Preview - Liverpool
WHUFC.com
Where and when?
Liverpool v West Ham United
Premier League
Sunday 11 December 2016, 4.30pm GMT
Anfield
What's the story?
West Ham United travel to Anfield on Sunday looking for a response after last weekend's Premier League defeat to Arsenal.
Following the 1-1 draw at Manchester United, the Hammers were unable to build upon that against the Gunners, as Alexis Sanchez's hat-trick powered them to a 5-1 win.
Now, Slaven Bilic's men will be looking to last season, when they ended a wait of 52 years for victory at Anfield in the best possible style. Goals from Manuel Lanzini, Mark Noble and Diafra Sakho gave the visitors a 3-0 victory – one of three West Ham gained over the Reds last term.
This season, Jurgen Klopp's men have made a terrific start, and they sit third in the table with 30 points from their opening 14 games.
Last weekend's 4-3 defeat to Bournemouth was their first in 12 league games as the Merseysiders attempt to make a swift improvement on last season's eighth place finish.
West Ham, with 12 points from 14 games, are in 18th place, but could move up to 15th with victory on Sunday,
Team news
The Hammers could have both Aaron Cresswell and Michail Antonio back after they missed the defeat to Arsenal with groin injuries.
Andy Carroll returned from his knee injury with a goal against the Gunners and could start up front.
However, Cheikhou Kouyate is out with a groin injury.
For Liverpool, Sadio Mane is expected to be available despite limping off during the loss to Bournemouth.
Joel Matip could return from an ankle injury, but Daniel Sturridge is out due to a calf problem.
Any links between the two?
West Ham defender Alvaro Arbeloa was at Liverpool between 2007-09, playing 66 Premier League games before moving back to Spain with Real Madrid.
Andy Carroll joined the Hammers from the Reds, initially on loan, in 2012, after signing for Liverpool from Newcastle a year earlier.
How do I get to the match?
Click here for directions to Anfield.
The latest travel information on the trains can be found here. Click here for the latest on the roads.
How can I watch the match?
The game is being broadcast live in the UK on Sky Sports. You can also follow the action as it happens on whufc.com, with live audio commentary, social media updates, in-running stats, photos and more. Get involved in the conversation on social media using the hashtag #LIVWHU
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Manager on Matchday
WHUFC.com
Good morning everybody.
I want to start by wishing all the West Ham United supporters travelling to Liverpool a safe journey.
We want to give you all another day to be proud of at Anfield, but we know it will be far from easy. What I know is that we have worked very hard and prepared well in training this week and will give everything we can to give a good performance.
Liverpool have been winning matches, especially at home, but they play risky football and they leave spaces. Manchester City are also playing like this, and Liverpool are not less-solid than Man City.
For me they are strong contenders to win the Premier League, Liverpool. If they had a defence like they have an offense they would be eight points clear or whatever. For me, they are very strong contenders.
I was asked this week about whether our season has affected my self-belief, and I can honestly say it has not.
My mood, on the other hand, has been affected. It's not the same if my team is winning or losing, but if you talk about confidence and self-belief, situations like this make me stronger.
I have had periods like this in my career before, when things have been tough. OK, I've not been so low in the table, but I had periods with Croatia and Lokomotiv Moscow that were challenging, and they are hard times, but they only make me stronger.
My belief in myself, my players and my staff and my ideas remains strong and grows bigger every day.
This is a job where you take your feelings and emotions home with you. Maybe you can hide them sometimes, but it's not a job where you can divide business from personal life.
You can't do this job in a proper way if you're not emotional, but the catch is to remain in control of your emotions. I didn't see a manager who is not emotional, though, definitely.
I believe in my team and their abilities, but we have to be balanced because Liverpool are playing good football and are on a roll at home. They are exciting to watch and put you under a lot of pressure, so you have to be versatile, complete and play a good game.
You cannot park the bus and stay 25 metres from your goal. You can win the game that way, because it's football, but you have to be very lucky to get anything if you play like this.
On the other hand, you cannot just attack them high up the pitch, because they have the quality to break through you and get into big spaces. Most of the time, they create goalscoring opportuntiies from those situations.
You have to be balanced, like we were last season. We played them four times last season and beat them three times, so we take confidence from last season, but we have to produce the same level of performance to get a similar result.
We shouldn't be afraid of them, but we cannot go there and think we will beat them just because we beat them last season. We need to use our positive memories to inspire us and they can do us no harm.
Come on you Irons!
Slaven
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Defiant Slaven Bilic convinced West Ham will emerge stronger from their current struggles
Last week's home hammering by Arsenal and Saturday results have put the Hammers in the bottom three — and now they face a daunting trip to Liverpool
4
SHARES
COMMENTS
BYSTEVE STAMMERS
22:30, 10 DEC 2016UPDATED17:06, 10 DEC 2016
The Mirror
Slaven Bilic made it clear that his self-belief remains intact despite a desperate run that has left West Ham in a relegation fight and the humiliation by Arsenal at the London Stadium last week. Arsenal won 5-1 to leave Hammers manager Bilic in a state of shock, and Saturday's results mean the East End club are now in the drop zone. On Sunday afternoon, West Ham go to Anfield to face a Liverpool team stung by their 4-3 defeat to Bournemouth a week ago and in need of a win to maintain their title challenge. But Bilic insisted: "These situations make you even stronger." The Croatian pointed out he had suffered major disappointments as a player and as coach of his country's national team, as well as in club management with Hajduk Split, Lokomotiv Moscow and Turkish club Besiktas. "I have had positions like this before," said Bilic. "Maybe not positions like 17th out of 20, but I have had periods of a season and it is hard to be in them. But they make you stronger. "I have belief in myself, my players and the team. And in my ideas."
He revealed that the low he felt after last Saturday's massive setback against Arsenal was part and parcel of management. "It is part of the job. It is not the sort of job where you can divide your emotions from private and personal," said Bilic. "If you are a manager, you cannot do the job if you are not emotional. What you have to do is to be in control of these emotions. "You cannot be a manager and not be emotional."
In August last year, West Ham secured the first of three wins over Liverpool last season when they won at Anfield for the first time since 1963. The Irons also won the reverse league fixture at Upton Park and also an FA Cup fourth-round replay there after drawing the original game on Merseyside. Bilic will remind his players of the triumphant dressing-room vibe that day before they do battle again. "The atmosphere was brilliant," he said. " We played them four times in the league and the FA Cup and won three. But we will have to produce a lot to repeat that."
He agreed that a video review of that win will help to boost morale ahead of this afternoon's clash. "Yes, it helps," said Bilic. "We shouldn't be afraid of them. "Of course I am going to tell the players what we did there last year. "We can't expect to go there and win just because of that. But a good memory can motivate the players. To give them some belief is only good. We watch those videos – and they are good for motivation."
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West Ham plotting transfer raid on relegation scrap rivals Sunderland for defender Lamine Kone
The 27-year-old has a clause in his contract which could see him leave in January for £18m PLUS: Calleri to go and Moyes eyes playmaker
BYNEIL MOXLEY
22:30, 10 DEC 2016UPDATED21:51, 10 DEC 2016
The Mirror
Struggling West Ham are ready to trigger an £18million get-out clause in Lamine Kone's contract with fellow strugglers Sunderland. Slaven Bilic wants the 27-year-old to hold together his leaking defence and his bosses will act next month. Centre-back Kone was brought in by then-boss Sam Allardyce for £6million from French club Lorient last January, helped the Wearsiders avoid relegation and signed a new five-year deal in September. But the Ivory Coast player had a clause inserted which could see him leave the Stadium of Light in January — and the Hammers are ready to pounce. West Ham's defence has proved porous this season and co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold are anxious to protect the club's Premier League status. Meanwhile, West Ham striker Jonathan Calleri will be offered an escape route by Sevilla after a miserable few months on loan in the East End. Argentinian Calleri joined Hammers in the summer from Uruguayan side Deportivo Maldonado and has yet to score in nine appearances. The £10million-rated Romania international has impressed since his a summer move from Steaua Bucharest – and now Moyes wants Stanciu with the Black Cats.
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West Ham want to sign Joe Hart - as long as they stay in Premier League
West Ham could look to sign Joe Hart in the summer as long as they safeguard their Premier League place
Matt Law, football news correspondent Ian Winrow
10 DECEMBER 2016 • 10:30PM
Telegraph.co.uk
West Ham United will try to bring goalkeeper Joe Hart back to England at the end of the season – as long as the club preserve their Premier League status.
Hart is on loan at Torino and has already accepted that his Manchester City career is over with manager Pep Guardiola willing to listen to offers of £10 million from foreign clubs. City could ask for double that fee from a Premier League rival, but West Ham will hope that the fact they are not a threat to the Manchester club in England or in Europe will help them land the England international for a knock-down price. West Ham are considering a loan move for Chelsea goalkeeper Asmir Begovic in January because of the poor form of Adrian, who has lost his place to Darren Randolph. But it is Hart who has emerged at West Ham's first choice permanent goalkeeper target for the end of the season, with either Adrian or Randolph expected to leave. Although Hart is enjoying his season-long loan in Torino, the 29-year-old would favour a permanent move back to England to help him keep his place in the national side. Asked about his future this week, Hart said: "I still don't know, I'm still a Manchester City player, but until the summer I will only think about enjoying my season with Torino." Hart will play in his first Turin derby against Juventus on Sunday and believes his experience of the Manchester rivalry between City and United stands him in good stead. "Torino and Manchester are not so different about how they feel about the derby," said Hart. "Torino is a city that breathes football." West Ham have conceded 29 Premier League goals this season and travel to Liverpool looking to avoid another defeat. Relegation would rule out a move for Hart and the threat of going down has contributed to the fact the Hammers are looking at a number of potential loan deals for January including Begovic and midfielder Marouane Fellaini. Adrian joined West Ham from Real Betis in 2013 and has performed well for the club up until this season. The Spaniard was dropped by under-pressure manager Slaven Bilic after a blunder against Stoke City at the start of November. Bilic has admitted he is facing a crucial run of fixtures that could determine his future. After facing Liverpool at Anfield, West Ham entertain Burnley and Hull City, before travelling to Swansea City on Boxing Day.
In his search for inspiration, Bilic this week turned to a recording of his players' last league visit to face Liverpool. A 3-0 victory at the start of last season built on the promise shown in an opening day win at Arsenal and helped set the tone for campaign that suggested club and manager were an ideal fit. Now, five months into the current season, the optimism generated by May's seventh-place finish – two points and one place ahead of today's opponents - has quickly disappeared.
Last weekend's 5-1 home humiliation at the hands of Arsenal marked a low point and confirmed the London club's focus is currently focused on the lower reaches of the table rather than the possibility of a return to European football. Little wonder then, Bilic has attempted to recall the mood generated by last season's successes against the Merseysiders. "The atmosphere in the dressing room was brilliant," said Bilic. "We played them four times and three times we beat them. But we will have to produce a lot to repeat that. We are watching those videos and they are good for motivation. It helps. We shouldn't be afraid of them. But we can't necessarily expect to go and win there just because we won there last year. We recalled that good memory to motivate the players. To give them some belief is only good."
Bilic and his players certainly need it. Last season's swagger has disappeared, replaced by tentative, unconvincing displays, particularly at home. The manager, though, insists he remains convinced his approach is the right one. "It's not a question of whether my team s winning or losing, we are talking about self belief and confidence," he said. "These situations make you even stronger. I have had difficult periods in a but I have belief in myself me my players and the team and in my ideas."
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West Ham's Álvaro Arbeloa: I don't regret coming at all. I want to be here to the end
The Spanish defender backs his manager Slaven Bilic but feels the players 'should be killing each other a bit more' over their side's recent disappointments
Sid Lowe
The Guardian
Saturday 10 December 2016 12.00 GMT
He could see them go – they were not exactly sneaking out. Even before Arsenal scored their final goal last Saturday, thousands of West Ham United fans had left the London Stadium, those long, painful closing minutes played before sweeps of empty white seats. Álvaro Arbeloa could not stop them; nor could he blame them. His manager couldn't, either: afterwards all Slaven Bilic could do was apologise to them. "A big humiliation," he called it. It finished 5-1, the home side conceding three in six minutes, four in 14. It could have been eight.
"You reach the point where you think: 'Let's stop the bleeding, at least,'" Arbeloa admits, but the cut was deep. "It felt like we might get into it, but they scored three in six minutes. Bam! We went for it desperately and every counter was a goal: goal, goal, goal. You felt the disappointment. You have to live with that: we can't ask anything from them." The word he uses next is desencantada and while it does not translate exactly, it fits – not just last Saturday but all season, on the pitch and off. The fans are disenchanted, disillusioned. Everyone at West Ham is.
It was not supposed to be this way. After seven years at Real Madrid, having won every trophy there is, there were good reasons for Arbeloa to join West Ham. England, London, the Premier League, European competition, a team playing "attractive" football, a new stadium, the excitement of a new era, supporters he likens to those who so embraced him when he played for Liverpool, the Hammers' opponents on Sunday. "They're alike; there's a great communion between fans and players."
It is tempting to respond: not any more, there's not. Last Saturday Arsène Wenger claimed: "West Ham aren't comfortable at home." Perhaps because it is not home yet. But that alone does not explain them lying 17th, one point from the relegation zone. Their away form has been worse, for a start. "I didn't expect this; nobody did," Arbeloa says. "Last season was spectacular, bringing hope, but then we were knocked out of Europe. That was the first hammer blow and everything followed. Not playing in Europe, which would've given everyone minutes, moving stadium, which has been hard, the team in this position … it's not surprising fans lose enthusiasm, that hope."
There is a case to suggest that last season was part of the problem, creating false expectations; such hope was misplaced. But things still should not be this bad. "They were seventh, above Liverpool. Is repeating that impossible? I don't think so, but we do have to recognise that the two Manchester [clubs], Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham have stronger squads," Arbeloa says. "Yet our squad should be as good as, say, Everton's. We shouldn't be so low."
"I played at Upton Park [for Liverpool] and it's completely different. A smaller pitch, the fans closer. Upton Park meant points. A new stadium allows you to grow, but it's good to maintain that proximity. For visiting teams, the new stadium's much easier. That's not the [sole] reason, but it's another ingredient. You can't say: 'This is why we're in this situation, or this is.' It's lots of things. Take injuries: is it that? No, but they play a part. You miss your best players, you can't create an identity, the base of a team. Then when things start going badly, you don't have the same confidence; it becomes a snowball, gathering a momentum, that you have to stop."
After the Arsenal game Bilic tried, accusing his players of lacking intensity, even in training. "It's good for the manager to tell it the way he sees it, to highlight what he thinks we need to do to change the situation," Arbeloa says. "And on the Monday, he told us we have to be united in these difficult moments. I also understand that coaches sometimes try to get a reaction from players via the media."
Bilic's words spoke too of a manager under pressure, reportedly handed an ultimatum, yet Arbeloa says: "He looks more volcanic than he is. Other coaches might have been more susceptible, they might have lost it, but he's been quite calm. We're not in this situation because of the manager and I don't think changing means you'll pick up more points. Inside the team, you won't hear anyone saying he's the problem."
Nor have there been recriminations in the dressing room. "The relationship's good," Arbeloa insists, pausing to add, "maybe even too good. At times, I think we should be killing each other a bit more – more angry. The atmosphere should be more tense."
It is, he says, a young team, a good group, although it sounds like one that lacks leadership, that person who steps forward. "I don't think it would fair to the captain to say that," Arbeloa insists. He says there are different ways to lead – he cites Dimitri Payet's willingness to take the ball and responsibility at difficult moments, for example – but admits there have been few raised voices. If that all sounds a little too comfortable, Arbeloa says they are aware of the reality. And although it is new to him he says he is ready for it, too. "We're conscious of the position we're in, which is important: look at Newcastle, who thought that there was no chance they'd go down.
"The teams around us are getting points, the teams above are opening a gap, Swansea and Sunderland looked dead but they've closed on us. I don't want to be in that position but at Madrid every defeat is a catastrophe and the demands are brutal. Pressure is pressure. That: 'Shit, we have to win.' The next four or five games are crucial."
That run starts at Liverpool on Sunday, although Arbeloa admits that the four matches that follow are likely more decisive: Burnley, Hull, Swansea and Leicester. He will miss out on Anfield, too; he would have loved to return to a stadium special to him, as he did with Madrid, but he is limping as he arrives in Marylebone, his leg purple, swollen and bruised just as he aspired to a rare opportunity. Last Saturday was only his third league appearance of the season. Injuries suggested he might have got a fourth; form suggested he might not have done, except that it is hard to know what his form is actually like with so few chances.
Another reason Arbeloa came was to play, after a final season of limited opportunity in Spain, but he has not. When he got his chance last weekend, for the first time since coming on against Middlesbrough on 1 October, it ended with a heavy defeat. Then came reports that he would be moved on in January, departing in virtual anonymity having arrived feted as a World Cup winner.
A late arrival did not help, Arbeloa insisting that working alone is never the same, "even if you trained 24 hours a day", and he suggests that he and the coach still need time to "connect", but he has not asked for an explanation as to why he has started just one league game all season."You don't ask why when you're playing and you don't ask when you're not," he says. "He's under a lot of pressure; he doesn't need me saying: 'Hey, why aren't I playing?' That would just create tension, another problem to deal with. But I want to play, of course."
Can he though? Is his level good enough any more? "I went almost two months without playing and [against Arsenal] I covered the most distance sprinting and in high intensity," Arbeloa says. "But to really judge it, you need to play more, so I don't know. I do know that I'm killing myself to change things; I haven't just accepted it.
"And I'm not leaving. Sometimes you read things [in the papers] and think: 'Do I say something? Do I ignore it?' I feel like people were misinformed and all I can say is that I'm staying until the summer, no matter what. And no one from West Ham has told me to look for a team or anything."
And then? In January, Arbeloa will be 34. For many players that is retirement age and inactivity tends to nudge players towards the end. It is not a decision he has taken – so long as he feels fit and motivated he intends to continue – and nor has he decided what he will do next. Coaching appeals, especially after Zinedine Zidane told him winning the Champions League as manager was miles better than doing so as a player. "But then," he says with a laugh, "I think about putting up with 25 bastards like me. I'd put a bullet in my head. You're always the bad guy."
He has watched others make the transition and he certainly has some of the attributes – he has had the coaches too, including Benítez, Mourinho, Ancelotti and Del Bosque – but he says that sometimes life, and opportunity, makes decisions for you. Take Jamie Carragher, for example.
"Everyone saw Carragher as a coach but he's as happy as can be on the telly, eh! Relaxed, comfortable. We all said: 'Carragher will be a coach, Stevie [Gerrard] on the telly,' but maybe it'll be the other way around."
Isn't Gerrard a bit quiet to be a coach, though? "And Zidane isn't?" Arbeloa shoots back. "None of us could see it and now look. I've been lucky. I've played with some of the best players in history, but Gerrard's the most complete." More than Zidane? "Could Zidane defend like Steven?" Arbeloa replies, swiftly.
"He defended, he attacked, he was good in the air, he could hit it with his right, with his left, he could head a corner or take it, play everywhere. He could do so much, so well. He has experience, he's worked with good coaches, and if he wants to be a coach, he can.
"You think he's calm but on the pitch he's all passion. You see him flying into a tackle or celebrating a goal and think: 'Calm? Yeah, when he's sleeping maybe …' And if he wants to be a coach there's no better place than Liverpool."
The place West Ham will go on Sunday, travelling to Arbeloa's former home without him. There is that spiral he talks about, so hard to break. When your luck's out, it's out. Summer excitement has given way to this; it could hardly have gone worse so far.
"One of the good things about getting older is you learn with experience and I've learnt that a season isn't September to January; what really matters is January to June, and I hope to be here. I just want to help," he says. "I don't regret coming at all – and the proof of that is that I don't want to go in January; I want to be here to the end."
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Sunday, December 11
Saturday, December 10
Daily WHUFC News - 11th December 2016
Captain's blog
WHUFC.com
Hello everyone,
Before talking about football, I want to pass on my condolences to the
family and friends of young Jack Howard, who passed away last weekend.
As a father myself and having known, greatly liked and trained alongside
Dylan Tombides before his sad passing, I know cancer is a disease which is
unforgiving.
I am told Jack fought bravely until the end, like a true Hammer. Rest in
peace.
Mark NobleWe are all looking forward to Sunday's trip to Liverpool, where we
can make some history if we can win, as we'd be the first West Ham United
team to win back-to-back games at Anfield.
We won't be the bookies' favourites, but it's the Premier League and you
never know what's going to happen. Last weekend, they were 3-1 up against
Bournemouth and managed to lose 4-3.
I know Liverpool have been away warm-weather training in Barcelona, which
was nice for them and will have helped them clear their minds.
They'll be hoping to come back to Anfield and get themselves a result, but
anything can happen in football.
To be honest Anfield hasn't been the greatest place for us, but last season
we managed to make history by becoming the first West Ham team to win there
in 52 years, which was fantastic.
I had an eventful game myself, scoring and then getting sent-off, although
my red card was later overturned, which was nice.
We were in the lead, but you knew how quickly they can score goals at
Anfield, then I made a perfectly good tackle and got sent-off for it. If
Liverpool had come back and we hadn't got a result there, it could have been
a different story, but we defended well and Diafra scored a really good goal
at the end.
That's the sort of rub of the green we need. We know it's going to be a
tough game but we've got to try our best.
Hopefully we can go there and get a result at the weekend because we need
something to change for us at the minute and hopefully that can be it.
That sort of performance which we put in at Liverpool last season has to be
the blueprint for every game, because you can't pick and choose when you
want to play. The really successful teams manage to get up for it every week
and that's what we need to do.
It's a great place to play, it's live on TV, so it's a great platform for
everyone to try and get a result.
Finally, I'd like to wish everyone travelling to Anfield a safe journey.
Come on you Irons!
Nobes
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Slaven Speaks - Liverpool
WHUFC.com
Slaven BIlic wants his West Ham United team to develop a 'clean sheet
mentality'
Hammers have kept just three clean sheets in their opening 14 Premier League
matches
Bilic's side tackle free-scoring Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday afternoon
Slaven Bilic says his team need to develop a 'clean sheet mentality' if they
are to turn their season around.
West Ham United have kept just three clean sheets in their opening 14
Premier League matches, conceding 29 goals in the process.
The Hammers head to free-scoring Liverpool on Sunday and Bilic knows they
will need to tighten up if they are to leave Anfield with a point or three.
"We've had three clean sheets, against Bournemouth, against Sunderland and
at Crystal Palace," the manager confirmed. "You can't be guaranteed a clean
sheet but you have to have a clean sheet mentality.
"No team can guarantee they aren't going to concede a goal, no matter who
you are playing against, but you have to have a hunger and mentality that
I'm calling 'clean sheet', no matter what the result it. With that, it can
be 2-0 against Arsenal. It doesn't have to be 5-1.
"It's my responsibility, because we can't crumble. For me, 'clean sheet' is
more about mentality because their guy can score from a free-kick or a great
action, so 1-0 can't be a clean sheet but you know what I'm talking about."
Defending is not only down to defenders, of course, and Bilic is hopeful
that Andy Carroll will be available to play an important role this weekend –
and in next week's home matches with Burnley and Hull City.
Carroll not only defends from the front, but is also an important figure in
his own penalty area when dealing with opposition set pieces.
However, with a busy fixture list to contend with, the manager admitted he
has to 'manage' the centre forward following his recent return from
three-and-a-half months out with a knee injury.
At the other end, the No9 netted on his comeback against Arsenal, and Bilic
knows his presence will be vital this coming week.
"It's a good question and one I've thought a lot about in the last few days,
because we have to manage him," he explained. "It doesn't mean he isn't
going to start against Liverpool, I'm not saying that, but the last game he
played before the Arsenal game was in Romania in the first week of the
season.
"That's a long break and we have three games and we need him in all three of
them, but we can't be that greedy. I would call it 'naïve' to expect him to
last three full 90-minute games in one week, that would be crazy, but he
feels good and he is fit.
"We're going to use him, most definitely, in all three of them, because we
need him in all three of them. Is he gonna start on Sunday? I don't know!"
West Ham kick-off against Liverpool at 4.30pm on Sunday, with the Premier
League fixture being screened live on Sky Sports 1 and across the world.
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The Insider is back!
WHUFC.com
The Insider is back to bring you the very latest news and views on
speculation surrounding the Hammers!
Hello everyone,
As the January transfer window fast approaches, I will be dusting off my
Filofax and keeping my ear to the ground to bring West Ham supporters the
most reliable information on all the potential comings and goings at London
Stadium.
It has been a difficult season so far for Slaven and his side, but the Board
are certainly confident that their manager can turn this season's form on
its head and steer the side into a more than respectable Premier League
position.
I am told that the Club's activity in the transfer window is highly likely
to depend on the side's results between now and the New Year, with five
games and a potential 15 points to play for.
Injuries will of course play a part as well, and both the Board and the
manager will both be hoping for a busy Christmas period free from fresh
casualties, a factor that has no doubt played a part in the side's recent
form.
However, the African Cup of Nations will also leave the squad depleted with
three or four players set to represent their countries in Gabon, so it is
likely that we will see some activity in the transfer window either way.
I am reliably informed that we will be concentrating on domestic signings
during this window, as they will be more likely to hit the ground running
and make an immediate impact to the side.
It is, of course, never easy to capture your prime targets, especially not
in January, but we hope to see two or three new faces to help complement
Slaven's already talented squad.
At this moment in time we cannot even speculate on the identities of these
targets as we want to make sure we don't alert other club's or leave
ourselves open to being held to ransom by the selling club.
Finally, I would also like to take this opportunity to bust some myths that
have been reported in the press over the last few days.
There have been reports that Dimitri Payet has a £15million buy-out clause
upon relegation from the Premier League. My source assures me that there is
absolutely no truth in this rumour at all, and that this was never even
considered when the Club renegotiated Payet's contract last season.
It has also been reported that the club have agreed a five-year-contract
with Wolfsburg's teenage midfielder Murat Saglam. Once again, this is a
rumour being presented as a done deal, and my source tells me it is well
wide-of-the-mark.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not
necessarily the views of West Ham United
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U18s end calendar year with victory
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's U18s won for the first time in five matches with victory
over Leicester City
Joe Powell and Korrey Henry (pen) scored the goals
Assistant boss Mark Phillips praised his team's first half display
Mark Phillips praised his side's excellent first half display, which set up
a comfortable 2-0 victory over Leicester City in the U18 Premier League
South.
The Hammers dominated the first 45 and were two up by half-time after Joe
Powell's free-kick and Korrey Henry's penalty.
Leicester saw more of the ball in the second half but the Hammers defence
was rarely breached as they picked up their first win in five matches.
"I thought we were excellent in the first half. Second half was slightly
disappointing but that's being negative. We played some terrific football
throughout," said Phillips.
"On the whole it was a good performance and there were some excellent
individual performances out there today. Everyone played very well
throughout."
Manager Steve Potts made three changes from the side which drew with Fulham
last weekend with Bernardo Rosa, Reece Hannam and Ben Johnson coming in for
Malyk Hamilton, the suspended Conor Coventry and Jeremy Ngakia. Anthony
Scully was still missing through injury.
The Hammers were in control from the off and almost went in front with
barely ten minutes on the clock. Alfie Lewis's free-kick was sidefooted just
over the cross by Jake Eggleton.
The breakthrough came on 14 minutes after a period of patient build-up play.
Rosaire Longelo was fouled just on the edge of the penalty area, and up
stepped Joe Powell to notch his first of the season with a wonderful
free-kick.
Powell could have added a second five minutes later after a long-range
effort went just over, but the Hammers soon added to their lead as the game
edged towards half-time.
Top scorer Jahmal Hector-Ingram weaved his way through a number of
challenges and was eventually tumbled over in the area. Korrey Henry coolly
placed the ball into the bottom corner from the spot to put the away side in
cruise control.
The Hammers seemed content to settle on their lead in the second half and
restricted the Leicester to virtually nothing in the way of chances on goal.
Rihards Matrevics was forced into action with five minutes to play, making a
great save from point blank range, but the Hammers were still a threat on
the counter attack.
Substitute Jeremy Ngakia hit the side netting before Hector-Ingram almost
added another to his collection, smashing the post when through one-on-one
with the goalkeeper.
But the final scoreline of 2-0 was probably a little less comfortable than
the performance suggested for Potts and his players, as they picked up a
much needed victory in the last match before the Christmas break.
Hammers XI: Matrevics; Johnson, Eggleton (Ngakia, 73), Akinola, Hannam;
Henry, Lewis; Powell, Rosa (Hamilton, 73), Longelo, Hector-Ingram.
Subs: Forde, Hudson, Constantinou.
Goals: Powell 14, Henry (pen) 31.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Carroll - It's a massive game
WHUFC.com
Andy Carroll eager to return to the starting XI against former club
Liverpool
West Ham United face the Reds at Anfield on Sunday afternoon at 4.30pm
Centre forward spent 18 months on Merseyside between 2011-12
Andy Carroll has plenty of reasons for wanting to impress on his latest
return to Liverpool on Sunday.
West Ham United's No9 became the most-expensive English player ever when he
signed for the Reds from Newcastle United in January 2011. He spent 18
rollercoaster months at Anfield, climaxing in a goal in an FA Cup final
defeat by Chelsea at Wembley.
The feeling persisted that Carroll was never given a real chance in a
Liverpool shirt, despite his undoubted ability, and he reminded them of what
they were missing by scoring in West Ham's 2-0 win at the Boleyn Ground in
January this year.
Nearly twelve months on and the Hammers desperately need the 27-year-old to
fire them to a win which will take them back out of the Premier League
relegation zone.
"It's a massive game," he began. "They're a great team playing in a massive
stadium with good fans, so it's going to be tough for us.
"It would be nice to go there and get the win and, for me, to get a win
against one of my old clubs would be even better.
"We just need to go up there, concentrate and get the result. Obviously they
are a tough team to beat, especially at Anfield, so it's going to be even
harder."
Carroll returned from a three-and-a-half month injury lay-off with a goal
against Arsenal last weekend, when he played for around 20 minutes as a
substitute.
Slaven Bilic has refused to say whether the England man will start against
his former club, but the No9 feels ready to contribute, whatever role he is
given.
"The aim is to get more minutes on the pitch on Sunday," he confirmed. "I've
been training hard and I'm fit so hopefully I'll get longer on the pitch
this weekend than I did against Arsenal last Saturday.
"I would like to think I could make a difference to any team. We've
obviously been lacking goals so I would like to get back in the team and get
those goals."
Having beaten Liverpool three times last season – twice in the Premier
League and once in an unforgettable FA Cup replay – Carroll says there is no
reason why the Hammers cannot do so again.
"We have got the quality to beat the top teams and Liverpool are obviously a
top team, so we can beat them," he said.
"We have to stick together and we've worked hard in training this week. All
the lads know what we need to do and hopefully we can put it together for
the weekend."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Slaven Bilic eyes move for Liverpool forward Daniel Sturridge
Last Updated: 10/12/16 11:53am
SSN
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic says he will be interested in signing Daniel
Sturridge if the Liverpool striker becomes available in January. The England
international will miss West Ham's visit to Anfield on Sunday because of a
calf problem, and Bilic believes the player's injury problems are a concern.
But should the 27-year-old leave Liverpool, the Hammers boss reckons there
will be much competition for his signature. Bilic said: "He's one of the
biggest talents, he's a great player. The talent is there, the touch, the
finishing, everything is great. "The only thing that has stopped him being a
regular for club and country are the injuries. "He's just a player that has
been linked with us, basically, and we've been linked with almost every
player. "We're always there in contention. Most of the time it's absolutely
not true, 95 per cent of the time. "But you're asking me about Sturridge
and I have no problem about that. All the clubs are thinking about him
because he is that kind of player. "I don't know his work rate, I don't know
his dedication to his job or whatever but unfortunately for England and for
Liverpool and especially for him he's injured. That's his problem."
Liverpool lost a two-goal advantage in their 4-3 defeat at Bournemouth last
weekend and will be aiming to bounce back against West Ham. Although the
Hammers sit just one point above the relegation zone, Bilic is confident his
side can exploit Liverpool's weaknesses on Merseyside. Bilic said: "They
are definitely one of the contenders for the Premier League title - some of
their football is great and most of their football is quite consistent this
season. "Obviously last week was not great because they were winning 3-1 and
lost 4-3, but they are obviously one of the title contenders. "Of course
that result gives us heart because they are conceding goals. "In a 90-minute
game you have all sorts of situations, but the way Liverpool play at
Anfield, the opponent has to be solid first of all, compact behind the ball
with numbers to stop them creating. "Then, when you have the ball, you can
hurt them."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's summer signings will find form, says Slaven Bilic
By Michael Hincks
Last Updated: 10/12/16 2:03pm
SSN
Slaven Bilic is confident West Ham's summer signings will find their form
after failing to impress in the early stages of the season. West Ham
currently sit one point above the relegation zone and could drop into the
Premier League's bottom three before they head to Liverpool on Sunday, live
on Sky Sports 1 HD. Some of West Ham's new players have been criticised for
their poor starts in England, with Simone Zaza failing to find the net in 11
appearances since joining from Juventus on loan. Meanwhile, Sofiane Feghouli
suffered a hamstring injury after arriving on a free transfer from Valencia,
and is yet to score in the league upon his return to full fitness. Bilic
insisted his latest recruits - which also includes Alvaro Arbeloa and Havard
Nordtveit - have the quality to compete in the top-tier. "With some of the
new players, we can say they didn't hit the ground running straight away or
they are not showing what we wanted or why we bought them in the first
place," Bilic told Sky Sports. "But they came to a new league, this is the
Premier League, I'm not saying it's better but it's definitely different to
the leagues they were in before.
"Most of them were hit by injuries when they signed for us, which is another
reason why that period is longer than we thought it was going to be. "They
[new signings] are good enough. At the end of the day you are questioning
and judging the performances of the players on the pitch in whatever role
they play, but they are good players. I'm sure it's about time for some of
them to hit form."
BIlic refused to point the finger at any player specifically, but admitted
his frustration that injuries to key players has hampered their progress
after such an impressive 2015/16 campaign which saw them finish seventh.
Striker Diafra Sakho remains out until the New Year with a hamstring injury,
while Michail Antonio has missed three matches with a groin strain after
scoring six goals in 13 leagues games. "I took responsibility on myself, I
didn't blame anyone, I said it's my responsibility. Why I said it is mainly
because of the injuries," Bilic added. "Basically it stopped some very
important players for us, and right from the beginning of the season.
Whether it's short-term injuries or long-term, they can't get a rhythm in
training. "They come back to training two or three days before a game and in
that time you can't push them really hard because there's a game ahead."
West Ham have struggled in front of goal this season and have been linked
with a move for Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge in January. Bilic
revealed he would be interested in signing the England international if he
were to become available, but the West Ham boss also believes the current
squad can turn their form around.
"We are looking for some positions and maybe we are going to get someone,
but I believe in this team," Bilic added. "I know that within this team we
have enough quality to turn things around."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Slaven Bilic assured of West Ham future in House of Lords tea date with
Karren Brady
Bilic and Brady met earlier this week after the Hammers were handed their
heaviest defeat of the season at home to Arsenal last weekend
BYLIAM CORLESS
16:31, 10 DEC 2016UPDATED16:48, 10 DEC 2016
The Mirror
Slaven Bilic was assured of his West Ham future when he met Karren Brady for
tea at the House of Lords on Wednesday. The Hammers have endured a dreadful
start to the season, winning just three of their 14 Premier League matches
so far this season. Their heaviest defeat of the campaign came last weekend
as Arsenal thrashed them 5-1 at the London Stadium. The result put West Ham
just one point clear of the relegation zone and left huge question marks
surrounding Bilic's future at the club. However, Hammers vice-chairman Brady
revealed to The Sun that she met with Bilic in midweek and the Croat assured
her he will turn the club's fortunes around. "Slaven and I have tea at the
House of Lords. For a catch up," Brady wrote, chronicling her activity on
Wednesday, December 7. "Three things he is — decent, passionate, determined.
When he says results will turn round, I 100 per cent believe him. We talk
January window and leave feeling optimistic." Brady revealed she was
"horrified" by the defeat to West Ham but added that "In 23 years in
football, my two chairman [David Gold and David Sullivan and I have sacked
four managers". "The best clubs pull together," she said. "That's exactly
what we are going to do."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Hello everyone,
Before talking about football, I want to pass on my condolences to the
family and friends of young Jack Howard, who passed away last weekend.
As a father myself and having known, greatly liked and trained alongside
Dylan Tombides before his sad passing, I know cancer is a disease which is
unforgiving.
I am told Jack fought bravely until the end, like a true Hammer. Rest in
peace.
Mark NobleWe are all looking forward to Sunday's trip to Liverpool, where we
can make some history if we can win, as we'd be the first West Ham United
team to win back-to-back games at Anfield.
We won't be the bookies' favourites, but it's the Premier League and you
never know what's going to happen. Last weekend, they were 3-1 up against
Bournemouth and managed to lose 4-3.
I know Liverpool have been away warm-weather training in Barcelona, which
was nice for them and will have helped them clear their minds.
They'll be hoping to come back to Anfield and get themselves a result, but
anything can happen in football.
To be honest Anfield hasn't been the greatest place for us, but last season
we managed to make history by becoming the first West Ham team to win there
in 52 years, which was fantastic.
I had an eventful game myself, scoring and then getting sent-off, although
my red card was later overturned, which was nice.
We were in the lead, but you knew how quickly they can score goals at
Anfield, then I made a perfectly good tackle and got sent-off for it. If
Liverpool had come back and we hadn't got a result there, it could have been
a different story, but we defended well and Diafra scored a really good goal
at the end.
That's the sort of rub of the green we need. We know it's going to be a
tough game but we've got to try our best.
Hopefully we can go there and get a result at the weekend because we need
something to change for us at the minute and hopefully that can be it.
That sort of performance which we put in at Liverpool last season has to be
the blueprint for every game, because you can't pick and choose when you
want to play. The really successful teams manage to get up for it every week
and that's what we need to do.
It's a great place to play, it's live on TV, so it's a great platform for
everyone to try and get a result.
Finally, I'd like to wish everyone travelling to Anfield a safe journey.
Come on you Irons!
Nobes
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Slaven Speaks - Liverpool
WHUFC.com
Slaven BIlic wants his West Ham United team to develop a 'clean sheet
mentality'
Hammers have kept just three clean sheets in their opening 14 Premier League
matches
Bilic's side tackle free-scoring Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday afternoon
Slaven Bilic says his team need to develop a 'clean sheet mentality' if they
are to turn their season around.
West Ham United have kept just three clean sheets in their opening 14
Premier League matches, conceding 29 goals in the process.
The Hammers head to free-scoring Liverpool on Sunday and Bilic knows they
will need to tighten up if they are to leave Anfield with a point or three.
"We've had three clean sheets, against Bournemouth, against Sunderland and
at Crystal Palace," the manager confirmed. "You can't be guaranteed a clean
sheet but you have to have a clean sheet mentality.
"No team can guarantee they aren't going to concede a goal, no matter who
you are playing against, but you have to have a hunger and mentality that
I'm calling 'clean sheet', no matter what the result it. With that, it can
be 2-0 against Arsenal. It doesn't have to be 5-1.
"It's my responsibility, because we can't crumble. For me, 'clean sheet' is
more about mentality because their guy can score from a free-kick or a great
action, so 1-0 can't be a clean sheet but you know what I'm talking about."
Defending is not only down to defenders, of course, and Bilic is hopeful
that Andy Carroll will be available to play an important role this weekend –
and in next week's home matches with Burnley and Hull City.
Carroll not only defends from the front, but is also an important figure in
his own penalty area when dealing with opposition set pieces.
However, with a busy fixture list to contend with, the manager admitted he
has to 'manage' the centre forward following his recent return from
three-and-a-half months out with a knee injury.
At the other end, the No9 netted on his comeback against Arsenal, and Bilic
knows his presence will be vital this coming week.
"It's a good question and one I've thought a lot about in the last few days,
because we have to manage him," he explained. "It doesn't mean he isn't
going to start against Liverpool, I'm not saying that, but the last game he
played before the Arsenal game was in Romania in the first week of the
season.
"That's a long break and we have three games and we need him in all three of
them, but we can't be that greedy. I would call it 'naïve' to expect him to
last three full 90-minute games in one week, that would be crazy, but he
feels good and he is fit.
"We're going to use him, most definitely, in all three of them, because we
need him in all three of them. Is he gonna start on Sunday? I don't know!"
West Ham kick-off against Liverpool at 4.30pm on Sunday, with the Premier
League fixture being screened live on Sky Sports 1 and across the world.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The Insider is back!
WHUFC.com
The Insider is back to bring you the very latest news and views on
speculation surrounding the Hammers!
Hello everyone,
As the January transfer window fast approaches, I will be dusting off my
Filofax and keeping my ear to the ground to bring West Ham supporters the
most reliable information on all the potential comings and goings at London
Stadium.
It has been a difficult season so far for Slaven and his side, but the Board
are certainly confident that their manager can turn this season's form on
its head and steer the side into a more than respectable Premier League
position.
I am told that the Club's activity in the transfer window is highly likely
to depend on the side's results between now and the New Year, with five
games and a potential 15 points to play for.
Injuries will of course play a part as well, and both the Board and the
manager will both be hoping for a busy Christmas period free from fresh
casualties, a factor that has no doubt played a part in the side's recent
form.
However, the African Cup of Nations will also leave the squad depleted with
three or four players set to represent their countries in Gabon, so it is
likely that we will see some activity in the transfer window either way.
I am reliably informed that we will be concentrating on domestic signings
during this window, as they will be more likely to hit the ground running
and make an immediate impact to the side.
It is, of course, never easy to capture your prime targets, especially not
in January, but we hope to see two or three new faces to help complement
Slaven's already talented squad.
At this moment in time we cannot even speculate on the identities of these
targets as we want to make sure we don't alert other club's or leave
ourselves open to being held to ransom by the selling club.
Finally, I would also like to take this opportunity to bust some myths that
have been reported in the press over the last few days.
There have been reports that Dimitri Payet has a £15million buy-out clause
upon relegation from the Premier League. My source assures me that there is
absolutely no truth in this rumour at all, and that this was never even
considered when the Club renegotiated Payet's contract last season.
It has also been reported that the club have agreed a five-year-contract
with Wolfsburg's teenage midfielder Murat Saglam. Once again, this is a
rumour being presented as a done deal, and my source tells me it is well
wide-of-the-mark.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not
necessarily the views of West Ham United
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
U18s end calendar year with victory
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's U18s won for the first time in five matches with victory
over Leicester City
Joe Powell and Korrey Henry (pen) scored the goals
Assistant boss Mark Phillips praised his team's first half display
Mark Phillips praised his side's excellent first half display, which set up
a comfortable 2-0 victory over Leicester City in the U18 Premier League
South.
The Hammers dominated the first 45 and were two up by half-time after Joe
Powell's free-kick and Korrey Henry's penalty.
Leicester saw more of the ball in the second half but the Hammers defence
was rarely breached as they picked up their first win in five matches.
"I thought we were excellent in the first half. Second half was slightly
disappointing but that's being negative. We played some terrific football
throughout," said Phillips.
"On the whole it was a good performance and there were some excellent
individual performances out there today. Everyone played very well
throughout."
Manager Steve Potts made three changes from the side which drew with Fulham
last weekend with Bernardo Rosa, Reece Hannam and Ben Johnson coming in for
Malyk Hamilton, the suspended Conor Coventry and Jeremy Ngakia. Anthony
Scully was still missing through injury.
The Hammers were in control from the off and almost went in front with
barely ten minutes on the clock. Alfie Lewis's free-kick was sidefooted just
over the cross by Jake Eggleton.
The breakthrough came on 14 minutes after a period of patient build-up play.
Rosaire Longelo was fouled just on the edge of the penalty area, and up
stepped Joe Powell to notch his first of the season with a wonderful
free-kick.
Powell could have added a second five minutes later after a long-range
effort went just over, but the Hammers soon added to their lead as the game
edged towards half-time.
Top scorer Jahmal Hector-Ingram weaved his way through a number of
challenges and was eventually tumbled over in the area. Korrey Henry coolly
placed the ball into the bottom corner from the spot to put the away side in
cruise control.
The Hammers seemed content to settle on their lead in the second half and
restricted the Leicester to virtually nothing in the way of chances on goal.
Rihards Matrevics was forced into action with five minutes to play, making a
great save from point blank range, but the Hammers were still a threat on
the counter attack.
Substitute Jeremy Ngakia hit the side netting before Hector-Ingram almost
added another to his collection, smashing the post when through one-on-one
with the goalkeeper.
But the final scoreline of 2-0 was probably a little less comfortable than
the performance suggested for Potts and his players, as they picked up a
much needed victory in the last match before the Christmas break.
Hammers XI: Matrevics; Johnson, Eggleton (Ngakia, 73), Akinola, Hannam;
Henry, Lewis; Powell, Rosa (Hamilton, 73), Longelo, Hector-Ingram.
Subs: Forde, Hudson, Constantinou.
Goals: Powell 14, Henry (pen) 31.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Carroll - It's a massive game
WHUFC.com
Andy Carroll eager to return to the starting XI against former club
Liverpool
West Ham United face the Reds at Anfield on Sunday afternoon at 4.30pm
Centre forward spent 18 months on Merseyside between 2011-12
Andy Carroll has plenty of reasons for wanting to impress on his latest
return to Liverpool on Sunday.
West Ham United's No9 became the most-expensive English player ever when he
signed for the Reds from Newcastle United in January 2011. He spent 18
rollercoaster months at Anfield, climaxing in a goal in an FA Cup final
defeat by Chelsea at Wembley.
The feeling persisted that Carroll was never given a real chance in a
Liverpool shirt, despite his undoubted ability, and he reminded them of what
they were missing by scoring in West Ham's 2-0 win at the Boleyn Ground in
January this year.
Nearly twelve months on and the Hammers desperately need the 27-year-old to
fire them to a win which will take them back out of the Premier League
relegation zone.
"It's a massive game," he began. "They're a great team playing in a massive
stadium with good fans, so it's going to be tough for us.
"It would be nice to go there and get the win and, for me, to get a win
against one of my old clubs would be even better.
"We just need to go up there, concentrate and get the result. Obviously they
are a tough team to beat, especially at Anfield, so it's going to be even
harder."
Carroll returned from a three-and-a-half month injury lay-off with a goal
against Arsenal last weekend, when he played for around 20 minutes as a
substitute.
Slaven Bilic has refused to say whether the England man will start against
his former club, but the No9 feels ready to contribute, whatever role he is
given.
"The aim is to get more minutes on the pitch on Sunday," he confirmed. "I've
been training hard and I'm fit so hopefully I'll get longer on the pitch
this weekend than I did against Arsenal last Saturday.
"I would like to think I could make a difference to any team. We've
obviously been lacking goals so I would like to get back in the team and get
those goals."
Having beaten Liverpool three times last season – twice in the Premier
League and once in an unforgettable FA Cup replay – Carroll says there is no
reason why the Hammers cannot do so again.
"We have got the quality to beat the top teams and Liverpool are obviously a
top team, so we can beat them," he said.
"We have to stick together and we've worked hard in training this week. All
the lads know what we need to do and hopefully we can put it together for
the weekend."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Slaven Bilic eyes move for Liverpool forward Daniel Sturridge
Last Updated: 10/12/16 11:53am
SSN
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic says he will be interested in signing Daniel
Sturridge if the Liverpool striker becomes available in January. The England
international will miss West Ham's visit to Anfield on Sunday because of a
calf problem, and Bilic believes the player's injury problems are a concern.
But should the 27-year-old leave Liverpool, the Hammers boss reckons there
will be much competition for his signature. Bilic said: "He's one of the
biggest talents, he's a great player. The talent is there, the touch, the
finishing, everything is great. "The only thing that has stopped him being a
regular for club and country are the injuries. "He's just a player that has
been linked with us, basically, and we've been linked with almost every
player. "We're always there in contention. Most of the time it's absolutely
not true, 95 per cent of the time. "But you're asking me about Sturridge
and I have no problem about that. All the clubs are thinking about him
because he is that kind of player. "I don't know his work rate, I don't know
his dedication to his job or whatever but unfortunately for England and for
Liverpool and especially for him he's injured. That's his problem."
Liverpool lost a two-goal advantage in their 4-3 defeat at Bournemouth last
weekend and will be aiming to bounce back against West Ham. Although the
Hammers sit just one point above the relegation zone, Bilic is confident his
side can exploit Liverpool's weaknesses on Merseyside. Bilic said: "They
are definitely one of the contenders for the Premier League title - some of
their football is great and most of their football is quite consistent this
season. "Obviously last week was not great because they were winning 3-1 and
lost 4-3, but they are obviously one of the title contenders. "Of course
that result gives us heart because they are conceding goals. "In a 90-minute
game you have all sorts of situations, but the way Liverpool play at
Anfield, the opponent has to be solid first of all, compact behind the ball
with numbers to stop them creating. "Then, when you have the ball, you can
hurt them."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's summer signings will find form, says Slaven Bilic
By Michael Hincks
Last Updated: 10/12/16 2:03pm
SSN
Slaven Bilic is confident West Ham's summer signings will find their form
after failing to impress in the early stages of the season. West Ham
currently sit one point above the relegation zone and could drop into the
Premier League's bottom three before they head to Liverpool on Sunday, live
on Sky Sports 1 HD. Some of West Ham's new players have been criticised for
their poor starts in England, with Simone Zaza failing to find the net in 11
appearances since joining from Juventus on loan. Meanwhile, Sofiane Feghouli
suffered a hamstring injury after arriving on a free transfer from Valencia,
and is yet to score in the league upon his return to full fitness. Bilic
insisted his latest recruits - which also includes Alvaro Arbeloa and Havard
Nordtveit - have the quality to compete in the top-tier. "With some of the
new players, we can say they didn't hit the ground running straight away or
they are not showing what we wanted or why we bought them in the first
place," Bilic told Sky Sports. "But they came to a new league, this is the
Premier League, I'm not saying it's better but it's definitely different to
the leagues they were in before.
"Most of them were hit by injuries when they signed for us, which is another
reason why that period is longer than we thought it was going to be. "They
[new signings] are good enough. At the end of the day you are questioning
and judging the performances of the players on the pitch in whatever role
they play, but they are good players. I'm sure it's about time for some of
them to hit form."
BIlic refused to point the finger at any player specifically, but admitted
his frustration that injuries to key players has hampered their progress
after such an impressive 2015/16 campaign which saw them finish seventh.
Striker Diafra Sakho remains out until the New Year with a hamstring injury,
while Michail Antonio has missed three matches with a groin strain after
scoring six goals in 13 leagues games. "I took responsibility on myself, I
didn't blame anyone, I said it's my responsibility. Why I said it is mainly
because of the injuries," Bilic added. "Basically it stopped some very
important players for us, and right from the beginning of the season.
Whether it's short-term injuries or long-term, they can't get a rhythm in
training. "They come back to training two or three days before a game and in
that time you can't push them really hard because there's a game ahead."
West Ham have struggled in front of goal this season and have been linked
with a move for Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge in January. Bilic
revealed he would be interested in signing the England international if he
were to become available, but the West Ham boss also believes the current
squad can turn their form around.
"We are looking for some positions and maybe we are going to get someone,
but I believe in this team," Bilic added. "I know that within this team we
have enough quality to turn things around."
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Slaven Bilic assured of West Ham future in House of Lords tea date with
Karren Brady
Bilic and Brady met earlier this week after the Hammers were handed their
heaviest defeat of the season at home to Arsenal last weekend
BYLIAM CORLESS
16:31, 10 DEC 2016UPDATED16:48, 10 DEC 2016
The Mirror
Slaven Bilic was assured of his West Ham future when he met Karren Brady for
tea at the House of Lords on Wednesday. The Hammers have endured a dreadful
start to the season, winning just three of their 14 Premier League matches
so far this season. Their heaviest defeat of the campaign came last weekend
as Arsenal thrashed them 5-1 at the London Stadium. The result put West Ham
just one point clear of the relegation zone and left huge question marks
surrounding Bilic's future at the club. However, Hammers vice-chairman Brady
revealed to The Sun that she met with Bilic in midweek and the Croat assured
her he will turn the club's fortunes around. "Slaven and I have tea at the
House of Lords. For a catch up," Brady wrote, chronicling her activity on
Wednesday, December 7. "Three things he is — decent, passionate, determined.
When he says results will turn round, I 100 per cent believe him. We talk
January window and leave feeling optimistic." Brady revealed she was
"horrified" by the defeat to West Ham but added that "In 23 years in
football, my two chairman [David Gold and David Sullivan and I have sacked
four managers". "The best clubs pull together," she said. "That's exactly
what we are going to do."
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Daily WHUFC News - 10th December 2016
Antonio and Cresswell back for Liverpool clash
WHUFC.com
Michail Antonio and Aaron Cresswell fit to return in Sunday's game at Liverpool
Slaven Bilic says players have redoubled their efforts in training this week
Manager says he feels the support of the Board and is determined to turn things around
Slaven Bilic will welcome Michail Antonio and Aaron Cresswell back into his squad for Sunday's Premier League trip to Anfield. The pair have returned to full training this week after recovering from groin injuries and are set to give West Ham United a lift as they seek a confidence-boosting win over Liverpool.
Speaking to the press ahead of this weekend's clash with the Reds, Bilic also said his squad have redoubled their efforts in training as they seek to bounce back from last weekend's 5-1 home defeat by Arsenal. "From the three players who got injured in the EFL Cup game, a couple of them should be back. Antonio and Cresswell are training with us today after the press conference and according to the medical reports they are fit and they are OK. "With Cheikhou Kouyate, it is a little bit different. We were hoping he would be OK for Sunday's game, but unfortunately he will have to miss it. It's not a big [groin] injury, but he has a great chance to make it for the Burnley game in midweek. "Diafra Sakho is out. We hoped until the scan came out that it would be one week or more like a cramp, but unfortunately it wasn't to be and it'll be five or six weeks. If the medical team do a great job and his body responds it will be four weeks but not for now."
The return of Cresswell and Antonio will add solidity and firepower to a West Ham side desperate to end a run of seven matches without a clean sheet in all competitions, conceding 17 goals and scoring just eight. With those statistics in mind, Bilic called on his players to give their all in training leading up to Sunday's live-televised game, and the manager has been pleased with what he has seen at Rush Green this week. "I have told the players we have got to be positive and I've had a great reaction from them this week in training," he confirmed. "We all felt bad last Saturday. We were one-down after 70 minutes so to lose 5-1 left us disappointed, frustrated and angry but you have to get over it, which we have done and we have a big game on Sunday."
Bilic was again asked about his own position and he responded by dismissing erroneous reports of a meeting he had supposedly held with the Board this week. "We didn't have a meeting, we had a conversation like we normally have," he said. "Since I've been here, I speak to the Chairman a couple of days after every game. After Saturday's game we spoke on Monday and had a good conversation, but not a meeting. "I feel the support and have said that so many times and I felt that support in our conversation this week. I believe in myself and my staff and look at what we achieved last year and I believe there is time to turn it around."
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Bilic - We can hurt Liverpool
WHUFC.com
Slaven Bilic believes West Ham United can exploit Liverpool's attacking style at Anfield
Reds conceded four goals in losing at AFC Bournemouth last weekend
Hammers manager also says Club is active ahead of January transfer window
Slaven Bilic believes West Ham United can take advantage of Liverpool's attacking approach at Anfield on Sunday. The Hammers boss believes the Reds are genuine Premier League title contenders, but says their 4-3 defeat at AFC Bournemouth last weekend exposed their 'risky' style of football. Bilic was full of praise for Liverpool's attacking prowess, but feels his team can exploit spaces in their defensive areas, as they did in winning 3-0 at the same venue last season. "They are definitely one of the contenders for the Premier League title – some of their football is great and most of their football is quite consistent this season," the manager observed. "Obviously last week was not great, because they were winning 3-1 and lost 4-3, but they are obviously one of the title contenders. "Of course that result gives us heart because they are conceding goals. OK, they are an attack-minded side, but first of all you have to be solid and stop them creating and scoring and even coming into those positions where they are very dangerous. "But of course because they attack with such numbers they leave the back open and there is a lot of space that, although they have good offensive and defensive transitions, you can use. "The Bournemouth game was a great comeback from them, to be fair, and they deserved it if you watch the second half. It's much easier to do those kind of comebacks at home, when you have the crowd, but they showed that you can beat Liverpool in an opposite way. They went at them and caused Liverpool problems. "In a 90-minute game you have all sorts of situations, but the way Liverpool play at Anfield, the opponent has to be solid first of all, compact behind the ball with numbers to stop them creating. Then, when you have the ball, you can hurt them."
While Liverpool did concede four times to the Cherries last Sunday, Jurgen Klopp's side had kept clean sheets in their preceding three matches – two in the Premier League against Sunderland and Southampton and one in the EFL Cup against Leeds United. In 14 Premier League fixtures, the Reds have scored 35 times and conceded 18 – the highest number of any club in the top nine. For their part, West Have have conceded 29, a number only Swansea City have exceeded with 31.
With those statistics in mind, Bilic was asked if he has already made firm plans for the January transfer window, perhaps looking to strengthen his defence.
While he did admit the Club are active, the manager dismissed reports of a deal being reached for Vfl Wolfsburg's Turkish teenage midfielder Murat Saglam.
"We're going to see about that, but first we're going to concentrate on these five games before the end of the year, then we're going to see how active we're going to be," he said. "We monitoring, we are following and we are controlling the situation but no, it's not true about Saglam."
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U12s prepare for Truce Tournament finals
HUFC.com
Our U12s will take part in the Truce Tournament finals this weekend
The finals take place in Ypres, Belgium to mark the Christmas Day truce between English and German soldiers
Coach Dave Johnson said qualification was a massive achievement for the team
West Ham United's U12s will compete in the finals of the Truce Tournament, which takes place this weekend in Ypres, Belgium. The tournament forms part of the Premier League's 'Football Remembers' initiative and will mark the Christmas Day truce between English and German soldiers who famously played football in no man's land during the First World War. The young Hammers made it through to the finals by virtue of qualifying from the regional qualifiers that took place at Aldershot Army Garrison on Remembrance Sunday.
"The day for us was an educational experience. Before the tournament, the players were educated on why the tournament was taking place and who were we remembering," said U12 coach Dave Johnson. "Some of our players were born in 2004 and were remembering players from a long time ago. It was really important that they had an understanding of what Remembrance Sunday was and how it affected our club. The remembrance of the players was very important to us."
The qualifiers were hotly contested, with the Hammers drawn in the same group as Chelsea, Everton, Reading and Derby County. The young Irons made light work of their opponents though and eased through to the final by winning all of their matches. That set up a final with Swansea City but the Hammers yet again showed their quality by beating their Welsh opponents and in the process, set up the trip to Belgium this weekend. The tournament begins on December 9 and West Ham are one of just four English sides making the trip, along with Manchester City, Crystal Palace and Blackburn Rovers. They'll be coming up against the likes of Anderlecht, Club Brugge, Schalke and Paris Saint-Germain. "It was a really good achievement and we only conceded two goals across the regional qualification tournament," continued Johnson. "It's a massive achievement for the boys. All the Premier League clubs take part in qualifying for this tournament so to be one of four clubs to qualifying for the finals is huge. "We run over 40 tournaments for our Academy players so they can get different European experience so the event will supplement our tour programme."
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Hector-Ingram - We will finish on a high
WHUFC.com
Jahmal Hector-Ingram believes the U18 Hammers will end their year on a high at Leicester on Saturday
The Hammers No9 has scored 13 goals in all competitions this year
Steve Potts' men take on the Foxes at the Leicester City training ground (12pm)
In-form Jahmal Hector-Ingram believes he and his U18 teammates will end the calendar year on a high when they travel to Leicester City on Saturday. The Hammers travel to the east Midlands looking to end a run of five games without a win, but go into the match still occupying the final spot in the top four of the U18 Premier League South. Hector-Ingram says their difficult spell has been tough to deal with, but he insists the team has lots of confidence after their morale-boosting comeback draw against Fulham last weekend. "I was very disappointed because the score line didn't reflect how we played. I reckon that if we did take our chances in the first half, the game would have been different," he said. "We didn't take our chances but we did well to get something from the game in the end. It was a bit of mixed emotions at the end but at least we didn't lose. "It happens; it's the way things go in football sometimes. The point was really needed for us, psychologically as well. We got something from the game and hopefully we can build on it."
Hector-Ingram has enjoyed a terrific first part of the season. He's scored 11 goals in 12 matches for the U18s, and also netted twice for the U23s. He scored both Hammers' goals in the 2-2 draw with Fulham last Saturday, including a last minute header to earn a point, and he hopes to continue his good form as the season progresses and get even better. "This season has been very good for me in terms of goals and I've been very hungry. I've got into a mentality where no matter how bad I'm playing or if the team are struggling a little, I've made sure when a chance comes I put it in the back of the net," Hector-Ingram added. "With that mentality and my family around me, it's been very positive so far. Hopefully I can keep playing and scoring as the season progresses."
A visit to Leicester beckons this Saturday (12pm kick-off) and Hector-Ingram is expecting a tough contest despite the Foxes' inferior league position. "Any game is tough, no matter who we play and we all expect Leicester to be a tough match. But we all expect to get something out of the game. We'd probably want to get nothing less than a win really especially after the way we've been playing."
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Liverpool v West Ham United
SUN, 11 DEC 2016PREMIER LEAGUE
16:30 Venue: Anfield
TEAM NEWS
Sadio Mane is set to be available for Liverpool despite limping off in the second half of the defeat at Bournemouth. Daniel Sturridge remains out with a calf problem but Joel Matip is expected to return from an ankle injury.
West Ham, who were missing nine players last weekend, will have Aaron Cresswell and Michail Antonio back at Anfield after groin strains. The Hammers had hoped to have Cheikhou Kouyate fit but he remains sidelined.
MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES
Steve Wilson: "It's worth remembering that West Ham's win at Anfield last season ended one of the longest sequences of failure in the game - it had been 52 years since the Hammers had won at Liverpool. "However, West Ham look a much diminished side now and Liverpool look a much better one - despite their collapse at Bournemouth. "West Ham recruited badly in the summer: Tore, Calleri, Zaza, Feghouli and Nordtveit have contributed next to nothing since their arrival.
"Unleashing a nearly fit Andy Carroll against his former club in the hope of bullying Liverpool's flaky back five is probably Bilic's best bet of repeating last season's landmark result."
Twitter: @SteveWilson1967
WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp on learning from the defeat by Bournemouth: "You don't always win these games, sometimes you lose them. "More important is how we played. We played good enough to win the game until it slipped through our fingers. "This game helped us to understand what's wrong with our protection sometimes."
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic: "I spoke to the chairman on Monday like I did after every game. It was a normal conversation rather than a meeting. "The only way to get out of this situation is by working hard, and we have had good training sessions this week. "The four games after Liverpool are a good chance for us, but we are focused on Sunday's game for now."
LAWRO'S PREDICTION
Liverpool's defeat by Bournemouth last week was a blow but I think it will just be a hiccup. The Reds are still a good side, and are still well placed at the top of the table.
Prediction: 2-0
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
West Ham secured their first league double over Liverpool last season since 1963-64, scoring five goals without reply.
The Hammers' 3-0 victory at Anfield in August 2015 ended a run of 42 league visits without a win.
They scored as many goals in that game as they had in their previous 13 league fixtures at Anfield.
Liverpool
Liverpool's defeat against Bournemouth last weekend ended their 11-match unbeaten run in the league.
They have yet to lose successive Premier League matches under Jurgen Klopp.
The previous three Premier League games to involve Liverpool on a Sunday this campaign have all produced seven goals (21 in total).
Klopp's side have scored 13 league goals from set pieces this season, the most in the division prior to this weekend's matches.
Sadio Mane has scored 11 goals in his last 10 Premier League home appearances for Southampton and Liverpool.
West Ham United
West Ham are winless in their last five league games, losing three and drawing two.
The Hammers have conceded 29 goals in their opening 14 matches this season, their worst tally at this stage of a top-flight campaign since 1988-89.
Slaven Bilic's team have made a league-high six individual errors leading to opposition goals in 2016-17.
They have scored an unrivalled 23 headed goals in the Premier League since Bilic became manager at the beginning of last season.
SAM's verdict
Most probable score: 2-1 Probability of draw: 17%
Probability of home win: 70% Probability of away win: 13%
SAM (Sports Analytics Machine) is a super-computer created by @ProfIanMcHale at the University of Salford that is used to predict the outcome of football matches.
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Sam Byram hoping to make West Ham return against Swansea on Boxing Day
By Nick Lustig
Last Updated: 09/12/16 7:50pm
SSN
West Ham defender Sam Byram is hoping to make his comeback from a hamstring injury before the end of the year. The right-back has not featured since suffering a significant hamstring tear in the 1-1 home draw with Middlesbrough on October 1. But Byram, who underwent surgery to repair the damage, is back running again and hopes to be available to make his first-team return against Swansea on Boxing Day. "I'd like to think in two weeks I'll be ready and available for selection," the 23-year-old told Sky Sports. "But it's a case of seeing how the rehab goes and not pushing too early because with muscle injuries if you do it again, you're back to square one and then I've got another two months out. "We're taking it steady, but doing all the right things. As a player, you're always pushing the physio, asking when I'll be back, but you've got to tick the boxes each day. "I've got to hit 85 per cent speed, then 90 per cent, I've got to fulfil certain strength requirements and on each day, you make progressions. "Some days, it might be a bit sore, so you back off and then you push on again, so it's more a case of ticking the boxes."
Byram, who spent a week away in Paphos in Cyprus after undergoing surgery, also revealed an unusual method used by club physio, Eamon Swift, to prevent his rehabilitation programme becoming mundane. "To keep me enjoying it, we've been out in the forest running with his dog instead of just plodding around the pitch," he said. "It certainly kept it different, I always look forward to doing that, so it's been good. "It's the longest injury I've had, I've never been out for more than two months, so it was a bit hard to take at first. Obviously, I am not used to not playing for so long. "I have had to try and keep myself occupied, throw myself into the rehab and the physio staff have been brilliant with me, they've kept me smiling and they've made it fun along the way."
Byram has been restricted to just 13 appearances for West Ham since completing his move from Sky Bet Championship side Leeds United in January, with injury, suspension and cup ineligibility all playing a part. However, Byram is optimistic, with more than half a season remaining, he can stay injury-free and secure a consistent run of matches under manager Slaven Bilic. "It's a massive club and I am unbelievably excited to be here, but it's been a bit stop start," he said.
"When I came last season, I suffered a bit of an injury, I got banned after picking up 10 yellow cards and I was also cup-tied, so I was in and out. "This season, I thought I was doing well, I was playing in 85, 90 per cent of the matches, and then a freak accident against Middlesbrough and it's back to frustration. "I've tried to stay positive, there are lots of games to come, more than half a season left, so if I can get involved and try to help the team as best I can, all that will be put in the past."
West Ham take on Liverpool at Anfield on Nissan Super Sunday - live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 4.15pm - aiming to bounce-back from the humiliating 5-1 home defeat they suffered to Arsenal last Saturday. Bilic's side sit in 17th place, just one point above the relegation zone, in what is a far cry from their performance last season, when they challenged for a Champions League place before ultimately finishing in seventh spot. Following the trip to Merseyside, West Ham face fellow strugglers Burnley, Hull, Swansea and Leicester and Byram is confident the quality within the Hammers' squad will help them move clear of trouble. "Every game coming up is very important, but I don't think the next five matches will shape how we'll finish," he said. "We need three points each week, the team know that, everyone around the club knows that, so that's the main priority. "Obviously we're not in an ideal situation, but the players and I have every confidence in each other and the manager. We know we've got the quality to get out of this situation."
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Slaven Bilic: West Ham have to help Dimitri Payet recover last season's form
SLAVEN BILIC
Evening Standard
When things are not going well it is normal that everyone is open to criticism — even Dimitri Payet. Of course, the expectations of him are high — mine are also — but even the best players have their ups and downs. They are not robots and we have to help him to come back in training to the level he was last season. There was also some speculation about Rio Ferdinand coming to help us on the coaching side. Rio and I are really good friends but I am happy with my staff.
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Slaven Bilic: I didn't make excuses after West Ham's 5-1 defeat to Arsenal but the injuries have hit us hard
SLAVEN BILIC
Evening Standard
My comments after the Arsenal match, about us losing our intensity in training, have provoked some reaction, as I expected. I spoke honestly, as I always try to do — and I am not one for making excuses, because the fans can always see through that. I would take this opportunity for the first time since then to make one thing clear, though: when I talked about the loss of intensity, some people thought I was pointing a finger at my staff. That was wrong. I think I said, four or five times, that it is me and it is my job to take responsibility. Believe me, we're not having a jolly-up in training... no, no, no, it's not like that. The main reason why we lost that intensity is that we have had so many injuries all in a small space of time. Then, because we had three games in a week, we had to balance things, not walk on egg-shells exactly, but to be careful in training. I would like to clarify this now. I was not criticising my staff. My reason was not to moan because we had lost to Arsenal but to provoke a reaction so we can get back that intensity.
Have I see that reaction? We have had a good few days training but, rather, I want and expect to see a good reaction in the long-term.
The bottom line is yes, it is my job to get the best out of my players — and I said just that, a few times, straight after the Arsenal match. I am not in the blame game because that achieves nothing. I was very disappointed after that match and what I said was from the heart. Now, almost a week later, I just want to make it clear that it is because of the disruption to our squad caused by so many injuries.
Maybe I should have made more of the effect of those injuries after the game and I know many would have done. Maybe that was my mistake, but I have always hated to say something following a defeat which sounds like excuses. To be honest, following a 5-1 defeat, almost anything is going to sound that way but perhaps, in hindsight, I should have made more of the injuries because they were a significant factor.
Okay, we let in four against Manchester United in the EFL Cup and five against Arsenal, but prior to that we were beginning to look solid, sharp and really good against top sides like Spurs and Manchester United in the Premier League. Then, suddenly, bang! You are without four of your players, three of whom are probably among the best in terms of physicality in Michail Antonio, Cheikhou Kouyate and Diafra Sakho, plus Aaron Cresswell, who is also very important to us. Missing those players can only adversely affect your game, no matter who you are playing against — and you can add to that, an injury to James Collins early in the game which meant we had to change things around. Even with all that — and I admit they were better than us in the first half — it was only 1-0 for 70 minutes and we were looking more likely to equalise when they scored their second. When that happened, though, we basically crumbled and that shouldn't happen. Okay, it is 2-0, but so what? Maybe we can pull a goal back or even make it 2-2, but that didn't happen.
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Slaven Bilic: I will field my strongest West Ham team at Liverpool
SLAVEN BILIC
Evening Standard
We have a big week coming up. It has been a tough recent schedule and it doesn't get any easier with a trip to Anfield this weekend.
Then we have home matches against Burnley on Wednesday and Hull next Saturday, but if we think they will be any easier that would be making a big mistake. I am hoping that some of the injured players will be back for the match at Liverpool on Sunday and that is a big boost. There will be some who might advocate holding back the players who are returning for the two home matches, but I don't agree. Every game is of equal importance and if we can play as well as I know we can, then we have a good chance at Anfield. Don't forget, we earned a point at Old Trafford recently. With some, it is not possible to expect them to play three games in a week because of their injury situation, but we're not going to rest half the team just because it's Liverpool. It was good especially to see Andy Carroll back on the pitch and hopefully he will be fit for some part of the game this weekend — but we have to be careful with him. I still have faith in my players to emerge from this difficult period. We did have a meeting at the beginning of the week, but it was not a big one. It wasn't a full post-mortem kind of meeting — we've had a few of them already this season — but we did get together on the pitch just before training.
My philosophy hasn't changed, though. I want my team firstly to be solid but then, when we have the ball, to express themselves, hurt and harm the opposition. Last year, we were solid and compact, especially against the big teams. Against Arsenal last weekend, though, you can't be solid if you give the ball away in a bad area, as we did for the first goal. If that happens, it doesn't matter where you park the bus, or even how many buses there are!
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Liverpool v West Ham United
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 9th December 2016
By: Preview Percy
..You know all that stuff about "peace and goodwill to all men?" Preview Percy doesn't. Here's his look at Sunday's visit to Anfield. There will be some useful statistical input from www.kickoff.co.uk just to sweeten the pill. And boy does it need sweetening....
Next up we travel to Liverpool where kick-off on Sunday is 4:30pm. What's with the extra half hour guys? There's no engineering work en route out of Euston, though if you're making an early start from Essex have a gander at the lines in and out of Liverpool Street where replacement buses will be the order of the day first thing in the morning. They'll probably reopen the lines five minutes after the last train that would have been any use has departed. They are like that.
So Liverpool then. The BBC's favourite city and club. For some reason. They currently sit in third place on 30 points, four behind Chelsea and one behind Arsenal. Latest result was the hilarious 4-3 defeat at Bournemouth which they somehow contrived to lose despite the referee turning down the most stonewall of penalties for the home side, an error compounded by the astonishing number of times he "forgot" about the advantage law whenever Bournemouth drew a foul in promising territory.
The Work Experience Girl wearing a Paul McCartney & Wings t-shirt without knowing who they were ("only the band the Beatles could have been" – A. Partridge) tells me that they spent their summer in traditional style by nipping down to the south coast to pinch a player off Southampton. This time round it was Sadio Mane who took their fancy with £34m going in the opposite direction. With add-ons that could rise to £36m.
The Senegalese attacker/winger depending on mood started his football career at the Senegalese football academy "Academie Generation Foot" whose wonderful name wouldn't be out of place in that Fast Show Channel 9 results section alongside FC Bombo Chipolata. As a citizen of Francophone West Africa, France was always the most likely route into the European game for the player and so it was he ended up at Metz. It wasn't long before Austrian moneybags Red Bull Salzburg picked him up and, finding that he wasn't much of a driver, they stuck him in their football team instead. 31 goals in 63 league appearances was enough to attract attention from elsewhere in Europe though Red Bull appeared disinclined to let the player go. That wasn't a problem for Mane who simply didn't turn up for training and missed out on a so-called Champions League qualifier. Southampton won the race and shelled out £11.8m. His spell in Hampshire was not entirely without incident – he was once dropped from the starting line-up for a match against Liverpool as punishment for turning up late. After his move to Merseyside he soon fell into "the Liverpool way" by picking up a reputation for what is euphemistically referred to as "simulation" by the newspapers and "bloody diabolical cheating" by most football supporters outside those in attendance at Anfield, Old Trafford, White Hart Lane, Stamford Bridge and the Etihad. The usual site has listed Mane as doubtful for this match with that mystery ailment "a knock".
The next biggest fee was the £23m paid to Newcastle for Georginio Wijnaldum. Seems a a lot, though one suspects that the Liverpool negotiating team have toughened up a bit since the days of Ashley continually raising the fee for Andy Carroll out of curiosity to see how far they would go. According to well-connected sources close to Preview Alastair (the Avram Grant Olympic Rest Home for the Bewildered's resident Geordie) the £35m paid for Carroll was something like double what Ashley was willing to take for the player. In Wijnaldum's case the fee was moderated by Newcastle's relegation. In the end Wijnaldum had to chose between Liverpool and Spurs or to put it another way, between the Tottenham of the North and the Liverpool of the South. Merseyside it was then. As a kid born in Rotterdam he showed little interest in football, preferring to concentrate on gymnastics. Presumably including tumbling then. A Damascene conversion to "the beautiful game" occurred at the age of 6 and he started to play for the age group sides for Sparta up to the age of 14 when he figured his development would be better suited up the road at Feyenoord. He became Feyenoord's youngest ever player making his debut as a 16 year-old. He racked up over 100 league appearances for Feyenoord before throwing his lot in with the electric razor works team at PSV. He made his debut for the senior Netherlands national team at this point, having represented his country at various age group levels. Wait for it….. to date he has 36 Dutch Caps (hurrah!). £14m saw him cross the North Sea to Newcastle – a fee that, much to Preview Alastair's disgust, is still the largest fee paid out since Ashley took over. The demise of the Geordies into the Championship meant that "Gini" (as his chums call him) wasn't going to hang about and having made the all too easy decision that there wasn't a barge pole long enough to get him to N17 he hopped across the Pennines to scouseland.
They brought in a new 'keeper during the close season. Klopp decided to stick with what he knows best and went back home to Deutschland. In return for £4.7m the good people of Mainz handed over Loris Karius. Karius had spent a while as a kid as part of the Man City youth system but returned home at the age of 18 without having troubled the first XI statisticians. Coming on as a sub for Mainz he became the Bundesliga's youngest ever custodian of the onion bag at the age of 19. Although he was voted "second-best 'keeper in the Bundesliga" last season, and Klopp announced that he was henceforth to be considered Liverpool's no.1, I have to say that even before he spilled the shot that gave Bournemouth their deserved win there was an element of shakiness about him last weekend – I distinctly recall his handling looking a bit iffy on one shot that ended up going over the bar but could have gone anywhere.
In truth it's not an area of strength for them. Mignolet has had his moments over the years after all. Which may be why they brought in veteran shot-stopper Alex Manninger on a free from Augsburg. At 39 the former Arsenal man looks to be there as cover, especially as Bogdan is out for the long term with knee ligament problems. Bogdan has the brightest red hair known to exist out of photoshop and I will forever remember the sight of him turning out for Bolton in a fluorescent pink shirt that clashed so violently with his hair matron had to turn the tv down to black & white to avoid inflicting further damage on the retinas of those of us in the rest home who still have them.
Aside from Mane, whose status isn't certain at the time of writing, the biggest injury miss will be Coutinho, whose ankle will keep him away until the new year. Another useful player who lets himself down with the tumbling antics that the club has become so noted for. In fact one of his efforts against Spurs last season was being slated as the "worst dive ever" by some sources. It's hard to argue with that – if even Jonathan Moss spots it it's got to be pretty special.
In midfield they are will field Jordan Henderson who, inexplicably, has not only been capped by England but has also skippered the side. There was an intriguing headline online the other day which ran "Carragher slams Henderson for copying Gerrard's hated habit". This turned out to refer to Henderson's retreating to centre back after conceding a goal, rather than anything more lurid. Henderson's reaction wasn't recorded though if he had any presence of mind he might have pointed out that Carragher is probably about as good a pundit as he was a player.
Joining Coutinho on the sick list will be Daniel Surridge. He always seems to come back from long-term injury against us to score. But not this week. Liverpool have denied that the player will be off in January but given that his current calf injury is listed as "no return date" it's no real surprise we've been linked with him is it.
Ok I can't put this off any longer. Us. What a shambles. I complained about the lack of backbone in the League Cup match up at Old Trafford. At least there was that underlying feeling of "it's only the League Cup" to fall back on. However Saturday evening's debacle eclipsed anything we've seen this season. Then if things weren't bad enough at 4-1 the officials decided to give them a fifth. Yes lovely finish and all that but when there is daylight between the scorer and the last defender I think we're entitled to some sort of explanation.
Few came out of it with any credit. Fletcher looked interested. Lanzini could, nay ought to have scored or at least fed a team-mate in the first half. Carroll's return was marked by a poacher's finish and he may be looking at a start this weekend if he's managed to get through the week uninjured.
However, the defence. Oh dear. Ok I understand losing a player vital to our usual system in Kouyate was gong to cause problems. I also understand that losing Collins after three minutes was never going to be anything other than disruptive. However, even allowing for that, if Arbeola had the slightest idea of where he was supposed to be playing he hid it bloody well. The injury situation doesn't look like improving any either. Cresswell and Antonio, who are key to playing with three at the back, both seem to have had their returns put back until midweek, though some sources suggest that both are possibles. I guess that extra half-hour might come in handy after all. With Masuaku and Arbeola the only wide defenders available we may have to start with a flat back four for this one. That might cheer up Payet, who has been as miserable as sin since we've been playing with a three. Other than the injury doubts the team pretty much picks itself really given that we have so many injuries they will have to start clearing space in the Indian Burial Ground our new stadium seems to have been built on. I guess the main questions are whether to start Carroll and whether Zaza will be involved (only if they rotate the pitch through 90 degrees I'd suggest). Assuming he's trained ok this week I'd give Carroll a start myself and let Fletcher provide the fresh legs later on.
Prediction? Do I have to? Ok yes we got something up there last time and we did turn them over three times last season. However, that involved a team that looked interested. The chances of lightning striking twice with our paper thin resources look slim to non-existent from this angle.
Well as they used to say on "Through The KeyHole" (particularly in the days before before the "so unfunny he could be scouse" Keith ****ing Lemon took it over) let's look at the evidence. A side low on confidence that has a habit of folding quicker than a rubbish poker player. Currently doing a good impersonation of one of the lower orders of invertebrates. Against a side that will be stung by its defeat to a side who played last weekend in exactly the same way as we didn't and, apparently, can't and, despite the hint, almost certainly won't this weekend. At a ground where the assistance given by referees to the home side is criminally embarrassing (see Noble's sending off last season). With a notoriously untrustworthy referee involved.
This is only going to go one way isn't it? The usual £2.50, which this week I was going to not give to any carol singers still stupid enough to pitch up at the rest home after all these years of abuse, will therefore be delivered to Dolores behind the counter at Winstones the Turf Accountants with a betting slip containing the words 3-0 home win.
Enjoy the game!
When last we met at Anfield: Drew 0-0 (FA Cup 4th Round January 2016): They will point out how good a game Randolph had as goalkeeper. We will point out how good a game Stephen Caulker had as goalkeeper. Without actually being one. Yes it's another example of the away side getting nothing from the officials at Anfield as the most blatant of penalty appeals was turned down by, yup Martin Atkinson. Justice prevailed in the replay as we went on to win 2-1 at the Boleyn. Unfortunately Atkinson was there again in the quarter final..
Referee: Mark Clattenburg. One of the self-styled celeb referees. PGMOL once tried to get shot of him due to debt problems he had relating to his electrical business. They failed. Which turned out to be a shame. If only they would put that sort of effort into ousting bad referees rather than the ones they just don't like.
Danger Man: Divok Origi – making the most of the opportunities afforded to him by the absence of Coutinho. Also Mark Clattenburg. Not the sharpest tool in the box he couldn't tell a dive from a plate of chips and will almost certainly fall for every piece of "simulation" in the book.
Percy's Poser: Last week we asked what prompted the mysterious and sudden disappearance of several Arsenal players either on loan or full transfer to European clubs back in 2001? The first correct answer out of the digital hat came from Mrs Hetty Cordwainer of Stifford Clays who said: "Those players all disappeared during the great fake passport scandal of 2001. Players from outside the EU had been playing within the EU based on passports either obtained from EU countries or, quite often obtained from people good at forging such documents. The Arsenal contingent disappeared shortly before the FA turned up for an unannounced inspection of documents. Which, I am sure was pure coincidence and had nothing to do with the fact that David Dein, the then Vice-Chairman of the club was also quite high up the FA pecking order at the time". Hetty wins a copy of Arsene Wenger's book "Improve Your Eyesight The Natural Way" Well done Hetty!
For this week's Poser we have the biggest prize we have ever offered. An all expenses* return trip to the International Space Station! With such a big prize at stake we've had to make the question a toughie so, for your chance to follow in the steps of Helen Sharman, Tim Peake and Chris Waddle's penalty in the 1990 World Cup, all you have to do is name a Liverpudlian "comedian" who is actually funny. Good luck!
*Winners must pay their own transport costs and be available for travel on 20 December 2026. Oyster cards are not valid for on Soyuz spacecraft. As travel date is a Sunday a replacement bus service may be in operation.
Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, nor should be attributed to, KUMB.com.
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Bobby Zamora retires from football and thanks West Ham, Fulham, QPR and Tottenham for 'amazing memories'
TOM DOYLE
Evening Standard
Bobby Zamora has confirmed that he has retired from professional football, thanking clubs including West Ham, Tottenham, Fulham and QPR for the "amazing memories" during a 17-year career. Zamora, who turns 36 next month, has been without a club since his release by Brighton at the end of the 2015-16 season after succumbing to a hip problem that required surgery. The former forward took to Twitter on Friday afternoon to confirm speculation regarding his future, tweeting: "Thanks for all the amazing messages. Yes retired. Will miss the great lads clubs & fans. Thank you all for your support over the years".
Zamora also posted a tribute to the clubs he has played for during his career, with four London clubs thanked along with Brighton and England.
Bobby Zamora ? @RobertZamora25
What amazing memories @OfficialBHAFC @WestHamUtd @FulhamFC @QPRFC @England @SpursOfficial
12:16 PM - 9 Dec 2016
94 94 Retweets 274 274 likes
In an interview with his former Brighton team-mate Adam Virgo published on the Championship club's website, Zamora had said: "I think so, yes [his football career is over]. It was a frustrating time last year. "My hip decided to let me down at the final hurdle. It resulted in just training on a Thursday and being in pain. "It came to the end and I needed an op. I had the operation before the end of the season. It was frustrating but it was something I needed to do. I certainly couldn't play." Zamora scored 84 goals in 156 matches in two spells with Brighton, and also earned two international caps for the England.
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Brighton and Hove Albion legend Bobby Zamora confirms retirement
The Argus
Andy Naylor, Chief sports reporter
Albion legend Bobby Zamora is hanging up his boots after a glittering 17-year career. The ex-England striker has conceded defeat to the hip injury which cut short his second spell with the Seagulls last season. Zamora, 36 next month, has been without a club since Albion released him in the summer. He confirmed his retirement in an interview on the club website with former team-mate Adam Virgo.
Asked by Virgo is it the end, Zamora said: "I think so, yes. It was a frustrating time last year. "My hip decided to let me down at the final hurdle. It resulted in just training on a Thursday and being in pain. "It came to the end and I needed an op. I had the operation before the end of the season. It was frustrating but it was something I needed to do. I certainly couldn't play."
Zamora made the final appearance of his career in March at the Amex against Sheffield Wednesday, who knocked Albion out of the play-offs after Middlesbrough pipped them for automatic promotion. He said: "It was horrible and knowing now it went down to goal difference, I'd like to think I could have contributed a couple of goals which would have made the difference."
Zamora scored on his full senior debut in English football for Albion against Plymouth at Withdean in February 2000, five months after starting out with Bristol Rovers. He bagged 84 goals in 156 matches in his two stints with the Seagulls and 182 goals in a 565-game career which included a Europa League triumph with Fulham, promotions to the Premier League with West Ham and QPR, and England honours. The first goal of his return to Albion was a late winner against tonight's visitors Leeds United at Elland Road last October.
Zamora will now concentrate on his business projects, including a football holiday school and plans with ex-England captain Rio Ferdinand and West Ham skipper Mark Noble to build thousands of affordable houses across the country.
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Valencia chief hints at January attempt for West Ham flop Simone Zaza
Los Che already tried to sign the Italian in a summer swap deal with Andre Gomes
Portugal international decided to join Barcelona instead.
Eduardo Fernandez-Abascal By Eduardo Fernandez-Abascal
December 9, 2016 11:44 GMT
Simone Zaza
IB Times
Valencia sporting director Jesus Garcia Pitarch has revealed that Andre Gomes's decision to move to Barcelona instead of Juventus blocked the arrival of Simone Zaza during the summer transfer window. However, the club chief suggests that Los Che could make a new attempt for the Italian striker in January, after he failed to make any impact during his current loan spell at West Ham United.
Andre Gomes was linked with Chelsea, Manchester United, Juventus and Real Madrid during the summer, before opting to join Barcelona instead in a deal worth €35m (£29.5, $37.1) deal plus €20m in add-ons – with the Catalans agreeing to pay an extra fee of €15m should the midfielder win the Ballon d'Or more than once.
The Portugal international revealed earlier this season that he turned down Real Madrid for the Catalans and now the Valencia sporting director has added that the Juventus interest in the player was also real.
Garcia Pitarch says Los Che were interested in a swap deal with the Serie A giants that would have seen Zaza moving to Valencia, but Gomes's decision to move to Barcelona hijacked that switch – and the striker instead joined West Ham.
"Zaza is a player that I tried to sign this summer at all costs but I couldn't achieve it because his arrival meant Andre joining Juventus," the Valencia chief admitted during an interview with Plaza Deportiva. "Andre wanted to go to Barcelona and hence our three negotiations with Juventus for their players [Mario] Lemina, Hernanes and Zaza ended."
West Ham took advantage of the situation to lure Zaza on loan to London later in the summer, keeping an option to make the move permanent for a further £20m if he made a set number of appearances for the club.
But the Italian forward has since struggled to adapt to the Premier League, failing to score a single goal for West Ham in 11 appearances.
Reports in recent days have claimed the Hammers are likely to part ways with him and Valencia's chief has now suggested that they could offer Zaza a escape route in January if the striker agrees to reduce his salary demands.
Asked whether Valencia would be still interested in the West Ham flop, Pitarch added: "Basically the biggest challenge is that the salary that he has at West Ham is absolutely exorbitant, but that could be negotiated. I don't know what the [new] coach [Cesare Prandelli] thinks about this, but if we could reduce his wages, he is a player that we can evaluate."
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Ex-West Ham and Crystal Palace star Mullins loving life working with Watford's U23s under Kewell
By Hertfordshire Mercury | Posted: December 09, 2016
By Oliver Harbord
Watford coach Hayden Mullins is helping bring through the next generation of Hornets and admitted he is loving life working under U23s head coach Harry Kewell. Former West Ham and Crystal Palace star Mullins joined Kewell's coaching staff in the summer from Reading, working with the Hornets' development side. The club have given just one minute to an English U21 player, Jerome Sinclair, in the top flight this season, with youngster Andrew Eleftheriou named on Walter Mazzarri's first team bench for the defeat at West Brom on Saturday. Michael Folivi and Rhyle Ovenden have both travelled with the matchday squad for Premier League games, and Mullins feels there is a good link between the academy and the senior side. Speaking to the Hertfordshire Mercury, the 37-year-old said: "I'm loving my time here, it's really good. Working with Harry and his passion and working with a group of boys that work hard every day. It's fantastic and I'm really enjoying it. "The first team are really good like that [getting the youngsters involved] and our boys regularly train with them. "They [academy] get to see them a lot. Andrew was on the bench on Saturday, Rhyle travelled and Michael Folivi has been in the squad. So it is fantastic."
Watford fielded their youth team for the Herts Senior Cup game at Bishop's Stortford on Tuesday night, with the youngsters enduring a tough evening. The Hornets were beaten 5-1 by the Blues, with several of the goals coming through Watford's own doing. But Mullins saw the game as a real test for his young squad and that they will take a lot of lessons away from the match against the Vanarama National South side. "It is a learning curve. One thing that we spoke about is taking the game home, analysing it, watching it and then learning from it," Europa League. "We spoke about the conditions and it is not what we are used to, but it is football. "That is football out there and it is not about training ground and nice surfaces, that is the game and if you can't handle that and the level then you need to go away and revaluate and look at it. Hopefully the boys can take a good lesson from it."
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Paul Merson: Why I fear for West Ham against Liverpool
PAUL MERSON reckons West Ham could be in "real trouble" against Liverpool on Sunday.
Daily Star
By Jamie Styles / Published 9th December 2016
The Hammers have endured a torrid campaign so far and were stuffed 5-1 at home to Arsenal last time out. They currently sit 17th in the table, just one point above the relegation zone. And things don't get any easier for the east London outfit as up next is a trip to Anfield, where Liverpool will be looking to bounce back from a stunning 4-3 defeat at Bournemouth. That result saw Jurgen Klopp's side fall four points behind leaders Chelsea in the title race. However Merson is confident they will get back to winning ways against West Ham. Predicting a routine 3-0 victory for the Reds, he told Sky Sports: "The last 20 minutes against Arsenal was just terrible and I fear for West Ham. "The last 20 minutes against Arsenal was just terrible and I fear for West Ham. " "Another 10 minutes and it could have been eight. "They are shipping goals left, right and centre and could be in real trouble this weekend if Liverpool get on a roll.
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West Ham youngster Reece Oxford is similar in physique and playing style to former Hammers defender Rio Ferdinand... he could be a colossus
Hammers youngster Reece Oxford spots a pass early and plays with his head up
Oxford is right-footed but capable of playing on the left side in a defensive pair
The 17-year-old West Ham defender has been mostly used as a substitute
By The Secret Scout For The Daily Mail
PUBLISHED: 22:31, 8 December 2016 | UPDATED: 23:57, 8 December 2016
Our scout is a top football expert who attends matches each week searching for the next star. He brings you his verdict in Sportsmail.
This week it's West Ham defender Reece Oxford under the microscope...
WHAT HAS HE GOT?
West Ham are conceding goals and the manager has a classic dilemma. Can he introduce a big young hope into the cauldron of Premier League football? Oxford should be ready. He has huge potential and, although he has been injured recently, could thrive. Similar in physique and playing style to former Hammers defender Rio Ferdinand, Oxford loves to pass out from defence. He spots a pass early, plays with his head up and covers ground with a smooth, quick stride. Oxford is right-footed but capable of playing on the left side in a defensive pair, though one day he may move into central midfield.
REECE OXFORD
AGE: 17
CLUB: West Ham
POSITION: Centre back
VALUE: £4m
2016-17 APPEARANCES: 2
GOALS: 0
I liked his attitude in a game I saw where he was initially troubled by the physicality of a Derby academy striker but won his battle without resorting to fouls. He can tackle but knows it is better to stay on his feet and win the ball through an interception.
WHAT DOES HE NEED?
AT 6ft 4in, I'd expect him to be more dominant in the air. He could be a colossus — the likes of Ron Yeats and Mike England leap to mind. So far, he's been mostly used as a substitute but he has time. There was a worrying rumour of a breakdown in contract talks.
At 17 he should be thrilled just to help solve his team's problems.
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Josh Cullen fate in balance as Bradford City await news of window activity
Telegraph&Argus.co.uk
Simon Parker
TWENTY five days, five games and counting – that's the countdown for Josh Cullen. As City fans wait for what the next transfer window might bring in terms of new faces at Valley Parade, the fate of a familiar one will be scrutinised just as closely. Josh Cullen has become such a regular component of central midfield that his presence is almost taken for granted. City's impressive record since he first donned the claret and amber at Peterborough in February is no coincidence. Two defeats in the last three in the league does not diminish a points return that is due in no small part to the hugely-influential figure dictating the play. No wonder Cullen's return in August was greeted with universal delight from a fan-base that had expected West Ham to place him at Championship level instead.
They might still do so next month – hence the concern as we tick towards the deadline on his half-season loan. After tomorrow's clash with Charlton, Cullen is around to face Walsall, leaders Scunthorpe, Bury and Northampton. But then it's anyone's guess. "I don't know what will happen then," admitted Cullen. "But I'm sure all parties will sit down and decide which way is the best direction to go.
"I'm here initially until January 3 and up until then it's just a case of focusing on Bradford. That's all I'm concentrating on. "It's been brilliant being in the team and playing every week. "But I know I've got to keep my standards high because we've got a great squad here. Anyone can step in and do a job for the team. "Whatever team the gaffer chooses to pick, it's always going to be strong – that's the quality we've got."
Cullen has only missed out when away on international duty with Republic of Ireland under-21s. You can count his bad games on one finger – Wimbledon away. His commitment to the cause was shown when he haggled to be allowed to fly late to the recent Irish training break in La Manga so he could play against Rochdale. Stuart McCall is spoilt for choice in central midfield but Cullen's name tends to be first on the team sheet. Whoever he partners, whether it's Tim Dieng, Danny Devine or Nicky Law, you cannot see the join. "When I first came in, Tim was injured so I was playing with Danny and Lawsy was in there a bit as well," said Cullen. "I enjoyed that and then when Tim came back, I thought that we've bounced off each other really well. I've liked playing with them all. "It's been quite easy to settle in when you've got quality players alongside you. You can strike up a good relationship. "Tim gives us that physical presence and Lawsy has the technical ability coming in from the left. "The options are good and we're confident in each other."
Charlton are yet to justify pre-season predictions of a quick return to the Championship as off-field strife continues to wreak havoc.
But Cullen expects pumped-up visitors because of City's own lofty league position. "We're going to be a big scalp with the way we've started so far," he said. "Whenever a team are near the top, the opposition are going to raise their game to try to beat us."
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Michail Antonio and Aaron Cresswell fit to return in Sunday's game at Liverpool
Slaven Bilic says players have redoubled their efforts in training this week
Manager says he feels the support of the Board and is determined to turn things around
Slaven Bilic will welcome Michail Antonio and Aaron Cresswell back into his squad for Sunday's Premier League trip to Anfield. The pair have returned to full training this week after recovering from groin injuries and are set to give West Ham United a lift as they seek a confidence-boosting win over Liverpool.
Speaking to the press ahead of this weekend's clash with the Reds, Bilic also said his squad have redoubled their efforts in training as they seek to bounce back from last weekend's 5-1 home defeat by Arsenal. "From the three players who got injured in the EFL Cup game, a couple of them should be back. Antonio and Cresswell are training with us today after the press conference and according to the medical reports they are fit and they are OK. "With Cheikhou Kouyate, it is a little bit different. We were hoping he would be OK for Sunday's game, but unfortunately he will have to miss it. It's not a big [groin] injury, but he has a great chance to make it for the Burnley game in midweek. "Diafra Sakho is out. We hoped until the scan came out that it would be one week or more like a cramp, but unfortunately it wasn't to be and it'll be five or six weeks. If the medical team do a great job and his body responds it will be four weeks but not for now."
The return of Cresswell and Antonio will add solidity and firepower to a West Ham side desperate to end a run of seven matches without a clean sheet in all competitions, conceding 17 goals and scoring just eight. With those statistics in mind, Bilic called on his players to give their all in training leading up to Sunday's live-televised game, and the manager has been pleased with what he has seen at Rush Green this week. "I have told the players we have got to be positive and I've had a great reaction from them this week in training," he confirmed. "We all felt bad last Saturday. We were one-down after 70 minutes so to lose 5-1 left us disappointed, frustrated and angry but you have to get over it, which we have done and we have a big game on Sunday."
Bilic was again asked about his own position and he responded by dismissing erroneous reports of a meeting he had supposedly held with the Board this week. "We didn't have a meeting, we had a conversation like we normally have," he said. "Since I've been here, I speak to the Chairman a couple of days after every game. After Saturday's game we spoke on Monday and had a good conversation, but not a meeting. "I feel the support and have said that so many times and I felt that support in our conversation this week. I believe in myself and my staff and look at what we achieved last year and I believe there is time to turn it around."
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Bilic - We can hurt Liverpool
WHUFC.com
Slaven Bilic believes West Ham United can exploit Liverpool's attacking style at Anfield
Reds conceded four goals in losing at AFC Bournemouth last weekend
Hammers manager also says Club is active ahead of January transfer window
Slaven Bilic believes West Ham United can take advantage of Liverpool's attacking approach at Anfield on Sunday. The Hammers boss believes the Reds are genuine Premier League title contenders, but says their 4-3 defeat at AFC Bournemouth last weekend exposed their 'risky' style of football. Bilic was full of praise for Liverpool's attacking prowess, but feels his team can exploit spaces in their defensive areas, as they did in winning 3-0 at the same venue last season. "They are definitely one of the contenders for the Premier League title – some of their football is great and most of their football is quite consistent this season," the manager observed. "Obviously last week was not great, because they were winning 3-1 and lost 4-3, but they are obviously one of the title contenders. "Of course that result gives us heart because they are conceding goals. OK, they are an attack-minded side, but first of all you have to be solid and stop them creating and scoring and even coming into those positions where they are very dangerous. "But of course because they attack with such numbers they leave the back open and there is a lot of space that, although they have good offensive and defensive transitions, you can use. "The Bournemouth game was a great comeback from them, to be fair, and they deserved it if you watch the second half. It's much easier to do those kind of comebacks at home, when you have the crowd, but they showed that you can beat Liverpool in an opposite way. They went at them and caused Liverpool problems. "In a 90-minute game you have all sorts of situations, but the way Liverpool play at Anfield, the opponent has to be solid first of all, compact behind the ball with numbers to stop them creating. Then, when you have the ball, you can hurt them."
While Liverpool did concede four times to the Cherries last Sunday, Jurgen Klopp's side had kept clean sheets in their preceding three matches – two in the Premier League against Sunderland and Southampton and one in the EFL Cup against Leeds United. In 14 Premier League fixtures, the Reds have scored 35 times and conceded 18 – the highest number of any club in the top nine. For their part, West Have have conceded 29, a number only Swansea City have exceeded with 31.
With those statistics in mind, Bilic was asked if he has already made firm plans for the January transfer window, perhaps looking to strengthen his defence.
While he did admit the Club are active, the manager dismissed reports of a deal being reached for Vfl Wolfsburg's Turkish teenage midfielder Murat Saglam.
"We're going to see about that, but first we're going to concentrate on these five games before the end of the year, then we're going to see how active we're going to be," he said. "We monitoring, we are following and we are controlling the situation but no, it's not true about Saglam."
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U12s prepare for Truce Tournament finals
HUFC.com
Our U12s will take part in the Truce Tournament finals this weekend
The finals take place in Ypres, Belgium to mark the Christmas Day truce between English and German soldiers
Coach Dave Johnson said qualification was a massive achievement for the team
West Ham United's U12s will compete in the finals of the Truce Tournament, which takes place this weekend in Ypres, Belgium. The tournament forms part of the Premier League's 'Football Remembers' initiative and will mark the Christmas Day truce between English and German soldiers who famously played football in no man's land during the First World War. The young Hammers made it through to the finals by virtue of qualifying from the regional qualifiers that took place at Aldershot Army Garrison on Remembrance Sunday.
"The day for us was an educational experience. Before the tournament, the players were educated on why the tournament was taking place and who were we remembering," said U12 coach Dave Johnson. "Some of our players were born in 2004 and were remembering players from a long time ago. It was really important that they had an understanding of what Remembrance Sunday was and how it affected our club. The remembrance of the players was very important to us."
The qualifiers were hotly contested, with the Hammers drawn in the same group as Chelsea, Everton, Reading and Derby County. The young Irons made light work of their opponents though and eased through to the final by winning all of their matches. That set up a final with Swansea City but the Hammers yet again showed their quality by beating their Welsh opponents and in the process, set up the trip to Belgium this weekend. The tournament begins on December 9 and West Ham are one of just four English sides making the trip, along with Manchester City, Crystal Palace and Blackburn Rovers. They'll be coming up against the likes of Anderlecht, Club Brugge, Schalke and Paris Saint-Germain. "It was a really good achievement and we only conceded two goals across the regional qualification tournament," continued Johnson. "It's a massive achievement for the boys. All the Premier League clubs take part in qualifying for this tournament so to be one of four clubs to qualifying for the finals is huge. "We run over 40 tournaments for our Academy players so they can get different European experience so the event will supplement our tour programme."
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Hector-Ingram - We will finish on a high
WHUFC.com
Jahmal Hector-Ingram believes the U18 Hammers will end their year on a high at Leicester on Saturday
The Hammers No9 has scored 13 goals in all competitions this year
Steve Potts' men take on the Foxes at the Leicester City training ground (12pm)
In-form Jahmal Hector-Ingram believes he and his U18 teammates will end the calendar year on a high when they travel to Leicester City on Saturday. The Hammers travel to the east Midlands looking to end a run of five games without a win, but go into the match still occupying the final spot in the top four of the U18 Premier League South. Hector-Ingram says their difficult spell has been tough to deal with, but he insists the team has lots of confidence after their morale-boosting comeback draw against Fulham last weekend. "I was very disappointed because the score line didn't reflect how we played. I reckon that if we did take our chances in the first half, the game would have been different," he said. "We didn't take our chances but we did well to get something from the game in the end. It was a bit of mixed emotions at the end but at least we didn't lose. "It happens; it's the way things go in football sometimes. The point was really needed for us, psychologically as well. We got something from the game and hopefully we can build on it."
Hector-Ingram has enjoyed a terrific first part of the season. He's scored 11 goals in 12 matches for the U18s, and also netted twice for the U23s. He scored both Hammers' goals in the 2-2 draw with Fulham last Saturday, including a last minute header to earn a point, and he hopes to continue his good form as the season progresses and get even better. "This season has been very good for me in terms of goals and I've been very hungry. I've got into a mentality where no matter how bad I'm playing or if the team are struggling a little, I've made sure when a chance comes I put it in the back of the net," Hector-Ingram added. "With that mentality and my family around me, it's been very positive so far. Hopefully I can keep playing and scoring as the season progresses."
A visit to Leicester beckons this Saturday (12pm kick-off) and Hector-Ingram is expecting a tough contest despite the Foxes' inferior league position. "Any game is tough, no matter who we play and we all expect Leicester to be a tough match. But we all expect to get something out of the game. We'd probably want to get nothing less than a win really especially after the way we've been playing."
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Liverpool v West Ham United
SUN, 11 DEC 2016PREMIER LEAGUE
16:30 Venue: Anfield
TEAM NEWS
Sadio Mane is set to be available for Liverpool despite limping off in the second half of the defeat at Bournemouth. Daniel Sturridge remains out with a calf problem but Joel Matip is expected to return from an ankle injury.
West Ham, who were missing nine players last weekend, will have Aaron Cresswell and Michail Antonio back at Anfield after groin strains. The Hammers had hoped to have Cheikhou Kouyate fit but he remains sidelined.
MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES
Steve Wilson: "It's worth remembering that West Ham's win at Anfield last season ended one of the longest sequences of failure in the game - it had been 52 years since the Hammers had won at Liverpool. "However, West Ham look a much diminished side now and Liverpool look a much better one - despite their collapse at Bournemouth. "West Ham recruited badly in the summer: Tore, Calleri, Zaza, Feghouli and Nordtveit have contributed next to nothing since their arrival.
"Unleashing a nearly fit Andy Carroll against his former club in the hope of bullying Liverpool's flaky back five is probably Bilic's best bet of repeating last season's landmark result."
Twitter: @SteveWilson1967
WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp on learning from the defeat by Bournemouth: "You don't always win these games, sometimes you lose them. "More important is how we played. We played good enough to win the game until it slipped through our fingers. "This game helped us to understand what's wrong with our protection sometimes."
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic: "I spoke to the chairman on Monday like I did after every game. It was a normal conversation rather than a meeting. "The only way to get out of this situation is by working hard, and we have had good training sessions this week. "The four games after Liverpool are a good chance for us, but we are focused on Sunday's game for now."
LAWRO'S PREDICTION
Liverpool's defeat by Bournemouth last week was a blow but I think it will just be a hiccup. The Reds are still a good side, and are still well placed at the top of the table.
Prediction: 2-0
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
West Ham secured their first league double over Liverpool last season since 1963-64, scoring five goals without reply.
The Hammers' 3-0 victory at Anfield in August 2015 ended a run of 42 league visits without a win.
They scored as many goals in that game as they had in their previous 13 league fixtures at Anfield.
Liverpool
Liverpool's defeat against Bournemouth last weekend ended their 11-match unbeaten run in the league.
They have yet to lose successive Premier League matches under Jurgen Klopp.
The previous three Premier League games to involve Liverpool on a Sunday this campaign have all produced seven goals (21 in total).
Klopp's side have scored 13 league goals from set pieces this season, the most in the division prior to this weekend's matches.
Sadio Mane has scored 11 goals in his last 10 Premier League home appearances for Southampton and Liverpool.
West Ham United
West Ham are winless in their last five league games, losing three and drawing two.
The Hammers have conceded 29 goals in their opening 14 matches this season, their worst tally at this stage of a top-flight campaign since 1988-89.
Slaven Bilic's team have made a league-high six individual errors leading to opposition goals in 2016-17.
They have scored an unrivalled 23 headed goals in the Premier League since Bilic became manager at the beginning of last season.
SAM's verdict
Most probable score: 2-1 Probability of draw: 17%
Probability of home win: 70% Probability of away win: 13%
SAM (Sports Analytics Machine) is a super-computer created by @ProfIanMcHale at the University of Salford that is used to predict the outcome of football matches.
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Sam Byram hoping to make West Ham return against Swansea on Boxing Day
By Nick Lustig
Last Updated: 09/12/16 7:50pm
SSN
West Ham defender Sam Byram is hoping to make his comeback from a hamstring injury before the end of the year. The right-back has not featured since suffering a significant hamstring tear in the 1-1 home draw with Middlesbrough on October 1. But Byram, who underwent surgery to repair the damage, is back running again and hopes to be available to make his first-team return against Swansea on Boxing Day. "I'd like to think in two weeks I'll be ready and available for selection," the 23-year-old told Sky Sports. "But it's a case of seeing how the rehab goes and not pushing too early because with muscle injuries if you do it again, you're back to square one and then I've got another two months out. "We're taking it steady, but doing all the right things. As a player, you're always pushing the physio, asking when I'll be back, but you've got to tick the boxes each day. "I've got to hit 85 per cent speed, then 90 per cent, I've got to fulfil certain strength requirements and on each day, you make progressions. "Some days, it might be a bit sore, so you back off and then you push on again, so it's more a case of ticking the boxes."
Byram, who spent a week away in Paphos in Cyprus after undergoing surgery, also revealed an unusual method used by club physio, Eamon Swift, to prevent his rehabilitation programme becoming mundane. "To keep me enjoying it, we've been out in the forest running with his dog instead of just plodding around the pitch," he said. "It certainly kept it different, I always look forward to doing that, so it's been good. "It's the longest injury I've had, I've never been out for more than two months, so it was a bit hard to take at first. Obviously, I am not used to not playing for so long. "I have had to try and keep myself occupied, throw myself into the rehab and the physio staff have been brilliant with me, they've kept me smiling and they've made it fun along the way."
Byram has been restricted to just 13 appearances for West Ham since completing his move from Sky Bet Championship side Leeds United in January, with injury, suspension and cup ineligibility all playing a part. However, Byram is optimistic, with more than half a season remaining, he can stay injury-free and secure a consistent run of matches under manager Slaven Bilic. "It's a massive club and I am unbelievably excited to be here, but it's been a bit stop start," he said.
"When I came last season, I suffered a bit of an injury, I got banned after picking up 10 yellow cards and I was also cup-tied, so I was in and out. "This season, I thought I was doing well, I was playing in 85, 90 per cent of the matches, and then a freak accident against Middlesbrough and it's back to frustration. "I've tried to stay positive, there are lots of games to come, more than half a season left, so if I can get involved and try to help the team as best I can, all that will be put in the past."
West Ham take on Liverpool at Anfield on Nissan Super Sunday - live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 4.15pm - aiming to bounce-back from the humiliating 5-1 home defeat they suffered to Arsenal last Saturday. Bilic's side sit in 17th place, just one point above the relegation zone, in what is a far cry from their performance last season, when they challenged for a Champions League place before ultimately finishing in seventh spot. Following the trip to Merseyside, West Ham face fellow strugglers Burnley, Hull, Swansea and Leicester and Byram is confident the quality within the Hammers' squad will help them move clear of trouble. "Every game coming up is very important, but I don't think the next five matches will shape how we'll finish," he said. "We need three points each week, the team know that, everyone around the club knows that, so that's the main priority. "Obviously we're not in an ideal situation, but the players and I have every confidence in each other and the manager. We know we've got the quality to get out of this situation."
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Slaven Bilic: West Ham have to help Dimitri Payet recover last season's form
SLAVEN BILIC
Evening Standard
When things are not going well it is normal that everyone is open to criticism — even Dimitri Payet. Of course, the expectations of him are high — mine are also — but even the best players have their ups and downs. They are not robots and we have to help him to come back in training to the level he was last season. There was also some speculation about Rio Ferdinand coming to help us on the coaching side. Rio and I are really good friends but I am happy with my staff.
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Slaven Bilic: I didn't make excuses after West Ham's 5-1 defeat to Arsenal but the injuries have hit us hard
SLAVEN BILIC
Evening Standard
My comments after the Arsenal match, about us losing our intensity in training, have provoked some reaction, as I expected. I spoke honestly, as I always try to do — and I am not one for making excuses, because the fans can always see through that. I would take this opportunity for the first time since then to make one thing clear, though: when I talked about the loss of intensity, some people thought I was pointing a finger at my staff. That was wrong. I think I said, four or five times, that it is me and it is my job to take responsibility. Believe me, we're not having a jolly-up in training... no, no, no, it's not like that. The main reason why we lost that intensity is that we have had so many injuries all in a small space of time. Then, because we had three games in a week, we had to balance things, not walk on egg-shells exactly, but to be careful in training. I would like to clarify this now. I was not criticising my staff. My reason was not to moan because we had lost to Arsenal but to provoke a reaction so we can get back that intensity.
Have I see that reaction? We have had a good few days training but, rather, I want and expect to see a good reaction in the long-term.
The bottom line is yes, it is my job to get the best out of my players — and I said just that, a few times, straight after the Arsenal match. I am not in the blame game because that achieves nothing. I was very disappointed after that match and what I said was from the heart. Now, almost a week later, I just want to make it clear that it is because of the disruption to our squad caused by so many injuries.
Maybe I should have made more of the effect of those injuries after the game and I know many would have done. Maybe that was my mistake, but I have always hated to say something following a defeat which sounds like excuses. To be honest, following a 5-1 defeat, almost anything is going to sound that way but perhaps, in hindsight, I should have made more of the injuries because they were a significant factor.
Okay, we let in four against Manchester United in the EFL Cup and five against Arsenal, but prior to that we were beginning to look solid, sharp and really good against top sides like Spurs and Manchester United in the Premier League. Then, suddenly, bang! You are without four of your players, three of whom are probably among the best in terms of physicality in Michail Antonio, Cheikhou Kouyate and Diafra Sakho, plus Aaron Cresswell, who is also very important to us. Missing those players can only adversely affect your game, no matter who you are playing against — and you can add to that, an injury to James Collins early in the game which meant we had to change things around. Even with all that — and I admit they were better than us in the first half — it was only 1-0 for 70 minutes and we were looking more likely to equalise when they scored their second. When that happened, though, we basically crumbled and that shouldn't happen. Okay, it is 2-0, but so what? Maybe we can pull a goal back or even make it 2-2, but that didn't happen.
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Slaven Bilic: I will field my strongest West Ham team at Liverpool
SLAVEN BILIC
Evening Standard
We have a big week coming up. It has been a tough recent schedule and it doesn't get any easier with a trip to Anfield this weekend.
Then we have home matches against Burnley on Wednesday and Hull next Saturday, but if we think they will be any easier that would be making a big mistake. I am hoping that some of the injured players will be back for the match at Liverpool on Sunday and that is a big boost. There will be some who might advocate holding back the players who are returning for the two home matches, but I don't agree. Every game is of equal importance and if we can play as well as I know we can, then we have a good chance at Anfield. Don't forget, we earned a point at Old Trafford recently. With some, it is not possible to expect them to play three games in a week because of their injury situation, but we're not going to rest half the team just because it's Liverpool. It was good especially to see Andy Carroll back on the pitch and hopefully he will be fit for some part of the game this weekend — but we have to be careful with him. I still have faith in my players to emerge from this difficult period. We did have a meeting at the beginning of the week, but it was not a big one. It wasn't a full post-mortem kind of meeting — we've had a few of them already this season — but we did get together on the pitch just before training.
My philosophy hasn't changed, though. I want my team firstly to be solid but then, when we have the ball, to express themselves, hurt and harm the opposition. Last year, we were solid and compact, especially against the big teams. Against Arsenal last weekend, though, you can't be solid if you give the ball away in a bad area, as we did for the first goal. If that happens, it doesn't matter where you park the bus, or even how many buses there are!
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Liverpool v West Ham United
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 9th December 2016
By: Preview Percy
..You know all that stuff about "peace and goodwill to all men?" Preview Percy doesn't. Here's his look at Sunday's visit to Anfield. There will be some useful statistical input from www.kickoff.co.uk just to sweeten the pill. And boy does it need sweetening....
Next up we travel to Liverpool where kick-off on Sunday is 4:30pm. What's with the extra half hour guys? There's no engineering work en route out of Euston, though if you're making an early start from Essex have a gander at the lines in and out of Liverpool Street where replacement buses will be the order of the day first thing in the morning. They'll probably reopen the lines five minutes after the last train that would have been any use has departed. They are like that.
So Liverpool then. The BBC's favourite city and club. For some reason. They currently sit in third place on 30 points, four behind Chelsea and one behind Arsenal. Latest result was the hilarious 4-3 defeat at Bournemouth which they somehow contrived to lose despite the referee turning down the most stonewall of penalties for the home side, an error compounded by the astonishing number of times he "forgot" about the advantage law whenever Bournemouth drew a foul in promising territory.
The Work Experience Girl wearing a Paul McCartney & Wings t-shirt without knowing who they were ("only the band the Beatles could have been" – A. Partridge) tells me that they spent their summer in traditional style by nipping down to the south coast to pinch a player off Southampton. This time round it was Sadio Mane who took their fancy with £34m going in the opposite direction. With add-ons that could rise to £36m.
The Senegalese attacker/winger depending on mood started his football career at the Senegalese football academy "Academie Generation Foot" whose wonderful name wouldn't be out of place in that Fast Show Channel 9 results section alongside FC Bombo Chipolata. As a citizen of Francophone West Africa, France was always the most likely route into the European game for the player and so it was he ended up at Metz. It wasn't long before Austrian moneybags Red Bull Salzburg picked him up and, finding that he wasn't much of a driver, they stuck him in their football team instead. 31 goals in 63 league appearances was enough to attract attention from elsewhere in Europe though Red Bull appeared disinclined to let the player go. That wasn't a problem for Mane who simply didn't turn up for training and missed out on a so-called Champions League qualifier. Southampton won the race and shelled out £11.8m. His spell in Hampshire was not entirely without incident – he was once dropped from the starting line-up for a match against Liverpool as punishment for turning up late. After his move to Merseyside he soon fell into "the Liverpool way" by picking up a reputation for what is euphemistically referred to as "simulation" by the newspapers and "bloody diabolical cheating" by most football supporters outside those in attendance at Anfield, Old Trafford, White Hart Lane, Stamford Bridge and the Etihad. The usual site has listed Mane as doubtful for this match with that mystery ailment "a knock".
The next biggest fee was the £23m paid to Newcastle for Georginio Wijnaldum. Seems a a lot, though one suspects that the Liverpool negotiating team have toughened up a bit since the days of Ashley continually raising the fee for Andy Carroll out of curiosity to see how far they would go. According to well-connected sources close to Preview Alastair (the Avram Grant Olympic Rest Home for the Bewildered's resident Geordie) the £35m paid for Carroll was something like double what Ashley was willing to take for the player. In Wijnaldum's case the fee was moderated by Newcastle's relegation. In the end Wijnaldum had to chose between Liverpool and Spurs or to put it another way, between the Tottenham of the North and the Liverpool of the South. Merseyside it was then. As a kid born in Rotterdam he showed little interest in football, preferring to concentrate on gymnastics. Presumably including tumbling then. A Damascene conversion to "the beautiful game" occurred at the age of 6 and he started to play for the age group sides for Sparta up to the age of 14 when he figured his development would be better suited up the road at Feyenoord. He became Feyenoord's youngest ever player making his debut as a 16 year-old. He racked up over 100 league appearances for Feyenoord before throwing his lot in with the electric razor works team at PSV. He made his debut for the senior Netherlands national team at this point, having represented his country at various age group levels. Wait for it….. to date he has 36 Dutch Caps (hurrah!). £14m saw him cross the North Sea to Newcastle – a fee that, much to Preview Alastair's disgust, is still the largest fee paid out since Ashley took over. The demise of the Geordies into the Championship meant that "Gini" (as his chums call him) wasn't going to hang about and having made the all too easy decision that there wasn't a barge pole long enough to get him to N17 he hopped across the Pennines to scouseland.
They brought in a new 'keeper during the close season. Klopp decided to stick with what he knows best and went back home to Deutschland. In return for £4.7m the good people of Mainz handed over Loris Karius. Karius had spent a while as a kid as part of the Man City youth system but returned home at the age of 18 without having troubled the first XI statisticians. Coming on as a sub for Mainz he became the Bundesliga's youngest ever custodian of the onion bag at the age of 19. Although he was voted "second-best 'keeper in the Bundesliga" last season, and Klopp announced that he was henceforth to be considered Liverpool's no.1, I have to say that even before he spilled the shot that gave Bournemouth their deserved win there was an element of shakiness about him last weekend – I distinctly recall his handling looking a bit iffy on one shot that ended up going over the bar but could have gone anywhere.
In truth it's not an area of strength for them. Mignolet has had his moments over the years after all. Which may be why they brought in veteran shot-stopper Alex Manninger on a free from Augsburg. At 39 the former Arsenal man looks to be there as cover, especially as Bogdan is out for the long term with knee ligament problems. Bogdan has the brightest red hair known to exist out of photoshop and I will forever remember the sight of him turning out for Bolton in a fluorescent pink shirt that clashed so violently with his hair matron had to turn the tv down to black & white to avoid inflicting further damage on the retinas of those of us in the rest home who still have them.
Aside from Mane, whose status isn't certain at the time of writing, the biggest injury miss will be Coutinho, whose ankle will keep him away until the new year. Another useful player who lets himself down with the tumbling antics that the club has become so noted for. In fact one of his efforts against Spurs last season was being slated as the "worst dive ever" by some sources. It's hard to argue with that – if even Jonathan Moss spots it it's got to be pretty special.
In midfield they are will field Jordan Henderson who, inexplicably, has not only been capped by England but has also skippered the side. There was an intriguing headline online the other day which ran "Carragher slams Henderson for copying Gerrard's hated habit". This turned out to refer to Henderson's retreating to centre back after conceding a goal, rather than anything more lurid. Henderson's reaction wasn't recorded though if he had any presence of mind he might have pointed out that Carragher is probably about as good a pundit as he was a player.
Joining Coutinho on the sick list will be Daniel Surridge. He always seems to come back from long-term injury against us to score. But not this week. Liverpool have denied that the player will be off in January but given that his current calf injury is listed as "no return date" it's no real surprise we've been linked with him is it.
Ok I can't put this off any longer. Us. What a shambles. I complained about the lack of backbone in the League Cup match up at Old Trafford. At least there was that underlying feeling of "it's only the League Cup" to fall back on. However Saturday evening's debacle eclipsed anything we've seen this season. Then if things weren't bad enough at 4-1 the officials decided to give them a fifth. Yes lovely finish and all that but when there is daylight between the scorer and the last defender I think we're entitled to some sort of explanation.
Few came out of it with any credit. Fletcher looked interested. Lanzini could, nay ought to have scored or at least fed a team-mate in the first half. Carroll's return was marked by a poacher's finish and he may be looking at a start this weekend if he's managed to get through the week uninjured.
However, the defence. Oh dear. Ok I understand losing a player vital to our usual system in Kouyate was gong to cause problems. I also understand that losing Collins after three minutes was never going to be anything other than disruptive. However, even allowing for that, if Arbeola had the slightest idea of where he was supposed to be playing he hid it bloody well. The injury situation doesn't look like improving any either. Cresswell and Antonio, who are key to playing with three at the back, both seem to have had their returns put back until midweek, though some sources suggest that both are possibles. I guess that extra half-hour might come in handy after all. With Masuaku and Arbeola the only wide defenders available we may have to start with a flat back four for this one. That might cheer up Payet, who has been as miserable as sin since we've been playing with a three. Other than the injury doubts the team pretty much picks itself really given that we have so many injuries they will have to start clearing space in the Indian Burial Ground our new stadium seems to have been built on. I guess the main questions are whether to start Carroll and whether Zaza will be involved (only if they rotate the pitch through 90 degrees I'd suggest). Assuming he's trained ok this week I'd give Carroll a start myself and let Fletcher provide the fresh legs later on.
Prediction? Do I have to? Ok yes we got something up there last time and we did turn them over three times last season. However, that involved a team that looked interested. The chances of lightning striking twice with our paper thin resources look slim to non-existent from this angle.
Well as they used to say on "Through The KeyHole" (particularly in the days before before the "so unfunny he could be scouse" Keith ****ing Lemon took it over) let's look at the evidence. A side low on confidence that has a habit of folding quicker than a rubbish poker player. Currently doing a good impersonation of one of the lower orders of invertebrates. Against a side that will be stung by its defeat to a side who played last weekend in exactly the same way as we didn't and, apparently, can't and, despite the hint, almost certainly won't this weekend. At a ground where the assistance given by referees to the home side is criminally embarrassing (see Noble's sending off last season). With a notoriously untrustworthy referee involved.
This is only going to go one way isn't it? The usual £2.50, which this week I was going to not give to any carol singers still stupid enough to pitch up at the rest home after all these years of abuse, will therefore be delivered to Dolores behind the counter at Winstones the Turf Accountants with a betting slip containing the words 3-0 home win.
Enjoy the game!
When last we met at Anfield: Drew 0-0 (FA Cup 4th Round January 2016): They will point out how good a game Randolph had as goalkeeper. We will point out how good a game Stephen Caulker had as goalkeeper. Without actually being one. Yes it's another example of the away side getting nothing from the officials at Anfield as the most blatant of penalty appeals was turned down by, yup Martin Atkinson. Justice prevailed in the replay as we went on to win 2-1 at the Boleyn. Unfortunately Atkinson was there again in the quarter final..
Referee: Mark Clattenburg. One of the self-styled celeb referees. PGMOL once tried to get shot of him due to debt problems he had relating to his electrical business. They failed. Which turned out to be a shame. If only they would put that sort of effort into ousting bad referees rather than the ones they just don't like.
Danger Man: Divok Origi – making the most of the opportunities afforded to him by the absence of Coutinho. Also Mark Clattenburg. Not the sharpest tool in the box he couldn't tell a dive from a plate of chips and will almost certainly fall for every piece of "simulation" in the book.
Percy's Poser: Last week we asked what prompted the mysterious and sudden disappearance of several Arsenal players either on loan or full transfer to European clubs back in 2001? The first correct answer out of the digital hat came from Mrs Hetty Cordwainer of Stifford Clays who said: "Those players all disappeared during the great fake passport scandal of 2001. Players from outside the EU had been playing within the EU based on passports either obtained from EU countries or, quite often obtained from people good at forging such documents. The Arsenal contingent disappeared shortly before the FA turned up for an unannounced inspection of documents. Which, I am sure was pure coincidence and had nothing to do with the fact that David Dein, the then Vice-Chairman of the club was also quite high up the FA pecking order at the time". Hetty wins a copy of Arsene Wenger's book "Improve Your Eyesight The Natural Way" Well done Hetty!
For this week's Poser we have the biggest prize we have ever offered. An all expenses* return trip to the International Space Station! With such a big prize at stake we've had to make the question a toughie so, for your chance to follow in the steps of Helen Sharman, Tim Peake and Chris Waddle's penalty in the 1990 World Cup, all you have to do is name a Liverpudlian "comedian" who is actually funny. Good luck!
*Winners must pay their own transport costs and be available for travel on 20 December 2026. Oyster cards are not valid for on Soyuz spacecraft. As travel date is a Sunday a replacement bus service may be in operation.
Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, nor should be attributed to, KUMB.com.
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Bobby Zamora retires from football and thanks West Ham, Fulham, QPR and Tottenham for 'amazing memories'
TOM DOYLE
Evening Standard
Bobby Zamora has confirmed that he has retired from professional football, thanking clubs including West Ham, Tottenham, Fulham and QPR for the "amazing memories" during a 17-year career. Zamora, who turns 36 next month, has been without a club since his release by Brighton at the end of the 2015-16 season after succumbing to a hip problem that required surgery. The former forward took to Twitter on Friday afternoon to confirm speculation regarding his future, tweeting: "Thanks for all the amazing messages. Yes retired. Will miss the great lads clubs & fans. Thank you all for your support over the years".
Zamora also posted a tribute to the clubs he has played for during his career, with four London clubs thanked along with Brighton and England.
Bobby Zamora ? @RobertZamora25
What amazing memories @OfficialBHAFC @WestHamUtd @FulhamFC @QPRFC @England @SpursOfficial
12:16 PM - 9 Dec 2016
94 94 Retweets 274 274 likes
In an interview with his former Brighton team-mate Adam Virgo published on the Championship club's website, Zamora had said: "I think so, yes [his football career is over]. It was a frustrating time last year. "My hip decided to let me down at the final hurdle. It resulted in just training on a Thursday and being in pain. "It came to the end and I needed an op. I had the operation before the end of the season. It was frustrating but it was something I needed to do. I certainly couldn't play." Zamora scored 84 goals in 156 matches in two spells with Brighton, and also earned two international caps for the England.
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Brighton and Hove Albion legend Bobby Zamora confirms retirement
The Argus
Andy Naylor, Chief sports reporter
Albion legend Bobby Zamora is hanging up his boots after a glittering 17-year career. The ex-England striker has conceded defeat to the hip injury which cut short his second spell with the Seagulls last season. Zamora, 36 next month, has been without a club since Albion released him in the summer. He confirmed his retirement in an interview on the club website with former team-mate Adam Virgo.
Asked by Virgo is it the end, Zamora said: "I think so, yes. It was a frustrating time last year. "My hip decided to let me down at the final hurdle. It resulted in just training on a Thursday and being in pain. "It came to the end and I needed an op. I had the operation before the end of the season. It was frustrating but it was something I needed to do. I certainly couldn't play."
Zamora made the final appearance of his career in March at the Amex against Sheffield Wednesday, who knocked Albion out of the play-offs after Middlesbrough pipped them for automatic promotion. He said: "It was horrible and knowing now it went down to goal difference, I'd like to think I could have contributed a couple of goals which would have made the difference."
Zamora scored on his full senior debut in English football for Albion against Plymouth at Withdean in February 2000, five months after starting out with Bristol Rovers. He bagged 84 goals in 156 matches in his two stints with the Seagulls and 182 goals in a 565-game career which included a Europa League triumph with Fulham, promotions to the Premier League with West Ham and QPR, and England honours. The first goal of his return to Albion was a late winner against tonight's visitors Leeds United at Elland Road last October.
Zamora will now concentrate on his business projects, including a football holiday school and plans with ex-England captain Rio Ferdinand and West Ham skipper Mark Noble to build thousands of affordable houses across the country.
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Valencia chief hints at January attempt for West Ham flop Simone Zaza
Los Che already tried to sign the Italian in a summer swap deal with Andre Gomes
Portugal international decided to join Barcelona instead.
Eduardo Fernandez-Abascal By Eduardo Fernandez-Abascal
December 9, 2016 11:44 GMT
Simone Zaza
IB Times
Valencia sporting director Jesus Garcia Pitarch has revealed that Andre Gomes's decision to move to Barcelona instead of Juventus blocked the arrival of Simone Zaza during the summer transfer window. However, the club chief suggests that Los Che could make a new attempt for the Italian striker in January, after he failed to make any impact during his current loan spell at West Ham United.
Andre Gomes was linked with Chelsea, Manchester United, Juventus and Real Madrid during the summer, before opting to join Barcelona instead in a deal worth €35m (£29.5, $37.1) deal plus €20m in add-ons – with the Catalans agreeing to pay an extra fee of €15m should the midfielder win the Ballon d'Or more than once.
The Portugal international revealed earlier this season that he turned down Real Madrid for the Catalans and now the Valencia sporting director has added that the Juventus interest in the player was also real.
Garcia Pitarch says Los Che were interested in a swap deal with the Serie A giants that would have seen Zaza moving to Valencia, but Gomes's decision to move to Barcelona hijacked that switch – and the striker instead joined West Ham.
"Zaza is a player that I tried to sign this summer at all costs but I couldn't achieve it because his arrival meant Andre joining Juventus," the Valencia chief admitted during an interview with Plaza Deportiva. "Andre wanted to go to Barcelona and hence our three negotiations with Juventus for their players [Mario] Lemina, Hernanes and Zaza ended."
West Ham took advantage of the situation to lure Zaza on loan to London later in the summer, keeping an option to make the move permanent for a further £20m if he made a set number of appearances for the club.
But the Italian forward has since struggled to adapt to the Premier League, failing to score a single goal for West Ham in 11 appearances.
Reports in recent days have claimed the Hammers are likely to part ways with him and Valencia's chief has now suggested that they could offer Zaza a escape route in January if the striker agrees to reduce his salary demands.
Asked whether Valencia would be still interested in the West Ham flop, Pitarch added: "Basically the biggest challenge is that the salary that he has at West Ham is absolutely exorbitant, but that could be negotiated. I don't know what the [new] coach [Cesare Prandelli] thinks about this, but if we could reduce his wages, he is a player that we can evaluate."
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Ex-West Ham and Crystal Palace star Mullins loving life working with Watford's U23s under Kewell
By Hertfordshire Mercury | Posted: December 09, 2016
By Oliver Harbord
Watford coach Hayden Mullins is helping bring through the next generation of Hornets and admitted he is loving life working under U23s head coach Harry Kewell. Former West Ham and Crystal Palace star Mullins joined Kewell's coaching staff in the summer from Reading, working with the Hornets' development side. The club have given just one minute to an English U21 player, Jerome Sinclair, in the top flight this season, with youngster Andrew Eleftheriou named on Walter Mazzarri's first team bench for the defeat at West Brom on Saturday. Michael Folivi and Rhyle Ovenden have both travelled with the matchday squad for Premier League games, and Mullins feels there is a good link between the academy and the senior side. Speaking to the Hertfordshire Mercury, the 37-year-old said: "I'm loving my time here, it's really good. Working with Harry and his passion and working with a group of boys that work hard every day. It's fantastic and I'm really enjoying it. "The first team are really good like that [getting the youngsters involved] and our boys regularly train with them. "They [academy] get to see them a lot. Andrew was on the bench on Saturday, Rhyle travelled and Michael Folivi has been in the squad. So it is fantastic."
Watford fielded their youth team for the Herts Senior Cup game at Bishop's Stortford on Tuesday night, with the youngsters enduring a tough evening. The Hornets were beaten 5-1 by the Blues, with several of the goals coming through Watford's own doing. But Mullins saw the game as a real test for his young squad and that they will take a lot of lessons away from the match against the Vanarama National South side. "It is a learning curve. One thing that we spoke about is taking the game home, analysing it, watching it and then learning from it," Europa League. "We spoke about the conditions and it is not what we are used to, but it is football. "That is football out there and it is not about training ground and nice surfaces, that is the game and if you can't handle that and the level then you need to go away and revaluate and look at it. Hopefully the boys can take a good lesson from it."
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Paul Merson: Why I fear for West Ham against Liverpool
PAUL MERSON reckons West Ham could be in "real trouble" against Liverpool on Sunday.
Daily Star
By Jamie Styles / Published 9th December 2016
The Hammers have endured a torrid campaign so far and were stuffed 5-1 at home to Arsenal last time out. They currently sit 17th in the table, just one point above the relegation zone. And things don't get any easier for the east London outfit as up next is a trip to Anfield, where Liverpool will be looking to bounce back from a stunning 4-3 defeat at Bournemouth. That result saw Jurgen Klopp's side fall four points behind leaders Chelsea in the title race. However Merson is confident they will get back to winning ways against West Ham. Predicting a routine 3-0 victory for the Reds, he told Sky Sports: "The last 20 minutes against Arsenal was just terrible and I fear for West Ham. "The last 20 minutes against Arsenal was just terrible and I fear for West Ham. " "Another 10 minutes and it could have been eight. "They are shipping goals left, right and centre and could be in real trouble this weekend if Liverpool get on a roll.
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West Ham youngster Reece Oxford is similar in physique and playing style to former Hammers defender Rio Ferdinand... he could be a colossus
Hammers youngster Reece Oxford spots a pass early and plays with his head up
Oxford is right-footed but capable of playing on the left side in a defensive pair
The 17-year-old West Ham defender has been mostly used as a substitute
By The Secret Scout For The Daily Mail
PUBLISHED: 22:31, 8 December 2016 | UPDATED: 23:57, 8 December 2016
Our scout is a top football expert who attends matches each week searching for the next star. He brings you his verdict in Sportsmail.
This week it's West Ham defender Reece Oxford under the microscope...
WHAT HAS HE GOT?
West Ham are conceding goals and the manager has a classic dilemma. Can he introduce a big young hope into the cauldron of Premier League football? Oxford should be ready. He has huge potential and, although he has been injured recently, could thrive. Similar in physique and playing style to former Hammers defender Rio Ferdinand, Oxford loves to pass out from defence. He spots a pass early, plays with his head up and covers ground with a smooth, quick stride. Oxford is right-footed but capable of playing on the left side in a defensive pair, though one day he may move into central midfield.
REECE OXFORD
AGE: 17
CLUB: West Ham
POSITION: Centre back
VALUE: £4m
2016-17 APPEARANCES: 2
GOALS: 0
I liked his attitude in a game I saw where he was initially troubled by the physicality of a Derby academy striker but won his battle without resorting to fouls. He can tackle but knows it is better to stay on his feet and win the ball through an interception.
WHAT DOES HE NEED?
AT 6ft 4in, I'd expect him to be more dominant in the air. He could be a colossus — the likes of Ron Yeats and Mike England leap to mind. So far, he's been mostly used as a substitute but he has time. There was a worrying rumour of a breakdown in contract talks.
At 17 he should be thrilled just to help solve his team's problems.
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Josh Cullen fate in balance as Bradford City await news of window activity
Telegraph&Argus.co.uk
Simon Parker
TWENTY five days, five games and counting – that's the countdown for Josh Cullen. As City fans wait for what the next transfer window might bring in terms of new faces at Valley Parade, the fate of a familiar one will be scrutinised just as closely. Josh Cullen has become such a regular component of central midfield that his presence is almost taken for granted. City's impressive record since he first donned the claret and amber at Peterborough in February is no coincidence. Two defeats in the last three in the league does not diminish a points return that is due in no small part to the hugely-influential figure dictating the play. No wonder Cullen's return in August was greeted with universal delight from a fan-base that had expected West Ham to place him at Championship level instead.
They might still do so next month – hence the concern as we tick towards the deadline on his half-season loan. After tomorrow's clash with Charlton, Cullen is around to face Walsall, leaders Scunthorpe, Bury and Northampton. But then it's anyone's guess. "I don't know what will happen then," admitted Cullen. "But I'm sure all parties will sit down and decide which way is the best direction to go.
"I'm here initially until January 3 and up until then it's just a case of focusing on Bradford. That's all I'm concentrating on. "It's been brilliant being in the team and playing every week. "But I know I've got to keep my standards high because we've got a great squad here. Anyone can step in and do a job for the team. "Whatever team the gaffer chooses to pick, it's always going to be strong – that's the quality we've got."
Cullen has only missed out when away on international duty with Republic of Ireland under-21s. You can count his bad games on one finger – Wimbledon away. His commitment to the cause was shown when he haggled to be allowed to fly late to the recent Irish training break in La Manga so he could play against Rochdale. Stuart McCall is spoilt for choice in central midfield but Cullen's name tends to be first on the team sheet. Whoever he partners, whether it's Tim Dieng, Danny Devine or Nicky Law, you cannot see the join. "When I first came in, Tim was injured so I was playing with Danny and Lawsy was in there a bit as well," said Cullen. "I enjoyed that and then when Tim came back, I thought that we've bounced off each other really well. I've liked playing with them all. "It's been quite easy to settle in when you've got quality players alongside you. You can strike up a good relationship. "Tim gives us that physical presence and Lawsy has the technical ability coming in from the left. "The options are good and we're confident in each other."
Charlton are yet to justify pre-season predictions of a quick return to the Championship as off-field strife continues to wreak havoc.
But Cullen expects pumped-up visitors because of City's own lofty league position. "We're going to be a big scalp with the way we've started so far," he said. "Whenever a team are near the top, the opposition are going to raise their game to try to beat us."
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