher 52
FC Slovacko: Meca; Simko (Omyla 46), Kosut (Tok 46), Rada, Reinberk; Sutiulikoski, Danicek; Biolek (Civic 46), Mavlik, Kerbr; Divis
Subs not used: Mlupik, Koro, Ravic, Sadilek, Brecka
Goals: Civic 85, 89
Booked: Kosut
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FT: Peterborough United 1-2 Development Squad
WHUFC.com
FT: That's it! Darren Deadman blows his whistle and the Hammers have secured a valuable victory. Of course, still early in the pre-season but nevertheless the result will be pleasing for all concerned. Even more impressive was the number of eye catching performances out there today. Plenty of positive to discuss!
90+1: GOAL!! Surely a winner?! Alex Pike despatches his penalty coolly after Dan Kemp was brought down following a lovely flicked pass by Luka Belic, excellent play all round. 2-1!
90: Golden opportunity to notch in the final moments as Kemp is played in by Luka Belic. Somehow Taylor makes the save...
88: Final change of the game sees Josh Pask replaced by Ben Johnson.
85: Late pressure from the hosts with a series of corners, Trott does superbly to punch acrobatically to safety.
82: Hector-Ingram twists and turns on the edge of the box, finds a bit of space and directs a shot which is parried and out for a corner. Akinola attacks it but the hosts manage to clear.
80: Two more subs for the Hammers, the Belic brothers are coming on in place of Noha Sylvestre and Grady Diangana - both have out in real shifts tonight.
77: Santos is substituted after falling awkwardly, he's been there best player tonight, a commanding presence at the back throughout.
74: The match is becoming increasingly more stretched with chances at the back for both sides. Anthony Scully is on for Jaanai Gordon.
70: Hector-Ingram goes on a mazey run, it's all Posh can do to foul him, however they play it short and the chance comes to nothing.
68: Dan Kemp shows lovely feet to spin his man and then wins the foul, excellent play from the winger.
65: Peterborough ring the changes as seven substitutes prepare to come on. The Hammers also take the opportunity to make a change as Jahmal Hector-Ingram replaces Sam Ford.
62: Mercifully, the temperature has dropped but the pace of the game certainly hasn't. The hosts have grown in stature since the equaliser and are pressing for a second goal.
58: Westley makes some further changes as youngsters Mason Barrett and Alfie Lewis are replaced by Conor Coventry and Rosaire Longelo.
50: Gordon really looks hungry tonight, he runs onto the ball over the top, tries to lift it over substitute goalkeeper Mark Taylor only for Santos to clear it off the line!
47: We're back underway and not exactly the start the Hammers had in mind. Coulthirst goes haring down the right-flank, gets goal side and is felled. He picks himself up and sends Trott the wrong way. 1-1.
46: Just the one change for the Hammers at half-time as Dan Kemp replaces Joe Powell in a like-for-like swap.
45: Andrew Hughes tries his luck from distance, and he connects ever so well as the ball whistles past the far post. Half-time.
43: Pike wins back possession superbly and then finds Diangana who needs no invitation to burst forward. He plays a good ball to Gordon, driving into the box, yet Ricardo Santos outmuscles his marker.
40: Five minutes to go until half time and a very good one from a West Ham point of view. That's not to say Peterborough haven't had their chances, it's certainly all to play for!
36: Coulthirst looks to make the most of a loose ball as he drives toward the edge of the box. He lets fly, it's not a bad effort but Trott is comfortable enough to watch it fly past the far post.
34: Diangana shows a clean set of heels as he takes it from the right touch line to edge to the edge of the box and plays in Powell. Posh have defenders back in numbers and they manage to crowd him out.
31: Bermudan-born Nathan Trott is alert and on his toes to grab Coulthirst's shot from the edge of the box.
28: Posh continue to press and Pike does superbly to get his head to Ferrier's cross, Da Silva Lopes was lurking just behind and almost certain to score.
24: Mason Barrett is having a busy afternoon as the majority of the attacks are coming down his side, but he's doing well and puts an end to another attack with another brave tackle.
21: Coulthirst is in, and he should score, yet a combination of Pask and Akinola get a crucial block in. The first, and eventually second, corner is cleared.
19: Hayden White dinks a floated cross into the six yard box however Alex Pike is on hand to head the danger away. His clearance falls to Ford who tries to play in Gordon but the pass has just too much on it.
17: Despite the heat, this game is being played an impressive tempo and competitiveness. Very little 'friendly' about it. Grady Diangana is showing so very bright signs, as is Lewis who blazes narrowly over from 25-yards.
13: Giving Pask the captaincy looks to be a stroke of genius so far, he's take the mantle and then some. Nothing's getting past him in the early exchanges, and he looks calm and composed in possession.
11: Again, Posh respond strongly. Callum Chettle shows a burst of pace and lays it to Ferrier on the right-wing, he makes room for the cross and finds Shaquile Coulhirst who blazes over.
8: Another chance! Superb football from the youngster - Terry Westley must be loving what he is seeing. Joe Powell and Alfie Lewis and dictating the tempo, Powell feeds Gordon who in turn plays in Sam Ford. The striker spins on a six-pence and lashes it goalward, forcing Ben Alnwick into a fine save at the near post. That move deserved a goal!
5: Moments later Posh look to equalise however Morgan Ferrier is denied by a superb save by the on-rushing Nathan Trott. Frantic and open start. The travelling Hammers are loving it!
3: GOAL! What a start for the Hammers. Josh Pask wins the ball superbly, bursts forward, beating two men, splits the defence and Jaanai Gordon is on hand to slot it home - excellent finish. 1-0. COYI!
1: Here we go then! Josh Pask, tonight's captain, leads the side out in front of a healthy crowd. The hosts are in traditional blue and white, the young Hammers are in the new away kit of white shirt and socks with electric blue shorts. It's Posh to get us under way...
7.20pm: Westley makes six changes to the starting XI that played against Chelmsford City last Friday. Trott, Pike, Barrett, Pask, Ford and Diangana all keep their places, while Lewis, Akinola, Powell, Sylvestre and Gordon, facing his former side, come in for Cullen, Antonio, Fletcher, S Westley and Coventry.
7.15pm: Good evening all, I hope you've all enjoyed the sunshine today! It's still absolutely sweltering here at the Abax, making what appears to be a tough test even harder for Terry Westley's youngsters.
Peterborough United: Alnwick, White, Hughes, Santos, Tafazolli, Bostwick, Chettle, J Anderson, Coulthirst, Da Silva Lopes, Ferrier
Subs: Tyler, Freestone, Nabi, Taylor, Maddison, Nichols, Taylor, Inman, Smith, Baldwin, Edwards, Stevens
Development Squad: Trott, Pike, Barrett, Lewis, Akinola, Pask, Powell, Sylvestre, Ford, Diangana, Gordon
Subs: Kemp, Matrevics, Hector-Ingram, Scully, Coventry, L Belic, K Belic, Wells, Johnson, Longelo
7pm: Hello and welcome to tonight's coverage from the Abax as a youthful Dev Squad take on League One Peterborough. Team news to follow shortly.
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From the Boardroom - David Sullivan
WHUFC.com
The start of the new season is nearly upon us and we are now preparing to play our first game in the UEFA Europa League after the draw was made for the third qualifying round last week. We will be heading to Slovenia or Belarus and I would like to thank the two clubs and UEFA for agreeing to reverse the tie We have announced our prices for the home tie which will be our first game at the new Stadium on Thursday 4 August and have once again shown that we will continue our longstanding commitment to affordable family football. We have priced our first game incredibly cheaply to allow as many supporters to come as possible, as we also have a mouthwatering friendly against Juventus three days later.
I was shown around our new home last week and I can assure our fans that they will be impressed. The seats are bigger, the transport links are fantastic and this will be a Stadium that the West Ham fans will be proud of. Slaven and the players are currently working hard in Austria as they continue their pre-season preparations and the new signings we have made are getting to know each other in the build-up to the first Premier League game. The hard work continues behind the scenes as we look to bring more new players into the squad.
Our search for a new forward has been well documented and we have been working hard to negotiate moves for some big name strikers. Ideally we would have had someone in place by now but sadly that has not proved to be the case and the forwards we have targeted want to play Champions League football. Whatever deal we offer to that player, if he wants Champions League football he will not come to us. We have still got some fantastic strikers at the Club and we were the fourth highest scorers in the Premier League last season. In a perfect world I would like to think we will bring in a top class striker before the transfer window closes at the end of August, but if that doesn't happen I have every confidence in our current strikers to continue doing the business.
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Bournemouth ballot for Claret Members
WHUFC.com
A ticket ballot for West Ham United's historic Premier League curtain raiser at London Stadium is to open exclusively to Claret Members at 9am on Wednesday 20 July.
Claret Members have until 5pm on Wednesday 27 July to enter the ballot for the landmark visit of Bournemouth on Sunday 21 August, as the Hammers start out life on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
To do so, Claret Members are required to login to their Ticketmaster account via www.eticketing.co.uk/whufc, select the fixture and add to basket.
The Club is keen to ensure that Claret Members can sit alongside friends and family for the unmissable fixture, and so fans wishing to apply with other members should include all client reference numbers in the one transaction, and, if successful, will be seated together.
By becoming a member today, supporters not only ensure access to the ballot, but will be guaranteed exclusive ticket priority for every Premier League home game during the first season in our stunning new Stadium.
With 50,000 plus Season Ticket Holders, an even greater number on the waiting list and tens of thousands of Claret Members already registered, Claret Membership is your access to home match tickets in this unique season.
Membership is priced at just £40 for adults and £25 for under-16s, with supporters already on the Season Ticket Waiting List eligible for a £5 discount.
Similarly, Claret Members can also join the Season Ticket Waiting List for the reduced price of just £5.
Supporters entering the ballot have the option of selecting up to a maximum of two price points. If you are happy to accept any price band, and thereby increasing the likelihood of being successful, kindly select your preferred area of the Stadium and leave the second option blank.
Cat B Adult U16s/U21s/O65s/Dis.
1966 £60.00 £60.00
Band 1 £50.00 £25.00
Band 2 £45.00 £22.50
Band 3 £40.00 £20.00
Band 4 £40.00 £20.00
Band 5 £30.00 £15.00
The ballot closes at 5pm on Wednesday 27 July and successful supporters will be notified via email on Thursday 28 July.
Hospitality packages for this fixture are available to buy now from £349 +VAT per person. For further information and to purchase, email corporatesales@westhamunited.co.uk or call 0871 091 1811*.
*Calls cost 10ppm plus your networks access charge.
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Jurcevic happy with Slovacko workout
WHUFC.com
West Ham United might have been pegged back at the death in Tuesday's 2-2 draw with Czech side 1. FC Slovacko, but assistant manager Nikola Jurcevic preferred to focus on a positive performance. The Hammers were the dominant force at the Stadion Rohrbach in Austria and looked well set for victory when Mark Noble and Ashley Fletcher netted in 16 minutes either side of the interval. Martin Samuelsen, Enner Valencia and Cheikhou Kouayte all went close, only for Slovacko man Eldar Civic to notch twice in the final five minutes. It meant the Club's tour to Austria started with a draw, but Jurcevic was pleased with the workout and the display his team gave. He explained: "It was a very important test for us, because we were playing a similar opponent to those who we will face in the Europa League qualification games. "I think we played very well for most of the game, but in the finish did not have enough concentration for those final minutes. We made a lot of changes and some players were tired too. "However, overall we can be satisfied with this match because we trained hard yesterday, we trained hard this morning and we played also without some of our important players. "All together, I think it was a good performance from our team. Results are not so important in these test games, it is much more important is to be fit for our games in Europa League qualification and the Premier League."
The Hammers are now close to having their full squad back from their international commitments in Europe, South America and Africa over the summer and Jurcevic is delighted to see it all coming together. He continued: "For us, it was a boost to have the players back and they played together for the first time in a long time. "You could see Kouyate, Feghouli, Tore, Valencia, Randolph, they're all in good shape and their performance was very good."
The Hammers are back at it quickly, with a game against Rubin Kazan on Wednesday, so Jurcevic is looking forward to another useful 90 minutes. He added: "Now we play Rubin Kazan on Wednesday and we will mix the team again. Maybe we will have some young players at half time, and we will play with more of the experienced players too. "We'll have players like Nordtveit and Cresswell and I think in every game we play we will be better. "We were happy with everything in America, where we made a good job, and now we've started the second part of pre-season and we are absolutely happy with everything here in Austria."
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Europa League tie reversed
WHUFC.com
Shakhtyor Soligorsk of Belarus or NK Domzale of Slovenia will be first visitors to London Stadium
UEFA confirm that tie has been reversed and West Ham United will be at home on 4 August
Ticket for UEFA Europa League home opener on sale to Season Ticket Holders from Tuesday 19 July
West Ham United can confirm that Slaven Bilic's side will host Shakhtyor Soligorsk of Belarus or NK Domzale of Slovenia on Thursday 4 August in the UEFA Europa League third qualifying round second leg. The Hammers' agreement with both potential opponents to reverse the tie was given the go-ahead by UEFA on Monday, with the first leg being now being played away from home on 28 July. The second will take place at the London Stadium - West Ham's first-ever fixture at the Club's new home - at 7.45pm on Thursday 4 August. Tickets for this eagerly-anticipated European match go on sale to Season Ticket Holders from 9am on Tuesday 19 July, with a priority window open until Sunday 24 July. In line with the Club's longstanding commitment to affordable family football, Adult prices start at just £10 for Bands 4 and 5, with all U16 tickets in Bands 1-5 just £5 for this prestigious fixture.
Hospitality packages are also available from £199 per person. For further information and to purchase, email corporatesales@westhamunited.co.uk or call 0871 091 1811*.
Full Ticket Prices
Band Adult U21s/O65s U16s
1966 £25.00 £25.00 £25.00
Band 1 £20.00 £20.00 £5.00
Band 2 £15.00 £15.00 £5.00
Band 3 £15.00 £15.00 £5.00
Band 4 £10.00 £10.00 £5.00
Band 5 £10.00 £10.00 £5.00
Owing to the date of the Europa League fixture, there will be 54,000 tickets available for the game, so it is possible that some Season Ticket Holders will not have access to their Season Ticket seat. The newly-configured East Stand will already be in its final, football-ready state, meaning Season Ticket Holders in the East Stand will be unaffected and able to sit in their seasonal seats. In other areas of the Stadium where this is not the case, the Club will do everything possible to find supporters the best alternative seats. Tickets go on sale to Season Ticket Holders from 9am on Tuesday 19 July, with a priority window open until Sunday 24 July.
For those who do not have to access to their regular seats for this fixture, there is also the option of an additional 48-hour window, when all previously unsold Season Ticket seats will become available. This will begin at 9am on Monday 25 July and finish on Tuesday 26.
Remaining tickets will be made available to Claret Members from 9am Wednesday 27 July to Thursday 28 July. In the unlikely events that any tickets are still available, General Sale will begin at 9am Friday 29 July.
Additionally, for both the UEFA Europa League fixture and the Betway Cup against Juventus, supporters will be issued with paper tickets.
As well as being advantageous operationally, the Club hope supporters will appreciate having a physical memento of these landmark fixtures in West Ham history.
*Calls cost 10ppm plus your networks access charge.
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Westley hails positive experience
WHUFC.com
Sam Westley is aiming to build on a strong start to pre-season with tonight's friendly away at Peterborough United
The 22-year-old enjoyed a successful loan spell at partner club VVV Venlo
The full-back is looking for further first team experience with a loan in the Football League
Looking ahead to the Development Squad's pre-season friendly with Peterborough United later this evening, full-back Sam Westley spoke of his positive experience while on loan at partner club VVV Venlo. The 22-year-old was the first player to relocate to the Dutch outfit, who went agonizingly close to winning promotion to the Eredivisie, losing out in the play off semi-finals. Reflecting on his time away from east London, Westley has only positive things to say of the experience: "My nine months away was really positive, everything that came out of it was good, both on and off the pitch. "Living in a new country, a new language, different style of play. It took me a while to get into the team because the team was in good form, winning almost every game. We only lost a few games all season. So the manager was picking the same team, fair play really, I'd do the same. "When I did get my chance, we won and it went from there, so it was good."
Now back in the West Ham fold, Westley played the first half of the young Hammers' first friendly of their pre-season preparations – a 2-0 defeat away at Chelmsford City. He continued to describe the difference in lifestyle and culture between the English and Dutch approach to football. Westley explained: "The football was very technical, each stadium apart from two had astro-turf pitches. That in itself makes you play a bit more football, which is good. "Off the pitch, everyone spoke English so that helped massively. I hadn't moved out of home before so it was a big learning experience. I had to learn to cook and generally look afterward myself so it was a big life experience. "I 100% would recommend going out there. The football is obviously the main reason, but added to that, the off-pitch stuff is also very important."
Having clearly enjoyed his time at Venlo, Westley is eager to gain further first team experience on this side of the channel. "I'd like to stay in England this year, look around and see what the options are in League One or League Two. "Winning the U21 Cup last year has helped draw attention to the Dev Squad, so a lot of people are watching our games, it's a good standard but first team football is very important."
In the meantime, Westley is preparing to face the challenge of League One side Peterborough United, kick off tonight is 7.30pm. He finished off by saying: "It was good to get 45 minutes last Friday and to get out there playing. Pre-season has gone well so far, I'm feeling good. "Actually playing, back with the boys is nice. It was 0-0 at half-time, a competitive game so it was good preparation."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 19/07/16 AFTERNOON NEWS ROUND-UP!
BY MITCH FOYLE-YORK ON 19 JULY 2016 AT 4:10PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Deportivo La Coruna's midfielder Lucas Perez celebrates after scoring a goal during the Spanish league football match RC Deportivo de la Coruna vs Sevilla FC at the Municipal de Riazor stadium in La Coruna on December 5, 2015. AFP PHOTO / MIGUEL RIOPAMIGUEL RIOPA/AFP/Getty Images
Tyrese Campbell… The battle begins!
The Daily Mail are reporting that West Ham will have to fight off PSV Eindhoven for promising young forward Tyrese Campbell. It is reported that the Dutch club are willing to offer the young striker a solid offer, and it is also rumoured he may even get first team game time for PSV.
Lucas Perez interest:
According to SPORT, West Ham are interested in signing 27 year old striker Lucas Perez, from Spanish side Deportivo. Perez registered 17 goals and 8 assists last season for the Spanish side, and received a lot of praise from Spanish Football experts. In my opinion, this would be a solid signing.
Calleri gets Italian passport:
According to more reports in South America, Calleri has finally been issued his Italian passport. This means he should, if we are to go by rumours, sign for the Hammers in the very near future.
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WEST HAM 2-2 FC SLOVACKO – MATCH REPORT
BY BRIAN KNOX ON 19 JULY 2016 AT 7:29PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
West Ham played their 3rd pre-season game this afternoon in the Stadion Rohrbach in Austria against their Czech opponents FC Slovacko.
The Hammers named a mixture of 1st team and development squad players in their starting line-up which included the returning Darren Randolph after his excellent exploits for Ireland at Euro 2016 in France.
The back four consisted of Sam Byram and Lewis Page at fullback and the (King of Bradford) Reece Burke and young 17 year old Irish youth International Declan Rice at centreback. Captain Mark Noble anchored the midfield with Pedro Obiang and the returning Josh Cullen. Summer signing from Valencia, Sofiane Feghouli started on the right wing with young Norwegian Samuelsen on the left and Enner Valencia made his first appearance of pre-season in the lone striker role.
The Irons started the game brightly and Samuelsen had the first sight of the FC Slovacko goal in the 12th minute but his header went over the bar after good work from Feghouli. The Algerian was in the thick of things once again as this time he beat numerous men before setting up Valencia but his header also missed the target.
FC Slovacko had a decent spell of pressure for 5-10 minutes but never really troubled the solid Hammers back four or Randolph in goal.
The opening goal came on 37 minutes and what a cracker it was from the Captain. Josh Cullen fed Martin Samuelsen in on the left side and he waited for the perfect moment to cut the ball back for Noble to smash the shot past Meca.
Slaven made five changes at half-time introducing new signings Gokhan Tore and Ashley Fletcher for the first team debuts and also bringing on Michail Antonio, young Portuguese star Domingos Quina and returning midfield powerhouse Cheikh Kouyate.
FC Slovacko started the second half the brightest and within 2 minutes they had the ball in the net but the referee blew for an offence the and the goal was disallowed.
Within 5 minutes Ashley Fletcher kick started his West Ham goalscoring career with an excellent header which beat Meca once again to his left to double the Hammer's advantage over their Czech opponents. This time it was the 16 year old Domingos Quina that set up the goal with a superb cross.
The Hammers more or less controlled the game for the next 20-30 minutes until FC Slovacko started to put some pressure on our back four. With Noble and Obiang off the pitch the midfield looked a little light from a defensive viewpoint and the Czech's side pressure told with two late goals to level the game at 2-2 after Randolph had been replaced by Raphael Spiegel.
Poor marking from a young Hammers' defence allowed Eldar Civic to sneak in and pull a goal back for his side following a corner.
The east Londoners fell asleep again in the 89th minute and Civic grabbed his second goal of the game.
Although Slaven might be a little disappointed that his side didn't hold on to win the game I'm pretty sure he'll be really pleased by some of the performances out there, especially from Burke and Rice who were very solid for the 70 odd minutes they played together and the start Ashley Fletcher made with his goal and overall performance.
The Hammers won't have much time to prepare for their next game though because it will be same time tomorrow against Rubin Kazan.
Match Ratings
Randolph 7
Byram 7
Page 6
Burke 8
Rice 8
Noble 7
Obiang 7
Cullen 7
Samuelsen 6
Feghouli 8
Valencia 6
Subs
Fletcher 7
Tore 6
Antonio 6
Quina 7
Kouyate 7
Martinez 6
Browne 6
Spiegel 6
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CARETAKER RANTS "IT IS NOT FOOTBALL MANAGER, GET REAL"
BY EXWHUEMPLOYEE ON 19 JULY 2016 AT 9:28PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Hi everyone, it's been a while since I have had to write a column and have a moan but after reading so much nonsense on twitter for the last month or so I've decided to have a rant!
The club have made several high profile bids for strikers, who for different reasons have pretty much turned us down. They were what you would consider 'big names' for us given the situation we are in, yet I've read loads of feedback from fans who seem to know where we went wrong in our failed bids.
Apparently we left it too long to sign Batshuayi and Chelsea pounced to sign him. What a complete load of rubbish! Signing a player (despite what many of you think) isn't like football manager. The club simply couldn't click a couple of buttons to fast forward the week. Chelsea would have been monitoring him for a while, and didn't suddenly decide to sign him because they read on twitter that we had made a bid for him. The fact he joined Chelsea over us, is totally understandable.
In the case of Lacazette many have claimed it was simply a case of 'giving him an extra 50K a week'. That isn't how football works. Again, it's not football manager with an imaginary budget that can be ignored. The club is run like a business, as is pretty much every football club. Gold & Sullivan aren't hugely successful businessmen for no reason. Lacazette it seems is either holding out for someone like Arsenal or is happy to stay at his hometown club where he has champion's league football next season. Again, totally understandable.
Carlos Bacca is holding out for Atletico Madrid, or maybe even Arsenal depending on what you want to believe. We have had a bid accepted and offered him a large contract. If he decided to join either of the clubs mentioned instead of us then why on earth is that the board's fault?
Another theory I've seen a lot of people mention is that they are only putting in these bids for show, as they knew they wouldn't get accepted. Do people who say that really believe it? After everything they have done for the club do people still think they don't want the best for us? People almost liken the situation to a bloke being drunk at an auction bidding on things he can't afford and doing it to look rich.
Which moves onto my next point. The constant moaning and whinging on Twitter about the fact we haven't signed a high profile striker yet is bad enough. But the comments and sometimes abuse that is aimed towards David Gold and David Sullivan's two sons is simply unacceptable. It is downright ungrateful in my opinion, especially on the back of such a successful season and with the move to the Olympic stadium literally round the corner. I can assure you that the owners are just as every bit disappointed as the rest of us are about our failure (so far) to capture a top striker. If they were only interested in taking the money then they would have already sold the club and made a fortune on their original investment.
Adrian, Antonio, Cresswell, Ogbonna, Kouyate, Payet, Lanzini and Sakho have all been signed in the last two years and are all pretty much first team players. Surely there is enough evidence there to suggest that the board/Slaven will get it right? If the transfer window closes and we are left with Sakho, Carroll and Valencia then I think a lot of the negativity could be justified but considering we are in mid-July I think a lot of people need to be more patient.
Whilst not quite as bad as what I have described above I keep reading people expecting the club to put in bids for players who are miles out of our league. Suggestions we should stick in a big bid for Griezman are completely laughable. Why would one of Europe's hottest players leave a club like Atletico to join us? Cavani is another player we should be trying to make a move for apparently…….get real people, we cannot run before we can walk with these top players. It wouldn't show ambition trying to sign either player, it just shows stupidity.
All this moaning and it almost gets forgotten that we've already signed some excellent players this summer. Tore, Feghouli and Nordvelt are great additions to the squad given that there were some very good teams also after them. The bottom line is guys, just have some faith in the owners/manager to get it right. If the transfer window closes and we still haven't splashed the cash on a striker then by all means come and abuse me, but let's wait until then yeah?
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IF I OWNED WEST HAM-OUR ALTERNATIVE ITK COLUMN.
BY EXWHUEMPLOYEE ON 18 JULY 2016 AT 10:49PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Before we start it is important to point out that this column is not written by ExWHUEmployee but by a very well placed source whose feature is called "If I owned West Ham"
If I owned the club, I would have hoped to have a striker by now. I personally think we could have got Janssen, as he must know deep down he will be second choice at Spurs behind Kane. However, we did not and Janssen has gone off to the dark side! Therefore this column will not be about 'what if's', but instead about who you could see coming to West Ham this window.
The main man at the moment is Bacca, but this transfer has gone on for weeks and weeks, which makes me think that we may be back-up for him. There has been talk about him going to Spain, where he has played twice before and was very good. However, Costa has handed in a transfer request today at Chelsea, maybe meaning Atletico will not need him and he will come to us! Personally I would love to see Bacca, for me he is one grade down from world class and has never failed in any league so far. His record speaks masses to me, I have watched him throughout his career and he is really very talented! He is one of the best poachers I've ever seen, therefore age shouldn't be too much of a worry. I belive the board know that Bacca is more of a short fix than a long term one, like Lacazette would have been. I believe at this time it is what the club need, as we do not have champions league football, something we are close to, if you ask me!
If Bacca does not come, I think we need to look at people like Slimani, Mauro Icardi and Kévin Gameiro. I have heard all three players would come, all for about 35 million euros. Gameiro showed he can score in the Premier League, as he scored against Liverpool in Europe this year. He got 16 goals in 31 games in La Liga last year and was great throughout their European campaign, with 8 goals in 9 games, although he is 29 years old and getting on a bit. Someone a little younger is Icardi, he is only 23 and a superstar at Inter. He has scored one goal in every 2 games since he was 20, again a fantastic striker in a very defensive league. The one problem with Icardi, is there is talk that he is difficult in the changing room. Slimani is someone who could be a gamble, a gamble that could pay off or he could be a flop. Slimani plays for Sporting and was fantastic this year scoring 27 goals in 33 games, with 7 assists as well, but once again he is 29 years old. Slimani has only ever been 1 in 2 as well through his time in Portugal, therefore was this year a purple patch?
At West Ham I can't see Sakho or Enner staying, I think it is just a waiting game as others come up with the money for them. For me 15m+ for Sakho is great and although he has potential I can't see him reaching it at West Ham, or maybe ever with his attitude! It is clear he doesn't want to be at West Ham, so for me it's bye bye. I want players who want to play for the club and he has also had his fair share of problems since he has been in England. I think Enner also is someone who needs to go, he has had two years and has struggled to score in our league. A possible replacement for both of these players could be Berahino. If we did a swap deal I would be happy (although whether the board will be has been a talking point), or maybe Ben Yedder. Berahino may be trouble, but I feel a fresh start could be good for him and he would have something to prove if he did come. People are talking about Ben Yedder, however, for me he is not the 20 goals a season striker, although he would be amazing back-up. Someone else who has been talked about is Calleri, he is another gamble but Sullivan loves a South American! This one could pay-off if he can pull it off, as there are lots of top reports on him.
As always I hope you enjoyed my column and it will be very interesting to see what the board do with in the next few weeks…..I hope sooner rather than later.
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19/07/16 LUNCHTIME NEWS ROUND-UP!
BY MITCH FOYLE-YORK ON 19 JULY 2016 AT 11:09AM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Sakho can only leave IF…
According to Mirror Football, David Sullivan has told Diafra Sakho he can only leave if West Ham sign a suitable replacemant. This, if true, could cause yet another soap opera drama with the troublesome forward, who recently refused to travel to Austria with the rest of the squad.
Sullivan breaks silence on Bacca:
David Sullivan has told The Mirror that Bacca is "hanging about looking to get best deal". However, money does not seem to be the issue. The issue is that Bacca wishes to play Champions League football, and is fending off the Hammers because Athletico Madrid and Sevilla are interested. However, yesterday the Athletico president said that Costa is close to rejoining them, so they have pulled out of the race to sign Bacca.
Adrian gives Payet some TLC:
West Ham's number 1 (or number 13 in this case), Adrian has told the media that he thinks "Payet deserves a rest?". A rest? I think Dimi deserves a gold medal and the keys to Stratford!
Obiang to leave?
According to Tuttosport, highly rated CM Pedro Obiang is seeking a return to Italy as soon as possible. It is believed that Cagliari are very interested in this situation. Pedro himself did tweet something which suggested he would be staying in East London, but as we know, that means nothing. I hope we do not let Obiang to, as he is extremely underrated, and could grow into a top-class player.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 2015/16 in review: April
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 19th July 2016
By: Graeme Howlett
Join us as we take a look back at the 2015/16 season through the eyes of KUMB Editor Graeme Howlett, who penned a weekly column for the Echo newspaper throughout the campaign.
Today we look back at January and February in the penultimate part of our review...
3 April
When both sets of players and managers agree that a player has been harshly sent off, it's difficult to express sympathy with the referee. And when your team had been the victim of a string of similarly-poor calls, it's perhaps no surprise that conspiracy theories begin to emerge,
Only two people have been outspoken in their support of referee Mark Clattenburg's decision to dismiss Cheik Kouyate for a robust but fair challenge on Dwight Gayle during Saturday's 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace at the Boleyn Ground.
One was MotD's commentator, whose view can be dismissed on the basis that he claimed Kouyate went into the challenge two-footed and with studs showing - which simply didn't happen. The other was pundit and ex-Arsenal star Ian Wright, who face the Hammers in their next fixture - sans the influential Kouyate, as it stands.
At the risk of beginning to sound like a broken record, Slaven Bilic's frustration is entirely understandable. Robbed of an FA Cup semi final spot at Old Trafford and two vital Premier League points at Stamford Bridge days later thanks to dreadful decisions, West Ham's season is being affected - negatively - by bad calls from officials.
And the myth which suggests these poor decisions even themselves out over the course of the season is just that - a falsehood that simply has no evidence to support it, yet plenty to suggest otherwise.
In order to determine how much teams are affected, over at Talksport they have been compiling a list of incorrect decisions by referees throughout the season. The aforementioned conspiracists won't be shocked to see the Hammers bottom of this table, having received four incorrect calls in their favour this term - and 11 against.
Conversely, the table is topped by Manchester United (eight for, one against), Leicester (surprisingly perhaps with twelve for and seven against) and then Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester City.
So whilst it may be going too far to suggest the game is bent - even though it has been claimed in recent days that a great number of Premier League stars have been administered performance-enhancing drugs - it seems that somehow, enough pressure is being exerted upon match officials to cause them to award marginal decisions in favour of the league's elite clubs when push comes to shove.
However the real shame about Kouyate's dismissal and Clattenburg's generally awful performance is that it completely overshadowed another incredible free kick by Dimitri Payet, who is probably the world's premier dead ball specialist at this point in time.
10 April
Slaven Bilic refused to criticise referee Craig Pawson following West Ham United's 3-3 draw against Arsenal on Saturday for fear of sounding "ridiculous".
Bilic - whose team were denied a deserved three points by yet more contentious decisions - has always been uncomfortable using his press conferences to castigate officials for their shortcomings. And it's probably just as well he opted not to examine Pawson's mistakes, as those of us in attendance may have been there all night otherwise!
Pawson - like Bobby Madley at Stamford Bridge and Martin Atkinson at Old Trafford in the weeks preceding this highly-anticipated London derby - gave virtually every 50/50 decision in favour of the visitors, including three crucial goal-related decisions that altered the course of the game.
The 36-year-old official - who was jeered off the pitch at the final whistle, much like Mark Clattenburg following the clash with Crystal Palace last weekend - ruled out a perfectly good Manuel Lanzini goal, allowed a marginally-offside Mesuit Ozil strike to stand before overturning a Dimitri Payet effort as punishment for Andy Carroll committing a foul (that was a 50/50 challenge) moments before in the build-up.
Pawson's erratic performance left Bilic and around 35,000 West Ham supporters fuming, and wondering just what could have been had the PGMOL's 'finest' performed both fairly and adequately this season.
By rights, West Ham should already be in the semi finals of the FA Cup (instead of facing a replay against Manchester United on Wednesday night) and in the top four of the Premier League - a position denied them as a result of a string of mystifyingly-poor calls.
And when former Tottenham star Gary Lineker - no great fan of the Hammers - suggests on Match of the Day that Bilic and his players have every right to feel hard done by, you know it's not simply paranoia that leads one to wonder if everything is above board here.
Sadly Pawson's shortcomings overshadowed what proved to be a thrilling London derby, the last in Upton Park and one that will be fondly remembered for Andy Carroll's stunning hat-trick - almost certainly the last ever to be scored in a competitive fixture at the Boleyn.
Unsurprisingly, the goal-fest led to renewed calls for Carroll to be reintroduced to the England squad, who are preparing for this summer's European Championships in France. Whilst I'm clearly biased, there is nobody in this country as adept in the air as the big, likeable Geordie and it'd be a smart move by Roy Hodgson to take him along.
However having seen the likes of Aaron Cresswell and the in-form Mark Noble continuously denied a crack at the national team by the myopic Hodgson, I - and thousands of fellow West Ham fans - won't be holding our breath...
17 April
Jamie Vardy became the 18th player this season to be sent off in a fixture involving West Ham as title-chasing Leicester held United to a 2-2 draw at the King Power Stadium.
And once again the main post-match talking point this weekend was the referee's performance, rather than any piece of individual skill or flash of brilliance created by one of the 22 players on show.
This week it was Jon Moss' turn to be at the centre of the controversy as he saw fit to dismiss England striker Vardy for diving (a second bookable offence), award a penalty to West Ham after Wes Morgan pushed Winston Reid at a corner and then make amends in the final minute of extra time by awarding the Foxes possibly the weakest penalty you'll ever see.
Moss, whose last game involving West Ham resulted in him erroneously dismissing Cheik Kouyate at Blackburn in the FA Cup (a decision later overturned upon appeal) enjoyed the unusual distinction of being booed off by BOTH sets of supporters following Sunday's clash at the King Power Stadium.
But the sad fact is that these incidents will continue to occur until such time as the Premier League finally see fit to introduce video technology in all areas, as the professional game - especially in the top flight where the stakes are that much higher - is rife with cheats who seek to exploit every possible avenue in order to gain their team an advantage.
Back to the match itself for a moment, where West Ham gave another excellent account of themselves despite falling behind early against a side destined to be crowned league champions this season.
Vardy's first half goal looked like being enough to earn the Foxes yet another 1-0 win until Andy Carroll slotted home from the penalty spot with full time approaching following Morgan's foul on Reid. That in itself was something of a collector's item, being as it was West Ham's first Premier League penalty away from home in some FIVE years!
When Aaron Cresswell volleyed West Ham ahead with just four minutes of normal time remaining it looked as if the Irons had done enough to secure all three points; that was until Moss' crucial intervention, as he awarded the hosts a spot kick deep into added-on time to even things up from which Leonardo Ulloa profited.
The 2-2 draw - West Ham's seventh of an exhilarating season - should be considered a good point but it does the Hammers few favours in their quest for European football next season. The Champions League is all but gone now, whilst Liverpool's game in hand gives them the edge now in the race for sixth place.
24 April
With the FA Cup semi finals in full swing, Slaven Bilic and his West Ham United squad were afforded a rare weekend off.
Although the manager and his players would no doubt have preferred to be in action on Saturday afternoon against Everton at Wembley, the recent quarter final replay defeat at the hands of Manchester United put paid to the Hammers' chances of going any further in the competition.
Of course, by rights West Ham should have been in the semi final without the need for a replay, but referee Martin Atkinson somehow failed to spot Bastian Schweinsteiger's blatant shove on goalkeeper Darren Randolph milliseconds before Anthony Martial's late, late equaliser at Old Trafford in the first meeting.
And that's been the story for West Ham in recent weeks, where a sting of mystifying decisions have essentially killed off any lingering hopes the Hammers may have harboured of qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in their history.
Whilst those may be bitter blows for Bilic, the popular Croat should take solace from a string of outstanding achievements so far season, his first as a manager in the Premier League.
Last weekend's 3-1 win against Watford extended West Ham's unbeaten run at home to 15 Premier League games, a top flight record for United. And with just four games of the season left to play the Hammers have 56 points with a positive (+14) goal difference.
That in itself may appear to be relatively unremarkable, but West Ham's record points tally in a 38-game campaign is 57, achieved on Harry Redknapp's watch nearly 20 years ago, meaning the current squad merely need one more point to match it.
And as incredible as it may seem, you have to go back to 1985/86 and the much-vaunted 'Boys of '86' to find West Ham last finishing a season in the top flight with a positive goal difference, which barring a total collapse will be emulated in a few weeks' time.
Bilic has already started making plans for the 2016/17 campaign, which will commence in August at the Olympic Stadium (which will be known as something quite different by then due to naming rights).
And it's to youth that he's currently turned, with the capture of highly-rated striker Toni Martinez (19) from Valencia and, so it seems, Portuguese midfielder Domingos Quina - still only 16 - from Chelsea's Academy.
KUMB.com exclusively revealed last month that Bilic has already moved to sign 25-year-old Norwegian defensive midfielder Havard Nordtveit from German Bundesliga side BMG; he'll replace Alex Song who is returning to Barca.
So whilst this season may not be ending quite as we'd hoped, there's still plenty of reasons to be cheerful for Bilic, his squad and us fans as the curtain begins to close on a campaign that began way back in July against Andorran minnows Lusitanos in the Europa League qualifying rounds.
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West Ham Utd 2-2 FC Slovacko
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 19th July 2016
By: Staff Writer
An entertaining pre-season friendly ended in stalemate as FC Slovacko came from two down with just five minutes to play to earn a share of the spoils. A first half strike from Mark Noble gave West Ham a half time advantage here in their latest pre-season friendly, the first of three in Austria this week. And when new signing Ashley Fletcher registered his first goal in a West Ham shirt just six minutes after entering the fray, it looked as if Slaven Bilic's side would go on to comfortably record their first win of pre-season. However two late strikes from the Czech First League side stunned the Hammers to earn a draw. The first, on 85 minutes came from Eldar Civic who forced the ball home from close range. And with just seconds of the game remaining, Slovacko gave their small but noisy band of travelling fans the perfect ending when the Bosnian midfielder grabbed his second, with substitute goalkeeper Raphael Spiegel perhaps slightly at fault. Next up for the Hammers is a potentially far tougher test against Russian Premier League side Rubin Kazan, also here in Austria, tomorrow afternoon.
West Ham Utd (starting XI): Randolph, Byram, Burke, Rice, Page, Cullen, Obiang, Noble, Samuelsen, Feghouli, Valencia.
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Sullivan expresses concern at lack of signings
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 19th July 2016
By: Staff Writer
David Sullivan has admitted that he is concerned by West Ham's inability to land any of their key summer targets. Co-owner Sullivan, speaking in an interview with Darren Lewis for the Mirror revealed that he had been left hugely frustrated at a constant stream of rejections from the likes of Michy Batshuayi, Alexandre Lacazette and Vincent Janssen already this summer. And the 67-year-old was forced to admit that it is a possibility that the Hammers may not sign any big money strikers this summer - despite the Board having earmarked a new forward as an essential requirement for the new stadium. "The problem is every striker you go for, there are 10 others clubs interested in him," said Sullivan. "So the player is just hanging about looking to get the best deal. I can't say I blame him. "In a perfect world I would like to think we will bring in a top class striker but we've all got limits on what we can pay. I am a little concerned because I'd like to have signed one by now. But it is what it is. "I would say to people if we don't bring anyone in it is not the end of the world as we were the fourth highest scorers in the Premier League last season – and we haven't lost a striker."
So far this summer Sullivan has sanctioned the purchase of Havard Nordtveit, Sofiane Feghouli, Gokhan Tore and Manuel Lanzini for the first team, whilst the highly-rated Ashley Fletcher, Toni Martinez and Domingos Quina have been added to the Academy ranks.
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Exclusive: Carroll denies injury rumours
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 19th July 2016
By: Staff Writer
Andy Carroll has told fans he is raring to go - despite reports suggesting that he could be sidelined for a matter of weeks. Carroll, who is in Austria with Slaven Bilic and the rest of the first team squad preparing for this afternoon's pre-season friendly with FC Slovacko told KUMB's Matej Mutis that rumours suggesting he is unable to play were wide of the mark. "I talked to AC for a few minutes before the training and he said he isn't injured," Bratislava-based Mutis told KUMB. "After that, he took part in full training with the squad. The only player doing individual [fitness] work was Winston Reid. However he also said that he isn't injured, but it was more like a precaution."
Unlike the recent US tour, Bilic has the bulk of his first team squad available for this week's pre-season tests against FC Slovacko (today), Rubin Kazan (tomorrow) and Karlsruher (Saturday, 23 July). The only players missing from the tour party are Euro 16 stars Dimitri Payet, James Collins and Angelo Ogbonna - plus Diafra Sakho, who reports suggest refused to travel to Austria with the rest of the squad. And according to Mutis, the team looks ready to face Slovacko later today following a strong session this morning - whilst he was particularly impressed by at least one recent signing. "It was light training (some 70 minutes) with 10 against 10 on maximum of three touches," he said. "Of course you can't judge a player after just a short period of time, but Sofiane Feghouli really has some magic in his foot. Toni Martinez looked very-promising too."
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Exclusive: Valencia tight-lipped on future
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 19th July 2016
By: Staff Writer
Hammers striker Enner Valencia refused to comment this morning when asked about his future plans. The £12million-rated Ecuador international is set to leave West Ham this summer having been made surplus to requirements by Slaven Bilic. However he refused to comment on recent speculation when confronted by KUMB's Matej Mutis this morning. "I asked Enner about his situation and he said he is not sure what will happen," said Mutis, who visited the club's training camp in Austria this morning. "When I mentioned Lazio [with whom he has been linked in recent weeks], he just smiled; I suspect he will leave as soon as we manage to sign a replacement."
Mutis, who spoke to a number of players and staff during today's training session also manged to chat with goalkeepers Adrian and Darren Randolph, the latter of whom has also been linked with a move away from West Ham this summer. "I told them 'I hope you both stay'," he added. "Randolph looked at Adrian and joked 'I'm not sure about you, but I am definitely staying' - to which Adrian replied: "I have a contract and I'm staying too!' They both seemed to get along very well."
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Manchester City make official approach to sign West Ham starlet Reece Oxford - Sky sources
By Sky Sports News HQ
Last Updated: 19/07/16 9:18pm
SSN
Manchester City have made an official approach to West Ham about signing youngster Reece Oxford, Sky sources understand. However, City have denied to Sky Sports News HQ that that is the case. Oxford, the 17-year-old central midfielder who shot into the public eye in an impressive display against Arsenal on the opening day of last season, is understood to be valued at £15m by the Hammers. Sky sources understand that the East London club have already turned down a £10m bid for Oxford from Bundesliga club Red Bull Leipzig, while Newcastle have requested to take him on a season-long loan. Oxford rejected a new contract at West Ham at the end of last season, with his current deal still carrying him through to 2018. He made his Hammers debut in the Europa League first qualifying round in July 2015 following Slaven Bilic's arrival as manager, and then became the youngest Premier League player when he started against the Gunners last summer.
He has since played a further 11 games for West Ham but his last may have come as a substitute in the 3-0 win over West Brom at the Hawthorns on April 30.
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West Ham blow two-goal lead against Czech minnows Slovacko to remain winless in pre-season
19:11, 19 JUL 2016 UPDATED 19:11, 19 JUL 2016
BY JACK RATHBORN
Mark Noble and Ashley Fletcher gave the Hammers a two-goal lead but the Synot Liga side stormed back late on to earn a 2-2 draw
The Mirror
West Ham squandered a superb opportunity to pick up their first victory of pre-season with FC Slovacko grabbing two late goals to earn a draw. Mark Noble had given Slaven Bilic's side the lead in the first half when he expertly adjusted his body to slam home a half-volley from the edge of the area into the bottom right corner. Bilic sprinkled plenty of young talent throughout the friendly and was duly rewarded when youngsters Domingos Quina and Ashley Fletcher combined for the latter to double West Ham's lead early in the second half. Quina - who recently signed from Chelsea - sent over a looping cross that Fletcher - a new recruit from Manchester United - converted with a glancing header. West Ham unravelled in the final 10 minutes though with Eldar Civic grabbing a late double to stun the east Londoners. Bilic will not have long to correct mistakes though with West Ham set to take on Rubin Kazan on Wednesday.
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West Ham stars 'duped by conman who lured them in with promise of cut-price Christmas hampers'
Telegraph Reporters
19 JULY 2016 • 3:14PM
The Telegraph
A West Ham employee has told a court he was duped into inviting an alleged conman into the club to sell luxury goods and hampers which never materialised. Player liaison officer Tim De'Ath arranged for a man who called himself Mark Kingston to set up a stall at the football club's training ground after being given his number by then team captain Kevin Nolan. Stephen Ackerman, 48, is accused of defrauding former West Ham manager Sam Allardyce and 12 other players and staff, also including England striker Andy Carroll, out of thousands of pounds by selling them Christmas hampers which were never delivered. Ackerman, of Loughton, Essex, denies 19 charges of fraud, with the alleged proceeds amounting to a total of more than £60,000. The defence argue that Ackerman, who was picked out by Mr De'Ath in an identity parade, was not the man who purported to be Mark Kingston. Mr De'Ath told jurors at Snaresbrook Crown Court that many of the players bought discounted hampers and champagne as Christmas presents from Mr Kingston on December 12 2014. He said: "I ordered three cases of Laurent Perrier champagne and six bottles of Cristal champagne but I never actually paid for anything. "I think the Cristal champagne was a lot cheaper than what you could get it for in the shops. "Most people that actually ordered stuff from him paid on their cards using a chip and pin machine. "A lot of them said they were for Christmas presents so obviously to get them before Christmas."
Ackerman appeared in court wearing a dark suit, white shirt and maroon tie, and took notes throughout the hearing. Prosecutor Richard Milne said he arrived at the club "with all the trappings of a successful businessman", driving a black Range Rover and sporting a silver watch, before tempting staff and players with heavily discounted hampers containing Belgian chocolates, Yorkshire crisps and champagne. He then used a chip and pin machine to obtain the details of several of those who paid by card and access their accounts, Mr Milne said. Mr De'Ath said he was told the goods would be delivered the following Monday, December 15. When he phoned Mr Kingston that day to chase them, he was told the delivery had been delayed because of "the amount of orders".
Mr Kingston said he had spoken to Harrods and Fortnum & Mason. Mr De'Ath said when he contacted Mr Kingston about the delivery, he was given a number to track the orders, but when he searched for it online "there was no such number". The website address he was given, http://www.designerhampers.com, then disappeared from the internet when he checked it on Saturday December 20. Mr De'Ath said he tried to contact Mr Kingston again but by then "his phone had then gone as well - there was no dialling tone to the phone ... I couldn't get in contact with him at all".
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Slaven Bilic takes West Ham training hours before friendly in Austria as new signing Toni Martinez enjoys an ice bath
Andy Carroll and Mark Noble trained hours before West Ham's next friendly
Hammers face Czech side Slovacko at 5pm on Tuesday in Austria
New signing Toni Martinez enjoyed an ice bath at West Ham's Austria base
Carroll said he is relishing pre-season after missing out in recent years
By RORY BRIGSTOCK-BARRON FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 14:45, 19 July 2016 | UPDATED: 14:45, 19 July 2016
West Ham are cutting no corners as they prepare for their first season at the Olympic Stadium as Slaven Bilic had his players out on the training pitch just hours before their next friendly. Still searching for their first victory of pre-season after a defeat and a draw during their tour of the US, the Hammers face Czech side Slovacko at 5pm on Tuesday.
But Andy Carroll and co were put through their paces at their training camp in Bad Tatzmannsdorf, Austria, despite the upcoming fixture. While some of Bilic's players went through ball work in small groups, new signing Toni Martinez gave the thumbs up from an ice bath. The 19-year-old, who scored more than 100 goals in four seasons in Valencia's youth sides, sealed a £2.4million move from Spain in spring and already look initiated into the squad. Tuesday's clash is the first of three friendlies in eastern Europe with fixtures against Rubin Kazan and German team Karlsruher SC. With the friendly against Rubin Kazan coming on Wednesday it is likely that those who underwent the more vigorous training on Tuesday will feature against Kazan rather than the same-day clash with Slovacko.
Carroll, who many thought should have been selected as part of England's Euro 2016 squad, said he was enjoying pre-season after missing out over the last few years due to injuries.
'I can't wait [for the start of the season],' he told whufc.com. 'It's been a long time since I had a pre-season, so I'm really looking forward to starting the new season and before that the Europa League game that's coming up. 'I felt strong at the end of last season. I was injured for a bit at the start, but I came back and felt good. 'I scored some goals, was involved in important games and just want to carry that on this year. 'I'm feeling good. Coming out to Austria and getting myself fit is important. I might miss a couple of games in pre-season just to keep myself fresh and not rush into things, but I'm looking forward to it.
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West Ham winger set off 'Tore-ing' trend in Turkey
Posted by Emre Sarigul July 19, 2016
www.turkish-football.com
West Ham signed Gokhan Tore on a one-year loan move from Besiktas at the start of the month after a lengthy transfer saga. Tore has joined his new teammates for pre-season and is busy preparing for the Premier League campaign. The Turkish international winger scored his first ever league goal under the stewardship of current West Ham boss Slaven Bilic – who was previously in charge of Besiktas. Tore set off a trend in Turkey with his goal celebration which simply became known as Töre-ing. The celebration involves covering ones face with your hand. The 24-year-old revealed the reason behind his celebration shortly after. Tore stated that it was a game his grandmother played with him as a child. Tore was given up for adoption shortly after his birth in Koln, Germany. His grandparents were however, able to win back custody when he was two and hold a special place in his life.
It was his grandfather Sabri who introduced him to football. Tore grew up in a rough part of town but his grandfather made sure he focused on football, taking him to training every week until he passed away aged 14. His final wish was for Tore to play for the Turkish national team and just a year later he broke into the setup makings debut on August 10 2011.
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West Ham insist transfer of Diafra Sakho cannot happen until they have signed a striker
22:30, 18 JUL 2016 UPDATED 23:30, 18 JUL 2016
BY DARREN LEWIS
The Senegal frontman wants to go and clubs at home and abroad are keen but the Hammers missed out on Michy Batshuayi and are now waiting on Carlos Bacca
The Mirror
Diafra Sakho has been warned by West Ham that he will not leave the club unless they first sign a replacement. Senegal striker Sakho's relationship with the east Londoners has broken down, and he has been accused of refusing to fly out for their pre-season trip to Austria. The 26-year-old also handed in a transfer request at the start of the month, after West Ham rejected an £11million bid for him from Sunderland. And Sakho remained in the UK, complaining of illness, when West Ham toured the USA at the start of pre-season.
West Brom, Germany's Hamburg and Spanish side Sevilla are also interested in him. But Hammers chairman David Sullivan - who sold defender James Tomkins to Crystal Palace earlier this month - has insisted the club will not be bullied into flogging Sakho unless it suits them. Sullivan said: "He is not for sale until we get players in. Until we bring strikers in, we simply cannot let strikers go. "James Tomkins was different because we had a surplus in the centre-half department. But until we get at least a couple of strikers we can't let any forward go."
West Ham are continuing to wait on a decision from AC Milan striker Carlos Bacca after agreeing a £26m fee with the Italian club. Bacca wants parity with £125,000-a-week Dimitri Payet. West Ham have offered the Colombia international around £90,000-a-week. The 29-year-old was given time to consider the package after last week's talks, and is understood to be hoping Atletico Madrid make a counter-offer for him. Atletico only view him as their Plan B though, as they are pinning their hopes on persuading Chelsea to sell Diego Costa back to them. Sullivan added: "The problem is every striker you go for, there are 10 others clubs interested in him. So the player is just hanging about looking to get the best deal. I can't say I blame him."
The West Ham supremo has, however, moved to reassure fans concerned that he has not yet landed any of their striker targets. A deal was agreed for Marseille's Michy Batshuayi but then Chelsea swooped at the last minute to land the Belgian for £33m. Lyon have demanded more than £40m for France international Alexandre Lacazette, and the player himself has made it clear he will only leave for a club playing in the Champions League. Sullivan went on: "I would say to people if we don't bring anyone in it is not the end of the world as we were the fourth highest scorers in the Premier League last season – and we haven't lost a striker. "In a perfect world I would like to think we will bring in a top class striker but we've all got limits on what we can pay. "I am a little concerned because I'd like to have signed one by now. But it is what it is."
Sullivan has also insisted the Hammers' England frontman Andy Carroll will not leave, despite interest from several clubs. The 27-year-old scored nine goals during an injury-ravaged campaign last season, and Sullivan said: "Andy has just had the best six months he has ever had for the club and now he has had a couple of operations he should be over all his injuries. "So hopefully he should have an injury-free season and get 15-20 goals.
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West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady gives Sportsmail an exclusive tour of Olympic Stadium ahead of opening match
Head of Sport Lee Clayton is impressed with West Ham's new ground
Hammers chief Karren Brady led the way as she showed Sportsmail around
The name of every season ticket holder will be placed on interior walls
Supporters will be able to order food and drink via a mobile phone app
By LEE CLAYTON FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 12:26, 19 July 2016 | UPDATED: 12:31, 19 July 2016
'Yes, the stadium is beautiful. Nothing is ever perfect, but it's as close as we can get, but nobody is going to be saying "nice stadium Karren, shame about the team" if we do not take the opportunity to grow and improve.' So Karren Brady begins her personal tour of West Ham's new home. Just the two of us and few thousand builders still putting the finishing touches to areas such as the dressing room – initially chosen and designed by Sam Allardyce to replicate Real Madrid, but since stripped and redesigned by Slaven Bilic. Now it will look like West Ham's. I'll declare here and now: I like the stadium and I like what Karren Brady has done for West Ham. No, she didn't ask me to say that. Yes, I pay for my season tickets at the same price as everyone else. Yes, the legacy of the stadium was a mess from the start when athletics thought they could sustain it post-Olympics. Yes, West Ham have got an outrageously desirable deal.
Of course there are concerns about the running track and the distance from the pitch that is the greatest concern for all the locals, but having checked out various levels on my
visit, the views ('sight lines') are impressive and it's a small price to pay, if you'll excuse the pun. Wait until you've sat in it before you make up your mind. This was an invite to a private tour with the lady who has made the tenancy possible and is the first time I've attended the stadium in four years. I also understand what Upton Park means to West Ham supporters. I've been going there for more than 35 years too. The new place will take some getting used to. The former Olympic Stadium feels like a 'Cup Final' venue at present, a day out occasion, rather than a regular residence, but Brady and her team are still working on adding more claret and blue, more finishing touches. The walls inside, for instance, will have the name of every one of the 52,000 season ticket holders from the inaugural season. A clever idea.
There will be a welcome pack to help supporters to settle in, while guidance has been sought from other clubs who have moved into new stadia in recent times. Arsenal have been especially helpful and there is certainly a comparison to be had with the Emirates decor in the multiple bars and function rooms. One important piece of advice offered is that how you visit the stadium the first time will shape habits of the future. West Ham, as with on the pitch, know a strong start would be most useful to expel doubters. Brady also knows this is a chance to change perceptions. 'This stadium gives us an opportunity to help everyone think differently about West Ham. We have a modern stadium in London that I hope will make our supporters proud,' she said, wandering through the new club superstore. 'The culture that Slaven Bilic has brought to the club is that everyone looks up, not down.
'With that in mind, we have refurbished the training ground at Rush Green that will now become first team only. We have four new pitches laid, a warm up area, a warm down area. You name it. We are revising our levels across the club. 'When players come here, I want them to think that we are a club going places.' This is certainly not Upton Park.
In a challenging summer transfer market where finding a 20-goal striker is proving difficult, West Ham have kept all the players they wanted to keep, especially Dimitri Payet, who will not be allowed to go. There has been no contact from prospective takers but none has been sought, whatever the fee potential following his exciting Euro rendition.
It's impossible to imagine what the stadium might be like with Payet leading the play and 60,000 supporters, including 52,000 season tickets holders showing their appreciation. Or what it will be like to travel to and from the stadium. They are the next hurdles to overcome. I returned to King's Cross after my visit in six minutes by Javelin train. Tube and overground links to Stratford's travel hub are regular and with multiple options, which is important for allcomers, home and away.
The referee's room is larger than most, which West Ham fans may smile at given the decisions at the back end of last season which cost them points and games. Supporters attending the European tie on August 4 or the prestige friendly with Juventus three days later should arrive early. As with Wembley, this appears to be a stadium where fans can enjoy the hospitality in comfort and watching big screens, a long way from the dilapidation (and tiny concourse TVs) of their old stamping ground. Pricing of food and refreshments, of course, will be crucial to this plan. Supporters can order ahead for food and drink from an app and a multi-million pound investment in a Wi-Fi system - ready in October - should help this ambitious idea.
So it seems West Ham are almost ready, once the arena comes out of 'athletics mode' following the Anniversary Games, but are West ham fans ready for their new adventure? 'You say some West Ham supporters like to live in the past, talk about the glory days, but this is an opportunity to look to the future with ambition and pride. I believe the supporters will love the stadium, the players will be inspired,' Karren adds. 'OK, away teams may be inspired to play here too, but what do you want me to do about that? All home grounds give the home team an advantage. 'By the time the season starts, there will be no doubt that this is West Ham's new home. 'It will be truly ready for the opening Premier League home game against Bournemouth and hopefully fully ready in time for the home Europa League match and the opening ceremony against Juventus. We have work to do still, but I'm calm. I showed my board around last week and wanted to wait until it had got to this stage. 'For the first two games it will operate below normal capacity, at 54,000. They are not test events as they are proper events, but we will also use those for our fans to get a feel for the new stadium; locating their seats, working out where to go, where are the nearest toilets, that sort of thing.' The move will take some getting used to for many, beyond the inevitable teething problems. Not everyone embraces change.
WEST HAM'S FIRST FEW CONFIRMED FIXTURES AT THEIR NEW HOME
West Ham vs Juventus - August 7
West Ham vs Bournemouth - August 21
West Ham vs Watford - September 10
West Ham vs Southampton - September 25
West Ham vs Middlesbrough - October 1
For instance, it still takes 11 days for the stadium to go from athletics to football mode, although all hope that will become seven days thanks to a new 'skate system' which speeds up the moving of the seats and has been purchased. With that in mind, West Ham have already applied for their first two games next season to be away from home, following the World Athletics Championship. 'That comes with the territory,' Brady says, comfortable with the share. She has found little if any problems with her athletics partners.
One of the walls inside shows medals won here by Olympians as well as West Ham's World Cup titans and trophy winners. 'There's space for a few more, isn't there?', she motions.
'People say "the seats look far away" but it is still in athletics mode. 'Look, this is our new home and we have done all that we can to make it as comfortable as possible for our supporters and football-ready. I hope they will be proud, as I am.' A safe standing area was ruled out early. 'I spent enough time standing as a kid when I couldn't see to believe comfortable seating is the way forward.' This stadium is the way forward for West Ham. Not everyone will agree, but as someone said here in its old guise as the Olympic Stadium, let the games begin.
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David Sullivan offers update on West Ham's pursuit of Carlos Bacca
HITC
Olly Dawes
David Sullivan remains hopeful that Carlos Bacca could sign for West Ham. West Ham United co-chairman David Sullivan has told The Mirror that AC Milan striker Carlos Bacca is 'hanging about looking to get the best deal'. The Hammers have been searching for a big-name striker all summer, but have so far been left frustrated in their attempts to snap up a proven goalscorer. Their current target appears to be AC Milan star Carlos Bacca, who has established himself as one of the top strikers in Europe over the last three years.
Colombian international Bacca, 29, hit 49 goals in 108 games for Sevilla following a 2013 move from Club Brugge, and helped the La Liga side win two Europa League titles before heading to AC Milan last summer. With 20 goals in his first season with the Italian giants, Bacca again proved just how good he is in front of goal - and he seems to have attracted the interest of West Ham. - AC Milan's Carlos Bacca celebrates after scoring a goal.
Italian newspaper Gazzetta Dello Sport recently claimed that Bacca has turned down a switch to the Olympic Stadium after West Ham agreed a €30m (£25m) fee with Milan - but there may still be hope for the Hammers yet. The Mirror report that Bacca is hoping for a late move from Atletico Madrid, but they're prioritising a deal to re-sign Chelsea hitman Diego Costa, leaving West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan to retain hope that Bacca will move to East London. Sullivan told The Mirror that Bacca is 'hanging about' and looking for the best deal right now, and doesn't blame the player for weighing up his options. "The problem is every striker you go for, there are 10 others clubs interested in him," said Sullivan. "So the player is just hanging about looking to get the best deal. I can't say I blame him," he added.
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West Ham to battle Leicester as part of double striker swoop
WEST HAM are facing competition from Leicester for Toulouse's Wissam Ben Yedder, according to reports.
Daily Star
By Joel Watson / Published 19th July 2016
The Guardian say both clubs have been in touch with the Ligue 1 player's representatives as they sound him out over a summer move. The Hammers have been searching hard for more attacking talent this window, but look to have failed in capturing one of their first choice targets: Michy Batshuayi, Alexandre Lacazette and Christian Benteke. But a move for Ben Yedder could mean Slaven Bilic's side have two new players leading the line next season, as they also look close to securing Argentian striker Jonathan Calleri on a year-long loan.
How West Ham could line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation if they signed James Rodriguez
Monday, 18th July 2016
THIS is how West Ham's starting XI could look next season if they were to complete a sensational £67m move for James Rodriguez.
1 / 18
GK: Adrian - The Spanish stopper has proven himself to be a generally dependable keeper, although prone to the occasional mistake
RB: Michail Antonio - The number of wingers at the club suggests he could be deployed in defence again. Although shaky at the back at times, the Hammers haven't been linked with many right-backs, so perhaps Slav trusts him there
CB: Angelo Ogbonna - The strong and dependable centre-back should start at the heart of the defence for the Hammers next season
CB: Winston Reid - The defensively brave New Zealander should slot in alongside Ogbonna
LB: Aaron Cresswell - Impressive again last season and always looked dangerous going forward. There's very little competition for his place
CM: Mark Noble - Enjoyed some of his best days in a West Ham shirt last season, the skipper can run the game from the middle of the park on his day
CM: Cheikhou Kouyate - A monster of a player. The tough central midfielder should be one of the first names on the team sheet
RM: James Rodriguez - The £67m-rated superstar would cause carnage in a fluid attacking midfield system alongside Payet and Lanzini
CAM: Manuel Lanzini - The creative Hammers playmaker is a delight to watch and should keep his place in the team
LM: Dimitri Payet - So much of West Ham's potential success could depend on if they keep Payet. He's silenced all the doubters and has proven himself to be one of the best players in Europe
CF: Jonathan Calleri - West Ham look set to sign the Argentinian striker on a one-year loan deal after missing out on the likes of Bacca and Lacazette
SUB 1: Darren Randolph - A good backup to Adrian, Randolph will be trusted in cup matches and can be relied upon if the No. 1 is injured or suspended
SUB 2: James Collins - The commanding defender always gives his all and is a brilliant man to have in the changing room. Reece Burke should also find himself on the bench occasionally. Tomkins has now left
SUB 3: Sam Byram - Bilic clearly doesn't quite trust Byram fully yet but he should get some opportunities if a new right-back isn't signed. Hammers fans will be hoping to see more of their wonderkid Oxford too
SUB 4: Havard Nordtveit - The new signing should provide cover for the defensive midfield position
SUB 5: Pedro Obiang - The decent, all-round central midfielder can provide good backup
SUB 6: Gokhan Tore - Besiktas have confirmed that Tore has joined the Hammers on loan. Should be a brilliant piece of business. Exciting youngster Martin Samuelsen should also get a few chances
SUB 7: Andy Carroll - Found a brilliant run of form towards the end of last season. One of the best headers in world football, Carroll gives West Ham another option when chasing a game late on
Ben Yedder is approaching the final year of his contract with Toulouse and is expected to cost £8.3m. He was in fine form last year, scoring 17 league goals despite his side almost being relegated, surviving the drop by just one point. The Daily Mail claim Lazio have made a bid for Valencia. And earlier in the month they said Sakho had handed in a transfer request.
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Zinedine Zidane opens the door for Chelsea and West Ham in James Rodriguez pursuit
HITC
Damien Lucas
Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane looks to have opened the door to the likes of West Ham United and Chelsea who have interest in his fringe players. The Hammers have been linked with a shock record bid for Colombian star James Rodriguez as have London rivals Chelsea, as reported by respected Spanish outlet Marca. The record TV deal, increased revenue from having 52,000 season ticket holders - second only to Manchester United - money from the £10m sale of James Tomkins to Crystal Palace and potentially another £20-25m to come from the prospective sales of Enner Valencia and Diafra Sakho mean West Ham are cash rich this summer. Meanwhile Chelsea are backing new boss Antonio Conte with major funds in a bid to return to their former glory and have already signed Leicester City's N'Golo Kante and Michy Batshuayi for a combined total of more than £60 million.
Big bid can lure fading star
Marca reports that any club which matches the Colombian star's £67 million price tag would get the chance to speak to the player who is interested in a move to the Premier League having dropped down the Los Blancos pecking order. And now Rodriguez's manager Zidane has hinted he will need to trim his bloated squad this summer in a pre-season press conference ahead of Real Madrid's International Cup friendlies in Montreal, as reported by Sky Sports. 'It gives you problems' "A large squad gives you a few more problems but that comes with the territory as Real Madrid coach," Zidane said. "I have to play the most competitive side I can and I'll do the same thing this season, that's my responsibility."
If the Hammers and Blues do go head-to-head for James' signature the West Londoners would be clear favourites.
Hammers can trump favourites Blues with Bacca-up plan?
But West Ham co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold are desperate to land a marquee signing ahead of the club's big move to the 60,000 Olympic Stadium this summer. And should Slaven Bilic manage to tempt James' Colombia teammate Carlos Bacca to East London it may well help sway any decision on his future.
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Where can I watch West Ham's friendly with FC Slovacko?
By matt_harris | Posted: July 19, 2016
essexchronicle.co.uk
Cheikhou Kouyate is back after playing in African Cup of Nations qualifiers for Senegal. West Ham fans unable to make the trip to Austria will get to watch the first friendly of their tour on TV this evening. The Hammers take on Czech First League side FC Slovacko at the Stadion Rohrbach in Rohrbach, but the match will be screened live in the UK on Premier Sports, which is available on Sky, channel 428, Virgin 551 and TalkTalk. Kick-off is at 5pm. West Ham head into the match with Dimitri Payet still resting after his Euro 2016 efforts with France, while Diafra Sakho has refused to travel and there are question marks over Andy Carroll's fitness. Michail Antonio and Gorkhan Tore have linked up with the squad after missing the US tour, while Darren Randolph is the first of the club's Euro 2016 players to feature in pre-season. Enner Valencia has resumed training following his involvement with Ecuador in the Copa America, as has Cheikhou Kouyate, who has been playing African Cup of Nations qualifiers with Senegal.
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West Ham confirm Europa League third qualifying round fixture date reversed by Uefa
SAM LONG
Evening Standard
West Ham have confirmed they will play their first ever game at the Olympic Stadium on Thursday, August 4 after Uefa agreed to rearrange the club's Europa League third qualifying round fixtures. The Hammers were drawn against Shakhtyor Soligorsk or NK Domzale on Friday and had been originally expected to host their opponents on Thursday, July 28. But with a UK Athletics event set to take place at the Stratford venue between July 21-24 the stadium owners E20 Stadium LLP would have been left without the week needed to prepare the ground for football. West Ham asked Uefa to reverse the fixtures, with the permission of both of their potential opponents, which the governing body has now granted. A statement on the club's official website read: "The Hammers' agreement with both potential opponents to reverse the tie was given the go-ahead by UEFA on Monday, with the first leg being now being played away from home on 28 July. "The second will take place at the London Stadium - West Ham's first-ever fixture at the Club's new home - at 7.45pm on Thursday 4 August."
Ticket prices for the east Londoners' opening game at their new home have also been released, with fans able to see Slaven Bilic's side in action for as little at £10. West Ham originally planned to open the stadium in a glamour friendly against Juventus on Sunday, August 7, but must now fulfil their Europa League obligations for the Europa League prior to their date with the Serie A champions. Bilic's side finished seventh in the Premier League last term, which was enough to secure a place in Europe's secondary club competition after Manchester United won the FA Cup at the expense of Crystal Palace.
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Michail Antonio explains what will be crazy at West Ham next season
HITC
Michael Stevenson
The fan favourite can't wait to experience life at the Olympic Stadium. West Ham winger Michail Antonio has spoken of his awe at the club's new stadium, in an interview with whufc.com. The 26-year old was a surprise success last season after arriving from Nottingham Forest in the summer and he can't wait to strut his stuff at the Olympic Stadium.
West Ham's co owner David Gold poses outside the construction of the Olympic Stadium. "I didn't realise how big the stadium was until I got inside," said Antonio. "It is massive and hopefully the fans can create the same atmosphere that we had at the Boleyn Ground. "It is crazy that I will be playing in front of 60,000 fans every week. To have those fans pushing us every week will help us throughout the season. "Hopefully I can get the fans going with some more goals and I want the fans to send me ideas on what new ones I can do for them!" he added. Antonio joined the Hammers at the very end of last summer's transfer window for around £7 million – according to Sky Sports – and after initially struggling to break into the first-team, he soon became one of Slaven Bilic's key men. The energetic wide man appeared 32 times for the Hammers, scoring nine goals and grabbing three assists in the process, with some even calling for his inclusion in the England squad for Euro 2016. He will be hopeful of building upon his success next term and with new signing Gokhan Tore primarily operating on the right flank he will have to be on top form to retain his place. West Ham enjoyed an excellent campaign overall last season but will find it difficult to better their 7th place finish with the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea prepared to spend big to strengthen this summer.
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West Ham's Andy Carroll suffering with groin injury: Hitman set to miss European qualifier
WEST HAM have suffered another setback in their striking department with Andy Carroll set for a short spell on the sidelines.
By JACK STAPLEHURST
PUBLISHED: 22:34, Mon, Jul 18, 2016 | UPDATED: 22:49, Mon, Jul 18, 2016
Express.co.uk
The Hammers hitman is claimed to be having issues with his groin, adding to Slaven Bilic's problems in attack. Diafra Sakho has refused to travel with the team on their current pre-season tour to Austria as he seeks a move away from the club this summer. And while Enner Valencia is also edging towards an exit, Carlos Bacca is no closer to joining as he stalls on a £26million switch to east London from AC Milan. Carroll is one of few senior options upfront at the Hammers' disposal as things stand. And although he's travelled with the squad to train in Austria, Jack Sullivan - son of co-chairman David Sullivan - has confirmed on Twitter Carroll is out for up to two weeks. Website Claret & Hugh claim Carroll went for scans on Thursday morning at hospital due to feeling discomfort in his groin. With West Ham facing three friendlies this week, the England striker is not expected to feature as a result. Carroll's history of injury problems will lead the Hammers to be cautionary over his latest small blow. It could now be a race against time to see him fit for European action too, with Europa League qualifiers fast approaching. West Ham's third round of qualifying first leg tie is scheduled for July 28, meaning Carroll is more likely to feature in the return game and first ever fixture at the Olympic Stadium on August 4. Carroll is determined to push on this season though and get regular, extended action under his belt. "I felt strong at the end of last season, Carroll said. "I was injured for a bit at the start, but I came back and felt good. I scored some goals, was involved in important games and just want to carry that on this year. "I'm feeling good. Coming out to Austria and getting myself fit is important. I might miss a couple of games in pre-season just to keep myself fresh and not rush into things, but I'm looking forward to it."
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Injury-prone Andy Carroll leaves West Ham in a predicament ahead of Europa clash
HITC
Damien Lucas
West Ham United are struggling to bring in a top level striker ahead of their big Olympic Stadium move but can Slaven Bilic afford to rely on Andy Carroll? Jack Sullivan, son of Hammers co-owner David, confirmed rumours doing the rounds on social media this week that Carroll has picked up an injury and will miss around two weeks of key pre-season training.
The injury will also likely rule Carroll out of West Ham's crucial two-legged Europa League third qualifying round clash with either Belarus side Shaktyor Soligorsk or Slovenian minnows Domzale on July 28th and August 4th. It leaves Bilic in a real predicament having so far failed to land any of his prime striker targets after bids for Michy Batshuayi, Alexandre Lacazette and Carlos Bacca proved fruitless. Add in the fact both Enner Valencia and the rebellious Diafra Sakho look likely to be moved on with Lazio and Swansea pursuing the Ecaudorian and Sunderland chasing wantaway Sakho and it is difficult to see where West Ham's goals are going to come from. The Hammers were dumped out of last year's competition by minnows FC Astra in the same round they enter it this time out so cannot afford to take anything for granted. No-one is doubting the target man's work ethic. But it is a story West Ham fans have heard all too often before. When Carroll was signed on loan from Anfield by Sam Allardyce in 2012, it seemed a match made in heaven. The club even inexplicably wasted more than £10million on flop Matt Jarvis to provide the ammunition for the 6ft 4 star. Here was a player who cost Liverpool a record £35 million just the year before leading the attack at the Boleyn. Things could not have started much better for the big Geordie as he set up two goals during a towering display in 3–0 home win against Fulham. But a lengthy injury, two words that have cast a shadow over the 26-year-old's career so far, restricted him to just 24 appearances and seven goals that season. He made a long awaited comeback in the following February and scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over Swansea. But in the last game of that season at home to Reading, he was injured yet again.
The benefit of hindsight
Nevertheless the Hammers were unperturbed and pressed ahead with sanctioning an £18 million permanent deal on a six-year contract. It is a deal which outspoken West Ham co-owner David Sullivan has since admitted he wouldn't have done with the benefit of hindsight, as reported by BBC's Football Focus. Three seasons on, and four long-term injuries later, Carroll has become little more than an expensive bonus for West Ham. He always gives 100% and even told the London Evening Standard last season that he blames his full-blooded approach for the injuries he has suffered. When he is fit and firing there are not many better all-round forwards in the Premier League. But that is half the problem, he very rarely is. In the three seasons since making his move to Upton Park permanent, Carroll has made just 56 appearances, scoring 16 goals. The Hammers are taking the Europa League seriously this season and without him it makes qualifying that bit more difficult, even if the East Londoners should have enough quality to advance without him. Many West Ham fans have started to give up on the club's most expensive ever signing and Bilic clearly recognises the need to bring in more firepower. If the Hammers are to better their seventh place finish this season they simply cannot afford to rely on Carroll week in week out.
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West Ham tell wantaway striker Diafra Sakho he will not be sold until replacements have been brought in
Diafra Sakho handed in a transfer request as he looks to leave this summer
Striker refused to travel with the squad for their pre-season training camp
West Ham are on the hunt for a big-name forward replace him
Chief David Sullivan says Sakho will not be sold until they have found one
By KIERAN GILL FOR THE DAILY MAIL
PUBLISHED: 22:30, 18 July 2016 | UPDATED: 00:10, 19 July 2016
West Ham have told wantaway striker Diafra Sakho he will not be sold until replacements have been brought in. The 26-year-old refused to travel with West Ham's squad for their pre-season training camp in Austria and handed in a transfer request as he looks to leave this summer. It is no secret that West Ham are searching for a big-name striker but talks between the London club and Carlos Bacca's representatives have cooled. Bacca wanted to become West Ham's best-paid player alongside Dimitri Payet on £120,000 per week – double what the 29-year-old is currently paid by AC Milan – and that deal does not look close to concluding. David Sullivan, the club's co-owner, admits he is 'concerned' over their lack of additions in attack but had a word of warning for Sakho as he persists with his protest. 'He is not for sale until we get players in,' Sullivan told Sportsmail. Until we bring strikers in we simply cannot let strikers go. 'James Tomkins was different because we had a surplus in the centre-half department. But until we get at least a couple of strikers we can't let any forward go.' Sunderland had a £12million bid rejected for Sakho but are still interested in the Senegal international. They have competition, though, with West Bromwich Albion, Crystal Palace, Swansea City and Newcastle United also in the frame for the player with 15 goals in 43 appearances in the Premier League. Sullivan feels this is as 'barmy' a transfer window he can remember and insists it is tougher than ever to sign a striker. 'The problem is every striker you go for there are 10 others clubs interested in him,' Sullivan added. So the player is just hanging about looking to get the best deal. I can't say I blame him. 'I would say to people if we don't bring anyone in it is not the end of the world as we were the fourth highest scorers in the Premier League last season – and we haven't lost a striker. 'In a perfect world I would like to think we will bring in a top class striker but we've all got limits on what we can pay.' Asked if he is worried, Sullivan said: 'I am a little concerned because I'd like to have signed one by now. But it is what it is.' On Andy Carroll, who last season scored nine goals in 27 appearances in the Premier League, Sullivan said the forward is back to his best following injury problems. 'Andy has just had the best six months he has ever had for the club and now he has had a couple of operations he should be over all his injuries,' Sullivan said.
'So hopefully he should have an injury-free season and get 15 or 20 goals.'
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Wednesday, July 20
Tuesday, July 19
Daily WHUFC News - 19th July 2016
Preview - FC Slovacko
WHUFC.com
West Ham United to play third pre-season match against FC Slovacko in Austria
Hammers to face Czech First League side in Rohrbach on Tuesday
Tore, Antonio, Randolph, Kouyate and Valencia have joined up with squad
When and where?
West Ham United v FC Slovacko (CZE)
Pre-season match
Tuesday 19 July 2016, 6pm CEST (5pm BST)
Stadion Rohrbach, Untere Hauptstraße 17, 8234 Rohrbach an der Lafnitz
What's the story?
West Ham United get the friendly matches of their 2016 summer tour to Austria underway on Tuesday when they take on Czech outfit FC Slovacko in the eastern Austrian town of Rohrbach an der Lafnitz.
Slovacko are a top-flight Czech side based in Uherske Hradiste and have been members of the First League since 2009, finishing mid-table in eighth last term.
Twice runners-up in their domestic cup, they have spent 14 of the last 16 years in the top tier of the Czech football season.
Coached by former Czech international defender Stanislav Levy, they won 12 of 30 games last term en route to picking up 40 points.
Slaven Bilic's side have been in Austria since Sunday and will tune up for next-week's UEFA Europa League third qualifying round tie against Shakhtyor Soligorsk or NK Domzale with three matches in five days.
Following two weeks of solid training and friendlies already this summer in Seattle and North Carolina, the Hammers will be looking to take the next step in Austria.
Team news
Bilic has a large group of players at his disposal in Austria and is expected to mix and match his teams over the three games this week.
Darren Randolph is the first of the Club's players who featured at Euro 2016 to return and he will enjoy game time between the sticks, as will Adrian and Raphael Spiegel.
Enner Valencia has resumed training with the squad following his involvement for Ecuador at the Copa America, and Cheikhou Kouyate is also back after playing in Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers for Senegal this summer.
Meanwhile, Gokhan Tore and Michail Antonio have linked up with the first team squad after missing the tour to the United States.
Any links between the two?
Yes! Slovacko's 20-year-old back-up goalkeeper Vit Nemrava was loaned to West Ham United as a teenager and spent more than a year in the Academy of Football before returning to his parent club.
Nemrava, who featured for the Hammers' U18s and Development Squad, has been capped by his country at every age-group level between U16 and U19.
The only other members of the Slovacko squad to have spent any time in English football are goalkeeper Michal Danek, who enjoyed a brief loan spell with West Bromwich Albion from Viktoria Plzen in 2008, but did not feature in the Baggies' first team, and Macedonian midfielder Velice Sumulikoski.
Sumulikoski was at Ipswich Town between 2008-09 and Preston North End the following year and has 84 Macedonia caps to his name.
How do I get to the match?
Click here for a map of the Stadion Rohrbach's location.
How can I watch the match?
The game is being broadcast live in the UK on Premier Sports, which is available on the Sky, Virgin and TalkTalk platforms. Click here for more info.
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Feghouli - The Club is incredibly ambitious
WHUFC.com
Feghouli joined the Club from Valencia
The Algeria international predicts big things for the Hammers next season
Feghouli helped unveil the new Home Kit at the new Stadium
West Ham United's new signing Sofiane Feghouli is confident the Club can achieve big things next season and cannot wait to showcase his talents in the new Stadium. Feghouli arrives with a big pedigree having been one of the star performers at Valencia and is keen to re-produce his best form in the Premier League. The Algeria international has already got to know his new team-mates following a successful tour to the US and is now continuing his pre-season preparations in Austria with the rest of the first-team squad. With the Hammers set for another Europa League adventure and the historic move into the new Stadium, Feghouli cannot wait for the new season to get underway and predicts big things under Slaven Bilic. Feghouli said: "The Club is incredibly ambitious, and that was my main reason for coming here. "We will be doing all we can to be as competitive as possible in all of the competitions we are involved in. "I think that with the team that we have got, the players that will be brought in during the transfer window, combined with our fans, then we can go on to achieve some great things together. "The stadium is magnificent and all the players are excited to play there for the first time in front of so many of our fantastic supporters. "We all feel privileged to have the opportunity to play in such an exceptional stadium."
Feghouli joined fellow new signings Gokhan Tore, Havard Nordtveit and Ashley Fletcher at the new 2016/17 Umbro Home Kit unveiling at the weekend and was thrilled to see so many fans attend the ceremony. Feghouli added: "It was the first time that we had seen the new Home Kit and we are really pleased with it because it is really nice. It was great for the players to see those fans who came to the show on Saturday. "There are lots of West Ham fans and that is brilliant for us to see that we have their support. They create a positive atmosphere and that encourages us to work hard and get off to a good start."
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Payet named among Europe's elite
WHUFC.com
Dimitri Payet has been voted as the 13th-Best Player in Europe in a prestigious UEFA poll
Payet one of nine English-based players to receive votes from the continent's journalists
West Ham United star is third-highest Premier League entrant behind Mahrez and Vardy
Dimitri Payet has been voted as the 13th-Best Player in Europe in a prestigious UEFA poll.
The West Ham United and France star finished ahead of the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Neymar and Eden Hazard in the voting, which saw journalists from each of UEFA's 55 member associations provide a list of their five best-ranked players.
Each journalist's No1 nominee received five points, the second four and so on. The ten players with the most points now advance to the second vote, which will determine the three finalists to be named on 5 August.
Payet, who enjoyed an outstanding debut season for the Hammers before excelling for his country at UEFA Euro 2016, was the third-highest ranked Premier League player behind Leicester City pair Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy, who were voted eleventh and 12th respectively.
The trio were also shortlisted for the PFA Player of the Year award earlier this year, which Mahrez won after helping the Foxes to win the Premier League title, and named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year.
The UEFA Best Player in Europe top ten reads like a who's who of European football, with Barcelona pair Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez and Real Madrid quartet Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo, Pepe and Toni Kroos all included.
The Hammer of the Year's France teammate Antoine Griezmann and Bayern Munich and Germany duo Manuel Neuer and Thomas Mueller round out those who will vie for the overall title of the Best Player in Europe, who will be announced during the 2016/17 UEFA Champions League group stage draw in Monaco on 25 August.
In total, 37 players picked up votes in the initial poll – including nine who played their football in England last season.
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Five Talking Points - Austria Tour
WHUFC.com
The hot topics for discussion as West Ham United continue their pre-season schedule by facing Czech First League side FC Slovacko...
New (and old) faces
West Ham United's first-team squad is taking on a more familiar look following the return of a number of international stars to pre-season training. After missing the US Tour to recharge their batteries after summer duty with their respective national teams, Ireland goalkeeper Darren Randolph, Senegal midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate and Ecuador forward Enner Valencia have travelled to Austria. With new father Michail Antonio and Turkish winger Gokhan Tore also in the party, Slaven Bilic has plenty of options to pick from in the Hammers' three pre-season matches with FC Slovacko, Rubin Kazan and Karlsruher SC.
Winging it
The addition of Antonio and Tore to a squad that already includes Sofiane Feghouli and Martin Samuelsen means Slaven Bilic now has an embarrassment of riches in wide areas. All four – potentially alongside Academy prospect Marcus Browne – will battle the yet-to-return Dimitri Payet for places on the wing in the managers' favoured 4-2-3-1 formation ahead of the 2016/17 season. With Payet surely guaranteed to start when fit, and Antonio potentially filling the right-back berth when the Premier League campaign kicks-off, it may be that Feghouli and Tore are fighting it out for the starting place on the right of the front three?
Centre points
With West Ham's squad continuing to be strengthened in all areas, there will also be fierce competition for places in the two deeper-lying midfield positions. Last season Cheikhou Kouyate, Mark Noble, Pedro Obiang and Alex Song were the four players who battled for two starting positions ahead of the back four, with the former being handed the majority of starts by manager Bilic. Since then, Song has departed, but his squad place has been filled by the experienced Norway international Havard Nordtveit, who arrives with a superb reputation after five seasons in the Germany Bundesliga with Borussia Moenchengladbach. Throw the ever-developing Josh Cullen into the mix and, if all five are fit, Bilic has a few more tough decisions to make…
Czech mates
The value of pre-season results will be debated for as long as football is played, with some fans concerned when their team loses warm-up fixtures, and others blissfully unaffected. On Tuesday, West Ham face a team which finished eighth in the Czech First League last season in 1. FC Slovacko – a team every Hammers fan would expect to beat ten times out of ten in a competitive fixture. However, with players returning to action after summer breaks and others still seeking their best form and peak fitness, and multiple substitutions expected to disrupt the flow, Tuesday's game will be played in far from normal circumstances. With temperatures also expected to top 28C (83F) in northern Austria, the result in Rohrbach should not be taken too seriously, or should it?
To strike, or not to strike?
Winston Reid's goalscoring heroics have some fans suggesting on social media that West Ham do not need to shell out £20m on a new striker – but simply push the big New Zealand defender into a forward role instead!
While Reidy was rightly proud of his calm and accurate finish against the Carolina RailHawks, and then bashed in an unstoppable free-kick in training, the truth is that the Hammers are still very much on the lookout for a prolific frontman. With Andy Carroll and new boy Ashley Fletcher of the taller, target-man variety, the Club is more than likely looking for a smaller, poacher-type. If you were Slaven Bilic, which player would you be seeking to sign?
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Access cards coming soon
WHUFC.com
Season Ticket Holders will shortly be receiving access cards for the historic first season at the Hammers' new Stratford home.
Welcome packs for the Club's 50,000 plus Season Ticket Holders are set to land from the week commencing Monday 25 July.
The access card itself is accompanied by all the information you will need for matchdays at London Stadium.
Access cards will first be in use for the Hammers' maiden Premier League showdown at London Stadium, the visit of Eddie Howe's Bournemouth on Sunday 21 August.
For both the UEFA Europa League fixture and the Betway Cup against Juventus, supporters will be issued with paper tickets. As well as being advantageous operationally, the Club hope supporters will appreciate having a physical memento of these landmark fixtures in West Ham history.
Enclosed with your access card, you will find a welcome letter from Vice-Chairman Karren Brady, together with the very latest travel information.
There are also details of the brand new ticket exchange and forwarding system in place for the new season, as well as a guide to the Stadium's features and your exclusive discounts.
The welcome pack is complete with a closer look at your brand new surroundings at London Stadium. The turnstiles will open two hours before kick-off and there will be great introductory deals on food and drink on offer.
The concourses are a celebration of all things West Ham and, with twice as many food and drink stands than at the Boleyn Ground and Europe's largest screens bringing you all the pre-match entertainment, there is every reason to arrive early.
Supporters are reminded that you can share your views on the Hammers' new home. Once the football is underway, we want you to tell us what is working well and where there is room for improvement. Please send us your comments and suggestions to foundersfeedback@westhamunited.co.uk.
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AC fired-up for full pre-season
WHUFC.com
Andy Carroll is feeling sharp and ready to feel benefits of a full pre-season
Striker scored nine Premier League goals in 13 starts last season
England international cannot wait for first game in London Stadium in UEFA Europa League
Andy Carroll is ready to build on his fine first half of 2016 as West Ham United begin life at the magnificent London Stadium.
Carroll scored an impressive nine goals in 27 Premier League appearances last season, putting an early-season injury behind him to feature in his highest total of top flight appearances since the 2011/12 campaign.
Now, with the prospect of a full pre-season ahead of him, the 27-year-old striker is focused on preparing for what he hopes will be a huge year for himself and his teammates.
"I can't wait [for the start of the season]," he told whufc.com. "It's been a long time since I had a pre-season, so I'm really looking forward to starting the new season and before that the Europa League game that's coming up.
"I felt strong at the end of last season. I was injured for a bit at the start, but I came back and felt good. I scored some goals, was involved in important games and just want to carry that on this year.
"I'm feeling good. Coming out to Austria and getting myself fit is important. I might miss a couple of games in pre-season just to keep myself fresh and not rush into things, but I'm looking forward to it."
The Hammers are currently on a ten-day training camp in Austria, with the majority of the first-team squad back together.
Carroll has been impressed with the Club's early transfer activity too, and is looking forward to linking up with his new colleagues on the pitch.
"We've got a fantastic team," he continued. "We played really well last season and were unlucky not to finish higher and go further in the cups than we did.
"It was great to come into such a strong squad and hopefully we can move on from that and get even better.
"It's always important to get new players in each season and freshen it up. Everyone has to fight for places again and I'm sure the lads are looking forward to it just as much as I am.
"In the first game against Seattle, I got a few crosses from Sofiane Feghouli. It was a great ball from him [for my goal] against the RailHawks and I just had to put it in.
"We can't wait for that first game in the new Stadium. It's going to be massive and a fantastic game for us, the fans and everyone. It'll be a tough one, but all the lads are looking forward to it."
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Big Sam for England, says Cresswell
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 18th July 2016
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United full back Aaron Cresswell has paid credit to former manager Sam Allardyce - and believes he should be a shoo-in for the vacant England job. Cresswell, who is currently in Austria with the rest of West Ham's first team squad has backed Allardyce to succeed Roy Hodgson as national team manager. And the 26-year-old defender also praised Big Sam for helping him to improve as a footballer during the year or so they worked together at the club. "I've a lot to credit him for," Cresswell told The Guardian's Nick Ames. "He brought me to the club, and I can't speak any more highly of the year I worked under him. "He was fantastic with me personally and if you ask any of the other boys they'll say the same thing. His man-management skills were very good, top drawer, so I think if he does get the job he'll do very well. It's a good fit for England and we'll see if he gets it. "He had a fantastic coaching staff with him; you'd work on your weaknesses every day, trying to progress and improve as a player, and that's what I think I did."
The LIverpool-born Cresswell, who moved to West Ham from Ipswich two summers ago also admitted to being excited by the club's recent move to Stratford. "It's a really exciting time to be here," he added. "We can't wait to get started. "We've got the new stadium, a new training ground going up and the chairman's backing the manager. We're bringing good players in; we saw how well Dimitri Payet, Manuel Lanzini and the others did last season, and now we want to kick on again."
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OUR SEARCH FOR A STRIKER BY THE ARMCHAIR HAMMER
BY EXWHUEMPLOYEE ON 17 JULY 2016 AT 9:10PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
My nine year old son has been playing FIFA for a few years now. One of his favourite players in the game is Carlos Bacca. Why? Because on the game, he's labelled as C .Bacca. Now my son is a Star Wars fan, as well as a Hammer, and he loves to call him Chewbacca. When I mentioned to him that there were rumours that we may be buying him – he literally danced for joy. Ah, the innocence of youth.
Now that Bacca is stalling on signing a deal, I don't want to (terrible pun alert) burst his bubble and crush his dreams just yet – until we know the outcome of this saga. So I'm holding off from telling him anything until Ex gives us confirmation of a deal. Now this isn't the first time in this window that we've been heavily linked with some really good strikers. Lacazette and Batshuayi set the rumour mill alight before the Euro's and we all know what happened there.
A cynic would suggest that both of these players, or more probably their agents, were likely using us as a way to drive up interest from other clubs. Now, I seriously doubt that either player had any real interest in joining. Our ambition is high and the club is moving in a very positive direction under the stewardship of the joint-chairman. But the fact is, we are not yet playing in the Champions League and most of the high quality players we are being linked with want immediate access to Europe's premier competition.
The only way we are likely to get these types of players in to the club is by spending vast amounts of money on transfer fees and salaries.
Don't forget clubs around the world want to cash in on the vast riches on offer from Premiership teams this season with seemingly average players fees hugely inflated. Players agents are looking for obscenely high wages for their clients – and they will destroy our club's current wage structure. Our joint-chairman and indeed Lady Brady are working hard to get the club back on a solid financial footing after years of mis-management. Do we really want to go through those bleak years again?
Now this is where I go back to the Bacca situation. I'm sure the club could secure his signature if we paid him enough money, but is it worth it at the risk of losing our all-important team morale? Bear in mind, this team fights for each other. I'm no longer fearful of going a goal down – we can get back into games. Over the years, that hasn't always been the case – trust me. Personally, and I welcome your thoughts on this, I'd rather see players join that are as passionate and excited about joining us as we, the fans are about supporting out our team.
Don't forget, Payet wasn't seen as worldie when he joined us. Bilic has installed a belief in him and the team around him. We play to his obvious strengths. He, and indeed we, are reaping the benefits. The same could be said of Di Canio. He was seen as a maverick, a real punt at the time but we, the supporters, got behind him and earned his loyalty. What a player he turned out to be for us.
My point, you may be asking?
It's this.
You need a player in the Premiership that is going to show both quality and a desire to do well for their club. These two qualities aren't mutually exclusive. For a club with our level of ambition, I really think we need both. Just look at some of the fantastic signings we've had over the years who have failed to live up to their promise. We've had Javier Mascherano who didn't really get a kick, Davor Suker, Benni McCarthy, Kieron Dyer and Florin Raducioiu. The reason they flattered to deceive? They all wanted a big pay day or used us as a stepping stone.
So my hope is that we don't get held to ransom by greedy clubs or greedy players. Instead, we bring in players who are excited about playing in front of 60,000 passionate fans every week and will give us their heart and soul. In return, we'll give them a chant and plenty of adoration. Who could turn that down eh? So, whether Bacca is in or out is down to him. The important question is – will he turn out to be my son's ultimate footballing hero, or deal him the first crushing blow of his early life?
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to tell my boy about the rumour we're signing James Rodriguez……
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EXCLUSIVE! WEST HAM LADIES MANAGER LEAVES THE CLUB.
BY MITCH FOYLE-YORK ON 17 JULY 2016 AT 11:40PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
I have just received breaking news from our own ExWHUemployee that manager Marc Nurse has left the highly rated West Ham Ladies. This unexpected news comes just 6 days before the Ladies embark on their historic tour of Europe; where they will be facing the likes of Borussia Monchengladbach, as well as other huge European teams of the female footballing world!
Ex has informed me that Ladies player and pro-coach Karen Ray will take over as gaffer until a permanent manager is signed and sealed. Karen is well known for her hard working attitude, as well as her intelligence, no doubt about it, she knows her way around a Football pitch! However, on top of this, Ex has also informed me that the Ladies hope to announce their new boss on Wednesday, if all goes to plan!
It is vital for you to keep an eye on The West Ham Way website, as we will be the ones to exclusively reveal to you the new manager of the West Ham Ladies.
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18/07/16 (VERY VERY EARLY) LUNCHTIME NEWS ROUND-UP
BY MITCH FOYLE-YORK ON 18 JULY 2016 AT 10:05AM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Apologies for a second very early release of the Lunchtime News Round-Up, but I have some personal matters to go about today. Yes, us writers have can have a life too!
Just so everyone knows, the news updates are only for weekdays, as I do not have the time at weekends to do them.
Valencia deals collapse?
According to the express, possible deals for Enner Valencia from Swansea and Lazio are on the verge of collapse, due to the Hammers £15 million asking price, which is seen as too much by the Welsh and Italian club. Enner Valencia has travelled with the squad to Austria for the pre-season tour. A sign Enner could be staying?
Ben Yedder bid submitted?
French publication GFFN are reporting that West Ham have submitted a bid for Toulouse striker Wissam Ben Yedder. The 25 year old averages an impressive one goal every 183 minutes. This, in my opinion, would be a fantastic signing.
James Rodriguez, is this the coup?
According to Marca, West Ham are lining up a club record bid of £67 million bid for Real Madrid, and Colombian superstar, James Rodriguez. Our very own ExWHUemployee has mention that the club are planning a snatch and grab shock deal, which would be an absolute coup. Is James the man? But, with a price-tag like that, I feel this story could be a little far fetched.
This may not have been the longest of my round-ups, but I think it's certainly been the most exciting of them all. Keep an eye on The West Ham Way site for my afternoon news-round up, and for all the latest news and opinion.
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18/07/16 AFTERNOON NEWS ROUND-UP!
BY MITCH FOYLE-YORK ON 18 JULY 2016 AT 3:09PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Calleri set to join…
According to numerous sources in South America, Argentinian forward Jonathan Calleri has finally decided he will be joining West Ham. Esporte are reporting that the deal will be announced within the next few days.
West Ham to hijack World-Class Striker?
Sport Mediaset are claiming that West Ham will try to hijack Mauro Icardi from London rivals Arsenal. Icardi is currently at Inter Milan, who have recently said they will not sell their captain. However, this might not stop the Hammers from lodging a £41 million bid for the forward.
Back to Bacca?
Bacca's agent has held a meeting with AC Milan's CEO Galliani, according to Sky Italia, where Bacca's agent was told Bacca must leave in the very near future, or he cannot move at all. Sky Italia are also reporting that, after this hammer blow to Bacca's plans (no pun intended), the Colombian is now seriously considering accepting Gold and Sullivan's offer.
After what was a very quite and frustrating week on the transfer front, things are suddenly heating up again; and, it seems, that all the news is positive. As always I urge our fans to be patient, if any of the news above is correct, a lot of people will be wiping egg off their face.
Keep an eye on The West Ham Way website, or twitter account, for all the latest news, views and insider columns from our very reliable ExWHUemployee.
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Calleri on the brink?
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 18th July 2016
By: Staff Writer
Argentine striker Jonathan Calleri is on the verge of completing a move to West Ham, says Brazilian media this morning. The 22-year-old striker has been on loan with Sao Paolo since January but is set to move to London after accepting an offer from West Ham to move to the Premier League, according to UOL Esporte. Calleri, who has also been strongly linked with La Liga outfit Seville - whom he was said to initially express an interest in joining - and Serie A's Inter is said to have rejected offers from those and other clubs interest in acquiring his services in order to join the Hammers. Currently registered to Deportivo Maldonado, who purchased the player's rights earlier this year, Calleri - who, like former Hammer Carlos Tevez also featured for Boca Juniors - is scheduled to represent his country next month at the Rio Olympics.
* In other transfer news this morning, West Ham are said to be vying with Leicester for the signature of Toulouse forward Wissam Ben Yedder. The 25-year-old former French under 21 international has spent the last six years with TFC for whom he has scored 62 goals in 150 appearances and was previously linked with Seville, although a June move fell through. Lyon and Roma, amongst others, have also been linked.
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Fans to face OS travel turmoil
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 18th July 2016
By: Staff Writer
Essex-based West Ham fans attempting to attend home games at the Olympic Stadium in September, October and November are set to face a travel nightmare due to impending engineering works. The Liverpool Street line between London and Billericay will be closed at weekends between 16 September and 6 November due to essential works, which will have a major effect on supporters wishing to travel to home games by public transport. Although temporary bus services are being introduced, fans face extended journeys for at least four home matches - against Southampton (25 September), Middlesbrough (1 October), Sunderland (22 October) and Stoke City (5 November).
* In other travel news, it was announced at the weekend that Abellio Greater Anglia will be offering 50 per cent discounts to West Ham fans travelling to Stratford. Fans purchasing a new season ticket covering all 19 home Premier League games will be entitled to the sizeable discount; for further details, visit Abellio's website.
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Bacca deal revived as Milan call for resolution
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 18th July 2016
By: Staff Writer
Milan are urging striker Carlos Bacca to reach a decision regarding a potential move to West Ham - because they need the money. According to Sky Sports Italia this lunchtime (Monday) Milan's serving vice-president Adriano Galliani has told Bacca's agent, Sergio Barila, to make a decision on West Ham's tabled offer sooner rather than later. And the driving force behind Galliani's directive is that Milan are unable to move in the transfer market until such time as Bacca's immediate future has been resolved. Although the 29-year-old Colombian international has expressed a preference to join a club that can offer him Champions League football, West Ham's offer - contrary to reports elsewhere - has not been rejected and remains on the table. Milan have already accepted an offer of €26million from West Ham for Bacca, whose representatives met with West Ham last week.
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Young Hammers reach Euro semis
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 18th July 2016
By: Staff Writer
Reece Oxford and Sam Howes are through to the semi finals of the Under 19s Euro finals after beating Croatia 2-1 this lunchtime.
Goals from Chelsea's Izzy Brown and (an own goa) by Croatia defender Silvio Anocic in today's Group B clash put Aidy Boothroyd's young Lions two up inside ten minutes at the Heidenheim Arena.
And although Nikola Moro halved the deficit just before the hour mark, Oxford and co. held on to book their place against Italy in this week's semi finals.
Although goalkeeper Howes had to watch the entire game from the bench, Oxford - who continues to be linked with a move elsewhere - played the full 90 minutes and looked assured throughout.
England Under 19s: Freddie Woodman (Newcastle United), Taylor Moore (RC Lens), Dael Fry (Middlesbrough), Reece Oxford (West Ham United), Jonjoe Kenny (Everton), Kyle Walker-Peters (Tottenham), Josh Onomah (Tottenham), Ryan Ledson (Everton); Sheyi Ojo (Liverpool), Ademola Lookman (Charlton Athletic), 11 Izzy Brown (Chelsea).
Substitutes: Ainsley Maitland-Niles (Arsenal) for Moore).
Subs not used: Jordan Rossiter (Glasgow Rangers), Sam Howes (West Ham United), Tammy Abraham (Chelsea), Dominic Solanke (Chelsea), Fikayo Tomori (Chelsea).
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West Ham's Europa League home tie reversed
By Nick Lustig
Last Updated: 18/07/16 6:45pm
SSN
West Ham will play their first match at the Olympic Stadium on August 4 after UEFA agreed to reverse the home and away legs of their Europa League tie. The Hammers were due to host either Shakhtyor Soligorsk of Belarus or NK Domzale of Slovenia on July 28 after being drawn at home for the first leg. However, the timing of the first leg posed a major issue for West Ham, with their new home being used for the London Anniversary Games on July 22/23. It usually takes seven days to convert the stadium from athletics mode to football mode and would have therefore provided the club with an impossible task to ensure the stadium was ready for the match. West Ham held positive talks with both clubs following Friday's draw and gained their agreement to lodge an appeal to UEFA over a possible switch. On Monday, UEFA confirmed they had sanctioned West Ham's request and allowed them to delay the opening of their new 60,000-seater stadium by a week.
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Sofiane Feghouli wants to achieve 'great things' at West Ham
By Nick Lustig
Last Updated: 18/07/16 3:43pm
SSN
Sofiane Feghouli believes West Ham can achieve something special as they prepare for their first season at the Olympic Stadium. The Algeria winger, who joined the Hammers from Valencia in June, is preparing for his first taste of the Premier League and is currently away with the first-team squad on their pre-season tour of Austria. Feghouli is one of six new signings made by Slaven Bilic this summer, with the West Ham manager keen to strengthen his ranks ahead of the 2016/17 campaign, which will also include Europa League football. The 26-year-old has revealed the ambitious nature of the club lured him to east London and he is hoping to be part of a successful era at the Olympic Stadium. "The club is incredibly ambitious, and that was my main reason for coming here," Feghouli told the club's official website. "We will be doing all we can to be as competitive as possible in all of the competitions we are involved in. "I think with the team we have, the players that will be brought in during the transfer window, combined with our fans, then we can go on to achieve some great things together. "The stadium is magnificent and all the players are excited to play there for the first time in front of so many of our fantastic supporters. "We all feel privileged to have the opportunity to play in such an exceptional stadium."
West Ham will play their first match at their new home on August 4 against either Shakhtyor Soligorsk or Domzale in the Europa League, subject to UEFA approval. They have appealed to UEFA over switching the home and away legs around as the Olympic Stadium will be used for the London Anniversary Games on July 22/23. It usually takes seven days to convert the stadium from athletics mode to football and, with the first leg set to take place on July 28, West Ham have asked for the venue of the legs to be switched. They have held positive talks with both clubs and are now awaiting final confirmation from UEFA. West Ham's first Premier League match at the Olympic Stadium will be against Bournemouth on August 21, live on Sky Sports.
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Aaron Cresswell: 'Sam Allardyce works on your weaknesses every day'
The West Ham left-back was signed from Ipswich by Allardyce and says the 61-year-old would be a good fit as manager of England
The Guardian
Nick Ames
Monday 18 July 2016 17.38 BST Last modified on Monday 18 July 2016 19.34 BST
For West Ham United newness is everywhere. It is around eight months since Aaron Cresswell last visited the Olympic Stadium and now, seeing the club's livery dotted around for the first time, there is an early chance to feel at home. Cresswell has been promoting this season's kit – some things are more of a novelty than others – and is evidently engaged by his surroundings, pausing at one point to admire the community pitch that sits adjacent to the stands. A rare balmy evening glows with possibility; it must feel as if the left-back has returned to a different, bigger club.
"Yeah, it does and it's a really exciting time to be here," the 26-year-old says. "We can't wait to get started. We've got the new stadium, a new training ground [at Rush Green] going up and the chairman's backing the manager. We're bringing good players in; we saw how well Dimitri Payet, Manuel Lanzini and the others did last season and now we want to kick on again."
So far the close season has brought four major signings and two of them, Gökhan Töre and Ashley Fletcher, made their introductions to Cresswell just minutes before he paraded the shirt. Change has been constant recently and all of it positive; last month Cresswell proposed to Jessica, now his fiancée, in Dubai and the pair continued their celebrations in the Maldives. It was doubtless a happier place to be than England's Euro 2016 base in France and there were plenty who felt that, even with the national team's surfeit of options in his position, Cresswell should have spent his summer at Euro 2016. The smile, when this is raised, suggests it is far from the first time the thought and question have occurred but the answer gives little away.
"It was frustrating watching as a fan. It was hard because you want them to progress and do well," he says. "But it's a young squad and I'm sure there are good times ahead. Of course I'd want [to represent my country] one day and I'm hoping it happens but the focus for me is on West Ham. All I can do is play at my best here."
The opportunity may arise sooner than he expects. Should Sam Allardyce be named England manager it would be no surprise to see Cresswell, whom the then West Ham manager signed from Ipswich Town two years ago and has spoken of in glowing terms since, named in his first squad. Feelings between the two run both ways; the player is sure Allardyce, at Sunderland now, would be ideally suited to the role.
"I've a lot to credit him for," Cresswell says. "He brought me to the club and I can't speak any more highly of the year I worked under him. He was fantastic with me personally and, if you ask any of the other boys, they'll say the same thing. His man-management skills were very good, top drawer, so I think, if he does get the job, he'll do very well. It's a good fit for England and we'll see if he gets it. He had a fantastic coaching staff with him; you'd work on your weaknesses every day, trying to progress and improve as a player, and that's what I think I did."
That process continued last season under Slaven Bilic, who has been linked with England himself in rather more speculative terms, and Cresswell has seen other areas of his game develop. West Ham's more fluid approach was well documented and it certainly did little harm to Cresswell, whose forward combinations resemble peak-era Leighton Baines and whose left foot produced four assists. "He's been fantastic ever since he walked through the door," he says of Bilic. "The style is a bit different. Maybe it's a European thing that he brought into us, wanting us to move the ball and pass it more, with a bit more movement. For 90% of the games last season Dimi [Payet] played in front of me and that made it seem easy; when you're making that overlap you know the ball's going to come to you, or that something will be made of your run. When everything clicks together for us, it looks good."
They should be clicking for some time yet. Payet signed a new contract in February and Cresswell, in another forward step during this summer of advancement, has just agreed a one-year extension. Both deals run to 2021 and both men may, in the first instance, be tasked with hauling West Ham through the third qualifying round of the Europa League. Shakhtyor Soligorsk, of Belarus, or the Slovenian side Domzale may not hold great allure as a curtain-raiser for West Ham's new life but needs must and lessons have been learned from last year's defeat by Astra Giurgiu.
"Last season not many of us had played in the Europa League and it was definitely an experience travelling to Andorra, Malta and Romania, under difficult circumstances as well," he says. "This season we're starting slightly later and we're ready to try and go as far as we can."
They will be well supported in their new home and, although May's rollercoaster of a final game at Upton Park, a 3-2 win over Manchester United, was "something that will live with me for the rest of my life", the next step for West Ham and Cresswell will justify the means.
"To play in front of 60,000 people week in, week out, in the Europa League and Premier League – it's something you dream of," he says. "Let's hope we just hit the ground running now."
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Demba Ba leg break: West Ham send message of support to former striker after horror injury
SAM LONG
Evening Standard
West Ham have sent a message of support to their former striker Demba Ba after the Senegal forward suffered a career threatening injury. Ba currently plays for Shanghai Shenhua in the Chinese Super League and broke his leg in an innocuous challenge during Sunday's derby against Shanghai SIPG. The striker collided with an opponent before his left leg gave way as he fell to ground in agony and, according to his coach Gregorio Manzano, could be forced to retire from the professional game. Ba spent one season with the Hammers, which ended in the east Londoners' relegation to the Championship, and the club have wished the 31-year-old well in his recovery.
West Ham United FC ✔ @whufc_official
Everyone at West Ham United wishes former Hammer @dembabafoot a full and speedy recovery from injury ⚒
12:45 PM - 18 Jul 2016
A message on the club's official Twitter account read: "Everyone at West Ham United wishes former Hammer @dembabafoot a full and speedy recovery from injury." Ba also played for Newcastle United and Chelsea during his career in England before joining Besiktas in 2014. The forward scored 27 goals in 44 games for the Turkish side, which helped him secure a move to the Chinese Super League last summer.
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West Ham should make a move for French free agent Pied
hitc
Antony Martin
The Hammers need to strengthen their squad in defensive areas. West Ham United find themselves a little short in the right-back area following the sale of James Tomkins to Crystal Palace. The Hammers only have Sam Byram as a recognised right sided full-back, although Michail Antonio is capable of filling in if need be. Jeremy Pied is available on a free transfer after his contract expired at Ligue 1 side Nice and the 27-year-old would be a great signing for the East London club. He would provide ample cover for Byram in the right-back slot. His versatility also enables him to play on either flank as an accomplished winger, so he would be a fantastic all round addition to the squad. Pied made 33 league appearances last term for Nice. He played at right-back for 23 of those games, left-back for seven and defensive midfield for three which highlights his proficiency in different areas of the pitch. The fact that he is available on a free transfer greatly reduces the risk when bringing a foreign player to the Premier League. He will not be a regular starter but will provide experienced back-up, with enough pedigree to shine if called upon. A move to the Premier League would surely appeal to Pied, and the chance of playing Europa League football with the Hammers should be a big enough pull. Should any kind of move materialise, it would be one that would be greatly beneficial to both club and player.
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West Ham eye £41.8m striker after Bacca snub: Arsenal have meeting scheduled with star
WEST HAM are reportedly eyeing a move for Inter Milan striker Mauro Icardi – also a target for Arsenal.
By JOE SHORT
PUBLISHED: 11:53, Mon, Jul 18, 2016 | UPDATED: 12:10, Mon, Jul 18, 2016
Express.co.uk
The Hammers are said to have turned to Inter captain Icardi after being snubbed by AC Milan's Carlos Bacca. Italian broadcaster Sport Mediaset claim West Ham were rejected by Bacca, who would prefer a move to a Champions League club.. And bosses at the Olympic Stadium are said to have switched their focus to Icardi. According to the report, Icardi is not for sale unless a club meet Inter owner Erik Thohir's €50million (£41.8m) valuation. Sky Sport Italia claimed on Sunday that Arsenal have scheduled a meeting to begin preliminary negotiations over Icardi's transfer. The Gunners are yet to sign a striker this summer after failing to convince England's Jamie Vardy to leave Leicester before Euro 2016. West Ham also missed out on Belgium international Michy Batshuayi - who has joined Chelsea - before hearing of Bacca's apparent snub. Co-owner David Sullivan has pledged at least £30m towards a new striker for manager Slaven Bilic, who is tipped to sell Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia before the transfer window closes on August 31. As for Icardi, his wife and agent Wanda Nara has made it clear that the Argentina international feels undervalued at the San Siro. Icardi signed a contract extension with the Milan club last summer but is believed to be paid a fraction of what he could earn in the Premier League. "A year ago Icardi was worth €20m (£14m) to Inter," Nara told Italian website calciomercato.com last week. "They refused [to sell him], and I refused many offers. "Mauro was assured of a contract extension as soon as the club's financial troubles had been resolved, although that same summer the club had invested money in some very expensive footballers. "Icardi has never had a problem with waiting, provided everything goes as agreed." Both Chelsea and Tottenham have also been linked with the striker.
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West Ham FC transfer report: Slaven Bilic turns attention to £10m-rated Toulouse star in striker search
By talkSPORT - @talkSPORT
Monday, July 18, 2016
West Ham are ready to turn to Toulouse star Wissam Ben Yedder as they continue their search for a new striker. The Hammers are desperate to land a forward this summer and the club have already failed with a number of approaches for different targets. Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette turned down an offer from them in June, while a deal for AC Milan hitman Carlos Bacca has stalled. And now, according to RMC, the Hammers are ready to make a move for Ben Yedder instead. The 25-year-old, who bagged 23 goals last season, is available for around £10m and several other clubs are interested too. Leicester City are keeping tabs on the Frenchman, while Lazio and Real Betis are also willing to meet Ben Yedder's asking price.
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West Ham and Leicester in contention for Toulouse's Wissam Ben Yedder
• West Ham fail to make breakthrough in talks for Milan's Carlos Bacca
• Former France under-21 striker scored 17 goals in Ligue 1 last season
The Guardian
Ed Aarons
@ed_aarons
Monday 18 July 2016 10.01 BST Last modified on Monday 18 July 2016 10.03 BST
West Ham's long search for a striker has seen them make a new approach for Toulouse's Wissam Ben Yedder, although they face competition from Leicester for the former France under-21 international. Having failed with bids for Michy Batshuayi, Alexandre Lacazette and Christian Benteke, West Ham had hoped to convince Colombia striker Carlos Bacca to move to east London after having a £26m bid accepted by Milan. However, negotiations with the 29-year-old's representatives have failed to reach a breakthrough and Bacca appeared to rule out any potential transfer to Slaven Bilic's side over the weekend when he admitted he wants to play in the Champions League, with Atlético Madrid, Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain among the other clubs interested.
That has led West Ham to sound out Ben Yedder's representative Meïssa N'Diaye once again after they made an initial approach in January, with the 25-year-old thought to be available for around €10m (£8.3m) because he has just one year left on his contract with Toulouse. Leicester have also registered their interest in a player who scored 17 goals in Ligue 1 last season despite his club only just avoiding relegation, with Claudio Ranieri keen to strengthen his forward options ahead of the new season. N'Diaye refused to comment when contacted by the Guardian on Monday.
Ben Yedder came to close to joining Sevilla in June before new coach Jorge Sampaoli decided against completing the deal but they retain an interest and he is also wanted by Roma and Lyon. Crystal Palace have also scouted him in the past.
On Sunday, Toulouse coach Pascal Dupraz appeared to invite any suitors to make their interest known, with the club hoping to complete a deal in the next week. "I am astonished that French clubs, including the largest, are not interested in him. In France, it is rare for a player to be able to do what he does in the area," he told French radio station RMC.
Born in Sarcelles, a suburb of Paris where Leicester's Riyad Mahrez also grew up, Ben Yedder moved to Toupuse from amateur side UJA Alfortville in 2010 and has since scored 63 goals in 153 appearances.
Any potential move for Ben Yedder could allow West Ham to sell Enner Valencia, with Lazio and Swansea both linked to the Ecuador striker. Diafra Sakho is also wanted by Sunderland, although reports over the weekend claimed the Senegal striker had refused to travel to the team's pre-season training camp in Austria having submitted a transfer request earlier this month.
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West Ham negotiating over Enner Valencia deal: Lazio and Swansea unwilling to meet demands
WEST HAM are without a buyer for Enner Valencia as suitors struggle to meet the club's demands for the Ecuador forward.
By JOE SHORT
PUBLISHED: 07:08, Mon, Jul 18, 2016 | UPDATED: 07:17, Mon, Jul 18, 2016
Express.co.uk
Valencia, 26, is available this summer after a disappointing second season in east London. Lazio are thought to be interested in his signature but face competition from Premier League side Swansea. And West Ham are said to have already rejected an offer from Lazio. That is according to the Sunday Mirror, who claim West Ham want £15m for the player they signed for £12m two summers ago. Lazio want to replace veteran Miroslav Klose but West Ham snubbed an opening £2.5m loan offer with an additional £8m if Valencia plays over half their matches in the coming season. The two clubs are said to be still negotiating despite the initial bid being rejected. Swansea, meanwhile, have reportedly made a £10m offer plus £3m in bonuses for Valencia, who played just 19 games for the Hammers last season. But West Ham believe they can hold out for more before the transfer window shuts on August 31.
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West Ham turn to Wissam Ben Yedder after Bacca snub, new approach submitted
HITC
Olly Dawes
West Ham United are reportedly keen on Toulouse hitman Wissam Ben Yedder. According to Get French Football News, West Ham United have made a new approach for Toulouse hitman Wissam Ben Yedder, with their move for Carlos Bacca falling apart. Whilst the Hammers have snapped up midfielder Havard Nordtveit as well as wingers Sofiane Feghouli and Gokhan Tore, it's been no secret that a new first-choice striker has been top of Slaven Bilic's wish list. Manchester United youngster Ashley Fletcher has been snapped up, but he's one for the future, and a host of big name strikers have been linked with moves to the Olympic Stadium this summer. In fact, Italian newspaper Gazzetta Dello Sport report that AC Milan striker Carlos Bacca has rejected West Ham after weeks of speculation, leaving Bilic's men to look elsewhere for a new goalscorer. Now, Get French Football News report that the Hammers have made a new approach to sign Toulouse forward Wissam Ben Yedder, who has starred in France over the last four seasons. Ben Yedder, 25, is a former futsal and amateur player who has risen to stardom with Toulouse, hitting 17 league goals last season to add to a superb 45 goals in the previous three campaigns. The Frenchman has recently seen a move to Sevilla fall through, and it's claimed that West Ham have now submitted a new move for the player as they look to move on from Bacca's snub. A diminutive, skillful forward, Ben Yedder is massively underrated and could be a shrewd move for West Ham after missing out on Colombian star Bacca - and with Toulouse allegedly expecting a decision on Ben Yedder's future in ten days, West Ham could land the striker in plenty of time for the start of the season.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
West Ham United to play third pre-season match against FC Slovacko in Austria
Hammers to face Czech First League side in Rohrbach on Tuesday
Tore, Antonio, Randolph, Kouyate and Valencia have joined up with squad
When and where?
West Ham United v FC Slovacko (CZE)
Pre-season match
Tuesday 19 July 2016, 6pm CEST (5pm BST)
Stadion Rohrbach, Untere Hauptstraße 17, 8234 Rohrbach an der Lafnitz
What's the story?
West Ham United get the friendly matches of their 2016 summer tour to Austria underway on Tuesday when they take on Czech outfit FC Slovacko in the eastern Austrian town of Rohrbach an der Lafnitz.
Slovacko are a top-flight Czech side based in Uherske Hradiste and have been members of the First League since 2009, finishing mid-table in eighth last term.
Twice runners-up in their domestic cup, they have spent 14 of the last 16 years in the top tier of the Czech football season.
Coached by former Czech international defender Stanislav Levy, they won 12 of 30 games last term en route to picking up 40 points.
Slaven Bilic's side have been in Austria since Sunday and will tune up for next-week's UEFA Europa League third qualifying round tie against Shakhtyor Soligorsk or NK Domzale with three matches in five days.
Following two weeks of solid training and friendlies already this summer in Seattle and North Carolina, the Hammers will be looking to take the next step in Austria.
Team news
Bilic has a large group of players at his disposal in Austria and is expected to mix and match his teams over the three games this week.
Darren Randolph is the first of the Club's players who featured at Euro 2016 to return and he will enjoy game time between the sticks, as will Adrian and Raphael Spiegel.
Enner Valencia has resumed training with the squad following his involvement for Ecuador at the Copa America, and Cheikhou Kouyate is also back after playing in Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers for Senegal this summer.
Meanwhile, Gokhan Tore and Michail Antonio have linked up with the first team squad after missing the tour to the United States.
Any links between the two?
Yes! Slovacko's 20-year-old back-up goalkeeper Vit Nemrava was loaned to West Ham United as a teenager and spent more than a year in the Academy of Football before returning to his parent club.
Nemrava, who featured for the Hammers' U18s and Development Squad, has been capped by his country at every age-group level between U16 and U19.
The only other members of the Slovacko squad to have spent any time in English football are goalkeeper Michal Danek, who enjoyed a brief loan spell with West Bromwich Albion from Viktoria Plzen in 2008, but did not feature in the Baggies' first team, and Macedonian midfielder Velice Sumulikoski.
Sumulikoski was at Ipswich Town between 2008-09 and Preston North End the following year and has 84 Macedonia caps to his name.
How do I get to the match?
Click here for a map of the Stadion Rohrbach's location.
How can I watch the match?
The game is being broadcast live in the UK on Premier Sports, which is available on the Sky, Virgin and TalkTalk platforms. Click here for more info.
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Feghouli - The Club is incredibly ambitious
WHUFC.com
Feghouli joined the Club from Valencia
The Algeria international predicts big things for the Hammers next season
Feghouli helped unveil the new Home Kit at the new Stadium
West Ham United's new signing Sofiane Feghouli is confident the Club can achieve big things next season and cannot wait to showcase his talents in the new Stadium. Feghouli arrives with a big pedigree having been one of the star performers at Valencia and is keen to re-produce his best form in the Premier League. The Algeria international has already got to know his new team-mates following a successful tour to the US and is now continuing his pre-season preparations in Austria with the rest of the first-team squad. With the Hammers set for another Europa League adventure and the historic move into the new Stadium, Feghouli cannot wait for the new season to get underway and predicts big things under Slaven Bilic. Feghouli said: "The Club is incredibly ambitious, and that was my main reason for coming here. "We will be doing all we can to be as competitive as possible in all of the competitions we are involved in. "I think that with the team that we have got, the players that will be brought in during the transfer window, combined with our fans, then we can go on to achieve some great things together. "The stadium is magnificent and all the players are excited to play there for the first time in front of so many of our fantastic supporters. "We all feel privileged to have the opportunity to play in such an exceptional stadium."
Feghouli joined fellow new signings Gokhan Tore, Havard Nordtveit and Ashley Fletcher at the new 2016/17 Umbro Home Kit unveiling at the weekend and was thrilled to see so many fans attend the ceremony. Feghouli added: "It was the first time that we had seen the new Home Kit and we are really pleased with it because it is really nice. It was great for the players to see those fans who came to the show on Saturday. "There are lots of West Ham fans and that is brilliant for us to see that we have their support. They create a positive atmosphere and that encourages us to work hard and get off to a good start."
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Payet named among Europe's elite
WHUFC.com
Dimitri Payet has been voted as the 13th-Best Player in Europe in a prestigious UEFA poll
Payet one of nine English-based players to receive votes from the continent's journalists
West Ham United star is third-highest Premier League entrant behind Mahrez and Vardy
Dimitri Payet has been voted as the 13th-Best Player in Europe in a prestigious UEFA poll.
The West Ham United and France star finished ahead of the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Neymar and Eden Hazard in the voting, which saw journalists from each of UEFA's 55 member associations provide a list of their five best-ranked players.
Each journalist's No1 nominee received five points, the second four and so on. The ten players with the most points now advance to the second vote, which will determine the three finalists to be named on 5 August.
Payet, who enjoyed an outstanding debut season for the Hammers before excelling for his country at UEFA Euro 2016, was the third-highest ranked Premier League player behind Leicester City pair Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy, who were voted eleventh and 12th respectively.
The trio were also shortlisted for the PFA Player of the Year award earlier this year, which Mahrez won after helping the Foxes to win the Premier League title, and named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year.
The UEFA Best Player in Europe top ten reads like a who's who of European football, with Barcelona pair Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez and Real Madrid quartet Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo, Pepe and Toni Kroos all included.
The Hammer of the Year's France teammate Antoine Griezmann and Bayern Munich and Germany duo Manuel Neuer and Thomas Mueller round out those who will vie for the overall title of the Best Player in Europe, who will be announced during the 2016/17 UEFA Champions League group stage draw in Monaco on 25 August.
In total, 37 players picked up votes in the initial poll – including nine who played their football in England last season.
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Five Talking Points - Austria Tour
WHUFC.com
The hot topics for discussion as West Ham United continue their pre-season schedule by facing Czech First League side FC Slovacko...
New (and old) faces
West Ham United's first-team squad is taking on a more familiar look following the return of a number of international stars to pre-season training. After missing the US Tour to recharge their batteries after summer duty with their respective national teams, Ireland goalkeeper Darren Randolph, Senegal midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate and Ecuador forward Enner Valencia have travelled to Austria. With new father Michail Antonio and Turkish winger Gokhan Tore also in the party, Slaven Bilic has plenty of options to pick from in the Hammers' three pre-season matches with FC Slovacko, Rubin Kazan and Karlsruher SC.
Winging it
The addition of Antonio and Tore to a squad that already includes Sofiane Feghouli and Martin Samuelsen means Slaven Bilic now has an embarrassment of riches in wide areas. All four – potentially alongside Academy prospect Marcus Browne – will battle the yet-to-return Dimitri Payet for places on the wing in the managers' favoured 4-2-3-1 formation ahead of the 2016/17 season. With Payet surely guaranteed to start when fit, and Antonio potentially filling the right-back berth when the Premier League campaign kicks-off, it may be that Feghouli and Tore are fighting it out for the starting place on the right of the front three?
Centre points
With West Ham's squad continuing to be strengthened in all areas, there will also be fierce competition for places in the two deeper-lying midfield positions. Last season Cheikhou Kouyate, Mark Noble, Pedro Obiang and Alex Song were the four players who battled for two starting positions ahead of the back four, with the former being handed the majority of starts by manager Bilic. Since then, Song has departed, but his squad place has been filled by the experienced Norway international Havard Nordtveit, who arrives with a superb reputation after five seasons in the Germany Bundesliga with Borussia Moenchengladbach. Throw the ever-developing Josh Cullen into the mix and, if all five are fit, Bilic has a few more tough decisions to make…
Czech mates
The value of pre-season results will be debated for as long as football is played, with some fans concerned when their team loses warm-up fixtures, and others blissfully unaffected. On Tuesday, West Ham face a team which finished eighth in the Czech First League last season in 1. FC Slovacko – a team every Hammers fan would expect to beat ten times out of ten in a competitive fixture. However, with players returning to action after summer breaks and others still seeking their best form and peak fitness, and multiple substitutions expected to disrupt the flow, Tuesday's game will be played in far from normal circumstances. With temperatures also expected to top 28C (83F) in northern Austria, the result in Rohrbach should not be taken too seriously, or should it?
To strike, or not to strike?
Winston Reid's goalscoring heroics have some fans suggesting on social media that West Ham do not need to shell out £20m on a new striker – but simply push the big New Zealand defender into a forward role instead!
While Reidy was rightly proud of his calm and accurate finish against the Carolina RailHawks, and then bashed in an unstoppable free-kick in training, the truth is that the Hammers are still very much on the lookout for a prolific frontman. With Andy Carroll and new boy Ashley Fletcher of the taller, target-man variety, the Club is more than likely looking for a smaller, poacher-type. If you were Slaven Bilic, which player would you be seeking to sign?
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Access cards coming soon
WHUFC.com
Season Ticket Holders will shortly be receiving access cards for the historic first season at the Hammers' new Stratford home.
Welcome packs for the Club's 50,000 plus Season Ticket Holders are set to land from the week commencing Monday 25 July.
The access card itself is accompanied by all the information you will need for matchdays at London Stadium.
Access cards will first be in use for the Hammers' maiden Premier League showdown at London Stadium, the visit of Eddie Howe's Bournemouth on Sunday 21 August.
For both the UEFA Europa League fixture and the Betway Cup against Juventus, supporters will be issued with paper tickets. As well as being advantageous operationally, the Club hope supporters will appreciate having a physical memento of these landmark fixtures in West Ham history.
Enclosed with your access card, you will find a welcome letter from Vice-Chairman Karren Brady, together with the very latest travel information.
There are also details of the brand new ticket exchange and forwarding system in place for the new season, as well as a guide to the Stadium's features and your exclusive discounts.
The welcome pack is complete with a closer look at your brand new surroundings at London Stadium. The turnstiles will open two hours before kick-off and there will be great introductory deals on food and drink on offer.
The concourses are a celebration of all things West Ham and, with twice as many food and drink stands than at the Boleyn Ground and Europe's largest screens bringing you all the pre-match entertainment, there is every reason to arrive early.
Supporters are reminded that you can share your views on the Hammers' new home. Once the football is underway, we want you to tell us what is working well and where there is room for improvement. Please send us your comments and suggestions to foundersfeedback@westhamunited.co.uk.
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AC fired-up for full pre-season
WHUFC.com
Andy Carroll is feeling sharp and ready to feel benefits of a full pre-season
Striker scored nine Premier League goals in 13 starts last season
England international cannot wait for first game in London Stadium in UEFA Europa League
Andy Carroll is ready to build on his fine first half of 2016 as West Ham United begin life at the magnificent London Stadium.
Carroll scored an impressive nine goals in 27 Premier League appearances last season, putting an early-season injury behind him to feature in his highest total of top flight appearances since the 2011/12 campaign.
Now, with the prospect of a full pre-season ahead of him, the 27-year-old striker is focused on preparing for what he hopes will be a huge year for himself and his teammates.
"I can't wait [for the start of the season]," he told whufc.com. "It's been a long time since I had a pre-season, so I'm really looking forward to starting the new season and before that the Europa League game that's coming up.
"I felt strong at the end of last season. I was injured for a bit at the start, but I came back and felt good. I scored some goals, was involved in important games and just want to carry that on this year.
"I'm feeling good. Coming out to Austria and getting myself fit is important. I might miss a couple of games in pre-season just to keep myself fresh and not rush into things, but I'm looking forward to it."
The Hammers are currently on a ten-day training camp in Austria, with the majority of the first-team squad back together.
Carroll has been impressed with the Club's early transfer activity too, and is looking forward to linking up with his new colleagues on the pitch.
"We've got a fantastic team," he continued. "We played really well last season and were unlucky not to finish higher and go further in the cups than we did.
"It was great to come into such a strong squad and hopefully we can move on from that and get even better.
"It's always important to get new players in each season and freshen it up. Everyone has to fight for places again and I'm sure the lads are looking forward to it just as much as I am.
"In the first game against Seattle, I got a few crosses from Sofiane Feghouli. It was a great ball from him [for my goal] against the RailHawks and I just had to put it in.
"We can't wait for that first game in the new Stadium. It's going to be massive and a fantastic game for us, the fans and everyone. It'll be a tough one, but all the lads are looking forward to it."
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Big Sam for England, says Cresswell
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 18th July 2016
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United full back Aaron Cresswell has paid credit to former manager Sam Allardyce - and believes he should be a shoo-in for the vacant England job. Cresswell, who is currently in Austria with the rest of West Ham's first team squad has backed Allardyce to succeed Roy Hodgson as national team manager. And the 26-year-old defender also praised Big Sam for helping him to improve as a footballer during the year or so they worked together at the club. "I've a lot to credit him for," Cresswell told The Guardian's Nick Ames. "He brought me to the club, and I can't speak any more highly of the year I worked under him. "He was fantastic with me personally and if you ask any of the other boys they'll say the same thing. His man-management skills were very good, top drawer, so I think if he does get the job he'll do very well. It's a good fit for England and we'll see if he gets it. "He had a fantastic coaching staff with him; you'd work on your weaknesses every day, trying to progress and improve as a player, and that's what I think I did."
The LIverpool-born Cresswell, who moved to West Ham from Ipswich two summers ago also admitted to being excited by the club's recent move to Stratford. "It's a really exciting time to be here," he added. "We can't wait to get started. "We've got the new stadium, a new training ground going up and the chairman's backing the manager. We're bringing good players in; we saw how well Dimitri Payet, Manuel Lanzini and the others did last season, and now we want to kick on again."
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OUR SEARCH FOR A STRIKER BY THE ARMCHAIR HAMMER
BY EXWHUEMPLOYEE ON 17 JULY 2016 AT 9:10PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
My nine year old son has been playing FIFA for a few years now. One of his favourite players in the game is Carlos Bacca. Why? Because on the game, he's labelled as C .Bacca. Now my son is a Star Wars fan, as well as a Hammer, and he loves to call him Chewbacca. When I mentioned to him that there were rumours that we may be buying him – he literally danced for joy. Ah, the innocence of youth.
Now that Bacca is stalling on signing a deal, I don't want to (terrible pun alert) burst his bubble and crush his dreams just yet – until we know the outcome of this saga. So I'm holding off from telling him anything until Ex gives us confirmation of a deal. Now this isn't the first time in this window that we've been heavily linked with some really good strikers. Lacazette and Batshuayi set the rumour mill alight before the Euro's and we all know what happened there.
A cynic would suggest that both of these players, or more probably their agents, were likely using us as a way to drive up interest from other clubs. Now, I seriously doubt that either player had any real interest in joining. Our ambition is high and the club is moving in a very positive direction under the stewardship of the joint-chairman. But the fact is, we are not yet playing in the Champions League and most of the high quality players we are being linked with want immediate access to Europe's premier competition.
The only way we are likely to get these types of players in to the club is by spending vast amounts of money on transfer fees and salaries.
Don't forget clubs around the world want to cash in on the vast riches on offer from Premiership teams this season with seemingly average players fees hugely inflated. Players agents are looking for obscenely high wages for their clients – and they will destroy our club's current wage structure. Our joint-chairman and indeed Lady Brady are working hard to get the club back on a solid financial footing after years of mis-management. Do we really want to go through those bleak years again?
Now this is where I go back to the Bacca situation. I'm sure the club could secure his signature if we paid him enough money, but is it worth it at the risk of losing our all-important team morale? Bear in mind, this team fights for each other. I'm no longer fearful of going a goal down – we can get back into games. Over the years, that hasn't always been the case – trust me. Personally, and I welcome your thoughts on this, I'd rather see players join that are as passionate and excited about joining us as we, the fans are about supporting out our team.
Don't forget, Payet wasn't seen as worldie when he joined us. Bilic has installed a belief in him and the team around him. We play to his obvious strengths. He, and indeed we, are reaping the benefits. The same could be said of Di Canio. He was seen as a maverick, a real punt at the time but we, the supporters, got behind him and earned his loyalty. What a player he turned out to be for us.
My point, you may be asking?
It's this.
You need a player in the Premiership that is going to show both quality and a desire to do well for their club. These two qualities aren't mutually exclusive. For a club with our level of ambition, I really think we need both. Just look at some of the fantastic signings we've had over the years who have failed to live up to their promise. We've had Javier Mascherano who didn't really get a kick, Davor Suker, Benni McCarthy, Kieron Dyer and Florin Raducioiu. The reason they flattered to deceive? They all wanted a big pay day or used us as a stepping stone.
So my hope is that we don't get held to ransom by greedy clubs or greedy players. Instead, we bring in players who are excited about playing in front of 60,000 passionate fans every week and will give us their heart and soul. In return, we'll give them a chant and plenty of adoration. Who could turn that down eh? So, whether Bacca is in or out is down to him. The important question is – will he turn out to be my son's ultimate footballing hero, or deal him the first crushing blow of his early life?
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to tell my boy about the rumour we're signing James Rodriguez……
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EXCLUSIVE! WEST HAM LADIES MANAGER LEAVES THE CLUB.
BY MITCH FOYLE-YORK ON 17 JULY 2016 AT 11:40PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
I have just received breaking news from our own ExWHUemployee that manager Marc Nurse has left the highly rated West Ham Ladies. This unexpected news comes just 6 days before the Ladies embark on their historic tour of Europe; where they will be facing the likes of Borussia Monchengladbach, as well as other huge European teams of the female footballing world!
Ex has informed me that Ladies player and pro-coach Karen Ray will take over as gaffer until a permanent manager is signed and sealed. Karen is well known for her hard working attitude, as well as her intelligence, no doubt about it, she knows her way around a Football pitch! However, on top of this, Ex has also informed me that the Ladies hope to announce their new boss on Wednesday, if all goes to plan!
It is vital for you to keep an eye on The West Ham Way website, as we will be the ones to exclusively reveal to you the new manager of the West Ham Ladies.
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18/07/16 (VERY VERY EARLY) LUNCHTIME NEWS ROUND-UP
BY MITCH FOYLE-YORK ON 18 JULY 2016 AT 10:05AM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Apologies for a second very early release of the Lunchtime News Round-Up, but I have some personal matters to go about today. Yes, us writers have can have a life too!
Just so everyone knows, the news updates are only for weekdays, as I do not have the time at weekends to do them.
Valencia deals collapse?
According to the express, possible deals for Enner Valencia from Swansea and Lazio are on the verge of collapse, due to the Hammers £15 million asking price, which is seen as too much by the Welsh and Italian club. Enner Valencia has travelled with the squad to Austria for the pre-season tour. A sign Enner could be staying?
Ben Yedder bid submitted?
French publication GFFN are reporting that West Ham have submitted a bid for Toulouse striker Wissam Ben Yedder. The 25 year old averages an impressive one goal every 183 minutes. This, in my opinion, would be a fantastic signing.
James Rodriguez, is this the coup?
According to Marca, West Ham are lining up a club record bid of £67 million bid for Real Madrid, and Colombian superstar, James Rodriguez. Our very own ExWHUemployee has mention that the club are planning a snatch and grab shock deal, which would be an absolute coup. Is James the man? But, with a price-tag like that, I feel this story could be a little far fetched.
This may not have been the longest of my round-ups, but I think it's certainly been the most exciting of them all. Keep an eye on The West Ham Way site for my afternoon news-round up, and for all the latest news and opinion.
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18/07/16 AFTERNOON NEWS ROUND-UP!
BY MITCH FOYLE-YORK ON 18 JULY 2016 AT 3:09PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Calleri set to join…
According to numerous sources in South America, Argentinian forward Jonathan Calleri has finally decided he will be joining West Ham. Esporte are reporting that the deal will be announced within the next few days.
West Ham to hijack World-Class Striker?
Sport Mediaset are claiming that West Ham will try to hijack Mauro Icardi from London rivals Arsenal. Icardi is currently at Inter Milan, who have recently said they will not sell their captain. However, this might not stop the Hammers from lodging a £41 million bid for the forward.
Back to Bacca?
Bacca's agent has held a meeting with AC Milan's CEO Galliani, according to Sky Italia, where Bacca's agent was told Bacca must leave in the very near future, or he cannot move at all. Sky Italia are also reporting that, after this hammer blow to Bacca's plans (no pun intended), the Colombian is now seriously considering accepting Gold and Sullivan's offer.
After what was a very quite and frustrating week on the transfer front, things are suddenly heating up again; and, it seems, that all the news is positive. As always I urge our fans to be patient, if any of the news above is correct, a lot of people will be wiping egg off their face.
Keep an eye on The West Ham Way website, or twitter account, for all the latest news, views and insider columns from our very reliable ExWHUemployee.
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Calleri on the brink?
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 18th July 2016
By: Staff Writer
Argentine striker Jonathan Calleri is on the verge of completing a move to West Ham, says Brazilian media this morning. The 22-year-old striker has been on loan with Sao Paolo since January but is set to move to London after accepting an offer from West Ham to move to the Premier League, according to UOL Esporte. Calleri, who has also been strongly linked with La Liga outfit Seville - whom he was said to initially express an interest in joining - and Serie A's Inter is said to have rejected offers from those and other clubs interest in acquiring his services in order to join the Hammers. Currently registered to Deportivo Maldonado, who purchased the player's rights earlier this year, Calleri - who, like former Hammer Carlos Tevez also featured for Boca Juniors - is scheduled to represent his country next month at the Rio Olympics.
* In other transfer news this morning, West Ham are said to be vying with Leicester for the signature of Toulouse forward Wissam Ben Yedder. The 25-year-old former French under 21 international has spent the last six years with TFC for whom he has scored 62 goals in 150 appearances and was previously linked with Seville, although a June move fell through. Lyon and Roma, amongst others, have also been linked.
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Fans to face OS travel turmoil
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 18th July 2016
By: Staff Writer
Essex-based West Ham fans attempting to attend home games at the Olympic Stadium in September, October and November are set to face a travel nightmare due to impending engineering works. The Liverpool Street line between London and Billericay will be closed at weekends between 16 September and 6 November due to essential works, which will have a major effect on supporters wishing to travel to home games by public transport. Although temporary bus services are being introduced, fans face extended journeys for at least four home matches - against Southampton (25 September), Middlesbrough (1 October), Sunderland (22 October) and Stoke City (5 November).
* In other travel news, it was announced at the weekend that Abellio Greater Anglia will be offering 50 per cent discounts to West Ham fans travelling to Stratford. Fans purchasing a new season ticket covering all 19 home Premier League games will be entitled to the sizeable discount; for further details, visit Abellio's website.
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Bacca deal revived as Milan call for resolution
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 18th July 2016
By: Staff Writer
Milan are urging striker Carlos Bacca to reach a decision regarding a potential move to West Ham - because they need the money. According to Sky Sports Italia this lunchtime (Monday) Milan's serving vice-president Adriano Galliani has told Bacca's agent, Sergio Barila, to make a decision on West Ham's tabled offer sooner rather than later. And the driving force behind Galliani's directive is that Milan are unable to move in the transfer market until such time as Bacca's immediate future has been resolved. Although the 29-year-old Colombian international has expressed a preference to join a club that can offer him Champions League football, West Ham's offer - contrary to reports elsewhere - has not been rejected and remains on the table. Milan have already accepted an offer of €26million from West Ham for Bacca, whose representatives met with West Ham last week.
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Young Hammers reach Euro semis
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 18th July 2016
By: Staff Writer
Reece Oxford and Sam Howes are through to the semi finals of the Under 19s Euro finals after beating Croatia 2-1 this lunchtime.
Goals from Chelsea's Izzy Brown and (an own goa) by Croatia defender Silvio Anocic in today's Group B clash put Aidy Boothroyd's young Lions two up inside ten minutes at the Heidenheim Arena.
And although Nikola Moro halved the deficit just before the hour mark, Oxford and co. held on to book their place against Italy in this week's semi finals.
Although goalkeeper Howes had to watch the entire game from the bench, Oxford - who continues to be linked with a move elsewhere - played the full 90 minutes and looked assured throughout.
England Under 19s: Freddie Woodman (Newcastle United), Taylor Moore (RC Lens), Dael Fry (Middlesbrough), Reece Oxford (West Ham United), Jonjoe Kenny (Everton), Kyle Walker-Peters (Tottenham), Josh Onomah (Tottenham), Ryan Ledson (Everton); Sheyi Ojo (Liverpool), Ademola Lookman (Charlton Athletic), 11 Izzy Brown (Chelsea).
Substitutes: Ainsley Maitland-Niles (Arsenal) for Moore).
Subs not used: Jordan Rossiter (Glasgow Rangers), Sam Howes (West Ham United), Tammy Abraham (Chelsea), Dominic Solanke (Chelsea), Fikayo Tomori (Chelsea).
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West Ham's Europa League home tie reversed
By Nick Lustig
Last Updated: 18/07/16 6:45pm
SSN
West Ham will play their first match at the Olympic Stadium on August 4 after UEFA agreed to reverse the home and away legs of their Europa League tie. The Hammers were due to host either Shakhtyor Soligorsk of Belarus or NK Domzale of Slovenia on July 28 after being drawn at home for the first leg. However, the timing of the first leg posed a major issue for West Ham, with their new home being used for the London Anniversary Games on July 22/23. It usually takes seven days to convert the stadium from athletics mode to football mode and would have therefore provided the club with an impossible task to ensure the stadium was ready for the match. West Ham held positive talks with both clubs following Friday's draw and gained their agreement to lodge an appeal to UEFA over a possible switch. On Monday, UEFA confirmed they had sanctioned West Ham's request and allowed them to delay the opening of their new 60,000-seater stadium by a week.
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Sofiane Feghouli wants to achieve 'great things' at West Ham
By Nick Lustig
Last Updated: 18/07/16 3:43pm
SSN
Sofiane Feghouli believes West Ham can achieve something special as they prepare for their first season at the Olympic Stadium. The Algeria winger, who joined the Hammers from Valencia in June, is preparing for his first taste of the Premier League and is currently away with the first-team squad on their pre-season tour of Austria. Feghouli is one of six new signings made by Slaven Bilic this summer, with the West Ham manager keen to strengthen his ranks ahead of the 2016/17 campaign, which will also include Europa League football. The 26-year-old has revealed the ambitious nature of the club lured him to east London and he is hoping to be part of a successful era at the Olympic Stadium. "The club is incredibly ambitious, and that was my main reason for coming here," Feghouli told the club's official website. "We will be doing all we can to be as competitive as possible in all of the competitions we are involved in. "I think with the team we have, the players that will be brought in during the transfer window, combined with our fans, then we can go on to achieve some great things together. "The stadium is magnificent and all the players are excited to play there for the first time in front of so many of our fantastic supporters. "We all feel privileged to have the opportunity to play in such an exceptional stadium."
West Ham will play their first match at their new home on August 4 against either Shakhtyor Soligorsk or Domzale in the Europa League, subject to UEFA approval. They have appealed to UEFA over switching the home and away legs around as the Olympic Stadium will be used for the London Anniversary Games on July 22/23. It usually takes seven days to convert the stadium from athletics mode to football and, with the first leg set to take place on July 28, West Ham have asked for the venue of the legs to be switched. They have held positive talks with both clubs and are now awaiting final confirmation from UEFA. West Ham's first Premier League match at the Olympic Stadium will be against Bournemouth on August 21, live on Sky Sports.
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Aaron Cresswell: 'Sam Allardyce works on your weaknesses every day'
The West Ham left-back was signed from Ipswich by Allardyce and says the 61-year-old would be a good fit as manager of England
The Guardian
Nick Ames
Monday 18 July 2016 17.38 BST Last modified on Monday 18 July 2016 19.34 BST
For West Ham United newness is everywhere. It is around eight months since Aaron Cresswell last visited the Olympic Stadium and now, seeing the club's livery dotted around for the first time, there is an early chance to feel at home. Cresswell has been promoting this season's kit – some things are more of a novelty than others – and is evidently engaged by his surroundings, pausing at one point to admire the community pitch that sits adjacent to the stands. A rare balmy evening glows with possibility; it must feel as if the left-back has returned to a different, bigger club.
"Yeah, it does and it's a really exciting time to be here," the 26-year-old says. "We can't wait to get started. We've got the new stadium, a new training ground [at Rush Green] going up and the chairman's backing the manager. We're bringing good players in; we saw how well Dimitri Payet, Manuel Lanzini and the others did last season and now we want to kick on again."
So far the close season has brought four major signings and two of them, Gökhan Töre and Ashley Fletcher, made their introductions to Cresswell just minutes before he paraded the shirt. Change has been constant recently and all of it positive; last month Cresswell proposed to Jessica, now his fiancée, in Dubai and the pair continued their celebrations in the Maldives. It was doubtless a happier place to be than England's Euro 2016 base in France and there were plenty who felt that, even with the national team's surfeit of options in his position, Cresswell should have spent his summer at Euro 2016. The smile, when this is raised, suggests it is far from the first time the thought and question have occurred but the answer gives little away.
"It was frustrating watching as a fan. It was hard because you want them to progress and do well," he says. "But it's a young squad and I'm sure there are good times ahead. Of course I'd want [to represent my country] one day and I'm hoping it happens but the focus for me is on West Ham. All I can do is play at my best here."
The opportunity may arise sooner than he expects. Should Sam Allardyce be named England manager it would be no surprise to see Cresswell, whom the then West Ham manager signed from Ipswich Town two years ago and has spoken of in glowing terms since, named in his first squad. Feelings between the two run both ways; the player is sure Allardyce, at Sunderland now, would be ideally suited to the role.
"I've a lot to credit him for," Cresswell says. "He brought me to the club and I can't speak any more highly of the year I worked under him. He was fantastic with me personally and, if you ask any of the other boys, they'll say the same thing. His man-management skills were very good, top drawer, so I think, if he does get the job, he'll do very well. It's a good fit for England and we'll see if he gets it. He had a fantastic coaching staff with him; you'd work on your weaknesses every day, trying to progress and improve as a player, and that's what I think I did."
That process continued last season under Slaven Bilic, who has been linked with England himself in rather more speculative terms, and Cresswell has seen other areas of his game develop. West Ham's more fluid approach was well documented and it certainly did little harm to Cresswell, whose forward combinations resemble peak-era Leighton Baines and whose left foot produced four assists. "He's been fantastic ever since he walked through the door," he says of Bilic. "The style is a bit different. Maybe it's a European thing that he brought into us, wanting us to move the ball and pass it more, with a bit more movement. For 90% of the games last season Dimi [Payet] played in front of me and that made it seem easy; when you're making that overlap you know the ball's going to come to you, or that something will be made of your run. When everything clicks together for us, it looks good."
They should be clicking for some time yet. Payet signed a new contract in February and Cresswell, in another forward step during this summer of advancement, has just agreed a one-year extension. Both deals run to 2021 and both men may, in the first instance, be tasked with hauling West Ham through the third qualifying round of the Europa League. Shakhtyor Soligorsk, of Belarus, or the Slovenian side Domzale may not hold great allure as a curtain-raiser for West Ham's new life but needs must and lessons have been learned from last year's defeat by Astra Giurgiu.
"Last season not many of us had played in the Europa League and it was definitely an experience travelling to Andorra, Malta and Romania, under difficult circumstances as well," he says. "This season we're starting slightly later and we're ready to try and go as far as we can."
They will be well supported in their new home and, although May's rollercoaster of a final game at Upton Park, a 3-2 win over Manchester United, was "something that will live with me for the rest of my life", the next step for West Ham and Cresswell will justify the means.
"To play in front of 60,000 people week in, week out, in the Europa League and Premier League – it's something you dream of," he says. "Let's hope we just hit the ground running now."
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Demba Ba leg break: West Ham send message of support to former striker after horror injury
SAM LONG
Evening Standard
West Ham have sent a message of support to their former striker Demba Ba after the Senegal forward suffered a career threatening injury. Ba currently plays for Shanghai Shenhua in the Chinese Super League and broke his leg in an innocuous challenge during Sunday's derby against Shanghai SIPG. The striker collided with an opponent before his left leg gave way as he fell to ground in agony and, according to his coach Gregorio Manzano, could be forced to retire from the professional game. Ba spent one season with the Hammers, which ended in the east Londoners' relegation to the Championship, and the club have wished the 31-year-old well in his recovery.
West Ham United FC ✔ @whufc_official
Everyone at West Ham United wishes former Hammer @dembabafoot a full and speedy recovery from injury ⚒
12:45 PM - 18 Jul 2016
A message on the club's official Twitter account read: "Everyone at West Ham United wishes former Hammer @dembabafoot a full and speedy recovery from injury." Ba also played for Newcastle United and Chelsea during his career in England before joining Besiktas in 2014. The forward scored 27 goals in 44 games for the Turkish side, which helped him secure a move to the Chinese Super League last summer.
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West Ham should make a move for French free agent Pied
hitc
Antony Martin
The Hammers need to strengthen their squad in defensive areas. West Ham United find themselves a little short in the right-back area following the sale of James Tomkins to Crystal Palace. The Hammers only have Sam Byram as a recognised right sided full-back, although Michail Antonio is capable of filling in if need be. Jeremy Pied is available on a free transfer after his contract expired at Ligue 1 side Nice and the 27-year-old would be a great signing for the East London club. He would provide ample cover for Byram in the right-back slot. His versatility also enables him to play on either flank as an accomplished winger, so he would be a fantastic all round addition to the squad. Pied made 33 league appearances last term for Nice. He played at right-back for 23 of those games, left-back for seven and defensive midfield for three which highlights his proficiency in different areas of the pitch. The fact that he is available on a free transfer greatly reduces the risk when bringing a foreign player to the Premier League. He will not be a regular starter but will provide experienced back-up, with enough pedigree to shine if called upon. A move to the Premier League would surely appeal to Pied, and the chance of playing Europa League football with the Hammers should be a big enough pull. Should any kind of move materialise, it would be one that would be greatly beneficial to both club and player.
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West Ham eye £41.8m striker after Bacca snub: Arsenal have meeting scheduled with star
WEST HAM are reportedly eyeing a move for Inter Milan striker Mauro Icardi – also a target for Arsenal.
By JOE SHORT
PUBLISHED: 11:53, Mon, Jul 18, 2016 | UPDATED: 12:10, Mon, Jul 18, 2016
Express.co.uk
The Hammers are said to have turned to Inter captain Icardi after being snubbed by AC Milan's Carlos Bacca. Italian broadcaster Sport Mediaset claim West Ham were rejected by Bacca, who would prefer a move to a Champions League club.. And bosses at the Olympic Stadium are said to have switched their focus to Icardi. According to the report, Icardi is not for sale unless a club meet Inter owner Erik Thohir's €50million (£41.8m) valuation. Sky Sport Italia claimed on Sunday that Arsenal have scheduled a meeting to begin preliminary negotiations over Icardi's transfer. The Gunners are yet to sign a striker this summer after failing to convince England's Jamie Vardy to leave Leicester before Euro 2016. West Ham also missed out on Belgium international Michy Batshuayi - who has joined Chelsea - before hearing of Bacca's apparent snub. Co-owner David Sullivan has pledged at least £30m towards a new striker for manager Slaven Bilic, who is tipped to sell Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia before the transfer window closes on August 31. As for Icardi, his wife and agent Wanda Nara has made it clear that the Argentina international feels undervalued at the San Siro. Icardi signed a contract extension with the Milan club last summer but is believed to be paid a fraction of what he could earn in the Premier League. "A year ago Icardi was worth €20m (£14m) to Inter," Nara told Italian website calciomercato.com last week. "They refused [to sell him], and I refused many offers. "Mauro was assured of a contract extension as soon as the club's financial troubles had been resolved, although that same summer the club had invested money in some very expensive footballers. "Icardi has never had a problem with waiting, provided everything goes as agreed." Both Chelsea and Tottenham have also been linked with the striker.
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West Ham FC transfer report: Slaven Bilic turns attention to £10m-rated Toulouse star in striker search
By talkSPORT - @talkSPORT
Monday, July 18, 2016
West Ham are ready to turn to Toulouse star Wissam Ben Yedder as they continue their search for a new striker. The Hammers are desperate to land a forward this summer and the club have already failed with a number of approaches for different targets. Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette turned down an offer from them in June, while a deal for AC Milan hitman Carlos Bacca has stalled. And now, according to RMC, the Hammers are ready to make a move for Ben Yedder instead. The 25-year-old, who bagged 23 goals last season, is available for around £10m and several other clubs are interested too. Leicester City are keeping tabs on the Frenchman, while Lazio and Real Betis are also willing to meet Ben Yedder's asking price.
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West Ham and Leicester in contention for Toulouse's Wissam Ben Yedder
• West Ham fail to make breakthrough in talks for Milan's Carlos Bacca
• Former France under-21 striker scored 17 goals in Ligue 1 last season
The Guardian
Ed Aarons
@ed_aarons
Monday 18 July 2016 10.01 BST Last modified on Monday 18 July 2016 10.03 BST
West Ham's long search for a striker has seen them make a new approach for Toulouse's Wissam Ben Yedder, although they face competition from Leicester for the former France under-21 international. Having failed with bids for Michy Batshuayi, Alexandre Lacazette and Christian Benteke, West Ham had hoped to convince Colombia striker Carlos Bacca to move to east London after having a £26m bid accepted by Milan. However, negotiations with the 29-year-old's representatives have failed to reach a breakthrough and Bacca appeared to rule out any potential transfer to Slaven Bilic's side over the weekend when he admitted he wants to play in the Champions League, with Atlético Madrid, Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain among the other clubs interested.
That has led West Ham to sound out Ben Yedder's representative Meïssa N'Diaye once again after they made an initial approach in January, with the 25-year-old thought to be available for around €10m (£8.3m) because he has just one year left on his contract with Toulouse. Leicester have also registered their interest in a player who scored 17 goals in Ligue 1 last season despite his club only just avoiding relegation, with Claudio Ranieri keen to strengthen his forward options ahead of the new season. N'Diaye refused to comment when contacted by the Guardian on Monday.
Ben Yedder came to close to joining Sevilla in June before new coach Jorge Sampaoli decided against completing the deal but they retain an interest and he is also wanted by Roma and Lyon. Crystal Palace have also scouted him in the past.
On Sunday, Toulouse coach Pascal Dupraz appeared to invite any suitors to make their interest known, with the club hoping to complete a deal in the next week. "I am astonished that French clubs, including the largest, are not interested in him. In France, it is rare for a player to be able to do what he does in the area," he told French radio station RMC.
Born in Sarcelles, a suburb of Paris where Leicester's Riyad Mahrez also grew up, Ben Yedder moved to Toupuse from amateur side UJA Alfortville in 2010 and has since scored 63 goals in 153 appearances.
Any potential move for Ben Yedder could allow West Ham to sell Enner Valencia, with Lazio and Swansea both linked to the Ecuador striker. Diafra Sakho is also wanted by Sunderland, although reports over the weekend claimed the Senegal striker had refused to travel to the team's pre-season training camp in Austria having submitted a transfer request earlier this month.
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West Ham negotiating over Enner Valencia deal: Lazio and Swansea unwilling to meet demands
WEST HAM are without a buyer for Enner Valencia as suitors struggle to meet the club's demands for the Ecuador forward.
By JOE SHORT
PUBLISHED: 07:08, Mon, Jul 18, 2016 | UPDATED: 07:17, Mon, Jul 18, 2016
Express.co.uk
Valencia, 26, is available this summer after a disappointing second season in east London. Lazio are thought to be interested in his signature but face competition from Premier League side Swansea. And West Ham are said to have already rejected an offer from Lazio. That is according to the Sunday Mirror, who claim West Ham want £15m for the player they signed for £12m two summers ago. Lazio want to replace veteran Miroslav Klose but West Ham snubbed an opening £2.5m loan offer with an additional £8m if Valencia plays over half their matches in the coming season. The two clubs are said to be still negotiating despite the initial bid being rejected. Swansea, meanwhile, have reportedly made a £10m offer plus £3m in bonuses for Valencia, who played just 19 games for the Hammers last season. But West Ham believe they can hold out for more before the transfer window shuts on August 31.
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West Ham turn to Wissam Ben Yedder after Bacca snub, new approach submitted
HITC
Olly Dawes
West Ham United are reportedly keen on Toulouse hitman Wissam Ben Yedder. According to Get French Football News, West Ham United have made a new approach for Toulouse hitman Wissam Ben Yedder, with their move for Carlos Bacca falling apart. Whilst the Hammers have snapped up midfielder Havard Nordtveit as well as wingers Sofiane Feghouli and Gokhan Tore, it's been no secret that a new first-choice striker has been top of Slaven Bilic's wish list. Manchester United youngster Ashley Fletcher has been snapped up, but he's one for the future, and a host of big name strikers have been linked with moves to the Olympic Stadium this summer. In fact, Italian newspaper Gazzetta Dello Sport report that AC Milan striker Carlos Bacca has rejected West Ham after weeks of speculation, leaving Bilic's men to look elsewhere for a new goalscorer. Now, Get French Football News report that the Hammers have made a new approach to sign Toulouse forward Wissam Ben Yedder, who has starred in France over the last four seasons. Ben Yedder, 25, is a former futsal and amateur player who has risen to stardom with Toulouse, hitting 17 league goals last season to add to a superb 45 goals in the previous three campaigns. The Frenchman has recently seen a move to Sevilla fall through, and it's claimed that West Ham have now submitted a new move for the player as they look to move on from Bacca's snub. A diminutive, skillful forward, Ben Yedder is massively underrated and could be a shrewd move for West Ham after missing out on Colombian star Bacca - and with Toulouse allegedly expecting a decision on Ben Yedder's future in ten days, West Ham could land the striker in plenty of time for the start of the season.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Monday, July 18
Daily WHUFC News - 18th July 2016
Hammers head to Austria
WHUFC.com
West Ham United headed to Austria for the next phase of their pre-season training on Sunday. Following a tour of the United States, which included games against MLS side Seattle Sounders and Carolina RailHawks, Slaven Bilic and his team will now play three matches in the space of a week in the central European country. Departing from London Heathrow early on Sunday, the travelling party included the likes of Gokhan Tore, Darren Randolph, Enner Valencia, Michail Antonio and Cheikhou Kouyate, who link up with their teammates for the first time this summer. Immediately upon arrival in Austria, Bilic put his side through their paces on the training pitch, with goalkeeper Adrian delighted to get down to work. He said: “It was a good first day, training after our flight. We’ve started all together again with most of the squad and I think we have a good ten days ahead of us with three friendly games. “We have to prepare as strongly as possible and be fit for the Europa League game on 28 July “It’s good to have Darren and Rapha here and to work together again. It’s the most important thing to be competitive for us, and to give 120 percent in each training session, so for me and the rest of the goalkeepers it’s excellent.
With a UEFA Europa League third qualifying round tie against either Shakhtyor Soligorsk of Belarus or Domzale of Slovenia now less than two weeks away, the Hammers’ training camp in Austria offers the perfect preparation. Bilic will also lead his side into three testing pre-season friendlies – the first of which will be played against Czech outfit FC Slovacko in Rohrbach on Tuesday. That is followed 24 hours later with a game against Russian side Rubin Kazan in Krottendorf. The final game of the tour is against Bilic’s former side Karlsruher SC of Germany, in Kapfenberg on Saturday.
Follow full coverage of the tour right here on whufc.com and across our social media channels throughout the week.
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Antonio - I want more goals at the new Stadium
WHUFC.com
Michail Antonio is relishing the chance to wear the Club's new 2016/17 Umbro home kit at the new Stadium and hopes to carry on his memorable goal celebrations. Antonio was part of a spectacular ceremony to unveil the new iconic strip alongside the likes of club skipper Mark Noble, Winston Reid, Aaron Cresswell and new signings Gokhan Tore, Sofiane Feghouli and Havard Nordtveit. The Hammers winger played a major role for the Club last season and few could forget his celebrations after he scored the winning goal against Tottenham and then got on the scoresheet in the final ever game at the Boleyn Ground against Manchester United. After scoring nine goals for West Ham in his debut season in the Premier League, Antonio is now hoping to score even more and help the Hammers challenge for silverware. Antonio said: “I really like the new home kit and it has a nice fitting. I will enjoy wearing it next season. It was great that we could unveil it at the new Stadium as this was my first time visiting our new home. I managed to see the pitch which looks really good. “I didn't realise how big the stadium was until I got inside. It is massive and hopefully the fans can create the same atmosphere that we had at the Boleyn Ground. “It is crazy that I will be playing in front of 60,000 fans every week. To have those fans pushing us every week will help us throughout the season. “Hopefully I can get the fans going with some more goals and I want the fans to send me ideas on what new ones I can do for them! “The support we have is fantastic and I hope they enjoyed the kit unveiling.”
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West Ham prepare contract talks with Reece Oxford amid Manchester United interest
22:30, 16 JUL 2016
BY TOM HOPKINSON
The 17-year-old is currently on England Under-19 duty and the Hammers have already rejected a £10million offer from Red Bull Leipzig
The Mirror
West Ham will hold talks over a new deal with defender Reece Oxford when he returns from England Under-19 duty. The 17-year-old, who has two years left to run on his contract, is hot property and the Hammers are keen to tie him down on a long-term deal. German side Red Bull Leipzig have already had a £10million bid rejected by West Ham’s owners. While on Friday, Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham all had him watched as he helped the Young Lions beat Holland 2-1 to book their place in the Euro Under-19 Championship semi-finals in Germany. West Ham United via GettySlaven Bilic looks onLiking: Bilic is expected to make Oxford a bigger part of his first-team next season United boss Jose Mourinho is hugely keen on the youngster and is preparing to step up his bid to take him to Old Trafford. Oxford made 12 appearances for West Ham last season, including six in the Premier League.
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Swansea and Lazio in bidding war for Enner Valencia but remain short of West Ham's £15million price tag
15:32, 17 JUL 2016 UPDATED 15:39, 17 JUL 2016
BY DARREN LEWIS
The Ecuador forward is wanted in Italy and in the Premier League but Lazio and Swansea will have to increase their offers to get their man
TheMirror
Lazio are continuing to negotiate with West Ham for £15million striker Enner Valencia - but face strong competition from Swansea . The Italian club are hunting a replacement for veteran Miroslav Klose but are struggling to meet the Hammers’ asking price. Lazio want to take Valencia on loan with a view to a permanent deal. West Ham are only interested in an outright deal which sees they claw back at least the £12million they paid Mexico's Pachuca for him two years ago. But West Ham have dismissed out of hand their offer of a £2.5million loan fee with £8million payable if Valencia plays in half their games next season.
Swansea have offered £10million plus £3million in bonuses but West Ham are holding out for the deal more suitable to them.
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OUR SEARCH FOR A STRIKER BY THE ARMCHAIR HAMMER
BY EXWHUEMPLOYEE ON 17 JULY 2016 AT 9:10PM
The West HamWay.co.uk
Carlos Bacca Fifa
My nine year old son has been playing FIFA for a few years now. One of his favourite players in the game is Carlos Bacca. Why? Because on the game, he’s labelled as C .Bacca. Now my son is a Star Wars fan, as well as a Hammer, and he loves to call him Chewbacca. When I mentioned to him that there were rumours that we may be buying him – he literally danced for joy.
Ah, the innocence of youth.
Now that Bacca is stalling on signing a deal, I don’t want to (terrible pun alert) burst his bubble and crush his dreams just yet – until we know the outcome of this saga. So I’m holding off from telling him anything until Ex gives us confirmation of a deal.
Now this isn’t the first time in this window that we’ve been heavily linked with some really good strikers. Lacazette and Batshuayi set the rumour mill alight before the Euro’s and we all know what happened there.
A cynic would suggest that both of these players, or more probably their agents, were likely using us as a way to drive up interest from other clubs. Now, I seriously doubt that either player had any real interest in joining. Our ambition is high and the club is moving in a very positive direction under the stewardship of the joint-chairman. But the fact is, we are not yet playing in the Champions League and most of the high quality players we are being linked with want immediate access to Europe’s premier competition.
The only way we are likely to get these types of players in to the club is by spending vast amounts of money on transfer fees and salaries.
Don’t forget clubs around the world want to cash in on the vast riches on offer from Premiership teams this season with seemingly average players fees hugely inflated. Players agents are looking for obscenely high wages for their clients – and they will destroy our club’s current wage structure.
Our joint-chairman and indeed Lady Brady are working hard to get the club back on a solid financial footing after years of mis-management. Do we really want to go through those bleak years again?
Now this is where I go back to the Bacca situation. I’m sure the club could secure his signature if we paid him enough money, but is it worth it at the risk of losing our all-important team morale? Bear in mind, this team fights for each other. I’m no longer fearful of going a goal down – we can get back into games. Over the years, that hasn’t always been the case – trust me.
Personally, and I welcome your thoughts on this, I’d rather see players join that are as passionate and excited about joining us as we, the fans are about supporting out our team.
Don’t forget, Payet wasn’t seen as worldie when he joined us. Bilic has installed a belief in him and the team around him. We play to his obvious strengths. He, and indeed we, are reaping the benefits. The same could be said of Di Canio. He was seen as a maverick, a real punt at the time but we, the supporters, got behind him and earned his loyalty. What a player he turned out to be for us.
My point, you may be asking?
It’s this.
You need a player in the Premiership that is going to show both quality and a desire to do well for their club. These two qualities aren’t mutually exclusive. For a club with our level of ambition, I really think we need both.
Just look at some of the fantastic signings we’ve had over the years who have failed to live up to their promise. We’ve had Javier Mascherano who didn’t really get a kick, Davor Suker, Benni McCarthy, Kieron Dyer and Florin Raducioiu. The reason they flattered to deceive? They all wanted a big pay day or used us as a stepping stone.
So my hope is that we don’t get held to ransom by greedy clubs or greedy players. Instead, we bring in players who are excited about playing in front of 60,000 passionate fans every week and will give us their heart and soul. In return, we’ll give them a chant and plenty of adoration. Who could turn that down eh?
So, whether Bacca is in or out is down to him. The important question is – will he turn out to be my son’s ultimate footballing hero, or deal him the first crushing blow of his early life?
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to tell my boy about the rumour we’re signing James Rodriguez……
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Sunday, July 17
Daily WHUFC News - 17th July 2016
Noble - The new home kit looks great
WHUFC.com
West Ham United captain Mark Noble was thrilled to unveil the new 2016/17 Umbro home kit at the new Stadium and hopes it will attract attention from people across the world. The iconic strip was officially unveiled at an exclusive event for 500 lucky fans at the Club's new 'Home of Heroes' on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and featured first-team stars, a football freestyler, rapper and DJ, celebrity hosts and stunning interactive video and musical presentations. Summer signings Sofiane Feghouli, Havard Nordtveit, Gokhan Tore, Ashley Fletcher, Antonio Martinez and Domingos Quina were joined by Noble, Aaron Cresswell, Winston Reid, Michail Antonio and Raphael Spiegel alongside YouTube sensation Spencer Owen officially unveiling the 2016/17 Home Kit to fans across the world. Noble cannot wait to wear it for the first time and hopes to achieve even more success when the Hammers play their first Premier League game at the new Stadium against Bournemouth on August 21. Noble said: "The new home kit is lovely. We have obviously seen it behind-the-scenes and we have been happy with it for a long time. It looks great. "It is a fitting kit to see us move into the new Stadium. "I enjoyed the show and it was a bit different to what we are normally used to when we unveil the new kit. "But we are moving into a fantastic new Stadium and it warrants it to get the kit out, not just to West Ham fans, but people across the world as the Club is moving forward in massive strides and we need to get the kit out there."
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Hammers launch new home kit
WHUFC.com
West Ham United launched the Club's 2016/17 Umbro Home Kit during a spectacular ceremony at the London Stadium The iconic strip was officially unveiled at an exclusive event for 500 lucky fans at the Club's new 'Home of Heroes' on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and featured first-team stars, a football freestyler, rapper and DJ, celebrity hosts and stunning interactive video and musical presentations. Summer signings Sofiane Feghouli, Havard Nordtveit, Gokhan Tore, Ashley Fletcher, Antonio Martinez and Domingos Quina were joined by captain Mark Noble, Aaron Cresswell, Winston Reid, Michail Antonio and Raphael Spiegel alongside YouTube sensation Spencer Owen officially unveiling the 2016/17 Home Kit to fans across the world.
Supporters were also given their first glimpse of the commemorative 2016/17 Thames Ironworks FC-themed kit, which West Ham will wear for the first time when Juventus visit for the Betway Cup on Sunday 7 August.
Streamed live on the Club's YouTube and Facebook channels and produced in conjunction with content agencies Brawl and WTF Creative, the launch set a new standard in digital engagement by a Premier League football club. West Ham will pull on their 2016/17 Home Kit for the first time when Belarussians FC Shakhtyor Soligorsk or Slovenians Domzale visit east London in the UEFA Europa League third qualifying round.
Vice-Chairman Karren Brady said: "This is a very special event for the Club, the first at our magnificent new Stadium, and so we wanted to share it with our fans – those lucky ones here tonight and those elsewhere in the capital, country and world who were able to join us via the live stream. "We know our fans love the 2016/17 Away Kit, our new Stadium Store has been full every day since opening with fans flocking to buy the new strip, and from the reaction here tonight it's safe to say the fans are equally excited about the Home Kit. As the last season at the Boleyn Ground was, this season at London Stadium will be one that no Hammers fan will want to miss. Standing here outside our new home, seeing our players in their new strip, you can't help but be excited about the future of West Ham United."
The new Home shirt, in the Club's traditional Claret and Blue colours, features cutting edge cooling body map mesh and comfortable part rib collar and side panels. Special detailing on the shirt includes a Union Jack motif on the sleeves – a nod to both the history of the club's new Olympic Park home and their origins as Thames Ironworks FC back in 1895. On the back neck area, the co-ordinates of the Club's new home in Stratford are featured alongside the Union Jack graphic, while the chest is emblazoned with the new West Ham United crest and text marking the Hammers' first season in the London Stadium.
Accompanying the shirt, white shorts feature an eye-catching blue contrast side panel, with both club crest and Umbro logo in claret. Completing the kit are claret socks with a blue and white contrast stripe. A cotton footbed keeps players comfortable for the full 90 minutes. Vice-captain Winston Reid said, "It was a privilege for the players here today to be involved in the launch of what will become an iconic West Ham kit. The 2016/17 season is going to be a real milestone in the history of this club, and all three of the kits are fitting for the occasion. "The home shirt is a modern take on the classic claret and blue, and I think fans will love the Commemorative Kit that gives a nod to the Thames Ironworks team, where this all started. "The unveiling today was a great event for supporters. New kits, new signings, stunning new home and the new season just around the corner, we can't wait to get started."
Buy the 2016/17 Umbro Home and Away Kits here now!
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Oxford starts in Young Lions triumph
WHUFC.com
Reece Oxford played the 90 minutes as England U19 continued their perfect start to the UEFA U19 Championship finals in Germany by defeating the Netherlands 2-1 on Friday.
Following a 2-1 victory over France in their tournament opener on Tuesday, the Young Lions came from behind against the Dutch, thanks to goals from Chelsea duo Dominic Solanke and Isaiah Brown.
Brown's winner was a dramatic injury time effort and ensured England went top of Group B with six points from two games.
Aidy Boothroyd's team have secured qualification for the semi-finals with a game to spare.
Oxford's Hammers teammate Sam Howes was among the unused substitutes for England and his chance could come in the third group game against Croatia in Heidenheim on Monday.
Howes was a winner of the UEFA U17 Championship with many of this group of players two years ago, with England looking to lift the U19 title for the first time since the tournament's inception in 2002.
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Westley - It was a good experience
WHUFC.com
Reflecting on the Development Squad's 2-0 defeat away at Chelmsford City, Academy director Terry Westley described the pre-season fixture as ideal preparation for the competitive season. Westley named a young side mixed with the experience of first team regular Michail Antonio and debutant Ashley Fletcher. In total, Westley used 21 players in an effort to raise as the squad's fitness as much as possible, while giving U21 debuts to Mason Barratt, Ben Wells, Rosaire Longelo and Korrey Henry. Speaking at full time, Westley said: "It was a tough game, like we expected it to be and we got from the game exactly what we wanted. They were a very physical, determined side so it was a good learning curve for our younger players in particular, and all round it was good for fitness. Overall, there are plenty of positives for us to take. "In the first half, with Michail, Ashley, Josh it was more about fitness because we knew we could handle them, and we were the better side. "In the second, we were a lot younger and we knew it would be difficult. We never gave up, and still played the way we want to, so I'm happy."
Now, Westley has just four days until the young Hammers' next friendly, an even bigger test away at Peterborough United on Tuesday 19 July. The experienced coach continued: "We know Tuesday is another huge test, but more than anything it's another great experience as well as an opportunity for our younger players to show what they can do. "We don't want it to be easy because, if it is, we don't get as much from the game. We had a number of players away with the first team in the US and same with Austria. So Tuesday is really a good chance to showcase their talent."
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Oh yes he did! Agent's claim refuted
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 16th July 2016
By: Staff Writer
The journalist at the centre of a contested article featuring comments attributed to Dimitri Payet insists that the interview was genuine. A story by writer Justin Allen, published in The Sun newspaper earlier this week claiming that Payet had told him he intends to remain at West Ham was subsequently dismissed as "fabrication" by the French international's representative Jacques Olivier Auguste. Speaking to Daily Mercato on Friday, Auguste claimed that "Dimitri has not done an interview with any media outlet", adding "these declarations are pure inventions in the imagination of a journalist". However an angry Allen contacted KUMB.com last night to challenge Auguste's version of events and insist that the interview DID take place - adding that he has witnesses plus a photo of Payet, taken at the time of the interview, to support his case.
Justin Allen ✔ @justinallen1976
Dimitri Payet with my pals at M20 services returning from Euro 2016, where he said: I'm 100% staying at #whufc
8:50 AM - 16 Jul 2016
166 166 Retweets 306 306 likes
In the initial story, Allen - who has since posted the above picture via his twitter timeline - claimed that Payet told him he was "100 per cent staying at West Ham". He was offered the right to reply, but refused to comment.
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West Ham working hard on transfers, says David Gold
By Michael Kelleher
Last Updated: 16/07/16 5:17pm
SSN
Co-chairman David Gold has assured West Ham fans the club are working hard to bring in new players and have "many irons in the fire". David Sullivan, also a co-chairman, revealed in May the club were prepared to spend up to £30m on a "top striker" as manager Slaven Bilic looks to build on last season's seventh-place finish in the Premier League. However, the Hammers have been frustrated in their efforts to land a big-name forward, though the club have held discussions with AC Milan striker Carlos Bacca after activating a £26m release clause in his contract, according to Sky sources. The biggest transfer deal West Ham have struck this summer was to sell James Tomkins to Crystal Palace for £10m but Gold has stressed there is still plenty of time for that to change before the transfer window shuts on August 31.
"I can assure all our supporters that we are still working hard behind the scenes to bring new players into the squad and have many irons in the fire," Gold told the club's website. "There is still a long way to go before the transfer window closes. "David Sullivan is working relentlessly to push these players over the line and nobody is better than him at getting the best possible deals."
West Ham had bids for Alexandre Lacazette and Callum Wilson turned down, while Sky sources understand the Hammers were also interested in Michy Batshuayi, who joined Chelsea. Sullivan also admitted the club were priced out of a move for Leicester City's Jamie Vardy. Manuel Lanzini was signed from Al Jazira Club for £9.4m after a successful season-long loan, while teenage striker Toni Martinez joined from Valencia for £2.25m.
The club also added Havard Nordtveit, Sofiane Feghouli, Domingos Quina and Ashley Fletcher on free transfers while Gokhan Tore arrived on loan from Besiktas. Gold has high hopes for Reece Oxford and other young players. Gold is optimistic about some of the young players pushing for inclusion in Bilic's first-team squad and feels many are capable of making the breakthrough this season. "We have a number of talented youngsters like Reece Oxford, Reece Burke, Martin Samuelsen, Josh Cullen, Sam Byram, Toni Martinez who are knocking on the first-team door," Gold said. "I have no doubts that these youngsters could be playing in the first-team this year. "I genuinely don't think we have ever had a crop of young players in my time here who are knocking on the door like the ones we have now. These are serious young talented players."
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Diafra Sakho 'refuses to travel' with West Ham United on tour of Austria
By Sky Sports News HQ
Last Updated: 16/07/16 12:10pm
SSN
Diafra Sakho has refused to travel with the squad for West Ham's pre-season tour to Austria, according to Sky sources. The striker handed in a transfer request earlier this month after the club publicly admitted its interest in signing a big-name forward. Sky Sports News HQ understands two Premier League clubs, as well as Sevilla and Hamburg, have all enquired about Sakho's availability. The striker was the subject of a failed £11m bid from Sunderland last month. Black Cats manager Sam Allardyce brought the Senegal international to Upton Park from Metz in 2014 when he was in charge of the Hammers. The 26-year-old joined on a four-year contract and has scored 15 goals in 43 Premier League appearances. West Brom are reportedly interested in Sakho, who complained of illness and stayed in the UK when the rest of the West Ham squad flew to the US for a pre-season tour.
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West Ham launch new home kit as Hammers stars make first appearance at Olympic Stadium
20:51, 16 JUL 2016 UPDATED 21:14, 16 JUL 2016
BY JAMES WHALING
A host of Irons first-teamers joined 500 fans on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park for the unveiling of the new claret and blue strip
The Mirror
West Ham have unveiled their home strip for the 2016-17 season at an official launch outside the Olympic Stadium. The Irons move into their new home in the upcoming season and a host of first-team stars were on hand to parade the kit. Summer signings Sofiane Feghouli, Havard Nordtveit, Gokhan Tore, Ashley Fletcher, Antonio Martinez and Domingos Quina were all present following their switches to the East End. Club captain Mark Noble was also in attendance, as were Aaron Cresswell, Winston Reid, Michail Antonio and Raphael Spiegel. The Hammers have retained their traditional claret and blue colours on the shirt, accompanied by solid white shorts with light blue trim. A grand opening for the Olympic Stadium was denied when the Irons were drawn to play either Shakhtyor Soligorsk from Belarus or Slovenia's NK Domzale in the Europa League third qualifying round. That will be the first match they play at their new home before a glamour friendly against Juventus prior to the Premier League season. Vice-captain Winston Reid said: "It was a privilege for the players here today to be involved in the launch of what will become an iconic West Ham kit. "The 2016/17 season is going to be a real milestone in the history of this club, and all three of the kits are fitting for the occasion. "The home shirt is a modern take on the classic claret and blue, and I think fans will love the third kit that gives a nod to the Thames Ironworks team, where this all started. "The unveiling today was a great event for supporters. New kits, new signings, stunning new home and the new season just around the corner, we can't wait to get started."
The 2016/17 Umbro Home and Away Kits is on sale now.
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EXWHUEMPLOYEE ROUND UP
BY EXWHUEMPLOYEE ON 16 JULY 2016 AT 9:45PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Here is the latest transfer and other news round up.
The Kit Launch
It appears that the launch has not gone down well with the majority of the fans. I think the problem is, is that we are becoming too obsessed with transfers. At no point was it ever said there would be a player signing announced at the launch and this appears to be the main disappointment. It was a kit launch as in an event where the new kit is revealed to the public, which it was (although we had all seen it before anyway). Why the staff had to sign a non disclosure form, like I said in my columns recently, I do not know the answer to. If I did know the answer then the staff would have broken the non disclosure form that I was reporting. I guess if you said to the fans "There will be a comedian doing a rap, a freestyle footballer and the kit launch" there may not have been as much interest or hype which I think as a club we are sometimes guilty of doing; over hyping situations.
Forward Signing
Ben Yedder is a name I have linked us with for a while now and it appears that we are very keen to get his signature. The club believe he is a natural finisher and offers us something that we haven't had for a while. Another player who I have said is a top target is Calleri. We really rate the player and are monitoring his passport and Olympic squad situation before we make a move. The Bacca deal is as it has been for a number of days. Our offer is in, it is the highest offer (despite people thinking the board are being tight) but Bacca is waiting to see who else comes in for him and he hopes some Champions League teams do. At the moment it is a waiting game.
Rico Henry Interest
There is still interest in Rico Henry as left back cover. The player has a lot of potential. The club is looking to get another left back so that Cresswell has some competition and does not have to play every game. Lewis Page will offer one option but the club are said to be looking for a second.
Sakho Situation
On my twitter account I detailed the falling out of Sakho with Bilic before the Arsenal game. To recap Sakho stormed home and faked and injury because he didn't get a start. Bilic told him and Alex Song (who was involved in the incident) that they would not play for the club again. The squad then decided that if the players apologised on the training ground they would be forgiven. In the case of Alex Song he wasn't going to play anymore anyway because of clauses within his contract but Sakho to his credit did apologise. He then went on to feature in other games including scoring in the final one at Upton Park. His relationship with Bilic would never be the same. Sakho isn't happy with all the new signing talk and wants guarantees that he will play and of course we couldn't give this. The club are concerned with his injury record and think it is best to move him on, if he will pass a medical, before his injuries flare up again. He has also handed in a transfer request and sustained an "injury" before the USA tour. We hope WBA or Sunderland will move for him soon. He is now reported as saying he is not going to Austria with the squad, I think it is time to end this saga and try to move the player on as quickly as possible. I am also going to through this out there, and the West Ham Way writers in our GC on twitter, can confirm I have said this before; I do not think Sakho is technically that good anyway.
Europa League Draw
I am lead to believe that the fixtures will be swapped around so that we play away first and at home second because the stadium will not be ready. The club are apparently having difficulties with retractable seating and they have had to bring in different contractors to try and solve the problem. They face a race against time to get it sorted before the Juventus game.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
West Ham United captain Mark Noble was thrilled to unveil the new 2016/17 Umbro home kit at the new Stadium and hopes it will attract attention from people across the world. The iconic strip was officially unveiled at an exclusive event for 500 lucky fans at the Club's new 'Home of Heroes' on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and featured first-team stars, a football freestyler, rapper and DJ, celebrity hosts and stunning interactive video and musical presentations. Summer signings Sofiane Feghouli, Havard Nordtveit, Gokhan Tore, Ashley Fletcher, Antonio Martinez and Domingos Quina were joined by Noble, Aaron Cresswell, Winston Reid, Michail Antonio and Raphael Spiegel alongside YouTube sensation Spencer Owen officially unveiling the 2016/17 Home Kit to fans across the world. Noble cannot wait to wear it for the first time and hopes to achieve even more success when the Hammers play their first Premier League game at the new Stadium against Bournemouth on August 21. Noble said: "The new home kit is lovely. We have obviously seen it behind-the-scenes and we have been happy with it for a long time. It looks great. "It is a fitting kit to see us move into the new Stadium. "I enjoyed the show and it was a bit different to what we are normally used to when we unveil the new kit. "But we are moving into a fantastic new Stadium and it warrants it to get the kit out, not just to West Ham fans, but people across the world as the Club is moving forward in massive strides and we need to get the kit out there."
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Hammers launch new home kit
WHUFC.com
West Ham United launched the Club's 2016/17 Umbro Home Kit during a spectacular ceremony at the London Stadium The iconic strip was officially unveiled at an exclusive event for 500 lucky fans at the Club's new 'Home of Heroes' on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and featured first-team stars, a football freestyler, rapper and DJ, celebrity hosts and stunning interactive video and musical presentations. Summer signings Sofiane Feghouli, Havard Nordtveit, Gokhan Tore, Ashley Fletcher, Antonio Martinez and Domingos Quina were joined by captain Mark Noble, Aaron Cresswell, Winston Reid, Michail Antonio and Raphael Spiegel alongside YouTube sensation Spencer Owen officially unveiling the 2016/17 Home Kit to fans across the world.
Supporters were also given their first glimpse of the commemorative 2016/17 Thames Ironworks FC-themed kit, which West Ham will wear for the first time when Juventus visit for the Betway Cup on Sunday 7 August.
Streamed live on the Club's YouTube and Facebook channels and produced in conjunction with content agencies Brawl and WTF Creative, the launch set a new standard in digital engagement by a Premier League football club. West Ham will pull on their 2016/17 Home Kit for the first time when Belarussians FC Shakhtyor Soligorsk or Slovenians Domzale visit east London in the UEFA Europa League third qualifying round.
Vice-Chairman Karren Brady said: "This is a very special event for the Club, the first at our magnificent new Stadium, and so we wanted to share it with our fans – those lucky ones here tonight and those elsewhere in the capital, country and world who were able to join us via the live stream. "We know our fans love the 2016/17 Away Kit, our new Stadium Store has been full every day since opening with fans flocking to buy the new strip, and from the reaction here tonight it's safe to say the fans are equally excited about the Home Kit. As the last season at the Boleyn Ground was, this season at London Stadium will be one that no Hammers fan will want to miss. Standing here outside our new home, seeing our players in their new strip, you can't help but be excited about the future of West Ham United."
The new Home shirt, in the Club's traditional Claret and Blue colours, features cutting edge cooling body map mesh and comfortable part rib collar and side panels. Special detailing on the shirt includes a Union Jack motif on the sleeves – a nod to both the history of the club's new Olympic Park home and their origins as Thames Ironworks FC back in 1895. On the back neck area, the co-ordinates of the Club's new home in Stratford are featured alongside the Union Jack graphic, while the chest is emblazoned with the new West Ham United crest and text marking the Hammers' first season in the London Stadium.
Accompanying the shirt, white shorts feature an eye-catching blue contrast side panel, with both club crest and Umbro logo in claret. Completing the kit are claret socks with a blue and white contrast stripe. A cotton footbed keeps players comfortable for the full 90 minutes. Vice-captain Winston Reid said, "It was a privilege for the players here today to be involved in the launch of what will become an iconic West Ham kit. The 2016/17 season is going to be a real milestone in the history of this club, and all three of the kits are fitting for the occasion. "The home shirt is a modern take on the classic claret and blue, and I think fans will love the Commemorative Kit that gives a nod to the Thames Ironworks team, where this all started. "The unveiling today was a great event for supporters. New kits, new signings, stunning new home and the new season just around the corner, we can't wait to get started."
Buy the 2016/17 Umbro Home and Away Kits here now!
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Oxford starts in Young Lions triumph
WHUFC.com
Reece Oxford played the 90 minutes as England U19 continued their perfect start to the UEFA U19 Championship finals in Germany by defeating the Netherlands 2-1 on Friday.
Following a 2-1 victory over France in their tournament opener on Tuesday, the Young Lions came from behind against the Dutch, thanks to goals from Chelsea duo Dominic Solanke and Isaiah Brown.
Brown's winner was a dramatic injury time effort and ensured England went top of Group B with six points from two games.
Aidy Boothroyd's team have secured qualification for the semi-finals with a game to spare.
Oxford's Hammers teammate Sam Howes was among the unused substitutes for England and his chance could come in the third group game against Croatia in Heidenheim on Monday.
Howes was a winner of the UEFA U17 Championship with many of this group of players two years ago, with England looking to lift the U19 title for the first time since the tournament's inception in 2002.
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Westley - It was a good experience
WHUFC.com
Reflecting on the Development Squad's 2-0 defeat away at Chelmsford City, Academy director Terry Westley described the pre-season fixture as ideal preparation for the competitive season. Westley named a young side mixed with the experience of first team regular Michail Antonio and debutant Ashley Fletcher. In total, Westley used 21 players in an effort to raise as the squad's fitness as much as possible, while giving U21 debuts to Mason Barratt, Ben Wells, Rosaire Longelo and Korrey Henry. Speaking at full time, Westley said: "It was a tough game, like we expected it to be and we got from the game exactly what we wanted. They were a very physical, determined side so it was a good learning curve for our younger players in particular, and all round it was good for fitness. Overall, there are plenty of positives for us to take. "In the first half, with Michail, Ashley, Josh it was more about fitness because we knew we could handle them, and we were the better side. "In the second, we were a lot younger and we knew it would be difficult. We never gave up, and still played the way we want to, so I'm happy."
Now, Westley has just four days until the young Hammers' next friendly, an even bigger test away at Peterborough United on Tuesday 19 July. The experienced coach continued: "We know Tuesday is another huge test, but more than anything it's another great experience as well as an opportunity for our younger players to show what they can do. "We don't want it to be easy because, if it is, we don't get as much from the game. We had a number of players away with the first team in the US and same with Austria. So Tuesday is really a good chance to showcase their talent."
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Oh yes he did! Agent's claim refuted
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 16th July 2016
By: Staff Writer
The journalist at the centre of a contested article featuring comments attributed to Dimitri Payet insists that the interview was genuine. A story by writer Justin Allen, published in The Sun newspaper earlier this week claiming that Payet had told him he intends to remain at West Ham was subsequently dismissed as "fabrication" by the French international's representative Jacques Olivier Auguste. Speaking to Daily Mercato on Friday, Auguste claimed that "Dimitri has not done an interview with any media outlet", adding "these declarations are pure inventions in the imagination of a journalist". However an angry Allen contacted KUMB.com last night to challenge Auguste's version of events and insist that the interview DID take place - adding that he has witnesses plus a photo of Payet, taken at the time of the interview, to support his case.
Justin Allen ✔ @justinallen1976
Dimitri Payet with my pals at M20 services returning from Euro 2016, where he said: I'm 100% staying at #whufc
8:50 AM - 16 Jul 2016
166 166 Retweets 306 306 likes
In the initial story, Allen - who has since posted the above picture via his twitter timeline - claimed that Payet told him he was "100 per cent staying at West Ham". He was offered the right to reply, but refused to comment.
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West Ham working hard on transfers, says David Gold
By Michael Kelleher
Last Updated: 16/07/16 5:17pm
SSN
Co-chairman David Gold has assured West Ham fans the club are working hard to bring in new players and have "many irons in the fire". David Sullivan, also a co-chairman, revealed in May the club were prepared to spend up to £30m on a "top striker" as manager Slaven Bilic looks to build on last season's seventh-place finish in the Premier League. However, the Hammers have been frustrated in their efforts to land a big-name forward, though the club have held discussions with AC Milan striker Carlos Bacca after activating a £26m release clause in his contract, according to Sky sources. The biggest transfer deal West Ham have struck this summer was to sell James Tomkins to Crystal Palace for £10m but Gold has stressed there is still plenty of time for that to change before the transfer window shuts on August 31.
"I can assure all our supporters that we are still working hard behind the scenes to bring new players into the squad and have many irons in the fire," Gold told the club's website. "There is still a long way to go before the transfer window closes. "David Sullivan is working relentlessly to push these players over the line and nobody is better than him at getting the best possible deals."
West Ham had bids for Alexandre Lacazette and Callum Wilson turned down, while Sky sources understand the Hammers were also interested in Michy Batshuayi, who joined Chelsea. Sullivan also admitted the club were priced out of a move for Leicester City's Jamie Vardy. Manuel Lanzini was signed from Al Jazira Club for £9.4m after a successful season-long loan, while teenage striker Toni Martinez joined from Valencia for £2.25m.
The club also added Havard Nordtveit, Sofiane Feghouli, Domingos Quina and Ashley Fletcher on free transfers while Gokhan Tore arrived on loan from Besiktas. Gold has high hopes for Reece Oxford and other young players. Gold is optimistic about some of the young players pushing for inclusion in Bilic's first-team squad and feels many are capable of making the breakthrough this season. "We have a number of talented youngsters like Reece Oxford, Reece Burke, Martin Samuelsen, Josh Cullen, Sam Byram, Toni Martinez who are knocking on the first-team door," Gold said. "I have no doubts that these youngsters could be playing in the first-team this year. "I genuinely don't think we have ever had a crop of young players in my time here who are knocking on the door like the ones we have now. These are serious young talented players."
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Diafra Sakho 'refuses to travel' with West Ham United on tour of Austria
By Sky Sports News HQ
Last Updated: 16/07/16 12:10pm
SSN
Diafra Sakho has refused to travel with the squad for West Ham's pre-season tour to Austria, according to Sky sources. The striker handed in a transfer request earlier this month after the club publicly admitted its interest in signing a big-name forward. Sky Sports News HQ understands two Premier League clubs, as well as Sevilla and Hamburg, have all enquired about Sakho's availability. The striker was the subject of a failed £11m bid from Sunderland last month. Black Cats manager Sam Allardyce brought the Senegal international to Upton Park from Metz in 2014 when he was in charge of the Hammers. The 26-year-old joined on a four-year contract and has scored 15 goals in 43 Premier League appearances. West Brom are reportedly interested in Sakho, who complained of illness and stayed in the UK when the rest of the West Ham squad flew to the US for a pre-season tour.
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West Ham launch new home kit as Hammers stars make first appearance at Olympic Stadium
20:51, 16 JUL 2016 UPDATED 21:14, 16 JUL 2016
BY JAMES WHALING
A host of Irons first-teamers joined 500 fans on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park for the unveiling of the new claret and blue strip
The Mirror
West Ham have unveiled their home strip for the 2016-17 season at an official launch outside the Olympic Stadium. The Irons move into their new home in the upcoming season and a host of first-team stars were on hand to parade the kit. Summer signings Sofiane Feghouli, Havard Nordtveit, Gokhan Tore, Ashley Fletcher, Antonio Martinez and Domingos Quina were all present following their switches to the East End. Club captain Mark Noble was also in attendance, as were Aaron Cresswell, Winston Reid, Michail Antonio and Raphael Spiegel. The Hammers have retained their traditional claret and blue colours on the shirt, accompanied by solid white shorts with light blue trim. A grand opening for the Olympic Stadium was denied when the Irons were drawn to play either Shakhtyor Soligorsk from Belarus or Slovenia's NK Domzale in the Europa League third qualifying round. That will be the first match they play at their new home before a glamour friendly against Juventus prior to the Premier League season. Vice-captain Winston Reid said: "It was a privilege for the players here today to be involved in the launch of what will become an iconic West Ham kit. "The 2016/17 season is going to be a real milestone in the history of this club, and all three of the kits are fitting for the occasion. "The home shirt is a modern take on the classic claret and blue, and I think fans will love the third kit that gives a nod to the Thames Ironworks team, where this all started. "The unveiling today was a great event for supporters. New kits, new signings, stunning new home and the new season just around the corner, we can't wait to get started."
The 2016/17 Umbro Home and Away Kits is on sale now.
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EXWHUEMPLOYEE ROUND UP
BY EXWHUEMPLOYEE ON 16 JULY 2016 AT 9:45PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Here is the latest transfer and other news round up.
The Kit Launch
It appears that the launch has not gone down well with the majority of the fans. I think the problem is, is that we are becoming too obsessed with transfers. At no point was it ever said there would be a player signing announced at the launch and this appears to be the main disappointment. It was a kit launch as in an event where the new kit is revealed to the public, which it was (although we had all seen it before anyway). Why the staff had to sign a non disclosure form, like I said in my columns recently, I do not know the answer to. If I did know the answer then the staff would have broken the non disclosure form that I was reporting. I guess if you said to the fans "There will be a comedian doing a rap, a freestyle footballer and the kit launch" there may not have been as much interest or hype which I think as a club we are sometimes guilty of doing; over hyping situations.
Forward Signing
Ben Yedder is a name I have linked us with for a while now and it appears that we are very keen to get his signature. The club believe he is a natural finisher and offers us something that we haven't had for a while. Another player who I have said is a top target is Calleri. We really rate the player and are monitoring his passport and Olympic squad situation before we make a move. The Bacca deal is as it has been for a number of days. Our offer is in, it is the highest offer (despite people thinking the board are being tight) but Bacca is waiting to see who else comes in for him and he hopes some Champions League teams do. At the moment it is a waiting game.
Rico Henry Interest
There is still interest in Rico Henry as left back cover. The player has a lot of potential. The club is looking to get another left back so that Cresswell has some competition and does not have to play every game. Lewis Page will offer one option but the club are said to be looking for a second.
Sakho Situation
On my twitter account I detailed the falling out of Sakho with Bilic before the Arsenal game. To recap Sakho stormed home and faked and injury because he didn't get a start. Bilic told him and Alex Song (who was involved in the incident) that they would not play for the club again. The squad then decided that if the players apologised on the training ground they would be forgiven. In the case of Alex Song he wasn't going to play anymore anyway because of clauses within his contract but Sakho to his credit did apologise. He then went on to feature in other games including scoring in the final one at Upton Park. His relationship with Bilic would never be the same. Sakho isn't happy with all the new signing talk and wants guarantees that he will play and of course we couldn't give this. The club are concerned with his injury record and think it is best to move him on, if he will pass a medical, before his injuries flare up again. He has also handed in a transfer request and sustained an "injury" before the USA tour. We hope WBA or Sunderland will move for him soon. He is now reported as saying he is not going to Austria with the squad, I think it is time to end this saga and try to move the player on as quickly as possible. I am also going to through this out there, and the West Ham Way writers in our GC on twitter, can confirm I have said this before; I do not think Sakho is technically that good anyway.
Europa League Draw
I am lead to believe that the fixtures will be swapped around so that we play away first and at home second because the stadium will not be ready. The club are apparently having difficulties with retractable seating and they have had to bring in different contractors to try and solve the problem. They face a race against time to get it sorted before the Juventus game.
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