Bilic: False rumours, attacking options and brave Burnley
WHUFC.com
Slaven Bilic sat down with the media on Thursday afternoon to give a typically insightful press conference. The West Ham United boss was asked for his opinion on a host of subjects by broadcasters, including his attacking options for the Premier League trip to Burnley, rumours surrounding Chicharito's future and Andy Carroll's impact on his team. He also paid his respects to the fast start made by Saturday's opponents and tipped Clarets boss Sean Dyche to become a future England manager…
Headache? What headache?
When it was suggested that Bilic may suffer from a selection headache when it comes to picking his team for Saturday's game, the manager said he would not be reaching for the painkillers. Rather, the Croatian welcomed the strength in depth he will draw upon at Turf Moor, where he will have a full complement of attacking players available to him. Andy Carroll, Chicharito and Diafra Sakho are all vying for a centre forward position, while Michail Antonio, Manuel Lanzini, Marko Arnautovic, Andre Ayew and Sead Haksabanovic are all in contention for attacking midfield roles. "It's not a headache. OK, it's another issue to use them all or to keep them all happy but if you're talking about in the long term, it's always an issue. But it's good finally to be in the position where we have, in those attacking and offensive midfield positions, your whole team. "I said to my staff that I'm not saying they're all going to play, because that's impossible, but this is the first time that basically we have the possibility to put out the team we were thinking about in the pre-season that is, on paper, our strongest team. "We're going to probably be in the situation to have that option."
Chicharito rumours simply 'not true'
Having revealed that Chicharito would only be returning from international duty on Thursday, Bilic confirmed that, barring any unforeseen issues, the Mexican would be in the squad which travels to the North West on Friday afternoon. He also dismissed tabloid speculation that the No17 is eager to leave London for Spanish football, echoing the striker's own social media post. "He said it's completely out of nowhere, it's not true and there's not one per cent of the truth in that and that's what I expected and so it's all like somebody made it up."
'Brave Burnley deserve their hot start'
While the two Manchester clubs and Tottenham Hotspur set the pace at the top of the Premier League, you do not have to scan too far down the table to find Burnley. The Clarets have lost just one of their opening seven top-flight matches and sit seventh going into their weekend clash with West Ham. When asked what he admires about Burnley, Bilic gave a typically detailed and studious response. "Burnley are doing extremely well home and away. Last year they were a little bit too cautious, within reason, because they were promoted and then they were relegated the year after and it wasn't ages ago. "Last year they were a bit cautious, as I said, and playing a little bit more on reaction than action, but they have changed it. They are still very solid and, when needed, very direct, but you can see them play and being more brave with the ball and on the ball. "They kept the core of the team but added some more players and if you compare the team from the first game of last season with this, they have five new players or whatever, which is a lot. "They have been on a good run and have confidence and they deserve to be where they are."
Does their start surprise me? Yes, it did, of course, especially their away form because last year I think they waited until March or whenever to beat Palace away and get that first away win. "Now, if you don't mention it's them and ask 'Which team has beat Chelsea and Everton and drew against Spurs and Liverpool?', you would say Manchester United or Manchester City and not Burnley or West Ham. "It's a big achievement and it did surprise me, but it wasn't lucky. They deserved it. They now have experience of the Premier League – not only the manager but the players and everything. "They did well last season have confidence, they have changed some players and are playing with more bravery and more freedom when they have the ball, but they didn't lose the steeliness and compactness that is still the core of their philosophy. "They are a very good team and all the credit and plaudits go to Sean Dyche."
Dyche for England?
Speaking of Sean Dyche, Bilic was asked if the Burnley boss is a realistic candidate to take charge of the England national side in the future. As one of just four Englishmen managing in the Premier League at present – Roy Hodgson, Eddie Howe and Craig Shakespeare being the other three – former Croatia boss Bilic believes the 46-year-old has many of the credentials required to be a successful international manager. "Why not? It's always good for a national team to have a domestic manager. It's not a club. It's like, you have to understand the whole nation, the legacy, the culture, the expectations and all that. "He's definitely one of them that has it. He's young and looks strong. He's got that voice! I'm joking, but he's doing a really good job. "Last year his success was a bit under the radar and he is still at Burnley, which makes it easier in a daily job because you can afford some bad games but, on the other hand, it makes it harder to get that ultimate recognition. He's definitely a good manager."
Big Andy's big impact
As is the case in every Bilic press conference, the name Andy Carroll popped up regularly in the journalists' line of questioning. This time, the manager was asked to assess the No9's impact this season in the light of him having failed to score in his first six appearances. For his part, Bilic was quick to point out what Carroll brings to his team, regardless of the number of times he finds the back of the net. "Andy always makes an impact on the game, whether that is from the start or from the bench. Of course, we are expecting him to get fitter and be better and better with more minutes on the pitch. "He's looking better in training than he was three or four weeks ago, which is only natural, because he was out for a long time, and now it's good. "There is always pressure on centre forwards to score because if the team doesn't score, the centre forwards are not happy. You expect your strikers to score goals but, as I said two years ago and last year, you have centre forwards who are depending on their goals to prove they are working for the team, but Andy is not like that. "He is working for the team, he is opening spaces, he sometimes has two or three players around him to stop him and that opens gaps and spaces for other players to use. Not to mention his flicks and lay-offs with head or foot. "So, for him to make an impact on the game and to be very important, not to mention crucial for our game, he doesn't have to score goals."
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Team news: Chicharito, Antonio and Lanzini updates
WHUFC.com
Slaven Bilic says he expects striker Chicharito to be in his matchday squad on Saturday when West Ham United return to Premier League action against Burnley.
The Hammers travel to Turf Moor to take on the Clarets in their first clash since the international break. Mexican forward Chicharito, who played and scored for his country on Saturday morning against Trinidad and Tobago in a FIFA World Cup qualifier, has not yet returned to east London but is still likely to travel north with the rest of Bilic's team. The striker was given dispensation to leave the national squad before their second fixture due to a personal reason, but manager Bilic revealed he could take part in Lancashire on Saturday. The boss said: "We are still waiting for Chicharito who is going to come back [to England] today. He wasn't with us for a couple of weeks because of the Mexico games and all that so he will be back in training tomorrow. "We have to bear in mind that Chicharito didn't train with us and today is Thursday and we play an away game on Saturday and tomorrow we'll be travelling he'll only be in training on Friday, so we're going to see. "The good thing is he played the first game and scored for Mexico, which is always important for the strikers, and he's going to train with us tomorrow. Then we're going to decide what we're going to do on Saturday, but I'm expecting him to be in the squad."
The Hammers have almost a fully fit squad, with only centre-back James Collins still missing with an ankle injury. Pedro Obiang and Edimilson Fernandes have returned to training and could feature on Saturday, and Bilic is positive about his squad ahead of the clash with Sean Dyche's side. "Since the last game the situation improved a lot," he continued. "Most of the players are going to be available for the game. "It is only Ginger Collins who is out still with that ankle he did against West Brom, but it's only for a matter of days and he should train with us Monday or Tuesday. "OK, on paper, we will have most of the squad back. Some of them only started training with us on Monday or Tuesday so they are not completely fit, but it's a good situation if we are talking about injuries as those who came back and played in the last game against Swansea like [Manuel] Lanzini and [Michail] Antonio used the international break to work on their stamina and work on their fitness. "To be fair, we mixed this break with a combination of days off to rest them and to work on their fitness and it went really good and we trained really good and those couple of things are the reason why I am optimistic for this game."
With a number of faces now back in the frame for a starting spot, Bilic was asked whether he has a selection headache for Saturday. "It's not a headache," the boss disagreed. "OK, it's another issue to use them all or to keep them all happy but if you're talking about in the long term, it's always an issue. "But it's good finally to be in the position where we have, in those attacking and offensive midfield positions, your whole team. "I said to my staff that I'm not saying they're all going to play, because that's impossible, but this is the first time that basically we have the possibility to put out the team we were thinking about in the pre-season that is, on paper, our strongest team. "We're going to probably be in the situation to have that option."
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As it happened: Slaven Bilic's Press Conference
WHUFC.com
Slaven Bilic has arrived for his press conference ahead of Saturday's trip to Burnley in the Premier League.
West Ham United head to Turf Moor seeking to build on a productive September in which they scored seven points out of a possible 12 and kept three clean sheets in four Premier League matches.
However, Burnley have also made a fine start to the season and go into the weekend having lost just one of seven top-flight matches.
So, with those facts in mind, let's see what the boss has to say to the media...
Bilic has started off with some team news. He says: "Since the last game the situation improved a lot. Most of the players will be available. "It is only Ginger Collins who is out with the ankle he injured against West Brom, but it's only for a matter of days. "Chicharito will be back today. He wasn't with us because of the Mexico games and will be back in training tomorrow. "OK, some of them only started training on Monday or Tuesday but it's a good situation as most of them are fit and those who stayed back here worked on their stamina and their fitness. We mixed this break with a combination of days off and fitness work and it went really well and those things are why I am optimistic for this game."
That's great news.
Does the manager have a selection headache ahead of the game at Turf Moor, though?
That's not the case, says Bilic: "It's not a headache. It's always an issue to keep them all happy in the long term, but it's good to finally be in the position to have all these players available attacking and offensive midfield-wise. "I'm not saying they're all going to play, because that's impossible, but this is the first time we have the possibility to put out our strongest team on paper."
The Croatian has confirmed Chicharito isn't in east London. He's been asked what that means ahead of Saturday...
"You have to bear in mind that Chicharito didn't train with us and we play an away game on Saturday and he'll only be in training on Friday, so we're going to see.
"The good thing is he played the first game and scored for Mexico, which is always good for the strikers, and he'll train tomorrow. I'm expecting him to be available. "Somebody made up the rumours that he is not happy at West Ham."
Now onto the topic of Burnley: "Burnley are doing extremely well home and away. Last year they were a little bit too cautious, within reason, because they had been promoted and then relegated before.
"Last year they were playing more on reaction than action, but they have changed it. They are still very solid and when needed very direct, but you can see them play and being braver with the ball and on the ball.
"They kept the core of the team but added some more players and if you compare the team from the first game of last season, they have five new players.
"They have confidence and are playing well."
Bilic has received his usual Andy Carroll line of questioning. This week, he's been asked about the striker's motivation in a World Cup season: "Players are hoping and thinking of the World Cup, not only British players but the foreigners too. It's a motivation and it's the same for Andy Carroll.
"We spoke so many times, as we did before Euro 2016. He needs to be consistent, play well, score goals and make an impact on a regular basis for West Ham to think about an England call-up.
"I watched the second England game because of Aaron Cresswell, but Andy needs to concentrate on club football because only by playing well for West Ham will he force Gareth Southgate to give him a call."
Another Englishman is now on the agenda. Reece Oxford, who played this week for England's U20s, is the subject: "He's got that potential and he needed to somewhere to play regularly in a good league so he went to Monchengladbach, which is a good club in a good league.
"Unfortunately he didn't play regularly so far, but hopefully he will do and he will play well and come back and show the quality and form to become a regular player for West Ham."
Next question for Bilic: What does support of players mean?
"I feel that the players are giving me answers. All the players are going to be very motivated on matchday because people are watching them in the ground and on telly, but at the training ground they are here every day and have frustrations and good days and bad days.
"What gives me not hope but encouragement and proof that we're working hard is that we have never lost it, even in bad times this season and last. We are always training hard individually and in a group."
Sean Dyche has done a great job at Burnley, and the manager has now been asked whether the Clarets' outstanding start has been a surprise: "He's definitely a good manager. Does their start surprise me? Yes, it did, especially their away form because last year they waited until March or whenever to beat Palace away and get that first away win.
"If you ask which team has beat Chelsea and Everton and drew against Spurs and Liverpool and didn't know it was them, you would say Manchester United and not Burnley.
"It's a big achievement and it did surprise me, but they now have experience of the Premier League and have confidence and play with more bravery and more freedom when they have the ball, but they didn't lose the steeliness and compactness which is the core of their philosophy.
"They are a very good team and all the credit goes to Sean Dyche."
We've just had an international break, so it's only natural for the topic of international football to come up. Time to grill the Hammers manager on the England side...
One member of the press has asked: Why are they so boring to watch?
"It's hard to produce that rhythm. You need both teams to play. You can't expect one team to run like crazy when the other is slowing the tempo of the game.
"That's been for years the situation in international football. Sometimes in the Champions League and Europa League, English teams can't get into the rhythm. You need both.
"I think England have done well. They've qualified and I know the English press and fans talk like qualifiers are like friendly games which, on one hand, OK, but only to a certain level.
"Portugal needed to win their final game in a group with Switzerland but if England were in a group with Switzerland you'd think they were like Slovenia. Italy are going to the Play-Offs, France needed to win their last game, Croatia needed to win to go to the Play-Offs and they have a really good team.
"Apart from Germany and Belgium, nobody cruised to qualification, so we should appreciate that."
While we're on the subject of entertainment: "Every manager is aiming to have both and, OK, it's 100 per cent a game of results because without them nobody is happy. The aim is to have a result with style and we're trying to achieve that."
That's it for the press conference. More reaction to come later today.
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Obiang optimistic on return to action
WHUFC.com
Pedro Obiang is on track to return to action in Saturday's Premier League fixture at Burnley. The Spanish midfielder suffered a muscle injury in the goalless draw at West Bromwich Albion on 16 September, but has worked hard to regain his match fitness over the international break. And the popular No14 says is on track to be available for selection at Turf Moor this weekend. "The injury is progressing well," he confirmed. "On Wednesday, I came back to training with the squad so I will probably be ready to play this weekend. "If we want to be positive, my injury happened at the right time because we had the break to take time and didn't have to rush, because sometimes when you rush you can take another injury. So, we took time and now I'm close to being perfect. "We had to work hard during the long week while the others were away, because they are playing and working hard and for us it is the same. When the others come back, you have to be ready to play."
Having missed the tail-end of last season after undergoing ankle surgery, Obiang might have been expected to be feeling down after being ruled out again so soon. But the midfielder is taking a mature outlook on things these days and is feeling optimistic ahead of his imminent return. "The truth is that it was frustrating but I am being philosophical and when it happens, it happens, and I tried to be calm. "It's difficult for the team but it's more difficult individually because you are out and have to prepare yourself and, if the results of the team are good, you have to wait for your time. It's always the same story. "It's easy now for me to be patient but if this situation had happened one or two years ago, probably it would be difficult."
Obiang is also feeling philosophical about his last appearance, which saw him rattle the crossbar with an amazing 45-yard effort in the goalless draw at West Bromwich Albion. "I was lucky the week before [when I scored a deflected goal at home to Huddersfield Town], but I wasn't lucky with that one! That's just football – sometimes you have the opportunity and sometimes you cannot score. "I have tried many times to score a goal like that, sometimes in training, but it always finishes like that, hitting the crossbar, or a little bit too high, or sometimes the goalkeeper takes it. "You have to take a risk but, in that situation I had good feeling because I had scored in the game before, I was feeling a positive feeling to try. "It didn't happen so maybe I'll have to wait until after I've scored another goal to try again."
So, while he may not try another shot from the halfway line at Turf Moor, Obiang is excited about the prospect of returning to action at Burnley this weekend.
"We need to repeat the performance from the last game of last season, but I don't want to talk about that game because it is irrelevant because this game is different. "We have players coming back from injury and need to go there with the right mentality, fight and play the football we know how to play."
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"The girls are really becoming a team" – Ewens delighted with Charlton win
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Ladies assistant manager Josh Ewens has hailed both the team spirit and tenacity shown by the side in the 3-1 win against Charlton Athletic. Heading into Wednesday evening's contest at The Valley Charlton boasted a 100% record in league football this season, winning all eight of their matches. However, goals from Paige Anderson-James and Molly Peters – including a sensational lob in the second period – gave West Ham a second consecutive win and their first away points of the campaign. With this 3-1 win coming just days after a 5-0 defeat of Swindon Town, Ewens reckons the Ladies and the fans are seeing the rewards of a growing team spirit in their camp. "The girls are really becoming a team now," A beaming Ewens told whufc.com: "There have been new players coming in and they are getting to know each other, their strengths and weaknesses, and they're becoming a group. "With that comes a will to work for each other on the pitch, and we've seen that in the last few games. "The most pleasing thing for us in the coaching team is that they stuck to the game plan that we've been working on. We highlighted certain things that Charlton would likely try to do against us and the girls worked extremely hard on improving in those areas.
"We're really thrilled with how they performed. It was a fantastic result. All the girls are buzzing."
West Ham had the lead at half-time thanks to a goal apiece from Anderson-James and Peters. The first came as the pair linked, allowing Anderson-James to score via the cross-bar after being played through by her strike partner. The second was created and netted by Peters. Bursting down the right flank, she cut inside and fired a hard shot which also struck the woodwork and then bounced over the line. Charlton had halved the deficit eight minutes into the second period when a hard effort from range found the top corner, but Peters capped a terrific performance with her second goal, lobbing the goalkeeper. Ewens was particularly impressed by how his side remained resolute against Charlton's attacking threat, with the Addicks posing a serious problem in the second half. He added: "Our defence has been something we've worked incredibly hard on. It's never nice to concede so early in the second half but the way the girls applied themselves was excellent. We were confident we could see out the game, and to add another goal was brilliant. Ewens also made mention of the coaching staff in his post-match comments. "The girls have been fantastic and so have the staff. Jackson and Kav, our physios, have been a huge part of it. Miles and Neo, Karen and Greg have all been brilliant, as has Dan. The entire coaching team have put so much effort in and we're just as delighted as the girls with this win."
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Andy Carroll is confident he could do a good job for England
By Mark Crellin
Last Updated: 12/10/17 5:12pm
SSN
West Ham forward Andy Carroll says he is getting fitter all the time after missing the start of the season with injury. And the 28-year-old is hopeful he can do enough over the remainder of the season to force his way into contention for a place in the England World Cup squad. Carroll has started three of West Ham's last four in the Premier League, including a pair of key home wins, and will get another chance to impress at Burnley on Saturday. And, while England qualified comfortably for Russia 2018, their play was often criticised as uninspiring, and it has been suggested that Carroll's aerial ability and physical prowess might come in useful come the tournament. Carroll told Sky Sports: "It would be nice to be in the squad, it is nice to be spoken about in that way. "All I have got to do is work hard and hopefully get the call but, at the minute, I am focused on getting fully fit here, scoring goals, and getting good results. If I deserve it, hopefully I will get the call."
Carroll has nine England caps to his name already and is adamant he can still be a force at that level. "Definitely," he added. "I am confident of what I can do and it is different to what they have got at the minute. I am fully confident of my ability." Carroll missed the start of the season but is hitting his stride now and thinks there is more to come. "I am feeling good," he said. "I am feeling a lot sharper than I did at the beginning of the season, getting back fit. I have had a run of games. In training, I feel a lot sharper, not 100 per cent yet but I am getting there." And Carroll is starting to form a useful-looking partnership in attack with summer recruit Javier Hernandez, a prolific goal-getter throughout his career, who has notched three times in the Premier League this season so far. "Javier Hernandez has brought a sharpness up front," said Carroll. "You know exactly what he is about and it is great to have him in the squad. I am 100 per cent confident we can play together, we played 4-4-2 last time and we got the result."
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic was asked about Carroll's World Cup claims at his media briefing on Friday and said: "Players are hoping and thinking of the World Cup, not only British players but the foreigners too. "It's a motivation and it's the same for Andy Carroll. He needs to be consistent, play well, score goals and make an impact on a regular basis for West Ham, to think about an England call-up. "I watched the second England game because of (Hammers full-back) Aaron Cresswell, but Andy needs to concentrate on club football, because only by playing well for West Ham will he force (England manager) Gareth Southgate to give him a call."
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PSV rising star Steven Bergwijn on Tottenham's transfer radar — with West Ham and Bournemouth keen too
Teenage wide-man viewed as one of the brightest prospects in Dutch football is already a first-team regular
The Mirror
16:15, 12 OCT 2017UPDATED18:02, 12 OCT 2017
Spurs, West Ham and Bournemouth are tracking PSV Windhoven wonderkid Steven Bergwijn. Talented teenager Bergwijn is attracting Premier League attention after becoming a regular in PSV's first team since last season. The pacy, two-footed wide-man can play on both flanks and is viewed as one of Holland's brightest young prospects. Tottenham are long-term admirers of Bergwijn, whose current deal runs until 2021. But West Ham and Bournemouth are also keeping tabs on the 19-year-old, who has played for his country from Under-17s to U21 level. He is expected to go on to become a full international as the Dutch rebuild after missing out on next summer's World Cup finals.
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Slaven Bilic sends warning to West Ham starlet Reece Oxford - 'you're not Kylian Mbappe'
The Hammers teenager was nominated for the Golden Boy nomination alongside the French phenom
The Mirror
Darren Lewis
17:01, 12 OCT 2017
Slaven Bilic has warned Reece Oxford not to start believing he is on a par with Kylian Mbappe after the West Ham starlet's Golden Boy nomination. Oxford, 18, is on a season-long loan at Borussia Monchengladbach but remains highly-rated after briefly impressing in the Premier League for West Ham. Paris Saint-Germain starlet Mbappe and Manchester United's Marcus Rashford are also on the shortlist for the Golden Boy award. But Bilic has warned Oxford not to let the nomination go to his head. The Hammers boss - whose men play Burnley this weekend- said: "Someone recognised him to be nominated for the Golden Boy award. "If he goes one way and thinks he is Mbappe then that's wrong. He needs to use this in the right way. "He has got it in him, get his place and start playing regularly. Hopefully he will get that in Germany and it'll be great to play in the Bundesliga."
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THE FEAR FACTOR
By Blind Hammer 12 Oct 2017 at 08:00
WTID
Blind hammer argues that we all need to manage expectations.
What are the common factors which unites our last game against Swansea with our notorious game against Hull in 2014? Well in both games there was a clear expectation that West Ham should win. In both games we were in the end considered to have and below par performance. In both games we ultimately won all 3 points. Arguably the 3 points gained against Hull was our luckiest ever. We went ahead after 30 minutes with a penalty which should have been disallowed for handball earlier. As a result the Hull keeper was sent off yet despite this double setback Hull dominated the game, equalised and West Ham only won through a flukey own goal scored on a rare foray.
Swansea also dominated possession and the game for long periods, only succumbing to a last gasp winner from Sakho. In both games our supporters condemned the team with a chorus of boos, famously against Hull even after full time when all 3 points were secured. This is the time that Allardyce finally fell out with many West Ham fans by sarcastically cupping his hand to his ear.
This was the time that Allardyce lost a lot of credit with me. This had nothing, however, to do with his cupping his ear antics. I was instead stunned when he widely announced, 24 hours before kick-off that this game was a "must win" game and that not winning would have disastrous consequences for the club. Prior to this game West ham had suffered 3 successive defeats. It was yet another season with which we were flirting with relegation.
For Allardyce, a competent science led sports technician in so, many other areas to get such basic sports psychology wrong was staggering to me. I groaned when I read Allardyce's comments and predicted that we were going to suffer a fear laden performance, with players paralysed by the season defining consequences of a misplace pass or mistake. The script was laid out for a cautious effort with apprehensive players fearful of errors. Players sought the safe rather than the inventive, the wary side or back pass rather than more risky, daring and ultimately more successful move.
Allardyce got an entirely predictable performance after the cack handedness of his psychological preparation. If anybody was lucky in how events panned out
In our unlikely victory it was Allardyce.
So you can imagine my chagrin when I learnt that the club hierarchy had similarly designated the Swansea game as a "must win" with implied consequences for Bilic arising from any failure.
The paralysing impact of this was immediately obvious for all to see in the first half against Swansea. Rather than relying on play that was instinctive and decisive, we were instead laboured and predictable. It seems we find it difficult to learn the lessons of even recent history.
Bilic is not stupid. He will not need to be told of "must win" games. If he truly needs this pressure then it should be applied privately out of sight of both fans and team. If Bilic is really a manager who needs pressure poured on him to perform then perhaps we do have the wrong manager. I think it is more likely that Bilic, an intelligent man is perfectly aware of expectations. What we saw from Allardyce in the case of Hull, and the Board in the case of Swansea, was seemingly an attempt to distance themselves from the likely performance of a team not yet firing on all cylinders. . In other words get excuses in early, making statement that appears to absolve responsibility for any negative performance.
Personally I thought some of the weirder and wonderful predictions of our result before the Swansea game had, in any case, rather more to do with wishful thinking than any serous football analysis. This led to completely unrealistic expectations. Whatever their weaknesses may be up front, clement had organised Swansea into one of the most difficult defensive outfits in the league. They had nullified the Spurs attack at Wembley, forcing a 0-0 draw, a defensive feat which we had singularly failed to replicate, conceding 3 in our own game against the self-same Spurs line-up only 7 days earlier. I had no idea on what form book those forecasting a goal feast for West Ham were relying on.
The problem is that fear is one of the most crippling problems in football. For a period Roberto Martínez managed Wigan Athletic to an extent where they massively punched above their weight in the Premiership. Martínez himself ascribed this success to the fact that he consistently was able to motivate his Wigan team to play without fear, without the weight of expectation, and as a consequence they consistently exceeded hopes. Martínez was unable to consistently achieve the same result against the weight of expectations when he moved to Everton. Ronald Koeman identified a similar problem and described a recent below par performance in the Europa League as due to his players being "scared."
This is why I have never personally booed either players or the team. This is not because I am not disappointed but because I believe it is massively counterproductive. By erecting a wall of hostility towards our team we are simply providing one more obstacle for them to overcome if they are to become ultimately successful.
Allardyce actually described this well in his analysis of booing in the 2014 Hull game. He explained'
"We don't need them on players' backs when we are coming off three defeats. They have to stay and help them win."
He added:
"At half-time, the players were talking more about fans booing them than the game. I had to make sure they kept focused on the field."
So booing made it harder for a team to perform in a way that pleased the crowd. It is odd that Allardyce could understand this but fail to grasp his own counterproductive psychological methodology.
The constant brinkmanship of Bilic's future is probably causing lapse of judgement. In recent weeks both Antonio and Carroll have played despite obviously not being 100% fit. Bilic is probably motivated to play these key players, even whilst unfit, in response to the pressure he is under.
The West Ham Board must show decisiveness. They should either back Bilic or not place pressure on the team, or they should show resolution now and sack him. What is crippling for the team's confidence and development is the drip drip of leaks about games being "must win" games, or the 4 games to save Bilic's job scenario from alleged insider sources. This ultimatum must at least remain private.
We are playing in the most competitive league in the world. It is sheer nonsense to imagine that there are so called "easy games". We should manage expectations accordingly. Our next opponents Burnley have delighted in shocking several "big clubs" who have underestimated them. However we have quality players who have all recently demonstrated their undoubted abilities in the recent internationals for their national sides. If we want the free flowing instinctive football we would all have joy in then we need to eliminate the fear of failure. We must dare to succeed.
COYI
David Griffith
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Friday, October 13
Thursday, October 12
Daily WHUFC News - 12th October 2017
Rice: I'll keep working for more first-team opportunities
WHUFC.com
Declan Rice's successful season continued as he helped the Republic of
Ireland to top their UEFA European U21 Championship qualifying group during
the international break. The teenager, who has burst into the West Ham
United first-team picture in 2017/18, started both Group 5 ties as the Boys
in Green continued their unbeaten start. His focus now turns to Saturday's
Premier League fixture with Burnley at Turf Moor – the same stadium where he
made his first-team debut for the Hammers in May. With senior stars
returning from injury, competition for places is fierce, but the 18-year-old
is determined to keep his place in Slaven Bilic's squad…
Back to where it all began
I'm back from international duty and return to training at West Ham on
Wednesday and our focus is 100 per cent on Burnley on Saturday. Turf Moor is
the ground where I made my debut back in May and it would be good to pick up
another three points at Burnley after the good September that we had,
picking up seven points out of 12. It's a tough place to go, but I think we
have got the quality to go there and get the three points. We have a big
month ahead and they are all winnable games, but it's about how we go out
and perform on the pitch. If we play as we can, I think we can pick up close
to maximum points this month.
Manu Lanzini came back in our last game against Swansea and played a part in
the winner and he will be massive for us at Burnley. He changes everything
for the team on the pitch. He is an out-and-out number 10 and gets in little
pockets and takes up positions which make it so hard for the opposition.
He's unbelievable.
With Nobes and Cheik available and Pedro back from injury, I know there will
be big competition for places, but I hope to be named in the squad. It'll be
special to go back there and see the place where I made my debut again. I am
still only 18 and, at the start of the season, I never would have expected
to play as much as I have already, so I know my game-time is going to be
limited with all the great players we have got in the squad. But I'm not one
to sit back and I'm going to keep trying to get back in that team again.
Top of the group
As I said, I travelled to Dublin on international duty and linked up with
the Republic of Ireland U21 squad and we had a great week. We went into the
two games top of our group after being lucky enough to pick up six points
from our opening two games against Kosovo and Azerbaijan. We knew Norway
would be our toughest test on paper and we drew 0-0 with them and then, to
top it off, we beat Israel 4-0, so to have ten points out of 12 is a great
start. Norway then did us a favour by beating Germany on Tuesday night,
which helped us out, so we're sitting pretty at the top of group by four
points, so we're just focusing on the next game away to Norway and hopefully
we can pick up more points there.
We're having a laugh
I love going away with the Ireland boys, to be honest. We're all around the
same age, all have good banter and all have the same ambitions, which are to
establish ourselves at the highest level with our clubs and to keep
producing the goods for our country. We gel together as a team on the pitch
so well. There are no negotiables – we work for each other, we know what we
are doing for each other and we never look like we're going to concede. That
shows how close we are and I love being around them all and the staff. A lot
of the squad are, like me, born in England to Irish ancestry, and we've been
welcomed into the group by the Irish-born boys, so the conversation really
never dies. Like I said, it's great to be around them. After our game, we
watched the seniors get a massive win against Wales to get through to the
World Cup qualifying Play-Offs, which I'm sure they'll win. If I want to get
into the senior squad I know what I need to do – work hard, play well and
get into the West Ham side and keep impressing. If I can do that, I won't be
far away, but I need to be better than the players who are already in the
squad, so I need to keep progressing.
A partnership made in east London
I was fortunate enough to play in central midfield alongside Josh Cullen
(pictured, above) in both games for Ireland U21s. When you know you're
playing alongside Josh, you know what you're going to get. It's a pleasure
to play alongside him, because not only is he always available, but when he
has the ball he always looks for you. He works hard, tackles and is so
determined, so he gives you everything you want. Against Norway, I was
directly up against Martin Ødegaard, who played for the senior international
side at 15 and was signed by Real Madrid at 16. He is a good player and very
good technically. He didn't really affect the game as much as we expected
him to, as he drifted out wide quite a lot and kept cutting inside, so we
were able to handle him. When he had the ball, though, you could tell he is
a bit special.
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Fonte and Portugal snatch 2018 FIFA World Cup spot
WHUFC.com
Jose Fonte and Portugal snatched a 2018 FIFA World Cup spot in dramatic
fashion, defeating Switzerland 2-0 in Lisbon to finish top of qualifying
Group B.
The Swiss had won a perfect nine matches out of nine ahead of Tuesday
evening's tie at the Stadium of Light, but relinquished an automatic passage
to Russia.
Portugal's victory saw them and the Swiss finish level on 27 points out of a
possible 30, but Fonte's nation ended the campaign with a +28 goal
difference to Switzerland's +16.
A Johan Djourou own-goal put Portugal in front four minutes before
half-time, before Andre Silva made the game safe with 12 minutes of the
second half gone.
Fonte started alongside Pepe at centre-half as Portugal kept their seventh
clean sheet in ten qualifiers, ensuring the UEFA Euro 2016 winners could add
a maiden World Cup to the European title they secured last summer.
Portugal's victory means there could be as many as eleven West Ham players
in Russia next year, with England quartet Joe Hart, Aaron Cresswell, Michail
Antonio and Andy Carroll, Mexico's Chicharito, the Republic of Ireland's
Declan Rice and Senegal pair Cheikhou Kouyate and Diafra Sakho among those
whose nations have either already qualified or are still in with a chance of
doing so.
Chicharito will miss Mexico's final qualifier in Trinidad & Tobago overnight
due to personal reasons, but his country have already secured top spot in
the CONCACAF region.
Elsewhere, Manuel Lanzini's Argentina need results to go their way overnight
to secure qualification from South America, where the fifth-placed nation
will take on Winston Reid's New Zealand in a two-legged Intercontinental
Play-Off.
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Bilic: An enjoyable international break, returning players and Burnley
optimism
WHUFC.com
For Slaven Bilic, a month made a huge difference to his mood during two
international breaks. The West Ham United manager entered the September
break on the back of three disappointing Premier League defeats. But after
winning seven points out of 12, progressing to the Carabao Cup fourth round
and keeping four clean sheets in five matches last month, the Croatian has
enjoyed the October break and told whufc.com he goes into Saturday's Premier
League fixture at Burnley full of optimism…
Slaven It must have been a more enjoyable international break this time
around…
"It was an enjoyable break, of course. That's why some of the games before
the international break are much more cautious. Nobody wants to lose,
because that defeat stays with you for a couple of weeks, because you have
to wait at least two weeks to make up for it. "We had a few things to sort
out. First, we had to sort out the defensive part of our game and get some
points and, to be fair, we did that because we got seven points and we are
also through in the [Carabao] Cup.
"From five games, four league games and one cup game against Bolton, we kept
four clean sheets, which was very good for the confidence, not only for the
goalkeeper or the back four or five, but for the whole team. It was a good
month for us."
What did you change from August to September?
"We never stopped working hard, even in the pre-season or in the training
sessions before and during those three [August] games which we have lost.
"You can't say we didn't work hard, but it clicked a bit and we also changed
the system, although to be fair the players were used to that kind of system
because in the last couple of years, we were using both systems, with three
at the back and four at the back. "We've been working on details and then we
had a good game against Huddersfield when we were solid and didn't give them
opportunities to counter attack us and all that. That helped. "We then had
the game against West Brom and the game against Bolton in the cup, then we
had the game against Spurs which was a derby game [which we lost], but there
were a few positives in that as well. "Then we had another clean sheet
against Swansea in a not very beautiful game, but if you are talking about
that part of the football game, we now need to improve in the other bits of
that."
What's been your priority during this international break? Is it a case of
keeping the guys you've got here fresh in mind as well as body?
"Yes, and also it is very important to say there are a lot of reasons why we
should be very optimistic now in this situation. It is not only because we
have seven points, not only because we got the confidence back, not only
that we kept three clean sheets in the last four [Premier League] games, but
also we have some players back. "We even [got those seven points] when some
of the players who were playing were not training. Not deliberately, but
because they were injured. "So, we used this break, even though we didn't
have a lot of players. We had more than usual, eight or nine players on the
pitch and among them there were players like Lanzini, Antonio and Carroll.
"Both Manuel and Antonio played part or all of the game against Swansea, but
two weeks before that game Antonio didn't make two training sessions, one
after another. "He needed the fitness to improve, Manuel needed the fitness
to improve, and then you've got the players coming back like Fernandes. We
used this break individually to build their fitness and we trained really
hard for the whole of last week. "They were off for the weekend, and now we
have the players like Pedro and Sam coming back to train. They are the
reasons why I am optimistic now, that we are going to get better and
better."
We have a big month ahead, starting at Burnley, who have made a good start
to the season…
"They made a great start and are looking really good, especially away from
home which wasn't the case last season. They beat Chelsea, they beat Everton
and got points against Spurs and Liverpool. "They are playing good and are
very confident. It's going to be a good game, of course I respect Burnley
but I am very, very happy that we're going to have almost the whole squad
available for Saturday."
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Peters double secures 3-1 victory at league leaders Charlton
WHUFC.com
Two excellent goals from Molly Peters helped West Ham United Ladies claim an
unforgettable 3-1 victory away to previously unbeaten league leaders
Charlton Athletic Women. Heading into this midweek contest Charlton had won
all eight of their league matches but a well-drilled West Ham side took the
lead after half an hour, thanks to a powerful Paige Anderson-James strike.
Peters would double the lead on 39 minutes with a clever solo goal in the
downpour at The Valley. An early second-half finish from distance gave
Charlton hope but Peters secured the win with a fabulous lobbed finish 20
minutes before the end. Despite Charlton's league position West Ham showed
no fear in the first period and their resistance was rewarded after 33
minutes, following two fantastic saves from Cherie Rowlands. Peters won the
ball in a promising position, leaving the Hammers with a two on one
situation. The forward played in Anderson-James who smashed home, via the
cross-bar.
Less than seven minutes later and it was 0-2. Peter was again the player of
the moment, as she drove up the pitch and fashioned herself a chance, which
struck the woodwork and rolled into the back of the net. In between the two
goals Mollie Kmita could have extended the lead with a cheeky lobbed effort
from distance, which had the Charlton goalkeeper scrambling to get the ball
away. West Ham's determination to hold out for the win was tested just eight
minutes after the restart. A stunning effort from distance by Graham was too
much, finding the top far corner. Just moments later the Addicks could have
levelled the game. Clifford somehow found herself in a one-on-one situation
but, fortunately for the Irons, rolled the ball wide of the post. It seems
to be the moment that sparked West Ham's second half into life, with De
Carnys's players showing resolution and maturity despite Charlton's attacks.
And the brilliant Peters once again made Charlton's poor passing at the back
pay on 69 minutes. The striker collected the ball and sent a delicious lob
over the goalkeeper, marking her second of the game and putting West Ham 3-1
up. The league leaders continued to test West Ham but the away side stood
strong, and claimed a brilliant three points against a side that, prior to
this evening, had not dropped any in the league.
West Ham United Ladies: Rowlands; Mackie, Wheeler, Austin, Auguste; Cooper
(c), Burr, R Kmita (Ezekiel-Meade 67'), Stobbs: Anderson-James (M Kmita
60'), Peters (Wealthall 81')
Subs not used: Chong
Goals: Anderson-James 33', Peters 39' 69'
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Calling older West Ham fans: free football programmes starting soon
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 11th October 2017
By: Staff Writer
West Ham fan? Aged 65 or over? Like the idea of sharing your memories of the
club or learning more about the team? If so, the charity Friends of the
Elderly and West Ham United Foundation invite you to connect with others,
using your shared love of football as a starting point. Together they have
been running successful, five-week programmes called Any Old Irons, based at
the East Ham Working Men's Club. Run in conjunction with the Premier League
(PL) and the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA), these give
participants the opportunity to connect with other fans and people in their
community, bringing them together for fun and friendship. During the
programme, there will be the opportunity to share stories about the club,
hear guest speakers, enjoy a stadium tour and learn digital skills to help
you stay connected online.
Groups of Any Old Irons participants have also recently enjoyed outings such
as boat trip down the River Lee, watching a cricket match at Lord's, and a
day trip to Southend.
• There will be new, five-week Any Old Irons programmes starting on 25
October 2017 and 17 January 2018.
• If you would like to join in, or find out more, you can contact Friends of
the Elderly on 0330 332 111 or hello@fote.org.uk.
• You can also find out more at:
www.fote.org.uk/our-charity-work/football-friends/
Steve Maynard, was one of the first to take part in Any Old Irons. He
enjoyed it, and also found that it helped him deal with the recent loss of
his mother to dementia, so he has become a regular volunteer. Steve, who
was born in East Ham but who now lives in Hadleigh, Essex says: "My message
to other men, even if they are not a West Ham supporter, is to come along,
especially if they are feeling lonely. "It's always a friendly group of warm
people and there's a great atmosphere."
Meanwhile, recent Any Old Irons participant Zena had a great time too, even
though she confesses to not being an expert on the beautiful game! She
says: "I don't know much about football, but I went to a couple of matches
in my younger days, and I'd call myself a West Ham fan. I love coming to
meetings and talking about the old times. "I don't have children and I lost
my husband last year, so I think that it is very important to have something
like Any Old Irons happening locally – if you sit indoors, you can think you
are on your own, but this means you are not alone."
Friends of the Elderly
Founded in 1905, Friends of the Elderly is one of the UK's oldest
(registered) charities supporting older people. The charity's vision is a
society where all older people are treated with respect and have the
opportunity to lead fulfilled lives.
The charity provides support for all older people, particularly those in
need due to mental or physical frailty, isolation or poverty. Its range of
personalised care and support services includes care homes, befriending
schemes and grants.
Volunteering opportunities through the charity are available on an
individual and staff programme basis across a number of services. For more
information please visit the Friends of the Elderly website at
www.fote.org.uk.
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New Zealand hopes resting on West Ham link
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 11th October 2017
By: Staff Writer
Former West Ham Academy star Anthony Hudson is 90 minutes away from taking
New Zealand to an historic appearance in next summer's World Cup Finals.
Although he never featured for West Ham's first team, 35-year-old Hudson
spent his teenage years at the club's Academy learning his trade under Harry
Redknapp before moving abroad in 2001. Since hanging up his boots at the
tender age of just 27, Hudson - the son of '70s Chelsea star Alan Hudson -
enjoyed managerial spells with Real Maryland Monarchs, Newport County and
the Bahrain national team before he became New Zealand's head coach in 2014.
And now the former midfielder is just a play-off away from reaching the
Finals for only the third time in the country's history after his team
qualified for the knock out phase with ease courtesy of an 8-3 aggregate win
against the Solomon Islands in September.
Standing in the way of Hudson, New Zealand and current Hammer Winston Reid
are Peru, who the Kiwis will face in a two-legged, intercontinental play-off
next month to determine who qualifies for next summer's tournament in
Russia. However it could have been much worse for Hudson and his side, with
Argentina a potential opponent prior to their 3-0 dismantling of Ecuador
last night - which, according to one local source, led to "a collective sigh
of relief from around New Zealand". "For an Oceania team, for New Zealand to
go to a World Cup via South America is an incredibly tough task," he said.
"But now it's Peru I think we've done enough to have belief within the team.
"Against teams like Mexico and even Japan away from home, we've done enough
to know we can compete. I feel we're getting stronger and stronger and have
been able to consistently select our strongest squad. "I think I can speak
on behalf of the players, we all believe we can do something special here."
And Hudson can at least count on the support of his fellow Hammer, Winston
Reid, who prasied the manager for bringing "steady improvement" to the
national team. "Every single time I come back into camp, everything seems to
improve," he said. "It's good to see there's progression within the group,
and hopefully that will continue."
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Rice targets maximum points
KUMb.com
Filed: Wednesday, 11th October 2017
By: Staff Writer
West Ham's teenage star Declan Rice believes that the Hammers should be
aiming to take maximum points from their next three Premier League fixtures.
Fresh from this week's international break, the Irons face Burnley (a),
Brighton (h), Tottenham in the Carabao Cup and Crystal Palace (a) within the
space of a fortnight beginning at Turf Moor this weekend. And Rice, who made
his first team debut for the Hammers at Turf Moor on the final day of last
season believes that Slaven Bilic's side have the ability to secure maximum
points from the three league fixtures. "We have a big month ahead and they
are all winnable games," he told the club's website. "It's about how we go
out and perform on the pitch. If we play as we can, I think we can pick up
close to maximum points this month. "Turf Moor is where I made my debut back
in May and it would be good to pick up another three points at Burnley after
the good September that we had, picking up seven points out of 12. "It's a
tough place to go, but I think we have got the quality to go there and get
the three points."
The Irish Under 21 international, who has appeared in six first team matches
already this season - four times in the Premier League and twice in the
Carabao Cup - also hopes he can maintain a spot in the match day squad,
despite increased competition for places. "Manu Lanzini came back in our
last game against Swansea and played a part in the winner," added Rice. "He
will be massive for us at Burnley. "And with Nobes and Cheik available, and
Pedro back from injury, I know there will be big competition for places but
I hope to be named in the squad. It'll be special to go back there and see
the place where I made my debut again. "At the start of the season I never
would have expected to play as much as I have already, so I know my
game-time is going to be limited with all the great players we have got in
the squad. But I'm not one to sit back and I'm going to keep trying to get
back in the team again."
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Double delight for Hammers duo
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 11th October 2017
By: Staff Writer
Jose Fonte and Manuel Lanzini are celebrating this morning after their
respective nations qualified for next year's World Cup Finals.
Central defender Fonte started in Lisbon last night as the Portuguese rose
to see of the challenge of a previously-unbeaten Switzerland, securing their
place at Russia 2018 with a 2-0 win.
Swiss defender Johan Djourou gave Fonte's side the perfect start with an own
goal just four minutes into the game, before Andre Silva added the
all-important second goal in the game's closing stages.
Meanwhile attacking midfielder Lanzini, who wasn't involved in the squad due
to recent injury watched Lionel Messi almost single-handedly send Argentina
into the Finals with a virtuoso show in Quito.
Despite falling a goal behind early on, the Argentinians showed their
superiority to come through 3-1 against Ecuador thanks to a hat-trick from
the Barcelona star. Former Hammer Enner Valencia featured as a second half
substitute for the hosts.
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Reece Oxford exclusive: West Ham defender 'ready and patient' at Borussia
Monchengladbach
Last Updated: 11/10/17 2:33pm
SSN
Reece Oxford insists he feels fitter than ever and is ready to be given his
chance at Borussia Monchengladbach. The 18-year-old English defender, who
was loaned to the Bundesliga club by West Ham for the season, is yet to make
an appearance for Monchengladbach this season. He spent the tail-end of last
term on loan at Reading, making five appearances, after impressing early on
during his West Ham career. Now, Oxford insists he is remaining patient and
working hard in Germany for when the opportunity arises. He told Sky Sports:
"I think I'm fitter than ever now. I've done pre-season with Gladbach, I
feel good and ready, I'm just waiting for my opportunity. It's patience, I'm
young, watching the centre-backs ahead of me, and seeing what I can do to
make me better. "I'm just ready now, ready to make my debut, and hopefully
it'll be good and I won't look back from there. "I just hope to return to
West Ham as a more experienced player, ready to play in the Premier League
or any league."
Oxford, who has captained England at youth level, was named alongside the
likes of Marcus Rashford in the UEFA Golden Boy nominees last month. The
Edmonton-born player, who also appeared in defensive midfield for West Ham,
says his long-term goal is to become senior England captain and play at a
World Cup, and says Germany is a good place for young players to develop.
"My long-term goals are to be in the England squad, play in a World Cup and
be captain for my country, I've always wanted to be that. "Germany is just a
big experience, from the Championship, which is a physical league, to
Germany, which is fast and quick. "Germany is good for young players,
they're very strict and training is very intense. I'm not saying West Ham or
Reading's training wasn't good, it's just different here."
Oxford's West Ham debut came in a man-of-the-match display in the 2-0 win at
Arsenal on the first day of the 2015/16 season, and the youngster insists
that experience helped him to grow up fast. "It opened me up to the world.
Players said I couldn't do certain things, had to be more secretive with my
life, and that you can't be a kid anymore! "I had to be an adult, be mature
and grow up really. I took that on board and I like to think I am mature now
and have grown up."
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Declan Rice's successful season continued as he helped the Republic of
Ireland to top their UEFA European U21 Championship qualifying group during
the international break. The teenager, who has burst into the West Ham
United first-team picture in 2017/18, started both Group 5 ties as the Boys
in Green continued their unbeaten start. His focus now turns to Saturday's
Premier League fixture with Burnley at Turf Moor – the same stadium where he
made his first-team debut for the Hammers in May. With senior stars
returning from injury, competition for places is fierce, but the 18-year-old
is determined to keep his place in Slaven Bilic's squad…
Back to where it all began
I'm back from international duty and return to training at West Ham on
Wednesday and our focus is 100 per cent on Burnley on Saturday. Turf Moor is
the ground where I made my debut back in May and it would be good to pick up
another three points at Burnley after the good September that we had,
picking up seven points out of 12. It's a tough place to go, but I think we
have got the quality to go there and get the three points. We have a big
month ahead and they are all winnable games, but it's about how we go out
and perform on the pitch. If we play as we can, I think we can pick up close
to maximum points this month.
Manu Lanzini came back in our last game against Swansea and played a part in
the winner and he will be massive for us at Burnley. He changes everything
for the team on the pitch. He is an out-and-out number 10 and gets in little
pockets and takes up positions which make it so hard for the opposition.
He's unbelievable.
With Nobes and Cheik available and Pedro back from injury, I know there will
be big competition for places, but I hope to be named in the squad. It'll be
special to go back there and see the place where I made my debut again. I am
still only 18 and, at the start of the season, I never would have expected
to play as much as I have already, so I know my game-time is going to be
limited with all the great players we have got in the squad. But I'm not one
to sit back and I'm going to keep trying to get back in that team again.
Top of the group
As I said, I travelled to Dublin on international duty and linked up with
the Republic of Ireland U21 squad and we had a great week. We went into the
two games top of our group after being lucky enough to pick up six points
from our opening two games against Kosovo and Azerbaijan. We knew Norway
would be our toughest test on paper and we drew 0-0 with them and then, to
top it off, we beat Israel 4-0, so to have ten points out of 12 is a great
start. Norway then did us a favour by beating Germany on Tuesday night,
which helped us out, so we're sitting pretty at the top of group by four
points, so we're just focusing on the next game away to Norway and hopefully
we can pick up more points there.
We're having a laugh
I love going away with the Ireland boys, to be honest. We're all around the
same age, all have good banter and all have the same ambitions, which are to
establish ourselves at the highest level with our clubs and to keep
producing the goods for our country. We gel together as a team on the pitch
so well. There are no negotiables – we work for each other, we know what we
are doing for each other and we never look like we're going to concede. That
shows how close we are and I love being around them all and the staff. A lot
of the squad are, like me, born in England to Irish ancestry, and we've been
welcomed into the group by the Irish-born boys, so the conversation really
never dies. Like I said, it's great to be around them. After our game, we
watched the seniors get a massive win against Wales to get through to the
World Cup qualifying Play-Offs, which I'm sure they'll win. If I want to get
into the senior squad I know what I need to do – work hard, play well and
get into the West Ham side and keep impressing. If I can do that, I won't be
far away, but I need to be better than the players who are already in the
squad, so I need to keep progressing.
A partnership made in east London
I was fortunate enough to play in central midfield alongside Josh Cullen
(pictured, above) in both games for Ireland U21s. When you know you're
playing alongside Josh, you know what you're going to get. It's a pleasure
to play alongside him, because not only is he always available, but when he
has the ball he always looks for you. He works hard, tackles and is so
determined, so he gives you everything you want. Against Norway, I was
directly up against Martin Ødegaard, who played for the senior international
side at 15 and was signed by Real Madrid at 16. He is a good player and very
good technically. He didn't really affect the game as much as we expected
him to, as he drifted out wide quite a lot and kept cutting inside, so we
were able to handle him. When he had the ball, though, you could tell he is
a bit special.
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Fonte and Portugal snatch 2018 FIFA World Cup spot
WHUFC.com
Jose Fonte and Portugal snatched a 2018 FIFA World Cup spot in dramatic
fashion, defeating Switzerland 2-0 in Lisbon to finish top of qualifying
Group B.
The Swiss had won a perfect nine matches out of nine ahead of Tuesday
evening's tie at the Stadium of Light, but relinquished an automatic passage
to Russia.
Portugal's victory saw them and the Swiss finish level on 27 points out of a
possible 30, but Fonte's nation ended the campaign with a +28 goal
difference to Switzerland's +16.
A Johan Djourou own-goal put Portugal in front four minutes before
half-time, before Andre Silva made the game safe with 12 minutes of the
second half gone.
Fonte started alongside Pepe at centre-half as Portugal kept their seventh
clean sheet in ten qualifiers, ensuring the UEFA Euro 2016 winners could add
a maiden World Cup to the European title they secured last summer.
Portugal's victory means there could be as many as eleven West Ham players
in Russia next year, with England quartet Joe Hart, Aaron Cresswell, Michail
Antonio and Andy Carroll, Mexico's Chicharito, the Republic of Ireland's
Declan Rice and Senegal pair Cheikhou Kouyate and Diafra Sakho among those
whose nations have either already qualified or are still in with a chance of
doing so.
Chicharito will miss Mexico's final qualifier in Trinidad & Tobago overnight
due to personal reasons, but his country have already secured top spot in
the CONCACAF region.
Elsewhere, Manuel Lanzini's Argentina need results to go their way overnight
to secure qualification from South America, where the fifth-placed nation
will take on Winston Reid's New Zealand in a two-legged Intercontinental
Play-Off.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bilic: An enjoyable international break, returning players and Burnley
optimism
WHUFC.com
For Slaven Bilic, a month made a huge difference to his mood during two
international breaks. The West Ham United manager entered the September
break on the back of three disappointing Premier League defeats. But after
winning seven points out of 12, progressing to the Carabao Cup fourth round
and keeping four clean sheets in five matches last month, the Croatian has
enjoyed the October break and told whufc.com he goes into Saturday's Premier
League fixture at Burnley full of optimism…
Slaven It must have been a more enjoyable international break this time
around…
"It was an enjoyable break, of course. That's why some of the games before
the international break are much more cautious. Nobody wants to lose,
because that defeat stays with you for a couple of weeks, because you have
to wait at least two weeks to make up for it. "We had a few things to sort
out. First, we had to sort out the defensive part of our game and get some
points and, to be fair, we did that because we got seven points and we are
also through in the [Carabao] Cup.
"From five games, four league games and one cup game against Bolton, we kept
four clean sheets, which was very good for the confidence, not only for the
goalkeeper or the back four or five, but for the whole team. It was a good
month for us."
What did you change from August to September?
"We never stopped working hard, even in the pre-season or in the training
sessions before and during those three [August] games which we have lost.
"You can't say we didn't work hard, but it clicked a bit and we also changed
the system, although to be fair the players were used to that kind of system
because in the last couple of years, we were using both systems, with three
at the back and four at the back. "We've been working on details and then we
had a good game against Huddersfield when we were solid and didn't give them
opportunities to counter attack us and all that. That helped. "We then had
the game against West Brom and the game against Bolton in the cup, then we
had the game against Spurs which was a derby game [which we lost], but there
were a few positives in that as well. "Then we had another clean sheet
against Swansea in a not very beautiful game, but if you are talking about
that part of the football game, we now need to improve in the other bits of
that."
What's been your priority during this international break? Is it a case of
keeping the guys you've got here fresh in mind as well as body?
"Yes, and also it is very important to say there are a lot of reasons why we
should be very optimistic now in this situation. It is not only because we
have seven points, not only because we got the confidence back, not only
that we kept three clean sheets in the last four [Premier League] games, but
also we have some players back. "We even [got those seven points] when some
of the players who were playing were not training. Not deliberately, but
because they were injured. "So, we used this break, even though we didn't
have a lot of players. We had more than usual, eight or nine players on the
pitch and among them there were players like Lanzini, Antonio and Carroll.
"Both Manuel and Antonio played part or all of the game against Swansea, but
two weeks before that game Antonio didn't make two training sessions, one
after another. "He needed the fitness to improve, Manuel needed the fitness
to improve, and then you've got the players coming back like Fernandes. We
used this break individually to build their fitness and we trained really
hard for the whole of last week. "They were off for the weekend, and now we
have the players like Pedro and Sam coming back to train. They are the
reasons why I am optimistic now, that we are going to get better and
better."
We have a big month ahead, starting at Burnley, who have made a good start
to the season…
"They made a great start and are looking really good, especially away from
home which wasn't the case last season. They beat Chelsea, they beat Everton
and got points against Spurs and Liverpool. "They are playing good and are
very confident. It's going to be a good game, of course I respect Burnley
but I am very, very happy that we're going to have almost the whole squad
available for Saturday."
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Peters double secures 3-1 victory at league leaders Charlton
WHUFC.com
Two excellent goals from Molly Peters helped West Ham United Ladies claim an
unforgettable 3-1 victory away to previously unbeaten league leaders
Charlton Athletic Women. Heading into this midweek contest Charlton had won
all eight of their league matches but a well-drilled West Ham side took the
lead after half an hour, thanks to a powerful Paige Anderson-James strike.
Peters would double the lead on 39 minutes with a clever solo goal in the
downpour at The Valley. An early second-half finish from distance gave
Charlton hope but Peters secured the win with a fabulous lobbed finish 20
minutes before the end. Despite Charlton's league position West Ham showed
no fear in the first period and their resistance was rewarded after 33
minutes, following two fantastic saves from Cherie Rowlands. Peters won the
ball in a promising position, leaving the Hammers with a two on one
situation. The forward played in Anderson-James who smashed home, via the
cross-bar.
Less than seven minutes later and it was 0-2. Peter was again the player of
the moment, as she drove up the pitch and fashioned herself a chance, which
struck the woodwork and rolled into the back of the net. In between the two
goals Mollie Kmita could have extended the lead with a cheeky lobbed effort
from distance, which had the Charlton goalkeeper scrambling to get the ball
away. West Ham's determination to hold out for the win was tested just eight
minutes after the restart. A stunning effort from distance by Graham was too
much, finding the top far corner. Just moments later the Addicks could have
levelled the game. Clifford somehow found herself in a one-on-one situation
but, fortunately for the Irons, rolled the ball wide of the post. It seems
to be the moment that sparked West Ham's second half into life, with De
Carnys's players showing resolution and maturity despite Charlton's attacks.
And the brilliant Peters once again made Charlton's poor passing at the back
pay on 69 minutes. The striker collected the ball and sent a delicious lob
over the goalkeeper, marking her second of the game and putting West Ham 3-1
up. The league leaders continued to test West Ham but the away side stood
strong, and claimed a brilliant three points against a side that, prior to
this evening, had not dropped any in the league.
West Ham United Ladies: Rowlands; Mackie, Wheeler, Austin, Auguste; Cooper
(c), Burr, R Kmita (Ezekiel-Meade 67'), Stobbs: Anderson-James (M Kmita
60'), Peters (Wealthall 81')
Subs not used: Chong
Goals: Anderson-James 33', Peters 39' 69'
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Calling older West Ham fans: free football programmes starting soon
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 11th October 2017
By: Staff Writer
West Ham fan? Aged 65 or over? Like the idea of sharing your memories of the
club or learning more about the team? If so, the charity Friends of the
Elderly and West Ham United Foundation invite you to connect with others,
using your shared love of football as a starting point. Together they have
been running successful, five-week programmes called Any Old Irons, based at
the East Ham Working Men's Club. Run in conjunction with the Premier League
(PL) and the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA), these give
participants the opportunity to connect with other fans and people in their
community, bringing them together for fun and friendship. During the
programme, there will be the opportunity to share stories about the club,
hear guest speakers, enjoy a stadium tour and learn digital skills to help
you stay connected online.
Groups of Any Old Irons participants have also recently enjoyed outings such
as boat trip down the River Lee, watching a cricket match at Lord's, and a
day trip to Southend.
• There will be new, five-week Any Old Irons programmes starting on 25
October 2017 and 17 January 2018.
• If you would like to join in, or find out more, you can contact Friends of
the Elderly on 0330 332 111 or hello@fote.org.uk.
• You can also find out more at:
www.fote.org.uk/our-charity-work/football-friends/
Steve Maynard, was one of the first to take part in Any Old Irons. He
enjoyed it, and also found that it helped him deal with the recent loss of
his mother to dementia, so he has become a regular volunteer. Steve, who
was born in East Ham but who now lives in Hadleigh, Essex says: "My message
to other men, even if they are not a West Ham supporter, is to come along,
especially if they are feeling lonely. "It's always a friendly group of warm
people and there's a great atmosphere."
Meanwhile, recent Any Old Irons participant Zena had a great time too, even
though she confesses to not being an expert on the beautiful game! She
says: "I don't know much about football, but I went to a couple of matches
in my younger days, and I'd call myself a West Ham fan. I love coming to
meetings and talking about the old times. "I don't have children and I lost
my husband last year, so I think that it is very important to have something
like Any Old Irons happening locally – if you sit indoors, you can think you
are on your own, but this means you are not alone."
Friends of the Elderly
Founded in 1905, Friends of the Elderly is one of the UK's oldest
(registered) charities supporting older people. The charity's vision is a
society where all older people are treated with respect and have the
opportunity to lead fulfilled lives.
The charity provides support for all older people, particularly those in
need due to mental or physical frailty, isolation or poverty. Its range of
personalised care and support services includes care homes, befriending
schemes and grants.
Volunteering opportunities through the charity are available on an
individual and staff programme basis across a number of services. For more
information please visit the Friends of the Elderly website at
www.fote.org.uk.
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New Zealand hopes resting on West Ham link
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 11th October 2017
By: Staff Writer
Former West Ham Academy star Anthony Hudson is 90 minutes away from taking
New Zealand to an historic appearance in next summer's World Cup Finals.
Although he never featured for West Ham's first team, 35-year-old Hudson
spent his teenage years at the club's Academy learning his trade under Harry
Redknapp before moving abroad in 2001. Since hanging up his boots at the
tender age of just 27, Hudson - the son of '70s Chelsea star Alan Hudson -
enjoyed managerial spells with Real Maryland Monarchs, Newport County and
the Bahrain national team before he became New Zealand's head coach in 2014.
And now the former midfielder is just a play-off away from reaching the
Finals for only the third time in the country's history after his team
qualified for the knock out phase with ease courtesy of an 8-3 aggregate win
against the Solomon Islands in September.
Standing in the way of Hudson, New Zealand and current Hammer Winston Reid
are Peru, who the Kiwis will face in a two-legged, intercontinental play-off
next month to determine who qualifies for next summer's tournament in
Russia. However it could have been much worse for Hudson and his side, with
Argentina a potential opponent prior to their 3-0 dismantling of Ecuador
last night - which, according to one local source, led to "a collective sigh
of relief from around New Zealand". "For an Oceania team, for New Zealand to
go to a World Cup via South America is an incredibly tough task," he said.
"But now it's Peru I think we've done enough to have belief within the team.
"Against teams like Mexico and even Japan away from home, we've done enough
to know we can compete. I feel we're getting stronger and stronger and have
been able to consistently select our strongest squad. "I think I can speak
on behalf of the players, we all believe we can do something special here."
And Hudson can at least count on the support of his fellow Hammer, Winston
Reid, who prasied the manager for bringing "steady improvement" to the
national team. "Every single time I come back into camp, everything seems to
improve," he said. "It's good to see there's progression within the group,
and hopefully that will continue."
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Rice targets maximum points
KUMb.com
Filed: Wednesday, 11th October 2017
By: Staff Writer
West Ham's teenage star Declan Rice believes that the Hammers should be
aiming to take maximum points from their next three Premier League fixtures.
Fresh from this week's international break, the Irons face Burnley (a),
Brighton (h), Tottenham in the Carabao Cup and Crystal Palace (a) within the
space of a fortnight beginning at Turf Moor this weekend. And Rice, who made
his first team debut for the Hammers at Turf Moor on the final day of last
season believes that Slaven Bilic's side have the ability to secure maximum
points from the three league fixtures. "We have a big month ahead and they
are all winnable games," he told the club's website. "It's about how we go
out and perform on the pitch. If we play as we can, I think we can pick up
close to maximum points this month. "Turf Moor is where I made my debut back
in May and it would be good to pick up another three points at Burnley after
the good September that we had, picking up seven points out of 12. "It's a
tough place to go, but I think we have got the quality to go there and get
the three points."
The Irish Under 21 international, who has appeared in six first team matches
already this season - four times in the Premier League and twice in the
Carabao Cup - also hopes he can maintain a spot in the match day squad,
despite increased competition for places. "Manu Lanzini came back in our
last game against Swansea and played a part in the winner," added Rice. "He
will be massive for us at Burnley. "And with Nobes and Cheik available, and
Pedro back from injury, I know there will be big competition for places but
I hope to be named in the squad. It'll be special to go back there and see
the place where I made my debut again. "At the start of the season I never
would have expected to play as much as I have already, so I know my
game-time is going to be limited with all the great players we have got in
the squad. But I'm not one to sit back and I'm going to keep trying to get
back in the team again."
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Double delight for Hammers duo
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 11th October 2017
By: Staff Writer
Jose Fonte and Manuel Lanzini are celebrating this morning after their
respective nations qualified for next year's World Cup Finals.
Central defender Fonte started in Lisbon last night as the Portuguese rose
to see of the challenge of a previously-unbeaten Switzerland, securing their
place at Russia 2018 with a 2-0 win.
Swiss defender Johan Djourou gave Fonte's side the perfect start with an own
goal just four minutes into the game, before Andre Silva added the
all-important second goal in the game's closing stages.
Meanwhile attacking midfielder Lanzini, who wasn't involved in the squad due
to recent injury watched Lionel Messi almost single-handedly send Argentina
into the Finals with a virtuoso show in Quito.
Despite falling a goal behind early on, the Argentinians showed their
superiority to come through 3-1 against Ecuador thanks to a hat-trick from
the Barcelona star. Former Hammer Enner Valencia featured as a second half
substitute for the hosts.
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Reece Oxford exclusive: West Ham defender 'ready and patient' at Borussia
Monchengladbach
Last Updated: 11/10/17 2:33pm
SSN
Reece Oxford insists he feels fitter than ever and is ready to be given his
chance at Borussia Monchengladbach. The 18-year-old English defender, who
was loaned to the Bundesliga club by West Ham for the season, is yet to make
an appearance for Monchengladbach this season. He spent the tail-end of last
term on loan at Reading, making five appearances, after impressing early on
during his West Ham career. Now, Oxford insists he is remaining patient and
working hard in Germany for when the opportunity arises. He told Sky Sports:
"I think I'm fitter than ever now. I've done pre-season with Gladbach, I
feel good and ready, I'm just waiting for my opportunity. It's patience, I'm
young, watching the centre-backs ahead of me, and seeing what I can do to
make me better. "I'm just ready now, ready to make my debut, and hopefully
it'll be good and I won't look back from there. "I just hope to return to
West Ham as a more experienced player, ready to play in the Premier League
or any league."
Oxford, who has captained England at youth level, was named alongside the
likes of Marcus Rashford in the UEFA Golden Boy nominees last month. The
Edmonton-born player, who also appeared in defensive midfield for West Ham,
says his long-term goal is to become senior England captain and play at a
World Cup, and says Germany is a good place for young players to develop.
"My long-term goals are to be in the England squad, play in a World Cup and
be captain for my country, I've always wanted to be that. "Germany is just a
big experience, from the Championship, which is a physical league, to
Germany, which is fast and quick. "Germany is good for young players,
they're very strict and training is very intense. I'm not saying West Ham or
Reading's training wasn't good, it's just different here."
Oxford's West Ham debut came in a man-of-the-match display in the 2-0 win at
Arsenal on the first day of the 2015/16 season, and the youngster insists
that experience helped him to grow up fast. "It opened me up to the world.
Players said I couldn't do certain things, had to be more secretive with my
life, and that you can't be a kid anymore! "I had to be an adult, be mature
and grow up really. I took that on board and I like to think I am mature now
and have grown up."
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Wednesday, October 11
Daily WHUFC News - 11th October 2017
Oxford and Trott help England U20s to another big win
WHUFC.com
West Ham United pair Nathan Trott and Reece Oxford helped England U20s
continue their successful 2017 with a thumping 4-0 friendly win over the
Czech Republic at St George's Park. Goalkeeper Trott and centre-half Oxford
– who is on a season-long loan with German Bundesliga club Borussia
Mönchengladbach – both started for Keith Downing's team at the National
Football Centre in Staffordshire. Trott, 18, was making his second
appearance at this level, having also started the 3-0 win over the
Netherlands in August, while Oxford, also 18, earned his fifth U20 cap. And
the Young Lions followed up their 5-1 victory over Italy last Thursday with
another comfortable success thanks to goals from Arsenal striker Stephny
Mavididi (two) and Leicester City pair Darnell Johnson and Harvey Barnes.
England U20s have enjoyed a sensational calendar year in which they were
crowned FIFA U-20 World Cup champions in June, while winning ten and drawing
one of the eleven matches they have played in all competitions. The Hammers
pair will hope to feature again when they travel to Germany for England
U20s' final fixture of 2017 on 14 November.
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Zabaleta: Sakho can make a big impact on our season
WHUFC.com
Diafra Sakho can continue to make a 'big impact' on West Ham United's
season, according to teammate Pablo Zabaleta. The Argentinian has been
impressed by Sakho's attitude and application in training and matches amid
speculation over the striker's future in east London. And now, with the
transfer window well and truly closed, Zabaleta has urged the Senegal star
to keep up the good work that has led to goals in the Premier League,
Carabao Cup and 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in recent weeks. "Diafra can
have a big impact for us because he's a great player, but it is all about
confidence," said Zabaleta of Sakho, who has registered three goals and one
assist in just 233 minutes of football in Claret and Blue this season. "He's
not been playing much in the Premier League aside from coming on for a few
minutes, and his only starts have been in the Carabao Cup. "This is what you
expect from players like this who, even if they are not starting the games,
they come on and give 100 per cent, even if it is only for ten minutes. He
did that against Swansea, so I'm very pleased for him."
Following his late London Stadium winner against Swansea, Sakho made the
most of his recall to the Senegal squad with another vital goal, this time
the opener in a 2-0 World Cup qualifying win in the Cape Verde Islands.
Zabaleta has seen the No15's quality for himself and urged the forward to
keep his head down, keep working hard and aim for a place in Slaven Bilic's
Premier League starting XI. "Personally, I always try to understand player's
situations. I'm a new player here and I don't know Diaf's situation from
last season or three or two seasons ago or whenever but, when the transfer
window closed, Diaf was a West Ham player and he has given everything
because he is important for this Club and is a great player. "He has done a
fantastic job for this Club, so he needs to fight for a place, show the
manager he is worthy of a place in the team and that's it. "The best way to
do it was like he did against Swansea, coming on, making runs, working hard
and scoring goals. That is the only way to show the manager you are worth a
place in the team and that healthy competition between everyone has to be
like this.
"I understand that every player cannot play every week. This is the
manager's job, thinking what is best for the team. As a player, I've been
dropped many times and the only way I can show I am worthy of a place in the
team is by performing and working hard – this is what it's all about."
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Arnautovic assists as Austria finish World Cup campaign with win
WHUFC.com
Marko Arnautovic assisted Austria's goal as his country rounded off their
FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign with a 1-0 victory in Moldova. Austria
went into the game knowing they could not catch Serbia, the Republic of
Ireland or Wales at the top of Group D, but ensured they finished on a
positive note thanks to Rapid Vienna midfielder Louis Shaub's second half
goal. Arnautovic laid on the only goal of the game as he won his 66th
international cap, and although Austria's attempt to qualify for the finals
in Russia ultimately fell short, the Hammers attacker had a productive
campaign personally, scoring four goals and assisting three more in his nine
appearances.
Meanwhile, Academy youngster Dan Kemp also started as England U19s warmed up
for next month's UEFA U19 Championship qualifiers with a 2-2 friendly draw
in Slovakia. The Young Lions led twice through Mason Mount and Elliot
Embleton, but were pegged back on both occasions as the scores ended level
in Senec.
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THE TOXICITY AT THE HAMMERS IS PALPABLE; SOMETHING MUST CHANGE
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 9 OCTOBER 2017 AT 8:37PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by Steve Taylor
The disappointment of last season
West Ham United's last season was one of sheer disappointment to their
faithful supporters. While an eleventh placed finish in arguably the most
competitive league in world football doesn't constitute failure, it doesn't
represent success either – especially for a team that flaunt aspirations of
becoming one of the biggest in the Premier League.
As the Irons undertook their contentious relocation to the Olympic Stadium,
there was talk from the upper echelons of the West Ham hierarchy that they
could potentially compete on both the domestic and European stage, which
will be much to the delight of their fans and, of course all of their
sponsors like Betway for example.
While these fanciful claims reeked of a lack of substance and realism, it
did signal the ambition and intent that the West Ham owners were hoping to
display in an attempt to realise their dreams. The move to Stratford was
supposed to be accompanied by the addition of a recognised talent, a player
of great repute – this hope also failed to transpire, with the Irons missing
out on the likes of Lacazette and Michy Batshuayi.
To exacerbate the relocation process, the Hammers' form at their new home
was wretched. During West Ham's last season at the Boleyn Ground, they had
the seventh best home record in England's top flight. In 19 league games at
Upton Park, they amassed 34 points which included nine victories and only
three defeats. This record was superior to the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea,
and Everton.
By stark contrast, their home form last season was substantially worse. In
the first 19 home league games at the Olympic Stadium, the Hammers only
attained 25 points out of a possible 57, a reduction of nine points in
comparison to the preceding season. To provide context, this placed them
16th in the home table, only Crystal Palace and Southampton had a worse
record at their respective home grounds (out of the teams that managed to
survive the drop).
Summer optimism
Following the disappointment that their last campaign engendered, there was
greater cause for optimism over the summer period, certainly with the
transfers that the club had completed. If there were questions regarding
David Sullivan and Neil Gold's ambition they were silenced somewhat with the
acquisitions of Javier Hernandez, Marko Anrnautovic, Joe Hart and Pablo
Zabaleta.
These additions have undeniably enhanced the quality of West Ham's side, yet
they've failed to ignite their team into a period of sustained form. Slaven
Bilic's side is currently positioned 18th in the Premier League table,
having endured three successive defeats against Manchester United,
Southampton and Newcastle United and a win against Huddersfield with odds
for West Ham to get relegated in the 17/18 season at 7/2. During more than
360 minutes of Premier League football, the East London team have only
managed to score four goals.
While considering their woeful start to the new campaign, it's important to
recognise the depletion that West Ham have endured this summer. Four
first-team additions have been made to their squad, while 16 players have
left the Olympic Stadium. It was also widely publicised, that their
relentless pursuit of Sporting's William Carvalho came to no avail.
Time for change
The discord that exists between the manager and the owners is tangible; one
can sense that neither one nor the other fully appreciate or entrusts each
other. This unrest and disunity – which has often been expressed publicly –
has contributed towards the tension and toxicity that is currently
associated with West Ham.
Without question, there are areas of the Irons' game that they must address
swiftly, especially their discipline. In four league games, they've already
received seven yellow cards and one red card, an average this is two cards
per game. It is of the utmost significance that they address this issue if
they're to register positive results over forthcoming weeks.
There is also a question of strategy, Bilic has deployed the 4-2-3-1
formation in all four Premier League games this season, losing three and
conceding a total of ten goals. It is conceivable that this lack of
flexibility has derived from their small squad, yet it's evident that the
formation is failing to utilise the players' qualities, and they were
comfortably outplayed in both the Newcastle and Manchester United defeats.
Football is often regarded as a cruel industry, in which managers are
scarcely given time to breathe devoid of criticism even though Billic seems
to have the backing of his players. Nonetheless, if West Ham's fortunes are
to change this season, they must intervene soon or live to regret the
consequences of failing to act.
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Scudamore rules out Xmas Eve slot
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 10th October 2017
By: Staff Writer
It has been confirmed that there will be no 4pm fixture in the Premier
League on Christmas Eve. Speaking at a meeting with a fans group from
Manchester earlier today, the League's Executive Chairman Richard Scudamore
confirmed that there will no 4pm fixtures on the day, which falls on a
Sunday this year. However there was no word on the lunchtime slot, meaning
that West Ham's home match with Newcastle - one of the fixtures potentially
set for a Christmas Eve date - could yet take place on the day. Sky Sports
have also announced they will be not be naming the Christmas TV schedule
until 19 October - a week later than initially planned.
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Is this really how people see West Ham?
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 10th October 2017
By: Paul Walker
I'd hoped for a quite fortnight, no chance of West Ham losing a match
because it was the international break, and there was plenty of time for a
short holiday for myself, family and friends to help consume as much of the
Kent wine harvest as possible. We did OK, thank you!
You would have expected the West Ham circus to take a break too. No chance
there, it seems, even though I had naively lived in hope.
It's been all talk, talk about a new manager which gives the outside world a
very poor impression of our club and how it's run.
Slaven Bilic had won the match we were all reliably informed he had to win
to avoid the sack. He did just that, as he had on about half a dozen times
previously in the past year or so when the pressure was on.
It wasn't very pretty, dreadful in fact, but a win is a win and we were out
of the bottom three having had to play a ridiculous game of catch up from
what the Yanks would refer to as 0-4 (I put that in just to make our new
director, Mr. 10 per cent from across the pond, a certain J.Albert (Tripp)
Smith feel at home now he's managed to find out where, and what, London E20
is).
Fair to say, there's a few of our lot who would wish they couldn't find
Stratford either. But that's a story for another day, Tripp, old boy!
Then we had every media outlet and website worth their salt being briefed
that Slav would stay on now until the summer and the end of his contract.
That, of course, hasn't stopped 22 names (my reckoning) being linked with
his job.
It hasn't stopped perma-tanned, fake blonde Simon Jordan calling Slav
"Dysfunctional"… I'll get to him later. And the boy Jack being blasted as
"inappropriate" by Graeme Souness, one of the finest footballers of his
generation and a more-than-decent TV pundit.
Oh, and there has been the quite disgraceful (by Sky) attempts to play our
home match with Newcastle on Christmas Eve. My Christmas Eve is spent trying
to get a few sherbets down, ferrying turkeys, grandchildren and various dogs
and relatives into appropriate position for the following days' festivities.
There's also that last minute, ten bags of shopping to negotiate from
Sainsbury's. I am sure that applies to most of my fellow Hammers
(supermarket of choice, of course). The day does not include football.
Enough said.
As for young Jack and his twitter stuff. Souness was a bit harsh, the lad
has tempered his outpourings of late, but even so he still does comment on
the club, and that looks like it's coming from his dad.
Many of us feel that club hierarchy should not do social media in this way,
it leaves a very bad impression and is more trouble than it's worth. It
leaves the perception - obviously picked up by Souness - that too many
people chattering from on high damage the manager.
It's an image we just don't seem to shake off. I wonder how many players
decide not to join us because of the image of chaos we create?
Jack did OK to respectfully praise Souness and state his view. Then he
ruined it by inviting Souness to stand with him on a cold touchline in Essex
to see his girls' team play. I sense Souness would rather have pins pushed
into his eyes first.
As for Jordan. This is a man who is reputed to have lost £50m of his own
money running Crystal Palace, and then took them into administration. And he
calls Bilic "dysfunctional".
Back to the serous stuff, sadly. The stay of execution for Slav was tainted
somewhat by the claims from someone inside the club that he was only still
around because they couldn't find a successor from in house.
Before I continue, I wish to assure everyone that this is not going to be an
attack on our good friends at C&H, and Hugh, a long standing former
colleague and pal of mine who I admire immensely for setting up the best
on-line newspaper in the Premier League. It is a newspaper, not a fans'
website for opinions, people should remember that.
If someone offers him information on a "sources said" basis, he should use
it. I certainly would. It is the vendor of this titbit that infuriates me.
What on earth the players and Slav feel about such an under-handed slight I
cannot imagine.
And it's also a load of rubbish. Every top flight manager employs loyal foot
soldiers to run the show for them. They move with their man from club to
club, clearly happy to trust them rather than the employers.
Rafa Benitez does not even have an assistant manager, just three Spanish
coaches. Jurgen Klopp the same (but with Germans). Pep Guardiola has three
coaches working under him, at Chelsea there's also a coach, Steve Holland.
Names like Jason Tindall (Bournemouth), Paul Trollope (Brighton), Ian Woan
(Burnley), Rui Faria (Man Utd), Erwin Koeman (Everton), Michael Appleton
(Leicester), Eric Black(Southampton), Jesus Perez (Spurs, a coach), David
Kemp (WBA), Christoph Buehler(Huddersfield) and Nigel Gibbs (Swansea) are
the next in command at their clubs.
Mark Hughes at Stoke has old hands Mark Bowen and Eddie Niedzwiecki watching
his back. Not one of these coaches and assistants mentioned would be
considered experienced enough to take over as manager of the respective
clubs.
So to suggest that Slav is the only manager to surround himself with worker
bees is nonsense. No manager employs someone who is capably of agitating for
the top job, or would get it. Look how quickly Brendan Rodgers got rid of
Steven Gerrard. Our owners should not find excuses to stop them doing what
they feel is necessary. Even if it costs.
But once again, what enrages me is seeing a manager told he is safe until
the end of the season, while the long list of potential managers keeps being
paraded. It may more likely be agents ringing Sullivan and offering him
their man rather than the club openly searching for a new manager.
But I still believe there are off-the-record briefings going on. Martin
Samuels, in a recent Mail report, suggested that there was time for a
"period of silence", and that the culprits "know who they are".
Then he had another pop at the board by suggesting that Leicester, who have
a reputation for sacking managers, are being very quiet about their current
situation. While West Ham, with no history of quick sackings in recent
seasons, cannot stop talking about new managers.
Just who comes up with this list... Walter Mazzarri, Quique Sanchez Flores,
Carlo Ancelotti, Sean Dyche, Chris Coleman, Thomas Tuchel, Rafa Benitez
(twice), David Wagner, Manuel Pellegrini, Roger Schmidt, Rudi Garcia,
Slavisa Jokanovic, Simone Inzaghi, Roberto Mancini, Marcelo Bielsa, Maurizio
Sarri, Ryan Giggs, Brendan Rodgers, Unai Emery, Gary Monk, Alan Pardew and
Eddie Howe?
Everyone has been mentioned recently in the media, plenty in the last
fortnight, as a replacement for Bilic. Come on gents, you sure know how to
make a guy feel unwelcome.
Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are those of the
author and do not necessarily represent the views of, nor should be
attributed to, KUMB.com.
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MATCH DAYS IN THE LATE SIXTIES AND THE SEVENTIES
By Tony Hanna 10 Oct 2017 at 08:00
WTID
This week I look back 40-50 years using a few of my previous articles as my
inspiration
Going to West Ham in the late sixties and the seventies was quite a
different experience compared to today. Many of the older fans who read this
article will remember fondly some of the memories and hopefully remind us on
some of the things I may have forgotten. It may be some of their experiences
might be slightly different? For the younger readers it will hopefully give
an insight on what the experience of a game at Upton Park was like forty to
fifty years ago.
Foreign players were rare in our domestic league at this time and players
wages were not extravagantly higher than a good standard wage. Players would
often stay at their clubs for ten years or more and if they reached this
milestone, testimonial games would be played so as to give them the proceeds
of the gate takings to help them start their new careers after football.
Many ex-players from those days would use the money to buy a pub or start up
a small business. In 1966 the average weekly wage was just under 20 quid and
a top flight footballer was averaging 44 quid with an expected playing
career of about ten years. Pubs were often a popular post career option for
them. They served as an immediate draw card with the prospect for punters to
be served down at their local by a former professional footballer and they
also provided an easy continuation of the drinking culture that was rife in
the game at that time. I doubt many provided long term financial success
however.
The seventies was the era of the skinhead. Originating among working class
youths in London in the 60's, the movement soon spread all over the UK. In
the mid to late 60's hooliganism was starting to become a culture at
football grounds. What was later to become known as "firms" became an outlet
for many that wanted something much more tribal. No club in England had more
tribal fans than West Ham's. There were a lot of young men and boys around
at that time. It was baby boomer time, an era of large families, a product
of the end of World War two. Rejecting the austerity of the 50's and the
peace loving hippies of the 60's, instead seeking their own identity, the
skinhead evolved from the hard core mod. The street culture was different
then too, in working class areas. Mums and dads didn't want six or seven
kids in their tiny homes when it was light. "Go out and play and make sure
you are home by dark". So the kids piled onto the streets or playing fields
if you were lucky enough to have any close by. Gangs formed in many places
and kids had to become street wise. Perhaps it was this nous that enabled
most of us to tread relatively safely through those football days that were
considered dangerous.
My match day journey as a youngster would start in Loughton and a change at
Mile End on the tube would have you at Upton Park in around 40 minutes. The
walk down Green Street was an experience in itself. Everywhere you looked
there were stalls selling old and new programs, scarves, bobble hats, badges
and rosettes etc. The smell that drifted from the hot dog stalls was quite
over powering. If you wanted to go to Upton Park on a Saturday it was likely
you would have to start queuing from about 1pm for a 3pm kick off. However,
if you were a young 'un that needed to get down the front it was a must to
be there by 11.30am. What seemed normal then but strikes me now, is how many
young kids used to go to games on their own. I was just eleven when I first
started going and there were plenty of other loners of similar age in the
North Bank with me! With so many kids going, you can take the "official"
attendances from those days with a pinch of salt. So many of us were pushed
through as pairs in a single turnstile by the operators looking for a few
extra quid in their pockets. Occasioanally, if you were lucky, you might get
the two and six back yourself. Along with all the other kids I knew that
went to West Ham or other football grounds back then, the costs were all
paid by paper rounds, washing windows or other odd jobs. Most mums and dads
just couldn't afford pocket money with such large families so you had to
work for the football money or miss out. It wasn't long before I had mates
to go with but the scenario was still the same. In those days it was all
standing except the Upper West. If you did decide to get to the game around
2pm you would find queues on the western side of the ground right down to
Green Street. Apart from the season ticket holders in the seated Upper West,
it was cash to get in and if the ground was full you missed out. My own
first experience at Upton Park was delayed a few weeks as my dad thought it
ok to arrive at the ground at 2.30pm for a game v Liverpool. Sorry, all
doors locked – Full House! I still remember how gutted I felt. I had waited
months to get to my first match and I was entranced by what seemed a huge
ground at the time and having to listen to the crowd singing from inside the
stadium before having to make our way home and waiting for another day.
Bobby Moore had his own sports shop across the road from the ground and the
Hammers official merchandise store was located in a caravan parked to the
side of the Western entrance. Prior to the game the "monkey nut" sellers
would circle the exterior of the pitch as buyers would send their money down
via other fans and the bags of peanuts passed up the same way or thrown to
them if the vendor had a good arm!
In the early part of this era some may remember "Monty"? Affectionately
named after Field Marshal Montgomery he was believed to embark at Barking
(perhaps there is a clue there) train station? He would dress in full army
uniform and march along the South Bank blowing his bugle to much fun and
laughter. It certainly did get everyone in a good mood! By 2pm the crowd
would always be in good voice and Bubbles was only one of many songs and
chants that would echo around the ground for an hour or more. The North Bank
was the main area for the vocals but the old Chicken Run (East Stand) was
often a sway with our favourite song. Traditionally the South Bank was the
area for the away fans and for an hour or more before the game the taunting
chants would to and fro incessantly between the rival fans. Into the
seventies and West Ham fans made a presence in the South Bank as well,
stemming mainly from the catalyst that was soccer hooliganism. Prior to this
it was not uncommon for the South Bank to be completely filled by away
support when playing the bigger clubs. Many of the chants were accompanied
by the raucous kicking and banging of the Dr Martens clattering into the
corrugated iron that formed the back of the North Bank…."we are the famous,
the famous West Ham." Of course the "Knees Up Mother Brown" has died
completely since seats replaced standing areas and the chant "United" has
all but disappeared apart from the obligatory two that follow Bubbles.
Around 2.30pm the Leyton County Silver band would come out and play near the
players entrance, central to the West Stand. The only time most fans were
paying attention to the band was when they started to play Bubbles as this
was the signal that the teams were on their way out onto the pitch. It was
around this time that the newspaper reporters and photographers would file
around to their normal positions of behind and to the side of the goals. In
those days the pitches would deteriorate after October and by January very
little grass existed in the penalty areas or centre circle. Then at around
2.50pm Bobby Moore would lead the team out, ball resting on his hip and
secured by his arm before flicking it in the air as he entered the pitch and
kicking it towards the North Bank –what an inspirational captain he was! The
Hammers always liked to have their pre-match kick around at the North Bank
end and it was that end they wanted to defend in the first half if we won
the coin toss – mainly to have that support upping the volume when attacking
that goal in the second half.
In those days there were no mobile phones – heck, we didn't even have a home
phone. Nearest phone booth was half a mile away, if it worked. So, no
looking at your mobile for score updates. Best we could manage was a small
scoreboard at either end of the ground with letters A-L. The match program
would show what letters corresponded to the games being played elsewhere and
at half time numbers indicating the score would be placed next to the
letters.The biggest cheers came of course if any of the other London clubs
were losing, and Manchester United.
From my many visits back to watch West Ham there is no doubt that the
singing and atmosphere created at both grounds (UP & LS) has fallen many
decibels below the old days. With notable exceptions including Manchester
United in the final game at UP and the Spurs game last season, most games
deliver a pretty sterile experience in comparison. The all-seater stadiums
have certainly created a safer and more comfortable experience but to be
honest I think today's fans are missing out on what a truly incredible fever
pitch a football game can deliver consistently. The upside is that attending
a football game nowadays is relatively safe and the facilities are a World
apart, unlike in the days of skin heads and soccer hooliganism. The truth is
that following West Ham home and away in the seventies, you would be
watching football shrouded in a threatening atmosphere that tended to hang
over games like a dark cloud, ready to burst.
Fashion? A typical "uniform" in the early seventies would be a grandad vest
with a Ben Sherman shirt and braces. Docker trousers or Levi jeans would be
accompanied with Dr Marten boots or "monkey boots" if you could not afford
the real thing. There were many other clothes that were fashionable though.
These included brogues, loafers, Crombie's, Harrington jackets, sheepskin
coats, Prince of Wales trousers, tonics and brutus shirts. Must admit, I
"slummed" it in a donkey jacket, dockers and monkeys! The scarves tied to
the belts or wrists of fans have now been replaced by replica shirts. The
hard men of football have been replaced by diving cheats. Mud bath pitches
have been replaced by pristine oversized bowling rinks. The crowd surges and
swaying has been replaced by mass exoduses at half time for refreshments and
before full time for quick getaways. That anxious wait for 6pm and the
Evening Standard late edition to hit the newsagents to find out the other
scores and updated tables has been replaced by instant results on our
phones. Were they the good old days or the bad old days? Or a bit of both?
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DIAFRA SAKHO - IS HE WORTH A CONTRACT EXTENSION ?
By HamburgHammer 9 Oct 2017 at 09:02
WTID
Another international weekend, another unnecessary interruption of the West
Ham fixture calendar. I only have some fleeting interest in European
qualifiers, there are teams I obviously want to see at the major
tournaments, including England, Wales, Iceland and yes, also our fiercest
rivals, the Dutch, then there are loads of countries I feel indifferent
about and also teams I can happily do without at the World Cup, like Turkey.
But in general I only follow the qualifying stage online, reading results
and sometimes match reports rather than watching the games.
Germany in general are renowned for being a tournament team, one that
delivers when it counts, not necessarily shining in the qualifying rounds or
group stages. This time though you cannot really argue with the current
World Champions not losing a single point in any of their qualifying games,
scoring 43 goals in ten games, conceding only four in the process, although
of course against fairly tame opposition, but you can only beat what's in
front of you, so at least the Germans will be spared the humiliation of not
being in a position to even try and defend their title on Russian soil next
year. No, I don't want to hear any unsolicited wartime puns and jibes from
anyone here at this point…;-))
Another positive football related news item has reached us from the home of
the Norwegian Blue parrot (beautiful plumage!), well, it's good news from
Norway.
In a quite progressive and exemplary gesture the Norwegian FA has decided to
pay the female players representing their country the same amount of money
as their more prominent (and richer) male counterparts.
Both national sides will earn an annual pay package of just under £575.000
each, to be divided among the individual players.
The men's team apparently was prepared to sacrifice a portion of their own
wedge in order to facilitate the equal pay concept which will kick in at the
turn of the year.
The move has been hailed by the female national side players for obvious
reasons, but it's not just about the money as such, but what it represents
in terms of recognition and showing that the development of ladies football
is not going unnoticed at least in certain countries with Norway being the
first of hopefully a lot more countries that may follow suit.
Norway winger Caroline Graham Jensen posted a message on social media,
praising the men's football team for chipping in financially to make the
equal pay scenario a reality. She said "For you to say that equal pay is how
it should be, makes me want to cry. It makes me want to hug you all. Thank
you for making it a bit easier to chase our dreams." Good on you Norway,
land of fjords, log cabins and exemplary behaviour by the footballing
authorities.
Talking West Ham now there hasn't been an awful lot happening in the world
of West Ham. Some players were away on international duty, obviously, and
Arnautovic scored, yet failed to qualify. Diafra Sakho scored too and
apparently even managed to not get injured again in the process! This is a
continuation of a positive streak for Sakho who has now scored for both club
and country in recent games.
It confirms what we all have known for a while: A fit and healthy Diafra
Sakho, with his head screwed on in the right place, is worth his weight in
gold. He's had his issues in the past and is what I would mildly describe as
an interesting character. But as a footballer he is undoubtedly skilled and
gifted, he also has quite an engine and presses the opposition defenders no
end – I always love to see that.
Sakho strikes me as an arm around the shoulder type of guy, he seems to be
quite sensitive, so in order to get the best out of him you need to talk to
him, support him, make him feel wanted, respected and cherished. It begins
with the pay, but doesn't end there. I really feel Sakho still could have a
lot to give to West Ham. A happy Sakho is a striker we cannot afford to
lose. I don't think the exact circumstances of the mysterious January
transfer attempt to Stade Rennes have never been properly explained.
Of course Sakho would want out if he doesn't feel he's got a fair chance of
getting any gametime. The time to sell him would be January as you could
still get some cash for him at that point as his contract is running out at
the end of the season. Problem here is though that every striker we allow to
leave will need to be replaced.
That does require in all likelihood the payment of a halfway decent transfer
fee (and we all know to what crazy levels the prices have skyrocketed in
recent months) and our board are nor exactly renowned for happily spending
the cash when it comes to West Ham.
If we can convince Sakho he can have a good future at West Ham it may be
worth offering him a new deal and increase his wages, to reflect his
contributions as a goalscorer, to be monitored and evaluated over the next
three months. A new deal may come a lot cheaper for the club than trying to
find and sign a new striker from elsewhere.
It's been a tough time for Sakho at West Ham, especially last season, but I
cannot help but keep my fingers crossed that things will turn out well for
both the player and our club.
If, after all, the player or West Ham should decide though to let Sakho go I
really do hope we do our homework and find a suitable replacement who is
also a realistic target we can actually sign. I'd hate to see another
Carvalho scenario unfolding here.
In Germany we've had a bit of an upheaval recently, quite literally, with
storm Xavier tormenting Northern and Eastern Germany last Thursday, with
hundreds of trees being felled by the force of the storm, heavy rains
contributing further to the general mayhem, killing seven people in total,
injuring hundreds more, bringing public transport to a standstill in certain
areas for several days after the event.
Concordia football was largely unaffected, with the games being scheduled
for yesterday and apparently all trees surrounding the ground standing firm.
To my unfettered joy both Cordi teams won, Cordi 2 starting the day with a
5:2 win with the first team following suit with a 2:0 win of their own, so
both are now firmly back on the right track, on the road towards a promotion
push. Long may it continue.
Next weekend will finally see our beloved West Ham back in action. I know
it's Burnley, it's at their ground and they are a well drilled and
disciplined unit. Still we need to start to win those games and approach
these fixtures accordingly, in a positive manner, with hopefully a full
squad to choose from. I reckon we should go with a a pacy lineup rather than
the predictable battering ram approach featuring Andy Carroll as starter.
I would love to see Chicharito starting with Sakho, AC can still cause some
havoc coming on for the final 30 minutes. Maybe Lanzini will be fit and
ready to start as well.
And could we see Bilic taking a bit of a gamble by starting Masuaku instead
of Cresswell, combining with Arnautovic on the left wing ? All shall be
revealed next Saturday.
COYI!!!
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THERE IS NO CAMP 3
By Mike Ireson 9 Oct 2017 at 17:00
WTID
Here we are then. Another poxy international break and another opportunity
for you to realise you really don't care about the national team.
I won't attempt watching an England friendly as the timescale to when I
start scowling at the television, bemoaning that most of the team aren't
worthy of cleaning Kevin Keegan's boots let alone pulling on the shirt has
become frighteningly short.
Even the dog gives me the skunk eye, bewildered at such bluster being
spouted from the other end of the sofa.
I'll Dip in and out of qualifiers, but I can't stay the Distance. I grew up
across a couple of generations of England squads where it meant something to
be selected. You looked up to these players as they were playing for
England. The afore mentioned Keegan, Brooking, Shilton, Hoddle, Lineker,
Gascoigne, Pearce, Adams, Butcher, Robson, Wilkins etc. I can go on much
longer.
Now what are people looking up to? Jake Livermore? Michael Keane? Harry
Maguire? Phil Jones?
Enough to bring a tear to the eye of a grumpy old man.
But I Digress, I Didn't come here to moan about England, I came here to do
what one should always do during a dull international break and that is play
devil's advocate and try to get a debate going.
Although now I've chucked the England thing in you've got 2 topics to
Discuss – double bubble!
Now I want to make it clear, I thought Slaven Bilic was the right man for
the West Ham managers job when he was appointed, and I still think he is the
right man.
But every time we don't win a game there is usually a media led hub bub that
Super Slav is on his way out of the exit. Currently only Everton's woeful
form is keeping his name from being the bookies favourite for the chop next.
But he's a close second.
So what if the 2 Dave's were to actually strap him to the ejector seat and
hit the button?
Current favourite to replace him is the villain from Scooby Doo before he
has the mask pulled off, Manuel Pellegrini.
All the other usual suspects are there Mancini, Ancelotti, Benitez.
But one name is absent and surely there must be some mistake. For there can
only be one possible candidate for the London Stadium hot seat.
Step forward Paolo Di Canio.
Now, instantly you have just formed yourself in to one of just 2 camps.
Camp 1 – Spot on, he's West Ham through and through, a legend, just the man
we need.
Camp 2 – Are you mad? He is bordering on a lunatic with questionable
political beliefs who will tear the squad apart and make us a laughing
stock.
There is no camp 3, there is no in between.
Camp 1: When manager of Swindon, across 95 games he had a win % of 56.8.
Apart from Sir Trevor's 2 short spells, no West Ham Manager has ever got
near that. The best being Billy Bonds with 43.6. We'd take that kind of win
rate all day long wouldn't we?
Camp 2: When manager of Sunderland he alienated the squad so much a group of
senior players demanded the board get rid of him. They Did. Managing a group
of players at Swindon who relied on their pay packets and were in awe of a
superstar is completely different to managing a squad of rich Premier League
stars who need carrot rather than whacking great stick.
Camp 1: Just his presence on the touchline would help ramp up the atmosphere
at the London Stadium. Regardless of anything else it would be worth it to
see him run the length of the touchline and knee slide after a goal. The
roof would come off the place. Surely a Di Canio/Dicks management team would
get the players playing?
Camp 2: This is a man who will argue with his own reflection. It would only
be a matter of time before he fell out with everybody and he walked away/was
escorted from the premises. A Di Canio/Dicks management team would be like
the lunatics running the asylum.
A simple choice people – camp 1 or 2?
COYI
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Rice, Haksabanovic, Martinez - the West Ham players who could save the club
millions in January
It's unlikely the club will be purchasing anyone in January but if things go
wrong, these three could save them millions
Football London
Sam Inkersole
16:00, 10 OCT 2017
It's only October but the January Transfer Window is never far from our
minds especially when it comes to West Ham, who are seemingly linked with
hundreds of players every window. Manager Slaven Bilic was backed - to an
extent - in the summer and with his contract set to expire this summer and
with no sign of it being close to being extended, it's unlikely he'll be
getting any players in January even if he did want them. Unless the club is
struggling badly down the wrong end of the table then that might change but
it's unlikely we will see many new faces in January. If we do, you can bet
your mortgage on them being Sullivan and Gold purchases, not Bilic ones.
With that in mind, there are a few players who could save the club millions
if they are given a proper chance in problem positions, three of them in
particular.
Declan Rice
Harshly hauled off after his error at Newcastle which allowed Joselu to
score, Rice's confidence could well have taken a hit as he hasn't been seen
on the Premier League stage since that third game of the season. Now at
eight top flight games by the time the trip to Burnley comes around, Bilic
would be wise to at lest give some minutes off the bench to the impressive
18 year old because when Christmas comes around and that packed fixture list
with t, Rice could well be needed and we know he is good enough for this
level.
Sead Haksabanovic
Manuel Lanzini's fitness has been a major issue so far this season and
despite a plethora of attackers at the club, Haksabanovic is as direct a
replacement as anyone for the Argentine. He was brought in with this
wonderkid stigma attached to him but we have only seen the one senor
performance fro him and that was in the Carabao Cup win over Bolton. Maybe
playing him alongside Lanzini s a bit much with two creative midfielders in
but we reckon it could be a bit of fun for sure.
Toni Martinez
With Diafra Sakho hinting he may well be off in January, there could be a
striker vacancy in the first team and that is where Martinez can step up.
The Spaniard can consider himself unfortunate having seen the likes of Rice
and Nathan Holland get first team minutes this season while Martinez has
remained with the Hammers U23s in PL2 Division One. West Ham have struggled
a bit for goals this season and a bit more firepower will never go amiss.
Though Martinez is unproven, so was Marcus Rashford and look how he turned
out?
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WALTER MAZZARRI EYED BY BOTH WEST HAM AND EVERTON
MICHAEL OLIVER @MichaelOIiver
ReadWestHam
While Slaven Bilic seemingly has the backing of both David Gold and David
Sullivan for the time being at West Ham, the club hierarchy are still doing
some due diligence on potential replacements for the Croat.
With his contract up at the end of the season and no decision made on
whether the club will stand by their former defender, the Hammers continue
to be linked with replacing Bilic in the not too distant future.
One man who is apparently on the club's radar is Walter Mazzarri, who
remains out of work after leaving Watford at the end of last season.
The former Inter Milan boss successfully guided Watford to Premier League
safety last season but as part of the club's philosophy to chop and change
their managers, the Italian was given the boot after just one year in
charge.
Mazzarri still lives in London and would be open to another bite at the
Premier League cherry, but West Ham could face competition from Everton for
him as they eye the experienced coach as a potential replacement for the
under-fire Ronald Koeman.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
West Ham United pair Nathan Trott and Reece Oxford helped England U20s
continue their successful 2017 with a thumping 4-0 friendly win over the
Czech Republic at St George's Park. Goalkeeper Trott and centre-half Oxford
– who is on a season-long loan with German Bundesliga club Borussia
Mönchengladbach – both started for Keith Downing's team at the National
Football Centre in Staffordshire. Trott, 18, was making his second
appearance at this level, having also started the 3-0 win over the
Netherlands in August, while Oxford, also 18, earned his fifth U20 cap. And
the Young Lions followed up their 5-1 victory over Italy last Thursday with
another comfortable success thanks to goals from Arsenal striker Stephny
Mavididi (two) and Leicester City pair Darnell Johnson and Harvey Barnes.
England U20s have enjoyed a sensational calendar year in which they were
crowned FIFA U-20 World Cup champions in June, while winning ten and drawing
one of the eleven matches they have played in all competitions. The Hammers
pair will hope to feature again when they travel to Germany for England
U20s' final fixture of 2017 on 14 November.
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Zabaleta: Sakho can make a big impact on our season
WHUFC.com
Diafra Sakho can continue to make a 'big impact' on West Ham United's
season, according to teammate Pablo Zabaleta. The Argentinian has been
impressed by Sakho's attitude and application in training and matches amid
speculation over the striker's future in east London. And now, with the
transfer window well and truly closed, Zabaleta has urged the Senegal star
to keep up the good work that has led to goals in the Premier League,
Carabao Cup and 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in recent weeks. "Diafra can
have a big impact for us because he's a great player, but it is all about
confidence," said Zabaleta of Sakho, who has registered three goals and one
assist in just 233 minutes of football in Claret and Blue this season. "He's
not been playing much in the Premier League aside from coming on for a few
minutes, and his only starts have been in the Carabao Cup. "This is what you
expect from players like this who, even if they are not starting the games,
they come on and give 100 per cent, even if it is only for ten minutes. He
did that against Swansea, so I'm very pleased for him."
Following his late London Stadium winner against Swansea, Sakho made the
most of his recall to the Senegal squad with another vital goal, this time
the opener in a 2-0 World Cup qualifying win in the Cape Verde Islands.
Zabaleta has seen the No15's quality for himself and urged the forward to
keep his head down, keep working hard and aim for a place in Slaven Bilic's
Premier League starting XI. "Personally, I always try to understand player's
situations. I'm a new player here and I don't know Diaf's situation from
last season or three or two seasons ago or whenever but, when the transfer
window closed, Diaf was a West Ham player and he has given everything
because he is important for this Club and is a great player. "He has done a
fantastic job for this Club, so he needs to fight for a place, show the
manager he is worthy of a place in the team and that's it. "The best way to
do it was like he did against Swansea, coming on, making runs, working hard
and scoring goals. That is the only way to show the manager you are worth a
place in the team and that healthy competition between everyone has to be
like this.
"I understand that every player cannot play every week. This is the
manager's job, thinking what is best for the team. As a player, I've been
dropped many times and the only way I can show I am worthy of a place in the
team is by performing and working hard – this is what it's all about."
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Arnautovic assists as Austria finish World Cup campaign with win
WHUFC.com
Marko Arnautovic assisted Austria's goal as his country rounded off their
FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign with a 1-0 victory in Moldova. Austria
went into the game knowing they could not catch Serbia, the Republic of
Ireland or Wales at the top of Group D, but ensured they finished on a
positive note thanks to Rapid Vienna midfielder Louis Shaub's second half
goal. Arnautovic laid on the only goal of the game as he won his 66th
international cap, and although Austria's attempt to qualify for the finals
in Russia ultimately fell short, the Hammers attacker had a productive
campaign personally, scoring four goals and assisting three more in his nine
appearances.
Meanwhile, Academy youngster Dan Kemp also started as England U19s warmed up
for next month's UEFA U19 Championship qualifiers with a 2-2 friendly draw
in Slovakia. The Young Lions led twice through Mason Mount and Elliot
Embleton, but were pegged back on both occasions as the scores ended level
in Senec.
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THE TOXICITY AT THE HAMMERS IS PALPABLE; SOMETHING MUST CHANGE
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 9 OCTOBER 2017 AT 8:37PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by Steve Taylor
The disappointment of last season
West Ham United's last season was one of sheer disappointment to their
faithful supporters. While an eleventh placed finish in arguably the most
competitive league in world football doesn't constitute failure, it doesn't
represent success either – especially for a team that flaunt aspirations of
becoming one of the biggest in the Premier League.
As the Irons undertook their contentious relocation to the Olympic Stadium,
there was talk from the upper echelons of the West Ham hierarchy that they
could potentially compete on both the domestic and European stage, which
will be much to the delight of their fans and, of course all of their
sponsors like Betway for example.
While these fanciful claims reeked of a lack of substance and realism, it
did signal the ambition and intent that the West Ham owners were hoping to
display in an attempt to realise their dreams. The move to Stratford was
supposed to be accompanied by the addition of a recognised talent, a player
of great repute – this hope also failed to transpire, with the Irons missing
out on the likes of Lacazette and Michy Batshuayi.
To exacerbate the relocation process, the Hammers' form at their new home
was wretched. During West Ham's last season at the Boleyn Ground, they had
the seventh best home record in England's top flight. In 19 league games at
Upton Park, they amassed 34 points which included nine victories and only
three defeats. This record was superior to the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea,
and Everton.
By stark contrast, their home form last season was substantially worse. In
the first 19 home league games at the Olympic Stadium, the Hammers only
attained 25 points out of a possible 57, a reduction of nine points in
comparison to the preceding season. To provide context, this placed them
16th in the home table, only Crystal Palace and Southampton had a worse
record at their respective home grounds (out of the teams that managed to
survive the drop).
Summer optimism
Following the disappointment that their last campaign engendered, there was
greater cause for optimism over the summer period, certainly with the
transfers that the club had completed. If there were questions regarding
David Sullivan and Neil Gold's ambition they were silenced somewhat with the
acquisitions of Javier Hernandez, Marko Anrnautovic, Joe Hart and Pablo
Zabaleta.
These additions have undeniably enhanced the quality of West Ham's side, yet
they've failed to ignite their team into a period of sustained form. Slaven
Bilic's side is currently positioned 18th in the Premier League table,
having endured three successive defeats against Manchester United,
Southampton and Newcastle United and a win against Huddersfield with odds
for West Ham to get relegated in the 17/18 season at 7/2. During more than
360 minutes of Premier League football, the East London team have only
managed to score four goals.
While considering their woeful start to the new campaign, it's important to
recognise the depletion that West Ham have endured this summer. Four
first-team additions have been made to their squad, while 16 players have
left the Olympic Stadium. It was also widely publicised, that their
relentless pursuit of Sporting's William Carvalho came to no avail.
Time for change
The discord that exists between the manager and the owners is tangible; one
can sense that neither one nor the other fully appreciate or entrusts each
other. This unrest and disunity – which has often been expressed publicly –
has contributed towards the tension and toxicity that is currently
associated with West Ham.
Without question, there are areas of the Irons' game that they must address
swiftly, especially their discipline. In four league games, they've already
received seven yellow cards and one red card, an average this is two cards
per game. It is of the utmost significance that they address this issue if
they're to register positive results over forthcoming weeks.
There is also a question of strategy, Bilic has deployed the 4-2-3-1
formation in all four Premier League games this season, losing three and
conceding a total of ten goals. It is conceivable that this lack of
flexibility has derived from their small squad, yet it's evident that the
formation is failing to utilise the players' qualities, and they were
comfortably outplayed in both the Newcastle and Manchester United defeats.
Football is often regarded as a cruel industry, in which managers are
scarcely given time to breathe devoid of criticism even though Billic seems
to have the backing of his players. Nonetheless, if West Ham's fortunes are
to change this season, they must intervene soon or live to regret the
consequences of failing to act.
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Scudamore rules out Xmas Eve slot
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 10th October 2017
By: Staff Writer
It has been confirmed that there will be no 4pm fixture in the Premier
League on Christmas Eve. Speaking at a meeting with a fans group from
Manchester earlier today, the League's Executive Chairman Richard Scudamore
confirmed that there will no 4pm fixtures on the day, which falls on a
Sunday this year. However there was no word on the lunchtime slot, meaning
that West Ham's home match with Newcastle - one of the fixtures potentially
set for a Christmas Eve date - could yet take place on the day. Sky Sports
have also announced they will be not be naming the Christmas TV schedule
until 19 October - a week later than initially planned.
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Is this really how people see West Ham?
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 10th October 2017
By: Paul Walker
I'd hoped for a quite fortnight, no chance of West Ham losing a match
because it was the international break, and there was plenty of time for a
short holiday for myself, family and friends to help consume as much of the
Kent wine harvest as possible. We did OK, thank you!
You would have expected the West Ham circus to take a break too. No chance
there, it seems, even though I had naively lived in hope.
It's been all talk, talk about a new manager which gives the outside world a
very poor impression of our club and how it's run.
Slaven Bilic had won the match we were all reliably informed he had to win
to avoid the sack. He did just that, as he had on about half a dozen times
previously in the past year or so when the pressure was on.
It wasn't very pretty, dreadful in fact, but a win is a win and we were out
of the bottom three having had to play a ridiculous game of catch up from
what the Yanks would refer to as 0-4 (I put that in just to make our new
director, Mr. 10 per cent from across the pond, a certain J.Albert (Tripp)
Smith feel at home now he's managed to find out where, and what, London E20
is).
Fair to say, there's a few of our lot who would wish they couldn't find
Stratford either. But that's a story for another day, Tripp, old boy!
Then we had every media outlet and website worth their salt being briefed
that Slav would stay on now until the summer and the end of his contract.
That, of course, hasn't stopped 22 names (my reckoning) being linked with
his job.
It hasn't stopped perma-tanned, fake blonde Simon Jordan calling Slav
"Dysfunctional"… I'll get to him later. And the boy Jack being blasted as
"inappropriate" by Graeme Souness, one of the finest footballers of his
generation and a more-than-decent TV pundit.
Oh, and there has been the quite disgraceful (by Sky) attempts to play our
home match with Newcastle on Christmas Eve. My Christmas Eve is spent trying
to get a few sherbets down, ferrying turkeys, grandchildren and various dogs
and relatives into appropriate position for the following days' festivities.
There's also that last minute, ten bags of shopping to negotiate from
Sainsbury's. I am sure that applies to most of my fellow Hammers
(supermarket of choice, of course). The day does not include football.
Enough said.
As for young Jack and his twitter stuff. Souness was a bit harsh, the lad
has tempered his outpourings of late, but even so he still does comment on
the club, and that looks like it's coming from his dad.
Many of us feel that club hierarchy should not do social media in this way,
it leaves a very bad impression and is more trouble than it's worth. It
leaves the perception - obviously picked up by Souness - that too many
people chattering from on high damage the manager.
It's an image we just don't seem to shake off. I wonder how many players
decide not to join us because of the image of chaos we create?
Jack did OK to respectfully praise Souness and state his view. Then he
ruined it by inviting Souness to stand with him on a cold touchline in Essex
to see his girls' team play. I sense Souness would rather have pins pushed
into his eyes first.
As for Jordan. This is a man who is reputed to have lost £50m of his own
money running Crystal Palace, and then took them into administration. And he
calls Bilic "dysfunctional".
Back to the serous stuff, sadly. The stay of execution for Slav was tainted
somewhat by the claims from someone inside the club that he was only still
around because they couldn't find a successor from in house.
Before I continue, I wish to assure everyone that this is not going to be an
attack on our good friends at C&H, and Hugh, a long standing former
colleague and pal of mine who I admire immensely for setting up the best
on-line newspaper in the Premier League. It is a newspaper, not a fans'
website for opinions, people should remember that.
If someone offers him information on a "sources said" basis, he should use
it. I certainly would. It is the vendor of this titbit that infuriates me.
What on earth the players and Slav feel about such an under-handed slight I
cannot imagine.
And it's also a load of rubbish. Every top flight manager employs loyal foot
soldiers to run the show for them. They move with their man from club to
club, clearly happy to trust them rather than the employers.
Rafa Benitez does not even have an assistant manager, just three Spanish
coaches. Jurgen Klopp the same (but with Germans). Pep Guardiola has three
coaches working under him, at Chelsea there's also a coach, Steve Holland.
Names like Jason Tindall (Bournemouth), Paul Trollope (Brighton), Ian Woan
(Burnley), Rui Faria (Man Utd), Erwin Koeman (Everton), Michael Appleton
(Leicester), Eric Black(Southampton), Jesus Perez (Spurs, a coach), David
Kemp (WBA), Christoph Buehler(Huddersfield) and Nigel Gibbs (Swansea) are
the next in command at their clubs.
Mark Hughes at Stoke has old hands Mark Bowen and Eddie Niedzwiecki watching
his back. Not one of these coaches and assistants mentioned would be
considered experienced enough to take over as manager of the respective
clubs.
So to suggest that Slav is the only manager to surround himself with worker
bees is nonsense. No manager employs someone who is capably of agitating for
the top job, or would get it. Look how quickly Brendan Rodgers got rid of
Steven Gerrard. Our owners should not find excuses to stop them doing what
they feel is necessary. Even if it costs.
But once again, what enrages me is seeing a manager told he is safe until
the end of the season, while the long list of potential managers keeps being
paraded. It may more likely be agents ringing Sullivan and offering him
their man rather than the club openly searching for a new manager.
But I still believe there are off-the-record briefings going on. Martin
Samuels, in a recent Mail report, suggested that there was time for a
"period of silence", and that the culprits "know who they are".
Then he had another pop at the board by suggesting that Leicester, who have
a reputation for sacking managers, are being very quiet about their current
situation. While West Ham, with no history of quick sackings in recent
seasons, cannot stop talking about new managers.
Just who comes up with this list... Walter Mazzarri, Quique Sanchez Flores,
Carlo Ancelotti, Sean Dyche, Chris Coleman, Thomas Tuchel, Rafa Benitez
(twice), David Wagner, Manuel Pellegrini, Roger Schmidt, Rudi Garcia,
Slavisa Jokanovic, Simone Inzaghi, Roberto Mancini, Marcelo Bielsa, Maurizio
Sarri, Ryan Giggs, Brendan Rodgers, Unai Emery, Gary Monk, Alan Pardew and
Eddie Howe?
Everyone has been mentioned recently in the media, plenty in the last
fortnight, as a replacement for Bilic. Come on gents, you sure know how to
make a guy feel unwelcome.
Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are those of the
author and do not necessarily represent the views of, nor should be
attributed to, KUMB.com.
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MATCH DAYS IN THE LATE SIXTIES AND THE SEVENTIES
By Tony Hanna 10 Oct 2017 at 08:00
WTID
This week I look back 40-50 years using a few of my previous articles as my
inspiration
Going to West Ham in the late sixties and the seventies was quite a
different experience compared to today. Many of the older fans who read this
article will remember fondly some of the memories and hopefully remind us on
some of the things I may have forgotten. It may be some of their experiences
might be slightly different? For the younger readers it will hopefully give
an insight on what the experience of a game at Upton Park was like forty to
fifty years ago.
Foreign players were rare in our domestic league at this time and players
wages were not extravagantly higher than a good standard wage. Players would
often stay at their clubs for ten years or more and if they reached this
milestone, testimonial games would be played so as to give them the proceeds
of the gate takings to help them start their new careers after football.
Many ex-players from those days would use the money to buy a pub or start up
a small business. In 1966 the average weekly wage was just under 20 quid and
a top flight footballer was averaging 44 quid with an expected playing
career of about ten years. Pubs were often a popular post career option for
them. They served as an immediate draw card with the prospect for punters to
be served down at their local by a former professional footballer and they
also provided an easy continuation of the drinking culture that was rife in
the game at that time. I doubt many provided long term financial success
however.
The seventies was the era of the skinhead. Originating among working class
youths in London in the 60's, the movement soon spread all over the UK. In
the mid to late 60's hooliganism was starting to become a culture at
football grounds. What was later to become known as "firms" became an outlet
for many that wanted something much more tribal. No club in England had more
tribal fans than West Ham's. There were a lot of young men and boys around
at that time. It was baby boomer time, an era of large families, a product
of the end of World War two. Rejecting the austerity of the 50's and the
peace loving hippies of the 60's, instead seeking their own identity, the
skinhead evolved from the hard core mod. The street culture was different
then too, in working class areas. Mums and dads didn't want six or seven
kids in their tiny homes when it was light. "Go out and play and make sure
you are home by dark". So the kids piled onto the streets or playing fields
if you were lucky enough to have any close by. Gangs formed in many places
and kids had to become street wise. Perhaps it was this nous that enabled
most of us to tread relatively safely through those football days that were
considered dangerous.
My match day journey as a youngster would start in Loughton and a change at
Mile End on the tube would have you at Upton Park in around 40 minutes. The
walk down Green Street was an experience in itself. Everywhere you looked
there were stalls selling old and new programs, scarves, bobble hats, badges
and rosettes etc. The smell that drifted from the hot dog stalls was quite
over powering. If you wanted to go to Upton Park on a Saturday it was likely
you would have to start queuing from about 1pm for a 3pm kick off. However,
if you were a young 'un that needed to get down the front it was a must to
be there by 11.30am. What seemed normal then but strikes me now, is how many
young kids used to go to games on their own. I was just eleven when I first
started going and there were plenty of other loners of similar age in the
North Bank with me! With so many kids going, you can take the "official"
attendances from those days with a pinch of salt. So many of us were pushed
through as pairs in a single turnstile by the operators looking for a few
extra quid in their pockets. Occasioanally, if you were lucky, you might get
the two and six back yourself. Along with all the other kids I knew that
went to West Ham or other football grounds back then, the costs were all
paid by paper rounds, washing windows or other odd jobs. Most mums and dads
just couldn't afford pocket money with such large families so you had to
work for the football money or miss out. It wasn't long before I had mates
to go with but the scenario was still the same. In those days it was all
standing except the Upper West. If you did decide to get to the game around
2pm you would find queues on the western side of the ground right down to
Green Street. Apart from the season ticket holders in the seated Upper West,
it was cash to get in and if the ground was full you missed out. My own
first experience at Upton Park was delayed a few weeks as my dad thought it
ok to arrive at the ground at 2.30pm for a game v Liverpool. Sorry, all
doors locked – Full House! I still remember how gutted I felt. I had waited
months to get to my first match and I was entranced by what seemed a huge
ground at the time and having to listen to the crowd singing from inside the
stadium before having to make our way home and waiting for another day.
Bobby Moore had his own sports shop across the road from the ground and the
Hammers official merchandise store was located in a caravan parked to the
side of the Western entrance. Prior to the game the "monkey nut" sellers
would circle the exterior of the pitch as buyers would send their money down
via other fans and the bags of peanuts passed up the same way or thrown to
them if the vendor had a good arm!
In the early part of this era some may remember "Monty"? Affectionately
named after Field Marshal Montgomery he was believed to embark at Barking
(perhaps there is a clue there) train station? He would dress in full army
uniform and march along the South Bank blowing his bugle to much fun and
laughter. It certainly did get everyone in a good mood! By 2pm the crowd
would always be in good voice and Bubbles was only one of many songs and
chants that would echo around the ground for an hour or more. The North Bank
was the main area for the vocals but the old Chicken Run (East Stand) was
often a sway with our favourite song. Traditionally the South Bank was the
area for the away fans and for an hour or more before the game the taunting
chants would to and fro incessantly between the rival fans. Into the
seventies and West Ham fans made a presence in the South Bank as well,
stemming mainly from the catalyst that was soccer hooliganism. Prior to this
it was not uncommon for the South Bank to be completely filled by away
support when playing the bigger clubs. Many of the chants were accompanied
by the raucous kicking and banging of the Dr Martens clattering into the
corrugated iron that formed the back of the North Bank…."we are the famous,
the famous West Ham." Of course the "Knees Up Mother Brown" has died
completely since seats replaced standing areas and the chant "United" has
all but disappeared apart from the obligatory two that follow Bubbles.
Around 2.30pm the Leyton County Silver band would come out and play near the
players entrance, central to the West Stand. The only time most fans were
paying attention to the band was when they started to play Bubbles as this
was the signal that the teams were on their way out onto the pitch. It was
around this time that the newspaper reporters and photographers would file
around to their normal positions of behind and to the side of the goals. In
those days the pitches would deteriorate after October and by January very
little grass existed in the penalty areas or centre circle. Then at around
2.50pm Bobby Moore would lead the team out, ball resting on his hip and
secured by his arm before flicking it in the air as he entered the pitch and
kicking it towards the North Bank –what an inspirational captain he was! The
Hammers always liked to have their pre-match kick around at the North Bank
end and it was that end they wanted to defend in the first half if we won
the coin toss – mainly to have that support upping the volume when attacking
that goal in the second half.
In those days there were no mobile phones – heck, we didn't even have a home
phone. Nearest phone booth was half a mile away, if it worked. So, no
looking at your mobile for score updates. Best we could manage was a small
scoreboard at either end of the ground with letters A-L. The match program
would show what letters corresponded to the games being played elsewhere and
at half time numbers indicating the score would be placed next to the
letters.The biggest cheers came of course if any of the other London clubs
were losing, and Manchester United.
From my many visits back to watch West Ham there is no doubt that the
singing and atmosphere created at both grounds (UP & LS) has fallen many
decibels below the old days. With notable exceptions including Manchester
United in the final game at UP and the Spurs game last season, most games
deliver a pretty sterile experience in comparison. The all-seater stadiums
have certainly created a safer and more comfortable experience but to be
honest I think today's fans are missing out on what a truly incredible fever
pitch a football game can deliver consistently. The upside is that attending
a football game nowadays is relatively safe and the facilities are a World
apart, unlike in the days of skin heads and soccer hooliganism. The truth is
that following West Ham home and away in the seventies, you would be
watching football shrouded in a threatening atmosphere that tended to hang
over games like a dark cloud, ready to burst.
Fashion? A typical "uniform" in the early seventies would be a grandad vest
with a Ben Sherman shirt and braces. Docker trousers or Levi jeans would be
accompanied with Dr Marten boots or "monkey boots" if you could not afford
the real thing. There were many other clothes that were fashionable though.
These included brogues, loafers, Crombie's, Harrington jackets, sheepskin
coats, Prince of Wales trousers, tonics and brutus shirts. Must admit, I
"slummed" it in a donkey jacket, dockers and monkeys! The scarves tied to
the belts or wrists of fans have now been replaced by replica shirts. The
hard men of football have been replaced by diving cheats. Mud bath pitches
have been replaced by pristine oversized bowling rinks. The crowd surges and
swaying has been replaced by mass exoduses at half time for refreshments and
before full time for quick getaways. That anxious wait for 6pm and the
Evening Standard late edition to hit the newsagents to find out the other
scores and updated tables has been replaced by instant results on our
phones. Were they the good old days or the bad old days? Or a bit of both?
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DIAFRA SAKHO - IS HE WORTH A CONTRACT EXTENSION ?
By HamburgHammer 9 Oct 2017 at 09:02
WTID
Another international weekend, another unnecessary interruption of the West
Ham fixture calendar. I only have some fleeting interest in European
qualifiers, there are teams I obviously want to see at the major
tournaments, including England, Wales, Iceland and yes, also our fiercest
rivals, the Dutch, then there are loads of countries I feel indifferent
about and also teams I can happily do without at the World Cup, like Turkey.
But in general I only follow the qualifying stage online, reading results
and sometimes match reports rather than watching the games.
Germany in general are renowned for being a tournament team, one that
delivers when it counts, not necessarily shining in the qualifying rounds or
group stages. This time though you cannot really argue with the current
World Champions not losing a single point in any of their qualifying games,
scoring 43 goals in ten games, conceding only four in the process, although
of course against fairly tame opposition, but you can only beat what's in
front of you, so at least the Germans will be spared the humiliation of not
being in a position to even try and defend their title on Russian soil next
year. No, I don't want to hear any unsolicited wartime puns and jibes from
anyone here at this point…;-))
Another positive football related news item has reached us from the home of
the Norwegian Blue parrot (beautiful plumage!), well, it's good news from
Norway.
In a quite progressive and exemplary gesture the Norwegian FA has decided to
pay the female players representing their country the same amount of money
as their more prominent (and richer) male counterparts.
Both national sides will earn an annual pay package of just under £575.000
each, to be divided among the individual players.
The men's team apparently was prepared to sacrifice a portion of their own
wedge in order to facilitate the equal pay concept which will kick in at the
turn of the year.
The move has been hailed by the female national side players for obvious
reasons, but it's not just about the money as such, but what it represents
in terms of recognition and showing that the development of ladies football
is not going unnoticed at least in certain countries with Norway being the
first of hopefully a lot more countries that may follow suit.
Norway winger Caroline Graham Jensen posted a message on social media,
praising the men's football team for chipping in financially to make the
equal pay scenario a reality. She said "For you to say that equal pay is how
it should be, makes me want to cry. It makes me want to hug you all. Thank
you for making it a bit easier to chase our dreams." Good on you Norway,
land of fjords, log cabins and exemplary behaviour by the footballing
authorities.
Talking West Ham now there hasn't been an awful lot happening in the world
of West Ham. Some players were away on international duty, obviously, and
Arnautovic scored, yet failed to qualify. Diafra Sakho scored too and
apparently even managed to not get injured again in the process! This is a
continuation of a positive streak for Sakho who has now scored for both club
and country in recent games.
It confirms what we all have known for a while: A fit and healthy Diafra
Sakho, with his head screwed on in the right place, is worth his weight in
gold. He's had his issues in the past and is what I would mildly describe as
an interesting character. But as a footballer he is undoubtedly skilled and
gifted, he also has quite an engine and presses the opposition defenders no
end – I always love to see that.
Sakho strikes me as an arm around the shoulder type of guy, he seems to be
quite sensitive, so in order to get the best out of him you need to talk to
him, support him, make him feel wanted, respected and cherished. It begins
with the pay, but doesn't end there. I really feel Sakho still could have a
lot to give to West Ham. A happy Sakho is a striker we cannot afford to
lose. I don't think the exact circumstances of the mysterious January
transfer attempt to Stade Rennes have never been properly explained.
Of course Sakho would want out if he doesn't feel he's got a fair chance of
getting any gametime. The time to sell him would be January as you could
still get some cash for him at that point as his contract is running out at
the end of the season. Problem here is though that every striker we allow to
leave will need to be replaced.
That does require in all likelihood the payment of a halfway decent transfer
fee (and we all know to what crazy levels the prices have skyrocketed in
recent months) and our board are nor exactly renowned for happily spending
the cash when it comes to West Ham.
If we can convince Sakho he can have a good future at West Ham it may be
worth offering him a new deal and increase his wages, to reflect his
contributions as a goalscorer, to be monitored and evaluated over the next
three months. A new deal may come a lot cheaper for the club than trying to
find and sign a new striker from elsewhere.
It's been a tough time for Sakho at West Ham, especially last season, but I
cannot help but keep my fingers crossed that things will turn out well for
both the player and our club.
If, after all, the player or West Ham should decide though to let Sakho go I
really do hope we do our homework and find a suitable replacement who is
also a realistic target we can actually sign. I'd hate to see another
Carvalho scenario unfolding here.
In Germany we've had a bit of an upheaval recently, quite literally, with
storm Xavier tormenting Northern and Eastern Germany last Thursday, with
hundreds of trees being felled by the force of the storm, heavy rains
contributing further to the general mayhem, killing seven people in total,
injuring hundreds more, bringing public transport to a standstill in certain
areas for several days after the event.
Concordia football was largely unaffected, with the games being scheduled
for yesterday and apparently all trees surrounding the ground standing firm.
To my unfettered joy both Cordi teams won, Cordi 2 starting the day with a
5:2 win with the first team following suit with a 2:0 win of their own, so
both are now firmly back on the right track, on the road towards a promotion
push. Long may it continue.
Next weekend will finally see our beloved West Ham back in action. I know
it's Burnley, it's at their ground and they are a well drilled and
disciplined unit. Still we need to start to win those games and approach
these fixtures accordingly, in a positive manner, with hopefully a full
squad to choose from. I reckon we should go with a a pacy lineup rather than
the predictable battering ram approach featuring Andy Carroll as starter.
I would love to see Chicharito starting with Sakho, AC can still cause some
havoc coming on for the final 30 minutes. Maybe Lanzini will be fit and
ready to start as well.
And could we see Bilic taking a bit of a gamble by starting Masuaku instead
of Cresswell, combining with Arnautovic on the left wing ? All shall be
revealed next Saturday.
COYI!!!
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THERE IS NO CAMP 3
By Mike Ireson 9 Oct 2017 at 17:00
WTID
Here we are then. Another poxy international break and another opportunity
for you to realise you really don't care about the national team.
I won't attempt watching an England friendly as the timescale to when I
start scowling at the television, bemoaning that most of the team aren't
worthy of cleaning Kevin Keegan's boots let alone pulling on the shirt has
become frighteningly short.
Even the dog gives me the skunk eye, bewildered at such bluster being
spouted from the other end of the sofa.
I'll Dip in and out of qualifiers, but I can't stay the Distance. I grew up
across a couple of generations of England squads where it meant something to
be selected. You looked up to these players as they were playing for
England. The afore mentioned Keegan, Brooking, Shilton, Hoddle, Lineker,
Gascoigne, Pearce, Adams, Butcher, Robson, Wilkins etc. I can go on much
longer.
Now what are people looking up to? Jake Livermore? Michael Keane? Harry
Maguire? Phil Jones?
Enough to bring a tear to the eye of a grumpy old man.
But I Digress, I Didn't come here to moan about England, I came here to do
what one should always do during a dull international break and that is play
devil's advocate and try to get a debate going.
Although now I've chucked the England thing in you've got 2 topics to
Discuss – double bubble!
Now I want to make it clear, I thought Slaven Bilic was the right man for
the West Ham managers job when he was appointed, and I still think he is the
right man.
But every time we don't win a game there is usually a media led hub bub that
Super Slav is on his way out of the exit. Currently only Everton's woeful
form is keeping his name from being the bookies favourite for the chop next.
But he's a close second.
So what if the 2 Dave's were to actually strap him to the ejector seat and
hit the button?
Current favourite to replace him is the villain from Scooby Doo before he
has the mask pulled off, Manuel Pellegrini.
All the other usual suspects are there Mancini, Ancelotti, Benitez.
But one name is absent and surely there must be some mistake. For there can
only be one possible candidate for the London Stadium hot seat.
Step forward Paolo Di Canio.
Now, instantly you have just formed yourself in to one of just 2 camps.
Camp 1 – Spot on, he's West Ham through and through, a legend, just the man
we need.
Camp 2 – Are you mad? He is bordering on a lunatic with questionable
political beliefs who will tear the squad apart and make us a laughing
stock.
There is no camp 3, there is no in between.
Camp 1: When manager of Swindon, across 95 games he had a win % of 56.8.
Apart from Sir Trevor's 2 short spells, no West Ham Manager has ever got
near that. The best being Billy Bonds with 43.6. We'd take that kind of win
rate all day long wouldn't we?
Camp 2: When manager of Sunderland he alienated the squad so much a group of
senior players demanded the board get rid of him. They Did. Managing a group
of players at Swindon who relied on their pay packets and were in awe of a
superstar is completely different to managing a squad of rich Premier League
stars who need carrot rather than whacking great stick.
Camp 1: Just his presence on the touchline would help ramp up the atmosphere
at the London Stadium. Regardless of anything else it would be worth it to
see him run the length of the touchline and knee slide after a goal. The
roof would come off the place. Surely a Di Canio/Dicks management team would
get the players playing?
Camp 2: This is a man who will argue with his own reflection. It would only
be a matter of time before he fell out with everybody and he walked away/was
escorted from the premises. A Di Canio/Dicks management team would be like
the lunatics running the asylum.
A simple choice people – camp 1 or 2?
COYI
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Rice, Haksabanovic, Martinez - the West Ham players who could save the club
millions in January
It's unlikely the club will be purchasing anyone in January but if things go
wrong, these three could save them millions
Football London
Sam Inkersole
16:00, 10 OCT 2017
It's only October but the January Transfer Window is never far from our
minds especially when it comes to West Ham, who are seemingly linked with
hundreds of players every window. Manager Slaven Bilic was backed - to an
extent - in the summer and with his contract set to expire this summer and
with no sign of it being close to being extended, it's unlikely he'll be
getting any players in January even if he did want them. Unless the club is
struggling badly down the wrong end of the table then that might change but
it's unlikely we will see many new faces in January. If we do, you can bet
your mortgage on them being Sullivan and Gold purchases, not Bilic ones.
With that in mind, there are a few players who could save the club millions
if they are given a proper chance in problem positions, three of them in
particular.
Declan Rice
Harshly hauled off after his error at Newcastle which allowed Joselu to
score, Rice's confidence could well have taken a hit as he hasn't been seen
on the Premier League stage since that third game of the season. Now at
eight top flight games by the time the trip to Burnley comes around, Bilic
would be wise to at lest give some minutes off the bench to the impressive
18 year old because when Christmas comes around and that packed fixture list
with t, Rice could well be needed and we know he is good enough for this
level.
Sead Haksabanovic
Manuel Lanzini's fitness has been a major issue so far this season and
despite a plethora of attackers at the club, Haksabanovic is as direct a
replacement as anyone for the Argentine. He was brought in with this
wonderkid stigma attached to him but we have only seen the one senor
performance fro him and that was in the Carabao Cup win over Bolton. Maybe
playing him alongside Lanzini s a bit much with two creative midfielders in
but we reckon it could be a bit of fun for sure.
Toni Martinez
With Diafra Sakho hinting he may well be off in January, there could be a
striker vacancy in the first team and that is where Martinez can step up.
The Spaniard can consider himself unfortunate having seen the likes of Rice
and Nathan Holland get first team minutes this season while Martinez has
remained with the Hammers U23s in PL2 Division One. West Ham have struggled
a bit for goals this season and a bit more firepower will never go amiss.
Though Martinez is unproven, so was Marcus Rashford and look how he turned
out?
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
WALTER MAZZARRI EYED BY BOTH WEST HAM AND EVERTON
MICHAEL OLIVER @MichaelOIiver
ReadWestHam
While Slaven Bilic seemingly has the backing of both David Gold and David
Sullivan for the time being at West Ham, the club hierarchy are still doing
some due diligence on potential replacements for the Croat.
With his contract up at the end of the season and no decision made on
whether the club will stand by their former defender, the Hammers continue
to be linked with replacing Bilic in the not too distant future.
One man who is apparently on the club's radar is Walter Mazzarri, who
remains out of work after leaving Watford at the end of last season.
The former Inter Milan boss successfully guided Watford to Premier League
safety last season but as part of the club's philosophy to chop and change
their managers, the Italian was given the boot after just one year in
charge.
Mazzarri still lives in London and would be open to another bite at the
Premier League cherry, but West Ham could face competition from Everton for
him as they eye the experienced coach as a potential replacement for the
under-fire Ronald Koeman.
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