Burnley v West Ham United: All you need to know
WHUFC.com
West Ham United return to action following the international break with a
trip to Turf Moor against Burnley.
Read on for more information about team news, recent history between the two
sides and travel information.
Where and when?
West Ham United take on Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday 14 October at 3pm.
The address of the stadium is: 52-56 Harry Potts Way, Burnley BB10 4BX
How to follow:
You can follow the game live via our Matchday Blog on whufc.com, with
updates also available on Twitter throughout the afternoon. You can also
follow the match in different ways on our official Instagram, Facebook and
Snapchat channels!
Due to being a Saturday 3pm kick-off the match is not available for viewing
in the UK. For worldwide broadcast schedules, click here.
Team news:
Pedro Obiang and Edimilson Fernandes have returned to full first-team
training and could be involved in this weekend's match.
Slaven Bilic is also optimistic that Chicharito will be available for
Saturday's contest after returning from international duty on Thursday.
The only player definitely absent for West Ham is James Collins, but Bilic
says the defender could be back in training early next week.
Match officials:
Referee: Stuart Attwell
Assistant Referees: Eddie Smart & Mick McDonough
Fourth Official: Mike Dean
Meet the opposition:
With three wins from their seven league matches, and just one defeat so far
this campaign, Sean Dyche's Burnley are enjoying an excellent start to the
new season.
Back in the Premier League last season, the Clarets avoided relegation and
now sit in sixth in the top flight, having taken points from the likes of
Champions League sides Chelsea, Tottenham and Liverpool already this
campaign.
Burnley's only loss this campaign so far did come at Turf Moor, against West
Brom, which will give Slaven Bilic's team hope of a positive result on
Saturday.
Player to watch:
Pablo Zabaleta has thrived for the Hammers since moving to the side from
Manchester City in the summer, particularly enjoying his chances to get
forward when playing as a wing-back.
The experienced Argentinian has added more maturity to the side and continue
to impress, and will be hoping for a similar good performance against
Burnley this weekend.
Head-to-head:
Recent history in this fixture is firmly in West Ham's favour. The Irons
have claimed the victory in the last five meetings between the two sides in
all competitions.
Four of those have come in the Premier League, while the other was a 2-0
away victory in the League Cup in 2013.
The last time Burnley bested the Hammers was during our last campaign in the
Championship, when the Clarets beat the Irons 2-1 at the Boleyn Ground in
December 2011.
Last five meetings:
Burnley 1-2 West Ham United, Premier League, May 21 2017
West Ham United 1-0 Burnley, Premier League, December 14 2016
West Ham United 1-0 Burnley, Premier League, May 02 2015
Burnley 1-3 West Ham United, Premier League, October 18 2014
Burnley 0-2 West Ham United, Premier League, October 29 2013
How to get there:
Car: Join the A1(M) from the M11, and follow the road until Junction 32A,
and join the M62.
From there take the M66 and then the A56 towards Cavalry Way/A671 in
Burnley. Take exit ten on the M65.
Continue onto the A671 and then take Centenary Way/A682 to Harry Potts Way.
Train: There are two train stations - Burnley Central and Burnley Manchester
Road - that are in walking distance of Turf Moor. Central, a 20 minute walk,
is mainly served by local trains, while Manchester Road is a 15 minute walk
and is served by a faster express service.
Coach: West Ham United's official Coach Travel option to Burnley has sold
out
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Fonte: We go to Burnley full of energy and confidence
WHUFC.com
Jose Fonte is in a good place right now.
The West Ham United defender has not only helped shore up the Hammers
defence in recent weeks, but also celebrated qualification for the 2018 FIFA
World Cup finals with Portugal in midweek.
Next up for the centre-back is a trip to Burnley in the Premier League on
Saturday, when he is aiming to keep a fifth clean sheet in six matches for
club and country...
We are going to Burnley to win
Last month, we got seven points from our four Premier League games and kept
three clean sheets. Although the last game at home against Swansea City was
difficult, we still managed to do the job and get the win. We have returned
from the international break full of energy and full of confidence and we're
going to Burnley to win the game. Our confidence comes from the work we have
done on the pitch, both in training and in matches. The boys have been
working hard with the manager and the confidence only comes from there. We
got a good result and good clean sheet against Swansea and now we want to do
the same at Burnley, but we know it's not going to be easy because they are
good at home and have started really well in the Premier League. We know
it's going to be a tough game, but we are confident we can go there and get
some points.
It's been an amazing week
It's been an amazing week. It was a tricky one, as we started with an
apparently easy game in Andorra, but it is never easy there because of the
pitch, but we did the job there. That win set up the final against
Switzerland at home and we back ourselves against anyone in the Stadium of
Light. We did the job again, winning 2-0, so it was a good night and we're
delighted to be going to the World Cup. It was a big night for everyone in
Portugal on Tuesday. The people support us and they came out in force and
were a big part of that win, because they pushed us until the end, believed
in us and kept supporting us. It was an unbelievable atmosphere and everyone
played their part. Obviously, we're not favourites and we don't consider
ourselves as favourites to win the World Cup, but we're not scared of
anyone. We go into the tournament full of confidence but with our feet on
the ground, because it's the biggest competition in football. We have to
approach the World Cup game-by-game, like we did at Euro 2016, and see how
it goes, but certainly we will have the support that we had in France and
we'll see.
It's great to be part of it
The Portugal manager Fernando Santos has shown many times that he has faith
in every member of his 23-man squad, including myself. He really believes in
all of us and that showed when he chose an almost completely different XI
from Andorra to Switzerland, even though both were must-win games. As a
manager, he trusts everyone and that keeps everyone on their toes and
feeling part of it, so it's great to be in the squad.
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Carroll: I'd love to play up top with Chicharito
WHUFC.com
Andy Carroll is convinced he can forge a successful strike partnership with
Chicharito. The England centre forward and Mexico striker have spent 280
minutes on the pitch together since Carroll's return from injury last month.
However, the pair have partnered one another in attack in a 4-4-2 formation
for just 78 of those minutes – in the 1-0 Premier League win over Swansea
City at London Stadium last time out – and Chicharito's consolation against
Tottenham Hotspur on 23 September is the only goal either have scored when
they have been in action at the same time. While the numbers so far may not
be outstanding, Carroll says it is still early days and the pair can
undoubtedly work well together in the future. "He's got to play up front,
that's his position, and the manager has said that himself," the No9
observed. "That would lead to a 4-4-2 if he's playing like that and I'm
confident we can work well together. "We obviously played 4-4-2 last week
[against Swansea] and it worked. Who knows [what the manager will do at
Burnley on Saturday]? We'll just do what comes, but obviously I'm confident
playing with him in any formation. "He's obviously a great player and I'd
love to play up top with him."
Chicharito is not the only top-class striker available to partner Carroll,
of course, with Diafra Sakho coming from the bench to score the winner in
that victory over Swansea on 30 September. "Diafra is always popping up. He
had problems with injuries last season but, when he plays, he scores."
Carroll himself is still seeking his first goal of the season and feels
ready to kick-start his season at Burnley on Saturday after a productive
international break "The last two weeks have been good. We won the last
game, so it was nice to go into the international break on the back of a
win. "I feel very good. In training, I'm feeling a lot sharper and I'm
really ready to kick-start the season. I'm not 100 per cent yet and I've got
a long way to go, but I've been working hard and everything."
While he would clearly love to break his duck at Turf Moor and hit the net
for the first time since scoring at Hull City on April Fools' Day, Carroll
rightly believes there is more to his game than goals. "As a team, we've
just got to focus on winning games and conceding less goals. For myself,
I've got to concentrate on getting on the scoresheet as often as possible
and focus on winning games. "It's been a long time since I scored, but I
don't feel my game is all about goals. I create chances and drag players out
of position, too. "Obviously I love to score goals like any striker and I'm
sure there's many to come, but it's not really the main thing to me."
Burnley will not lie down and let Carroll get off the mark, though. The
Clarets have made a strong start to the campaign under Sean Dyche and the
28-year-old is expecting a testing afternoon at Turf Moor. "They've had a
good run and had some fantastic results against the top teams and they've
got a fantastic manager and a really intense stadium with the fans close to
the pitch, so it's going to be tough, we know that, but we've been working
this week and will be ready for them.
"You would like to think we can use these next few games to build a
platform. We've had some games we've struggled in but we've got results as
well, so we need to focus on keeping another clean sheet and getting another
three points."
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Cresswell: Hammers must keep improving, starting with Burnley
WHUFC.com
Aaron Cresswell says he and his West Ham United teammates must keep
improving ahead of Saturday's match against Burnley at Turf Moor. Prior to
the international break, the Hammers secured a win at home to Swansea thanks
to a last-minute winner, the value of which cannot be understated according
to the left-back. Cresswell understands Burnley will be a tough game, given
their impressive start to the season, but he is optimistic the team can end
their good run of form. The 27-year-old stressed the Hammers must continue
their winning ways and take their experience and feeling of winning from the
Swansea game into today's tie. Cresswell told whufc.com: "It was a massive
win against Swansea. It wasn't a big performance from us, but the main thing
at this stage was to get the three points and that's what we did. We need to
take that experience and feeling of winning into the Burnley game. We've got
to keep on improving and get more points on the table. "It is not going to
be an easy game, they've had a fantastic start from their point of view but
we want to stop their good run, put in a good performance and come away with
three points."
Cresswell comes in the Burnley game on the back of a first England start and
first competitive appearance for his country, helping the Three Lions to a
1-0 win in Lithuania on Sunday. The full-back called it a 'dream come true'
to play for England competitively but insists his focus is now firmly back
on club football and helping the Irons climb up the league table. "I've had
a couple of caps before but never a full competitive debut", he said. "When
you're a young boy, you dream of starting for your country, putting on that
England jersey and playing a competitive game was a dream come true for me.
"Now it's back to reality with West Ham and the main thing you have to do
now is impress for your club and try do the best you can."
Despite his new status as a fully fledged international, Cresswell has
revealed West Ham skipper Mark Noble is stopping him from getting too big
headed by sending him to make his drinks. "Yes he [Noble] always like a
little tea every now and then", he laughed. "This place is always about
keeping your feet on the ground and I've always done this, never get ahead
of myself." Cresswell has also hailed the support of the 'fantastic'
supporters that West Ham boasts and says it is up to the squad to repay that
faith. "We have such fantastic fans that fill up the stadium, we play at an
incredible stadium, everything about the club is fantastic.
"It's down to us as players to keep our form up and give the fans something
to shout about and be positive, they deserve it."
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Carroll: I'd love to play up top with Chicharito
WHUFC.com
Andy Carroll is convinced he can forge a successful strike partnership with
Chicharito. The England centre forward and Mexico striker have spent 280
minutes on the pitch together since Carroll's return from injury last month.
However, the pair have partnered one another in attack in a 4-4-2 formation
for just 78 of those minutes – in the 1-0 Premier League win over Swansea
City at London Stadium last time out – and Chicharito's consolation against
Tottenham Hotspur on 23 September is the only goal either have scored when
they have been in action at the same time. While the numbers so far may not
be outstanding, Carroll says it is still early days and the pair can
undoubtedly work well together in the future. "He's got to play up front,
that's his position, and the manager has said that himself," the No9
observed. "That would lead to a 4-4-2 if he's playing like that and I'm
confident we can work well together. "We obviously played 4-4-2 last week
[against Swansea] and it worked. Who knows [what the manager will do at
Burnley on Saturday]? We'll just do what comes, but obviously I'm confident
playing with him in any formation. "He's obviously a great player and I'd
love to play up top with him."
Chicharito is not the only top-class striker available to partner Carroll,
of course, with Diafra Sakho coming from the bench to score the winner in
that victory over Swansea on 30 September. "Diafra is always popping up. He
had problems with injuries last season but, when he plays, he scores."
Carroll himself is still seeking his first goal of the season and feels
ready to kick-start his season at Burnley on Saturday after a productive
international break
"The last two weeks have been good. We won the last game, so it was nice to
go into the international break on the back of a win. "I feel very good. In
training, I'm feeling a lot sharper and I'm really ready to kick-start the
season. I'm not 100 per cent yet and I've got a long way to go, but I've
been working hard and everything."
While he would clearly love to break his duck at Turf Moor and hit the net
for the first time since scoring at Hull City on April Fools' Day, Carroll
rightly believes there is more to his game than goals. "As a team, we've
just got to focus on winning games and conceding less goals. For myself,
I've got to concentrate on getting on the scoresheet as often as possible
and focus on winning games. "It's been a long time since I scored, but I
don't feel my game is all about goals. I create chances and drag players out
of position, too. "Obviously I love to score goals like any striker and I'm
sure there's many to come, but it's not really the main thing to me."
Burnley will not lie down and let Carroll get off the mark, though. The
Clarets have made a strong start to the campaign under Sean Dyche and the
28-year-old is expecting a testing afternoon at Turf Moor. "They've had a
good run and had some fantastic results against the top teams and they've
got a fantastic manager and a really intense stadium with the fans close to
the pitch, so it's going to be tough, we know that, but we've been working
this week and will be ready for them.
"You would like to think we can use these next few games to build a
platform. We've had some games we've struggled in but we've got results as
well, so we need to focus on keeping another clean sheet and getting another
three points."
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Reid relishing battle with in-form Burnley
WHUFC.com
Friend will become foe when Winston Reid and Chris Wood square-off at Turf
Moor on Saturday - but the West Ham United star knows Burnley are far more
than a one-man team. Defender Reid and striker Wood spent the international
break as teammates as New Zealand traveled to Japan, but this weekend they
will be opponents when the Hammers take on the Clarets. Reid wore the
captain's armband and Wood scored in a 2-1 friendly defeat in Japan on 6
October, and the No2 is acutely conscious of the threat his compatriot will
pose. With Wood scoring three goals in seven appearances, Reid is aware of
just how well Sean Dyche's side have started the season – the Clarets have
lost just once in their opening seven Premier League matches and go into the
weekend seventh in the table. "We know how Burnley play and they've had good
success with the way they've been playing for the last couple of years,"
said the No2. "They're a well-drilled team, especially at home, where they
are tough to play against. "Not many teams go there and pick up points but,
that said, we've got players coming back, we're getting fitter, especially
our offensive players, so I think we've got a good chance of picking
something up there on Saturday."
Focusing on his international teammate, Reid has been impressed by the
strides made by the 25-year-old in the last two years, a period which has
seen him score 47 goals in 87 appearances for Leeds United and Burnley. "I
joked before the game that I would kick him on the plane home so he couldn't
play, but he managed to take an earlier flight so I couldn't! I'm only
messing, of course. He scored our goal and is an important player for our
national team and now for Burnley.
"The last couple of years, especially, Chris has worked hard on getting
better and hopefully he's going to get into double-figures for Burnley, but
I just hope he doesn't score this Saturday! "I think his finishing has
improved a lot and he's incorporated some good touches in and around the
box. He's a big, physical guy so he can hold the ball up for you and, to be
fair, he's not that slow either. "His all-round game has just improved. When
you're young, you're a bit immature in the game, but he's improved and is
calmer in front of goal."
Reid's appearance in Nagoya was his first for New Zealand in a year and,
despite losing 2-1, the defender said the fixture was good preparation for
the All Whites' two-legged 2018 FIFA World Cup Intercontinental Play-Off
with Peru in November. "It was an encouraging performance overall. We didn't
start well and when you go away to places like Japan, who are a good team
with big support, you have to start well. "There were about 70,000 people
there and the atmosphere was unbelievable. They were really positive about
their team. "We grew into the game, but then they got a penalty, which was a
bit harsh as the ball was smashed into someone's arm from about two yards,
and scored. We equalised and then had some chances, but weren't quite good
enough to close the game out. "We spoke about it after the game and, when
you play against so-called 'bigger' teams, you need to be able to see the
game out. "Overall, though, it was a good trip. I'd never been to Japan
before and it was really nice to visit that part of the world. I look
forward to going back there at some stage, as the people were really
friendly and helpful and just generally really happy."
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'Sakho is our best all-round striker' - Cottee hails record-holding marksman
WHUFC.com
Diafra Sakho is West Ham's "best, all-round striker" according to Tony
Cottee, as the forward looks to maintain his record of being the Club's most
prolific marksman in Premier League history. Going into Saturday's game,
Sakho has scored 17 top-flight goals in just 3,566 minutes of football –
that is one goal every 209.76 minutes or 2.33 Premier League matches. That
is the best strike-rate of any West Ham player in the Premier League era,
placing him marginally ahead of second-place Paolo Di Canio, whose 48 goals
make him the Hammers' all-time leading Premier League scorer.
Manager Slaven Bilic has confirmed that Sakho is in his squad for Saturday
and the Senegalese attacker has an added incentive to score if he plays - a
goal will keep him ahead of Di Canio in the rankings. Di Canio's 48 goals
were spread across 10,098 minutes, meaning the Italian found the net once
every 210.38 minutes – or 2.34 matches. "In my opinion Diafra Sakho is the
best all-round striker at West Ham," Cottee told whufc.com: "In Andy
Carroll you have a forward who is excellent in the air and in physical
duels, and Chicharito is undoubtedly the best finisher at the Club but I've
said before, and I stick by it, that Sakho is the side's best, all-round
striker." "The lad can do it all. He can run, he can head the ball, he can
battle and he is a great finisher. The statistics show his incredible record
but you don't need numbers to see what a good player he is."
In Sakho, Carroll and Chicharito West Ham have a trio of attackers that
could all start this weekend against Burnley, and Cotttee is delighted to
see Bilic left with such a positive selection headache. He added: "I want
to see Sakho in the team, but I also want to see Chicharito and Carroll in
the starting XI as well. It gives Slaven Bilic a headache that he's not
really had before, because he has three quality strikers to fit into his
team. It's a nice decision to have to make."
After Sakho and Di Canio the third-best strike-rate belongs to a man who
scored 24 goals in 5,218 minutes of Premier League football in Claret and
Blue – a goal every 217.42 minutes or 2.42 matches – former Wales centre
forward John Hartson. Next comes Paul Kitson, whose 18 goals came every
235.38 minutes/2.62 matches, while Carroll has found the net at the
fifth-best rate in the Premier League era, netting one of his 30 goals every
237.2 minutes/2.64 matches
Unsurprisingly, Sakho's best season in terms of strike-rate was his first at
the Club, 2014/15, when he scored ten goals in just 1,760 minutes of Premier
League action. You do not need to be a mathematician to work out that meant
he found the net every 176 minutes or 1.98 matches, meaning he scored at a
clip of better than 'one-in-two'. Sakho has scored eight of his 17 goals
with his right foot, including his unforgettable goal in the Final Game at
the Boleyn Ground against Manchester United in May 2016, two with his left
foot, including the clincher in the historic 3-0 victory at Liverpool in
September 2016, and seven with his head, including the winner against Joe
Hart's Manchester City back in October 2014.
More surprising, perhaps, is the fact that Di Canio's best strike-rate came
in 2002/03, a season which culminated in West Ham's relegation from the
Premier League. That campaign saw him score nine goals in just 1,357 minutes
of Premier League football, or a goal every 150.77 minutes or 1.68 matches.
For the record, the strike-rate top ten is filled out by Frederic Kanoute
(29 goals/241.97 mins per goal), Tony Cottee (23/242.04), Jermain Defoe
(18/247.38), Bobby Zamora (18/261.72) and Marlon Harewood (17/270.24).
And of the other players who have scored as many or more Premier League
goals as Sakho (17), Michail Antonio (17/291.65), Carlton Cole (41/297),
Trevor Sinclair (36/397.33), Kevin Nolan (18/415.66), Julian Dicks
(21/466.1), Frank Lampard (24/500) and Mark Noble (33/729.3) complete the
list.
Oh, and for the record, Sakho would have to be on the pitch for just eleven
scoreless minutes on Saturday to cede his strike-rate crown to Di Canio!
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Slaven Bilic column: We have a confident, happy and almost entirely fit
squad for Burnley
WHUFC.com
The West Ham United manager shares his thoughts exclusively in his weekly
column for whufc.com ahead of Saturday's Premier League meeting with
Burnley…
As is always the case during an international break, towards the end of the
second week everyone is just desperate to get back to playing Premier League
football and we are no different.
I said just over a month ago that one of the worst aspects of our defeat at
Newcastle at the end of August was the fact that we had to live with it for
two whole weeks before having the opportunity to bounce back.
For any manager, losing a match immediately before an international break is
extra painful for that very reason.
And so that is why it was such a great feeling to go into this break on the
back of a victory against Swansea, with our fourth clean sheet in five games
and seven points from a possible 12.
It wasn't a beautiful game, I accept that. While on the one hand it is all
about points and it is a very demanding league, the manager, the players,
the fans and everyone wants to enjoy the football and the whole game.
In every defeat, you can find something positive and also, in every victory,
you can't talk only about the positives. It would be totally wrong to say
'It's ideal, it's only about the points'. Okay, it's good to win and it is
job done, but we have to improve and we have many reasons to believe we are
going to improve in that other part of the game.
By far the best aspect of this break is that it has given some key players
the opportunity to work on their fitness and physical condition without the
consideration of a match to deal with.
The likes of Manuel Lanzini, Michail Antonio and Andy Carroll have really
benefited from that time on the training pitch, while we have players such
as Pedro Obiang and Edimilson Fernandes back from injury.
This week, we have also welcomed back many of the international players in a
positive frame of mind. Joe Hart and Aaron Cresswell have qualified for the
World Cup with England, Jose Fonte with Portugal, Chicharito with Mexico,
while other guys are almost there.
Some people will say that has nothing to do with West Ham, but they grow a
little individually with their success, they come back and their whole
situation is better than it was a few weeks ago. Especially, with a couple
of players who are responsible for our offensive game, and are important for
us, it looks good.
It means we have a confident, happy and almost entirely fit squad travelling
up to Burnley this weekend. We know it is going to be tough game, against a
side who have started the season very well and deserve to be where they are
in the top six. But we go there with no fear.
I would like to wish all of our supporters travelling up to the north west a
safe journey there and back.
Come on you Irons!
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'We must show intensity to beat Coventry' - Ladies boss De Carnys
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Ladies must show the same mental strength that they
displayed against Charlton in this Sunday's fixture with Coventry United in
order to achieve another win, according to Greg de Carnys. The Ladies take
on Coventry United this weekend at Rush Green and head into the contest in
good form, having won their last two matches – a 5-0 victory against Swindon
and a 3-1 away win versus league leaders Charlton Athletic. De Carnys is
delighted with how his team dealt with the separate challenges these two
sides presented and has called on his team to take a similar approach with
Coventry. The first team manager told whufc.com: "The two matches we've
played in the last few days – against Swindon and Charlton – have posed
completely different tests and challenges. To come through both with all six
points is immensely satisfying and now we want to continue that run this
Sunday against Coventry. "Throughout those two matches the one thing that
really stood out was the determination the Ladies had to get a positive
result, and how they played for each other. It's important that we maintain
that mentality against Coventry if we want to collect another three points."
Coventry sit just one point above West Ham in the Premier League Southern
Division but De Carnys is wary that the visitors to Rush Green have played a
number of games fewer than West Ham and their other league rivals. "Coventry
are in a bit of a false position," De Carnys admitted: "They have played
three games less than almost every other side in the league and only Crystal
Palace and Charlton have scored more goals than them. "They are a very good
side and we know the threat they will pose to us. We will have to be at our
very best."
Sunday's match will be the Ladies third match in the space of a week, having
played Swindon last Sunday and Charlton on Wednesday in a midweek encounter.
De Carnys admits the side might have benefited from a slightly longer break
between the games to enjoy the wins but added that the quick turnaround is
no excuse for a lack of effort this weekend. "It might have been nice to
have a couple more days in between the matches we've played to savour the
victories, but that's football and the girls need to be strong and
prepared," he added. "The fans see the hard work we put in during matches
but these girls also work tremendously hard during the week as well in order
to improve. After Sunday's game the Ladies will have a chance to breathe a
bit and recover, both physically and mentally, but they know they need to
show the same intensity and fight against Coventry as they did in our other
matches."
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Hammers youngster Belic set to return in Spurs showdown
WHUFC.com
Serbian midfielder Kristijan Belic is hoping to make his mark in Saturday's
Premier League U18 Division 1 fixture at Tottenham Hotspur. West Ham
United's youngsters head to north London seeking to build on the point they
gained against Norwich City last time out – their first of the 2017/18
season. Spurs have lost their last two fixtures, at Reading and home to
Aston Villa, but the same 1-0 scoreline, and have tasted defeat in four of
their six matches overall. Belic is feeling upbeat about his imminent return
at Hotspur Way, having recovered from a shin problem suffered in the warm-up
ahead of the Hammers' meeting with Swansea City on 9 September. "I'm feeling
decent," Belic insisted. "I feel pretty good in myself. Before the setback,
I'd been able to play in a few matches so far this season. It's all good.
I'm happy and looking forward to being back on the pitch."
As mentioned above, West Ham's youngsters have not gained the points they
would have hoped for so far this season, despite the fact they have
dominated games in terms of possession and territory. Belic admitted that
scenario has been testing, especially when he and his teammates look at the
numbers after each game. "After every game, we look at our stats and every
time we do it's really frustrating because in every match we've had
something like 60 or 70 per cent possession and we always have a lot of
chances, but we just can't get the ball in the net. "We're getting there,
though. We just have to defend better when the opponents come at us."
Prior to his injury, Belic had firmly established himself in Steve Potts's
U18s side at West Ham. The 16-year-old has enjoyed learning from the former
defender, who played more than 500 first-team games for the Hammers across a
17-year spell. "It's been really good to work with someone who played so
many matches for West Ham in Steve. "He's a really good coach and it's
always beneficial to work with him and have a conversation. He wants to give
you all he's got as long as you're willing to work hard and be at your best
too. "Terry [Westley] is the same. He's the Academy Director and he wants us
to have every chance to succeed. I've learned a lot from both of them. I'm
definitely more mature and I've grown a lot because of the coaches around
me."
A powerful midfielder, Belic has caught the eye with his physical presence,
strength and commitment, qualities he believes top-class midfielders need to
make their mark. The teenager models his 'aggressive' game on West Ham's own
Cheikhou Kouyate and AS Roma's Belgium international Radja Nainggolan, of
whom he says 'his fantastic on the ball and his work-rate is exceptional'.
But concentrating on his own career, Belic hopes his injury issues are
behind him and he can make his mark in Claret and Blue over the coming weeks
and months. "I just want to keep playing consistently and keep playing well.
And hopefully no more injuries!"
Kick-off at Hotspur Way is at 11am on Saturday.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
'How Mark Noble inspires West Ham' - Matt Taylor looks to Burnley match
WHUFC.com
West Ham United return from the international break with a Premier League
fixture against Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday. The Clarets are enjoying
a decent start to the season but Slaven Bilic's side also head into the
match on the back of a win in their last match. Matthew Taylor represented
both West Ham and Burnley during his career and the current Swindon Town
player has taken a look at the crucial elements of this weekend's contest.
'Respect Burnley's start to the season'
Heading into this weekend's match Burnley sit sixth in the Premier League,
having enjoyed a tremendous start to the new campaign. With just one loss
in their seven matches, and points collected in away clashes with Chelsea,
Tottenham and Liverpool, the Clarets are flying high in the top flight.
Furthermore the Clarets have played the most defensive actions in the
Premier League this season with 437. Taylor believes Burnley can now
consider themselves an established Premier League side and, because of how
well Sean Dyche's men have been playing, West Ham need to respect Saturday's
opponent and their current position. Taylor told whufc.com: "I think Burnley
have picked up some results this season that, historically, they wouldn't
have got away from home. They've gone to some big teams and done well. "The
structure of the team has always been good and that's been down to the
manager. Sean Dyche has worked on that with the side on a daily basis. What
they've done now is strengthen with some players that previously they
wouldn't have been able to compete for in the market. They've started well
and I would now call them an established Premier League team."
'Allow Mark Noble to inspire the side'
Captain Mark Noble has started five of West Ham's Premier League matches so
far this season and has been in the starting XI of the last three games in
all competitions. Despite competition for places in midfield, provided by
Cheikhou Kouyate, Pedro Obiang, Edimilson Fernandes and the emerging Declan
Rice, Noble's stance as a boyhood West Ham fan has built a strong
relationship with the Club's supporters. "What Mark Noble gives West Ham,
being a local boy, is the fans a player to resonate with because he is one
of their own," said Taylor. "He has been endeared to the fans for so long
and he is a great stalwart. You don't see many professional players spending
their whole careers at one club, but that's what he has done." The
35-year-old has also hailed Noble's leadership qualities and says the
midfielder's links to the Hammers serves as inspiration to the other
players. He added: "He's a great guy, and he's also a leader on and off the
pitch. I remember when I was there and Kevin Nolan came in, and was made
captain. Mark and Kevin shared it really, in a joint capacity. "To see him
as the captain of a big club like West Ham can only give the other players
positive feelings. He knows the club that well that he can inspire the other
players with it. "Mark, for me, is a proper West Ham guy. He loves the club
and you can see that in his performances."
'Emphasis on the attack'
Last campaign Burnley were rightly given plaudits for a highly successful
home record. It was a run of excellent results at Turf Moor that ensured
Dyche's team remained in the Premier League, but more recently that record
has been slightly poorer. Since the beginning of February Burnley have
played nine home league matches and have won just two of them. Three have
ended in draws while four have seen the Clarets defeated, including a 2-1
loss to West Ham on the final day of last season. If a similar result is to
follow on Saturday, Taylor believes West Ham's attacking players will need
to be on top of their game. He said: "West Ham beat Burnley at Turf Moor
last season but in order for that to happen again the strikers will need to
be absolutely on their game. The margins are so fine in the Premier League
that scoring goals is becoming increasingly more difficult. "Chicharito
needs to keep doing what he does- scoring goals. If Andy Carroll plays then
there needs to be options down the flanks for him and in between the lines
for him to link with. "The creative midfielders that West Ham have need to
play at their best as well."
'Move the ball with confidence'
History in this fixture is on West Ham's side, particularly recent results.
The Irons have claimed victories in the last five matches between the two
sides in all competitions. Four of those have come in the Premier League
which also means the Irons have been successful in their last two trips to
Turf Moor. Does Taylor think the Irons can continue that run? "It will be a
tight game," he admitted: "Burnley don't score many goals but they are also
very strong defensively. They are very well organised and Dyche has got
defenders there that he's worked with for a number of seasons, particularly
the current back four. They are a settled defensive unit. "It could be a
difficult afternoon for both teams. At times West Ham will have control of
the ball but it's about how they use it. They must pass quickly and
effectively. "Burnley will be tough to break down. It's a tough ask for
West Ham but there's no reason that the players won't be going into the game
anticipating three points, and if they play at their best they should get
them."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Holland: I can't wait to face Man Utd at London Stadium
WHUFC.com
Nathan Holland has extra incentive to help West Ham United U23s claim a
victory over Manchester United on Sunday at London Stadium. The
Manchester-born winger, playing his first full season for the club since his
arrival in January, is expected to line up for Terry Westley's side in this
weekend's contest, for which Season Ticket Holders can pick up free tickets.
Holland grew up as a City fan and the winger is using that support from his
youth as extra motivation to get one over the Red Devils. "I can't wait to
play this weekend. We know Manchester United will be a strong side and the
players they have are quality," he said. "We'll want to get a result against
them in our stadium - me especially because I followed Manchester City as a
boy!"
The Hammers currently lie in sixth place in their debut season in the
Premier League 2 Division 1 and victory against Man United could see West
Ham move into the top three. Holland is very pleased with how quickly they
have settled in the top division since moving up. The U23s claimed a
hard-fought 2-1 victory away to Sunderland in their last contest and the
wide-man is confident he and the team will only continue to improve. He
continued: "Earning promotion was a great achievement and none of us feel
we're out of our depth playing in division 1. "It's where we know we belong
and hopefully the results and performances will continue to prove that."
Sunday's match will see the West Ham U23s play their first game of the
season at the London Stadium and the winger believes the quality of the
pitch will help the team. "All the lads, including the staff, are excited",
he said. "We love playing on such a good surface as it enhances our
philosophy and style as a passing team.
"We had an amazing crowd there last time so hopefully we get the same again
and show them what we can do." The 19-year-old has fond memories of playing
in Stratford. Last season he made history when he scored the first ever U23
goal in the 2-0 Premier League 2 Division 2 win over Fulham. He was also
handed a senior debut in the Hammers 3-0 Carabao Cup third-round win over
Bolton Wanderers at London Stadium last month. "Scoring that goal against
Fulham was a great moment for me" he beamed. "I was on a run of goals and
that goal made it three in three, it was an honour to score the first 23's
goal in the stadium!"
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Burnley v West Ham United
SAT, 14 OCT 2017PREMIER LEAGUE
15:00
Venue: Turf Moor
Robbie Brady has scored three goals in five Premier League games against
West Ham
TEAM NEWS
Burnley will again be without summer signing Jonathan Walters, who remains
sidelined for the foreseeable future with a knee injury. Nahki Wells and
Dean Marney are both making progress from long-term injures but are not yet
ready to return.
West Ham's only certain absentee is injured defender James Collins. Javier
Hernandez will be assessed after playing for Mexico in midweek, while
Michail Antonio and Manuel Lanzini are available after injuries.
MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES
Martin Fisher: "It's Burnley's best ever Premier League start, and if their
presence in the top six is surprising, so too are the results behind it.
"Sean Dyche's men have already surpassed their away points for the WHOLE of
last season. The flip side is their uncharacteristic stutters at home - just
one win and only one goal.
"Although West Ham have yet to win on the road they seem to have addressed
their defensive problems which had them bottom in August, and they'll be
quietly confident of extending their excellent recent record at Turf Moor."
Twitter: @mfisherfootball
WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY
Burnley manager Sean Dyche: "I think there's plenty more work to be done...
but I think to get off to the start we have is very pleasing. "It's
unrealistic for me to say that we knew it was going to happen, because we
didn't."
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic: "Does their start surprise me? Yes, it did,
especially their away form because last year they waited until March or
whenever to get that first away win. "If you ask which team has beat Chelsea
and Everton and drawn against Spurs and Liverpool and didn't know it was
them, you would say Manchester United and not Burnley."
LAWRO'S PREDICTION
It feels like playing away suits the Clarets more at the moment - they like
the opposition to come on to them, so they can react to that. That's why I
think this one will end up in a draw, and I don't think either side would be
too unhappy with that.
Prediction: 1-1
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
West Ham have won their last five games against Burnley in all competitions,
including four in the Premier League.
Burnley have scored in 25 of their 26 top-flight home matches against West
Ham, the only exception being a 0-0 draw in February 1928.
Burnley
Twelve points from seven games represents Burnley's best start to a Premier
League campaign.
They are unbeaten in a Premier League club record five games (W2, D3). It's
their longest top-flight run without defeat since a seven-game streak in
February 1975.
All four of Burnley's home league wins in 2017 have been by a 1-0 scoreline.
Only two goals have been scored at Turf Moor in three Premier League matches
this season.
The Clarets have conceded only once before half time this season, Mo Salah's
goal for Liverpool in last month's 1-1 draw at Anfield.
Sean Dyche has made just five changes to Burnley's starting XI in the
Premier League so far, fewer than any other team. West Ham have made 16,
which is the second most.
West Ham United
West Ham are yet to win in four away league games this campaign (D1, L3) and
have conceded 10 goals in the process.
Six of West Ham's seven league goals in 2017-18 have come in the second
half, which is a league-high.
The Hammers have registered three clean sheets in their last four league
games, after managing none in the previous five.
Defeat would leave them with an identical record to this stage of last
season (W2, D1, L5).
SAM's verdict
Most probable score: 1-1 Probability of draw: 28%
Probability of home win: 40% Probability of away win: 32%
SAM (Sports Analytics Machine) is a super-computer created by @ProfIanMcHale
at the University of Liverpool that is used to predict the outcome of
football matches.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
WHAT ARE THE ODDS: BURNLEY AWAY
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 13 OCTOBER 2017 AT 10:56PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by Martin Backhouse @martinbackhouse
The Swansea article – "I'll be lumping on a West Ham win at 10/11 this
weekend; it's going to happen!" Ok, we left it late, but what a win last
time out! I hope you were on.
On Saturday we travel to Turf Moor to face a defensively sound Burnley side.
The Clarets have had such a good start to the season that some journalists
even used up some of their column space recently to write about Sean Dyche
as the next Arsenal manager!
We're priced up with our sponsors at 9/5 to win this one with the draw at
9/4. When it comes to facing Burnley, there are many positives for us to
look at. Burnley have lost five of their previous six Premier League
encounters with us and we've won our last four Premier League matches
against them, however we've only won five consecutive games versus a single
opponent once in Premier League history (vs Blackburn between October 2006
and August 2008). We're actually looking to win consecutive Premier League
games without conceding for the first time since December 2016, when we
secured 1-0 victories over Burnley and Hull City. A 1-0 win could be the way
to go in this one at a very generous 13/2 with Betway as we don't exactly
hammer teams, do we? Burnley, even without the injured Tom Heaton, don't
concede many at home either. If you cast your mind back to May, we won this
fixture last season 2-1 after going a goal down. If you fancy the same
scoreline it's available at 9/1. Just to rub salt into the wounds mentioning
our lack of goals, we have netted 36 goals in all competitions in 2017, as
many as Tottenham's Harry Kane has managed by himself.
One man I feel we need to keep quiet this weekend is Robbie Brady. He always
seems to have a decent game against us and has found the net in three of his
last five when we've been the opposition. I won't mention his price to score
as this article only promotes Irons positivity! Will Chicharito partner Andy
Carroll up top? Will he play out wide? Will he be up top on his own with the
big man on the bench? Who knows, but if you think either of them will find
the back of the net in the north-west of England, they're 11/2 and 6/1
respectively to bag the opener, 21/10 and 23/10 anytime.
There's currently one #betyourway market up for this one – West Ham double
chance, under 2.5 goals, under 11.5 corners and Jack Cork to be carded at a
tempting 12/1!
Burnley (32) have afforded their opponents more shots from corner situations
than any other Premier League side this season, which is why I think we'll
cause them problems. I'm going for the win, maybe a 2-1 win like last time.
We're better than these. COYI
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
DIAFRA SAKHO; THE ANTI-ESTABLISHMENT FIGURE
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 13 OCTOBER 2017 AT 9:57AM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by Andy Phipps @AndyJPhipps
I was sitting at home thinking about West Ham, probably in the same way that
most parents do when they see that their children's school grades are on the
wane, when I got to thinking about Diafra Sakho. It was a weird one because,
rather than follow my gut reaction, I had to weigh up factually exactly what
my opinion of him was. I say 'rather than follow my gut reaction' because,
if I'm honest, I don't really have one.
For the past two seasons, Sakho's presence on the back of the programme has
seemed largely irrelevant. At second glances, he seems almost to be
anachronism of a player that should've been left behind in the Sam years. He
kicks up a stink? So what. Doesn't turn up to training? Who cares. Drives
his car into somebody's wall? Not high profile enough anymore to make big
news. I think the most excitement that we got from him is when West Brom
offered us £16m (still working that one out) for him before the inevitable
failure of a medical lead to him slinking back into the shadows, turning up
here and there every five months before another injury. This is, however,
where it gets interesting.
At the beginning of the summer, before anybody meaningful was added to the
playing staff, we appointed somebody whom lots were calling our
(potentially) most important signing of the season. Gary Lewin, new Head of
Medical Services, came in like a knight in shining armour, a West Ham Way
writer (apologies, I can't remember whom) proclaiming that his speciality
was in the maintenance of players with existing injuries- no small matter
when you're West Ham United. With players like Carroll and Reid in and out
of the squad so many times that Rush Green had to fit a revolving door,
there was cause for optimism. This even led to some whispering that a
certain Senegalese striker would return, putting pay to playground talk that
he was just an urban myth started by the old boys at the Boleyn. Even if he
did return, he wouldn't be anywhere near the first team, would he?
Fast forward to October and here we are. Chicharito hasn't been tactically
allowed to have quite the impact that many had hoped and Carroll seems to be
in that phase where he 'Kills our chances of playing decent football' before
scoring and becoming 'absolutely unplayable' and then the whole cycle starts
again. That's if he doesn't get injured. West Ham fans, eh? So we have no in
form forwards. On comes the forgotten man and pops up with a goal. And we
don't quite know how we feel about it. Apart from his bad boy image, there's
an irresistibility about his return and his match winning goal. Let me
explain.
What made me think about West Ham and Sakho in the first place was a piece
about Brexit. Bear with me. I've heard many political commentators state
that the ball was set rolling because many establishment figures were
against it and the general public was sick of politics and lying, cheating,
inept politicians. It was payback time with two middle fingers aimed firmly
up in the air. Back to football. Last season we had Bilic v the board.
Whatever you think of the board (and I think of them reasonably highly),
they're not always the most likable in how they present themselves. If they
even have a PR team, I'd be very surprised. When things weren't going right
with Payet, injuries and the new stadium, leading to bad results on the
pitch, it was easy to back Bilic. There was almost too much going against
him for him to be able to do a good job. This season, the performances
remain the same in spite of some top drawer signings and reasonable player
fitness. The board, as ever, do themselves no favours with the William
Carvalho debacle. It's certainly easy to become dejected as a West Ham fan.
Then we get a scenario straight out of a 60's Sci-Fi movie where some
average Joe wakes up from a coma to find everything decimated and he is
named master of the universe.
Okay, I'm being flippant here. My point is, however, that Sakho came out
from the cold and delivered the goods. He's also not necessarily affiliated
with the manager or board, both unpopular right now. Yes, he was a Sullivan
signing, thanking the Chairman over Big Sam at the awards evening. His not
playing and bad behaviour, on the other hand, make that kind of
insignificant- I doubt Sullivan would be so upset at him not being picked in
the same way that he would with somebody like Antonio. So the forgotten man,
with no ties to authority does what he's paid to do. Maybe some of the more
disgruntled fans see him as somebody that they can actually get behind. The
public, some would argue somewhat miraculously, backing the
anti-establishment figure.
This brings me to my final point. Whilst every single ounce of logic makes
me want to hate Diafra Sakho, send him home and fine him in the same way we
did with Mr Payet… I can't. Why? The fact of the matter is, Diafra Sakho
seems to give a damn where it matters. On the field. Why would Slav be
prepared to constantly offer an olive branch to somebody who has behaved
poorly in the past and wants to leave when he wouldn't do this to arguably
the best player we've had since Di Canio? Because he's a passionate person
who, when called upon to play, gives his all. Season's ago when we didn't
have a dedicated right back (I know, it could be any given season) and
Tomkin's was put there, it was largely a success due to the support at the
back that Tonka was given. Who was there, running back and providing cover?
Diafra Sakho. Why was he so effective in his first season at West Ham?
Because he went for everything. Half chances, chances that seemed lost. He
went for them. Coming on against Swansea, many forwards would argue that
they weren't given enough time to get into the game, finding the last 10-15
minutes to be pointless. Sakho went for it, bombing it to the back post to
mop up King Arthur's sweetly struck cross. Skill? Maybe not. Effort?
Certainly. Also, the reaction of the other players was there for all to see.
Apart from the glee of a last minute winner, the body language wasn't that
of a group of people who have uninvited somebody from a team meal and kicked
them off the whatsapp group.
What I'm trying to say is that Sakho has problems off the field. That much
is clear. He's had a bit of a torrid time and whilst, injuries aside, it has
been self inflicted, there must be something that Slav sees in him
personally. Slav doesn't suffer fools gladly. Amalfitano was released from
his contract, Arbeloa never quite regained favour and even the European
Championship player of the tournament was eventually given his marching
orders. If you aren't of a certain character, you don't last long. Was his
travelling to Rennes (whom, let's face it, aren't glamour boys of any
league, let alone the French one) a desperate attempt for a fresh start or
to get away from his problems? It's quite possible. An 'It's not you, it's
me' situation, maybe. We don't see what goes on behind the scenes but it
would appear that Sakho fits into the bracket of Paul Gascoigne and our very
own Paolo. Players that, in spite of their problems, love a game of football
and give their all when on the field, becoming people that everyone comes to
respect. I'd much rather that than Payet and Ravel Morrison who have all the
talent in the world but don't have the strength of personality to get
involved with the team and fight for their place. So whilst it remains to be
seen what happens with Sakho in the future, after all he might get injured
in the next game, there's clearly something that the club sees in him that's
worth sticking with. If we can get an arm around him and keep him fit, maybe
he can be like a new signing for us. Can he?
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
BURNLEY V WEST HAM PREVIEW
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 13 OCTOBER 2017 AT 9:50PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by Deportivo Hammer
With what seems like forever we finally return to the Premier League action.
Safe in the knowledge that England have now managed to book their place at
the World Cup. Well done Gareth Southgate and England.
We start off with a trip up to Burnley, which at the moment is not an easy
place to visit, and right now they are playing well and currently sit 6th in
the league with 12 points. They are above Liverpool and are just a point
behind big guns Arsenal and Chelsea. But saying that they seem to be getting
there by making sure they don't lose rather than winning games. They have
won 3 games this season, but have scored only 7 goals so I don't expect this
to be a high scoring game.
West Ham managed to get the 3 points last game out, against a stubborn
Swansea team. While many were unhappy at the performance it truly was a
needed result at the time. Hopefully we can manage a few more 1-0 wins over
the next couple of weeks, I would like to think that players would start to
perform with a greater confidence than we have seen so far this season and
better performances will follow in turn.
We have risen to the dizzy heights of 15th after the Swansea game and
leapfrogged over high spending Everton in the process. Winning on Saturday
could even take us to the top half of the league.
Team news for Saturday is that Burnley will be without Walters, Wells and
Marnley for the game. Not exactly household Premier League names but is
testament to what Burnley have managed to achieve the last few seasons.
The Hammers have only the one senior member of the 1st team squad missing
James Collins. It will be great to see exactly how we will line up with a
fully fit squad.
Burnley : Pope, Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Ward, Brady, Defour, Cork, Hendrik,
Arfield and Wood
West Ham United : Hart, Zabaleta, Reid, Fonte, Cresswell, Kouyate, Noble
Lanzini, Antonio Arnautovic and Hernandez/Carroll.
Playing away from home and against a team playing well I expect Slav to play
like for like against Burnley. But if things start to go wrong then I think
he has lots of options on the bench to change things around. I think we are
in for another borefest but will pick up another 1-0 win with our goal
coming from a Noble penalty. It won't be pretty but I think we will come
back celebrating a great defensive display.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
AWAY DAYS: TURF MOOR-BURNLEY
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 13 OCTOBER 2017 AT 9:27AM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by Katie S @flump9
I am back with another 'Away Days' article and I have to say as much as I
was welcoming the international break after a dismal display against
Swansea, I am most certainly looking forward to the return of premier league
football this weekend.
It is going to be an interesting game on Saturday and I am hoping to see the
team play with confidence and spirit, now we look to have most of our squad
back to full fitness. Burnley are currently sitting sixth in the league,
unbeaten in their last five and are having an excellent start to this
seasons campaign. However, their only win at home so far has been against
Crystal Palace.
My prediction is: Burnley 2 – 2 West Ham.
General Information:
Stadium: Turf Moor
Capacity: 21,944
Address: Harry Potts Way, Burnley, BB10 4BX
Random Fact: Turf Moor is the longest continuously used ground of any of the
49 teams which have played in the Premiership
Seating
Away fans are located in the covered David Fishwick Stand at one end of the
ground, towards the Bob Lord Stand. The stand is shared with home
supporters which usually makes for a good atmosphere. The away stand has
two pillars which can affect your view and has old wooden seats.
Travel
Directions/Parking
From The London Stadium it takes between 4 to 5 hours by car.
Exit M6 at Junction 29 and onto the M65. Exit the M65 at junction 10 and
follow signs for 'Towneley Hall.' This road eventually goes past Turf Moor.
Most of the surrounding streets have parking restrictions, so it is
advisable to use the adjoining cricket club (£6), or the following car
parks:
Towneley Park, BB11 3RQ
Capacity: 200 cars
Advantage: Close to ground, 5 minute walk, illuminated.
Cost £5.
Millennium NCP, Brown St, BB11 1PZ.
Capacity: 500 cars
Advantage: Town centre location, close to all the shops and fast food
outlets.
8 minutes walk from the stadium.
Cost £3 to park.
Deanmill (Plumb St) Car Park, BB11 3AG.
Capacity: 100 cars
Advantage: Close to stadium, new car park, secure, well lit.
4 minute walk from stadium.
Cost £4.
Aircelle Ltd, Bancroft Ave, BB10 2TQ.
Capacity: 275 cars
Advantage: Away from city centre traffic, close to motorway after the game
ahead of traffic flow.
15 minute walk or hop on local bus (3 minute journey).
Cost £3.
For more parking options check here – justpark.com
Train
The nearest station is Burnley Manchester Road. From here, exit the station
and walk down Centenary Way, from where Turf Moor is clearly visible. When
you reach the roundabout at the end of the road, turn right onto Yorkshire
Street, which becomes Harry Potts Way. The ground is on your left hand
side.
From Burnley Central, follow signs for the town centre and then head left
towards the 'Gala' Bingo Hall. From here, walk down Yorkshire Street and use
instructions from above.
Plan your journey here – http://www.nationalrail.co.uk or
http://www.networkwestmidlands.com/
Food/Drink
If you are travelling into Burnley via train then there are a good number of
"popular" fast-food restaurants such as McDonalds and Subway. The main road
leading to the ground has lots of kebab shops etc along the way.
As mentioned above the Cricket Club has onsite parking and welcomes both
home and away fans. It offers cheap food and drink and is the nearest pub
to the ground.
Another pub is the Bridge Bier Huise, again approximately 10 minutes away
from the ground.
10 minutes on Belvedere Road there is a large Brewers Fayre outlet known as
The Queen Victoria, which welcomes away fans and is family-friendly.
The Turf Hotel on Yorkshire Street and pubs in the town centre are best to
avoid, make sure you don't show colours in and around the town centre.
If you aren't one of the 2550 fans making the trip to Turf Moor, make sure
you keep an eye on @WestHamWaycouk on Twitter for live updates throughout
the game.
@flump9 – Twitter
*Details correct at the time of writing this article.
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Bilic spoilt for choice as Hammers travel north
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 14th October 2017
By: Staff Writer
Hammers boss Slaven Bilic has taken a near full-strength squad to the North
West for tomorrow's Premier League clash with Burnley. With the likes of
Michail Antonio, Manuel Lanzini and Pedro Obiang fit and firing on all
cylinders once again, Bilic will be spoilt for choice when naming his
starting XI for what should prove to be a tough test against a Clarets team
in good form.
Notable absentees from the travelling party, who made the journey north by
rail were Sam Byram, James Collins and Swiss midfielder Edimilson Fernandes,
the latter of whom was hoping to make his first appearance since mid-August.
Meanwhile, Burnley boss Sean Dyche insisted that his team would be taking
nothing for granted against Bilic's stuttering West Ham - having surprised
many by beating Everton in their most recent Premier League outing. "There's
a lot of noise because we won against Everton, but we've got a lot of work
to do," he told Sky Sports. "We're looking at how we are producing
performances and how we are working on the training pitch. The outside noise
can take care of itself, we are just really focused on what we are trying to
achieve."
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There's more to my game than goals, says Carroll
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 13th October 2017
By: Staff Writer
On the eve of West Ham's trip to in-form Burnley, Andy Carroll says there is
much more to his game than simply goal scoring. The 28-year-old striker is
yet to hit the target this season despite maintaining match fitness since
returning from his latest lengthy lay-off and having featured in four of
West Ham's seven Premier League matches thus far. However the World Cup
candidate - who feels he is yet to hit top form - maintained that there was
much more to his game that sticking the ball in the back of the net. "It's
been a long time since I scored, but I don't feel my game is all about
goals," he told whufc.com. "I create chances and drag players out of
position, too. "Obviously I love to score goals like any striker and I'm
sure there's many to come, but it's not really the main thing to me. "For
myself, I've got to concentrate on getting on the scoresheet as often as
possible and focus on winning games. I feel very good. "In training, I'm
feeling a lot sharper and I'm really ready to kick-start the season. I'm not
100 per cent yet and I've got a long way to go, but I've been working hard
and everything."
And with view to this weekend's difficult Turf Moor test - at which Carroll
is hoping to score in the Premier League for the first time since April
Fools' Day - he added: "They've had a good run and had some fantastic
results against top teams. "They've got a fantastic manager and a really
intense stadium with the fans close to the pitch, so it's going to be tough,
but we've been working this week and will be ready for them. "You would like
to think we can use these next few games to build a platform. We've had some
games we've struggled in but we've got results as well, so we need to focus
on keeping another clean sheet and getting another three points."
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Bilic: no problem with Christmas Eve match
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 13th October 2017
By: Staff Writer
Slaven Bilic says that he will not be unduly concerned if West Ham are
forced to play Newcastle United on Christmas Eve. The Hammers boss, speaking
to the media ahead of the trip to Burnley admitted that whilst he would
prefer to be at home with his family, fans shouldn't be upset if the
controversial plans are rubber-stamped. "We would all love to be with our
families on Christmas Eve," Bilic said. "We were talking about this
possibility at the Premier League managers meetings before the start of the
season. "This is the Premier League, the most attractive league in the world
with all the rewards that brings. That means, in turn, you have to give
something and if it requires you to play on Christmas Eve, then that is what
we have to do. "Many fans will not like it but you can't have it both ways.
There is a price to pay for everything and if that means we have to play on
Christmas Eve, then we have to get on and do it."
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Burnley v West Ham preview: Hosts look to continue fine form
Last Updated: 14/10/17 7:38am
SSN
Burnley will look to continue their good early-season Premier League form
when they take on West Ham at Turf Moor on Saturday. Sean Dyche's side sit
sixth having taken 12 points from their opening seven games, and will be on
a high following their fine 1-0 win at Everton before the international
break. West Ham, meanwhile, have taken just one point away from home, but
have lifted themselves out of the danger zone following a tough start with
two wins and a draw in their last four games.
Team news
Burnley remain without Jonathan Walters, Nahki Wells and Dean Marney for
West Ham's visit Marney, out since January with knee ligament damage, and
recent arrival Wells (foot) are being phased into the Under-23 set-up to
continue rehabilitation but are still some way from fitness. Walters is
several weeks away with a knee problem, leaving Chris Wood, Ashley Barnes
and Sam Vokes to contest the attacking roles.
James Collins is West Ham's only absentee for Saturday; he suffered an ankle
injury in last month's 0-0 draw at West Brom, and though he will soon be
available, Saturday's fixture comes too early. With Pedro Obiang and
Edimilson Fernandes again in full training, manager Slaven Bilic's only
concern surrounds whether Javier Hernandez is sufficiently fresh to start
following his return on Thursday from international duty with Mexico.
Opta stats
Burnley have lost five of their previous six Premier League encounters with
West Ham, winning the other clash at Turf Moor in February 2010 (2-1). West
Ham have won their last four Premier League matches against Burnley, they've
only won five consecutive games versus a single opponent once in Premier
League history (vs Blackburn between October 2006 and August 2008). The
Clarets are currently enjoying their longest unbeaten run in the Premier
League (W2 D3 L0); they last went six top-flight games without defeat back
in February 1975 (a seven-game streak).
Burnley (32) have afforded their opponents more shots from corner situations
than any other Premier League side this season. In contrast, West Ham have
seen their opponents record a league-low eight attempts from corners.
Sean Dyche has made just five changes to Burnley's starting XI in the
Premier League this season, fewer than any other team. In contrast, Slaven
Bilic has made 16 changes for West Ham, with only Liverpool (24) making
more.
Paul Merson's prediction
This should be a tight game. I watched West Ham last time out and they were
poor, but then Burnley didn't look like scoring in their last home match
against Huddersfield. You watch Burnley away from home and the points they
have got from the fixtures they have had is bordering on phenomenal.
Manchester United and Manchester City would be more than happy with the
points that Burnley have got from their away games. Burnley just need to get
a good home run going again like last year.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-0 (13/2 with Sky Bet)
Betting
Burnley are slight favourites with Sky Bet at 13/8 with West Ham 7/4 while
the draw is priced at 11/5. First goalscorer favourite Chris Wood is
enhanced from 4/1 to 6/1 to break the deadlock in Sky Bet's Price Boosts,
while Javier Hernandez is considered the visitors' main threat at 11/2 to
net first.
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Slaven Bilic prepared to be unpopular among West Ham supporters with his
decision-making
By Rory O'Callaghan
Last Updated: 14/10/17 7:20am
SSN
West Ham boss Slaven Bilic says he is prepared to make unpopular decisions
if he believes they are the right ones for the club. Bilic has guided the
Hammers to seven points from as many games at the start of the new season
but the 49-year-old has twice found himself the target of boos from
disgruntled fans, with some calling for a change in management. Javier
Hernandez also appeared unhappy to be replaced during the 1-0 win over
Swansea but Bilic insists he will stick by his decisions at the risk of
upsetting both players and fans. "It's better to be clapped than booed, but
at the end of the day I have to trust my decisions," he said.
"Those decisions gave us what we wanted. But it doesn't have to be that the
next time we will make the same decision. "Nobody is [undroppable], as a
manager a big part of your job is to make decisions. Is it before a game? Is
it during training? Are they football decisions or non-football decisions
because of the group of people you are leading? "The game decisions are
very important ones. They are crucial. In the last game me and my staff took
the decision because it was the right decision to make. We don't know how it
will end; you never know, but it ended really good." West Ham travel to
Burnley on Saturday with almost a fully fit squad, with only James Collins
absent. Hernandez, Andy Carroll, Andre Ayew, Michail Antonio and Diafra
Sakho will all be all vying for a starting place up front.
"I bet you if I ask you the question would you play Andy? You would say yes.
Would you play Chicharito? You would say yes," said Bilic. "Some of you
would put someone else in also, either Ayew or Michail Antonio. It's
difficult to put them all on the pitch. "I've had both ends, when I had no
options and very rarely when we have all the options. This is much better.
That is much better to have this kind of situation than to have to put your
midfielder to centre-forward."
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MATCH PREVIEW: BURNLEY V WEST HAM
By Dan Coker 13 Oct 2017 at 08:00
WTID
Blast from the past
In today's preview, we travel back almost exactly three years to 18th
October 2014: Meghan Trainor was number one with 'All About That Bass', Gone
Girl topped the UK box office and West Ham United beat Burnley 3-1 at Turf
Moor.
The Hammers came under pressure in the opening minutes, with George Boyd
smashing a shot against the underside of the crossbar for the home side. The
visitors took time to gain a foothold in the match, although Stewart Downing
did strike the outside of the far post after cutting in from the right
flank.
Sam Allardyce's men were clinical in the second half though and were two
goals up before the hour mark. Diafra Sakho scored his sixth goal in six
starts in the 49th minute, heading home a pinpoint Aaron Cresswell cross to
put the Hammers ahead. Sakho would go on to be the Irons' top scorer in
2014/15, scoring 12 goals in 26 appearances. The visitors doubled their
advantage just five minutes later, Carl Jenkinson crossing for Enner
Valencia to bullet home a stunning header.
Burnley halved the deficit on the hour-mark when Adrian spilt a Michael
Kightly corner and Boyd fired into the net. The Hammers secured maximum
points ten minutes later – Morgan Amalfitano's deep corner was headed back
into the danger area by Sakho for Carlton Cole to bravely nod in from close
range. Cole is pictured below celebrating with skipper Mark Noble, who was
making his 200th Premier League appearance for West Ham United in this game
to take him just three behind Steve Potts' club's record.
The victory, coupled with moving into the Premier League's top four, was the
perfect present for Hammers boss Sam Allardyce, who celebrated his 60th
birthday the following day. West Ham would go on to finish 12th in a 2014/15
campaign that saw 25-year-old left-back Cresswell voted Hammer of the Year
with 28-year-old goalkeeper Adrian runner-up for the second successive
season. Burnley finished 19th and were relegated alongside QPR and Hull.
Chelsea won the Premier League title and Arsenal won the FA Cup.
Burnley: Tom Heaton, Kieran Trippier, Jason Shackell, Michael Duff, Ben Mee,
George Boyd, David Jones, Scott Arfield, Michael Kightly (Nathaniel
Chalobah), Danny Ings (Marvin Sordell), Lukas Jutkiewicz (Ashley Barnes).
West Ham United: Adrian, Carl Jenkinson, James Collins, Winston Reid, Aaron
Cresswell, Alex Song (Kevin Nolan), Mark Noble, Morgan Amalfitano, Stewart
Downing, Enner Valencia (Carlton Cole), Diafra Sakho.
Club Connections
A small collection of players have turned out for the Hammers and the
Clarets. They include:
Goalkeepers: Herman Conway and Frank Birchenough.
Defenders: Tyrone Mears, Joe Gallagher, David Unsworth, Tommy Dunn, Jack
Tresadern, Jon Harley and Mitchell Thomas.
Midfielders: Junior Stanislas, Reg Attwell, Matt Taylor and Luke Chadwick.
Strikers: Alan Taylor, Bill Jenkinson, Sam Jennings, Walter Pollard, Ian
Wright, Ian Moore and Zavon Hines.
John Bond played for the Hammers and managed the Clarets.
Today's focus, though, falls on a player who enjoyed spells at both clubs in
the 1920s. Tommy Hampson was born in Bury on 2nd May 1898 and was the
younger brother of full-backs Walker and Billy – all three brothers played
in the same Leeds City side three times in April 1918.
Goalkeeper Tommy had been playing mainly in the North Eastern League with
South Shields and Walker Celtic when he began guesting with Leeds City in
March 1917. Hampson moved to Second Division West Ham in 1920 as understudy
to legendary custodian Ted Hufton, making his debut in a 1-0 win at Clapton
Orient on 15th January 1921. He made four appearances in 1920/21, nine in
1921/22 and only three in the promotion campaign of 1922/23.
Hampson's big break came shortly before Christmas 1923 when England
international Hufton suffered a serious knee injury. He played 30 games in
1923/24, keeping 11 clean sheets and more than playing his part in
consolidating West Ham's top-flight status as the Hammers finished 13th in
their maiden season at English football's top table. With Hufton kept out
for 16 months, Hampson (pictured right) kept his place in the side until
March 1925 and continued to prove an able deputy – he kept twelve clean
sheets in his 33 appearances in the 1924/25 campaign. His 79th and final
appearance for the Irons came in a 5-4 defeat ironically at Burnley on 28th
February 1925.
Hampson left Upton Park to join Blackburn in 1925 but failed to make an
appearance for Rovers and quickly moved on to Annfield Plain and then
Burnley, for whom he made six appearances in 1925/26. He went on to play for
West Stanley, Darlington and Cardiff, where he spent two years before
leaving for Notts County in 1929. He then moved into non-league football in
1930 with Notts Co-op Dairy. Tommy's date of death is unknown.
Referee
The referee on Saturday will be Stuart Attwell. The Birmingham-based
official will take charge of a West Ham game for only the third time, having
also refereed our 1-0 victory at Wigan in March 2009 and our 3-1 win at
Blackpool in February 2011. The 35-year-old sent off the Latics' Lee
Cattermole for a shocking challenge on Scott Parker, while the Hammers'
Carlton Cole also received his marching orders during the aforementioned win
at Wigan. Even Latics boss Steve Bruce criticised the decision to dismiss
the Irons striker.
Attwell also awarded an infamous 'phantom' goal for Reading in a
Championship match against Watford in September 2008. He was the
youngest-ever Premier League referee but was demoted from the Select Group
in 2012. He has refereed six matches so far this season – two in the Premier
League, two in the Championship and one each in the League Cup and
Checkatrade Trophy.
Possible line-ups
Burnley are without England international Tom Heaton and Republic of Ireland
forward Jonathan Walters, while Dean Marney and Nahki Wells will make
returns from injuries in an Under-23 game this evening. The Clarets have
lost just once in seven league games so far this term. Burnley's only home
victory against the Hammers in the last 39 years was a 2-1 win in February
2010.
West Ham United are close to boasting a full squad – James Collins is the
only senior player in the treatment room, with Pedro Obiang and Edimilson
Fernandes now back in training. Chicharito only returned from international
duty yesterday but will be named in the squad. Pablo Zabaleta is one yellow
card away from a one-match suspension. The Hammers have won 14, drawn three
and lost just two of their last 19 matches against Burnley home and away in
all competitions, stretching back to 1979.
Possible Burnley XI: Pope; Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Ward; Brady, Defour,
Cork, Arfield; Hendrick; Wood.
Possible West Ham United XI: Hart; Zabaleta, Fonte, Reid, Cresswell;
Antonio, Kouyate, Lanzini, Arnautovic; Sakho, Chicharito.
Enjoy the game – Up The Hammers!
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OPPOSITION Q&A WITH BURNLEY
By Jeff Gayle 13 Oct 2017 at 17:00
WTID
After the international break we travel North to play our Claret and Blue
cousins Burnley, this weekend. Ahead of the game I spoke to Burnley fan Tony
Scholes editor of "www.uptheclarets.com":https.www.uptheclarets.com …. I
know, I know to discuss all things Claret and Blue.
This is now your fourth season back in the top flight since the early 1970s
and the days of Ralph Coates, Leighton James, Martin Dobson et al; you must
be delighted with your progress after the years in the wilderness.
Those names, and some of those who went in the decade before them, were the
players we were able to hang our memories on during the dark days of the
1980s, a time when we almost became a non-league club or even worse.
I'm a Burnley supporter, no matter what, so I watched us play fourth
division football just as I watch us now play in the top flight again, but.
like all Burnley fans, I am absolutely delighted at the progress our club
has made in these recent years.
You still have to pinch yourself at times. We beat Everton at Goodison Park
in our last game; on the same weekend thirty years ago we lost a league game
at Scarborough.
You've had a great start, but where do you think Burnley will finish at the
end of the campaign?
The start has been incredible. Our first four away games have come at
Chelsea, Spurs, Liverpool and Everton and we are unbeaten. Given we won just
the one away game last season, that is some start on the road for us.
Obviously we would like to finish as high as possible but I doubt many would
expect us to finish the season in the sixth place we currently hold. We
discussed this on the way back from Everton two weeks ago and, as much as
we'd love to finish much higher, a comfortable 17th place would keep us in
this league for another year and that always has to be a target for clubs
like ours. I think we will be higher than that but I'm not expecting us to
achieve a Champions League place our anything like that, the Leicester
achievement was a very definite one off.
Where do you think West Ham can realistically finish the season?
When you look at last season's final table, only six points separated
Southampton in 8th place and Watford who were 17th. West Ham, like
ourselves, were in that group and either of us could have finished in any of
those positions and your win at Burnley on the final day of the season
actually took you above us.
I really think the league will be similar this season with a middle group
who could finish in any number of positions and I suspect West Ham will be
in that group. So, on that basis, I'll suggest similar to last season when
you finished 11th.
Which three teams do you think will suffer relegation and who will lift the
title this season?
I could say I'm not too bothered as long as it isn't us but I think most
would now consider Crystal Palace to be in a very difficult position. Yes,
they can get out of it, but no goals and no points going into the second
international break suggests a major struggle.
Huddersfield are finding it more difficult now after winning their first two
games and I think both they and Brighton will be close come the end of the
season although I'm pleased to see Swansea down there after their manager's
fist pumping antics in front of our fans last season.
Will Bournemouth recover? I think they will find it difficult too but, if
pushed, I'll go for Brighton and Swansea to join Palace.
As for the title, I'll be very surprised if it doesn't go to a North West
club, and more specifically to one of the Manchester Clubs. If pushed, I'll
go for City to win it and United to finish second.
Are you happy with the make-up of your squad? Are there any areas in
particular need of strengthening?
Like all clubs would probably say, it could do with strengthening. I do
think we are a central defender short and I would have liked a wide player
to have come in before the deadline; we were close on that one I believe.
January will be key and, depending on the position in the league, it can
make the difference between panic buying or squad building signings and I'm
expecting the latter.
How do the fans rate Sean Dyche as manager? He is that rare creature not to
be immediately sacked on being relegated, so I suppose the board must be
behind him at least.
I think the board would have been publicly hanged in the town centre had
they sacked him. His appointment in October 2012 was the best thing to
happen to our football club in years. He fits the club perfectly in every
way and his achievements with us now have supporters believing he's the best
manager we've ever had at Burnley.
Our fear now is not him being sacked but him moving on to a bigger club.
It's hearts in mouths every time a job becomes vacant.
How do you rate West Ham's Slaven Bilic as our manager?
Everything seemed to be going well for him in his first season, but since
he's always seemed to be on that tightrope with constant suggestions he
could lose his job.
In truth, I can't really answer this one. Has the recruitment not been as
good in the last two years and what was his role in that? Our manager
oversees everything so rightly can be praised or blamed, I'm not sure on
Bilic but he certainly has to deal with your two owners which I'm sure can't
be easy.
Any tips for West Ham fans making the trip up to Burnley?
You won't look out of place, that's for sure, you'll find plenty of claret
and blue around the place. It's certainly nothing like it will be for our
supporters going to the reverse fixture. You can park virtually outside Turf
Moor and you will find yourselves very close to the action inside Turf Moor.
Do you have any particular memories of West Ham/Burnley games of the past?
I missed the win at the Boleyn Ground in 2011 through illness so the only
time I've seen us win there was in 1973 when a Colin Waldron goal gave us a
1-0 win. That one was a feisty affair that was shown on Match of the Day.
At home, a 3-1 win in this very week in 1968 proved to be a memorable one.
It was a midweek fixture following a 4-0 home defeat against Liverpool. Due
to injuries, we were forced into making about five changes and brought in
some of the kids who had won the youth cup in the previous year.
We played superbly to win the game and that kicked off a run of eight
consecutive wins. You mentioned Martin Dobson in your first question, and a
young Dobson was in the team that night along with players such as Dave
Thomas, who went on to play for England, and Steve Kindon.
If you could have any current West Ham player in your first team who would
you choose and why?
Whilst appreciating the talents of such as Manuel Lanzini, the one player I
would choose is without doubt Michail Antonio. HIs pace, his assists and
goals would be perfect for our side and I still shudder at a performance he
gave against us for Sheffield Wednesday in the month before Sean Dyche
arrived at Burnley.
Which Burnley player(s) will be key to your hopes this season?
It's very much a team ethic at Burnley and in the few games this season it
has been different players coming to the fore when needed which makes it
very difficult to pick out individuals although I do think the midfield
partnership between Jack Cork and Steven Defour is making a big contribution
to the way we are playing.
How do you expect Burnley to setup against West Ham on Saturday/
Team/formation? What is your prediction for the final score?
We are not a team to make too many changes and I would think there is every
chance the team will be the one that started at Everton in the last game,
provided the international players have all returned fully fit.
That would mean a 4-4-1-1 formation with Jeff Hendrick playing behind the
lone striker Chris Wood. If so, that team is: Nick Pope, Matt Lowton, James
Tarkowski, Ben Mee, Stephen Ward, Robbie Brady, Steven Defour, Jack Cork,
Scott Arfield, Jeff Hendrick, Chris Wood.
As for the result, I don't really enjoy doing predictions but you wouldn't
expect me to go for anything other than a Burnley win, and I'll go for 2-0.
Thanks for your time Tony. It's great to hear from such a hard-core fan.
(Tony told me he saw his first Burnley game 57 years ago this weekend!)
I'm afraid I will have to disagree with him though. I'm hoping that last
minute goal by Diafra against Swansea can spark us on to a more convincing
victory: I'm going for 1 – 2 to the Hammers. Come on you Irons!
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham could be ready to sell teenage defender Reece Oxford in January
following Slaven Bilic criticism
Bilic told the 18-year-old that he was not on a par with Kylian Mbappe
following his Golden Boy nomination
The Mirror
John Cross
15:42, 13 OCT 2017
West Ham could be ready to sell teenage defender Reece Oxford in January. It
comes after Hammers boss Slaven Bilic took an ill advised public sideswipe
at the 18-year-old defender. Bilic told Oxford not to start believing he is
on a par with France superstar Kylian Mbappe after both players were
nominated for the prestigious Golden Boy award. Oxford, 18, is on a
season-long loan at Borussia Monchengladbach but Bilic's remarks could leave
him wondering about his future at West Ham. Manchester United tried to sign
England prospect Oxford before the centre half signed a five year deal at
West Ham. They could come back given any encouragement while Monchengladbach
took him on loan to help his development. Oxford is still highly regarded
and Bilic's remarks are unlikely to go down well and may alert other top
clubs to move in.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
'Unappreciated' England keeper Joe Hart gets lavish praise from his West Ham
manager Slaven Bilic
"Has he become an easy target? Yes. The guy's brilliant" says boss whose
loan star now has four clean sheets in five games
The Mirror
Darren Lewis
22:30, 12 OCT 2017
Slaven Bilic believes Joe Hart is not loved enough when he plays for
England. The West Ham boss has thrown his weight behind their on-loan
Manchester City keeper after Hart was again criticised during the
international break. Hart, bombed out of City by Pep Guardiola, has kept
clean sheets in three of his last four games for the Hammers, while also
helping England secure qualification for next summer's World Cup with
another one. He was pinpointed by ITV's panel after being lucky not to give
away a penalty in the win over Slovenia at Wembley last week. Yet in the
same game, Hart also pulled off two vital late stops before Harry Kane
scored the only goal to seal a place at Russia 2018.
Bilic said of the 30-year-old, under increasing pressure for his place from
Stoke's Jack Butland: "I think you don't appreciate him. I watched the game
against Slovenia. He was Man of the Match. But you didn't have that feeling
from the studio, from the commentator, saying it was a penalty — it wasn't a
penalty. "If it was anyone else goalkeeping in that situation, nobody would
say it was a penalty. I have that feeling at this moment. "Has he become an
easy target? Yes. The guy is brilliant. I'm not just talking about
goalkeeping now. The guy never slaughters anyone in the job. "He is taking
the bullets, he is there every single time, whether he is at City or Torino
[where he spent last season on loan] or West Ham. He is a great professional
and a top pro." Hart insisted after the Slovenia game that he has been
ignoring his critics. Speaking before Sunday's trip to Burnley, Bilic added:
"There ain't a person who wouldn't be affected by that. To be fair, I have a
feeling that he doesn't give a.... He puts himself above that situation. "I
speak to him and everything, but after the last couple of games all I have
said is 'Good job'. "Joe Hart is a great professional and long-term number
one goalkeeper for England. "In the Euros and in [the last World Cup in]
Brazil I don't remember many mistakes [from him]. "I do remember some great
saves. I remember his commanding presence — and I remember him being the
same for ages at Man City. "He came to West Ham and conceded 10 goals in the
first three games. Then he kept clean sheets in the last three out of four.
"Yet there is always a question mark about him. He takes it very well."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Diafra Sakho's West Ham contract includes two-year option that the club can
trigger to keep him in east London
Diafra Sakho was left frustrated in the summer after missing out on a move
away
It can be revealed that West Ham have the option to trigger a two-year
extension
The Hammers are in a strong position despite Sakho being supposedly unhappy
By Kieran Gill for the Daily Mail
PUBLISHED: 22:30, 13 October 2017 | UPDATED: 23:33, 13 October 2017
Diafra Sakho's contract with West Ham includes a two-year option that the
club can trigger to keep the supposedly unhappy striker at the London
Stadium, it can be revealed. The Senegal international was left frustrated
in the summer after missing out on a move to French side Rennes on deadline
day. West Ham are in a strong position with their two-year option on Sakho
but could still try to hand him an improved contract if he continues to
perform. That was what they did with Michail Antonio, whose fine form last
season saw him rewarded with a double-your-money deal. It remains to be seen
whether Sakho, who has scored three goals in his last three games for club
and country, will try to leave at the next chance. Though it was widely
reported that his contract expires at the end of this season, Sportsmail can
confirm it in fact runs beyond the current campaign. Meanwhile, manager
Slaven Bilic wants West Ham's supporters to cut him some slack by not by
booing his decisions but to show trust in him instead. It comes after a
double substitution against Swansea before the international break was met
by a chorus of jeers at the London Stadium. To Bilic's credit, it worked.
Javier Hernandez and Andre Ayew were replaced by Sakho and Arthur Masuaku
before the two substitutes linked up to secure West Ham a vital 1-0 win. It
was not the first time this season that one of Bilic's calls had led to
severe criticism from the crowd and the Croatian has said: 'It's better to
be clapped than booed. 'But at the end of the day I have to trust my
decisions. Those decisions gave us what we wanted.
'But it doesn't have to be that the next time we will do the same decision.
The fans were not happy with my decisions (to take Hernandez and Ayew off)
but they were really good.' Asked whether Hernandez knows he is not exempt
from being dropped to the bench, with competition from Andy Carroll and
Sakho, Bilic continued: 'Nobody is. 'As a manager a big part of your job is
to make decisions. Is it before a game? Is it during training? Are they
football decisions or non-football decisions? 'The game decisions are very
important ones. They are crucial. In the last game me and my staff took the
decision because it was the right decision.'
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Saturday, October 14
Friday, October 13
Daily WHUFC News - 13th October 2017
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
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
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.
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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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