Arnautovic: I feel at home at West Ham United
WHUFC.com
Marko Arnautovic has thanked the West Ham United supporters who have made him 'feel at home' in a Claret and Blue shirt. The Austrian has overcome a challenging start to life in east London, including a three-game ban for being sent-off at Southampton, missing another match through illness and failing to score or set up a single goal in his first eleven Premier League appearances. Some fans questioned the summer signing from Stoke City, while manager David Moyes publicly demanded more from his talented No7, and Arnautovic has responded in spectacular style, scoring seven goals, assisting three more and producing ten outstanding top-flight performances in a row to help lift his team up the table. The 28-year-old's contribution has been loudly recognised by the West Ham faithful, and the player himself is grateful for the mutually respectful bond the two have formed over the last three months. "It hurt me in the beginning when I heard people whistling me in the stadium because they expected me to do better," he told whufc.com, "but now I am playing for my team and playing for the fans because the fans are a big part of this Club. They pay a lot of money the whole year to come and watch us and, of course, they want us to perform. "I always had a good relationship with the fans, wherever I have played. Of course, not all the fans can love you, because everyone has their own favourite. "Personally, I have always loved my fans and had a good relationship with them, because they give you the good feeling on the pitch and, without them, you are nobody in football."
Each of Arnautovic's seven goals has been followed by a passionate celebration, more often than not involving the Club's famous 'Crossed Hammers' symbol. After netting in the home win over Watford last time out, 'Arnie' added a second gesture, pointing to the ground with both index fingers, but what exactly was the message he was trying to get across to those in the stands? "The celebration was like 'I'm back' because I had been out for three weeks, and also gives a sign that I am here and I want to help the team and to enjoy the fans. I do the 'Crossed Hammers' sign because it is part of this Club and they love to see this. "I feel at home now. We are all one big family and it doesn't matter if it is hard or it is a good time. It's easy to stick together in the good times, but it has to be that we all want to also stick together in the bad times, as this shows what a big family we are. That's what I always want in this Club."
Arnautovic's return to somewhere approaching his best form – he feels there is still room for improvement in his game – has not come about by chance. With criticism ringing in his ears, the forward sat himself down, took advice from those closest to him, and made a commitment to give everything. The results have been there for all to see. "When I came to Stoke, it took me six months to settle in, and the same happened here. I didn't want this to happen, as I wanted to make an impact immediately at West Ham, but everything was going around and I was obviously in the spotlight because I came for a lot of money and didn't perform how I wanted to or how the fans were expecting of me. "Now, I feel fit and had a lot of talks with my family and got into myself and said 'Let's go Marko, you need to change things, try your best and work even harder' and I'm happy things are going well and I can help the team. "I want to keep this level and I am sure I am going to keep it if I continue to work like this."
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West Ham United Statement
WHUFC.com
West Ham United have been notified of a Football Association charge in relation to The FA's Rules on Anti-Doping, specifically Regulation 14(d). It is alleged the Club failed to ensure its 'Club Whereabouts' information was accurate on three occasions within 12 months. West Ham have until 27 February 2018 to respond to the charge. A West Ham United spokesman said: "The breach relates to administrative oversights on The FA's whereabouts system, for example a player's address had been registered and the house number digits transposed, and the Club will be responding to The FA in due course. We would like to make it clear that the breach is a Club administrative matter and does not concern any of our players."
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Optimistic Ogbonna eyes Italy recall
WHUFC.com
If all goes to plan, Angelo Ogbonna and Manuel Lanzini could be lining up on opposite sides at the City of Manchester Stadium next month. But, before you start worrying that one of West Ham United's most-important players could be on their way, the match in question is an international friendly between Ogbonna's Italy and Lanzini's Argentina, which will be played at Manchester City's home ground on Friday 23 March. With the centre-half in strong form and the attacking midfielder nearing a return from injury, each could earn recalls to their respective national teams. "Of course, I wish to come back to the national team," said Ogbonna, who has 13 caps to his name, the last of which came in a FIFA World Cup qualifying win in Israel in September 2016. "I would love to play for Italy again, but for now West Ham is more important than anything else because we need a lot of points to get safe. "The best thing is to do things step by step. If I do good things for West Ham, then hopefully I will get the chance to do good things with Italy again."
Could Manuel Lanzini and Angelo Ogbonna be on opposing sides in Manchester in March? Now fully fit after undergoing surgery to rectify a longstanding knee problem a year ago, Ogbonna's form has been the result of a combination of different factors – confidence both in himself and from his manager, consistency in selection and comfort in his favoured position on the left of a three-man defence. While some centre-backs struggle to adapt to a back-three, Ogbonna is well-versed in the system, having played in exactly the same position on numerous occasions during two title-winning seasons with Italian club Juventus. There, he lined up alongside the likes of Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci and Andrea Barzagli to form a defence which conceded just 47 league goals across two seasons and reached the 2015 UEFA Champions League final. "I played already in this position many times, even when I was in Juventus, so I feel comfortable."
Ogbonna is unlikely to feel comfortable on Saturday, however, when he and his West Ham teammates will try to stifle Liverpool's potent attack at Anfield. The Hammers were beaten 4-1 by the Reds in the reverse fixture at London Stadium back in early November, with Lanzini scoring the hosts' goal, but the east Londoners are a tougher nut to crack these days. With a win and a draw from each of their last two Premier League visits, a clean sheet in a win over Watford last time out and just two defeats from their last 12 top-flight matches, the 29-year-old says the Hammers can travel to Merseyside with confidence. "It's always a big test, but this is the Premier League. It's a really important game for us because we're going to Anfield and, since I was here, we did really good, positive things there. "It's going to be a really hard game and I wish all our players are going to be fit and all our players are going to be well. "It's really important to read the situation and prepare for the game as well as we can."
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West Ham: Premier League club charged over anti-doping breach
BBC.co.uk
West Ham have been charged by the Football Association in relation to anti-doping regulations. "It is alleged the club failed to ensure 'club whereabouts' information was accurate on three occasions within 12 months," the FA said. The Premier League club have until 27 February to respond to the charge.
A West Ham spokesman said: "We would like to make it clear that the breach is a club administrative matter and does not concern any of our players." "The breach relates to administrative oversights on the FA's whereabouts system, for example a player's address had been registered and the house number digits transposed, and the club will be responding to the FA in due course."
West Ham have been charged in relation to regulation 14 (d) of the FA's anti-doping rules, which state that for it to be a breach, "information contained in such reports is either initially inaccurate or has not been updated by the club".
The exact details of the misconduct have not yet been made clear.
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THE CLARET & BLUE SEA OF CHANGE
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 20 FEBRUARY 2018 AT 8:45PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by Michael Hughes
"To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often." – Winston Churchill
The only way to grow is through change. Winston Churchill was near perfect. In the past thousand years or so, no one has been the target of so much hero worship as good old Winston. It's no wonder he is held in such high regard. He continually accepted the opportunity to change, thereby making himself better.
Now, I'm not for one minute comparing Winston Churchill to West Ham United! Accepting change can be difficult and changing your routine is even harder, particularly when you have been doing something for the majority of your life. Most people like routine in their life and if that means a pre match ritual of a crowded District line, cod & chips and five pints in the Boleyn, then who am I to question your choice?
There are the anti London Stadium brigade amongst us who will tell you moving stadiums hasn't been great, but let's not underestimate there are supporters who were and are understanding for the need to change if as a club we are to develop and move forward. Moving away from such an iconic stadium as Upton Park was always going to be fraught with difficulties. Top flight football has evolved so quickly and whilst Upton Park has been a massive part of the lives of so many families, as much as it was a wrench to leave the right decision you feel was made.
The experience of the London Stadium is very different to Upton Park but, and this is very relevant, there are fans, younger ones with families, who find the facilities at the London Stadium are so much better. Do I accept that change is for the long term gain of West Ham United FC? Yes I do. Do I hope that in ten years time when my two boys, who will have no doubt by then discarded their old man to go to games with their own mates, experience cup finals like I was fortunate enough to have done and enjoy those wonderful European nights? Yes I do.
They are the new generation of West Ham supporters. Granted, like most boys their ages they were given no choice when it came to nailing their colours to the mask supporting a team, just as I wasn't when I was growing up by my own father. They will remember with fondness Upton Park however for them and for all of us now, the London Stadium is the future. 99 years to be precise! Gradually, even for the oldies and sceptics amongst us it is starting to feel like home. Even performances on the pitch have improved. With six games remaining this season we have lost four times in thirteen games and whilst challenges such as the two Manchester clubs are on the horizon an unbeaten run to the end of the season and we could safely say on the pitch at least things are looking up.
Like it or not, West Ham United is in the process of change. In an ideal word the majority of supporters would have wanted the club to stay at Upton Park. I am one of them. But I am a relist as well. Change is important. Change helps companies keep up with advances in technology and changes in the marketplace, so they'll remain relevant. Any business in today's fast-moving environment, – football clubs are no different- that is looking for the pace of change to slow is likely to be sorely disappointed. In fact, businesses should embrace change. Change is important for any organization because, without change, businesses would likely lose their competitive edge and fail to meet the needs of what most hope to be a growing base of loyal customers.
As I write this article it is thirty eight years since we last won a trophy. Twelve years and counting, since we were in the final of a major cup competition. There have been subsequent relegations to contend with, owners who polarize opinion and push us to the edge with their failed promises, however that process of change, as embryonic and as raw as it still is, has taken place.
David Gold and David Sullivan took ownership of the club in 2010 and supporters were told inherited £100 million of debt. They made a promise to stabilise the club, which even the most anti board supporters would have to reluctantly admit, have delivered on their promise. It is impossible to argue Sullivan Gold and Brady did not negotiate a great deal.
Given the economic circumstances that the club found itself in some may say the decision to partner with Newham Council to jointly own the stadium on the basis that the Olympic stadium and West Ham United are in Newham, was also a very clever and astute decision by the board. Others would disagree and say we should have stayed where we were. There was sincerity from both parties and the hope that legacies for the stadium in employment, young people and community would be delivered and was at the forefront of their partnership.
Eighteen months on and supporters are still debating whether the move was right and for many they are still to be convinced or shown the wisdom of West Ham's momentous relocation. The bond though, remains for every West Ham supporter and that is the love of the club. That passion is engrained into the very fabric of our lives and for many it wouldn't matter if we played our home games at Hackney Marshes or Timbuktu, we would still support the club.
As supporters we have that choice to accept changes are occurring – strategic changes, tactical changes, leadership changes. These changes have had and are going to continue having an impact and effects on us. It could be argued to have helped minimize those impacts and effects, from having unintended negative outcomes, it was necessary to have "change management" methodologies in place with skilled resources delivering and executing on those methodologies, principles and processes. This would have helped to minimize possible negative outcomes and increase positive results. Change itself is a process – managing it, leading it, achieving it is also a process and one that should not be viewed and managed with a one size fits all approach. Something I think the club have been guilty of at times. It can be argued that certain approaches and actions should have been customized to fit the supporter's needs. Skilfully executing various principles of change are a necessity to success.
We all want West Ham to be successful, don't we? Isn't that why the club took on the London Stadium project? To be innovative, to reinvigorate, to become even better – to increase performances on the pitch.
The bottom line is we got a stadium costing more than £600 million for what £15 million, and a small amount in annual rent? Modern transport links and better stadium facilities are obvious areas of improvement, and whilst not everything will be perfect, I still maintain the move was right for the club, yet the underlying view remains a negative one from many supporters. Many are still getting used to their new surroundings but it seems a lot of the goodwill from before the club moved in has gone as fans feel it has not lived up to the expectations or promises that were made.
It can be argued football clubs don't change their DNA. That comes from the terraces, the fans and the long-serving staff. Lots of supporters are caught up in the past and constantly refer to what things used to be like. Like it or not, and it's your choice remember, we have got a fantastic stadium and the need now is to create history in the new surroundings.
There is an awful lot to criticise about Sullivan and Gold's tenure but in their defence they have put the wheels in process for West Ham to be challenging the so called bigger clubs. Whether they can see through this process is open to debate and for many supporters the need for change of ownership is still prevalent.
Since the English Premier League was formed in 1992, football finances have boomed. However, it is still the case that buying a football club is unlikely to yield much of a return. Despite the significant TV and other commercial revenues, football clubs in England's top flight still struggle to break even. Ironic, given the goal of setting up the Premier League was to stabilise club finances! Overall, operating profits for the 20 Premier League teams were just 4% of revenues, and when the net costs of player trading are added, there are large overall net losses. These figures belie the fact that most of England's largest football clubs are run by successful businessmen who make plenty of money in other walks of life.
English clubs are supposedly in high demand from foreign investors, with the majority of Premier League teams currently owned by foreigners.
But let's not kid ourselves Sullivan & Gold are here for the long term. If you believe their explanation that owning West Ham has nothing to do with money and like other owners, all be it they are few and far between now days, they are simply fans of the club they own and have strong ties to the local community, you have to in many ways begrudgingly applaud that stance. While in the business world, the head can rule the heart, it can be the opposite when it comes to football.
Imagine if the owners were to sell the club to a foreign owner without a sentimental attachment to the club, could they do a better job? Unless you can find a Roman Abramovich, who has written off more than £1bn he ploughed into Chelsea since acquiring it in 2003 or a Sheikh Mansour, who has invested close to £1bn in Manchester City since 2008 you potentially run the risk of not only losing your identity as a club, but with catastrophic consequences once they have had enough and they up and leave. I cite Sunderland and Aston Villa as prime examples.
Most of the serious money flowing into football recently has come from the Middle East. The Qatar Investment Authority, the country's sovereign wealth fund, bought the French Ligue 1 side Paris St Germain in 2011 and has gone about transforming them in the same way Sheikh Mansour has Manchester City. Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Bahrain are all small but rich Gulf States with global ambitions. Football is seen as an important way of expanding their brands, but of course they are also in competition with each other. Is West Ham United an attractive option to a potential Middle Eastern Investor? Recent accounts about to be released by the club, we are led to believe will make for a change, good reading, and on the face of it, there is little reason why football clubs cannot be profitable. In England, Premier League clubs are proverbial cash cows with three strong sources of revenue – TV money, commercial activities and gate receipts. Therefore, growing revenues could increase the value of a club just like any other business. If Sullivan & Gold did want to sell you could argue now is the time to do so with the value of the club increasing significantly with the increased revenue streams it has since moving to the London Stadium.
I'm not saying Sullivan & Gold are perfect, far from it. The ideal football club owner clearly needs very deep pockets, has to be almost mercurial like, and certainly not faint-hearted and until someone like an Abramovich or a Sheikh Mansour do come along Sullivan & Gold are the 'safe' option.
It wasn't that long ago that the club were being hailed for a productive transfer summer which landed Hernandez, Arnautovic, Zabaletta and Joe Hart. Eight months on, a change of manager and the spectre of relegation still lingering, the root cause of the endlessly poisonous mood surrounding the owners it seems is at the core of the anger and resentment seething once again among many supporters. No matter how hard the fans have tried to adapt to the new surroundings, setbacks and disappointments on the field have meant David Moyes having to play catch up and the anger of broken promises magnifies amongst supporters who were offered in exchange for the wrench of leaving Upton Park.
The abandonment of tradition explains why the mood has turned so fiercely and suddenly against the owners. For many it is exacerbated by the high-speed turnover of opinion and belief promoted by Sullivan where the optimism at the start of the season is ancient history as yet another disappointing transfer window comes and goes. The ill-feeling towards the board transpires because many fans believe they have too much to say in public and much of it, they feel, undermines the managers and players. What it has done is make supporters wary and suspicious of the board's motives.
You can't deny there is an increasingly acrimonious mood among many West Ham supporters. At the Brighton game a few weeks ago it was there for everyone to see, supporters holding up banners saying; "Formed by the working class. Ruined by the rich. Sold a dream built on lies. Brady, Sullivan, Gold and Co, Enough is Enough. Time To go."
Those sentiments could be echoed at many clubs where the fans feel marooned by the changing nature of modern football, but we don't care about other clubs as supporters. In many ways West Ham supporters are not defined by their team, nor player loyalty but by the fact we reserved our greatest football loyalty for the hallowed grounds, our stadium that we graced for so long.
Cast your mind back to May 10th 2016. Upton Park, one of the grandest stages in all of English football, and one which had been home for a century and more closed those famous iron gates for a final time. It was befitting in many ways Manchester United were the visitors to play the final ever competitive home match at Upton Park. For those fortunate enough to be there and I'm sure for many thousands watching at home it was one of the most emotionally charged occasions London's East End has ever witnessed. And so began the process of moving to the London Stadium, which to this day polarizes opinion amongst us all.
Everyone loves Mark Noble, local boy, West Ham born and bred. Noble signed a new five-year contract in early 2015 and he was emphatic in his praise for the move to the London Stadium. "I've seen it at every stage of it going up and it looks fantastic. Every time I go there it looks more and more like a football stadium. It's going to be a fantastic place to play at."
Change is inevitable. All throughout our lives we are bound to change. If we didn't where would that leave us?
If you think this article was in any way supporting and defending the board, let me stop you now. This article has no hidden meaning or hidden agenda. This is simply my own take on why we have to get used to the concept of change. At West Ham United It's happening and it's about time we not only get used to it but that we start accepting it for what it is at face value.
When things are good and great we wish we could freeze time. May 10th 2016 to be precise. We desire more than anything to pause in that moment. It is so great and almost perfect that we don't want to miss out on it. We don't welcome change. We push it out and try to ignore the whole idea it. We don't have the mindset that there could quite possibly be something better around the corner.
Change doesn't always directly correlate with negativity or destruction. Change just means that things will be different; they will not stay the same. As a club we have to change. Without change we wouldn't be anywhere near where we are today.
When things go wrong on the pitch and we suffer another defeat, we of course want them to be different. Life prepares us for change.
There are so many incredible opportunities and chances for the club to grow at the London Stadium if we accept change. It wouldn't hurt to step out of our comfort zone every once in a while, open up our eyes just a tad more and the world might show us something we never thought possible with West Ham United challenging for the Premier League and competing in the Champions League every season!
As Winston would say" The only way to grow is through change." As supporters we have that choice to accept the opportunity to change.
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West Ham charged by FA
KUMb.com
Filed: Tuesday, 20th February 2018
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United have been charged with breaking 'anti-doping' rules by the Football Association. The club have been given until 27 February to respond to an FA Charge in relation to regulation 14(d) of the 2017/18 anti-doping regulations regarding misconduct. The clause in question states that member clubs shall be in breach of the league's rules "if the information contained in reports is either initially inaccurate or has not been updated by the Club as necessary to ensure it remains accurate, three times within any 12-month period".
And according to the FA, West Ham have been charged with "failing to ensure its 'club whereabouts' information was accurate on three occasions within 12 months".
The club have since responded via a statement on their website confirming that the charge relates to an internal oversight, and not any of the playing squad.
"The breach relates to administrative oversights on The FA's 'whereabouts' system," said West Ham. "For example, a player's address had been registered and the house number digits transposed, and the club will be responding to The FA in due course. "We would like to make it clear that the breach is a club administrative matter and does not concern any of our players."
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Meeting with the West Ham Utd Board
KUMb.com
Filed: Tuesday, 20th February 2018
By: The Pink Palermo
On Monday, 19 February, myself and KUMB Editor Graeme Howlett attended a meeting that had been called between the club and the Real West Ham Fans Action Group at the London Stadium, to which ourselves and other WHU supporters' social media outlets such as Hammers chat, West Ham fans TV, and WHUISA had been invited.
My first point is that everyone in attendance was on the same page, all were supportive of the RWHFAG. The meeting was attended by club representatives Karren Brady (Vice Chair and full Board member) , Tara Warren (Executive Marketing Director and full Board member) and Ben Illingworth , Match Day Operations Director.
Apologies for non-attendance came from co-chairman David Sullivan due to illness. Karren stated towards the end of the meeting that David Gold was unaware the meeting was going ahead but when challenged, immediately contradicted herself and said she had spoken to him about it the previous morning.
You may draw your own conclusions as to why someone with 35 per cent of the club's shares would not attend. As for Mr Sullivan, I'll give the benefit of the doubt to him, but understand fully why others may not be so generous in spirit.
The meeting covered a number of points, and I'd rather stick to the issues than "who on the supporters side said what"...
1. Who's running the show?
Given the illness to Mr Sullivan and Mr Gold's age, a question was asked as to who would run the club in their absence due to a sustained period of illness? The point was made that our manager is out of contract in four months' time and we have recently parted company with our head of recruitment. Karren had already admitted she has no involvement with transfers.
Karren's reply that she felt sure the owners had made their wishes known to the appropriate people as to where their shares would go obviously did not answer the question. We had to explain it again and in truth never received a satisfactory answer.
2. Request for financial results
A request was made for a copy of the club's financial results for the period ending May 2017 (eight months ago). The request was refused by KB and when pushed on the matter, with it being pointed out they would be a matter of public record in 10 days time anyway, KB admitted it was more a case of won't share the information rather than can't - we made the point that was hardly about building trust.
At the heart of the request for the financial data was to explore the club's increases in revenue since the move in three specific areas - match day income, sponsorship and commercial revenue and profit on player sales.
These three areas are vital when understanding how much leeway the club has when paying wages under the PL short term cost control measures ( financial fair play rules). The club is restricted to staying within a player's salary cap of a £7m season-on-season increase plus whatever additional money it makes from its own revenue streams ( the three listed above) .
We pushed for the finances because the whole point of the move was to allow us to make more money and sign the better players we were led to believe would be joining us - the absence of which is a major bone of contention for supporters.
The only concession KB would make in this area is that all revenue streams had grown, but the specific numbers would not be shared. We'll have them on March 1st regardless.
The point was made to Karren that given the general lack of investment in the club by the two major shareholders which she confirmed at £48m in equity - a number not dissimilar to what the Icelandics put in - that they should set a realistic price for their shares and sell the club .
This point was made a few times throughout the course of the meeting. KB repeatedly stated they have no desire to sell. KB made the point our owners were UK taxpayers. Good for them.
3. The badge
A long discussion took place concerning the badge and in particular the word 'London' which has caused significant upset to some of our supporters, who maintain that the club have abandoned our east London roots and heritage.
TW spoke at length about all sorts of surveys and exhibitions of different designs that they had gone through as part of the consultation process and that 56 per cent had voted for the new badge.
Nobody in attendance had any recollection of ever being asked / shown a different design, but TW was happy to share the data etc. Either way the club agreed to look at it again. Progress made.
4. Our history
Numerous complaints were made about the cavalier way in which the club's history appeared to have been abandoned, in particular the museum and memorabilia.
KB stated a considerable amount was in storage and that a temporary display was being set up in the lower part of the club shop to honour Bobby Moore. The point that we have nowhere to appropriately display the club's history was not answered adequately.
A discussion took place concerning the commissioning of a new statue/s rather than move the current one on the Barking Road but KB informed us they were incredibly expensive. Seemingly the junction of Barking Road and Boundary Road is getting redesigned and the WCW statue will have to move (somewhere) anyhow.
The discussion continued with how the ground can be more WHU in terms of large graphics featuring the likes of Ron Greenwood and John Lyall, as well as former great players. The practicalities of getting even large banners donated by supporters laid out was also discussed, with the clear issue being the agreement with the LLDC making it a sea of red tape to get anything done.
Given the revelations made by the LLDC that they had spent £3.5m defending litigation against WHU, the club were asked how much the club had spent and KB confirmed a figure of £0.5m. Happy families.
Numerous comments were made by the supporters groups as to the unsuitable nature of the deal and the fact it should never have been signed. The specific question as to why we moved was asked and the answer given by KB was "the opportunity" , without explaining who or what for.
5. Stewarding
There was a lot of discussion about the stewards. The comments generally regarded their lack of experience and lack of empathy with our supporters, whilst it was reported that one of them seemingly wears a Charlton shirt under his jacket. I prayed for his soul last night.
KB stated the club had tried to get the Boleyn stewards back offering to pay for their NVQ training etc but one of the issues was there are 1,200 stewards at the new place compared with the 285 or so we had at our ground.
The on-going issue of fans from other clubs wearing colours in our parts of the ground was discussed and a firm commitment was made by Ben Illingworth to ensure that will not be allowed to happen again. There was one report of a 65-year-old man wearing a Chelsea baseball cap recently.
6. Boxing Day fixtures
KB denied emphatically that we would be unable to ever host a boxing day fixture ever again, but it all depended upon how the fixtures fell and on what the Met Police had to say about it.Given the fact there were WHUISA representatives in the room and they have good links with the FSF that will be an easily verifiable comment.
7. The memorial garden at the Boleyn
Representatives complained bitterly and vociferously with regards to the state the memorial garden had been allowed to get into.
Whilst it has since been tidied up, the point was made that was as a result of supporters' complaints and action and that it was a dereliction of duty by the club to have allowed the gardens to become unkempt once the bulldozers moved in to demolish our home of over 100 years.
8. 'Amnestys' for those ejected but not charged
Attempts were made by representatives to get supporters who have been arrested, ejected but not charged to have away travel points reinstated and any bans etc to be lifted. This in the main related to supporters in 114. Ben Illingworth insisted that only supporters had been ejected from block 114 all season, and KB gave a commitment that each case would be judged on its individual merits .
9. Ticket prices
KB stated that ticket prices for next year would be frozen.
10. Social media
The representatives asked that greater care be taken in the discussion of club affairs by the Sullivan family, to which KB replied that Mr Sullivan's children had significantly scaled back their involvement.
Karren made the statement she would do anything to make WHU fans happy, to which we asked her to give up her column in the Sun which she refused point blank to even consider.
Representatives were able to illustrate that her comments with regards the Leicester City Chairman prevented us from signing one of their players in the recent transfer window. Despite this, KB refused to stop writing her tabloid column, which she has had for 14 years. She stated it was her decision to make which begs the question as to the terms of her employment contract at WHU.
11. Stadium surroundings
The point about how the soulless walk past pretty much nothing to get to the stadium was a major problem was made, and again the discussion ended up concerning what the club could and could not control. KB gave a tentative indication they may be able to discuss it again but frankly, look at the new buildings opposite the Cow pub - are they likely to want a hot dog stand there 23 days a year?
12.David Sullivan and Jim White
Strenuous complaints were made by several representatives as to the recent comments the Chairman made to Jim White concerning the alleged jostling at Wigan. There was considerable annoyance that our own club Chairman was painting our supporters in a bad light. It was also pointed out how strange it was that he was well enough to talk to White, attend the Liverpool match this coming Saturday (which he is expected to do), but not well enough to meet with supporters.
KB again repeated how seriously ill DS was, which takes us back to point 1... although given the statement from Karren that prior to buying the club they undertook no due diligence, maybe that shouldn't worry us particularly.
Overall, some progress was made and it's for the RWHFAG to decide whether there has been enough of it, but at the time of writing the march on 10/3 proceeds as planned.
A big thanks to Andy Swallow, Micky Morgan and the rest of the RWHFAG, Mark and Paul from WHUISA and to all the other reps there yesterday - apologies for not mentioning you all by name but everyone did the supporters proud.
If I've missed anything , or anyone else who was there feels I have got something wrong, feel free to PM me (via the KUMB Forum) and I'll amend this post, but it was a long meeting and I can't remember everything!
We are United.
Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, nor should be attributed to, KUMB.com.
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West Ham now hoping Andy Carroll could be back from 'season ending' injury for potentially-vital final fixtures
The striker initially ruled out for the rest of the relegation candidates' campaign could face Leicester and Everton
The Mirror
ByDarren Lewis
22:30, 19 FEB 2018
West Ham are clinging to a slim hope Andy Carroll will be back before the end of the season. The 29-year-old striker was ruled out for the remainder of the campaign last month, after suffering a hairline fracture of his ankle. The setback for luckless Carroll wrecked a potential move to Chelsea, with the defending Premier League champions instead switching their attentions to Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud. Carroll hasn't played since the Hammers ' Premier League draw at Spurs on January 4, but there is a belief the targetman - who has since had an operation - could be back for the final two games of the season. West Ham conclude their campaign with a trip to Leicester on May 5 followed by a home game against Everton eight days later. In Carroll's absence, record-buy Marko Arnautovic has come good after an initially poor first four months which saw fans vilify his work rate and commitment. After failing to score for his new club until December, the £25m signing from Stoke has since netted seven times across 11 injury-interrupted appearances. Meanwhile, defender Angelo Ogbonna has credited the discipline introduced by new boss David Moyes for lifting them out of the bottom three. Moyes took over after Slaven Bilic's sacking in November and has steered the east London club from 18th place to mid-table. Although they are not yet out of danger [just five points separate top-half Bournemouth and third-bottom Stoke], there is an acceptance they are now far more focused and hard-working under the Scot than his predecessor. Ogbonna said: "It's good [our progress] but it's not enough because we're looking to get as many points as we can. "Now I think we are in a positive mood. When the team was doing really bad, we changed the manager and he has brought a lot of energy and a lot of positive things. "But the most important thing he brought was discipline because with discipline, you can build whatever you want. "Every manager has his type of method, but the important thing was the discipline, because with this you can train harder or train less, but you know what you have to do."
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West Ham boss David Moyes gives hint he may stay at London Stadium beyond this season
DAVID MOYES has given further clues that he will be staying on as West Ham manager at the end of this season by looking at potential recruits.
By TONY BANKS
PUBLISHED: 22:30, Tue, Feb 20, 2018
Express.co.uk
Moyes has said he will decide on his future at the London Stadium at the end of this season, when his short term contract, handed to him when he took over in November, runs out. The Hammers' board though have been impressed with his work since taking over, and provided Moyes can keep the club in the Premier League, they are ready to offer the former Everton, Manchester United and Sunderland manager a two-year deal this summer. West Ham go to Liverpool on Saturday lying four points above the relegation zone but under Moyes have lost only one of their last eight games in the Premier League. Moyes is planning for next season, scouting players including Hibernian's 23-year-old midfielder John McGinn, who he watched on Saturday in a 2-0 win over Aberdeen. Luxembourg midfielder Vincent Thill, 18, who plays at Metz, and Dutch goalkeeper Joel Drommel, 21, from FC Twente are also on Moyes' list of promising young talent on the continent that could be bid for in the summer. West Ham could also move to make midfielder Jaoa Mario's loan deal from Inter Milan permanent in the summer, though no final decision has yet been made.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Wednesday, February 21
Monday, February 19
Daily WHUFC News - 20th February 2018
Kouyate keen to slow Sadio Mane and 'do something special'
WHUFC.com
Cheikhou Kouyate and Sadio Mane will be proud teammates when Senegal play at their first FIFA World Cup finals in 16 years – but not before they have gone head to head in the Premier League. Kouyate's West Ham United and Mane's Liverpool meet at Anfield on Saturday, when the Hammers will seek to become the first team to defeat the Reds on home turf in the top flight this season. Mane's national-team captain knows all too well the threat posed by the speedy attacker, who scored a UEFA Champions League hat-trick against FC Porto in his last appearance, but is confident West Ham can achieve 'something special' this weekend. "We are going to play against one of the best teams in the league and there are some good players there, including Sadio Mane," said Kouyate "I know him and I like to play against my friends. Every time we play, he wants to win, but maybe he won't this time because we also want to win there. "We have a few days to work hard because we have a big, big game at Anfield and we want to go there and do something special for the fans."
After going up against one another on Saturday, Kouyate and Mane will join forces in Russia this summer, when they will tackle Poland, Japan and Colombia in the group stage. On their only previous appearance in 2002, the Lions of Teranga reached the quarter-finals, with future Hammers Papa Bouba Diop and Henri Camara scoring in historic victories over reigning champions France and Sweden.
Sixteen years on and, after missing out on qualification for the last three tournaments, Kouyate will lead a new generation of stars from the West African nation on a quest for World Cup glory – a responsibility he takes very seriously. "I'm very proud because 15 million people in Senegal are behind us. I am the captain and my people are behind us, so I need to lead my team. "It won't be easy, though, as this is a World Cup and every game is hard. Every game is a final and we are going there to give our best, because all of Senegal are proud of the team. Everybody in the country loves football. "This will be my first World Cup, and the same for my teammates, but first I have to think about the end of the Premier League season and saving West Ham, and only then can I start to think about the World Cup."
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A Hammers' Dozen - West Ham's impressive last 12 matches in numbers
WHUFC.com
A Premier League season is played out over 38 games, of course, but West Ham United's form over their last dozen matches has been very encouraging, both literally and figuratively.
After losing at Watford and Everton in his first three games in charge, manager David Moyes challenged his players to cut out individual mistakes, take greater individual responsibility and work harder for the team - and they have certainly responded.
Since being edged out late on at runaway leaders Manchester City, the Hammers have collected 20 points from their last 12 top-flight fixtures, a record which would place them sixth in the table if the season had started on Saturday 9 December.
Only leaders Manchester City, with 29 points, Tottenham Hotspur (27), Liverpool (25), Chelsea and Manchester United (both 21) have amassed more over the same period, and those five clubs currently occupy the top five places.
That day, Moyes' side kicked-off their impressive run by beating champions Chelsea 1-0 at London Stadium – one of five victories they have recorded since then.
Four nights later, Arsenal were the visitors to Stratford, where West Ham kept a second clean sheet in succession to hold the Gunners to a goalless draw – one of five draws achieved in their last 12 games.
Furthermore, only three clubs have lost fewer games than the Hammers' two – Manchester City, Tottenham and Liverpool (one each).
And only four have a better goal difference over the same span, with West Ham's +7 one goal better than Jose Mourinho's Manchester United and two better than Arsenal.
Overall, West Ham have scored 21 goals in those 12 matches, the fifth-highest of any Premier League club since 9 December, with Marko Arnautovic leading the way with seven goals, in addition to three assists.
Nine different players have hit the net – Ayew, Arnautovic, Carroll, Chicharito, Collins, Lanzini, Noble, Obiang and Sakho – with Chicharito and Noble each scoring three times and both Carroll and Lanzini twice.
West Ham's 21 goals came from eleven right-foot shots, five left-foot shots, three headers and two penalties.
Defensively, West Ham may have kept just three clean sheets in those 12 matches, but they have conceded more than one goal on just three occasions – the defeats at home to Newcastle United and at Brighton & Hove Albion and the dramatic 3-3 Boxing Day draw at AFC Bournemouth – and conceded just 14 goals in total.
That improved defensive solidity – the Hammers had conceded 32 goals in their opening 15 Premier League matches at an average of 2.13 goals/game, compared to just 1.17 goals/game over their most-recent 12 games – has been based on Moyes' consistent selections at the back.
Goalkeeper Adrian and centre-half Angelo Ogbonna have both played all 1,080 minutes, followed by right-back – and occasional defensive midfielder – Pablo Zabaleta (1,069) and Aaron Cresswell (976).
West Ham's form will surely be tested in their next two matches, away to Liverpool and a resurgent Swansea City – who have themselves collected 18 points from their last 12 games to climb off the bottom of the table – but Moyes and his players can travel to Anfield and the Liberty Stadium with confidence drawn from their recent upturn in performances and results.
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Holland 'can't wait to be back playing' after returning to training
WHUFC.com
Nathan Holland is targeting a quick return to action following his return to the training fields, having missed the last three months with a hamstring tear.
Holland underwent surgery in mid-November to repair the damage and has been on the sidelines since, bringing an abrupt end to an excellent run of form for the winger, with the 19-year-old netting three goals in eight league games for West Ham's U23s. The pacey wide-man is now back out on the training pitches at Chadwell Heath and is eager to restart his campaign as soon as possible. "It feels great to be back on the grass and training again," a beaming Holland told whufc.com. "I've been working hard in the gym and now I'm back out on the grass, and the hard work behind closed doors has paid off. I'm hoping that shows now I'm outside again. "Hopefully I won't have to wait too long for the chance to get back on in a game. I'll be ready to be in a squad when Terry thinks I'll be ready. Hopefully I can just kick on, like I was never injured in the first place, but I can't wait to be back playing games again with the boys."
With his injury, Holland has been forced to miss out on training sessions and matches, but the youngster believes his period out of action will make him a better player in the long run. He continued: "Considering how long I've been out injured, I think I have coped mentally very well. I feel like it has actually made me mentally stronger and determined to recover. While it's been frustrating, I think the experience overall has helped me in some ways and made me a better player. "It is very tough watching the boys training when I've been inside but I can't wait to get out there and help them."
Holland's injury lay-off unfortunately coincided with the appointment of David Moyes as West Ham United first team manager, taking away the opportunity for the Academy prospect to impress the new boss. Holland made his first team debut against Bolton Wanderers in the third round of the Carabao Cup, in September, and Moyes has proven he is willing to give young players a chance, with the likes of Toni Martinez, Domingos Quina, Josh Cullen, Reece Oxford and Reece Burke all playing under the Scotsman. The winger admits his spell on the sidelines came at a frustrating time but is confident he can get back to his best in the very near future. "The timing was very frustrating as I felt I was developing well, but as they say everything happens for a reason, and now I will be back more motivated, prepared and determined to do well and can hopefully carry on where I left off."
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Phillips: West Ham Academy can be proud of recent achievements
WHUFC.com
West Ham United U18s coach Mark Phillips says the Academy of Football can take pride in their recent achievements.
Phillips, who forms a two-man management team with Hammers legend Steve Potts, have worked closely on the development of teenager Declan Rice, who has made 22 first-team appearances since making his debut last May, as well as fellow youngsters Reece Oxford and Nathan Holland, who have both featured at senior level this term. Working under the guidance of Academy Director Terry Westley, the coaching duo have also provided a host of scholars for the U23s, including Ben Johnson, Alfie Lewis and 15-year-old Dan Chesters, who debuted for Westley's side in their own 1-0 Premier League 2 win at Liverpool on Saturday.
"While our results have not been that good this season, and people point out that 'You're down the bottom of the league', the Academy's main priority is the long-term goal of getting players into the first-team squad, which we have done again this season," said Phillips. "If we are getting scholars and even schoolboy players into the U23s, then that can only be a good thing, because it means Terry believes they are good enough to play at that level. "It only seems like yesterday that Steve and myself had Declan as our U18s captain and centre-back, but now he's gone onto the first team and is showing why we all had so much belief in him as a schoolboy. "Dan Chesters did really well in two behind-closed-doors we played last week and Terry wanted to give him a chance in the U23s. He played for the last ten minutes or so at Liverpool and helped the team close out a really good win."
Phillips says the U18s themselves are growing in confidence after making it back-to-back wins by beating Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.
The Hammers' scholars followed up a 2-1 home victory over Leicester City by overcoming the Seagulls at Little Heath, with goals from Odysseas Spyrides, Yiannis Constantinou – his first at U18 level – and Bernardo Rosa securing a 3-1 success. "It was a good team performance," Phillips confirmed. "After a goalless first half, Odysseas put us ahead six minutes after the break. "Brighton equalised a few minutes later through their Icelandic striker Stefan Ljubicic but, to our credit, the boys regrouped and got themselves back in control and then managed the game really well after Yiannis and Bernardo had scored. "With the U23s playing up at Liverpool on the same day, we were without Alfie Lewis, Ben Johnson and Dan Chesters, so we were also delighted that two of our U15s, goalkeeper Serine Sanneh and midfielder Amadou Diallo, played the full 90 minutes and did really well. "We are away to Norwich City, who are bottom of the table, on Saturday and we go to Norfolk with confidence we can make it three league wins in a row."
West Ham United U18s: Sanneh, Hannam, Wells, Alese, Ashby, Dalipi, Barrett, Diallo, Rosa, Watson, Spyrides (Constantinou 67)
Subs not used: Jinadu (GK), Okotcha, Appiah-Forson, Parkes
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Versatile Cresswell relishing latest return to Liverpool
WHUFC.com
Aaron Cresswell is hoping for another happy homecoming when the Hammers head to Anfield on Saturday. The Liverpool-born defender spent time with the Reds as a schoolboy before embarking on a successful professional career with Tranmere Rovers, Ipswich Town and, since the summer of 2014, West Ham United.
In his four seasons in Claret and Blue, Cresswell has returned to face his old club on four occasions, playing his part with an assist in the Hammers' historic 3-0 Premier League victory in August 2015, drawing twice and losing just once.
"I was back in Liverpool at the weekend, taking my four-week-old Sonny to see his family for the first time and spend a few days with them, which was nice, but this time around it will be all business," said the No3. "It's a huge game every season, not just for me because I come from Liverpool and used to play for them as a kid. "It's going to be tough. They're doing so well this season, especially with the front players they've got, so we're going to have to be at our best and hopefully we'll get something out of the game."
Cresswell himself is likely to be important to West Ham's chances of continuing their recent good form at Anfield, wherever he lines up for manager David Moyes. The England defender has played as a full-back, wing-back and left centre-half in the Hammers' last three Premier League matches, showing his versatility. The 28-year-old has also chipped in with a joint-team high five assists, illustrating his value to the team at the attacking end of the pitch.
While he is not getting ahead of himself, Cresswell knows his ability to fill a variety of positions effectively will also not harm his chances of earning a place in Gareth Southgate's squad for this summer's FIFA World Cup finals in Russia.
"I'd never played in a central role before but, if I'm honest, I quite like it! Whoever is in front of me or to the left of me, whether it's Arthur, Michail or whoever, I am happy and as long as the team is getting points, I couldn't care less where I am playing! "In a way, it suits my game and still gives me some sort of licence to push on and, if the wing-back runs forward and has to turn back, I'm there to take one touch and put the ball into the box. Defensively, I can sweep up as well and slot over when the wing-back goes forward "Of course, it can't hurt my international prospects but I'm realistic and I know the situation and how tough it's going to be to make that World Cup squad. As long as I do my best for West Ham, whatever happens, happens. "My main focus at the minute is West Ham and keeping us in the Premier League."
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Ogbonna fighting fit and back to his best
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 19th February 2018
By: Staff Writer
One of the contenders for this season's Hammer of the Year award has spoken of his delight to just be playing pain-free again. Angelo Ogbonna has been a virtual ever-present under both Slaven Bilic and David Moyes this season, having fought his way back from a serious and persistant knee injury that kept him sidelined for four months between January and May last year. Having recovered in time to feature in the starting XI at Burnley on the final day of last season (a 2-1 win), the Italian international enjoyed the benefit of a full pre-season which has helped him produce his most consistent form since joining West Ham.
Unusually he has also scored three goals - against Bolton and Tottenham in the Carabao Cup and the opener in United's 2-1 defeat at Manchester City. And it's that kind of form that has seen Ogbonna's name mentioned as a contender for end-of-season awards - although he's just enjoying being injury-free. "I am definitely benefitting from having the operation on my knee," he told whufc.com. "Everybody knows it was an injury I had for a long time and they advised me to have the surgery, so I had it done. It has really helped me. "Since I had the surgery, our head physiotherapist Dominic Rogan has worked with me on my rehabilitation, helped me to do things right and get myself ready to play at 100 per cent. "Now I feel very good. Of course, I feel a little bit tired sometimes but everything is mental so if you are prepared mentally, you can perform to your best physically."
Ogbonna also paid tribute to new manager David Moyes, whom he credited with improving the squad's overall fitness and various other attributes - introducing a system that is perhaps more popular abroad. "He is not just like an Italian manager, but like a European manager," he added. "Today, everything in football is improving. We are doing lots of things - tactics, positional work, technical work, running - and in the Premier League this is essential, because you have to be fit. We improved a lot in the last month or two. "We changed the shape [defensively] but it's not just that. We run much better than before, not only in distance but in the quality of our running."
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THE TIME FOR CHANGE IS NOW - NOT IN THE SUMMER!
By HamburgHammer 19 Feb 2018 at 08:00
WTID
Weekends without a West Ham game are always different, especially at the current time for me personally. I've been mentioning my brother's fight in hospital after his life-saving surgery. It's been a rollercoaster the last few days where I've seen my bro having to return to the Intensive Care Unit yet again after struggling to breathe without technical support, so it was back onto various tubes and drugs again for a number of days, but he's now back on the regular ward and looks a lot more lively already, albeit very weak and tired still – and the weekend's football results haven't exactly helped his recuperation.
Starting on Friday, Concordia lost 1:2 to Victoria Hamburg, away. In one of football's most popular storylines the winning goal was scored by Victoria in the final minute of the 90 by a fullback who had played his final game for Concordia just two months earlier before making the switch across town. Yes BSB, it was your favourite lad, Yannick Siemsen, the bloody traitor! ;-)
The game was remarkable for another reason off the pitch as I suddenly spotted among the 287 crowd a big guy with a claret and blue scarf and beanie.
Of course he could have been Villa, Scunthorpe, Burnley or Trabzonspor, but no, he was indeed a fellow Hammer!
Turned out he was a local groundhopper, watching the game with a groundhopper mate from Cologne – both having adopted West Ham as their English team. Needless to say we exchanged numerous stories about watching the Hammers and football in England and we even briefly discussed the current plight of Millwall.
Then on Saturday followed yet another nail in the coffin for Hamburg SV, as of yet the only German club that has played top flight football in every single season that the Bundesliga has been in existence. Losing 1:2 against Lverkusen was no surprise as such since Leverkusen have better quality in the squad in every respect and department. But HSV are running out of games to put things right fast and it seems that this time luck has finally deserted them.
The loyal fans are painfully aware of this and were keen to vent their growing anger by trying to invade the pitch during and after the game, but the authorities with the help of some well trained German Shepherd dogs made sure it remained an attempt only. We all know what happened to the likes of Leeds, Nottingham Forest or Coventry once they went down through the trapdoor.
There are no guarantees and the way back up is a massive challenge. Finances at Hamburg SV are shockingly bad, so there is even talk that the club may not even be allowed to play in Bundesliga 2 should they get relegated. For the City of Hamburg it'd be an unmitigated disaster to no longer have a team in Bundesliga 1. But the club has been run like a circus without acrobats and tigers for years now – still the fans have flocked to home games like lambs to their slaughter.
Which brings me to our upcoming Liverpool game. We all know the stats. Anfield over the years has been an unhappy hunting ground for us, until recent times of course.
If you're looking for a good omen, look no further than the 1:0 win our U23s nicked from Merseyside on Saturday. I'm sure we'd all be overchuffed with a similar scoreline come next Saturday! Liverpool can field some of the top players in the league and when they get going they score for fun and might give you a drubbing.
If we can frustrate them though, destroy their build up play time and time again, stand firm in the tackle and keep the home crowd quiet we are in with a chance. With players returning from injury we are likely to field a strong starting XI and even a halfway decent bench of substitutes. Manuel Lanzini seems to be a quick healer as he is rumoured to join his teammates for first team training sessions again today. Even if he may only get half an hour at Liverpool it'll be good to have him back in the side fullstop.
Another player returning from injury is Nathan Holland. Before he suffered said injury he was on the fringes of the first team squad, so surely it's good for Moyes to have options now. Holland by all accounts is highly touted, with a deft touch, good dribbling skills and an eye for goal too. Good to have him back!
Another thing happening today is a meeting between some members of the Real West Ham Fans Group, the lads behind organising the march in March.
By all accounts the board's aim will be to talk them out of going through with the march. As far as I understand it though the march is done and dusted and will go ahead as planned regardless. If anything they will let the board (or their representatives rather as I doubt if either of Gold, Sullivan or Brady will be present) know the reasons behind the march and why the fans actually see the need to take their criticism and anger out onto the streets.
Which brings me to my final train of thought here. In a recent video message Sullivan said there would be changes to the way West Ham scout and sign new players.
There has been talk about Sullivan "trying to move away a bit" from getting personally involved in the process of signing players, the way it should be really.
But "trying" to "move away a bit" will not be enough – you need to trust the manager on this completely and if you don't, then hire a professional Head Scout or Chief Negotiator to help Moyes with bringing in the players the manager wants and needs.
Saying that neither the club nor Moyes can really afford themselves the luxury to wait until the summer to make a decision about the manager's future at West Ham.
Neither is it wise to implement a new transfer procedure at the club later this summer instead of here and now.
I am certain other clubs are already busy preparing themselves for the shortened summer transfer window. Once that one is open you want your targets lined up so you can try to get deals over the line sharpish.
You cannot give other clubs a headstart by waiting to pick and choose your manager for next season (and also shake up the internal set up in terms of transfer business).
I'd be well happy to see Moyes stay, if only because I yearn for longevity and a long-term approach at West Ham. Short fixes and a new manager every 18 months is not conducive to progressing the club in the league.
I reckon Moyes has the support of the clear majority of our fanbase and the board should follow suit and truly support the manager to the best of their abilities (and I don't mean this in a sarcastic way!). COYI!!!
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Should West Ham target Angus Gunn loan this summer?
HITC
Jordan Harris
Manchester City are reportedly willing to loan Angus Gunn out to a Premier League side, so should West Ham United move? After this season, it may be incredibly difficult to argue that West Ham targeting a Manchester City goalkeeper on loan in the summer would be a wise idea. The Hammers signed Joe Hart last year on a season-long loan, but the move has turned out to be a hugely disappointing one for everyone concerned, with the Englishman struggling for form and losing his place to Adrian earlier in the campaign. The chances of West Ham pursuing another deal for Hart in the summer appear slim at best. But perhaps the Irons should consider a move for another stopper on the Cityzens' books if they manage to ensure that they will be playing Premier League football next season.
Angus Gunn has been excellent out on loan with Norwich City this term and appears to have the potential to be one of the country's best in the coming years. He received a call-up to the England senior side at the end of last year after a promising spell with the under-21s. Unsurprisingly, Norwich are keen to re-sign the 22-year-old for next season, according to The Sun (print edition; 18th February 2018; page 60), but City are only ready to sanction the deal if the Canaries secure promotion out of the Championship. Given that Daniel Farke's men are currently eight points back of the play-off places, it appears that it may be a big ask to expect Norwich to get themselves back into the hunt for the top six. Therefore, should West Ham manage to stay up, they should consider moving to sign Gunn on loan for the next campaign as he appears to have the quality to put a lot of pressure on Adrian and perhaps move above him in the pecking order if given a chance.
West Ham may feel that they have much more pressing concerns in other areas of the squad this summer, so addressing their goalkeeper situation without spending a significant amount would be a shrewd move, and Gunn is arguably the ideal target if they did decide to go down that path.
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OGBONNA LOOKS BACK ON BILIC'S TIME AT WEST HAM
TOM MASON @tom_mason18
ReadWestHam
West Ham defender Angelo Ogbonna has taken a dig at his former manager Slaven Bilic, who left the club in November with the Hammers struggling in the Premier League. The Croatian manager was given his marching orders following a heavy defeat to Liverpool in what was an embarrassing performance, ending his two-and-a-half-year stay at the club. Since his departure, the Hammers have improved and are up to 12th place in the Premier League. However, they are still in danger of suffering relegation this season with few points separating the teams at the bottom of the table. The Italian has been much improved under David Moyes and is one of the first names on the team sheet.
Ogbonna, as quoted by Football London, spoke about the impact that the former Manchester United manager Moyes has had on the team since his arrival. When the team was doing really bad, we changed the manager and he has brought a lot of energy and a lot of positive things, but the most important thing he brought was discipline because with discipline, you can build whatever you want. We improved a lot in the last month or two. We changed the shape [to three-at-the-back], but it's not just that. We run much better than before, not only in distance but in the quality of our running.
Ogbonna will hope that he can be a big part of West Ham's plans in the final stretch of the season as Moyes aims to secure his side's Premier League future.
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DAVID MOYES WANTS JOHN MCGINN AS FIRST SUMMER SIGNING
JOSHUA HARDY @joshuahardy__
ReadWestHam
According to the Evening Standard, David Moyes wants to sign £5m-rated Scottish midfielder John McGinn, if he is to stay as West Ham manager after this season. When Moyes was appointed in November, it was surrounded by fear and worry from the West Ham faithful, after the Scottish manager failed in his last three managerial jobs.
However, Moyes has turned the fans around, with many class performances and results against the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham, as well as fellow relegation rivals Stoke, West Brom and Huddersfield. Despite this amazing turn-around, there is still doubt whether if Moyes will stay in the job, even if The Hammers stay up this season, as many see it as a step in the wrong direction. If Moyes is to stay, one of his first targets for the summer transfer window will be John McGinn, who plays for Hibernian and has scored six goals. He also has got the same amount of assists in 33 games this season. West Ham have scouted the midfielder several times this season ahead of a move.
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Decision time nearing for Celtic as West Ham reportedly line up John McGinn
HITC
Olly Dawes
West Ham United are reportedly plotting a move for Hibernian's John McGinn.
According to the Daily Record, West Ham United are plotting their move for Hibernian midfielder John McGinn after watching him in action against Aberdeen on Saturday afternoon.
McGinn, 23, has been the heartbeat of the Hibernian midfield since his 2015 move from St Mirren, notching 16 goals in 123 games whilst even earning five caps for Scotland at international level. The midfielder is attracting major interest off the back of his displays for Hibs though, and the Daily Record report that West Ham sent assistant manager Billy McKinlay to watch McGinn in action against Aberdeen this past weekend.
West Ham appear to be plotting their summer move for McGinn, and that means that Celtic may well be handed just a matter of months to decide whether to launch their own bid. Back in February 2017, Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers told The Scottish Sun that he was a big fan of McGinn, even claiming that any manager would love to have him, praising his work rate, defensive work and tactical understanding.
Many have earmarked McGinn as a future successor to Scott Brown in the Celtic midfield, as whilst McGinn hasn't so far managed to get the best of Brown in a game, some believe he has the potential to play a similar role for club or country. Rodgers' comments on McGinn last year suggest that he is firmly on Celtic's radar, despite having a host of midfielders already, and West Ham's interest may turn this into a make or break situation for Celtic regarding their interest in McGinn. Celtic still have time to make their move, but if they do see him as being a successor to Brown, then they may have only a matter of months to decide to challenge West Ham – or face losing him to the Premier League.
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West Ham defender Patrice Evra becomes a cabby for the day as he drives a taxi to training and sings to his 'grumpy' passenger
Patrice Evra posts weekly 'Monday Motivation' videos on Instagram
The West Ham defender is yet to make his debut for his new club since arriving
Evra posted a video on Instagram on Monday as he drove to training in a taxi
He encouraged his followers to 'be happy' while singing to Storm Queen
By Jaime Wright For Mailonline
PUBLISHED: 12:55, 19 February 2018 | UPDATED: 14:43, 19 February 2018
Patrice Evra has released his latest instalment to his 'Monday Motivation' video chain as he drove to West Ham training in a taxi. The French defender has made a habit out of delivering his motivational videos to all of his Instagram followers this season, in an attempt to encourage people to take up a more positive outlook on life. Last week, he was dancing in the streets of London to Marvin Gaye, this week he chose Storm Queen as he took up a new position as a London cab driver.
In the video, Evra pulls up in a silver taxi, listening to Storm Queen's 'Look Right Through'. 'Good morning, they don't talk to me. Good morning,' he sings as he dances in his new method of transport, and seemingly getting the lyrics wrong - which could be a twist in the song to fit his 'Monday Motivation' theme. 'I am crazy! I'm on the way to training with my new cab. Do you like it?'
Evra then follows his entrance up with: 'I love this game,' which is a re-occurring statement he makes in all of his videos. 'Be happy and share your happiness with everyone, and check my first passenger,' he continues. The camera pans to face the back seat, revealing a very unhappy passenger, who shakes his head, which could be partly due to the fact he is being forced to have his window open on a drizzly London day. Evra adds: 'He's so grumpy, but I don't care. Be free and I like to share my happiness with people. Because it's Monday, and the weather is sh...' A brief pause to remember where he was, before making the necessary adjustments. His joy for life is infectious and he genuinely seems to enjoy spreading his happiness to his followers. However, Evra will be keen to take his happiness onto the pitch of the London Stadium, with the defender still yet to make his Hammers debut since his January arrival.
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Former Premier League player Blair Turgott used 85-year-old's stolen card to gamble £16,000 at Mayfair casino
The 23-year-old is accused of withdrawing the cash before using it for chips
Blair Turgott made one first-team appearance for West Ham in January 2014
Card used by Turgott had been stolen from Peter Dixon, 85, by another fraudster
Turgott has one previous conviction for careless driving from May 2014
By HENRY VAUGHAN, PRESS ASSOCIATION SPORT
PUBLISHED: 16:43, 19 February 2018 | UPDATED: 17:16, 19 February 2018
A former Premier League footballer gambled £16,000 at a Mayfair casino using a card stolen from an 85-year-old pensioner, a court has heard. Ex-West Ham winger Blair Turgott, 23, is accused of withdrawing the cash before exchanging it for chips during a night at the Playboy casino in central London's Park Lane. Turgott, who made one first-team appearance for the Hammers, in the team's FA Cup defeat to Nottingham Forest in January 2014, cashed out £16,900 at the end of the night, leaving with a £900 profit, a jury was told.
Prosecutor Kaj Scarsbrook said the card used by Turgott, who is from Bromley in Kent, had earlier been stolen from Peter Dixon, 85, by another fraudster posing as a bank employee. The victim said in a statement that the funds withdrawn from his account were intended for his children's inheritance. 'I was initially horrified I had been defrauded and feel foolish at handing my card over,' he added.
Turgott, wearing dark trousers and a brown jacket over a white shirt, appeared in the dock at London's Southwark Crown Court, where he denies fraud and converting criminal property on the night of Friday September 30, 2016.
The court heard the victim was called by a fraudster earlier that day posing as a Barclays Bank employee, who said he needed to collect Mr Dixon's debit card so a new one could be issued. Shortly after, a man in his 20s knocked on his door and Mr Dixon handed over his card. But Mr Dixon went to his branch the following Monday after his wife, Christine Dixon, 83, became suspicious. 'Their bank told them, perhaps unsurprisingly, this man had absolutely nothing to do with them and had, effectively, stolen the card,' the prosecutor said.
Jurors heard about £17,000 was taken from Mr Dixon's current account, with CCTV showing Turgott made two £8,000 withdrawals at the Playboy casino. 'He exchanges that money for casino plaques and spent the evening gambling,' said Mr Scarsbrook. 'At the end of the evening, he cashed out £16,900 cash, having made a profit of £900 that evening gambling.'
The prosecutor said at least one other person was involved in the alleged fraud, telling jurors they must decide if Turgott was 'being dishonest'. He added: 'Somehow the card and its details ended up in Mr Turgott's possession. 'The prosecution say that in itself is suspect, as is using someone else's card to fund your gambling.' Turgott rose through the youth ranks at east London club West Ham, with loan spells at clubs including Colchester United and Bradford City. He left West Ham to join Coventry City, and has more recently played for Leyton Orient and Bromley. The court heard he has one previous conviction, having pleaded guilty to careless driving in May 2014.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Cheikhou Kouyate and Sadio Mane will be proud teammates when Senegal play at their first FIFA World Cup finals in 16 years – but not before they have gone head to head in the Premier League. Kouyate's West Ham United and Mane's Liverpool meet at Anfield on Saturday, when the Hammers will seek to become the first team to defeat the Reds on home turf in the top flight this season. Mane's national-team captain knows all too well the threat posed by the speedy attacker, who scored a UEFA Champions League hat-trick against FC Porto in his last appearance, but is confident West Ham can achieve 'something special' this weekend. "We are going to play against one of the best teams in the league and there are some good players there, including Sadio Mane," said Kouyate "I know him and I like to play against my friends. Every time we play, he wants to win, but maybe he won't this time because we also want to win there. "We have a few days to work hard because we have a big, big game at Anfield and we want to go there and do something special for the fans."
After going up against one another on Saturday, Kouyate and Mane will join forces in Russia this summer, when they will tackle Poland, Japan and Colombia in the group stage. On their only previous appearance in 2002, the Lions of Teranga reached the quarter-finals, with future Hammers Papa Bouba Diop and Henri Camara scoring in historic victories over reigning champions France and Sweden.
Sixteen years on and, after missing out on qualification for the last three tournaments, Kouyate will lead a new generation of stars from the West African nation on a quest for World Cup glory – a responsibility he takes very seriously. "I'm very proud because 15 million people in Senegal are behind us. I am the captain and my people are behind us, so I need to lead my team. "It won't be easy, though, as this is a World Cup and every game is hard. Every game is a final and we are going there to give our best, because all of Senegal are proud of the team. Everybody in the country loves football. "This will be my first World Cup, and the same for my teammates, but first I have to think about the end of the Premier League season and saving West Ham, and only then can I start to think about the World Cup."
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A Hammers' Dozen - West Ham's impressive last 12 matches in numbers
WHUFC.com
A Premier League season is played out over 38 games, of course, but West Ham United's form over their last dozen matches has been very encouraging, both literally and figuratively.
After losing at Watford and Everton in his first three games in charge, manager David Moyes challenged his players to cut out individual mistakes, take greater individual responsibility and work harder for the team - and they have certainly responded.
Since being edged out late on at runaway leaders Manchester City, the Hammers have collected 20 points from their last 12 top-flight fixtures, a record which would place them sixth in the table if the season had started on Saturday 9 December.
Only leaders Manchester City, with 29 points, Tottenham Hotspur (27), Liverpool (25), Chelsea and Manchester United (both 21) have amassed more over the same period, and those five clubs currently occupy the top five places.
That day, Moyes' side kicked-off their impressive run by beating champions Chelsea 1-0 at London Stadium – one of five victories they have recorded since then.
Four nights later, Arsenal were the visitors to Stratford, where West Ham kept a second clean sheet in succession to hold the Gunners to a goalless draw – one of five draws achieved in their last 12 games.
Furthermore, only three clubs have lost fewer games than the Hammers' two – Manchester City, Tottenham and Liverpool (one each).
And only four have a better goal difference over the same span, with West Ham's +7 one goal better than Jose Mourinho's Manchester United and two better than Arsenal.
Overall, West Ham have scored 21 goals in those 12 matches, the fifth-highest of any Premier League club since 9 December, with Marko Arnautovic leading the way with seven goals, in addition to three assists.
Nine different players have hit the net – Ayew, Arnautovic, Carroll, Chicharito, Collins, Lanzini, Noble, Obiang and Sakho – with Chicharito and Noble each scoring three times and both Carroll and Lanzini twice.
West Ham's 21 goals came from eleven right-foot shots, five left-foot shots, three headers and two penalties.
Defensively, West Ham may have kept just three clean sheets in those 12 matches, but they have conceded more than one goal on just three occasions – the defeats at home to Newcastle United and at Brighton & Hove Albion and the dramatic 3-3 Boxing Day draw at AFC Bournemouth – and conceded just 14 goals in total.
That improved defensive solidity – the Hammers had conceded 32 goals in their opening 15 Premier League matches at an average of 2.13 goals/game, compared to just 1.17 goals/game over their most-recent 12 games – has been based on Moyes' consistent selections at the back.
Goalkeeper Adrian and centre-half Angelo Ogbonna have both played all 1,080 minutes, followed by right-back – and occasional defensive midfielder – Pablo Zabaleta (1,069) and Aaron Cresswell (976).
West Ham's form will surely be tested in their next two matches, away to Liverpool and a resurgent Swansea City – who have themselves collected 18 points from their last 12 games to climb off the bottom of the table – but Moyes and his players can travel to Anfield and the Liberty Stadium with confidence drawn from their recent upturn in performances and results.
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Holland 'can't wait to be back playing' after returning to training
WHUFC.com
Nathan Holland is targeting a quick return to action following his return to the training fields, having missed the last three months with a hamstring tear.
Holland underwent surgery in mid-November to repair the damage and has been on the sidelines since, bringing an abrupt end to an excellent run of form for the winger, with the 19-year-old netting three goals in eight league games for West Ham's U23s. The pacey wide-man is now back out on the training pitches at Chadwell Heath and is eager to restart his campaign as soon as possible. "It feels great to be back on the grass and training again," a beaming Holland told whufc.com. "I've been working hard in the gym and now I'm back out on the grass, and the hard work behind closed doors has paid off. I'm hoping that shows now I'm outside again. "Hopefully I won't have to wait too long for the chance to get back on in a game. I'll be ready to be in a squad when Terry thinks I'll be ready. Hopefully I can just kick on, like I was never injured in the first place, but I can't wait to be back playing games again with the boys."
With his injury, Holland has been forced to miss out on training sessions and matches, but the youngster believes his period out of action will make him a better player in the long run. He continued: "Considering how long I've been out injured, I think I have coped mentally very well. I feel like it has actually made me mentally stronger and determined to recover. While it's been frustrating, I think the experience overall has helped me in some ways and made me a better player. "It is very tough watching the boys training when I've been inside but I can't wait to get out there and help them."
Holland's injury lay-off unfortunately coincided with the appointment of David Moyes as West Ham United first team manager, taking away the opportunity for the Academy prospect to impress the new boss. Holland made his first team debut against Bolton Wanderers in the third round of the Carabao Cup, in September, and Moyes has proven he is willing to give young players a chance, with the likes of Toni Martinez, Domingos Quina, Josh Cullen, Reece Oxford and Reece Burke all playing under the Scotsman. The winger admits his spell on the sidelines came at a frustrating time but is confident he can get back to his best in the very near future. "The timing was very frustrating as I felt I was developing well, but as they say everything happens for a reason, and now I will be back more motivated, prepared and determined to do well and can hopefully carry on where I left off."
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Phillips: West Ham Academy can be proud of recent achievements
WHUFC.com
West Ham United U18s coach Mark Phillips says the Academy of Football can take pride in their recent achievements.
Phillips, who forms a two-man management team with Hammers legend Steve Potts, have worked closely on the development of teenager Declan Rice, who has made 22 first-team appearances since making his debut last May, as well as fellow youngsters Reece Oxford and Nathan Holland, who have both featured at senior level this term. Working under the guidance of Academy Director Terry Westley, the coaching duo have also provided a host of scholars for the U23s, including Ben Johnson, Alfie Lewis and 15-year-old Dan Chesters, who debuted for Westley's side in their own 1-0 Premier League 2 win at Liverpool on Saturday.
"While our results have not been that good this season, and people point out that 'You're down the bottom of the league', the Academy's main priority is the long-term goal of getting players into the first-team squad, which we have done again this season," said Phillips. "If we are getting scholars and even schoolboy players into the U23s, then that can only be a good thing, because it means Terry believes they are good enough to play at that level. "It only seems like yesterday that Steve and myself had Declan as our U18s captain and centre-back, but now he's gone onto the first team and is showing why we all had so much belief in him as a schoolboy. "Dan Chesters did really well in two behind-closed-doors we played last week and Terry wanted to give him a chance in the U23s. He played for the last ten minutes or so at Liverpool and helped the team close out a really good win."
Phillips says the U18s themselves are growing in confidence after making it back-to-back wins by beating Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.
The Hammers' scholars followed up a 2-1 home victory over Leicester City by overcoming the Seagulls at Little Heath, with goals from Odysseas Spyrides, Yiannis Constantinou – his first at U18 level – and Bernardo Rosa securing a 3-1 success. "It was a good team performance," Phillips confirmed. "After a goalless first half, Odysseas put us ahead six minutes after the break. "Brighton equalised a few minutes later through their Icelandic striker Stefan Ljubicic but, to our credit, the boys regrouped and got themselves back in control and then managed the game really well after Yiannis and Bernardo had scored. "With the U23s playing up at Liverpool on the same day, we were without Alfie Lewis, Ben Johnson and Dan Chesters, so we were also delighted that two of our U15s, goalkeeper Serine Sanneh and midfielder Amadou Diallo, played the full 90 minutes and did really well. "We are away to Norwich City, who are bottom of the table, on Saturday and we go to Norfolk with confidence we can make it three league wins in a row."
West Ham United U18s: Sanneh, Hannam, Wells, Alese, Ashby, Dalipi, Barrett, Diallo, Rosa, Watson, Spyrides (Constantinou 67)
Subs not used: Jinadu (GK), Okotcha, Appiah-Forson, Parkes
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Versatile Cresswell relishing latest return to Liverpool
WHUFC.com
Aaron Cresswell is hoping for another happy homecoming when the Hammers head to Anfield on Saturday. The Liverpool-born defender spent time with the Reds as a schoolboy before embarking on a successful professional career with Tranmere Rovers, Ipswich Town and, since the summer of 2014, West Ham United.
In his four seasons in Claret and Blue, Cresswell has returned to face his old club on four occasions, playing his part with an assist in the Hammers' historic 3-0 Premier League victory in August 2015, drawing twice and losing just once.
"I was back in Liverpool at the weekend, taking my four-week-old Sonny to see his family for the first time and spend a few days with them, which was nice, but this time around it will be all business," said the No3. "It's a huge game every season, not just for me because I come from Liverpool and used to play for them as a kid. "It's going to be tough. They're doing so well this season, especially with the front players they've got, so we're going to have to be at our best and hopefully we'll get something out of the game."
Cresswell himself is likely to be important to West Ham's chances of continuing their recent good form at Anfield, wherever he lines up for manager David Moyes. The England defender has played as a full-back, wing-back and left centre-half in the Hammers' last three Premier League matches, showing his versatility. The 28-year-old has also chipped in with a joint-team high five assists, illustrating his value to the team at the attacking end of the pitch.
While he is not getting ahead of himself, Cresswell knows his ability to fill a variety of positions effectively will also not harm his chances of earning a place in Gareth Southgate's squad for this summer's FIFA World Cup finals in Russia.
"I'd never played in a central role before but, if I'm honest, I quite like it! Whoever is in front of me or to the left of me, whether it's Arthur, Michail or whoever, I am happy and as long as the team is getting points, I couldn't care less where I am playing! "In a way, it suits my game and still gives me some sort of licence to push on and, if the wing-back runs forward and has to turn back, I'm there to take one touch and put the ball into the box. Defensively, I can sweep up as well and slot over when the wing-back goes forward "Of course, it can't hurt my international prospects but I'm realistic and I know the situation and how tough it's going to be to make that World Cup squad. As long as I do my best for West Ham, whatever happens, happens. "My main focus at the minute is West Ham and keeping us in the Premier League."
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Ogbonna fighting fit and back to his best
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 19th February 2018
By: Staff Writer
One of the contenders for this season's Hammer of the Year award has spoken of his delight to just be playing pain-free again. Angelo Ogbonna has been a virtual ever-present under both Slaven Bilic and David Moyes this season, having fought his way back from a serious and persistant knee injury that kept him sidelined for four months between January and May last year. Having recovered in time to feature in the starting XI at Burnley on the final day of last season (a 2-1 win), the Italian international enjoyed the benefit of a full pre-season which has helped him produce his most consistent form since joining West Ham.
Unusually he has also scored three goals - against Bolton and Tottenham in the Carabao Cup and the opener in United's 2-1 defeat at Manchester City. And it's that kind of form that has seen Ogbonna's name mentioned as a contender for end-of-season awards - although he's just enjoying being injury-free. "I am definitely benefitting from having the operation on my knee," he told whufc.com. "Everybody knows it was an injury I had for a long time and they advised me to have the surgery, so I had it done. It has really helped me. "Since I had the surgery, our head physiotherapist Dominic Rogan has worked with me on my rehabilitation, helped me to do things right and get myself ready to play at 100 per cent. "Now I feel very good. Of course, I feel a little bit tired sometimes but everything is mental so if you are prepared mentally, you can perform to your best physically."
Ogbonna also paid tribute to new manager David Moyes, whom he credited with improving the squad's overall fitness and various other attributes - introducing a system that is perhaps more popular abroad. "He is not just like an Italian manager, but like a European manager," he added. "Today, everything in football is improving. We are doing lots of things - tactics, positional work, technical work, running - and in the Premier League this is essential, because you have to be fit. We improved a lot in the last month or two. "We changed the shape [defensively] but it's not just that. We run much better than before, not only in distance but in the quality of our running."
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THE TIME FOR CHANGE IS NOW - NOT IN THE SUMMER!
By HamburgHammer 19 Feb 2018 at 08:00
WTID
Weekends without a West Ham game are always different, especially at the current time for me personally. I've been mentioning my brother's fight in hospital after his life-saving surgery. It's been a rollercoaster the last few days where I've seen my bro having to return to the Intensive Care Unit yet again after struggling to breathe without technical support, so it was back onto various tubes and drugs again for a number of days, but he's now back on the regular ward and looks a lot more lively already, albeit very weak and tired still – and the weekend's football results haven't exactly helped his recuperation.
Starting on Friday, Concordia lost 1:2 to Victoria Hamburg, away. In one of football's most popular storylines the winning goal was scored by Victoria in the final minute of the 90 by a fullback who had played his final game for Concordia just two months earlier before making the switch across town. Yes BSB, it was your favourite lad, Yannick Siemsen, the bloody traitor! ;-)
The game was remarkable for another reason off the pitch as I suddenly spotted among the 287 crowd a big guy with a claret and blue scarf and beanie.
Of course he could have been Villa, Scunthorpe, Burnley or Trabzonspor, but no, he was indeed a fellow Hammer!
Turned out he was a local groundhopper, watching the game with a groundhopper mate from Cologne – both having adopted West Ham as their English team. Needless to say we exchanged numerous stories about watching the Hammers and football in England and we even briefly discussed the current plight of Millwall.
Then on Saturday followed yet another nail in the coffin for Hamburg SV, as of yet the only German club that has played top flight football in every single season that the Bundesliga has been in existence. Losing 1:2 against Lverkusen was no surprise as such since Leverkusen have better quality in the squad in every respect and department. But HSV are running out of games to put things right fast and it seems that this time luck has finally deserted them.
The loyal fans are painfully aware of this and were keen to vent their growing anger by trying to invade the pitch during and after the game, but the authorities with the help of some well trained German Shepherd dogs made sure it remained an attempt only. We all know what happened to the likes of Leeds, Nottingham Forest or Coventry once they went down through the trapdoor.
There are no guarantees and the way back up is a massive challenge. Finances at Hamburg SV are shockingly bad, so there is even talk that the club may not even be allowed to play in Bundesliga 2 should they get relegated. For the City of Hamburg it'd be an unmitigated disaster to no longer have a team in Bundesliga 1. But the club has been run like a circus without acrobats and tigers for years now – still the fans have flocked to home games like lambs to their slaughter.
Which brings me to our upcoming Liverpool game. We all know the stats. Anfield over the years has been an unhappy hunting ground for us, until recent times of course.
If you're looking for a good omen, look no further than the 1:0 win our U23s nicked from Merseyside on Saturday. I'm sure we'd all be overchuffed with a similar scoreline come next Saturday! Liverpool can field some of the top players in the league and when they get going they score for fun and might give you a drubbing.
If we can frustrate them though, destroy their build up play time and time again, stand firm in the tackle and keep the home crowd quiet we are in with a chance. With players returning from injury we are likely to field a strong starting XI and even a halfway decent bench of substitutes. Manuel Lanzini seems to be a quick healer as he is rumoured to join his teammates for first team training sessions again today. Even if he may only get half an hour at Liverpool it'll be good to have him back in the side fullstop.
Another player returning from injury is Nathan Holland. Before he suffered said injury he was on the fringes of the first team squad, so surely it's good for Moyes to have options now. Holland by all accounts is highly touted, with a deft touch, good dribbling skills and an eye for goal too. Good to have him back!
Another thing happening today is a meeting between some members of the Real West Ham Fans Group, the lads behind organising the march in March.
By all accounts the board's aim will be to talk them out of going through with the march. As far as I understand it though the march is done and dusted and will go ahead as planned regardless. If anything they will let the board (or their representatives rather as I doubt if either of Gold, Sullivan or Brady will be present) know the reasons behind the march and why the fans actually see the need to take their criticism and anger out onto the streets.
Which brings me to my final train of thought here. In a recent video message Sullivan said there would be changes to the way West Ham scout and sign new players.
There has been talk about Sullivan "trying to move away a bit" from getting personally involved in the process of signing players, the way it should be really.
But "trying" to "move away a bit" will not be enough – you need to trust the manager on this completely and if you don't, then hire a professional Head Scout or Chief Negotiator to help Moyes with bringing in the players the manager wants and needs.
Saying that neither the club nor Moyes can really afford themselves the luxury to wait until the summer to make a decision about the manager's future at West Ham.
Neither is it wise to implement a new transfer procedure at the club later this summer instead of here and now.
I am certain other clubs are already busy preparing themselves for the shortened summer transfer window. Once that one is open you want your targets lined up so you can try to get deals over the line sharpish.
You cannot give other clubs a headstart by waiting to pick and choose your manager for next season (and also shake up the internal set up in terms of transfer business).
I'd be well happy to see Moyes stay, if only because I yearn for longevity and a long-term approach at West Ham. Short fixes and a new manager every 18 months is not conducive to progressing the club in the league.
I reckon Moyes has the support of the clear majority of our fanbase and the board should follow suit and truly support the manager to the best of their abilities (and I don't mean this in a sarcastic way!). COYI!!!
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Should West Ham target Angus Gunn loan this summer?
HITC
Jordan Harris
Manchester City are reportedly willing to loan Angus Gunn out to a Premier League side, so should West Ham United move? After this season, it may be incredibly difficult to argue that West Ham targeting a Manchester City goalkeeper on loan in the summer would be a wise idea. The Hammers signed Joe Hart last year on a season-long loan, but the move has turned out to be a hugely disappointing one for everyone concerned, with the Englishman struggling for form and losing his place to Adrian earlier in the campaign. The chances of West Ham pursuing another deal for Hart in the summer appear slim at best. But perhaps the Irons should consider a move for another stopper on the Cityzens' books if they manage to ensure that they will be playing Premier League football next season.
Angus Gunn has been excellent out on loan with Norwich City this term and appears to have the potential to be one of the country's best in the coming years. He received a call-up to the England senior side at the end of last year after a promising spell with the under-21s. Unsurprisingly, Norwich are keen to re-sign the 22-year-old for next season, according to The Sun (print edition; 18th February 2018; page 60), but City are only ready to sanction the deal if the Canaries secure promotion out of the Championship. Given that Daniel Farke's men are currently eight points back of the play-off places, it appears that it may be a big ask to expect Norwich to get themselves back into the hunt for the top six. Therefore, should West Ham manage to stay up, they should consider moving to sign Gunn on loan for the next campaign as he appears to have the quality to put a lot of pressure on Adrian and perhaps move above him in the pecking order if given a chance.
West Ham may feel that they have much more pressing concerns in other areas of the squad this summer, so addressing their goalkeeper situation without spending a significant amount would be a shrewd move, and Gunn is arguably the ideal target if they did decide to go down that path.
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OGBONNA LOOKS BACK ON BILIC'S TIME AT WEST HAM
TOM MASON @tom_mason18
ReadWestHam
West Ham defender Angelo Ogbonna has taken a dig at his former manager Slaven Bilic, who left the club in November with the Hammers struggling in the Premier League. The Croatian manager was given his marching orders following a heavy defeat to Liverpool in what was an embarrassing performance, ending his two-and-a-half-year stay at the club. Since his departure, the Hammers have improved and are up to 12th place in the Premier League. However, they are still in danger of suffering relegation this season with few points separating the teams at the bottom of the table. The Italian has been much improved under David Moyes and is one of the first names on the team sheet.
Ogbonna, as quoted by Football London, spoke about the impact that the former Manchester United manager Moyes has had on the team since his arrival. When the team was doing really bad, we changed the manager and he has brought a lot of energy and a lot of positive things, but the most important thing he brought was discipline because with discipline, you can build whatever you want. We improved a lot in the last month or two. We changed the shape [to three-at-the-back], but it's not just that. We run much better than before, not only in distance but in the quality of our running.
Ogbonna will hope that he can be a big part of West Ham's plans in the final stretch of the season as Moyes aims to secure his side's Premier League future.
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DAVID MOYES WANTS JOHN MCGINN AS FIRST SUMMER SIGNING
JOSHUA HARDY @joshuahardy__
ReadWestHam
According to the Evening Standard, David Moyes wants to sign £5m-rated Scottish midfielder John McGinn, if he is to stay as West Ham manager after this season. When Moyes was appointed in November, it was surrounded by fear and worry from the West Ham faithful, after the Scottish manager failed in his last three managerial jobs.
However, Moyes has turned the fans around, with many class performances and results against the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham, as well as fellow relegation rivals Stoke, West Brom and Huddersfield. Despite this amazing turn-around, there is still doubt whether if Moyes will stay in the job, even if The Hammers stay up this season, as many see it as a step in the wrong direction. If Moyes is to stay, one of his first targets for the summer transfer window will be John McGinn, who plays for Hibernian and has scored six goals. He also has got the same amount of assists in 33 games this season. West Ham have scouted the midfielder several times this season ahead of a move.
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Decision time nearing for Celtic as West Ham reportedly line up John McGinn
HITC
Olly Dawes
West Ham United are reportedly plotting a move for Hibernian's John McGinn.
According to the Daily Record, West Ham United are plotting their move for Hibernian midfielder John McGinn after watching him in action against Aberdeen on Saturday afternoon.
McGinn, 23, has been the heartbeat of the Hibernian midfield since his 2015 move from St Mirren, notching 16 goals in 123 games whilst even earning five caps for Scotland at international level. The midfielder is attracting major interest off the back of his displays for Hibs though, and the Daily Record report that West Ham sent assistant manager Billy McKinlay to watch McGinn in action against Aberdeen this past weekend.
West Ham appear to be plotting their summer move for McGinn, and that means that Celtic may well be handed just a matter of months to decide whether to launch their own bid. Back in February 2017, Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers told The Scottish Sun that he was a big fan of McGinn, even claiming that any manager would love to have him, praising his work rate, defensive work and tactical understanding.
Many have earmarked McGinn as a future successor to Scott Brown in the Celtic midfield, as whilst McGinn hasn't so far managed to get the best of Brown in a game, some believe he has the potential to play a similar role for club or country. Rodgers' comments on McGinn last year suggest that he is firmly on Celtic's radar, despite having a host of midfielders already, and West Ham's interest may turn this into a make or break situation for Celtic regarding their interest in McGinn. Celtic still have time to make their move, but if they do see him as being a successor to Brown, then they may have only a matter of months to decide to challenge West Ham – or face losing him to the Premier League.
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West Ham defender Patrice Evra becomes a cabby for the day as he drives a taxi to training and sings to his 'grumpy' passenger
Patrice Evra posts weekly 'Monday Motivation' videos on Instagram
The West Ham defender is yet to make his debut for his new club since arriving
Evra posted a video on Instagram on Monday as he drove to training in a taxi
He encouraged his followers to 'be happy' while singing to Storm Queen
By Jaime Wright For Mailonline
PUBLISHED: 12:55, 19 February 2018 | UPDATED: 14:43, 19 February 2018
Patrice Evra has released his latest instalment to his 'Monday Motivation' video chain as he drove to West Ham training in a taxi. The French defender has made a habit out of delivering his motivational videos to all of his Instagram followers this season, in an attempt to encourage people to take up a more positive outlook on life. Last week, he was dancing in the streets of London to Marvin Gaye, this week he chose Storm Queen as he took up a new position as a London cab driver.
In the video, Evra pulls up in a silver taxi, listening to Storm Queen's 'Look Right Through'. 'Good morning, they don't talk to me. Good morning,' he sings as he dances in his new method of transport, and seemingly getting the lyrics wrong - which could be a twist in the song to fit his 'Monday Motivation' theme. 'I am crazy! I'm on the way to training with my new cab. Do you like it?'
Evra then follows his entrance up with: 'I love this game,' which is a re-occurring statement he makes in all of his videos. 'Be happy and share your happiness with everyone, and check my first passenger,' he continues. The camera pans to face the back seat, revealing a very unhappy passenger, who shakes his head, which could be partly due to the fact he is being forced to have his window open on a drizzly London day. Evra adds: 'He's so grumpy, but I don't care. Be free and I like to share my happiness with people. Because it's Monday, and the weather is sh...' A brief pause to remember where he was, before making the necessary adjustments. His joy for life is infectious and he genuinely seems to enjoy spreading his happiness to his followers. However, Evra will be keen to take his happiness onto the pitch of the London Stadium, with the defender still yet to make his Hammers debut since his January arrival.
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Former Premier League player Blair Turgott used 85-year-old's stolen card to gamble £16,000 at Mayfair casino
The 23-year-old is accused of withdrawing the cash before using it for chips
Blair Turgott made one first-team appearance for West Ham in January 2014
Card used by Turgott had been stolen from Peter Dixon, 85, by another fraudster
Turgott has one previous conviction for careless driving from May 2014
By HENRY VAUGHAN, PRESS ASSOCIATION SPORT
PUBLISHED: 16:43, 19 February 2018 | UPDATED: 17:16, 19 February 2018
A former Premier League footballer gambled £16,000 at a Mayfair casino using a card stolen from an 85-year-old pensioner, a court has heard. Ex-West Ham winger Blair Turgott, 23, is accused of withdrawing the cash before exchanging it for chips during a night at the Playboy casino in central London's Park Lane. Turgott, who made one first-team appearance for the Hammers, in the team's FA Cup defeat to Nottingham Forest in January 2014, cashed out £16,900 at the end of the night, leaving with a £900 profit, a jury was told.
Prosecutor Kaj Scarsbrook said the card used by Turgott, who is from Bromley in Kent, had earlier been stolen from Peter Dixon, 85, by another fraudster posing as a bank employee. The victim said in a statement that the funds withdrawn from his account were intended for his children's inheritance. 'I was initially horrified I had been defrauded and feel foolish at handing my card over,' he added.
Turgott, wearing dark trousers and a brown jacket over a white shirt, appeared in the dock at London's Southwark Crown Court, where he denies fraud and converting criminal property on the night of Friday September 30, 2016.
The court heard the victim was called by a fraudster earlier that day posing as a Barclays Bank employee, who said he needed to collect Mr Dixon's debit card so a new one could be issued. Shortly after, a man in his 20s knocked on his door and Mr Dixon handed over his card. But Mr Dixon went to his branch the following Monday after his wife, Christine Dixon, 83, became suspicious. 'Their bank told them, perhaps unsurprisingly, this man had absolutely nothing to do with them and had, effectively, stolen the card,' the prosecutor said.
Jurors heard about £17,000 was taken from Mr Dixon's current account, with CCTV showing Turgott made two £8,000 withdrawals at the Playboy casino. 'He exchanges that money for casino plaques and spent the evening gambling,' said Mr Scarsbrook. 'At the end of the evening, he cashed out £16,900 cash, having made a profit of £900 that evening gambling.'
The prosecutor said at least one other person was involved in the alleged fraud, telling jurors they must decide if Turgott was 'being dishonest'. He added: 'Somehow the card and its details ended up in Mr Turgott's possession. 'The prosecution say that in itself is suspect, as is using someone else's card to fund your gambling.' Turgott rose through the youth ranks at east London club West Ham, with loan spells at clubs including Colchester United and Bradford City. He left West Ham to join Coventry City, and has more recently played for Leyton Orient and Bromley. The court heard he has one previous conviction, having pleaded guilty to careless driving in May 2014.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Sunday, February 18
Daily WHUFC News - 19th February 2018
Ogbonna: Playing pain-free has really helped me
WHUFC.com
Angelo Ogbonna says playing pain-free has been the main reason behind his fine form for West Ham United. A year ago this month, the Italian underwent successful surgery to fix a long-standing and debilitating knee injury which he had played through for the majority of his professional career. Now fully recovered, Ogbonna is fitter than he has been in years and the Hammers are reaping the rewards, with the 29-year-old playing every minute of the Club's last 23 matches in all competitions. "I feel very good," he confirmed. "When I am fit I am prepared to play every game. Of course, I feel a little bit tired sometimes, but everything is mental, so if you are prepared mentally, you can perform to your best physically. "I am definitely benefitting from having the operation on my knee, because I needed that surgery. Everybody knows it was an injury I had for a long time and they advised me to have the surgery, so I had it done and it has really helped me. "Since I had the surgery, our head physiotherapist Dominic Rogan has worked with me many times on my rehabilitation and he helped me to do the things right and get myself ready to play at 100 per cent."
Ogbonna has arguably been West Ham's most-consistent defender this season, ranking first in clearances made, joint-first in shots blocked, second in interceptions, third in aerial battles won and third in pass-completion percentage. While he has been admirably consistent, helping the Hammers to collect 20 points from their last 12 Premier League matches, the No21 is demanding more, aided by the 'discipline' instilled by manager David Moyes.
"It's good but it's not enough because we're looking to get as many points as we can. Now I think we are in a positive mood. "When the team was doing really bad, we changed the manager and he has brought a lot of energy and a lot of positive things, but the most important thing he brought was discipline because with discipline, you can build whatever you want. "Every manager has his type of method, but the important thing was the discipline, because with this you can train harder or train less, but you know what you have to do."
When Moyes was appointed in November, Ogbonna likened the new manager's methods to those which he enjoyed during two seasons with Italian champions Juventus. Three months on and the centre-half's opinion has not changed. "He is not just like an Italian manager, but like a European manager. Today, everything in football is improving and we are doing lots of things – tactics, positional work, technical work, running – and in the Premier League this is essential, because it is the hardest league in the world and, if you are not fit, you cannot go ahead. "We improved a lot in the last month or two. We changed the shape [to three-at-the-back], but it's not just that. We run much better than before, not only in distance but in the quality of our running.
"Every game has its story and every game is different, so we prepare for every game differently, to give ourselves the best chance of winning or drawing. Even when we struggled with injuries, we found the right shape with the right players in the right positions."
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Debut delight for 15-year-old midfielder
WHUFC.com
It was an U23 debut to remember for 15-year-old central midfielder Dan Chesters on Saturday as he was introduced as a late substitute tasked with seeing out the 1-0 Premier League 2 victory over Liverpool. Chesters – who has already impressed on a number of occasions for the U18s this campaign – was given five minutes to show his qualities in Merseyside at the end of the huge Division 1 clash. And the youngster got on the ball a couple of times, spraying one or two passes wide and showing why he was in the matchday squad on merit.
After the victory, Chesters – who turns 16 in April – reflected on what had been a day to remember. He said: "It was a special day, and one that I really enjoyed. To be honest, at the start of the season, I wouldn't have expected that I'd make my U23s debut before the end of the campaign, so it's amazing for me. "I just wanted to make sure I got a couple of games for the U18s, and if I did that, to try and cement a place in that team, to get my place in the squad, so to come and play at this level is great. "I really enjoyed the day as a whole; it was good to get out on the pitch and play with the boys, but everything from the pre-match to the journey and being a sub was a great experience for me."
Often utilised as a No10 for Mark Phillips and Steve Potts' U18s, Chesters was brought into the midfield at Liverpool's Kirkby Academy to solidify the team with the hosts chasing the game. And although he admitted at first the nerves kicked in, the youngster enjoyed his cameo for Terry Westley's side. "I was a bit nervous when I first went out onto the pitch but I got a few early touches of the ball and felt as though that went pretty quickly," he continued. "We were just trying to shut Liverpool down, being 1-0 up, so that was the job we had to do and we did that."I want to get my place in the U18s squad sorted for the rest of the season and then think about progressing into the U23s after that."
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Ludek Miklosko: I can't believe the fans are still singing my name!
WHUFC.com
In honour of Ludek Miklosko making his West Ham United debut on this day 28 years ago, the goalkeeping great recounts his favourite moments in Claret and Blue...
A MIXED DEBUT AT SWINDON TOWN IN FEBRUARY 1990
I had signed for West Ham from Banik Ostrava in what was then Czechoslovakia Back then, before the internet and social media, players from outside the top European clubs were something of a mystery to English fans. So, I made my debut at Swindon Town and most of them didn't know too much about me and then they saw me make a big mistake for one of Swindon's goals! The goalkeeping coach Ernie Gregory, who was a fantastic man and great character, had been teaching me to catch the ball in the old style. There was a slight deflection off the wall from a free-kick and I tried to catch it his way, but the ball went between my body and my arm and into the net. That was the last time I tried his style of catching the ball! In the end, the game finished two-all, which wasn't that bad, but from that time I said I was going my way and carried on making saves how I was used to and it worked out OK.
OUR PROMOTION-WINNING SEASON IN 1990/91
We won promotion to the First Division in my first full season at the Club in 1990/91, and it was based on our strong defence. We conceded only 34 goals in 46 league matches and kept 21 clean sheets – just one short of the Club record from 1980/81. It was a fantastic year. We only scored 60 goals ourselves, and we won lots of games 1-0 or 2-1, so it wasn't easy. The guys in front of me really played very well and I had one of my best seasons for West Ham. We had Julian Dicks, Alvin Martin, Tony Gale, Steve Potts, Tim Breacker, Colin Foster and Chris Hughton, who were all top defenders.
STOPPING MANCHESTER UNITED WINNING THE TITLE IN MAY 1995
I have been asked about the 1-1 draw with Manchester United at the Boleyn Ground in May 1995 so many times, but I will never get tired of talking about it! In fact, I was at Manchester United's training ground last week with some young goalkeepers – I am now a player representative – and there were staff members there who remembered that game. Some of them came up to me and talked about the game and a few of them said 'I was there and remember that game and I hated you!'. We had a good laugh about it. It was one of those games when everything went for me, but it was also a good team performance, too. We scored a good goal and we defended so well to stop Manchester United, who were a very good team and wanted to win the title on the final day of the season.
MY TERRACE CHANT ALWAYS MAKES ME SMILE!
I can't remember exactly when it started, but I think I heard the fans sing the 'He comes from near Moscow' song for the first time two or three years before I left. It's really amazing that they are still singing it 20 years later!
CARRYING JIMMY WALKER AROUND THE MILLENNIUM STADIUM PITCH
I was not playing in the game, but one match I remember well is when we got promoted by beating Preston in the Championship Play-Off final in 2005.
I was coaching and obviously Jimmy Walker got injured just five minutes into the game and Stephen Bywater went on. We won 1-0 and we celebrated on the pitch. Jimmy couldn't walk, so he climbed on my back and I carried him around! I think that was a great day for the Club. The Club is not one person and it's for the fans, because they make the Club. We have fantastic fans and they support us through everything, good times and bad, and that's something amazing.
COMPLETING THE GREAT ESCAPE IN MAY 2007
I was also the goalkeeping coach when we went to Old Trafford to play Manchester United on the final day of the 2006/07 season. Unlike 1995, Manchester United had already won the Premier League title, but we knew we needed to win to ensure we were not relegated. It was not easy at all, but on that day everyone stuck together and, in the end, we won the game and it was great because we stayed up. Robert Green was our goalkeeper that afternoon and he had a match like I did at Upton Park 12 years before and he stopped everything. It was really very good.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Angelo Ogbonna says playing pain-free has been the main reason behind his fine form for West Ham United. A year ago this month, the Italian underwent successful surgery to fix a long-standing and debilitating knee injury which he had played through for the majority of his professional career. Now fully recovered, Ogbonna is fitter than he has been in years and the Hammers are reaping the rewards, with the 29-year-old playing every minute of the Club's last 23 matches in all competitions. "I feel very good," he confirmed. "When I am fit I am prepared to play every game. Of course, I feel a little bit tired sometimes, but everything is mental, so if you are prepared mentally, you can perform to your best physically. "I am definitely benefitting from having the operation on my knee, because I needed that surgery. Everybody knows it was an injury I had for a long time and they advised me to have the surgery, so I had it done and it has really helped me. "Since I had the surgery, our head physiotherapist Dominic Rogan has worked with me many times on my rehabilitation and he helped me to do the things right and get myself ready to play at 100 per cent."
Ogbonna has arguably been West Ham's most-consistent defender this season, ranking first in clearances made, joint-first in shots blocked, second in interceptions, third in aerial battles won and third in pass-completion percentage. While he has been admirably consistent, helping the Hammers to collect 20 points from their last 12 Premier League matches, the No21 is demanding more, aided by the 'discipline' instilled by manager David Moyes.
"It's good but it's not enough because we're looking to get as many points as we can. Now I think we are in a positive mood. "When the team was doing really bad, we changed the manager and he has brought a lot of energy and a lot of positive things, but the most important thing he brought was discipline because with discipline, you can build whatever you want. "Every manager has his type of method, but the important thing was the discipline, because with this you can train harder or train less, but you know what you have to do."
When Moyes was appointed in November, Ogbonna likened the new manager's methods to those which he enjoyed during two seasons with Italian champions Juventus. Three months on and the centre-half's opinion has not changed. "He is not just like an Italian manager, but like a European manager. Today, everything in football is improving and we are doing lots of things – tactics, positional work, technical work, running – and in the Premier League this is essential, because it is the hardest league in the world and, if you are not fit, you cannot go ahead. "We improved a lot in the last month or two. We changed the shape [to three-at-the-back], but it's not just that. We run much better than before, not only in distance but in the quality of our running.
"Every game has its story and every game is different, so we prepare for every game differently, to give ourselves the best chance of winning or drawing. Even when we struggled with injuries, we found the right shape with the right players in the right positions."
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Debut delight for 15-year-old midfielder
WHUFC.com
It was an U23 debut to remember for 15-year-old central midfielder Dan Chesters on Saturday as he was introduced as a late substitute tasked with seeing out the 1-0 Premier League 2 victory over Liverpool. Chesters – who has already impressed on a number of occasions for the U18s this campaign – was given five minutes to show his qualities in Merseyside at the end of the huge Division 1 clash. And the youngster got on the ball a couple of times, spraying one or two passes wide and showing why he was in the matchday squad on merit.
After the victory, Chesters – who turns 16 in April – reflected on what had been a day to remember. He said: "It was a special day, and one that I really enjoyed. To be honest, at the start of the season, I wouldn't have expected that I'd make my U23s debut before the end of the campaign, so it's amazing for me. "I just wanted to make sure I got a couple of games for the U18s, and if I did that, to try and cement a place in that team, to get my place in the squad, so to come and play at this level is great. "I really enjoyed the day as a whole; it was good to get out on the pitch and play with the boys, but everything from the pre-match to the journey and being a sub was a great experience for me."
Often utilised as a No10 for Mark Phillips and Steve Potts' U18s, Chesters was brought into the midfield at Liverpool's Kirkby Academy to solidify the team with the hosts chasing the game. And although he admitted at first the nerves kicked in, the youngster enjoyed his cameo for Terry Westley's side. "I was a bit nervous when I first went out onto the pitch but I got a few early touches of the ball and felt as though that went pretty quickly," he continued. "We were just trying to shut Liverpool down, being 1-0 up, so that was the job we had to do and we did that."I want to get my place in the U18s squad sorted for the rest of the season and then think about progressing into the U23s after that."
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Ludek Miklosko: I can't believe the fans are still singing my name!
WHUFC.com
In honour of Ludek Miklosko making his West Ham United debut on this day 28 years ago, the goalkeeping great recounts his favourite moments in Claret and Blue...
A MIXED DEBUT AT SWINDON TOWN IN FEBRUARY 1990
I had signed for West Ham from Banik Ostrava in what was then Czechoslovakia Back then, before the internet and social media, players from outside the top European clubs were something of a mystery to English fans. So, I made my debut at Swindon Town and most of them didn't know too much about me and then they saw me make a big mistake for one of Swindon's goals! The goalkeeping coach Ernie Gregory, who was a fantastic man and great character, had been teaching me to catch the ball in the old style. There was a slight deflection off the wall from a free-kick and I tried to catch it his way, but the ball went between my body and my arm and into the net. That was the last time I tried his style of catching the ball! In the end, the game finished two-all, which wasn't that bad, but from that time I said I was going my way and carried on making saves how I was used to and it worked out OK.
OUR PROMOTION-WINNING SEASON IN 1990/91
We won promotion to the First Division in my first full season at the Club in 1990/91, and it was based on our strong defence. We conceded only 34 goals in 46 league matches and kept 21 clean sheets – just one short of the Club record from 1980/81. It was a fantastic year. We only scored 60 goals ourselves, and we won lots of games 1-0 or 2-1, so it wasn't easy. The guys in front of me really played very well and I had one of my best seasons for West Ham. We had Julian Dicks, Alvin Martin, Tony Gale, Steve Potts, Tim Breacker, Colin Foster and Chris Hughton, who were all top defenders.
STOPPING MANCHESTER UNITED WINNING THE TITLE IN MAY 1995
I have been asked about the 1-1 draw with Manchester United at the Boleyn Ground in May 1995 so many times, but I will never get tired of talking about it! In fact, I was at Manchester United's training ground last week with some young goalkeepers – I am now a player representative – and there were staff members there who remembered that game. Some of them came up to me and talked about the game and a few of them said 'I was there and remember that game and I hated you!'. We had a good laugh about it. It was one of those games when everything went for me, but it was also a good team performance, too. We scored a good goal and we defended so well to stop Manchester United, who were a very good team and wanted to win the title on the final day of the season.
MY TERRACE CHANT ALWAYS MAKES ME SMILE!
I can't remember exactly when it started, but I think I heard the fans sing the 'He comes from near Moscow' song for the first time two or three years before I left. It's really amazing that they are still singing it 20 years later!
CARRYING JIMMY WALKER AROUND THE MILLENNIUM STADIUM PITCH
I was not playing in the game, but one match I remember well is when we got promoted by beating Preston in the Championship Play-Off final in 2005.
I was coaching and obviously Jimmy Walker got injured just five minutes into the game and Stephen Bywater went on. We won 1-0 and we celebrated on the pitch. Jimmy couldn't walk, so he climbed on my back and I carried him around! I think that was a great day for the Club. The Club is not one person and it's for the fans, because they make the Club. We have fantastic fans and they support us through everything, good times and bad, and that's something amazing.
COMPLETING THE GREAT ESCAPE IN MAY 2007
I was also the goalkeeping coach when we went to Old Trafford to play Manchester United on the final day of the 2006/07 season. Unlike 1995, Manchester United had already won the Premier League title, but we knew we needed to win to ensure we were not relegated. It was not easy at all, but on that day everyone stuck together and, in the end, we won the game and it was great because we stayed up. Robert Green was our goalkeeper that afternoon and he had a match like I did at Upton Park 12 years before and he stopped everything. It was really very good.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Saturday, February 17
Daily WHUFC News - 18th February 2018
Pask delighted with winner and clean sheet at table-toppers
WHUFC.com
West Ham United U23 defender Josh Pask described scoring the winner in
Saturday's 1-0 victory over Premier League 2 leaders Liverpool as a 'great
feeling' and praised his side for battling to earn a clean sheet. The
Hammers went into the game without a win in their previous four matches -
and without a defensive shutout in the three before - but showed their
determination as they stayed strong to condemn Liverpool to their fourth
defeat in five games. And that was inflicted courtesy of Pask's third minute
strike, a left-foot volley that perfectly nestled in the far corner after
Marcus Browne's corner-kick delivery. The centre-back, who made his comeback
from a hamstring injury against Tottenham Hotspur on Monday, admitted he was
delighted to grab the goal but highlighted just how important the zero was
for West Ham in the scoreline. "We hadn't won in a few games so we came into
the match really determined to get the points and maybe it wasn't our best
performance this season but the main thing is that we have won and got the
points," he said. "We'll take that all day. On the ball, we've played well
this season and today it was a bit different in that they had the ball a bit
too, but we stuck in there and held on to get the win. "It's my second goal
of the season and of course I'm delighted with it. To come back from injury
and play only my second game and get the winner, obviously that's a great
feeling for me.
"I've been out with a hamstring but I'm glad I'm over that now and it was
good to get the three points today as well as score the winner. I'll take
that."
The Hammers had conceded a goal within the first five minutes on five
occasions this term and the importance of concentration from the first
whistle was highlighted by manager Terry Westley prior to the clash. Pask
explained this time, thanks to his goal, it was nice to be on the other end
of that this weekend.
"It was a massive thing for us, making sure we stayed in the game in the
first half," he continued. "This season, we have gone a goal down too many
times and we've always been fighting to get back into it throughout. "So it
was really important for our confidence that we didn't concede first half
and then that gave us the belief that we could see the whole game out and
win despite scoring just the one. "With the goal, I tried to play it across
goal with the header, and fortunately it bounced back to me off the
defender's back, and it was in a good position for me to hit with the left
foot on the volley, and I struck it nicely so it was great to see it go in."
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Westley: We showed grit and determination in Liverpool win
WHUFC.com
West Ham United U23 boss Terry Westley praised his side's ability to show
their different qualities on Saturday as the Hammers picked up an impressive
1-0 win at league leaders Liverpool. Josh Pask's third minute goal was
enough to see the visitors take all three points home from Merseyside in
Premier League 2 Division 1, although as the Reds pressed in the second half
Westley's team were forced to battle hard to earn the win. The boss praised
his back four in particular, as the Hammers showed their grit and
determination to pick up their first victory in five. Westley said: "The
back four; Ben Johnson, Josh Pask who scored, Tunji Akinola and Vashon
Neufville, and add the keeper Nathan Trott, were very, very good today. "But
the wole team showed that determination throughout the whole game. We saw
the game right the way through against a very good Liverpool team. "You
always get different qualities in a game; good attacking play, solid
defending. Today was all about us being gritty, being so determined and
seeing the game through. And we did that. "We made some great tackles, we
stopped opportunities, and going the other way, we made our own
opportunities and could have stretched the game further. It was an all round
good performance and it's great to come away with the win."
Elsewhere on the pitch, captain Marcus Browne - who bagged his first goal of
the season last week in Monday's London derby against Tottenham Hotspur -
impressed, while there was also a debut for 15-year-old Dan Chesters as a
late substitute. Westley was pleased with the performances of one or two
more, and admitted his side are have probably now secured their fate ahead
of next season. "Marcus Browne, the captain, really stood out again today,
he showed character and really drove the team forward at times. Then there
was also young Grady [Diangana] who was playing out of position but he
showed all the different qualities he needs when he goes into the senior
group. "It turned out to be a really good day for us. We've let in goals
within the first three minutes in about five games this season, and when you
do that, you're always on the back foot. "We made a real point of definitely
being ready today and travelling up and preparing well and that we didn't
let the game slip away in the early stages. "It would take a lot for other
teams to catch us now, so we've probably secured ourselves for next season
and now we're back in the top six and that's the mark we've always looked
for. We'll take that all day and we'll travel home very pleased with our
work."
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Manchester United fixture to be rearranged
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's Premier League fixture with Manchester United at London
Stadium will be rearranged after the Red Devils reached the Emirates FA Cup
sixth round. Jose Mourinho's side were due to visit Stratford on Sunday 18
March at 1.30pm, but their fifth-round victory at Huddersfield Town on
Saturday evening means they will now be in FA Cup action that weekend. A
date and kick-off time for the rearranged Premier League fixture with
Manchester United at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park will be confirmed in due
course.
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Austin hoping for winning Swindon return
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Ladies defender Chenise Austin is hoping for a winning
return to her former club when the Hammers take on Swindon Town Ladies on
Sunday.
The centre-back joined the Irons in July 2017 on the back of an excellent
campaign with Swindon, and has impressed since linking up with the east
London side.
Her presence in defence has helped the Hammers on an impressive run of form.
The team is unbeaten in 2018 - a run extending six matches in all
competitions - with West Ham conceding just twice in that time. "We're very
happy", Austin told whufc.com. "It definitely puts a lot of smiles on faces.
At the end of the day, football is something we love doing and it's always
nice to be winning and to be performing well together. The team has really
clicked recently. I suppose you could say 'new year, new start'. We've had a
bit of pressure off of us, because we've played a few cup games in that
time. They count, but in a different way." She continued: "I think it comes
down to attitude. Since the New Year, we've come out and played well, and we
want to continue that this weekend."
The ladies go into Sunday's game on the back of a 7-0 defeat of Keynsham
Town, while this weekend's opponents remain rooted to the bottom of the
Women's Premier South division after a loss to C&K Basildon. Austin is
looking forward to her return to the club that she played at for three years
and to gracing the field at Fairford once again. The Hammers have claimed
four wins in their six matches so far in 2018, with draws in the other two
games, with three of those victories coming on the road. In those contests,
Karen Ray's side have netted an incredible 16 goals, with the Hammers
scoring six in consecutive away games during January. A win on Sunday would
be West Ham's fifth of the season in the league.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Aston Villa to miss out on permanent deal as West Ham's Robert Snodgrass
plots return to London
There is a willingness on both sides to try and make it work
Football London
ByGreg Johnson
Editor
07:00, 17 FEB 2018UPDATED12:47, 17 FEB 2018
WEST HAM
West Ham midfielder Robert Snodgrass is determined to return to the club and
try to break into the side under David Moyes next season. The Scotland
international, currently on loan with Aston Villa until the summer, was a
January signing for Slaven Bilic in 2017 but fell out of favour with the
Croatian.
However, he has impressed in the Championship this campaign and could slot
into a team as another goal threat out wide or behind the strikers.
Snodgrass has scored six goals and grabbed eight assists for the Villains
playing down the right wing for Steve Bruce. The midfielder turns 31 in
September and West Ham want to give him another chance at proving himself at
the London Stadium. He will be back in the capital this weekend to take on
Fulham as his current side look to keep up the pressure in the race for
promotion to the Premier League. Birmingham Live report that the feeling in
the city is that Snodgrass will go back at the end of the season, with his
parent club keen to give him another run in the team. According to the
Evening Standard, the player himself wants the move too despite enjoying his
time with Villa.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
West Ham United U23 defender Josh Pask described scoring the winner in
Saturday's 1-0 victory over Premier League 2 leaders Liverpool as a 'great
feeling' and praised his side for battling to earn a clean sheet. The
Hammers went into the game without a win in their previous four matches -
and without a defensive shutout in the three before - but showed their
determination as they stayed strong to condemn Liverpool to their fourth
defeat in five games. And that was inflicted courtesy of Pask's third minute
strike, a left-foot volley that perfectly nestled in the far corner after
Marcus Browne's corner-kick delivery. The centre-back, who made his comeback
from a hamstring injury against Tottenham Hotspur on Monday, admitted he was
delighted to grab the goal but highlighted just how important the zero was
for West Ham in the scoreline. "We hadn't won in a few games so we came into
the match really determined to get the points and maybe it wasn't our best
performance this season but the main thing is that we have won and got the
points," he said. "We'll take that all day. On the ball, we've played well
this season and today it was a bit different in that they had the ball a bit
too, but we stuck in there and held on to get the win. "It's my second goal
of the season and of course I'm delighted with it. To come back from injury
and play only my second game and get the winner, obviously that's a great
feeling for me.
"I've been out with a hamstring but I'm glad I'm over that now and it was
good to get the three points today as well as score the winner. I'll take
that."
The Hammers had conceded a goal within the first five minutes on five
occasions this term and the importance of concentration from the first
whistle was highlighted by manager Terry Westley prior to the clash. Pask
explained this time, thanks to his goal, it was nice to be on the other end
of that this weekend.
"It was a massive thing for us, making sure we stayed in the game in the
first half," he continued. "This season, we have gone a goal down too many
times and we've always been fighting to get back into it throughout. "So it
was really important for our confidence that we didn't concede first half
and then that gave us the belief that we could see the whole game out and
win despite scoring just the one. "With the goal, I tried to play it across
goal with the header, and fortunately it bounced back to me off the
defender's back, and it was in a good position for me to hit with the left
foot on the volley, and I struck it nicely so it was great to see it go in."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Westley: We showed grit and determination in Liverpool win
WHUFC.com
West Ham United U23 boss Terry Westley praised his side's ability to show
their different qualities on Saturday as the Hammers picked up an impressive
1-0 win at league leaders Liverpool. Josh Pask's third minute goal was
enough to see the visitors take all three points home from Merseyside in
Premier League 2 Division 1, although as the Reds pressed in the second half
Westley's team were forced to battle hard to earn the win. The boss praised
his back four in particular, as the Hammers showed their grit and
determination to pick up their first victory in five. Westley said: "The
back four; Ben Johnson, Josh Pask who scored, Tunji Akinola and Vashon
Neufville, and add the keeper Nathan Trott, were very, very good today. "But
the wole team showed that determination throughout the whole game. We saw
the game right the way through against a very good Liverpool team. "You
always get different qualities in a game; good attacking play, solid
defending. Today was all about us being gritty, being so determined and
seeing the game through. And we did that. "We made some great tackles, we
stopped opportunities, and going the other way, we made our own
opportunities and could have stretched the game further. It was an all round
good performance and it's great to come away with the win."
Elsewhere on the pitch, captain Marcus Browne - who bagged his first goal of
the season last week in Monday's London derby against Tottenham Hotspur -
impressed, while there was also a debut for 15-year-old Dan Chesters as a
late substitute. Westley was pleased with the performances of one or two
more, and admitted his side are have probably now secured their fate ahead
of next season. "Marcus Browne, the captain, really stood out again today,
he showed character and really drove the team forward at times. Then there
was also young Grady [Diangana] who was playing out of position but he
showed all the different qualities he needs when he goes into the senior
group. "It turned out to be a really good day for us. We've let in goals
within the first three minutes in about five games this season, and when you
do that, you're always on the back foot. "We made a real point of definitely
being ready today and travelling up and preparing well and that we didn't
let the game slip away in the early stages. "It would take a lot for other
teams to catch us now, so we've probably secured ourselves for next season
and now we're back in the top six and that's the mark we've always looked
for. We'll take that all day and we'll travel home very pleased with our
work."
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Manchester United fixture to be rearranged
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's Premier League fixture with Manchester United at London
Stadium will be rearranged after the Red Devils reached the Emirates FA Cup
sixth round. Jose Mourinho's side were due to visit Stratford on Sunday 18
March at 1.30pm, but their fifth-round victory at Huddersfield Town on
Saturday evening means they will now be in FA Cup action that weekend. A
date and kick-off time for the rearranged Premier League fixture with
Manchester United at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park will be confirmed in due
course.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Austin hoping for winning Swindon return
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Ladies defender Chenise Austin is hoping for a winning
return to her former club when the Hammers take on Swindon Town Ladies on
Sunday.
The centre-back joined the Irons in July 2017 on the back of an excellent
campaign with Swindon, and has impressed since linking up with the east
London side.
Her presence in defence has helped the Hammers on an impressive run of form.
The team is unbeaten in 2018 - a run extending six matches in all
competitions - with West Ham conceding just twice in that time. "We're very
happy", Austin told whufc.com. "It definitely puts a lot of smiles on faces.
At the end of the day, football is something we love doing and it's always
nice to be winning and to be performing well together. The team has really
clicked recently. I suppose you could say 'new year, new start'. We've had a
bit of pressure off of us, because we've played a few cup games in that
time. They count, but in a different way." She continued: "I think it comes
down to attitude. Since the New Year, we've come out and played well, and we
want to continue that this weekend."
The ladies go into Sunday's game on the back of a 7-0 defeat of Keynsham
Town, while this weekend's opponents remain rooted to the bottom of the
Women's Premier South division after a loss to C&K Basildon. Austin is
looking forward to her return to the club that she played at for three years
and to gracing the field at Fairford once again. The Hammers have claimed
four wins in their six matches so far in 2018, with draws in the other two
games, with three of those victories coming on the road. In those contests,
Karen Ray's side have netted an incredible 16 goals, with the Hammers
scoring six in consecutive away games during January. A win on Sunday would
be West Ham's fifth of the season in the league.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Aston Villa to miss out on permanent deal as West Ham's Robert Snodgrass
plots return to London
There is a willingness on both sides to try and make it work
Football London
ByGreg Johnson
Editor
07:00, 17 FEB 2018UPDATED12:47, 17 FEB 2018
WEST HAM
West Ham midfielder Robert Snodgrass is determined to return to the club and
try to break into the side under David Moyes next season. The Scotland
international, currently on loan with Aston Villa until the summer, was a
January signing for Slaven Bilic in 2017 but fell out of favour with the
Croatian.
However, he has impressed in the Championship this campaign and could slot
into a team as another goal threat out wide or behind the strikers.
Snodgrass has scored six goals and grabbed eight assists for the Villains
playing down the right wing for Steve Bruce. The midfielder turns 31 in
September and West Ham want to give him another chance at proving himself at
the London Stadium. He will be back in the capital this weekend to take on
Fulham as his current side look to keep up the pressure in the race for
promotion to the Premier League. Birmingham Live report that the feeling in
the city is that Snodgrass will go back at the end of the season, with his
parent club keen to give him another run in the team. According to the
Evening Standard, the player himself wants the move too despite enjoying his
time with Villa.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
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