Obiang agrees that hard work is the only way forward
WHUFC.com
Pedro Obiang says hard work on the training ground and on the pitch is the
only way West Ham United will turn things around. Instead of dwelling on the
disappointing nature of Sunday's 2-0 Premier League defeat at Watford, where
the Hammers were made to pay for defensive lapses and missed chances, the
Spaniard said the players have to give everything to put new manager David
Moyes' plans into action. West Ham play again on Friday night, when
Leicester City visit London Stadium, and Obiang knows only 100 per cent
effort and commitment will be good enough. "It is a bad result, everybody
knows that," said the midfielder, who made more tackles (three) than any
other West Ham player at Vicarage Road, while also touching the ball more
times (69) than any Hammer bar Pablo Zabaleta. "I don't think we need to
talk too much about the game because everybody could see what happened. We
have to continue to work hard and that's it." "Of course, we had some
chances but in the situation where we are, we have to make the chances and
keep going. "We can continue to think about what we are doing and what we
did before. We have to keep going and think about it."
West Ham's players have a few more days to heed Moyes' words, with the Scot
determined to mould a team that is disciplined, fit and does not make errors
at either end of the pitch. The Hammers did record much-improved physical
statistics in Sunday's loss, running further than they have run in any
previous Premier League game this season. Even so, Watford outran and
out-sprinted their opponents and Obiang, for one, believes his manager's
demanding approach is the right one if the east Londoners are going to turn
things around against the Foxes. "We need time to understand better what he
wants and we have to work a little bit more to be fit to do the things he
wants. "I'm agreeing with him because he is angry we lost the game. He
thinks we can do something better and we have to do more. "We have to work
hard for the next game and forget about the last one because what happened,
happened."
Standard Tickets for Friday's 8pm kick-off are available now via the Ticket
Exchange.
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Manning pleased with International Cup experience
WHUFC.com
West Ham United U23s coach Liam Manning was proud of the Hammers' young side
despite a 2-0 defeat to Benfica on Tuesday. The hosts, facing the Portuguese
outfit in their final Premier League International Cup fixture, battled hard
against an experienced Benfica B team – who play their football in the
second tier in Portugal. 24-year-old Alan Junior Oliveira scored both the
visitors' goals, lobbing Rihards Matrevics with the first and heading over
the big Latvian to score a second before the half hour mark. But Terry
Westley's team kept their heads up and went close on a number of occasions.
Their third and final group fixture ended in defeat, but Manning was pleased
nonetheless. He said: "We're really pleased with the outcome of the game and
how we've come out of it. We always knew it was going to be tough given the
age of our side but it was a brilliant experience. "We had two U16s playing
and we looked at the age of some of theirs and two were 24. "The whole
experience of playing in this competition has been great. The games
programme is terrific this year, it's a step up from last year and the
variation in games is great. "It's been a great experience for us. It's been
completely different to the teams we play in Premier League 2 and in the
Checkatrade, so it's great."
Josh Okotcha and Will Greenidge, both of whom are 15-years-old, started at
Billericay Town's AGP Arena, and although full-back Greenidge was
substituted after picking up an early injury, Okotcha impressed. "Josh did
well," Manning continued. "He has been playing in the youth team regularly
and he was in the team tonight on a combination of merit and injuries. "It
was a great opportunity and him grasping that opportunity, he will be really
pleased. He's now got to keep working hard week-in, week-out in the youth
team. "Now the focus [for the U23s] is on Friday [when we take on Arsenal].
It's a big game, and hence our line-up tonight. "It's a tough game and we
want to put in a good performance and get a positive result."
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WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 21 NOVEMBER 2017 AT 10:29PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Where to start? Hard to write this but has to be done so enjoy… If that's
the right word…
Firstly no blame can be aimed towards Moyes after Watford, He has a lot of
work to do and it hurts me to say this but probably still our best
performance in a while. Fitness and high work rates should come naturally in
football but towards the end of Slav's reign training lacked tempo and was
poor especially not helped with an ageing squad. Moyes was lucky to come in
during an international break to give him some time but had half the squad
and fitness doesn't come over night unfortunately. I do think the training
videos gave us a false sense of belief and an easy but smart way from our
media team to win fans over for a short period of time (including myself)
and although I do actually think Moyes training is exactly what we need it
will take time because of how bad things got under Slav with injuries not
helping at all. I have been upbeat on twitter last couple of weeks and in my
last article but deep inside knew it would take more than a few videos and a
new face to get us playing the "West Ham way" although hoped for a better
reaction from the players. Watford was a massive game and think had we have
won we'd be more motivated than ever for the season and would have won the
fans over but we didn't and move on to our even bigger game on Friday.
As I say the club is in a bad place with past management leaving us in
pieces quite frankly but I still think Moyes and his backroom staff will get
us back to basics, disciplined, organised and most importantly improve our
tempo (on and off the pitch) and fitness (all sadly takes time) also one of
the only options to bring in within such a short space of time unless we
wanted to do an Everton, I hope we can also make a difference in every game
but most importantly during this managerial transitional period by getting
right behind the team and making the OS a fortress which I know we are
capable. I know we have quality players but do lack depth and is an ageing
squad. I do think Christmas will be tough for West Ham fans because of the
fixtures and deeper problems but urge you to stay strong as I know we have
the quality to turn it around. I know there is a big protest right now
around the board which is fair in some aspects but being honest I don't
blame them for our league position and there has been much worst seasons
than this but social media doesn't help, We have a quality team (on paper)
and a 60k+ seater stadium which was the right move bar leaving to soon and
not getting enough control which were huge mistakes on the owners and
Brady's behalf. They have transformed us as a team and have brought in
quality players but again let themselves down with the shady Carvalho deal
and right now seems like he would have been the perfect acquisition. I do
think they were the best option for us and thank them but do feel they are
dinosaurs of the game now and do question whether they can compete nowadays
with money so high in the game. I do think fans being upset is well
justified but again in our position when we should be getting behind the
team is it all worth it? Do we want to become another Sunderland? Seen
people plan walk outs, not turning up and violence towards staff, fans with
different views and the board but that will only make the situation worst.
I've said it before keep up the fight on social media, before and after
games etc etc as you have the right to an opinion but I'd rather stay up
than "try to get relegated so we can get rid of them (the owners)".
Looking to Leicester I do think we will need to start strong and win the
fans over early on otherwise it will be a hostile atmosphere. We have a few
players back and another week training can only be beneficial. I am again
confident and again it is a must win game especially with the upcoming
fixtures, I would mix experience with youth because as we all know we do
have quite an experienced team that could offer guidance but also lacks legs
and energy the youngsters would provide. I think we could create a team
hungry to succeed and put my faith in Moyes and co to turn us around like we
all should and hope to see all of us supporting the team against Leicester,
Hopefully the start of our season!
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HOW THE FANS REACT ON TWITTER-MY EXPERIENCES
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 21 NOVEMBER 2017 AT 10:23PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by Claire – @silvervexcebo
When I posted a frustrated tweet whilst watching the game with my Dad on
Sunday afternoon, I could never have predicted that 24 hours later, my tweet
would have been viewed over 10,000 times.
For those who haven't seen it, my tweet read: 'Singing 'sack the board' 8
mins in, seriously, some of these so called West Ham fans are a joke. We
have a board who are West Ham supporters and who spend a hell of a lot of
money. Who would be better exactly? How about you get behind your team,
manager and board?!'
The tweet was born out of frustration and embarrassment at the behaviour of
some of my fellow Irons.
I've supported West Ham all my life and have been a season ticket holder for
over 20 years. I've seen the highs and lows. I remember the previous boards
and our ups and downs to the Championship. It appears some fans have short
memories, it was no bed of roses under our last two administrations. Being a
West Ham fan is no easy ride, but what I've learned is you have to take the
rough with the smooth.
The response to my tweet was mixed, some agreed with my sentiments, some
didn't, that's the beauty of football, it's subjective and everyone is
entitled to an opinion. However, my tweet was one of positivity and about
pulling together, so some of the abuse I was given by my fellow Hammers was
shocking. It's so easy to hide behind a keyboard and spew hatred. I was
called, a Cu*t, a Sl*g, a 'R*tard, an 'A*se-licker' told I should, 'get back
in the kitchen' and to, 'f*ck off and go and support the Y*ds'. That's only
to mention a few of the comments and replies. All that for voicing my
opinion. (I should also mention I received lots of support, agreement and
many very level-headed responses and nice DM's, so thanks for that guys). I
get that not everyone will agree with what I wrote, but since when do we
turn on each other? What happened to the West Ham Family?
When @ExWHUemployee contacted me today and asked if I would like to write an
article on my experience of voicing my opinions and the reaction of the
fans, I was happy to do so because the response from some, was genuinely
shocking.
I am of the opinion that negativity breeds negativity. The players hear the
chants. Fans have a right to express their view, but why did it need to be
done right at the beginning of the game? How can that possibly help a team
with an already shattered confidence?!
Frustratingly, a lot of people are still complaining about leaving Upton
Park and used my tweet as a platform to voice their negative views. I, like
most fans, loved Upton Park. I saw my first game there and shed a tear as I
watched the closing ceremony on our last game. But, we moved, it happened,
where's the use in continuing to moan about it 18 months later? What can be
achieved by that?! We are at the London Stadium now, let's make it a
fortress, it's the fans that make this club, not the stadium. I had people
on Twitter yesterday telling me that they would rather be in League One and
still be at Upton Park, which, to me, is insanity. You're complaining that
we're not playing well and losing games, but if you want to drop down 2
leagues we'd have to lose a lot more games – where's the sense in that?
There has been a lot of board bashing, which is understandable when things
aren't going well. They are an easy target. I don't know who in their right
mind would want to own a football club, all they get is abuse, yet Gold and
Sullivan travel to every game and sit there and take it. Everyone is
entitled to their opinion, but mine is that actually; we aren't in a bad
place. Have a look at what's happened to Blackpool, Leeds, Luton Town and so
many other clubs over the years. We are in the Premier League, we play at a
large stadium that draws over 50,000 supporters every week and we've made
some great signings over the last few years. Payet, Snodgrass, Fonte,
Arnautovic, Zabaleta, Hernandez, to name but a few – All great players, how
is it the boards fault that some of these haven't fulfilled their potential?
Who wasn't excited when they heard about some of these lads joining us? Same
with Moyes, he wasn't my first choice, but he's our manager and now he's
here, I will back him and remain optimistic that we can turn this season
around.
It appears that there's a really bad feeling amongst some of the fans at the
moment, but I for one, will be at the Leicester game on Friday night,
singing to bubbles, backing the players, the manager and the board. I've
never booed a West Ham player, manager or board member in my life and don't
intend to start now.
I'm hoping the majority of West Ham fans will pull together on Friday night
and get behind the lads and get us those much needed 3 points.
Come on you Irons!
Claire – @silvervexcebo
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Allardyce rejected West Ham return
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 21st November 2017
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce was offered the chance to return to West Ham in the wake of
Slaven Bilic's dismissal - but rejected the approach. The 63-year-old was
Hammers boss from 2011 to 2015, before leaving the club upon the expiration
of a two-year contract extension signed in May 2013. And according to a
source close to Allardyce, he was contacted by West Ham shortly before Bilic
was given his marching orders to gauge whether there was any interest in a
potential return to the club. "He was offered big money to return", the
source told KUMB. "But he turned it down straight away."
Allardyce, who has also been linked with the vacant positions at Everton and
West Bromwich Albion is currently in Dubai weighing up his options. During
his four seasons at West Ham - one in the Championship and three in the
Premier League - he led the team 181 times, winning 68 (37.6%), drawing 46
and losing 67 games. Since leaving West Ham, Allardyce has worked for
Sunderland, England (briefly) and Crystal Palace - managing to keep both
clubs in the Premier League during his tenure.
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Marko Arnautovic scan reveals West Ham winger did not break his thumb at
Watford
By Nick Lustig
Last Updated: 21/11/17 7:59pm
SSN
Marko Arnautovic could feature for West Ham in their Friday Night Football
clash against Leicester after a scan revealed he did not break his thumb in
last Sunday's 2-0 defeat at Watford. The Austria winger was withdrawn in the
74th minute at Vicarage Road after being accidentally trod on by Watford
defender Marvin Zeegelaar. It was feared Arnautovic could join a growing
injury list at West Ham, but a scan has revealed no damage to his thumb. He
is likely to figure in manager David Moyes' matchday squad for the game
against the Foxes at London Stadium, live on Sky Sports. Arnautovic has made
10 appearances for the Hammers since his £24m summer move from Stoke but is
yet to score for his new side. His availability will be a welcome boost for
Moyes, who is set to oversee his first home game for West Ham against Claude
Puel's side.
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THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE UGLY AND THE BOOKIES
By Tony Hanna 21 Nov 2017 at 08:00
WTID
With just about a third of the season gone a change of manager, a place in
the bottom three and the travelling fans singing "sack the Board" (amongst
some other more colourful stuff aimed at Brady and G&S) illustrates that all
is not well with West Ham at present. However the team plays we seem to
shoot ourselves in the foot nearly every game. Giving the ball away in
dangerous places, players being sent off, unnecessary fouls in our own box
leading to penalties, conceding late goals and a plethora of missed
opportunities are typical traits of a struggling team. You see it season in,
season out. Teams down the bottom don't get the rub of the green but
arguably they don't deserve it either? Good work ethics together with first
class effort and commitment, whilst working for a good company will nine
times out of ten lead to a good outcome. Take out of that what you like!
The Good
We still have 26 games to rectify our position
We have played two more games away than at home. We have won two of our five
at home and two of our losses have been to top 6 teams.
We have not had any significant long term injuries so far this season.
The Bad
We have conceded more goals than any other team in the Premier League
We haven't won away from home in seven attempts this season
Our disciplinary record has cost us dearly. Red cards have almost certainly
deprived us of valuable points this season.
The Ugly
The Table. It speaks for itself
Take a look at our December fixture list!
Once you have the fan base offside, it is an uphill battle.
Regular readers of the site know by now I like to get a guide from the
bookies. I wrote a column a few years ago when relegation loomed under Sam,
which delivered a different view to most who thought the Championship
beckoned. It was all doom and gloom amongst most West Ham fans at the time
but the bookies had us at very reasonable odds for relegation – suggesting
they didn't share our pessimism. Our loyalties, rose tinted glasses or
indeed that pessimism us older fans are renown for do not come into the
calculations of the unbiased calculating statisticians that work for the
bookmakers that have no heart strings being tugged. So what do they think
now? It is not that promising but they certainly haven't written us off
either! However, we are much shorter odds for relegation than during our
troubled time under Big Sam. Currently we are 4th favourites to go down at
7/4 which represents a 36% chance. That is probably less of a chance than
most people on here think judging by the majority of comments on the blog.
Swansea are favourites to go down but there are still nine teams under
double figure odds which suggests another clogged bottom half of the ladder
come May. What this basically means is that it is still just too early to
start to panic. There will be many twists and turns, especially when
injuries and suspensions start to take their toll amongst the clubs with
thinner squads. In many ways I think we the fans have developed the symptoms
of the Board – the two game syndrome that rightly or wrongly saw the demise
of Bilic.
Personally, I haven't watched as much Premier League this season as I
normally would but I still think I have a good feel for what is going on
around us. I do think Swansea and West Brom are currently inferior to us and
I also think that teams like Huddersfield and even Newcastle will get drawn
into the relegation battle as the season progresses. One factor that will
continue to work against us though is our physical approach to the games. I
certainly don't think we are a dirty team, in fact we probably don't commit
enough of the professional or "take one for the team" fouls, especially with
teams on the counter against us – when I say "enough" I mean compared to
others. But the long ball approach is naturally a more physical approach to
the game and it is noticeable that teams playing against us are making the
most of nearly every challenge. Whilst it may be argued that the game is
trying to rid itself of any type of aggression in the tackle and challenges
it is amazing how well some players recover with the sight of a yellow or
red card waved at an opponent. In no way am I admonishing Andy Carroll's
sequences of arm flailing, but when you set yourself up for a physical
battle you can end up playing right into the hands of the divers all over
the pitch. The crowd at Watford certainly magnified any disputed challenge
and together with Carroll's own recent brain snaps these factors would have
gone a long way into Moye's judgement of replacing him early in the second
half. Anyone watching the Brighton v Stoke game would have noticed that the
home crowd were vocally counting down the six second rule for the away
keeper (Grant) to clear the ball. It is a rule that referees have ignored
for some time now but the crowd did influence Grant to stop wasting time and
obey the rule – in fear that the ref would be similarly influenced. These
are the sorts of things that make playing at home an advantage, if anyone
can remember those times?
Post-match comments from David Moyes suggest that the underlying problems
within the team squad will take some fixing. Moyes stated he was
disappointed at a few of the regular starters suggesting that they have been
playing on the back of their reputations but certainly didn't show him why
they deserved their places on the weekend. We have a quick back up with our
next match on Friday night against Leicester. It will be interesting to see
if we can match their work ethic and what changes Mr Moyes will make, if
any? A first goal in that game could be crucial.
An addition since writing my original article
Our fans who attend matches, and especially our fans who travel to away
games on a regular basis are the salt of the earth of our club. I have
followed West Ham for over 50 years but from afar for too many of those
years. When fans who have followed our great club home and away for 40 plus
years speak from the heart I listen. The feedback I am getting from these
fans that travelled to Watford is that the away fans have turned on the
Board and on a smaller scale the players. When toxicity has even crept into
the normally very forgiving away fans, things are bad. Here is an edited
message to me from one such guy who follows the club home and away. I thank
him for giving me the permission to post it here. There is also a Guest Post
from another away fan in the next day or two that will go further into the
toxic nature developing.
"back to yesterday Tone, not a good feel at all. Football wise we've played
a lot worse this season but I'm afraid the toxicity has set in amongst the
away mob, they were baying for the boards blood and even turned on the
players singing " you're not fit to wear the shirt ". Personally I think
that was wrong and I'd stop going before I'd sing that as it would mean I'd
believed they ain't trying and I don't think that's the case ,
Andy Carroll got dogs abuse Tone, nothing to do with his performance but
solely down to his Liverpool post-match comments about fans leaving. I've no
sympathy mate as he should've kept his gob shut, better and more admired
players than him have found out it's not a good idea to criticise the fan
base. It needs to be made clear though Tone, the songs aimed at him only
started once he was off the pitch and not before !!!! We could well go down,
I genuinely believe it. As for the bigger picture, I believe the board now
feel the full force of feeling over the move. The first football crisis was
always going to unleash the deep rooted resentments many fans feel and the
disconnect between them and the fan base wont easily be mended, if ever.
(Name withheld) has also been going home and away for years, he said he's
never felt so low about the club, says it all really".
It certainly does.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Wednesday, November 22
Tuesday, November 21
Daily WHUFC News - 21st November 2017
Zabaleta: We weren't clinical enough
WHUFC.com
West Ham United defender Pablo Zabaleta bemoaned his side's failure to
convert their chances in front of goal at Vicarage Road as Watford were 2-0
winners in the Premier League on Sunday. Will Hughes and Richarlison scored
for the hosts to seal the victory but it could have been an altogether
different story had David Moyes' team put away the opportunities that came
their way. Cheikhou Kouyate and Marko Arnautovic were both superbly denied
by Brazilian stopper Heurelho Gomes from point blank range in the first
half, and Senegal midfielder Kouyate spurned a great chance to equalise
after the break as he fired over from Arnautovic's cut-back. Manuel Lanzini
also had a shot cleared off the line and Argentinian defender Zabaleta was
left frustrated as the chances came and went. "That's the difference, when
you are not clinical enough in front of goal," he said after the defeat.
"Even when you don't play well, but you create chances, you have to take
them. We had a few chances in the game. "That makes the difference in games,
of course it does. It was a very disappointing afternoon, for sure. It
wasn't good enough again. "It seems like we are repeating the same words
every week. The game was over after 2-0. It's the same feeling every time.
"We concede two goals and then it's difficult and we are not in the game
anymore. We lost our concentration and at that level, it's not good."
The defeat was a third in four Premier League games for the Hammers and it
leaves them in the bottom three, a point from the safety of 17th.
Moyes' team have only four days until they can once again try and turn their
fortunes around, though; they host Leicester City on Friday and full-back
Zabaleta's focus has already switched to the huge London Stadium clash. "We
have Leicester at home so hopefully we can put in a performance and win that
game," he continued. "Listen, football is about moments. We know exactly
that from the beginning of the season, we've not been good enough. "As I
said before, players must take responsibility for that. We have a new
manager and new staff and it's a matter of keeping working. "We are doing
that during the week and we probably need to be more focused on what we have
to improve on during the week and of course then, when you win, that brings
the confidence back to work in a better situation. "As I say, I can see a
few teams at the moment that the reality is we're fighting for the bottom
three. We need to improve of course to win games and get us in a better
position. "There's still a long way to go. Of course it's a difficult moment
for everyone, and players need to take responsibility for that and just move
onto the next game."
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'We need to try and find a way of making sure we are together and united'
WHUFC.com
David Moyes has issued a plea for unity as he attempts to turn West Ham
United's season around.
The new manager did not need long to see why the Hammers have struggled this
season as mistakes at both ends of the pitch led to a 2-0 Premier League
defeat at Watford in his first game in charge. The loss, which left West Ham
inside the relegation zone after winning just two of their opening 12
top-flight matches, was met with frustration by the Claret and Blue Army.
Moyes understands the disappointment felt by the fans, but implored them to
get behind the team ahead of and during Friday's visit of Leicester City to
London Stadium...
We need a united Club
I don't know the reasons for it and the history of what's gone on here, and
I'm really thankful that they have been supportive of me. But we need them
now, we need a united Club, and it's hard and people have grievances. But
the supporters know the history and the past much better than I do.
I said to the players at the end 'It's tough to play when the crowd's like
that'. Small things can make a big difference. I can understand the
supporters' feelings because we didn't play well enough in the second half
especially.
The better team won on Sunday
The better team won the game. I did think we had three big opportunities,
two in the first half, one in the second, and I think they would have made
it one [goal] each. We need things to go our way to build confidence and to
get a togetherness, we need something.
It's tough for the players, I can sense that. But I didn't enjoy the
performance in the end. I didn't enjoy us getting robbed of the ball. We
gave it away cheaply and too many times and I expected us to do better with
it.
I thought we tried to stay in the game. We wanted to stay in the game to
give ourselves a chance, and we probably did. Even at 2-0, we had a few
balls flash across the box with nothing on the end of it.
But in the end, it wasn't good enough and that level of performance will not
be good enough to get much better.
I thought we defended OK, but we gave away cheap goals. The first goal we
had three half challenges and didn't deal with it. The second one, I think
Pablo Zabaleta went in for a cross and they were then running at us in the
inside left. I thought we didn't do well enough in all the departments at
different times. But we created one or two chances which could have changed
the outcome.
I thought Watford's build up and style was better than ours and I hope ours
will improve as I get to work with the players more and know them better.
I know I have a big job to do
We need to try and find a way of making sure we are together and united. I
can only try and get wins which will hopefully let the supporters feel
better about the team.
I thought this was a big job. I think there were players with big
reputations who disappointed me a little bit and I thought they will show me
more and show why there are regulars.
But Sunday was the first time I've had the chance to see them play. They
need to show why they have got a reputation. They need to show me why
they've got it.
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West Ham United U23s v Benfica: All you need to know
WHUFC.com
The U23s' final match of the Premier League International Cup will be played
on Tuesday evening as Terry Westley's side take on Benfica.
Read on for all the information you need ahead of this midweek contest...
Where and When?
The West Ham United U23s will take on Benfica at Billericay Town's AGP Arena
in the Premier League International Cup on Tuesday 21 November, with
kick-off scheduled for 7pm.
How to follow:
Tickets will be available on the gate at the AGP Arena. Adults tickets cost
£5 while concessions are £3.
Season Ticket Holders and Claret Members can attend Tuesday's contest for
free with their respective cards.
Supporters can also follow this Tuesday's fixtures via a live blog,
available on the official West Ham United website.
Updates will also be available through the Club's official Twitter feed
while highlights from the contest will be visible from Wednesday morning.
Meet the opposition:
Benfica B
Benfica B play in the Segunda Liga, and currently sit 15th in the division
The Portuguese side have lost their last three matches in the league,
winning four of their 13 played.
Benfica B have only played once in the International Cup so far, losing a
close match against Villarreal.
A win against the Hammers on Tuesday will keep Benfica's hopes of qualifying
for the next stage of the competition alive.
Team News:
Academy Director Terry Westley has already vowed to give a few youngsters
the chance to impress in this game, with West Ham United already
mathematically out of the competition.
"I want to try and play some of the second year scholars who are going for
professional contracts. We will be very young in this game.
"I'll be looking at how those playing in the U18s against Aston Villa on
Saturday play with Mark [Phillips] and Steve [Potts], and then we'll all
come together to take the team on Tuesday against Benfica."
What they say:
"It's going to be a really difficult game for us. It will test us in so many
ways. We want to at least leave this competition on a high. It will be a
good experience to play against a quality opposition."
Jahmal Hector-Ingram
West Ham U23s
Last Time Out:
How to get there:
Take the M25 to Junction 28. Join up with the A12 before turning off at
Junction 12. Take Widvale Road and the A129 to Blunts Wall Road.
By Car
Billericay railway station is served by Abellio Greater Anglia and is a
15-20 minute walk to the AGP Arena.
By Train
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Hammers forward keen for goals to start flowing
WHUFC.com
West Ham United U23 striker Jahmal Hector-Ingram is desperate to get off the
mark for the season when the Academy side take on Benfica in the Premier
League International Cup.
Terry Westley's team entertain the Portuguese outfit at Billericay Town's
AGP Arena in their final match in the competition on Tuesday.
And Hector-Ingram, who is yet to find the back of the net in 12 appearances
so far this campaign – albeit ten have been from the bench – hopes the goals
will start flowing soon.
He said: "I'm very keen to get the run of goals going. For me, scoring will
be the only way to force myself into this team because then the manager has
to pick me.
"But this is a perfect opportunity to get my goals going and hopefully it
comes against Benfica. I've been in this situation before but once one goes
in for me, then I'll be in my flow.
"It's going to be a really difficult game for us. It will test us in so many
ways. Knowing that we can't progress any further in this competition and
Benfica still can, that makes it hard but we want to at least leave this
competition on a high.
"We also have a lot of young youth players playing which is a brilliant
opportunity for them to show what they have got against a good opposition.
But overall it will be a good experience to play against a quality
opposition."
The Hammers, now in a week which sees them first host Benfica before
travelling to Arsenal in Premier League 2 on Friday, will have to put to the
back of their minds Friday's disappointing 5-1 defeat to Derby County at
London Stadium.
But Hector-Ingram, who was a West Ham TV guest commentator, believes the
week of training they have already started can help them focus on purely
being positive.
"To bounce back this week, first of all we're going to need to recover
properly and make sure our bodies are in the best shape for both games this
week," he continued.
"And then we're going to need to train like how we have been this season and
that's with a high tempo. We don't need to change anything that we've been
doing.
"Of course it's important that we get over the Derby game as quickly as
possible because we have games in quick succession. I think that's good for
everyone. And for us to be successful in these games we can't be bringing
that negative energy into these games. We'll only be positive ahead of
Benfica.
"We have conceded a few early goals this season and did again on Friday and
I just think that's us trying to force things and to rush things really. I
think we need to understand that, yes we want to get a good quick start to
the game and score and early goal, but also have in mind that when we do try
to do that, that we're also at risk of conceding goals because were taking a
risks so early.
"So I think we should start off quick but be solid for the first 10-15
minutes and not concede any silly goals."
Supporters who are Hammers Season Ticket Holders can watch the U23s take on
Benfica free of charge by showing their Season Ticket card at Billericay,
while adults and concessions are priced at £5 and £3 respectively.
Tickets can be purchased upon arrival at the AGP Arena for the 7pm kick-off.
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West Ham: David Moyes will now realise the size of his task - Mark Lawrenson
By Mark Lawrenson
MOTD pundit at Vicarage Road
BBC.co.uk
David Moyes will have learned an awful lot about West Ham after their defeat
at Watford in his first game in charge, and not much of it was good. The new
Hammers boss already knows his players are not fit enough but what he also
found out on Sunday is how some of them are short of confidence and
character too. Off the field, there are more problems. The supporters are
completely disenchanted, as was made clear from their banners and chants at
Vicarage Road, although their anger was not directed at him. The defeat
meant West Ham stay in the bottom three and the only positive for Moyes was
that, despite a poor performance, his side still managed to create some very
good chances, and should have scored at least two goals. But that should not
mask the fact Watford fully deserved their win. The Hornets completely
dominated the game and, at times, things were far, far too easy for them.
Hammers stay deep but leave big gaps
In the first half in particular, West Ham were too deep and too narrow, with
and without the ball. Their defence was given no protection at all out wide,
and Watford found it far too easy in those areas. That was not because West
Ham's midfielders were too attack-minded, because they offered next to
nothing going forward for the first 30 minutes or so. West Ham's right side
was a good example of that. Marko Arnautovic put in one good cross in the
second half, which Cheikhou Kouyate wasted, but otherwise he contributed
little in defence or attack. It was not down to lack of effort - the 115.6km
that the West Ham team covered collectively over the 90 minutes was the most
distance they have managed in a Premier League game this season.
West Ham's biggest distance covered this season
Team Result Distance
Watford (a) L 0-2 115.58km
Crystal Palace (a) D 2-2 111.18km
Swansea (h) W 1-0 110.27km
Tottenham (a) L 2-3 109.81km
Brighton (h) L 0-3 108.89km
Season average: 106.52km
But there were still times when it appeared Watford had an extra man. West
Ham sat deep, initially, because I think Moyes was intent on making things
as difficult as possible for the home side. But it did not work. They
invited Watford on to them, but still conceded far too much space in key
areas and left gaps all over the pitch - without having a way to break out
effectively.
Moyes disappointed by 'big players'
Marko Arnautovic and Andy Carroll returned to West Ham's starting line-up,
with forward pair Javier Hernandez and Andre Ayew ruled out by injury. Pablo
Zabaleta replaced Edimilson Fernandes, who dropped to the bench. Because
they were so deep, West Ham took a long time to threaten at the other end
too. When he finally got a decent delivery, just before half-time, Andy
Carroll almost scored - but for too long he was given nothing to work with
in front of goal. The balls played up to him were often hopeful and poor,
but he had no team-mates anywhere near him anyway, even if he did get on the
end of them.
Instead he always had at least two Watford defenders around him and, because
he was so isolated, the Hornets always won the ball back quickly - and
launched another attack themselves. If Javier Hernandez had been fit and
available to play off Carroll, then that would have made a difference, but
solving the problem is not as simple as that. Of course playing with two up
front would make the Hammers more of a threat, but can they do that without
becoming even more open at the back?
I am not sure. They already have the worst defensive record in the Premier
League this season and, whatever shape Moyes decides on, I think he will be
trying to put that right first.
David Moyes 'didn't enjoy' Hammers' performance
Fans unrest could work in Moyes' favour
Moyes' first home game, against Leicester on Friday night, is going to be
another big moment for him. From what I saw and heard at Vicarage Road, the
atmosphere at London Stadium is not going to be a positive one. The West Ham
supporters are clearly angry and disillusioned with the club's owners, and
some of the players too. Their chants about how they will be playing
Millwall in nine months show how bad they think things are right now. That
might actually work in Moyes' favour, though, because if he can give them a
glimmer of hope then they will really get behind him. And, whatever the
supporters think of the owners, I think they will back Moyes in the transfer
market when the window opens in January. Moyes probably already had a good
idea of where things needed to improve before Sunday's game, but he will
know far more now. It is going to take time to get his players fit, because
many of them have been away on international duty for most of the time he
has been at the club. The defensive stability Moyes wants will not just
happen overnight either, and he needs to find a way of balancing it with
their attacking threat. I think he knew he had a big job on his hands
anyway, but now he will know how much work he has to do in every area of his
team.
Mark Lawrenson was speaking to BBC Sport's Chris Bevan.
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Banned? I wasn't even there!
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 20th November 2017
By: Staff Writer
The owner of a flag that was displayed outside David Sullivan's house this
morning has had his season tickets revoked by West Ham United. However the
individual in question claims that he wasn't even involved in the prank.
Earlier today a picture of the flag, tied to the gates at the Sullivan's
Essex residence appeared on social media. And within a matter of hours, the
owner of the flag was contacted and told that his two season tickets had
been revoked - and that he was banned from purchasing tickets for the next
THREE YEARS. "I'd like to correct a few people who assumed I was present at
Sullivan's property today," the owner wrote on the KUMB Forum. "I was not
there but as everybody knows, the flag is my property - and I've just had a
call from the club to confirm I've had both of my season tickets revoked."
Last month an official, working on behalf of West Ham attempted to have a
similar flag removed from the away end at Wembley Stadium on the night West
Ham beat Tottenham 3-2 in the Carabao Cup. That followed a similar attempt
by stewards working for West Ham at removing anti-Board flags at Vicarage
Road on Saturday.
Today's ban is the second time in the past 12 months that the flag's owner
has been suspended from the Olympic Stadium. His season tickets were
previously revoked after he attempted to take the same flag into a home
match - a ban that lasted just 24 hours following a backlash from other
supporters.
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I could have made an instant impact, says Pardew
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 20th November 2017
By: Staff Writer
Alan Pardew has confirmed that he would have been prepared to succeed Slaven
Bilic - if he had been offered the job. 95 per cent of our readers voted in
favour of re-hiring Pardew, compared to just five per cent going for Moyes,
in a recent KUMB poll. And despite KUMB revealing exclusively that Pardew
wanted the role, which he previously held between 2004 and 2006, he was
overlooked in favour of Moyes - who opened his account with a 2-0 defeat at
Watford yesterday.
"It was a job where you could tell it was a good board and good players in a
position where they are underperforming," he told Sky Sports. "As a manager,
that really helps when you go in because you can then make an instant
impact."
A fortnight ago KUMB revealed how Pardew had told friends privately that he
was "100 per cent" interested in succeeding Bilic, who was fired after a
poor start to the current campaign.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sullivan house targeted by anti-Board fans
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 20th November 2017
By: Staff Writer
David Sullivan's Essex house was doorstepped by angry supporters this
morning as protests against the club's current administration intensified.
As you can see from the image below, the entrance to the co-Chairman's
residence was used as the backdrop for a large banner calling for the
removal of vice-chair Karren Brady, who some claim is partly responsible for
the club's current parlous state. The image was posted by @robson1986 on
Twitter, along with the message: "Created by the poor, stolen by the rich.
Thought there'd be no stewards to confiscate flags outside Sullivan's gaff."
Sullivan's house was last targeted by West Ham supporters in May 2014, when
banners urging the removal of Sam Allardyce were hung on the gates at the
entrance to the co-Chairman's property.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham fans warned not to call 999 after poor performances
By George Galpin
Last Updated: 20/11/17 5:05pm
SSN
Essex Police have urge West Ham fans to stop calling 999 if the team loses.
The Hammers lost 2-0 away to Watford in David Moyes' first game in charge
and sit 18th in the table one point from safety.
Force Control Room @EPControlRoom
Ringing 999 because @WestHamUtd have lost again and you aren't sure what to
do is not acceptable! It is a complete waste of our time.
#999foremergenciesonly
6:46 PM - Nov 19, 2017
243 243 Replies 5,513 5,513 Retweets 5,777 5,777 likes
Fans chanted in protest against the board and the team's form during the
game at Vicarage Road and the Essex Police Force Control Room have pleaded
with supporters to stop ringing the emergency number.
The @EPControlRoom account tweeted: "Ringing 999 because @WestHamUtd have
lost again and you aren't sure what to do is not acceptable! It is a
complete waste of our time. #999foremergencies only."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
NEW BROOMS, OLD DIRT AND LACK OF CONFIDENCE
By HamburgHammer 20 Nov 2017 at 08:00
WTID
My column today will be a lot shorter than you are used to, for a variety of
reasons. Part of it is to do with a long matchday at Concordia yesterday,
yielding mixed results and also the fact I then only joined the stream of
the Watford game shortly before the halftime whistle when we were already
1:0 down and Arnautovic was just missing a golden double goalscoring
opportunity.
1:0 down at halftime was not exactly an unexpected scoreline of course,
meaning I still had reasonably high hopes that the new broom effect would
properly kick in for us during the second half.
Alas, it wasn't to be. Earlier on Sunday it was a reasonably fine day in
Hamburg, with mostly clear skies, but it was incredibly cold. Cordi's second
team won the early game against their neighbours in the table, 4th placed
Vier- und Marschlande with a 1:0 scoreline, with the game itself not doing a
lot to raise either blood pressure or body temperature, but a win is a win.
Then in the afternoon it got really really frustrating though and I
inititially thought West Ham had just been beamed to Concordia's home ground
at short notice.
Why is that ? Well, the unbeaten table toppers of Dassendorf had come to
town. Not just unbeaten in fact, but as a team that had won all its 16
league games in a row so far this season, yet Concordia had them on the
brink, taking a promising 2:0 lead with 35 minutes to go. But, in best West
Ham fashion, the Cordi boys managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of
victory, despite putting on a commendable and brave fight against the
Invincibles from the countryside.
The guests were there for the taking but if you needlessly concede a
penalty, allowing your adversary a path back into the contest, then you also
cannot really complain if your goalkeeper makes one fatal blunder right at
the end to basically gift the opposition a late and slightly undeserved
winner. I was gutted. Shellshocked. Cordi had been oh so close to a massive
upset. But no cigar. And no grilled sausages either due to rampaging
youngsters vandalizing the club's barbecue grill a few weeks ago.
Well, at least there still was the West Ham game, they would be there for me
surely and cheer me up with a decent away performance – with a new gaffer in
charge surely there would be an upturn in miles covered, effort, guts and
results of course.
If only football was so simple. There were quite a few opportunities when
West Ham could have turned their game around. But we missed every single
goalscoring opportunity on the day. The defending still looked incredibly
shaky.
And I have to say that I was still mightily disappointed with the overall
running and pressing effort from our guys. For a team that already is smack
in the middle of a relegation scrap we still look fairly disinterested, not
really bovvered. So a new broom, but still the same old dirt and dust by the
looks of it.
Of course it can't be easy if you are in a downward spiral anyway – football
is a game where confidence is key. Confidence can only grow with results and
those will only begin to change for the better if we stop shipping goals and
start scoring them.
As a club we need to stop hiding behind excuses. Players should no longer
hide behind the manager. The board shouldn't point the finger at the manager
or the fans.
Moyes won't hide at this point anyway as he is still very much in the
process of finding his feet at his new club. So he will and should be
getting some time to change things for the better.
Everyone at the club needs to pull their weight, take responsibility in his
or her respective role. The thought of relegation doesn't even register yet.
There still is plenty of time to turn it all around. And turn it around we
must. But we need some decent performances and results sharpish for that to
happen in order to gain some much needed confidence. Confidence is key and
that's where the manager and team have to deliver. Us fans can do our bit,
but once the whistle sounds the players have to play, kick the ball and
perform.
This season feels very strange to me, I feel quite distant from it all
emotionally, and maybe this will all change with my upcoming visit when I
can actually watch another two games in person.
Usually the West Ham game is among the highlights of my week, at this point
I still watch when I can, but I am no longer anticipating the games as
eagerly as before.
Right now it feels very much like a force of habit watching our beloved
Hammers and I really hope the pure and undiluted joy I used to feel when
getting ready for the next game will come back to me over the course of the
season.
Luckily enough there now is no international break on the horizon, in fact
West Ham can put things right as early as Friday evening, against a
Leicester side I am simply unable to figure out this season. On paper the
game is definitely winnable. As the game will be played on a football pitch
though, and a bloody big one at that, God only knows what is going to
happen.
As usual I shall be hoping for the best. But changing the tyres on my motor
this Friday, finally putting the winter tyres on, may prove to be a more
exciting and also ultimately more successful enterprise than watching West
Ham's efforts to beat The Foxes in Stratford.
Mr.Moyes, please prove me wrong, get the lads back on the training pitch,
make 'em work their socks off and give us a win. Surely Leicester should
present us with a better chance to do that than upcoming opponents like
Arsenal or Chelsea. COYI!!!
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
MOYES TARGETS TWO MIDFIELDERS IN £30M WEST HAM JANUARY SWOOPFeatured Image
Date: 20th November 2017 at 7:02pm
Written by: Josh Challies
West Ham boss David Moyes failed to achieve a perfect start to life with the
East London side as the Scottish manager lost his first match in charge
against Watford this weekend.
The 2-0 defeat means the Hammers remain in the relegation zone, one point
from safety, and Moyes will certainly be looking to strengthen his squad
when the January transfer window opens in around six weeks time.
Reports from The Daily Star reveal Moyes will be given £30m to spend in the
New Year and the former Sunderland boss has set his sights on two
midfielders, in the form of Sporting Lisbon's William Carvalho and Hajduk
Split's Hamza Barry.
Portuguese international Carvalho is a long-term target for the Hammers, who
unsuccessfully tried to bring him to the Premier League in the summer, and
could end up costing more than record-signing Marko Arnautovic.
Barry, meanwhile, would cost significantly less and would provide plenty of
room for growth as he's just 23-years-old, though he presents a bargain as
the Gambian international has scored five goals and registered five assists
already this season.
A potential arrival of the pair would significantly bolster West Ham's
midfield options, where the likes of Mark Noble have disappointed in their
performances thus far.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
West Ham United defender Pablo Zabaleta bemoaned his side's failure to
convert their chances in front of goal at Vicarage Road as Watford were 2-0
winners in the Premier League on Sunday. Will Hughes and Richarlison scored
for the hosts to seal the victory but it could have been an altogether
different story had David Moyes' team put away the opportunities that came
their way. Cheikhou Kouyate and Marko Arnautovic were both superbly denied
by Brazilian stopper Heurelho Gomes from point blank range in the first
half, and Senegal midfielder Kouyate spurned a great chance to equalise
after the break as he fired over from Arnautovic's cut-back. Manuel Lanzini
also had a shot cleared off the line and Argentinian defender Zabaleta was
left frustrated as the chances came and went. "That's the difference, when
you are not clinical enough in front of goal," he said after the defeat.
"Even when you don't play well, but you create chances, you have to take
them. We had a few chances in the game. "That makes the difference in games,
of course it does. It was a very disappointing afternoon, for sure. It
wasn't good enough again. "It seems like we are repeating the same words
every week. The game was over after 2-0. It's the same feeling every time.
"We concede two goals and then it's difficult and we are not in the game
anymore. We lost our concentration and at that level, it's not good."
The defeat was a third in four Premier League games for the Hammers and it
leaves them in the bottom three, a point from the safety of 17th.
Moyes' team have only four days until they can once again try and turn their
fortunes around, though; they host Leicester City on Friday and full-back
Zabaleta's focus has already switched to the huge London Stadium clash. "We
have Leicester at home so hopefully we can put in a performance and win that
game," he continued. "Listen, football is about moments. We know exactly
that from the beginning of the season, we've not been good enough. "As I
said before, players must take responsibility for that. We have a new
manager and new staff and it's a matter of keeping working. "We are doing
that during the week and we probably need to be more focused on what we have
to improve on during the week and of course then, when you win, that brings
the confidence back to work in a better situation. "As I say, I can see a
few teams at the moment that the reality is we're fighting for the bottom
three. We need to improve of course to win games and get us in a better
position. "There's still a long way to go. Of course it's a difficult moment
for everyone, and players need to take responsibility for that and just move
onto the next game."
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'We need to try and find a way of making sure we are together and united'
WHUFC.com
David Moyes has issued a plea for unity as he attempts to turn West Ham
United's season around.
The new manager did not need long to see why the Hammers have struggled this
season as mistakes at both ends of the pitch led to a 2-0 Premier League
defeat at Watford in his first game in charge. The loss, which left West Ham
inside the relegation zone after winning just two of their opening 12
top-flight matches, was met with frustration by the Claret and Blue Army.
Moyes understands the disappointment felt by the fans, but implored them to
get behind the team ahead of and during Friday's visit of Leicester City to
London Stadium...
We need a united Club
I don't know the reasons for it and the history of what's gone on here, and
I'm really thankful that they have been supportive of me. But we need them
now, we need a united Club, and it's hard and people have grievances. But
the supporters know the history and the past much better than I do.
I said to the players at the end 'It's tough to play when the crowd's like
that'. Small things can make a big difference. I can understand the
supporters' feelings because we didn't play well enough in the second half
especially.
The better team won on Sunday
The better team won the game. I did think we had three big opportunities,
two in the first half, one in the second, and I think they would have made
it one [goal] each. We need things to go our way to build confidence and to
get a togetherness, we need something.
It's tough for the players, I can sense that. But I didn't enjoy the
performance in the end. I didn't enjoy us getting robbed of the ball. We
gave it away cheaply and too many times and I expected us to do better with
it.
I thought we tried to stay in the game. We wanted to stay in the game to
give ourselves a chance, and we probably did. Even at 2-0, we had a few
balls flash across the box with nothing on the end of it.
But in the end, it wasn't good enough and that level of performance will not
be good enough to get much better.
I thought we defended OK, but we gave away cheap goals. The first goal we
had three half challenges and didn't deal with it. The second one, I think
Pablo Zabaleta went in for a cross and they were then running at us in the
inside left. I thought we didn't do well enough in all the departments at
different times. But we created one or two chances which could have changed
the outcome.
I thought Watford's build up and style was better than ours and I hope ours
will improve as I get to work with the players more and know them better.
I know I have a big job to do
We need to try and find a way of making sure we are together and united. I
can only try and get wins which will hopefully let the supporters feel
better about the team.
I thought this was a big job. I think there were players with big
reputations who disappointed me a little bit and I thought they will show me
more and show why there are regulars.
But Sunday was the first time I've had the chance to see them play. They
need to show why they have got a reputation. They need to show me why
they've got it.
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West Ham United U23s v Benfica: All you need to know
WHUFC.com
The U23s' final match of the Premier League International Cup will be played
on Tuesday evening as Terry Westley's side take on Benfica.
Read on for all the information you need ahead of this midweek contest...
Where and When?
The West Ham United U23s will take on Benfica at Billericay Town's AGP Arena
in the Premier League International Cup on Tuesday 21 November, with
kick-off scheduled for 7pm.
How to follow:
Tickets will be available on the gate at the AGP Arena. Adults tickets cost
£5 while concessions are £3.
Season Ticket Holders and Claret Members can attend Tuesday's contest for
free with their respective cards.
Supporters can also follow this Tuesday's fixtures via a live blog,
available on the official West Ham United website.
Updates will also be available through the Club's official Twitter feed
while highlights from the contest will be visible from Wednesday morning.
Meet the opposition:
Benfica B
Benfica B play in the Segunda Liga, and currently sit 15th in the division
The Portuguese side have lost their last three matches in the league,
winning four of their 13 played.
Benfica B have only played once in the International Cup so far, losing a
close match against Villarreal.
A win against the Hammers on Tuesday will keep Benfica's hopes of qualifying
for the next stage of the competition alive.
Team News:
Academy Director Terry Westley has already vowed to give a few youngsters
the chance to impress in this game, with West Ham United already
mathematically out of the competition.
"I want to try and play some of the second year scholars who are going for
professional contracts. We will be very young in this game.
"I'll be looking at how those playing in the U18s against Aston Villa on
Saturday play with Mark [Phillips] and Steve [Potts], and then we'll all
come together to take the team on Tuesday against Benfica."
What they say:
"It's going to be a really difficult game for us. It will test us in so many
ways. We want to at least leave this competition on a high. It will be a
good experience to play against a quality opposition."
Jahmal Hector-Ingram
West Ham U23s
Last Time Out:
How to get there:
Take the M25 to Junction 28. Join up with the A12 before turning off at
Junction 12. Take Widvale Road and the A129 to Blunts Wall Road.
By Car
Billericay railway station is served by Abellio Greater Anglia and is a
15-20 minute walk to the AGP Arena.
By Train
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Hammers forward keen for goals to start flowing
WHUFC.com
West Ham United U23 striker Jahmal Hector-Ingram is desperate to get off the
mark for the season when the Academy side take on Benfica in the Premier
League International Cup.
Terry Westley's team entertain the Portuguese outfit at Billericay Town's
AGP Arena in their final match in the competition on Tuesday.
And Hector-Ingram, who is yet to find the back of the net in 12 appearances
so far this campaign – albeit ten have been from the bench – hopes the goals
will start flowing soon.
He said: "I'm very keen to get the run of goals going. For me, scoring will
be the only way to force myself into this team because then the manager has
to pick me.
"But this is a perfect opportunity to get my goals going and hopefully it
comes against Benfica. I've been in this situation before but once one goes
in for me, then I'll be in my flow.
"It's going to be a really difficult game for us. It will test us in so many
ways. Knowing that we can't progress any further in this competition and
Benfica still can, that makes it hard but we want to at least leave this
competition on a high.
"We also have a lot of young youth players playing which is a brilliant
opportunity for them to show what they have got against a good opposition.
But overall it will be a good experience to play against a quality
opposition."
The Hammers, now in a week which sees them first host Benfica before
travelling to Arsenal in Premier League 2 on Friday, will have to put to the
back of their minds Friday's disappointing 5-1 defeat to Derby County at
London Stadium.
But Hector-Ingram, who was a West Ham TV guest commentator, believes the
week of training they have already started can help them focus on purely
being positive.
"To bounce back this week, first of all we're going to need to recover
properly and make sure our bodies are in the best shape for both games this
week," he continued.
"And then we're going to need to train like how we have been this season and
that's with a high tempo. We don't need to change anything that we've been
doing.
"Of course it's important that we get over the Derby game as quickly as
possible because we have games in quick succession. I think that's good for
everyone. And for us to be successful in these games we can't be bringing
that negative energy into these games. We'll only be positive ahead of
Benfica.
"We have conceded a few early goals this season and did again on Friday and
I just think that's us trying to force things and to rush things really. I
think we need to understand that, yes we want to get a good quick start to
the game and score and early goal, but also have in mind that when we do try
to do that, that we're also at risk of conceding goals because were taking a
risks so early.
"So I think we should start off quick but be solid for the first 10-15
minutes and not concede any silly goals."
Supporters who are Hammers Season Ticket Holders can watch the U23s take on
Benfica free of charge by showing their Season Ticket card at Billericay,
while adults and concessions are priced at £5 and £3 respectively.
Tickets can be purchased upon arrival at the AGP Arena for the 7pm kick-off.
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West Ham: David Moyes will now realise the size of his task - Mark Lawrenson
By Mark Lawrenson
MOTD pundit at Vicarage Road
BBC.co.uk
David Moyes will have learned an awful lot about West Ham after their defeat
at Watford in his first game in charge, and not much of it was good. The new
Hammers boss already knows his players are not fit enough but what he also
found out on Sunday is how some of them are short of confidence and
character too. Off the field, there are more problems. The supporters are
completely disenchanted, as was made clear from their banners and chants at
Vicarage Road, although their anger was not directed at him. The defeat
meant West Ham stay in the bottom three and the only positive for Moyes was
that, despite a poor performance, his side still managed to create some very
good chances, and should have scored at least two goals. But that should not
mask the fact Watford fully deserved their win. The Hornets completely
dominated the game and, at times, things were far, far too easy for them.
Hammers stay deep but leave big gaps
In the first half in particular, West Ham were too deep and too narrow, with
and without the ball. Their defence was given no protection at all out wide,
and Watford found it far too easy in those areas. That was not because West
Ham's midfielders were too attack-minded, because they offered next to
nothing going forward for the first 30 minutes or so. West Ham's right side
was a good example of that. Marko Arnautovic put in one good cross in the
second half, which Cheikhou Kouyate wasted, but otherwise he contributed
little in defence or attack. It was not down to lack of effort - the 115.6km
that the West Ham team covered collectively over the 90 minutes was the most
distance they have managed in a Premier League game this season.
West Ham's biggest distance covered this season
Team Result Distance
Watford (a) L 0-2 115.58km
Crystal Palace (a) D 2-2 111.18km
Swansea (h) W 1-0 110.27km
Tottenham (a) L 2-3 109.81km
Brighton (h) L 0-3 108.89km
Season average: 106.52km
But there were still times when it appeared Watford had an extra man. West
Ham sat deep, initially, because I think Moyes was intent on making things
as difficult as possible for the home side. But it did not work. They
invited Watford on to them, but still conceded far too much space in key
areas and left gaps all over the pitch - without having a way to break out
effectively.
Moyes disappointed by 'big players'
Marko Arnautovic and Andy Carroll returned to West Ham's starting line-up,
with forward pair Javier Hernandez and Andre Ayew ruled out by injury. Pablo
Zabaleta replaced Edimilson Fernandes, who dropped to the bench. Because
they were so deep, West Ham took a long time to threaten at the other end
too. When he finally got a decent delivery, just before half-time, Andy
Carroll almost scored - but for too long he was given nothing to work with
in front of goal. The balls played up to him were often hopeful and poor,
but he had no team-mates anywhere near him anyway, even if he did get on the
end of them.
Instead he always had at least two Watford defenders around him and, because
he was so isolated, the Hornets always won the ball back quickly - and
launched another attack themselves. If Javier Hernandez had been fit and
available to play off Carroll, then that would have made a difference, but
solving the problem is not as simple as that. Of course playing with two up
front would make the Hammers more of a threat, but can they do that without
becoming even more open at the back?
I am not sure. They already have the worst defensive record in the Premier
League this season and, whatever shape Moyes decides on, I think he will be
trying to put that right first.
David Moyes 'didn't enjoy' Hammers' performance
Fans unrest could work in Moyes' favour
Moyes' first home game, against Leicester on Friday night, is going to be
another big moment for him. From what I saw and heard at Vicarage Road, the
atmosphere at London Stadium is not going to be a positive one. The West Ham
supporters are clearly angry and disillusioned with the club's owners, and
some of the players too. Their chants about how they will be playing
Millwall in nine months show how bad they think things are right now. That
might actually work in Moyes' favour, though, because if he can give them a
glimmer of hope then they will really get behind him. And, whatever the
supporters think of the owners, I think they will back Moyes in the transfer
market when the window opens in January. Moyes probably already had a good
idea of where things needed to improve before Sunday's game, but he will
know far more now. It is going to take time to get his players fit, because
many of them have been away on international duty for most of the time he
has been at the club. The defensive stability Moyes wants will not just
happen overnight either, and he needs to find a way of balancing it with
their attacking threat. I think he knew he had a big job on his hands
anyway, but now he will know how much work he has to do in every area of his
team.
Mark Lawrenson was speaking to BBC Sport's Chris Bevan.
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Banned? I wasn't even there!
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 20th November 2017
By: Staff Writer
The owner of a flag that was displayed outside David Sullivan's house this
morning has had his season tickets revoked by West Ham United. However the
individual in question claims that he wasn't even involved in the prank.
Earlier today a picture of the flag, tied to the gates at the Sullivan's
Essex residence appeared on social media. And within a matter of hours, the
owner of the flag was contacted and told that his two season tickets had
been revoked - and that he was banned from purchasing tickets for the next
THREE YEARS. "I'd like to correct a few people who assumed I was present at
Sullivan's property today," the owner wrote on the KUMB Forum. "I was not
there but as everybody knows, the flag is my property - and I've just had a
call from the club to confirm I've had both of my season tickets revoked."
Last month an official, working on behalf of West Ham attempted to have a
similar flag removed from the away end at Wembley Stadium on the night West
Ham beat Tottenham 3-2 in the Carabao Cup. That followed a similar attempt
by stewards working for West Ham at removing anti-Board flags at Vicarage
Road on Saturday.
Today's ban is the second time in the past 12 months that the flag's owner
has been suspended from the Olympic Stadium. His season tickets were
previously revoked after he attempted to take the same flag into a home
match - a ban that lasted just 24 hours following a backlash from other
supporters.
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I could have made an instant impact, says Pardew
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 20th November 2017
By: Staff Writer
Alan Pardew has confirmed that he would have been prepared to succeed Slaven
Bilic - if he had been offered the job. 95 per cent of our readers voted in
favour of re-hiring Pardew, compared to just five per cent going for Moyes,
in a recent KUMB poll. And despite KUMB revealing exclusively that Pardew
wanted the role, which he previously held between 2004 and 2006, he was
overlooked in favour of Moyes - who opened his account with a 2-0 defeat at
Watford yesterday.
"It was a job where you could tell it was a good board and good players in a
position where they are underperforming," he told Sky Sports. "As a manager,
that really helps when you go in because you can then make an instant
impact."
A fortnight ago KUMB revealed how Pardew had told friends privately that he
was "100 per cent" interested in succeeding Bilic, who was fired after a
poor start to the current campaign.
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Sullivan house targeted by anti-Board fans
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 20th November 2017
By: Staff Writer
David Sullivan's Essex house was doorstepped by angry supporters this
morning as protests against the club's current administration intensified.
As you can see from the image below, the entrance to the co-Chairman's
residence was used as the backdrop for a large banner calling for the
removal of vice-chair Karren Brady, who some claim is partly responsible for
the club's current parlous state. The image was posted by @robson1986 on
Twitter, along with the message: "Created by the poor, stolen by the rich.
Thought there'd be no stewards to confiscate flags outside Sullivan's gaff."
Sullivan's house was last targeted by West Ham supporters in May 2014, when
banners urging the removal of Sam Allardyce were hung on the gates at the
entrance to the co-Chairman's property.
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West Ham fans warned not to call 999 after poor performances
By George Galpin
Last Updated: 20/11/17 5:05pm
SSN
Essex Police have urge West Ham fans to stop calling 999 if the team loses.
The Hammers lost 2-0 away to Watford in David Moyes' first game in charge
and sit 18th in the table one point from safety.
Force Control Room @EPControlRoom
Ringing 999 because @WestHamUtd have lost again and you aren't sure what to
do is not acceptable! It is a complete waste of our time.
#999foremergenciesonly
6:46 PM - Nov 19, 2017
243 243 Replies 5,513 5,513 Retweets 5,777 5,777 likes
Fans chanted in protest against the board and the team's form during the
game at Vicarage Road and the Essex Police Force Control Room have pleaded
with supporters to stop ringing the emergency number.
The @EPControlRoom account tweeted: "Ringing 999 because @WestHamUtd have
lost again and you aren't sure what to do is not acceptable! It is a
complete waste of our time. #999foremergencies only."
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NEW BROOMS, OLD DIRT AND LACK OF CONFIDENCE
By HamburgHammer 20 Nov 2017 at 08:00
WTID
My column today will be a lot shorter than you are used to, for a variety of
reasons. Part of it is to do with a long matchday at Concordia yesterday,
yielding mixed results and also the fact I then only joined the stream of
the Watford game shortly before the halftime whistle when we were already
1:0 down and Arnautovic was just missing a golden double goalscoring
opportunity.
1:0 down at halftime was not exactly an unexpected scoreline of course,
meaning I still had reasonably high hopes that the new broom effect would
properly kick in for us during the second half.
Alas, it wasn't to be. Earlier on Sunday it was a reasonably fine day in
Hamburg, with mostly clear skies, but it was incredibly cold. Cordi's second
team won the early game against their neighbours in the table, 4th placed
Vier- und Marschlande with a 1:0 scoreline, with the game itself not doing a
lot to raise either blood pressure or body temperature, but a win is a win.
Then in the afternoon it got really really frustrating though and I
inititially thought West Ham had just been beamed to Concordia's home ground
at short notice.
Why is that ? Well, the unbeaten table toppers of Dassendorf had come to
town. Not just unbeaten in fact, but as a team that had won all its 16
league games in a row so far this season, yet Concordia had them on the
brink, taking a promising 2:0 lead with 35 minutes to go. But, in best West
Ham fashion, the Cordi boys managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of
victory, despite putting on a commendable and brave fight against the
Invincibles from the countryside.
The guests were there for the taking but if you needlessly concede a
penalty, allowing your adversary a path back into the contest, then you also
cannot really complain if your goalkeeper makes one fatal blunder right at
the end to basically gift the opposition a late and slightly undeserved
winner. I was gutted. Shellshocked. Cordi had been oh so close to a massive
upset. But no cigar. And no grilled sausages either due to rampaging
youngsters vandalizing the club's barbecue grill a few weeks ago.
Well, at least there still was the West Ham game, they would be there for me
surely and cheer me up with a decent away performance – with a new gaffer in
charge surely there would be an upturn in miles covered, effort, guts and
results of course.
If only football was so simple. There were quite a few opportunities when
West Ham could have turned their game around. But we missed every single
goalscoring opportunity on the day. The defending still looked incredibly
shaky.
And I have to say that I was still mightily disappointed with the overall
running and pressing effort from our guys. For a team that already is smack
in the middle of a relegation scrap we still look fairly disinterested, not
really bovvered. So a new broom, but still the same old dirt and dust by the
looks of it.
Of course it can't be easy if you are in a downward spiral anyway – football
is a game where confidence is key. Confidence can only grow with results and
those will only begin to change for the better if we stop shipping goals and
start scoring them.
As a club we need to stop hiding behind excuses. Players should no longer
hide behind the manager. The board shouldn't point the finger at the manager
or the fans.
Moyes won't hide at this point anyway as he is still very much in the
process of finding his feet at his new club. So he will and should be
getting some time to change things for the better.
Everyone at the club needs to pull their weight, take responsibility in his
or her respective role. The thought of relegation doesn't even register yet.
There still is plenty of time to turn it all around. And turn it around we
must. But we need some decent performances and results sharpish for that to
happen in order to gain some much needed confidence. Confidence is key and
that's where the manager and team have to deliver. Us fans can do our bit,
but once the whistle sounds the players have to play, kick the ball and
perform.
This season feels very strange to me, I feel quite distant from it all
emotionally, and maybe this will all change with my upcoming visit when I
can actually watch another two games in person.
Usually the West Ham game is among the highlights of my week, at this point
I still watch when I can, but I am no longer anticipating the games as
eagerly as before.
Right now it feels very much like a force of habit watching our beloved
Hammers and I really hope the pure and undiluted joy I used to feel when
getting ready for the next game will come back to me over the course of the
season.
Luckily enough there now is no international break on the horizon, in fact
West Ham can put things right as early as Friday evening, against a
Leicester side I am simply unable to figure out this season. On paper the
game is definitely winnable. As the game will be played on a football pitch
though, and a bloody big one at that, God only knows what is going to
happen.
As usual I shall be hoping for the best. But changing the tyres on my motor
this Friday, finally putting the winter tyres on, may prove to be a more
exciting and also ultimately more successful enterprise than watching West
Ham's efforts to beat The Foxes in Stratford.
Mr.Moyes, please prove me wrong, get the lads back on the training pitch,
make 'em work their socks off and give us a win. Surely Leicester should
present us with a better chance to do that than upcoming opponents like
Arsenal or Chelsea. COYI!!!
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MOYES TARGETS TWO MIDFIELDERS IN £30M WEST HAM JANUARY SWOOPFeatured Image
Date: 20th November 2017 at 7:02pm
Written by: Josh Challies
West Ham boss David Moyes failed to achieve a perfect start to life with the
East London side as the Scottish manager lost his first match in charge
against Watford this weekend.
The 2-0 defeat means the Hammers remain in the relegation zone, one point
from safety, and Moyes will certainly be looking to strengthen his squad
when the January transfer window opens in around six weeks time.
Reports from The Daily Star reveal Moyes will be given £30m to spend in the
New Year and the former Sunderland boss has set his sights on two
midfielders, in the form of Sporting Lisbon's William Carvalho and Hajduk
Split's Hamza Barry.
Portuguese international Carvalho is a long-term target for the Hammers, who
unsuccessfully tried to bring him to the Premier League in the summer, and
could end up costing more than record-signing Marko Arnautovic.
Barry, meanwhile, would cost significantly less and would provide plenty of
room for growth as he's just 23-years-old, though he presents a bargain as
the Gambian international has scored five goals and registered five assists
already this season.
A potential arrival of the pair would significantly bolster West Ham's
midfield options, where the likes of Mark Noble have disappointed in their
performances thus far.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Monday, November 20
Daily WHUFC News - 20th November 2017
Hammers fall to Vicarage Road defeat
WHUFC.com
David Moyes' tenure as West Ham United boss started in frustrating fashion
as the Hammers were beaten 2-0 by Watford on Sunday. Goals from Will Hughes
and Richarlison sealed the win for the Hornets, who rode their luck at times
as the visitors saw a number of golden opportunities pass them by. Cheikhou
Kouyate was guilty of missing two superb chances to equalise and Manuel
Lanzini had an effort cleared off the line, but Marco Silva's side held on
to record the victory in Hertfordshire. It was far from the dream start to
Moyes' West Ham career as Watford took the lead after just eleven minutes at
Vicarage Road. A cross from the left was only half cleared, and although
Andre Gray's attempt was scuffed after he had brought it away from Pedro
Obiang, it fell kindly for Hughes who calmly curled into the far corner,
leaving Joe Hart in goal with little chance. Andy Carroll had a header saved
shortly after and Aaron Cresswell tried an ambitious attempt from his own
half with goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes spotted off his line but on the half
hour mark the Hornets went close to doubling their lead. Richarlison's
initial effort was pushed away by Hart but only as far as Kiko Femenia, who
fired an inch or two wide from the edge of the box. That was as close,
however, as the hosts came to a second in the first period and next it was
the Hammers' turn to threaten. Skipper Mark Noble fired a superb pass
through the defence for Kouyate, who was somehow denied by Brazilian Gomes
who spread himself at the feet of the midfielder. And in first half stoppage
time, Moyes' men went even closer but it was again Gomes the hero for the
hosts. First pushing a Marko Arnautovic in front of him, the stopper somehow
reached up and clawed the winger's second effort away from the goalline from
point blank range.
Cheikhou KouyateThe visitors began the second half as they had ended the
first; on top, and a golden chance to equalise fell the way of Kouyate once
again. Great work from Arnautovic saw the Austrian get to the byline and
pull back for the Senegal international, who smashed well over with the goal
at his mercy. And the Hammers' misses came back to haunt them when on 64
minutes, Watford grabbed a second. Winston Reid could only find the feet of
first goalscorer Hughes with a clearing header, and the midfielder drove
forward, eventually finding Richarlison with a pinpoint pass. Bearing down
on goal down the left hand side, the Brazilian stayed on his left foot and
fired past Hart to double the Hornets' lead. With a quarter of an hour
remaining, Lanzini fired towards the bottom corner and thought he had cut
the deficit, but Christian Kabasele was on hand to turn it off the line.
West Ham continued to push to find a goal which would give them hope at
Vicarage Road, but Silva's team stood strong and the three points went to
Watford.
Watford: Gomes, Mariappa, Femenia (Holebas 86), Britos, Kabasele, Doucoure,
Cleverley, Zeegelaar, Hughes (Pereyra 83), Richarlison, Gray (Carrillo 90+7)
Subs not used: Karnezis, Prodl, Capoue, Okaka
Goals: Hughes 11, Richarlison 65
Bookings: Britos 29
West Ham United: Hart, Zabaleta, Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Kouyate, Noble,
Obiang, Arnautovic (Masuaku 72), Lanzini, Carroll (Sakho 65)
Subs not used: Adrian, Martinez, Fernandes, Quina, Rice
Bookings: Carroll 27, Arnautovic 37, Obiang 41, Noble 82
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Noble: I urge the fans to stick by us
WHUFC.com
West Ham United skipper Mark Noble urged supporters to stick with his side
despite a disappointing 2-0 defeat by Watford on Sunday. Will Hughes and
Richarlison's goals gave the Hornets all three Premier League points at
Vicarage Road but it could have been a different story had the Hammers, in
manager David Moyes' first game in charge, taken a number of superb chances
which fell their way. Cheikhou Kouyate was denied brilliantly by Heurelho
Gomes in the first half and fired over from close range in the second
period, while Marko Arnautovic and Manuel Lanzini also saw efforts
miraculously kept out of the Watford net. Marco Silva's men took the points,
however, condemning West Ham to a third defeat in four league games and
leaving them inside the bottom three, and Noble admitted it was a
frustrating evening in Hertfordshire. "It's a very difficult situation for
us," the captain said, before imploring the Claret and Blue Army to play
their part in turning the season around. "The fans show their emotions, and
rightly so because they're not happy and they pay a lot of money to come and
watch us. "I know it's hard, I know they're frustrated, and we are too
because we know we're better than what we're showing, but I urge them to
stick by us and hopefully the good times will come back. "As much as we're
not performing on the pitch at the minute, we need them to stick by us."
The Hammers have been working hard on the training ground to get things
right since Moyes' appointment as manager, but it was a disappointing start
to the Scot's reign. And fragile confidence is a problem the Hammers are now
encountering, according to Noble, particularly after Hughes' fortuitous
opener for the hosts put the visitors on the back foot after just eleven
minutes. "To be honest, we went into the game with a lot of belief. We have
done a lot of work in the last couple of weeks but we conceded an early goal
and it's an uphill battle from there. "We had two good chances to equalise
in the first half but in the end, I thought Watford were the better team.
They have been together with their manager for a while and we've had a
couple away on international duty and we've trained with our young lads.
"But it could have been a different if we'd finished our chances but that's
the way it's going at the moment. There's a bit of a lack of belief in our
players and I think we showed it. "You have to stick together and work hard
and as soon as you start having a go at each other, it becomes hard. "Do I
believe we have got enough and will be OK? Yes, I do. But it will be tough
and we need to play better than we did tonight."
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Moyes: We've got to try to turn things around quickly
WHUFC.com
David Moyes admits he has plenty of work to do after seeing West Ham United
fall to a 2-0 Premier League defeat at Watford in his first game in charge.
The Hammers marked Moyes' first game in the dugout and 500th Premier League
match as a manager by conceding goals in each half to Will Hughes and
Richarlison at Vicarage Road. At the other end, Cheikhou Kouyate and Marko
Arnautovic – who left the stadium nursing a suspected broken thumb – each
missed a pair of gilt-edged chances, leaving everyone in Claret and Blue
feeling decidedly frustrated. Then, having gone 2-0 down midway through the
second half, confidence visibly drained from the West Ham players and
Watford held on for a comfortable and deserved victory. "I expected
something like that, because that's what it's been before," said Moyes, when
asked for his assessment of the game. "I was disappointed that we didn't do
better, but we missed a couple of really good chances at 1-0, just before
half-time. "The better team won the game, but there was a chance for us to
affect the outcome of the game and we didn't do it. So, we're going to have
to improve and hopefully I'll get the chance to work with the players over
the coming weeks and it will make a difference." "I was only ever going to
find out what they were like by working with them and then seeing them play
during the game. "I could see that they needed a couple of things to go for
them and, in the couple of big moments we had, a couple in the first half
and one just after half-time, when they didn't go for them then you could
see the confidence draining away. "We've got to try to turn things around
quickly and we've got to find a way of winning, which we will try to do. The
important thing was to stay in the game but, when we conceded the second
goal, it became a lot more difficult. "We ran out of steam with 15 or 20
minutes to go after I thought we started the second half playing better than
we did at times in the first half. We have things to work on and, hopefully,
things to improve on. "We have to try to win games and get results and pick
them up as we go along and I believe we will do, but we need to play much
better than we did today, because today's performance wouldn't be good
enough."
Moyes was rightly disappointed with the manner of Sunday's defeat, but urged
West Ham fans not to turn on his team at a time when they need their support
more than ever. "We need to try to pull everybody together. We need the
crowd and we need the West Ham supporters. I know from what I saw today why
they would be disappointed, because I'd be the first to say it was not good
enough. "I'm really disappointed with the overall performance, but it's a
start and we've only been together a week and they're going to have to give
me a little bit of time to do something with it. "Today's performance was
not good enough, but that's what I need to assess and we've got a lot of
games coming up thick and fast, and we need to perform better than that if
we're going to win."
Finally, Moyes confirmed that Arnautovic had been taken to hospital
following Sunday's game for his thumb injury, suffered as he fell awkwardly
while making a second-half challenge, to be fully assessed. "The first
thought was a broken arm, but it looks like he's broken his thumb and we've
sent him to the hospital to get X-rayed and we'll know more after he's had
it scanned."
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'We need to try and find a way of making sure we are together and united'
WHUFC.com
David Moyes has issued a plea for unity as he attempts to turn West Ham
United's season around. The new manager did not need long to see why the
Hammers have struggled this season as mistakes at both ends of the pitch led
to a 2-0 Premier League defeat at Watford in his first game in charge. The
loss, which left West Ham inside the relegation zone after winning just two
of their opening 12 top-flight matches, was met with frustration by the
Claret and Blue Army.
Moyes understands the disappointment felt by the fans, but implored them to
get behind the team ahead of and during Friday's visit of Leicester City to
London Stadium...
We need a united Club
I don't know the reasons for it and the history of what's gone on here, and
I'm really thankful that they have been supportive of me. But we need them
now, we need a united Club, and it's hard and people have grievances. But
the supporters know the history and the past much better than I do. I said
to the players at the end 'It's tough to play when the crowd's like that'.
Small things can make a big difference. I can understand the supporters'
feelings because we didn't play well enough in the second half especially.
The better team won on Sunday
The better team won the game. I did think we had three big opportunities,
two in the first half, one in the second, and I think they would have made
it one [goal] each. We need things to go our way to build confidence and to
get a togetherness, we need something. It's tough for the players, I can
sense that. But I didn't enjoy the performance in the end. I didn't enjoy us
getting robbed of the ball. We gave it away cheaply and too many times and I
expected us to do better with it.
I thought we tried to stay in the game. We wanted to stay in the game to
give ourselves a chance, and we probably did. Even at 2-0, we had a few
balls flash across the box with nothing on the end of it. But in the end, it
wasn't good enough and that level of performance will not be good enough to
get much better.
I thought we defended OK, but we gave away cheap goals. The first goal we
had three half challenges and didn't deal with it. The second one, I think
Pablo Zabaleta went in for a cross and they were then running at us in the
inside left. I thought we didn't do well enough in all the departments at
different times. But we created one or two chances which could have changed
the outcome. I thought Watford's build up and style was better than ours and
I hope ours will improve as I get to work with the players more and know
them better.
I know I have a big job to do
We need to try and find a way of making sure we are together and united. I
can only try and get wins which will hopefully let the supporters feel
better about the team. I thought this was a big job. I think there were
players with big reputations who disappointed me a little bit and I thought
they will show me more and show why there are regulars. But Sunday was the
first time I've had the chance to see them play. They need to show why they
have got a reputation. They need to show me why they've got it.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
#REFWATCH: ANDRE MARRINER – WATFORD VS WEST HAM
AUTHOR: SAMTWHWREF. PUBLISHED: 19 NOVEMBER 2017 AT 10:52PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by @SamRoyden
It's been 12 days since David Moyes was appointed to replace Slaven Bilic at
West Ham and I think it's fair to say that there remains to be some uproar
among some of the fans at Moyes' appointment. My initial thoughts was that
if Moyes can emulate the kind of performances, it would be a great
appointment. It's always going to be a tough job and miracles cannot happen
over night however, the disappointment at Watford will give David Moyes a
lot to pounder over about which players are going to step up and show some
fight for the team.
Andy Carroll, coming back from a three game ban, nearly enjoyed a further
three weeks ban after catching Watford's debutant Zeegelaar with a leading
elbow within the first 30 seconds. Andy Carroll is an utter liability and
with a challenge like that, is not only endangering an opponent but it's
purely and simply idiotic. Carroll was stupid at Burnley and he's followed a
similar suit with a serious of ridiculous and unnecessary challenges at
Watford.
I've said on many occasions that using your arms is a natural when jumping
to gain elevation especially from a standing position, but when you're
running and jumping at pace into an opponent and leading with your elbow,
it's unacceptable. Carroll, in my opinion, was fortunate not to get a yellow
card as an absolute minimum. If Marriner had showed him a red, there
wouldn't have been any complaints. Thankfully for Carroll, Marriner was
slightly out of position with the game only 20 seconds in, and the assistant
referee was in line with the last defender so this was missed by both.
Andy Carroll continued with his stupid antics by being cautioned for an off
the ball incident with Richarlison after becoming frustrated for losing the
ball. Nearing the end of the first half, Carroll thought after being knocked
to the floor that it was acceptable to have a kick out at a Watford
defender. Marriner had enough of Carroll over the course of 45 minutes and
called over Mark Noble for a final warning and Carroll walking on thin ice
going into the second half.
Andre Marriner is a very good well equipped referee, potentially one of the
better referees in the Premier League this season. I bet he thought that he
might have a comfortable afternoon with this fixture but he was kept on his
toes with a couple of big decisions.
West Ham's disciplinary record is one of the worst in the league for some
reason and with some of the challenges flying in and the lack of discipline
among players, I'm not surprised why. West Ham's second caution of the game
came when Marko Arnautovic, who was bright at times before his injury, over
stretched after miss controlling the ball and catching Tom Cleverly on the
top of the boot. Whenever you're not in control of the ball and you're
desperately lunging to win the ball back, you're not deemed in control and
Marriner was right to caution this foul.
There were a couple of challenging decisions that Andre Marriner had to make
with the first being a penalty decision from Watford with appeals echoing
around Vicarage Road. In realtime, this was a very difficult decision to
make especially from a TV viewing perspective. My heart sank and I thought
he was going to give it and when I saw Marriner wave away appeals, I was
relieved. It was only when I saw two or three replays that it was evident
that Richarlison actually trod on Pablo Zabaleta's foot before hitting the
ground. The fact Andre Marriner made that decision within a split second and
getting it spot on is an absolutely brilliant decision.
With West Ham playing very poorly and Winston Reid at fault for the second
goal, Will Hughes was fortunate not to be penalised for handball after the
ball bounced off his leg into his hand. After contact with Hudges' hand, the
ball looked under control, which gave Hughes an advantage which subsequently
assisted Richarlison and Watford's second goal to put Watford out of sight.
When reviewing Marriner's position, he was behind Will Hudges and wouldn't
have see the contact on his right hand. In my opinion, if Marriner saw this
incident, he would have blew for a foul to West Ham.
There was another Watford handball which came after a great piece of
defending by Christian Kabasele by keeping Manuel Lanzini's shot from
hitting the back of the net. The Watford defender put his body on the line
to make the interception with the ball hitting his thigh and ricocheting
onto his arm. There was no obvious intention in my opinion and would have
been an extremely harsh decision as it was ball to hand, not a deliberate
handball.
Overall, Andre Marriner had a good game and I thought he got a lot of his
decisions right. The Andy Carroll incident is a difficult one as it's a huge
decision to make so quickly after kick off. The position Marriner employed
is the same position I would take up at kick off and straight away the ball
was knocked cross field and that starting position would have been comprised
with the speed of the pass to see the incident. Andre Marriner controlled
the game well and made good decisions throughout.
As West Ham fans, we never thought that change would happen overnight and
you have to give the management team time. Moyes won't take any shit and
clearly showed his disappointment of the team performance. It's a hard
position that our upcoming games include Leicester and Everton in November
before 3 consecutive games against top 3 teams, Manchester City, Arsenal and
Chelsea.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
WATFORD 2-0 WEST HAM – MATCH REPORT
AUTHOR: BRIAN KNOX. PUBLISHED: 19 NOVEMBER 2017 AT 8:14PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Match Report by @WestHamAmerican
The change of management in the technical area did not change West Ham's
futility during the current Premier League campaign. The Hammers suffered a
2-0 defeat during their Sunday visit to Hertfordshire. With the loss, West
Ham remains firmly in the relegation zone.
The story could not be more different for the Hornets, who, while not a
historical power in England's top flight of football, find themselves
playing entertaining football and enjoying time in the top ten of the table.
For Watford, their biggest concern might be hanging on to their manager,
with Everton prepared to splash some money his way.
For the day's match, it was a chilly day but the travelling West Ham
supporters were a loud portion of the 20,018 in attendance. Even when their
side went down, they continued to encourage their players.
Watford's scoring began in the opening half when Will Hughes took Andre
Gray's deflection and easily scored just inside the far post. West Ham had
multiple opportunities to level the match before the break. Both Marko
Arnautovic and Cheikhou Kouyaté had remarkable opportunities they were
unable to convert, through poor shot selection or great play by Heurelho
Gomes. The Brazillian goalkeeper had great moments, and kept the clean
sheet for the match.
During the break, David Moyes replaced Andy Carroll with Diafra Sakho, in
hopes of finding a bit more pace on the attack, however, the opening twenty
minutes of the second half saw the match almost entirely played in the West
Ham penalty area. There were no counter attacks or even much movement
beyond midfield as Watford was very technical and precision-like in
maintaining possession against an outmatched Hammers side.
Predictably the home club was able to find their second goal during this
period as Will Hughes played through to Richarlison, who had an unimpeded
run to the goal. While Hughes had inadvertently handled the ball with his
hand, Andre Marriner didn't feel it was significant enough to whistle him
for the handball. Richarlison's goal stood, and Watford had a comfortable
lead for the remainder of the match.
West Ham's setbacks didn't end with the score sheet as late in the match,
Marko Arnautovic suffered a serious thumb injury that looked to be very
painful. The West Ham record-signing was taken off the field and no word on
his recovery time will be given until later in the week.
With injuries and stoppage of play, Marriner awarded eight minutes of added
time to the match, but West Ham was unable to maintain much possession and
never mounted much of a threat to Watford's clean sheet. The final whistle
meant that West Ham was firmly in 17th place on the table, and has a lot of
work to do before May if they want to remain in the Premier League.
This is such a dangerous time for West Ham. Devoid of much attacking
creativity, and playing much of the matches behind the ball, Moyes will
really have to find some ways to spark some scoring. The schedule in
December is brutal: In 16 days West Ham plays at City, at home against
Chelsea and Arsenal, at Stoke, and then a League Cup tie at Arsenal all in a
period of 16 days.
If West Ham hopes to stave off relegation, they will need to find some
points in that challenging run of matches. Otherwise, this season is
heading towards the Sky Bet Championship league very quickly.
Watford: Gomes, Mariappa, Femenia (Holebas 86), Britos, Kabasele, Doucoure,
Cleverley, Zeegelaar, Hughes (Pereyra 83), Richarlison, Gray (Carrillo 90+7)
Subs not used: Karnezis, Prodl, Capoue, Okaka
Goals: Hughes 11, Richarlison 65
Bookings: Britos 29
West Ham United: Hart, Zabaleta, Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Kouyate, Noble,
Obiang, Arnautovic (Masuaku 72), Lanzini, Carroll (Sakho 65)
Subs not used: Adrian, Martinez, Fernandes, Quina, Rice
Bookings: Carroll 27, Arnautovic 37, Obiang 41, Noble 82
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
'Sack the Board', chant travelling fans
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 19th November 2017
By: Staff Writer
Millions of Sky Sports subscribers were left in no doubt as to the depth of
anti-Board feeling amongst West Ham United's travelling supporters tonight.
The small but vocal travelling contingent used the opportunity of a live TV
game to share their views on the club's current administration who, having
already overseen a relegation in their first year (2010/11) at West Ham
could be on their way to a second with the team in desperate trouble once
again at the foot of the Premier League.
West Ham Fan TV @westhamfantv
'Lies Lies Lies' Fans singing about the board as frustration grows at
Watford
5:44 PM - Nov 19, 2017
12 12 Replies 229 229 Retweets 267 267 likes
Co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan, along with vice chair Karren Brady
were pilloried throughout the game by fans, as flags bearing the famous
'"lying, theiving cheats" line - as immortalised during the 1992 Bond
protests - were hung from the stands. Meanwhile the erection of one
anti-Board flag, placed at the bottom of the away end and directly behind a
goal led to a minor altercation between the fans and a steward, who is
believed to have been employed by West Ham.
West Ham Fan TV @westhamfantv
'Sack The Board!' The message is loud and clear from West Ham fans at
Watford
5:28 PM - Nov 19, 2017
35 35 Replies 262 262 Retweets 398 398 likes
The steward - who has been spotted at the Olympic Stadium in recent weeks
performing a similar task - attempted to remove the flag, which naturally
led to an argument between the employee and a group of supporters. No
arrests were however reported as a result, however at least two of West
Ham's travelling contingent were ejected from the ground as a result.
View image on TwitterView image on TwitterView image on TwitterView image on
Twitter
Paul Turner @P_Tizzle31
Anti-board flags not allowed at #WATWHU with #WHUFC stewards tearing at it
and taking it away. Free speech and all that...
4:37 PM - Nov 19, 2017
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West Ham face worrying times, says Alan Pardew
Last Updated: 19/11/17 7:23pm
SSN
Alan Pardew says these are worrying times for West Ham after the David Moyes
era began in defeat. The Hammers were beaten 2-0 at Watford on Super Sunday,
and sit 18th in the Premier League table having not won in five games.
Former West Ham manager Pardew says their attacking talent did not have
enough of an influence on the game, and feels confidence is low in the camp.
West Ham boss David Moyes admits he was disappointed with his sides
finishing ability as they squandered a handful of chances during his first
game in charge, a 2-0 loss at Watford. "Looking at them today, if they'd
have got a goal it would have given them confidence, and confidence is a
strange thing. It makes you run faster and further, and lifts you as a
player. They didn't get that today, a lift of a goal. "It was a performance
similar to what we've seen from West Ham before, and it's worrying times for
them, because they look short at the moment, particularly offensively.
"I don't think they created great chances today, not enough for a West Ham
team. Lanzini, Arnautovic, Carroll were quiet today, and these are the type
of players who should give the team a lift on match day by getting goals and
creating goals."
West Ham now host Leicester on Friday Night Football, live on Sky Sports
Premier League, before a tough run of fixtures leading up to mid-December.
They then go to Everton (November 29) and Man City (December 3), before
hosting Chelsea (December 9) and Arsenal (December 13) in the Premier
League, and Pardew fears it could be a decisive run of games. Pardew added:
"What's difficult about this sequence of games is his home games (Leicester,
Chelsea, Arsenal) because Leicester looks really important. His next two
will be difficult. It's a tricky run."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
David Moyes has called for West Ham to come together as a club after fans
turn on players
Last Updated: 19/11/17 7:00pm
SSN
West Ham boss David Moyes admits he was disappointed with his sides
finishing ability as they squandered a handful of chances during his first
game in charge, a 2-0 loss at Watford. David Moyes has called for West Ham
to come together as a club after the away fans protested against the board
and mocked their own players at Watford. On his Hammers bow, Moyes' team
were seen off by goals from Will Hughes (11) and Richarlison (64) as Watford
boss Marco Silva - heavily linked with the Everton job - further enhanced
his reputation. Cries of "you're not fit to wear the shirt" were sung from a
disgruntled away end, who have seen their team lose their last four games
and remain in the relegation zone.
When asked about the fans' frustrations, Moyes said: "I don't know the
history - all I can say, I'm really thankful for the support of me. "We need
a united club. The supporters will know the past. I said to the players,
it's tough to play when the crowd is like that. A goal can make a
difference." Despite the defeat, there was cause for hope for Moyes as his
team had six shots on target but a mixture of wayward finishing and two
brilliant stops from Heurelho Gomes blunted their progress. However,
following going down to 2-0, West Ham created little and Moyes was
disappointed by the quality shown by some of his players. "I found out
today, I was only going to find out what they were like when I took training
and in the game," Moyes said. "The better team won the game, I won't say
different, but we had chances to change the outcome of the game. "We have
got to try and find a way of winning, we will try and find a way. "The most
important thing was to be in the game and when we conceded the second that
went. We need to learn how to stay in games."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
WATFORD 2, WEST HAM 0. I WANT TO BELIEVE IT WILL END UP OK.
By David Hautzig 19 Nov 2017 at 18:37
WTID
Did you know I also have a column here on West Ham Til I Die? When I write a
Match Report and go to the administrative part of the site, I choose David
Hautzig Match Report as the category under which I post. There is also a
heading called David Hautzig Column. I have posted a grand total of one in
my four years doing this.
Relieved, aren't ya?
The single solitary contribution to that faux journalistic endeavor was
written days after the club decided not to offer Sam Allardyce a new deal.
Names like Bielsa, Rafa, Emery, Bilic, even Klopp were thrown about. Here's
how I finished that piece;
"Which leads me to the final name that has made the rounds, David Moyes. To
my somewhat risk averse way of thinking, he provides what we need. A fresh
look at things all the while being as safe a pair of hands as Allardyce.
I've read many a tweet and comment that oppose the idea almost as fervently
as they oppose Sam, saying it's no more than a sideways move. Yet for all we
know his edict while at Everton was to play a style that made the Toffees
hard to beat, and that if asked he could switch things up. And it's not like
Van Gaal has had an easy time at Man U, leading me to believe Moyes was
given a raw deal at Old Trafford. Until recently I thought him joining us
was pretty close to a dead cert. Tony Henry is on board, he has a release
clause to join an EPL team if asked, Etc. But after his interview with Sid
Lowe in The Guardian it's more dead in the water than nailed on. Which I'm
very disappointed about. I think David Moyes has a lot to say about what
kind of manager he is.
I hope he changes his mind and let's West Ham United hand him the
microphone."
Supporter anguish over the appointment of Moyes has centered around his last
two jobs, and how they were "failures". Failing at Sunderland was as likely
as sinking with The Titanic. As for Real Sociedad, I think the judgement is
a bit unfair. He arrived there in 2014 after eleven games, of which the club
had only won two. Familiar ring, huh? Anyway, they were just above the drop
zone. He finished the season in 12th, eleven points clear. Over the summer,
Moyes warned supporters not to get carried away. They began his second
season poorly, and he was sacked after eleven games and Sociedad in the drop
zone. His point total over the 38 games he was in charge was 46. A number I
would kill for now.
My point is this. David Moyes is about right for us. Any notion that a "top
manager", or "next level manager" would be willing to join us and work under
our board is, in my opinion, folly. I was one of those supporters who bought
into the stadium move and what it would bring us. But now I feel like
Dorothy in The Wizard Of Oz when the curtain gets pulled back and we see a
silly old man. One can always dream, but we know where those dreams end up.
I was not anticipating abject fear seven seconds into Moyes time in charge,
but when Carroll swung his arm out and clocked Zeegalaar in his English
debut, I saw red. Thankfully only in my anger at AC's potential recklessness
and not from the referee. Seconds later Carroll sent an infuriatingly
dangerous back pass to Hart from near the halfway line. Hart had to leave
his area just to punt the ball away.
For all of West Hams early aggression and pressing, Watford had the little
bit of luck we needed in the 11th minute. After running down a long pass to
the touchline, Zeegalaar sent a cross into the box that Gray scuffed. But
the ball dribbled towards Hughes in front of Hart, and he calmly put it into
the back of the net.
Watford 1
West Ham 0
For the next ten minutes after the goal, Watford gave a clinic on good shape
and organized defending. The Hammers moved the ball around. Side to side.
Short passes, followed by a long pass cross field. Then a pass back to Hart.
But not one ball into the box or anywhere near Gomes. In the 22nd minute
Watford may have a had a shout for a penalty when Zabaleta tangled with
Richarlison at the top of the West Ham penalty area, but Mariner continued
on his merry little way.
In the 28th minute, Carroll continued his role as villain in the eyes of
Watford supporters when he leaned into Richarlison after trying to pretend
he was Iniesta or something. That time Mariner decided to show Wolf's dad
yellow, and we all knew we would spend the rest of the game cowering every
time the big man went in the air, arms flailing.
Watford came close to doubling their advantage in the 32nd minute when
Richarlison and Doucoure worked a give and go at the top of the West Ham
penalty area. Hart was able to push Richarlison's low shot away, but right
to Kiko who tried his own low effort that went wide for a goal kick.
West Ham should have leveled in the 43rd minute when some fabulous one touch
football at the top of the Watford box by Carroll, Obiang, Lanzini and
Kouyate sent the Senegalese midfielder in on Gomes alone. But the Watford
keeper made an excellent save to keep the home side on top. Watford were
able to launch a counter on the ensuing West Ham corner, but Hughes
attempted bicycle kick in the box sailed high over the bar.
In the 48th minute, Gomes made what I can only describe as a superhuman save
off of Arnautovic. Carroll fed Zabaleta down the right. The Argentine right
back sent a cross to Arnautovic that Gomez somehow stopped. To make it even
more frustrating, Arnautovic got his own rebound alone in front of goal but
Gomes somehow made another save. As the announcers said, Gomes was more
responsible for Watford being ahead than Hughes.
Halftime
Watford 1
West Ham 0
Watford asked the first question of the second half in the 50th minute when
Kiko made a run down the right and crossed to Gray in the box. The Watford
striker who in the summer was rumored to be coming to East London was able
get to the ball but his shot went over the bar.
West Ham saw yet another chance go begging moments later when Arnautovic
beat Britos on the right and rolled a pass to Kouyate in the box but he
couldn't keep his shot down and it flew high over the bar. A few minutes
later Hughes and Kiko worked the ball down the right before getting the ball
to Doucoure, who tried a curling right footer that left Hart standing still
but the ball went wide.
Watford won a corner in the 59th minute when a Gray effort went out off of
Reid's leg. The initial delivery into the box was cleared, but not far
enough to avoid another Watford wave. The ball was sent back into the box by
Cleverly for Mariappa, and his header gave Hart a chance to be brilliant.
Watford's attacking efforts in the second half finally reaped a reward in
the 64th minute when Hughes, after what was adjudged to be a ball to hand as
opposed to a hand ball, fed Richarlison streaking down the left. Reid forced
the Brazilian to shoot with his left, his second favorite foot. He accepted
the challenge and beat Hart with a low shot to the far corner.
Watford 2
West Ham 0
If West Ham didn't have bad luck today, etc etc. In the 73rd minute, after
Sakho and Masuaku replaced Carroll and Arnautovic, the two Hammers
substitutes combined in the box to set up Lanzini from 15 yards out. His low
shot beat Gomes, but wouldn't you know it Kabasele was there to clear the
ball off the line.
Final Score
Watford 2
West Ham 0
I feel the need to look for positives here. Maybe to confirm what I believe,
that the decision to replace Bilic with Moyes was correct? That wouldn't be
beyond me. But while Watford looked more creative and decisive on the ball,
West Ham had two chances from Kouyate, two from Arnautovic, and a Lanzini
shot cleared off the line. So we had opportunities to score. I also think we
looked better pressing, and more solid at the back despite conceding two.
Yet the facts are clear. This is our second worst start ever to an EPL
campaign, and we all know what happened the year that was worse.
I want to be hopeful. I have to be fearful.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
David Moyes lays into West Ham flops as he accuses them of trading on their
reputations after Watford defeat
The Hammers suffered a 2-0 loss to Watford in Moyes' first game in charge
The Mirror
ByMike Walters
Sports Writer
20:53, 19 NOV 2017UPDATED20:56, 19 NOV 2017
David Moyes laid into West Ham's flops and accused them of trading on their
reputations. The Hammers remain marooned in the bottom three after goals
from Will Hughes and Richarlison condemned the East enders to morale-sapping
defeat in his first game in charge. Furious fans turned on owners David
Gold, David Sullivan and vice-chair Karren Brady, and shocked Moyes did not
hide his frustration. He said: "I thought this was a big job, but there were
some players with big reputations who disappointed me. "There were some who
I thought would show me more, and why they play for the team regularly. They
need to show me, 'If that's your reputation, show me why you've got it.'
"Overall, that level of performance will not be good enough."
Friday night's home game with Leicester at the Taxpayers stadium could turn
toxic if the Hammers suffer another setback. Moyes admitted: "It's tough for
the players - I could sense that – but I didn't enjoy our performance in the
end. I didn't enjoy us giving the ball away too cheaply, too many times and
I expected us to do better. "The better team won the game, although we did
have three big opportunities to make it 1-1, and we need things like that to
go our way to build confidence and a togetherness at the club.
Travelling fans chanted "Sack the board" and turned on England discard Andy
Carroll, who had been critical of supporters for leaving early in last
month's home defeat by Liverpool. And Moyes admitted he hooked Carroll
midway through the second half because he feared his combustible striker was
going to collect a red card. Carroll had left Watford debutant marvin
Zeegelaar with a bloody nose in an aerial challenge after just seven SECONDS
and the Hammers boss admitted: "I don't know the history or the reasons for
it (hostility towards the board). "The fans were supportive of me, and I'm
thankful for that, but I can understand their feelings because we didn't
play well enough. "At half-time I had to make a decision because I wasn't
sure whether Andy was going to get himself sent off. "I thought we defended
OK, but then we gave away cheap goals by getting bundled off the ball and we
didn't really deal with it. We didn't do well enough in all departments at
different times."
Vibrant Watford ended a run of three consecutive defeats – but head coach
Marco Silva still refused to say whether he would stay at Vicarage Road amid
Everton's persistent attempts to poach him. Silva tap-danced: "I thought we
controlled the match, more or less, and what I can control in terms of my
future is to plan the next session and prepared for our next game "Some
people have been doubting my commitment, but today me and my players gave a
very good answer." Watford fans serenaded Silva with a chant of "We want you
to stay," and he replied: "It's good when the fans enjoy what we are doing."
Everton are expected to return with a third approach for Silva this week,
but Hornets owner Gino Pozzo has no intention of granting them permission to
seduce his manager with £4m-a-year and a £70m transfer kitty in January.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Andy Carroll needed watching from the first minute
KEITH HACKETT
Keith Hackett 19 NOVEMBER 2017 • 10:19PM
Telegraph.co.uk
Andre Marriner would have seen Andy Carroll's name on the teamsheet roughly
an hour before kick-off. The first thing he should have done was get
together with his assistants and ensure all eyes would be on the striker in
the first few minutes. Marriner needed to be in Carroll's zone; instead, he
was too far away from the action after just 10 seconds when Carroll used his
elbows illegally on Marvin Zeegelaar. It was a definite yellow-card offence,
borderline red, but Carroll got away with it. Referees, like players, must
be prepared and these are the sort of discussions that need to be had in the
dressing room ahead of their warm-up. You must identify players, like
Carroll, who are capable of disruption early on because they are catalysts
to change the game. This is not turning players into victims but an
essential part of the referee's prep. A red would have been harsh yesterday
because Carroll did not use a bent arm, which leads to a dismissal. But the
blood, the prostrate player and the furious reaction told their own story,
and Carroll was not even booked until later in the game.
On Saturday, Graham Scott proved himself equally switched off at the start
of Leicester City's game with Manchester City by not sending off Vincent
Kompany for denying Jamie Vardy a clear goalscoring opportunity. Scott
lacks experience at elite level but his assistant should have told him what
colour the card needed to be. Wrong decisions can prompt a lot of reaction.
All this makes it very difficult for referees to get matches back on track.
This doesn't always happen and, at Crystal Palace on Saturday, I think
Anthony Taylor bought an outrageous dive by Oumar Niasse.
Keith Hackett is a former referee and resident expert on You Are The Ref.Com
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Andy Carroll needs to shape up or be shipped out by West Ham United... the
striker is squandering a unique talent
Six seconds was all it took for Andy Carroll to hit Marvin Zeegelaar with an
elbow
Carroll was later booked for a petulant trip on Watford star Richarlison
He is wasting his talent and has no chance of reaching the 2018 World Cup
By Adam Crafton for the Daily Mail
PUBLISHED: 22:30, 19 November 2017 | UPDATED: 22:30, 19 November 2017
Six seconds. That is all it took for Andy Carroll. Just over a month after
leaving his side in the lurch by elbowing his way to an early shower at
Burnley, Carroll risked doing it all over again six seconds into this game.
Referee Andre Marriner spared Carroll the same fate this time, but the
striker was fortunate to escape a caution in the opening minute. Poor old
Marvin Zeegelaar, a 27-year-old Dutch defender making his Premier League
bow, made acquaintance with Carroll's swinging elbow and the game took
several minutes to restart. He returned to the field with cotton buds
stuffed into his nose and will need to wait to see if it is broken. To his
credit, he soldiered on. It was not a clever act. It was the kind of cheap
hit that English football has mostly confined to nostalgic memories on VHS
tapes and on another day, Zeegelaar might have suffered serious damage.
Carroll is now 28, and the penny may never drop. This is a player that Kenny
Dalglish, a sound judge of striking talent, thought to be worth £35million.
At his most effective, Carroll is strong, athletic and powerful. His leap is
mighty and his shot is hard. He should be at the peak of his powers and
offering Gareth Southgate a unique threat at the World Cup. Yet he is barely
a footnote to the England manager's plans. He has notched only five goals in
the calendar year and he so rarely brings together his qualities in a
positive way. It is a tragic waste of a supreme physique and assured talent.
West Ham fans appear fed up of his immaturity. His recent comments
criticising fans for leaving early went down like a bucket of cold sick, and
here he was the recipient of sustained goading from the terraces.
For manager David Moyes, it is a complex challenge. Carroll's mere presence
in the starting line-up is becoming more of a hindrance than a help to West
Ham. Even withstanding the referee's early leniency, Carroll found his way
into the book mid-way through the first-half and then was given a final
warning. Moyes took a sympathetic view: 'Andy has done everything in
training, tried to be correct in everything he's done. 'I thought every time
he goes for a challenge the opposition crowd are going to make it difficult
to affect the referee but I've not seen the challenges. 'Half-time was a
decision because I wasn't sure if he was going to get sent off so I told him
I would be taking him off.' Yet before the game started, Moyes would not
have factored in a likely dismissal for his striker. It should not be part
of the gameplan and it should not be a fear every time one of your
highest-paid performers takes to the field. If Carroll were a toddler, a
parent would be out of patience by now. Sadly, it may not be long before his
employers take the same view.
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The referee should have acted after six seconds of Watford against West Ham
United due to Andy Carroll's elbow
Andy Carroll elbowed Marvin Zeegelaar of Watford six seconds into the match
This was Carroll's first league start since being sent off at Burnley on
October 14
He was only cautioned after half and hour for a fairly innocuous challenge
By Graham Poll for the Daily Mail
PUBLISHED: 22:30, 19 November 2017 | UPDATED: 22:34, 19 November 2017
When you referee West Ham, Andy Carroll's name jumps out of the team sheet
as it's handed to you an hour before kick-off. So when he goes up for the
ball with a leading arm, catching Marvin Zeegelaar on the nose, you would
expect the referee to see the incident and act upon it. This was Carroll's
first Premier League start since being sent off at Burnley on October 14
when he was throwing his arms around and caught Ben Mee. However, Andre
Marriner either missed the first-minute incident or thought the challenge
was a fair one. Maybe it was too early in the game, timed by TV at six
seconds, but given Carroll's 'form' you really would expect better from such
an experienced referee. Ironically, when Carroll was cautioned just before
the half-hour it was for a fairly innocuous challenge on Richarlison.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
David Moyes' tenure as West Ham United boss started in frustrating fashion
as the Hammers were beaten 2-0 by Watford on Sunday. Goals from Will Hughes
and Richarlison sealed the win for the Hornets, who rode their luck at times
as the visitors saw a number of golden opportunities pass them by. Cheikhou
Kouyate was guilty of missing two superb chances to equalise and Manuel
Lanzini had an effort cleared off the line, but Marco Silva's side held on
to record the victory in Hertfordshire. It was far from the dream start to
Moyes' West Ham career as Watford took the lead after just eleven minutes at
Vicarage Road. A cross from the left was only half cleared, and although
Andre Gray's attempt was scuffed after he had brought it away from Pedro
Obiang, it fell kindly for Hughes who calmly curled into the far corner,
leaving Joe Hart in goal with little chance. Andy Carroll had a header saved
shortly after and Aaron Cresswell tried an ambitious attempt from his own
half with goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes spotted off his line but on the half
hour mark the Hornets went close to doubling their lead. Richarlison's
initial effort was pushed away by Hart but only as far as Kiko Femenia, who
fired an inch or two wide from the edge of the box. That was as close,
however, as the hosts came to a second in the first period and next it was
the Hammers' turn to threaten. Skipper Mark Noble fired a superb pass
through the defence for Kouyate, who was somehow denied by Brazilian Gomes
who spread himself at the feet of the midfielder. And in first half stoppage
time, Moyes' men went even closer but it was again Gomes the hero for the
hosts. First pushing a Marko Arnautovic in front of him, the stopper somehow
reached up and clawed the winger's second effort away from the goalline from
point blank range.
Cheikhou KouyateThe visitors began the second half as they had ended the
first; on top, and a golden chance to equalise fell the way of Kouyate once
again. Great work from Arnautovic saw the Austrian get to the byline and
pull back for the Senegal international, who smashed well over with the goal
at his mercy. And the Hammers' misses came back to haunt them when on 64
minutes, Watford grabbed a second. Winston Reid could only find the feet of
first goalscorer Hughes with a clearing header, and the midfielder drove
forward, eventually finding Richarlison with a pinpoint pass. Bearing down
on goal down the left hand side, the Brazilian stayed on his left foot and
fired past Hart to double the Hornets' lead. With a quarter of an hour
remaining, Lanzini fired towards the bottom corner and thought he had cut
the deficit, but Christian Kabasele was on hand to turn it off the line.
West Ham continued to push to find a goal which would give them hope at
Vicarage Road, but Silva's team stood strong and the three points went to
Watford.
Watford: Gomes, Mariappa, Femenia (Holebas 86), Britos, Kabasele, Doucoure,
Cleverley, Zeegelaar, Hughes (Pereyra 83), Richarlison, Gray (Carrillo 90+7)
Subs not used: Karnezis, Prodl, Capoue, Okaka
Goals: Hughes 11, Richarlison 65
Bookings: Britos 29
West Ham United: Hart, Zabaleta, Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Kouyate, Noble,
Obiang, Arnautovic (Masuaku 72), Lanzini, Carroll (Sakho 65)
Subs not used: Adrian, Martinez, Fernandes, Quina, Rice
Bookings: Carroll 27, Arnautovic 37, Obiang 41, Noble 82
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Noble: I urge the fans to stick by us
WHUFC.com
West Ham United skipper Mark Noble urged supporters to stick with his side
despite a disappointing 2-0 defeat by Watford on Sunday. Will Hughes and
Richarlison's goals gave the Hornets all three Premier League points at
Vicarage Road but it could have been a different story had the Hammers, in
manager David Moyes' first game in charge, taken a number of superb chances
which fell their way. Cheikhou Kouyate was denied brilliantly by Heurelho
Gomes in the first half and fired over from close range in the second
period, while Marko Arnautovic and Manuel Lanzini also saw efforts
miraculously kept out of the Watford net. Marco Silva's men took the points,
however, condemning West Ham to a third defeat in four league games and
leaving them inside the bottom three, and Noble admitted it was a
frustrating evening in Hertfordshire. "It's a very difficult situation for
us," the captain said, before imploring the Claret and Blue Army to play
their part in turning the season around. "The fans show their emotions, and
rightly so because they're not happy and they pay a lot of money to come and
watch us. "I know it's hard, I know they're frustrated, and we are too
because we know we're better than what we're showing, but I urge them to
stick by us and hopefully the good times will come back. "As much as we're
not performing on the pitch at the minute, we need them to stick by us."
The Hammers have been working hard on the training ground to get things
right since Moyes' appointment as manager, but it was a disappointing start
to the Scot's reign. And fragile confidence is a problem the Hammers are now
encountering, according to Noble, particularly after Hughes' fortuitous
opener for the hosts put the visitors on the back foot after just eleven
minutes. "To be honest, we went into the game with a lot of belief. We have
done a lot of work in the last couple of weeks but we conceded an early goal
and it's an uphill battle from there. "We had two good chances to equalise
in the first half but in the end, I thought Watford were the better team.
They have been together with their manager for a while and we've had a
couple away on international duty and we've trained with our young lads.
"But it could have been a different if we'd finished our chances but that's
the way it's going at the moment. There's a bit of a lack of belief in our
players and I think we showed it. "You have to stick together and work hard
and as soon as you start having a go at each other, it becomes hard. "Do I
believe we have got enough and will be OK? Yes, I do. But it will be tough
and we need to play better than we did tonight."
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Moyes: We've got to try to turn things around quickly
WHUFC.com
David Moyes admits he has plenty of work to do after seeing West Ham United
fall to a 2-0 Premier League defeat at Watford in his first game in charge.
The Hammers marked Moyes' first game in the dugout and 500th Premier League
match as a manager by conceding goals in each half to Will Hughes and
Richarlison at Vicarage Road. At the other end, Cheikhou Kouyate and Marko
Arnautovic – who left the stadium nursing a suspected broken thumb – each
missed a pair of gilt-edged chances, leaving everyone in Claret and Blue
feeling decidedly frustrated. Then, having gone 2-0 down midway through the
second half, confidence visibly drained from the West Ham players and
Watford held on for a comfortable and deserved victory. "I expected
something like that, because that's what it's been before," said Moyes, when
asked for his assessment of the game. "I was disappointed that we didn't do
better, but we missed a couple of really good chances at 1-0, just before
half-time. "The better team won the game, but there was a chance for us to
affect the outcome of the game and we didn't do it. So, we're going to have
to improve and hopefully I'll get the chance to work with the players over
the coming weeks and it will make a difference." "I was only ever going to
find out what they were like by working with them and then seeing them play
during the game. "I could see that they needed a couple of things to go for
them and, in the couple of big moments we had, a couple in the first half
and one just after half-time, when they didn't go for them then you could
see the confidence draining away. "We've got to try to turn things around
quickly and we've got to find a way of winning, which we will try to do. The
important thing was to stay in the game but, when we conceded the second
goal, it became a lot more difficult. "We ran out of steam with 15 or 20
minutes to go after I thought we started the second half playing better than
we did at times in the first half. We have things to work on and, hopefully,
things to improve on. "We have to try to win games and get results and pick
them up as we go along and I believe we will do, but we need to play much
better than we did today, because today's performance wouldn't be good
enough."
Moyes was rightly disappointed with the manner of Sunday's defeat, but urged
West Ham fans not to turn on his team at a time when they need their support
more than ever. "We need to try to pull everybody together. We need the
crowd and we need the West Ham supporters. I know from what I saw today why
they would be disappointed, because I'd be the first to say it was not good
enough. "I'm really disappointed with the overall performance, but it's a
start and we've only been together a week and they're going to have to give
me a little bit of time to do something with it. "Today's performance was
not good enough, but that's what I need to assess and we've got a lot of
games coming up thick and fast, and we need to perform better than that if
we're going to win."
Finally, Moyes confirmed that Arnautovic had been taken to hospital
following Sunday's game for his thumb injury, suffered as he fell awkwardly
while making a second-half challenge, to be fully assessed. "The first
thought was a broken arm, but it looks like he's broken his thumb and we've
sent him to the hospital to get X-rayed and we'll know more after he's had
it scanned."
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'We need to try and find a way of making sure we are together and united'
WHUFC.com
David Moyes has issued a plea for unity as he attempts to turn West Ham
United's season around. The new manager did not need long to see why the
Hammers have struggled this season as mistakes at both ends of the pitch led
to a 2-0 Premier League defeat at Watford in his first game in charge. The
loss, which left West Ham inside the relegation zone after winning just two
of their opening 12 top-flight matches, was met with frustration by the
Claret and Blue Army.
Moyes understands the disappointment felt by the fans, but implored them to
get behind the team ahead of and during Friday's visit of Leicester City to
London Stadium...
We need a united Club
I don't know the reasons for it and the history of what's gone on here, and
I'm really thankful that they have been supportive of me. But we need them
now, we need a united Club, and it's hard and people have grievances. But
the supporters know the history and the past much better than I do. I said
to the players at the end 'It's tough to play when the crowd's like that'.
Small things can make a big difference. I can understand the supporters'
feelings because we didn't play well enough in the second half especially.
The better team won on Sunday
The better team won the game. I did think we had three big opportunities,
two in the first half, one in the second, and I think they would have made
it one [goal] each. We need things to go our way to build confidence and to
get a togetherness, we need something. It's tough for the players, I can
sense that. But I didn't enjoy the performance in the end. I didn't enjoy us
getting robbed of the ball. We gave it away cheaply and too many times and I
expected us to do better with it.
I thought we tried to stay in the game. We wanted to stay in the game to
give ourselves a chance, and we probably did. Even at 2-0, we had a few
balls flash across the box with nothing on the end of it. But in the end, it
wasn't good enough and that level of performance will not be good enough to
get much better.
I thought we defended OK, but we gave away cheap goals. The first goal we
had three half challenges and didn't deal with it. The second one, I think
Pablo Zabaleta went in for a cross and they were then running at us in the
inside left. I thought we didn't do well enough in all the departments at
different times. But we created one or two chances which could have changed
the outcome. I thought Watford's build up and style was better than ours and
I hope ours will improve as I get to work with the players more and know
them better.
I know I have a big job to do
We need to try and find a way of making sure we are together and united. I
can only try and get wins which will hopefully let the supporters feel
better about the team. I thought this was a big job. I think there were
players with big reputations who disappointed me a little bit and I thought
they will show me more and show why there are regulars. But Sunday was the
first time I've had the chance to see them play. They need to show why they
have got a reputation. They need to show me why they've got it.
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#REFWATCH: ANDRE MARRINER – WATFORD VS WEST HAM
AUTHOR: SAMTWHWREF. PUBLISHED: 19 NOVEMBER 2017 AT 10:52PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by @SamRoyden
It's been 12 days since David Moyes was appointed to replace Slaven Bilic at
West Ham and I think it's fair to say that there remains to be some uproar
among some of the fans at Moyes' appointment. My initial thoughts was that
if Moyes can emulate the kind of performances, it would be a great
appointment. It's always going to be a tough job and miracles cannot happen
over night however, the disappointment at Watford will give David Moyes a
lot to pounder over about which players are going to step up and show some
fight for the team.
Andy Carroll, coming back from a three game ban, nearly enjoyed a further
three weeks ban after catching Watford's debutant Zeegelaar with a leading
elbow within the first 30 seconds. Andy Carroll is an utter liability and
with a challenge like that, is not only endangering an opponent but it's
purely and simply idiotic. Carroll was stupid at Burnley and he's followed a
similar suit with a serious of ridiculous and unnecessary challenges at
Watford.
I've said on many occasions that using your arms is a natural when jumping
to gain elevation especially from a standing position, but when you're
running and jumping at pace into an opponent and leading with your elbow,
it's unacceptable. Carroll, in my opinion, was fortunate not to get a yellow
card as an absolute minimum. If Marriner had showed him a red, there
wouldn't have been any complaints. Thankfully for Carroll, Marriner was
slightly out of position with the game only 20 seconds in, and the assistant
referee was in line with the last defender so this was missed by both.
Andy Carroll continued with his stupid antics by being cautioned for an off
the ball incident with Richarlison after becoming frustrated for losing the
ball. Nearing the end of the first half, Carroll thought after being knocked
to the floor that it was acceptable to have a kick out at a Watford
defender. Marriner had enough of Carroll over the course of 45 minutes and
called over Mark Noble for a final warning and Carroll walking on thin ice
going into the second half.
Andre Marriner is a very good well equipped referee, potentially one of the
better referees in the Premier League this season. I bet he thought that he
might have a comfortable afternoon with this fixture but he was kept on his
toes with a couple of big decisions.
West Ham's disciplinary record is one of the worst in the league for some
reason and with some of the challenges flying in and the lack of discipline
among players, I'm not surprised why. West Ham's second caution of the game
came when Marko Arnautovic, who was bright at times before his injury, over
stretched after miss controlling the ball and catching Tom Cleverly on the
top of the boot. Whenever you're not in control of the ball and you're
desperately lunging to win the ball back, you're not deemed in control and
Marriner was right to caution this foul.
There were a couple of challenging decisions that Andre Marriner had to make
with the first being a penalty decision from Watford with appeals echoing
around Vicarage Road. In realtime, this was a very difficult decision to
make especially from a TV viewing perspective. My heart sank and I thought
he was going to give it and when I saw Marriner wave away appeals, I was
relieved. It was only when I saw two or three replays that it was evident
that Richarlison actually trod on Pablo Zabaleta's foot before hitting the
ground. The fact Andre Marriner made that decision within a split second and
getting it spot on is an absolutely brilliant decision.
With West Ham playing very poorly and Winston Reid at fault for the second
goal, Will Hughes was fortunate not to be penalised for handball after the
ball bounced off his leg into his hand. After contact with Hudges' hand, the
ball looked under control, which gave Hughes an advantage which subsequently
assisted Richarlison and Watford's second goal to put Watford out of sight.
When reviewing Marriner's position, he was behind Will Hudges and wouldn't
have see the contact on his right hand. In my opinion, if Marriner saw this
incident, he would have blew for a foul to West Ham.
There was another Watford handball which came after a great piece of
defending by Christian Kabasele by keeping Manuel Lanzini's shot from
hitting the back of the net. The Watford defender put his body on the line
to make the interception with the ball hitting his thigh and ricocheting
onto his arm. There was no obvious intention in my opinion and would have
been an extremely harsh decision as it was ball to hand, not a deliberate
handball.
Overall, Andre Marriner had a good game and I thought he got a lot of his
decisions right. The Andy Carroll incident is a difficult one as it's a huge
decision to make so quickly after kick off. The position Marriner employed
is the same position I would take up at kick off and straight away the ball
was knocked cross field and that starting position would have been comprised
with the speed of the pass to see the incident. Andre Marriner controlled
the game well and made good decisions throughout.
As West Ham fans, we never thought that change would happen overnight and
you have to give the management team time. Moyes won't take any shit and
clearly showed his disappointment of the team performance. It's a hard
position that our upcoming games include Leicester and Everton in November
before 3 consecutive games against top 3 teams, Manchester City, Arsenal and
Chelsea.
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WATFORD 2-0 WEST HAM – MATCH REPORT
AUTHOR: BRIAN KNOX. PUBLISHED: 19 NOVEMBER 2017 AT 8:14PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Match Report by @WestHamAmerican
The change of management in the technical area did not change West Ham's
futility during the current Premier League campaign. The Hammers suffered a
2-0 defeat during their Sunday visit to Hertfordshire. With the loss, West
Ham remains firmly in the relegation zone.
The story could not be more different for the Hornets, who, while not a
historical power in England's top flight of football, find themselves
playing entertaining football and enjoying time in the top ten of the table.
For Watford, their biggest concern might be hanging on to their manager,
with Everton prepared to splash some money his way.
For the day's match, it was a chilly day but the travelling West Ham
supporters were a loud portion of the 20,018 in attendance. Even when their
side went down, they continued to encourage their players.
Watford's scoring began in the opening half when Will Hughes took Andre
Gray's deflection and easily scored just inside the far post. West Ham had
multiple opportunities to level the match before the break. Both Marko
Arnautovic and Cheikhou Kouyaté had remarkable opportunities they were
unable to convert, through poor shot selection or great play by Heurelho
Gomes. The Brazillian goalkeeper had great moments, and kept the clean
sheet for the match.
During the break, David Moyes replaced Andy Carroll with Diafra Sakho, in
hopes of finding a bit more pace on the attack, however, the opening twenty
minutes of the second half saw the match almost entirely played in the West
Ham penalty area. There were no counter attacks or even much movement
beyond midfield as Watford was very technical and precision-like in
maintaining possession against an outmatched Hammers side.
Predictably the home club was able to find their second goal during this
period as Will Hughes played through to Richarlison, who had an unimpeded
run to the goal. While Hughes had inadvertently handled the ball with his
hand, Andre Marriner didn't feel it was significant enough to whistle him
for the handball. Richarlison's goal stood, and Watford had a comfortable
lead for the remainder of the match.
West Ham's setbacks didn't end with the score sheet as late in the match,
Marko Arnautovic suffered a serious thumb injury that looked to be very
painful. The West Ham record-signing was taken off the field and no word on
his recovery time will be given until later in the week.
With injuries and stoppage of play, Marriner awarded eight minutes of added
time to the match, but West Ham was unable to maintain much possession and
never mounted much of a threat to Watford's clean sheet. The final whistle
meant that West Ham was firmly in 17th place on the table, and has a lot of
work to do before May if they want to remain in the Premier League.
This is such a dangerous time for West Ham. Devoid of much attacking
creativity, and playing much of the matches behind the ball, Moyes will
really have to find some ways to spark some scoring. The schedule in
December is brutal: In 16 days West Ham plays at City, at home against
Chelsea and Arsenal, at Stoke, and then a League Cup tie at Arsenal all in a
period of 16 days.
If West Ham hopes to stave off relegation, they will need to find some
points in that challenging run of matches. Otherwise, this season is
heading towards the Sky Bet Championship league very quickly.
Watford: Gomes, Mariappa, Femenia (Holebas 86), Britos, Kabasele, Doucoure,
Cleverley, Zeegelaar, Hughes (Pereyra 83), Richarlison, Gray (Carrillo 90+7)
Subs not used: Karnezis, Prodl, Capoue, Okaka
Goals: Hughes 11, Richarlison 65
Bookings: Britos 29
West Ham United: Hart, Zabaleta, Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Kouyate, Noble,
Obiang, Arnautovic (Masuaku 72), Lanzini, Carroll (Sakho 65)
Subs not used: Adrian, Martinez, Fernandes, Quina, Rice
Bookings: Carroll 27, Arnautovic 37, Obiang 41, Noble 82
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'Sack the Board', chant travelling fans
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 19th November 2017
By: Staff Writer
Millions of Sky Sports subscribers were left in no doubt as to the depth of
anti-Board feeling amongst West Ham United's travelling supporters tonight.
The small but vocal travelling contingent used the opportunity of a live TV
game to share their views on the club's current administration who, having
already overseen a relegation in their first year (2010/11) at West Ham
could be on their way to a second with the team in desperate trouble once
again at the foot of the Premier League.
West Ham Fan TV @westhamfantv
'Lies Lies Lies' Fans singing about the board as frustration grows at
Watford
5:44 PM - Nov 19, 2017
12 12 Replies 229 229 Retweets 267 267 likes
Co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan, along with vice chair Karren Brady
were pilloried throughout the game by fans, as flags bearing the famous
'"lying, theiving cheats" line - as immortalised during the 1992 Bond
protests - were hung from the stands. Meanwhile the erection of one
anti-Board flag, placed at the bottom of the away end and directly behind a
goal led to a minor altercation between the fans and a steward, who is
believed to have been employed by West Ham.
West Ham Fan TV @westhamfantv
'Sack The Board!' The message is loud and clear from West Ham fans at
Watford
5:28 PM - Nov 19, 2017
35 35 Replies 262 262 Retweets 398 398 likes
The steward - who has been spotted at the Olympic Stadium in recent weeks
performing a similar task - attempted to remove the flag, which naturally
led to an argument between the employee and a group of supporters. No
arrests were however reported as a result, however at least two of West
Ham's travelling contingent were ejected from the ground as a result.
View image on TwitterView image on TwitterView image on TwitterView image on
Paul Turner @P_Tizzle31
Anti-board flags not allowed at #WATWHU with #WHUFC stewards tearing at it
and taking it away. Free speech and all that...
4:37 PM - Nov 19, 2017
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West Ham face worrying times, says Alan Pardew
Last Updated: 19/11/17 7:23pm
SSN
Alan Pardew says these are worrying times for West Ham after the David Moyes
era began in defeat. The Hammers were beaten 2-0 at Watford on Super Sunday,
and sit 18th in the Premier League table having not won in five games.
Former West Ham manager Pardew says their attacking talent did not have
enough of an influence on the game, and feels confidence is low in the camp.
West Ham boss David Moyes admits he was disappointed with his sides
finishing ability as they squandered a handful of chances during his first
game in charge, a 2-0 loss at Watford. "Looking at them today, if they'd
have got a goal it would have given them confidence, and confidence is a
strange thing. It makes you run faster and further, and lifts you as a
player. They didn't get that today, a lift of a goal. "It was a performance
similar to what we've seen from West Ham before, and it's worrying times for
them, because they look short at the moment, particularly offensively.
"I don't think they created great chances today, not enough for a West Ham
team. Lanzini, Arnautovic, Carroll were quiet today, and these are the type
of players who should give the team a lift on match day by getting goals and
creating goals."
West Ham now host Leicester on Friday Night Football, live on Sky Sports
Premier League, before a tough run of fixtures leading up to mid-December.
They then go to Everton (November 29) and Man City (December 3), before
hosting Chelsea (December 9) and Arsenal (December 13) in the Premier
League, and Pardew fears it could be a decisive run of games. Pardew added:
"What's difficult about this sequence of games is his home games (Leicester,
Chelsea, Arsenal) because Leicester looks really important. His next two
will be difficult. It's a tricky run."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
David Moyes has called for West Ham to come together as a club after fans
turn on players
Last Updated: 19/11/17 7:00pm
SSN
West Ham boss David Moyes admits he was disappointed with his sides
finishing ability as they squandered a handful of chances during his first
game in charge, a 2-0 loss at Watford. David Moyes has called for West Ham
to come together as a club after the away fans protested against the board
and mocked their own players at Watford. On his Hammers bow, Moyes' team
were seen off by goals from Will Hughes (11) and Richarlison (64) as Watford
boss Marco Silva - heavily linked with the Everton job - further enhanced
his reputation. Cries of "you're not fit to wear the shirt" were sung from a
disgruntled away end, who have seen their team lose their last four games
and remain in the relegation zone.
When asked about the fans' frustrations, Moyes said: "I don't know the
history - all I can say, I'm really thankful for the support of me. "We need
a united club. The supporters will know the past. I said to the players,
it's tough to play when the crowd is like that. A goal can make a
difference." Despite the defeat, there was cause for hope for Moyes as his
team had six shots on target but a mixture of wayward finishing and two
brilliant stops from Heurelho Gomes blunted their progress. However,
following going down to 2-0, West Ham created little and Moyes was
disappointed by the quality shown by some of his players. "I found out
today, I was only going to find out what they were like when I took training
and in the game," Moyes said. "The better team won the game, I won't say
different, but we had chances to change the outcome of the game. "We have
got to try and find a way of winning, we will try and find a way. "The most
important thing was to be in the game and when we conceded the second that
went. We need to learn how to stay in games."
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WATFORD 2, WEST HAM 0. I WANT TO BELIEVE IT WILL END UP OK.
By David Hautzig 19 Nov 2017 at 18:37
WTID
Did you know I also have a column here on West Ham Til I Die? When I write a
Match Report and go to the administrative part of the site, I choose David
Hautzig Match Report as the category under which I post. There is also a
heading called David Hautzig Column. I have posted a grand total of one in
my four years doing this.
Relieved, aren't ya?
The single solitary contribution to that faux journalistic endeavor was
written days after the club decided not to offer Sam Allardyce a new deal.
Names like Bielsa, Rafa, Emery, Bilic, even Klopp were thrown about. Here's
how I finished that piece;
"Which leads me to the final name that has made the rounds, David Moyes. To
my somewhat risk averse way of thinking, he provides what we need. A fresh
look at things all the while being as safe a pair of hands as Allardyce.
I've read many a tweet and comment that oppose the idea almost as fervently
as they oppose Sam, saying it's no more than a sideways move. Yet for all we
know his edict while at Everton was to play a style that made the Toffees
hard to beat, and that if asked he could switch things up. And it's not like
Van Gaal has had an easy time at Man U, leading me to believe Moyes was
given a raw deal at Old Trafford. Until recently I thought him joining us
was pretty close to a dead cert. Tony Henry is on board, he has a release
clause to join an EPL team if asked, Etc. But after his interview with Sid
Lowe in The Guardian it's more dead in the water than nailed on. Which I'm
very disappointed about. I think David Moyes has a lot to say about what
kind of manager he is.
I hope he changes his mind and let's West Ham United hand him the
microphone."
Supporter anguish over the appointment of Moyes has centered around his last
two jobs, and how they were "failures". Failing at Sunderland was as likely
as sinking with The Titanic. As for Real Sociedad, I think the judgement is
a bit unfair. He arrived there in 2014 after eleven games, of which the club
had only won two. Familiar ring, huh? Anyway, they were just above the drop
zone. He finished the season in 12th, eleven points clear. Over the summer,
Moyes warned supporters not to get carried away. They began his second
season poorly, and he was sacked after eleven games and Sociedad in the drop
zone. His point total over the 38 games he was in charge was 46. A number I
would kill for now.
My point is this. David Moyes is about right for us. Any notion that a "top
manager", or "next level manager" would be willing to join us and work under
our board is, in my opinion, folly. I was one of those supporters who bought
into the stadium move and what it would bring us. But now I feel like
Dorothy in The Wizard Of Oz when the curtain gets pulled back and we see a
silly old man. One can always dream, but we know where those dreams end up.
I was not anticipating abject fear seven seconds into Moyes time in charge,
but when Carroll swung his arm out and clocked Zeegalaar in his English
debut, I saw red. Thankfully only in my anger at AC's potential recklessness
and not from the referee. Seconds later Carroll sent an infuriatingly
dangerous back pass to Hart from near the halfway line. Hart had to leave
his area just to punt the ball away.
For all of West Hams early aggression and pressing, Watford had the little
bit of luck we needed in the 11th minute. After running down a long pass to
the touchline, Zeegalaar sent a cross into the box that Gray scuffed. But
the ball dribbled towards Hughes in front of Hart, and he calmly put it into
the back of the net.
Watford 1
West Ham 0
For the next ten minutes after the goal, Watford gave a clinic on good shape
and organized defending. The Hammers moved the ball around. Side to side.
Short passes, followed by a long pass cross field. Then a pass back to Hart.
But not one ball into the box or anywhere near Gomes. In the 22nd minute
Watford may have a had a shout for a penalty when Zabaleta tangled with
Richarlison at the top of the West Ham penalty area, but Mariner continued
on his merry little way.
In the 28th minute, Carroll continued his role as villain in the eyes of
Watford supporters when he leaned into Richarlison after trying to pretend
he was Iniesta or something. That time Mariner decided to show Wolf's dad
yellow, and we all knew we would spend the rest of the game cowering every
time the big man went in the air, arms flailing.
Watford came close to doubling their advantage in the 32nd minute when
Richarlison and Doucoure worked a give and go at the top of the West Ham
penalty area. Hart was able to push Richarlison's low shot away, but right
to Kiko who tried his own low effort that went wide for a goal kick.
West Ham should have leveled in the 43rd minute when some fabulous one touch
football at the top of the Watford box by Carroll, Obiang, Lanzini and
Kouyate sent the Senegalese midfielder in on Gomes alone. But the Watford
keeper made an excellent save to keep the home side on top. Watford were
able to launch a counter on the ensuing West Ham corner, but Hughes
attempted bicycle kick in the box sailed high over the bar.
In the 48th minute, Gomes made what I can only describe as a superhuman save
off of Arnautovic. Carroll fed Zabaleta down the right. The Argentine right
back sent a cross to Arnautovic that Gomez somehow stopped. To make it even
more frustrating, Arnautovic got his own rebound alone in front of goal but
Gomes somehow made another save. As the announcers said, Gomes was more
responsible for Watford being ahead than Hughes.
Halftime
Watford 1
West Ham 0
Watford asked the first question of the second half in the 50th minute when
Kiko made a run down the right and crossed to Gray in the box. The Watford
striker who in the summer was rumored to be coming to East London was able
get to the ball but his shot went over the bar.
West Ham saw yet another chance go begging moments later when Arnautovic
beat Britos on the right and rolled a pass to Kouyate in the box but he
couldn't keep his shot down and it flew high over the bar. A few minutes
later Hughes and Kiko worked the ball down the right before getting the ball
to Doucoure, who tried a curling right footer that left Hart standing still
but the ball went wide.
Watford won a corner in the 59th minute when a Gray effort went out off of
Reid's leg. The initial delivery into the box was cleared, but not far
enough to avoid another Watford wave. The ball was sent back into the box by
Cleverly for Mariappa, and his header gave Hart a chance to be brilliant.
Watford's attacking efforts in the second half finally reaped a reward in
the 64th minute when Hughes, after what was adjudged to be a ball to hand as
opposed to a hand ball, fed Richarlison streaking down the left. Reid forced
the Brazilian to shoot with his left, his second favorite foot. He accepted
the challenge and beat Hart with a low shot to the far corner.
Watford 2
West Ham 0
If West Ham didn't have bad luck today, etc etc. In the 73rd minute, after
Sakho and Masuaku replaced Carroll and Arnautovic, the two Hammers
substitutes combined in the box to set up Lanzini from 15 yards out. His low
shot beat Gomes, but wouldn't you know it Kabasele was there to clear the
ball off the line.
Final Score
Watford 2
West Ham 0
I feel the need to look for positives here. Maybe to confirm what I believe,
that the decision to replace Bilic with Moyes was correct? That wouldn't be
beyond me. But while Watford looked more creative and decisive on the ball,
West Ham had two chances from Kouyate, two from Arnautovic, and a Lanzini
shot cleared off the line. So we had opportunities to score. I also think we
looked better pressing, and more solid at the back despite conceding two.
Yet the facts are clear. This is our second worst start ever to an EPL
campaign, and we all know what happened the year that was worse.
I want to be hopeful. I have to be fearful.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
David Moyes lays into West Ham flops as he accuses them of trading on their
reputations after Watford defeat
The Hammers suffered a 2-0 loss to Watford in Moyes' first game in charge
The Mirror
ByMike Walters
Sports Writer
20:53, 19 NOV 2017UPDATED20:56, 19 NOV 2017
David Moyes laid into West Ham's flops and accused them of trading on their
reputations. The Hammers remain marooned in the bottom three after goals
from Will Hughes and Richarlison condemned the East enders to morale-sapping
defeat in his first game in charge. Furious fans turned on owners David
Gold, David Sullivan and vice-chair Karren Brady, and shocked Moyes did not
hide his frustration. He said: "I thought this was a big job, but there were
some players with big reputations who disappointed me. "There were some who
I thought would show me more, and why they play for the team regularly. They
need to show me, 'If that's your reputation, show me why you've got it.'
"Overall, that level of performance will not be good enough."
Friday night's home game with Leicester at the Taxpayers stadium could turn
toxic if the Hammers suffer another setback. Moyes admitted: "It's tough for
the players - I could sense that – but I didn't enjoy our performance in the
end. I didn't enjoy us giving the ball away too cheaply, too many times and
I expected us to do better. "The better team won the game, although we did
have three big opportunities to make it 1-1, and we need things like that to
go our way to build confidence and a togetherness at the club.
Travelling fans chanted "Sack the board" and turned on England discard Andy
Carroll, who had been critical of supporters for leaving early in last
month's home defeat by Liverpool. And Moyes admitted he hooked Carroll
midway through the second half because he feared his combustible striker was
going to collect a red card. Carroll had left Watford debutant marvin
Zeegelaar with a bloody nose in an aerial challenge after just seven SECONDS
and the Hammers boss admitted: "I don't know the history or the reasons for
it (hostility towards the board). "The fans were supportive of me, and I'm
thankful for that, but I can understand their feelings because we didn't
play well enough. "At half-time I had to make a decision because I wasn't
sure whether Andy was going to get himself sent off. "I thought we defended
OK, but then we gave away cheap goals by getting bundled off the ball and we
didn't really deal with it. We didn't do well enough in all departments at
different times."
Vibrant Watford ended a run of three consecutive defeats – but head coach
Marco Silva still refused to say whether he would stay at Vicarage Road amid
Everton's persistent attempts to poach him. Silva tap-danced: "I thought we
controlled the match, more or less, and what I can control in terms of my
future is to plan the next session and prepared for our next game "Some
people have been doubting my commitment, but today me and my players gave a
very good answer." Watford fans serenaded Silva with a chant of "We want you
to stay," and he replied: "It's good when the fans enjoy what we are doing."
Everton are expected to return with a third approach for Silva this week,
but Hornets owner Gino Pozzo has no intention of granting them permission to
seduce his manager with £4m-a-year and a £70m transfer kitty in January.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Andy Carroll needed watching from the first minute
KEITH HACKETT
Keith Hackett 19 NOVEMBER 2017 • 10:19PM
Telegraph.co.uk
Andre Marriner would have seen Andy Carroll's name on the teamsheet roughly
an hour before kick-off. The first thing he should have done was get
together with his assistants and ensure all eyes would be on the striker in
the first few minutes. Marriner needed to be in Carroll's zone; instead, he
was too far away from the action after just 10 seconds when Carroll used his
elbows illegally on Marvin Zeegelaar. It was a definite yellow-card offence,
borderline red, but Carroll got away with it. Referees, like players, must
be prepared and these are the sort of discussions that need to be had in the
dressing room ahead of their warm-up. You must identify players, like
Carroll, who are capable of disruption early on because they are catalysts
to change the game. This is not turning players into victims but an
essential part of the referee's prep. A red would have been harsh yesterday
because Carroll did not use a bent arm, which leads to a dismissal. But the
blood, the prostrate player and the furious reaction told their own story,
and Carroll was not even booked until later in the game.
On Saturday, Graham Scott proved himself equally switched off at the start
of Leicester City's game with Manchester City by not sending off Vincent
Kompany for denying Jamie Vardy a clear goalscoring opportunity. Scott
lacks experience at elite level but his assistant should have told him what
colour the card needed to be. Wrong decisions can prompt a lot of reaction.
All this makes it very difficult for referees to get matches back on track.
This doesn't always happen and, at Crystal Palace on Saturday, I think
Anthony Taylor bought an outrageous dive by Oumar Niasse.
Keith Hackett is a former referee and resident expert on You Are The Ref.Com
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Andy Carroll needs to shape up or be shipped out by West Ham United... the
striker is squandering a unique talent
Six seconds was all it took for Andy Carroll to hit Marvin Zeegelaar with an
elbow
Carroll was later booked for a petulant trip on Watford star Richarlison
He is wasting his talent and has no chance of reaching the 2018 World Cup
By Adam Crafton for the Daily Mail
PUBLISHED: 22:30, 19 November 2017 | UPDATED: 22:30, 19 November 2017
Six seconds. That is all it took for Andy Carroll. Just over a month after
leaving his side in the lurch by elbowing his way to an early shower at
Burnley, Carroll risked doing it all over again six seconds into this game.
Referee Andre Marriner spared Carroll the same fate this time, but the
striker was fortunate to escape a caution in the opening minute. Poor old
Marvin Zeegelaar, a 27-year-old Dutch defender making his Premier League
bow, made acquaintance with Carroll's swinging elbow and the game took
several minutes to restart. He returned to the field with cotton buds
stuffed into his nose and will need to wait to see if it is broken. To his
credit, he soldiered on. It was not a clever act. It was the kind of cheap
hit that English football has mostly confined to nostalgic memories on VHS
tapes and on another day, Zeegelaar might have suffered serious damage.
Carroll is now 28, and the penny may never drop. This is a player that Kenny
Dalglish, a sound judge of striking talent, thought to be worth £35million.
At his most effective, Carroll is strong, athletic and powerful. His leap is
mighty and his shot is hard. He should be at the peak of his powers and
offering Gareth Southgate a unique threat at the World Cup. Yet he is barely
a footnote to the England manager's plans. He has notched only five goals in
the calendar year and he so rarely brings together his qualities in a
positive way. It is a tragic waste of a supreme physique and assured talent.
West Ham fans appear fed up of his immaturity. His recent comments
criticising fans for leaving early went down like a bucket of cold sick, and
here he was the recipient of sustained goading from the terraces.
For manager David Moyes, it is a complex challenge. Carroll's mere presence
in the starting line-up is becoming more of a hindrance than a help to West
Ham. Even withstanding the referee's early leniency, Carroll found his way
into the book mid-way through the first-half and then was given a final
warning. Moyes took a sympathetic view: 'Andy has done everything in
training, tried to be correct in everything he's done. 'I thought every time
he goes for a challenge the opposition crowd are going to make it difficult
to affect the referee but I've not seen the challenges. 'Half-time was a
decision because I wasn't sure if he was going to get sent off so I told him
I would be taking him off.' Yet before the game started, Moyes would not
have factored in a likely dismissal for his striker. It should not be part
of the gameplan and it should not be a fear every time one of your
highest-paid performers takes to the field. If Carroll were a toddler, a
parent would be out of patience by now. Sadly, it may not be long before his
employers take the same view.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The referee should have acted after six seconds of Watford against West Ham
United due to Andy Carroll's elbow
Andy Carroll elbowed Marvin Zeegelaar of Watford six seconds into the match
This was Carroll's first league start since being sent off at Burnley on
October 14
He was only cautioned after half and hour for a fairly innocuous challenge
By Graham Poll for the Daily Mail
PUBLISHED: 22:30, 19 November 2017 | UPDATED: 22:34, 19 November 2017
When you referee West Ham, Andy Carroll's name jumps out of the team sheet
as it's handed to you an hour before kick-off. So when he goes up for the
ball with a leading arm, catching Marvin Zeegelaar on the nose, you would
expect the referee to see the incident and act upon it. This was Carroll's
first Premier League start since being sent off at Burnley on October 14
when he was throwing his arms around and caught Ben Mee. However, Andre
Marriner either missed the first-minute incident or thought the challenge
was a fair one. Maybe it was too early in the game, timed by TV at six
seconds, but given Carroll's 'form' you really would expect better from such
an experienced referee. Ironically, when Carroll was cautioned just before
the half-hour it was for a fairly innocuous challenge on Richarlison.
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