Palace Ticket Exchange open now
WHUFC.com
The Ticket Exchange for the London derby against Crystal Palace on Saturday 14 January is open now - with Claret Members able to purchase exclusively until 4pm on Friday 6 January.
Big Sam will be bringing his Palace team to London Stadium for the first time, with the Hammers looking to register their first league success of the New Year.
Season Ticket Holders who are unable to attend can relist their seats online, giving other West Ham fans the opportunity to purchase their seat for the fixture. Season Ticket Holders will not only give another supporter the chance to be at the game, but they will also earn money back to redeem against your Season Ticket renewal.
Tickets start at £31, and are available to all Claret Members now.
On the Ticket Exchange, once a Season Ticket Holder's ticket has been exchanged, his or her Season Card will be disabled for the game, while the buyer's Claret Membership Card will be activated. If you are not a Claret Member, you will be able to print your ticket at home.
The credit for the ticket sale will be made available in the seller's Season Ticket Holder account, minus a 10% administrative charge.
For full details of how to release your seat to the Ticket Exchange, and for terms and conditions, please click here to view our helpful User Guide.
Season Ticket Holder seats which become available on the Ticket Exchange will be available to purchase online here.
If you are a Season Ticket Holder unable to attend this game, please relist your ticket to allow another fan to experience the Hammers at London Stadium and you will benefit with ticket credit in your account which you can use towards a future game.
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The Big Interview - Jackson Wray
WHUFC.com
Saracens star and West Ham United fan Jackson Wray was delighted to make his London Stadium debut for Monday's Premier League clash with Manchester United.
The Essex-born Number Eight has been one of the standout performers in English rugby union this season, and has been tipped for international honours.
The reigning Aviva Premiership and European Champions Cup winners are enjoying another strong season, sitting second in the Premiership table and top of their Champions Cup group. With Saracens earning a hard-earned win at Leicester Tigers on New Year's Day, Wray joined fellow Hammer and backs coach Kevin Sorrell on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
Jackson, what's the story behind you being a Hammer?
"Growing up I loved football and West Ham was my local-ish team in the Premier League, so it started there really. Obviously there have been plenty of highs and plenty of lows along the way, but I wouldn't have had it any other way and to see us here now is brilliant. We've come a long way."
This is your first visit to London Stadium, so what do you think?
"It's a big place. I've heard it's really impressive and walking in from the outside was definitely a sight, so it's fantastic to be able to get down and see it in person.
"It's a really impressive arena and in terms of size it's definitely up there with the likes of Twickenham and Wembley, where we've played and to have a full one of those is great. It would be nice to play here one day and I've no doubt it would be great."
What can this move do for the Club in the future?
"I was at the Play-Off final in 2012 and the support we took to fill half of Wembley was unbelievable and you can see the numbers we have here is up there. Hopefully now we can go from strength to strength. We've picked up recently and I am looking forward to seeing us improve and build on last year.
"I think this is what we needed, in terms of the size, where the Club wants to go, the players we want to sign, it's definitely a massive step in the right direction. To have this as a home in a massive part of London, it could bring in all sorts of new fans, and that's what we need to get to where we want to be."
Who are your favourite players?
"To be honest, I like Winston Reid. He is solid and has been linked with some of the top teams and that's the sort of player he is. To have kept him over the last few years, when he has been unbelievable, he's a massive part of the defence and a really, really good player.
"It's good to see Andy Carroll back. He really causes problems and it will be nice to see him up there, bringing the ball down and doing what he does."
As a fellow sportsman, can you sense the team spirit among the Hammers?
"Yes, you can see the way the manager is with his players and the atmosphere at the training ground, it seems to be a really good place to be and it's nice to see the results coming.
"Injuries play a massive part in any sport and I think we've probably hit the worst this year. Hopefully now we've got those guys back and it will be good to see them out there and it will be interesting to see if they can put some performances together."
How about you guys? How is Saracens' season panning out?
"Not too bad. We started off pretty well and are sitting a point off top spot at the minute and we've won four out of four in Europe, so we're ticking along nicely but we don't want to peak too early.
"Obviously last year was unbelievable to win the double and it would be good to do that again."
Reports suggest you aren't far off the England squad, so is that a goal for you?
"As with any young guy, I want to play for England. I'm 26 and have some development still to go which I'm going to work on and hopefully I can break into that set-up.
"It's a very difficult set-up to break into because they've been incredibly successful. They were unbeaten all year [in 2016], which was a fantastic achievement, but it's what I want to do and I know I need to work hard to get there."
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Extra motivation for Fletcher in City Cup clash
WHUFC.com
Ashley Fletcher says he will be feeling extra motivated facing Manchester City on Friday
The young forward left West Ham's opponents' fierce rivals Manchester United during the summer
The 21-year-old will be hoping to play a part having scored in the Hammers' last Cup tie
West Ham United forward Ashley Fletcher admitted he will be feeling extra motivated going into Friday's FA Cup tie against Manchester City having signed from the visitors' fierce rivals during the summer. Fletcher traded Manchester United for the Hammers before the Club's big move to London Stadium and could face the Citizens there in the FA Cup on Friday night. The striker, who started the Hammers' last cup tie, scoring against his former club at Old Trafford in the EFL Cup, will be hoping to get some more minutes in football's oldest competition this week. Ahead of the third round clash, the 21-year-old, who scored two goals in as many U21 matches against the Sky Blues for his former club, declared he is always excited to face Manchester City. "I'm a Manchester lad and coming from round there, I know what it's like as an ex-Man United player to play against City," he said. "It will offer me a little bit more in terms of the game but we just have to treat it as a cup tie and look to go through. "It's going to be a tough game against them. They're obviously one of the best teams in the league so we're expecting a tough match. They'll be bang at it. "But it's a cup tie and a cup tie can go either way and league form doesn't really matter. It's about who really wants it more on the day and hopefully we will want it more. League form goes out the window and it will be a good game to watch."
Fletcher last played from the start in Claret and Blue in West Ham's home defeat by Arsenal back in early December, but the return to full fitness of fellow forward Andy Carroll has forced the youngster to be patient. But the Keighley-born attacker is delighted to have his teammate back alongside him in training, competing for a spot in Slaven Bilic's starting XI. "Obviously we didn't have Andy with us for a big period and he's part of the way we play," he continued. "Now we have him back in, he offers us a different style.
"I think people have seen, we look more dangerous with him. It's a huge positive to have him and other players back. "On Friday, we want to get a result because I think a cup run can give you confidence in the league so if we get a good result that can help us in the league as well. "We had the Chelsea game in the EFL Cup under the lights and the atmosphere there was great. Hopefully we can create that same kind of feeling and hopefully we'll get the win."
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#WHUAREYA - Nathan Trott
WHUFC.com
It's been quite a year for Academy goalkeeper Nathan Trott. In January 2016, the stopper signed for the Hammers on a two-and-a-half-year deal before, in early December, putting pen to paper on his first professional contract having impressed so much in action for the Club's junior sides. The Bermudan-born 18-year-old has made nine appearances so far this campaign for the Premier League 2 side, despite missing a large chunk of the first half of the season through injury. He has also turned out for the U18s twice.
In this week's #WHUAREYA, the youngster talks his best attributes, his favourite music, and why he is unstoppable on FIFA at the Academy of Football.
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Feghouli red card rescinded
WHUFC.com
West Ham United can confirm that a Football Association Regulatory Commission has upheld the Club's claim for wrongful dismissal in respect of the red card shown to Sofiane Feghouli against Manchester United. The midfielder was sent-off during the first half of the Hammers' 2-0 Premier League defeat by the Red Devils at London Stadium on Monday 2 January, with the game goalless at the time.
However, the Club's successful claim means Feghouli's three-match suspension is withdrawn. The Algerian is therefore eligible to play against Manchester City in the Emirates FA Cup third round on Friday evening and in the following Premier League fixtures with Crystal Palace and Middlesbrough.
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Cole - I would love to have played at London Stadium
WHUFC.com
Joe Cole is a big fan of London Stadium and would love to have played there
Cole believes the Hammers can bring Champions League football to their new home
The former fans favourite believes Slaven Bilic will achieve even more success
Former West Ham midfielder and fans favourite Joe Cole says he would have loved the chance to play at London Stadium and sees no reason why the Club cannot compete in the Champions League over the next few years. Cole made his first visit to the Hammers new home last month when he saw the team record a 1-0 win over Hull and was taken aback by the size and magnitude of the new Stadium. The 35-year-old progressed through the Academy with the east London Club and always knew the Club had the fan base to compete with the biggest teams in the country.
With the Hammers making a historic move into London Stadium during the summer and attracting nearly 60,000 fans every home game, Cole sees no reason why they cannot challenge the elite clubs in the top flight and secure European football on a regular basis. Cole said: "I think it is an amazing Stadium and it looks immense. I was getting an itch just looking out at the pitch and would love to have been out there playing. "When you come to a new Stadium you are going to have some little problems, but this is forward thinking by West Ham United and this is 100 per cent the right thing to do. With a few more good results I am sure it will begin to feel like home. "It is amazing that West Ham are playing at such a big venue like London Stadium. It was amazing for me to play at Upton Park and it was special in it's own right. But time waits for no-one and West Ham have now got the capabilities to compete with the biggest teams in the world. "It is exciting times for the Club and West Ham can now compete with the top teams financially. "You can see Champions League football being played at London Stadium. If you are honest, you probably couldn't see that happening at Upton Park. "But with the stature of this new Stadium, you can see it happening. If you are trying to sign a top player in Europe and you bring them down to see this venue I am sure they will be queuing up to play here."
Cole, who made his debut for West Ham back in January 1999 and went on to make over 150 appearances during a memorable career, believes Slaven Bilic will continue to do a good job at the Hammers and feels they have turned a major corner in recent weeks. Cole added: "You can see the progress and the plan that the Club have got. This is where it is happening and I can see where West Ham are heading. "People have questioned if the Club would be able to fill it, but West Ham have a massive fan base. You go all over the world and you see West Ham fans. That will only grow. The Premier League is still the most eye catching league in Europe so it will get even bigger. "I am confident that Slaven will turn things around. He did a great job last season. There were always going to be teething problems coming into a new Stadium, but he has had a few good results and he is definitely the right man for the job. Cole says he would love to make a return to London Stadium in 2017, but is now preparing for another year in the North American Soccer League as he looks to team up with the Tampa Bay Rowdies once again. "I have had a great time out in the States and am staying out there for another year. I have played every minute of every game and feel great out in the sun playing. It is a new adventure. "I know it sounds silly but the sun makes your body feel better when you are playing. I have played over 600 games during my career and there is a lot of wear and tear from a young age so having the sun is a massive help. I feel I can go on for a few more years yet.
"I am looking forward to coming back to London Stadium and watching Champions League football in the future. The fans will love that."
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BRENTFORD REJECT £10M BID FROM WEST HAM FOR SCOTT HOGAN.
BY 337HAMMER ON 4 JANUARY 2017 AT 8:53PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
West Ham have failed with a bid to sign Scott Hogan from Brentford. Brentford have turned down a £10m bid from West Ham for striker Scott Hogan, according to Sky sources.
Hogan has 18 months left on his current contract at Brentford and is willing to leave in January in order to secure Premier League football.
The 24-year-old is valued at around £15m by the Sky Bet Championship club and Sky sources revealed on Monday that Bundesliga side RB Leipzig were also interested in signing him.
Hogan, who joined Brentford from Rochdale in a £750,000 deal in 2014, has scored 14 goals in 26 appearances this season. www.skysports.com
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IF I OWNED WEST HAM: AN INTERESTING ITK/OPINION PIECE ON OUR TRANSFER WINDOW
BY EXWHUEMPLOYEE ON 3 JANUARY 2017 AT 5:40PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
This is a feature which we ran in the Summer Transfer Window. The article is anonymous and is written by someone who is very in the know in the football world. I (ExWHUEmployee) have approved and verified his sources and they are top draw. Whilst this is an opinion piece it is based alongside news that they know and I bring. I hope that you enjoy it. Let us know your thoughts.
It's an interesting time for West Ham, should we go for it in the transfer window? Or should we not? And the question on everyone's lips is "Will we go for anyone?" We have already been linked with almost every name under the sun, however West Ham Way's finest Ex, has given us a few front runners like Defoe, Batshuayi, Iorfa, and Smalling. From that list it looks like we are looking for a striker, a Centre back and a right back all three of which I think we don't have to get and we will stay up and be safe without! They are however the three positions that we do need to improve in the long run.
I think the priority in January is a striker and right back and those are the two positions I think also need strengthening the most! However I, like lots of West Ham fans, personally do not think Defoe is the answer!! Defoe is 34 and has got 11 goals this year, which for someone of that age is very impressive. He has also not missed a match which for me is equally impressive HOWEVER he has got 11 goals this season in the Premier League five of which are penalties, which bring his total to 6 in open play! 6 goals in 20 games in almost a 1 in 4 striker. The reason I don't count the penalties is we already have a penalty taker in Mark Noble and even Lanzini who has scored 2 penalty so far this season, therefore Defoe wouldn't get a chance to get them! The next reason I wouldn't take Defoe is he's on about £75k – £85k a week at Sunderland and I can only see him coming to us for similar or more, this would be the same with the length of his contract which ends in the summer of 2019! Therefore we could have a player on £85k a week who is 36 and has lost his legs, which I think we would all agree would be a disaster. A player on £85k a week should be making a serious contradiction. My last point on Defoe is he is in a team that is solely relying on him, therefore he gets most of the chance (even though Sunderland don't create many). Another problem with Sunderland relying on him so much is they won't want to sell. Therefore they will be asking for top dollar for him along with his massive wages, as if they sell him they are basically throwing in the towel! Moyes has already said the owners have said he has no money to spend in January and you are never going to find a replacement for a proven Premier League goalscorer for £10million. Therefore I can only see them selling him in January for £15million, which I think is far too much for a 34 year old, who has a one in four goal radio this season in open play. As he gets older you can only see this rate going down! I think he's a great player and was a great player however for £15million and £80k a week I would struggle to buy him! A point that many have forgotten is he also left us when we were in an awful state and for me that would be the end of him at our great club!
Batshuayi on the other hand is someone I would take on a loan deal with an option to buy! The lad is 23 years old and someone we fancied in the summer after he got 17 goals and 9 assists at a very poor Marseille side last year! He's also a big powerful boy and someone who would fit into our style of play well. With Chelsea only having two strikers at the club I can't really see them letting him go however I'm sure he is getting increasingly angry with the lack of game time and there may be a deal to be done and I hope there can be! He's only played a total of 76 minutes for Chelsea this year in the league and if I was him I would be gutted and doing everything I could to get a move away. Surely West Ham would be a perfect fit for both parties!
Other possible more interesting options are Hogan at Brentford. He's got 13 goals this year at Brentford and we do love a Championship player as the ones that we have bought have all done very well! He also got 7 in 7 last year after his Cruciate Ligament Rupture. His only 24 and for me could show real promise and worth doing if we could get a good deal. Maybe £7million with a million after 20 Premier League starts and a million after so many goals it could a good buy for us! His wages would also be low and he would be seriously hungry. I know a Brentfood fan and he calls him Shane Long that gets goals, as his work rate is top class!!
Another interesting option is we don't do anything, as we have Carroll, Ayew (not for the next month), Fletcher, Sakho and Antonio. The first 20 minutes of yesterday's game Antonio played so well as a target man before Feghouli got sent off and the system had to be changed pushing out to the wing. Every game I see him play up front he seems to improve. His pace and power and pure rawness will scare centre backs as he is so unpredictable. The best example of this was at Liverpool, where one of the defenders was subbed off at half time. This would be a bold move as it's clear to see we lack that top striker like most Premier League clubs. Carroll and Sakho are two people we need to be careful with as both get injured a lot. I'm also not convinced Ayew is a lone striker however I think he is a real quality player and Fletcher probably needs a Championship loan! If we don't sign anyone for the next month we will only have Carroll and Fletcher as our recognised strikers as Calleri is injured along with Sakho and I can't see Zaza making it to the end of the window and I'm not convinced he knows where or what a goal is! There's also other interest in Sturridge and Rashford but both players I cant see being loaned out by their clubs and also I don't think we need anymore injury prone players such as Sturridge.
Our final and possibly most interesting option is if we go for it and spend next year's summer money on someone. I can't really see this happening however if we sign a goal scorer now it wouldn't be the end of the world!! And would save us a job in the summer. The names I would suggest are ones like Origi, Giroud or Modeste. Three fantastic players. Giroud is a goalscorer and always has been. He consistently got above 15 goals at Arsenal and in the summer will be on his last year of his contract and with almost being second choice at Arsenal he may feel it's the right time to move!
Origi is also second or third choice at Liverpool and at only 21 could be our striker for years and years! For me he is an unbelievable player; he's an all-round athlete and someone who could be perfect for us, he's also like Sakho but better. He's very intelligent with the ball with great link up play. I can't speak more highly of the boy and someone I would go all out to go and buy! He's a superstar in the making. However with these first two, the summer may be a better time to buy as the big English teams do prefer to wait to the summer to sell! However with Modeste I can see Koln cashing in now, the German clubs, apart from the top ones are normally run like a business and sell their players if they get decent money. His whole time in Germany he has been a goal in two games striker and he is a big powerful man. In Germany they play a very similar style to us in England and most players do come over and adapt very fast. He scores all types of goals and there's no doubt he knows where the goals is. I have a German friend and also watch a fare bit of German football and we both love him.
The other position we are looking at is a Right back. The name Iorfa has come up a lot. I've heard he has had a poor year at Wolves however he is English and played very well against us in the FA cup tie last year! The young boy has got talent, no doubt, however for me this is all about price!
Another player I hear about a lot is a return for Jenko on loan. For me this would be a bad move he was shocking for us last season and really low on confidence and has been really dropped completely from the Arsenal set up. He was so good for us in his first season but sadly for me I question his mentality. As when the West Ham fans last year got on his back he crumbled and he has done the same at Arsenal this year.
The only real option for me that just stands out is Tripper at Spurs, he must want more first team football and is never going to get ahead of walker at Spurs! However Spurs are awful to deal with and will want a large sum to let him go! I would like this position sorted as Nordtveit hasn't got the pace to play at rb and Bryam for me still looks a bit raw however he would be a fantastic back up!! If we could get him for anything less than £8 million this would be something I would get on and do.
People are also crying out for a Centre back however it now looks like we are going back to four at the back (thank god)! Therefore we only need two each game so I believe we have enough cover until the end of the season. As Reid, Ogbonna, Collins, Oxford, Kouyate and Nordtviet can all play there! Oxford has signed a new deal and at some point has to show us what he's got!! He is now on decent money and has to start to earn it for me! Bilic has to trust him.
Anyway I hope you enjoy my views on what we should do this transfer window. I will do one maybe later on this week about the out goings I would do if I owned the club! Let me know in the comments if you liked it or tell Ex! Also make sure you go to the West Ham way's Pre Match Event.
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EXWHUEMPLOYEE'S TRANSFER UPDATE: DIFFICULT DEALS AND LOAN MOVERS
BY EXWHUEMPLOYEE ON 1 JANUARY 2017 AT 9:19PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Firstly I would like to wish all our readers and followers across our various platforms a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. 2016 was our first year as a site and we have achieved quite a few things but all of the team want to make 2017 even more successful. If you would like to be a part of the team as a regular writer, YouTube contributor or an advertiser please get in touch.
The Leicester game was a strange one. I agreed with Bilic in keeping an unchanged side from Swansea although that was harsh on Obiang who I think has been brilliant but you cannot change a side that has won 4-1. What was odd about the game was that we dominated possession 60%-40% and we had double the amount of chances than they did yet we couldn't win. This to be highlighted the need for us to buy a goalscorer in the window, as well as a right back too.
The forward situation is a tricky one. Bilic has made it very clear that Jermain Defoe is his number one target. He likes the fact that he is a proven goalscorer and this is proven no matter what the level, club or competition. He has also came very highly recommended to Bilic by Luca Modric who played with the forward at Spurs and is obviously a friend of Bilic's through the Croatian national team. Modric has stated that he is one of the best forwards that he has played with because of his movement and Bilic thinks that Defoe would be able to exploit the creativity of Payet and Lanzini that less mobile forwards haven't done for us. Defoe is in a tricky situation because he is loved up at Sunderland as was seen by his interactions with young hero Bradley Lowery and he also has a relegation release clause in his contract too. It would be in his interests in some ways to stay at the Black Cats but he has made it clear he would like to return to West Ham (a club he still cares about and feels he owes) and be back in London. For the transfer to happen we will have to pay a significant fee for a 34 year old and he would have to ask to leave-which would deny him significant bonuses.
Another key target is Chelsea forward Batshuayi but we find ourselves in another similar position as to Defoe. He really doesn't look like he is going to get much game time for Chelsea and this has apparently made him frustrated and seeking a loan move to prove himself in the Premier League. We were very keen on the player but he doesn't want to rock the boat by demanding to leave and Chelsea do not really want to loan him. So we need them to either sign another forward or for Batshuayi to insist he is allowed to move for first team football.
There are other alternatives that we have enquired about as well. Sturridge has been well documented although his injury record is a concern for the club. Shane Long is another that we have admired for a while because of his work rate but with him now starting for Southampton due to their injury problems this transfer is probably a lot harder to conclude now. According to two other ITKS on another site we are interested in former forward Demba Ba too. Demba Ba suffered a horrific leg break in June and wouldn't be fit until at least March and then we do not know whether he will be able to recover from this injury. Apparently according to them the Chinese club will allow him to come to us and would foot all of the costs involved. When Demba was at the club there was also major concerns around an ongoing knee problem so to me it does seem unlikely that this transfer will happen. The Sullivan's really rate Demba and have obviously signed him before and they always say he was one of their best signings here however this signing does seem a bit bizarre and personally I cannot see it. I will of course credit the other two or change my stance should I hear otherwise.
Beharino is somebody who we could take a gamble on from WBA. His contract is up in the summer and he will be a lot more affordable than he was two years ago when Spurs launched a number of bids. Whilst the club have question marks over his ability and attitude, a move could be made depending on other transfers falling through or not being great deals. Beharino has the same agent as Reece Oxford who has recently signed a new deal for the club so this could be a persuasive factor in him potentially joining us.
We have some interest in Scott Hogan of Brentford but this isn't likely to a deal we look at until the summer. Dembele of Celtic is someone who we have tried to sign on two other occasions. When he joined Celtic we were looking at him, Fulham turned down an offer from us and took it to a tribunal where they received a lot less than what we had offered. Braithwaite's agent is someone we have dealt with regularly before and he was a player we looked at in the summer but Bilic now wants proven domestic players and this can also be said for Bacca. They may emerge as targets if the domestic ones fail but for now they are back up plans.
We are also in the market for a right back. Arbeloa is expected to leave on a free either by joining a Spanish club or having his contract mutually terminated. It is fair to say that Bilic and the Spanish right back never really repaired their early disagreements. Glen Johnson is the number one target and his contract is also up in the summer. Again, he fits the criteria of having an abundance of Premier League experience and he would also fit well into our system. Whilst he played for Stoke at the weekend, the club could be prepared to cash in on him before his deal runs out.
Carl Jenkinson is also being made available this window and he is someone that we could consider bringing back for the third time. Again he ticks a lot of boxes and I think he would fit better into the system we play now as well. There are other right backs who I have mentioned being targets in previous columns such as Iorfa or Flanaghan but these are plan bs.
I have spoken of interest in various Manchester United players in the past and it does appear that it is unlikely that Manchester United will offer any loan deals out of the club. This has meant a number of our potential targets are no longer targets. I doubt that we would move for some of these players on permanent deals at this stage.
We have looked at Sakho from Liverpool and some foreign alternatives as well but the aim to buy domestically.
I mentioned on the radio show that we would like to sign a big name keeper in the summer in the mode of Hart or Begovic. Although both would be hard to pull off we hope that someone of their stature could be persuaded to join. I found this news rather odd because I think Randolph has done very well since he came into the team and Adrian is a very good alternative keeper to have. It is thought that Adrian maybe allowed to leave if a club should come in for him and his contract situation is currently unresolved.
Gordon has joined Newport and Samuelsen has re-joined Peterborough and these will not be the only loan moves completed soon for our development squad. Hendrie will return from Blackburn and be loaned out again I would imagine. Marcus Browne could be moving to Coventry on loan in the next few weeks and players such as: Rice, Pike, Quina and Sam Howes could also make moves.
We go into the Manchester United game with Kouyate and Ayew having been granted special leave from their African Nations call up to play in the game. This will be their last for a while. Feghouli has not been called up for Algeria and whilst that is good news that we have an extra player available it shows how disappointing he has been. Now that he isn't in this squad it could mean that other clubs are more tempted to approach him. We would be prepared to let him go if the right offer comes in.
Good news is that Byram, Oxford and Collins are all back in training or will be in the next week so that will give us a lot more options. Noble picked up a knee injury in the Leicester City game but whether that will keep him out of tomorrow's match it has not been confirmed.
Tomorrow we host out third West Ham Way event. I am really excited and hope to meet some more of you then. Alvin Martin is a hero of mine and when I first started going to West Ham I remember him being brilliant and singing "He has got no hair but we don't care Alvin, Alvin Martin". Both he and our host Mark Ward were key players in our best ever season. Alvin also lifted the FA Cup in 1980, played for England and played for us well into the Premier League era. We have a number of West Ham celebrity fans in attendance as well as the Hammerettes. For £25 you get all you can drink lager and bitter, coach travel to the game (or you can watch it at the club if you do not have a ticket), a West Ham atmosphere, a quality raffle and the chance to mingle and meet two West Ham legends. The feedback we have received has been great so far and we hope you will come along and try it out for yourself. You only have a few hours left to buy your tickets in advance! They go up by £5 tomorrow. Get your tickets here: http://bit.ly/TWHWTICKET3
We are aiming to bring daily transfer stories as they break through out the window and I will try to be a little bit more regular with my columns as well, so you will not need to look anywhere else other than the www.thewesthamway.co.uk for your transfer information. There will be times when there isn't much to report or much that I haven't said before (a bit like this column) and there will be some who like to point this out as a criticism of the site, however we will not make up news just to get new hits which some seem to want. What we report is as we know the situation to be, which I hope the majority appreciate.
I hope you all enjoy your bank holiday which will hopefully be made a lot better by our result against Manchester United.
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JAANAI GORDON JOINS NEWPORT COUNTY ON LOAN.
BY 337HAMMER ON 1 JANUARY 2017 AT 5:00PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Newport County AFC are pleased to announce the loan signing of forward Jaanai Gordon who joins the club from West Ham United. The twenty one year old striker joins the Exiles in time for tomorrow's Sky Bet League two encounter with Wycombe Wanderers at Adams Park. The Northampton born forward was signed by West Ham in 2014 after two years at Peterborough. He has been out on loan at Chelmsford, Nuneaton and Sligo Rovers.
Speaking after the loan deal had been agreed manager Graham Westley said "My main priority in this window is to strengthen our back 4 and defensive midfield options. It is obvious that we need to be better at both ends of the pitch and we all know that Rhys is off back to Cardiff. Jaanai is a player with the potential to change games. It is a good start to building a momentum and winning team in the second half of the season." The loan deal will run to the end of the season. www.newport-county.co.uk
Jaanai has been with West Ham for 3 years now. When we got him the club seemed very excited about him. He is now 21 and not a player we hear about so much. According to WHUFC.com he has had a lot of loans to date.
2014/15
Loaned to Vanarama South club Chelmsford City in December 2014, scoring on his debut against Ebbsfleet United on Boxing Day.
Scored five goals in ten appearances for Chelmsford City.
Loaned to Conference Premier side Nuneaton Town in March 2015.
2015/16
Played his first U21 game of the season on 28 August against Arsenal. Scored for Terry Westley's men against West Bromwich Albion on 7 December.
Played with the U21s into January before joining League of Ireland side Sligo Rovers on loan in March.Scored against Wexford Youths on 7 May for Rovers
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ANTONIO CONTE TO MAKE SENSATIONAL MOVE FOR MICHAIL ANTONIO.
BY 337HAMMER ON 3 JANUARY 2017 AT 9:06PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Antonio Conte is on the trail of West Ham powerhouse Michail Antonio. Chelsea's boss has made the versatile Hammers' star a surprise inclusion on his wish-list for the January transfer window. Conte witnessed first hand winger Antonio's talents when he helped run Chelsea ragged the last time they lost a match – in the EFL Cup back in October. Antonio has played as a centre forward, wing back and right back for The Hammers this season as one of the few shining lights in a frustrating season for the club.
Antonio, 26, is West Ham's top scorer with eight goals this season and after a difficult start to the season under boss Slaven Bilic the pair have warmed to each other more. The Londoner is also extremely popular with the fans.
Conte will find it tough trying to prise the former Nottingham Forest winger out of the London Stadium – he earned his first England call up this season with West Ham and is enjoying life there. But Conte wants to up the energy levels in his team this month and has already admitted Chelsea 'are trying to do something' in this transfer window. Conte also already has his eye on next season's Champions League with his team five points clear at the top of the Premier League and Londoner Antonio's British heritage would be a boost for the squad where eight of the 25-strong players must be homegrown. www.thesun.co.uk
Please no, don't be true! I would hate to see Antonio leave. He is such a strong, versatile player (although I prefer him attacking rather than defending) and he always gives 100%.
What do you think? How would you feel about Antonio leaving? What about a swap deal with Batshuayi coming to us? Would you sell if the price was right?
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Hammers tempted by Selke
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 4th January 2017
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are being linked with a move for young German striker Davie Selke after their attempts to sign Jermain Defoe stalled. Sunderland rejected a bid reported to be worth around £5million for Defoe on Tuesday, forcing the Hammers to cast their net a little wider in search of a goalscorer with the ability to hit the ground running. And 21-year-old Selke, who features for German side Red Bull Leipzig is said to be under consideration by the Board, who are said to face competition from the likes of Everton and Swansea.
Selke, who hit double figures for RB in the German second tier last season has barely featured for the first team during their excellent opening half of the current Bundesliga campaign and is potentially available on loan. Although linked with the likes of Real Madrid prior to joining the Bundesliga front-runners, Selke became the second division's most expensive signing ever when moving from Werder Bremen for €8million in July 2015 Eligible to feature for both Ethiopia (via his father) and the Czech Republic (mother), the 6'3" German-born forward had made just 10 appearances, mostly as substitute, for Leipzig so far this season.
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Defoe 'priceless', say Sunderland
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 3rd January 2017
By: Staff Writer
Sunderland have rejected a £5million offer from West Ham for Jermain Defoe, according to reports.
United's bid to recapture the striker - who left West Ham in controversial circumstances 13 years ago - was immediately rebuffed by the Black Cats, for whom Defoe has scored 11 of their 19 Premier League goals this season.
And despite being just nine months away from his 35th birthday, Sunderland boss David Moyes described the former England international as "priceless" when asked about the possibility of allowing Defoe to return to London.
"I don't think there's any price [we'd accept[ because we know that Jermain's goals are priceless to us," he said.
Whilst every player has his price, regardless of Moyes' words, that is unlikely to be one considered worth paying by West Ham's Board, who are desperately seeking a replacement for Simone Zaza, Jonathan Calleri and the regularly-injured Diafra Sakho.
Of rather more immediate concern however could be the slew of stories continuing to link Dimitri Payet with a return to France, to former club Marseille.
Today it was suggested that L'OM are considering a player-plus-cash package for the 29-year-old including winger Romain Alessandrini, 27, or Guinean midfielder Bouna Sarr, 24 plus up to €40million.
West Ham insist they will refuse to entertain any such offers for Payet.
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Van Der Elst in critical condition
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 3rd January 2017
By: Staff Writer
Former West Ham United striker Francois Van der Elst is in a critical condition after suffering a suspected heart attack. The 62-year-old was rushed to hospital earlier today after collapsing and is currently being held in intensive care., where he is currently in a controlled coma. "Francois is suffering from heart rhythm disorders," his brother Leo told Het Laatste Nieuws.
"On New Year's Eve, Francois had a heart attack as we had a glass of champagne at my mother's home. It took thirty minutes to resuscitate him. "Doctors are monitoring his situation and he is still having plenty of tests. We are continually kept up to date."
Van Der Elst signed for John Lyall's West Ham United side in 1981 - just five years after his brace helped condemn the Hammers to defeat against Anderlecht in the 1976 European Cup Winners' Cup Final. During a glittering career, Van Der Elst also represented New York Cosmos in addition to winning 44 caps for his country between 1973 and 1983.
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Zaza left high and dry
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 4th January 2017
By: Staff Writer
Simone Zaza is facing the propect of being without a club for the second half of the season after a move to Valencia fell through.
The Italian international failed to score a single goal for West Ham during his four months at the club and was keen on joining the La Liga outfit for the second half of the current campaign, having agreed to cut short his season-long loan with the Hammers. However Zaza has been left in the lurch by the resignation of head coach Cesare Prandelli, who walked out of Valencia after just ten games in charge as a result of the club failing to land key targets such as the former Juve man. "We still do not know anything, we still have no official news," said Zaza's father Antonio, who also acts as his agent. "We'll have to wait to see what happens. "Simone has a great desire to return to Italy, we just have to choose a destination more suitable for him and Juventus. He will not stay at Juve because it would be counter-productive for both the club and especially for us."
Prandelli walked out of Valencia after accusing the club of being run by "numbers people". "I felt undermined," he told SER Deportivos Valencia. "I arrived at a big project and left with a poor impression. "Why is Zaza not here? I do not know. But on the 28th, the president told me I had 24 hours to choose between a striker and a midfielder and that for me was not a progressive move."
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Brentford reject £10m bid from West Ham for Scott Hogan
By Sky Sports News HQ
Last Updated: 04/01/17 8:56pm
SSN
Brentford have turned down a £10m bid from West Ham for striker Scott Hogan, according to Sky sources. Hogan has 18 months left on his current contract at Brentford and is willing to leave in January in order to secure Premier League football. The 24-year-old is valued at around £15m by the Sky Bet Championship club and Sky sources revealed on Monday that Bundesliga side RB Leipzig were also interested in signing him. Hogan, who joined Brentford from Rochdale in a £750,000 deal in 2014, has scored 14 goals in 26 appearances this season. West Ham are also hoping to re-sign Jermain Defoe, despite having their first offer of £6m rejected by Sunderland. The 34-year-old started his professional career with West Ham and scored 41 goals before leaving for Tottenham in February 2004. Sky sources understand the Hammers will return with a revised offer as they look to strike a deal to bring Defoe back to east London.
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West Ham not interested in selling Michail Antonio – Sky sources
By Nick Lustig
Last Updated: 03/01/17 9:01pm
SSN
West Ham have had no approach for Michail Antonio and the club have no intention of selling the winger, Sky Sports News HQ understands.
A report in The Sun on Tuesday claimed Premier League leaders Chelsea were lining up a bid for the in-form 26-year-old, who has scored eight goals so far this season. Antonio signed a new four-year contract at West Ham last July and Sky sources understand he will be offered an improved deal next summer if his good form continues into the second half of the season. He joined West Ham from Nottingham Forest in September 2015 for £7m and enjoyed a superb debut season in the Premier League, scoring eight goals in 26 matches as the Hammers finished in seventh place and secured qualification for the Europa League. Antonio received his first England call up in September, but did not feature in Sam Allardyce's one, and only, match in charge of the national team - a 1-0 victory away at Slovakia. He retained his place in the national set-up for the matches against Malta and Slovenia, under then-interim boss Gareth Southgate, but once again did not manage to make an appearance.
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West Ham inquire what price Sunderland will sell Jermain Defoe for
By Sky Sports News HQ
Last Updated: 04/01/17 2:30pm
SSN
West Ham have asked Sunderland at what price they will sell striker Jermain Defoe, Sky sources understand. Sky Sports News HQ reported earlier on Wednesday that the Hammers had been rebuffed in a £6m offer for the 34-year-old. Hammers boss Slaven Bilic is keen to add a striker to his squad in January with midfielder Michail Antonio their leading Premier League scorer by some distance on eight goals. Hopes that Simone Zaza would provide goals to boost West Ham proved wide of the mark, with the Italy international appearing to be on his way out of the club in January. Andre Ayew and Andy Carroll have both struggled with injury, combining for only three goals, leaving the Hammers scoring at only just over a goal a game. Sunderland have struggled even more in front of goal with Defoe providing 11 of their 19 goals in the Premier League. Defoe started his professional career with West Ham and scored 41 goals before leaving for Tottenham in February 2004.
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Brentford want £15million for Scott Hogan as West Ham's £10m striker bid is rebuffed
The Bees are holding out for £15m plus add-ons for the 24-year-old hotshot
The Mirror
BYJACOB MURTAGH
20:07, 4 JAN 2017UPDATED20:07, 4 JAN 2017
Brentford have rejected a £10million offer from West Ham for star striker Scott Hogan. Hammers boss Slaven Bilic is keen to add more firepower this month and has also targeted Sunderland's Jermain Defoe . Watford, West Brom, Newcastle and Reading have also expressed an interest in Hogan, who has smashed 14 goals in 25 games this season. The former Rochdale frontman still has 18 months remaining on his contract at Griffin Park, and the Bees are holding out for £15m plus add-ons for the 24-year-old hotshot. Hogan signed for Brentford in 2014 for £750,000 from Dale, who are entitled to a percentage of the transfer fee.
If the Hammers bring in a new striker this month, it could see young forward Ashley Fletcher leave the club on loan. Championship promotion hopefuls Leeds are leading the chase to land the ex-Manchester United youngster.
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Will West Ham recall Enner Valencia? Everton loanee may be solution to Hammers' striker crisis
The Ecuadorian was a surprise mover on deadline day as he made the switch to Goodison Park and he has impressed boss Ronald Koeman in recent weeks
BYDAVID PRENTICE
17:45, 4 JAN 2017UPDATED17:45, 4 JAN 2017
The Mirror
West Ham could be forced into trying to recall Enner Valencia from his loan at Everton. The Ecuadorian was a surprise mover on deadline day as he made the switch to Goodison Park. He has started three of his side's last five matches and came off the bench to score in the win over Southampton on Monday. And with his side suffering a striker crisis, Slaven Bilic could attempt to recall Valencia, reports the Liverpool Echo. Andre Ayew has jetted off to the Africa Cup of Nations with Ghana, Diafra Sakho is out injured until March, while on-loan Jonathan Calleri, Gokhan Tore and Simone Zaza are all struggling and set to have their season-long loans cancelled. That leaves Bilic with only injury-hit Andy Carroll and raw youngster Ashley Fletcher as his sole striking options. Koeman had initially selected teenage striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin ahead of Valencia against the Saints, but said afterwards: "He (Valencia) can play a lot of different attacking positions and give the manager a lot of possibilities to change systems. "It is too early to make a final decision about his future but it was a good signing for us."
West Ham co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold have already pledged to add 'quality reinforcements' to the Hammers squad this month. But should they draw a blank in the transfer market - and they have already been rebuffed in a move for Sunderland's Jermain Defoe - Bilic could be left with little choice but to ask for Valencia's return.
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Juventus don't want Simone Zaza back - the West Ham flop must find another club
The on-loan Italy striker failed to score in 11 appearances for the Irons – and will not play again to stop the activation of a £20m sell-on clause in the contract
The Mirror
BYNEIL MCLEMAN
13:32, 4 JAN 2017UPDATED13:33, 4 JAN 2017
Juventus don't want Simone Zaza back and the West Ham misfit must find another club in Serie A. The on-loan Italy striker failed to score in 11 appearances for the Irons – and will not play again to stop the activation of a £20m sell-on clause in the contract. But Juventus' sporting director Beppe Marotta said: "Zaza is on loan at West Ham for the whole season. The club has has indicated their intention not to pick him again and together we are sounding out the market to see the options. For now he is with them. He will not return to us in January – we already have a problem of having too many players." It has been a rollercoaster year for Zaza, 25, who scored the crucial winning goal for Juventus against Napoli in February but then comically missed a penalty against Germany at Euro 2016.
And his father and agent Antonio Zaza told Gazzetta dello Sport the striker never wanted to leave Italy. "We did not chose the blessed West Ham," he claimed. "Nobody forced us go but he would never have gone abroad. We want to take him back to Italy given his love for his country. A return to Juventus would be counterproductive because he would not get a game there." Fiorentina, Genoa and Milan are all interested in taking up Zaza's loan till the end of the season.
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West Ham step up audacious bid to bring Jermain Defoe back to the club
VAISHALI BHARDWAJ
Evening Standard
West Ham have lodged an official bid for Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe. Standard Sport understands the Hammers are interested in re-signing the 34-year-old striker, who played for the club between 1999 and 2004, as Slaven Bilic looks to add to his attacking options this month. Defoe has been in fine form for relegation-battlers Sunderland this season, and has scored 11 goals in 20 Premier League appearances for the Black Cats, including two penalties in the 2-2 draw against Liverpool on Monday. His two goals against Jurgen Klopp's men resulted in Defoe becoming just the fourth player to score more than 10 goals in 10 different Premier League seasons after Alan Shearer, Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard. Such has been his form this term that Hammers manager Bilic expressed his admiration for the striker last week, but refused to confirm whether West Ham would make an official offer for the 34-year-old. "He's a very good player," Bilic said. "Defoe is scoring goals and that is important. "I have a few midfielders from different countries telling me his movement is the best of the strikers they have played with. "But he's someone else's player so I don't want to talk about it."
West Ham's pursuit of Defoe will be made difficult by Sunderland's precarious position in the Premier League table, with the club currently sitting in 18th place and battling to avoid the drop. In addition, Defoe's history with West Ham's London rivals Tottenham, the club he left the Hammers for in 2004, could be bittersweet for some fans. The striker handed in a transfer request following West Ham's relegation from the Premier League in 2003 before sealing a £7million switch to Spurs. He went on to play for the north London club two times, scoring 142 goals in 363 games across two spells, but later admitted he made a "massive mistake" forcing through a move from West Ham to Spurs.
West Ham's interest in Defoe comes as the club's on-loan striker Simone Zaza is set to return to Italy this month. The 25-year-old arrived from Juventus on a season-long loan in the summer, with West Ham having the option of making the move permanent should the forward make an agreed number of appearances at the club. But after failing to score in eight Premier League appearances for the east Londoners, his agent confirmed Zaza will go back to Serie A during this transfer window.
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Sofiane Feghouli has Manchester United red card overturned and could face Manchester City on Friday night
The Algerian winger's first Premier League start lasted just 14 minutes but he has now had his three-game ban quashed
The Independent Online
Sofiane Feghouli has had the red card awarded to him in West Ham's 2-0 defeat to Manchester United overturned, and is now available to play against United's cross-town rivals Manchester City in Friday night's FA Cup third round tie. The Algerian winger was harshly dismissed just 14 minutes into his first Premier League start when he went in for a 50-50 tackle with Phil Jones. But the Hammers appealed his punishment and, after consulting television replays, the three-game ban was overturned. While they will be able to count on Feghouli again, it doesn't change the result against United which West Ham manager Slaven Bilic feels was swayed by the early decision. "I was very surprised," Bilic said of the decision. "You know me, I'm the first one who says [referees] have a difficult job, and every time we look at a slow motion I go: 'Yeah, they don't have that in real time.' But I said it then – I wouldn't have been happy with a yellow. I said it to the fourth official and to [José] Mourinho, it's not a yellow. If it was yellow I'd be asking: 'Why a yellow so early in the game for basically nothing?' And you have to know it's Feghouli – he very rarely makes a foul."
Bilic did not see a replay of the incident until after full-time and even went as far as to suggest that Jones, who writhed in pain, appearing to be hurt by the tackle, was attempting to deflect attention from his own misjudgment. "After the game, when I saw it, it gave me proof that I'm right," Bilic said. "The more times I've seen it, it's the other way round. It was Jones who made a more dangerous tackle than Feghouli, like a scissor. He got the ball, OK, but that was dangerous. Maybe his reaction was to save himself, but definitely not a red card."
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West Ham tipped to sign Ahmed Elmohamady from Hull
HITC
Vincent Ralph
The Hull City defender has been linked with a move to West Ham United. According to the Telegraph, West Ham United is a potential destination for Hull City player Ahmed Elmohamady this month. The 29-year-old right-back has played 203 matches for the Tigers, including 23 this season, and the struggling side will be desperate to keep the Egypt international at least for the rest of the campaign. That said, West Ham are in desperate need of a new right-sided defender of their own and they are being tipped to make a move for the experienced, and versatile, player. There is one big stumbling block that will make or break any potential deal, and that is the Africa Cup of Nations, for which Elmohamady will be starring for his country. If the wide man returns to Hull in January, which would mean Egypt are eliminated prior to the semi-final stage, there is a chance, however slim, that he could move on. But if he helps his country into the last-four or beyond, this is one rumour that will remain just that. West Ham will be searching for sensible additions in the coming weeks and Elmohamady is certainly that, meaning the link makes sense. But the AFCON could affect targets as well as some of the Hammers' current stars.
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BESIKTAS REACH AGREEMENT OVER CALLERI LOAN MOVE
THOMAS BORE
ReadWestHam
Jonathan Calleri is set to call time on his West Ham nightmare as Besiktas reach an agreement with Deportivo Maldonado over a loan move with a view to permanent. Fanatik report Calleri will join the Turkish outfit on loan for the remainder of the season, before joining permanently for €4million in the summer window. Calleri signed for West Ham on loan in the summer but has struggled to adapt to the demands of the Premier League so far, failing to score in any of his eleven appearances for the Hammers. Slaven Bilic is now keen to offload the Argentine this window in order to free up room for another striker addition – with Brentford's Scott Hogan as a reported target. Besiktas boss Senol Gunes is in the market for a striker, after becoming frustrated at the lack of progress in the negotiations with Antalyaspor for ex-Barcelona star Samuel Eto'o, and Calleri reportedly tops his wish-list.
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MARSEILLE OFFER LASSANA DIARRA AS PART OF PAYET BID
MICHAEL OLIVER
ReadWestHam
Marseille really are serious about bringing their former talisman Dimitri Payet back to the club this January, despite West Ham's best efforts to completely dissuade them from even making a bid.
It was claimed yesterday that the Ligue 1 club were willing to offer either Romain Alessandrini or Bouna Sarr, both wingers, in addition to their €40m offer for Payet in January to help sweeten the pot for the Hammers.
Twitter: Breaking | Olympique de Marseille could include Lassana Diarra in a deal with West Ham for Dimitri Payet, according to tomorrow's L'Équipe. (@GFFN)
Now, according to Wednesday's print edition of L'Equipe (h/t Eurosport), Marseille are now also willing to chuck Lassana Diarra into the deal in another bid to get the deal over the line.
The former Arsenal, Chelsea and Real Madrid midfielder joined Marseille on a free transfer after he left Lokomotiv Moscow in a dispute which resulted in him being charged with a €10m fine he had to repay the Russian club and a 15-month ban from playing professional football.
During that time, Diarra came on trial with the Hammers with a view to signing for them on a free transfer under Sam Allardyce, but his FIFA-imposed ban put an end to any chance of him joining.
West Ham remain adamant that Payet is not for sale at any price in January, no matter who Marseille are willing to offer as part of the deal.
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Oh dear, West Ham: Zaza 'didn't choose' Hammers
Date published: Wednesday 4th January 2017 10:33
Football365
Simone Zaza's move to West Ham descended into further farce when his agent revealed the player "didn't choose" the club. Zaza joined the Hammers in a season-long loan deal from Juventus in the summer, with the club agreeing a £24million deal to make the move permanent if he impressed sufficiently. But the Italian has been an undoubted failure, failing to score or assist a single goal in eight Premier League games. He has not played in the Premier League since November 19 as any further appearances could activate a clause which means West Ham would sign him permanently. The 25-year-old is now looking for another club to join in the winter transfer window, but agent, father Antonio, says he never wanted to move to London in the first place.
"We'll have to see what happens," he told JuveNews. "Simone has a great desire to return to play in Italian football, and we have to choose the most suitable destination for him and for Juventus. "He won't stay at Juventus, because that would be counter-productive. For them, but especially for us because he wouldn't find much space. "Is he disappointed that Juve didn't trust him? Look, don't make me answer that… it's too delicate a question. "Now we're trying to bring Simone back to Italy because he loves this country. We didn't choose West Ham. "No-one forced us, but Simone never wanted to go abroad, he loves Italy and Serie A. A series of circumstances led to him going to the Premier League…Now he's gone and we look to the future."
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SUNDERLAND TURN DOWN WEST HAM APPROACH FOR JERMAIN DEFOE
MICHAEL OLIVER
readWestHam
It's common knowledge that West Ham are after a striker this month and their search has led them down a familiar path. Targeting a move for Jermain Defoe, the Hammers are hopeful of bringing their former striker back to East London during the transfer window.
However, Sunderland will prove to be stubborn negotiators for their invaluable striker. The Mirror are reporting that West Ham have had a bid turned down for the 34-year-old striker, believed to be worth in the region of £5m.
The approach was immediately turned down by the Black Cats who are battling against relegation with Defoe's 11 goals already this season their sole beacon of hope in what looks like a lost cause.
West Ham believe Defoe is interested in a move back to London and are willing to go in with another offer, but Sam Allardyce and Crystal Palace are also keeping tabs on the situation.
With Simone Zaza and Jonathan Calleri expected to have their respective season-long loan deals terminated this month, Slaven Bilic is eager to bring in at least one striker this month and given Defoe's pedigree at this level he would prove to be a savvy acquisition.
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Leeds set to bid £1.5 million for Premier League forward 0
BY TOM CARNDUFF ON JAN 4, 2017 CHAMPIONSHIP, FEATURED, LEEDS UNITED, NEWS, TRANSFERS
Leeds United are set to bid £1.5 million for West Ham United forward Ashley Fletcher, according to the Guardian. The 21-year-old was a target for The Whites in the summer, but instead made the move to West Ham from Premier League rivals Manchester United. Fletcher has featured in 11 Premier League games so far this season but failed to find the net. His only goal has come in the 4-1 EFL Cup defeat to his former club Manchester United. The forward has had better luck playing in Premier League 2, scoring two and assisting another in four appearances in the reserve competition.
Now The Guardian reports that Leeds are set to make an offer of £1.5 million to bring the striker to Elland Road.
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Could Everton be forced to give Enner Valencia back to West Ham?
Valencia came to Goodison as a last minute transfer deadline-day acquisition, after the Blues bid for Moussa Sissoko collapsed
BYDAVID PRENTICE
10:19, 4 JAN 2017UPDATED10:44, 4 JAN 2017
West Ham boss Slaven Bilic may be forced to go cap in hand to Everton and plead for Enner Valencia's season-long loan deal to be cut short. The Hammers have a striker crisis at present. Andre Ayew has jetted off to the Africa Cup of Nations with Ghana, Diafra Sakho is out injured until March, while on-loan Jonathan Calleri, Gokhan Tore and Simone Zaza are all struggling and set to have their season-long loans cancelled. That leaves Bilic with only injury-hit Andy Carroll and raw youngster Ashley Fletcher as his sole striking options. Valencia came to Goodison as a last minute transfer deadline-day acquisition, after the Blues bid for Moussa Sissoko collapsed. But after failing to start a single Premier League match before December. Valencia started back to back matches against Arsenal and Liverpool before Christmas, started against Hull on December 30 and stepped off the subs bench to score his first Everton goal against Southampton on Monday. Koeman had initially selected teenage striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin ahead of Valencia against the Saints, but said afterwards: "He (Valencia) can play a lot of different attacking positions and give the manager a lot of possibilities to change systems. "It is too early to make a final decision about his future but it was a good signing for us."
West Ham co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold have already pledged to add 'quality reinforcements' to the Hammers squad this month.
But should they draw a blank in the transfer market - and they have already been rebuffed in a move for Sunderland's Jermain Defoe - Bilic could be left with little choice but to ask for Valencia's return.
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Bookmaker lists West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion among favourites to sign Swansea City midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson
HITC
Aiden Cusick
West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion are listed among the favourites to sign Swansea City midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson in January, with bookmaker Bet Victor. Neither club have been formally linked with the Icaland star in recent months, but feature behind only Everton (3/1) with odds of 4/1 and 5/1 respectively. Despite Swansea's collective failings, Sigurdsson has once again proved the Welsh side's standout performer - scoring five goals and creating another six in 20 Premier League outings this season.
And with West Ham and West Brom both thought to be in the market for midfielders this month, the pair could look to take advantage of the Swans precarious position at the bottom end of the table. West Ham have been linked with moves for Nemanja Maksimovic, Luka Milivojevic and Taulant Xhaka in recent weeks, however, Sigurdsson is perhaps a more desirable target given his experience in England's top flight. The Iceland star would not come cheap for that reason, although it is unlikely that either the Hammers or West Brom - who are said to be in the running for £20-million-rated Manchester United midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin - would struggle to meet Swansea's demands.
Middlesbrough (5/1), Roma and Stoke City (both 6/1) are the other main contenders, according to Bet Victor.
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HAMMERS ENTER DISCUSSIONS WITH MONTPELLIER OVER SANSON
THOMAS BORE
ReadWestHam
West Ham United have held discussions with HSC Montpellier regarding the availability of Borussia Dortmund target Morgan Sanson, the Daily Mail report. Sanson is no stranger to Premier League interest, having previously been tracked by Newcastle United when identifying replacements for his fellow countryman Yohan Cabaye. Fellow Premier League sides AFC Bournemouth and West Bromwich Albion have also joined West Ham in the race for Sanson's signature, but it is Ligue 1 outfit Olympique Marseille who currently lead the chase, as per France Football (via GFFN). Sanson's representatives are expected to meet with a delegation from Marseille in the coming hours, if not tomorrow. Montpellier are keen on retaining Sanson's services for the rest of the season but would find it difficult to turn down an offer in the region of €10million (approximately £8.5million) due to his recent injury history – coupled with his contract expiring next year.
Sanson, who boasts three goals and seven assists this season, spent the majority of last season on the sidelines after sustaining a cruciate ligament injury late in the 2014/15 season. Sanson did return to action briefly midway through last season, before suffering another lengthy injury lay-off just weeks after returning.
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Chelsea monitoring West Ham's Michail Antonio? Transfer news and gossip from Wednesday's papers
PLUS: Marseille join the list of clubs interested in Manchester United midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin
BYFOOTBALL SPY
West Ham's Michail Antonio has caught the eye of Antonio Conte with the Chelsea boss pondering an approach, claims ESPN FC. The versatile Englishman has impressed in Slaven Bilic's struggling side this campaign across the park, from right-back to centre forward, and has scored eight goals. Following the departure of Oscar to the Chinese Super League, Conte is looking to boost is attacking options. And ESPN say sources close to the player tell them the Blues are monitoring Antonio's progress. The Sun also reported Chelsea's interest in Antonio, however Sky Sports claim West Ham have had no approach for him and no intention to sell.
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Watford and West Ham track Scott Hogan but are yet to make a formal bid for the Brentford striker
Scott Hogan has scored 14 goals in 25 Championship appearances
Brentford are 14th in English football's second tier on 33 points
They have already rebuffed Reading with a £7million proposal last week
By Simon Jones for the Daily Mail
PUBLISHED: 00:10, 4 January 2017 | UPDATED: 00:10, 4 January 2017
Watford and West Ham have interest in Brentford striker Scott Hogan but have yet to make formal offers for the 24-year-old. Reading were rebuffed with a £7million proposal last week as Brentford want £15m. Both the Hornets and the Hammers are keen to strengthen their attacking line and Hogan is seen as a player who can do that. Watford manager Walter Mazzari wants to boost the numbers he has in attack after watching his side score 23 goals in 19 Premier League matches. The former Rochdale striker is the Championship's third highest goalscorer with 14 goals in 25 appearances. He also scored in Brentford's 3-1 away victory over Birmingham City on Bank Holiday Monday. Reports have recently suggested that the west London club won't sell the player for less than £15million. Manager Dean Smith is keen on losing Hogan but he may not be left with a choice.
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Thursday, January 5
Tuesday, January 3
Daily WHUFC News - 3rd January 2017
Bilic's unhappy New Year
WHUFC.com
Slaven Bilic frustrated with decisions as his side are beaten 2-0 by Manchester United
Hammers lost Sofiane Feghouli to a controversial red card early in the first half
Zlatan Ibrahimovic's goal is also allowed to stand, despite the Swede being clearly offside
Slaven Bilic did not mince his words after West Ham United's controversial 2-0 Premier League defeat by Manchester United at London Stadium. The Hammers endured an unhappy New Year as Sofiane Feghouli was sent-off inside the opening 15 minutes, having been deemed to have been guilty of serious foul play by referee Mike Dean for a challenge on Phil Jones. Having battled gamely for more than an hour and gone close to taking the lead on more than on occasion, Bilic's side conceded a Juan Mata goal before a clearly offside Zlatan Ibrahimovic made the game safe.
"I'm pleased with the performance," the manager began, focusing on the positives before being asked for his reaction to the big decisions which went against his team. "We fought very hard and if we gave everything and I told the guys that if we put in this work for each other then we're going to be very good in the table.
"Of course I'm gutted about the result but to do what we did with ten men against a very good team is very difficult. Despite that, we nearly found a way. We had one or two chances when it was still 0-0 and in these moments when you are one man down, you have to score. We didn't score and then they scored and won the game. "I'm very frustrated with the result and very frustrated with the way we lost it, but very proud of my team."
So, what did the manager think of the decisions to send-off Feghouli on his first Premier League start and allow Ibrahimovic's goal to stand?
"I am with the majority of what the football fans think and that is it was never a red card, to be fair," he observed. "It was a challenge from both of them and it is the other way around. The more dangerous foul is by Jones, because he went with the scissors. "Feghouli very rarely makes a foul and his foot was not high in the air. It's not deliberate and, for me, that was the crucial decision in the game. That early, it killed us and killed the game and put the game into a totally different perspective. "The decision for the other one [to award Ibrahimovic's goal] was totally unfair to us and totally wrong."
Overall, having seen his team create a number of opportunities to open the scoring after being reduced to ten men, the manager was proud of the way they reacted to the setbacks they faced. "We started really well," he said. "They were also good on the ball and for 15 minutes it looked like a really, really good and open game and I fancied us, to be fair. "After the decision, we played the only way you can play against a really good side and that is defending with numbers deep and letting them come with the centre-backs in your half. We were really good, but it's very difficult to do.
"In the first half we were dangerous on counter-attacks and we forced their 'keeper to produce a great save from Manuel Lanzini, then in the second half we started like that as well and limited them to one or two chances, especially in the first half when Randy made a great save. "Then we a great chance with Antonio and in those situations when you are defending, it's very hard and you lose energy, so you have to score that goal to give you extra boost of everything, especially at home. If we'd scored, anything would have been possible for us, including winning the game because they would have needed two goals. "We had to score, but we didn't score and from one of those attacks that they had, they scored a goal and then we conceded another one. It's frustrating because the second one was offside and then it's hard to come back. "To be fair, it was totally different to the Arsenal game. We didn't sink. We showed the character and we played as a team until the end and I told the guys that if we played like this in every game we will be higher up the table."
Finally, the manager told broadcasters not to read anything into his decision to replace Dimitri Payet with his side trailing by a single goal in the second half.
"Dimi is our best player, but we played a couple of days ago and the way he is playing in the game the position he is playing where he needs to go up and down, it drains you, so his substitution was tactical," he confirmed. West Ham will hope to return to winning ways when they host Manchester City in the Emirates FA Cup third round on Friday evening.
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United make extra man count
WHUFC.com
West Ham suffered a controversial home defeat as goals from Juan Mata and Zlatan Ibrahimovic handed Manchester United a 2-0 win at London Stadium following the harsh sending-off of Sofiane Feghouli early in the game. The Hammers were always facing an uphill struggle following the controversial dismissal of Feghouli after just 14 minutes. The Algeria international was making his first Premier League start of the season but he was desperately unlucky to receive a red card following a challenge with United defender Phil Jones. The decision changed the course of the game and United made the extra man count as second half goals from Mata and Ibrahimovic handed them all three points. Despite being down to ten-men for the majority of the game, Slaven Bilic can still be pleased with the battling display his players produced and will be hoping they can get straight back on the winning trail when they host Manchester City in the Emirates FA Cup third round at London Stadium on Friday night. It could have been a different story if the Hammers had broken the deadlock after just ten minutes following a great move which resulted in a neat interchange between Manuel Lanzini and Dimitri Payet and the Argentine midfielder saw his low shot superbly turned round the post by David de Gea diving low down to his left.
But the major talking point of the game arrived on 14 minutes following the harsh dismissal of Feghouli. Referee Mike Dean shocked the home crowd when he pulled out a red card and reduced the Hammers to ten-men after he adjudged the Algeria international had committed a professional foul on Jones. The decision infuriated Bilic and his backroom staff and the Hammers manager was forced to change his system and revert Michail Antonio from a central striking role into a wide position.
United were keen to make the extra man count and thought they had broken the deadlock on 35 minutes after Henrikh Mkhitaryan played the ball across to Antonio Valencia who had the goal at his mercy but he saw his close-range shot produce a superb save from Darren Randolph. The rebound fell to Jesse Lingaard who had an open goal to hit the ball into but he struck his effort against the post. United could have been made to pay as the Hammers created their best chance of the first half on the stroke of half-time. Antonio ball into Lanzini who curled a right-foot shot from the edge of the box which produced another fine save from De Gea. The Hammers showed all their fighting qualities and came close again on 53 minutes when Payet's free-kick fell perfectly for Antonio who rose above the United defence but he directed his header wide of the post.
Bilic must have sensed it was not going to be West Ham's day after Antonio had another golden chance to open the scoring on 59 minutes but failed to convert his chance. Lanzini played the perfect through ball into the path of the Hammers forward who was through on goal but he saw his shot kept out by the legs of De Gea.
United made the home side pay as they finally broke the deadlock on 62 minutes. Substitute Marcus Rashford cut the ball back for Mata and he fired the ball past Randolph into the corner of the net. Ibrahimovic sealed the victory for United on 77 minutes after Pedro Obiang's clearance hit Ander Herrera and the ball fell to the experienced forward who struck a low powerful shot into the corner of the net.
West Ham: Randolph, Nordtveit, Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Kouyate (Fernandes 82), Obiang; Feghouli, Lanzini (Ayew 88), Payet (Carroll 69); Antonio
Subs not used: Adrian, Noble, Fletcher, Quina
Bookings: Payet, Nordtveit
Red Card: Feghouli
Manchester United: De Gea, Valencia, Jones, Rojo, Darmian (Mata 46), Ander Herrera, Carrick, Pogba, Mkhitaryan (Smalling 62), Ibrahimovic, Lingard (Rashford 58)
Subs not used: Martial, Young, Romero, Fellaini.
Bookings: Darmian, Valencia
Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral)
Attendance: 56,996
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Samuelsen rejoins Posh on loan
WHUFC.com
Martin Samuelsen has joined Peterborough United on loan until the end of the League One season
Norway winger enjoyed a productive spell with Posh last season, scoring twice in 20 appearances
Exciting teenager became a senior international last summer
West Ham United's promising Norway international winger Martin Samuelsen has joined Peterborough United on loan until the end of the season. The 19-year-old is linking up with Posh for a second time, having starred for the London Road club in League One and the Emirates FA Cup last season. The teenager scored two goals in 20 appearances for Peterborough last season, including a stunning individual effort in a 3-2 win at Sheffield United exactly a year ago on 2 January 2016.
Samuelsen, who made his Norway debut against Iceland last summer and scored his maiden international goal against San Marino in October, also spent time with Championship club Blackburn Rovers earlier this season. Peterborough manager Grant McCann, who came through the Academy of Football ranks and made four first-team appearances in Claret and Blue before enjoying a successful playing career in the Football League, is looking forward to working with the youngster.
Incidentally, Samuelsen has been brought into to replace another former Hammer, George Moncur, who has returned to his parent club Barnsley after spending the first half of 2016/17 in Cambridgeshire. "It is great to have Martin back at the club," said McCann. "He is well-loved by the players and the staff and of course the supporters, I am sure he will bring a lot more quality to us and we are looking forward to working with him again. "George has returned to Barnsley. They are similar players, but Martin can play in numerous positions for us whereas George could only really play in one. It is great to have that quality in the squad."
Samuelsen could make his second Peterborough 'debut' at promotion-chasing Scunthorpe United on Monday afternoon. Fellow young forward Jaanai Gordon joined Newport County on loan until the end of the League Two season on New Year's Day.
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Loanee round-up
WHUFC.com
Josh Cullen produced another Man of the Match display to help promotion-chasing Bradford City secure a 1-1 League One draw with Bury on New Year's Eve.
The on-loan West Ham United midfielder was at the hub of the Bantams' best moves against the struggling Shakers, but Stuart McCall's side were unable to secure all three points.
Bradford, who reportedly want to keep Cullen for the remainder of the season, are fifth in the table ahead of Monday's trip to Northampton Town.
The 20-year-old has been a virtual ever-present for Bradford this term, scoring once in 21 League One appearances.
Elsewhere, Lewis Page played the opening 45 minutes for Coventry City as the Sky Blues held Peterborough United to a 1-1 League One draw at London Road.
The left-back, who was making his 22nd league appearance for Coventry this season, was forced off with a minor injury. It remains to be seen if he will be fit to face second-place Bolton Wanderers at the Ricoh Arena on Monday.
Enner Valencia played the opening 74 minutes of Everton's 2-2 Premier League draw with Hull City on Friday evening. The Toffees host Southampton at Goodison Park on Monday afternoon.
Finally, striker Jaanai Gordon, 21, has joined League Two club Newport County on loan until the end of the 2016/17 season.
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Cullen extends Bradford loan
WHUFC.com
West Ham United youngster Josh Cullen has extended his loan at Sky Bet League One side Bradford City until the end of the season.
The Academy prospect has been with the Bantams since August, adding 23 appearances to the first spell he had on loan with the Yorkshire club last season.
Cullen, 20, has made great strides during his time with Bradford, helping Stuart McCall's men reach the League One Play-Offs last term before playing a central role in their promotion effort in 2016/17.
The Ireland U21 international has already made four first team appearances for the Hammers, despite his tender years, and notched his first senior goal earlier this campaign - helping Bradford to a 2-1 win over Milton Keynes Dons.
Cullen is excited to be continuing his development with league football at Bradford, telling their official website: "It was quite an easy decision for me and I've enjoyed playing my football here.
"Everything about the club - the staff, the players, the fans - they have all been brilliant with me both last season and this season so far."
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Randolph - We battled well
WHUFC.com
West Ham United goalkeeper Darren Randolph believes Friday's Emirates FA Cup third round tie against Manchester City offers the perfect chance for his team to bounce back.
The New Year weekend saw the Hammers suffer narrow defeats to Leicester City and Manchester United, but the performances warranted more.
Monday's loss to the Red Devils was particularly hard to take, given the circumstances around Sofiane Feghouli's 15th minute red card, but the resilience shown by Slaven Bilic's men in the face of adversity was heartening.
Randolph says that can give West Ham belief as they look to get their Cup campaign off to the perfect start.
He explained: "We had enough chances to get on the scoresheet and try and get something out of the game but it's always tough when you go down to ten men in any game. Especially against them.
"From where I was, the sending off just looked like two bodies jumping into the tackle. I just thought the ref stopped the game because Phil Jones was injured. Then he showed the red card.
"We battled on for most of the game with ten men, still creating chances, so we take confidence from that."
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Nordtveit - We were up against it
WHUFC.com
Norwegian Hammer Havard Nordtveit said West Ham were always facing a tough challenge with ten men against Manchester United
The hosts were beaten 2-0 by Jose Mourinho's outfit on Monday evening
Sofiane Feghouli's first half red card meant Slaven Bilic's side were up against it for 75 minutes at London Stadium
Havard Nordtveit admitted the Hammers were always facing an uphill task against Manchester United on Monday evening after they were reduced to ten men early in the first half.
Sofiane Feghouli received his marching orders from referee Mike Dean after just 15 minutes at London Stadium following his challenge on Phil Jones after a loose touch allowed the ball to slip away.
And despite Slaven Bilic's side going into the break level, goals from Juan Mata and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the second half meant the Red Devils would be heading home with three points in the bag after a 2-0 victory.
Nordtveit, who was making his third consecutive start in claret and blue, was, like every Hammer at London Stadium, left frustrated after the final whistle.
"After such a game, it's always hard," he said. "We worked hard and after ten or 15 minutes we were quite good in the game. We had good combinations and some decent chances.
"But when Feghouli got sent off, of course it was always going to be hard against a team like Manchester United. We know that eleven vs. eleven is a tough game against Man United and when we get a man sent off, it's hard at home against such a team.
"But it's part of football. We made the best out of it and we were more defensive, trying to use counter attacks and set-pieces. We also had a few chances, like Antonio who had a good chance.
"It could have gone both ways in my eyes but of course when they scored it was tough to come back."
The visitors broke the deadlock just after the half hour mark, when two substitutes combined in Marcus Rashford and Mata, with the latter finishing with aplomb past Darren Randolph.
Nordtveit had the unenviable task of looking after Rashford on the Hammers' right hand side, with the winger fresh having only played 18 minutes at the end of the Red Devils' New Years' Eve clash against Middlesbrough.
"Rashford of course is a quick guy," the Norwegian said. "Of course I'm not complaining or blaming [the result] on the fact that we played two days ago.
"But it was always going to be hard against Man United when we have a man sent off.
"In a way, we fought well during the game when we were one down and we would have loved it if we had got one point or maybe three from the game."
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Sofiane Feghouli: West Ham to appeal against midfielder's red card
BBC.co.uk
West Ham are appealing against the red card shown to Sofiane Feghouli during Monday's defeat by Manchester United. The midfielder was sent off by referee Mike Dean for a challenge on Red Devils defender Phil Jones 15 minutes into a match the Hammers lost 2-0. West Ham boss Slaven Bilic said Jones "made a meal" of the tackle from the Algeria international. Feghouli, 27, is the fifth player to be dismissed by Dean in the Premier League this season. Should a three-match ban be upheld, he would miss Friday's FA Cup third-round home tie against Manchester City, as well as Premier League games with Crystal Palace and Middlesbrough.
Dean in the spotlight
Bilic criticised Dean's decision to dismiss Feghouli, and many pundits focused on the referee's performance. Former Manchester United and England defender Gary Neville said Dean was "poor" but added much of the criticism directed at him was "disgraceful". Match of the Day pundit Martin Keown said: "It is a massive mistake from Mike Dean. It is remarkable, so early in the game too."
Writing in The Times, former Republic of Ireland international Tony Cascarino claimed Dean, 48, is "too old" to officiate in the Premier League, adding there was "no consistency in his decision-making" at London Stadium.
Former Sunderland forward Niall Quinn told Sky Sports: "I try very hard doing this job to understand how difficult it is for referees and not just jump on the bandwagon, but time and time again I look at this guy and his arrogance alone, and I suppose running the show and looking the part, and it puts me off."
Agreeing Dean "should be criticised" for the decision to send off Feghouli, Neville added that "to suggest he wanted to be centre of attention and he should be sacked or not referee again is wrong".
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West Ham boss Slaven Bilic accuses Man Utd defender Phil Jones after red card
BBC.co.uk
Manchester United defender Phil Jones "made a meal" of the challenge for which West Ham midfielder Sofiane Feghouli was controversially sent off, says Hammers boss Slaven Bilic. West Ham played for 75 minutes with 10 men after Feghouli was shown a straight red card by referee Mike Dean. Manchester United went on to win 2-0, their sixth straight league victory. "It was not a red card. Feghouli's foot was not high in the air, it was not deliberate," said Bilic.
Bilic said England international Jones had gone in "dangerously" on Feghouli, and said West Ham will appeal against the red card. "It was the key decision and it killed us. It put the game in a different perspective and was totally unfair for us," he added. "Phil made a meal of it, but you cannot blame him. Maybe he made a meal because he is the one who went dangerously and he is saving himself."
Match of the Day pundit Martin Keown said: "It is a massive mistake from Mike Dean. It is remarkable, so early in the game too. "I don't know how he can be so certain of who is fouling who. Sofiane Feghouli is trying to make a tackle, it is more a foul from Phil Jones. The reaction from him gets the player sent off."
Fellow MOTD expert Kevin Kilbane agreed: "It's such a bad decision and the reaction from Phil Jones might have helped in getting Sofiane Feghouli sent off. Feghouli should be given a reprieve."
Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho said he did not feel sorry for West Ham after Feghouli's dismissal at London Stadium. "If you talk about decisions, we are the champions of bad decisions," added Mourinho.
The game was goalless when Feghouli became the fifth player to be sent off by Dean this season. West Ham dug deep before substitute Juan Mata gave the visitors the lead, Zlatan Ibrahimovic doubling the advantage despite being one of three players offside. "It was a big offside for the second goal," said Bilic. "When the players are sprinting it is hard for the referees, I am the first to say that. "But the players were walking. They should spot this."
Manchester United are one point behind fourth-placed Arsenal having played one more game than the Gunners.
West Ham, meanwhile, drop from 12th to 13th in the Premier League table.
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Sofiane Feghouli left out of Algeria's final Africa Cup of Nations squad
BBC.co.uk
West Ham attacking midfielder Sofiane Feghouli was a surprise omission as Algeria announced their final squad of 23 for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.
Algeria's Belgian coach, George Leekens, had been expected to pick the 27-year-old for the tournament which kicks off on 14 January. Three other English Premier League stars have been named, including the Leicester duo of Riyad Mahrez and Islam Slimani as well as Watford's Adlene Guedioura. Another midfielder, Nabil Bentaleb, currently on a season-long loan at Schalke in Germany from Tottenham Hotspur, is also included. Algeria, among the pre-tournament favourites, also left out Carl Medjani, who has been a consistent choice since his debut in 2010. Leekens, who only took over as coach in October, picked uncapped 21-year-old Rennes defender Ramy Bensebaini in his squad who will warm-up with two friendly internationals against Mauritania next week before heading to the tournament. The Desert Foxes have been drawn in Group B at the Nations Cup, alongside Tunisia, Senegal and Zimbabwe. The teams will be based in Libreville with Algeria beginning their campaign against Zimbabwe on 15 January.
Algeria squad:
Goalkeepers: Rais Ouhab M'bolhi (Antalyaspor, Turkey), Malik Asselah (JS Kabylie, Algeria), Chemseddine Rahmani (MO Bejaia, Algeria)
Defenders: Mokhtar Belkhiter (Club Africain ,Tunisia), Mohamed Rabie Meftah (USM Alger, Algeria), Aissa Mandi (Real Betis, Spain), Hicham Belkaroui (Esperance, Tunisia), Liassine Cadamuro (Servette Geneva, Switzerland) , Mohamed Benyahia (USM Alger, Algeria), Ramy Bensebaïni (Stade Rennes, France), Faouzi Ghoulam (Napoli, Italy), Djamel Eddine Mesbah (FC Crotone ,Italy)
Midfielders: Adlène Guedioura (Watford, England), Saphir Taïder (Bologna, Italy), Nabil Bentaleb (Schalke 04, Germany), Mehdi Abeid (Dijon, France), Yassin Brahimi (FC Porto, Portugal), Rachid Ghezzal (Olympique Lyon, France)
Forwards: Islam Slimani (Leicester City, England), Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City, England), Hilal Soudani El Arabi (Dinamo Zagreb, Croatia), Baghdad Bounedjah (Al Sadd, Qatar), Sofiane Hanni (Anderlecht, Belgium)
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REF ANALYSIS: MIKE DEAN
BY EXWHUEMPLOYEE ON 2 JANUARY 2017 AT 9:48PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by Sam Royden @SamRoyden
After a disappointing defeat away at Leicester on New Years Eve, we welcomed Manchester United to the London Stadium for the first fixture of 2017. Mike Dean was the referee appointed for this fixture and the last time Dean officiated a West Ham game, he gave two penalties including a last minute penalty to Spurs, which saw Spurs win 3-2 after West Ham went ahead twice on the night. Dean currently has the highest penalty per game ratio of any referee so far this season, awarding 9 penalties in 18 games in the Premier League.
Mike Dean, a referee who oozes arrogance and his admiration for the spotlight, probably earned himself the headlines within the first 15 minutes of the game. Mike Dean made an encouraging start to the game: he was in control and kept up with the fast tempo that West Ham set within the first 14 minutes. However, his good start was ruined by, in my opinion, a very poor decision to send off Sofiane Feghouli after a coming together with Phil Jones.
Mike Dean made countless errors with this decision which as a experienced referee, he shouldn't be making. Firstly, both Sofiane Feghouli and Phil Jones committed themselves to a 50/50 ball. When you look back at the incident, in fairness Phil Jones won the ball and Feghouli's challenge was late, but both players challenged the ball and both players caught each other one way or another. Secondly, both players are entitled to challenge for the ball. Feghouli wasn't using excessive force; his leg wasn't straight and wasn't leading with his studs and more importantly wasn't dangering Jones' safety. Finally, the reaction of Phil Jones and the Manchester United players, in my opinion, was a key factor in Dean's decision making. Dean blew for the foul, which was the correct decision because Feghouli didn't win the ball and correctly took his time to make his decision however he made an awful decision. As a referee, you cannot allow your decisions to be dictated by players reactions. The fact that Phil Jones was rolling around after the challenge while four Manchester United players were surrounding Dean played a massive part in his decision, which is absolutely unacceptable from a referee's prospective.
When I think back to challenges by Marcus Rojo earlier in the season, particularly when Manchester United visited Goodison Park when Rojo went in two footed and off the ground and only received a yellow card, makes this decision to send off Feghouli very embarrassing. Rojo dangered the safety of his opponent on numerous occasions by using excessive force. Mike Dean was also in charge of the Merseyside derby when he failed to send off Ross Barkley after a horrendously late and high challenge on Jordan Henderson.
Shortly after the red card, with the West Ham fans rightly furious and on Mike Deans back, Dean lost complete control of the match and felt the pressure which was effecting his decision making. Jesse Lingard caught Cheikhou Kouyaté late with his challenge which Mike Dean correctly blew for a foul, but in my opinion, should have been a booking. Lingard was late, the tackle wasn't necessary. Dean was clearly still thinking about his previous decision and it effected his judgement.
With his mindset clearly affected, Mike Dean cautioned Dimitri Payet for what I believe was dissent (only Mike Dean knows what Payet said to him but dissent is cause for a booking this season). After some challenges that Dean let go against Manchester United, Matteo Darmian was the first United player booked after blocking Michail Antonio, who was continuing his run into an advanced position. Before the yellow card for Darmian, Håvard Nordtveit could have been cautioned for his foul, which Mike Dean ignored, once again showing signs of poor judgement.
Mike Dean continued his poor performance by blowing up on a foul against Cheikhou Kouyaté on Henrikh Mkhitaryan. If you watched the game live on Sky Sports, I think Gary Neville's alliance with Manchester United made his decision slightly biased as he said 'It could have been a leg break'. Kouyaté won the ball, but the West Ham midfielder looked to be off the ground and that's when it can become dangerous.
To sum up a horrendous match for the officials, the assistant referee failed to flag Ibrahimovic offside for Manchester United's second goal of the match. The decision should have been simple for the assistant referee. West Ham's defensive line moved up leaving Ibrahimovic, who was static, two yards offside when receiving the ball. Sometimes it's fine margins with offside and human error can happen and sometimes it's an extremely difficult decision to make. But in this instance, Ibrahimovic is clearly beyond the last West Ham defender and in my opinion, a basic decision for the assistant to make. There were three Manchester United players in an offside position when Ibrahimovic received the ball. If either of the three players, including Ibrahimovic, received the ball they should have been flagged offside.
I'm struggling to put into words how poor Mike Dean's performance was. Since the 14th minute, Dean made countless poor decisions and this is even down to not booking Winston Reid for an obvious handball. Reid stuck his arm out to prevent the ball going to Juan Mata, who was running in behind the West Ham defender. This epitomises Dean's performance as he rightly blew for the foul but why he didn't issue Reid a yellow, which would have been the right decision, is beyond me.
I can safely say that Mike Dean's performance is one of the worst I've analysed this season. Mike Dean is undoubtedly one of the most arrogant referees in the league and you can see that players do not respect his authority nor decision making. Dean adores the limelight and he's an embarrassment to the referee's association. Earlier in the game I saw on replays that Dean, after he gave a foul against West Ham, said to Pedro Obiang "Don't look at me again, otherwise you won't be playing again". For what reason Mike Dean? If Obiang was showing dissent, you would caution him. I'm lost for words on what to think as to why Mike Dean has the audacity to react like that.
Dean is the last referee that I'd want any aspiring young referee to watch and mirror as his behaviour on the field is unacceptable. A good and well respected referee communicates with players, allows the players to understand why you've made that decision and applies the Laws of The Game. Dean doesn't do this and this is why he's still not an accredited FIFA Referee like Mark Clattenburg and Martin Atkinson. Will the FA or the referee association review Mike Dean? Probably not, but his standard of refereeing isn't good enough for the Premier League and his overall attitude and competence is shameful.
I feel for the West Ham players. The first 14 minutes and even after the sending off, we played well and we controlled the game; we pressed well with good tempo. We were desperately unlucky to lose considering the decisions and if Michail Antonio's shot that David De Gea saved went in, I think the game would have turned out completely different. The fact that Mata scored 60 seconds after Antonio's attempt really cost us and Ibrahimovic's offside goal really summed up a very unlucky game for West Ham.
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WE NEED VIDEO TECHNOLOGY!!!
BY EXWHUEMPLOYEE ON 2 JANUARY 2017 AT 10:17PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by Katie S @flump9
Now I doubt there is a West Ham fan out there that isn't feeling the same as me tonight. There are some inappropriate words I could use to describe my feelings, but instead I will say I am disappointed, incensed, dejected and most of all completely cheated.
I wrote an article in March last year regarding the costly refereeing decisions and how something needed to change in football, yet ten months down the line and the same topic has arisen again.
Some neutral fans may say that it is sour grapes from West Ham fans like myself, but I can assure you that is not the case. I like to think that I am quite a fair fan, who will admit if we have been lucky, or if a decision was awarded unfairly in our favour. All I ask for is fairness and today was anything but fair.
You only have to listen to Manchester United fan Gary Neville and take a look at Twitter and you will see many ex-footballers stating exactly what every West Ham fan felt, Mike Dean's decision to give Feghouli a red card was an absolute disgrace. Before that incorrect decision, I felt like West Ham were fairly in control of the match, but Dean's decision was a game changer and ruined what would have been a good fair game of football. Now the red card was the turning point, but another frustrating point in the game was Manchester United's second goal not being flagged offside. For any fans that are thinking I am sounding very one-sided, I will admit that Kouyate was lucky to not receive a card for his rash challenge on Mkhitaryan.
Today's decisions were actually inexcusable and I don't think you can even attempt to defend Mike Dean. Football is a fast paced game and can sometimes be difficult to referee a match, but both decisions against West Ham were exceptionally poor. However, referees are only human and will make mistakes, I understand that, but then there is only one way forward and that is video technology.
Video technology is used in rugby and tennis and has been a success in both sports. It will undoubtedly slow the game down a little, but I do not think this can be used as an excuse any longer. Goal-line technology has been a massive success and this was proved in today's game, with Randolph just managing to clear off of his line. It has been trialed in a few other countries and I have heard that it is being trialed in England in secret, if this is the case, the decision to introduce video technology cannot come soon enough. Video technology benefits everyone: players, managers, fans and officials. I really cannot see why it has not been introduced.
There is a video online that appears to show Mike Dean saying "Don't look at me again, otherwise you won't be playing again". This in itself makes me think that referees need to be mic'd up (obviously not playable on TV, as I think all matches would need to be played after the watershed) and be accountable for the things they say to the players. There just seems to be too much protection for them and they do not seem to have to take any responsibility for their performance on the pitch. I am not suggesting that we should be targeting referees, as we need to be encouraging young referees into the game, but things definitely need to change. I might be alone here, but I honestly believe if referees were to come out after the game and admit when they have made a big costly mistake, I would feel 'slightly' better about it.
Decisions will go for and against us this season, like all other teams, but it all comes down to fairness and surely every football fan wants fairness.
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IS GLEN JOHNSON ABOUT TO RETURN TO WEST HAM?
BY 337HAMMER ON 3 JANUARY 2017 AT 11:55AM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Slaven Bilic has targeted Glen Johnson for a stunning return to West Ham. The Hammers boss has turned to the Stoke defender, who has six months left on his contract, to solve his problem at right-back. Bilic is confident he can land the England international in a cut-price £1million deal but needs the move backed by his board after his disastrous summer spending.
Johnson would be a major coup 13 years after leaving the club for a glittering spell at Chelsea before moves to Portsmouth, Liverpool and Stoke. His contract has been running down, alerting clubs looking for a right-back for the second half of the season. The 32-year-old was even on a shortlist of full-backs Barcelona were looking at for experienced cover. www.thesun.co.uk
A move for this experienced right back could be just what we need. Also, as he is free to leave in the summer it surely makes a possible deal now much more realistic. The player probably has a few more years playing time left and maybe a 2 year deal might be acceptable for all parties. ExWHU employee has already said previously that Glen is a player that we are interested in, so maybe he could be moving to us very soon!
What do you think about a move for Glen Johnson? Would he bring some good qualities to our team? Or do you think at 32 he is too old and that we should be looking at a player who is in or just coming into their prime? As always, it would be good to hear your thoughts.
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DIMITRI PAYET 'STAYING' AT WEST HAM AMID TALK OF BID FROM MARSEILLE
BY 337HAMMER ON 3 JANUARY 2017 AT 1:00PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
West Ham today insisted they will not sell their star man Dimitri Payet, despite increasing speculation in France that Marseille are preparing a £30million-plus bid.
The France midfielder was substituted during the second half of last night's 2-0 home defeat by Manchester United, further fuelling rumours that Payet is poised to return to the club from which he was signed by West Ham for £10.7m in 2015.
Respected French newspaper L'Equipe devoted extensive coverage to the story. Marseille are managed by Rudi Garcia, who was in charge at Lille when Payet was there.
Other stories in France have suggested that Payet's family are keen to move back to the south of France and that Garcia has been in regular touch with the player in recent weeks.West Ham though, remain adamant that Payet is going nowhere.
"We have already said that he is staying," said West Ham manager Slaven Bilic. "He is playing well, really well recently against Swansea and Leicester, and worked really hard against Manchester United.
"He showed the quality, he showed the energy for the team and he doesn't look troubled. We said at the start of the season that we are moving forward and we want to keep our best players. He is our best player and we want to keep him." www.standard.co.uk
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Marseille to launch £30m Payet bid?
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 2nd January 2017
By: Staff Writer
Marseille are set to test West Ham's resolve with a £30million bid for Dimitri Pauet, according to reports in France.
Last month the French international refused to rule out a return to Ligue 1 with his former club, who were recently purchased by wealthy American businessman Frank McCourt.
And this morning L'Equipe report that Payet is top of .Les Phocéens' transfer window hit list, with the club said to be preparing a huge bid in order to woo Payet back to the club he spent two years with prior to joining West Ham.
Speaking last month, Payet admitted that the prospect of one day returning to Marseille was a tempting proposition. "I have said I would not close the door to anything," he said.
"Marseille has a new project that seems interesting, although obviously we are waiting to hear from the new owners. But everyone knows my attachment to this club."
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West Ham to appeal Sofiane Feghouli red card against Man Utd
By Nick Lustig
Last Updated: 03/01/17 4:27pm
SSN
West Ham will appeal the red card picked up by Sofiane Feghouli in the 2-0 defeat to Manchester United on Monday. Feghouli was shown a straight red card by referee Mike Dean in the 15th minute with the game goalless following a sliding challenge with United defender Phil Jones. United were able to make their extra man count in the second half, with Juan Mata and Zlatan Ibrahimovic grabbing the goals to earn Jose Mourinho's side a sixth straight Premier League win.
Feghouli will serve an automatic three-match ban if the Football Association decide to uphold Dean's decision and miss the FA Cup tie with Manchester City, as well as the Premier League games against Crystal Palace and Middlesbrough. Following the match at London Stadium, West Ham manager Slaven Bilic told Sky Sports: "It was never a red card to be fair. It was a challenge from both of them. "It was the other way round in terms of who did the more dangerous tackle. It was Jones. OK, he's carrying the ball but he went in with the scissors. "Phil made a meal of it, but you can't blame him for doing that. Maybe he made a meal of it because he went with the dangerous one to save himself. "You have to see who is doing our challenge. It's Feghouli, who very rarely makes a foul in the game. His foot wasn't high in the air and it wasn't deliberate. "For me, that was the crucial decision in the game. That early - it killed us. It put the game in a totally different perspective."
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Ref Watch: Mike Dean's decision to send off Sofiane Feghouli incorrect, says Dermot Gallagher
Last Updated: 03/01/17 3:33pm
SSN
Referee Mike Dean's decision to send off Sofiane Feghouli during West Ham's 2-0 defeat to Manchester United was incorrect. That's according to former Premier League official Dermot Gallagher, who told Premier League Daily that Feghouli's tackle on Phil Jones was worthy of a yellow card rather than a red. We asked Gallagher to analyse several of the controversial incidents on Monday, including Fernandinho's latest dismissal for Manchester City.
MATCH: West Ham 0-2 Man Utd, Premier League
INCIDENT: Sofiane Feghouli sent off for a first-half challenge on Phil Jones
SCENARIO: Feghouli takes a heavy touch and collides with Man Utd defender Jones. Referee Mike Dean issues a red card to the West Ham attacker
DERMOT'S VERDICT: Incorrect decision
DERMOT SAYS: I think it is a yellow card. What happens is Feghouli overruns the ball and lunges in. He doesn't go out of control as such, he goes in for the ball and collides with Jones as Jones comes in from the other side. It was not as if Jones was there to take the impact, Jones came into his line and I think all those factors lead to a yellow card. The unfortunate thing is Mike has seen the end of it and the reaction and I think a lot of that has played on his mind. In fairness to him, he took his time. You can't say it's a knee-jerk reaction but when he's computed it all he's come to the decision it's a red card. I think he will look at that today and think he got it wrong.
What I will say is I think Mike has been very unfairly criticised as a person because in the nine and a half years I have been off the Premier League, I think Mike Dean has made fewer errors than any other referee. The reason why we are talking about this error so much is because Mike Dean doesn't make many.
INCIDENT: Cheikhou Kouyate is penalised for a foul on Henrikh Mkhitaryan
SCENARIO: The West Ham midfielder concedes a free-kick for a tackle on Mkhitaryan. Referee Mike Dean does not issue a card.
DERMOT'S VERDICT: Could have been a yellow card
DERMOT SAYS: Mike has to get this absolutely right because what you don't want is to have a second red card that everybody is going to say was not a red card. There is no doubt whatsoever the Kouyate one was not a red card, that's absolutely certain. It could well have been a yellow but Mike didn't go overboard. He didn't react the way he did for the first one [Feghouli] and almost compound it by issuing another red.
INCIDENT: Zlatan Ibrahimovic's goal
SCENARIO: Zlatan Ibrahimovic scores Man Utd's second goal at the London Stadium but appears to be in an offside position when he gathers possession
DERMOT'S VERDICT: Incorrect decision
DERMOT SAYS: It is just a lack of concentration from the assistant. In that situation, the three Man Utd players are in an offside position - which is not an offence - but assistants at this level are taught to keep an eye on them in case the ball comes forward. In your mind you should have a picture of where they started and unfortunately the assistant has lost sight of their starting position. That's the only error he has made because without doubt, when the ball comes in, Ibrahimovic is offside. It's a decision at this level you should get right.
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Ex-Premier League referees Graham Poll and Mark Halsey criticise Mike Dean's performance
Dean's decision to send off West Ham's Sofiane Feghouli against Manchester United has been roundly criticised
The Mirror
BYLIAM CORLESS
12:50, 3 JAN 2017UPDATED15:15, 3 JAN 2017
Mike Dean has been slated by a pair of his former colleagues for his officiating display in Manchester United's away win over West Ham. The 48-year-old Premier League referee has been criticised for his decision to send Sofiane Feghouli off after just 15 minutes of the match for a challenge on Phil Jones. Replays showed the decision was harsh and fans and pundits alike have since slammed the Wirral official, with some claiming he thrives off being the centre of attention. Former top flight official Graham Poll doesn't agree with the suggestion that Dean has a penchant for the limelight but admitted Feghouli's challenge was not worthy of a red card. "Replays showed that both players were equally culpable as Jones wrapped his legs around Feghouli's," Poll wrote in the Daily Mail. "Such decisions are crucial and Dean, one of the select group's most experienced referees, knows that. "Referees aren't on the field to be popular, they are there to show the courage of their convictions and give what they see. They are also not supposed to guess or appear to seek the limelight. "Dean, as I wrote after his last game, is the referee happiest to take the biggest decisions and this was no exception. He will have believed he was right but when he watches this back he will know and accept that he was wrong."
Another ex-Premier League referee, Mark Halsey, added in The Sun: "He has misread the challenge and the incident. It's a key match decision which totally changed the course of the game. "It's unlike Mike but he's gone by the player's reaction. "Players do not help referees in the Premier League. Jones rolling around hasn't helped the situation one bit."
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Manchester United's Phil Jones accused of PLAY-ACTING to get Sofiane Feghouli sent off
Former Manchester United star Ray Wilkins says referee Mike Dean was fooled by Jones' theatrical reaction to get Feghouli into trouble
The Mirror
BYJOHN CROSS
12:33, 3 JAN 2017UPDATED12:36, 3 JAN 2017
Phil Jones has been accused of play acting to get West Ham 's Sofiane Feghouli sent off. Former Manchester United star Ray Wilkins says referee Mike Dean was fooled by Jones' theatrical reaction to get Feghouli into trouble. West Ham have today told the Football Association of their intention to appeal the red card and that is likely to be heard by a commission tomorrow. Wilkins told talkSPORT : "If Phil Jones doesn't roll around for ten minutes on the floor then that might have only been a yellow card. "I thought Phil reacted terribly. We are unfortunately in an era where people are getting each other sent off and I hate to see it "Players have to take a look at themselves. There wasn't anything malicious in it." Feghouli is facing a three game ban unless West Ham can prove Dean made an "obvious" mistake for sending him off for the challenge on Jones. Under-fire ref Dean has sent off five players and given ten penalties in 15 games this season which is more than any other Premier League official. Halsey said: ""Because he missed the Barkley challenge, I think it's at the back of his mind. I have to say, Mike's turned round and seen Phil rolling around. "He may be hurt but when you are hurt, you stay still. I think the way he's rolled around, he's injured himself the way he's gone into the challenge. "Because of what happened at Goodison Park, I think he's guessed and he's got it wrong. It's a game-changing decision. "Every player has to leave the ground at some stage in a sliding challenge. He takes his feet away. I thought he was sending off Jones - I really didn't expect any sort of card on that challenge. But because Jones has rolled around, I think that makes his mind up."
Halsey claims referees are suffering because of a lack of leadership at the top level. Halsey added: "You look at Mark Clattenburg, Martin Atkinson, Andre [Marriner] to a certain extent, but there's a whole lack of leadership and coaching. "Referees are just coaching themselves and going out and refereeing in their own way. We've got some top referees who have retired from the game and they should be used more."
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Gary Neville slams "disgraceful" reaction to Mike Dean's display in Manchester United's win at West Ham
Premier League referee Dean has been universally criticised for his controversial decision to show Sofiane Feghouli a straight red card just 15 minutes into Monday's match
The Mirror
BYLIAM CORLESS
09:46, 3 JAN 2017UPDATED09:49, 3 JAN 2017
Gary Neville has labelled the reaction to Mike Dean's officiating display in Manchester United's win at West Ham "disgraceful". Premier League referee Dean has been universally criticised for his controversial decision to show Sofiane Feghouli a straight red card just 15 minutes into Monday's match. Feghouli was given his marching orders for a challenge on Phil Jones but replays suggested the dismissal was extremely harsh. Sky Sports analyst and co-commentator Neville was critical of Dean during the match, but has been less than impressed by the reaction of his fellow pundits in the wake of Feghouli's sending off. Neville tweeted: "I was critical of Mike Dean's performance in the game. He was poor. But I think the reaction since towards him is disgraceful. "Yes he should be criticised but to suggest he wanted to be centre of attention and he should be sacked or not referee again is wrong!!"
Follow
Gary Neville ✔ @GNev2
I was critical of Mike deans performance in the game . He was poor. But I think the reaction since towards him is disgraceful.
5:47 AM - 3 Jan 2017
375 375 Retweets 1,352 1,352 likes
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Gary Neville ✔ @GNev2
Yes he should be criticised but to suggest he wanted to be centre of attention and he should be sacked or not referee again is wrong!!
5:50 AM - 3 Jan 2017
240 240 Retweets 944 944 likes
It was the fifth red card Dean has shown in 15 matches this season - more than any other referee - and came just five days after he came under fire for dismissing Southampton forward Nathan Redmond against Tottenham. Hammers manager Slaven Bilic claimed Feghouli's tackle was not even worth a booking after his side slipped to a 2-0 defeat. Sky's pundits for the match at the London Stadium also weighed in, with Niall Quinn branding Dean arrogant and Alan Smith claiming he revels in being the centre of attention. "He got it disgracefully wrong in my opinion," former Sunderland forward Quinn said on Sky Sports. 'I try very hard doing this job to understand how difficult it is for referees and not just jump on the bandwagon, but time and time again I look at this guy and his arrogance alone, and I suppose running the show and looking the part, and it puts me off. "I'm delighted to make an exception in this case and call him for this, this is rank-bad refereeing."
Quinn's fellow Sky Sports pundit, ex-Leicester and Arsenal striker Smith, added: "It comes off the back of his really bad mistake at Southampton when he sent off Nathan Redmond for what was not even a penalty in my book. "So he's got a track record for it. You don't like to say it but it's almost like he wants to be the centre of attention. I wouldn't want to believe that of any referee but he seems to revel in it."
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Alan Shearer ✔ @alanshearer
Best league in the world but refereeing standards don't match up. Sort your men out #mikeriley #WHUMUN
7:17 PM - 2 Jan 2017
1,126 1,126 Retweets 2,000 2,000 likes
And Shearer's fellow Match of the Day pundit Martin Keown said on the show: "It's a massive mistake from Mike Dean." United secured a sixth straight win thanks to second-half goals from Juan Mata and Zlatan Ibrahimovic - although the fact the latter was offside also did not reflect well on Dean and his assistants.
Mata and fellow sub Marcus Rashford swung the game in the visitors' favour and boss Jose Mourinho said: "I felt against a tired team fresh people coming from the bench would make a difference."
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Slaven Bilic frustrated with decisions as his side are beaten 2-0 by Manchester United
Hammers lost Sofiane Feghouli to a controversial red card early in the first half
Zlatan Ibrahimovic's goal is also allowed to stand, despite the Swede being clearly offside
Slaven Bilic did not mince his words after West Ham United's controversial 2-0 Premier League defeat by Manchester United at London Stadium. The Hammers endured an unhappy New Year as Sofiane Feghouli was sent-off inside the opening 15 minutes, having been deemed to have been guilty of serious foul play by referee Mike Dean for a challenge on Phil Jones. Having battled gamely for more than an hour and gone close to taking the lead on more than on occasion, Bilic's side conceded a Juan Mata goal before a clearly offside Zlatan Ibrahimovic made the game safe.
"I'm pleased with the performance," the manager began, focusing on the positives before being asked for his reaction to the big decisions which went against his team. "We fought very hard and if we gave everything and I told the guys that if we put in this work for each other then we're going to be very good in the table.
"Of course I'm gutted about the result but to do what we did with ten men against a very good team is very difficult. Despite that, we nearly found a way. We had one or two chances when it was still 0-0 and in these moments when you are one man down, you have to score. We didn't score and then they scored and won the game. "I'm very frustrated with the result and very frustrated with the way we lost it, but very proud of my team."
So, what did the manager think of the decisions to send-off Feghouli on his first Premier League start and allow Ibrahimovic's goal to stand?
"I am with the majority of what the football fans think and that is it was never a red card, to be fair," he observed. "It was a challenge from both of them and it is the other way around. The more dangerous foul is by Jones, because he went with the scissors. "Feghouli very rarely makes a foul and his foot was not high in the air. It's not deliberate and, for me, that was the crucial decision in the game. That early, it killed us and killed the game and put the game into a totally different perspective. "The decision for the other one [to award Ibrahimovic's goal] was totally unfair to us and totally wrong."
Overall, having seen his team create a number of opportunities to open the scoring after being reduced to ten men, the manager was proud of the way they reacted to the setbacks they faced. "We started really well," he said. "They were also good on the ball and for 15 minutes it looked like a really, really good and open game and I fancied us, to be fair. "After the decision, we played the only way you can play against a really good side and that is defending with numbers deep and letting them come with the centre-backs in your half. We were really good, but it's very difficult to do.
"In the first half we were dangerous on counter-attacks and we forced their 'keeper to produce a great save from Manuel Lanzini, then in the second half we started like that as well and limited them to one or two chances, especially in the first half when Randy made a great save. "Then we a great chance with Antonio and in those situations when you are defending, it's very hard and you lose energy, so you have to score that goal to give you extra boost of everything, especially at home. If we'd scored, anything would have been possible for us, including winning the game because they would have needed two goals. "We had to score, but we didn't score and from one of those attacks that they had, they scored a goal and then we conceded another one. It's frustrating because the second one was offside and then it's hard to come back. "To be fair, it was totally different to the Arsenal game. We didn't sink. We showed the character and we played as a team until the end and I told the guys that if we played like this in every game we will be higher up the table."
Finally, the manager told broadcasters not to read anything into his decision to replace Dimitri Payet with his side trailing by a single goal in the second half.
"Dimi is our best player, but we played a couple of days ago and the way he is playing in the game the position he is playing where he needs to go up and down, it drains you, so his substitution was tactical," he confirmed. West Ham will hope to return to winning ways when they host Manchester City in the Emirates FA Cup third round on Friday evening.
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United make extra man count
WHUFC.com
West Ham suffered a controversial home defeat as goals from Juan Mata and Zlatan Ibrahimovic handed Manchester United a 2-0 win at London Stadium following the harsh sending-off of Sofiane Feghouli early in the game. The Hammers were always facing an uphill struggle following the controversial dismissal of Feghouli after just 14 minutes. The Algeria international was making his first Premier League start of the season but he was desperately unlucky to receive a red card following a challenge with United defender Phil Jones. The decision changed the course of the game and United made the extra man count as second half goals from Mata and Ibrahimovic handed them all three points. Despite being down to ten-men for the majority of the game, Slaven Bilic can still be pleased with the battling display his players produced and will be hoping they can get straight back on the winning trail when they host Manchester City in the Emirates FA Cup third round at London Stadium on Friday night. It could have been a different story if the Hammers had broken the deadlock after just ten minutes following a great move which resulted in a neat interchange between Manuel Lanzini and Dimitri Payet and the Argentine midfielder saw his low shot superbly turned round the post by David de Gea diving low down to his left.
But the major talking point of the game arrived on 14 minutes following the harsh dismissal of Feghouli. Referee Mike Dean shocked the home crowd when he pulled out a red card and reduced the Hammers to ten-men after he adjudged the Algeria international had committed a professional foul on Jones. The decision infuriated Bilic and his backroom staff and the Hammers manager was forced to change his system and revert Michail Antonio from a central striking role into a wide position.
United were keen to make the extra man count and thought they had broken the deadlock on 35 minutes after Henrikh Mkhitaryan played the ball across to Antonio Valencia who had the goal at his mercy but he saw his close-range shot produce a superb save from Darren Randolph. The rebound fell to Jesse Lingaard who had an open goal to hit the ball into but he struck his effort against the post. United could have been made to pay as the Hammers created their best chance of the first half on the stroke of half-time. Antonio ball into Lanzini who curled a right-foot shot from the edge of the box which produced another fine save from De Gea. The Hammers showed all their fighting qualities and came close again on 53 minutes when Payet's free-kick fell perfectly for Antonio who rose above the United defence but he directed his header wide of the post.
Bilic must have sensed it was not going to be West Ham's day after Antonio had another golden chance to open the scoring on 59 minutes but failed to convert his chance. Lanzini played the perfect through ball into the path of the Hammers forward who was through on goal but he saw his shot kept out by the legs of De Gea.
United made the home side pay as they finally broke the deadlock on 62 minutes. Substitute Marcus Rashford cut the ball back for Mata and he fired the ball past Randolph into the corner of the net. Ibrahimovic sealed the victory for United on 77 minutes after Pedro Obiang's clearance hit Ander Herrera and the ball fell to the experienced forward who struck a low powerful shot into the corner of the net.
West Ham: Randolph, Nordtveit, Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Kouyate (Fernandes 82), Obiang; Feghouli, Lanzini (Ayew 88), Payet (Carroll 69); Antonio
Subs not used: Adrian, Noble, Fletcher, Quina
Bookings: Payet, Nordtveit
Red Card: Feghouli
Manchester United: De Gea, Valencia, Jones, Rojo, Darmian (Mata 46), Ander Herrera, Carrick, Pogba, Mkhitaryan (Smalling 62), Ibrahimovic, Lingard (Rashford 58)
Subs not used: Martial, Young, Romero, Fellaini.
Bookings: Darmian, Valencia
Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral)
Attendance: 56,996
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Samuelsen rejoins Posh on loan
WHUFC.com
Martin Samuelsen has joined Peterborough United on loan until the end of the League One season
Norway winger enjoyed a productive spell with Posh last season, scoring twice in 20 appearances
Exciting teenager became a senior international last summer
West Ham United's promising Norway international winger Martin Samuelsen has joined Peterborough United on loan until the end of the season. The 19-year-old is linking up with Posh for a second time, having starred for the London Road club in League One and the Emirates FA Cup last season. The teenager scored two goals in 20 appearances for Peterborough last season, including a stunning individual effort in a 3-2 win at Sheffield United exactly a year ago on 2 January 2016.
Samuelsen, who made his Norway debut against Iceland last summer and scored his maiden international goal against San Marino in October, also spent time with Championship club Blackburn Rovers earlier this season. Peterborough manager Grant McCann, who came through the Academy of Football ranks and made four first-team appearances in Claret and Blue before enjoying a successful playing career in the Football League, is looking forward to working with the youngster.
Incidentally, Samuelsen has been brought into to replace another former Hammer, George Moncur, who has returned to his parent club Barnsley after spending the first half of 2016/17 in Cambridgeshire. "It is great to have Martin back at the club," said McCann. "He is well-loved by the players and the staff and of course the supporters, I am sure he will bring a lot more quality to us and we are looking forward to working with him again. "George has returned to Barnsley. They are similar players, but Martin can play in numerous positions for us whereas George could only really play in one. It is great to have that quality in the squad."
Samuelsen could make his second Peterborough 'debut' at promotion-chasing Scunthorpe United on Monday afternoon. Fellow young forward Jaanai Gordon joined Newport County on loan until the end of the League Two season on New Year's Day.
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Loanee round-up
WHUFC.com
Josh Cullen produced another Man of the Match display to help promotion-chasing Bradford City secure a 1-1 League One draw with Bury on New Year's Eve.
The on-loan West Ham United midfielder was at the hub of the Bantams' best moves against the struggling Shakers, but Stuart McCall's side were unable to secure all three points.
Bradford, who reportedly want to keep Cullen for the remainder of the season, are fifth in the table ahead of Monday's trip to Northampton Town.
The 20-year-old has been a virtual ever-present for Bradford this term, scoring once in 21 League One appearances.
Elsewhere, Lewis Page played the opening 45 minutes for Coventry City as the Sky Blues held Peterborough United to a 1-1 League One draw at London Road.
The left-back, who was making his 22nd league appearance for Coventry this season, was forced off with a minor injury. It remains to be seen if he will be fit to face second-place Bolton Wanderers at the Ricoh Arena on Monday.
Enner Valencia played the opening 74 minutes of Everton's 2-2 Premier League draw with Hull City on Friday evening. The Toffees host Southampton at Goodison Park on Monday afternoon.
Finally, striker Jaanai Gordon, 21, has joined League Two club Newport County on loan until the end of the 2016/17 season.
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Cullen extends Bradford loan
WHUFC.com
West Ham United youngster Josh Cullen has extended his loan at Sky Bet League One side Bradford City until the end of the season.
The Academy prospect has been with the Bantams since August, adding 23 appearances to the first spell he had on loan with the Yorkshire club last season.
Cullen, 20, has made great strides during his time with Bradford, helping Stuart McCall's men reach the League One Play-Offs last term before playing a central role in their promotion effort in 2016/17.
The Ireland U21 international has already made four first team appearances for the Hammers, despite his tender years, and notched his first senior goal earlier this campaign - helping Bradford to a 2-1 win over Milton Keynes Dons.
Cullen is excited to be continuing his development with league football at Bradford, telling their official website: "It was quite an easy decision for me and I've enjoyed playing my football here.
"Everything about the club - the staff, the players, the fans - they have all been brilliant with me both last season and this season so far."
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Randolph - We battled well
WHUFC.com
West Ham United goalkeeper Darren Randolph believes Friday's Emirates FA Cup third round tie against Manchester City offers the perfect chance for his team to bounce back.
The New Year weekend saw the Hammers suffer narrow defeats to Leicester City and Manchester United, but the performances warranted more.
Monday's loss to the Red Devils was particularly hard to take, given the circumstances around Sofiane Feghouli's 15th minute red card, but the resilience shown by Slaven Bilic's men in the face of adversity was heartening.
Randolph says that can give West Ham belief as they look to get their Cup campaign off to the perfect start.
He explained: "We had enough chances to get on the scoresheet and try and get something out of the game but it's always tough when you go down to ten men in any game. Especially against them.
"From where I was, the sending off just looked like two bodies jumping into the tackle. I just thought the ref stopped the game because Phil Jones was injured. Then he showed the red card.
"We battled on for most of the game with ten men, still creating chances, so we take confidence from that."
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Nordtveit - We were up against it
WHUFC.com
Norwegian Hammer Havard Nordtveit said West Ham were always facing a tough challenge with ten men against Manchester United
The hosts were beaten 2-0 by Jose Mourinho's outfit on Monday evening
Sofiane Feghouli's first half red card meant Slaven Bilic's side were up against it for 75 minutes at London Stadium
Havard Nordtveit admitted the Hammers were always facing an uphill task against Manchester United on Monday evening after they were reduced to ten men early in the first half.
Sofiane Feghouli received his marching orders from referee Mike Dean after just 15 minutes at London Stadium following his challenge on Phil Jones after a loose touch allowed the ball to slip away.
And despite Slaven Bilic's side going into the break level, goals from Juan Mata and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the second half meant the Red Devils would be heading home with three points in the bag after a 2-0 victory.
Nordtveit, who was making his third consecutive start in claret and blue, was, like every Hammer at London Stadium, left frustrated after the final whistle.
"After such a game, it's always hard," he said. "We worked hard and after ten or 15 minutes we were quite good in the game. We had good combinations and some decent chances.
"But when Feghouli got sent off, of course it was always going to be hard against a team like Manchester United. We know that eleven vs. eleven is a tough game against Man United and when we get a man sent off, it's hard at home against such a team.
"But it's part of football. We made the best out of it and we were more defensive, trying to use counter attacks and set-pieces. We also had a few chances, like Antonio who had a good chance.
"It could have gone both ways in my eyes but of course when they scored it was tough to come back."
The visitors broke the deadlock just after the half hour mark, when two substitutes combined in Marcus Rashford and Mata, with the latter finishing with aplomb past Darren Randolph.
Nordtveit had the unenviable task of looking after Rashford on the Hammers' right hand side, with the winger fresh having only played 18 minutes at the end of the Red Devils' New Years' Eve clash against Middlesbrough.
"Rashford of course is a quick guy," the Norwegian said. "Of course I'm not complaining or blaming [the result] on the fact that we played two days ago.
"But it was always going to be hard against Man United when we have a man sent off.
"In a way, we fought well during the game when we were one down and we would have loved it if we had got one point or maybe three from the game."
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Sofiane Feghouli: West Ham to appeal against midfielder's red card
BBC.co.uk
West Ham are appealing against the red card shown to Sofiane Feghouli during Monday's defeat by Manchester United. The midfielder was sent off by referee Mike Dean for a challenge on Red Devils defender Phil Jones 15 minutes into a match the Hammers lost 2-0. West Ham boss Slaven Bilic said Jones "made a meal" of the tackle from the Algeria international. Feghouli, 27, is the fifth player to be dismissed by Dean in the Premier League this season. Should a three-match ban be upheld, he would miss Friday's FA Cup third-round home tie against Manchester City, as well as Premier League games with Crystal Palace and Middlesbrough.
Dean in the spotlight
Bilic criticised Dean's decision to dismiss Feghouli, and many pundits focused on the referee's performance. Former Manchester United and England defender Gary Neville said Dean was "poor" but added much of the criticism directed at him was "disgraceful". Match of the Day pundit Martin Keown said: "It is a massive mistake from Mike Dean. It is remarkable, so early in the game too."
Writing in The Times, former Republic of Ireland international Tony Cascarino claimed Dean, 48, is "too old" to officiate in the Premier League, adding there was "no consistency in his decision-making" at London Stadium.
Former Sunderland forward Niall Quinn told Sky Sports: "I try very hard doing this job to understand how difficult it is for referees and not just jump on the bandwagon, but time and time again I look at this guy and his arrogance alone, and I suppose running the show and looking the part, and it puts me off."
Agreeing Dean "should be criticised" for the decision to send off Feghouli, Neville added that "to suggest he wanted to be centre of attention and he should be sacked or not referee again is wrong".
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West Ham boss Slaven Bilic accuses Man Utd defender Phil Jones after red card
BBC.co.uk
Manchester United defender Phil Jones "made a meal" of the challenge for which West Ham midfielder Sofiane Feghouli was controversially sent off, says Hammers boss Slaven Bilic. West Ham played for 75 minutes with 10 men after Feghouli was shown a straight red card by referee Mike Dean. Manchester United went on to win 2-0, their sixth straight league victory. "It was not a red card. Feghouli's foot was not high in the air, it was not deliberate," said Bilic.
Bilic said England international Jones had gone in "dangerously" on Feghouli, and said West Ham will appeal against the red card. "It was the key decision and it killed us. It put the game in a different perspective and was totally unfair for us," he added. "Phil made a meal of it, but you cannot blame him. Maybe he made a meal because he is the one who went dangerously and he is saving himself."
Match of the Day pundit Martin Keown said: "It is a massive mistake from Mike Dean. It is remarkable, so early in the game too. "I don't know how he can be so certain of who is fouling who. Sofiane Feghouli is trying to make a tackle, it is more a foul from Phil Jones. The reaction from him gets the player sent off."
Fellow MOTD expert Kevin Kilbane agreed: "It's such a bad decision and the reaction from Phil Jones might have helped in getting Sofiane Feghouli sent off. Feghouli should be given a reprieve."
Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho said he did not feel sorry for West Ham after Feghouli's dismissal at London Stadium. "If you talk about decisions, we are the champions of bad decisions," added Mourinho.
The game was goalless when Feghouli became the fifth player to be sent off by Dean this season. West Ham dug deep before substitute Juan Mata gave the visitors the lead, Zlatan Ibrahimovic doubling the advantage despite being one of three players offside. "It was a big offside for the second goal," said Bilic. "When the players are sprinting it is hard for the referees, I am the first to say that. "But the players were walking. They should spot this."
Manchester United are one point behind fourth-placed Arsenal having played one more game than the Gunners.
West Ham, meanwhile, drop from 12th to 13th in the Premier League table.
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Sofiane Feghouli left out of Algeria's final Africa Cup of Nations squad
BBC.co.uk
West Ham attacking midfielder Sofiane Feghouli was a surprise omission as Algeria announced their final squad of 23 for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.
Algeria's Belgian coach, George Leekens, had been expected to pick the 27-year-old for the tournament which kicks off on 14 January. Three other English Premier League stars have been named, including the Leicester duo of Riyad Mahrez and Islam Slimani as well as Watford's Adlene Guedioura. Another midfielder, Nabil Bentaleb, currently on a season-long loan at Schalke in Germany from Tottenham Hotspur, is also included. Algeria, among the pre-tournament favourites, also left out Carl Medjani, who has been a consistent choice since his debut in 2010. Leekens, who only took over as coach in October, picked uncapped 21-year-old Rennes defender Ramy Bensebaini in his squad who will warm-up with two friendly internationals against Mauritania next week before heading to the tournament. The Desert Foxes have been drawn in Group B at the Nations Cup, alongside Tunisia, Senegal and Zimbabwe. The teams will be based in Libreville with Algeria beginning their campaign against Zimbabwe on 15 January.
Algeria squad:
Goalkeepers: Rais Ouhab M'bolhi (Antalyaspor, Turkey), Malik Asselah (JS Kabylie, Algeria), Chemseddine Rahmani (MO Bejaia, Algeria)
Defenders: Mokhtar Belkhiter (Club Africain ,Tunisia), Mohamed Rabie Meftah (USM Alger, Algeria), Aissa Mandi (Real Betis, Spain), Hicham Belkaroui (Esperance, Tunisia), Liassine Cadamuro (Servette Geneva, Switzerland) , Mohamed Benyahia (USM Alger, Algeria), Ramy Bensebaïni (Stade Rennes, France), Faouzi Ghoulam (Napoli, Italy), Djamel Eddine Mesbah (FC Crotone ,Italy)
Midfielders: Adlène Guedioura (Watford, England), Saphir Taïder (Bologna, Italy), Nabil Bentaleb (Schalke 04, Germany), Mehdi Abeid (Dijon, France), Yassin Brahimi (FC Porto, Portugal), Rachid Ghezzal (Olympique Lyon, France)
Forwards: Islam Slimani (Leicester City, England), Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City, England), Hilal Soudani El Arabi (Dinamo Zagreb, Croatia), Baghdad Bounedjah (Al Sadd, Qatar), Sofiane Hanni (Anderlecht, Belgium)
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REF ANALYSIS: MIKE DEAN
BY EXWHUEMPLOYEE ON 2 JANUARY 2017 AT 9:48PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by Sam Royden @SamRoyden
After a disappointing defeat away at Leicester on New Years Eve, we welcomed Manchester United to the London Stadium for the first fixture of 2017. Mike Dean was the referee appointed for this fixture and the last time Dean officiated a West Ham game, he gave two penalties including a last minute penalty to Spurs, which saw Spurs win 3-2 after West Ham went ahead twice on the night. Dean currently has the highest penalty per game ratio of any referee so far this season, awarding 9 penalties in 18 games in the Premier League.
Mike Dean, a referee who oozes arrogance and his admiration for the spotlight, probably earned himself the headlines within the first 15 minutes of the game. Mike Dean made an encouraging start to the game: he was in control and kept up with the fast tempo that West Ham set within the first 14 minutes. However, his good start was ruined by, in my opinion, a very poor decision to send off Sofiane Feghouli after a coming together with Phil Jones.
Mike Dean made countless errors with this decision which as a experienced referee, he shouldn't be making. Firstly, both Sofiane Feghouli and Phil Jones committed themselves to a 50/50 ball. When you look back at the incident, in fairness Phil Jones won the ball and Feghouli's challenge was late, but both players challenged the ball and both players caught each other one way or another. Secondly, both players are entitled to challenge for the ball. Feghouli wasn't using excessive force; his leg wasn't straight and wasn't leading with his studs and more importantly wasn't dangering Jones' safety. Finally, the reaction of Phil Jones and the Manchester United players, in my opinion, was a key factor in Dean's decision making. Dean blew for the foul, which was the correct decision because Feghouli didn't win the ball and correctly took his time to make his decision however he made an awful decision. As a referee, you cannot allow your decisions to be dictated by players reactions. The fact that Phil Jones was rolling around after the challenge while four Manchester United players were surrounding Dean played a massive part in his decision, which is absolutely unacceptable from a referee's prospective.
When I think back to challenges by Marcus Rojo earlier in the season, particularly when Manchester United visited Goodison Park when Rojo went in two footed and off the ground and only received a yellow card, makes this decision to send off Feghouli very embarrassing. Rojo dangered the safety of his opponent on numerous occasions by using excessive force. Mike Dean was also in charge of the Merseyside derby when he failed to send off Ross Barkley after a horrendously late and high challenge on Jordan Henderson.
Shortly after the red card, with the West Ham fans rightly furious and on Mike Deans back, Dean lost complete control of the match and felt the pressure which was effecting his decision making. Jesse Lingard caught Cheikhou Kouyaté late with his challenge which Mike Dean correctly blew for a foul, but in my opinion, should have been a booking. Lingard was late, the tackle wasn't necessary. Dean was clearly still thinking about his previous decision and it effected his judgement.
With his mindset clearly affected, Mike Dean cautioned Dimitri Payet for what I believe was dissent (only Mike Dean knows what Payet said to him but dissent is cause for a booking this season). After some challenges that Dean let go against Manchester United, Matteo Darmian was the first United player booked after blocking Michail Antonio, who was continuing his run into an advanced position. Before the yellow card for Darmian, Håvard Nordtveit could have been cautioned for his foul, which Mike Dean ignored, once again showing signs of poor judgement.
Mike Dean continued his poor performance by blowing up on a foul against Cheikhou Kouyaté on Henrikh Mkhitaryan. If you watched the game live on Sky Sports, I think Gary Neville's alliance with Manchester United made his decision slightly biased as he said 'It could have been a leg break'. Kouyaté won the ball, but the West Ham midfielder looked to be off the ground and that's when it can become dangerous.
To sum up a horrendous match for the officials, the assistant referee failed to flag Ibrahimovic offside for Manchester United's second goal of the match. The decision should have been simple for the assistant referee. West Ham's defensive line moved up leaving Ibrahimovic, who was static, two yards offside when receiving the ball. Sometimes it's fine margins with offside and human error can happen and sometimes it's an extremely difficult decision to make. But in this instance, Ibrahimovic is clearly beyond the last West Ham defender and in my opinion, a basic decision for the assistant to make. There were three Manchester United players in an offside position when Ibrahimovic received the ball. If either of the three players, including Ibrahimovic, received the ball they should have been flagged offside.
I'm struggling to put into words how poor Mike Dean's performance was. Since the 14th minute, Dean made countless poor decisions and this is even down to not booking Winston Reid for an obvious handball. Reid stuck his arm out to prevent the ball going to Juan Mata, who was running in behind the West Ham defender. This epitomises Dean's performance as he rightly blew for the foul but why he didn't issue Reid a yellow, which would have been the right decision, is beyond me.
I can safely say that Mike Dean's performance is one of the worst I've analysed this season. Mike Dean is undoubtedly one of the most arrogant referees in the league and you can see that players do not respect his authority nor decision making. Dean adores the limelight and he's an embarrassment to the referee's association. Earlier in the game I saw on replays that Dean, after he gave a foul against West Ham, said to Pedro Obiang "Don't look at me again, otherwise you won't be playing again". For what reason Mike Dean? If Obiang was showing dissent, you would caution him. I'm lost for words on what to think as to why Mike Dean has the audacity to react like that.
Dean is the last referee that I'd want any aspiring young referee to watch and mirror as his behaviour on the field is unacceptable. A good and well respected referee communicates with players, allows the players to understand why you've made that decision and applies the Laws of The Game. Dean doesn't do this and this is why he's still not an accredited FIFA Referee like Mark Clattenburg and Martin Atkinson. Will the FA or the referee association review Mike Dean? Probably not, but his standard of refereeing isn't good enough for the Premier League and his overall attitude and competence is shameful.
I feel for the West Ham players. The first 14 minutes and even after the sending off, we played well and we controlled the game; we pressed well with good tempo. We were desperately unlucky to lose considering the decisions and if Michail Antonio's shot that David De Gea saved went in, I think the game would have turned out completely different. The fact that Mata scored 60 seconds after Antonio's attempt really cost us and Ibrahimovic's offside goal really summed up a very unlucky game for West Ham.
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WE NEED VIDEO TECHNOLOGY!!!
BY EXWHUEMPLOYEE ON 2 JANUARY 2017 AT 10:17PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by Katie S @flump9
Now I doubt there is a West Ham fan out there that isn't feeling the same as me tonight. There are some inappropriate words I could use to describe my feelings, but instead I will say I am disappointed, incensed, dejected and most of all completely cheated.
I wrote an article in March last year regarding the costly refereeing decisions and how something needed to change in football, yet ten months down the line and the same topic has arisen again.
Some neutral fans may say that it is sour grapes from West Ham fans like myself, but I can assure you that is not the case. I like to think that I am quite a fair fan, who will admit if we have been lucky, or if a decision was awarded unfairly in our favour. All I ask for is fairness and today was anything but fair.
You only have to listen to Manchester United fan Gary Neville and take a look at Twitter and you will see many ex-footballers stating exactly what every West Ham fan felt, Mike Dean's decision to give Feghouli a red card was an absolute disgrace. Before that incorrect decision, I felt like West Ham were fairly in control of the match, but Dean's decision was a game changer and ruined what would have been a good fair game of football. Now the red card was the turning point, but another frustrating point in the game was Manchester United's second goal not being flagged offside. For any fans that are thinking I am sounding very one-sided, I will admit that Kouyate was lucky to not receive a card for his rash challenge on Mkhitaryan.
Today's decisions were actually inexcusable and I don't think you can even attempt to defend Mike Dean. Football is a fast paced game and can sometimes be difficult to referee a match, but both decisions against West Ham were exceptionally poor. However, referees are only human and will make mistakes, I understand that, but then there is only one way forward and that is video technology.
Video technology is used in rugby and tennis and has been a success in both sports. It will undoubtedly slow the game down a little, but I do not think this can be used as an excuse any longer. Goal-line technology has been a massive success and this was proved in today's game, with Randolph just managing to clear off of his line. It has been trialed in a few other countries and I have heard that it is being trialed in England in secret, if this is the case, the decision to introduce video technology cannot come soon enough. Video technology benefits everyone: players, managers, fans and officials. I really cannot see why it has not been introduced.
There is a video online that appears to show Mike Dean saying "Don't look at me again, otherwise you won't be playing again". This in itself makes me think that referees need to be mic'd up (obviously not playable on TV, as I think all matches would need to be played after the watershed) and be accountable for the things they say to the players. There just seems to be too much protection for them and they do not seem to have to take any responsibility for their performance on the pitch. I am not suggesting that we should be targeting referees, as we need to be encouraging young referees into the game, but things definitely need to change. I might be alone here, but I honestly believe if referees were to come out after the game and admit when they have made a big costly mistake, I would feel 'slightly' better about it.
Decisions will go for and against us this season, like all other teams, but it all comes down to fairness and surely every football fan wants fairness.
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IS GLEN JOHNSON ABOUT TO RETURN TO WEST HAM?
BY 337HAMMER ON 3 JANUARY 2017 AT 11:55AM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Slaven Bilic has targeted Glen Johnson for a stunning return to West Ham. The Hammers boss has turned to the Stoke defender, who has six months left on his contract, to solve his problem at right-back. Bilic is confident he can land the England international in a cut-price £1million deal but needs the move backed by his board after his disastrous summer spending.
Johnson would be a major coup 13 years after leaving the club for a glittering spell at Chelsea before moves to Portsmouth, Liverpool and Stoke. His contract has been running down, alerting clubs looking for a right-back for the second half of the season. The 32-year-old was even on a shortlist of full-backs Barcelona were looking at for experienced cover. www.thesun.co.uk
A move for this experienced right back could be just what we need. Also, as he is free to leave in the summer it surely makes a possible deal now much more realistic. The player probably has a few more years playing time left and maybe a 2 year deal might be acceptable for all parties. ExWHU employee has already said previously that Glen is a player that we are interested in, so maybe he could be moving to us very soon!
What do you think about a move for Glen Johnson? Would he bring some good qualities to our team? Or do you think at 32 he is too old and that we should be looking at a player who is in or just coming into their prime? As always, it would be good to hear your thoughts.
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DIMITRI PAYET 'STAYING' AT WEST HAM AMID TALK OF BID FROM MARSEILLE
BY 337HAMMER ON 3 JANUARY 2017 AT 1:00PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
West Ham today insisted they will not sell their star man Dimitri Payet, despite increasing speculation in France that Marseille are preparing a £30million-plus bid.
The France midfielder was substituted during the second half of last night's 2-0 home defeat by Manchester United, further fuelling rumours that Payet is poised to return to the club from which he was signed by West Ham for £10.7m in 2015.
Respected French newspaper L'Equipe devoted extensive coverage to the story. Marseille are managed by Rudi Garcia, who was in charge at Lille when Payet was there.
Other stories in France have suggested that Payet's family are keen to move back to the south of France and that Garcia has been in regular touch with the player in recent weeks.West Ham though, remain adamant that Payet is going nowhere.
"We have already said that he is staying," said West Ham manager Slaven Bilic. "He is playing well, really well recently against Swansea and Leicester, and worked really hard against Manchester United.
"He showed the quality, he showed the energy for the team and he doesn't look troubled. We said at the start of the season that we are moving forward and we want to keep our best players. He is our best player and we want to keep him." www.standard.co.uk
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Marseille to launch £30m Payet bid?
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 2nd January 2017
By: Staff Writer
Marseille are set to test West Ham's resolve with a £30million bid for Dimitri Pauet, according to reports in France.
Last month the French international refused to rule out a return to Ligue 1 with his former club, who were recently purchased by wealthy American businessman Frank McCourt.
And this morning L'Equipe report that Payet is top of .Les Phocéens' transfer window hit list, with the club said to be preparing a huge bid in order to woo Payet back to the club he spent two years with prior to joining West Ham.
Speaking last month, Payet admitted that the prospect of one day returning to Marseille was a tempting proposition. "I have said I would not close the door to anything," he said.
"Marseille has a new project that seems interesting, although obviously we are waiting to hear from the new owners. But everyone knows my attachment to this club."
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West Ham to appeal Sofiane Feghouli red card against Man Utd
By Nick Lustig
Last Updated: 03/01/17 4:27pm
SSN
West Ham will appeal the red card picked up by Sofiane Feghouli in the 2-0 defeat to Manchester United on Monday. Feghouli was shown a straight red card by referee Mike Dean in the 15th minute with the game goalless following a sliding challenge with United defender Phil Jones. United were able to make their extra man count in the second half, with Juan Mata and Zlatan Ibrahimovic grabbing the goals to earn Jose Mourinho's side a sixth straight Premier League win.
Feghouli will serve an automatic three-match ban if the Football Association decide to uphold Dean's decision and miss the FA Cup tie with Manchester City, as well as the Premier League games against Crystal Palace and Middlesbrough. Following the match at London Stadium, West Ham manager Slaven Bilic told Sky Sports: "It was never a red card to be fair. It was a challenge from both of them. "It was the other way round in terms of who did the more dangerous tackle. It was Jones. OK, he's carrying the ball but he went in with the scissors. "Phil made a meal of it, but you can't blame him for doing that. Maybe he made a meal of it because he went with the dangerous one to save himself. "You have to see who is doing our challenge. It's Feghouli, who very rarely makes a foul in the game. His foot wasn't high in the air and it wasn't deliberate. "For me, that was the crucial decision in the game. That early - it killed us. It put the game in a totally different perspective."
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Ref Watch: Mike Dean's decision to send off Sofiane Feghouli incorrect, says Dermot Gallagher
Last Updated: 03/01/17 3:33pm
SSN
Referee Mike Dean's decision to send off Sofiane Feghouli during West Ham's 2-0 defeat to Manchester United was incorrect. That's according to former Premier League official Dermot Gallagher, who told Premier League Daily that Feghouli's tackle on Phil Jones was worthy of a yellow card rather than a red. We asked Gallagher to analyse several of the controversial incidents on Monday, including Fernandinho's latest dismissal for Manchester City.
MATCH: West Ham 0-2 Man Utd, Premier League
INCIDENT: Sofiane Feghouli sent off for a first-half challenge on Phil Jones
SCENARIO: Feghouli takes a heavy touch and collides with Man Utd defender Jones. Referee Mike Dean issues a red card to the West Ham attacker
DERMOT'S VERDICT: Incorrect decision
DERMOT SAYS: I think it is a yellow card. What happens is Feghouli overruns the ball and lunges in. He doesn't go out of control as such, he goes in for the ball and collides with Jones as Jones comes in from the other side. It was not as if Jones was there to take the impact, Jones came into his line and I think all those factors lead to a yellow card. The unfortunate thing is Mike has seen the end of it and the reaction and I think a lot of that has played on his mind. In fairness to him, he took his time. You can't say it's a knee-jerk reaction but when he's computed it all he's come to the decision it's a red card. I think he will look at that today and think he got it wrong.
What I will say is I think Mike has been very unfairly criticised as a person because in the nine and a half years I have been off the Premier League, I think Mike Dean has made fewer errors than any other referee. The reason why we are talking about this error so much is because Mike Dean doesn't make many.
INCIDENT: Cheikhou Kouyate is penalised for a foul on Henrikh Mkhitaryan
SCENARIO: The West Ham midfielder concedes a free-kick for a tackle on Mkhitaryan. Referee Mike Dean does not issue a card.
DERMOT'S VERDICT: Could have been a yellow card
DERMOT SAYS: Mike has to get this absolutely right because what you don't want is to have a second red card that everybody is going to say was not a red card. There is no doubt whatsoever the Kouyate one was not a red card, that's absolutely certain. It could well have been a yellow but Mike didn't go overboard. He didn't react the way he did for the first one [Feghouli] and almost compound it by issuing another red.
INCIDENT: Zlatan Ibrahimovic's goal
SCENARIO: Zlatan Ibrahimovic scores Man Utd's second goal at the London Stadium but appears to be in an offside position when he gathers possession
DERMOT'S VERDICT: Incorrect decision
DERMOT SAYS: It is just a lack of concentration from the assistant. In that situation, the three Man Utd players are in an offside position - which is not an offence - but assistants at this level are taught to keep an eye on them in case the ball comes forward. In your mind you should have a picture of where they started and unfortunately the assistant has lost sight of their starting position. That's the only error he has made because without doubt, when the ball comes in, Ibrahimovic is offside. It's a decision at this level you should get right.
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Ex-Premier League referees Graham Poll and Mark Halsey criticise Mike Dean's performance
Dean's decision to send off West Ham's Sofiane Feghouli against Manchester United has been roundly criticised
The Mirror
BYLIAM CORLESS
12:50, 3 JAN 2017UPDATED15:15, 3 JAN 2017
Mike Dean has been slated by a pair of his former colleagues for his officiating display in Manchester United's away win over West Ham. The 48-year-old Premier League referee has been criticised for his decision to send Sofiane Feghouli off after just 15 minutes of the match for a challenge on Phil Jones. Replays showed the decision was harsh and fans and pundits alike have since slammed the Wirral official, with some claiming he thrives off being the centre of attention. Former top flight official Graham Poll doesn't agree with the suggestion that Dean has a penchant for the limelight but admitted Feghouli's challenge was not worthy of a red card. "Replays showed that both players were equally culpable as Jones wrapped his legs around Feghouli's," Poll wrote in the Daily Mail. "Such decisions are crucial and Dean, one of the select group's most experienced referees, knows that. "Referees aren't on the field to be popular, they are there to show the courage of their convictions and give what they see. They are also not supposed to guess or appear to seek the limelight. "Dean, as I wrote after his last game, is the referee happiest to take the biggest decisions and this was no exception. He will have believed he was right but when he watches this back he will know and accept that he was wrong."
Another ex-Premier League referee, Mark Halsey, added in The Sun: "He has misread the challenge and the incident. It's a key match decision which totally changed the course of the game. "It's unlike Mike but he's gone by the player's reaction. "Players do not help referees in the Premier League. Jones rolling around hasn't helped the situation one bit."
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Manchester United's Phil Jones accused of PLAY-ACTING to get Sofiane Feghouli sent off
Former Manchester United star Ray Wilkins says referee Mike Dean was fooled by Jones' theatrical reaction to get Feghouli into trouble
The Mirror
BYJOHN CROSS
12:33, 3 JAN 2017UPDATED12:36, 3 JAN 2017
Phil Jones has been accused of play acting to get West Ham 's Sofiane Feghouli sent off. Former Manchester United star Ray Wilkins says referee Mike Dean was fooled by Jones' theatrical reaction to get Feghouli into trouble. West Ham have today told the Football Association of their intention to appeal the red card and that is likely to be heard by a commission tomorrow. Wilkins told talkSPORT : "If Phil Jones doesn't roll around for ten minutes on the floor then that might have only been a yellow card. "I thought Phil reacted terribly. We are unfortunately in an era where people are getting each other sent off and I hate to see it "Players have to take a look at themselves. There wasn't anything malicious in it." Feghouli is facing a three game ban unless West Ham can prove Dean made an "obvious" mistake for sending him off for the challenge on Jones. Under-fire ref Dean has sent off five players and given ten penalties in 15 games this season which is more than any other Premier League official. Halsey said: ""Because he missed the Barkley challenge, I think it's at the back of his mind. I have to say, Mike's turned round and seen Phil rolling around. "He may be hurt but when you are hurt, you stay still. I think the way he's rolled around, he's injured himself the way he's gone into the challenge. "Because of what happened at Goodison Park, I think he's guessed and he's got it wrong. It's a game-changing decision. "Every player has to leave the ground at some stage in a sliding challenge. He takes his feet away. I thought he was sending off Jones - I really didn't expect any sort of card on that challenge. But because Jones has rolled around, I think that makes his mind up."
Halsey claims referees are suffering because of a lack of leadership at the top level. Halsey added: "You look at Mark Clattenburg, Martin Atkinson, Andre [Marriner] to a certain extent, but there's a whole lack of leadership and coaching. "Referees are just coaching themselves and going out and refereeing in their own way. We've got some top referees who have retired from the game and they should be used more."
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Gary Neville slams "disgraceful" reaction to Mike Dean's display in Manchester United's win at West Ham
Premier League referee Dean has been universally criticised for his controversial decision to show Sofiane Feghouli a straight red card just 15 minutes into Monday's match
The Mirror
BYLIAM CORLESS
09:46, 3 JAN 2017UPDATED09:49, 3 JAN 2017
Gary Neville has labelled the reaction to Mike Dean's officiating display in Manchester United's win at West Ham "disgraceful". Premier League referee Dean has been universally criticised for his controversial decision to show Sofiane Feghouli a straight red card just 15 minutes into Monday's match. Feghouli was given his marching orders for a challenge on Phil Jones but replays suggested the dismissal was extremely harsh. Sky Sports analyst and co-commentator Neville was critical of Dean during the match, but has been less than impressed by the reaction of his fellow pundits in the wake of Feghouli's sending off. Neville tweeted: "I was critical of Mike Dean's performance in the game. He was poor. But I think the reaction since towards him is disgraceful. "Yes he should be criticised but to suggest he wanted to be centre of attention and he should be sacked or not referee again is wrong!!"
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Gary Neville ✔ @GNev2
I was critical of Mike deans performance in the game . He was poor. But I think the reaction since towards him is disgraceful.
5:47 AM - 3 Jan 2017
375 375 Retweets 1,352 1,352 likes
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Gary Neville ✔ @GNev2
Yes he should be criticised but to suggest he wanted to be centre of attention and he should be sacked or not referee again is wrong!!
5:50 AM - 3 Jan 2017
240 240 Retweets 944 944 likes
It was the fifth red card Dean has shown in 15 matches this season - more than any other referee - and came just five days after he came under fire for dismissing Southampton forward Nathan Redmond against Tottenham. Hammers manager Slaven Bilic claimed Feghouli's tackle was not even worth a booking after his side slipped to a 2-0 defeat. Sky's pundits for the match at the London Stadium also weighed in, with Niall Quinn branding Dean arrogant and Alan Smith claiming he revels in being the centre of attention. "He got it disgracefully wrong in my opinion," former Sunderland forward Quinn said on Sky Sports. 'I try very hard doing this job to understand how difficult it is for referees and not just jump on the bandwagon, but time and time again I look at this guy and his arrogance alone, and I suppose running the show and looking the part, and it puts me off. "I'm delighted to make an exception in this case and call him for this, this is rank-bad refereeing."
Quinn's fellow Sky Sports pundit, ex-Leicester and Arsenal striker Smith, added: "It comes off the back of his really bad mistake at Southampton when he sent off Nathan Redmond for what was not even a penalty in my book. "So he's got a track record for it. You don't like to say it but it's almost like he wants to be the centre of attention. I wouldn't want to believe that of any referee but he seems to revel in it."
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Alan Shearer ✔ @alanshearer
Best league in the world but refereeing standards don't match up. Sort your men out #mikeriley #WHUMUN
7:17 PM - 2 Jan 2017
1,126 1,126 Retweets 2,000 2,000 likes
And Shearer's fellow Match of the Day pundit Martin Keown said on the show: "It's a massive mistake from Mike Dean." United secured a sixth straight win thanks to second-half goals from Juan Mata and Zlatan Ibrahimovic - although the fact the latter was offside also did not reflect well on Dean and his assistants.
Mata and fellow sub Marcus Rashford swung the game in the visitors' favour and boss Jose Mourinho said: "I felt against a tired team fresh people coming from the bench would make a difference."
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